Bulletproof

01

[This is the last chapter taking place in the flashback. The next chapter will be fully in present time.]

December 26th, 2009 (Flashback)

It had been three days since he left, three days since I got the call from Oliver too. That he couldn't deal with my problems anymore, he needed to focus on what's important. Three hours after the call, her brother got home from a meeting. He hadn't told her who it was with, just that she would learn soon. He walked in with a pained expression as he saw his sister in tears but he forced himself to not let her see the hurt in him.

"Tate?" She shut their shared computer and stood, frowning at him. "What's wrong? Are you okay?" She immediately walked over, eyes roaming his body to check for wounds.

"Hey, I'm fine." He lifted her head to look at him, his hand sliding from under her chin to her cheek. She could easily see that something was wrong, but she didn't know what. Before she could say anything two large men walked in. They looked almost familar and Tate pulled away from his sister. He brought her in for a tight hug. "I'm so sorry Nat." He whispered and pulled away to kiss her head.

"What? Why? Tate, who are they?" He pulled away and cleared his throat.

"I'm leaving." One of the men, walked upstairs and came back a few seconds later with two bags, Tate's bags. She opened her mouth and then closed it. "You're staying here." His voice was heavy and strained as he avoided eye contact.

"Tate? Did I do something wrong? Y-You can't just leave me here!" He turned and started to walk away She ran outside, after him but was caught from behind. Two strong arms wrapped around her her waist, holding her back. She struggled a bit, not understanding what was happening. How could her brother just pack up one day and leave her. She must have done something wrong for this to happen.

"Tate! Please don't leave me! I'll be better! I'll do anything, don't leave me." Tears filled her eyes, for the first time in years. She tried never to let herself cry, it was a sign that she was finally broken. Her brother turned back.

"I love you Nat." He got in and closed the door behind him. The man holding her slowly let go as she sank to the ground. He rest a hand on her head and she couldn't bother shaking him off. He walked past her and got in the drivers seat. She waited until the car was gone, and she didn't know how long passed afterwards until she got off the ground. Numbly the brunette stumbled into her house, looking around. Not specifically for anything, just as if she wasn't sure where she was.

And true to that, she didn't. This wasn't her home anymore. It was a painful reminder that everyone around her eventually leaves.

Two Weeks Later (January 9th, 2010)

Max had not been pleased of the sudden disappearance of Tate. She hadn't wanted to be the one to break the news to him, and she wasn't. He felt the tear of his leaving the pack. Max and Elliot, along with almost everyone else blamed her. With this accusation, came the punishment they thought she deserved for driving off one of their best fighters. She lost the place she used to think of as home, and was forced to move in with Max and Elliot, and a few others.

Max's wife Tara was nice, she was my moms best friend and she knows how much having me meant to her. She couldn't do anything though, Max had a bit of a temper problem. And though he'd never lay a hand on her, and he loved her, she knew he'd take it out on Natasha. Telling her she's trying to take his wife away too. She didn't go many places, to school, to work at the coffee shop, maybe go for a run, and back to the house.

She gave up her iPhone, and laptop and a lot of her things, selling them, happy for once she had convinced Tate to keep the old family items that were worth a lot of money. She needed a car. It was thanks to Tara that Natasha got to keep it. She played it around as to, me causing less trouble, and he could put a GPS in the car. He even had a phone that couldn't leave the car if he needed to all her. It didn't mean she wasn't grateful.