The Legend of Lady Sierra.

Chapter 2: Kristina

“Sierras, are you in position?” Jane hears as he looks through his scope, seeing the abandoned warehouse at Charleston.

“Sierra 2 to Command, in position. Quite a number of guards. Roughly 2 dozen of them.” Jane reports as he looks through his DSR-1 .50 cal sniper, Reiner loading his M4 with a drum mag while Monty is holding his Nighthawk Recon GRP, pulling the slide as he is crouched by the warehouse entrance.

“Any sign of Kristina?” Monty asks as he slowly makes his way into the warehouse entrance, sticking to the shadows as the bad lighting helps his concealment.

“Sierra 1 is searching for Damsel now. Sierra 3 is on standby at the entrance. Sierra 2 is providing overwatch. Barton is on standby with the armoured truck. When you need him, just call Barton.”

“Understood, Command.” Monty hears as he slowly moves in, waiting for three guards to walk past him, as he sticks to the shadows, carefully moving through the gaps between the shipping containers and the cargo. To which Monty stops as he looks to his right, activating his thermal lenses, seeing heat signatures from inside the containers.

“Looks like we’ve hit a hornet’s nest. Command, make sure Barton has a few guys in the truck with him, Sierras may need to stay to deal with whatever these heat signatures are.” Monty whispers as he slowly makes his move with the suppressed pistol, a guard walks into his direction. Monty leans close to the shipping container, holding his breath as the guard moves to his position.

“1. If you want to take him, you’re clear.” Monty grabs the guard’s neck and snaps it.

“Thanks 2. Am I close to the room that they are holding her?”

“Yeah. Just go through the hall, first door on your right. Thermals show that there are 6 hostiles inside.”

“Command to Sierra 1, we’ve heard rumours of missing people involved in the human trafficking trade. Right now, objective is Kristina. Secure the building then Barton’s men will take care of the rest.”

“Understood.” Monty reaches the door, seeing 6 hostiles inside while noting that Kristina is tied to the wall, Monty slowly turns the door knob and opens it quickly, putting 6 shots into the heads of the 6 men. Seeing an athletic black haired girl who is in shackles, blinded with her mouth taped. Her clothes were torn, to which Monty walks close to break her shackles, Kristina showed force to fight back thinking Monty must be one of her captors, to which Monty shushes her and slowly remove her blindfold then the tape. She sees the black Devtac Ronin helmet looking into her.

“Confirmed, this is Sierra 1, Damsel is A-OK.” Monty reports, then looks at her.

“Can you stand?” Kristina nods, to which Monty takes off his hooded sweatshirt and puts it over her.

“Stay close to me and stay low.” Monty pulls her by his side, Kristina leans close to Monty’s chest as they both make their way out through the same entrance, where it seems that Monty’s attack and kills have not been discovered. Monty guides Kristina as they slowly crouch through the gaps of the shipping containers, using them as cover. Monty stops Kristina for a moment, to which Monty shushes her as they see guards passing by, Kristina felt Monty’s strong hands grip her close to protect her.

“There’s an intruder!” Monty hears one of them shout.

“2, I am marking the targets for you. 3 standby with the M4, I’ll need you to provide support.”

“Ready… In 3…2…1.” One person is dropped to which Monty carries Kristina like a bride, running behind a container to which the men open fired on them.

“3.” Reiner blows the entrance then firing in short quick bursts at them. Jane is also with Reiner firing the DSR-1, taking out a few targets.

“Come on!” An armoured truck rolls to them, to which other men wearing baclava masks jump out.

“Go! We’ll secure the warehouse!” The men shout as they rush into the warehouse while The 3 Sierras enter with Kristina. Reiner drives while Monty picks up a M249 SAW at the ready, with Jane holding the DSR-1.

“Barton will keep them busy. Let’s get Damsel to see her family.” Reiner nods as he drives, Kristina looks at Jane who is sitting at the opposite of her with the rifle in hand.

“Who are you?”

“Just people.” Jane answers as his eyes are still on the scope, Kristina looks at Monty who is beside her.

“Thank you for rescuing me.”

“No thanks needed. It’s just our job.. Come on.” They arrived at campus, to which in front of the main hall.

