Blacklight - R [COMPLETED]

[laura]

{name:Emma#|#picture:18}

Emma wasn’t sure how to react to the latest version of Elijah, raw and open only for her to see. He was crying, actually crying. Though, he made sure to keep the tears back.
Elijah was breaking apart in front of Emma’s eyes and all she wanted to do was comfort him – something she had absolutely no idea how to do.

Touch. That always helped.
“Elijah…” She reached across the space to grip at his shoulder. “Do you think he blames you, for what happened?”
"I have no idea."
“You were friends, weren’t you?”
"The only person I trusted," he murmured.
“Then, no,” She said with all certainty. “He doesn’t blame you, so you shouldn’t blame yourself. Bad things happen to good people every day, Elijah, it’s just something that happens. Why should you punish yourself over something you had no power over? You didn’t know what was going to happen, and you didn kill him.” Her hazel eyes burned into his face, willing him to look at her. Seeing him in this emotional turmoil was…disturbing to her. She felt powerless to help him, despite wanting to more than anything. Was this the reason for why he was the way he was?

Elijah shook his head. "It...It's just hard knowing a decision I made influenced so many people's lives negatively."
“It was his decision too. He could have said no and let you do it instead,” Emma murmured, her expression softening as she gently captured his chin between her fingers, forcing him to look around at her. “I’m glad you weren’t in that van, Elijah.”
He lightly pressed his forehead against hers. "Thank you."
Her thumbs brushed across his cheeks. “I mean it. I didn’t know Remiah and I’m sure he was a great guy… but that’s just what you are to me. You’re not a monster – an arrogant idiot sometimes, sure, but that’s all.”
"I agree with half of that, solely because I believe 'charming intellectual' is the proper replacement."
“Sure, whatever you say,” She grinned, “Thank you for telling me.”

It felt nice, knowing that she was important enough that he’d want to share something like that with her.
He shrugged. "Guess it had to be said."
“No it didn’t,” Emma shook her head. “But you wanted to tell me, anyway. It means something to me, even if it doesn’t for you…so don’t take it away from me, okay?”
Elijah let out a soft chuckle, “Okay.”

“Do you think a kiss might help you feel better?” Emma asked hopefully, hazel and blue burning into one another as their eyes locked.
Elijah shrugged again, “Dunno. It’s worth a try though.”
She opened her mouth to reply, but he silenced her with a soft, attentive kiss of his own.
“Mmm,” His eyes closed, “No, that didn’t do it. Close though. Wanna give it another try?”

Trailing her mouth across his parted lips, Emma had a sudden vision of what her life would have been like if Elijah hadn’t come in to it. She would have been the same person she’d always been – an uptight, emotionally unavailable, loner, with no friends and no life. There was no doubt in her mind that she would have died that way, alone and miserable, unattached from the world. Come to think of it, she probably would have died in that warehouse fire; everyone would have forgotten about her quickly enough, not sparing a second to mourn her.
Would Elijah mourn her? If she’d been in that van, like Jacob had said…
A hallow emptiness in her stomach answered her silent question for her.

Brushing the tip of her nose against his, Emma pressed a kiss against his lips and murmured, “Enough of the past, time to think of the future.”

[/blockquote][/font]

[Ange Keating]

{name:Elijah #|#picture:17}{name:Elijah #|#picture:17}

Elijah was actually…glad he had told Emma that, in spite of how much he absolutely despised his emotional side. It felt like a major weight had been lifted off his shoulders, a new light in his eyes.
“What do you think the future holds?” Elijah questioned, gripping her hand with a tiny smirk.
"Hmm..." With her free hand, Emma tapped at her chin thoughtfully. "For me? Pizza. I think there's still some in the fridge from last night."
Elijah pretended to think about it, before meeting her gaze again. “Well I can’t keep my girlfriend hungry, can I? Let’s get the hell out of this car.” He had never used the word before, but now, more than ever, it sounded perfectly right.
"Wait. You never told me what you think the future holds." A smile curved at her lips. "And did you just call me your girlfriend?"

He felt his chest tighten at the mention of the ‘future’, but he quickly replaced it with another sly grin. “Right now, it includes spending an unforgettable night with my girlfriend. Got a problem with it?”
"You did it again! Wow. And it sounds like you like saying it too." She nudged him playfully. "Unforgettable, huh? How so?"
Elijah snickered. “I guess you’ll just have to wait and see, eh?”

With that, he pushed open the door to the car, quickly interlocking his fingers with hers. Every fiber of his being wanted this night to be special in every way imaginable, because now, more than ever, he believed every day wasn’t promised.

---

“Best moment in your life?” Elijah questioned, among the many he had already asked her. They were cross-legged on his bed, a box of leftover pizza open beside them. Elijah wanted to know everything about the very complex Emma Ward.
"Um..." Her brows furrowed in thought. "I don't really have a best moment...but...I guess if I had to choose, it would have to be the look on Amanda's face the day of the match. That was one priceless moment if ever there was one."
A tiny snicker escaped his lips. “She’s been quite stalker-ish lately. You think she’s the one that saw us in the gym?” Elijah had been turned off from Amanda ever since the pregnancy drama, and she had only grown gradually unattractive with each bitchy thing she did.
Emma nodded, "Definitely. She's the one that locked me in the garage office, too, I just know it. The bitch."

With time and understanding, Elijah found it hard to believe he had ever felt a shred of attraction for the blonde. It’s not like he was particularly picky when it came to sex (although most attractive people flocked to him anyways), but god damn, she was just an immature cunt. If people honestly believed Amanda was better than Emma, they were completely backwards in the mind. Either that, or the chick had given more blowjobs than the hairs on his body. Whatever; in the end, he was happy he had stumbled into the arms of the right girl for him.

“I want you,” he murmured with a mischievous smile, “to tell me the most embarrassing secret you’ve ever had to keep. That, or the dirtiest, preferably both. I don't care if you're secretly a bad girl in disguise, Emma. Promise I won't tell."

