What have we became?

Little secrets

I punch Marcus in the stomach and he bends down, losing a breath. I take advantage of it, pushing his head down while raising my knee. Then I throw him on the ground, I little bit of blood escapes the fresh cut on his lips.

"Is that all you've got for me?" I put my hands on my hips, waiting for him to get up, I've got a smirk on my face. I'm happy to go back to my normal self.

"Jesus Kate. " I giggle and he comes to me, slamming me hard on the wall. I hit my head and lose a breath. He blocks my wrists on both side of my head.

"Happy now?" Our faces are a few inches apart, our bodies almost pressed together. We're panting, staring in each other eyes, challenging to do the next move.

"Oh you have no idea." I give him one of the most sexiest gaze, biting my lower lip, to distract him. It works cause his look travels from my eyes to my mouth. As fast as I can I swing my foot behind his leg, making him lose his balance. Marcus falls on his butt, I jump on top of him and hit him across the face with my elbow. He tries to overturn me but I get up, kicking him in the ribs, now he is face down on the ground. I get on his back, blocking his arms, and start squeezing his waist with my legs. We're both out of breath.

"So?" I bend even lower, whispering in his hear. A big smile grows on my face as Marcus groans under me.

"O-ok ok! You win." I exult and help him get up. Although I'm out of breath I can stop the happiness. I'm back. Katherine Moore is f*****g back, slowly but surely.

"God Katie.. no one cheats like you do. That was a low blow." Marcus gives me an high five and hands me a bottle of water.

"Oh come on! It's your fault if you got distracted by a beautiful body. You need more concentration." I point my finger at his chest, making fun of him.

"Maybe, if you had wore more pieces of fabric, this fight would have been equal!" He slaps away my hands and tries to tackle me but I jump away just in time.

"What can I say? I had to use all of my skills, I couldn't stand to lose again. I have a pride to defend!" I fake a model-like pose and both me and Marcus burst into laughter. I'm back at my old self, at least on the physical side. One step at a time, everything will go back to its place.

*The next morning, at the hospital.*

"Well Miss Moore, your wounds are almost completely healed, but I suggest you to take it easy for another two weeks or so." Doc Reyes puts back in place a few of the bandages left and pats on my back, before turning around to fill all the documents.

"Two weeks? But I have to train and.." I blink more times than I have to, that's way too much time. I'm fine, I've been feeling better every day, why wait so long?!

"I do understand Miss Moore, but you have to avoid stress. You still have a bump on your head caused by the fall and your heart suffered from the impact of the bullet, even if you were wearing a protection." She glares at me and the I meet the furious look of my father. Crap.

"What did you do at training yesterday?" He's leaning on the wall, his arms crossed on his chest.

"Well.. nothing special.. you know.. as usual.." I'm in trouble, big, huge, trouble.

"Katherine. Tell me already. Don't make me lose my patience." dad stands of the wall and makes a step closer to me. If only stare could kill I would be dead since my 8th birthday.

"Uhm.. Marcus and I kinda took it too.. far, I guess?" I can see the anger growing in his stomach and rising up, to the vain on the forehead.

"Jesus Katherine! You have been shot, what the hell?! I told Marcus to go easy on you! I'll deal with him when we get home." He's shouting and agitating his arms in the air.

"It's not his fault dad. I asked him to do that. I can't get any better if everyone treats me like I'm made out of glass!" I get up from the bed quickly, raising my voice too. I'm sick of this treatment.

"Ok ok you two, calm down."  Doc Reyes steps between us, placing a calm hand on my shoulder and the other one on my father's.

"Boss, she's right, she needs to improve and to get better." She first looks at him and he shakes her hand off, walking around the room and grumbling.

"Thank you Doc, someone that actually listens to me!" I can't even finish the sentence that Doc Reyes swing her finger in front on my face, sayin a silent 'no'. Wait what?

"Not so fast Miss Moore." My jaw drops and I really don't know what to say to make them believe that I'm really fine and that I'm more than ready to go back to my regular schedule.

"You need to train, yes, but Boss is also right. You're not allowed to train more than 4 day a week. 2 of them only with inanimate objects, like punching bags. Are we clear?" As I'm going to talk back my dad punches the desk, making me jump and closing my mouth.

"Katherine!" I raise my hands in defense and roll my eyes.

"Yeah yeah, crystal clear." I'm mumbling, while putting on my jacket, ready to go the f**k home.