“Triangle formation.” With Monty at the front wielding his pistol, Reiner with the M249 SAW and Jane with the DSR. They move to the hall, to which Reiner and Jane open the door for Kristina.

Seeing her Facilitators, Student Ambassadors, friends and family inside awaiting for her arrival. Kristina rushes to her parents, with Scarlett Grayson there to hug her too.

The tears of joy and loving expressions between them. Kristina turns to the entrance, to which she sees the Sierras looking at her, giving her a nod as the Ghost Cam makes them invisible, and making their way to the chancellor’s office.

“Good work.” The three Sierras nod.

“I need to brief you on the situation, Kristina’s family is under threat by the 51st Fleeters. The guys that made the threat. She will need protection at a constant period. One focused bodyguard.”

“The Fleeters… Cops can’t touch them.” Jane speaks with worry, his hand on his chin.

“Yeah, because they are werewolves. Regular .45s can’t do much. If you want to cause damage, silver bullets would be a way to go.” Reiner adds on.

“A shotgun or high calibre bullets would still do the job.” Jane adds on, then turning to see Monty with a machete.

“Or decapitation.” Monty says calmly as he sharpens it.

“Take care of it. To however you can.” Chancellor Marcus says to them.

“I’ll be her bodyguard. Just avoid detection from her family right?” Jane asks as he shoulders the rifle while leaning to the wall.

“You know what you need to do. It’s easier this way. Take care of things, my contacts have told me that they might attack Kristina and her friends tonight by the Sunset Bar. I won’t need a report later, just do whatever you deem fit.”

“Copy that.” The three of them say before leaving the room with their usual clothes.

“With all that fiasco going about, I need to write a letter to Dr Lotus. Missing her criminal tutorial equals to death.” Jane says as he mimics the neck slicing act along with the sound.

“I need to send in my Korean homewotrk to Miss Yeon. See you guys later.” Reiner says as he rushes to the stairs, leaving Jane and Monty.

“Got any plans Mon?” Jane asks as they both walk to the elevator.

“None. Just going to get ready, since we got work by Sunset Bar.” Monty answers sharply, as he takes out the keys to his motorcycle and a pack of cigarettes.

“Alright. You go on and get ready, I need to write a letter to Dr Lotus. Ciao.” Jane bids farewell before running to another class, Monty on the other hand makes his way to the parking lot. Students all stared at him with the cross shaped earrings, the blank expression of his face and his eyes, some people could not help but look at him. Admiring Monty from afar as most people would be afraid to approach him.

‘He’s so scary’

‘Damn he’s hot.’

‘He looks amazing.’

Monty could hear the whispers but he does not want to pay any attention to it. What for? All that Monty could think of at this moment, just wanting to sleep and to keep his mind empty. Most people would dismiss the idea of werewolves being nothing but just myth or the talk of a drunk myth. Fact is, supernatural creatures exist and they roam freely within the world as normal individuals but they are also responsible for many unexplained deaths.

Monty keeps his mind quiet as he walks through the campus area with nothing in mind. People bid him hello to which he simply gives a nod or a wave, but most of all. He just wants some peace and quiet, to which he stands by the gate of the university. Stepping outside seeing a Student Ambassador and a few security guards watching him.

‘Jun. Treasurer for the Student Ambassadors. With his usual get up of wearing formal shirts, slacks, leather shoes and his signature glasses. A typical bowl cut because poor guy can’t even make his own hairstyle but it’s to be expected. He’s too busy doing accounts and auditing the SAC(Student Ambassador Council) to do anything else.’ Monty puts the cigarette to his lips, covering it with his left hand as he uses his right hand to light it. The act of snapping his fingers produced a spark that had lit the cigarette.

Monty inhales it, feeling the calmness it brings followed by exhaling the smoke to the side. So that no one becomes a second hand smoker around him. His body feels cold, this often happens in his day to day routine and Monty has already gotten used to it. The cold had become his friend, thinking bout the weather when its cold reminds him back when he was homeless for a while.

Sleeping alleys, under bridges always running around doing whatever errands he could to earn some cash. Heh, those were interesting times of life and the ones that kept Monty feeling grateful day by day.

