“Yeah.” he said.

“Logan, it’s Cade.”

“What’s up?” he asked, surprised.

“So this isn’t a pleasure call?” Logan teased.

“So, why are you the one calling me anyway?”

“So what’s the problem of the day?” Logan changed the subject.

“What’s always the problem? Manticore.” I replied.

“Can I get a little detail?”

“Only if you ask nicely.”

“Pretty please.” Logan replied dryly.

“See the name Manticore anywhere?”

“So what’s with these people and Manticore?” Logan asked.

“I think you’ve been hanging around Max too much.” Logan replied.

“Logan, what’s up?” I overheard Max.

I felt the tone switch and guessed he put me on speakerphone.

“Wrong answer.” I quipped.

“Kinky. Hi, Cade.” Max said.

“Hey, Max.” I replied.

“So, whatcha doin‘?” Max said in a childish voice.

I said nothing. Apparently Logan pointed to the screen or something of the sort. Max’s voice came clear.

“What the hell?”

“Where are you?” Max demanded.

“What?” Logan and I both said at the same time.

“I want to be in on this. It’s my right. Manticore’s my problem, too.” Max said.

“None taken.” I said through gritted teeth, “Look. We don’t even know if this is a problem yet.”

“I don’t care. I want to be there.”

Through the phone, I could hear her walking away.

“Where you going?” Logan asked.

“To pack.” Max replied.

I heard the door slam.

“Well, that went well.” Logan commented.

“Guess I’ll be seeing you soon, Wonder Boy.” I said, grinning at the nickname.

“Sorry. Guess it’s in the genes.”

“See ya soon.” Logan sighed.

I hung up the phone and turned to look at the others assembled in the apartment. Krit and Syl were playing rock-paper-scissors. Ty was staring at the ceiling and appeared to be counting the dots. I needed some sort of sanity so I sought out Zack. He was standing by the window, staring out at the city.

“Zack. You’re not gonna like this.” I warned, handing him back his cell phone.

“Not the best way to start a conversation.” Zack replied.

“Max and Logan are coming.”

“Figures.”

“So, you’re not gonna kill me? I’m just the messenger, you know. This was all Max’s idea.”

Zack smiled and turned to me.

“I couldn’t kill you.” Zack said, and kissed me.

“Ewww!” Krit, Syl and Ty all said, simultaneously.

“Get a room!” Krit added.

“Oh, grow up.” I replied.

“Actually, we do need to get a room.” Zack said, “We don’t have anywhere to stay yet.”

With that, he grabbed my hand and we walked out the door.

“Krit, what did you do with my hairbrush?” I demanded, standing in the middle of the apartment with my hands on my hips in what I hoped was a fed-up posture.

“What? I haven’t touched your brush!” Krit protested from the couch where he was drinking coffee.

Syl eyed Krit’s hair from her spot at the kitchen counter.

“I can believe that.” she scoffed.

“This happens to be...oh, fine. You’re right. I didn’t brush my hair this morning. Which only goes to prove I haven’t taken your brush, Ty!” Krit said.

“Then where is it?” I returned, gesturing at the apartment, “I can’t find it anywhere.”

“Try the bathroom?” Krit asked.

“Of course.”

“Try Syl’s room?”

“Why would it be in Syl’s room?”

“Fine. Did you try my room?” Krit asked, turning back to me.

“I thought you said you didn’t have it.”

I returned to the main room of the apartment brushing my hair.

“Okay, but if my toothbrush is missing, someone is going to die.”

“You think I would use your toothbrush? Ewww. I like you Ty, but not that much.” Krit replied.

“I don’t like anyone that much.” Syl seconded.

I rolled my eyes and plopped down on the couch, nearly causing Krit to spill coffee in his lap. He was about to make a remark about it, but I stopped him by laying my head on his shoulder.

“Morning, Krit.” I said sweetly.

“I hate it when you do that.”

“No, you don’t.”

