Okay now THIS is my FAVORITE (and longest) chapter!
Iggy.
Monitoring the ballroom so close to the buffet and not being able to eat any of it is the worst punishment anyone could come up with. Those stupid, but delicious smells kept wafting my way. Begging, Iggy…Eat me… Eat me!
Ugh.
Why does God not like me right now?
I rubbed the sleeve of my penguin suit and sighed, as Harry Connick Jr. made a grand appearance and starting singing an old Sinatra song.
I wiped my bangs out of my eyes and suddenly smelled something.
Not food, I would know if it was food and its not food.
It was familiar, breath taking, unforgettable.
Then the laugh that followed after. A laugh I've played over and over in my head like a song.
This is one of the many times I wished I had eyes that actually worked!
Then the voice.
"Wow, Harry Connick Junior! This new director must be seriously important!"
"Actually that's part two of three of your gift. I had Aunt Jen pull some strings…" But I barely even heard the other voice.
"May, this is the best gift ever. Thank you so much!"
Then I heard her call to someone.
"Oh go have fun!"
And then the intoxicating laugh.
And I nearly fell over from whipping myself around to face her.
Damn it you freaking eyes! See something! Anything!
I willed, but hardly any luck just a few proving colors.
It was her.
Her scent, her voice, her laugh.
It all fit.
The wait was over.
I could have her again.
Only one thing could make me take me out of the black.
I began to approach the individualistic colors, they stared back, and I heard her gasp out.
"Oh, God."
I got to the other side of the railing.
My only fear now was that the railing would grow tall and turn into brick.
But it didn't, and I lifted my hands and cupped her face, and instantly, a rope pulled me out of a blur.
Into the purple my eyes fell, and I could feel myself spin and spin. Sydney.
Oh, Sydney!
I wanted to just stare at her and take her in, but as she stared right at me and she slowly put her hands over my cheeks, as if seeing if I was for real.
Then suddenly without even thinking she just grabbed me, pulled me in, and kissed me, and hell I didn't even care who saw! All that I cared about was that I was here, with Sydney, and we were together again.
Forever, and a million years.
And that's how it will stay.
When she pulled away, I touched two Albatross feathers that were in her hair.
"Are these mine?" I asked in bewilderment.
She nodded and kissed me again.
Sydney.
As I pulled away, it dawned upon where we were.
But everyone could have been staring with eyes wide for all I care, cause, hey, I just kissed my boyfriend who I haven't seen because he's been saving the world for five weeks! I've earned this kiss!
I could've jumped on him, knocked him right over and plunged my tongue clean into his mouth and have given a shit about what anyone thought or saw. Although, I won't and know better than to do that in public.
I leaned away from the railing, pressed the bottom of my palms against my forehead and started to run my fingers through my hair in disbelief.
"Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God." I repeated over and over. Scrunching my eyes shut, afraid that I'd open them and he's be gone, then he took my hands off my forehead and pulled me against him. I freed my hands from his and squished him, I hugged him so tight.
Then I pulled away.
"I'd slap you if we weren't in public, I hope you know that!" I exclaimed sharply.
"Yeah, I kinda figured." He answered.
I heaved out all the breath I had stuck inside me.
"And now you come see me before leaving!" I cried.
"I wouldn't even think of not doing so."
"How did you find me?" He asked.
"I used my super awesome super powers." I claimed with a stupid grin on my face, as I pulled up my dress a touch.
What? I can't have it falling down at a formal event.
That would kinda suck.
He laughed that genuine Iggy laugh and said.
"And how it really happened?"
"Maya's uncle invited us to stay here for a while. My birthday-"
"Is in two days." He finished with a smile.
"And I thought you weren't listening."
"Never deny these ears." He laughed.
I smiled back, then heard Maya say, "Uh sorry-uh- dude, she might have had something to drink that she wasn't supposed to. Um, Sydney…"
I turned back around and Maya was biting her lip and jerking her head to the table where my friends were looking at me with weird expressions. I sighed and slapped my face. I rubbed my face for a minute then turned to Iggy then Maya and back.
"Uh. Maya, this is Iggy, we met at the Mart remember? He's my-"
"Her boyfriend." He said, with a charming smile and he stuck out his hand.
