ARISEN FROM THE ASHES

~BLACKDAGGER~
:: The grocery store music was grating on his nerves. Honestly there was only so much "Metallica on Cello"One man could put up with. Dodging other rampant shopper's carts, and luscious stares from some of the ladies he turned his cart down another isle. Sure he could have GUARD do his shopping, but somehow it made him feel a little more, like a person. As odd as that may have sounded. He also liked shopping, it was time to put himself on neutral instead of turbo. His worries were reduced from killing, to how many calories a Snicker's bar contained. A rare pleasure he was enjoying, well all except the music. He turned his cart down the produce isle, looking for fresh greens to feed his pets. Knowing his rabbits liked the parsley, his gerbils the lettuce. He did care for them, even tended to remorse when they served their purpose. His thoughts though weren't even on his pets at the moment, or his job, or his 'family'. Instead it was in a dulled consumer haze.::

~EXIT~
**He'd been following him around for a while now. He'd either not noticed or had gotten sloppy since he last saw him. Either way, he was only holding back from confronting him because he just...just didn't know how to start. There was the up-front approach, but he didn't know how'd he react. He could show up cracking one liners and stupid jokes, but that was plain mean, and he was out of practice. The last year and a half haven't been full of his happiest of times. A subconscious reflex made him rub his left shoulder as he leaned a little further out of his car, shutting the door behind him.* It's now or never. A took a deep sigh and entered the store, peering each way until he found the big doofus to his right. He repeated a few things in his head about an approach and steadied himself for the outcome. He couldn't help but to grin widely as he made his way over to him** Finally ** He thought **

:: He wasn't out of practice. Perhaps it was he was a bit used to being followed, or frankly didn't care. He glanced at a few heads of crisp lettuce and blinked. Looking over his shoulder, and blinking his eyes instantly focusing. He nearly dropped the head of lettuce. He stood there for an instant and closed his eyes. His hand slightly trembling. He hadn't 'seen'Vince, or thought of him deeply for some time. It simply hurt. He shut his eyes, holding a slight breath, creasing them open. Just to reassure himself the figure was gone. ::

** He smiled as brightly as he ever did* I was hoping to go for a different approach, but I guess you knew SOMEONE was here. * He walked up to him as casually as he could, looking up at him as he got closer. He hadn't thought much past the simple introduction, so he stood there for what seemed like many minutes just staring at his wide eyes and pale face. He thought of a simple wise crack, but quickly shoved it away for later use, but not without a slight grin to follow* How you doin' Soldier Boy?

:: His eyes edged open, and finally he dropped the lettuce. Glancing at it, scrambling to pick it up while on the floor, a few people watching as he fumbled again. Thinking that maybe if he concentrated there the vision would go away. That or he was sleeping. He pondered this, for an instant, humoring, what a boring dream if it were true. Dreams, he thought quickly as he stood and dusted off the lettuce. He heard the voice then, as he finally turned back to dare to look. Only hearing the words 'Soldier Boy'. If it were an illusion it was a crafty one. But his RUNner alert didn't go off, nor did the system to defray their scrambling devices. But his mind didn't dwell on those things. Instead he felt his heart leap, his adrenaline kick in. He scrambled for something to say. Anything. Instead he fumbled the words too. Managing to get out a timid sounding phrase. His eyes averting back to the produce. Almost scared now, instead of the vision remaining, that Vince would disappear. :: I . . .I dreamt you coming back. The techies said it was part of the loss process. :: He paused, and kept his gaze low. :: You were actually a sentimental bastard in them too. Went on about forgiving Yvette, moving on. . . . Shit, :: A word he rarely used, it seemed foreign to his tongue. :: I sound like a damn romance novel. . . . :: He finally glanced up, trying to offer a smile, anything. Hurt and overjoyed. Overwhelmed. He managed a tight. :: But you're dead, aren't you? This is some sort of hoax, some sort of conditioning, and training... Tell who ever it is that put you up to this. . :: his voice no where near as timid now.:: To leave me the fuck alone.

** He shook his head slowly* I'll tell ya, if someone had something in mind like that, they have something seriously fucked up in their head and they're the ones who need some mental training. Plus, I'd hate it if someone could take such a great idea before I had a chance. * His face faltered, taking on a serious look* James, look........I.........I'm sorry. For everything. I didn't get out of the base when you were yelling at me. I wanted Yvette. Her and her little entourage of little troopers destroyed my only home. All that I had was rage and a sense of pay-back running through me. I didn't think of anyone else except for myself. That is what got me hurt. ** Vince raised his sleeve to expose his left shoulder, showing the scars and burns of his last encounter** But, *He lowered his head and sighed * It is also why I am standing before you now.

