Hey all chapter 4 is up! Sorry for the delay...I had a deadline at work or it would have been up earlier. This was going to be the last chapter but I think I want to turn this into an episode. As always comments are appreciated. I haven't seen the last BatB episode yet,that is next on my catch up list. Cheers!
I wasn't going to tell her anything. she already knew too much as it was. And I could bet once I left this place Mouse was going to do a full background check on me. Baring witness to her hacker skills, I was pretty sure she would not only find out I was suppose to be dead but that I was part of a military science experiment. However...if didn't tell her then she would go snooping around federal systems and possibly get caught. I shook my head and sighed deeply. I could not believe I was about to drag another person into the world of double lives. I darkly chuckled, who was I kidding half lives.
"What's so funny?" She asked after popping the top on her beer.
"Nothing." I said with slight sadness in my voice. "I just decided that I am going to answer your questions. As long as you promised me one thing."
"What is it?" she asked with a skeptical look.
"That you don't go researching me in any data base or system. I have very dangerous people after me and I don't want you to get hurt or worse because of me. Deal?"
She rolled her eyes. "I already told you that no one could catch me."
I had on my most serious expression, "Promise me this one thing."
She looked at me once more calculating, "Ok, I promise." she said and she meant it. "but only for your own peace of mind. I know no one would be able to locate me." She took a sip of her beer. "So...Spill. Tell me about the two women in your life" she said leaning back in her chair.
I blew out a long breath, "Where to start?" I said as I looked around the room.
"Start with the chick on the phone, Alex." she took another drink not taking her eyes off me.
"Alex...Alex was...Me and Alex grew up together. Did everything together. She became very important to me as we started to get older. We went to college together and both went into the medical field. We made plans to spend our lives together and then..." I looked at Mouse. She was still sitting there expecting more. The one thing that made me want to talk further was the fact that she didn't have a judgmental look on her face.
"Then 9/11 happened. Both of my brothers died in the towers. All I could do like the rest of the world was watch as my brothers died. I was angry and wanting to do more than stay in the states I joined the army. But not as a doctor, I was so upset I joined the special forces to fight. That's when "they" found me, Merfield. Merfield sold the idea of being able to contribute to the war efforts by being part of a special forces science genetic experiment. They injected myself and twenty other soldiers. Once they realized that there were side affects to the change, Merfield decided that we were to dangerous to keep a live. So they killed every last one of us. Including..." I though about Catherine's mother, "the scientist that were just following orders." My head fell into my hands.
"But you got away" I looked up to see Mouse looking at me with amazement.
"Yeah, but I've been in hiding for over five years. I tried to keep Alex at a distance. I didn't want her to get caught up in this non life I have. I am still trying to keep her at a distance."
"Wait." Mouse put down her empty bottle and looked at me with wide eyes. "You mean she doesn't know about..." She made what I assumed was her most terrifying monster face. I shook my head, smirking at her ability to try and mimic my transformation.
"Wow!" She said in amazement, "how Peter Parker of you. Maybe I should have call you Peter instead of Bruce."
"I am no Spiderman" I said with a slight grin on my face. Thank god I read a couple of TJ's comic books growing up or I wouldn't be able to keep up with this girl.
"Ok. So, we have the girl next door slash, high school sweetheart slash, ex fiancée. Now, I want to know about hot cop lady"
"Catherine" I offered.
"Yes, Catherine" she said grabbing the beer I assumed was for me and twisted the cap off. She took a drink.
I told her how Cat's mother was involved with Merfield and how I had saved Catherine's life.
"Shut the hell up!" Mouse interrupted. Her mouth was practically hitting the floor. "You saved cop...I mean Catherine in your transformation state? So she knows about your Hulk like tendencies?"
