NOVA
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26/01/2003
Panay, The Philippines
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"It's been three days, I feel absolutely fine. Why do I have to stay in here?" I groan, perched on the edge of the bed like the goddamn patient I have been for the past 72 hours.

"Because you nearly died, maybe?" Leo scoffs, shaking his head as Rosa checks my blood pressure.

"Well, I'm not dead, believe it or not. I'm actually alive and well," I start, stretching my arms over my head.

Leo raises his eyebrows and glances at Rosa. "What do you think? Should she be getting back to normality now?"

Rosa shrugs slightly, "it all depends on how well you feel, Nova. Do you feel like you've got the strength to get back to your usual work?"

I don't hesitate to nod my head. It's true, I feel a whole lot fucking better.

Physically, not mentally.

Mentally, I'm fucking terrified. I was practically dead. I thought that when I closed my eyes, it was going to be the final time I ever saw the light of day again.

I've never been one to be scared; but knowing that somebody I trusted so damn much would try to kill me, it's fucked me up a little.

"What do you remember?" Leo asks quietly.

He's been itching to ask this question from the moment I woke up, I can tell.

"Almost dying," I snort, trying to make the shitty situation a little less grim.

He's definitely not amused nor impressed as he furrows his eyebrows, folding both arms across his broad chest. My throat tenses a little as I watch his forearms bulge. Nope. Not starting that.

"You're not funny, Shields," he mumbles, shaking his head in disapproval.

"It wasn't a joke, that's all I remember. The bastard said something about wanting to avenge his brother; and that he wanted me out of the picture before I figured out he was the insider. Wasn't a great birthday." I shrug, because that is literally the last thing I remember.

"How the fuck did he manage to drug you? Did he inject you with something?" Leo urges an answer, stepping forward slightly. The whites of his knuckles surfacing.

"The water bottles. I decided it was a great idea to chug the whole thing, of course I wasn't expecting it to be laced with drugs." I sigh frustratedly.

I feel this is somewhat my fault, like I should've been more cautious. I've had my own back my whole entire life, and nearly got taken out that easily. In the drop of a hat.

"I should have realised something was wrong as soon as he told Tara she couldn't come with us. His answer just seemed so convincing," I mumble, looking down at my knees.

I've been played like a fucking fool.

"I just considered Jed as such a close comrade that it didn't even cross my mind. He was always so friendly and in good spirits, quite literally the last person I expected to have a dark side," I exhale, "I should've figured it out."

"Stop it Nova, for God's sake. None of us saw it coming. It's not your fault." He speaks sternly.

"It mightn't be my fault, but it definitely almost cost me my life." I mutter, glancing sideways in thought before looking back up at Leo. "Speaking of, thank you," I say softly, the intense expression on my face smoothing out.

He gives me a confused expression, "for what?"

I sigh dramatically, rolling my eyes. "You know what for, don't play stupid. I don't know what state I was in or how you managed to find me, but I probably would've been dead if you hadn't." I say quietly.

"I only realised because Abe admitted that it was Jed whilst you were out with him, and I just happened to stumble across you. I don't know why he gave him up so easily, we'll figure it out though." He says it nonchalantly, as though it's 'no big deal'.

He glimpses away before looking down at the floor.

"You weren't breathing when I found you, Nova. You barely even had a pulse," he sighs. "I thought you were dead."

I wasn't breathing?  So I really was that close to death?

"I thought I was dead, too." I admit quietly.

I really did think that Jed's sinister expression was the last thing I'd ever see.

"How the fuck am I still alive if I wasn't even breathing?" I ask inquisitively, causing him to glance back up at me instead of at his feet.

"North had forced Rosa to give us a first-aid lesson a few months back in case there ever wasn't a medic available on a mission. She taught us resuscitation, luckily for you." He gives a half smile, but his mind seems elsewhere.

"Well, thanks for resuscitating me," I say casually with a chuckle, blinking a few times as I register the fact his lips have in fact been on mine. Maybe not under the usual circumstances.

This whole lightheartedness is a complete facade.

I can't even describe how it feels to be so close to death, apart from being absolutely terrified, completely alone.

Leo gives me a concerned expression. "You're acting like you're okay," he mumbles, narrowing his eyes slightly, as though he's trying to see right through me.

