Advancing ((Advance Industries #2)) Read online

  “Kye we were joking; you know – winding each other up? Banter?” I tell him.

  “This is the perfect time for banter isn’t it? I’ll talk to you later; you know not to encourage them!” He turns around and starts walking back down the beach. What the hell is wrong with him? How could he yell at Cal and me for something that was clearly innocent?

  I yell at him, “Yes it’s the perfect fucking time for banter you arsehole! They’ve just got back to find their time is messed up so some light humour is definitely needed!” He stops walking but doesn’t turn around and I see his shoulders slump. “When did you undergo your sense of humour bypass Kye?” I continue.

  I hear the men chuckling behind me.

  “Just the entertainment I needed!” Callan says rubbing his hands together.

  I spin back to face him and pin him with warning eyes. “Cal, know when to end it okay?”

  I walk to Kye and rub my hands over his shoulders. He hasn’t moved since he stopped. He’s rigid so I walk around him till we’re face to face. His head is hung low so I move it until he’s looking at me with remorseful eyes.

  “Babe, what’s going on? I knew you were jealous but you never overreact like that. Talk to me.”

  “I’m sorry Sweetheart. I ... I just... I can’t do this anymore. Jonah just told me what happened after we left. I have to go back!” He says it quickly as though he’d chicken out otherwise and then looks down at the floor again. He starts chewing his gum. Now’s as good a time as any I guess.

  “Okay!” As soon as the word leaves my mouth I feel easier about the decision. This is what he needs. He’s never this tense, he can usually appreciate the fact that I’m fitting in with his team, that we rib each other constantly. That blow up shows me the extent of his living in limbo. He’s decisive, as team leader he has to be, so having no definitive plan has played heavily on him and that’s because I practically begged him to drop it.

  His head snaps back up and his brows knit together. Ha, I’ve blown his mind with my easy acceptance of that statement. He was expecting a fight, hell, maybe even a war. Am I that much hard work? He’s the task master but I know he relinquishes a lot to appease me.

  “Okay? Just like that?” He says as if I’m playing a trick on him.

  I smile at him and stroke his stubble. “I already decided I’ll do whatever you want if it makes you happy. I can’t watch you be so conflicted anymore babe. If we need to go back, then I’m in.”

  “Do you know what you’re agreeing to?”

  “Not entirely but I’ll do it anyway.” I smile, then lean forward and kiss him. He wraps those strong arms around me, thanking me, comforting me and loving me. It’s one of those heart-stopping kisses. The kind you have when you first start dating and lust, love and a fierce need for one another controls your lips, guided by your heart, head and everything in between. It leaves me breathless.

  He eventually pulls back, also sucking in a deep breath. He studies me, his eyes darkening as they bore into mine. God, I love being held in his heated gaze, love knowing that intensity is completely directed at and focused on me. He holds my face then dips slightly and Eskimo kisses me. I wrinkle my nose, it’s too ticklish but ever so sweet. I feel him coming back to me, I see the tension starting to fade. I did that. I gave him his peace back. I gave him me to do with as he pleases. Something I thought would render me anxious. My life, my fate is in his hands and I realise there’s no one I trust with it more than this man.

  Knowing I need to break the spell he’s currently placed me under, I lick my lips and tug his hand. “Come on babe, your team is waiting. I’m sure they didn’t wander out here to watch us being mushy!”

  “Bloody responsibilities!” He mutters as we walk back to them.

  They’ve met up with Jonah thankfully and are already talking amongst themselves. We drop down to the sand and I can see much better as they all have their Comm torches lit up.

  “I know you’ve told Kye but... What happened with my sisters? Did you get them out?” I ask hopefully.

  They all avert their eyes. My skin breaks out in goose bumps and that damn sickly feeling rises from the depths again.

  “Just tell me, please!”

  “We couldn’t find them Faith. I’m sorry we tried, we really did. We were clearing all the rooms and then we got backed up by AIG. The scientists that escaped rallied them and they surrounded us, we had no choice but to travel out of there.”

