Chapter 13, Girlfriends and Confusion

Wash

There was no way I was going to let Mass get to me, no, not a woman. They weren't worth my time, mind or energy. I couldn't let it bother me that she hadn't talk to me for three weeks now, and I sure as hell wouldn't let myself call her myself. No, that was what she wanted. All of this, was what she wanted. Just like all the woman I've ever dated, she wants to F-up my mind.

The fact that she's not called, or come to work, or talked to anyone I talk to wouldn't bother me. I'd not allow. Not under any circumstances.

But damn did I miss her. More then I thought I could. More then I'd ever missed anyone. Even my family. I didn't know why, but I wanted to see her, or talk to her. Even just hearing her voice would relieve me.

It worried me that something was wrong with her, or something had happened.

This was stupid, I shook my head, walking towards my commander's office. I didn't even know this girl. She was just a another lesson to learn.

I went into the glass office, expecting my commander, but my breath catching upon seeing the Director in the flesh, him sitting reorganizing his desk. Pictures and papers---really only one picture and two folders---and his high technical, Del computer. His posture was a bit slumped, eyes on the items as he moved them.

I was stuck mid stride, my breathing ceased and half through the doorway.

What the hell was he doing here? I thought he'd been kicked off of this force and not permitted to be back on it again. Was I really that wrong? Could I really be that wrong? Or was there something else going on? Obviously it seemed he was here to stay. What was this? A parole of some sort? I doubted the Chairman would ever allow that, so, either he wasn't here with permission, or the Chairman got a day off. Both of those seemed unfeasible.

"David. It's been awhile." His voice made me suck in a breath. "You look pale? Coming here to ask for the day off?" I reeled my leg back, the heel scoffing the tiled floor.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I demanded, glaring at him clearly. There was no reason for me to hide my resentment.

"The committee gave me permission to help out here." Yes, exactly, I knew now why. It was obvious he had no real idea what was going on here, what exactly I was doing. What everyone in my sector were doing. The committee had only allowed him to join our ranks so we could get better insight on him. And know what he's up to more often. It was a pretty perfect plan, except for the fact he was a genius and could quite possibly figure it out. Though, it would work to an extent.

"Then, call me your official welcoming committee." I smiled ominously, my hair hanging in my face as I lowered my head, watching him that way.

"Good. I'm glad you seem to still have your professional edge." I looked up to him, crossing my arms over my chest. Professional edge huh? Glared, the smile on my lips unable to disappear.

"Don't get confident. You won't be receiving any respect from me. Just enough that I can work."

"I guess that's all I can ask of you."

"I'm glad you see things my way." we silently stared at each other, me glaring and him seeming to scrutinize how far he could push me before I snapped. I figured he could tell I had no tolerance.

"I caught up so far and... Um… have you been informed Mass has called here for you six times in the past three weeks?" That lying bastard! My commander hadn't told me for whatever reason. But why wasn't she just coming to find me? That made no sense either. She knew where I worked, where I lived and everything.

"No. Do you have her number?"

"889-672730." I turned around on my heel and left down the hall, my casual stance turning to a jog the further I got.

She'd called me.

I'd confront my commander ASAP about this, and I'd not holdout the anger and frustration I had.

Smirk

Director

Amusement, dark amusement, filled my veins as David walked off with a hurried pace. So clueless, so stupid. Love destroyed minds, it destroyed bodies and led to disaster. I'd told him this before, but he hadn't believed me. Now, he'd find out the hard way.

I smirked, listening to his fading footsteps.

What the Hell?

Church

Today was really turning out to be bad. First, I dumped scalding coffee on my lap in my car to work, then, I had to take the stairs to the fifth floor. At work, I had to make fourteen copies of one piece of paper because the copier wouldn't work, I had to eat from the snack machines because I didn't have anymore money then one dollar---Tex was going to get confronted about that----and had to park far away. On my way home, I got a flat tire and my air conditioner broke.

I mean, what was with that? Was I seriously cursed? At this point, nothing would surprise me. Tucker having an alien baby, my and Tex being AI, Caboose falling in love with a tank and so much more. I'm not even going to get into it.

My car slowed as I entered my drive. The gravel crunched beneath the weight of the tires, sliding under my tires too.

But I could hardly focus on anything but what I saw park in my usual spot just by the willow tree by the fence surrounding the gravel. The car was a mini-cooper, dark blue with a perfectly shiny exterior.

Was it actually possible Tex was cheating on me? It seemed like she'd stopped, but could I really trust her? I'd sure as hell tried, but I guess I was probably wrong. Tex will be Tex, no stopping her from doing what she wants to. Though it didn't matter, whoever this bastard was, I'd rip his throat out and stuff it into his stomach.

I pulled up, parking on the opposite side. At first, I just stared out my windshield, trying to will the thought away she was actually doing something.

I thought she loved me. I thought she wanted to marry me. But I guess that concept meant nothing to her. She was Tex after all. Had I really expected her to love me? No, not really, but I'd hoped.

That's when I heard music playing, but not fast music or anything I expected Tex liked, but this was slow music. It was a love song. The kind you always imagined listening to at your wedding… not that I ever imagined that.

I tensed in shock against the seat I was in as I saw Caboose and some woman waltzing inside and Tex pretending to waltz with someone near them. They were all smiling, white teeth showing. But Tex looked happy, which made me smile too. Her hair was back in a short ponytail messily as was the woman I presumed was Caboose's girlfriend. His girlfriend's hair was blond, eyes a deep green and her figure. Damn, she had one hell of a figure. Those hotties always went for the idiots. Always.

