Hacking Alderson

// Chapter 5// Steel Mountain

The next morning.

I wake up still in Elliot's bed. "Elliot?" I say trying to see if he's awake. He just grumbles a little. There's a sudden loud knock on the door. Just loud enough to wake him fully up. He gets up having regained his strength and peeps through the peephole. He opens the door and Darlene pushes by, having him had only cracked it open. "I know you two aren't sleeping together now!" She says sternly, eyeing me on her brother's bed. Hair frizzy and clearly just waking up. "No Darlene. He had withdrawals so I stayed to help him. I left you a note." I reply rubbing my eye. She pauses, "Shit, That's what that paper was." She mutters. "If we were we are adults." Elliot says. "You're right, you're right. I really don't care who's getting busy with who." She admits realizing she's been defeated. "But I do care about Steel Mountain. You two need to get dressed and get to the arcade pronto." She says. She smiles then immediately goes back to her neutral expression, "I'll be in the apartment." She says as she leaves. Elliot helps me up. When he's at full strength he's STRONG. "I should go too. I need a shower and a change of clothes before I go anywhere." I say. "Okay." He replies. "Thanks for staying here with me." He says. "That's what friends are for." I reply. I go to the door and he starts unbuckling his pants. I turn away immediately. "Lexi?" He says. I practically run from the apartment.

***A/N he had on two pairs of pants. He was cold from the withdrawals Lol ＼（○＾ω＾○）／***

"Where's the fire Speedy Gonzales?" Darlene asks. "Nothing!" I reply. Not realizing my answer doesn't make sense. I go to the bathroom to prepare for the trip.

The thought of Elliot becoming Vera is still there but I can cope. I'm stronger now and I know I can get through this. As long as I stay in my apartment trembling in fear I'm at my mind's mercy. I can't win, yet atleast, but I don't have to lose either. 

2 hours later

 I arrive at the arcade, alone. Darlene left earlier with Elliot. They insisted on waiting for me but I didn't want to stall them. "Okay, let's focus on the big deal here. We need transportation because I sure as hell ain't walking." Romero says. "We can take a van or something. Just intercept someone's key signal, repeat it, access the cars system and start it or we can hotwire it. But I'd prefer to give it back unharmed if possible." I reply. "Damn Mrs. Sepiol." Mobley says. We high five. "Then it's set. We have a plan, we have wheels, now we just need to get there." Elliot says. "Cool, Trenton and I will be here contacting Dark Army." Darlene replies. Elliot nods. 

An hour later we find a van, borrow it,  "borrow" being the keyword and head for Steel Mountain. Romero and Mobley ride upfront, I sit in the back with Elliot. "Are you nervous?" I ask. "A little." He answers. "Don't worry about it. We have a strong plan. I'm sure we'll get this done." I reply. He smiles.

The weird part about this, I like the idea of being husband and wife. I was really excited when the thought came up! I imagine what the Sepiols would be like to help with the "act". Their wedding was huge, they have 2 extremely obedient kids. They support one another emotionally. He'll get nervous and she'll reassure him. They have romantic evenings together. With bubble baths and champagne, and candles and rose petals. I can't help but blush at the thought.

(Elliot POV)
She's blushing. She does that during random thought. I can only imagine what's on her mind. Although i'm happy she's happy. I'm trying to imagine what a tech mogul would say or do. He'd probably be quiet and observant. He probably loves his wife. But sits at opposite ends of a large table with her every day. They probably have spoiled kids. Pretty much no romance and no interest in any either. More logic than emotion.

(Lexi POV)

I watch through the window as we pass mile upon mile of corn fields and countryside farms. We eventually pass a lake with a bunch of cows standing in it, "Aww they're so cute!" I say. Elliot smiles, "That's the fourth cow lake we've seen today." He says. "I know right! Hopefully we'll see more." I reply turning to the window. "You must really love animals." He says. "I do. They can be so innocent and peaceful." I reply. He coughs amd covers his mouth. "Are you okay Ell?" I ask. "Yeah it's no big deal." He answers. I hand him a bottle of water from the cooler. I hear Romero grumble. He's a germiphobe and probably under the impression that Elliot is sick. Or possibly something else..... Elliot starts sweating and I wipe his face for him. "Are you hot?" I ask. "Cold sweats." He answers uneasily. He holds his head. "Maybe we should stop." I say. "We can't." Romero replies.