"Yes, but she didn't know want or who I was until recently. I was a suspect in a murder investigation and she found out that I was faking my death." I laughed "She is so determined when she wants something. She is caring about others and always tries to do the right thing. Keeping my secret is hard for her sometimes. Some how she is always there for me and saying exactly what I need to hear. She is so beautiful but strong both mentally and physically. She is unique." I finished not noticing the smile I was wearing across my face until I turned to see Mouse wearing a knowing smile of her own.
"It sounds like your mind is already made up on Catherine. At least about the way you talk about her." She said.
"I am trying to make it work with Alex. She is ..." I couldn't finish.
"Unfinished business." I looked quickly at Mouse who had a, don't try and lie your way out of this one, look.
"No Alex and me had a whole life planned out before all hell broke loose. Now we are trying to move on and go somewhere where I wouldn't have to be in hiding anymore."
"Wait, she knows your in hiding but doesn't know why? How did that work out? Did you lie to her?" I could see that her mind was already drawing out its own conclusions.
So I told her how Catherine had been in the hospital and how I had been seen by Alex. However, I left out everything before the hospital. I told her how I told Alex I was doing undercover work. And how I lied to Alex, telling her that Catherine was my handler. Spilled to her how both me and Catherine had saved Alex from her stocker. At this point Mouse is just nodding her head looking off into the distance. She looks back at me.
"So...what you are really saying is that even though you are like a super hero slash hot Doctor; you are just like any other guy when it comes to woman. A complete idiot."
I leaned back as if I just got punched. "What?!
"Ok, so lets back up a step. I can totally tell that you are into both of these women. So lets look at this in a logical manner. When I am testing out a new invention and I have made multiple prototypes; I need to test each one to decide which one will be perfect for my needs. For each test and each prototype you have to have a controlled environment. You know same temperature, same speed...basically anything that can cause change to the test results you have to keep the same for each trail."
"I know what a controlled environment is" I said with a small smile.
"Oh, yeah, any way. That is what you have to do with each of the women in your life. You need to tell Alex about everything and sees if she is still willing to go forward with your plans."
I looked away from her and found my self looking out the window.
"You don't want to tell her." she said almost knowingly "Alex is your safe place. Like home. And if you tell her you don't know if that safe place will be the same."
I turn back to face her. I nod slowly.
"That is...sucky." She said and finished the beer. "Well just don't be surprised if all this ends up blowing up in your face. It always happens in the comics." She jumps down from the stool and heads to the trash to throw the bottles away.
I know I should tell Alex and I now realize, thanks to Mouse, that I don't want to tell her because of very selfish reasons. I sighed. I want to go back to before. So that this realization could remain in the back of my head.
Suddenly a small box slid across the breakfast bar towards me and I catch it easily. Mouse was standing across from me on the other side of the bar. I picked up the box and shook it softly. I gave her a questioningly look.
"Its a burner phone. It has my number programmed into it already. I owe you my life, Vincent. If you hadn't come to my rescue I am sure I would be dead." she shivered slightly. It made me want to comfort her but she spoke again, "I don't think I can ever repay you. But if you ever need anything...anything at all, I will be there when you call." She finished with a small smile.
"You don't need to repay me for anything." I say. but she crosses her arms and the determination on her face makes me rethink my argument. I put the box in my jacket pocket and decide that I would throw the phone when I leave. I can't endanger her any further. I look at the clock and amazingly it is three thirty in the morning. I looked at Mouse and she looks tired. And maybe a little disappointed.
"I'll walk you to the door." She says quietly.
As we reach the door to her apartment I turn to her, "Thank you for showing me your home and remember your promise."
She rolls her eyes, "Yes, I promise. No hacking or the like. I got it. If you ever just want to hang out or you need a safe place to stay, just let the front desk know you want to see me."
My brows pull together, "They know you as Mouse down stairs too?"
"Oh, no." She says looking embarrass. "My name is Andrea Moore. But if you are going to call me by my real name call me Andy."
I smiled. "You know, I think I like Mouse a lot better." The returning smile I received was blinding. "Take care of your self ok."
She smiled. "You too Bruce." And with that final goodbye I closed the door behind me.