The Warrior

by RT Lucas

  CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN

  After his confrontation with Shuggie, Xavier had to leave the compound for a few days.

  Some of his men had run into trouble in Asia and their mission was in danger of being jeopardised. When he returned, he was exhausted and in need of a good long sleep. He was also missing Alicia and hadn’t spoken to her because of the fragility of the mission. Instead of going straight to bed, he made a detour to his office to ensure that World War Three hadn’t broken out in his absence.

  Xavier walked into his office. Then he walked back out again. “What the fuck?” He walked back in as he stared at his room – everything had been moved. The broken desk had been replaced by one from Ikea and there were two flowery patterned couches in front of it instead of his leather armchairs. There were vases with flowers in them and a low table with an assortment of magazines and a box of tissues. Even the smell was…Xavier wrinkled his nose – it smelled like a fucking ladies changing room – not that he would have had the first idea about that, of course.

  There were pictures hanging on the walls of people cuddling and sickeningly sweet phrases of ‘Sharing is caring’ and ‘Talk, Love, Laugh’. Xavier walked up to the wall where the photo of him and Shug in Serbia once hung and peered. There was a framed certificate in its place. “Doctor Alicia Carberletti, Psychologist Specialising in Family Unity – Google University,” Xavier said the words slowly as though his tongue was coated in treacle. Hearing the clip-clop of heels outside, he wandered out. “I’ve entered the fucking Twilight Zone…” Alicia was walking towards him dressed in a suit – wearing a skirt, her hair tied up and glasses perched her nose. She was wearing conventional shoes, but when he looked closer, he nearly decked it. She had shoved her pink and purple Glocks behind her feet at the heels, so that the shoes would fit her tiny feet.

  “Did you bang your fucking head, Sweetcheeks?” he smirked.

  Alicia was mumbling about how mortals could walk in death traps when she heard the all too familiar voice that made her insides melt, peering over the rim of the glasses to look up at Xavier.

  “I’m a fully qualified therapist, my family is falling apart at the seams and I will not allow it to continue! My patients will be arriving soon.” Her smile was genuine, her features full of concern.

  “Yeah, and fucking hello how are you, to you...Doctor.” His smirk was growing into a full blown grin. “Fully qualified?” He kept to himself the part about being an ‘Internet Grad’. He noticed as she tried to walk around him that she was using a throwing star to keep her hair up, and he just shook his head suppressing a laugh. “And your patients would be Shug and the Doc?” He could only imagine what was going on in that head of hers, but she had called them all family’ and fuck it if that didn’t shut the smartass part of his brain down. They were family – the most disparate, dysfunctional, fucked up and strange family since the Addams, but she felt a part of them, and that was all that mattered.

  Alicia tucked the pink clipboard she was carrying under her arm as she stopped wobbling on the heels she had ‘taken’ from Teo’s closet and with her hands, gently took Xavier’s in hers, kissed them three times and mumbled something about her nurses degree was half completed.

  “Hugh and Dory are my patients. I gave Dory grief counselling already.” Alicia’s smile was infectious her eyes glinting with pride that she was able to help those she held close to her heart. “I missed you Commander Prick, did you bring me back a gift?”

  Leaning down to kiss both corners of her mouth, he whispered against her lips. “A Komodo dragon – but you can get it later, yeah?” As he smacked her on the ass, he winked. “They’re lucky to have you looking after them Doctor Sweetcheeks – knock sense into them,” and he meant every damn word. She never failed to surprise him – not always in a good way but just the same, he was proud of his little female.

  Alicia’s squeal almost deafened Xavier. “You got me a ducking dragon? You are the most romantic prick ever, do not let anyone else tell you otherwise!” Alicia stumbled a little as she spun around and wobbled away from Xavier, with one last look over her shoulder before entering her office, she mouthed to him “epic”

  He didn't have the heart to tell her it was a lizard, not a real dragon, but he was smiling like a fucking idiot as he commandeered Shuggie’s office to get his work done, leaving Doctor Sweetcheeks in peace to deal with the warring lovers.

