Chapter Twenty-one I waited for a response and got, once again, nothing. Damn! I banged the pistol on the wall a few more times. It echoed and I knew if anyone was even close to me that they'd hear me. They had to hear me. "What are you Smythe? Scared?" I screamed into the emptiness. I was really banking on him not standing next to me in the dark. That would suck. Big time. "You're not scared of me, are you?" I laughed my best maniacal laugh and hoped I didn't sound too much like the Count from Sesame Street. "I'm just one little woman out here all by myself!" I waited and then went further down the hallway. Phase two had begun and this was the important part. I had to get Smythe to follow me. If I could get him to follow me then Michael and Tess could follow him. Right? Man, I hoped Michael and I were on the same wavelength here because if I draw Smythe and posse out and there's no Michael and Tess…I guess then it's 'say goodnight Maria.' "I'm here Smythe!" I screamed. "I think we need to talk!" I kept my weight against the wall and wondered if Isabel would leave a scar on my leg from the gaping hole. I know Michael didn't get one, but he was different. I was just your normal average run-of-the-mill human. I'd probably scar. Damn! I hated that my mind was wondering when I should be totally alert to my plan. I seriously think it had everything to do with pain and blood loss. "Smythe!" I yelled and had to stop walking and catch my breath. "I know something you don't know I know!" I heard the static of a loud speaker and smiled. "Attention Section shoppers!" Kyle's voice over the loud speaker system was amazing. "We're having a sale in our weaponry department. Get everything you need for the Operative on your list!" I started laughing and kept my fingers crossed for a stroke of good luck. I needed the fucking good luck fairy to come knock me on the head at this point. I knew there would be a break from Kyle announcements so onward down the hall I went. Okay, not exactly moving at the speed of light, but still moving none the less. The pistol in my hand was getting heavy and that bothered me. The pain in my leg and face were killing me. But like I said, it takes a lot more than this to take me down. Never underestimate the strength and stamina of a woman trying to get her husband back. Or one who might seriously need professional mental help. Maybe I'll add that to the list of things I want to do when I get out of here. "Smythe!" I screamed and felt confident he must know by now he hasn't won anything yet. I heard no fucking fat lady singing. * * * "Oh God." Tess covered her mouth as Kyle's voice came over the speaker. "Kyle!" "What is she doing?" Michael shook his head and smiled. He knew Maria was behind this; that meant she was okay and she was thinking. The first feelings of getting out with all bodies intact were now evident. He listened to the rest of Kyle's message and laughed. "We're getting the hell out of here Tess." "Yeah?" She cocked her head to one side. "Why are the lights out?" "Because my wife is brilliant." He smiled and reached for her hand in the dark. "She's drawing them out and she's going to take them down." "How do you know?" "Because I know Maria and that's how her brain operates." He shook his head and felt around in the dark. "This used to be my office, I don't think they'll come here…" "But they might?" He shrugged but knew it was useless, she couldn't see him in the dark. "My father taught me too well Tess, I know Section like I know my own hand. Maria doesn't though…How many were with Smythe?" "Three I think. Maria took out three within seconds." Back-up lights flicked on leaving them standing in a sickly dim yellow glow. "Three?" Michael smiled. "That's my girl. C'mon, we're going back in the main corridor. I imagine Smythe is tracking us somehow so if he pops up in front of us, don't be surprised." "I can handle it." She nodded and squeezed his hand. "Maria's a lucky woman." No," he shook his head. "I'm a lucky man." * * * The back-up lights clicked on and that nearly did me in. Kyle said there was a chance of a generator and he was right. It was okay; I could use a little light. And when I say little, I mean little. The yellow lights were so dim I couldn't see much more than in the dark. "C'mon Michael, I know you heard Kyle. Read my mind. Read my mind." I chanted my new mantra. "Read my mind…" I was only a few minutes away from where I had last seem Michael and Tess on the monitor; but in the crippled state I was in I knew it might take me longer. So I banged my trusty pistol