The Body Swap (completed)

CHP19

Vanessa stood outside the abandoned house with Alex and Luke by her side. Nick on the other hand, kept watching and talking to Hacker. He was amazed by his skills.

"So this is where they've been hiding." She told herself.

"Come on mom. Let's go inside."Alex insisted. Vanessa was still weirded out. She still thought that Luke was acting strange. Plus the fact that he keeps calling her mom.

Luke followed behind them. She looked around. Looking at the pictures and papers scattered on the table. At the guns.

Sonya looked at Luke. "Hey. Let's get your wound cleaned up shall we?"

This caught Vanessa's attention. "Wound?"

Sonya shrugged it off "Kid got shot in the shoulder. Nothing serious." She grabbed Luke's hand and directed him to the other room where the first aid kit is found. Alex thought she did good on the bandaging and the cleaning. After all she was a scout in her elementary days. But it didn't hurt to double check.

Ethan entered the room. He was the last to come in the house."Your daughter got shot and you are acting like it's something normal?"

"My body but that's not me."Alex interjected.

"Not now Luke."

"That's still Xandra."

"What? You actually believe this nonsense?"

As they were busy arguing, Nick, Hacker, Steel and Gunman were also busy talking.

Nick was seated beside Hacker"So how'd you become so good at this stuff?"

He massaged his temples. One more question and he was going to explode. He loved that someone appreciated and was awed by his skill in technology but he didn't like the kid being talkative and always asking him questions.

Steel chuckled. He was standing just at their side."Well, well , well. Looks like you got a fan."

"Yeah. Although all you do is look at the screen and sit your ass here all day while we do the work."Gunman added.

He was annoyed at them."Without me your arses would have been caught about a dozen times!"

They stopped talking when they heard a loud thud and turned their heads to the direction of Ethan and Vanessa. She had just slammed her hand on the table.

Vanessa was boiling in range. Everyone in the room could feel her fury. It was like a ripple in a calm pond. Her being the source and them feeling the small waves.

Luke with Sonya had also just entered the room.

"You are a terrible father!"

"I'm trying my best okay? Now calm down, any moment steam would come out of your ears."

She started speaking Italian which made everyone curious on what she's saying. Though they had a large assumption that she was swearing.

"In the duration that we've been together , I still don't understand what the hell you're saying but I am pretty sure you're swearing at me."

"Like hell I am ! You don't understand? Here's one that you'll understand. You're a heartless motherfucking piece of crap and I fucking hate you. It's okay if you don't care about me...but Alex? Your own daughter? She got shot because of you and for that fuck you!" She held out her middle finger in front of him.

There was no use  arguing. Ethan thought it would be better to tame the beast than make it more angry.

"Listen."

She continued to speak Italian

"Vi just shut up and listen to me okay!" Her mouth immediately taped itself. "Yes, what you said is true but you are wrong about one thing. Of course I care about Xandra. I love her. I wouldn't let anything happen to her. That's why I'm doing this. She got into trouble and I'm here to help. Without me, those bastards could've already killed her but I'm here alright? I care about her...and you." He stopped for a moment. "But I still care about her more than you. That asshole of yours just keeps on bugging us."

Vanessa rolled her eyes. She couldn't determine whether he is serious or joking around. He was still as unpredictable as ever.

"So...what do we do now ?"

Ethan let out a soft laugh. "No. You're going somewhere safe with the kids."

"Luke and I need to stay with you dad. We have to fix our switching problem. It won't be fixed if we just sit our butts off."

"Your daughter's right. We need to put them in the machine and reverse what had happened."Hacker said

She firmly looked at him."If Alex is staying then I'm staying. I'll just stay here."

"I won't allow that. People will soon come looking for you. Especially your cop boyfriend. Gunman would you please escort her and the other kid home?"

Gunman nodded.

Vanessa's expression changed to fear."What if its not safe? What if something bad happens to us? What if something bad happen to them?"She referred to Luke and Alex.

"Trust me, I will take care of them. And as for you two not being safe, I don't know if that's possible. I'm sure Nat will protect you."

"Which home were you mentioning?" She asked a bit frustrated. Ethan just gave her a smile. "Which do you think?"

Gunman accompanied Nick and Vanessa. He drove them to Nat's home where Ethan usually stays. The car stopped in front of an average looking house. The exterior was beige. It looked like it was just freshly painted.

From the outside, it looked spic-and-span. There were no signs of weeds or overgrown grasses on the lawn. No odd odor anywhere. The house looked brand new.

They got out of the car and walked over to the door. Gunman knocked. There were footsteps heard from inside going to the door.

The door opened. A woman in her early thirties answered the door. She had golden curls for hair that only reached her shoulder. Her eyes were brown and captivating. She had pale skin and a thin smile was on her lips.

Her smile grew wider when she saw Vanessa. Nat looked at Gunman then to Nick and returned her gaze on Vanessa.

"I guess my brother wants me to babysit for the day."

"I'll be leaving now. Nat, watch these two." Gunman began to walk back to the car. He started the engine and sped off.

"What are you standing there for? Come in." Nat moved aside for Nick and Vanessa to enter. She closed the door after them.

Vanessa looked around. Nick following behind her.  There were abstract  and realistic paintings on the wall. A lot of books on shelves. There wasn't a single thing out of order.She can conclude that Nat  was an organized person. She'd met her but she never really told her where she lived.

"Make yourselves at home. I'll order pizza for us."She said going into the other room.

Vanessa sat on the couch. Nick was in the other room, checking things out. The room was filled with incredible paintings.

Nat entered the living room and sat beside Vanessa. "So you're in speaking terms with my brother now?"

"Not exactly."

Nat had her eyes on the other room, looking at Nick."Well, okay then. Who is the kid?"

"Nick. Little brother of Alex's friend."

"He's a cute boy."She turned to face Vanessa again."Would you mind telling me what kind of trouble he is in now to get you and that sweet boy involved?"