Chapter Text
Ryan and Sophie sat side by side, bone tired on the car ride back to Gotham. The energy that had fed them through the bloodbath in Sierra Leone had long since faded. Ryan watched the skies pass her by and didn't even flinch when they went through speed bumps.
"Are you okay?" Sophie's words came out quiet, almost drowned out by the engine's constant humming."
Ryan didn't turn, her eyes still far away. "Yeah. Just… processing."
Sophie nodded, understanding all that had transpired. The image of Valentin's bloody body, his skull shattered by her bullets, and the rubber mask was fresh in her mind. She pushed it away, focusing instead on her wife's presence beside her. She looked behind her to see Jada knocked out in the back, head leaning against the window.
"Stacey intercepted the call instead of Luke. She's going to meet us for a debrief."
Thoughts clearly elsewhere, Ryan just hummed in response.
The SUV pulled up to the back of BlackBat HQ, and as they disembarked, a team of agents awaited them and helped out of the car. Jada turned to Sophie, her eyes searching. "Thank you for being there for my daughter. For loving her the way she deserves."
"She's my everything. I'd do anything for her."
"I know I have no right to ask, but... take care of her, okay? She's going to need you more than ever."
"I will. I promise."
Jada turned to her daughter, full of regret on her face. "And I know you don't need anyone to take care of you. But sometimes, it's okay to lean on the people who love you. It doesn't make you weak. It makes you human."
Ryan swallowed hard, wanting to argue, to push back against the idea that she needed anyone. But deep down, she knew her mother was right. She had Sophie, and sometimes needed her, which was a strength, not a weakness.
"Ms. Jet," one of the agents said. "We need you to come with us."
Jada was expecting this. She wasn't quite ready to say goodbye to her baby girl. "Guess this is where we part ways for now."
The bitterness and agony that had driven Ryan for forever were now confronted with this timid sense of hope, this baby step towards understanding. "Yeah. For now."
"I know we have a long way to go." Jada paused, then reached out, her hand resting lightly on her daughter's arm. "But I want you to know... I'm here. Whenever you're ready."
Moisture started at the corners of Ryan's eyes, but she wasn't about to start crying. Not yet anyway. Her defenses were still up for the time being. "I'll keep that in mind."
With a final nod to her and Sophie, Jada allowed herself to be led away by the agents, disappearing into another waiting car.
Sophie shifted closer until their shoulders touched. "Hey, are you good?"
Releasing a deep breath, Ryan's eyes remained glued to the space Jada had occupied. "Honestly? Not even close. But I'll get there."
"Are you sure you're okay with this? With her being here, in Blackbat's custody?"
"It's not like we have a choice. She's the key to what they need."
"That's not what I meant, and you know it."
"I don't know, Soph. Part of me wants to keep her as far away as possible. But another part... another part wants more answers. Wants to understand."
"And you will. In time. But right now, the most important thing is keeping her safe. Keeping you safe. And you don't have to figure it out all at once, Ry. This is new territory for both of you. Just take it one day at a time."
"What if I can't forgive her? What if I can't move past all the hurt?"
Sophie pressed a soft kiss to her temple. "Then that's okay, too. You don't owe her anything. This is about what's best for you, not her."
"I just... I don't want to lose myself in all of this. I don't want to lose us."
"You won't. You will never lose me. I won't let that happen." Sophie's arm slipped around her waist for support. Together, they watched as the car carrying Jada pulled away most likely to another secure building, the first step in a journey neither could quite predict.
The Blackbat lobby was active, with everyone moving around - business as usual. They'd barely taken a few steps inside when a short brunette approached them—Stacey.
"Agents Wilder," Stacey greeted, crisp and always professional. "I trust your mission was a success and no issues were bringing Miss Jet back?"
Sophie ignored answering that and focused on a pressing need. "Ryan and I need to debrief with Luke, ASAP. There've been some major developments."
"Director Fox is currently off-site, attending to another matter." Stacey maintained a stoic front. "He's expected back first thing tomorrow morning."
The Wilders looked at each other, saying more with a glance than they could with words.
Stepping up, Ryan's face scrunched up with concern. "Everything alright? It's not like Luke to be MIA, especially after a mission like this. We need to talk about that damn pig showing up."
Stacey's smile was practiced and measured. "I can assure you that everything is under control, Agent Wilder. Director Fox has full confidence in your abilities to handle any immediate concerns until his return."
Sophie, sensing the need for caution, interjected. "Of course. We'll be ready to debrief with him in the morning." She glanced at Ryan, a subtle cue. "We should probably head home, and get some rest. It's been a long day."
Ryan shot her a questioning look but followed her lead. "Yeah, I could definitely use a shower and a bed right about now."
They made their way out of the building, and the moment they were out of earshot, Ryan turned to Sophie. "Why the hell did you say we should go home? You know our place isn't safe."
Sophie kept her voice equally low, her eyes scanning their surroundings. "Something's not right, Ry. Luke being unreachable, Stacey's vague answers...we need to lay low, regroup."
"Okay, I hear you. But we need a plan. We can't just waltz back into our house like everything's Gucci."
