ASSASSINS

THREE

Sometimes I think about mailing myself off to India or someplace, because honestly nobody would really care.

It'd be rather easy, honestly; just slap on some postage to a refrigerator box, stamp it with a FRAGILE - THIS SIDE UP sign, and crawl inside. I'm sure someone would tape it up for me.

Okay, these thoughts were pretty pessimistic, but after nobody - and I mean nobody - believed me about this file, I was feeling pretty under appreciated.

Silver listened, I guess - she was the first - but she kind of looked at me like I was insane, and I got the feeling that she didn't really care at all. After all, we were "living the life."

Right?

So I went to Riptide's dorm, and he actually looked worried. But then he just shook his head.

"Listen, Raven, we don't really need to think about this right now. I mean, we're here, sheltered from the anarchy - do you really want to be out there right now?" He gestured to the TV, which was displaying the latest footage of a burning building. Horrified screams issued from it as people literally jumped out of the highest windows and their bodies hit the pavement with a sickening smack. I gulped and turned back to Riptide.

"Why do I feel like you're being condescending?" I said, but he just shook his head.

"Raven, do you really want to run away? Leave this safety behind?"

Oh, yes - and I was planning to run away from all these lies. Fitting, isn't it? I felt as though I ran away a lot. Not that I would know or anything - no memories since two years ago, remember?

I guess you could say I was a little pissed off.

"Do you really think that killing, assassinating people for profit is safe?" I snapped.

He stepped closer to me and glared down at me. I felt sort of intimidated, but I stood my ground.

"Raven, I'm telling you," he began in a dangerous voice, "it is far safer in here than out there." He jabbed a thumb toward the window. "I am asking you, no - begging you - to stay here. Safe. It would kill me to see you die," he said, and heat flushed to my cheeks.

I poked his chest with my index finger. "Listen here, smart ass. I know exactly what I'm doing, and if I recall correctly, I'm the one who makes the plans. So don't get all high and mighty on me, mister. I've taken too many lives, and I think that if I die, it would be a good repayment for my sins."

There was silence while he stared at me.

"Plus, I figure I'll meet the devil sooner or later, so it might as well be now."

He glared at me. "What makes you think you'll go to hell?"

"I don't know, but I know you will."

"Why do you think that?"

"Because I'm telling you to do so."

He snorted and crossed his arms. "Fine. Go kill yourself. See if I care."

"Fine."

"Fine."

I gave him one last withering look, then turned on my heel and made my way to the door.

"Raven," Riptide said, and I turned, only to see his face far too close for my liking.

Then his hand was tilting my chin up, and his lips were on mine, and why the hell did he have to be such a good kisser? If I was going to leave everyone behind, I couldn't have him holding me back.

Riptide's tongue slipped into my mouth and I felt myself melting against him. His left hand tangled itself in my hair and his right found my waist. I threw my arms around his neck.

I broke away for air to see him smiling at me. "I guess I could wait another day," I murmured breathlessly, and his smile widened. He captured my lips in another kiss and I hummed with pleasure.

His mouth left my lips and I frowned with confusion, but then his mouth was on my neck and that made it all better again.

He was probably going to leave a hickey, but I didn't care that much. Honestly, I didn't give two fucks about what anyone thought at the moment.

I dragged his mouth back up to mine and fisted his shirt in my hand. I backed up slowly until my knees hit a bed. He pushed me down onto it and broke this kiss, a question in his eyes. I shook my head almost imperceptibly and he settled next to me, still breathing hard.

"Damn," I muttered, because that was all I could really say.

"You're good at kissing," he told me.

"Thanks. You were okay," I teased. Man, that's the understatement of the century.

"Okay? I was okay? Excuse me, miss, but I am very proud of my kissing skills," Riptide said in a mock-angry voice.

I shrugged. "Meh," I said, barely concealing my laugh.

He growled and moved on top of me, then gave me a long, passionate kiss. He ended it and raised an eyebrow at me.

"Mmm... better," I assessed. "But I think it needs more practice."

I pulled his head back down and he kissed me again. I was feeling lightheaded - was it from Riptide or lack of oxygen?

Once again, he broke away and I whimpered slightly. He sighed. "Goddammit, Raven," he muttered, and kissed me again.

"Hey, Riptide, can you -" a voice from the door cut off abruptly. "Wow. Was not expecting that," it muttered, and Riptide rolled off me.

"What do you want, Spark?" he snapped. I exhaled heavily in annoyance and fixed my shirt.

Spark rolled his eyes and shook his head, curls flying everywhere. "I mean, I don't need you for the job, per say. I could get, say, Lightning, but -"

"What is it?" Riptide interrupted.

Spark sighed. "Security has been breached on the northwest side. Anarchists are making their way through the facility. The entire building is on lockdown, but we need patrols now to stop them before they reach the serum."

"Serum?" I asked, sitting up.

"Holy shit, Raven?" Spark asked. He seemed to look at Riptide with more respect.

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, Spark, it's me. What serum?"

"The Y23-X78 serum. It allows MONSTERS to control minds. If the anarchists got to it -"

"Spark, I'm going to ask you to stop talking," Riptide said with gritted teeth. He turned to me. "Sorry, but I need to go."

"I'm coming with you," I said, but Riptide shook his head. "Nope. You're not allowed. You don't have clearance."

"I don't care about clearance," I argued. "I'm coming, whether you like it or not."

"No, you're not. Cyclops, Hydra - watch her," Riptide said to the two security guards outside the door.

I wondered if those security guards had heard everything.

Then I gave Riptide an easy smile. "Give me five minutes."

"I doubt you'll get rid of them in ten."

"Seven."

"Yeah, right. Bye, Raven," he said, waving, and I waved back mockingly.

I waited until they were out the door, then with a swift punch and a kick, I knocked out both guards.

Sometimes being a trained assassin had its benefits.