on a steel pillar and liked the effect. A much more buoyant sound than beating it on the wall. "Hey!" I screamed. "I'm waiting Smythe. I know a lot more than you do at this point! Wanna share?" I got nothing but dead silence. Okay, back up, I'm going to leave it at just plain old silence. Now I had possibilities. Smythe might not hear me, but I know he heard Kyle's announcement. He might be on his way here to kill me. He might be on his way here to hear what I have to say, fat chance. He might be on his way here backing off Michael to allow my masterminded plan to work. I was liking the last one the best. Okay, anything else and I was probably dead unless of course he just didn't hear me. Hmm…Maybe I should be louder. "Smythe!" I screamed and wondered if my throat was suppose to burn like it was. One more thing to add to my list of ailments. "I know everything and you're fucked!" Nothing. Shit! "I dare you to come out and play asshole!" I yelled and then banged my gun. "I can play all night and I think you might want to hear what I have to say!" I heard a noise and I drew my gun. Holy shit, the noise was coming from inside the wall. This was not exactly a good. No, this could very well be a big fucking bad. I was pretty sure that they were in some secret type tunnel or something and for all I knew they could be watching me right now. I knew it wasn't Michael, he'd be yelling back at me. Fuck it. I aimed and fired into the ceiling. Of course plaster did fall on me, did I really expect anything less? I dusted my shoulders off and shook out my hair. Just a little plaster dust to mix with the blood. Maybe I could get a nice paste going on here soon. If I was McGuyver I could probably make a bomb with it or something. Unfortunately I was just Maria and all I was making was a mess. I didn't hear the walls again so maybe they moved on. Riiiight. I moved on down the hall but I kept my ears open for anymore rat noises. "Attention Section shoppers," Kyle was back and I smiled. "We are now having a sale in our physical fitness department. Please stop by and check out the savings you can receive on training dummies and barbells." I smiled and wondered if Kyle had missed his calling by not being a tour guide. His voice was perfect. I was close to the gym now and wondered if anyone else picked up on our innuendo. Here's to hoping they did. "Smythe!" I yelled and fired again into the ceiling. I fired in back of me this time. Ha! "I know about Liz Parker!" * * * "Did you hear that?" Tess stopped walking and pulled Michael's hand. "What? I heard Kyle." Michael said with agitation. "We have to get to the gym." "No, after Kyle. I think I heard someone yelling." Michael cocked his head to the side and waited. His heart pounding. Maria? * * * "I know about Liz Parker so I know why you can't figure the rest out. I know it all Smythe!" I shouted. I couldn't scream anymore; I was going to have to stick with shouting. I was only about thirty yards from the gym when I saw something at the corner up ahead. In the yellowy light on the floor, I saw the toe of a boot. A-ha! So they were paying attention and now I really hoped Michael was too. I aimed at the tip of black and fired right before I plastered myself against the wall behind one of those sunk in steel pillars. I heard the scream and knew I made contact. He wasn't out, but he was hurt. Woo-hoo! "Smythe!" I shouted. "I know it all. I even know about Michael's father!" * * * Michael was running trying to get to the gym dragging Tess along with him. Her short legs trying to meet his long strides. He heard a gunshot. He stopped suddenly, out of breath, and put his finger to his lips. "I know it all. I even know about Michael's father!" He heard Maria's voice and felt his heart flutter. She was so close. "Your father? What about him?" Tess asked. Michael shook his head. "I don't know. C'mon, we're almost there and-" Another gunshot. * * * I fired again at the corner and chipped away part of the wall. I grinned and knew it was coming down to the wire. I felt no pain. I felt nothing but vengeance and vengeance was so mine. "So, you wanna talk or what?" I yelled when I knew a shout was sufficient. "You think you know everything Maria, don't you?" Smythe yelled to me. "Well…Yeah, pretty much so." "Do you know what is happening to the young man with the microphone as we speak?" Fuck me. Kyle. Fuck! "Do you know how many people are going to be alive in the next hour?" I think he was bluffing about Kyle. Besides, Kyle did say he had some mean looking tape dispensers, right? Fuck! "We