Me: Hi everyone! : ) Thanks to maggie230173, CrazyNerdyFangirl, skyrunner27, Kina Kalamari, bellan55, CreativeInsanityy, and bookworm14 for reviewing! Oh, there's a Young and the Restless spoiler in there. I swear, I don't watch the show, but I needed to put it in there so sorry anyone who watches it. And there's a lot of innuendo :P You were warned!
Chapter 31: Trust Me?
Shadow's POV
Time: 07:14
"Unh," I moaned, gaining consciousness. I grabbed my head, feeling as if it would come apart if I let go.
Where was I?
Memories of last night flooded my mind and I opened my eyes, looking for Fang. The living room was empty, only lit by the early morning light that was filtering through the windows. I sat up and let go of my head slowly, feeling a bit better. My leg felt really weak and I unwrapped the bandages around it, cursing myself.
Stupid, how could I strain it so much?
I heard a refrigerator open. I peeked into the kitchen and saw Hunter looking through the fridge and scratching the golden haystack on his head. I felt a mix of anger, suspicion and then denial. Why was he talking to Max last night? What were they planning? Were they going to take on Itex together, but without the rest of us? Why?
I got up slowly and walked behind him. He was staring into the nearly empty fridge. Then his whole body tensed and he jumped up to look at me, his golden eyes wide.
"Will you quit that Fan-oops," Hunter exclaimed, whirling around and then seeing me. I shot him a quizzical look at sat down. So Fang liked creeping up after him. Huh. Hunter stared at me for a few seconds, and then looked away. "It seems as if we're in dire need for groceries. But no one seems to want to go to a supermarket, not after last time." I chuckled, remembering the incident. Oh, how long ago that was. No really, was that like a week ago? Two weeks?
"Here," he said. Suddenly, a cup of apple juice was placed in front of me. I glanced at him as he sat across from me and sipped his own cup.
Could I trust Hunter? He and all of these jerkwads have kept Jeb a secret from me since day one. Fine, on day one I was technically an Angel but by day 4? You know, around the time I took a freaking bullet in the leg? Not one of my best moments, I confess. And worse: I had to be carried out by Hunter. Like some damsel in distress! I could've totally walked out of there myself.
Okay, not really. But still.
"Shadow is there something wrong?" Hunter said, probably noting my major case of spacey this morning. He continued to chide me, which never goes well. Not when Max did it, and I'm not going to give him any exceptions. "Shadow, I did notice that you were sleeping uncomfortably on the couch, which is very bad for your leg."
"Who are you, my dad?" I bristled, unable to hold my tongue. His face turned angry.
"No, I'm your Leader and if you let how you feel get in the way of any of our missions, you become a liability!" he said, raising his voice. I gritted my teeth and refused to show him how much that comment stung.
"You don't have to worry about a damn thing Hunter, because it's fine. And how I feel! You don't know anything about how I feel! You're just my Leader, like you said," I sneered. I got up quickly and went to go for a flight-I needed to clear my head-when I heard his chair sliding.
"Shadow, wait. Please sit down, I'm sorry," he said. I clenched my fists, but walked over and sat back down, refusing to look at him. How dare he say, how I feel? How come it's not what I think? It's cause I'm a girl, right? Just like Fang said. Stupid sexist bastards, all of them.
I realized then how much I hated it here. I was stupid to leave the Angels. I'm a traitor to everyone here because I'm a traitor to the Angels. Fang could get away with it because he's Max's boyfriend.
Or was anyways.
It hit me how much I missed Max and how simple life was living with her at that moment. I missed her bad attempts at cooking. I missed her yelling at Ella and Nudge when they wouldn't shut up about the TV. And I missed them too. And I missed Max scolding at Chris about the phone bill every month, or how Cass would occasionally blow something up when trying to make sunglasses that shoot out a small poisonous dart or something like that.
And now I'm not sure what's true. Marcus/Jeb told us that the memories are fake, but did he do it to drive a wedge between us on purpose? If I left today to tell Max I believed her, would she even believe me?
It was like a blow to the stomach. No, I can never go back. Max won't accept me. I have to stand my ground here or give myself up to Itex. There are no alternatives.
Hunter interrupted my notions. "Shadow, are you even listening to what I'm saying?" Oh, he was speaking?