"I am okay. I'm grateful to be alive, after all," I reassure, sliding and going to stand up off of the bed, causing him to jerk forward slightly.

"Careful," he hisses under his breath, his arms raising to steady me if needs be. Jesus, when did he get all protective and fussy?

"I want to see Jed," I say sternly all of a sudden, even causing Rosa to turn around with a shocked expression.

"Do you really think that's a good idea?" Leo mumbles, gazing down at me with a serious expression.

"Yeah, I want him to see that I'm alive. See that his little scheme didn't go to plan," I smile slightly.

Leo glimpses around the room as though he's deep in thought, before glancing back down at me.

"I mean, it's your choice. I cant stop you, but I don't think it's a good idea," he sighs.

I shrug and stand up completely, Rosa unhooking the blood pressure monitor from the top half of my arm. "Well, to me you look fine, Nova. There's nothing abnormal with your vitals anymore. Just take it easy," Rosa says softly with a warm smile.

I offer her a grim before heading towards the door. "Thanks, Rosa."

—

Leo may as well be wedged up my fucking ass from the way he's hovering around behind me.

"You don't have to follow me around," I throw over my shoulder.

"I know I don't," he replies bluntly, causing me to sigh.

"So why are you?" I question, stopping in my tracks and turning around to face him.

"I don't know," he shrugs, making my eyebrows furrow.

"I thought you couldn't stand me?" I bite a grin, because I know now that in fact, he might be able to stand me more than he lets on.

He just scoffs and looks away. "I can't, sometimes."

"Oh? So there's times you actually-"

"Just shut up, Nova." He hisses, cutting me off completely, "God, you're such a pain in the ass."

"Well, you didn't have to resuscitate me." I quip, earning a furious glare from him.

"North would've had my head on a spear if I hadn't." He shrugs nonchalantly, that glare still etched in his face.

"North wouldn't have known. I could've already been dea-"

"Don't even finish that fucking sentence, Nova Shields," he seethes, his finger raising to point at me disapprovingly. Christ, got the full name scold.

He's so fucking confusing. He's like one of them jigsaw puzzles my Mom used to have, made up of about 5000 tiny pieces.

I shrug and turn on my heels, continuing to walk out of the med bay. The second I'm back out in the open air, I can feel everybody's gaze burning right into me.

Dylan jogs over, and I immediately sense Leo tensing up from behind me. "Hey, how're 'ya feeling? We all heard about what happene-"

"She doesn't have to talk about it right now," he hisses at Dylan, interrupting him.

I completely ignore Leo's agitation, he should very well know by now that I do not need anyone to speak on my behalf. I especially don't need him to be my mouthpiece.

"I'm fine now Dylan, thanks." I give him a half smile, he rests his hand on my shoulder in a friendly gesture until it's brushed away by Leo, as though Dylan's hand alone has some sort of power to kill me.

"What the fuck is your damn issue? I'm just try'na check in on her," Dylan seethes at him.

"She already said she's fine," Leo utters back coldly, stepping forward and forcing Dylan back a step.

"Leo, I can talk for myself," I warn him.

"See? Come on Nova, I'll walk with you to the barracks." Dylan grins, resting his hand lightly on my back and guiding me away.

Normally, I'd be fine with this. But after what happened, getting close to somebody else isn't on my agenda. Getting closer to Leo wasn't something I anticipated. It's making me really frustrated.

"I can walk by myself, goddamnit!" I suddenly snap, with a whole lot more hostility than intended.

Both of them look at me with a little shock. "Sorry, I just want to be on my own for a little while. I've been surrounded by the medics for the past few days, I just want my own space." I sigh, disappointed that I lost my cool.

Thankfully, both of them just nod slowly and let me continue walking on my own.

—

"You sure you're feeling okay now?" Tara asks quietly as I change into a pair of shorts.

"Honestly, yeah," I shrug before glancing over at her with a frown, "are you okay, Tara? I know you really thought a lot of him." I sigh, fastening up my shorts and sitting next to her on the bunk.

"It's just shocking, y'know? I mean, I thought I was in love with him. I've never felt like that before, and now knowing that this whole time he was manipulating us all? It's sickening." She grimaces, I put my arm around her in a friendly gesture.

