A. H. Wong

Chapter Nineteen

 

Several Hours Later

 

"I really didn't realize that that man had such amazing lung capacity," Taylor comments, shaking his head. He sits himself down on her bed, glancing around her room. Beatrix kept it in an almost continually messy state, one that he struggled not to become annoyed by. Still, she was very comfortable with him in it, so he knew better than to care too much.

 

Beatrix glances up at him. She's collapsed in bed, hugging a pillow to her chest. She had barely moved since he had walked in, and this was the first time that she actually appeared to take notice of his presence in her room. After a few moments, she graces him with her speech. "How long was he yelling at you for?"

 

He shrugs, looking up at the ceiling ruefully. "Long enough that I worry I am to go deaf before too long."

 

Beatrix shakes her head, laughing just a bit. "You were in there for probably three hours. I was waiting for you, so....It definitely felt like three hours."

 

He blinks quietly, shaking his head. "My, was it really that long?"

 

Beatrix nods, reaching to touch his leg. She smiles a tiny bit. "Well, seeing as neither you or I are dead at the moment, we can only assume that he doesn't actually hate us. He just...doesn't really like us."

 

Taylor nods a bit, reaching down to rub her head. She leans into his caresses, luxuriating in his touches like a spoiled house-cat. "I wish I could tell you just how cute you were."

 

She flushes softly, shaking her head. "I'm not.....I'm not really that cute, Taylor. I'm just....I....Oh, shut up. Just kiss me already."

 

He grins softly, and bends down to plant his lips on hers.

 

<3 <3 <3 </3

 

April 18th, 2012

 

Early Morning

 

"Janelle, baby? Are you...are you awake?" Maverick murmurs, sitting up in bed. She herself had roused only scarce moments before, believing that she heard her lover shift. She glances around her empty room, as the knowledge seeps into her mind: Janelle was in the infirmary, and the doctor wasn't letting her sleep there.

 

Closing her eyes tight against the tears, a dyke against the grief, Maverick returns to sleep.

 

<3 <3 <3 </3

 

Mid-Morning

 

"Y-You didn't leave?" Beatrix asks quietly, blinking in surprise. She rolls over in bed, turning to face the young man holding her in bed.

 

Taylor grins when he meets her gaze, shifting closer to her. He brushes her hair back from her forehead with his thumb, before bending forward to kiss her. She shivers ever so slightly, a grin exploding upon her face. "I love you so much, little miss...."

 

"I-I love you, too, Taylor," she murmurs, kissing him again. "Why did you stay?"

 

His smile widens. "Why, I stayed because you passed out on me, little miss. I couldn't just leave, when I was your pillow, after all."

 

She flushes hugely, hiding her face in her pillow. "I-I didn't do anything gross, right? Like I....I didn't drool on you?"

 

He winks softly. "Oh, love....You really think I would tell you that?"

 

"N-Nya...." she mewls, scooting away. "B-But keeping that from me would be mean?"

 

"I never claimed to be nice, love."

 

She shakes her head, sticking her tongue out at him. Seeing a prime opportunity, Taylor shifts forward and absorbs her tongue into his mouth. Her eyes shoot wide, and she freezes for a moment. Winking again, he sucks on her tongue hard, and she squirms away from him. "M-Meow? Meow????"

 

He snickers at her, shaking his head. "Why are you meowing at me, my little kitten?"

 

She just blushes, covering her face with her hands. From behind the protection of her hands, she stammers out, "Because you're making me nervous!"

 

No. No, this was too....Too perfect. Feeling his face heat up, Taylor can't help but laugh. "You're the most wonderful girl I have ever met...."

 

She goes beet red, the blush showing in the spaces between her fingers. "Shuddup. I'm not THAT wonderful."

 

"No, no; you are, Beatrix, and one day....I'm going to prove that to you."

 

<3 <3 <3 </3

 

Meanwhile

 

"My dearest Martin, how HAVE you been?"

 

"I've...uh, been okay. What is it that you want from me, exactly?"

 

"I have a very, very important job for you."

 

"Does it have anything to do with Beatrix?"

 

"Why, what a clever one you are...."

 

"Does it have anything to do with the fact that she is dating Taylor?"

 

"Correct again! How DID she ever walk away from you?"

 

"You want me to break them up, don't you."

 

"That didn't sound like a question--so, three points to you so far."

 

"I....I guess that was meant to be a yes?"

 

"Yes, yes it was."

 

"So....Fine. Fine. You want me to do it, I'll do it."