"Sorry, I was lost in thought," I said, meeting his eyes. He sighed and got up to sit near me. He clasped my hands in his bigger ones and looked at me straight in the eye.
"I apologize on behalf of everyone on how we've been acting. You're new to us, and you're replacing Fang, who was invaluable. You were once our enemy. Trust will come in time," he said. "I want to let you know that if you have any problems, you can tell me. I'm here for you and I consider myself a friend of yours." He gave me a gorgeous half smile and my breath was stuck in my chest.
Shadow be careful, he's trained in this. Don't let him charm you, my common sense warned. I sighed and felt my head droop. This was becoming too much. I didn't even feel like I could trust myself at this point.
I felt one of his hands unclasp mine and lightly he lifted my chin up. "You can tell me," he repeated. At that moment I became hyperaware of how close our lips were and I scolded myself for noticing it.
He was luring me. He was tricking me. He was seducing me. He was my Leader and nothing more! Must…find…way…out…
"I would like new clothes," I said quickly. I gestured to sole black T-shirt or his that I was wearing. "I'm not your size."
He nodded solemnly. "I understand. Although…" He trailed off and a devilish smirk played on his face as he sized me up. "I think they look quite good on you."
I felt my face go hot. Was that a…what was that? Does Hunter like me? Noooo! Maybe? No! I looked into his honey gold eyes. Honey gold black hole eyes. Once I entered, I was DEAD. I had to find a way out of this.
"What day is it?" I asked quickly. I got up ungracefully and walked over to the calendar hanging on the wall. Hunter looked up at me in mild surprise. Ha.
"I believe it's the twenty-first," he said. "Why?"
"Well," I said. I thought quickly for an excuse and one came in my head. Embarrassing? Yes. Good excuse? Yes. The truth? Unfortunately yes.
"Well?"
"It's a little bit private."
"You can tell me. Like I said before, you can tell me anything," Hunter said with a smile.
"I'm going to need certain…supplies bought."
"We have guns," Hunter said, standing up and stretching. "And costumes and other weapons."
"Not spy supplies. Woman supplies," I said. Hunter stopped mid-stretch and his eyes slid over to me.
"Woman supplies?" he asked quietly, standing up straight.
"Yes Hunter, I need woman supplies. For my period," I said, a little too bluntly, judging by his reaction. It seemed like all the blood drained from his face from a moment. Then his blush came back with a vengeance.
"Oh! Well, um…" Hunter trailed off.
"Well, that explains a lot!" Ghost said. Hunter and I jumped and whirled to face him as he strutted in the kitchen with that stupid smirk on his face. And so it starts.
"Good morning Ghost," Hunter said, neutrally.
"Morning Hunter," he yawned, opening the fridge. "What's for breakfast?"
"It seems like we're going to IHOP or something. I'll wake the others," Hunter said, walking towards the stairs. He paused where I was standing and whispered so only I can hear, "Remember. You can tell or ask me anything."
I shivered at how warm his breath was against my cheek. And then my girl hormones flew out the window; kicked out by my spy senses when I realized why all of a sudden he was all macho and pouring me apple juice.
He knew that I knew about Max.
Hunter walked away and I was thinking of how I could possibly escape the madness that is my life when Ghost said in the worse impersonation of Morgan Freeman's voice that I have ever heard, "And he whispered sweet nothings into her ear, and she confessed her undying love to him." He then proceeded to butcher my voice. "Oh Hunter, scramble my eggs!"
I groaned at the avian jab and walked to the car. It's almost 7:40, and I've had enough of today. Oh, what a world.
Fang's POV
Time: 12:30
Some guys dream of living in a house full of girls.
It had turned into my worst nightmare.
"I want to watch the Young and the Restless!" Ella yelled. I groaned and put down my grilled cheese sandwich. My appetite was gone.
"JILL BETRAYS BILLY! There! I want to watch Full House!" Nudge shot back.
Ella let out a bloodcurdling scream; you'd think Erasers just attacked. "HOW COULD YOU?"
I walked of the kitchen, ready to punch the damn TV when Cassandra ran out if her room…and tripped, dropping the weapon in her hand.
Folks, let me tell you that a high energy laser and curtains do not mix.
