Chapter 15: Telling Secrets

"Ace- Lexi-WHAT?" Duck shrieked. Lexi quickly pulled away, but Ace still reached for her. When he saw how scared she was, he settled for just holding her hand. Duck stood there with the funniest expression on his face, and Ace laughed.

"Don't worry, Duck, this is exactly what it looks like," the captain said, a grin on his face. Lexi turned to look at him in shock as Duck ran to tell the rest of the team.

But what he and Lexi didn't know, was that the rest of the team already knew. They had all seen the way Ace had been when she was in danger of dying. The only thing left to do now was tell Zodavia, and he had a plan for that.

Good thing, too, because just then her hologram appeared. "Stay right here," he told Lexi, and he went down the hall into the conference room. "Ace," she said. "I would like to have a word with you. Alone," she added, seeing Lexi in the doorway. He rushed over to her and picked her up in his arms. "What are you doing up and around?" he asked, concerned and furious that she had disobeyed his orders. "You're supposed to be resting, not out gallivanting."

"I wasn't, I just wanted to make sure you were all right," she murmured, already exhausted. His anger melted away as she closed her eyes and fell asleep in his arms. He arrived at the main room and set her down on the couch. After assuring himself she would be fine, he returned to Zodavia.

"What's up, Zodavia?" he asked casually. "I think you know very well what I'm here to talk to you about," came her reply. He sat down in a chair and waited.

"What do you think you're doing, breaking my rules? Nothing good can come of this," she warned. "I knew you would say that," Ace returned, cool and collected, "but that's where you're wrong. There's always a chance that it could be good, and we'll stay together. I promise this won't interfere in our missions or line of duty, and if it doesn't work out..." -he shrugged- "then it doesn't work out, and no one will be the worse for it." Except for maybe you, a voice in his head said, but he ignored it and leveled his gaze at his master.

"Fine, I will give it a chance," she reluctantly decided, "but as soon as it affects your work, it's done." He nodded, and she disappeared. He strolled over to the main room, and to his surprise the rest of the team was there too. "Good morning, guys," he greeted them, a smile on his face.

Tech cut right to the chase. "So is she letting you two stay a thing? Did she cut it off? What?" he asked, as Rev chatted, "You-know-she-was-awful-proud-of-all-her-rules-and-she-especially-enforced-them-on-Lexi-which-is-really-not-fair-at-all-but-Lexi-took-it-cuz-she's-the-strongest-person-I-know-and-I-think-you-two-would-make-a-really-good-couple-so-I-hope-she-let-you-stay-a-couple-because-I've-seen-how-you-watch-over-her-even-though-she-can-fend-for-herself-but-anyways-mmph-mmph-mmph-mmph!" He was cut off by Tech as his hand clenched Rev's mouth shut.

"Whoa there, Rev," Ace said, laughing, "She said as long as it didn't interfere with anything, then Lex and I can stay together." The whole team had on smiles, even Lexi, who had woken up during Rev's speech. Ace perked up when he saw her and went over to her side.

"So we're not dead?" she asked, only half joking. He grinned and said, "Nope, not yet anyways." She laughed and said, "Isn't that reassuring? Oh well, we still need to focus on getting Tech a companion now." Once the meaning of that sank in, Tech's face quickly changed to one of horror/disgust.

"Well, you lovebunnies can stay here, but I'M going to get something to eat," Duck announced, and Slam happily followed him into the kitchen. Tech rolled his eyes and made his way over to his lab, shutting the door in Rev's face when he tried sneaking in. Rev just shrugged and went to the training room.

"Can I go to my room?" Lexi suddenly asked. Ace looked at her in confusion, and she explained, "I really need to take a shower." He nodded and carried her to her room where he set her down in the bathroom. "I'll be in out here if you need me," he told her, gesturing to her room as he closed the door.

"Uhm, okay?" She didn't know if she was entirely comfortable with him in her personal space, but got over it as she started her shower, soon forgetting about him. Twenty minutes later, she stepped out and wrapped a warm towel around her now clean self. She opened the door and walked over to her closet, still in a relaxed haze. Only when she heard a strangled cough did she remember, Shoot! Ace is in here!

She whirled around, clutching the towel to herself tightly and blushing hard as she stuttered, "Oh!-Ace, I, uh...could you, um, turn around, just for a second?" The last part was unnecessary, as he had already swiveled around so his back was facing her. She quickly gathered what she needed and went as fast as she could to the bathroom. She slammed the door and slumped to the floor; she was so tired again. She managed to wriggle into her undergarments and shorts, but her shirt was proving to be too much work.

"Ace, d'you think you could help me?" she called, not even caring that all she had on up top was her bra. He quietly opened the door and she said, "I'm down here," so he could find her by the opposite wall. He went over to her and his face turned bright red. "I'm sorry," she apologized, "but I can't seem to get up the energy to get this thing on." He nodded and held the shirt over her head. He gently slid it over her head and she slowly got her arms through. He pulled it down over her midriff and picked her up, bridal style. She didn't even protest as he laid her down on her hammock. "Thanks, Ace," she mumbled after he covered her up with a blanket. "Anytime," he murmured, kissing her forehead.

He watched her fall asleep before leaving her room. He went over to Tech's lab to see what the genius was up to. Tech wasn't there, so he went to the kitchen to check up on Slam and Duck. Again, the room was empty. He made a last-ditch effort and looked in the training room. No Rev, either.

He walked over to the main room to see if they were just chilling, and heard voices. He was just about to stroll in when he heard exactly what they were saying.

"We've got to get rid of her, she's not good for him," Duck was saying. "You're just jealous that he got to her first," Tech retorted. "Oh, really?" Duck came back, "he who suggests it must think it of himself also." "That doesn't make any sense! Why would I like her?" "Cuz she's OBVIOUSLY your perfect match, you know as much as anyone how smart she is!" "That doesn't mean I like her!" "But you do!" "I do not!" "I guess not, cuz that means you LOOOOOVE her!" To this there was no reply, and it hit Ace hard. Tech was in love with Lexi? For how long? Why didn't he say anything?

"How about we just drop this, Duck?" came Tech's voice after a long silence. "So you admit that I'm right?" "I never said anything of the sort." "But I am, and you know it!" "Just drop it, Duck! And lower your voice, Ace might hear."

That sealed it. Tech was in love with the team leader's girl. Ace stalked off, giving no sign of ever having been there in the first place.

He and the coyote were best friends, he would give up almost anything for him.

And Lexi was the reason for the 'almost'.