  ****

  Shuggie looked at his cell. A message from the youngling wanting him to come back to the Compound as she had ‘to speak with him urgently’. He had heard that the Commander was away sorting out some shit that was going on in Japan, so decided it must be important. Reluctantly, he flashed himself back to the compound, avoiding going past the medical bay. His route took him past his and Xavier’s office, but when he walked past the commander’s room, he seen Alicia sitting waiting for him. “Are ye goin’ tae court youngling?” thinking that her clothes indicated she’d been bailed for a hearing.

  Alicia was busy rearranging the plaque on her desk with Shuggie walked into her office. As she lifted her head to look up at him, her pink with dots of green manicured finger pushes the glasses she was wearing up her nose like she had seen Teodora do.

  “Hugh! Thank you so much for coming at such short notice, please talk a seat, may I offer you a drink of water?”

  “Ye huv met me afore? Water? Where’s the scotch?” He sat down nearly being swallowed by a multitude of cushions. “Wit’s the meaning o’ all this youngling?”

  “Alcoholic along with hot beverages are not permitted in my clinic Hugh, please, make yourself comfortable and I will explain soon why I have called you here today.” Alicia’s eyes lowered as she scribbled notes on her pad about Shuggie’s posture and demeanour.

  Shuggie looked at her like she had just grown a second head. Then he clocked the plaque on her desk. ‘Doctor A Carberletti – Psycho-therapist’. Well, he mused – it had the ‘psycho’ part right. “Is this cos o’ mah altercation wi’ the Commander, youngling?” He was rubbernecking trying to see what she was writing down.

  “It’s Doctor Carberletti when we are in session, thank you Hugh.” Just then there was a small, tentative knock at the door and Alicia shouted, “Come in.”

  Teodora had received a text message from Alicia asking her to come to Xavier’s office. Alicia had a medical issue she needed advice on, so the Surgeon scrapped her hair into a tight pony tail, threw on her sweatpants and hooded top and made her way to the Commander’s office. She nearly walked back out thinking she had the wrong office. It was magnificent and also looked like a psychiatrist's office from a daytime soap she liked to indulge in.

  “You have a medical issue yes?” Teo was staring at Alicia who had her clothes on… and were those her spectacles? She hadn’t noticed Shuggie yet.

  Shuggie got up and stared at Alicia then Teodora. “Ah’m no staying in the same room as that manipulative cow. Fuck this shite,” and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

  Xavier heard the shouting coming from his office and was heading out of the door to investigate when he seen Shuggie pacing furiously in the hallway.

  “Stop your grand–standing and get your hairy Highlander ass back in there Shug,” Xavier said matter-of-factly.

  “Away an bile yer heid, Xavier – am no playing games jist tae keep yer wee lass entertained at mah expense.” Shuggie was about to go on about not spending another second in the company of Teodora, when he felt himself being lifted off the floor by his throat.

  “Sweetcheeks is trying to help you, and if that’s what she wants you will comply, Soldier – or do you need another lesson in fucking manners?” Xavier tone was still measured, and he let go of his hold. “Direct Order – Move” as he pushed Shuggie back into the room.

  Almost stumbling, Shuggie avoided looking at Teo and moved his chair to the furthest corner of the room. “Apologies youngli...Doctor Carberletti,” and sat down with a face like a smacked arse.

&nb
sp; Alicia shuffled some papers then neatly placed them on the bright pink mat on the desk as she looked over at where Shuggie was sitting.

  “I accept your apology for your little outburst, but if I ever hear such vile words come out that mouth of yours again, I will bust your balls.” Alicia gave him a no nonsense look as she sprung the locks tight with her mind, then moved forward in Xavier’s chair that dwarfed her small height even more. Clasping her hands together she looked between the two of them.

  “True love is hard to find, especially for a vampire.” Her brown eyes were boring into Shuggie’s. “Now you two are both to blame for your actions, the floor is open. You may talk one at a time, since Shuggie is not a gentleman he may go first.”

  Rolling his shoulders and cracking his neck, Shuggie leaned forward, his hands on his knees. “Ye dinnae know wit yer oan about Young…Doctor,” he had to keep correcting himself. “Ah did nowt tae her, she’s the one at fault, no meh.” He couldn’t even bring himself to look at Teodora.