"Perfect! We'll se each other again in two weeks then. Have a nice day. Boss, Miss Moore." The doctor exits the room leaving the two of us alone. You could cut the air with a knife right now. Dad glares at me. He's angry, but he can't blame me. He was the one that raised me to be like this.

"Don't even start. You would have done the same as me. Maybe even worse." I raise my finger at him and incredibly he closes his mouth.

"You're impossible." He turns his back at me but I can see that I'm right and he knows that.

"Told you, I learned from the best." I try to defuse the situation and he gives me a little smile. Oh thank God that worked.

"You're mother was right." Dad strokes my cheek and looks at me like it was the first time.

"About what?" What does mum has to do with this?

"When she was pregnant with you, you used to kick her constantly. I was worried sick but she used to smile and say "I'm happy because this means that she's a fighter, just like me and you". My eyes fill up with tears and my dad hugs me tight. I bury my head in his chest while he caresses my wavy hair.

"I'm sorry Katherine. I'm too hard on you sometimes. But you need to build your shell, or else you will get hurt." I sigh and hug him even harder.

"I'm really working on it dad. But I miss her so much." He places his chin not op of my head, taking a deep breath.

"Me too baby girl.. me too."

*That night.*

Tomorrow is September 1st and Maddie will be finally back from Florida, I really can't wait to see her. Nathan won't be here for two more days, but I'm already nervous. Things between us are.. awkward. We speak everyday day on the phone, and these are my favorite moments of the day because he is so easy to talk to and he actually can make me believe that I'm not so evil, he gives me breathe. But I can feel there's something that he is not telling me, he's distant at times.

"Are you sure everything is all right?" This is maybe the 5738 time that I try to make him talk. But I could be wrong, they could be more than that.

"Sure Katie, why not?" What could it be so serious that he cannot even tell me?

"I don't know.. You seems kinda off.." Pleeeeeease! I don't know what else to do to make him talk.

"How do you do this?" He takes a deep breath before talking.

"Do what?" I'm a little confused, and his voice makes me stop to look around in the night sky.

"How can you read me? Even through a freaking phone?" He's laughing on the other side. At least it is nothing serious.

"I know you Nathan Walker. You always answer with a question if you don't want to tell something. Or you wait a few seconds, then start speak way too fast, so I get distracted." I always liked to study people, How they act, their routine. This way I know what to expect. But with him it is rare for me to do so, it's like he's changing almost everyday while remaining the same. But I'm glad that at least I got this side right.

"I swear Katherine Moore, you're a witch." He laughs but I won't get carried away this time.

"I know what you're doing Mr Walker. Don't even try, you know you can tell me anything." I giggle as I hear him puffing on the other side of the phone.

"I'll tell you when I get home ok? " His voice is cold, out of nowhere. I take back what I said, this must be serious.

"You're scaring me Nat." I bite my nails as I swing my leg outside the window, savoring the cool breeze.

"It's not a big deal Kate, don't worry." I take a deep breath and decide to believe him, even if there is a little part of my mind that is screaming not to do so. There is no point in forcing him.

"Ok, if you say so. I'm going to bed now, tomorrow I've to pick up Maddie at the airport." I look out again at the horizon, now almost unrecognizable, blended with the black sky. 

"I can't wait to hang out with you again. " My heart stops for a second. Did he meant you as in me? I can't recollect my thoughts and I try to say something but he already hung up. 

I put down my phone and concentrate on the view, taking deep breaths. I really don't know what to think and the reasons why we called things off seem so stupid now. All I know is that every time I look in the mirror I can almost see his deep black eyes looking back at me, at night when I'm cold I imagine to bury myself in his embrace. And dreams over dreams of his lips, gently kissing every inch of my skin, his hands giving me heaven. And a split second later it's him, running away from me , screaming obscenities, because he found out who I am. Most of the time I can't even wake up from these nightmares, my mind gets caught in an intricate maze of fears and I'm stuck in a restless sleep.

*The next day.*

Just like a I promised to Doc Reyes, this morning I poured all my energies on a punching ball. I'm excited to finally see my best friend again. Now I'm in the hall of the airport with Marcus, impatient to see Maddie walking through the gate. I look at him, he seems to get more nervous every minute, he's torturing his fingers, focused straight on the gate, never looking away.

"KATIE!" I hear her before actually seeing her. She runs towards me, hugging me like never before. Oh s**t, I'm gonna cry, I missed her so much. Maddie steps back a little, still holding my shoulders, while she scans my face and my body. Than she put a her index finger on my chest, looking me with anger.

"What I've done now?" My jaw drops as I see her beautiful blue eyes tearing up.

