REDEMPTION (3rd Book of FEAR)

- chapter six -

Liz tossed and turned in her bed, a thousand thoughts scrambling her mind. She squeezed her eyes shut, fighting the urge to dig her nails into her scalp. Grinding her teeth in frustration, the girl kicked off the sheets of her bed.

Tip-toeing into the hallway, she rubbed her tired eyes and started towards the kitchen. Once she was there, Liz instinctively opened the fridge and searched for a midnight snack.

Suddenly, she heard soft footsteps and a slight yawn. Liz twirled around, her eyes wide. A man with chocolate skin and a buzzcut enters, his eyes droopy from sleep. His bright green eyes squinted at her, "I'm sorry. Have we met before?"

Liz huffs a laugh, rolling her eyes, "Wow. Great pickup line." The man shook his head, "No, I'm being serious. You look... familiar."

Panic suddenly squeezed at her heart, and she turned around to the fridge, "No, sorry." Liz heard the man's footsteps approach her, and she felt his presence behind her.

The girl turned around, gulping. His hand was outstretched to her, and he smiled, "Tucker." She hesitated, then returned his grin, "Liz."

Suddenly, another man enters the kitchen. He had shaggy brown hair and glasses pushed up to his nose. He froze when he spotted Liz shaking hands with Tucker.

"Holy shit!" He gawked, "You're the woman that almost stabbed Grif at the Communication Tower!" Liz chuckled nervously, her hand rubbing the back of her neck, "...Sorry about that."

"I knew you looked familiar!" Tucker exclaimed, backing away from the girl cautiously. His eyes narrowed at her, "What are you doing here?"

Liz sighed, "A few years back, your Freelancer buddies killed my friends... More than that, my family." Tucker and Simmons grew silent, embarrassed and nervous.

"I've been hunting them ever since. Then, that hunt turned into chasing you guys. I was filled with rage and hurt and revenge. But, I've learned to forgive... But, definitely not to forget," her voice was stern and brittle. She tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and smiled at the two. They nodded in response.

Locus stood outside the kitchen, his back pressed against the wall. He grinned at the girl's words... and felt hope fill his heart.

***

"Can't sleep?" Locus raised an eyebrow in question, his voice soft so he wouldn't scare her. Liz jumped slightly then relaxed once she saw his smile, "How'd you know?"

"Roaming the halls," the mercenary approached her as she leaned against the wall. Once he got close to her, he was shocked to find her emerald green eyes staring back at him.

She took the contacts out. It was like he was seeing her for the first time in years.  He laughed under his breath, maybe out of happiness or disbelief. He felt like hugging her. He felt like kissing her.

Aware of his sudden staring, Locus cleared his throat, "So... What you said back there about forgiving..." Liz straightened up, her green eyes abruptly narrowing into slits. "That was meant for the Reds and Blues. Not you," she hissed, mad that he was eavesdropping.

"Liz, I-," the mercenary stumbled for the right thing to say, but he gets cut off immediately. "Listen," she snapped, "You made your choice, and I made mine. Just because you can't live with yours doesn't mean you should shame me for living with mine."

Locus blinked, his eyes widening in surprise. The girl instantly hung her head, sighing deeply. She rubbed her eyes and shook her head, "I'm sorry... That was completely unfair."

The green and grey armored soldier nodded, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "So, um..." Liz was quick to change the subject, her tone now preppy, "I met Tucker."

"Did you?" Locus smiled at her, feeling calm once he gazed into her eyes. He fought the urge to get closer to her, to cup her cheek with his hand and...

"Yeah..." Her face suddenly fell with sadness, her eyes now glued to the floor. Locus furrowed his brow at the mood change. "I just..." she took a deep breath, her voice brittle, "I can't look at them without seeing Terrance and Connie and the Insurrectionists... It's too painful."

Locus gazed at her with sympathy, "And you think attacking the UNSC will stop that?" Liz chewed on the inside of her cheek, her eyes shifting from one side to the next. He saw her bottom lip quiver, and she shook her head in defeat, "No..."

"Then, why do it?" Locus took a step towards her, his voice low and quiet. He saw her shiver when his breath touched her lips. Her eyes started to flutter close before a door to their left swung open.

Temple pokes his head out of the doorway just as Locus was taking a step away from Liz. "Hey, baby," the black haired soldier called, "You coming to bed?" Locus scowled at the man.

Liz took a slow breath, closing her eyes before answering hesitantly, "Yeah, of course." She walked away from the mercenary quickly, into the embrace of Temple. He kissed her on the forehead before she entered the room.

Temple closed the door behind her, giving Locus a smug wink before disappearing.