can play games if you want," he called out from around the corner. Pussy. "Show yourself asshole, then we'll play games." "It's over Maria." "Kiss my ass." "I won't let you walk out of here with all this so-called knowledge." "I won't let you live knowing all this so-called knowledge." We could play this all night, for everything he said I had a comeback. No one would ever get me on comebacks. "Let's talk Maria." "Nah…" I pulled out my other gun and held them straight out. I felt like an old West gunslinger. I staggered down the hall and as I neared the corner I heard something that I almost wish I hadn't. "Kill'em all." That was Smythe and I don't think he was talking to me. Son-of-a-bitch! Chapter Twenty-Two Kill'em all? Fuck me. I hit the floor and bit back a scream of pain. I inched my way on my back up until I was only inches away from the corner. Both arms in the air, guns raised and cocked, I was ready. Bring it on! I didn't have to wait long. They were above me and they fired down the empty hall where I had been standing only seconds before. I fired up at them and hit both of the gunmen that had tried to kill me. I don't know if they were dead, but I really didn't care either. Fuck'em all. I heard clapping and that sinking feeling of being seriously fucked came to mind. Smythe stood over me and I should have fired. I should have kept firing until I was out of bullets. What stopped me? Oh, yeah, the gun guy with his toes gone was jabbing a really big fucking gun into my side. Yeah, that'll do it every time. "Nice work Maria, I'm most impressed." Smythe took one gun from me then the other. Damn. Okay, this was so not part of the plan. He offered me his hand but I politely declined. "Fuck you." See, polite. He watched me struggle to get to my feet with a look of amusement. I hated him even more. Mr. No-Toes kept that gun jabbed in my side even though I was now unarmed. "Maria, we're here together now. So, what do you want to talk about?" I shrugged and looked around. The GameBoy tracking thing was on the floor next to him. I could see something moving on it but I had no fucking clue as to what. I didn't think, I just reacted. Putting all my weight on my bad leg, I lunged forward and cracked the screen with the heel of my black boot. Ha! Comfortable and efficient. Smythe shook his head at me and made that tsk-tsk sound. I regained my balance and crossed my arms over my chest. "Okay, so what were you saying?" I smiled, a big toothy one, at him. I was completely aware of the gun in his hand and the awkward hanging of his suit jacket; no doubt my other pistol was in his pocket. "You called this meeting, Maria." Oh yeah. "I really just wanted to tell you that you're a murdering, threatening mean bastard. Oh wait, let me add coward to that list." I didn't see his hand lash out, but I felt it on my cheek. Of course, could it be the one that doesn't already hurt? Of course not. I staggered backwards but didn't fall on my ass because gun guy saved me with the weapon in my back. "Are you ready to be civil?" Smythe asked and I wanted to cry. This was not exactly how the plan was supposed to be going down. So far it had worked for the most part. I had lured Smythe and now lone gunman from tracking my Michael and Tess, but they weren't here. Damn! I think I was going to be dead soon and that was a seriously big bad. I sighed. "Giving up Maria?" Smythe asked. "No, just thinking about things." Okay, I was stalling and thinking about giving up but he didn't need to know that. "Hmm. Well, I guess it all comes down to this. I'm going to kill you and then I'm going to kill your friends, not Miss Harding though. There's still lots of research to be done on her." Research. I shuddered thinking about Tess locked up in that little glass box and Michael strapped to a chair. "No." "I'm sorry." "I said 'no'. I think your research days are over." I stretched and felt the gun barrel in my back. Just seeing if he was paying attention, yup, he was. Bummer. "I was thinking you might want to change occupations Smythe." "What did you have in mind?" Okay, I was amusing him and that could work in my favor. Stall. Stall. Stall. "I was thinking something more in the line of being worm food?" He laughed and it made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I looked down the hall in back of him but with a stupid turn not too far up, I could only see so far. I was keeping my fingers figuratively crossed that Michael and Tess were right around the corner waiting to jump in any moment and save my ass. I was about all out of ass-saving