Chris wasn't feeling training, he was exhausted. However, he pushed on with the rest of the group because he knew it was important. He looked over at Skyla, she looked like she was about to fall over as well.
"Alright everyone stop," Chris commanded.
There were a few sighs of relief. Chris walked over to Skyla watching her.
"Did you sleep at all last night after we talked last night?" Chris asked her.
"No sir," Skyla replied quietly.
She bent over and resting her hands on her knees. Chris shook his head and place a hand on her shoulder, Skyla looked up at him with curiosity.
"Alright I think we have done enough training, you're all dismissed for the weekend enjoy it," Chris announced to the group.
Skyla stood up and went to walk towards the showers.
"Skyla can I speak with you for a minute?" Chris asked.
Skyla turned back towards Chris and nodded.
"I got word during breakfast that your sister has been cleared for visitors. You have the weekend to go see her," Chris told her.
Skyla smiled at Chris and rushed at him throwing her arms around him.
"Thanks Captain," Skyla said to him.
Someone cleared their throat behind them, Skyla realizing what she had done backed off and bowed her head.
"Sorry," she said to Chris.
"It's okay I understand. Jill, I told her about her sister being cleared for visitors," Chris said to the both of them.
Jill approached the both of them and smirked at Skyla.
"Sorry Captain Valentine I got overzealous. Won't happen again," Skyla nodded to Jill.
"It's fine Skyla, I think in this situation anyone would have done the same thing," Jill replied.
"If you two will excuse me I am going to shower and pack," Skyla nodded to both of them.
"I'll have the address ready for you when you by dinner," Chris told her.
Skyla nodded and turned towards the building and walked off. Once inside she grabbed her things for a shower. When she got under the hot waterfall, she welcomed it. Although it was hot outside the training, Chris had them doing was kind of tough, and her muscles ached. She welcomed being in civy clothes, that was one thing she missed about being in the real world. But she loved the BSAA, she loved the cause and what she was fighting for; her sister. She was the one person left in the world she had left. She walked back to the bunks and put her things away and grabbed a small duffle bag. She started packing for the weekend, she didn't know exactly how much of the weekend she was going to be gone, but she wanted to spend as much time with Kayla as possible. It had been 18 months since had seen her little sister, she hated the circumstances she was seeing her under, but she was happy to get to see her.
"Already been kicked out?" A voice joked.
Skyla turned around to see Piers leaning against the door frame.
"Did you miss us that much?" Skyla asked turning back to her bag.
"Something like that," Piers replied walking over and sitting on his old bunk.
Skyla looked back into her bag and made sure she had everything she needed.
"Where are you going?" Piers asked.
Skyla sat beside him and looked at her feet for a moment.
"They found my sister safe, Chris said that they cleared her medically so I can go see her this weekend," Skyla replied.
"That's great," Piers replied.
Skyla looked over at him sadly.
"What is it?" He asked.
"My parents weren't so lucky, she's still a minor. We don't have any other family, I have no idea what I am going to do about her," Skyla replied.
"I'm sure she is safe. Take it one step at a time, Chris is here for you as well he will help you with whatever and so will I," Piers smirked at her.
Skyla nodded and sat staring at the floor.
"Hey guys," Finn said coming in dropping off his things after his shower.
"Hey Finn," Skyla said to him.
"You headed to lunch soon?" Finn asked turning towards them.
Piers nodded and stood, Skyla watched him.
"You coming?" Piers asked.
"You two go on ahead I'll be there in a minute," Skyla told them.
Skyla sat watching Piers walk out talking to Finn.
She sat there thinking any her sister, she was 17 she wasn't far off from adulthood. But she still worried about her, especially after the bioterrorism attack. Skyla got up and walked to the cafeteria and sat down beside Piers. He looked over at her curiously.
"You know typically when people sit down in a cafeteria they have food in from of them," Piers told her.
Skyla smirked at him and point at Finns plate.
"There's food there," Skyla replied.
"Smartass," Piers muttered.
"Thanks, I am quite smart," Skyla replied with a smirk.
Piers elbowed Skyla in the in the ribs gently causing her to squirm.
"Here is the address for where your sister is," Chris told her.
"Thank you," Skyla replied looking at the paper.
Chris nodded at Piers and Finn and walked off. Skyla quietly gets up and walks out of the cafeteria without another word to either of her male companions.
"Is she okay?" Finn asked Piers.
Piers nodded and continued to eat wondering the same thing himself. Skyla grabbed her bag and walked to the front of the BSAA building.
