AN: Oh my gosh, ten chapters! Thank you to ALL OF YOU! At first, I thought this wouldn't be recognized or at least viewed. Then, I get all of you awesome people that review, follow, and/or favorite my story and it makes me really grateful. Again, thank you. :')
But while I could write another ten chapters thanking you, I'm sure you'd rather read the story, right? This chapter is filled with a lot (Read: A lot=HUGE AMOUNTS) of emotional roller coasters and one tiny evil that I will make you live through. (So much for me thanking you)
Longest AN ever aside, ONWARD!
"Get down!"
"Shit!"
"Jack, get the guys on the right!"
"Die, fuckers!"
"Nate, your left!"
"Bring on the pain!"
"I got the ones taking cover behind the bar!"
"Alright, Sel. Zeke-"
"I know what to do, John!"
The firefight kept going for what seemed hours. The pizzeria was trashed and the Mario dude changed allegiance to another gang, which, at the moment, had ambushed us. Thank god for the armor. Unfortunately-or is it fortunately?- for them, they were wearing casual clothes, making them easy to pick off.
Right now, my sniper became my best friend. Some of the gangsters had taken cover behind a small bar along the right wall of the pizzeria. Adrenaline running through me, I picked off the first. Then the second, and a third. Two more and I was done. The others were done as well, and as the adrenaline faded from me, my body weakened at the thought of what had just happened: i had killed.
It was bound to happen sooner or later I knew. But... I thought I'd be ready. I thought it would be not five but one. Panic began to replace the adrenaline.
I can't deal with this!
Yes you can! You have to!
I just fucking killed someone! Five to make matters worse!
Which were trying to kill you!
That doesn't make it any better...
Deal with it. That's the brutal calculus of war. Lose your innocence now so you won't have to deal with it when it truly matters.
"Everyone alright?" asked John.
No...
"All good. Damn! That was way too easy!" Jack exclaimed.
"Sel? You okay?"
No. I feel like shit but there's nothing I can do about it.
"Yeah. I'm fine. Lets head back to HQ."
"Good job handling the situation. What happened to Rossi?"
"He ran before we could get to him."
"Hm. Well, that doesn't matter now, Selena. You did the job, and did it well. You didn't die and you won, despite being outnumbered. Good job. Get some rest. Helena out."
The screen faded and disappeared, leaving the five of us alone in the debrief room.
"Well guys," Jack started as she stood up and stretched, " I'm hungry as hell. Anyone know where the cafeteria is?"
Jack, being a biotic, helped us greatly in the ambush. She almost burned out, though she wouldn't admit it. Hence, the hunger.
"I think I saw it when we walked here. Come on, Zeke. You look pretty tired too." Nate said.
"You coming?" Zeke asked John and me. I was still kind of dazed and scared shitless from what had what had happened.
"We'll catch up in a bit." he answered.
The others left us alone in the debriefing room. It reminded me much of the comm room of the Normandy SR-1 only that the chairs were lined up in one row, not in circular figure.
I can't stop thinking about what happened. It kept nagging me, a little voice at the back of my head telling me it was wrong. John caught onto my distress and put his arm around my shoulders, sending me warm, calming electrical pulses throughout my body.
"Talk to me, Sel. Is it the shooting?"
Damn, he's good.
"I'm fine. It's just..."
Just what?
Just that the galaxy is coming to an end. Just that I have to guide you, the one and only person, in order to save it. Just that if we fail, life as we know it will cease to exist. Just that I'm scared out of my mind.
Just that I don't know what I feel towards you.
"Nothing is going to be easy. Things are just going to get worse. A whole lot worse."
"Don't say that, Selena. Everything will be fine."
He used my first name... He had never used it before...
For a moment, I believed him. And in that moment, I felt so at ease.
"Thanks. For being here. Helping me." I said.
"You've helped me in a lot of ways. More than I can count."
His gaze upon mine was so intense. So...captivating. His unblemished face looked flushed. His eyes dazzled as the distance between us began to diminish. I could feel his warm, minty breath on my lips. Only centimeters apart from each other, our lips-
beep-beep, beep-beep, beep-beep.
My omni-tool. Why do I want to crush it with my bare hands right now?
The sound caused us to jerk away from each other, flushed and slightly disappointed-why?- and I quickly rose from my seat.
"I'll-uh-w-wait for you in the c-cafeteria." John managed as he practically fled from the room.
Feeling flustered, annoyed, and confused, I answer the call.
"Selena."
Just the person I need to talk to right now...
"Helena. Is there something you need?"