‘I’m alive. I’m awake. I smell fresh air. I can taste. That’s good enough for me.’ Monty thought as he takes another drag of the cigarette, inhaling the smoke and letting it out, to which he could feel his mind going blank. No more thoughts, no more worries or stresses in this short time as he takes his cigarette.

Monty craves for moments of this sort. Rather than keeping so many things into his mind, as Sierra 1. Monty had to tackle a lot of responsibilities and plans, tactics to use in situation. The escape plans, the entry plan. Weapon maintenance, talking to the Chancellor Marcus to keep him updated, and other responsibilities that comes along with his line of work.

Monty takes a look at his watch, seeing that he has roughly 3 hours before Kristina and her friends go drinking at the bar. Monty extinguishes the cigarette, then gets back into campus.

“STOP!” Monty shows the ID to Jun, not giving a damn to what he will say, Jun keeps shouting for Monty to stop but Monty does not want to hear anything and keeps his mouth shut. Rude? Yeah, but for Monty who does not want to give a damn bout anything at this moment he would prefer not to be interrupted unless work calls for it.

He gets to his motorcycle and rides off, with his mind still being at a blank slate then reaching his apartment, looking at the photo that he had said ‘Hello’ to before leaving.

“Hey. Just finished my routine of classes and work. Had to go save a friend today, it was nice. Though I feel a bit uncomfortable because when I found her, her clothes had been tattered and I could see some parts of her body. You did say that a man should watch where his eyes go and to keep them at a woman’s face. A woman’s face is much more beautiful than anything else. Though, don’t expect your son to go date anyone else yet!” Monty smiles to the photo with a joking expression.

“I know mom, it’s been 5 years. Maybe I should go look for someone to be there for me to take care of me, to just let me fall apart for a while. To just.. Have someone who doesn’t need to say much but just let me lean into them and just rest on their shoulders. To cry on their shoulders, to just get a hug from someone who will assure me it’s going to be okay. Maybe I did forget what it feels to have family, or to wake up next to someone who makes life much more bearable. Hey, it’s alright though. I can bear with it mom. I can go for the rest of my life not needing someone and even if there was, would it matter anyway?” Monty speaks with a tone of sadness yet his expression shows a smile, then putting the photo down followed by walking to his couch.

As Monty sits on the couch, looking through the glass of the sliding door. Seeing the sun slowly setting. Monty comfortably enjoyed the sight despite all the pain and all that has happened in his life, his mind flooded with memories of the past, a past that he no longer has any attachment to aside from photos and his first name. Monty’s breathing is a bit staggered, to which he feels a hand touching his shoulder. Monty turns to see a skeletal hand holding his shoulder, wearing a wine red cloak and a scythe shouldered.

“Thanks Red.”

“You are my pact maker, and I am your demon servant. So is Aries.” Monty turns to see a man in a tailcoat wearing a ram skull over his head with a katana by the hip, who opens his hand to reveal four flames, black flames, white flames, red flames and blue flames.

“The path of a Pact Maker is a hard one, and most likely to be lonesome. We both are yours to command..” Aries says to Monty, walking in front of him.

“And our powers as well as our senses are yours to use.” The two of them kneel before Monty.

“Thank you, the both of you.” The two disappear from sight, now they rest inside Monty’s mind where they will speak their thoughts directly into Monty’s mind.

It is time, Monty gets dressed putting on the hoodie, his GRP Recon and the Heinie Long Slide into his holsters. The GRP for his left holster and the Heinie on his right, followed by a machete at the back of his hip and a pair of knives strapped to his shoulders.

Monty jumps out of the window, to which his feet reaches the opposite buidling’s wall as his shoes skid to the ground floor. Monty rolls aside and disappears without a trace, as he heads for Sunset Bar.

“2. Are you in position?”

“Yeah. I am in position, I’ll take care of her later on after this.” Jane replies on the radio as Monty dashes through the crowd unseen, unheard, unnoticed as how he needs it to be.

“3, where are you?”

“Standing by in the shadows, got a shotgun ready.”

“Copy that.” Monty stands by the rooftop, looking at the bar from the outside.

“I see Kristina with her friends.” Monty watches with his Ronin mask zooming into the bar.

