Ruins

Chapter 5

When I pulled into the ship I'm soaked in blood again, none of it's mine this time though. I pull the Lamborghini into its spot and almost hit Alex, who is sitting right in in front of where my car goes. I jump out with half of the car still not parked properly.

"What the hell are you doing Lex? If I wasn't paying attention I would have hit you!"

"But you were paying attention." Isn't it funny that no one comments when I'm drenched in blood anymore?

"Obviously, or you'd be road-kill right now. Come on Lex, you're smarter than this!" Alexandra's eyes fill with tears. Crap, I really hate making her cry.

"I'm sorry Cynthia. I'm so sorry." I sigh softly and pull my baby sister into a hug.

"It's alright Lex, but what the hell were you doing there?"

"I was waiting for you. There's two guys on the ship that I've never seen before. I just wanted to make sure you knew they were here."

"Thank you Alex, but do you really think anyone would be on this ship without my knowledge?"

"Well no. I guess you know them then. Who are they?"

"The taller one is Damon, he's Derek's age and the shorter one is Seth, he's my age, and my mate."

"Your mate! You finally found your mate?"

"I've known him my whole life. About 8 years ago he and his brother moved away with their parents, this is the first time I've seen them since. They're going to be living here."

"I'm going to go tell the others that we have new ship mates! See ya Cee." She sounds so happy and excited. I love seeing her like this, she doesn't get excited enough.

"Bye Lex." Alex begins to run away. "Don't run in the halls!" 

"Sorry!" She shouts over her shoulder and I just sigh. Well, at least she has more energy than usual. Usually it's Chloe I have to scold for running in the halls.

I get back in the car and park it properly.  I sit there for a moment, enjoying the blissful silence, then I leave the garage, swinging a left instead of my usual right; this way is faster to the gym. I walk briskly to the training center, anxious to blow of the rest of the steam from my fight with Seth earlier. 10 Terainians hadn't been enough to satisfy me after that.

I walk over to the biggest robotic fighter I'd created and programmed it for an hour fight where it's to show no mercy and not stop coming at me, at full force. As the bot whirs to life, I bounce back on the balls of my feet, assume a defensive position, and wait for the mechanics to warm up.

Half way through the fight, Seth walks past the training center and back pedals. He stands at the large bay window and watches me jumping around, dodging the bot and throwing punches at it. The blood on my clothes had dried now, but I'm bleeding from a couple of cuts and scrapes the bot had given me; This thing sure knows how to kick ass. I know he's watching me but I don't bother to pause the program. 

There's a timer that locks the door while I'm in here running a program, there's still 28 minutes left, and Seth seems to have decided to stay and watch.

When the buzzer goes off and the robot stops moving, I squat down in the middle of the padded room and put my head between my knees while I catch my breath. When I stand back up I walk to the far side of the room and grab a bottle of water out of the mini fridge and turn back towards the room while taking a sip of the water, purposely ignoring Seth. 

I turn to glare at him as he opens the door and walks towards me.

"I'm sorry about what I said earlier Cynthia; I didn't mean to upset you." I gape at him. I expected another fight, not an apology. It's not like Seth to apologize or admit that he was wrong.

"This is your war, so I'll stand back and let you fight it. But if you need help, or even just need someone to stand by you, I'll be there. You call the shots; you fight the battles. Damon and I will join the ranks and fight under your command, just as the others do. I'll do anything to make this work Cynthia. Anything." Maybe the conversation I'd imagined him and Damon having had actually happened; maybe not with the ego boosting comments I'd added to get rid of some of the anger I'd been wrestling with. 

He doesn't seem particularly happy about what he just said, but he does seem like he means it, which is enough for me. I step towards him and grab one of his hands, which are tense at his sides, and bring it up to my lips. My eyes don't leave his as I lightly kiss his knuckles. He looks at me in awe. Hell, if I could look at myself, I'd probably be looking at myself the exact same way. It's not something I've ever done, ever thought about doing, but it seemed right. 

I pull on his hand, pulling him closer to me. I pulled him harder than he expected me to, so he crashes into me and I quickly and deftly wrap my arms around him, holding him close to me.

"I'm sorry I got so mad at you. You have to admit though; you can be extremely infuriating at times." Especially when you don't understand exactly what you're suggesting I do. 

"I know baby." His pet name makes my heart melt unexpectedly and has me forgetting my anger. "Let's go watch a movie sweetheart. Your choice." I look at him apprehensively.

"I have half a mind to make you sit through a sappy chick flick." Seth's eyes widen in mock shock.

"You wouldn't dare." Ouu! A challenge? I like challenges. 

"Hmm, which would you prefer, The Notebook or The Vow?" I giggled as we walk out of the room; My hand in Seth's back pocket and his arm around my shoulders.

"You'll be the death of me, woman."

"Damn right I will be baby." I giggle again as I squeeze his butt lightly. This time Seth's eyes widen in real surprise. "What's wrong?" I ask innocently as I bat my eyelashes at him. 

"Something strange is going on right now. Are you possessed? Should I call a priest? Or are you ill? I could get a doctor."

"Oh shut up! Am I not allowed to be flirty with my mate?"

"Well I suppose you are allowed. And I suppose it's kinda hot..."

"Oh shut up." I whine playfully and swatted his chest. "We're actually going to watch The Notebook, by the way."

"Damn it." He says with a laugh as we reach my room. "Do we have to?" I pause for a moment and consider it. I'm going to have fun now. 

"Well," I say slowly. "if you want to get any..." I murmur provocatively.

"That's in the cards?" Oh, this is too easy.

"On your first day back? After 8 years? Fat chance sweetheart. But in the future... let's just say, you probably want to watch this movie now..."

"Stop talking. I'll watch the damned movie. You and your damned bribery." Me? Bribing some one? That doesn't sound like me at all. I fight to keep a straight face. 

"It's not bribery, it's a suggestion. A suggestion that you probably want to watch this movie."

"Fine. I'll watch it. I said I'd watch it, didn't I?" I smirk with satisfaction as I put the DVD into the player and sit down on the couch. "I have one question though."

"Anything babe."

"Can flirty Cynthia come out to play more often?"

 "Oh shut up and watch the movie." I say in mock frustration; in reality I'm very pleased with herself. It was amazing to be flirty and silly and teasing and playful and actually mean it. I love this; Seth and I.