His teeth grazed his bottom lip before he brushed it against hers with a whisper, "We're twisted as hell, so anything you say would hardly surprise me."

[/blockquote][/size]

[laura]

{name:Emma#|#picture:18}

”Um…define ‘dirty secret’,” Emma said, brows creasing. Did he know who he was talking to? Emma didn’t do embarrassing or dirty. At least, she didn’t used to.
"Hm... like 'I used to not wear panties' or 'I slept with my teacher'." A coy grin spread across his lips.
“You’re kidding, right?” She asked, “You’re the only person I’ve slept with, Elijah, or didn’t you know that already?”
"Just an example," he responded, still smirking away. "C'mon, surely you haven't been a straight edge your whole life."
Emma shrugged, trying to think back to her years before the agency. Things had been messed up back then.

Twirling a strand of auburn hair around her finger, Emma contemplated on what would come under ‘dirty’ amongst her secrets. “Let’s see…I flashed the guy at Charlie’s for a free burger when I first arrived here. He really seemed to appreciate my girls. I caught Nigel once giving himself a happy time to my picture, maybe that’s why he hates me so much. And I’ve purposely not worn a bra on more than one mission; I find it’s a great distraction.”
Elijah raised his brows. "Wow. I'm shocked, yet...not? I knew there was a dirty girl within all that stingy fluff!"
She uncurled her legs out in front of her, “Stingy, eh? Mmm. Those were the rare times that I actually felt sexy.”
"If you felt sexy then, why didn't you act that way more often? You're beautiful, Emma. No need to hide your...assets."
And there was that word again. Emma smiled and shook her head, “It attracted the wrong kind of attention. Men look at me in that ‘I wanna do you right now’ way and it makes me feel uncomfortable. Plus, I’ve discovered a new way to feel sexy.”

"How so?" he inquired with a raised eyebrow.
“By being around you,” Emma answered simply. “I like the way you look at me – if it’s first thing in the morning, or last thing at night, or even after a sweaty work out, there’s something in your eyes when you look at me… I don’t even think you know you’re doing it.”
Elijah could be doing anything, from making coffee or discussing the next assignment, anything, yet when his attention shifted to her, there was always a little something more shinning back at her in those blue eyes of his. Nothing mad her feel sexier than that look did.
Elijah smiled softly. "Because you're so freaking gorgeous Emma, and you don't even have to try."

A grin spread out across her face; one she thought would split her face in two if she kept it up for long.
“I never thought I’d hear you of all people telling me something like that,” Emma admitted, and rolled over onto her hands and knees beside him. “One thing I can’t get my head around though…is…well, why me? You’ve been with prettier, more attractive and fun women before, so why not want more with one of them?”
She’d gone over the question more than a dozen times in her mind since he’d first started to show his interest, even more so since he’d burst in on hers and Jacob’s meeting a few months back.
He…confused her.

"Prettier?" Elijah asked in disbelief. "Firstly, definitely not true. And secondly, you're the perfect girl for me, Emma. I don't give a shit about anyone else."
With each word, Emma crawled a little more across the space between them, until she was happily situated across him, straddling his lap. Elijah stretched his legs out behind her, his hands coming to rest on her hips – and yep, there it was, the shine in his gaze that Emma had been talking about.
Capturing his face between her hands, Emma kissed him sweetly, a light groan escaping her when his hands ran up and down her back. A giggle suddenly erupted from her, catching them both off guard.
A fucking giggle? Who the hell giggled…? Clearly, she did now. Great.
“What was that?” Elijah laughed.
“I just remembered something you said to me – didn’t you say you’d never sleep with me?” He’d said it with such determination, too.
He snickered, eyes briefly connecting with hers. "Don't you also remember me saying I don't mean everything I say?"
“What about that other thing… what was it now?” She frowned lightly in thought. “Something along the lines of ‘the day you finally have sex, is the day I’ll stop screwing around.’. Don’t suppose you meant that either right?” A teasing smirk tugged at her lips as she bent to press a kiss to the corner of his mouth.
Elijah snickered. "You're observant."
“I remember a lot of things people say to me.” More bad than good, but that was besides the point.
"Guess I have to watch what I say," he responded with a playful grin.
“I know you didn’t mean it,” She said then, trailing her lips along his cheek.

[/blockquote][/font]

[Ange Keating]

{name:Elijah #|#picture:17}

Elijah’s fingers gently trailed her spine, using his free hand to cup her jaw and tilt it towards his, their lips connecting. For some reason, a chill rocked his being once he truly realized the weight of his situation. That come tomorrow, there was a chance they’d never share embraces like this again. He liked to believe in his cockiness and sheer belief he was better than most people, murderer included, but the way he or she had managed to kill so many people under the radar each and every time, slightly worried him. It was almost otherworldly – supernatural.

He just wanted to make tonight special, so that if anything happened, he had the solace of knowing he had given his absolute all in making their final hours worthwhile. That he had given all himself to her, and then some. The thought was terrifying, but Elijah trusted Emma more than he had trusted anyone in his life.

Grazing her lower lip with his teeth, he tugged on it softly, hands knotting in her hair. Emma lightly gyrated her hips against his, Elijah lifting the shirt above her head, a lacy bra coming into full view. He couldn’t help but allow the corners of his lips to turn up slightly, her choice in underwear definitely a lot different since when he had met her. Instead of the regular sports bras she sometimes paraded around the house, she had made a move to lingerie that was a lot more revealing. Not like Elijah was complaining in the slightest.

He tilted her jaw upwards, dragging his lips along the soft flesh of her neck, and then to the sharp jutting of her collar bones. Emma whimpered under his touch, both hands in his hair before using her free one to slip underneath his shirt, fingers ghosting over his abs.

“Let’s make this special,” Elijah heard himself murmuring before he could think to stop it.
Emma’s eyes abruptly connected with his, surprised by his statement but satisfied with it all the same. “Okay.”

