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Be the Serpent Under It: Part 7-Treachery
She sat in the library of Jack's luxury home, hands balled in front of her mouth. She heard the front door opening and her heart fluttered. She rose and exited, making her way to the top of the staircase. He was removing his coat, soaked with the rain that had started to fall about two hours ago and had only been getting worse since. She swept down the steps. He looked up in annoyance, but upon seeing her, annoyance became relief and adoration. He smiled and went to meet her, wrapping her in his arms. "Honey, I'm home," he teased. She forced a smile, wrapping her arms around him. He tilted his head. He sensed something was off, she knew. The frown that crossed his lips proved as much. "What's wrong?" he asked.
"Nothing," she replied. "I'm just feeling a little… I don't know," she replied.
"Want to talk?" he asked.
She shook her head negatively. He looked worried. She smiled reassuringly at him and leaned against his chest. "Can we go for a walk?" she said after a moment.
"In the storm?" he incredulously asked.
"After it lifts," she replied.
"It's predicted to keep pouring for the next couple of days," he said. "But sure. If it calms down enough, I'm up for it." She nodded, just holding him. He frowned. "I'm serious, Betty, what's the matter?" he asked.
She looked woefully up at him, considering her answer carefully. "I dreamt of men and women dying. I dreamt of agents disappearing into thin air. I dreamt of insidious eyes always watching. I dreamt of a stage of puppets, a solitary puppeteer controlling them all by a thousand strings. A master of his trade," she finally said.
He was quiet, looking down at her. "I dreamt of a puppet with no strings that couldn't be controlled," he soon answered. "Her eyes watched the puppeteer who dared think for a moment he could warp her thoughts and mind and bend her to his whims. The strings meant for her she had wrapped tightly around his own neck, and he was beholden to her every whim."
She was quiet, watching him. "Where are they?" she whispered.
He stared at her for a long, long time. "I'll never claim to be a good man, Betty," he finally said.
"Where are they?" she repeated.
Again, silence. "Come on. Let's have dinner," he soon replied, letting her go and making for the kitchen. She wrapped her arms tightly around herself, closing her eyes and hanging her head. Needless to say, dinner was an awkward and quiet affair.
The Next Day
Gemini hadn't expected to find himself face-to-face with Jack Hench when he and his men had gone out to confront a supposed intruder on their base. Jack Hench and a posse of his own men. Gemini gaped in disbelief at his friend. "Jack?" he asked.
"We need to talk," Jack said, grabbing Gemini's arm and pulling him inside. Hench brought him into a private room, shut the door behind them, and turned Gemini roughly to face him. "I want answers," he said.
"About?" Gemini fished, though he had an idea of where this was going.
"What do you think?" he asked. "Your loyalty was never to your sister, but you're keeping something from me for her sake. Why?"
Gemini was quiet. After a long moment, he replied, "I will keep my little sister's secrets secret."
"How big is this secret?" Jack demanded.
Gemini rose and walked towards the door. Reaching it, he paused and looked back. "I risk losing your friendship and my life if I ever openly confess it," he answered.
Jack's eyes widened a bit and he stood up straighter. There was a beat. "What it is?" Jack finally asked.
"Why are you fishing for an answer you already know?" Gemini asked. Jack said nothing. "I want to tell you, Jack, more than you know. But I can't. It's a twin factor." He thought a moment, considering something. "She loves you. More than you could imagine. Don't doubt that," he finally added. It was the only reason Hench was alive right now in fact. He dared believe that was all it would ever take. Turning, he walked out.
"Sheldon? Sheldon!" Jack sharply shot. "Don't you walk away from me! Gemini!" No reply. Jack was left shaken and unsettled.
That Night
He watched as she brushed her short hair and hummed, sitting in a white silk housecoat. A smile spread softly across his lips but soon fell.
It's you or her...
She spotted his reflection in the mirror and frowned a bit in concern, forehead creasing in worry. She turned, rising. "Jack? What's wrong?" she asked.
He tilted his head at her, then looked away in shame. "Rough day at the office," he murmured.
You or her... You know this dream can't last forever.
"You're newly married. Why can't you just take this weekend?" she chastised gently, shaking her head at him.
He smirked softly, looking back at her, and approached, taking her into his arms and dropping a lingering kiss on her forehead. "Maybe I will," he murmured. "The rest of the weekend I'm all yours." She smiled approvingly. He forced a smile of his own and bent, nuzzling her forehead gently. "I'm going to take a shower," he said.
"Maybe I should join you," she replied with a sly little smile.
His eyes lit up in intrigue. "Maybe you should," he replied.