"Skyla," Jill's voice rang from behind her.
Skyla turned to face Jill and bowed her head, she was embarrassed with herself from the night before on how she acted with her.
"Yes, Captain Valentine?" Skyla replied.
"How are you going to see your sister?" Jill asked her.
"I was going to check out an assigned BSAA car ma'am," Skyla replied.
Jill smiled at how formal Skyla was being, she knew she was almost always formal no matter what. That's why it surprised her last night when Skyla came at her, and then again this afternoon when she hugged Chris.
"Here take my personal car, I should have told you about last night, I should have said what was going on, I just couldn't tell you after I was the one that had to neutralize your parents," Jill told her.
Skyla closed her eyes and nodded.
"Thanks, I appreciate it... Everything," Skyla replied.
"Go, go see your sister," Jill told her.
Skyla turned and walked out the door and cursed. She looked at the keys and noticed the clicker and hit the unlock button and snorted.
"Of course it's right there," Skyla said to herself.
She walked the few feet and got in. She started the car and put the address that Chris had given her into her phone. There was a light knock at the window causing her to jump; she turned to see Piers there. She rolled down the window he leaned down and raised an eyebrow at her.
"Were you really about to leave without saying bye first?" Piers asked.
"Oh my god Piers I'm sorry," Skyla replied looking up at him apologetically.
Piers stared at her for a moment waiting expectantly causing Skyla to smile and shake her head. She got out of the car and stood there. Piers getting impatient leaned in connecting their lips briefly. He pulled back and smirked at her when he saw the look in her eye. Piers leaned against the driver door with his arms crossed.
"Oh come on Piers," Skyla said to him.
Piers shrugged and relaxed further against the door, Skyla sighed she leaned against him and kissed him gently.
"If this wasn't me seeing my sister for the first time in a year and a half I would tell you to come with me," Skyla said breaking the kiss.
"I'll see you in a few days. Text me when you get there," Piers told her.
Skyla nodded, Piers, leaned down and kissed her again quickly. He then moved so she could get in the car. Skyla rolled the window up and backed out of the parking spot. The drive took roughly two hours; Skyla pulled into the driveway of a house and stopped. She sighed and got out of Jill's car and locked it. She walked up to the door and rang the doorbell and quickly greeted middle aged brown haired female. The lady hugged her like she had been family reunited.
"You must be Skyla; I am Kathy Burton," Kathy said.
"Yes, how did you know?" Skyla asked with a smile.
"You look just like Kayla, only taller, please dear come in," Kathy said moving aside.
"I must thank you for taking her in, it means everything to me," Skyla said to her.
"Skyla when Jill told me she had this young girl in trouble and she was the sister of one Chris' best team members, I just couldn't say no. It had been so long since we had any kind of kids in our house. Polly was our youngest, but she is an adult, and well we did take the young girl in a while back, and that didn't go too well. Can I get you something to drink?" Kathy asked.
"No thank you," Skyla replied.
"Kathy did I hear someone at the door?" Barry's strong voice came down the stairs.
"Yes Skyla is here dear," Kathy replied.
"Right, Chris called and said she was on her way," Barry said at the base of the stairs.
Skyla stood and turned to Barry.
"Skyla Matthews' sir,"
"Oh goodness don't say sir, I am old enough as it is, call me Barry," Barry said with a smile.
"I suppose you would like to see Kayla," Kathy said.
"Yes ma'am, I hope she hasn't been too much of a bother," Skyla said.
"Oh no, she has been so helpful. She has been helping me so much with the cooking and cleaning," Kathy told Skyla as she led Skyla up the stairs to Kayla's room.
Kathy knocked at the door and smiled to Skyla.
"Kayla, you have a visitor honey," Kathy said through the door.
Kayla opened the door, and her eyes widened when she saw Skyla. She ran at Skyla and threw her arms around her.
"Hey kiddo, man you got big since I saw you last," Skyla said.
"I could say the same about you," Kayla said to Skyla looking her over.
The two girls separated, and Skyla got a good look at Kayla. Kathy was right it was like looking into a mini mirror. Kayla was around 5'3 with the same long black hair and grey eyes. She wasn't quite as busty, but she was still young, and she didn't have the muscles that Skyla had, but Skyla had the BSAA to thank for that.
"I am going to leave you two girls alone to catch up," Kathy smiled at them.
Kathy walked down the stairs before the Skyla or Kayla had a chance to say anything. Kayla walked into her room and waved Skyla in. Skyla walked in and sat in a chair across from Kayla.
