There's a song in this chapter that I'm kind of obsessed with right now so you should all listen to it. Called "Young" by Hollywood Undead. It doesn't mean anything towards the story, it's just an epic song so I put it in :D
-E-R-A-G-O-N-
His nerves were on end as he stepped into the elevator, not knowing how he would react when he saw the dude who kept bothering her. Red glanced across his vision and he stopped dead when he saw the intern's hand cover Arya's. He saw nothing but an opponent to destroy as he began walking towards them. The man was dead.
He barely noticed Arya heading to intercept him, warning in her eyes. But it didn't matter. A lesson needed to be taught and he was going to do it. Even as her palms pressed against his chest, searing his skin, he refused to back down. It wasn't until her fingers brushed his cheeks that he was torn from his mission. He couldn't help it, the ache that rushed through him was overpowering to even his angered mind. Looking down at her, he allowed that need to show slightly, wanting her to see it. Even as much as he wanted this, he found himself not willing to take it without her permission. She studied him before moving towards him. With that, he let go, colliding with her and reveling in the feeling of her so close.
It was entrancing, his limbs reacting of their own resolve and his lips moving with hers. He wanted more. Needed it. Still, it wasn't his to just take. Instead he begged for entrance, his tongue running along her bottom lip. When she gasped, he felt that it was close enough to acceptance. At her taste, he almost passed out, his head so full of swirling thoughts and questions that he couldn't see straight. If she didn't like him, why was this so mind blowing? Why did he feel like he'd died and gone to Heaven? One of his questions was answered as he pulled away, looking into her eyes and discovering that she looked just as effected as he did. It took a moment before she slid into cover mode, kissing his cheek and dragging him away from the rest of the room.
As soon as they reached the elevator and the door closed, she dropped his hand and pulled as far away as possible like she'd been stung. He watched her for several seconds. After some time she rolled her eyes.
"What?"
He shrugged, moving just a bit closer. She had been just as into it as him. She felt. . . well, something.
"Don't pretend that wasn't the most incredible kiss you've ever had."
She made a face, her cheeks somewhat flushed from their previous actions.
"I've had better."
He couldn't hide the grimace that left him at the thought of her kissing anyone else. She noticed and pushed herself further into the wall. Eragon narrowed his eyes, closing the distance by another foot.
"I doubt it."
He could almost hear her heart beating from where he stood and it caused him to take another step, now just two feet from her. She tensed.
"Confident much?"
He shook his head, moving the remaining feet until he was a centimeter from her. When he spoke, he let his lips brush hers, causing her to shiver.
"No, just observant."
She seemed to be having trouble breathing as he pressed his body even closer, wanting to break her resolve. Arya's eyes were like thunderclouds. You could almost see the lightning of her emotions but they were clouded by her walls that she'd thrown up. Instead of waiting for her to retort, he moved his mouth to her jaw, skimming the skin and feeling her tremble against him. He took it further, his lips parting and his teeth grazing her jaw. He heard her suck in air and he pulled away, meeting her eyes. He froze.
She was scared. He didn't want that at all. Taking the hint he removed himself from her personal space and back toward the other wall. He took note of her hands gripping the elevator railing tightly and wanted to apologize. But at the same time he wasn't capable of it. He wasn't sorry. As the doors opened he let her walk out ahead of him and she led him to her car. As soon as they got there she looked uncomfortably at him.
"So we don't actually need to go to lunch. I'll probably just go to a coffee shop and work."
He wanted desperately to go with her but something in him was telling him no. She needed space at the moment. Nodding, he gave her a small smirk before strutting towards his car, his hands in his pocket. He slid in his Corvette and sighed against the seat. Needing to get his mind off of her taste, he sped home, planning on finding out the intern's name and pouring over his file. The guy deserved a little visit.
Asher Kenten. 23. Brown hair and blue eyes. He'd been working for the firm for over a year and he had a pretty decent record. He flipped to Asher's schedule and smiled deviously when he saw that the guy usually took a smoking break around two in the parking garage. That was in twenty minutes. He still had time to get there and wait for the man to come out.
Fifteen minutes later he was sitting in his car, waiting for the creep to exit the building. Several moments later he did, closing the door behind him and lighting a cigarette, strutting towards the street as if to watch passing cars. Eragon stepped out, closing his car door quietly and following Asher down the sidewalk. When he was within a yard the man glanced behind him, a look of horror crossing his features as he recognized Eragon. Asher whirled around, backing away swiftly.
"What the fuck you freak?"