"Yeah, that." I said as she shook his hand and then a flicker of recognition flew across her face.
"Oh. OH! Oh! Yes, hi. I'm Maya."
"I know."
"Yeah you probably do!" Maya began going back to her naturally bubbly state.
I rolled my eyes as Maya grabbed his arm and began dragging him to the table, when he caught my eye, I mouthed "I'm sorry." And he looked slightly frightened, then winked and I followed them along.
When the introductions were finally over, Jude began chatting with Iggy and they seemed to be getting along, when suddenly I began to feel eyes on my back then I heard giggling.
Not Maya's or Tarea's or even Ally's rare giggle.
"Ohmigosh! It's YOU!" Then I saw Nudge come running up to me, clutching her tulle skirt of her long hot pink dress.
"It's vintage!" She said twirling so I could see all the ribbon, sash and- are those rhinestones?
I held back a snort. "I imagine."
Travis leaned back in his chair and whispered to me.
"How are you friends with Princess Pepto Bismol Bubblegum?" I hit his head with my elbow.
"Owies…" He mumbled, putting his head in his hands.
"Ha… Ha, ha… Ha, ha." I said taking a long sip of water in a champagne glass.
Then Ella showed up and Chandler began choking on his water and nearly spit all over himself and all of us.
"Sydney?" Ella cried in excitement.
"Hey Elle!" I said as she held out her arms and I jumped up to hug her.
"It's great you're here!"
"You too!"
Then them two pulled up a seat to the table, or Chandler pulled out his own seat for Ella and grabbed another for himself and Nudge pulled out her own.
We began talking for a while, then Travis finished playing with his fork and looked at Ig.
"So you're the famous Iggy." He said.
"Yep, Sydney spent too much breath talking about me, huh?"
"Yep for five weeks now."
Oh, God.
I stomped on his foot under the table.
"Please, ignore him." I told Iggy then I kicked Travis again.
"It was just a question!" He protested lightly.
Then a little girl wearing a flowing pale dress that matched her hair came running up.
"Hey Angel!" Ella said, but Angel didn't say hi back.
She stopped, put her hands on her tiny knee caps, bent over and began panting.
"You guys- their here- with Max tons of Era-" She froze when she saw my large group of friends and Nudge quickly jerked his finger across her throat and she shut her mouth.
"The rest of the family's here. Shouldn't we go greet them?"
"Oh! Yes, sorry to have to go!" Ella cried, smiling and Nudge nodded on her way out and Iggy hesitated and then whispered in my ear. "I'll be right back. In the meantime evacuate. Everyone." I nodded and winked. And he left.
When they were out of earshot. Maya said, "Nice lot. Can't wait to meet the others!"
"Uh yeah, well we'll have to save that for another time! Um I'm feeling pretty sick you guys. I think we better go…"
"PMS?" Travis asked digging into his food.
I looked at him with "why did you just say that" eyes and replied.
"I don't know, I think so… But I feel like I'm going to hurl all over the place!"
"Aw. That's a bummer, well do you think you can handle a bit longer?" Tarea asked.
I quickly grunted in pain.
"Oh. NO! I-I don't think so. Let's go. Now!"
"Okay, pushy!" Chandler said, shoving the rest of his food in his mouth.
Then all of a sudden a scream erupted from nowhere and then gunfire.
"Crap." I squeaked.
Everyone stopped moving and questioning murmurs took over the hall.
"What the-?" Maya started looking worried.
Then I had a sudden burst of adrenaline. And Iggy's words echoed in my head. "Evacuate. Everyone. Now."
And then a like something blew up in my head, I did what anyone would do.
When in doubt, scream-
"SNAKE!" I shrieked at the top of my lungs. Pointing somewhere in the middle of the ballroom.
That got people riled up. Ladies screamed and ran away and jumped on chairs holding their skirts and crying out their "last goodbye's" while the men ran around trying to stomp on the invisible snake.
"ACK!" Maya screeched, just like I knew she would. And it caused even more of a disturbance.
"Ally!" I hissed.
"What?" She asked, preoccupied with finding the snake.
"Scream that you've been bit."
"You mean lie?"
"No time for questions just scream it!"
"Why?"
"ALLY!"
"AAUGH! I'VE BEEN BIT!"