"So the Burton's seem very kind," Skyla said looking towards the door.
"They have been very nice, especially Kathy, she had been treating me like her own," Kayla replied.
"I am eternally grateful for that, I don't know how I can ever repay her for that," Skyla replied bowing her looking at the floor.
"What's wrong?" Kayla asked.
"I am sorry you're in this situation Kay, Michael would kill me for ever letting this happen to you. He told me to keep you safe, and now I screwed that up too," Skyla apologized.
"Stop it, he would be proud of you. You did what you thought was right. How would you know another outbreak would happen? When I turn 18, I am joining the BSAA just like you!" Kayla chastised her.
"Like hell, you will! You are going to go college; you are going to live a normal life. I didn't join the BSAA for you to risk your life!" Skyla yelled at her.
"You're being slightly hypocritical aren't you? Telling me, I can't join the BSAA. Skyla you didn't see the hell I saw, you didn't see what those monsters did to mom and dad, and you didn't experience what mom and dad almost did to me! I don't want to be helpless, I don't want to sit back waiting for you to rescue me, I want to be able to protect myself!" Kayla yelled back at Skyla.
"Go get self-defense lessons; you don't join the BSAA just so you're not helpless. Believe me, it's more than that. Also, I have been through that hell, I had Michael come back and come after me. He damn near ripped my throat out, I still wake up from nightmares from that Kayla, so don't come at me with that bullshit," Skyla stood up and glared at her little sister.
Kayla glared back at Skyla; it was that moment that Skyla's phone rang. Skyla pulled out her phone and cursed remembering she forgot to text Piers.
"Hey Piers; No I am not driving; Yes I made it; I'm sorry I meant to text like I promised but Kathy was very friendly when I got here and brought me straight up, and I got distracted; I'm really sorry, I'll make it up to you; I'm not sure; Uh huh; Bye." Skyla hung up the phone and turned to see Kayla smirking at her now.
"What?" Skyla asked.
"Who's Piers?" Kayla asked in a singsong voice.
"Um that's kind of complicated," Skyla replied.
"Is he your boyfriend?" Kayla grinned at Skyla.
"Again that is complicated," Skyla backed away from her.
"Do you have pictures of him in your phone?" Kayla asked grabbing for Skyla's phone.
"No!" Skyla said holding her out of her reach.
"Oh come on," Kayla pouted.
"Why are you so interested in my love life?" Skyla asked with her eyebrow raised.
"Love life?" Kayla's face brightened.
"Oh fuck," Skyla groaned.
"Come on Skyla, give me something!" Kayla pleaded.
"Fine!" Skyla said opening her phone.
She opened her phone and swiped for a minute and then turned the screen.
"Oh! He is cute, how is it complicated? I want details!" Kayla said.
"Yeah, I'm not giving you any more details. You got enough, now get off my back," Skyla told her.
"Geeze your no fun," Kayla pouted.
Skyla smirked at her and shook her head. She sat back in the chair and crossed her arms.
"Please reconsider joining the BSAA okay?" Skyla pleaded with Kayla.
"I'll do that," Kayla agreed.
"Talk to Barry, I am sure he knows and will tell you what you would like to know unbiased," Skyla replied.
Kayla nodded; there was a knock at the door. Kayla opened the door, and Kathy was on the other side.
"It's dinner time girls, Skyla are you staying the night? You can stay in Moira's room I am sure she wouldn't mind. She is never here anyway. She is out with Terra Save," Kathy told Skyla and Kayla.
"I would like that, and then I need to head back to the BSAA in the morning," Skyla looked at Kayla sadly.
Skyla ate dinner quietly watching Kayla, she had changed so much since she had last seen her 18 months ago when she left for the BSAA. When dinner was finished Skyla offered to clear the table and do the dishes.
"I am so spoiled Barry, what am I going to do when these girls leave?" Kathy smiled at him.
Kayla dried and put the dishes away; Skyla went to the car and grabbed her bag. She went upstairs got ready for bed.
Skyla got in bed and laid down she was almost asleep when her phone chimed, she reached over and grabbed shaking her head seeing it was a text from Piers.
[It's not the same with you not being here,]
[Quit being such a girl Piers,]
[Hey that was hit below the belt,] Piers texted back.
[If the shoe fits,] Skyla snickered.
[When are you coming back?] Piers texted back.
[Tomorrow, I'll see you then,] Skyla replied smiling at the thought.