With that, he used his thumb and pointer to unhook the clasp of her bra before tossing it to the side of the room.
__

Elijah had woken up before her that morning, his thoughts plagued with stress and anticipation. He wasn’t sure how long he spent simply staring at her, in all her morning glory, naked form tangled around his, her chest heaving softly. Elijah felt his teeth press down on his tongue, fingers twisted around hers before softly bringing it to his lips and leaving a kiss there.
Then he carefully slid out of bed, drawing up his boxers and making sure not to wake her, soon slipping out the door.

Elijah went to the sub-level gym, beating the shit out of a punching bag and running through a few exercises. He felt like nothing could have possibly prepared him for tonight other than mental prepping and an expectation that absolutely anything could happen. Instead of it simply being there, Elijah coaxed his confidence to return for the first time in his life. He knew he didn’t have a chance if he didn’t believe he could easily take ‘the Blacklight murderer’ out.
Emma would hate him for not telling her, but for the sake of her safety and sanity, it was a burden only he could hold.

[/blockquote][/size]

[laura]

{name:Emma#|#picture:18}

Emma woke up the next morning alone, with no Elijah in sight. His side of the bed was long cold and his clothing (that had been on the floor last she’d seen) were gone, too. Emma sat up and pouted to herself; after the incredible night they’d shared, he’d abandoned her in bed with not so much as a note to tell her where he’d gone.
That wasn’t like Elijah. Every morning after they’d made love (and that’s most definitely what had happened last night, there was no other word to describe it) she’d wake up, tangled under the sheets with his arms locked around her, a light snore echoing up his throat.
The memory alone made her smile.

Stretching out over the bed, Emma allowed her smile to turn into a full force grin. Man, she felt incredible, like every cell in her body was on fire, every muscle was tingling, hell, her skin had never felt so sensitive before. Emma felt well and truly alive.
She moved off the bed, leaving her clothes where they’d fallen and headed for a shower.

Emma showered, dried, changed and ate, yet there was still no sign of Elijah. She tried his cell, not once, not twice, but six goddamn times with no answer.
On the sixth time, she left a voicemail.
“Okay, so, you’ve either lost your phone, or you’re avoiding me. Why did you leave this morning without a word? Because of last night?” She sighed. “You were the one that said you wanted it to be special, and then you get up and go. Listen, if you’re rethinking this, with us, then tell me…I’m a big girl, I can take it, Elijah. Don’t run away from me, okay? Call me. Please.”

She hung up, just in time for the knock on the apartment door.
“Landry – sir,” Emma was less than surprised to see her boss standing in the open door way less than ten seconds later. After all the shit that had gone down in the last twenty-four hours she was shocked it hadn’t come sooner. “Sir, you look like hell.”
He walked slowly into the apartment, bags the size of teabags under his eyes. Landry looked ten years older than he did a few months ago, before the Ghost had showed his face.
“This is a big fucking mess, Emma,” He sighed, dropping onto the coach, his head in his heads. “They guy we caught, the one we were sure was the killer…he was fucking killed last night, in his goddamn cell! How can that shit even happen!? Heavily guarded prison, with top of the range security and someone kills that bastard.”
Emma flicked on the coffee machine. “Are they sure he didn’t just kill himself?”
“No man wanted to slit his own throat,” Landry sighed, “Or write a message in his own blood on the wall…”
She blinked, trying hard to hide her shock. “A message saying what?”
“Better luck next time. He wasn’t the Ghost, Emma, isn’t that obvious to you?”

She looked away from her boss for a brief moment; there was no way she was going to tell him of her suspicions, not now.
“The Ghost was behind yesterday’s explosion too, wasn’t he?” Emma asked, placing a hot mug of coffee on the table in front of him. “Sir, we need to take serious action…its death after death. Imagine how weak we’ll look to the criminals and citizens of D-79 if we let this continue.”

Landry cursed loudly and pushed his fingers through his greying hair.
“I didn’t want it to get this far,” He grumbled. “But the time has come, hasn’t it? We’re going to have to evacuate the building.”

[/blockquote][/font]

[Ange Keating]

{name:Elijah #|#picture:17}

Elijah had spent his entire day preparing for this very moment – the killer hadn’t exactly specified when he or she expected him to be there, but as soon as day slipped into night, he approached the lowest floor in the building in nothing but his dark sweats and a hoodie drawn over his head from the work out this morning. The door was tall and metallic, and the usual lock that resided on it was busted, giving him perfect access inside.

The heat of the room escaped from the darkened slit, slipping over Elijah’s face and causing several small beads of sweat to tinge his skin. He reached beneath his hood, grabbing the necklace that held his dog tag and Emma’s ring before pressing it to his lips solemnly. Every fiber of his being wanted to be with her before this meeting, but for the sake of his own emotions, he had taken the easy (and incredibly cowardly) way out, killing time in every crevice of the agency.

But now his clock had run down, and there was no way he could possibly delay any longer. So with a heavy heart, he tugged open the metal door, the stench of rust and tap water instigating his nostrils. The door swung shut behind him, causing Elijah to whirl around in bewilderment just to see not a soul there.

Elijah positioned his feet in case he had to make a quick attack, eyes shooting around the room in alertness.
Goosebumps prickled his skin as the slightest breath tickled the nape of his neck, spinning once more just to be greeted by a dark concrete wall. He wondered if this was how all the agents died – completely unaware, and entirely by surprise. Elijah forced confidence in his abilities though, knowing now, more than ever, was the true test. Something that would make all his bragging one hundred percent real if he passed it.

“Are you playing with me?” Elijah heard himself question, forcing a tiny smirk to spread across his lips.
Several minutes passed by, and just once he thought he was truly alone, a darker voice broke the silence.
“Your fear is pungent.”
“Fear, nah? Ready to kick your ass? Yeah.” He channeled each and every single lesson he had learned throughout life thus far, hiding his emotions being one of them. Elijah had done it successfully all throughout the military, so why couldn’t he do it now?