  “I was not aware Subject Ultimo was him. I had tried to stop the experiments and was punished, yes?” Teo was trembling, she was frightened at the way Shuggie couldn't not even look at her. Her Warrior despised her.

  “If that’s so, Doctor Carberletti – kin ye ask ‘her’ if that was afore she commissioned experiments on mah brain oar after – jist tae clarify like,” he was spitting the words out like they were acid on his tongue.

  Teo’s gasp was loud as her hands flew to her mouth. “I never touched Subject Ultimo’s brain, never.”

  “Fucking lying hoor,” Shuggie growled. “Ye hud it in yer hands after one o’ yer lackies spooned it oot mah heid.” He knew that he was right by the way she went quiet.

  Alicia’s head was moving like a ping pong ball, side to side as she watched the quarrelling lovers thrash out their sides of the story, her lolly went flying out her mouth as she expelled her voice. “Hugh MacAndrew! I will not tolerate such language in my courtroom, if you two don’t stop talking over one another I will do you both with contempt of court, are we fucking clear? Teo, you may talk.”

  “The brain in question was not labelled – you must believe me Warrior, I was tricked by him! Tricked and manipulated.”

  Shuggie glared at Teodora. It was the first time he had set eyes on her since learning who she really was and the conflict of love and disgust was evident on his face. “Tricked ma arse! ye held a brain in yer hands an ye admitted tae me wi’ yer ain words ye were ‘thrilled’ and ‘excited’ by yer work.” He kicked out his foot in frustration, sending the low table between them flying across the room to the opposite wall.

  Alicia’s roar was ear piercing as her small fists banged down on the desk, pushing herself up to stand as she leaned forward. “Is it a Scottish thing to be such a cruel fucker? Hugh, I'm appalled at you, the way you are speaking to Dory! Will you let her fucking speak before I muzzle you!” Alicia glared at Hugh and then with softer eyes turned to Teo. “The ceiling is yours”

  Shuggie sat mystified as to why the youngling was taking ‘her’ side over his. He brushed off her ‘Scottish’ remarks, and sat in fuming silence. Teodora had nothing to say that he wanted to hear, but if he valued his balls he was going to shut the hell up – the youngling was having none of it.

  Teodora Valdez was a wreck, she hadn’t slept or ate since Shuggie had taken off, her fragile body was trembling as she sat gripping her hands as she told her version of events, how the parts of the subjects anatomy were brought to her, blank labels attached, she ran the testing’s required and then they were collected and returned to the host. She learnt everything she knew about Supernaturals of all species in the Institute and when Anthony Hills the Third came to her and stated that he was going to make a super breed…yes she was intrigued but he promised her there would be no casualties, the naive scientist part of her overruled the experienced surgeon.

  Shuggie sat, his huge arms crossed and head down as he stared at the floor. When Teodora started going into detail about what she did, the lack of remorse or understanding about the sickening experiments she did on him and countless others just wasn’t registering with her. As the room went quiet, all he wanted was to get away from there as fast as he could. The after effects of what happened to him at that institute lived with him even now, and he knew that was his cross to bear for eternity. He did appreciate what the youngling was trying to achieve – even though he had closed his heart again, letting the coldness return – even then, he knew that Alicia was coming from a good place. But that wasn’t enough to save them.

  “This Anthropy Halls sounds like one sick fucker! Okay want to know my opinion here? You are both telling the truth as I know neither of you would lie to me, but you both need a timeout. Session is closed for now, see my receptionist on the way out and book in for two days’ time, you are both dismissed.” Alicia picked up a pink pen, lowered her head and started to write on her pad again.

  Shuggie didn’t bother standing, he flashed himself to his quarters – his heart couldn’t take any more. Just seeing and hearing Teodora was bringing back how much he had adored her, and how much he had lost.

  Teodora’s eyes were vacant as she stood and made her way over to Xavier’s desk, which for now was Alicia’s therapy station. Her voice was full of sorrow and heartbreak as she spoke her words. “Ali, I would ask something of you yes?”

  Alicia laid her pink pen down as she took the glasses from her face and handed them over to Teo. “Hit me with it – oh, and thanks for letting me borrow your goggles.”

