We'll Kill For Justice (Ended)

Andréa

Andréa giggled to herself as she watched Con and Tyler realize their predicament. She'd come in after playing some ball, and decided to check on the two smitten members of the team.

As she was watching them, the doorbell rang, and Becky walked out of the guys' room, carrying Sean's gun. When the doorbell rang, Andréa jumped a foot in the air, and then ran to her room. Outside, she could hear Con and Tyler make their way out of the drawing room to the main hall too. She grabbed her own gun off the dresser and made to the front door.

Becky stood stock still, reading something.
"What is it?" Andréa asked, looking over Becky's shoulder. She caught a quick glance of the page Becky was staring at before she flipped the file closed and offered a tight smile to James, slamming the door shut in his face.
Oscar. That's what the page had said.

Andréa hadn't been with the team long enough to know everything, but she knew that Becky and Sean shared some painful history with the guy. She had a feeling that she was going to knock the lights out of him before long. She gritted her teeth and looked over at Sean, who looked like he'd been shot. Becky turned, and said, "We're in Clarkville for this one, guys. Let's go. Be ready by five."

As everyone turned to head to their rooms to change, Andréa caught Sean by the wrist.
"We need to talk."
"So do we." said two voices in unison behind her. "Damn." she muttered, turning back. "Hey guys." she said, smiling sweetly.
"Don't 'Hey guys' us. We're going to be on a mission tonight. Unlock us Andy." Tyler said.
"I can't."
"This isn't funny Vintelleci. Just let us go." Con said.
"I wish I could. Really. But, I lost the keys ages ago."
"WHAT??!!" yelled four voices together. Andréa then noticed she was still holding Sean's hand. And rather tightly at that. She let go immediately, just as Becky took a step towards her, threatening.
"What so you mean Vintelleci?"
"I lost the key. I thought I had it, but it's gone. Those are my old pair. They had a slight glitch in them."
"What glitch?"
"Oh, nothing much."
"Vintelleci.."
"Okay, fine. The key's useless on them. The lock collapsed internally ages ago, and it got stuck like that. I kinda forgot about it, honestly."
Next to her, Sean forward, facing Becky, who had begun to tremble with rage.

Becky

"You are," I growled, looking at Andrea, "by far, the biggest bitch that has ever walked the face of this earth. And I know a lot of people, Andrea. You better find a way to unlock them, now."

She glowered at me, "And if I don't?"

Maybe it was a lighthearted challenge. I didn't care; "You'll regret it." I started to walk away, hoping for her sake that she wouldn't respond.

"Like you could hurt me." She laughed without humor. The chill in it set in my spine. In a sudden flash of rage, I turned around and drove my elebow across her jaw, sending her tumbling to the floor. I took quick steps back, ignoring the frightened looks of the rest of the gang. I didn't care.

I pulled a small tool out of my pocket, and clipped the middle chain between Con and Tyler; "Stay the hell away from each other. This wouldn't have happened if we had all slept where we were supposed to. This is the best I can do, we'll see if the gang in Clarksville has a lockpicking kit."

I sounded like Oscar. His name, mixed with the sudden rage, sent a fire coursing through me. I silently dared anyone to challenge me. I was more than ready to fight.

Tyler

I was almost shocked at what Becky had done, almost. She glared at everyone, daring them to say something against her. Andy must have been just as shocked as the rest of us because she was standing stock still. The bruise on her face starting to show. Sean's eyes were wide and Con was tense, waiting for something to happen.

Suddenly, Andy reacted. She flung her fist at Becky's face. Luckily, I was watching her and managed to predict what she was about to do. Right as her fist was about to connect with Becky's face, I quickly grabbed her wrist and brought her fist to a halt.

"Stop." I command was obvious in my voice. My demeanor had changed from being happy and caring to serious and fierce. I hated being this way, but sometimes someone had to be. I could sense Becky about to react to what Andy had tried to do.

Quickly, I shoved Andy toward Sean. "Get her out of here." I said, annoyance lacing my voice. Sean moved quickly as he practically dragged Andy away. Becky on the other hand decided to just walk out of the room.

Sighing I turned toward Con. "Well, now that the cuffs are taken care of, I say we get ready to go to Clarkville." I say while sending him a smile.

Con

I stand there, watching it all, and bite my tongue to keep quiet. I wasn't anywhere near Tyler when I fell asleep. I was in my room!
Becky storms out and Sean drags Andy into another room, leaving only Tyler and I. She turns to me, flashing a smile.
"Well, now that the cuffs are taken care of, I say we get ready to go to Clarkville." She says.
I just nod and head of to the room Sean and I shared, beginning to pack. How the hell are we supposed to keep apart when we're working together? Answer me that, Beck.
But maybe that isn't the only reason I'm pissed. Maybe I didn't mind being so close to Tyler. Shaking my head, I clear my mind and focus on anything but what just happened.