People continued to run around in circles.
"Why is no one leaving?" I growled to myself.
"Sydney! What is going on? Why did you scream 'snake'?"
"No time for questions!" I repeated. "But you all have to get out. NOW!"
"Why?" Jude said flatly.
"WHAT DID I JUST SAY! Never mind! BUT GET OUT! NOW!"
They stood up and began to walk towards the exit.
"RUN!" I screamed at them.
"Okay!" Chandler said picking up the pace, I was about to follow them out when I saw what was going on in the room next door.
"GO! I'll- I'll meet you guys outside!"
"But you said-" Travis began.
"OH MY GOD! Just GO!"
They continued to go and I began to head over to the room, when I saw someone tap on the mike.
"Silence. Everyone." The voice boomed and instantly. I felt my stomach lurch.
The Eraser attack.
He was the one who grabbed me.
He wore thick black sunglasses and had something in his right hand.
I froze as I watched everyone quiet down and turn to listen to what this stranger had to say.
"Sorry to be a disturbance. But we're going to have to take it from here. Enjoy the show…" Ha cackled evilly and people began to get even more confused than before
Oh no.
Then he yanked the top off what was in his hand and threw it in the middle and immediately smoke filled the room. It came from everywhere. Screams came from all over and then similar arms gripped my shoulders and tried to carry me off.
I launched my elbow into the solar plexus and he dropped me. I ran off, not knowing where I was in the smoke.
Then I ran into what felt like a table. I felt around.
The buffet table.
Then I heard a gunshot and I heard the bullet clink against the metal pot next to me.
"Son of a bitch!" I said as I jumped over the table and knocked it over, tripping over my dress.
Bullets flew hit the table, not even going through though, then someone threw a knife. And it nearly sliced my arm open.
More screams and one "Oh I'm getting out of here!" was shouted from the attendees.
I quickly popped up and grabbed the knife, knowing exactly what I could use it for.
I sliced the column skirt short.
I had to, better to fight in. I was sad, don't get me wrong. It was a nice dress, but hey this was real life. And you cant exactly pull a round house kick with a full length evening gown. Without ripping it of course.
I gripped the knife tight and suddenly when I was about to jump up and attack, someone different grabbed me. I was about to scream, but soft hands clamped my mouth shut and dragged me into the kitchen, which was barely a safety zone.
When I finally shook out of it. I seethed, "Dammit Iggy!"
"Glad to see your safe." He said.
"Well I'm not going to remain that way for long considering, I've been shot at and this was thrown at me!" I exclaimed, raising the dagger.
"Why didn't you tell me they had a whole army here!"
"Cause I didn't want to spook you."
"Oh so you'd rather have me go through yet another near death experience?"
"Oh my bad."
I stuck my tongue out at him, then shook my head.
"Nice dress." He muttered quietly.
"Cut it myself." I replied, fingering the jagged hem.
"Come on, how are we going to get them?" I said getting back on topic.
"Here." He reached inside his suit jacket.
"That's what was in your pocket." I said as I snatched the gun from his hands.
"Wait! You mean to tell me you've been walking around all evening with this in your suit?"
"This too."
He said unbuttoning his shirt and taking off one of the three belts on which were attached various clips filled with reload able bullets, strapped across his abs.
I took it from him and tightened it around my hips. I put the knife in between my hip and the belt, so I wouldn't have to carry it around all the time.
"You know how to handle a gun, right?"
He asked me.
"I may be a girl, but I'm not stupid." I smirked.
I did know how to fire a gun, hunting trips with Duncan and dad, and then those free trials at the police station when Duncan interned there.
He rolled his eyes and kissed my forehead.
"Good luck out there, Agent." He teased, hugging me quick.
"You too, Bond."
He smiled and leaned in to give me a kiss, when someone burst in the door,
He raised a gun, but it was too late.
I open fired on him and he fell back.
Iggy stared dumbfound, then turned back to me with the same expression.
"You know I love you right?"
"Mhm." I smiled and I quickly pulled him in, and our lips passionately collided.
After a bit, I pulled away.
"Come on Bond, we've got furry freaks to kill."
"Is that my new nickname?"
He asked as I took his hand and led him out.
