Hi! So I know it's been a couple of weeks since I updated but I promise this chapter is good. I like it. I think. It's longer than the rest have been. I think. I hope you guys like it and I promise to update more because school is finally out (yea!) and I'll have more free time. My mom is limiting my time on the computer though so I have to be careful. Thank you to all you reviewers. Maybe I'll update really, really soon (within the week) if you guys can get my reviews up to sixty or maybe even…sixty-five? I'll love you all forever! Read on.
Disclaimer: I don't own characters. The amazing Ally Carter does! (Oh, I just checked to see how many more days until Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover comes out and it said seven days, four hours and twenty-five minutes. Can you believe it!? I'm SOOO excited!) I own the plot.
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Chapter Six
Cammie's POV
I wasn't exactly sure where we were going but as Zach took my hand and guided me through my school, I really didn't care. I was with him. That's all that mattered.
We walked in silence for a while when he came to a sudden stop in front of the doorway to the stairs to the roof. He turned around and grinned at me. More like smirked. Whatever. "What?" I asked suspiciously.
"Well…we have nothing better to do. Why not hang out on the roof?"
I took in a breath. "Zach, I'm not sure if that's a great idea…."
"What, Gallagher Girl, are you afraid of falling?" he asked. "I won't let you fall. I'll catch you if you fall. I promise." Clichés, clichés, but it did make me feel better. Especially when I noticed his smile had vanished and I knew those words had double meanings. He was so serious.
It's not like I could dwell on that. "No, it's not that." I rolled my eyes. "No, we'll get into trouble."
He stared at me. "We'll get into trouble?" he repeated. "Cam, please?" he asked. Pleaded. With puppy dog eyes. Which were just adorable on him.
I sighed. "Fine."
He smiled—not a smirk—and turned around to deactivate the security and picked the lock. Yeah, we spies are very serious about our security. We even have to lock a door that leads to the freaking roof. But then again, someone could sneak in through there. If they got passed the electric wires between the roof and the ceiling that protected it. However, this took him less than thirty seconds. So much for high security. Or maybe they just teach heavily on lock-picking at Blackthorne. Doesn't matter.
Zach took my hand again and pulled me up the stairs. He shut the door behind me and then grinned. "Told you I could do it." And there was his self-righteous smirk.
I smacked him lightly. He grimaced. Apparently it wasn't so light. "Don't give me that look," I warned. "You deserved it."
He rolled his eyes and gave me a short kiss before turning and dragging me to the top of the stairs where he deactivated the electric roof. That took him about five minutes.
He went up first and then pulled me up to join him. It was really amazing. Later I couldn't even describe it. I had honestly never been on the mansion's (AN: That was a fix. I called it a castle in an earlier chapter.) roof. Sad, I know.
Anyway, it was beautiful. You could see everything: the blue sky, the green grass, the yellow yards in Roseville. I even spotted Roseville High.
"Zach," I whispered. "It's…beautiful. I…How did you know?"
He shrugged, pointed to himself, and said his signature, "Spy." I rolled my eyes. "But ya know what? It's not as beautiful as you."
There are those clichés again. I still didn't care. It was sweet, one side of Zachary Goode that rarely ever came out, one I rarely got to see.
I didn't answer him but stared off into the sky, toward the clouds. I sat down and he sat down next to me, wrapping an arm around me and drawing me closer. I rested my head on his shoulder and sighed contentedly. I never thought that I was ever going to see him again. And now he was here. For good. He wasn't going to leave me. He wasn't going to disappear off into the night.
So I let my head rest there, and enjoyed his presence to my heart's content. We were silent for a while, both engrossed in our own thoughts. I thought about the fourth of July. That reminded me of my dad. A single tear fell down my cheek and I felt his hand come up to wipe it away.
"Cam?" he said with concern. "What's wrong?"
