Chapter 28: Showdown

Micro-Ice had known Rocket for many years (since nursery if being particularly precise) but never in his whole life had he ever seen Rocket so… pissed of motivated. As they both stood in his room helping him load his weapons for reasons the small soldier had not been informed on yet, Micro-Ice couldn't help but feel a little scared. They way his long term friend tested his gun every time was like watching Rambo about to take out an enemy. Whoever Rocket had his eyes focused on- Micro-Ice couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for him. He could only guess it had something to do with his lady friend Tia, as he had heard reports on the news about the university he knew she went to being assaulted by Bleylock's men and in all fairness what else would the crazy general be doing there. The click of a handle being installed to a main socket caught Micro-Ice's attention as he snapped out of his day dream. As he looked up, he couldn't help but feel he was looking at a main star actor from an action film about to kick some serious ass; the whole wrong thing about it was that it was all real. His friend wore nothing but black as his trousers, shirt and jacket fit his body perfect, not lose to get enough to get caught on anything but comfortable enough to move around in. Just to prove this theory right, the soldier began moving his arms around, testing the fabric. Satisfied, Rocket began tying the last holster strap around his thighs before placing a set of semi automatic dual guns in them. Next were the knives tucked into his boots, one hidden in his belt buckle and some throwing knives hidden up his sleeves. Lastly was the shot gun which he slung over his shoulder; now he looked ready to kick some ex-husband ass. Still he felt bad for letting Rocket go by himself.

"Are you sure about this Rocket? I can still get my stuff together in time…" Despite his defensive, he was interrupted by a single lift of his older friend's hand.

"There's not enough time and I don't want him getting scared off because he's out numbered." Rocket explained to his friend. He knew Micro-Ice was trying to help but right now he would just slow him down – besides, he would need him for later if he managed to find out where Tia was. "Not to mention I and Jonathan have unfinished business." He finished off as he tied his hair back into a high ponytail. Usually he didn't bother but for this mission he couldn't risk his hair getting in the way. Hearing the underline to what his friend said, Micro-Ice nodded in understanding and followed the taller block out of the room. With a whole shot of morphine (which he had snatched from the doctor when he wasn't looking) Rocket felt no pain in his arm or in his leg and was able to walk with just a slight limp that was barely recognisable unless you focused on that point. During there whole time through the hospital halls, Rocket was giving Micro-Ice orders to follow later on. He didn't want to bring Sonny into it because he wasn't sure of his commander's condition and knew he would stop him in any ways possible if he knew the hell what was going on. However, it seemed that fate was against him as he strolled into the receptionists lobby, to busy talking to his team mate to notice the large group of family members arguing with the commander himself.

"Rocket!" His mother's voice echoed through the crowd of people. Oh crap! He thought to himself when his mother raced towards him and pulled into a suffocating hug. It wasn't until she had let him go and stood back that she noticed how he was dressed. The son could sense that he was going to be so grounded (even though he didn't live with his parents anymore they would still find a way) when he noticed his mothers relieved eyes turned into angry ones.

"Mum I can explain…" Rocket began to pleaded but his mother would have none of it.

"Rocket James -, you should be resting and here you are all geared up to do God knows what!" His old ma told him, whacking him one across the head. Ow! Rocket cursed silently to himself as he bit the tip of his tongue of his tongue to stop himself shouting out.

"What's going on Rocket?" Norata spoke up as he reached his son, he narrow eye brows telling him his father was not happy about this either. Great! Rocket thought, tempted to roll hi eye but forced them to look straight since his mother would only whack him around the head again for being rude. Separately, his parents were a force to be reckoned with but together they were un-stoppable; he did not need to have this argument right now. He could feel his parents ganging up for a fight but was interrupted when a nurse suddenly appeared by Rockets side.

"This just came for you; the man said it was a matter of life and death." The nurse informed him as she past him a small white envelope. With a sincere thank you, the man took the item from her hands and quickly opening it, his hand dipped into pull out what was on the inside. His fingers shock when he felt something soft and familiar tickle the tips of his fingers. Carefully he pulled the material out to notice it was hair, not just any piece of his, it was Tia's. He would notice the same platinum blond hair anywhere. Pulling the last of it out he notice a small note on the bottom of it.

Tick tock, tick tock,

The seconds you waste,

a body part disappears into space.

If you use up time,

then your lover shall surely die.

Tick tock, tick tock.

It was not a body piece, just a piece of hair, but that did not stop Rocket from getting angry all of a sudden; even more furious then before. Ignoring the rants of his parents, Rocket grabbed the keys that were dangling from Micro-Ices hand and race out of the hospital before anyone could stop him. Jumping in to the small Honda that belonged to his friend, Rocket forced the keys into the hole and turned on the engine, thrusting the gear changer around he move quickly out of the parking space and with his foot pushed all the way down on the accelerator and zoomed out of the car park.

Meanwhile, injured Sonny was now left with an angry crowd of parents (when he says parent he means Norata) yelling at him.

"Will you give me a second to explain please?" Sonny forced himself to say calmly just as the boy's father was taking a breath to shout more. This seemed to catch the middle age men off guard for a second before he answered.

"Then explain Sonny, what's so important that our boy has gone full commando on us when he should be resting in bed?" Norata demanded, unable to control his own fury.

"Bleylock has Tia." Was all Sonny said, making the whole room turned deadly silent.