Tyler

I watched as Con walked back to the room that Sean and him share. Sighing to myself, I then turned and walked to my room. When I entered I grabbed a bag and started to pack. I was still kind of mad at Andy for cuffing Con and me together and irritated at Beck for starting a fight.

Suddenly, a wave of tiredness hit me. Walking over to my door, I leaned my back against it and slid down. Lightly I placed my head on the door and closed my eyes. After a second I brought my still chain wrist to my face. I know that I was extremely mad at Andy, but that anger seemed to fade when I realized that I had enjoyed be so close to Con. In fact, I was actually starting to feel thankful to her.

Thanks Andy. I thought silently.

I also arrived to the conclusion that no matter how hard I tried, I might on be able to stay away from Con. Taking a deep breath, I remembered that I had not finished packing. Slowly standing up, I started to make a mental list of what I needed, distracting me from my previous thoughts.

Spoiler

Last post tonight.

Andréa

"What was that for? Why'd you cuff them together like that? And, by the way, no matter what Becky says, I know Con and Tyler were in seperate rooms last night! So how'd they end up together, Andy?" Sean looked furious as he dragged her to the back porch.

Andréa merely looked irritated. "It was just a joke, okay? Things have been so serious lately... Did you get a look at that file, Sean? D'you know who we're working with, Sean? We're working with Oscar."
Andréa watched as a multitude of expressions crossed Sean's face. Anger, sadness, surprise, irritation - all flitted across his face in the frame of a second. Her own anger had worn off quickly, as usual. If anyone asked her, she would've said it was purely a reflex to try and hit Becky. It was a good thing Tyler had stopped her.

She sighed, sitting down on the porch. "Sean, I'm sorry. You know I like to mess with you guys. I'll go and apologize to Con and Tyler too."
Sean gave a small derisive snort.
"You'd better apologize to Becky too."
"I will. By the way, I wanted to talk to you"

"Yeah, I know. What about?"
"You had a nightmare last night." This was a statement, not a question. Sean's nightmares weren't to be taken lightly. He always awoke terrified - and Andréa knew they were from real-life experience.
"I know I haven't been part of the gang long. I certainly haven't been in this world as long as you and Becks. But I want to help."
When he didn't speak, she continued,"What happen between you, Becks and Oscar? You need to tell me, or someone Sean."

Spoiler

In case anyone's wondering, Sean is going to the find out why the Cort gang have to work with Oscar and Officer Ryan is one of his old friends who helped him out when he was changing himself

Sean Phoenix

“… You need to tell me, or someone, Sean.”

I looked down at Andy and saw the same genuine concern in her eyes as I’d seen in Becky’s. It was still strange to me. After all the bad things I’ve done in my life, I still had people in this world who actually cared about me. I didn’t even deserve it.

“It’s a long story, Andy,” I said after a while. There was no way I could tell her the whole truth, but she did deserve to know some of it. “I met Oscar in my early 9-0 days. He met Becky through me and the two of them ended up dating.”

“For how long?” Andy asked curiously.

“Almost three years.”

Andy raised her brow in obvious surprise. “Three years! No wonder she seemed so pissed seeing his name on that file …” she paused for a second and then looked up at me. “I’m guessing it ended pretty badly between them.”

My mind wondered back to the night I came back from a drugs job to see Oscar‘s ass being hauled out by the cops on charges of murder. “That’s putting it mildly,” I said.

Andy nodded understandingly then got back up onto her feet. “I guess I owe her that apology then …” she said sheepishly.

I nodded in response, but before she could leave I stopped her and added, “Would you do me a favour?”

“Sure.”

“What I told you just now … about Becks and Oscar … make sure you tell Tyler and Con about it too. But do it when Becks is out of ear-shot.”

Andy raised her brow in confusion. “Why?”

“Because she doesn’t want anyone to know about it, least of all you guys …”

“Alright,” replied Andy. I watched her head back into the house and then quickly whipped out my cell phone calling the first number on my contacts list.

Three rings passed before the person on the other end of the line picked up.

“Officer Ryan, it’s Sean. We need to talk.”

With that, I hung up and walked around the back of the house to the front yard. I punched the security code for the garage and waited as the large door swung upwards. Putting on my helmet, I jumped on my new Kawasaki Ninja ZX10R bike, and revved the engine before zooming towards the Police Station.

Becky

Goddamn I was loosing it.

I shoved another shirt into my duffel bag, making the seams of the zipper shred just a little further. I wanted to care, but I didn't. Because in less than three hours I'd be seeing him again.