I shook my head. "I—well, I was just thinking about how you're here and I'm glad because I've lost so…so much." I smiled slightly. "You've lost more, though. I guess is shouldn't complain." I looked up at him. "My dad and I used to do this all the time, before he went on the mission that…well, you get the picture. On the Fourth of July every year, he would take me up on the roof and we'd watch his brother's light fireworks." (AN: I don't know if Cammie's dad has siblings so please bear with me.) I sighed. "I haven't seen any of my aunts and uncles since my dad's funeral. I guess they blame my mom." I cocked my head to the side. "Do you ever miss your parents?" I blurted out. Nice going, Cammie. Of course he misses them!
He didn't seem fazed by the question though. He laughed a little. "Of course I do. But they disappeared a long time ago." He looked out at the sky. "Sometimes, I feel like they're still out there, looking for me." He shook his head. "I know that's crazy. The CIA has confirmed their deaths but still…it's just this feeling I have. Somewhere out there in the world, they're still there….I just need to get out there to find them." He looked at me again and smiled at my expression. "You're probably thinking I'm crazy, right?" he shook his head. "So does Melanie."
I pulled back and looked at him. "Who's…who's Melanie?" I asked a little panicky.
He laughed at my panicked expression. "Don't worry, Cam, we're…related." A dark expression crossed his expression but it was gone before I could figure out if it was real.
"I don't think you're crazy, Zach," I said quietly after a minute. "I feel the same way about my dad. He's out there, whether my mom believes it or not. I know he is. I just…I hope I find him. He might still be in an undisclosed area, being tortured. Knowing my dad, he wouldn't even give information to be free and come back to his family." I frowned. "Of course, that would be treason, right?" I looked at him and he had an expression of wonder on his face. "What?"
He shook his head. "I'm so lucky I met you," was his only reply. I imagined the words meaning, "I love you."
I snuggled back against his side and enjoyed our alone time. But a nagging voice at the back of my head said that the dark expression I saw had a meaning…and I would figure it out sooner or later.
Bex's POV
As I watched Nick and Macey leave, side by side, I couldn't help thinking that Mace was finally going to have someone. Somehow, I knew their relationship was going to last. Just like Cam's and Zach's. Just like Liz's and Jonas's. And just like mine. I smiled at the thought.
Grant snatched a piece of my bacon off my plate. I gave him my death glare and hit him.
"Bex," he whined. "Do you really want it that bad?"
I grinned. "No, I just like making you whine."
He rolled his eyes and kissed my temple. "You'll hear it a lot." He leaned back in his seat and winked. "Ready to go?"
I smiled. "Yeah, where are we going?"
"I'm taking you out. To Roseville. We're allowed. Today, at least."
"We're going on a date?" I have to admit, I was excited. We hardly ever got to go on dates. "Where?"
"It's a surprise." He grinned. "Let's go." Together we walked out of the Grand Hall and toward the van that would take us to Roseville.
Macey's POV
"…and then there's Gillian Gallagher's sword. When we have Code Blacks or Code Reds, it goes underground." A half smile quirked my face. "That's how it was with me."
Nick smirked. "You must have been born to be a spy. You haven't gotten kicked out yet."
I smacked him. "Yeah, well, my parents seem to think I'm cheating…that I should be kicked out." I looked down slightly. "Ms. Morgan said I was caught up and that I could go on whatever track I wish." I took a deep breath. "Straight A's are hard to come by in the McHenry family." I looked up and smiled. "But you probably don't care. Sorry, just felt…compelled to tell you." He stared into my eyes for a second, studying me. I looked down, his gaze was too intense. It made my heard stutter. "Moving on."
We kept going through most of the school until we ended up in the juniors' living room area. We were just talking, like we used to, before we…ya know.
I was sitting on the couch, my legs pulled to my chest, my arms around them. Nick was sitting on the other end facing me, one leg propped up on it.
"Any knew embarrassing Macey-stories?" he asked playfully. "I know you had lots." He winked.
"Oh, yeah, there are lots," I said nonchalantly.
He raised an eyebrow. "Well?"
"Well, what?" I shot back.
He laughed. "C'mon, Mace. I wanna here them."
I rolled my eyes. "You think I enjoy embarrassing myself?"
"I enjoy embarrassing you." A wicked smile crossed his face. "I remember Sam….The time he did this in front of your parents." Before I could protest or protect myself, he had jumped off the couch, grabbed me, pulled me off the couch, sat down, and pulled me down on his lap.