"There some other things I want to grab from the house, then we can find somewhere safe to crash for the night." Sophie calculated their options. "We'll reassess in the morning when Luke's back."
"Nah, going back to the house is too risky. Plus I packed what we needed already. And we don't know who might be watching." Ryan shook her head, feeling skeptical about this whole ordeal.
"I know but… honestly, I want to go grab our tapes. Something doesn't seem right Ry. Aren't you dying to look at them too?"
"Yeah but… what if someone's waiting for us there? We'd be walking straight into a trap."
"Hey, we're highly trained agents, remember? We know how to handle ourselves. We'll be in and out before anyone even knows we're there."
"Hey, you two, how was Africa?" They were intercepted by Julia, who was just getting out of her car.
"It was something, that's for sure." Ryan shrugged, then paused, wondering if their fellow agent knew more intel. "Hey, have you heard from Luke? He wasn't there when we got back, and Stacey said something about him being off-site and back tomorrow."
Julia scowled. She wasn't Stacey's biggest fan. For the most part, she did her job correctly; the girl just seemed off.
"I haven't heard anything, but he better be back soon. Ocean and I have a new agents class to train today, and they have their final assessment with him afterward." She jerked her thumb towards the building. "Ocean's already inside with them."
"Fuck." Sophie said under her breath. "If you see him come in or hear anything, can you call us?"
"Sure thing, of course, but umm, where are you guys going?" Julia waited, looking from one colleague to the other.
"About to grab a taxi to our house."
"What? Didn't you have a break-in? That's not safe, Sophie."
"That's what I've been saying," Ryan added her two cents.
"We're just going to pick up something, then we're lying low somewhere else."
Julia still wasn't sure about this plan, but she trusted these two and knew they were well equipped to handle themselves. "Alright... call me if you need me."
"We will."
When they got into the backseat of the cab, Ryan was still skeptical. "I don't know, Soph. It feels like an unnecessary risk."
Sophie looked to the driver then back at Ryan pleadingly and whispered, "I promise we'll make it quick, no hanging around or distractions. We get what we need and get out."
"In and out like ghosts, got it."
Their car came to a stop in front of their brownstone. Ryan's examined the surroundings and activity on their block, her body tense and ready for action. "I should go in with you. Watch your back."
Sophie shook her head, already reaching for the door handle. "No, I need you out here. Keep an eye out for anything suspicious."
"Soph, come on. We don't know what's waiting in there."
"Exactly. Which is why one of us needs to stay out here, in case something goes sideways."
"I don't like this. Splitting up feels like a bad idea."
"I know, babe. But I'll be quick, I promise."
"Fine. But if you're not out in five minutes, I'm coming in after you."
"Wouldn't expect anything less."
Ryan watched as Sophie slid out of the car, her pulse on overload as her wife disappeared into the house. She forced herself to take a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. Unable to sit still, she climbed out of the car too after paying the driver. Once grabbing their bags, her eyes constantly moved, searching for any sign of danger. She paced the length of the porch, her fingers twitching towards the gun at her hip with every unfamiliar sound.
The seconds ticked by, each second feeling like a forever. Ryan's mind conjured up worst-case scenarios. Unable to bear the uncertainty any longer, she stepped off the porch and went around the perimeter of the house.
She looked through the windows, looking for any signs of trouble, any indication that someone had been there since they left. But everything appeared untouched, exactly as they had left it. But her gut kept nagging at her, that irritable feeling something wasn't right just wouldn't let up.
She had just rounded the corner back to the front when the door swung open, revealing Sophie, her arms full with an almost comical number of duffle bags. Seeing her wife was like a weight lifting off Ryan's shoulders.
"Damn, Soph. You planning on moving out or something?" Ryan eyed the bags including her new Louis Vuitton duffle.
"Just grabbed a few more weapons and shit..." Sophie dropped the bags at her feet.
"A few? Looks like you raided the whole damn armory."
"Better safe than sorry, right?" Sophie shrugged. "Oh, and I grabbed a copy of the security footage too."
Ryan reached down to grab one of the bags, but as she lifted it, a sudden realization hit her. She froze. "Shit, Soph. We can't take all this to a hotel. Not with all the heat you've packed."
"Why not? We've done it before."
"Not like this. Not when we're trying to lay low. A couple of guns, sure. But this? This is gonna raise all kinds of red flags."
"Damn, you're right. I didn't think about that. Maybe we could crash at Iris's place? Or find an Airbnb, something off the grid?"
Ryan pivoted, giving the street a once-over, but then her eye locked onto something she knew, and it was like a switch flipped - a plan started taking shape. She snatched up a couple of the bags. "Come on, Soph. I got an idea."
"Where are we going?"
Ryan was already heading towards the curb, and over her shoulder, she called out, "We're gonna see if Alice is home."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. No, the hell we are not." Sophie jogged up beside her and tugged on her sleeve, forcing her to stop mid-stride.
"Why not?"
"Why not?" Sophie repeated unbelievingly. "Ry, you know that Alice bothers me, and I hate the way she flirts with you in my face. The woman's been thirsting after you since day one."
"How many times do I have to tell you she's harmless? Just a little friendly, that's all."
