[ Hey hey hey, the weekly installment is here! I certainly wanted to get one chapter up, but there's a lot more waiting and some may make it here tomorrow if we're lucky! Please read and review, silent subscribers make me sad!]
Sovereign / Pre-Destruction
"No way," Carmine bit into his sandwich and then proceeded to shake his head in denial. With a mouthful of food he continued. Questioning, "Why would you even think that bro?"
Jace set down his own lunch, which left much to be desired, as it somehow might hinder his explanation. He went on to begin. "Well first of all look at them."
The 'them' in question just happened to be Baird and Sam who were standing in the lunch line next to one another having a discussion over something. From such a distance away neither man could make out a clear expression on either of the Gears' faces. It hadn't come to blows yet though, which was always a good sign between those too. Clay swallowed his masticated wad of food finally, not seeing the big deal.
"They're talking." He stated the obvious.
"Exactly. But it's going well, they're both engaged so they're not paying attention to what they're doing subconsciously. No matter what a person saying their body doesn't lie." Jace explained all-knowingly.
It was surprising to Clay to hear something almost profound come from a Gear, so he paused to put in a comment, "Woah, that's getting pretty deep for a Delta grunt. You feelin okay?"
"Please man, a clogged bathtub drain is deep too you. Just be quiet and let me explain," Jace leaned forward onto the table with one elbow prompting the other man to do the same so they could both stare past rows of bobbing, chowing heads of their fellow shipmates. "Look at her hips. She has the one facing him raised and uses that hand to talk, the other hand on her hip away from him."
Giving his fellow soldier a quick side long glance, Carmine played along, "Uh yeah I guess so. So?"
"Physically, she's open to him.. It means she receptive to what he has to say but if you ask me it just looks like flirting. I mean why is she even standing like that? It's not natural, she's in a line walking every several seconds but she stops to look good." Pointing out some of these finer details Jace found himself noticing new ones too.
"Well sheee-iit!" Carmine laughed. "You might be right about that, but Sam and Baird? No way, you know he can't stand her either."
Jace used his plastic fork to address their other subject but not before shoveling in a few bites of instant potatoes. "That's bluster. Hell do I really need to point this out for you to see it? He's flexing first of all and not blatantly in the 'look at THESE guns' way, he's just flexing to look bigger. Plus Baird always, and I mean always has his arms crossed like he's throwing a tantrum, but now…"
Still at Sam's side Damon Baird was going off about something he was quite enthusiastic about. They both slid their trays down the metal serving line in time with those before and after them but didn't ever stop from talking. Baird gestured widely with his arms now almost smacking another Gear in line with his elbow. Afterwards he ran a hand through his hair and set it to his hip. Sam was…laughing?
"Oh wow. Oh WOW, Jace. Jace…WOW!" Carmine tried to contain his composure but wasn't very far from just continuing to stare on slack jawed across the hall at the two.
"I know, it's been like fifteen minutes since he's crossed his arms. Something's up with them." Knowing he wasn't going to get to the bottom of this mystery today, the younger Gear seemed content to just go back to lunch. Carmine, not so much. He wiggled his feet under the table and kept staring.
"So what does it mean?"
Jace raised a brow. "Are you serious?"
*Ka-klaaangk! Klink klink klink!*
Baird had gone on to slap Sam's silverware from her hand when she reached for it. For a moment it seemed like things might return to their normal universe and she would make a sly and bitter remark. No, instead she did the same exact thing to him in return and the reality hit Carmine like a stack of bricks. This was even harder to control. He wanted to jump on the table and announce it, maybe with a catchy rhyme if he could think of one quickly.
"You're right bro, they're absolutely fucking. They have to be!" This was like the event of the century. "I want to put that on a banner and fly it behind a Raven!"
"Dude, stop staring."
