Hey guys, I am so so so sorry for updating this late. Exams…you know how it is!
After my last update, Sean asked Alex out and Percy and Roan were killed. IN THIS FIC, THAT NEVER HAPPENED, OKEY? Cool.
Chapter 6
…biep…biep…biep…
Birkhoff lay motionless in front of me, barely even breathing. My eyes were burning from the non-stop crying over the last two hours. I sat quietly next to him; my heart dropping with each BIEP his monitor made.
His face was calm, free from all the worries. His hair was a little messy - just how it was the first day I met him.
Two huge guards carried my kicking form into the Division training area. They carried me through a crowd of teenagers who were sparing with each other. Some of them looked up only for a second to acknowledge me, before returning to their violent activities. I was carried up catwalk stairs, past two men, one dressed in a black tux, black-brown hair and a serious expression on his face.
Next to him was a men, dressed in casual, slightly untidy, clothes, wearing glasses and his hear was a bit messy. He was working and typing on an Ipad, concentrating hard.
Nothing like an old-fashioned nerd to calm your nerves. He looked up, studying my facial characteristics.
"Alex. Room 121" He instructed the guards, and gave me a look that was somewhere between acknowledgement and curiosity. It didn't last long, because the guards dragged me down a hallway and threw me into a room. In the room, a man in a white coat pushed me down onto the bed and injected me with a burning liquid. I quickly fell asleep.
I ran a shaking hand through his hair, careful not to disturb his rest. I saw his eyes twitch, but that was it. I smiled and took his hand in mine, gently squeezing it. I smiled when I felt the heat radiating from his hands, fill mine. His breathing was steady, which was (as far as my knowledge goes) a good sign.
Who was doing this to us? Declaring war against me, that I can handle. But trying to take out my family and loved ones…
They're going to suffer the brutal consequences.
I felt warm, unprepared tears glide across my cheeks for the billionth time today. I wish he'd just wake up. I wish he'd wake up and smile and make a sarcastic comment like: "You missed me?". I'd roll my eyes, feeling happy again, feeling safe again.
I sighed, bending down from my seated, tired position and laid my head down on his chest and closing my eyes.
I don't know for how long I've slept in that position, but my peaceful sleep was soon ended but the calling of my name.
"Alex…Alex…" I heard a tired voice mumble, which woke me up immediately. I wish I wasn't such a light-sleeper. I forced my eyes open and lifted my head, glancing in Birkhoff's direction.
A deep frown was painted over his forehead, hair-bangs covering his eyes.
"Alex…" He said in his sleep. I smiled a smile full of joy. He's…He's okay!
" Birkhoff wake up, I'm here!" I gently touched his face with my finger tips and I couldn't hide my enthusiasm and happiness for his well-being.
His eyes shot open with my touch and he gasped fresh air. He blinked a few times before groaning and reached up to his chest's right side where the bullet made entry. Luckily we took it out in time.
"Easy, easy…" I whispered and placed my hand on his chest's wound.
"Where…what…Alex? What are you…you're supposed to-" He mumbled but I shushed him by placing my nearby hand on his lips. He fell silent immediately.
"I know I'm not supposed to be here, but when I heard you were shot, I just had to come. You're that important." I smiled and he sighed.
"But it's dangerous here. Look at what happened to me." He said, his voice soft and rough. He motioned down with his eyes to the bandage.
"I don't care! You're my family. You're Birkhoff. I love you…" I fell silent after I said those words. "I mean I…I love you as my brother." I stuttered, quickly covering up my mistake, trying to hide my deep crimson coloured cheeks.
He smiled and squeezed my hand, still holding his.
"I'm glad you're here, Alex." He said.
"Me too." I answered, looking into his light hazel eyes. His smile disappeared along with mine and silent took over the room.
I leaned down and planted a soft kiss on his cheek. He shivered as my lips touch his cheek and I could feel his skin growing warm. I inhaled his scent and pulled away. His eyes were closed and his exhaled slowly.
"Am I interrupting something?" I heard a different voice behind me, and I shot my upper body in the door's direction. Sean.
"Uhm, no not at all, do you need something?" I asked, trying to stop my voice from shaking.
"Nikita is sleeping and Michael is on the phone with Ari." He said, his voice shaking and he didn't make eye-contact. I swallowed and I felt Birkhoff squeeze my hand.
"That's good news. I'm glad she's stable at least. What do we do now?" I asked, finally looking up, meeting his gaze.
"We go back, of course. The longer we stay here, the bigger the opportunity to get to you becomes." He said in a matter-of-fact tone.
"No!" Birkhoff said and I whipped my head around to look at him. His face was a mask of worry and angst. "You can't go already. You…You just got here…" He said, looking at Sean and me. Mostly me, but still.
"Says the one who, recently, almost shook hands with death. We're going. Alex must be protected." Sean stated, not showing signs of weakness.
"Birkhoff's right, Sean. I can't hide from this and I definitely won't. I'm staying here. This is my home, my family, my damn money." I said, sounding a little too harsh, but I wasn't the festive of moods.
"Alex, we talked about this." Sean said, worry taking over his facial features. He didn't want to stay, that was obvious.
"Sean, you've done your part. You've protected me from another attack, one that almost killed him," I nodded in Birkhoff's direction. "I appreciate your loyalty and safety, but this is where it stops. I'm not running away. Not again." I said, staring him in his eyes. Throughout my speech, I saw his expression shift from confusion to jealousy to anger to guilt and lastly, sadness.
"If…If that's how it is then, I'm glad you're safe and, uh…I'll…uh…just be on my way then. Let me know if you need anything." With that last word, he turned, and quickly stormed out the door. I opened my mouth to call him back, but the sound I made was silenced by the slamming of the door. I sighed.
"What was that all about?" Birkhoff asked.
I looked at Birkhoff, who's expression matched mine. I swallowed.
"I think…I think I just lost him again…"