"Yep." "Okay, you go find Max and the others and bring them here, I'll hold them off."
"Be careful."
"Nah. I'll be busy having fun."
He smiled and ran off.
I turned my attention back to the ballroom, the smoke was starting to clear and people were still running amuck.
"You've got to be kidding me." I hissed, talking to myself again.
I shoved the gun in the belt and saw Ella trying to fight off two Erasers already in their weird werewolf robot state or whatever, she was struggling, but you could see that she was going to be a goner.
I ran to her aid, and quickly another Eraser noticed me, he blocked my way, and grabbed my arm in his tight grip.
"I don't think so." I growled and jumped up, I hastily wrapped my legs around his neck and tightened, causing him to choke and let go of my arm in order to attempt to get my legs off.
I jumped at this opportunity and pulled my abdomen up and began throwing punches to his head. Then, I have to give him props, he was really strong, he threw me off, but was stumbling thanks to so many dead brain cells I murdered with my fists.
I acted fast and did that cool trick you see those cool fighters in the action movies do, where you spin on your back and use your legs to hit there's and knock them over.
And surprisingly it did work.
"Oh this is SO not the night to wear these freaking shoes!"
I sprung up and went to go help Ella who was about to be taken out by two Erasers.
I kept it simple this time.
"Hey fatties." I called to them.
They stopped and turned to glower and who'd dare just call them fat.
But that was their last look.
One took a shot at me, but I ducked and shot them both.
I watched as they fell to the ground.
"Nice." Ella said, smoothing her dress.
"No problem. Here. Use it." I said, tossing her the knife.
She caught it and smiled.
"Come on, it's ass kicking time."
She laughed and we headed out to the ballroom dance floor, and the smoke was about gone, the people however were not.
"Jesus Christ." I whispered,
"Excuse me! People! Calm down! Listen!"
They didn't even listen, so I went with plan B.
Then fired three shots into the air.
"HEY! SHUT UP!"
They all shut their traps and faced me with worried looks.
"EVERYONE HAS TO BE OUT OF HERE IN LESS THAN TWO MNUTES FOR YOUR OWN GOOD! I DON'T KNOW WHY THE FIRST GUNSHOT DIDN'T MAKE YOU DO THAT TWENTY MINUTES AGO!"
"THIS IS A MATTER OF LIFE OR DEATH! SO. GET. OUT!"
The scattered, people began to run towards the exit.
"THANK YOU!" I screamed in exasperation.
Then a large hand grabbed my shoulder and whirled me around, I can face to face with an middle aged man, maybe forty five, but he snickered devilishly.
"So you're the famous Sydney Falcon, I've been told so much about."
"Who told you?" I spat. "Or how about who are you?"
"Oh, what poor manners I have. It's a pleasure to meet you Sydney. I'm Jeb. Jeb Batcheleder. At last we meet."
It was now where we were going in what you would call a showdown circling, where we you walk in a circle really just glaring at one another.
"Oh so you're the one whose turned their back on the flock when they needed you most!" I snarled, wanting to shoot him so bad I could taste it.
"Needed me? No, no, no, no, no. They did not need me. They only thought they needed me."
"What is this? Some sacred weirdo words-from-the-scroll thing?"
He chuckled.
"A sense of humor too. Iggy sure chose the right girl to fall in love."
"How did you know about Iggy and I?"
"I have my spies."
"Of course you do, you insane psychopath!"
He put on a pouty face.
"Oh, don't be so harsh. I thought we could all get together and bond over brunch at the Ritz."
I heard a faint flapping noise, Jeb didn't hear and I quickly looked up to see Fang circling us. He winked.
"But…" Jeb started, clicking his tongue faintly and I dropped my gaze back to him. "I guess since you wanna play rough. I'll just have to punish you…"
"Try me."
And with that, he tried to jump at me, but Fang, God bless his soul, swooped down and grabbed me, right as a shot rang out.
I looked up and saw four Flyboys now chasing us, their wings flapping madly.
"Gimme your gun." I told him.
"Wha-"
But before he could finish his sentence I already had it out of his jacket pocket and spun myself around to where I was straddling him.
I swiftly fired several bullets, some occasionally missed and would clank against the ceiling.
When the Flyboys had all fallen, even more came in for the kill.