I thought I'd never have to.

I pushed memories out of my mind, focusing on each thing I was putting in the bag as if I didn't already have it memorized. I ran my fingers over the last shirt, my only nice shirt, and quickly switched it out for the top I was wearing. It was a warm cyan color, a little brighter than my typical attire.

Looking in the mirror, I sectioned my brown hair into a braid, so only small pieces escaped, slightly curling around my face. The long sleeves covered my tattoos. I'd tell Oscar I got his name removed. He wouldn't have to know. Even my t-shirts covered the black ink that cursed my shoulder. He'd never have to know...

"Tyler?" I walked into the main room, watching as she checked down a list of some sort. I wasn't close enough to tell what it said.

She looked up at me questioningly, "Yeah?"

I looked around, making sure no one else was around, "I know this sounds stupid, but you don't happen to have any makeup or anything do you? Just because, you know, I want to look presentable with people we don't know. And since I think the Troupe captian is driving us, it would look good if I wasn't so much of a wreck." I was rambling, and I know she saw through that, I just hoped she wouldn't comment on it.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the time. We would be leaving in less than ten minutes, and Sean wasn't back.

Tyler

I watched for a second as Becky rambled on about needing make-up. I could not help the smile that was slowly making way to my face. She looked so nervous just asking me for something that was so simple, but truthfully that was why I liked her.

"Of course I do. Here follow me." I said as I started to walk to my room. I noticed the hesitation, but after a slip second she started to follow me. Opening the door to my room, I then walked over to my closet.

Sliding the door open, it was obvious that I had make-up and several other items needed to change my appearance. I felt her stare on me, surprised about all the things that I had in here. My friend mostly saw only one side of me; the sweet, motherly side. I never showed them my other side unless I had to, it was the side that I like to keep hidden away.

Reaching in the bottom of my closet, I pulled out a decently sized box and placed it on my vanity. I then closed the closet and turned toward Becky.

"Would you like help doing your make-up?" I asked.

Sean Phoenix

“Sean, calm yourself,” Officer Ryan said.

“How the heck am I supposed to calm myself?” I snapped. “Oscar is supposed to be rotting in a hell-hole somewhere in Panama and now I find out he’s joined some Chicago Cort gang - the same Cort gang that I‘m expected to work with now!” I was so angry I could feel steam blowing off my ears. “How the hell did this happen?”

“Look …” Officer Ryan rubbed his temples wearily, “I’m not at liberty to discuss the details of Oscar’s exoneration. What I can tell you, however, is that he’s a changed man now-”

“-Bullshit,” I scowled. “Guys like him never change.”

“You did,” said Officer Ryan.

His matter-of-fact tone of voice made me clench my jaw in fury. “Don’t you dare compare me to him.”

“Why not?” asked Officer Ryan. “You’ve both killed.”

“I’m not the one who shot three kids in cold-blood…”

“Maybe not, but you’ve still killed. And, no matter what the age of your victims compared to Oscar‘s, murder is murder.”

There was a heavy pause in the air.

“I don’t have to listen to this …” I said, gritting my teeth dangerously. I turned my back on him and marched for the exit, violently pushing doors open and slamming them shut on my way out of the station. I could hear Officer Ryan calling after me from behind, but I blocked it all out. I needed to get out of here, fast, before I did something I’d regret.

Like throwing my fist at his face.

On the ride back to the house, my mind was chaotic. Thoughts, confusion, worry … I felt like I was drowning in them and the worst part was I had no idea what to do about it. A part of me wanted to drop out of this assignment. As far as I was concerned, it would be the best thing to do considering the volatile history
between me and Oscar, and the possible side-affects that could have on the task.

But, another part of me, a part that I couldn’t ignore even if I tried, knew that the right thing to do would be to stay. I needed to look out for my team-mates. More importantly, I needed to look out for Becky. If it was going to be hard for me to see Oscar after all this time, I could only imagine how hard it was going to be for her.

I needed to protect her. I needed to protect them all.

Becky

Tyler helped me with my makeup. The brushes floated lightly over my skin, guided by her careful hand. After she was done, I looked again in the mirror. I hardly recognized myself. My face had light. All the pressure and stress of the past years had been faded. I was-was I?-beautiful. I couldn't wrap my head around it.

"Thanks, Ty." I smiled at her, "You going to clean up a bit too?"

"Maybe," she shrugged, "we have to leave soon."

I grabbed my bag off the bed and headed into the living room. Everyone did minor double takes as I took inventory. Sean was still gone.

I heard the SUV pull up outside, and looked around. "We should probably get in. Sean will be back any minute." There was a general muddling of consent, and everyone drifted outside. I double checked the gun that was strapped around my waist, confirming its presence. I had no idea was Oscar's current opinions of me were.

