Hey, guys! Sorry, it's been nearly a month since the last update, life has been crazy! Even my Beta had to take time off because of college ;) This chapter took me a while to write and I finally liked how it came out. I hope you all enjoy it.

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The Other Queen – 15

Chapter 15

Lian Yu 2007

Victoria pressed on farther into the forest. As she walked she noticed small animals pass by her, probably all of them were worried she'd eat them for dinner but she hardly paid them any mind. Instead, her thoughts were too busy being a focus on coming up with multiple backup plans. She wasn't as good as Slade when it came to attacking strategies but she had a natural gift of coming up with a few plans for survival. She half wondered if she should head back and ask one of her other companions to join her. You never do anything right, a voice that sounded like her mother mocked her. No, she had to do this on her own. She just had to know where Billy was and just how much of a danger he was to her and the others. She needed to do this. To prove to her mother, to Slade, Oliver and to herself that she was strong enough to do this on her own.

With determination, she stepped forward and continued through the trees and tropical air.

#

It was sunrise when Slade awoke from his sleep. The first thing he did was move so that he was sitting on one side of his cot. Then he rounded his shoulders and circled his head on his neck, he stopped when he heard them both crack. Next, he reached out his arms and a yawn escaped him and slowly he allowed his eyes to adjust to the light that was streaming through the opening of their camp. Finally, when he could see clearly, he looked around at his companions' beds. His eyes immediately landed on Victoria's bed only to find that she wasn't in it. This put him on high alert. She often works out early in the mornings, he reminded himself. I probably find her stretching or maybe she is taking a run. Surely, she knows better than to go very far with Billy Wintergreen on the loose? So, he quickly glanced at the other two's bed and got up to relieve himself behind one of the brushes around camp. Once he finished he went to their makeshift washroom, washed his hands he dumped out the water and placed more water into the bowl to splash upon his face.

He walked to the front of their camp into the clearing and looked around. No sign of Toria, he thought with a sigh. Probably decided to go for a short walk. So, he forced himself to stretch his muscles. He knew he didn't focus enough of his time into stretching but his thoughts kept running back to Victoria. As time passed and she still didn't return he started to worry about her. She might be just hunting for breakfast, he tried to reassure himself. Minutes went by and he felt his heart racing. Is she hurt? Could she just be taking in the scenery? No that's silly she knows better than to run off by herself. Doesn't she?

More minutes passed. Slade was pacing back and forth. Is she lying somewhere injured? Dying? Surely, she would have been back by now. Damn it, why doesn't she just come back to the camp already. Maybe I'm just overreacting? She is probably alright. It's not like she doesn't know how to handle herself. But what if she is somewhere on the island she isn't familiar with and she is lost? Why in the hell is she taking so long? Does she have any idea what it's doing to me? And yet more time passed and he felt himself nearly going mad. Where could she possibly be? Will She ever return? Will I ever… Damn it, don't think like that! Why on earth would she go somewhere with the threat of Billy hanging over their heads? Unless… No, she couldn't possibly be that stupid! Then it hit him like a ton of bricks, Victoria was going to confront Billy. But why? Why would she willingly put herself in danger? Why hadn't she gone to me first? Would he ever see her again? Would he ever be able to tell her how he felt? I need to save her!

And with that thought, he quickly made it into to the wrecked plane. Grabbed his two swords, placed them in their holder, quickly put on his jacket and made his way to a path. He knelt close to the cleared path and noticed the small footprint in the dirt and more ahead of them. Damn it, she couldn't just possible stay in camp. No! She had to go and be stupid¸ he thought with a frown. What on earth possessed her to go after Billy? Was she trying to prove herself? A strange need to impress them, him maybe? There are better ways to impress me, love. He wished he could tell Victoria. She is impossible… Will I even get the chance to tell her how crazy she drives me? How much I care?

Slade tried to push his worries and thoughts to the back of his mind and instead focused on the path in front of him. He needed to find Victoria and see if she was alright.

#

The sun was hanging high in the sky as Victoria continued in the direction of the cave. Would Billy be inside the cave or outside? Would he be armed? Was this whole plan a terrible idea? Probably, she concluded. But it was too late to back out of this plan. She needed to know where Billy was to keep those she cared about safe. I wonder anyone has even noticed that I've left? Would Slade think I'm brave or foolish? Maybe both? Will I ever see him again? Don't think like that, she berated herself. Of course, I'm going to see him again. I'm going to be fine, right?