Eragon smiled darkly, looking about for witnesses before returning his eyes to the intern.
"I wouldn't consider myself a freak. More like a worried husband. I don't like when guys try and get with my wife."
A sneer crossed Asher's face and Eragon hoped he wasn't about to take the conversation down a very bad road. He wasn't planning on injuring him but he wouldn't hold back if necessary.
"Aww, poor pretty boy. You can't keep her satisfied so you're scared she might find somebody else."
Eragon let out a short laugh.
"Really? Look at me. Now look at you. Even if that were true, she'd go up, not down. Lucky for me, she loves me and I her. So," He stepped closer to the intern. "Do you get the message?"
Asher shrugged.
"I mean, yeah. If the message is that your a whipped narcissist."
Eragon moved closer, his muscles tensing.
"You do not speak to her. You do not look at her. Am I understood?"
Asher sighed noncommittally.
"Maybe."
That was it. He'd had enough. Without another word, Eragon gripped Asher's collar and threw him against the wall with terrifying force. The man yelped and staggered away, holding his head with the back of his hand and glaring at Eragon.
"You're a psychopath!"
Eragon gave a feral smile, his teeth flashing.
"And you're a dead man."
Asher looked about before suddenly getting into his own version of a fighting stance.
"I'm warning you. I have a black belt in Karate and I'm not afraid to defend myself."
Chuckling, Eragon tilted his head.
"Your quick thinking wont help you here, Asher. It does no good to pretend when I can tell by the position of your feet that you don't have any clue what your doing."
Asher slung a punch at him, the wild strike heading for Eragon's cheek. Easily blocking, Eragon shoved his arm aside and buried his fist in Asher's face, hearing his nose break as blood seeped out heavily. The man whimpered and Eragon wrapped his fingers around the intern's neck, slamming him back into the bricks and getting in his face.
"If I hear one more word about you bothering Taylor I will end you. Is that understood?"
He heard a small scuffle behind him and Eragon wanted to curse. He knew there was somebody coming and he also knew that if he turned now it would break character because there was no way a man in his profession was that skilled in fighting. Instead, he took the sloppy blow to his side and pain racketed through his body as his ribs pressed delicately on the almost healed stab wound. Dammit.But instead of focusing on the pain, he spun, taking in the preppy boy before him with an annoyed frown. Obviously a friend of Asher's. He really didn't want to hurt anyone else.
"This isn't your fight, kid."
The other intern bounced on his toes, his eyes bright with adrenaline.
"Oh you just want me to leave because now you're outnumbered."
Eragon sighed. There was two ways this could go down. He could take them both out within seconds, knocking them unconscious and walking away without a scratch. Or he could make it realistic, only just holding his own against two opponents. He knew which he had to do to keep his cover safe. Preparing his body, he kicked out at the new guy, his foot colliding heavily with flesh as his opponent went flying. At the same time, arms wrapped around his throat and yanked him back. Pretending to struggle, he waited as the other man he'd just sprawled across the pavement got up slugged him in the stomach. Eragon clenched his abs, taking another shot to the chest as he gripped Asher's wrist and twisted it. The man's arms loosened and Eragon ducked out of range, whirling to face the two. He dodged a punch from Asher and cracked his own across the other's face. Asher's friend went down and Eragon turned his full attention to the guy he actually wanted to wound. Brushing a strike aside, he buried his clenched hand straight into Asher's solar plexus, causing the man's eyes to widen and him to drop to his knees as he struggled to breathe.
The other opponent was standing and struck out at Eragon's face. He made effort to look like he barely blocked in time. There was no way he could let any blows hit anywhere that Saphira or Arya, especially Arya, would see. A second punch was smashed into his chest and he growled in exasperation. Why the hell do they keep hitting my injury! He took one more blow to the stomach before tackling the man to the ground, his knuckles scraping painfully against the cement. Shit. He rolled off and to his knees, quickly throwing three blows into his face, succeeding in knocking the friend unconscious. Beside him Asher was just standing up. Done with this, rage broiling through him, Eragon fisted his hands in the guy's suit and lifted him off the ground, arms straining at the weight.
"Here's what you're going to do. You are going to leave my girl alone, and if she asks, you tell her that you got in a fight with your buddy over here." His voice was a growl through clenched teeth as he finished the last sentence. "AM I UNDERSTOOD?"
Asher agreed with rapid bobs of his head. Dropping him to the ground, Eragon turned and climbed back into his car, gingerly breathing in as he tried to lessen the pressure on his old wound. That had not gone how he'd wanted it to.