"Damn." I hissed, open firing again.
"Where's Iggy?" I managed to ask, before going back to concentrating on killing flying fuzz balls.
"With Max and Gazzy, their firing up The Project."
"The Project?"
"The bomb."
"THE WHAT?" I shrieked as Fang dove down to avoid the Flyboys.
"AH! FANG! You made me miss!" I cried.
"Oh sorree."
"You know, I don't think you really mean that."
"You caught me."
"That's what I thought."
He swung by the Ebony piano to show me how Max and Iggy were getting ready to launch a bomb, that was bigger than my head.
"Oh my God."
"Didn't know your boyfriend was a bomb expert?" Fang snickered.
"I always knew he was a Pyromaniac, but I thought he was kidding about the bombs." I said in awe.
"Well. You thought wrong."
"Obviously. INCOMING!"
Quickly Fang dodged a hand grenade that was just thrown at him.
"Aw man, we have to get out of here."
"Did you really just figure that out?"
"No, they've set up the bomb."
Iggy, Max and Gazzy flew up to join us and Fang nodded to Iggy, and I smiled, but All I got back was a confused expression.
"Oh." I whispered in realization and embarrassment as I un-straddled myself from Fang and he handed me over to Iggy.
"NUDGE! ELLA!" I screamed when I was safely clinging onto Iggy's back. .
In what seemed less than a second, Nudge was up in the Air holding tightly onto Ella.
Nudge's "Princess Pepto Bismol Bubblegum" as Travis had previously said, was already torn. The tulle skirt had been shed and was easily spotted up in the air, somewhere near the kitchen door.
"What about Dr. Martinez!" I exclaimed, looking down on the ballroom floor from up in the air.
"She's holding off Jeb, but there's no time to waist. The bomb's been activated. We have about fifteen seconds." Iggy said.
"Well, give me back to Fang and go get her for God's sake!" I exclaimed, jumping back onto Fang's back, and winking to Iggy as he flew down to get her.
"Come on! Let's get out of here!" Nudge cried, flying towards a broken window, Ella curled up in a ball to avoid getting cut by the glass
Gazzy followed suit and So did Fang, but I heard Max pause then shout.
"ANGEL!" And she flew down into the grey leftover smoke.
"MAX!" Fang yelled, accidentally dropping me in order to go rescue Max!
I gasped.
"FANG!" I screamed.
"IF I LIVE THROUGH THIS FALL I AM SO GOING TO KILL YOU!"
But I don't even think he heard. Then I felt myself get grabbed for what felt like the hundredth time today.
"SCREW YOU FANG! DON'T DROP SYDNEY! You okay Syd?" He asked me.
"Fine, fine. Just cut and bruised."
"How about you Dr. Martinez."
"I looked up, and sure enough there she was, riding on Iggy's back, looking just as beautiful as ever, she hardly looked as though she's just been in a fight.
"Great. Ig, just keep your eyes on the sky."
He curled me up against his chest as we flew through the window and I heard masculine voices shouting at each other to get out.
Then, a loud BOOM and then intense heat.
I felt shards of the large building hit my feet.
And then I saw Fang trying to hold down the struggling Max.
"NOOOO! ANGEL! NOOO!"
She shrieked at the top of her lungs.
We landed in a empty dirt lot watching the building crumble to pieces into the empty parking lot.
Then in the slow motion of things. As I watched Gazzy start to tear and Max sobbing and screaming away.
The one thing that had to ruin it was my cell phone ring tone.
"One more stupid song about Texas…"
"Uh…" I mumbled as I reached down to one of my straps on my show where my cell was clipped nonchalantly.
I was shocked to see it still there.
Without looking at who was calling I opened it and right when I said "Hello" I heard,
"OHMYGOD! YOUR OKAY! YOUR OKAY!"
A sobbing to death Maya calling me right at the wrong time.
"WHERE ARE YOU? WE-WE SAW! WE SAW WE SAW WE SAW!" She began to repeat, going into hysterics.
"SOMETHING EXPLODED AND BOOM AND PEW AND FIRE AND WAHHH!"
"Maya. Calm." I tried not to growl.
Then I managed to say through gritted teeth.
"You have no idea what I've been through tonight."