"Ni-ick," I whined. "What was that for?"
Silent laughter coursed through his body. "I had to prove my pint. You should have seen you face." He laughed for real, out loud. I couldn't help but laugh with him. What can I say? His laugh was contagious.
Our laughter ricocheted off the walls and then suddenly we both became very aware of our compromising position…and our closeness…and the fact that we were very much alone.
The laughter died and he stared down at me. His head moved closer…and closer…and closer. We were almost—
"Yo, Nick, Mace—Whoa!" Zach and Cammie appeared in the doorway and I blushed, scrambling off Nick. He sat up very slowly while I stood there, unable to look at him.
"Oh, um, hey, guys," I said, trying to sound casual/ like they didn't just catch Nick and I almost making out. Like I wasn't mad at them for the interruption. Not that I was. But still. "What brings you here?"
Cammie smiled. "Zach and I just wanted to know if you two would join us in Roseville for lunch. Um, like maybe…double." She winked at me.
Before I could answer, however, Nick jumped in. "Yeah! That'd be fun. Right, Mace?" He gave me a pleading look, like he…wanted to go on a double date with Zach and Cam. And me.
"Um, of course," was my brilliant answer. I mentally slapped myself. But I was cheering on the inside. Nicolaus Walker was taking me on a date! A real date.
"Well, let's go," Zach said. I noticed him wink at Nick.
The couple led the way out the door, their fingers interlaced.
Nick smirked. "You instigate that?" he asked, nodding toward the two.
"Instigate it? What do you mean?"
"You got them together?"
"Oh!" I exclaimed. "Only partially." I grinned. "What makes you say that?"
"Because that's you. Remember how you're known to my friends?" He grinned.
My smile grew. That's how I'd gotten my nickname. Matchmaker. "Right. And the only one I could never pair was you." Or I just didn't want to.
"And you," he added. "But you seem to find something wrong with every guy you met and every girl I met."
I blushed. "Hey, you agreed with me! And besides, you're the one who found the flaws in all the guys I dated. Or most of them anyway. I couldn't see anything wrong with Danny." Danny was on of the better, charming ones.
Nick's face turned cold and his eyes narrowed. "Danny is a spy and a player. He doesn't give what happens to any of the girls he dates as long as he can get his satisfactions." His voice was flat.
I looked at him, startled. "He's a spy? At Blackthorne?" That would explain the charming and decent side.
He nodded. "That is why I didn't like him. He would've had to hurt you because you were just a regular girl…back then."
His expression should have scared me but instead it made me feel warm inside. He was worried about me. I smiled.
He looked at me. I saw the anger dissipate and turn slowly to concern. "What's so funny?" he demanded, agitated.
My smiled grew. "You were worried about me."
He sighed giving me a sheepish smile. "You're…well, you're my Macey. I can't let anything happen to you."
My heart nearly stopped when he called me his. Maybe he was trying to very discreetly tell me that he still had feelings for me. (AN: Their story of the past will come soon.) Whatever the purpose, I did something very un-Macey-like: On a spur-of-the-moment thing, I threw my arms around Nicks' neck and hugged him. He seemed startled for a moment but then his strong arms snaked around my waist. We stood there for a minute and then I pulled away. "Thank you," I mumbled as an explanation. He had a dazed look on his face. I smirked.
Glancing forward, I saw Cammie and Zach both smiling (well, Zach was smirking but whatever) and waiting for us. Zach had a tight hold around Cam's waist. He didn't want to let her go. Aw! How cute!
"We should probably catch up to them," I added to Nick with a wind and then I scampered off.
Liz's POV
We waited for Grant and Bex to arrive at the restaurant for lunch in Roseville. Grant had convinced Jonas and me to double with him and Bex. He wanted it to be a surprise for her. Grant hardly takes Bex on dates.
We were sitting on a bench outside the place. I really couldn't believe Jonas was here with the rest of Blackthorne. I mean, he was…here. With me. I couldn't believe it. I was speechless, which, ya know, is kinda a shocker for me. I'm Elizabeth Sutton, spy genius. Though I'm on the research field. Whatever.