-A-R-Y-A-
She was sitting at her desk, Mary beside her as they shuffled through stacks of papers. Arya chuckled at her friend's annoyed expression.
"I don't know how you deal with doing work for people who could just as easily do it themselves."
Arya shook her head.
"I told you that you didn't have to help me out."
Mary shrugged.
"You help me and I am actually doing this so that I can ask a favor of you."
"What might that be?"
Mary set down the file she was studying.
"My husband, Richard, feels out of the loop. We've all gotten to meet each other while he has only met Saphira. He wants me to invite you and your family to dinner with us. Tomorrow night at this swanky little restaurant downtown."
Arya buried her immediate reaction and smiled.
"Of course. I'll ask Chase if he's free."
Mary grinned before her eyes widened at something behind Arya. Turning, she found Asher and another guy walking into the building with colorful bruises and a couple cuts across their faces. She stood, angry, beelining for him and gripping his arm. He winced in pain and when he looked at her fear flitted across his face.
"Who did this to you?"
Asher shrugged her off, looking sheepishly at his friend.
"We kind of got in a scuffle with each other. No big deal."
She could see the lie in his eyes and clenched her jaw tightly, her beliefs having been confirmed. Turning away, she returned to Mary and sat angrily in her chair.
"What happened?"
Arya turned to her.
"He says that they got in a fight with each other."
Mary frowned.
"And why are you pissed about that?"
Arya closed her laptop and stood.
"Because he was lying. Chase did that." Mary tried to hide the smile that graced her lips but failed and Arya glared. "It's not funny, Mary. I told him not to."
The woman just shook her head, patting the seat beside her.
"Sit down, Arya. You don't need to go and yell at him right now. Just think on it for a bit. What would you do if some girl was throwing herself at him? I feel like you aren't seeing this from his perspective."
She slouched into her seat, her anger not leaving no matter how long she stayed at work. She didn't belong to him and he had no right to take such drastic steps. She ignored the part of her mind that told her why he'd done it and that he did have that right, instead thinking of nothing but her work.
As she pulled into the garage she heard the murmur of a song just ending. Opening her door she heard another start and as she stepped inside, the song's full volume assaulted her ears. It was almost too loud to bear. After a moment though, as the chorus began, she became more accustomed.
"We are young!
But we have heart
Born in this world as it all falls apart
We are strong
But we don't belong
Born in this world as it all falls apart"
She caught sight of Eragon on the couch, holding a controller tightly in his hands, his eyes focused intently and almost angrily on the screen as he sliced through guard after guard on AC: III. She could hear nothing but the song as it continued.
"I see the children in the rain like the parade before the pain.
I see the love; I see the hate; I see this world that we can make!
I see the life I see the sky. Give it all to see you fly...
Yes, we wave this flag of hatred, but you're the ones who made it!
Watch the beauty of all our lies passing right before my eyes.
I hear the hate in all your words all the wars to make us hurt
We get so sick, we're so sick; we never wanted all this
Medication for the kids with no reason to live!"
She set her bag on the counter, trying to find where the music was coming from as it replayed the chorus.
"So we
March to the drums of the damned as we come
Watch it burn in the sun, we are numb!
We are young!
But we have heart
Born in this world as it all falls apart
We are strong
But we don't belong
Born in this world as it all falls apart."
It rapped/ screamed out the next verse.
"As we walk among these shadows, in these streets, these fields of battle
Take it up, we wear the medal, raise your hands with burning candles.
Hear us whisper in the dark, in the rain you see the spark
Feel the beating of our hearts fleeting hope as we depart
All together, walk alone against all we've ever known
All we've ever really wanted was a place to call our home
But you take all we are; the innocence of our hearts.
Made to kneel before the altar as you tear us apart!
So we
March to the drums of the damned as we come
Watch it burn in the sun - we are numb!
We are young!
But we have heart
Born in this world as it all falls apart
We are strong
But we don't belong
Born in this world as it all falls apart
We will fight or we will fall
'til the angels save us all
We will fight or we will fall
'til the angels save us all
We will fight or we will fall
'til the angels save us all
We will fight or we will fall
'til the angels save us all...
We are young!
But we have heart
Born in this world as it all falls apart
We are strong
But we don't belong
Born in this world as it all falls apart
We are young!
But we have heart
Born in this world as it all falls apart
We are strong
But we do-"
Finding the stereo she flicked the switch, silence filling the space that had just before been overtaken with his music. He looked over at her, a frown on his non-bruised face. Dammit, if he took them down with all his skill on show he could've ruined their covers. She went to stand over him, her arms crossed.