The cave came into her view she slowed her pace and looked around in each direction multiple times before she took cover behind a tree. The trees were thinning in front of her and she stood where she was trying to decide her plan of attack. I'll take cover till I get to the cave and see if I hear him in there. Yeah, that sounds like the best idea. No, you should have asked for backup, that would have been a promising idea. No, I need to do this, for Slade and more importantly myself.

So, she slowly made her way off the right side of the cave, just a foot away from the entrance. She calmed her breathing and listened closely. Moments passed in silence, she couldn't hear a single noise. Maybe he is away or perhaps at Fyers' abandoned camp? As she was thinking this a noise coming from inside the cave she moved forward. Again, she heard the same sound. There has got to be something in there. Just then she felt a strong callous hand cover her mouth, a strong arm wrapped around her waist and she felt herself start to panic before she looked down at the figure's boots, they were the same as Slade's. She felt herself relax in the figures grasps.

"Hello sweetheart," a masculine voice whispered in her ear. She felt her heart stop. That wasn't Slade's voice.

She started to struggle to allow herself to get free but instead the arm holding her only tightened around her.

"Not so fast, darling," he said with a humorless chuckle.

Victoria had only heard that voice once before but it didn't take her long to connect the voice to the man, Billy Wintergreen was the man holding onto her dangerously tight. He moved his face closer towards her while he tried to tuck her to his side. Once his profile was in view she was surprised with what she found. The man had a strong jaw, a large nose, and his hair was a sandy color papered with gray. He would have been handsome if it wasn't for the menacing face he pointed towards her, his eyes were a cold blue, like ice.

"Didn't I tell all of you to stay the hell away from me?" he asked her in a growl.

She tried to control her shaking form and not let him see her flinch and started to struggle out of his hold. She managed to stomp on one of his feet with all her might. Which only caused him to hold onto her so tight she half worried he'd crush her.

"Hey, I'm talking to you. Did you hear your little friend saying to leave me alone?"

Victoria didn't respond to him but sent him a glare. He slapped her hard across the face with his free hand.

"I'm talking to you, you little bitch," he barked at her.

She shook her head in understanding, hoping to make him stop tightening his grip around her. He left his tight grip around her but at least it stopped tightening around her ribcage.

"I'm not going to say it again," he warned.

"I heard you!" she yelled in response.

"Which part of leaving me the hell alone did you not understand? Huh?" his profile invaded her personal space once more.

"I needed to know where you were," she whispered.

"What was that?"

"I needed to know where you were you, asshole!" she shouted back.

"Let me guess you wanted to spy on me?"

Victoria simply stared ahead.

"Well answer me!"

"Yes."

"Finally, some honesty. Are you alone or do you have backup coming?"

"I'm alone."

"Don't you lie to me. Slade would never have let you go on your own for this. Where are your friends?"

"I'm not lying."

His grip became tight once more.

"I'm not I swear! The others don't know I'm here!"

Just then she felt a laugh rumble through his chest as her back was pressed into it. "Oh, I get it now. Slade's little girlfriend wanted to kill the bad guy and save the day huh? Prove your worth. Yeah, you're wasting your time. I'm wondering now if you even thought this through?" he mocked her.

She felt a tear just beginning to form in the corner of her eye. No, I can't let him see me weak. Holding her head straighter she simply looked ahead as he continued to laugh at her.

#

Slade was closing in on Victoria's trail. He prayed she'd be alright once he made it to her. Hopefully, she hasn't gotten herself killed before then. Fantastic way to focus, Slade, he berated himself. He could just make out shouting for up ahead and heard two very familiar voices. The trees were beginning to thin and he knew that he'd have to take cover to surprise Billy.

Slowly he hid behind one tree. Looking in front of him he saw a medium sized cave several feet away from him. In the front of the cave was unmistakable Billy holding Victoria in a tight grasp. Slade felt his jaw tighten in angry. I'm going to kill him. Luckily, he noticed that Billy seemed to be talking to Victoria and he didn't seem to be expecting back up to come for her. He always was a cocky bastard.