Anyway, we were sitting on a bench outside the place and I had my head on his shoulder. He was sitting there kind of awkward-like. It was actually kind of cute. I let out a little giggle.
He looked down at me, confused. "What?"
I smiled at him. "You're cute when you're uncomfortable."
He raised his eyebrows. "I'm uncomfortable?"
I nodded. "You seem like it. You're all tense." I rested a hand lightly on his shoulder.
He laughed a little. "Is it bad that I'm nervous?"
I shook my head. "No, but you shouldn't be. It's just me." My voice turned sad at the end.
He gently lifted my head to look up at him. "Liz, seriously, you're amazing. You think that guys don't notice you? Well, I heard a whole bunch of guys talking about you last night. So don't even." He smiled. "And it doesn't matter. Only I have to love you, right?"
Before I could even get a word out, (like, say, ask him what he meant about the whole only-I-have-to-love-you thing) he lowered his head and kissed me. That surprised me because Jonas doesn't show PDA. I liked the feeling though so I wrapped my arms around his neck and enjoyed it while it lasted.
"Liz, Jonas, stop making out so we can eat," Grant called from down the sidewalk.
Jonas pulled back, blushing slightly. I smiled. "It's okay to show some affection, ya know." He shook his head and I saw a dazed look come to his eyes. Huh, guess my kisses dazzled him. He stood and offered me his hand. I took it and stood up. He turned to go follow Bex and Grant into the restaurant but I stopped him. "What did you mean? The whole only-I-have-to-love-you thing?" I gulped. "Did you really mean you…love me?"
He looked down at his shoes but nodded. "Yeah, I love you." He turned to follow them, scared of my reaction, I knew.
I pulled on his hand. "I love you, too," I whispered.
He grinned and said, "Really?" I nodded. "Well, then, let's eat, shall we?" He gestured toward the door. "Ladies' first." I walked through the door breezily, as though I wasn't fazed at all by that confession. But it was a long time before I could get his words out of my mind. I love Jonas. Jonas loves me. I love Jonas, Jonas loves me. I love Jonas, Jonas loves—
My chant stopped when the waitress came and I ordered. I was still stunned. A guy had never told me he loved me. I'd never had a boyfriend. However, I somehow knew he was it. How does that work? Most girls go through so many heartbreaks to find the one. But I guess for a spy it was different.
I smiled. Of course it was. Spies will always know. Jonas was mine. He wasn't leaving me. I guess I wouldn't have to face heartbreak. He wasn't that sort of guy. If anyone broke it off, it would be me.
I marveled again at the fact that he was in love with me. Me, Liz Sutton, top of the junior class in the research field. With all my clumsiness and everything, Jonas Williams still loved me. For now, that was enough.
The door to the restaurant jingled open and four people walked in. Cammie, Zach, Macey, and Nick. And get this: Nick and Macey were holding hands.
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Ooh, a little bit of a cliffy. Sorry, guys I couldn't resist. I almost ended the paragraph before but I didn't like that so I had to do something. I'm feeling evil today, can you tell? Did you like it? It was longer than usual—a lot longer—but I don't know. I can't decide. I liked the beginning and the middle was pretty good. Macey and Nick are still hovering between the line of friendship and dating. You'll find out why they were holding hands in the next chapter….Any ideas? Please, please, please review. It makes me happy and maybe I'll update sooner! Please take my number of reviews up to sixty at least, sixty-five if possible. I love you all! Oh, also, what did you think of the whole Liz and Bex thing? I haven't put a lot of that in there because Zammie is the main thing. But then again, I've put lots of Macey and Nick in there too. Anyway, what'd ya think? I'm also starting another story. I haven't named it and I haven't posted it but it's going to be about Cammie getting pregnant with her boyfriend's (who, by the way, isn't Zach…at the beginning) child and then her boyfriend goes on a mission right after she told him. He gets killed…or does he? Zach helps her through. It's a lot better than it sounds. The first chapter is rated M. I'll post it soon. Review, review, review!
~IheartZacharyGoode