She squealed a bit in surprise when he picked her up by the thighs. She beamed, wrapping her legs around his waist and cupping his face before kissing him. He carried her into the bathroom that way, and the two wasted no time shedding their clothes, fumbling with the hot water, and getting inside. He picked her up again, pinning her against the wall beneath the stream of water, and kissed her adoringly. She gasped, throwing back her head as it began. "Oh," she moaned. He smirked to himself and stepped it up until she was deep in ecstasy.
KP
She lay curled against him in the gazebo. They'd gone outside after their shared shower to get some fresh air. The rain pattered off the roof, soothing and comforting. They were snuggled together beneath soft blankets. Gently her finger stroked his chest. His body was so warm against hers... She wished they could stay in that moment forever.
"How would you judge the puppeteer in our dreams?" she asked after some time. They couldn't run from it forever. She knew it and he knew it.
He was quiet, stroking her shoulder. "You should have let my uncle have me, Madam Director," he finally answered. She was quiet, closing her eyes tight. The unspoken truth hung heavy in the air between them. He rolled over, draping an arm around her. "Stay with me in this fairytale. Forever," he said.
Tears threatened her eyes. She couldn't... "Don't be afraid," she whispered.
He was quiet, watching her. "It was always you or me," he soon said in sad understanding.
"Don't be afraid," she repeated, voice wavering.
"I don't know where they are. I don't even know what happened to them," he said. "I just plant the seeds, Betty. The reapers take care of the rest."
"We were collateral to you," she said, voice quivering with emotion. He stared at her in silence. "You played your games with human lives. They weren't just pieces on a chessboard, Jack," she hissed. "They were mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, husbands and wives, sons and daughters..."
Jack was quiet, staring at her. "It was always you or me..." he finally replied.
"I won't stop you," she whispered. He was caught off guard. "You know it will be you or me," she continued.
He brushed a hand over her cheek, leaning over her. It would be so easy... He grasped a handful of her hair, pulling her head back slowly until her neck was straining. She clenched her teeth, closing her eyes. One swift motion... That was all it would take.
"It's you or me..." he murmured quietly. A part of him hoped, though, that maybe if he didn't do it, neither would she. She wanted this, he knew. This fairytale they had formed, this dream they lived in. "We can make this life work," he said to her. She sniffed, opening her eyes. "We can make it work. It will work," Tears burned her eyes and her mouth quivered.
No it woudln't...
KP
She lay next to him in their bed, arms wrapped around his body and tears in her eyes. Oh gods, free her from this task. She didn't want him to die. She didn't want him to die… But he was struggling to breathe now, labored sounds in each sleeping breath.
"Don't wake up," she whispered.
She looked at the poisonous ring she'd only an hour ago pushed into his navel as they made love. He hadn't noticed, but now it was beginning to take effect. She wished it had failed... She closed her eyes tightly and clung tighter to him. She felt his body start to tremor.
"Die quietly and at peace," she brokenly said.
He'd come home and she'd greeted him with open arms. They'd eaten, they'd gone for a moonlit walk by the lake, and they'd returned in a storm giggling like children. They'd curled up by the fireplace sipping champagne before getting intimate there. It had been a night unlike anything she'd ever experienced...
You betrayed him as you were betrayed, but no one will come for him as Gemini did for you.
What had even driven her to act? Perhaps the nightmares that plagued her each night of dying eyes condemning her on all sides? Perhaps the knowledge that if she didn't, he would?
"Die loved and not betrayed," she pled, voice breaking.
He began to cough painfully and made a pained sound in his sleep, grimacing. He was starting to wake up.
Don't wake up, don't wake up, don't wake up. Dammit, it was supposed to be painless! Why was it hurting him?!
"Jack?" she asked, lifting herself on her arms to look down at him. "Jack?!" she more insistently said when he made another pained sound, louder than the last.
His eyes flew open as he tried to gasp for breath. He looked confused for a moment then suddenly afraid and panicked. He sat quickly up, holding his throat. "I-I can't breathe," he said. Her stomach was twisting in knots, her heart pounding so loudly she swore the whole house could hear it.
"What?" she asked.
"I can't breathe!" he choked in dread.
"Dammit. I'm calling for help!" she immediately said, snatching the phone from its cradle. She couldn't do this. She couldn't!
It was too late. She could and she had.
She dialed the paramedics swiftly. The moment they picked up, she blurted the address. "My husband can't breathe! He can't breathe! Please," she begged, sounding panicked. She damned the tears in her eyes and the way her voice broke. She damned how much she was shaking and turned quickly around to check on Jack as they gave her directions that would be useless to her situation right now because they didn't assume this was the work of poison. "Okay," she tensely said when they finished. She hung up quickly and ran to his side. He was laying back down, clutching at his throat. He'd broken into a cold sweat as well. "Jack! Jack, listen to me baby, listen to me. You need to drink water. Lots of it."