At the face of death, Elijah felt that familiar confidence overwhelm him, his knuckles slightly lifted, legs spread shoulder width apart.

It chuckled.

“Even on death row you’re still a cocky bastard.”
“And I thrive on it,” Elijah quickly responded. “Now mind telling me what all these cryptic messages mean? Since I’m on death row and all.”
“You do not make the shots!” the voice screamed (which he still couldn't tell if it belonged to a man or a woman), causing Elijah to briefly tense. But with added silence, it continued, “You’ll pay for killing my brother. Taking such a young and bright life for your own selfish needs. Its always been selfishness with you, Walker! And now you’re paying for it.”

Elijah felt his heart throb, but once again he was retaining his perfectly cool stance. “Remiah?” There was something surreal about potentially being murdered by the sibling of your best friend. Just when Elijah had thought all connections to him had been severed.
Nothing was said for several more minutes but he already knew the answer to his question. “I-I didn’t kill him. It was a mistake—“

Before he could finish, something hard hit him in the back of the head, sending Elijah to the floor as he wobbled on his hands and knees, the world beginning to dim. He forced consciousness on himself though, biting his lip until it bled. Elijah wouldn't go down this way; not without a proper fight.

“A mistake!” It screamed. “Telling him to take your place on a vehicle that exploded; a vehicle he wasn’t supposed to BE ON! That was your death, Elijah Walker! It wasn’t supposed to be his! But retribution is sweet, and I swear to God I will paint the wall with your guts before I leave here!”

Elijah had barely anytime to respond before two meaty hands clenched around his throat, squeezing fiercely.

[/blockquote][/size]

[laura]

{name:Emma#|#picture:18}

Emma watched from her place beside Landry as the contents of the building slowly filtered out of the building. The wide white marble foyer was filled with bodies, each carrying a bag or suitcase as they left the place they called home. Emma lent against the glass railings from the floor above that overlooked the main foyer perfectly; the evacuation call had been broadcasted half an hour ago and already half the building was empty.
“Most of them have no where to go…” Emma said softly.
“Don’t you think I know that?” Landry grumbled, crossing his arms tightly across his chest. “But I have it under control. I’ve rented out every room in the Skyline Hotel for the next week. Messages were sent out immediately after the announcement was made – they know where to go, Emma. I wouldn’t leave my agents and workers out on the street.”

Unable to stop herself, Emma placed her hand on her bosses shoulder and smiled a broad smile at him. She’d always respected him in ways she’d never respected anyone else, but suddenly Emma found herself with a new found level of it for him.
“That’s brilliant, sir.”
His grey eyes turned to her, “Do you honestly think I’d let agents like you, who have no family, leave this place knowing all too well that they have no where else to go? I’ve been called some names in my time, Emma, but that’s harsh.”

Turning her attention back to the crowd below, Emma silently scanned the sea of people for the one face she was desperate to find. All day she’d rung Elijah’s cell, only to get the answering machine again and again and again – her anger had swiftly ebbed into concern half way through the day. He wouldn’t leave without a word, not without telling her first.

“I haven’t seen Elijah yet…” Landry spoke her thoughts aloud. “You’re like a set – when there’s one there’s the other. So, where is he?”
“I don’t know,” She answered honestly. “I haven’t seen him since this morning, and he isn’t answering my calls… I don’t want to leave without him, but I don’t know if he’s even in the damn building anymore.”
A frown creased the older mans brows. “Wait – you haven’t seen him all day? Not a word from him?”
“No…” She groaned, frustrated with both herself and her missing man.
“Why didn’t you say something earlier, Emma? This is serious.”

The hint of panic in his voice had Emma’s heart rate kicking into overdrive. She’d been trying to convince herself all day that there was no need to panic, but with the sound of it in Landry’s voice, suddenly it was becoming all too real.
“I didn’t think it was worth telling you about, sir. I didn’t want to give you any unneeded stress…” A low groan echoed up her throat. “But honestly? Yes, I’m worried. I woke up this morning and he wasn’t in our bed, there was no note, no nothing, he hasn’t come back to the apartment once and I haven’t heard a word from him, he isn’t even answering my calls. That isn’t like him – he wouldn’t do that to me.”

Landry took in a deep breath, clearly trying to keep his anger and aggravation in check. “So you didn’t think to tell me that your partner, and boyfriend, has been missing all day? Do you not know that there’s a murderer on the loose in this fucking building, Emma?!”
“I…no, I…” She shook her head. “I don’t know! I thought he’d flaked on me at first!”
“You two and your fucking relationship…” Quickly, the man spun on his heels and stormed toward the elevator. “Love makes you blind, and in your case, stupid as fuck.”
“Where are you going?” Emma asked, following closely behind him.
“Don’t think I haven’t noticed those rings you both wear around your necks – lovesick idiots. He better still be wearing his, or we’re screwed.”

They reached the top floor, where Landry's office was located, ten seconds before the lights once again went out, veiling them in a thick darkness.

[/blockquote][/font]

[Ange Keating]

{name:Elijah #|#picture:17}

Elijah felt the world momentarily turn white until he was digging his nails into the killer’s fingers, lids flitting open and then closed. Slow your thoughts; don’t panic, his mind chastised. His body stopped tensing, Elijah’s adrenaline pumping full force as he clenched its wrists, thrusting his head backwards with so much strength, a pained shout filled the empty room. Then, using the split second of bewilderment it had offered him, he leapt to his feet in spite of the dizziness that plagued his thoughts, before charging full force at the dark shadow.

Thankfully, he had rammed into an actual body and not a concrete wall, arm pressed against its throat, the other pinning his left wrist. It was harder to flip someone when you placed pressure on half of their body. And as Elijah continued to squeeze, he felt the firm outline of an Adam’s apple, the gender of the killer obvious.