for awhile. So I had Smythe in front of me looking in back of me and Mr. No-Toes in back of me looking in front of me. Damned if you do and damned if you don't. I was seeing this ending very badly for me. I prayed with every ounce of inner strength I had that the others would make it out okay and Michael would never forget me. I knew he wouldn't forget me, that would be almost impossible, but in those same prayers I asked that he find happiness some time. There wasn't anyone else in this world that I thought deserved true happiness more than Michael. There were a few runner-ups, but I think they were covered. The seconds seemed like minutes and if I wasn't able to lean on something pretty soon I was going to fall over. "Worm food?" Smythe repeated and smiled. "Yeah, you know six feet under? Sleeping with the fishes?" I raised my eyebrows at him. "Interesting thoughts you have, but I'm sorry to disappoint you. I'll be remaining here at Section and running it the way I see fit." "Riiiight. Now that Smith is gone you pretty much have carte blanche on everything around here. You can hold little experiments and be as self-serving as you want. I mean, that's why you had Michael's father killed, right?" His eye twitched. Woo-hoo! I struck a nerve. Here's hoping that he didn't decide to blow me away for it. After all, I had nothing to bargain with and I wasn't an alien. I had nothing and yet here I was, still alive and breathing. No where close to kicking, though. "The elder Guerin didn't know how to run Section to the fullest of its abilities." Smythe said and quite prickly at that. "I do." I nodded and wondered what the hell Michael was doing. "So, you're going to kill me and Michael and keep Miss Harding around as a guinea pig. Does that pretty much cover it?" Smythe nodded. "Yes. I'd say that covers everything quite nicely. Don't forget your friend at the microphone. Although I'm sorry he may have already met his fate." Kyle. No. I shook my head. "I think you're bluffing." I don't know for sure if I really meant to say that out loud or not. I really did think he was bluffing, but I'm not sure if I wanted him to know I thought he was bluffing. "Do you?" Great. More games. I shrugged. "I guess anything is possible now, huh? I mean who would have ever thought that you'd be able to get information so easily from a little law student. I mean, man, Section must have called out the elite troops to wrangle info from Liz Parker. What's she weigh? Like twelve pounds?" Smythe nodded. "Liz Parker was more than helpful." I waited for more but that was all I got. That did not let me know if they threatened her or not. Damn! "Yeah, but what about the others? Aren't you curious as to who they are? You really had a hard on for finding out earlier." "I'll find out and then they'll be my new pets." Pets? Whatever. "They know about you." I teased. "What?" I saw the surprise. Ha! Hook, line and sinker. Keep him talking Maria, the more we talk the longer I live. "Yeah, actually they were all here tonight with me; but they got out." Smythe reddened. I knew it was safe to tell because deep in my heart I knew he wasn't coming out of Section, ever. "No." "Yes." I put my hands on my hips and grinned. "What's the matter Smythe? Cat got your tongue?" He nodded once at Mr. No-Toes. * * * Michael jogged through the halls dragging Tess with him. They were so close, only a couple of more turns. "What's the matter Smythe? Cat got your tongue?" He heard Maria around the next turn. "Maria-" He started towards the corner until Tess drew him back. "You don't know what's going on!" She whispered harshly. "Don't run around the corner and get yourself killed. I can't save you!" "Maria. You heard her!" Michael's expression was caught somewhere between fear and joy. He pivoted on his feet when he heard Maria scream. * * * I screamed as Mr. No-Toes jammed the huge freaking weapon into my back. I fell forward and landed on my hands and knees with the barrel in my face. This was it. I looked up towards the gunman and saw him looking at me with hate glimmering in his eyes. Of course he hated me, I shot off half his damn foot and killed three, maybe five of his friends. I spared a glance at the fallen gunmen and saw them still motionless. Dead? Dunno. I looked up to Smythe and if I were the begging type, this would have been the time to do so. I began to breathe heavier; I was scared. I didn't even feel the pain anymore. I thought I saw movement in back of Smythe and for fear of more gunmen, my body sagged. My legs were shaking from the pain and I looked