‘Scarlett’s there too.’ Monty thought, but he brushes the thought off as he watches. Scarlett was wearing a casual dress alongside Kristina, who was wearing a pair of tight jeans, a leather jacket and a pair of big earrings.

“Movement, 6 blocks from the back door. In the alley.” Monty briefly gazes at the three marks set by Reiner, then followed by Jane marking another 5.

“I just saw their fangs develop, as well as the claws. They are ready to make a move on them.”

“I’ll take the 5, just keep them out from the bar. If they try to make their way there. Just tell me.” Monty says as he jumps down in front of the 5 hooded werewolves by the opposite alley, Monty holds the machete with his left hand, the Heinie is in his right hand.

The 5 werewolves growl loudly, to which Monty runs towards them firing the first shot of 10MM into one of the werewolves, hitting the shoulder. Monty rushes close with the machete, using his right elbow to push the injured werewolf to the wall followed by Monty striking the machete into the werewolf’s neck. Monty decapitates the werewolf with ease, the blood splashing onto his hooded sweatshirt. The Werewolves stare into his eyes, seeing the crimson red eyes looking back at them.

Monty rushes to the next werewolf, covering the gap within a second. His left hand cuts the neck off cleanly, a Werewolf jumps from the back only to be shot with 8 shots into its body. Monty turns, reloading another 9 shots into the pistol, pulling the slide and firing away.

‘Just kill. Just kill.’ Monty’s mind kept those words in his mind as he rushes to the shot Werewolf pointing the 10MM into its head, blowing it apart as he empties the 9 rounds into it, then he drops the Heinie rushing to the fourth werewolf. The werewolf tries to put its claws into Monty, only to see Monty grabbing it by the skull. The Werewolf tries to bite Monty’s hand but only to be met its fate by his machete.

Monty rushes to the last Werewolf, grabbing it by the neck.

“CURSE YOU! WE WILL KILL YOU AND YOUR FA-“ The wolf is suddenly set ablaze by black flames and in a manner of seconds it is already dead. Monty walks out from the alley, seeing the blood splashed all over his clothes.

“2?”

“A few of them tried to make it through the rooftops, but as you can see.” Monty looks at the corpse lying on the floor, he could see the brain matter and the eyeballs on the tar road.

“3?”

“Just cleared them on my end.”

“Alright, stay until they leave. Hide the bodies.” Monty says as he snaps his fingers, the wolf corpse was burnt to an ash leaving nothing behind, the wind simply brought the ash along with it. Monty hides back into the shadows, it’s a busy Friday, most people wouldn’t even hear or listen to the gunshots as the pop music playing in the bar would drown out all noises aside from the usual.

“I hope it stays quiet for a bit, it’s been quite an interesting day. Too much of this and I’ll be too tired of work.” Reiner adds on as Monty hears a bolt clicking, to which Kristina gets up, putting on her leather jacket as she stands outside, looking at the moon putting her hands in her pockets.

“Jane, if you want to quote poetry about Kristina, then by all means.” Monty says as he looks at Kristina who smiles to the moon, which guy would not fall for such a beautiful smile?

“Pretty sure her hair is reflecting the moon, her eyes illuminating the stars in the midnight sky. God, thank you for the view..”

“Sierra 2. This is command. You will be assigned to stay at Kristina’s place later tonight. Chancellor Marcus has requested that you disclose your identity to her.”

“Sierra 2 copies..” Kristina’s tight jeans show her legs beautifully and it was understandable to why people would always talk about her. Then you have her friend Scarlett too, they match each other and in a way are opposites of each other.

“Sierra 2. You’ll be picking her up and sending her back to her home, she got a text from her parents telling her that she is going home with you.” Jane’s sigh is heard on the commlink.

“Sierras 1 and 3, new assignment. Gang war at Midtown.”

“Sierras copy. Good luck 2.”

“Yeah..Yeah.” Jane folds his bipod of his DSR-1, letting it hang on his back then rushing down the alley, getting into his Audi RS7 black colors with white interior. Jane drives in front of Kristina, to which he steps out and she looks at Jane standing before her. Opening the door for her by the passenger side. Kristina seems a little troubled, she leans on Jane’s chest.