“No, I don’t.” Krit agreed.

“Go brush your teeth first. You know I don’t like the taste of coffee.”

Krit made a face and went to go brush his teeth.

“I aught to use your toothbrush.” he threatened.

“You wouldn’t.”

“Of course not. I told you that was gross. God, next you’ll be accusing me of stealing your razor. That’s gross, too, by the way.”

He continued mumbling as he headed for the bathroom. I shook my head and went to get my morning glass of milk. I had discovered that if I drank a glass of milk every morning I could usually get by without any seizures. And if I did get them, they weren’t very bad. What had Max said about it? Does the body good. I could believe that.

“Krit, we know you wouldn’t use a girl’s razor!” Syl called after him, stopping him just before he disappeared in the bathroom, “But if you leave the toilet seat up one more time...”

“Girls!” Krit cried, throwing his hands up in defeat before slamming the bathroom door.

Syl grinned.

“I like living with him better when he’s outnumbered.” she declared.

“Geez, do you two ever stop?” I remarked sarcastically, then shut the door.

The doorknob turned and the two strode into the room.

“Any sign of Max yet?” Zack asked us.

At this time Krit made his way back into the room.

“Not yet.” Syl replied.

Krit paused slightly behind me and murmured,

“Guess I brushed my teeth for nothing.”

He continued on to the couch.

“So what exactly is our mission?” asked Syl

There was a knock at the door. The person didn’t wait for one of us to respond, Max just waltzed right in.

“Somebody order pizza?” she joked.

“Sorry to disappoint you.” Max replied, hugging him.

“Max, you shouldn’t be here.” he said.

“So I hear.” Max replied, rolling her eyes.

“Well, pleasantries aside, what are you guys up to?” Logan interrupted the ensuing argument.

“We still haven’t worked out our plan yet.” Cade said.

“I think we should do some recon.” I suggested, “Get some more intel before we do anything major.”

“Right.” Max agreed, “So, I’ll break into the building...”

“Not you.” Zack interrupted.

“What? But I’m the best for the job.”

“I said, you shouldn’t be here, Max. It’s risky enough with five of us here. We didn’t need to involve you and Logan.”

“Don’t be an ass, Zack.”

“I’ll run recon.” Zack said, ignoring her.

“I’m coming with you.” Cade said immediately.

“No. This is one person job.” Zack said firmly.

“No, you’re not. I need you to run interference with Ty and Krit’s bosses. Make up some convincing excuses why they won’t be showing up anymore. Max, I want you with her.” Zack ordered.

“Zack!” Max and Cade both protested.

“You don’t need two people for a job like that!” Cade said.

“You’re just getting rid of us!” Max added.

“That’s an order.”

Max and Cade both looked mad, but they both finally agreed. They both left, Zack leaving after them to prevent them from following him.

“I can probably hack into the surveillance of that building and make sure they don’t catch Zack.” Logan thought out loud, sitting down and opening up the lap top he had carried under his arm.

“They won’t catch Zack.” I said confidently.

Zack would never be that careless.

“All the same.” Logan shrugged.

“So, Logan, how did you meet Max anyway?” Krit asked casually.

I tuned out the following conversation and went to go brush my teeth and actually get dressed in real clothes. As comfortable as they were, I wasn’t going on a mission in old sweats and a ripped, white tank-top.

“Krit?”

“You have Power Ranger boxers?”

“Hey, I’m the Red Ranger!” Krit said defensively.

I approached Krit, very appreciative of him not putting his shirt on yet. I stood on my toes to plant a kiss on his lips, but Krit pushed me away.

“Wait, Ty! We’re supposed to be staying away from each other, remember?”

“Slipped my mind.” I replied.

“Uh...Ty, why don’t you go...talk to Syl?” Krit suggested lamely.

I wasn’t moving so Krit helped me to the door.

“You’ll thank me later when we avoid getting in trouble for the second time in 24 hours.” Krit promised.

