Chapter 8

Closer

A/N: Eight chapters strong and still not much reader traffic. I guess I can live with that. I enjoy writing this for those few of you who are reading.

"You didn't have to help me Barnaby."

"It's fine. All the crime seemed to leave with the old man so I have nothing else to do."

Illiana smiled, "Well, when you're done with those files you can go."

Barnaby looked up from organizing the piles of papers on the woman's desk, "I think you don't want me here."

Illiana shook her head, "It's not me."

"Judge Petrov?" he tried.

She sighed heavily and put down her papers, "Yes and no."

Barnaby's green eyes were still watching her when a knock sounded at the door and she called for the person to enter.

"Barnaby." Maverick frowned at Illiana but smiled as the hero turned to face him, "I figured you'd be here when I didn't find you anywhere else. Did Miss Blackwell ask you to join her?"

"No. I stopped in and decided to help with paperwork."

Maverick chuckled, "Forever the hero eh?"

Illiana stayed silent as the men chatted. The older male smiled wide at the two young adults and opened the door, "Well then, I'll let you two have at it."

"That man…" Illiana growled as the door closed.

Barnaby gave a lighthearted chuckle, "He just wanted to know where I was."

"No. He wants me to stay away from you. He told me himself."

"He wouldn't do that."

"Oh really?" she asked sarcastically."

"Really." Barnaby stood, "Maybe I should just leave."

Illiana bit her lip as the door closed and she tapped her fingers on the desk. After a moment she picked up the phone and dialed the three-digit extension at the top of her list.

"Hello?"

"Yuri, are you busy?"

"No."

"Then I'm coming up."

Barnaby looked over his shoulder to see the woman heading down the opposite end of the hall. He hadn't found it strange that Maverick was checking on him. He figured that maybe the man had wanted something. He moved towards his office and tapped on the door.

"Come in."

"Did you need something from me earlier?" Barnaby asked as he entered the space.

Maverick smiled at him and gestured to a seat in his spacious office, "No. But while you're here we can talk about Miss Blackwell."

Barnaby noticed the change in the man's voice when he mentioned the woman, "I hope there isn't a problem."

"Just a small one."

The blonde waited patiently for the man to address him. Maverick took his time with his remaining paperwork then finally set down his pen. "I understand that you and this woman have somewhat of a connection."

"We've discussed the past."

Maverick smirked, "I hope this woman's beauty isn't clouding your judgment."

"Of course not! What are you trying to say?"

He held up his hand in peace, "Nothing more than be careful. I really want you to ask me any questions you have."

Barnaby folded his hands, "Do you have any answers?"

"Barnaby, your parents confided everything in me. I know all about Miss Blackwell's surgery and her connections with your parents."

"Were you going to ever tell me?"

Maverick nodded, "When you were ready. But it seemed this young woman beat me to it."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It would just be a shame if your knowledge of the past was corrupted."

"You don't think she's lied to me do you?"

Inwardly, Maverick cackled, "It's best for me not to say."

Barnaby stood and approached the door but stopped with his hand on the knob. He'd felt Ana's sincerity so it made him uneasy to hear that the woman was possibly lying. "Is everything alright Barnaby?"

The hero opened the door, "Yes. Thank you for warning me."

"I don't know what's going on."

Yuri watched Illiana look out the window and over the city. She folded her arms, blocking everything out. "I see this is really bothering you." Yuri spoke softly as he poured two cups of tea.

"Of course it is. I don't like feeling like someone's enemy."

"Is that how he makes you feel?"

Illiana nodded, "I feel like he wants to get rid of me. Not just firing me either."

Yuri sat in his chair and placed his cup before him, "Well…"

She turned away from the window, "What?"

"I don't know what I can do."

Illiana gasped, "What? You could at least tell me how to handle this. What am I supposed to say?"

"Say what you feel."

"I…I don't know what I feel."

Yuri set down his tea and approached her. He put a hand on her shoulder and eventually moved it to the top of her head. He smiled to himself, it wasn't the same. She wasn't small anymore.

"I've told you already. You have to start figuring things out on your own. You won't always have me."

"Yes I will!"

"Ana…"

"Don't Ana me. You're not leaving me, ever."

He handed her the other cup of tea and she flopped into a chair, "Don't say that to me again."

"Of course. I apologize."

Illiana bit her lip and sipped her tea. Clicking on Yuri's keyboard made her look up at him, "Is Lunatic on hiatus?"

Yuri glanced at her but continued typing, "Maybe."

The room fell silent again and Illiana finished her small cup of tea, "Yuri."

"Hm."

"My dad used to tell me he would love if I married a Hero." She shrugged when Yuri stopped typing to listen, "I'm a strong girl, but I'm no Hero, I'm no Next. I cling to you because I need you. I don't know if anyone else will do."

"…"

"Yuri."

His gaze caught hers and he sighed, "It can't be me."

Illiana stood and moved to the door. "Fine. I'll do as you ask. I'll figure it out myself."

Yuri pushed away from his desk and stood as the door closed. He crossed to the bookshelf and looked at the pictures there. Her young, smiling face beamed at him from every direction.

"I can't always be there… even if I want to."

"I thought I would find you here."

Illiana's cheeks were already tinted pink from the couple martinis she'd had. She rolled her eyes at Barnaby, "Yup, fueling my drinking problem."

"Mind if I join you?"

"I do actually." She downed the rest of her drink, "I don't want another stern talking to from Mr. Maverick."

Barnaby sat at the bar next to the woman, "I promise you won't get another one of those."

She eyed him warily, "Whatever you say." She flagged down the bartender and asked for another drink. Barnaby ordered water and sat quietly. "What did he say to you?"

The blonde set his water down and turned his stool to her, "He thinks you've lied to me. What did Judge Petrov tell you?"

Illiana chuckled dismissively, "He told me to deal with it. He's through being there for me apparently." She put down her martini glass, "And I haven't lied to you. Maybe left some things out…"

"I thought so. Maverick is just worried."

Illiana stood from her stool, "No need in making him worry more. Goodnight Barnaby."

The hero stood and gently grabbed her arm, "Let me take you home."

"I'm not going home. A hotel maybe."

"Tell me which one."

Barnaby escorted the woman to his car and started towards one of the city's fancier hotels. Illiana stated she would stay there for a while until she found a place of her own. She was unhappy with Yuri and living with him would just raise the tension.

He activated his wipers at a red light and Illiana turned in her seat a little. "Barnaby."

"Yes."

"Can I tell you what I left out?"

Barnaby pulled over as the light turned green but left the car running and wipers going. "Of course."

"I've met you before…when we were teenagers."

"H-How?"

"The man they say murdered my father. You burst in on his trial just when he was sentenced. You were shouting about the Ouroboros; waving a paper with a symbol on it."

Barnaby nodded and she continued, "When they escorted you out I followed after you. You saw me Barnaby, you looked right at me."

"Calm down boy. What are you going on about?"

"Ouroboros killed my family. I need to get answers!"

"Relax kid. What's your name?"

The young blonde started to cry and looked up to the officer but instead saw a girl. She was his age and her brown eyes were watching him with so much sadness. It was like they were sharing the same pain, "Barnaby, Barnaby Brooks Jr."

"Ouroboros killed your-"

"No." she cut him off, "I really don't want to discuss that. That's not what this is about."

"Right."

Barnaby pulled out into traffic and the two rode quietly to the hotel. He stayed with her as she paid for her room and escorted her up six floors. She swiped the card in the door and waited a little, turning to him.

"What do you think this is?"

"What?"

"Us, Barnaby. Us."

"Fate?"

"Maybe." She smiled and turned back to the door, "Goodnight."