“Maybe it’s time to get you home.” Kristina nods, as she gets into the car with Jane. Kristina slowly unzips her jacket, her hand on her chest. Jane could tell her heartbeat was racing, her breathing going a little bit too fast, Jane drives to her house with the house gate opening for him.

“Come on.” Jane helps Kristina on her feet, to which the door opens. Kristina looks at her parents and rushes into their arms.

“She’s a little scared bout a lot of things, so it’s alright. Give her time.” Jane tells the parents as he grabs his bag.

“It’s just me for the time being but the others will join me if Kristina needs protection.” Jane adds on as they see him holding a Sig P227 RX Full Size model with a laser sight underneath.

“Thank you.”

“Just doing my job, your daughter’s in danger. So let’s go in and put her to sleep. ”Jane says as they move inside the house, looking at the spaciousness of the living room as a result of what is a luxury home, it is something that Jane is not surprised to see. A 50 inch Flatscreen TV mounted to the wall, a sound system that could put clubs to shame and a beautiful family portrait of Kristina with her elder brother and two younger siblings.

“Kristi?” Jane hides the pistol in his jacket, not to alarm the elder brother. A muscular young man, who is wearing a tank top, a diamond shaped face with the side fringe. Clearly just finished his workout routine.

Kristina says hello to her family, then looking at Jane.

“Mum, why is he here?” Mrs Bannister does not know how to answer that, to which her father says this to her.

“He will be staying with us for a few days. In your room. To keep you safe.” To which Jane immediately looks flustered.

“Erm sir… I did say that I would stay in the house but staying in your daughter’s room... I believe it would make her uncomfortable.” Jane says shyly as he looks down, avoiding eye contact with the father.

“Kristi. He’s one of the men that rescued you. I hope you understand.” Kristina nods, taking it well. Jane could not tell if it was the alcohol that makes her senses numb or she understands but is too tired to care.

“Let’s go and sleep.” Kristina nods, to which she leans on Jane by accident and he carries her.

“It’s alright sir, I’ll take care of it. I still don’t believe why you would say something like that to your daughter. I am still a male after all. It makes sense to why she would be a little uncomfortable.”

“You’ve protected my daughter,so I trust in your judgement.” Jane nods as he carries Kristina to her room, as he puts her on the bed. Poor girl can barely open her eyes, Jane helps take off her jacket.

“Do you want to get changed?” Kristina nods, Jane get a tee-shirt, a pair of boxers and gives it to her, as Kristina stands up, then taking Jane’s hands. Guiding it to the back of her bra strap, unhooking it then walking into the toilet.

As Kristina is in the toilet, Jane checks his phone for any text messages. No texts, it is good as he does not need to make up lies or explanations. Jane puts his bag on the floor next to the table, as he begins to assemble his rifle, a Remington 700 bolt action chambered for the 30-06, loading 5 rounds into the breech.

Kristina walks out of the toilet putting her bra aside, she slowly leans into Jane and her head falls onto his chest. Kristina rubs her face into his chest, then breathing into Jane’s neck. Jane is trying to push her back but she looks at him with such scared eyes.

“Do you want me to stay close?” Kristina nods, as she faces her cheek, breathing at Jane’s neck. Jane feels the hot air of her breath, the softness of her cheek on his neck as Kristina leans closer. The soft and smooth skin touching Jane is enough to make him a little bit uncomfortable. He is not used to the skinship, but he does not wish to deny it either.

“Go to sleep.” Kristina holds him tightly not wanting to sleep, then Jane snaps his fingers and Kristina is immediately unconscious in Jane’s arms. Jane sighs as he puts her on the bed.

“A bit too forceful don’t you think?” Jane looks at the cloaked samurai floating opposite of him.

“Had to, if not she wouldn’t sleep and keep clinging on to me.As beautiful as she is, it would be me taking advantage of her as she had alcohol before this.” Jane thinks in his mind as to not wake Kristina up from her sleep.

“She did not have a sip.” Jane looks at a white suit male wearing a scorpion skull for a helmet says to him.

“Regardless, I will not take advantage of it, Scorpio.” To which Jane feels Kristina’s hand tightly holding his.