He was surprised though to feel something sharp hit his leg, and not just hit it, but plunge through the flesh of his upper thigh, causing an abrupt pain to radiate through his frame. Elijah bit down on his tongue so hard, copper filled his mouth, trying to bite back the agony and heat that stung at his wound. But the killer had utilized this attack, turning his body over so that he was on top, a hard punch flying to his cheek.

“This isn’t your battle to win,” he seethed, teeth, now startling apparent, gritted together in the darkness. “Accept your fate, Elijah Walker.”
“Accepting means giving up, and I never quit,” he spat, feeling the strain in his chest build, blood slightly dampening his lips. At that point Elijah wasn’t sure if the man was strangling him or not, the oxygen escaping his lungs.
“I’m sick of your games; how you mercilessly use others as your spawns---“ Elijah heard the thump-thump of his heart, fighting for air as it painfully hit his rib cage. His finger twitched, but only ever so slightly, his lids threatening to fall for the final time, “—Well, game over. I’m ending this here and now.”

He tried to open his lips, the world swirling before him, feeling his insides practically shut down as the killer tightened his vicious grip. Elijah’s eyes caught something though – the slightest glimmer of silver nearby, and then he realized the knife was still wedged in his thigh. He felt the goose bumps prickle his skin, head lolling to the side, although a surge of newfound energy overwhelmed him.

Then, lifting his hand far enough to reach his leg, he forcefully pulled the knife out of his leg, using every ounce of life that still pumped through his veins before stabbing him directly in the throat, an odd animal sound escaping the killer's lips. But to Elijah’s immense relief, his hands released his throat, body toppling on his before the room went dead silent.

Only one heart was beating.

Elijah felt his chest heaving ten times faster than normal, managing to push the heavy man off of him, in spite of the weakness in his limbs. Then, eyes blinking up at the ceiling, just before he blanked out, he heard himself murmuring, “No, I ended it.”

The world dimmed.

[/blockquote][/size]

[laura]

{name:Emma#|#picture:18}

Emma and Landry ran through the dark and abandoned hallways and stairwells, following the small red dot on the screen in Landry’s hand monitor. The rings were chipped with tracking beacons; Landry’s way of keeping an eye on their movements when they’d left for the mission to Lake Juliet.

“The dot hasn’t moved for the last five minutes,” He panted, as he led her through the building. “What the hell is he doing in the damn cellar?!”
“I don’t know, just move faster,” He was going at a painfully slow pace. “Sir, please, give me the monitor and I’ll-“
“Less of the cheek, Ward! I may be getting old but I am not slow. Come on, down here.”

Since the electricity board had been disabled, doors no longer needed cardkeys to get through them. Landry threw open a large metal door labelled ‘do not enter’. It squeaked in protest, the heavy metal catching at the tiled floor as Landry forced it open. The staircase led downward into an equally dark, or what Emma could assume, cellar.

Landry stood at the top of the stairs, his eyes darting from the monitor to the darkness beyond. “He’s down there.”
“Then let’s go!” Emma darted past him, or at least, tried to. The older man latched onto her arm tightly, stopping her from moving an inch further.
“We don’t know what’s waiting for us down there, Emma. Elijah hasn’t moved for so long…I think he’s-“
“No!” She snapped, her adrenaline kicking in with full force. Emma snatched her arm free from his hold and stormed down the stairs, her boots heavy on the metal stairway. “He’s not dead, so don’t even think of saying it. I’m going, Ghost waiting for me or not.”
“Emma!”

Just as she hit the bottom, Landry’s heavy footfalls echoed behind her. The smell of rust and tap water slammed into her as she rustled in her pocket for her phone. It was blacker than black in the deep underbelly of the building, with no doors or windows to supply light from the outside, it would make manoeuvring around impossible.
A small, white light flashed from her phone, lighting the immediate space in front of her.

“Shit, Emma, there!” Landry stretched an arm out across her shoulder, pointing to the floor.
There, caught slightly by the circle of her light was a boot, laying flat out on the floor. Emma lifted the phone higher and inwardly gasped. “Elijah!”

Emma ran to his side, dropping her phone at his side as she forced the hulking leather clad body off him. There was blood everywhere, whether it was from him or not, she didn’t know.
“Elijah!” Her heart felt as though it was about to burst from her chest; his cold and pale, blotchy skin was tearing at her insides.
Gripping at his shoulders, she shook him lightly, trying anything to stir him – a small movement, a tiny noise, anything would have done. When he didn’t move, she pressed her shaking fingers to his neck. “He’s alive.” She sighed in relief, pulling his head up onto her lap, where she cradled his head like it was a precious gem.
Elijah couldn’t die. He just…couldn’t. Emma wasn’t about to let herself process that thought.

As she attentively brushed at his blood wet hair, Landry bent down onto the other lifeless figure, rolling it onto its back. A balaclava covered his face, hiding his face from view.
Landry tugged it free and cursed. “No…no this can’t be true.”
With numb fingers Emma dialled for help. All she could think about was getting Elijah out of the cellar before it was too late, before his faint pulse vanished forever.

As she barked orders down the line, Landry dropped to his knees, mumbling the same thing in a continuous loop.
“This can’t be… it can’t be him. Not him.” He mumbled.
Her phone once again dropped to the floor. “Sir, who is it?”

Instead of telling her, Landry shuffled to the side, revealing the cold lifeless face of none other than Jacob Fisher.

[/blockquote][/font]

[Ange Keating]

{name:Elijah #|#picture:17}

---

Much to Elijah’s surprise, the following days had transpired rather quickly; from him spending an overnight in the hospital, to Emma remaining by his side throughout the entire painful ordeal. Fortunately, the doctors said it wasn’t anything particularly permanent and that he was lucky to be alive…all that generic shit. And throughout the entire speech about how good his luck was, Elijah couldn’t help but allow that cocky smirk to tug at his lips, his response always being ‘No one can take out Elijah Walker.’ Ah yes – his cockiness had returned, and in full blast. He had been the one to kill the ghost, which was none other than Jacob Fisher. He knew the guy was batshit from the start, although a tiny, and he meant microscopic part of him pitied the guy. The two of them did have something in common, and that was their bond with Remiah, and general distress after his death.