"Betty," he gasped.
"Just do it! Drink until you can't drink anymore!" she begged. "I'm going to wait for them." She couldn't stay here. She couldn't!
"No! Stay," he begged, seizing her hand and gazing pleadingly into her eyes.
She couldn't take it any longer and burst into tears, falling against him weeping. "Don't go! Please don't go!" she begged. It took everything she had to resist the urge to scream that she was sorry. He was shaking so badly... All at once he lost consciousness and began to seize. "Jack, Jack!" she shrieked, clinging to him. "Jack!"
Hours Later
Gemini had been the first one she'd called, followed by her mother who had come with Vivian in tow. Her mother held her tightly as she sobbed, visibly confused. She had told the woman it was a friend who was in the hospital, not a husband. That was a conversation she really wasn't in the mental place to deal with right now. Gemini sat numbly, looking helplessly at his sister. A concerned and anxious Vivian was at his side staring up at him, almost pleading for him to make his sibling stop crying. He was too stunned to try.
She'd actually gone through with it... If he'd thought for a moment that she would, he would have told Jack everything!
This was his fault, and that was really saying something because nothing was ever his fault. Ever. After all, if you didn't take responsibility, you didn't feel guilt. He disliked guilt and so avoided allowing it any means of entry. Oh how he was feeling it now. "You did it. You actually did it," he numbly said to his sister. Betty was shaking in their mother's arms.
"Stop it! She's suffering enough," Vivian immediately defended, her eyes flashing.
"Su-suffering? He's suffering!" Gemini shot angrily, pointing towards the room his friend was in.
"Sheldon, enough," his mother ordered. Gemini bit his tongue, watching his crying sister. Just then the doctor came out. Vivian and Mrs. Director gasped. Gemini quickly turned, eyes filling with fear and uncertainty.
"Ms. Director?" the woman asked.
Betty sniffed and extracted herself from her mother's arms. She stood up bravely and faced the doctor silently. "How is he?" she asked simply.
"He isn't doing well, I'm afraid. He's crashed four times. It isn't looking good," the woman solemnly replied. Gemini flinched hard and quickly looked away, willing away a stinging sensation in his eyes. Betty's jaw ticked ever so slightly, tears brimming over in her eyes. "For now he's stable, but not conscious."
Just then there was frantic shouting. "Dammit, we're losing him again," the doctor murmured, quickly hurrying back inside.
Gemini fell numbly back into his chair. Betty stood rooted to the spot, frozen in place. Her mother's hands resting softly on her shoulders snapped her back to reality. She looked back at the woman in grief and hugged her tight.
Gemini felt tapping on his arm and glanced over. Vivian. "What do we do?" the girl asked, voice strained.
Gemini shook his head at her and looked away in frustration. "Right now all we can do is wait," he replied.
KP
By some miracle, he had been stabilized again. By a greater one, he was conscious. Barely conscious. Though still as pale as a ghost, his strength was starting to return. Slowly he was recovering, detoxifying the poison from his body. Betty sat at his bedside, tightly holding his hand and silently weeping as she stroked his forehead in a soothing manner. He reached up, gently cupping her cheek. "I'm here," he promised, voice weak.
"Don't go," she pled softly.
"You know that I can't…" he began.
"Please!" she cut off. "Never die. Ever."
He gazed silently up at her, trying to read her expression. After a moment, he placed his hand behind her head and pulled her down so they were nuzzling. "I'll never die," he promised. If only to humor her. They both knew it was a promise he couldn't keep. She kissed him, letting it linger for a long moment.
KP
Vivian and Gemini watched silently from outside. "What happens now?" Vivian asked.
Gemini was quiet. "I don't know," he answered.
"Your mom. She knows about this now," Vivian said.
Gemini closed his eyes and massaged the bridge of his nose in stress. The woman had been flabbergasted when she'd seen her daughter go into her 'friend' and proceed to treat him like the farthest thing from. He'd told her the two had been toying with a relationship for a while now but hadn't gone official just yet. Mother, of course, had been bubbling over with excitement and questions, asking when she could meet him. He'd told her his name was Jack but hadn't offered a last name. He'd told her he knew little about the man and that he didn't think it would last because they were both workaholics, so it just wasn't worth meeting him. It was partially true, at least. Mother hadn't been pleased by his answer and had told him to have a little faith in his sister before hurrying off to work. How could he after this though, he bitterly thought?
"I'll handle my mother," he answered.
"What about Jack and Betty?" the girl asked.
