Malen'kaya Zemlya [2] [P. Parker]

2.5 Reconciled

"First of all," I started. "I-"

"I'm sorry, Ash. You... You could've died." she paused. I let her carry on when she was ready. "I almost killed you. You don't know how horrible it is to have almost killed you at least twice now!"

"I-"

"No! I need to get this out. I'm so sorry, Ashley. You almost died, because of me! And Ryker's gone, exposed as Volcano because of my stupid idea to take off our masks."

I took a deep breath as she seemed to be finished. "I know where Ryker is."

Wanda snapped her head up to look at me.

I gave her a reassuring nod.

She sighed, but nodded too, closing her book and leaning her head back.

"What? Really?" Renée asked.

"Yes. I'm on my way to him. Whatever the airport's called in Paris. That's where I'll meet you. God, I hope no one's listening in." I muttered the last bit.

"Okay! I'll meet you there! Did you know I can travel through the air now?"

"Uhh... No?"

"Oh! Well, it makes things a whole heck of a lot easier. I'll bring Rina and Louis as well, yeah?"

"One sec," I covered the receiver. "Bring Marina and Louis along too?"

Wanda nodded.

I smiled, excited to see my friends again. "Bring them in. It's time to bring the band back together."

Renée cheered. "Like the Jonas Brothers!"

After hanging up, it was my turn to sleep while Wanda kept watch.

Even though it felt like only seconds, Wanda woke me up saying we were about to land.

We pressed ourselves in between two crates, our feet on one and our backs against the other, to brace ourselves for the turbulence.

Once the plane had landed, we slipped out unnoticed except by the pilot, who knew we were there anyway.

Wanda and I, in our disguises of caps, sunglasses and coats, made our way to the place Renée said we'd meet.

There we found my friends.

Renée hugged me tight first, Louis and Marina joining in quickly and holding on just as tight.

After a few minutes, I said, "Guys, as nice as it is to have a group hug, we kind of need to leave before we get noticed. In case you haven't realised, we're kind of a big deal now."

"Oh, yeah." everyone said, pulling out of the hug.

Renée took my hand and Louis' hand as Marina and Wanda held onto her upper arm. "Let's go get my brother back."

We appeared just outside the airport.

"Sorry, guys. We can't go far. I'm exhausted from the journey over." Renée apologised.

We all waved her off.

"It's alright, Ren. No need to be sorry." I smiled.

I hadn't fully forgiven her yet, and I certainly wouldn't be putting my life in her hands unless I was desperate just yet, but she was still my friend and she was very sorry. My Sherlock senses told me that much.

"Where to now?" Louis asked.

"He was sighted at... This park." I said, pulling out the piece of paper I'd written the name that I couldn't say on.