SHIELD [Book 1 of Alex & Allie Save The World]

Chapter 19 Storytime

III

"Shannon is going to interview you and write the story as her official way of proving herself worthy of a spot on the exec team," Alex informs and Allie nods along. "Shannon filled in for you amazingly but I know she has a passion for writing so I'm giving her an opportunity to shine. However, I'll stay in the room with you for moral support."

"Thank you," Allie murmurs.

"Course, now let's get you to that interview," Alex replies and stands up from her desk to push Allie from the corner office to the conference room where Shannon awaits.

"The bustling brunette is meticulously setting out a recorder, photos, and a notebook all while singing Misty Mountains to herself.

"She's perfect," Allie whispers and Alex grins.

"I know right?!" Alex hisses excitedly before making their presence known. "Shannon?"

"Oh, Ms. Aldridge! My apologies, I didn't see you there," Shannon greets after swiveling around to smile at them.

"Again, you can call me Alex or chief like the others," Alex reminds and settles Allie at the end of the table across from where Shannon has everything placed. Ale slides into a seat next to Allie and Shannon promptly sits herself.

"Are you ready to begin?" Shannon inquires and Allie nods mutely.

"You sure?" Alex murmurs and Allie clears her throat.

"I'm sure. We can start and yes, Shannon, you can record." Shannon readies her recorder and her questions before posing the first inquiry.

"How did your day start on October 18th?"

The day is so clear in the mind of Allison Gray and it has been since she woke up but she hasn't dared to open the floodgates until now.

"I woke up early, Alex had organized a tour of the old Wayne Tech tower in Metropolis for me. I remember thinking it was weird she wasn't coming with and feeling more nervous because of it," Allie recounts but then furrows her eyebrows at Alex. "Why did you send me alone?"

"Brue was supposed to be at the showing and I wanted to give you guys some alone time," Alex admits and shakes her head. "I regret it now, you shouldn't have been in Metropolis that day; we should have gone together later in the week."

"Alex, as much control you have over my life, I'm sorry but if I didn't want to go to Metropolis I wouldn't have gone," Allie points out and Alex's tense expression relaxes ever so slightly. Shannon, seeing an opportunity to intercede prompts Allie.

"What happened when you arrived at the former Wayne Tech tower?"

"I met with our realtor, Dick, and Wayne's realtor, Rick, and we started the tour. I got bored rather quickly so I abandoned Rick and Dick in favor of going to the top floor. I wanted to see the view of Metropolis. I wanted to see if the skyline had changed since I was there last."

"When was the last time you were in Metropolis?"

"End of May 2008, I moved to Starling City in the beginning of June. I could not stand a Metropolis without Alexandra Aldridge," Allie responds soberly and Alex nudges her shoulder in comfort.

"The Metropolis Mayoral Attack?"

The image of Alex bleeding on the ground flashes in her mind and she nearly jolts.

"Yes, it was a very traumatic day." Allison Gray's eyes avert and hide another layer of the story. "I stayed in the city for awhile after recovering myself and waiting for Alex to wake up from the coma but she didn't and I couldn't stay there anymore."