Too late. The two persons in discussion must have caught on to it, unable to ignore the feel of curious eyes upon them anymore. They both were looking to Jace and Clay's table where the commotion had been coming from. Clay couldn't break out of his 'oh shit' deer in the head lights look but his friend had been quick to avert his gaze to the meal he'd lost all interest in. When he looked back up Sam was left standing by herself with tray in hand and Baird had abandoned her heading to the fullest table only he could squeeze into. Sam, whose chest seemed to deflate with a sigh and her face somewhat disheartened, put on a smile anyway and joined the two at a table where at least there was room to sit. Neither were very good at hiding their guilt and the silence they greeted her with gave it away. Her eyes locked on Carmine who she knew would break first as he nervously picked at a radish or beet or something. It didn't take long before he cracked.
"What? Don't look at me like that…"
"Good lord, you two are worse than two old women with all the gossip." Sam looked to Baird several tables away. "And he's no better than a damn toddler. I really didn't expect I'd have the biggest set of balls out of everyone when I showed up here."
"Me neither." Carmine said out, for some reason. Sam kicked him under the table. "Ow! I'm serious, you scare me Just please don't hurt me again."
"Just be quiet and eat your vegetables so you can grow into a big boy one day alright?" Sam grumbled, trying not to look across the room at Baird. Her friends were right, just what had that moment been about?
As the helicopter came around and slowed for a landing she was the first person he saw. Her brown skin glistening in the sun stood out against the green of the grass that shown illuminated now that the storm was gone. The flight in had been breath taking and Baird felt ashamed for thinking so and much the same about Samantha when she was so sad. Even if she thought she wasn't showing it. Each time Fenix said his name [Dom] her face twisted a bit with the collective ache in their gut. When she looked to Baird he knew what she was asking and wanted the same. He lifted an arm and she fit under it perfectly, her head resting against his shoulder as well once she was in place. Sam sighed deeply and hooked her arm around the small of his back needing to both hold and be held. She wanted to scream but stuffed the pain inside for a little longer because there was a job to be done and she couldn't stand to fall apart now. When he kissed her forehead he could taste the gun powder on her skin and didn't want to let go. She was asking him to make the pain stop now, but that wasn't real.
Sam was and so was her pain but the moment of comfort he offered existed only in the still flashes that filled his mind whenever he saw her. Such as now standing on the banks of Azura. Her brown eyes looked to him now and the message was much the same as he'd imagined in his head. She needed something to keep her going. Hesitantly Baird took a step forward, head still shaking in disbelief. The wind changed directions and her scent washed over his face along with that of the sea water making his knees weak. Thank God Marcus was sending her aboard the Girasni ship, which she clearly resented but was already on her way. He had to say something now, tell her he was sorry for never being honest or that she meant something. He stumbled towards her.
"Hey Sam…," and then stumbled over his words. "Take care of yourself alright?"
Still, he could have sworn she almost smiled. "Yeah, you too Baird."
Well, you fucked that up. He thought to himself, turning back towards the island and the others. If he ever wanted a chance to redeem himself he was going to have to save the whole world to do it it seemed.
"...take care of yourself, alright?"
"Yeah, you too Baird."
Last words. They'd both hesitated knowing something else deserved to be said instead of the unemotional pleasantries. Sam didn't want him to go. Baird told himself it would be okay, they had JACK now and she would be with the Gorasni. Not his favorite people by any means, but it would be safer on their ship than on the island. If the worst happened they would need someone left offshore Marcus had understood and sent the youngest of the squad away. Jace and Sam had seen enough for today, Sam especially. Fenix worried about her but didn't have time to mention or dwell on it.
Baird descended the stairs with heavy bow legged steps and his mind heavy. He'd been so worried about the effects of the immulsion and Marcus' father's machine on himself he never thought the crazy old man would have tested it on himself. It was none of his business and he would never tell the Sergeant but he thought what his father did was a dick move, and Baird knew about shitty fathers. Not the machine, maybe not even sacrificing himself but making his son watch. Baird was shaken up from seeing it. Marcus was…Marcus was gone. The sun stung his eyes as he stepped out onto the balcony entrance to uproariously applause and cheers. He felt the congratulatory slaps on his shoulders, forcing his way through the crowd of Gears and Terech's soldiers looking for a familiar face. There was Cole, who he simply nodded to once they met up. It was all that needed to be said between the two normally.
