Dan slammed himself against the wall. The rest of the team hadn't heard a word out of him since they had heard one of the gossipers talking about Keri really being in love with him. Tom spied the steely glint in his eyes which signalled a plan.
"What are you planning?" whispered Tom. He had sent the others ahead. Dan quickly tried to look confused. He rolled his eyes. "Don't give me that, you idiot. There's a reason I'm a genius."
"I'm not planning anything," said Dan stubbornly. Tom sighed.
"Fine. But I want to know one thing."
"What don't you know?"
Tom ignored the (possible) sarcasm and said, "Does it interfere with our plan?"
"...No."
"There was a pause there."
"I was thinking over our plan, OK?"
"..."
"Shut up, OK?"
"How much does it interfere, Dan?" said Tom tiredly.
Dan sighed. "I just want to talk to Keri."
"What are you planning to achieve from this?"
"I... I don't know. I guess I'm hoping Keri loves me enough to destroy KORPS."
"Dan." Tom stopped and grasped his best friend by his shoulders. "This is not Keri. This is a darker version of Keri; she won't leave KORPS for you. Please... we'll figure her out later. Can we just focus on the mission?"
"Just give me a chance mate. Two minutes, that's all," pleaded Dan.
Tom bit his lip as they approached Zoe and Aneisha. He nodded. "I'll tell the others."
Aneisha and Zoe sneaked around the corner. Neish felt a rush of adrenaline she hadn't had in a long time, ever since Keri had taken Zoe's place so long ago. She hated to think about the price of adrenaline. What it had cost her. She had seen the hastily covered red circles around Zoe's eyes, but hadn't said anything, and Zoe was grateful for it, she could tell. The last thing she needed was a bunch of adults- and Dan- fussing over her. If she could just talk to Keri, convince her to come back... maybe, just maybe, this will work. I only need two minutes after all, Zoe thought.
"Wait," hissed Aneisha, throwing out her hand to stop Zoe. "Look."
Zoe felt the boys slow down behind them, but she couldn't tear her eyes away from what she was seeing. They had stumbled across something big- no, some something huge. Incredible, colossal, there was no way... no way at all they could describe this. The prime minister didn't matter anymore. They needed to get back- before this, this thing, struck. All four of them, backed away slowly and ran out.
"What was that?" gasped Tom, not out of awe and horror, but because he was out of breath.
Dan shook his head. "I don't know, but whatever thoughts I had about Keri still being..."
"Keri," prompted Zoe.
"They're all gone," he said, shaking his blonde head. His hair caught the light rather prettily, Zoe observed. Wait a moment...
"Uh, guys," she said frowning, "Where's Tom?"
The three of them turned around. "I'll go back," said Aneisha. "You lot get to the van." She jogged back, and found her boyfriend leaning against the wall, trying to get his breath back. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Trying not to die," muttered Tom. Aneisha pulled him up.
"Come on, Tommy, we only have another corridor to go," she said, leaning in to kiss him lightly. "If you make it, I'll kiss you again."
"Do you really think I care about your kisses? I'm a nerd."
"And I'm possibly the only girlfriend you'll ever get."
Tom paused. "Yup, you're right on that one," he said, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her in for another kiss. There was a disgusted yell at the other end of the corridor.
"Stop making out! Let's go!" yelled Dan, covering his eyes. "And that is downright horrible!"
Tom and Aneisha joined the others. "I've had to put up with you," they grinned.
Zoe laughed. "God, really?" she said, turning to Dan-but Frank wasn't there. Of course. They were on a mission.
"The hardest part is remembering, isn't it?" he said quietly. She nodded, unable to process quite how she was feeling.
Tom's phone buzzed in the silence. They reached the exit. "It's probably death calling to let me know he's on his way," wheezed Tom, getting it out.
Aneisha laughed, and the mood lightened considerably.
There had been an awkward silence between Rosa and Stark since his strange comments. He had turned around a few times, like he wanted to ask her something, but blushed and turned away again. Rosa wondered if he had contracted a fever-and if she had too. God, why was it so hot in here? The windows were down.
Suddenly, the awkwardness was broken. 4 extremely sweaty agents burst out of the KORPS building-minus the prime minister. What was going on? Wondered Rosa.
"No time to explain," said Dan. "Drive back to base."
Stark put his foot down.
Oh no! What's happening! Again sorry for the wait! Review, please!