  “Glasses.” Teo cleared her throat as her fingers gripped around her eye wear. “I want you to change me.”

  Alicia’s head snapped further upwards as she stared at Teodora. “Dory…I can’t do that, I’ve never changed anyone. I know I defy everyone any chance I can get but Hugh is my best friend and I couldn’t do that to him, I just can’t.”

  “I understand, I am sorry for asking such a thing of you.” Teodora lowered her head and made her way out of the office to her own quarters. She wasn't sure how much longer her broken heart could take.

  “My family is crumbling at the joints,” Alicia sighed to herself as she sat back in the chair, closing her eyes momentarily, she was only trying to save them.

  CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN

  Xavier grabbed a bottle of scotch and two glasses from his filing cabinet, his heavy footfalls pounding as he marched towards Shuggie’s quarters. Banging his fist on the door he waited until it opened.

  “Thought you could do with some firewater, yeah?”

  Shuggie wasn’t in the mood for company but that wasn’t stopping Xavier. He poured them both a drink, then sat on the edge of the bed as Shuggie sat down on the floor, his back to the wall. “I’m not here to judge, Shug, just the scotch provider,” he grinned and downed the amber liquid.

  “Ah appreciate aw that ye an the youngling huv tried tae do, Commander – bit ah jist cannae get past this.” Shuggie hadn't touched his drink, and was staring past Xavier, his face forlorn. “Dae ye forget wit happened tae me – in that hell on Earth?” Shuggie looked over at Xavier, but when he remained silent, he decided to keep talking.

  “We wur oan that mission – ye mind? Sierra Leone?”

  “How the fuck could I forget Shug. We arrived April 1993, a year after the coup d’etat,” Xavier’s voice was grim as he remembered.

  “Aye, we hud gotten word that oor troops were in trouble, caught between the rebels an the Government, an ah defied yer orders tae stay put an decided tae go it alone an try tae save them.”

  Xavier picked up the tone of guilt in Shuggie’s voice, but he never had and never would hold a grudge over his Lieutenants defiance. They had been in an exceptionally volatile situation, and were both running on adrenalin and instinct. It just so happened that Xavier’s instinct was always fucking right, and Shuggie on that occasion didn’t listen.

  Shuggie continued without stopping for breath, “Bit when ah got there, it wis a trap. Oor men had aw be
en massacred. A whole unit wiped oot,” Shuggie snapped his fingers, “like switching aff a light.”

  “Thirty good males, Shug – all betrayed by that fucking poster boy for abortion, Jake Barrington. Sold them out to get to you, all for his Judas pieces of silver.” Xavier remembered all too well what had gone down that day and the events that followed.

  Shuggie nodded, his face haunted. “He somehow found oot wit ah wis an made contact wi’ that bastard Tony Hills. They wir waiting fur meh, an ah didnae huv time tae protect mahsel as Tony used his damn sorcery tae subdue meh.”

  “You were too focussed on trying to save the last of the dying soldiers to know what was going on. I had to follow you on foot and was too late. You had vanished into thin air just as I got there.”

  A sharp chill ran down Shuggie’s spine. “The beatings were nae fun but ah wis strong enough tae take them. It wis the tortures, an then the experiments. Xavier, the fucking experiments that Teodora devised!” Even saying it out loud hurt him to his very core.

  “Under that cumstain Tony’s orders,” Xavier interjected.

  “They sawed mah skull an scooped oot parts o’ mah brain, fer analysis. Aw mah internal organs wur removed one by one. Each o’ mah bones broken jist tae time how long it took tae heal. Ah wis subjected tae burning wi’ sunlight torture, an liquid steel injected intae mah veins...” Shuggie stopped, the memories too painful for him to talk about.

  “Ah wis awake through it all, Xavier…” he looked over to his Commander, his eyes pleading for an understanding of the hell he had gone through and the despair at Teodora’s confession in her part in all of it.

  Xavier shrugged. “I ain’t the hearts and fucking flowers type Shug, and I’m allergic to sympathy so you’ll get none. What I will tell you is that the longer you avoid that female, the worse it’s gonna be on you.”