She was wise beyond her years, Gemini wryly noted. Far too observant for her own good. He shook his head bitterly and stared through the glass. "I will do what I can," he answered.
"Can you save them both?" Vivian asked.
Gemini gave her a look. She gazed solemnly up at him. He turned back to the window. "I can only try," he answered at last.
She nodded. "I think you can," she said. He huffed a bit, smirking. He appreciated the vote of confidence, but he doubted highly it was warranted.
A Few Days Later
He'd seen this coming, honestly. It was only a matter of time before his sister sought him out. Now here they were, seated together in a little coffee shop not far from HenchCo. She looked miserable. He said nothing. Just stirred his drink waiting for her to breach the topic. At this point, though, it was starting to feel awkward. He wasn't used to cordial conversations and casual meetings with his twin. "I heard your husband is back at work," he finally breached.
She flinched hard and he grimaced. Note to self, never breach a topic again. "He's not my husband. He was my target," she answered.
Sheldon stared at her a moment then sighed deeply, closing his eyes and bowing his head. "Betty…" he began.
"Don't," she cut off. He fell silent, slightly put out by the interruption but now also very worried. "I completed my mission. I killed him. I killed him six times," she said, voice wavering. "I can't do it a seventh. I'm done, and you... you're going to tell him everything."
"I beg your pardon?" he incredulously asked. "Betty, if I tell him anything of the sort, your life is forfeit. More importantly, my life is forfeit."
"For what?" she asked with a scoff.
"For keeping this entire farce secret," he answered, frowning at her. "I don't think you understand, sister, just how dangerous of a man Jack can be."
"I know how dangerous he can be," she said.
Gemini was quiet. "You're mine to destroy," he finally said.
"Then I won't be there when he gets home," she replied.
Gemini stared at her in disbelief. Finally snapping out of it, he said, "Betty…"
"I won't plead for forgiveness. He'll offer none. I won't beg for his love. He won't care. I'll be dead to him and he'll be dead to me and that's it. Maybe it was for the best in the end," she said.
"And what will you tell GJ?" Gemini asked.
"That I couldn't," she replied.
"Sister, you love him," Gemini said.
"And that's why this has to happen," she replied, rising. "Just do it, Sheldon. Whatever comes of this, I'll face it." Before he could reply, she'd left. He stared silently after her hating the worry in his eyes. Man alive, that woman had a death wish...
KP
Jack was flipping through some backed-up documents in his office, visibly annoyed. His buzzer rang and he answered it. "What is it?" he asked.
"Sheldon Director here to see you, sir," the receptionist declared.
"Send him up," Jack said, glad for the break. Besides, he still felt a bit ill and was having trouble focusing. He could use the rest. He rose and stretched out, body aching. Probably side effects from whatever poison or drug had been pumped into him. Whatever it had been, it had been potent. For him to still be feeling it this many days out was all kinds of bad. The door opened and Jack turned with a smile. "Gemini, what's the story?" he asked. His smile fell, though, when he saw the defeated and resigned look on Gemini's face. "Sheldon? What's wrong? Is Betty okay?" he asked.
"She's... she's as fine as can be expected, given the circumstances," Gemini replied.
"I wish she'd stop doing this to herself," Jack frustratedly said, drawing a hand through his hair. "Since the whole poisoning incident, she's been acting strange. It's starting to worry me."
"You... you don't have anything to fear from my sister," Gemini said. "Not anymore."
Jack tensed up ever so slightly. After a moment, he leaned on his desk. "What do you mean?" he asked. The tired and resigned tone in his voice, though, told Gemini he knew the answer already.
Gemini held his friend's calm gaze for a long moment. "It wasn't my choice to tell you this, Jack. If I'd had my way, you never would have learned. I came here at her request, not of my own accord." Jack was quiet and utterly still, watching him in silence. Gemini could only assume he was mentally bracing for what was coming next. "Betty Director is the leader of Global Justice. Her mission was one of revenge. Kill you if she couldn't find a way to bring you to justice properly. Retaliation for the attack that killed so many of their agents..." Gemini said simply. Jack was quiet and slightly pale, lips pressed firmly together. Gemini shifted uncomfortably. "If-if I'd believed for even a moment that she would actually be able to bring herself to do it, you would have known long ago," Gemini said.
Jack was still for a moment longer before straightening up and going to the window, crossing his arms around himself and staring out of it exhaustedly. His mind whirled a thousand miles an hour, grief welling up inside him. There were those who would have tried to deny this. Accuse Gemini of lying and retaliate violently. He wasn't among them. He knew the truth in his friend's words. There was no point in pretending any longer that none of this was happening. There was no point in pretending that maybe he had been wrong and she wasn't exactly who he'd suspected she was. Known she was. He couldn't run from it anymore... Not with it so plainly laid out in front of him.