I breathed a sigh of relief as a familiar motorcycle raced around the street corner, and it's driver headed towards the car. In less than a few moments the vehicle was moving, taking us to what would be our new home for the next several months.

In a way, I was ready for this. As ready as I could ever be.

Tyler

After we all piled in the car, there was an overwhelming silence that took over. Not one of us said a word, and the tension in the car was steadily growing after every mile. I also noticed the slight glances that Sean would throw Becky. To say the least he was defiantly intrigued by her decision to dress-up.

I let a small smile slip on my face because I knew that there was something between them, wither or not they realized it. Con seemed to notice my smile because he gave me a questioning look. I placed my finger on my lips-signaling him to be quiet- and then winked at him. He just shot me a smile and shook his head.

We pulled in to the driveway of our new home after what felt like hours later. For a second we all sat there unsure what to do. Suddenly the door opened, and there stood our driver, waiting for us to get out. Slowly everyone hoped out. As we stood in front of the house, I saw Sean grab Becky's hand. She was shaking. I gently placed my hand on her shoulder. She turned to look at me and I offered a comforting grin. Trying to let her know that we were all there for her.

New House:

Spoiler

Oscar:

Spoiler

Becky Scout

After a moment of the gang's comfort, I shook off their touch and straightened out. The last thing I wanted to be was a coward.

The door opened up in front of us, and a young man stood in front of me. I didn't recognize him, but there was something warm about the way he was smiling at us. Like we were honored guests, and not just going to be overcrowding the house.

"Comeon in," he was still grinning, and gestured broadly as we filed into the room." We entered through a small hallway to a large kitchen and dining room that more-or-less put ours to shame, "There's two large bedrooms upstairs you will be sharing. It'll be a little tight with all five of you, but it shouldn't be too bad. I'm Charles, by the way." It occurred to me that those must have been the bedrooms of the two members that the gang lost.

Out of the corner of my eye I noticed an all-too-familiar face buried in a notebook out on the patio. "You guys go upstairs, I'll be right with you." I pulled my gun out of it's holster, and headed towards the patio. Charles was already halfway up the staircase and didn't notice.

I pulled open the patio door, and waited until he turned around. His expression was caught for a moment in disbelief, then confusion, "I don't believe it..."

I lowered my gun slightly, "You didn't know?"

"I knew I was working with another gang, but no one told me who was in it. Let alone the girl who was afraid to even step in the fighting ring for half a year." He eyed the gun, "It's funny how you think that gun alone would protect you if I wanted to hurt you."

"I can defend myself, thanks. I don't rely on my gun." I holstered the weapon, not taking my eyes off him.

"Of course you don't." He seemed to be studying me, "You try too hard."

I folded my arms across my chest and leaned back; "To do what?"

He grinned, looking more like a snake than a man, "To impress me." He chuckled, and the words settled into my head. I would have refuted them, but he knew. "But it's okay, I understand."

"I'm going to go look at the room," I said coldly, and turned to walk towards the door. I heard a footstep behind me, and felt a pull around my waist. I reached for my gun, but found it wasn't there. I turned around and threw a punch, which he quickly dodged.

"If I didn't know you," he handed me back my gun, "that might've worked."

Con

The drive over had been somewhat amusing, due to Tyler's strange behavior. Once we get to the new location though, the mood flew out the window like a sigh.

I follow behind Becky and the others into the house, my ankle better but still bothering me. It's not bad looking, but nothing like I had in mind. I had kind of wished there would be a pool somewhere...

Becky parts from the rest of us as we're led up the stairs to our designated bedrooms. I would be sharing with Sean again and the girls would be all to themselves in the other room. Setting my bag down once we get there, I claim the bed by the window without saying so, looking around. Working with each other was hard enough sometimes, but how hard would it be to work with a group of strangers?

I catch a glimpse of Becky as she decides to join us upstairs and begin to think these people weren't completely new to all of us...

Tyler

Walking into the room, Andy and me realized that there where only two beds. On the chair next the bed was also so blankets, so someone could make a bed on the floor. For a second we turned and looked at each other. Right as we were about to say something, Becky strides past us and sits down on one of the bed. Her face was red and she was staring at ground.

Andy looked like she was about to say something, so I placed my hand on her shoulder, turning her attention back on me. I shook my head at her. She sighed and gave me a look that said, "you're too soft".

"Andy, you take the bed." I say shoving her gently toward it. "I've slept worse places than on the floor." I said while I placed my bags on the ground.

"Are you sure?" she asks as she slowly walks over to the bed, placing her stuff down. I nod to indicate that I am sure. Right as I put my bags down, someone yells from downstairs.

"Meeting!"