up again. No. Yes! My knight in black leather was in the hallway! I saw him peek his head around the corner in back of Smythe. Michael was here and my plan fucking worked. Ha! I couldn't control my smile. "Something funny Maria?" Smythe asked. "Not yet," I grinned and licked my lips. It was almost over. The knight had come to rescue the maiden in distress. Who said fairytales can't come true? Chapter Twenty Three Fairytales? I should have held that thought off for like half a second. Sure Michael and no doubt Tess, were right around the corner ready to save me; but now with Smythe pointing one of my guns at my nose it was looking bad. I don't know how I even get myself into these predicaments. I was just a messed up little girl sitting on death row a year ago waiting patiently to die. And now here I am with two guns pointed at me, kneeling on the floor like a dog, in the place that got me off death row. It's almost poetic justice I guess. Well except for the fact that my knight was right around the bend. Those figurative fingers I had crossed? Still crossing. "You shouldn't be smiling Maria," Smythe shook his head. I tried to shrug, but on hands and knees it didn't work out quite right. "Can't help it." "What is so amusing?" Smythe was still amused with me, but the gun in my face told me my charm was wearing off. I had about one second to react so I did what any super hero would do; I fell to the floor, shut my eyes and screamed. They weren't shooting so I guess I was doing something right. "Stop that racket!" Smythe shouted at me. I stopped. Didn't want to get my head blown off for screaming. I looked up at, flat on my stomach, leg throbbing, and waited to die. "Attention Section shoppers!" Kyle's voice came over the speakers loud and clear. Kyle. Thank God Kyle's okay. See, I knew he was bluffing. I watched as both Smythe and Mr. No-Toes instinctively looked to the speaker in the ceiling above them. "We're having a blowout sale in our dead gunmen department!" Kyle's voice was so good to hear. I saw Smythe's face get even redder and then he was on the floor next to me. Holy shit! My Calvary had arrived. I saw bare legs next to me and then the gun man was on the floor completely disabled. I don't think he was dead though, maybe Tess can so that human stun gun thing like Isabel. I looked at Smythe and saw Michael holding him down. His muscles bulging; his chest heaving. I reached towards Smythe and removed my gun from his suit pocket. I saw the other one in the back of Michael's leather pants. We both needed new pants. "Hi honey," I smiled as my eyes got wet. "Hi," Michael smiled at me; that wicked little one no less. All was getting to be good in my world again. It was about fucking time! "Michael," Smythe wheezed. I saw Michael had his arm across his throat. "I think we'll be able to work this out." I rolled my eyes. "Kill'em." I placed my gun on Smythe's temple. "Wait!" Smythe held up his hands. Michael looked at me and I shrugged. "He's going to lie to you no matter what he says. He's behind your father's death, Kyle and I read it in the files." Not exactly the way I wanted to tell Michael this; but sometimes things don't quite work out right for me. I felt small hands under my arms helping me to sit up. It was Tess and I was damn glad to see her too. "You're hurt pretty bad, Maria." She let me rest against her and touched my cheek. "Isabel's waiting outside." The gun in my hand wavered for a second. Just a second, then it was back at Smythe's temple. "Not fun being on that side, is it?" "Michael," Smythe ignored me and that was just as well; I was about done here. "Isabel?" Tess whispered. "They know?" "To an extent, let's just say no one will be telling anything after tonight." I kept my gaze hardened on Smythe. I hated him. I mean, I actually hated him. "It's hard for a dead man to talk." "Where's Smith?" Michael asked and I met his eyes. His beautiful eyes. I wiped away the wetness in my own before I answered. "Dead." "You?" Michael raised his eyebrows in what could be called admiration. I almost hated to tell him the truth. I motioned to Smythe. "Nope. Him." "You are a cold hearted bastard aren't you? I thought Smith was your partner." Michael sneered and I loved him even more. "He was, but I think we'd make good partners, don't you? Me and you?" Smythe nodded his head as much as Michael would let him. "He's stalling." I said. Trust me, I know a stall tactic a mile away by now. "Before you kill him, though, why don't you ask him about your father? I learned some interesting things from his