I got out of my truck and headed inside. Man, this was going to be interesting. It seemed Caboose had a real girlfriend. How was that even possible? I thought he was a retard. It just made no sense how they could get along. I mean, he frustrated the hell out of me, but then again, I was just a frustrated person. My good looks and charms were my saving. He had neither.

I went inside and took my place where Tex was pretending to waltz with me. One arm was where my shoulder should have, the other out where my hand should have. The only problem was the fact that she'd over estimated my height. "I wondered when you'd stop staring and come inside." She said with an annoyed smile.

"Just observing the situation. And your mood." I grinned, trying to lighten up my comment. She squeezed my hand tight enough I shooting pain up my arm. "Ouch… sorry." No, I wasn't really sorry, but as long as she thought that…

"Church!" Caboose exclaimed. I stopped dancing, dropping my hands to my sides.

His woman wasn't just hot, she was extremely hot. She had a figure smaller then Tex's, but well toned muscles and a little makeup.

"I'm Molly." She held out her hand to shake mine and I shook it. She was very small indeed. How did Caboose not hurt her? He was one big son of a bitch.

"I'm Leonard. Most people call me by my last name, Church."

"Nice to meet you, Church."

"This is my girlfriend, best friend! Girlfriend, this is my best friend." She laughed, the sound more-or-less a giggle.

'Thank you, Michael." She patted his chest and he smirked, prod he'd gotten away with calling me his friend, twice. Yeah, well, I wouldn't let it happen again.

"You know, I didn't even think he had a real girlfriend." I confessed, my voice a little high.

"I've gotten that every time I've met one of his friends." Tex hit my arm a bit harder then I think she intended, gaining all my attention.

"Church, she works as a vet in Dallas." Why did that fascinate Tex? Of all people, Tex?

"It's true. I'm an animal surgeon." Ah, there's the reason. Tex loved any job that involved cutting things.

"That's great. What were you all doing in here?"

"we were dancing, Church. Duh." Caboose said as if it were commonsense.

"Don't get smart ass on me." I snapped. Tex smacked my arm.

"No fighting you two." She ordered. "We were just practicing some dances, Church." Some? I noticed all our living furniture was pushed up against the walls.

"That's great." I said sarcastically.

Bewilderment

Wash

It took me about twenty minutes to reach the phone on the wall outside of my office, but I made it, and Mass's phone number was still fresh in my memory. Though, I had a photographic memory, so, no surprise there.

I pulled the receiver off and held it to my ear, dialing the number. I listened carefully as it rang. First a long and steady beeping.

One.

Another, it beeped long and steady too, rhythmically.

Two.

That was it. I heard shuffling, then her voice as pure as the last time I'd heard her. "Hello?"

"Mass, it's me. I'm sorry I Haven't called you-" She laughed, the sound almost too casual for this moment.

"Oh, it's okay silly! I'm not mad at you." I frowned, trying to figure out why she sounded wrong. Was it the slight static? Or was it the tone to her voice? Something wasn't right.

"I'm glad. Is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine. Will you just cool it?" Now she sounded angry. What was this?

"Fine. Listen, I'm sorry. And I really want to get to know you. Mass, you're a wonderful person." For some reason, I had a feeling I would be repeating myself very soon.

"Aww! You're so cute! Aren't you?" She sounded like she was talking to a puppy now.

"Um… yes?" I asked, my voice high with confusion and concern. I wasn't sure which one overshadowed the other.

"Can you come over? Like, now?" I glanced around, astonished.

"Mass, I don't really think I can. I'm working. And not to mention I just got here." This time when she laughed, it sounded as if it was a, "So what?" kind.

"Just come over? Please! Please, oh please!" The begging in her voice was enough to make me swallow hard.

"Okay." How could I let her do this to me? How could I let her effect me as if I actually had feelings? It sure wasn't consciously.

"Thank you! Bye!'

"Bye." I hung up, tensing towards the wall as soon as the receiver was up. Holy shit, I was going to skip work for a woman. I never thought the day would come. But it felt good nonetheless.

I first started towards the exit, down the halls casually. My real boss passed me, but didn't stop me. Of course he thought nothing of this.

The halls were seemingly longer then they should have been, making me even more nervous then I should have been.

C'mon, what could they do to me? They couldn't really fire me, I was too valuable.

Outside, the clean air blasted me, making me gasp in due to my panic. No reason to panic, just relax. They wouldn't do anything to me and I wasn't doing much. Hell, I had enough vacation days to retire.

I idled my warthog, then started driving off towards her apartment. I wasn't entirely sure where I was going, but I could guess pretty easily.

When I was halfway there, I made myself pull into a parking lot and think. There had been something strange going on, and I had no idea what. For as much as I knew, she could be kidnapped. Or, a backstabber who was leading me into a trap. Neither would surprise me. I had just that luck.

Her voice hadn't fit the situation properly, but she'd still responded somewhat correctly. And Mass's tone of voice really meant nothing. She was an odd woman and whether I wanted to accept it or not, I didn't know her at all. I didn't know her favorite food, where'd grown up, her favorite color, religion, personality or anything. The only thing I was sure of at this moment---leaning against my steering wheel in a florist's parking lot----was that I thought I was in love with a woman I didn't even know.

For the first time in my life, I was confused.

(Well crap. The last time I tried posting this chapter, it didn't work. I'm very sorry about this. But here's the correct one. Sorry for the inconvenience this may have caused. Hope you all finally enjoy the REAL chapter)

(Also, updates should be more regular and the next chapter is already in the works, named, Shameful Attack)