But other than that, Elijah was happy that thorn in his side was gone. At least now he could focus on more important things like Emma, and as they strolled down the hallway side-by-side, he couldn’t help but smirk at her statement:

“I always knew you had nine lives. Called it.”
“I’m just that good, sweetheart. My story doesn’t end until I say it’s over.”
“Cocky bastard,” she murmured, shaking her head in disbelief.
“The same cocky bastard you promised to be in with for the long haul. Remember that gem?”
“I might be having second thoughts…”

Elijah snickered, draping his arm around her shoulder. “How could you be having second thoughts about a hero? That’s just ridiculous.”
Emma abruptly stopped, pressing a finger against his chest although a tiny laugh threatened to spill through. “You’re almost at capacity for your bragging rights, Walker.”
He drew her in closer, pressing a brief kiss to the top of her head. “Then I’ll save my last shot for the perfect moment.”

Emma rolled her eyes, the agents eventually making it to Landry’s double doors, before entering into the office and greeting their boss. His eyes shined with a familiar light, although Elijah could tell this time it was a lot more guarded. They both knew the old man wouldn’t be entirely satisfied until proper DNA tests and other examinations came through positive, reasonably so, although at this point, everyone was ninety-nine percent positive ‘The Ghost’ wouldn’t be making any more appearances.

“Goodmorning, agents,” Landry greeted. “I trust you’ve both slept well?”
They both nodded, although Emma was the first to speak. “A little resting time was much appreciated, although we’re ready for our next assignment.”
Elijah had heard the first hearty chuckle come from the man in weeks, a sincere smile crinkling his features. “You’re current assignment is to continue to rejuvenate. We have this all under control.”
“Well, personally, I like that assignment,” Elijah responded, leaning back in his chair. “I’m handicapped. I think I might need a few days to rest—”
“Your lazy ass?” Emma continued, a teasing edge to her tone.
“With my level of talent, y’know, saving the agency from crisis and all, I think I can rest my ‘lazy ass’ for a few more days.”
“And that’s it. You’ve lost all bragging rights.”

Landry watched them bicker for several more seconds in pure amusement, before allowing his once bright smile to drop gradually. Instead, a grim smirk replaced it, fingers folding above his file. “Emma, if you wouldn’t mind, could I speak with Elijah quickly please? It’ll only be a moment.”
Elijah arched an eyebrow.
Emma looked surprised, but nodded nonetheless. “Of course, Landry.”
And with that, she was up from her chair, moving towards the door and leaving the two men alone.

Landry’s eyes automatically fell to the manila envelope, before returning to Elijah. “I’ve spoken on the phone with a few close partners and both your talent and bravery has circulated through the law enforcement scene practically overnight.” He paused, apparently gauging Elijah’s reaction to see none. “I’m saying this because a prestigious agency in D-50, across the country, would love to recruit you. Now, Elijah, I don’t want you making any rash decisions because of your relationship. This is an amazing opportunity for you, to actually come into a firm as top dog. That’s what you’ve always wanted right? So, all you’d have to do now is sign a few forms and we can have you on a flight there before the end of the week.”

[/blockquote][/size]

[laura]

{name:Emma#|#picture:18}

Jacob. Emma still couldn’t quite believe it. All this time, he’d smiled at her, spoke to her, touched her…and he’d been murdering agents like he was swatting flies, taking one after another out with little care of who it was he was killing.
How long had he been hiding the darkness brewing within him? Months, years? Elijah had told her about Remiah, who had happened to also be Jacob’s brother, so had it been there, the grief and the anger, since the man had died?
Emma had to fight off a cringe. Normally, she was great at working people out, but with Jacob… he’d hidden his feelings so well.
And now he was dead.
A part of her felt sympathy for the man, while the rest of her hated him for what he’d done, for the hurt he’d caused, and hell he’d almost killed Elijah. That instantly put him in her black book.

In the few days Elijah had been in the hospital, Emma had spent every minute of it with him. She hadn’t admitted it to him or to anyone, but she’d been scared. Scared of losing him, of seeing him die and losing what happiness she’d finally found; because that’s just what Emma was with Elijah – happy.
Life didn’t feel so dark and cold anymore, or lonely.
Elijah made her want to be a better person.

Warm hands slid over her hips from behind, snapping her from her thoughts.
Emma glanced over her shoulder, a slow smile crawling across her lips at the man resting his chin against her shoulder. “What cha cooking?”
“I thought I’d make us something different for a change – other than pizza, take out and burgers.” Emma stood at the counter, putting the finishing touches to the coriander chicken she’d prepared.
“Looks yummy,” He reached around her, one arm snaking around her waist as the other reached for the bottle of wine in front of her. “Hey, isn’t this-?”
“The wine you bought for me for our date? Yep. I remember the label from when I was picking it up off the floor. We’ll actually get to try it this time.”

They settled at the kitchen island for dinner, side by side.
“Hey, I meant to ask, what did Landry talk to you about this afternoon?” Emma asked, before taking a sip of the expensive red wine. “Hmm, not bad.”
"I was going to tell you tonight, actually," Elijah responded, pausing briefly before reaching over and gripping her hand softly. "I got a job offer."
“You did?” Emma breathed. “That’s good! Please don’t tell me it’s Jacob’s job…because really, that should be mine, not yours.” She teased.
Elijah smirked. "It's all yours. I was talking about...a position in D-50."

For several seconds, Emma didn’t speak, didn’t even react to his words; she didn’t know how to. She blinked then and turned back to her food, her hand slipping out from his.

Emma was surprised by her lack of surprise, after all, she’d known he would leave her at some point – okay, so this was sooner rather than later, but still.
Emma had also known how much he wanted to be someone, to get higher – it was the most important thing to him.
What she was surprised about however, was how numb she suddenly felt, like someone had pulled the plug on her emotions. Again.