"Friendly? More like one step away from boiling a bunny on your stove."
"Come on. It's not that bad. Besides, her place is right across the street. We can keep an eye on our house, make sure no one's snooping around."
Sophie massaged her temples, eyes squeezed shut in frustration. "I don't know, Ry. Crashing with Alice just feels like asking for trouble."
Bags forgotten on the ground, Ryan placed her hands on her wife's shoulders, wearing that stupid grin Sophie loved but couldn't stand sometimes, too, especially when it was clear she was up to no good. She was clueless about what Ryan found so damn amusing in this situation.
"Look, I know Alice can be a little... eccentric. But she's cool. We've gotten to know her, right? She's not gonna ask questions or get all suspicious like some random hotel clerk might."
"I just don't trust her, Ry. The way she looks at you sometimes... it's like she's undressing you with her eyes."
"Baby, you're the only one I want undressing me with those eyes or your large hands."
"Smooth, Wilder. Real smooth."
"I'm just saying, we don't have a lot of options here. Alice's place is our best bet, and Iris stays on the other side of town, and you know her nosy ass would have a lot of questions. We can lay low, keep watch on our house, and figure out our next move."
Sophie sighed, knowing Ryan had a point. "Fine. Just know, if she starts wilding out, I'm going to hold back."
"Noted. I'll make sure to keep her in check." Ryan smiled, picking up the bags once more.
FORT GRAYE GOTHAM: ALICE'S HOME
Alice led Ryan and Sophie down the hallway, her hips swaying purposefully with each step she took.
"And here we have the guest room, or as I like to call it, the love shack." She winked at Ryan, as she reached for the door handle.
Sophie wasn't feeling Alice looking at Ryan like that. Her eyes tightened as she threw her a look, letting her know to back off. But Alice wasn't sweating it, giving Sophie a little smirk before opening the door all dramaticly.
"Voila! Your home away from home, ladies."
"Damn, Al. You really know how to set the mood."
The room was a mess of colors and textures, with plush velvet curtains and satin sheets that screamed "seduction." Sophie had to resist the urge to throw up a little.
"I do try to create an atmosphere of... possibilities."
Sophie rolled her eyes, dropping their bags on the floor with a thud. "Yeah, I can see that."
Flopping down on the bed, Ryan bounced when she realized it was a water bed. "Whooahh… uhh. This is great, Al. Thanks again for letting us crash."
"Oh, it's my pleasure. I'm always happy to... accommodate my favorite, sexy, smart neighbors."
Clearing her throat loudly, Sophie drew their attention. "So, what's the plan for dinner? I'm starving. Should we order in or —?"
"Oh, I've got something special planned. A little homemade treat, courtesy of my garden."
"The garden I helped you start?" Ryan perked up at that. "With the relic tomatoes and the squash?"
"The very same." Alice grinned, her fingers trailing along Ryan's shoulder. "I have to say, your green thumb has done wonders for my produce."
Sophie's fingers itched to smack Alice's hand away. But she held herself in check, not wanting to make a scene.
"I can help with dinner if you want." Ryan offered, starting to rise from the bed.
"Oh no, honey. You just sit back and relax. I wouldn't want you to get all dirty."
Sophie nearly choked on her own tongue. The nerve of this woman!
But Ryan just laughed, settling back against the pillows and adjusting to the water. "If you insist. I'm not gonna say no to being pampered."
"Oh, I insist. You just leave everything to me." With that, she swaggered off, leaving Sophie heated and Ryan obliviously chilled.
"You gotta be fucking kidding me, Ry. You really don't see what's going on here?"
"Huh? What's the problem? Other than we should totally get one of these waterbeds for our place. It's so comfy. And we can have some fun if you know what I mean."
Just as Sophie was about to lay into her clueless wife, Alice's voice was heard loud from downstairs. "Ryan, sweetheart - I changed my mind. Could you lend me a hand?"
"On my way!" Ryan shouted back. She leaped off the bed, grabbing a pillow and chucking it playfully at Sophie. "Quit being such a sourpuss, baby girl." She left out of the door, leaving her wife to stew in her own irritation.
The dinner table was a masterwork of culinary charm. Candles blinked, forming a warm burn over the spread of dishes that looked like they belonged in a five-star restaurant. Sophie had to admit, it smelled amazing.
Ryan dug in, moaning appreciatively around a mouthful of roasted vegetables. "Holy shit, Al. This garlic sauce you added on top is incredible."
"It's all thanks to your hard work. Seeing you get all hands-on cutting those vegetables inspired me to…top them just right."
Sophie nearly snapped her fork in half. "It's not that special. I think I'm just really hungry." But even as the words left her mouth, she knew it was a lie. The food was delicious, and Alice's not-so-subtle innuendos were only making it harder to ignore.
With a mouth full of perfectly grilled shrimp, she watched as Ryan animatedly recounted some recent hijinks. Her wife had zero chill, laughing and carrying on like she had no idea their neighbor was doing the most. Sophie pushed her plate away, her hunger fading, as Alice hung on Ryan's stories like they were gospel.
It was going to be a long night.