  My stomach just fell out. I look down to locate it on the floor, completely lost for a moment as those words sink in. My sisters are still there, scared and now at the mercy of Fraser. If I hadn’t already decided to go back this would have made up my mind. They probably think I abandoned them and... I did. I saved my own neck, well, technically Kye saved it but still. My whole purpose for venturing back was for them and yet I’ve left them again. I’m a terrible person. I didn’t even want to go back originally. I wanted to make a go of it here with Kye and screw everything else. I don’t deserve happiness and now I know that’s why my life has been nothing but tragic. I always have to overcome, find some inner strength and hope for the best. Good people don’t have to work this hard to live. Good people have nothing to prove and they’re rewarded for their very nature. I never set out to be a bad person, I’m not intentionally selfish and if I hadn’t met Kye then I doubt decisions would be so tough. I’m now too focused on him and us. I was worried about him choosing between responsibilities and love. But maybe all along it’s been me that has to make that choice.

  Kye

  My girl fucking amazes me. Seriously, at every turn, she shows me why I adore her. She’s going to come back for no reason other than to make me happy. She’s willing to disregard her apprehension and all of her concerns just for me. I struck gold with her. She’s going to sacrifice her emotions for mine and I shouldn’t let her, not on a relationship basis, but on a put- the- world- right basis I have no choice. She should be illegal, the high she gives me is more dangerous than any drug. So giving, so trusting and so deserving of a life better than I’m currently able to offer. My team are back, Faith is in and I can finally talk this out. I can finally figure it out. I pull Faith against me so she knows I’m there for her and also so I don’t have to look into those watery pools of hers as she strives to keep it together. How she stays strong is a mystery but I’m so proud of her.

  “Baby I know it’s rough right now but none of it will matter because we’re going back, we’re going to change the outcome, okay? Just try to remember that, hold on to it.”

  She nods but keeps her head downcast. I address the men giving her the time she needs to compose herself before she’s ready to join in and participate in what’s likely to be a very heated discussion. Not a foreign concept but one I need energy for and after working with Jack all day and my yo-yo emotions, I’m beat. Advance Industries has either got very adept at concealing their wrongdoings or they’re completely innocent in this time. I can’t believe that, though, evil breeds evil. After witnessing the display of authority from the AIG I know there is something to be found. We are what our surroundings make us, our upbringing shapes us so new President or not, if it’s Laudnam stock then it’s tainted as far as I’m concerned.

  I have a vendetta against them, I know this but that doesn’t mean I’m wrong or deluded. They’ve learnt from past mistakes so I just need to dig a little deeper. In fact, now it’s of no consequence because this time will change back to its rightful time, with Grandparents who remember me, love me and will be delighted to see me, where May exists and AIG aren’t the law... I am!

  The past few months have been filled with bad luck, loss and misfortune thrown at me whatever way I turned but I haven’t let it defeat me, define me or given up. I’m not a quitter. I’ve come close. I’ve been on the brink but looking at my team around me and my girl sat next to me I know that I can face it all, as long as I have these people, my support network, I can stand up, face another day and chip away at the blockade.r />
  “So, I think it’s safe to say- we fucked up!” They all look at me, serious, sombre expressions on every face.

  “You haven’t been back as long as us but from what you’ve witnessed do you agree that we changed something, knocked a certain moment off its path and changed our future to...this?”

  “Are you sure that’s what happened? We could be in some alternate reality, existing on two different strands of time,” Arlen says.

  “Whoa, Arl that was pretty profound for you. When did you start deep thinking?” Callan jokes.

  “Fuck off!” Arlen replies with a grin and bumps shoulders with Callan. “I’m just saying we don’t know for sure, there could be another explanation. I don’t want us to go back only to find the event we change has no effect.”

  “You’re freaking me out man, can you go back to dumbing it down?” Callan says.