"She was the one who poisoned me," he said. The pain he felt at that moment made him feel physically sick... "She… she…" he stammered, anger starting to taint his voice.
"She loved you. She never lied about that. Nothing she told you was a lie. You just never asked the right questions," Gemini said.
Jack clenched his teeth in grief and squeezed his eyes tightly shut, hanging his head. He felt tears threatening his eyes. "Get out," he finally managed to poisonously hiss, tone and voice quaking in hatred and fury and despair.
"Jack…" Gemini began.
"Get out!" he roared furiously, turning on his friend and pointing at the door, eyes flashing viciously. Gemini began backing slowly and nervously away. "Damn her!" Jack screamed furiously, throwing everything on his desk viciously to the ground. "Damn her to-to... damn her!" he shouted punching his desk violently and scowling, eyes flashing murderously. All at once, though, the murderous look dissolved and he sobbed, collapsing to his knees in despair. Desperately he tried to regain control over his own emotions. Gemini had stopped backing away now, concern in his eyes along with pity. For a long moment, there was silence between them. "Why couldn't you just let me stay in that dream forever?" Jack hoarsely asked, voice breaking.
Gemini swallowed over a lump in his throat and hung his head, closing his eyes. "She won't be there when you go home today," he said. Jack broke down, covering his eyes in grief. Gemini watched in silence. "Every time she told you she loved you, she meant it," he finally said. "She meant it with her whole heart." Jack just kept weeping. Gemini shook his head then left the room before Jack came back to himself and lost all control. He shut the door quietly but firmly behind him.
KP
Betty stood by the lake in silence, lips tightly pursed and arms crossed. She raised her right hand and gazed at the poisoned ring perched there. A surge of hatred and disgust, uncontrolled, surged through her. She shook her head, pulling it off and throwing it as far as she could into the lake with an angry shout. She scowled after it, tears burning her eyes. She didn't know what she would tell GJ. At this point, she didn't care. If they ousted her, so what? If they hated her forever more, what did it matter?
She'd lost him. She'd lost him!
She sobbed, dropping to her knees and hanging her head low. She had to go, she knew. It was only a matter of time before Jack came home. Sniffing, she looked up over the lake once more and stood.
It would be the last time she ever saw it like this.
Mouth quivering, she turned and walked away as quickly as she could...
Four Months Later
Betty lay in bed motionlessly, gazing emptily up at her wedding ring. Vivian watched her friend helplessly from the doorframe. For months now Dr. Director had been like this. Quiet, sullen, withdrawn, depressed... She never seemed happy anymore. She hadn't even laughed and had barely smiled since the day she'd fled her husband's house. It hurt Vivian to watch her doing this to herself... It hurt so much. "Betty? You need to get up. At least try," Vivian pled. Betty was quiet. "Please?" Vivian begged, voice breaking a bit. "You can't keep doing this to yourself."
Dr. Director closed her eyes tightly, willing away tears. Vivian sniffed, bowed her head, and turned, giving up. "Let me shower and eat something, Viv. Then I promise we'll do whatever you want," Betty suddenly said. Vivian looked quickly and hopefully back. Dr. Director sat up and rose, walking into the ensuite. Vivian's sighed in relief. Maybe the funk was finally lifting.
About fifteen minutes later, Betty came back. Vivian grinned, looking up, but her grin immediately vanished. Silent tears spilled from Dr. Director's eyes. "B-Betty?" she nervously asked.
"We need to go to the hospital," she said.
Vivian's eyes widened in fear? "Wh-what? Is it Gemini? Your mom?" she asked.
"It's me, Viv. It's me," Dr. Director quietly said.
KP
Vivian gaped in shock at the little blob moving around on the ultrasound device. "Holy crap," she finally managed to say. She turned quickly to her friend. "B-Betty, you're pregnant?" she asked. Betty's eyes were fixed on the screen. "H-how long have you suspected?" Vivian asked.
"For months now," Betty whispered. "I was throwing up, getting cravings, my cycle was off... I denied it as long as I could, but when I started to show..." She trailed off. "It's the second trimester. I can't hide it much longer." She could have spat at herself. Her brother had been right. So, so, so right... More right than he'd even known.
Vivian was silent, digesting this. Looking back, she really should have caught on earlier. Seriously, she was a genius. How had she missed it? She'd thought the slightly bloated appearance and the little bit of weight gain Betty had been experiencing was a result of her friend's depression. She'd thought the cravings were because she was having her time of the month, although looking back now those cravings had been far too irregular for that. She'd believed the way Betty held her stomach when she thought she was alone and no one was around, and the way she rubbed it, gazing down at it and smiling softly—the only times she'd ever seen her friend smile since the incident—was because… She wasn't sure what she'd thought, but it wasn't this.