While the dinner continued, Sophie and Alice's eyes continued to meet in aware glances that they thought Ryan seemed unaware of. Staring down at her plate, Sophie refused to meet Alice's eyes, but the elephant in the room was impossible to miss
Finally, Ryan set down her fork, looking between the two women with a puzzled expression. "Okay, what the hell is going on with you two? Why are you looking at each other all weird and shit?"
Alice opened her mouth with a smirk, but before she could speak, Sophie blurted out, "She wants to sleep with us!"
"What?!" Ryan looked between them, stunned like they had just told her the Earth was flat.
Peeping over at her wife, Sophie caught the totally lost look on her face, then swung back to Alice, rocking that smug-ass smile. She let out an exasperated sigh, rolling her eyes.
"Remember that night you and Alice went out for ice cream? The day you found out about Jada and we had that big fight?"
How could Ryan ever forget that day.
"Well, something just felt off. Alice was being... well, Alice. And I was all in my head, looking for answers. So I snuck over here to confront her."
Not missing a beat, Alice jumped in, "I was half-naked, by the way."
Sophie whipped her head at Ryan, wondering what she was going to say. But Ryan stayed calm, barely flinching at the wild reveal.
"Okay, no, hold up. You had clothes on. Revealing clothes, but still. That's not the point."
Ryan propped her elbows on the table, leaning in closer. "So what is the point, Soph?"
"I wasn't expecting her to be awake. She startled me, and I almost shot her." Sophie squirmed in her seat, feeling the heat. "But then she told me she was actually waiting for us. Both of us. Because she thought we wanted a... a threesome." She hid behind her hands, embarrassed like her whole face was on fire.
The room went silent, the only sound the ticking of the clock on the wall. Sophie and Alice both held their breath, waiting for Ryan's response. Then, out of nowhere, Ryan burst out laughing.
"Get the fuck outta here!" She turned to Alice. "Alice, you know I love you. Our friendship these past few years has meant the world to me. But I'm sorry, boo. I don't share my woman with anyone. And I mean anyone."
"I know, I know. But a girl had to try, right? You're both such beautiful women. I just thought-"
"Nope. No more thinking about my wife naked."
Alice bobbed her head with an exaggerated somber expression, but her lips curved into a saucy smile, betraying her playful intent.
"What about you, though? Can I think about you naked?"
Sophie's head snapped up. "Absolutely the hell not!"
Pushing back from the table, Alice just shrugged. She paused while cleaning the table. "I've got an idea. Why don't we break out the body paint and have a little art session? I'll be the canvas, of course."
"Body paint? Like, painting…on your naked body?" Sophie thought she was about to have an aneurysm.
"Well, I could wear a bikini if you prefer. But where's the fun in that?"
"I think we'll pass on the body art, Al. But thanks for the offer."
"Yeah, we're just gonna head to bed. It's been a crazy day. Thanks for dinner." Sophie practically leaped out of her chair, already edging towards the stairs.
Typing away on her laptop, Ryan sat criss-cross on the bed; she was all locked and loaded, brows knitted tight as she dissected every pixel of the security cam clips from when their house was broken into, and she was tied up.
Sophie came out from the bathroom, toweling herself dry for the final time. She paused in the doorway, taking in the sight of her wife concentrated on the screen. "Find anything?" she asked.
"No, it's like they weren't even there. I just saw when you and I both left the house, and that's it. What about you? Did you text Julia before your showered?"
"Yeah, I did. She said Luke showed up for a bit but then left abruptly without explanation. Apparently, he seemed distracted and on edge."
"That's weird. Why would he check in with them but not us?"
Tossing the towel aside, Sophie grabbed the lotion from the dresser and climbed onto the bed, settling in next to Ryan. "I don't know, but Julia said she'd keep us posted if she hears anything else. I sent a message to Luke but no response."
"This ain't sittin' right with me," Ryan said without looking away from the screen. "Luke ghosting us after we risked our asses to bring in Jada? You think he's trying to cut ties now that the job's done?"
"Nope, I don't even want to think about that, Ry. I refuse to even go there. Blackbat needs us as much as we need them. We're too valuable to just toss aside."
"Yeah, I know." But still, despite the reassurance, Ryan had this nagging feeling deep down that shit wasn't right, and the math wasn't mathing. But, if Sophie felt that things were okay, she wanted to believe that.
Noticing her wife and how drained she looked, Sophie reached over softly, closed that laptop, and slid it off Ryan's lap onto the nightstand.
Ryan looked up. "What are you doing?"
"We need to take a moment, baby. Just breathe and calm our minds for a minute. We've been running on autopilot for hours, and I can see it in your face. You're tired."
"I am, Soph. I'm so fucking tired."
Killing the lights, Sophie leaned back, opening up her arms and allowing the moonlight to illuminate them. "Come here," she whispered.
She crawled over, settling her body atop Sophie's, her face finding the crook of her wife's neck. She took a long, deep breath, letting her wife's freshly showered natural scent chill her out and bring her back to reality. Wrapped up in strong arms, Ryan could finally start to unwind. Her body unclenched bit by bit, and her breathing found its rhythm again.