"I told you to leave them alone."
He got a truly confused look on his face.
"What? Arya I did."
She instantly wanted to smack him. Was he seriously going to lie about something that was so obvious to everyone else?
"Don't even, Eragon! Those two guys came inside with the hell beaten out of them and you expect me to believe they did it to each other?"
Eragon stood indignantly, his own anger compelling him to shout at her.
"What are you even talking about? I've been here all day taking time off like you asked and now you're accusing me of going against your wishes? I've been letting you tell me what to do all day, get over your damn self."
She clenched her jaw.
"Stop lying."
He threw up his hands, exasperation on his face.
"You seriously think I would be that stupid? If I had beaten up those guys, I wouldn't have just taken them down. I'd have let myself get hit a few times first, alright? I would be covered in bruises. Now back off."
She knew he was lying through his teeth. She just knew. But, she realized, he wasn't stupid. He would've let himself get hit. And he was perfectly bruise free. She clenched her hands into fists and stormed up the steps to their room. If he was lying, he was doing a spectacular job. She threw on a pair of sweats and a t-shirt, having the urge to just be completely comfortable and relaxed. But nothing seemed to help her coiled muscles and the swirl of thoughts in her mind.
Instead, she went back down the steps and ignored Eragon, heading towards the garage and her car for an escape. She was just pulling out of the garage when she saw him look out the door at her, something masked in his features. She breathed deeply, speeding out of the garage and down the street. She just needed to drive.
By the time she returned the house was dark and it was almost midnight. Everyone was asleep, something she was grateful for as she walked into the kitchen. Opening the fridge, she almost smiled at the fact that Eragon had left a dish of his home made macaroni, her personal favorite, on the top shelf. A strange warmth fluttered through her and she ignored it, heating up the food and finishing it off. With that she plodded to the room. Inside, Eragon was sound asleep, his clothed back facing her. Wait. . . he was clothed.
The fury from before returned as she stormed towards him. He never wore a shirt to sleep. Whether it was to annoy her or just to make him more comfortable, he was always shirtless. Instead of lifting the shirt to just check, she pressed hard into his back, knowing that if he'd gotten hit there hard enough, it would have re-injured the wound. He gasped, startled awake, and flipped around, arm instinctively striking at her. She blocked but in his sleep-ridden state he still hadn't realized who had hurt him. Eragon slammed his other palm into her shoulder, sending her flying backwards and she had to roll away to regain her balance. He stood, about to attack again when he recognized her. Immediately guilt tripped through his eyes before sudden realization. Then rage.
"What is wrong with you, Arya!?"
She moved swiftly, coming to a halt before him and lifting the hem of his shirt to reveal several colorful bruises. She had been right. And he had lied to her.
"Care to explain?"
He shoved her hand away, turning around and walking towards the bathroom.
"Not really."
She caught him, her features twisted in anger.
"I don't like being lied to."
He whirled, arms stiff and down at his sides.
"And I don't like being doubted!"
"Then don't give a reason for it!"
He gave her a look like she was stupid.
"You didn't actually know I was lying, Arya. You pried and pushed until you got your way. Couldn't you have just left it!?"
She snorted.
"Of course I knew you were lying. It was obvious."
He shook his head.
"Arya I saw it in yours eyes. You knew nothing for sure. But you just have to be right about everything. You just have to be so damn perfect all the time, don't you!?"
She moved closer.
"And you need to back off! What happened today does not give you the right to act on my behalf. We're not together, Eragon!"
He stepped back as if she struck him and she watched his expression go cold.
"I know that. But it doesn't mean I don't care about you. It doesn't mean that I will allow some creep to bother you every day while you have to sit and let him for sake of your cover. You knew he wasn't going to stop, even after our kiss. He was dead set on getting to you. Conquering you. Men like that are not swayed by actions that have no effect on them! He needed a direct confrontation."
She shook her head.
"It doesn't matter what you believe he would've done. You went against my wishes and now he might cause problems for our cover."
"Are you kidding me? I don't live to serve at your beck and call, princess. I do what I want when I want to do it and that has always been my way. I don't take orders from you. I don't bow at your wish and serve dutifully. Understand that because I don't want to have to explain again. You don't control me. I control me. I control my actions and I control my thoughts. So if you ever have the nerve to claim that I should listen to your commands again, I will walk out of this mission and go rogue. I hope I am getting my point across because I'm downright tired of your shit."