:: He didn't even look at the scars. He didn't even bother to hear the words he said, not fully. Instead looking the man dead in the face, and uttering in near rage. :: You don't know when to stop. . . Do you? :: he lowered his voice to a hiss, as people began to stare again. This before him claimed to be Vince? The man, even in death he still bought birthday and Christmas presents for? The very same man he brought flowers to and paid respect for. :: You're right you selfish bastard. Leave me alone, I've already paid my debt to Vince, I pay it every time I look in a mirror, or sleep. Every time I raise my hand to defend GUARD, every time a thought of obeying another order that seems wrong. I paid my dues, my :: He paused trying to conjure the right wording. :: For not pulling his ass out of there. I live with it, and he died because of it. Take your mind fuck somewhere else. :: He thought instantly, a thought that never occurred to him before. Saying quietly. :: And if you 'are'Vince, you're a flipping'clone. I don't want to deal with you. No matter how 'science'reassures me 'you'are him. You're not. Go find someone else's life to haunt. :: With that James took enough courage to turn away, and pick through the lettuce again. :: Sorry, but I don't want a cheap imitation. :: The jerk would get the clue. The hot tears of rage, and sorrow never kissed his cheeks, as much as he would have liked to have broke down and cried. No he would be strong, trained, born, bred that way. ::

** He kept his head to the floor knowing that it wasn't going to be easy talking to him in his current state** Blacke, I don't blame you for not believing me. I know if I was in your shoes, I wouldn't. * he released a small chuckle* You know, I was just thinking of Walden Mead. You remember him? He was the guy everyone always called 'Coach'. *He stopped for a moment to creep up closer to the back of James * I remember sparring with him in the gyms during training. Everyone was set up in certain weight classes. There were 8 of us. I remember the fight we had because it was so good. He was a good fighter, but I can remember him well through the years because we were the same weight and height. Ironic and kinda stupid to remember a man for, but it always stuck. *He was right about against his back, raising his head slightly * Then, during the chaos, and I was running deeper into the base, I spotted him again, in uniform, helping others to their feet and injured ones out of the opposite side of the building. I didn't think about it much during the moment. Then, when I was getting the upper hand on Venin........ I made a quick mistake that she countered on. I can remember the blast she fired. It all came at me almost..........In slow motion. Thought after thought buzzed through my mind as it accelerated toward me. You, Pole, Dayre, Scratch. Everyone. My mind seemed to relapse and it almost reversed, like it was retracing my steps. It was then I remembered Mead. He was my chance, my only chance. It was then I made the most selfish decision I think any human could make. In a reflex, the blast was gone from my eyes, replacing it with a group of men and women standing in front of me, all with their eyes on the base. Outside. *He stood tall to get his mouth close to his ear * I replaced his life with mine. I took his soul to save my own, and I have to live with that. * Vince stood down, backing off and staring straight at the back of James's head *

:: He only paused for an instant. Saying very cool, very collected. :: They found your DNA, your body. Not Mead's his, his was ground up like beef further into the compound. :: He turned staring down at Vince and growled. :: Haven't you even thought I may have thought of that? Sure it was feasible for the first month, maybe two. No Vince is dead. And he isn't coming back. And if you were him, you would have contacted me ages ago. When I needed you. When I needed anyone. Especially a friend. The Exit I know wouldn't leave me hanging. He wouldn't leave me out to dry. The Exit I know wouldn't approach me in a damned super market. :: .. or would he? Black blinked and continued to glare. His breathing paced, slow, a rhythm. He tore his gaze away, away from those brown eyes that seemed vaguely familiar. He turned then walking away. Perhaps abandoning Vince. Stopping briefly once to almost glance back, before leaving the isle, nearly praying for his sake that Vince wouldn't follow. But uttering beneath his breath, so lightly he was almost unaware he was saying it. . :: Come on buddy, If you really are Vince stop me. Please, if you really are Vince you would stop me. :: He then thought just as quietly as he spoke, as he placed a bit more distance, /If you are Vince, you'd joke, you'd laugh, call me a big muscle bound buffoon. . . anything, please?/::

I needed time to lay low * Vince hollered across the isle to him, startling a couple shoppers* You thought I was dead, GURAD was pretty sure, and the Rnners were set straight with the idea. I didn't know for sure, but I knew you were hurting. Dammit, I was too!!. You're my best friend and I'm STILL yours. I could have shown back up all peachy and full of laughter and everything would be cool!! I couldn't. Especially after what I did to Walden. I freaked and ran. You can test DNA all you want. You will find pieces of me. I bled. A friggin lot. When I jetted from the HQ, I made my way to a hospital, while tossing all identification. I passed out in the front of the ER. Later I woke up under a John Doe #3. What was left of my arm was bandaged, but sure as hell not in working order. I snuck out of the Hospital with some strong pain killers to follow up on something that I had been working on for months. * He walked up to James slowly, to lower his voice* * I found him James. I found him. * Vince peered to his right to a stunned customer holding canned corn, just staring* What the hell are YOU looking at!!!!

:: James nearly wanted to tear this man's throat out. How /dare/ he talk of such covert things out in the open like this??? How /dare/ he. . . he was just like. . . . just like. . James blinked and turned back, nearly hissing. His eyes narrow the /shut-up now/ look. :: I don't know what you are talking about. Perhaps the movie Fugitive? What next the one armed man did it? Oh wait, that's you, or so you claim. . . :: He watched him, very carefully. It was Vince, it had to be. He moved closer to him spitting. :: Keep your voice down. Look I don't care if this is a mind game, or you are a clone, or Vince himself, another outburst like that, I'll have to get a team in here to wipe them, you understand that?? :: He watched Vince for a moment and narrowed his eyes a bit more and nodded towards the door. Moving that way as well, abandoning his shopping. ::

*Vince rose a side of his mouth in a no-effort grin* I love it when you talk dirty. * Vince followed him outside, hoping with all he could that he finally gave enough proof that he was telling the truth* when they exited the market and stood in the parking lot, Vince made his way around the muscle to face him, shrugging* what now, Kemosobee?