 

"Good boy, I knew you'd do what was right. Now, please keep in mind--you have to break them up, or there will be....Consequences."

 

"Consequences...?"

 

"Yes, my dear boy. Consequences."

 

"Understood."

 

<3 <3 <3 </3

 

Early Afternoon

 

"Maverick? Come with me, Master John needs to speak with you."

 

Maverick blinks awake slowly, rising to her feet. She stumbles into clothing, pulling open the door. Taylor stands waiting for her, his eyes sad. "Please, hurry. We ought not to make him wait any longer."

 

She nods quietly, stepping into the hall. He leads her down the hallway silently, not looking back at her. She barely even notices that she is barefoot, having not even bothered with her usual boots. He notices, however, and his heart aches ever so slightly.

 

If only there was another way....

 

When they reached the office, Taylor cleared his throat. He opened his mouth, and called slowly, "Master, I've brought Maverick."

 

"Come in, dearest boy."

 

Feeling his hackles raise, Taylor opens the door, ushering Maverick into the room. He shakes his head, calming down his breathing, for a few moments. Finally, he steps into the room, taking his seat at Maverick's side. "What do you want of her, Master mine?"

 

"I want her to tell me that she killed Janelle."

 

<3 <3 <3 </3

 

Evening

 

The door is slammed open, thudding into the wall hard enough for the doorknob to burst into the plaster. Beatrix looks up from her homework, hurriedly moving to set it down on the bed beside her. In a moment, Taylor's head finds its way into her lap. Tears find their way down his face. His arms ensnare her legs in their grasp, clutching them like a teddy bear to his chest.

 

She doesn't say a single word, just reaching down to brush his hair back from his face. "I'm here for you, Taylor. I'm right here for you."

 

"T-Thank you...."

 

<3 <3 <3 </3

 

Meanwhile

 

Martin leans against the wall, staring in at them. Careful not to be seen, he watches her pet Taylor's hair. He shakes his head slowly, wondering--not for the first time--just what Master John wanted him to do.

 

If Martin was honest to himself, the pair of them didn't seem to be that much of a threat. Honestly, the pair of them looked...happy. As much as Martin hated to admit it, Beatrix looked happier now--even with Taylor sobbing his guts out into her lap--then he had seen her in his memory. Still, if Master John thought there was a problem....

 

Then Martin would be happy to have this opportunity to get his girl back.

 

Martin grins ever so slightly, sauntering off down the hall.

 

He had plenty to do before the day ended.

 

<3 <3 <3 </3

 

Half an Hour Later

 

Taylor rises to his feet. He looks down at Beatrix, smiling faintly. She always seemed to fall asleep very easily when he was around, and for a moment he wondered whether or not he should be offended by that. Still, he loved her, and knew that this meant she trusted him.

 

As he turns to leave the room, he notices the hole in the wall. He walks to it, wondering merely how he is going to explain this to Master John. When he kneels before it, however, he notices something.

 

He stares at the hole in the wall, his face turning pale.

 

His shoulders shaking ever so slightly, Taylor flees from the room.

 

<3 <3 <3 </3

 

Late Evening

 

"I can't believe this is happening...." Maverick murmurs, shivering in the bed. Taylor and Beatrix sat down beside her, Taylor giving her a gentle backrub.

 

"Are you two sure about what he--"

 

"Yes. We're fucking sure," Maverick snaps, cutting Beatrix off. When she spots a wounded expression flicker across her friend's face, Maverick closes her eyes tightly. "I-I....Sorry."

 

"No, it's....It's okay, it was a stupid question," Beatrix murmurs, curling up tighter. In the process, she scoots slightly further away from the redhead. "So, you're sure he's really thinking of sending you away?"

 

Maverick nods. "A-And we all know what happens when people are sent away, don't we...."

 

Taylor, his voice soft, states exactly what they are all thinking: "Kevin and Lily."

 

Maverick nods. "He wants me gone because I'm a danger....Or something. I-I don't even know."

 

Taylor sighs. "He wants you and Janelle gone because the Agency's balance has been...upset. I think he views you and Janelle as now-useless operatives. He used to feel that the pair of you raised the Agency's morale--but he has, obviously, changed his mind about that."

 

Maverick laughs bitterly. "If anyone can explain to me just what he wants from us, that would be wonderful. What happened? Why is he sending us away?"

 

Taylor looked at her quietly, lowering his head. He closes his eyes. "I wish I knew."