Smooth, Sel. Don't let her know that you feel like shooting her right now...
"Are you with the team?"
"No. They're eating. I was about to join them." yeah, right "Why?"
"Your team needs a team leader. That is decided in a similar matter to recruiting. Only you compete against each other."
Oh, goody. Just what I need right now. Getting beat the crap out of Jack. Or Zeke. Maybe Nate.
"When would we start?"
"Today. As soon as you're able. I already informed the trainer and scorekeeper. She'll be expecting you."
"Okay, then. I'll tell the others right now. Anything else?" Please say no.
"No. That is all. Good luck." The call ends.
Well, this is just lovely...
Sarcasm isn't going to help...
It makes things easier...
I exit the Comm/Debrief room and make my way to the cafeteria.
(Cafeteria)
"What's wrong with you two?" Nate asked. "You're awfully quiet."
"Nothing. I-uh." think of something! " Oh! We need a team leader. Boss contacted me. Said to go to the training room after eating."
"Nice way to change the subject." Zeke mumbled under his breath. Ignoring Zeke's comment, I continued.
"She didn't give me too many details. Other than our aim's gonna be tested."
"Then what the fuck are we sitting around for?" Jack said as she stood. "Let's go."
(Training Room)
"Name's Sarah. I'm in charge of keeping track of your performance to see which one of you will be team leader. First, we'll start off with physical performance. Push ups, sit ups, that kinda thing. Next up, weaponry. You will be given different types of weapons that you use, some more powerful than others, and test your aim and speed. The points will be added in the end and whoever has the most points gets to lead your team. Questions? No? Good. Then let's start. Push ups. Get ready."
This girl means business...
Luckily,we had changed into training clothes before coming here. John was wearing a white t-shirt, black basketball shorts, and black running shoes. Nate and Zeke wore pretty much the same thing. Jack wore a camo tank, revealing quite a few tattoos but not as many as she had in the game. Weird... She also sported black shorts and black runnng shoes. I decided on my favorite "work out outfit:" sports bra, basketball shorts, and running shoes, all black.
We took positions on the floor as Sarah-which was the one that gave us our equipment when we arrived- prepared to give the signal.
"Start!"
...9.10.11 Nate's down. 12...16.17. Jack is out. 18.19.20. Huff.21. Huff. 22. Huff. 23 I'm down. 24. 25. Zeke. 26.27. John is down.
Geez-us. Can I...have a minute...please...? Maybe... Lie down...forever...?
"Wow, John. That was...impressive." Sarah told John in a tone that for some reason rubbed me the wrong way.
Is...is she flirting with him?
What's it to you? You said he was just your friend... Right?
Goddammit! The hell is wrong with me?!
The confusion/anger filled me with adrenaline. Jumping up from the floor, I spoke to Sarah.
"Pull ups next, right?" I said very close to her face. She nodded cautiously and motioned with her head the bars. With renewed vigor and ample reserves of adrenaline that appeared from the blue-right?- I made my way to the bars.
"Anytime, guys." I told the others as they readied themselves.
"Ready?" Sarah prepared us. "Start!"
...17.18...Jack is done. 19.20.21. Nate is over. 22.23...30.31.32...41. Zeke. 42...47 huff. 4...8 huff. John. 4...9. Huff..no more...5...0 huff huff huff...
I let go of the bar, landing on my knees, the adrenaline fading, leaving my body exhausted and sore. And for some stupid reason, I think James would be proud. Maybe. Does anyone have water? Or Powerade? Does that even exist anymore? I don't remember seeing it.
"What jealousy can do." commented Jack. John gave her a confused look and she just burst out laughing. I was too damn tired to care.
"Five minute break, everyone." Sarah announced.
Everyone made their way to a table that had bottles of water. I simply laid down on the floor, eyes closed, trying to regain a steady breathing rate. I feel someone sit next to me and I open my eyes.
"Hey." I breathed.
"Hey." John responded. "So... 50 pull ups, huh? I didn't think you were a work out person."
Neither did I...
"What did you think of me then?" I asked as he handed me a bottle of water.
"I don't know." he starts. "Someone...caring. Loving." he said as he looked down at his hands.
I gulp my water to hide the blush creeping on my face. I still felt it when I stopped drinking, but it could pass as being flushed from exercising. Right?
Right.
Trying to lighten up the mood, I joked.
"Are you calling me a lightweight, Mr. Shepard?"
Wow that sounded weird...
"Maybe I am, Ms. Davidson." He said with a smirk.
"Ten credits I beat you in the next exercise."
"They haven't even paid us yet and you want to start gambling?"