'What the hell?' She thought to herself.
"Is that your boyfriend texting you?" Kayla poked her head in.
Skyla put her phone away and waved Kayla in, she slid over in the bed to make room for her.
"Would you quit calling him that; I told you it's a complicated situation," Skyla replied.
"Why is it complicated?" Kayla asked looking over Skyla.
"He is on my team, and we just started kind of seeing each other," Skyla replied.
"Oh, but you really like him?" Kayla asked.
Skyla nodded, she ruffled Kayla's hair.
"Now quit asking me about my love life. What are you doing up?" Skyla replied.
"One more question," Kayla asked.
"What?" Skyla questioned.
"Is he who you were with when I called you? I heard a guy's voice," Kayla asked.
"Yeah, don't worry about it though okay?" Skyla told her.
Kayla nodded and got up and headed to the door she turned and smiled at Skyla.
"Good night,"
"Yeah get some sleep kiddo," Skyla replied.
Skyla woke up early the next morning; she got up and got dressed. She helped Kathy make breakfast while Kayla set the table. Barry came down and read the paper but didn't say much.
They ate quietly and once breakfast was made Kathy quickly cleared the table. Skyla headed upstairs with Kayla behind her.
"Do you have to go?" Kayla asked
"I'm afraid so," Skyla replied.
Skyla packed her bag and grabbed an envelope from her bag.
"I got something for you; this should be enough money for you to get a new phone. Stay in contact with me you got it?" Skyla told Kayla.
Kayla nodded and smiled at her taking the envelope.
"Alright, call me when you have a phone. I love you," Skyla told Kayla.
"When will I get to see you again?" Kayla asked.
"Get a phone, and we can video chat at least," Skyla replied with a smile.
"It won't be the same," Kayla said sadly.
"I know, but I don't know when my Captain will give me another weekend off. But as soon as he does I will see you again," Skyla smiled down at her.
Skyla grabbed her bag and walked down the stairs, Kathy and Barry were waiting for her at the base.
"I don't know how to thank either of you. How can I ever repay you?" Skyla asked them.
"She is fine here, she is welcome here," Kathy smiled at Skyla.
Skyla smiled back and nodded. She turned to Kayla waved and walked out of the house. She got into Jill's car and started it, backing out she drove towards BSAA headquarters. Kayla's words kept playing in her head.
"When I turn 18, I am joining the BSAA just like you!"
'God I hope she changes her mind,' Skyla thought.
Skyla pulled into the BSAA headquarters and parked the car. She got out and walked into the building and towards Jill's office to return her keys and to thank her again. She stopped just outside of her office and knocked.
Chris was the one to open the door; he gave Skyla a slightly confused looked.
"Skyla your back sooner than I thought you would be," Chris said to her.
"My sister is in good hands, and she is safe that's what I needed to know," Skyla nodded to him.
"Why are you here at Jill's office?" Chris asked.
"Jill leant me the keys to her car, so I could see my sister, I wanted to return them," Skyla replied.
Chris nodded and moved to let Skyla in. Jill looked over at Skyla with a small smile.
"Captain Valentine, thank you again for letting me borrow your car to go see my sister," Skyla said giving Jill the keys.
"You're more than welcome Skyla," Jill replied.
Skyla made her way to the door of Jill's office she nodded to Jill and Chris.
"Got somewhere to be Skyla?" Chris asked.
"Just going to unpack sir," Skyla smirked.
Skyla exited the office and closed the door. She walked towards the bunks and dropped her bag on her bed.
"Your back!" Finn said excitedly from behind her.
"Yeah," Skyla turned and smiled at him.
"I figured you would be sneaking back in early in the morning or something," Finn said looking over at her bed.
"Give me a little credit Finny. I'm not Cowboy," Skyla pouted.
"What about me?" Cowboy asked approaching them.
"Finn is making accusations that I would come sneaking in the middle of the night or early morning hours," Skyla said to him.
"That's because you're a party animal Skyla," Cowboy said smirking at her.
Skyla glared at the males and shook her head.
"I'm not taking any more of this abuse I am out of here," Skyla fake pouted and walked out.
She pulled out her phone and texted Piers.
[Are you busy?]
[Are you back already?] Piers texted back.
[Yeah, so I figured I would if you weren't busy I would see if you wanted me to make good on that promise of making up to you for not texting you back,] Skyla replied.
[What did you have in mind?] Piers asked.
[Meet me out front in 10 minutes,] Skyla replied smirking.