“Just stay, maybe you can see what’s in her dreams about you? Not curious?”

“Either way. I’ve already been connected, Grey. Wake me up if there are any threats lying around and if you feel necessary to handle it. Then handle it, just make sure it is quiet. The both of you.” Jane thinks as he falls asleep.

Somehow connected into Kristina’s dream, to which she sits by a lake on her own. Then Jane walks over, looking into her eyes.

“I wonder why you’re here. This is just a dream right?”

“Yes. It is just a dream.” Jane answers as he looks at this beautiful lake with the hidden gems underneath. Kristina walks over to Jane, then grabbing him by the neck.

“What are you-“ Kristina kisses Jane’s lips then she pulls back.

“Shh.. I just feel safe.” Kristina whispers into Jane as she pushes him down into the lake, which somehow turns into the living room floor of her house, then Kristina puts Jane’s arms to her sides as she sits on his legs. Then making out with Jane who is completely off guard.

‘I’m sure Grey and Scorpio are having a kick out of this one.’ Jane sits upward, to which Kristina leans close to Jane’s neck.

“I don’t think you would remember. But I had a crush on you since Foundation, you were bald at the time and you.. You protected me from a bunch of guys that was harassing me and I knew that you’ve been watching me ever since. I.. I was just too shy to approach you.” Jane wakes up from the dream, still holding onto Kristina’s hand.

‘That was an invasion of privacy, what she thinks or what she does in her mind is not supposed to be something I do… But then again, not like I can just turn off this power anyway.’ Jane thinks as he wipes his mouth feeling a bad taste from the dream.

“She seems to like you.”

“She’s just drunk, alcohol disturbed her mind.”

“I already said that she did not consume any alcohol. Was it not nice though? The comfort she gives?”

“I won’t deny that it was nice, but no.” Jane thinks to himself as he holds Kristina’s hand a little longer, while his left hand has the P227 at the ready, Jane hears footsteps behind him, he holsters the pistol because it is Kristina’s mother who is at the door wanting to check up on her. The door opens, Jane is seen to be sitting on a chair still like a statue holding Kristina’s hand.

“Morning, Mrs Bannister.”

“Morning to you too, Jane.”

Kristina wakes up, seeing Jane holding her hand. Her face immediately turns red as she pulls her hand away, Jane stands up as he goes over to his bag. Taking a tank top shirt, a pair of slim fit jeans along with a towel as he goes to the bathroom.

“Mom!? WHY IS HE HERE!?”

“Just get dressed, sweetie. We’re all waiting for you.” Mrs Bannister’s words were as if she had ignored Kristina’s question. Kristina is confused as she tries to sort things out.

‘It’s okay. Whatever. Just get dressed and he’ll be gone.’ Kristina puts on her bra, a tee shirt and her long pants.

“Morning.” To which her younger twin sisters go up to her. Both had the same brown hair, blue eyes, wearing pyjamas,

“Kristi!”

“Rachael, Natalie. I’ve missed you both.” Kristina kisses their foreheads as she carries the two toddlers down the stairs while her elder brother was behind her.

“Move,fatsooo.” Kurt jokingly say to her sister, Kristina moves to the side.

“Sorry, Kurt.”

“Don’t call Kristi fat you meanie!” The two toddlers say to her as they hit his arm, Kristina looks at the dining table, one extra seat in front of her and next to Kurt. There was bacon, eggs, omelettes, sausages and some bread, a classic breakfast made by Mrs Bannister.

“Who is the extra seat for?” Kristina asks as she gets some bread, eggs and omelettes.

“That would be for him.” Then they see Jane coming down the stairs with the tank top, his left shoulder had a tattoo of a shield that had a griffin inside of it, while his right shoulder had the tattoo of a skull accompanied by a pocket watch with the words ‘Never forget 3/2. Never Forget 21/11.’ While his arms had sword slashes, Jane sits in front of Kristy with a glass of orange juice in hand.

“Morning everyone.”

“Why is he here?” Kristina asks aggressively while Jane simply drinks the orange juice.

“Jane is one of the three men that rescued you, honey.” Mr Bannister’s answer leaves Kristina confused, she looks down seemingly embarrassed by her actions to Jane.