The curtains burst into flames fast and Nudge dove out the way and straight into me. We fell down and the air was knocked out of me.
Jeez, she tackles like a football player.
"Fire!" Ella screamed, jumping over us and running out the door.
Now I knew who I could trust in life or death situations.
Max ran into the room, prepared with a fire extinguisher. A minute later, the fire was gone and the curtains were ash.
"Can someone please tell me how the HELL the curtains got on fire!" Max exclaimed, whirling around. Nudge jumped up and I stood up slowly, reassessing how hard Nudge tackled me.
Cassandra started crying. Literally, this girl can invent a gun that could kill 10 people in one shot and she was crying.
"I'm so so so so sorry Max! I heard Ella screaming so I ran out here to defend her and I tripped," she sniffled. Max turned her glare to Ella who had tiptoed back into the house.
"Ella!" Max barked. Ella froze mid-step. "Why were you screaming?"
Ella's stance turned defensive. "It's because that one-"she pointed at Nudge. "Spoiled my favorite TV show so she could watch Full House! Who the hell watches Full House anymore?"
"I do!" Nudge said, marching up to her with fire (Ha!) in her eyes.
"I am so sorry that the early 90's passed without you! Here's a spoiler for you! The adorable Olsen twins become CEOs of a money sucking empire and kill animals for fur, John Stamos remains hot and single, and the rest of the cast becomes redundant!" Ella screeched.
I'm going to need a bottle of Tylenol.
"Well-" Nudge began. Then Max saved the world by letting out a sharp whistle which shut them both up.
"Enough! No TV for either of you for a week," Max sentenced. She held up her hand when they tried to protest. "Either that or I smash the TV right now." They both shut their mouths. "Now, the two of you go clean the mess. After that, Nudge, go sweep the garage. Ella, vacuum the rug. Cass, go buy us some new curtains. Dismissed." Ella and Nudge bowed their head and started their chores. Cass nodded once and went off to get new curtains.
Max sighed and looked at me, giving me a weak smile. "What's up?"
I didn't know what to say. After last night, I felt like I didn't know Max anymore.
Quit…lying to…Fang! Hunter's voice rung in my head. What did he mean by that? Sure, Shadow and I only heard snatches of the conversation. But what else could Hunter have meant?
"At least you can just ask Max when you get home…" Shadow had said. But what can I ask without giving the fact that I was following her like a possessive boyfriend?
"Fang, let's go on a flight," Max said, after moments of silence. I nodded. Flying always helped me clear my thoughts.
We left the house and told Crystal to watch over things as we went flying. Max took off before me and I followed, since she probably knew where she was going.
"What's wrong Fang? Not that you're usually talkative just that you're even quieter than usual, if that's possible," she said, shooting me a wry smile. I didn't dare look at her.
"Where were you last night?" I asked. Her usual rhythm of flying went off a beat and then suddenly turned back to normal.
"Out flying," she said, her voice guarded.
Liar.
"You took a long time," I said keeping my voice nonchalant. Inside, I want to grab and shake her and say I know the truth!
"I took a long flight," she answered. "Getting my mind off of things, you know?"
"I know," I said. An awkward silence was between us and I couldn't stand it. I love Max, but my spy instincts were telling me not to trust her.
What if she's changed from the Max I knew from my memories?
Or what if Hunter and Shadow are right and there are no memories?
I booted that out of my head. I didn't want to go down that road, not when I saw that cabin.
All that blood…
"We should head back," Max said in her Leader tone. We made a U turn. I glanced at her and she was staring straight ahead, not looking at me.
"You can trust me Max," I said, trying to reach out to her again.
"I know," Max answered, unsmiling.
We silently flew back to the house. We walked in and Angel hugged Max.
"Giovanni's in the training area," she said. I felt angry and tried to guard it from Angel. She couldn't know yet.
That man hates my guts…he loves Max though…
So, Jeb has a soft spot for Max. I remembered that electrocution video that Jeb himself showed us about Shadow and their Head being evil bullshit. He didn't want to hurt Max. Nor did he punish Hunter. But Hunter is his son. So what was Jeb's deal with Max?
It's so aggravating to only have half of the puzzle.
I walked to the training area with Max and Angel. Jeb, disguised as Giovanni was standing by a computer with the rest of the Angels.