I rolled my eyes and let Krit shut me out of the room. I leaned back against the wall and it suddenly hit me.

“What the heck is wrong with me?” I muttered.

Oh no. This couldn’t be happening. Not now. Please, not now.

I was in heat.

I could feel it coming on again, that strange tingling sensation that seemed to spread throughout my entire body. And I knew it would be worse this time, so much worse. All I had to do was look at Krit to know that.

“I have to get out of here.” I said out loud.

“Something wrong, Ty?” Krit asked, coming out of his room.

No. Not Krit. Not now. Although, he was looking rather yummy. No!

“I’m fine! I’m fine. I just have to go. Now.” I said quickly, using every ounce of willpower I had to make me walk away from him.

“What? Why?” he asked jumping in front of me to make me stop, confused and concerned.

I looked pleadingly past him at Syl, hoping she would understand. She met my gaze and her eyes widened. She grabbed Krit’s arm and dragged him away from me. I turned and ran out of there while I still could.

I immediately spotted the motorcycle. I couldn’t remember whose it was, Max or Zack’s, but I didn’t really care anyway. It would get me out of here quickly.

I was on the motorcycle and gunning it up to 60 before I could think straight.

I kept my eyes glued to the road. I knew if I looked to the side I might see something, or rather, someone who might make me stop and do something I shouldn’t. And if that happened and Zack found out...the poor guy wouldn’t stand a chance.

When had I turned on this road? Boy, I was slipping! Just because I was in heat didn’t mean I could let my guard down.

I decided I was far enough away from everyone else and pulled over. This was about as far from people as I could get without messing with sector police. And I was in no mood to mess with sector police.

Another abandoned warehouse. Funny how many of those there seemed to be. Then again, after the Pulse hit, tons of warehouses shut down. Maybe it wasn’t that surprising.

I slid off the motorcycle and walked it inside the building.

“Damn.”

Not abandoned. Small gang’s headquarters, from the looks of it. Too late to get out unnoticed. I’m not sure if I could have made myself do it anyway.

“Nice wheels you got there, babe.”

“Hey, boys.” I heard a voice that sounded suspiciously like mine say, “Anybody care to show a girl a good time?”

Without thinking, I kneed the closest guy in the stomach, then brought down my elbow between his shoulder blades.

“Wasn’t up to it.” I heard myself explain as I leaned against the next closest male.

“Ty! What the hell are you doing?”

Damn, damn, damn.

I turned slowly and blinked.

“Mmm. Hi, Krit.” I heard myself practically purr at him.

I had to snap out of this.

The street punks weren’t taking as kindly to Krit’s presence as they had to mine, of course. They started to advance on him, stupidly thinking they could take him. I grabbed the collar of the one I had been leaning against and pulled him back towards me, kissing him. Half my mind was screaming at me to knock it off. The other half was telling that first half to shut up, he was kinda cute.

And then the first half wizened up and found a way to get through to me.

‘Get ahold of yourself, soldier!’ it snapped at me in Zack’s voice.

I pushed the guy away quickly, my eyes widening as I regained control over myself.

‘Now drop and give me 50 before you do something else stupid!’

The guy I had kissed probably thought I was insane. He stared at me, stunned. I tried to push him out of my mind and concentrate on counting.

I didn’t look up, but could tell from the sound that Krit had come over and knocked the guy out.

“Now what are you doing? What is wrong with you, Ty?” Krit demanded.

Couldn’t look at him. That would be too tempting. Better answer or he might make me stop doing push-ups. 50 wouldn’t be enough.

“Please go away, Krit.” I managed.

“Krit, don’t you get it? Can’t you sense it?” I asked, still not daring to look up.

My arms were starting to hurt. The pain was a welcome distraction.

Krit had been silent for a long moment. I wondered if it had hit him yet.

“What am I...” he began.

“Krit!”

Damn, it was Zack. No, Zack was good! He could keep me in line.