A simultaneous sigh slipped out, melting the burden off their shoulders. Sophie's hands traced lazy patterns on Ryan's back, soaking in the warmth of having her girl wrapped up tight. She leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to Ryan's forehead. "I missed holding you like this," she murmured.
"I missed you too," Ryan's lips found the curve of her neck. She started with gentle kisses, her tongue darting out to taste the skin. But then, without warning, she nipped at the flesh, her teeth sinking in just hard enough to make Sophie yelp.
"Ouch! What was that for?" Sophie pulled back, rubbing at the spot.
Ryan laughed tiredly, then propped herself up on her elbows and looked down at her wife with a grin. "That's for sneaking over to see Alice naked."
An offended scowl spread across Sophie's face, her lips parting in disbelief. "Hey, that's your fault! You're the one who befriended a weirdo."
"She's not that bad."
"She's a lot to get used to. Though, I gotta admit, this linen and comforter is pretty snug. Wonder how many sheep she had to sacrifice for it."
"Should we go invite her to join us and find out?"
In one quick move, Sophie grabbed Ryan's waist and rolled them over, straddling her thighs. "Take it back," she demanded, her fingers digging into Ryan's ribs. "Take it back right now."
"No way! You totally want a piece of Alice's goodies."
Sophie's hands were everywhere, tickling her relentlessly while she kept planting little love bites on her bae's face and neck. It was a familiar game, one they'd played countless times before, but it felt like forever since they'd let themselves just be silly and carefree.
Cracking up, Ryan's laugh was loud through the walls as Sophie's mouth found her belly, blowing loud, wet raspberries that made the flesh jiggle. She twisted and turned, trying to escape, but was trapped.
"Stop, stop! I take it back, I swear!"
"Hell nah. You owe me for that crazy claim about wanting Alice's ass." Sophie wasn't letting up. She blew another raspberry, her fingers digging into Ryan's ribs. "Not stopping until you admit you are trippin'."
A pillow became Ryan's last line of defense as she grabbed it and swung wildly at Sophie, hoping to create some space, but Sophie ducked, laughing as she redoubled her efforts. "Say it! Say you were wrong!"
"I was wrong!" Ryan lost it, laughing her ass off until tears were streaming down her face "I was so wrong. You only want my goodies, I swear!"
Satisfied, Sophie ceded, collapsing on top of Ryan with a silly grin.
"Is this a sneak peek of your parenting style? Cause, Soph babe, I love you, but if this is how you're planning to discipline our future kid with blow bubbles, we might need to have a chat. I'm not sure 'tickled into submission' is the best approach, ya know?"
The words just slipped out before she could catch them. Ryan's eyes went wide as she registered what she'd blurted. She felt the heat rushing to her face and instinctively dropped her eyes to the bed with unexpected shyness. "I, uh... I mean…I can't believe I just said that out loud."
"Did you mean it?" Feeling her heart do that goofy flutter, Sophie smiled and reached out, her fingers lightly tracing Ryan's cheek.
Inhaling deeply, mustering up her nerve. Ryan locked eyes with her wife and let her guard down. "Yeah. Like I told you… I'm all in. I want it all with you."
Powerful feelings flooded Sophie at that moment. She didn't hold back, pulling Ryan close and kissing her with a blazing intensity. She put her whole heart into their next kiss, her tongue hungrily seeking Ryan's as she let out all the pent-up love and lust she'd been holding in and could no longer contain.
Ryan moaned, her hands tangling in Sophie's hair as she pulled her impossibly closer.
"Let's start practicing to make one now." Sophie broke the kiss, her lips trailing a path down Ryan's neck. She pressed a worshipful kiss to the spot where Ryan's new necklace lay.
A bubbly giggle came from Ryan's mouth, and she leaned back just enough. "I'm not 'practicing' in Alice's house, Soph."
"Oh, I thought you wanted to give her a free show." Sophie let out a yelp, then some cackles, when Ryan's fingers playfully pinched her boob. "Chill, boo, I'm just playin'," she murmured, sucking her pulse point once more.
She moved up and captured Ryan's mouth, her tongue probing deep, stroking and caressing. It was filthy and perfect. "I need you so bad right now, Ry. I wanna taste you, feel you."
As much as Ryan knew they shouldn't be doing the deed in Alice's house, Sophie had her worked up in the best way. Their last intimate moment felt like forever ago, and she could barely contain her thirst. She was this close to losing it completely.
Her hips rocked desperately, and she let out a needy whine. "Yes, please," she begged, her nails digging into Sophie's shoulders. "Touch me, baby. Make me yours again."
Sophie outlined Ryan's abs, feeling them shudder and jump beneath her touch. Higher she went until her fingers brushed the underside of Ryan's breast.
Just as she tweaked and rolled the sensitive buds, a muffled pop caught her attention. She went still, her muscles tensing up as she tried to figure out what that noise was.
"What's wrong, baby?" Ryan, lost in desire, barely registered what was going on.
"Shhh," Sophie held up a hand, her head cocked to the side. "Did you hear that?"
"Hear what? I didn't hear anything."