  “No Arlen’s right. It’s not conclusive, there could be another explanation. There’s a theory that there is more than one universe in existence – the multiverse or something like that. I’ve been trying to remember what the scientist told me before we travelled to Faith’s time.”

  “What the hell is a multiverse?” Callan asks.

  “I don’t really know I was too interested in moving on with the plan but he was insistent on educating me. If I remember correctly and I’m probably not, it means that every possible version of an event could take place. For example, Cal: if you went back in time to murder your Gran you could get away with it because, in the universe next door, the Granny lives to have the daughter who becomes the murderer's mother."

  “What the fuck Kye? I have no idea what you just said!”

  “Okay, just think a minute. In that story, I just told, if the multi-verse didn’t exist then you wouldn’t be able to go back and kill your Gran because then you’d have never been born in the first place. Following?”

  “Yeah I guess, but that’s fucked up!”

  “So that’s the multiverse theory. I still want to follow up on going back, it’s what I feel makes sense. What I need you to think about is pinpointing what change we should concentrate on going back to rectify.”

  “Well thanks, that’s even harder than the last assignment you cooked up for us!” Walker joins in.

  “I know. Don’t you want our time back to normal, though? Coz I sure as hell do!”

  They nod sullenly so I continue, “So by a show of hands who is willing to find out?”

  I wait with bated breath hoping they still believe enough in me after watching my meltdown back at the labs. Surely enough they each take it in turns to nod and raise a hand and I release the breath I was holding. Just one more matter to decide.

  “By a show of hands who is willing to be led under my command?”

  “What the fuck are you on about Kye?” Saunders shouts, taking me back. He’s one of the quietest of us all, our caring medic.

  I glare at him hoping he’ll wilt under my stare but he’s not backing down.

  “You think we don’t trust you anymore? What, that you’re not man enough to lead us? You did what any of us would do if our loved ones needed us. The fact that Faith is sat right there while we talk about this shows me you’re thinking straight; you do understand what it means sending her back?”

  I nod and Faith flinches.

  “Well, then I vowed to follow you and I stand by it. Jonah’s good an’ all but he’s just not as pretty!” A wry grin is sent my way.

  “You okay with this Jonah?” I ask.

  “Why are you even asking? You’re team leader, Kye, I’m second in command. I took over because you had shit to sort out. I never wanted the job permanently you dumbshit!”

  They all start talking to each other – about me. Taking the piss, agreeing I need to man up, stop being such a pussy and on and on. I sit and listen with a grin. I deserve this ribbing, putting me back in my place. They’ve adjusted remarkably well considering they got back not long ago and found everything turned on its head. They’ve coped much better than I did.

  “Okay guys knock it off, you’re hurting my feelings!” I say holding my hand over my heart. This causes them to crack up again, just what I was going for. Faith becomes heavy and I flick my gaze down to see she’s fast asleep. I look back up at my team.

  “We need to figure out where you’re going to stay until we’re ready to travel again.”

  “Straight back to business!” They moan.

  I hold my hands up. “I know, I know. But I need to know you’re sorted.”

  “Daddy worried for our safety?” Cal continues, “How many times have we slept in the field? We’ll figure it out. You can even come and tuck us in if it’ll make you feel better... Daddy!”

  They start rolling around on the sand, their shoulders shaking with their laughter, acting just like little kids. Daddy? Cheeky fucker!

  “You’ll be lucky if I don’t smother you while you sleep!” I reply.

  More cackling. “You couldn’t creep up on me baby. I’m highly trained!” He replies.

  Did I really miss these guys? I think I prefer it when we’re on a mission and they’re all ‘Sir this and Sir that’.

  “Okay then. I’m gonna take my girl home seeing as how you losers can look after yourselves.”

  They look at her sleeping figure, probably forgetting she was even here as she’s so quiet. She’s usually the one leading them in calling me out and winding me up. The news of her sisters has obviously knocked the wind out of her. I pick her up and she nuzzles into my neck. I need to start feeding her up. She’s skinnier than she ever was before.