"Is the great Shepard scared?" I teased.
"Please stop using my last name. And no, I am not afraid. Hm. Alright, you got a deal. Get ready to lose ten credits."
If you only knew how much your last name is going to mean...
"Break over, people." Sarah said. "Laps next. Get on one of those treadmills."
"Uh, did someone forget their sunglasses or something?" Nate said as he held a pair of odd-looking sunglasses.
"No. Those are environment simulators. Put them on and you can choose different vistas or places you want to 'run' in. You can use them if you like."
Sounds interesting...
The "glasses" looked more like the masks the Incredibles used, only they fully covered your eyes. I decided to try them on. A menu appears, showing the following options:
Citadel
Track Field
Old Earth
Park
Old Earth? That's...intriguing.
Another option menu upon choosing the Earth option:
California London Texas New York France Florida Vancouver
Texas, my home. The simulation began and what came up next couldn't have startled me more:
ALAMO CITY LIMITS
POP.: 18,383
My... That's where...Fucking hell, that's where I used to live! I don't know what happened next but the simulation went dark and the glasses came off, the dull white light of,the training room momentarily blinding me.
"Sel! Are you alright?" John asked as he held me by the shoulders. That's when I realized I was on my knees.
"You blanked out on us then fell to your knees." John continued.
Well, shit...
"Sorry. Just...tired. Lets keep going." I lied as I stood. I put the glasses back on, despite my better judgment screaming not to, the small city coming back into view. I faintly heard Sarah yell "Begin" and my feet began moving. God, it was...so identical. So realistic.
Jogging slowly I started off in the main street, passing the "Stars Drive-In," the "O'Reilly Auto Parts," the old elementary school, the pharmacy. I came across an intersection and "turned" left using the eye coordination. One block, another. A left turn on the third street. And there it was. My old home. Its freshly cut front lawn, the old car my mom never repaired, Charlie's dog house. Everything looked exactly the same. I hadn't even realized I had stopped running until I felt hot tears roll down my eyes.
The memory was too much for me. Yes, it brought back the good times I spent there but it also reminded me what I left behind. My mom, my friends, my life. I tore the glasses off and let the tears run down my face, despite the eyes on me. I didn't care at the moment. I had left behind an entire life just to help fix this fucked up universe.
"Sel. You're crying." John said with a whisper. "Guys leave us alone for a bit."
The others exited the training room, leaving me and John alone. He didn't say anything as the fears rolled down, instead he hugged me, waited for the sobs to stop. After I calmed down a bit, he spoke.
"Selena. Tell me, please tell me what's wrong with you. It hurts me to see you like this. Let me help." John pleaded.
"You'll never understand." I began. "Its not something I can just...blurt out. It hurts. And it also hurts to know that that I'm causing you pain because of this. I'm sorry. Just understand that I can't...express this thing that bothers me."
"Don't apologize. I trust you. But...it seems you don't trust me."
His words stung me like a dagger through the heart. I turned and looked at him directly in the eyes.
"I trust you. Implicitly. Its just that this bothersome thing from my past isn't something I can share easily."
"Is it...that Alex boy?" he asked. God, he isn't going to drop this until I lie or tell him the truth.
"In part, yes." I said. "He...I..."
"He was your boyfriend." He interjected my stuttering.
Not even close. Maybe if I hadn't died... But...
"No. Best friend, actually. Since we were kids. Did I like him? Yes. Did I tell him? No. Do I regret it? Yes. But I didn't know I would-" I stopped. I couldn't tell him. Should I? Should he know I'm some freak reincarnation? Would it hurt? Would he laugh?
"You didn't know what?" John asked. "I won't judge you. Trust me."
His words seemed so sincere. So... Truthful. If I told him, things would either be easier or a whole lot harder. If I told him, though, no way would I mention anything about the Reapers. It still too early. Yes? No? Yes?
Yes. Here goes...everything.
"I...I didn't know I would die."
AN: Oh, snap! For the record, i did not go back on my word on keeping quiet about Shepard's destiny (You will see later on that I'm right.) This has been the longest chapter so far and man was it difficult to write. And like I said, it was an emotional roller coaster. Next chapter will be extremely short so I MAY be able to post it today. MAYBE. About the twitter thing, no one yet, so... Yeah. Uh, what else? Hopefully the counting wasn't confusing. Hmmm... That's it, I think. Thank you for all you reviews, follows, favorites! Its my fuel, really. Stay tuned, folks! Until next time.
FUN FACT ABOUT THIS STORY: IT IS TYPED ON A PHONE. ALL OF IT. HUH.