“Get the hell away from her!” Zack yelled.

I finally looked up and saw Zack shoving Krit towards the door. And suddenly I was on my feet and trying to follow him.

“No, Ty.” Zack said, grabbing my arm.

I spun on him and kicked him in the stomach. I never should have gotten that blow in.

I headed towards Krit again. Zack tackled me from behind.

“Krit, get out of here! That’s an order!” Zack growled at a bewildered Krit.

Krit obeyed and disappeared outside. I growled angrily and shoved an elbow back into Zack’s torso. He grunted and got off of me, hauling me to my feet after him. He pushed me backwards until I hit the wall. I heard some clicks and saw, once Zack moved, that he had handcuffed me to one of the bars that ran along the wall.

“Stay here.” he muttered and trooped outside, probably to deck Krit for being so stupid.

I cocked my head and amped up my hearing to listen to what they were saying.

“How stupid are you?” Zack demanded.

“I...what...but...” Krit tried to protest.

“She’s in heat, you idiot!” Zack interrupted.

There was a pause.

“I didn’t know.” Krit said quietly.

“You didn’t know? How could you not know? I could smell it from a mile and a half away!” Zack replied.

“I’ve never been around any of the girls while they’re like this, alright?” Krit yelled back defensively.

“What about Syl?”

“No. No, you didn’t.” Zack said.

“Can’t I talk to her? Apologize?”

“No! She only cares about one thing right now. And besides that, I don’t know how well you can restrain yourself.”

“Restrain myself? Are you implying I would take advantage of Ty?” Krit demanded angrily.

“Pheromones, Krit. They’re probably messing with your head already. Go back to base. I’ll call Syl and give her a sit-rep.” Zack said.

“Okay, Zack.” Krit sighed.

Zack appeared back in the warehouse a moment later.

“Why’d you send him away? This is none of your business, Zack!” I yelled at him.

“Ty...” he began.

“And why aren’t pheromones messing with your head, huh? What’s with that?”

“Probably because we’re directly related. But Ty...”

“I was just trying to have a little fun.”

“I hate it when you’re in heat.” Zack sighed.

“What a coincidence. Me, too.” I agreed.

We both heard a groan as the first of the gang members started to wake up. Zack immediately returned him to unconsciousness and proceeded in tossing the thugs outside. He then turned back towards me and assumed his post as my jailer/protector.

“I can’t take this, Zack. I’ll go insane.” I protested, pulling against the handcuffs.

“No, you won’t.” he replied evenly.

“You know, I could’ve kicked your ass.”

“Maybe.” he allowed.

“You know, Krit’s pretty hot.”

“Shut up, Ty.”

So the mighty Zack had a weakness. He didn’t like his little sister talking about one of his fellow X5’s like she was interested in doing something with him.

I would have continued but Zack slapped me. It hurt and my eyes watered a little bit. But at least I could think straight again.

“Thanks.” I said.

“I’m fine. Really. I can handle it.”

We both knew that was a lie.

“How long do you think you can keep protecting me like this, Zack?” I asked.

Zack didn’t answer. Neither of us said anything for a long time. I tried to get comfortable and managed to find a sitting position once Zack moved my handcuffs. He did so in a motion so quick that I couldn’t even attempt escape. But at least I was comfortable now. And at some point, I even managed to fall asleep.

I was doing push-ups with a passion.

“Please go away, Krit.”

“Why? Why won’t you or Syl give me a straight answer?” he demanded.

“Krit, don’t you get it? Can’t you sense it?”

Krit lowered himself to his knees, down to my level.

“What am I sensing, Ty?” he asked.

I had looked up. Stupid, stupid mistake. And then, before I knew it, I was launching myself at him, knocking him over backwards, and planting kisses on him.

“Ty...” he protested.

“You talk too much.” I said, giving him a playful growl, showing teeth.

“Ty, please. I can’t think straight. And you...you’re in heat, aren’t you?!”