"Don't do that to me. Never again. Never, for God's sake. If you were dead that night, I would have resurrected you just to kill you again with my own hands!" I take her hands in mine and I gently squeeze them.

"I missed you too." I give her my biggest smile but she fakes a grudge.

"Yeah yeah, that "puppy look" won't work this time. You'll have to work for my forgiveness young lady." I laugh at her act and she can't help it anymore.

"My God, you sound just like my dad." I put my arm around her shoulder, shaking her little body.

"Well, someone has to do the dirty work to put you in row." I fake to be shocked but before I can formulate a phrase, Maddie's gaze falls on Marcus.

"Hey Mads." Mads? Is that a nickname? His voice is so hesitant, and this is definitely not like him. I frown, and for a moment I'm completely frozen in my spot.

"Hey.. long time no see.." I can see that she's blushing even under that layer of sun-kissed skin. What the hell is going on here?!

"How.. how was your holiday?" Marcus stutters now?! I'm looking back and forth between the two of them, that seems to have completely forgot my presence.

"Long enough. I couldn't wait to come back.. you know.." Maddie looks at her feet, playing with her hair before gazing back at him thru her lashes.

"Yeah, I see.. well, I'm glad.. I mean, we're glad to have you back." Marcus puts his hand on his nape and.. and now is HE BLUSHING?! WHAAAAAT? I could not be more shocked right now, this must be a f*****g joke.

"Yeah it feels good to be home with you.. I mean, the both of you.. " Maddie's words snap me out of my thoughts. That's it, I need to know what the f**k is going on here.

MADDIE POV

I missed my best friend so much and I can't believe what she's been through.

"Hey Mads." His voice gives me shivers. I look at Marcus from head to toes before stopping on his hazel eyes. Oh God, why he has to be so freaking hot? Everything goes blur, it's just me and him now. I feel my cheeks turn red and hope that nobody notices.

"Long time no see.." I manage to say a few word, hopefully I don't look dumb.

"How was your holiday?" Marcus lick his lips as he finishes his sentence and I could not be more hypnotized.

"Long enough. I couldn't wait to come back.. you know.." to see you. But I can't bring myself to finish the phrase. I look at my feet and when I raise my eyes again I meet the most breath-taking gaze ever. 

"Yeah, I see.. well, I'm glad.. I mean, we're glad to have you back." He blushes too and it takes me a second to realize.. did he said that HE is glad? My heart does a flip. 

"Yeah it feels good to be home with you.. I mean, the both of you.. " His eyes widen at my words and I'm lost. He's looking at me in a way that should be illegal. Absolutely. I suddenly hear a voice near me I we snap out of our thoughts. s**t! Katherine! 

"What happ.." I have to stop this thing right away. She would rage.

"We have to go!" I take Katie's arm and pull her towards the exit, almost running to the car.

"No wait.." She tries to talk again, her face is a mix of disbelief and horror.

"My mom is probably wondering where are we! Yeah yeah we're late!" I cut her off again, I really hope that she won't dig this thing up. But unfortunately I know her, and she will.

*Home. *

The car ride was pretty intense. Kate wouldn't stop asking questions and me and Marcus were avoiding them one by one. I know who and how he is and what Katie says about him, but I can't help it, my heart beats a little bit faster when he looks at me. He blushes every time when we talk, that must means something right? 

BEEP BEEP

1 new message from: Marcus Allen

"Hey Mads"

Reply

"Marcus. Has she eaten you alive?"

1 new message from: Marcus Allen

"Not yet, she's waiting for me at the gym, she's probably gonna kick my ass"

Reply 

"Don't say anything please. Even if what happened was less than nothing. She's gonna kill the both of us."

1 new message from: Marcus Allen 

"I know, don't worry. I hear her yelling from the gym, I have to go."

Reply 

"Let her win Marcus, she will go soft on you if you do that"

1 new message from: Marcus Allen

"Oh you know that I'm gonna loose anyway. See you sunshine"

KATHERINE POV 

I'm already in the gym, warming up my muscles. I'm gonna make Marcus tell me the truth. I hear him walking upstairs.

"YOUR GONNA MAKE ME ROTT DOWN THERE MARCUS?! WHEN DO YOU PLAN TO COME?" I'm raging like few times before, I can almost feel the smoke coming out of my ears.

"I'm coming, I'm coming! Jeez Katherine!" Marcus is walking downstairs and I go hide beside the door. As soon as he steps inside the gym I hit him on the throat with my arm. Marcus gasps for air but quick enough he grabs it, swings me around and slamming my back to the wall on the other side of the door. 