She recoiled at his rage, not used to such an outburst of emotion from him that was directed only at her. She was breathing heavily now, her own anger-fueled adrenaline pumping through her.
"Oh, you are. You have just presented your entire morale grounds to me through the facts that you are a wild card. You will tear down an entire operation and get innocent people killed for the sake of your pride. It's relieving to finally get to know the real you. Care to share more?"
He moved toward her, now only an inch separating them.
"Yeah, actually. I. Hate. You."
She felt like her chest just took a major blow. From a bat. Being wielded by a giant. Still not understanding why her emotions were so tangled she glared steadily at him.
"Oh yeah?"
He nodded, his jaw clenching and unclenching repeatedly.
"I hate having to live two separate lies with you, Arya." She frowned in confusion, having no idea what he meant, but knowing there was more to the statement than he was letting on. She took several deep breaths, trying to compose an actual thought in her mind. Before she could do anything he was sliding past her towards the door. As he retreated she heard him say to himself, "Stupid woman wouldn't know feelings if they smacked her upside the head."
The noise of the television turning on and the Xbox tone flitted up the steps before he turned it down. Still not fully able to comprehend his words, she forced herself to relax and tuck herself under the covers of the bed. But she was kidding herself. There were too many questions left unanswered for her to fall asleep.
-E-R-A-G-O-N-
Had he really just done that? What if he had given too much away? She was smart, much too smart to not figure out what he meant eventually. He'd just given the sociopath-like woman something else that she could hold against him. The one that felt nothing and did nothing out of line. Always on task. Always working. He might've just destroyed any equal footing he had gained. Any respect he'd garnered had possibly disappeared. He shook his head. Tomorrow was not going to be pretty.
Before you ask, I didn't mean "lives" when Eragon said I hate living two separate lies with you. It's lies. And it will be explained later if you don't get it so no worries.
Renaissancebooklover108: Haha yeah I wanted Firnen to be a good guy. I feel like he was pretty legit in the books :D
hooo: I just really like the 1911 gun. It's Dean's fave weapon from Supernatural
Elrond Half-Elven Bjartskular: Thanks! And I do. You can just type in AC: Black Flag to google and click on the website for the game. It has a ton of videos on the location, character, and gameplay. I can tell you that the biggest island that centers the world map is Cuba. Oh and the assassin you'll be playing as is Edward.
Anonymous: He is having trouble with the feelings though. More so shown in this chapter. He's confused and angry about them. What do you mean about character growth? Just their personalities and stuff? Lol idk what they would have to dance for but if I think of something I'll throw them in that situation haha.
Musicman2013: Haha I sort of gave you one earlier when they were in the old people's house! But yes, they have finally kissed. It wont be all sunshines and rainbows though, I plan on putting them through craziness first :D
Flyflyaway: Lol pretty soon. Not for another several chapters I'm sorry to say. But soon. And You'll just have to see!
Myranor: I definitely understand that logic haha, and I know I can update every day, but if I focus solely on this story, I wont be able to write for the other ones. I've done it before with FtP originally but that story was easier to write for. I will try to get the chapters up every day or every other though :) Did you change your name?
Imaskier: Thank you!
A Dark Noon: :D dude have you watched all the trailers?! Everything looks incredible!
IIIMagic: I agree. I hate it when people write ExA especially getting together without going through the paces of breaking down her wall and dancing around each other a bit. It just builds everything up so when they give in it's awesome. Yeah I agree with that as well. People fall at different times in reality. Aww that's awesome! And cute :) And no problem, I love long reviews.
CorLeonis92: Thank you! :)
Guest: I'm glad you like it!
Guestor: Lol agreed on the being all over Eragon thing :D But yeah, I was thinking about having that girl he was working with try something, still might, but for now idk haha.
XyLux: Thanks! And he sort of did in this chapter, but he will do so more soon.
burning book: Lmao epic. I'm glad the chapter made you happy :D
Morzan's Elvish Daughter: I KNOW I'M DYING WAITING! And I loved all the references to Rose they did last season. I would like flip out excitedly every time one showed up.
funnelwebs: Lol true. Haha I'm glad it's not just me. Oh but now I'm really curious! Not if you make the situations on purpose! I think so. I'm not sure how I ended up writing Asher into that role, it just kind of flowed so I was like, "eh, alright." I do that too. Now though. Like I get super pissed if people talk over something I'm watching or playing. I'm just like, "NO. You go 'way while I enjoy my game!"