"Hey," Cole nudged his shoulder and pointed through the crowd of rag tag soldiers almost too tired to celebrate their victory, almost. He was motioning towards the woman and two men approaching.
Sam had her shotgun against her shoulder and her arm around Jace for a bit of support as she seemed to be limping. He could swallow the knot in his throat now knowing she was okay and waved several fingers to the group who had already noticed him. Sam must have been the first because she said something to the other men that made them stay behind as she started to walk towards him.
"Shit," he muttered under his breath. He could see why she'd been limping now, her left leg was cut and tied up but she was no worse for wear. And fucking gorgeous as always.
"Was this your plan all along? Send me away so you boys can save the world?" She smiled and greeted him.
"That depends, did it impress you?"
Just a foot or so at his side Sam stopped. They'd been in this spot the day before, staring out at the same ocean as different people. She looked out to see Anya's small hand encompassed by Marcus' as the two sat out on the beach and wanted that feeling for herself too. Rather than sit and be envious she decided to be proactive about it, and get what she wanted even if she wasn't sure how exactly to get it at first. She'd try though.
"Yeah, Damon I'd say that did the trick." Samantha whispered to him as she moved closer.
He hadn't heard her say his name in some time. It made him feel brave, and smile and he brushed a piece of her hair behind her ear his thumb accidentally leaving a dirt streak on her cheek as he did. Unexpectedly to him Sam leaned her face into his hand in response. His heart beat started to quicken.
Kiss her!
Every part of him was screaming as he lifted her chin up and tried to look sure of himself, leaning in.
Kiss me!
Sam's mind screamed back, lips just starting to part.
"Ahaha! Fucking Delta Squad in the house you bitches! Are you DL with the DS?" The elated shouting of Clayton Carmine cut through the air, the eldest of fallen sons running wild towards his brothers in arms. He knocked off his helmet revealing shaggy brown hair matted to his forehead with sweat but his blue green eyes gleaming. In an instant he nearly tackled Samantha, swinging her into his arms. She winced as she was forced to put pressure on her bad leg because of the clueless Private.
"Are you out of your mind?" She cried, try to push herself free but laughing instead glad to see he was alright too.
He saw her leg and realized his mistake as well as the jealous glare in Baird's eyes, recalling the lunch time conversation forever ago. Sam saw it too and though Clay let her go, she gave him a hug and kiss on the cheek.
"Sorry Sam, I didn't see your leg."
"It's merely a flesh wound," she said warmly. "You did good today, your brothers would be proud."
Baird didn't appreciate the man's enthusiasm or company and now he could see Jace and Dizzy not too far off either. They'd gotten tired of waiting. Figured he could help save the world but would never get a moment alone with his girl. He'd waited too damn long and was about to tell both of the men to get lost when he heard Cole's voice booming over his shoulder.
"Baird! Woooo, baby! You're going to want to see this!"
Judging by how excited his friend was, Baird did want to see whatever it was desperately. He looked to Sam, who he also wanted desperately. She tilted her head towards Cole.
"Go on Damon, I know you want to."
"Are you going to be okay?" He looked at her leg.
"It actually hurts pretty bad," chuckled Sam. "I'm going to make one of these boys help me limp over to a med station and check out the damage."
It was the best idea. The side of her pant leg was ripped open and stained with blood, two belts tied around her thigh with one at the top and the other just above her knee. Baird nodded, feeling a pang of disappointment in his stomach still as he watched her go.
"Baird! If you don't get over here I'm going to make sure I didn't hurt my throwing arm too much by tossing this disc Fenix gave you in the ocean!" Cole yelled to him again.
"No don't!"
He turned to see the man beaming at him. Beside him JACK had cracked open one of the wall panels and was lighting up all sorts of colors. Of course he knew they'd been watching but didn't care. Smiling despite all effort he took off towards them. It was going to be a good day. Heading in the opposite direction an arm now around Jace, Samantha was trying to suppress the same grin. Jace didn't fail to notice but bit his tongue after the conversation on the ship they had, he knew the woman deserved to be happy. They all did.