files." "My father's files?" Michael asked. I nodded. "Go ahead." "I'll tell you anything you want to know, just don't kill me." Smythe pleaded. No, I think he was actually begging. I saw the sweat on his forehead. Good. "Who's supposed to be in charge? Who is it that's supposed to be running Section? Tell him that." My voice was quivering now. Not from fear, I think it was sheer exhaustion. If anyone was going to tell me I had to stand up and walk, I might turn the gun on myself. Smythe didn't answer so I did it for him. "It's you Michael. Your father named you successor and this loser and his little friend held onto the information and took over themselves." "Is that true?" Michael pushed his arm deeper into the man's larynx. He was going to kill him. Smythe nodded and I think it was a last attempt at saving himself. I knew it wouldn't work. Honesty is not always the best policy. I turned away, not wanting to watch him die. I had seen, and caused, enough death for one day. A thought struck me and I yelped. "Wait!" "What?" Michael looked at me. "They were tracking you." I sighed. "With the GameBoy by your foot." Michael fought back a smile and I knew it was because I called the tracking thing a GameBoy. I shrugged and raised my eyebrows at him. I couldn't wait to get him home. I couldn't wait until Isabel fixed me up. Michael kicked the GameBoy up to his hand and he picked it up. He looked at it thoughtfully for a full minute before tossing it down the hall over his shoulder. He felt the back of his neck and then looked to Tess. "Tess. Feel the back of your neck and tell me if you feel anything like a small scab." Tess did as she was told. "Yeah, I feel it." Michael nodded and turned back to Smythe. "That was not was those were made for." I saw the veins popping from his neck and in some type of sinful way, I thought it was kind of sexy. "Everything my father worked for, you and Smith tried to take apart. Everything he believed in, you destroyed." Now I turned away again. I hated Smythe, but I didn't really want to see Michael kill him. "You killed him. You might not have pulled the fucking trigger, but you were behind it." Michael's words were trailing off into a whisper. "You killed him and I'm going to kill you. You should never have fucked with me or my wife, Smythe." "Wife?" I heard Smythe croak. Then nothing. Sad to hear that your last word was 'wife'. Oh well. I looked back at Michael as he raised his arm from the dead mans throat. I was crying again, but damn it, I think I deserved a little tear shedding. I felt familiar arms around me and I was safe. I was back in my husbands arms and we were both safe and alive. I sighed as the big tears rolled down my face. I guess Tess scooted out of the way to make room for Michael. I was glad. I felt those full lips on my bruised face and it didn't matter how much it hurt, to me, it was the best feeling in the world. "I didn't know if I'd ever see you again." I cried into his bare flawless chest. "I was scared." He ran his hands through my hair and kissed my forehead. "I knew I'd find you." "You should have gotten out when the other's did." "I wouldn't leave you here, Maria." He kissed my lips. "God, you're so hot. We have to get you out of here." I nodded. "I can't walk anymore. My leg. I got shot." He smiled at me. "I love you Sweet Maria." I nodded and closed my eyes. Safe. Chapter Twenty Four The last words I heard before I blacked out were from Kyle over the loud speaker. "Woo-hoo!" When I came to we were walking down the hall. Actually, Michael and Tess were walking and Michael was carrying me. I felt those strong arms around me and knew everything was going to be okay. The bad guys were dead and we were alive. A good day in my book. "Michael," I whispered and was surprised at how thick my voice was. "It's over Maria," he smiled and kissed my forehead. I looked to Tess and she was smiling. She touched my hand. "Thank you." "It was nothing," I tried to smile but my face hurt entirely too bad. "Are you okay?" She shrugged. "I don't know. I think so. I don't remember a lot. But you can hear all about that later, when you're well." I nodded slightly. "Kyle?" "Haven't seen him yet. We're going towards the control center, hopefully he's still there." Michael said. I nodded again and relaxed in my husband's arms. Safe. "Hey!" That was Kyle's voice. I perked up and smiled even though it hurt like hell as I saw him running down the hall towards us. "Hey!" I watched as he closed in over my face and kissed my tender lips. "You were awesome, Maria. You are my hero." I