"Hello everyone," Giovanni said, looking at everyone with a smile. "I have another mission for tonight."
I'm sure you do Jeb, anything to keep us busy, right?
"There is a little twist with it though," Giovanni continued. "See this man?" The computer was linked to a projector and some guy's face was plastered on the wall. He looked an important business man, and I read his ID that was hanging from his pocket.
Michael Anderson, Itex Customer Service
"Customer Service?" Chris said with a mocking tone in her voice. "I'm so afraid."
"He's not really customer service," Giovanni said robotically. "That's a cover. He's head of the science department. He helped make all of you and helps conduct those cruel experiments on children. Now," the screen switched to a picture of a club. "Mr. Anderson is going to be there tomorrow night in the V.I.P. lounge. Max and Crystal, I want you two there with him at the V.I.P lounge. You must be disguised. Nudge and Ella, you two will be waitressing at the lounge." Jeb handed them two tickets and Max wrinkled her nose.
"So you want me to act like this dumb, bubbly airhead for some sadistic scientist who grafted wings to my back?" Max stated simply.
"Now Max, I'm not done explaining. Yes, you have to act like that. But I want you to lead him to a secret backroom," the picture changed again to a…room with a big bed with leopard sheets, mirrors on the pink walls, posters of naked woman, and with whips and handcuffs lining the walls. I glared at Jeb, wanting to tear his head off. What the hell did he want Max and Crystal to do, have a threesome with that jerk?
Crystal's nail file dropped from her hand and her mouth gaped open. Max covered Angel's eyes quickly. "JE-GIOVANNI! What the HELL?"
I caught that slip Max.
"Please Max, let me finish! You're just going to lead him to there, to that window," Giovanni pointed to a big window with a laser pointer. He then switched to another slide. It was the outside of the club and the building next to it. "Lead him to the window, make him sit on the sill and a sniper will be waiting there." He pointed to building roof next to the club. "That sniper will kill him."
A frozen silence hung in the air. Sure, we might've killed an Eraser or two. But not someone who didn't willingly engage us.
"So who is this sniper?" Max asked, crossing her arms.
Giovanni sighed. "Well, I would've liked it to be Shadow. What she lacked in loyalty, she made up for in marksmanship." I bit my lip, not saying a word and I saw Max clench her fists. "But lucky for us, we gained a member!" Giovanni looked at me, and I saw his small, yet sly smile.
Fuck you Jeb.
His expression changed back to the business. "I had hacked into the Fallen's files again, and I gained access to videos of their training," he continued. I narrowed my eyes. He knows the password for our computers, there was no hacking. "Here's an old video of Fang training…and here's a recent video of Shadow training." He put two videos up side by side and started both of them.
At the end, I was shocked. Absolutely shocked.
I had always been the best, and of course I knew Shadow was good. I never thought she was as good as me.
We got the exact same time.
"Whoa, you're good," Crystal said. Then Giovanni showed us another pair of videos. And again, we got the same exact time. Max whistled in amazement.
"I think we've found our assassin," Giovanni said, looking at me.
Hunter's POV
Time: 14:59
Let me set the scene of you. Me, carrying laundry, passing by training room. Normal right?
Then I heard voices. Not The Voice, that was long gone now. It was Shadow and Ghost talking, which, in itself is odd.
"You're so inexperienced," I heard her say.
"I'm not, it's just a little broken!" Ghost exclaimed. That's when I stopped, wondering what they were doing.
"Well don't use it if it's broken," Shadow said. "I don't care." That's what she said?
"You're cool," Ghost said, sarcasm evident in his voice. I heard something thrown. Lies, Iggy and the Gasman passed by right then.
"What's-" I covered his mouth and put a finger over mine. Lies and Iggy looked at me if I was crazy.
"Geez, do you know what a razor is? Looks like a jungle," Shadow said. Lies covered his own mouth, trying not to laugh and Iggy wiggled his eyebrows.
"I'm sorry, I'll be more hygienic for you next time princess," Ghost said with more sarcasm.
"And you're sweating already? This is going to be no fun," Shadow said. "I should've asked Iggy or Hunter. You can't take me." Iggy's face turned hopeful and I punched him.
"Oh just you wait. I can make this harder," then we heard a slight sound.