Slade made his way to the cave slowly so neither Billy or Victoria would see him. He didn't want her to give him away in any way. Hopefully, he'd surprise her as well. So, he took cover at every tree and decide to head a little bit more to the right of them. There were trees and he'd be closer to them than if he came in from the left. Silently, he continued watching every step he took so that he wouldn't step on the smallest twig. Seeing the situation, he knew that Billy didn't have a sword in his hand but he figured it was behind him in its holder. The element of surprise is my biggest assist, he repeated in his mind. Finally, he could make out their outlines perfect as they stood just a foot from them. He pulled out his sword slowly and continued forward, making his appearance known.

In front of him, Victoria had stopped talking Billy suddenly and he heard her take a deep intake of breath. Angry raised in him as he noticed a large, hand-shaped bruise was forming on her left cheek. Billy turned in his direction and he saw him stiffen in an alert way. The cocky face that had been on Billy's face only moments before melted into one of panic and Slade felt himself smirk as his old friend didn't seem happy to see him. Does the asshole honestly think he can hit a woman and get away with it?

"Slade," Billy said simply.

"Let her go, Billy," Slade replied with a glare.

"It seems your girlfriend isn't really good at listening to directions."

Slade stepped forward but with every step he took, he noticed Victoria wince in pain as Billy tightened his grip around her.

"Billy, let her go," Slade said with a dangerously calm voice.

Billy shook his head and Victoria let out a small whimper of pain.

"I swear Billy if you touch her again I'll kill you!" Slade shouted angrily.

"I don't think you will," Billy responded with fake confidence.

Slade sent him the worst glare that Victoria had ever seen him ever give someone. He continued to walk closer to the pair. Victoria knew that she had to do something if she was going to get out of Billy's grasp. She noticed the tight hold around her waist was now closer to her chest and as Slade got closer she felt Billy's grip became lax. In one swift moment, Victoria had brought Billy's arm to her mouth and she bit down as hard as she could. Then she felt it remove from her fully and she ran as quickly away from the tall Australian as she could. She realized she was a little farther away from Slade then she wanted to be but she was glad that she was just out of danger for the moment. When she looked back she saw Billy hunched over a bit and he was grabbing his arm.

Slade saw his moment and with a battle cry, he rammed into Billy, making sure to aim a little higher as to knock the wind out of him. He knocked him to the ground and quickly got himself up to get the upper hand. It took Billy longer to raise himself off the ground but he managed to and slowly he pulled out the sword in his holder. Slade gripped his own katana with both hands, he waited only long enough until he noticed that Billy had taken a defensive stance and he lunged for him. Billy managed to block the attack with some hesitates. Slade raised his blade to strike but instead surprised both Victoria and Billy when he sent a powerful kick into the side of Billy's left leg. Billy's blade meets Slade's and they both locked the sword closer towards the other. Slade's blade swung free from the lock, nearly yanking Billy's out of his hand. As Slade swung his sword around to regain his balance, he managed to slice into Billy's pants, slicing the fabric and deep into his skin. Billy staggered back and held onto his bleeding thigh, without another thought Slade kicked him into the injured leg and Billy was sent unto his side.

Slade hardly acknowledged the cursing coming from Billy as he moved forward and grabbed Victoria's hand with his free one. Not stopping even to place his sword in its holder he continued forward, dragging her with him. While he moved a good distance away he looked over his shoulder and noticed that Billy was still a bloody heap upon the ground.

#

Slade hadn't even looked at Victoria yet and she was starting to get annoyed/upset that he wouldn't even spare her a passing glance. She half wondered if they'd stop at all before they both made it to camp. A few more long moments passed in silence until Slade just suddenly stopped in the middle of a clump of trees.

"What in the hell were you thinking?!" he asked shouted.

"I…" Victoria started.

"Do you realize that you could have been gravely injured or worse?!" he shouted not waiting for an answer from her.

"I needed to know where he was!" Victoria replied at last.

"What the hell were you thinking?"

"We needed to know where he was and our arguing wasn't getting us anywhere."

"So, you decided to go and find out where he was, alone? What the hell kind of thinking is that?! We are a team we act as a team!"

"Oh, and I see you brought Shado and Oliver to come rescue me too I see," Victoria shot back with sarcasm.

"That's completely different! Don't you dare turn this back around on me!"

