Hey all! I couldn't hold off till tomorrow with this one, Its my favourite chapter! I want to thank Pyro because without her, this chapter would not exist. IcedBlaze rocks with her Betaing, and I hope you all enjoy! Leave a review at the end to tell me what you think!
Chapter Eight: Road Ramblings…
Two military trucks rumbled down the highway, olive green canvas coverings flapping in the wind. In the beds of both sat two groups of under-nourished mutants on their way to a new life. The first truck housed the younger of the prisoners, the ones that had struggled to keep up. A face peered through the divider curtain; Darcy making sure that they were alright. A girl, the youngest at fourteen and the one who offered the butter knife gave her a quietly nervous smile.
"Don't worry," Darcy smiled, "We're taking you somewhere safe, where you can start a new life with no fear." The girl nodded and Darcy turned back, confidently taking off the cruise control and started to steer once more.
How touching came Deadpool's voice in her head. His mental presence fast was becoming a regular visitor in her head. Darcy ignored him, just like the previous times he had intruded. So it's going to be like that, huh? He paused for a while, re-crossing his legs on the dash and dismissing Zero's glare as unimportant. Long calloused fingers flicked the butter knife lightly. Took you long enough to get this hulking beast started. A butter knife,Princess?
"Can it, Pumpkin," She hissed, blushing as Zero gave her a curious glance. "I'm a telepath; I'm talking to someone in my mind." Deadpool watched them with amusement before turning his attention back to her.
I told you the name was Deadpool, Princess. Do I look like a giant round fruit to you? Darcy glanced at him from the corner of the eye, looking him up and down studiously.
"Could have fooled me," she replied lightly, navigating a tight turn. The other truck behind them rumbled loudly.
He arched his eyebrow for a moment and seemed to stick up his nose. At least I'm not an inexperienced snot of a brat who shoved cutlery into an ignition instead of crossing some wires. Why exactly did they bring you along? I didn't see much fighting on your part…
Darcy's fists clenched on the wheel and she glared at the mouthless man with fury. "Lets get a few things clear, Bub. First of all, I know how to hotwire a car and I am damned good at it, however, the military used same colored wires that would have taken longer to figure out which wires went where and would have gotten us all killed. Second of all, I think it was I who busted you out of your cell, you arrogant bastard, show some grace. And third! I'm not a fighter! I'm a teacher, so shove that sanctimonious crap up your ass." Her breaths were short and sharp, her chest heaving with anger. A strange glint glittered in Deadpool's eye as he watched her.
Feisty! He seemed to smirk, Good news is that you have spunk, but bad news is that you've neglected to notice I'm not a ballerina, I do ballroom, so grace, not something I naturally possess, a stick up my ass occasionally, well, that's a different story.
Giving him a sarcastic smile, Darcy fluttered her eyelashes at him. "Don't worry, honey, you'll always be a pumpkin to me." His eyes started to laugh at her. Just keep your eyes on the road, Princess—you're handling precious cargo. Darcy screamed in frustration, hitting the wheel with the palm of her hand in anger.
"GOD! You're so ANNOYING!"
"Darcy?" Zero asked with concern.
"Its nothing, honey," she bit out. "Just get concerned when I try to kill him."
Aww! Is Princess getting upset? Maybe she should have thought about that before playing with the big boys? Deadpool had the audacity to wink at her mounting anger. With a fierce jerk of the wheel, Darcy pulled the truck to the side of the road, tires screeching loudly. The people in the back complained loudly at the sudden movement. The truck behind them zoomed forward, their tires smoking as they slammed on the breaks.
"Trust me, honey, I can handle the big boys, it's the little boys with illusions of grandeur that piss me off the most." Darcy hissed. A knock on the window caused her to jump. Storm stood on the other side, the image of concern. The truck rumbled idly as she rolled down her window. "Hey Storm."
"Is everything alright here?"
"If he doesn't change trucks," Darcy reported pleasantly, pointing to Deadpool, "I'm going to go homicidal."
Storm gave her a half hearted glare. "We don't have time to deal with this, Darcy; we need to get them back to the mansion. Buck it up," she said meaningfully, walking back to her own truck and taking the lead. A flush stole up Darcy's cheek and she avoided the gazes of the two men beside her. Zero sighed lightly and stared out the window, offering no insightful comments. She rested her head on the steering wheel, praying to find the control to block out the large bald man.