rolled my eyes. "Seriously," Kyle rattled on, "I was watching the whole thing on the monitors and you were amazing. Absolutely amazing." He looked at Michael. "You should be proud of her." "I am," Michael laughed. "You have no idea how proud." I motioned towards Tess and watched as Kyle stood in front of her. "Tess." Without another word, he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. I smiled at her initial resistance and then how it turned into a reciprocated thing. "We have to go, sorry." Michael stated and started walking onward with me in his arms. I hoped I wasn't getting too heavy. I was so content in his arms I didn't even ask if he was all right. I didn't even know what he'd gone through. "Are you okay?" "Now, I'm perfect," he gazed down at me as we kept moving. "When I didn't know what happened to you, I was crazed. I was beyond crazed. The worse case scenarios came to mind, but deep down I knew better. I know how strong you are…" "Hey, is that the door?" Kyle interrupted and I looked over at him. He was holding Tess's hand. Aww…Sweet. "Do you need anything else before we go?" It sounded like a stupid question, but it was a good one. I looked to Michael and he was thinking. There were still two commando guys lying somewhere in the hallways that had to be dealt with. I mentioned that to Michael and he smiled. "They've been taken care of," Tess chirped. God, how could someone be so damn chirpy after all this? I took their word for it and enjoyed being carried to the exit. "Why is it so empty in here?" I asked suddenly. "Smith and Smythe." Michael answered casually. "They wouldn't want anyone involved with this kind of thing. This was too big to be shared. All they had with them was hired muscle. I don't believe they were Operatives." I nodded. Michael knew the goings-on of Section better than I ever would, I trusted him. We made it to the door and Tess did the honors of opening it. She walked out first, and then Kyle followed by Michael carrying me. It was a strange feeling to be outside. One I didn't think I'd ever get to enjoy again. The night was giving way to dawn and it was hard to imagine that all this happened in one night. The whole world slept while we fought. No, we kicked ass! I saw Isabel as Michael lowered me to the ground. They all crowded around me and both Michael and Kyle held my hands. It was a good feeling to know so many people cared about me. "Maria," Isabel whispered in my ear and I turned to look at her. "Where are you hurt?" "It'd be easier to tell you where I wasn't hurt." I smiled and got one back in return. "Seriously, my leg. Where I was shot. And my cheek. And my arm. My elbow." "I think she has a fever," Kyle added and I wanted to kiss him. I don't know what I would have done if something had happened to Kyle. Isabel nodded and gently pushed away the two most important men in my life. I laid on the sidewalk and waited. I didn't know what to expect from this, but I saw the result on Michael and knew it was all going to be okay. I kept my eyes open because I really didn't want to miss any part of this alien experience. Her hands roamed over my leg and I could feel the heat coming off of them. The heat turned cool and I felt my leg being put back together again. I think I could feel the muscles rebuilding and the tissue attaching. This may be the single most coolest thing I have ever experienced in my life. The pain was going away and I was smiling. Her hands glided over my body, almost from top to bottom. Had I still been in the pokey I would have said I was someone's new bitch. But I wasn't and it was just Isabel. Her hands radiated heat on my bare skin wherever they touched. The heat turned cool when I felt my self being restored to health. Fascinating. At some point I must have closed my eyes because now I was opening them. The first face I saw was Isabel's and it was beautiful. She had tears in her eyes. "I was so scared!" She knelt over me and hugged me as I tried to sit up. Hello? Sit up pain-free. Woo-hoo! I felt arms in back of me helping me sit up and realized it was Max. Michael was at my side and Tess and Kyle were hovering over me on my other side by Isabel. Holy shit, all I needed was a spotlight and I might break out into show tunes. "Me too," I finally acknowledged Isabel's admission. "Oh God, me too." "You should have seen her, she was a pro." Kyle kissed my cheek and squeezed my hand. I squeezed back. "I don't think any of us would have made it out of there if it wasn't for Maria." I know I was blushing but I couldn't help it. I've come a