"You deserved better than that," I sigh to her, she looks at me with a confused expression.

"No, Novie. You deserved better than that, he tried to fucking kill you," she shakes her head in disgust.

"He tried. I'm still alive, right?" I say with a half-grin as she looks up at me.

"Yeah, I've honestly never seen Leo look more terrified in his whole career." She chuckles slightly.

What?

"What do you mean by that?" I tilt my head a little, interested to hear what she has to say.

"He flew out of base and into the woods like a damn bullet, I went with him since I saw him having a borderline panic attack. We actually found Jed making a run for it, Leo shot him in the leg. 'Threatened to torture him if he didn't tell us where he'd left you. I restrained Jed whilst he went and found you." She explains softly, causing me to raise my eyebrows.

"That's a little different from what I've heard from him," I snicker, "he told me he just 'stumbled' across me."

Tara shoots me a confused expression, "oh really? Strange. That's definitely not what happened." She mumbles, trailing off and appearing to be deep in thought.

My mind wanders to what it would be like if it was the other way around. If I suddenly found out Leo was being led to his death. The reaction I'd have. Finding him unresponsive.

The thought makes me nauseous. What makes me more nauseous is the fact it could've very well been him, if I'd figured it out too late. And I wouldn't have stood a chance at hauling him back to base, considering he's like a fucking bulldozer.

I stand up after a few seconds, shaking my head to clear the sickening thought. "I'm going to go and speak to Jed."

Her face instantly twists in concern, "are you sure you're ready to do that?"

I give her a reassuring nod, "yeah. I'll be fine." I smile slightly.

She returns the nod as I turn and stride out of the barracks, across the base, and right towards building C.

—

I push open the door hesitantly, and my chest constricts almost as much as it did when I got drugged.

Commander Vincent is sitting across the table from Jed, a serious expression on his face. Jed has his forehead resting on the table, only looking up when the door creaks.

He quite literally looks just like he's seen a dead girl walking.

"Wh-"

"Your little scheme didn't work out." I speak smugly, sitting down next to Vincent.

Jed looks livid to see that I'm alive and not six feet under. He also has a nasty bruise across his face. No idea where that came from.

"You should've died," he hisses.

"Maybe, but I didn't." I shrug, leaning into the seat. "I wasn't getting taken out by a pathetic little bastard like you."

Sweat is dripping right down my back, but I have to do this. He can't get the upper hand over me again.

"Have you seriously been working for Altashih this whole time?" I question, a confused expression spread across my face.

He just glances away until I jump forward and slam my hands onto the table, causing it to vibrate from the force. "Fucking look at me you coward!"

He hisses something incoherent under his breath before staring right at me. "Yes, I have. They're the correction."

"The correction of what? They're fucking killing innocent people, Jed! How is that a damn correction!?"

"The correction of ridding the special operations of the United States!" He yells back at me, rattling the restraints around his wrists.

"What the fuck needs correcting about that? You're a goddamn American citizen! So is the fucking executor by the sounds of it!" I scream at him.

"Fleetwood was responsible for the death of my brother! He got killed in a raid!" He seethes.

"Well, you should know very fucking well that Fleetwood will only kill people who are deemed dangerous!" I hiss back, "what is Altashih? And if it's a damn Anti-Americanism organisation, then why the fuck are you part of it?"

"Because the US is rotten! Because I had a perfect fucking opportunity to get back at the country for taking my brother away from me!"

"So you agree with the beheading of innocent people? Citizens who have absolutely fucking nothing to do with Fleetwood!?" I yell at him.

Vincent is completely silent.

"It was a way to draw you here! Altashih knows that Fleetwood have assisted the Philippines in the past, it was the perfect fucking scheme. Kidnap Americans, lore you in and finish you all the fuck off—!"

I can't stop myself from swinging my fist out and cracking his fucking nose to shut him up. He grimaces as the crimson blood starts to pour out and down his lips. Thankfully, Vincent doesn't interject.

"Who is the executor?" I hiss, leaning forward.

"Las," he mumbles, sticking out his tongue to lick some of the blood staining his pale face.

"And who the fuck is Las?" I seethe.