Well, it's obvious who wears the pants in the group, and Princess? It isn't you. How about we get back on the road now, huh?
"Someone kill me now," Darcy begged the world quietly.
Deadpool looked out the windscreen with a politely interested look. I think—I don't know for sure—we're still on the side of the road. Darcy's control snapped. Whirling around, she slapped him twice.
"Asshole," she swore, putting the truck in gear and got back on the road. The other truck was far ahead of them and she planted her foot down on the accelerator to catch up. Deadpool's shoulders shook with silent laughter.
You have to admit, Princess, my comedic timing on that was perfect!
Darcy, afraid that she would have cried, burst into incredulous laughter. "Christ, you don't give up, do you?"
Nope—its one of my best qualities.
Darcy waited a beat. "You have good qualities?" She asked in surprise. Zero let out a bark of laughter. Even though he only caught half the conversation, he couldn't help but find the argument beside him entertaining.
You're just jealous and you have no sense of humor, Deadpool replied smugly, his had reaching out and ruffling her hair. She pushed his hand away and stared at him, indignant.
"I do too have a sense of humor!" A yawn broke her next sentence. "God I'm tired!"
Yeah, he replied sarcastically, fighting can take it out on a person, especially those who fight more than others. Darcy rolled her eyes.
"Yes, well, its not exactly in my career description about getting shot at, as I said before, I'm a teacher, not a soldier, so this is more than a little exhausting for me." His eyes narrowed. Taking his feet off the dash, he leaned in close, his nose almost touching her cheek.
Maybe you should have stayed behind to grade some papers, then, and let a more experienced professional accompany the others to a dangerous place. Telepathically, she steered the truck so that she could look straight into his eyes, her voice steady and serious. "The only other person that was qualified for my position was a thirteen year old boy. And my duty is to make sure that my students are safe. So, yeah, I may not be qualified, but I was the best candidate available. Not to mention I have a personal stake in all of this. I didn't volunteer, my abilities chose for me." They were so close, her lips barely an inch from the smooth skin that replaced his mouth.
The truck hit the gravel beside the road. Turning her attention back to the road, she stayed silent, driving on for a few more miles. Deadpool remained in his position, staring at her, curious, calculating. It sent the hairs up on her neck and her back fought against the tension her muscles tried to force on her. They chose, did they? Deadpool asked with a hint of scorn, what abilities do you possess that made you a candidate for this?
Darcy sighed, the other truck finally in view. "I'm a mimic; I learn other mutants' powers. Some abilities have time limits on how long I can use them, some don't. I had his power imprint into my genetic code to help you get out of there."
The large man beside her nodded, taking in her words before replying cheekily, so in other words, you don't really have your own power then? I mean not in a literal sense. Darcy turned to face him quickly.
"You know, I think I hate you."
I wish I could say the feeling was mutual, Princess, but your buttons are way too much fun to push. He gave her a sly wink. She let out a bark of laughter.
"What the hell did I do in a past life to deserve your company?"
Whatever it was, I applaud you—I'm the best present a girl could have.
Darcy tried to quiet her mirth. "I'm not sure you could be man enough for me."
Trust me…I'm man enough for everyone, but if you have your doubts, put me into practice. Staring at him in shock, her lips turned upwards into a sultry smirk.
"I'm sure I could, but then that begs the question: Perhaps I'm too much of a woman for you."
I haven't met a woman that I couldn't handle…the challenge could be fun, Princess.
"You're going to have to work for it, honey. I'm not that easy," she warned him lightly.
Oh, I really don't think you are—there are few who can last this long in a battle of the tongues with me. Deadpool's voice was low and husky in her mind, sending a shiver up her spine. Her mouth turned up into a grin.
"To be able to use your tongue, sugar, you need to have a mouth…but thank you; I'm quite good at arguing with maturely stunted boys." He flopped back into his seat, jostling Zero out of his stunned state. With exaggerated swagger, he propped his feet back up on the dash, his brow furrowed as he tried to think of a comeback.
I make up for my mouth in other areas…and for the record, maturity is overrated. Darcy let out a small laugh.
"I look forward to seeing your talents," she teased. Ahead of them, Storm's truck turned onto the New York exit. Glad that she was almost home, she steered the truck to follow the other. Strangely enough, Deadpool was silent in her mind, the only noise was the low talking from the truck bed and the truck's own rumble.