Another pop, this time louder and closer. "Gunshots. Those were gunshots, Ry."
"What? Are you sure?" Ryan sat up. "I didn't hear-"
Sophie was already moving, rolling off the bed and reaching for her gun. "Trust me, I know that sound. Silenced, but definitely gunshots." She crept towards the window, keeping low and out of sight. She looked through the darkness outside, searching for any sign of motion. When she saw nothing, she turned back.
"Grab a few things from the bag. We might have company."
Ryan was already moving towards their gear. She tossed Sophie a couple of extra magazines before loading up her own pajamas with additional weapons.
The sound of glass shattering came from somewhere in the house, sending Ryan and Sophie's hearts racing. It took less than a heartbeat for their eyes to meet, and right away they were on the same page of survival.
They crept down the hallway, Sophie taking point with Ryan close behind. The door to Alice's room stood slightly open, an invitation and a warning all at once. Sophie's foot nudged it wider, her gun sweeping the space as she entered.
The sight that greeted them was like something out of a nightmare. Alice's body lay spread on the floor, a dark puddle of blood spreading beneath her. Her eyes, usually so full of life, now stared blankly at the ceiling.
"What the fuck?" Ryan moved forward, almost on autopilot, reaching for Alice's neck to feel for a pulse. But the moment her fingers touched the cold skin, she knew it was too late. She was gone.
The house went into complete darkness without warning. The sudden absence of light was disorienting. Then, a low hum filled the space as a backup generator kicked in and showed a blue light through the house.
Another shot rang out, and this one came from downstairs. Ryan and Sophie hit the floor and started belly-crawling to the railing, peering through the gaps to the floor below.
A shadow moved in the blue light, and the outline of a figure with a gun was clear even from a distance. They needed to move to find a better position to assess the threat and offset it.
Ryan jerked her chin towards the stairs, a silent question. Sophie shook her head, pointing to the adjacent room instead. If they could flank the intruder, catch them off guard...
Out of nowhere, a voice cut through the silence, coming from the floor below.
"Knock, knock, little sis!"
Marquis's taunting voice instantly made Ryan's blood boil.
"What's the matter, Ry? Too scared to come out and play with your big brother?"
She started to rise, every muscle screaming for battle, for vengeance. But Sophie's hand shot out, fingers wrapping around Ryan's wrist, pulling her back from the brink.
"Ryan, no! We have to think tactically. We can't just go charging in there."
"Fuck him," Ryan hissed back. "Who does he think he is, coming in here like this? I'm not gonna let him get away with it."
Mouth opened, ready to counter, to try and talk sense into her wife. But Sophie's words were lost in the sudden snap of gunfire, a bullet ripping through the air and shattering the picture frame above their heads. Instinctively, they ducked, shielding themselves from the raining fragments of glass.
Sophie was starting to have second thoughts, that nagging voice in her head questioning if they could really pull this off. The noises from downstairs - more than one person moving around, their voices low - made it seem like Marquis didn't come alone.
Sophie threw Ryan a look that said it all - time to roll. A nod, a gesture, a silent agreement to follow her lead. Creeping forward on their hands and knees, they inched towards the staircase, using every bit of cover the sparse room offered to keep themselves concealed.
Creeping down was a slow burn, and each footstep was a calculated risk. The sounds were getting louder, and those uninvited guests were closing in. Ryan froze at the base of the stairs. Her eyes darted around, checking every dark corner of the room. Then she spotted it—a silhouette in the kitchen, the shape of a dress swaying. It had to be Mary.
Instinct took over, and Ryan's gun snapped up. She pulled the trigger, but the bullet found only empty air, the target vanishing like smoke before it could find its mark.
Marquis was heard laughing, making it impossible to pinpoint where it was coming from. "Come on, Ry. I know you're no born killer, but you gotta do better than that. Who taught you how to shoot? Your weak-ass wife?"
Sophie spun, her weapon at the ready, certain that his voice had originated from just behind her. But as her eyes raked the room, searching for a target, she found nothing but emptiness and silence.
They were being toyed with and manipulated. Marquis was using the house against them, the play of light and sound, the echoes and angles, to keep them off-balance and uncertain.
The struggle between frustration and fear was real. They needed a solid move, but time wasn't on their side. Another bullet blazed by, close enough that Sophie could feel the heat of it. The clock was ticking, the odds stacked against them. They had to make a play and make it quick before this twisted game reached a bloody conclusion.
Sophie's patience snapped. To hell with playing it safe. She started firing, letting her instincts guide her aim, sending a hail of bullets toward the spots where her gut told her the enemies were hiding. Ryan, never one to be left behind, followed suit as she fired in the opposite direction.
That once-clean kitchen? Forget about it - cabinets getting torn apart, plates and bowls shattering into a million dangerous shards raining down. Holes punched through the fridge, with all of the food tumbling out. And the stove's glass top was now shattered.
Ryan and Sophie ducked and weaved, using the island and the ruined appliances as cover. They returned fire, forcing Marquis and Mary to seek shelter of their own.
For a moment, it seemed they were holding their own, matching their opponent's moves step by step.