“Congratulations, Elijah,” She forced a smile to her lips. “That’s just what you wanted, right? You took it then?”
"I did," he responded, although excitement didn't linger in his eyes. "It's a good opportunity for me, Em."
Of course he’d accepted. Did she honestly expect anything else? No, of course not.
“I agree,” Emma nodded, “So, what department are you going into? Tell me about it.”
She wouldn’t have a partner anymore. She wouldn’t have to share the apartment anymore. She wouldn’t have lingering looks, or kisses, or someone to sleep with at night either.
Life would go back to how it was before Elijah came.
Yay.

"Same as here," Elijah admitted, "just higher up on the career pyramid."
Emma nodded her head again. Could she do anything else? “Not a rookie anymore. That’s good. D-50…that’s a long way away. When are you leaving?”
He smirked. "I don't think I ever was a rookie, people just referred to me that way. But it's...3 or 4 hours away by plane? I don't know how long by car; probably triple that. And Landry wants me out by the end of the week."
Wow, he really wanted to get as far away from her as he possibly could, didn’t he?

Emma cleared her throat. “I know we said that what we have here, with us, was…for the long haul, but I guess that’s changed that now, right?”
Elijah raised his brows in surprise. "Why would it change?"
She frowned, “You’re leaving, doesn’t that mean you’re leaving us too?”
"Of course not, Emma. Distance won't change anything. Unless you want it to."
“I don’t want it to, Elijah. I really…” She trailed off, not wanting to go down that route. “I thought you would. After all, you’re going to a new city, thousands of miles away, surrounded by all sorts of attractive women, why would you want to hold on to me?”

[/blockquote][/font]

[Ange Keating]

{name:Elijah #|#picture:17}

Elijah couldn’t believe Emma would even think this meant the end to their relationship. Yeah, he was moving, and yes there would be temptation, but that didn’t mean he’d cheat on her or want to break up. They had just gotten together for fuck’s sake! And with all the technology nowadays and the strength of their feelings for each other, he doubted things would change. They simply wouldn’t be…partners anymore. And if anything, he was doing Emma a favor by knocking out the only true competition she had.

“You’re confusing Emma – ridiculously confident about your physical abilities, but not about how you look?” Elijah arched his brows, although he allowed their hips to bump lightly, hand reaching to grip hers lightly again. “For the millionth time, we made a promise to each other that we were in this for the long haul. I…care about you, Emma, and I would never do anything to hurt you.” Sure, he wanted to drop kick her down an elevator shaft a few months ago, but now that things behind them had changed hugely, he couldn’t possibly feel anymore oppositely.
"It's not that - I know I'm hot," She smirked at that. "It's you. You've never been in a relationship before, Elijah. You're used to looking at a girl, smiling, and having her falling into your bed... I know you'll want to do that."

He tilted the wine glass towards his lips, pressing a hand to his chest in faux hurt. “You think I’ll cheat on you, Emma? I’m not a man whore. You’re my one and only.” He smirked; in spite of the cheesiness that surrounded a phrase he used to detest, he meant it…in a way.
A frown creased her brows. "I'm being serious, Elijah. If you want to go to your new home, hours away from me, and sleep with other women, then tell me now."
“I’ve already told you I wouldn’t do that,” he responded with an eye roll. “You just keep thinking something bad will happen.” Elijah knew he didn’t have the most decent track record for women to believe him, but he honestly meant it with Emma.

Elijah touched his temple before turning to fully face her, fingers wrapping around her arms. “Do you trust me, Emma?”
"Yes," She answered without hesitation. "But when temptation comes knocking..."
He pressed a finger to her lips, leaning into her gently. “Then trust that I’ll always be faithful.” Elijah instinctively ran his free hand through her hair, chin resting on the crown of her head.

Elijah didn’t think this would be easy, but if they had that trust for each other, they’d be fine.

"Do you want to be faithful?" Emma murmured against his finger.
“Duh,” he responded with a small grin. “I’ve been trying to convince you of that for the last ten minutes. The long haul, remember?”
Emma closed her eyes briefly. "Okay, so, what? We'll do a long distance thing? Will we even get to see each other...?"
“Mhm,” he agreed, “and we’ll figure something out.” This was really happening. They were going to have a long-distance relationship. Elijah never thought if he were to even have one in general, it would be thousands of miles apart. But they could do it; he was positive of that.
Emma sighed, "You sound so sure."

He paused, furrowing his eyebrows together. “And you aren’t?” Elijah hadn’t expected Emma to come off as so…unwilling.
"I wish I was but lately, everything I thought I was sure of is turning inside out." Emma shook her head. "There's Jacob, and you - I've known from the beginning that you'd leave. After all, this is what you want and nothing is more important than that... but I didn't think it would be this soon."
“You make it sound like I’m breaking up with you, Emma! I want to be together, and you said you trusted me so what’s up?”
Elijah felt like he was missing a large part of the equation. Here he was, celebrating over a job offer he had worked his ass off for, and all he wanted was his girlfriend to be supportive, but he couldn’t even have that much? Fucking hell.
"It feels like you are!" She groaned. "I don't know, my head is all over the place and...and..." she squeezed his hand "...I want to be with you."
Elijah felt his eyes drop to their hands. “And we will be, Emma. Just not physically. I guess right now we have to trust what we have together.”

“Plus, you hate when we have to share the shower,” he added teasingly, knowing the situation didn’t call for jokes, but feeling the mood needed a little lightening.

At the end of the day, this was their ultimate test, and if they prevailed, well…nothing could break them apart. Personally, Elijah was excited to see what a little distance would do for them.

[/blockquote][/size]

[laura]

{name:Emma#|#picture:18}

Everyone left her, in one way or another.
Emma was destined to be alone, that was all she could think of. Why else would this continue to happen, again and again? People were either taken by the cold hand of death, or high tailed it out of her life, with the dust settling behind them.
It was reasons like that, that had kept Emma unattached from the world for so long.