"No one knows?" Vivian asked.
"Except for you and the doctor now, no," Betty answered, looking down at her stomach and placing a hand on it.
"So… what now?" Vivian asked. Betty shook her head hopelessly. She didn't know. How she could possibly feel so happy yet grieved at the same time was beyond her. "You should tell Gemini," Vivian soon breached. Betty visibly winced at the thought. "At least tell your mom, then," Vivian insisted. Betty looked torn, but soon nodded and picked up a portable phone.
"Can I… Can I have some privacy?" she asked. Vivian nodded and left her friend alone so she could deliver the news.
KP
When Vivian came back into the ultrasound room, Betty was wiping tears from her eyes. Which probably meant she hadn't just called her mom. Gemini... She must have called him too. Given the way her friend was acting now, it hadn't gone over well. Like at all. "You told your brother," Vivian more stated than asked. Betty nodded. "How did he take it?" she questioned.
Betty grimaced then wryly smirked. "I never thought Gemini could be so happy, disdainful, angry, excited, and grieved at the same time."
"Yikes," Vivian said, grimacing.
"This doesn't seem right. Or fair. Or possible," Betty quietly said. "I... I'm afraid, Viv." Vivian was quiet. She didn't know what to say to that. "Gemini is coming," Dr. Director finally continued, looking towards the ultrasound again. "So is mom." Vivian nodded and didn't press for further details.
KP
Gemini gaped at the screen in shock, watching the little one floating in his sister's womb. Vivian was gushing along with mom about how wonderful and adorable it was. Personally, he thought it looked like an alien with arms and legs. At this stage, its heart was beating, and his sister had claimed to feel the child moving inside of her. It was sucking its thumb right now. He glanced at his sibling. She was watching the screen stonily, eyes filled with tears. He saw in her eyes love unlike any he'd ever seen in her before, but with it was fear and sadness also. Determination too. Determination and Betty Director were never, ever, good...
He turned back to the screen, silently willing her not to do something stupid. Or something she'd regret. He would need to have a very serious talk with her about what was going on in a minute here. Seeing as she'd told mom, he wasn't overly concerned about the possibility of her aborting the infant - that would devastate their parent - but it wasn't out of the cards either. That, however, wasn't his biggest concern. His biggest concern was whether or not she would be foolish enough to tell the child's father. Jack Hench was his best friend, but for his sister's sake, he hoped she never did...
KP
"Are you thinking of an abortion?" Gemini asked directly the first moment he had alone with his twin.
She started and looked quickly up at him, eyes filled with horror. "Do-do you want me to?" she vulnerably asked. He grimaced a bit. A mood change was not something he was interested in dealing with right now. The first time she ever willingly turned to him for help - prom and the incident on the bridge notwithstanding - and it was for a case like this? He was wholly unequipped for that one.
"That's not my decision to make," he answered.
"No, never!" she replied immediately. She hesitated a moment, then continued. "I-I thought about it though... There's a child growing inside of me, Gemini. A little life all its own. Abortion is out of the question."
That was more than he could say for others, Gemini wryly thought, but who was he to decide what was wrong and what was right in a situation like this? His sister had chosen her side. He would keep his own thoughts to himself. He wasn't the one who had to worry about it.
"Then what are you planning?" he asked. She was quiet, staring down at the ground. His eyes widened a bit in realization. "No," he immediately said.
"He has to know," she said.
"No!" he sharply shot. "You aren't going there, Betty! I forbid it! I'm your arch-enemy at all other times, but when you're carrying my future niece or nephew, you can damn well bet I'm playing protector!"
"He has to know," she repeated firmly.
"He will kill you! You won't even get a chance to open your mouth!" Gemini insisted. He was exaggerating perhaps, but better to exaggerate than understate. At least in this. "Keep the baby to yourself, sister. For your own sake and its."
"Gemini…!" she began.
"No," he firmly said, and he could only hope that for once she obeyed him. Except when his twin's mind was set, precious little could change it. He shared that trait... He could practically read her thoughts, even as she swore to him she wouldn't go. She would seek her husband out, and there was nothing anyone could do to stop her short of locking her away. As soon as she was done making her vow, he defeatedly said, "Be safe, sister." She started and blushed deeply, looking ashamed for a moment. He shook his head hopelessly at her and left.
One Week Later
The direct approach would be best, she believed. More witnesses in case things got ugly. So she walked right into the main foyer and looked around. The young man behind the desk started upon seeing her. "Miss Director, you're back!" he exclaimed. Right, Jack's people had never been made aware that he had married her.
