Predator

Part 12

I paced up and down outside of the cabin, waiting for a car to pull up. I knew all along that I had to choose Hunter, he was family and family is the strongest thing that I had in my life. He was the only family I had left and I wasn't going to just leave him behind...Even if he did that with me all those years ago. I felt sick from worry, Ward would never hear from me again...He'd be distraught! Would he even understand why I chose my brother? Hopefully.

I heard a car and my eyes shot down the dirt track where a car was speeding up it. I stopped pacing and stood, waiting impatiently for it. The car stopped just in front of me and Hunter got out of the car and went straight up to me, pulling me into a tight hug. I wrapped my arms around him and looked at the car, expecting Shield to be with him but it was just him. 

"I'm glad you're safe" He whispered in my ear and I pulled away quickly.

"You're not going to have a go at me? Shout?" I raised an eyebrow and he smiled slightly shaking his head.

"I thought I'd never see you again. I'm just glad you're still here" He whispered, staring at me. I squinted slightly, taking in his appearance...He looked like he'd hit the gym. He had more muscle on him and I swear he was even taller.

"You look different"

"I haven't been gone for that long" He chuckled and shook his head. "I missed you Jess, I thought you were dead so I went out looking for you. I met a couple of Hydra agents on the way...The bruises have healed and I got a plus from it" He tensed his muscles trying to make me laugh but it didn't work.

"I'm so sorry" I whispered, tearing up slightly. I hurt him, emotionally and physically. 

"Jess, Don't be. Bobbi likes the new look anyway" He smiled and walked to the car opening the door for me. "Let's go" I walked and got in the car, waiting for him to get in and start driving. He seemed to be in a really good mood, maybe he was just relieved that he found me? I would be if he went missing, taken. Hopefully It'll all hit him at once and he'll go back to his normal self, shouting at me and calling me an idiot.

"I had to choose" I whispered, staring at my hands as I twiddling my fingers. 

"Choose? What do you mean?" 

"I had to choose you or Ward" I looked at him cautiously but he gave nothing away. He should be angry, he should be annoyed that I would even have to think about it!

"You chose right" I needed someone to say that, just to take the guilt of leaving one behind off my shoulders. I wanted someone to tell me that It was the right thing to do to make me feel better and my brother telling me that was the best way. "Jess, we need to talk about what happens next"

"What do you mean?" He slowed down slightly and looked at me.

"I know you don't want to go back to Shield. Hell, after what has happened I don't want you to go back. I'm going to take you to a small village, drop you off there where you can live a normal life. I'll have undercover agents watching you just incase Hydra decides to turn up"

"You're leaving me!?" I shouted and he sighed, mumbling something under his breath.

"I have to go back to Shield. I can't stay with you Jess. Shield is my job, my life now. I have to help them, help others...I can't stay with you"

"So you choose Shield over family?" I sat up, turning to him in my seat. "I had to make a choice, hoping I'd see you more! Now you want to throw me to the side again!?"

"Jess!" He shouted, stopping the car and keeping his focus on me. "This isn't about you or our family, this is about saving lives. I can't give up Shield and let people die just because you want your brother around" 

"I can't believe this" Regret was filling my head, I thought this was the right choice but it wasn't turning out to be that way. He ignored me and began driving again, fast. 

"Look, I'll just take you to the village, I'll keep in touch...But you know I can't have a normal life, not anymore. You can though, this is your opportunity"

"I'd rather have my family around. I don't want to be alone" I wiped my eyes, trying to be strong but I wasn't that person. I was the weak one, the stupid one! "Just drive"

"What happened to your leg?" He asked and I scoffed. He suddenly cared now? "Did Ward do that to you?"

"No. Hydra shot me after he betrayed them for me. The so called bad guy actually saved my life...Again" I spat.

"He's killed a lot of people Jess, he's still the bad guy"

"And you haven't?" I glared at him and he shut up. "No one's innocent"

"What happened to you? What happened at the cabin? Why are you suddenly Team Ward?" He probed.

"He told me the truth. He told me you was hiding the truth from me about our parents death. You knew he had no part in it because he was too busy getting shot at by you! You knew that if I knew the truth, I wouldn't go to Shield. You knew that deep down I'd be happier with him and you couldn't stand that!"

"He's just turning you against us"

"He's just revealing what kind of monsters you guys are" I didn't want to speak to him, anger was building up inside me but I couldn't hit him, I had to control it.

"So what else happened in this cabin? You're defending him an awful lot" He frowned, waiting for the answer he already knew.

"We got close" I smirked a little, "Very close"

"Jess!" 

"I loved every bit of it" 

"Jess! You slept with the enemy! What's wrong with you!?" 

"I don't know why you hate him so much, he's an excellent lover"

"Okay! Stop!" He started freaking out, hopefully he didn't have an image of a naked Ward in his mind. I wouldn't mind that though. 

"I left him behind...For you who's going to just toss me to the side. How do you think I feel?" I asked and he calmed down slowly.

"I'm sorry Jess" He kept telling me he was sorry but I couldn't believe him. I didn't even want to believe him anymore. I should have chose ward.

*******

We slowly entered the village. The car ride was silent, I didn't want to talk to Hunter and he didn't want to hear anymore about Ward. The choice I made was pointless in the end, I'd lose them both.

He drove to a small house and stopped the car, looking at me sadly.

"I'll try to stay in touch-" 

"No you won't. You didn't bother before so why would you now" I snapped, hopping out the car and walking to the house. I pushed the door and walked in, slamming it behind me. I couldn't see Hunter's face because I'd just want to punch it. 

Was this for the best? He was giving me a chance at a normal life yet I hated him for it? I wanted him to be here! For me! I know it was selfish but I craved attention from my family because he was the only family I had and he's left me again!

I walked to the sofa and curled up on it, cradling my legs as I began crying. I've lost everyone. I was all alone, my worst fear. I felt defeated knowing that I chose the wrong person. I had to get Ward back, I needed him back!