"No, you just hate it when everyone else breaks your precious little rules as long as it isn't you!"

"Now that's a load of bull and you know it. I had to make sure you were alright and it was easier doing it on my own."

"See! Always coming up with the perfect excuse! I doubt you even cared that much that I was gone. You just want to play the hero, save the girl all that jazz."

Slade's jaw tightened and he sent her a hurt glare in her direction but she stayed her ground. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew she was being childish but she couldn't handle him giving her such a tough time right now. She had messed up but did he have to always bark at her like this? Why did he have to sound so much like her mother? Never ever giving her a break. "You know perfectly well that I just couldn't let you get hurt. Not given the way I feel about you," he said with a shaky voice.

"O yeah? Is, that right?! And how do you feel about me huh?"

"Do you need me to spell it out for you?!" he shouted.

"Maybe!"

"Do you actually need me to spell it out for you?"

"Yeah maybe. Maybe I do Slade!"

"Dammit, I love you! Crazy ass woman. I love you! You happy now?"

Victoria looked stunned to the spot and her mouth was slightly open. He could still feel the fumes from his angrier come off him like heat but he took a deep breath and tried to steady his breathing. He had just told the woman he loved that he loved her and he didn't know whether to march away from her or crash his lips onto hers. Looking over at her once more he could see that she was shocked. Had she really been that surprised about his feelings for her? Surely, she had figured it out by now. As her mouth, finally closely and she continued to look at him quizzically he could only conclude that it had indeed surprised her.

"Slade, I…" she started.

"You don't need to say anything," he said in a very calm voice. And he meant it. She didn't need to say a thing.

"But I…"

"Honestly, you don't need to say a damn thing."

This caused her to pause for several moments in silence before asking, "So do you want me to talk or not?"

"I meant what I bloody hell said. You don't need to repeat it or tell me off again or you can if you want, but you don't have to," Slade explained.

Victoria kept silent. She cared about Slade, more than another guy she had ever dated or thought about dating. Even more than Tommy Merlyn who she had had a crush on for years. Luckily that had stopped once Tommy started high school. But did she love Slade? she questioned. Yes, she had strong feelings and couldn't bear the idea of him getting hurt but she wasn't sure she loved him yet. There was a feeling for him though that she guessed could turn into love with time. She was thankful that Slade hadn't pushed her to say it to him. She wasn't ready yet. Hopefully what she did feel about him would turn into love.

They continued to the camp in silence. Slade never letting Victoria leave his sights. It didn't take them long before they made into the clearing that the wrecked plane was located. Slade looked over at her to enter before him. "I think I'll stay out here for a minute," Victoria said sheepishly.

Slade fixed her with a pointed glare which told her that she wasn't going to be going anywhere without him for a while. "Okay then," she sighed before walked into the doorway with Slade on her tail.

Just then she felt two arms rush her in an embrace, looking at the figure she realized it was Oliver and he had her in a death grip. "Where the hell could you have gone? I was worried sick!"

"Sorry," Victoria replied while she tried to break free of his hug. He only let go of her to hold her arms out to analyze her.

"You had us both worried," Shado said more calmly behind her.

"Well we are fine now," Slade simply supplied.

"Is that all we are going to get out of you? You're both alright, I can see that. Where were you!?" Oliver demanded.

Victoria looked terrified at Slade, worried he'd chew her out in front of everyone but she was surprised to find that he didn't even open his mouth to speak. Wait, why isn't he giving me a tough time? I mean he has an audience and everything. Still, Slade didn't make an attempt to explain a thing. He gave her a meaningful look, she could tell that he wasn't going to speak a word of anything that had happened. She sent him a grateful look and mouthed a thank you to him which he simply brushes off with a small smile.

"We had a run-in with Billy," Victoria explained.

"What?!" Oliver and Shado shouted in unison.

"But it's fine, Slade managed to get us out without either of us getting hurt," Victoria continued.

"What happened?!"

"Okay don't want to talk about it, the point is we are okay," Victoria stated, more confidently than she felt.

"And that's supposed to be a good enough explanation?" Oliver asked, clearly annoyed.

"Hey kid, stop giving her a tough time alright?" Slade defended her.

"Seriously?!" Oliver asked/whined.

"I think she told you all you need to know," Slade replied, giving him a glare.

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