"I need to speak to Mr. Hench," she said to him.
"Of course. Right away, ma'am," the man said, looking a bit confused. He quickly picked up the phone and dialed Hench's office number. "M-Mr. Hench?" the receptionist nervously said. Which told her Jack was in a bad mood. Needless to say, that didn't help ease her nerves. "Of course sir, not unless absolutely necessary sir, but-but you see sir, Miss Director is here to see you." After a moment, the receptionist frowned curiously. "Mr. Hench? Are you there?" Betty closed her eyes and drew a breath. Oh, that really wasn't a good sign. The young man listened a moment longer, then nodded. "I see sir... Yes, of course sir," he said, sounding a bit defeated. He hung up and looked at her, forcing a smile. "Mr. Hench says he'll see you now. Go right down the hall." He pointed it out.
She glanced towards it. She knew that corridor. If she entered it, she would walk herself right into a trap. She wasn't surprised of course, she'd expected as much, but even still... She looked sadly down, but maybe, just maybe, she would be given a chance to speak with him. Even if only for a moment.
But what if it didn't save her...?
She let out a shaky breath at the thought. Would he kill his own child out of hatred for her? Her hand went protectively to her stomach. She didn't know. She just didn't know… Mustering up her courage, she headed inside.
KP
She entered the hallway and cautiously made her way down it, watching the circular patterns on the walls, floor, and ceiling. They weren't really patterns, she knew. They were passages. Maybe that was how he'd done it. Disappeared so many agents. They got dragged inside, he played innocent, called downstairs asking if his victim had been sent up to see him like he didn't know exactly where they were, then launched a search maybe just to keep up appearances.
They would spring at any moment, she knew. Would he come to her, or would he let them do the job for him? She was afraid. She couldn't deny that. So, so afraid. Terrified most of all about what would happen if she didn't get the opportunity to tell him. Whatever befell her in this place, it wouldn't be pleasant. He would show her no mercy. If he looked at her, there would be no love in his eyes, his adoration replaced by hatred and betrayal. She would see nothing of the man she'd fallen in love with… But she would see everything of the man she'd once despised...
All at once, the holes flew open. She gasped, spinning around. She almost launched straight into fight mode but restrained herself. She didn't want a battle. It would be too risky for the baby. She needed to approach her husband in peace, not war. It was the best chance she and the child within her had. She held her ground calmly as they approached, their expressions ranging from stoic to menacing. They seized her without a scuffle and dragged her quickly into one of the trap doors. She would find a way out of this, she told herself. Gods she hoped she would find a way out of this...
KP
The henchmen forced her down into a dark room. A single bulb in the center of it snapped on and she looked up with a soft gasp. An empty gray room. The only furniture was a single chair right in the middle. They dragged her to it and tied her down before gagging her. She almost panicked. How could she tell him about the child if she couldn't speak? No, keep calm. She could handle this. She glared up at the Henchmen coldly, straightening up in the seat with eyes flashing dangerously. One of them approached, pulling out a large knife. She let out a breath and retreated from it as best she could as it got closer and closer to her stomach. She made a muffled sound and shook her head desperately as the blade began digging into the skin.
Just then one of the Henchmen put a hand to his ear as if receiving an order. "Leave her," he said to the other. The other looked curiously back. "Boss wants to see her," the one who'd received the order said. He looked pointedly at her and smirked coldly. "He's asking about her in the lobby." A blatant lie, Betty knew.
At every turn he absolved himself...
Her eyes were dark as she glowered up at the men. The one with the knife huffed and grabbed the gag, pulling it down so she could speak. "Whadayasay, sweetheart? You wanna see the boss?" he asked.
"Yes. Right here. Alone," she answered calmly. She knew he knew this room existed.
The Henchman looked back at the other, who seemed to be waiting for a reply. After a moment, he grunted. "Boss is coming." The other harrumphed and stood up, walking away from her. They split into two lines, each standing on either side of the door like a defense line.
It was only a few minutes before she heard the footsteps approaching. She let out a shaking breath. She was more frightened to face him than she was to be alone with his men... The door opened and Jack entered the room. He paused, looking coldly at her, and an icy chill ran down her spine. She straightened up once more. Silently the henchmen filed out. Jack stopped the one who had held the knife, raising a hand. The man paused, looking at him. Jack held out his hand silently. The man chuckled coldly and gave him the knife. Betty feared it in his hands more than she'd feared it in his henchman's...
KP
The door closed behind the henchmen, leaving the two of them alone. Jack stared coldly at her. Tears burned her eyes as she gazed up at her husband. "You never came home," he noted coldly. She was silent. "Your brother told me you wouldn't... I'd hoped against hope that he was wrong."