Ryan stayed on her toes, trying to warble Marquis's next play from the way his eyes shifted or if his finger twitched near the trigger. But no matter how fast she fired, no matter how hard she tried to predict their movements, he remained maddeningly out of reach.
The battle had carried them through the house until they found themselves in the living room.
Marquis, his gun lowered, stared at Ryan with pity. "You know, I've always wondered what it would be like to have a little sister. Someone to share secrets with, to grow up with. But then again, we both know how that feels, don't we?"
Ryan's fought to keep her composure, to not let his words get under her skin. "Look, whatever this is about, whatever you think I've done, we can talk about it. It doesn't have to go down like this."
"Talk? You think talking is going to fix this? Actions speak louder than words, isn't that right, Sophie?"
Sophie, for her part, had no idea what he was talking about. "If this is about Jada, about what happened in the past, Ryan had nothing to do with that. She was just a baby when-"
"When our mother abandoned us? When she left us to fend for ourselves in a world that didn't give a damn about us? Yeah, I know. Believe me, I know."
Marquis shot in their direction again, causing them to duck. “You want to know why I'm doing this, Ry? You want to know what my dear old father put me through after Jada left?"
Ryan ducked behind the remaining wall. "I'm sorry for what you went through, Marquis. But this isn't the way to-"
"You're sorry? You have no idea what sorry means. Dad made sure I never forgot what I was: a worthless, unwanted piece of trash. Every time he beat me, every time he locked me in that closet for days on end, he made sure I knew it was all Jada's fault. And yours."
The level of hurt Marquis had bottled up inside, the scars he was dealing with, that was some next-level stuff Ryan and Sophie didn't see coming.
"Dad, he always said I was weak, that I was nothing. That I'd never be good enough, never be worthy of love or family." He let out a harsh laugh, devoid of any joy, just a raw acknowledgment of how messed up things were. "And you know what? He was right."
Behind Marquis's hardcore front, Ryan saw a broken little boy.
"He called Jada a whore, said she spread her legs for anyone who'd give her a second glance. And you, Ryan? He said you were the product of her filth, a bastard child who never should've been born. And guess what? He was right about that, too."
Ryan wanted to say something, anything, but nothing came out, her voice failing against his hatred.
"No more talking. No more lies. It's time to end this, once and for all. Time to make you pay for the sins of our mother, for the life you stole from me."
"Marquis, please. I know you're hurting. I know you're angry. But this... this isn't the way. This isn't what you really want."
"Nah, sis, this is exactly what I've been waiting for. Ever since I was a kid, all I could think about was making you feel the same pain I did. Now it's your turn to pay up."
"Marquis, listen to me." Sophie moved in, even though anxiety was twisting her insides. "I know you're hurting, I know you've been through hell. But this isn't the answer. Ryan is not the one you need to go after. She didn't get asked to be brought into this world."
"If she isn't responsible, then why does every breath she takes, every moment she lives, remind me of what I lost, of what was stolen from me?"
Before anyone could respond, Mary raised her weapon, her gun trained on Ryan's chest.
Caught off guard, the bullet ripped through Ryan's flesh, stealing the breath from her lungs. She stumbled forward, her gun slipping from her grasp as she felt around her body, her hand becoming drenched in blood.
Time seemed to slow down, each heartbeat an eternity, as she fell to her knees with pain and shock. She could hear Sophie screaming her name. The screams hit her ears, warped and distorted like she was hearing them through a long tunnel.
Dread filled Sophie's veins, but she powered through, booking it to Ryan's side while laying down a curtain of fire, forcing Marquis and Mary to take cover as she scrambled those few life-or-death seconds to get to her wife.
Dropping to her knees beside Ryan, she quickly assessed the damage. The bullet had hit Ryan right above her heart, but she was still breathing, still fighting, her eyes locked on Sophie's with a determination that said she wasn't ready to give up.
With a strength she didn't know she possessed, Sophie hauled Ryan to her feet, wrapping an arm around her waist to support her weight. Ryan sagged into Sophie's side, her breathing ragged and strained, but she fought as best as she could.
Together, they blundered towards the kitchen, Sophie's gun never falling as she kept up a steady stream of fire behind them. She knew they couldn't overtake Marquis and Mary, not with Ryan injured. They needed a place to hide, to regroup.
Her eyes inspected the room for anything that could help them. And then she saw it - the door to the pantry, half-hidden behind a stack of boxes. It wasn't much, but it was a chance.
With a final break of speed, Sophie half-dragged, half-carried Ryan towards the pantry, kicking the boxes aside as she wrenched the door open. They fell inside, Ryan crying out in pain as they hit the floor. Not wasting a second, Sophie slammed the entry shut and made sure it was locked tight to keep them safe for now.
Momentarily, they lay there, chests panting with labor and fear. Outside, they could hear Marquis and Mary moving through the house, pissed off and hellbent on finding their targets.
But right now, none of that mattered. All that mattered was the woman in Sophie's arms, the woman whose blood was oozing through her fingers, whose life hung in the balance.
She cupped Ryan's cheeks delicately, seeing her wife's chalky, clammy face for the faintest sign that she was still hanging in there. "Stay with me, baby. Don't you dare leave me, not now, not like this."