"The executor." He says sarcastically.

I stand up, walk around to his side of the table and grab a tuft of his matted hair. I yank it back before slamming his face against the desk. "Don't you fucking get sarcastic with me, you bastard."

He groans as I haul his head backwards, and suddenly, despite my rage, an idea springs right to the forefront of my brain before I bash his face in for a second time.

"How did you contact them?" I ask calmly, a strong contrast to just practically breaking his nose.

"A decoy." He muffles through the blood in his mouth, as though it's not relevant at all. Stupid son of a bitch doesn't realise what he just admitted.

As soon as I get my answer, I'm releasing his hair, striding right out of the room with urgency.

My thoughts are flying around my brain. I'm so fucking overwhelmed. It's a long shot, but it's something. I'm staring at the ground and muttering to myself, barely even noticing that I practically bulldoze into Leo. He grabs me by the shoulders after steadying himself.

"Nova, what's going on?" He asks quickly.

"You bunked with Jed, right?" I reply urgently, barely answering his question.

"Yea-"

"I've got an idea, long shot, but it's something. Show me where you guys kept your shit." I interrupt quickly. Instead of anymore questions, he surprisingly nods and gestures for me to follow him.

Luckily, the barracks are empty; giving me the golden opportunity to start my rummaging. Leo stands there idly, studying me with a puzzled expression as I practically tear Jed's belongings to shreds.

"Are you going to explain at all why you're scavenging?" He raises his eyebrows.

"Because Jed had a decoy." I swiftly answer, my hands finding the 5th pair of socks bunched together. I unravel them and to my complete relief, a small, old style mobile falls out from being cocooned within them.

I grab the mobile as the most ecstatic smile plasters itself right across my face, and I think it's at this point that Leo understands my idea.

"Holy shit." He murmurs under his breath, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips.

"Do you see where I'm going with this?" I ask, standing up from my crouch and flipping open the phone. He nods slowly, standing beside me to look at the screen. Standing a little closer than normal.

I use the keypad to click across to contacts, and feel like I've found gold dust as soon as the names appear on screen. To my utter surprise, a considerable amount of them are Western names.

I click downwards towards the 'L' section, and my eyes widen as I see the contact I was anticipating,

'Las'

"That's the executor," I inform Leo, flipping the mobile closed so the battery doesn't die. He isn't saying anything and so I glance up at him, he's just glaring down at me intensely.

"We have to tell the Commanders right now," I say urgently, sliding the decoy into my pocket, "Hendrix?"

"Hm?" He mumbles after a few seconds.

"Did you hear me?"

"Yeah, Commanders. We've got to tell them." He mutters, shaking his head slightly and nodding, patting the side of my arm.

I quickly pace out of the barracks, Leo follows close behind me as I speed right across to the office in which I'll find North.

—

"You're a goddamn genius, Shields." North exclaims, fitting a wire into the phone and connecting it to his laptop.

I wouldn't consider myself a genius, it was a pretty basic idea that I'm surprised nobody thought to ask him about. A hacker of the Owl intel group, Joseph, sits poised at the laptop, ready to wring this mobile of information. 

"I'll inform you all when I've found worthy intel." Joseph says calmly, already typing away on the laptop. We all nod and head outside of the room, North clicks it shut behind him.

"Any idea why Abe gave him up so easily?" I ask inquisitively, tiling my head.

"Seems your little 'Officer Friendly' tactic worked out well. Priscilla from the Owl's guessed that he had psychologically started to associate you with his source of food, almost. He thought if you were dead, he wouldn't get that anymore." North informs me.

"See? I told you that spoon feeding him wasn't a bad idea." I nudge Leo's arm slightly with a wink, he just rolls his eyes. I don't miss the small grin, despite how fast he bites it down.

"Good job, Shields," North praises before continuing, "and I'm relieved to fucking finally see the day where the pair of you have put your fucking differences aside, somewhat." He chuckles, gesturing to the both of us.

We exchange a glance and nod at each other before looking back at North who waves us away. "Go, get some food and go to sleep. Looks like we're going to have a hell of a lot more information by the morning." He says cheerfully, clearly relieved that we've finally got some information. 

We both offer an affirmative wave before turning and waking out of the room.