“Jane.. I..” Jane raises his hand.

“Enjoy breakfast. You’re scaring the twins.” Kristina looks at them, seeing them looking a little terrified.

“I’m grateful that you rescued me, sorry for my rude behaviour.” Kristina hugs the twins, then looks at Jane.

“My name is Jane Walters, raised by my adoptive mother Marion Walters, had 5 elder sisters. They died in a fire because we couldn’t pay off the loan shark. They’ve been dead for 5 years..”

The atmosphere by the table was dead, obviously it would have been when Jane says all that in a brief moment with a blank face and a flat tone, he just keeps on eating the pancake with no remorse.

“If I get nightmares or if I get scared.. Would it be too much to ask for you to help keep me calm?” Kristina asks with a straight face, breaking the silence.

‘Oh god, Kristi what are you asking?! You making it sound as if you want him to..’ Kristina’s mind flutters about as her stomach is already getting nervous.

“If that’s what you need..” Jane says to her as he scratches his head.

“Thank you for breakfast Mrs Bannister, it was very nice.” Jane thanks her as he goes to wash the plate and glass.

“I’m going out with my friends at 9 o’clock. We’re going shopping at the Blissford Mall.” Jane nods to Kristina as he puts the washed kitchenware aside, making a move to her direction.

“I’ll watch you from the darkest corners. You have my word on that, and also. Put this on.” Kristina looks at the small earpiece in Jane’s hand.

“I can use it to keep you close, and to know where you are. If trouble comes, I’ll be there.” Jane goes up the stairs after telling her that, leaving the family dumbfounded.

“Dad, where did you find him?”

“Actually, Kurt. I went to tell the Chancellor of Kristi’s university, then he called him and two other boys to get Kristi back. I’ve heard rumors about the Chancellor being an expert in dealing with delicate matters. I didn’t think it was true and Kristi. You’ve been blushing ever since you spoke to Jane.” Mr Bannister teases her as he leans on his palm as Mrs Bannister leans on him.

“Head over heels for him?” Kurt teases as he nudges his younger sister who pouts.

“Dad, do you remember the time when in foundation I was waiting for the bus alone?”

“The day when I couldn’t pick you up and Kurt had an accident… Yeah, I do. It was a hard day.”

“I was harassed by guys and they wouldn’t leave me alone.. Then, Jane stepped in, He also took the bus and walked me home, making sure I was safe..”

“That was Jane?” Her mother’s expression of shock was something she understood why, Jane looks so different back then.

“He was bald, not as muscular as he was now. His posture was different, the way he stands now is also different.But the lockets and the pendants on his neck.. They were the same.. I’m just shy to approach him, even now.” To which Jane comes down wearing his hooded sweatshirt, the Ronin mask with the MP7 in hand.

“Checking on Ghost Cam.” To which they see Jane disappear before their eyes.

“It checks out great. I’ll be wearing this throughout the whole day until you get back home. Most likely I’ll be alone because Sierras 1 and 3 are on another assignment.” Jane reloads the MP7 calmly, his quick, calculative motions had put fear into the Bannisters.

“Did you hear what I just…” Kristina’s face was one painted with worry, fear and confusion.

“I did, but truth be told I didn’t think that you were that girl from 2 years ago, and to think you became the SAC’s Golden Girl. You were so timid, and now you’re the admiration to a lot of people.” Jane tells her with a smile much to Kristina’s delight.

“Truth is, I admire you too. You changed to be a lot better without compromising who you are. I heard stories of how you became someone that would not back down even how people scare you.” Jane’s statements further made Kristina blush a brighter red than normal.

“I’m gonna shower first. Then we can go.” Jane nods as he holds the MP7, standing by the living room with full alert as his helmet scans the perimeter of the house.

“Why were you bald at the time?” Jane looks to the side when that question was raised by Kristina’s mother.

“The girl who was my sunshine in life, had cancer when I was in foundation. Then she died from it. Lung cancer..”

“I.. I’m sorry.”

“It’s an old wound these days, but it became a scar in the recent months. Just an old memory, reminds me to be grateful that I’m still alive.” Kristina arrives downstairs wearing a pair of jeans, a white top and her black handbag.