“Bingo, genius.” I replied, working at stripping him of his jacket and shirt.

“Ty, this isn’t right.” he said, but I could feel his resistance weakening,

“Ty... Ty...”

“Ty!”

“Are you alright, Ty?”

Zack was watching me, concerned.

“Of course not.” I replied, “Ask me again in a few days.”

“Would you like to talk?”

I laughed. The way he said that it sounded like he was anticipating some kind of inexplicable torture. If I had thought that for a minute that would get him to let me go, I might have tried it. But I knew better than that. Even with my brain scrambled.

“It’s alright. We’re both the strong, silent type. Remember?”

I could have sworn Zack sighed with relief. But my senses weren’t that great right now and I really didn’t trust them too much while I was in heat.

“Are you hungry?”

“Definitely.”

“What would you like?”

“Six foot something, nice abs, dark hair, dark eyes.”

“Shut up, Ty. Talk about food or you’re not getting any.

“Chinese.”

“Hey. It’s me. Could you do me a favor? Pick up some Chinese food for me. I’m at a warehouse on 93rd and Worthington. Later.”

“Who was that?” I asked.

“Cade.”

Damn. So much for hoping. Of course, Zack wouldn’t have been stupid enough to ask Krit or even Logan to run that errand. And he wouldn’t leave me here. Not when he knew I could escape these handcuffs and that that gang was still somewhere nearby. Probably getting weapons to take on the big, scary Zack with. Like that would help them. Idiots. Cute idiots. Cute idiots that I could...no!

“Zack.” I said suddenly, my voice sounding pained, “I changed my mind. I want to talk.”

“Okay.” Zack said slowly.

Anything. Anything to keep my mind off of what I could be doing right now. Zack would distract me. Hopefully.

“Talk to me. Please.” I begged.

“What do you want me to talk about, Ty?” he asked.

“I don’t care. Just talk.”

Zack sighed. He shifted uncomfortably. I could tell this was unfamiliar territory for him. I was practically asking for a bedtime story. I should throw him a line or something.

“Talk to me about when you got me out.”

He knew what I was talking about. I was talking about when he had rescued me from Manticore.

“Routine spying mission, like I told you. I go on them about once a year if I can. If the Manticore heat hasn’t been too bad. If the security looks lax enough. If I don’t think any of the other X5’s will be there. I usually don’t go all the way into the compound like I did when I found you. It was a weird night. I heard you being grilled by an instructor. The one Renfro had with her, you remember. It reminded me of the grillings we got and I looked in to see who was getting it this time. You already had long hair. I didn’t see your barcode until later. But I didn’t need to. I knew that you were me. And I knew that I couldn’t leave a part of me in Manticore. No matter what you thought. So I waited until Renfro and the instructor left, then snuck in. I remember the way you stared at me like you weren’t sure what you were seeing. And I remember kicking your ass.” at this, Zack grinned.

“Not fair.” I replied.

“Maybe not.” Zack allowed, “You’ve gotten pretty good, Ty. Anyway, I remember carrying you out. Not as easy as sneaking in, let me tell you. I ended up having to take out a few guards and stealing a humvee. I put you in it and drove out of there pretty fast. I didn’t slow down until we reached the state line. I don’t think I really even knew where I was heading. I knew that none of the X5’s were in Arizona at the time, so I took you there. Phoenix has always been quiet. I knew you would be safe there.” Zack finished.

“Why didn’t you ever tell the others about me?”

“I’m not really sure, Ty.”

Where had that come from?

“What?” Zack asked, staring at me in surprise.

“I don’t think you should, is all.”

“Oh, so it’s okay for you to sleep with anyone who comes along, to sleep with Krit, but I can’t sleep with Cade?” Zack asked.

“Again, not fair.” I said.

Why had he said that? Why had I said that? I wanted to get off this train of thought.

“You’re right.” Zack sighed, “Let’s talk about something else.”