"That's your best shot? Harder!" Shadow said incredulously.
"I knew they had a thing," Iggy muttered, with a hint of amusement.
I narrowed my eyes at him but said nothing.
"Alright fine, things are going to get rough," Ghost said. I heard grunting and I started feeling sick.
"Oh FUCK ME, that's your hardest? Harder!" Shadow said. "I've gone faster with Max!"
"So what, you're with ME now, and we do it MY way," Ghost said. Lies was on the floor, laughing as quietly as he could.
"Ow! Not there idiot! Stop focusing on one part of my body!" Shadow said. More grunting. A moan. The sound of something hitting the floor.
"Yes!" Ghost shouted. There were barely audible sounds and then a louder sound.
"OW!" Shadow yelped. "You son of a-"
"You said you could take it," Ghost said with a smug tone.
"Yes, but I said no face shots! Dumbass! You got me right in the eye!" Shadow said. Iggy was muffling Lies' laughter with the laundry I dropped. The Gasman looked clueless.
"Hi everyone! Marcus is here!" Ari said, smiling and coming down with Jeb.
"We have to go in the training area now," Marcus said rushing past us and opening the door.
"NO!" Iggy, Lies and I shouted.
Shadow was on the floor, holding her eye and glaring at Ghost while he was standing over her with a big self-righteous grin.
They both had clothes on.
I felt a wave of relief and Ghost looked up at us and waved. I noted the brass knuckles he was wearing. "Hey everyone! We were just training. Actually, I was kicking Shadow's ass."
And like lightening, Shadow's foot shot out. Ghost made a sound not quite human and crumpled to the ground, curled in a ball. Shadow got up and dusted herself off.
"Nutcracker," Lies muttered from underneath the laundry.
"If you EVER hit my face again during training, you won't just get a kick in the balls, got that? I was going easy on you human," Shadow spat, leaning over Ghost. He nodded and then rolled over. "And shave your underarms, seriously." Shadow looked at us, her face impassive. "What's up? You all look weird."
"Nothing!" I said quickly, walking into the room with the Gasman. Shadow shot me a confused look and then Marcus cleared his throat. Shadow looked up at him and something unreadable crossed her face. I tried to catch her eyes but she didn't look at me.
"I'm here to set you for another mission," Marcus said. "Tonight." He walked over to the computer projector and set up a slideshow. "See this man?" A man's face came on screen. I read the ID on his pocket.
Michael Anderson, Itex Customer Service
"Yes, I sure do see him," Iggy said with a big grin. Marcus shot him a look but didn't comment.
"He owes a big debt to Itex, and Itex wants him dead. So they're sending a group of assassins after him. Hunter and Ghost, you're his bodyguards. Iggy, you'll be working as a bartender. If the sniper fails, the hired guns in the club are ordered to kill him, so be careful. Now Shadow, I have a special task for you," Marcus said, going through the slideshow rather quickly. The picture was now an outside view of the club, and two buildings. He walked towards our armory and drew out a big briefcase.
That was Fang's special sniper gun. His pride and joy.
He opened the briefcase and showed it to Shadow, who had only raised an eyebrow.
"This was Fang's but now it's yours. Unfortunately I don't have the time to show you how to put it together so-"
"That's okay Marcus. I have the exact model at home," she said, sounding bored.
"Shadow, this is a specially imported model from Russia. You can't have the exact one. Ghost knows how to put it together so he shall," Marcus said. Shadow shrugged. "Now Ghost set up the gun right here." He pointed at the highest roof. "The assassin will be right there." He pointed to the slightly lower roof.
"Who is this assassin?" Shadow asked. The question was innocent enough but it seemed to throw off Jeb. His shoulders hunched.
"It doesn't matter," he said.
Shadow smirked, more in a way that bared her teeth than anything. "It's okay Jeb. I guess know now based on your reaction."
What?
Silence.
"I guess I'll go get ready then," she said, turning away and walking out the room.
Silence.
"Who. Told. Her," Jeb grated out. He was so angry that he was shaking. I exchanged a weary look with everyone.
"No one," I answered. "No one did."
Me: Oh snap! Anyways. :) Remember folks, if you don't review, I don't know if you like it or not or if I should continue or anything I should improve on! So please review!