Her eyes batted weakly, Ryan's vision blurring in and out from the excruciating pain. "Soph...I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."
"No, baby, no. You have nothing to be sorry for. You hear me? Nothing."
With a softness that crushed Sophie's spirit, Ryan raised her fingers, caressing Sophie's cheek in the faintest, most fragile stroke. "I love you," her voice faded with each word. "I love you so much it makes me crazy..."
She felt pain in her soul when she scooped up Ryan's, tears streaming down her face as she cradled her wife's head against her shaking body. "I'm crazy about you too, love. You're stuck with me, always, you hear?"
Ryan's breathing was choppy, her expression tight with pain as she held onto Sophie's hand. "It hurts... it hurts so bad..."
"I know, baby, I know. But you gotta stay with me, okay? You gotta fight." She then tore off her tank top, leaving herself in just a bra as she pressed the fabric against Ryan's chest, trying desperately to stop the flow of blood. The ring she had given Ryan just hours before dangled from its chain, glistening with fresh blood.
"You said you wanted it all with me, Ry. The house, the kids, the whole damn thing. You can't bail on me now, baby. Not when we're so close."
Ryan's lids peeled back, a faint, teasing smirk. "Hey, sexy. Come here often?"
A choked chuckle came from Sophie's throat, equal parts unbelieving and amused. "Really, Ry? You're bleeding out on the floor, and you're still trying to flirt with me?"
"What can I say?" Ryan coughed, wincing at the pain. "I've got... priorities."
"Well, how about we make it a priority to get you out of here alive, huh?"
Catching a peek at the mirrored walls, Ryan noticed the reflections were fragmented and mangled.
All that mess out there - the gunshots, the screams, that whole crazy scene - it was like it never even happened. Right then, it was just Sophie and Ryan. Just them and their love that got them this far. But even as they clung to one another, Sophie knew the reality was setting in.
Reluctantly, she untangled herself from Ryan, darting to the monitors that lined the walls of the panic room. She looked at the screens and caught sight of Marquis and Mary still in the house, walking around.
She rushed back to Ryan's side, needing her wife to find some strength.
"Ryan, wake up. Open your eyes, baby. You have to fight, okay? You have to stay with me. I can't do this without you, I can't..." She couldn't even finish her sentence as the tears she'd been fighting so hard to keep in came pouring out.
Eyelids parting, Ryan's hand found Sophie's, clinging to it with a weak but firm grip. "You can, Soph. You're the strongest person I know. You're a goddamn superhero. My superhero."
"I'm not a superhero, Ry. I'm just a woman who loves your ass more than anything in this world. But I need you to keep fighting, got it? I need you to come back to me because I can't imagine life without you... god, without you I'm nothing."
"Promise me... promise you'll keep fighting," Ryan wheezed and sputtered, spitting up a mix of blood and bile. "No matter what happens... don’t let this break you. The world needs you, Soph. You're... you're a hero, in every sense of the word. With or without me."
Ryan's eyes shut tight again as she fought to stay awake. She was being pulled into the darkness, no matter how hard she foughtt it. It was easier to just let go. She forced her eyes open one last time, drinking in the sight of her wife.
"You're my everything... you mean the world to me...don't ever forget that." And then everything faded away, the world went black as Ryan slipped into oblivion, not knowing if she'd ever wake up again.
"Ry? No, no, no... this can't be happening. Ryan—baby wake up!"
When Ryan did not react or open her eyes, Sophie panicked and felt her heart drop, terrified she was losing the love of her life right in front of her. Then, something shifted within her. It hit her - she knew exactly what needed to be done, clear as day, despite all the odds stacked against them.
Gently, adoringly, she lowered her wife's head to the floor. She leaned down, her lips brushing against Ryan's in a kiss.
"I'll be back, my love. I promise."
Pushing herself up, she locked eyes with the countless reflections staring back at her from the panic room's mirrored walls. With deliberate actions, Sophie checked her weapon, noticing she only had two bullets left.
This could be the end.
With a deep breath and a silent prayer, she stepped back into the house, ready to face whatever was ahead.
An uneasy hush coated the space, only disturbed by the creaks of the floorboards and the drumbeat of her heart. Sophie ghosted through the house, her steps feather-light, her senses dialed up to the max. The Hamiltons were around, no doubt about it, just waiting to pounce. But she was going to end this once and for all.
When she neared the bedrooms, she saw motion. Instinct took over, her pistol jumping to her grip, her finger pulling the trigger without a second thought.
All at once, the silence was blown apart by a lone gunshot that bounced off the walls, disrupting the unsettling peace. For a beat, everything froze, like the universe was hitting pause, anticipating the reaction that was sure to follow.
A second ticked by, and then another shot rang out, then another, as sudden and cutting as the initial one.
The three noises were like a scary dialogue, a fatal question, and an answer that hinted at extinction.
From the streets, the gunfire was quick, with a pair of flares lighting up the windows.
Silence regained the space. The house kept its lips sealed tight, not ready to show its hand on what had just gone down behind those walls. The identities of those potentially still alive and breathing were anybody's guess.