Threatened

Chapter 17: Regrouping

Lee is silent as a grave as we pass through airport security. We get through faster with my police badge and onto the plane in less than an hour after arriving. Lee takes a seat by a window and I slide in next to him. The safety video starts playing and then the plane takes off. Luckily, I didn't see anyone with the viper mark or anyone who took unnatural interest in Lee.

After two connecting flights to the Fort Wayne airport without so much as a minute delay, I begin to relax a fraction. No one has followed us to Indiana, though that doesn't mean they won't later.

Thankfully, no one waits for us in the baggage claim or outside where the taxi I called is parked. I constantly scan the people around us, silently hoping there is someone here that has followed us, just so my idea of running is valid in my mind and his. He seems so put out while we walk across the lot.

"Do you really think they followed us here?" Lee asks, annoyed.

"I think it's possible that they have eyes and ears everywhere and I'd rather not get you killed." We step into the taxi and it starts toward town. Dark clouds roll in and a clap of thunder echoes through the air, bringing the first few drops of what will be a bad thunderstorm.

"I think you should drop the cop act. It doesn't suit you like you think it does," Lee snarls. He's glaring at me with deeper anger than I can understand.

"What is the matter with you?! I've done nothing but-"

"You've done nothing but keep me safe, blah, blah, blah. You know what? Bull shit, Anna. Bull shit. You've taken a bullet for me, then you've been nothing but robotic. I thought you were were supposed to be acting like my girlfriend, so I wouldn't have to run away, but here we are, in the middle of the country doing nothing but hiding and hoping that no one followed us! I just want to know what you're thinking."

"I'm thinking that I can't just pretend to be your girlfriend. I'm thinking that I don't really care that your life was busy with parties of skanky girls grinding on the richest men to be found. I thinking that you will be safer if I weren't with you. I shouldn't have to be with you every second of the day. Whether you like it or not, I am a police officer and I can't just turn that act off!" I can feel my face heating up as anger surges through me. I need to calm down before I have a meltdown in this cab.

"I know you can handle yourself and you only need someone watch your 6 when you're out. That just isn't what I signed up for," I start over. "I wanted to protect people, not just a celebrity who got himself mixed up with a gang," I continue stoically. Emotions can't feed me right now, I won't let them.

"Anna, it was never my idea to have a police officer act like a girlfriend. All I wanted was someone who could keep me safe until I could do the right thing. I'll be damned if I let you act like you're the center of the universe! You're not, Anna. You claim that you don't want to be with me every second of every day, that's more than fine with me. As a matter of fact, you can stay here in this empty town and continue your mundane existence until someone else comes along and appreciates your emotionless personality." His eyes stay downcast, not once meeting my own.

Fine. "Driver, turn this car around. We're going back to the airport."

Lee huffs and turns toward his window. The rest of the ride back to the airport is silent. This has been bottled up for too long and now it's exploded like a dirty bomb. The tension keeps growing as we near the airport for a second time today.

The cab pulls back up to the drop off lane and lets us out. After paying the driver, Lee grabs all the luggage and stalks back into the lobby with a playful look. What the hell?

"Lee!" I shout after he's already disappeared. I slam the trunk closed and run after him.

"Lee!" I scream, growing more desperate. If anyone here- wait. Why am I so desperate to find him? He doesn't want me with him anymore. The only thing I care about is my bag right now, isn't it?

I stop moving and just watch for a minute. Though it isn't overly crowded, everyone in the airport is bustling around. Who's got more luggage than they should- not many- there he is-on the escalator. He's looking around for someone, probably me. Then he finds me, and a small smile creeps onto his face. I shake my head and follow him through the airport until finally catching him by one of the terminals.

"What the hell are you running from me for?" I insist.

"Anna, I've had enough arguing for one trip, haven't you?" he says with gentle eyes.

"Mr. Pace, I can't understand why you-"

"Come home with me, Anna. I can't stand to see you upset, especially when my words are the cause," he apologizes.

"You don't make any sense, you know that Mr. Pace?"

"Anna, I thought we agreed that you get to call me Lee."

"Then act like you deserve my personal attention. I have more emotions that you think."

"I know. I've seen them at work," Lee whispers. "I'm getting a ticket back to LA. I'm going to sort this mess out with the Vipers right now. Are you coming with me?"