"Jack..." she began.
"Don't," he cut off immediately. "You could have come back."
"To what?" she asked.
"To me. To the life we were building," he answered.
Her good eye brimmed over, a tear slipping from it. "Would you have accepted me if I had? When you couldn't hide from the truth anymore?" she whispered.
He was quiet. After a moment, he approached her slowly and knelt in front of her, twirling the knife leisurely in his hands like he was holding corn on the cob and not a lethal weapon. "I would have liked to find out," he replied.
Her mouth quivered. "I'm sorry," she said, voice breaking.
"For what?" he asked.
"You know for what," she replied.
He stretched out the knife, placing it under her chin. "For what?" he darkly repeated.
She sniffed. "For betraying you," she answered.
"Hmm... You came dangerously, dangerously close to toppling off that fine line of yours, love," he said. She let out a shaking breath when she realized what he meant. Had she answered wrong, she would be dead. She got the feeling she hadn't answered right either, but she'd gotten close enough that he was willing to hold off a little longer it seemed. He pressed the knife closer against her neck. She felt a trickle of blood slipping down her throat. "You know something, Betty? It wasn't even your betrayal that hurt," he almost growled. "I knew from the moment I first saw you that you would be the one to kill me one day..." She sobbed, closing her eyes tight and clenching her teeth. That one had cut sharper than any knife could ever have hoped to... "What hurt me most was that you chose not to come back," he said, voice wavering in anger as he pressed the knife deeper into her skin.
She sniffed again, looking at him. "I'm here, baby," she whispered. "I'm here."
His jaw ticked ever so slightly, but his eyes remained cold. "Too little too late," he finally said, standing up. "Dr. Director, I do hope you enjoy your stay. It won't be a long one." Turning, he started to leave walking angrily away from her.
"I'm pregnant, Jack!" she called after him. He froze in place immediately, stiffening up. She could hear how sharply he caught his breath... "I'm pregnant," she repeated in a painful whisper.
There was a long, long silence. "How long?" he finally found the words to ask, voice hoarse with unspoken emotion.
"Four months, Baby. Four months. It has a heartbeat. It's begun to look like a person... I can feel it moving, love. I can feel it moving," she said, voice wavering.
He was utterly still. "Another lie, Dr. Director?" he finally asked.
"No," she whispered. "Come to me. Place your hand on my stomach. Feel it stirring against you."
He sniffed, leaning against the doorpost and covering his eyes, willing back tears. "Dammit Betty," he almost whimpered. "Don't do this to me. Please, please don't do this to me."
"Do whatever you want with me. Keep me your prisoner, murder me, anything you please, just wait until it's born. Your child doesn't need to die for what its mother did," she said.
He shook his head desperately like he was trying to deny the words he was hearing. He still loved her... Loved her every bit as much as she loved him. He sniffed again and looked tiredly back at her. After a moment, he approached and knelt. He slipped his hand beneath her shirt. He felt the baby bump. In only a moment, his mouth began to quiver, tears burning his eyes. He'd felt it move, she knew. She had too... "I'm sorry," she whispered.
He felt numb and helpless. Gently he stroked her swollen belly. He closed his eyes tight, hanging his head. This couldn't be happening to him... Silent tears slipped down his cheeks. He wished they were of happiness, but they weren't. They were tears of grief and confusion, of hurt and of fear. For the first time in longer than he cared to remember, he didn't know what to do... What did this mean? For him? For her? For-for the child... He covered his face with his free hand, turning away from her.
"Jack?" she asked meekly. After a moment of composing himself, he looked back at her. Rather, at her stomach. Soon he bent, pressing his lips to it tenderly. She almost broke down. "I don't know what to do," she whispered.
He looked up into her beautiful brown eye so filled with grief and pain... Gently he cupped her cheek, tracing his thumb along it. "We'll figure it out," he promised. She sniffed and nodded. She caught her breath when his lips sealed hers gently. Her mouth trembled. After a moment, he withdrew. "What does GJ know?" he asked.
"That you're still alive," she answered. "That I couldn't do it. They've been discussing the matter for a while now. My... my 'trial', so to speak, will come up any day now. When I plead my case, I'll tell them I'm pregnant. I'll tell them that was the reason I couldn't go through with it. It could be all the excuse I need, but just in case I'll promise them again that you've been secured. That you're no longer a threat. That I have you contained. Maybe, just maybe, it'll save us both." He was quiet, gently rubbing her belly. "We'll figure out the rest as we need to," she continued, paraphrasing his words back to him. He nodded quickly and looked up at her again before kissing her one more time...