"Cheater!" He touches his throat, glaring at me.

"Tell me the truth and I'll stop cheating!" I scream back and I hold on is arm, rotating it on his back, punching him in the ribs. He bends down, lift me up on his back and throws me on the floor.

"I don't know what you're talking about!" he point his finger at me.

"Liar! What was that thing at the airport with Maddie, uh?!" He stares at me, saying nothing. From the floor I swing my feet behind his, making him falling on his butt. I jump on top of him, punching his jaw. Marcus blocks my wrists with one hand while hitting my side with his fist. I lose a breath but I can free myself stepping back up, and he does the same.

"It was nothing Katherine! For God's sake, we were just talking!" Marcus his waving is arms everywhere, lying straight to my face.

"Yeah, talking and blushing and smiling at each other like two idiots! I'm not blind nor stupid! Tell me already!" We're screaming and out of breath. I tackle him, pushing on his abdomen so hard that we go crashing on the wall. He puts his hands on my back, preventing me to get up and start rising his knee hitting my stomach over and over again. I fake a cough to make him worrying about my wounds. It works, so I rise up and hit him across the face with my elbow. Right away, with the other hand, I punch him on his side and in the stomach. Marcus puts his hands on my shoulders pushing me away and making me fall back.

"A fake cough? Really Katherine?! Can you go any lower?!" He spits out a bit of blood and looks at me indignantly.

"Tell me the truth and I'll stop cheating! It's so hard to be honest?!" I scream so loud that my throat feels on fire.

"You can beat the crap out of me how many times you want, there's nothing to talk about, for heaven's sake!" He has his hands in his hair, walking circles, at a safe distance from me.

"I take the offer to beat you, thanks!" Marcus stops in his track and point at me so I grab his forearm, twisting it. He is forced to lean back by the unnatural position, so I kick him hard on the back. I turn him around so I'm facing his back, still holding his arm. Marcus tries to reach me with the other but I'm too far. I make him tripping and he falls face down to the floor taking me with him. I block him to the ground.

"Still nothing?!" I push my knee in his lower back.

"Why don't you believe me?!" His voice sounds more like a growl from the strain.

"Cause I f*****g know you Marcus!" I scream in his ear as I clench his hair with my free hand. He doesn't talk, and I start to think that maybe I'm overreacting. I'm still holding him down, and before talking I harden my grip, warning him. He grinds his teeth for the pain.

"This time, I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt. But I swear, Marcus Anthony Allen, mark my words. Make Maddie suffer one single time, for whatever reason you want, I don't care, and you can start digging you own grave. Am I clear?" I whisper in his ear.

"C-crystal clear Katherine. " I let him go roughly and leave the gym, he rolls around, still laying on the floor and catches his breath. I grab my phone on the way to my shower.

"Hello?" Maddie picks up right away.

"Hope you know what you're doing." She gasps on the other side of the phone.

"Doing what Kate?" Really? No one talks?

"I'm not dumb Maddie. But if neither of you want to tell me, fine."

"Katie.." I cut her off, I have to take this weight off my chest.

"I'll give you the benefit of the doubt Maddie, because I trust you after all. But don't say I didn't warned you." Oh Jesus, I already know that I'm gonne regret this decision.

"You beaten the hell out of Marcus, did you?" She giggles, and calms me down a little.

"Maybe. But it was a best friend duty. He didn't say a word tho." Maddie laughs again.

"I love you, you know that?" I shake my head and can't help it but smile myself.

"Yeah yeah, love you too. I'm going to shower. Bye "Mads"." I joke on her nickname and hang up before she could say anything. I really hope that she knows what she's gotten herself into.

*Two days later.*

I'm at the airport, waiting for Nathan's fligh. I'm walking in circles cause I can't stand still. My heart is beating like crazy, my palms are sweaty, Doc Reyes wouldn't approve. Then I feel it, that shiver. I turn around and I see him. We both stop to catch the breath, lost in each other eyes. His body, that face, his hair, his hands. I missed every single thing about him. What would I let him do to me with that hands, only God knows. These thoughts make me tighten my thighs and blush. We're looking at each other with so much lust that we could light up a fire. Literally, I could make him mine right here, right now, and he seems to agree with my thoughts. I missed him like crazy and for a moment I can't remember why we called things off between us. We start to run towards each other, I just want to hug him and never let him go away again, when..

"OMG! I can't believe it! What are you doing here?"