:: Literally pushing him aside depressing his car alarm in a single motion. :: What now? I take you to GUARD H.Q. and report you, get your ass thrown in the brig. That's what. And to humor you. . .found who? :: He wandered closer to the car getting in and opening the door for 'Vince'. :: And if you ever call me Solider Boy again I'll rip both of your legs off and force feed them to you. NO ONE calls me that. Not anymore. :: He so badly wanted to believe him. He so badly wanted to tell him everything. And so in his own way he did. He buckled his seat belt and started. :: I have a hard time trusting anyone, especially after the whole Yvette escape thing. After the whole Vince thing. :: the words seemed to come out very easily. :: After Scratch, Rika, everything. I can't just so easily believe anything. :: He jammed his keys into the ignition. :: Perhaps I am more pissed than anything. Because when I needed Vince the most, he left. I killed him. He taught me to depend on him. A dangerous thing to do to a man. And when I needed finally needed someone to depend on he was gone. After all of that, in a blink of an eye. The selfish bastard. . . :: He stopped looking at his steering wheel for a long moment, unsure if 'Vince'was still even there. :: If I had been just a bit faster, if I just . . . just. . :: He let his voice trail off before he became stone again. :: Whatever the case I've learned to live with it. :: He switched subjects again his mind so erratic. :: Found who?

* He stared blankly out the windshield as he answered * My Dad. He's alive James. I found him and he helped fix me. It took a lot of trusting and believing, but I found him. *Turning to face Blacke * That's where I was. I was with him. He's working for a sub level GUARD uniform that's been working in a lot of genetics and cybernetics. One of their big projects is to try to eliminate any drawbacks to an Unnaturals abilities. I spent 2 weeks straight in a jar of green shit while he diligently fixed me, keeping me there as a test subject"and under a false ID to keep me from anyone's knowledge. After that, I actually got some bonding time in before I had to escape the lab. I doubt they are even trying to look for me. Dad labeled me as a negative test subject and that I would die within days away from the lab. I was free from anything and I went my own way. I wandered for a while, getting a few hard labor jobs to keep up some income. ** He cleared his throat** Plus, I knew you guys were in France, but I couldn't find the place.

If it's so sub-level why the hell are you telling a peon like me? :: He stopped, instead he backed out his car and listened. Quietly adding then, near gently. :: Green shit, and you didn't even invite me? :: he paused looking again quickly at Vince saying. :: I have to tell them you are back. . .you know this. Besides that, with their recent monitoring, they already know. . .:: He was quiet for a long time absorbing the information. It seemed surreal. Like a dream state. :: The French place wasn't that hard to find you know. . .:: He dropped it and continued to exit the parking area. He thought for a long while, actually driving safely for once. Almost too safe. It wasn't like him, where the joy of driving was a second nature. Looking around him as his adrenaline kept him going. He seemed to float. He said quietly. :: I missed ya'Buddy, please if this is a dream or a joke, tell me. :: It hurt. But he pressed it aside and nearly emotionless he spoke again. :: Because you can't die again. :: He didn't look back at Vince, but understood how it was to find a father, one who cared. :: I'm . . I'm glad you found your father. .. I thought he was dead. Seems to be a lot of that going around lately I suppose. . .

*He rested his hand on Blacke's shoulder* From what I can tell, this is no dream and it's no joke. I promise. * He sat back again, resting against the door* Yeah, I realize after I came out of hiding that they would know I'm still alive. I took the risk cause I guessed that they had no real reason to off me or anything of that sort. All they can really convict me of is knowledge and releasing top secret information. But, maybe if we put tin foil on our heads, we can keep talking about it. * he reached in his pocket pulling out a small blinking device, flipping a switch. * Or we can use this, but it's about out of juice. A simple scrambler of Pops design. The Sat's and mike's will show something, but they won't know it's me till now. Anyway, I told you Blackdagger because you're my friend and a hell of a lot more than a simple peon to me. Plus, you're obviously higher in rank than me by now

You're right I'm higher rank. You're lucky I don't make you drop and give me 20. . . :: He heard sincerity. And smiled at the assured touch. :: You promise. . . ::He blinked at the device and asked quickly. :: Is that thing on? We can get killed for something like that! Put it away! :: trying to bat it out of his hands. :: We've got that blue haired ice woman on our side again. Though I've heard she's melted her devices would put that to shame. . . Aside from that that new tech team that was being recruited when you died, are not just kids. Their devices are supposed to uncode anything :: He glanced at the device and then back to the road. :: I . . .think. Too technical for me.

*He straightened up* Ei-Que? Really? Great. That's one step above the Juniors. What the hell else has been going on?