It had taken him a whole twenty minutes to reach the shipping pier but he found himself thinking that maybe Jonathan wasn't as stupid as he thought. The whole place was surrounded in metal crates piled up high on one enough. It was a hard battle field to fight on. It was possible Jonathan was here already, hiding away or on top of one of them, giving him the advantage of higher ground and possible sneak attack. Slowly, he slid on of the dual guns from his belt and headed into the massacre of jumbled boxes. All of his senses were on full alert, reacting to every sound that was made around him. Keeping himself close to the walls so nobody could sneak up on one of his sides, Rocket carefully made his way around the domes, carefully searching every corner of the shadows that loomed over him. He had not realised had let it was since the sun was now completely gone from the sky, except for the small rays of light that were desperately trying to remain on to the surface. Rocket gut instinct was on edge as his senses tickled with anticipation. Come on you coward where are you? Rocket hissed to himself, turning another corner. Now, he wished he had been careful about what he said because seconds later, he had to throw his body back behind the crates as bullets came flying at him from nowhere. Staying low, he waited for the shots to stop firing before he shot back up to his feet again and with his gun point first turned the corner and began shooting aimlessly at the random place he had seen the firing come from. This gave him enough time to move across and get down into a better position. As soon as his head ducked down again he could feel the very top bits of his head being chopped off as more bullets came flying from the enemy's direction. Keeping low, Rocket fired his gun randomly in the direction of the machine gun until it stopped. Taking this opportunity to his advantage, the soldier dived over the boxes and slid over towards the machine and kicked it up in the air so it couldn't be used against him. As fast as he could he jumped back on to his feet to face the person handling the gun but was shocked to see no one handling the device. His answer was shortly answered when something tackled behind him and knocked the air out of him. Out of instinct, Rocket threw his head back and struck his attack hard in the head. The person seemed to loosen his grip on him long enough for Rocket to push him off him and grab the man's after, thrusting it hard up his arm. However, the man he was looking at was not Jonathan but some other person. Kicking the man hard in the chest, he watched the man full; keeping a solid boot on his chest grabbed the shot gun from his back and held it just an inch away from the man's face.

"Where. Is. Jonathan?" Rocket hissed barely able to keep the anger from his voice as he pointed the gun further into the man's face. The stranger could only stare at him with such fear that he did not answer it at first until Rocket shoved the gun further into his face. "Don't make me repeat myself!" He spat through his teeth. Slowly, the man moved his arm and pointed behind him. Looking in the direction he was pointing at. All Rocket could see was the ocean. However, in the distance a small speckle of light caught his attention. He looked down at the coward and struck him hard across the face. It would not kill him but it would keep him out cold for a few hours. Looks like I'll have to swim, he sighed to himself, as he ran full speed towards the docks. Nevertheless, luck was on his side as since when he came down to the piers were a stash of jet skis. Jumping on to one, he didn't waste his time switching on the engine and with full force towards the blinking light. "I'm coming Tia!" He whispered to himself.

Where am I? Tia wondered to herself as she shock the cuffs securing her to the wall again. Now she knew how Rocket felt when she met him in the basement of her old mansion. She didn't know actually were she was but she could sense she was on what because even though she couldn't see through the window that was her only source of light she could hear the movement of waves. Rocket had taken her to the beach so many times now that her ears had come accustomed to the sounds of the sea. Plus, every time she lay down on the floor, she could hear the sound of engines moving below her, similar to those of a boat. Leaning back against the wall, she tucked her legs closely to her body and held them tight. The buzzing of her head was driving her nuts, since she had not fully recovered from her head injuries she has received from her ex yet. Speaking of the monster, the door of her cell opened and in walked the man she hated.

"Hello my beloved." Jonathan smirked, making his way towards her and crouched down in front of him. She fought the disgust look on her face when she sensed the feeling of his breath on her skin. Grabbing her chin in one of his solid hands, she forced him to look up at her. "Look at me you-" He could not finish his sense when Tia spat in his face, in response he slapped her around the face. Shaking her head firmly, she looked up at him in the eyes; a daring move.

"I'm not scared of you anymore." She tossed back at him. Waiting for his comeback, she was shocked that he did not hit her once again but smiled instead. What is he up to? Tia wondered.

"You think you are so big since you runaway with that spy didn't you." He cursed like the subject was tabooed or something. Listening to him talk, Tia wanted to point out she didn't exactly run away; what really happened was that she escape his murderous clutches and was bleeding to death by the river when Rocket found her. So it wasn't like she had cheated on him or anything – though she wished she had done him in the cells just to prove she had screwed with Rocket beforehand just to piss him off. "Well you won't be feeling so tough with your big strong man no longer there to protect you anymore." He teased viscously. Tia's eyes widen in fear when she looked up at him when he had finished speaking.

"What are you talking about?" Tia demanded from him, not caring if her defiance caused herself anymore trouble.

"Your lover is dead sweetheart." The poisonous words were like a gunshot wound to the heart. She could feel her body slump into depression as the words sunk in. "But don't worry my wife, I'm still here for you." He smirked, at her, gently stroking her cheek.

"You're lying." Tia cursed, as her heart bleed with pain that she was desperate to heal up. There was no way she would give into Jonathan's lowlife words so easily, she knew Rocket; there was no way he would of let this beast beat him so easily.

"You keep telling yourself that kid." He smiled at her, given her a playful punch around the cheek. When he left the room, Tia waited for his steps to disappear before she slumped on to the floor and cried. Please come and save me Rocket, please!