Protectors

Chapter 25: Standing Together

Christopher took a deep breath, his blood running cold at the words that had left Dominic's mouth. He felt the familiar tightening of his chest, his heartbeat sounding loud in his ears. "Excuse me." He quickly mumbled out, his voice sounding foreign and far off as he slipped through the door and into the hallway, sinking down to the cold concrete floor. 'Breathe, just breathe' He repeated, trying to catch his breath as flashes of fear surged through his body. Luke, Faith, Amber, he couldn't let anything happen to them. Not again.

Luke, seeing Christopher leave, went to go look for him after he hadn't returned. Telling the girls he'd be right back, he slipped out of the meeting room, finding Christopher sitting on the ground, eyes closed. He sighed, sitting next to him, knowing that there was nothing he could say at this moment that could remedy the situation.

Christopher looked over, opening his eyes as he sensed movement around him. Seeing Luke by his side the brothers exchanged a glance that held a thousand words, comforted purely with each other's presence. After a few moments had passed, Christopher finally spoke, his voice raspy with emotion. "We're preparing for a full on war."

Luke nodded, "No one wants to call it that, but the level of attack they're expecting? It could destroy England as we know it."

"From the minute you were born, you were mine to protect." Christopher sighed, looking at his brother. "I failed once, letting you give yourself up."

Luke opened his mouth to speak, but Christopher raised a hand, silently asking him to let him finish.

"With Faith, from the moment I asked her to be mine, and then my wife, I promised to protect her. And then she got kidnapped." He paused, "I will never forget that look in her eyes." He looked up, making eye contact with Luke. "And now Amber, our sister. We have to keep her safe. We haven't been there for so long, hadn't even known about her."

Luke nodded, "I know."

"If this threat is really as bad as they're expecting..." Christopher trailed off, shaking his head as a lump formed in his throat, chest tightening even at the thought. "I will not lose any of you." He choked out, "I can't."

"And we won't." Luke nodded, a steeled look of determination on his face. "You and I, we've always been a team." He said, placing a hand on Christopher's shoulder. "Hell if that's changing anytime soon."

Christopher nodded. "You're right. Even if we somehow ended up in the dodgiest situation ever." He said, shaking his head, a small smile gracing his face.

"Accident of birth I suppose." Luke shrugged. "Much like many of our life's circumstances." He chuckled.

"In all seriousness though..." Christopher trailed off, his eyes fixed on Luke's. "You don't get to play the hero here. I can't have you running off, putting your life at risk..." He paused, closing his eyes to take a deep breath before speaking. "We already lost father, I can't lose you too."

Luke bit back a response, knowing where Christopher was coming from. Of course he felt the same way about Christopher, knowing that his brother would leap at the chance to help others without a second glance.

"Okay?" Christopher finally whispered, breaking the silence. "Promise me you won't be stupid."

"You know I can't promise that." Luke teased as Christopher lightly punched him in the shoulder. "Ow! Okay, okay fine." He said, rolling his eyes.

"Fine what?" Christopher teased, raising an eyebrow.

"I will try my hardest not to be stupid." Luke chuckled. "But no guarantees."

"What's all this?" Rory asked, slipping into the hallway beside the two.

"Just end of the world stuff you know?" Luke casually responded causing the group to break off into laughter.