long way, baby. "I had help." I think I had lost a bit of time somewhere in the middle of immediate recovery. I looked around and noticed we were no longer on the sidewalk in front of the secret Section door, I was on grass. "Where the fuck am I?" "In back of Section," Michael was at my side his lips inches from mine. I reached to him and kissed him and felt my whole world fall right into completeness. I pulled away from him and touched his cheek. "How long was I out? Why was I out?" "You were hurt pretty bad, Maria." Isabel answered for him. "It took a lot out of you to heal good. It's only been about ten minutes." "Man, what did I miss?" Max smiled. "You missed all of us watching you." I smiled at him. "Glad I was so entertaining." "Talk about entertaining!" Kyle laughed. "You should have seen her in there. She'd been shot, her face crunched, her arm ripped to shreds and she took Section to the wall! It was so fucking cool!" I looked at Kyle and noticed he was holding Tess's hand. Very nice to see. "I wasn't in there alone Mr. Valenti." "I was the sidekick. You were Bullwinkle and I was Rocky. You were Chico and I was the Man." Kyle smiled. There was so much to tell and try to explain and be explained to that I didn't even know where to start. Liz. Oh. God. "Did anyone call Alex?" I asked and looked pointedly at Kyle. He caught my meaning straight up and shook his head. I had forgotten that Michael and Tess were around at the time I was yelling to Smythe. I didn't know for sure if they heard that part or not. I was a little fuzzy on how to ask that all secret like. I'd have to wait. "There's no answer," Isabel answered. "He's probably in the shower or something. Maybe getting something to eat." "No answer in our room either." Max added. "We should go." I looked to Michael who helped me stand. I could have done it alone, but I liked the way those soft and callousy hands felt around my bare waist. I stood in front of him and looked him in the eye. "I love you Michael." "I love you Maria." He kissed me then and it was a kiss that would go down in the history books. Woo-hoo! We finally broke away from each other after some snide remark from Max about getting a room somewhere. Just when he wasn't getting on my nerves… I looked at Michael and mouthed the words to him. "Do you know about Liz?" He shook his head and I knew we had to get back to the hotel. "We gotta go." I turned around and faced Isabel. I hugged her tight against me. "Thank you Isabel. Thank you so much for fixing me up. That was…Amazing." "Anything for you Maria," she cried and met my eyes. "I really thought you weren't coming out. When I got the message from Alex that you and Kyle were taking down Section I got so scared. I wanted to go back in, but I followed your orders. I swear this has been the longest night of my life." Mine too, sweetheart. Mine too. "You guys ready to head back to the hotel? We can share war stories there and tie up a few loose ends?" I was getting antsy. I had a tremor thing going on in my hand and it had Liz Parker's name all over it. I was so going to kick her ass. "You okay?" Tess asked. "Fine. Hey, the homing thing? Removed?" I pointed at the back of my own neck. She nodded and motioned towards Isabel. "Maria," Michael took my hand and led me through the grass back towards where I had parked. Once we were out of earshot I looked at him. "Liz? What about Liz?" "She sold you and Tess out." I whispered. "And I'm going to kill her." Michael didn't question me and that was a good. There was a whole mess of things that had to get straightened out this morning and Liz Parker was number one on my list. We reached the car and I smiled at the people around me. These were my friends and my family. I was a lucky girl. "Hey Maria," Kyle called over the roof to me. I looked at him and waited, "Section?" "We fucked'em!" I laughed. We, and I mean all of us, piled into the car. Michael drove and I sat in the front seat on Max's lap. How that worked out, I don't know. Kyle, Tess and Isabel were scrunched into the back, but I noticed that Tess had shifted Kyle's way and was almost on his lap. His hands were resting on her bare thighs. I swear that girl better get some clothes on soon. As we neared the hotel I saw a banner above the street that almost made me cry. My plans were so made for later this evening. Nothing was going to interrupt my date with my husband tonight. I read the banner again in the side mirror as we drove on: DC Carnival Tonight! Rides! Food! Beer! I almost drooled at the thought of cotton candy… |
| PARTS 21-24 |