And now she’d gone and attached herself to a selfish, arrogant bastard like Elijah.
The week leading up to his departure hadn’t been easy on her, yet he hadn’t thought of her once, not even for a minute. Everything had been about him, his new home and his new job – each and every time he’d talked about it, she’d smiled, and made out she was happy for him, but really, her inner turmoil was driving her to insanity.
Elijah hadn’t comforted her, and not even the smallest hint of sorrow flickered in his tone or his face when he talked about leaving her. He wanted to go, and as far as he was concerned, Emma didn’t enter the equation.

As he waited in the queue for his boarding pass, Emma stood off to the side, watching with growing curiosity at the other parting groups.
One was a small family of three, a little boy embracing his mother tightly, a constant river of tears running down his rounded cheeks as he told her he’d miss her.
Another was an older, middle aged couple, who gripped one another’s hands tightly as they quietly said their goodbyes. The way they gazed at one another was gut wrenching.
At least they’d be seeing each other again soon; which was more than Emma could say about her and Elijah.

“Got it.” With his ticket held up, Elijah moved to her side. “I’ve got an hour before I have to board, so shall we go grab a coffee?”
“Sure, your treat.”
They strolled into the quiet coffee area, dotted with only a few people here or there due to how early it still was and settled down with their drinks.

“Will you call me when you get there?” Emma asked, brushing her fingers up the side of her cup.
Elijah frowned at her slightly, “Of course I will, Em.”
“And I don’t mean after you’ve settled in, I mean as soon as you get there.”
“Got it.” A soft smirk tugged at his lips before he added. “I’ve done updates to your laptop, by the way. We’ll be able to video chat what ever we like, without worrying that our calls are being monitored.”
“When did you do that?”
“Last night, after you feel asleep,” Elijah’s smile turned into a full blown grin. “I exhausted you, sweetheart.”
Emma rolled her eyes and tried to fight off memories of their nights loving. “Obviously, I did something wrong if you got up and messed with my laptop for god knows how long.” Jesus, didn’t he even want to sleep in the bed with her for their last night together?
His hand snaked across the space between them and captured her own before bringing it up to his lips. “You did everything perfect, Em. I thought about it the whole time it took to download - it only took me ten minutes, if that, before I came back to bed.”
“Still,” Emma smirked back, despite trying not to “I was out for the count, you should have been too.”
“Nah,” He pressed another kiss to the back of her hand. “I was busy doing other things.”
“Like?”
“Nothing important. It’s not like I like watching you sleep.”
Her fingers tightened around his. “That’s not creepy at all.”

[/blockquote][/font]

[Ange Keating]

{name:Elijah #|#picture:17}

More than ever, Elijah felt severely misinterpreted.
Even though his actions in the days leading up to his departure could easily be described as nonchalant and detached, he couldn’t possibly feel any more oppositely in his mind. If he was being perfectly honest with himself, Elijah was scared, a word he hardly used. Not only would he be thousands of miles away from the agency he had adapted to rather easily, but he’d be forced to go through hurdles without his rock. In spite of his often unwillingness to admit it, Emma was his center. Without her, and without what she had managed to do for him, there was a large chance he’d still be same ol’ Elijah, disconnected from emotions and afraid of commitment.

But coupled with inevitable fear, Elijah felt exhilarated. No, not because he wanted to get away from Emma, or because he needed space. He was excited to fulfill his goals and the thing he had been pining for since day one. He cared about Emma, but he cared about himself as well.

And being in a relationship was about finding that balance between fulfilling your partner’s needs, and also your own. Elijah was still working on perfecting that. Hell, he was still working on this whole relationship thing! Elijah wanted to be that sensitive person that always kept his significant other at the forefront, but also, he didn’t want to lose sight of his personality as well.

Elijah shrugged, a joking grin tugging at his lips. “When have I ever been normal?”
"Not once since I've known you, that's for sure."
He allowed that smile to gradually fade though, eyes dropping to their intertwined fingers. “Promise me you won’t be upset about this anymore, okay?”
She paused, glancing down at the coffee. “You can’t ask that of me, Elijah. You already know how I feel.”
Elijah arched his body across the table until his face was dangerously close to hers. “I’ll visit all the time, I promise. It’ll be like—“
“You never left?” she finished incredulously. “Don’t be naïve. When I wake up and don’t see you there, reality will just come rushing in, each and every time.”

“You think I won’t feel the same way?” Elijah inquired, trying to keep his voice as soft as possible.
“C’mon, be honest with yourself. Do you think you’ll actually get up and wonder hm, I really miss her right now. I came into this knowing how you are, Elijah, and maybe I’m masochistic for tolerating it, but I don’t care. As long as you know how I feel, then—“
He gripped her jaw, pressing their lips together roughly. “You make me want to horrible things to you sometimes, Emma. Well, sexually and not so sexually, but this time it’s the latter. After all we’ve been through, after me risking my life for you, you honestly think I don’t care? That I’ll continue life as if you weren’t the best fucking thing to enter it?”
“Elijah—“
“Look; what can I do to convince you you mean so much to me?”
“I don’t think that’s nece—“

Elijah winced, only tightening his grip on her hand. “I love you, Emma Ward. Even if you’re sometimes terribly overbearing and unwilling to listen to me, I love you. You may be thinking that I’m fucking crazy right now, but hell I mean it.”

Her mouth dropped before closing several times, and as if almost on cue, the terminal called for his flight, causing Elijah to glance at the floor numbly. Did he just…say that? Strangely, he felt no remorse. None in the slightest. It needed to be said.

“I have to go, Em,” he murmured, finally getting up from the table. “I’ll call you when I get there.”

With that, he gave his stunned girlfriend a soft kiss on the forehead before making his way to the runway. He glanced over at the small cafe one last time, soon being gestured into the plane.

[/blockquote][/size]