  “She gonna be okay?” Trask asks.

  I ponder the question. Is she? “When is she not?” I reply needing to allay his worry but thinking of plenty of times when she hasn’t been okay.

  He nods in answer looking sceptical. I know they’re close, they’ve bonded in a way that at first I was pleased with. I wanted her to be accepted and I wanted them to make her welcome but I wonder what the depth of his feelings really are for her. He knows she’s mine but does he want her as more than a friend? Is my mind imagining things that aren’t really there? Fraser wanted her and I can’t really blame any red blooded male for their interest, she’s stunning. Perfect. But mine! As long as they remember that we’ll be fine. Should I order him to start being indifferent to her? I could. Jeez, I’m losing it, sleep is obviously needed. I pull Faith in closer, she’s shivering. Trask rifles through his backpack producing his team jacket and holds it out to me. I take it and place it over her torso. She’s gonna smell like him now!

  Chapter 5

  Faith

  It’s cold here. My feet are bare, my gown practically see-through, my teeth are chattering. I rub my arms which do nothing as my fingertips are like ice. I’m floating through a blue hallway, guided as if by some imaginary string. It’s pulling me onwards. The dark starts receding until I’m illuminated in a brilliant light. I can hear voices. Urgent voices. Some whispering, some shouting, some begging, all merging into one sound but I can see no people. “Help us, please!” I try to turn around but my movements are slow as if I’m wading through quicksand. “Where are you?” I try to call out but my voice is quieter than a whisper. I try again but the words fall silently from my mouth.

  My movement is sluggish, the light so blinding that my eyes can’t adjust. I close them hoping to centre myself. My others senses kick into action, a breeze blowing over me as if someone is so close their breath is blowing against me relentlessly. I can still hear voices but they’re quieting and a whirring becomes prominent almost like a fan. A metallic smell hits my nostrils and then I can taste it too, rusty, tangy, disgusting.

  More shouting so my eyes ping open, the light begins to fade and I see a figure, it’s crouched over hugging its knees. Head down and sniffling. As my vision becomes even clearer I realise the figure is enclosed in a metal cage. I wave my hands in front of me trying to wipe away the mist fogging up the scene. I try to move forward but my step
s are stilted. I’m frozen in place. An observer and nothing more. The person in the cage looks up, looks straight at me, through me. It’s Hope! She reaches out her shaking hand, her eyes pleading for me to do something.

  “Faith!” She calls.

  “Faith wake up baby!” I’m being shaken, the room disappears and I’m left with the look on Hope’s face imprinted in my mind. I open one eye, scared that I’ll find myself in a cage. The eyes I’m met with, settle me straight away. Kye. Everything’s okay, Kye’s here. His eyes are wide; he looks dishevelled as though he’s been running his hands through his hair. He pulls me against him and kisses my head. I realise I’m in bed in the lilac room.

  “Bad dreams again Sweetheart?”

  “I... I guess so.”

  “Same as before?”

  “No... Yes... I don’t know. Just... Hold me, okay?”

  “Always, babe. Always.”

  I close my eyes again, snuggle into him and try to push the dream to the back of my mind. Kye’s warmth wraps around me and I sigh contentedly. Hope’s face flashes back into my head and I start retching. I can taste that metallic taste again and run from the bed to the bathroom.

  I just make it and bury my head in the toilet. Nothing comes up but I can’t stop dry heaving. I hear Kye pad into the room and then he starts rubbing my back while pulling my hair to the side so I have a free hand to hold onto the seat.

  I sit back on my legs and wipe the hair sticking to my brow away. I feel rough. Kye scoops me up, carries me back to the bed, then disappears before returning with a glass of water. He sits staring at me worriedly, stroking my hand and looking at me completely lost.

  “I’m fine babe. It was just a very vivid dream. Stop worrying.” I smile weakly at him.