I paused, waiting for him to think of something to talk about. Yet again, what I was thinking of wasn’t really appropriate.

“I’ve always wondered how you turned out to be so much like me. The others see it, too.” Zack said finally.

“I never told you. I didn’t know what you would think.” I said slowly in reply.

Zack looked at me with interest. I wasn’t really aware of what I was dong. But this was a safe topic and I was going to ride it out.

“Renfro had me study you, back at Manticore. I was to analyze your every action, every command. Note on how to improve upon it, if possible. She wanted me to be a leader, like you were, like you are. She also had me analyze the other X5’s, how they reacted to you, what their strengths were and how you exploited that. Max was your stealth. Krit and Syl, one of the best back-up teams you could ask for. I remember them all. Renfro said I was disappointing.”

Zack just stared at me for a long moment. I knew that he hadn’t been aware that I had ever seen him before he had rescued me. It was a secret I had kept for some time.

“You’re not disappointing, Ty.” he said quietly.

“You are not weaker than me, Ty. You’re just as strong as I am, probably stronger. I’m used to command. I’ve always been the C.O. You never even knew that you had any others in your series until Cade came along.” Zack cautiously approached me and sat next to me, “And I’m glad that you question so much. It’s something that’s uniquely you, Ty. I think it’s annoying as hell sometimes, but I wouldn’t have you change it.”

“Thank you, Zack.”

Zack didn’t respond. He cocked his head slightly, indicating that he had heard something. A vehicle was approaching. Cade was here.

“I’ll go get your food.” Zack said, rising.

I watched him leave, cocking my head to listen to any exchange that he had with Cade. I needed to keep my mind focused.

“Here you go. Didn’t know you liked Chinese, though.” I heard Cade say.

“It’s not for you, is it, Zack?” Max was here, too, apparently.

“No. It’s for Ty.”

“Ty? What are you and Ty doing out here in an abandoned warehouse?” Cade asked.

“Ty’s in heat. She’s staying out here until she’s not.” Zack said. I could hear the frown in his voice as he continued, “Where’s Krit?”

“Back at base. He’s with Syl. She’ll make sure he stays there, don’t worry.” Max assured him.

“Krit?” Cade asked, “You mean she’s picked Krit...”

Cade broke off laughing.

“Something funny?” Zack asked.

“Just the idea of Ty trying to seduce Krit.”

“That’s not funny.” Zack said stiffly, “Cade, she’s my little sister.”

“Oh, grow up, Zack. She’s not that little. She’s a little older than me, in fact. And you and I...” Cade began.

Zack did not like hearing these kind of things about me, his baby sister.

“You two can go. I have to stay with her.” he said.

“Here’s your food, Ty.”

He handed me a carton of food. Funny how the cartons they put Chinese food in hadn’t changed since before the Pulse. Some things will never change.

“What, no fortune cookie?” I joked.

“You don’t actually believe in those things, do you?” he asked, sounding disgusted at the thought of someone buying into the idea of a cookie telling your future.

“Nah. But the cookies are good.”

He reached in the bag and pulled something out. He tossed a plastic-wrapped fortune cookie at me. I caught it with my free hand and peeled the plastic off.

I broke the cookie and pulled out the piece of paper.

“Today may be hell. Be ready for tomorrow.” I read out loud, feeling odd at how that fit my present situation.

“Good advice.” Zack commented.

“When exactly did fortune cookies start having cuss words in them?” I mused, distracting myself, as I crumpled the little piece of paper and threw it in my now empty food carton.

Zack shrugged and gave me that amused Zack look. I held out half of the fortune cookie to him.

“Oh, well. Want a cookie?” I offered.

“What the hell.” Zack muttered and took the offering.

I watched as he carefully put it in his mouth. You’d think I was trying to poison him or something. I popped my own half of the cookie in my mouth. I was always disappointed by how soon the cookie was all gone. I really did like fortune cookies.

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