Story: Second Chance (all chapters)

I turned around at the sound of her voice.

"Nothing"

I stated disappointed as I realized that she was not here.

Ever sense that day, the day when Vanessa died to protect me, I felt, a daunting pain swell up in my heart every morning and before going to sleep.

Guilt wasn't the emotion I felt -longing for her is what I felt, knowing I can't ever have her now.

Her voice echoed in my mined continuously, telling me she'd do anything for me -"anything for you Madlax."

I got up from the small green couch we once lay upon and went in the kitchen to make some pasta -she liked pasta.

Sometimes I could just lay on that couch for hours contemplating on whether something happened between us when I lost all of my memories.

Vanessa never told me exactly what happened, she simply said, "You asked me to sleep with you -I did."

The way she said it, she was implying a deeper meaning, more then sleeping in the same bed.

I opened the wooden cabinet above the stove, reached out a box of dry pasta then poured it in a bowl and filled it with boiling hot water.

There was always something special about Vanessa, when I first met her she seemed a good woman, but as I got to know her, she became someone special in my heart -the first and last.

I placed the pasta bowl on the old table, grabbed a chair and comfortably seated myself before the food.

My pasta tasted bad just like Vanessa's sandwiches.

Thinking about her continuously was grounds enough to turn my way of cooking into hers.

I finished the whole plate, hating the awful after taste yet being thankful that it took my mind off her -for at least a few minutes.

Three Speed asked me to keep working for him but I firmly stated, "No", and left.

It's been a month since Vanessa died, since I found the truth and since I quit.

Limelda wanted to kill me right there on the spot, when she stopped her truck and let me out.

She cursed at me then drove away -angry and almost crazy looking. I've spent the last 28 days in my apartment, not leaving for anything, not doing anything but eating, sleeping and remembering Vanessa Rene.

I dumped the empty bowl in the dish washer, slammed it closed then walked to the roof top of my building.

As I scrunched to a seat, I remembered something about my promise to Vanessa, I said "I will protect you" and she made me promise not to die.

The books could have brought her back, yet they were burned to a crisp and I was stupid enough not to use them for my own desires -for Vanessa.

As I gazed up at the stars an idea came to mind, "I need to visit your grave Vanessa ... I haven't paid a proper farewell and maybe that's why I've been so depressed for the last month."

Sunrise: Next morning

The place where Eleanor buried Vanessa's body had a perfect view of the jungles of Sonika bellow.

I saw the sun rise slowly, creating an orange haze of sad beauty, covering all the land and forcing me to clearly see the dirt beneath which Vanessa is buried.

I want to cry my eyes out, this is too much, her face flashing before my eyes, seeing her smile, her eyes sparkling when gazing at me.

I thought, "Why did you save me ... I would be happier if you were the one to live -look what you did Vanessa, you made me sadder by dying and letting me live."

I crunched down to the dirt below, reached my arms out and hugged the ground under which Vanessa's remains lay.

She would of cried were she to see me now, this wasn't what she wanted ... what she wanted was to reveal the truth, end the war, then happily take me to Nafrece with her -none of which happened.

The war still rages on, the truth is forever lost and we can never be together now.

Yet I want to do something for her, she deserves something in return for all she's done for me.

I was hired as the bodyguard but she was the one to save me in the end, not for money, not for herself but for me.

Looking at the small x marking her grave I whispered. "Vanessa if I could ever see you again...if I hold you again ... if I could reverse time to when we lay together in that bed I'd change things."

-Little did I know that something parallel to what I whispered would happen to me.

With a few tears in my eyes I stood up then walked back to my jeep parked five yards away.

Living wasn't pleasurable but somehow easy before I met Vanessa, the time I spent with her was the best but, now was the worst.

If what occurred next never happened, I'm not sure I know how my life would turn out.

As I twisted the key in and started the engine, I sensed a person behind me, waiting for me on top of my jeep.

Without turning around to see who it was, I demanded.

"Who are you, why are you in my car and what do you want?"

The person chuckled whilst swiftly doing a triple flip down my jeep.

Hearing the laughter, seeing short silver hair and blazing brown eyes, I knew who the person was -Nakhl.

Doubting it to be a social visit, nonetheless being uninterested, I hopped inside the jeep, started the engine then quickly backed my ride away from the unwanted stranger.

I blinked once, opening my eyes I didn't see Nakhl in front of my car anymore.

A sudden whisper in my ear startled me.

Instantly I swung my head around to the passengers side, Nakhl sat next to me, a knife at my throat and a weak smile on the irritating agent's face.

I stopped the jeep then inquired.

"Answer my question... why are you pointing the knife at me?"

The silver haired agent sat motionless, pondering on what to tell me.

A minute later she spoke.

"I have a proposition for you Madlax. You would say no to me, if it wasn't that ... if you agree you'll see Vanessa Rene alive again, and you'll have a chance to save her life."

The words were unbelievable, I had a hard time comprehending whether what I heard was my own imagination or Nakhl's actual words.

Eagerly I asked.

"You ... did you just say Vanessa alive?" - "Yes she'll be alive in the past and you'll remember everything that happened, if you agree to go back in time to stop the war, you can save her as well."

My happiness obvious, I nodded my head then shouted.

"Okay I'll end the civil war if I can get her back ... how do I go back in time though?"

A single response came my way.

"Drive to the village where the three books were once gathered. Lady Quanzitta's ghost desires to speak with you, to take you back through time."

The village wasn't far from this portion of the jungle, thankfully I didn't run into enemy fire while on my drive.

Over fifteen bamboo houses stood spaced out in this low valley between mountains of lush green.

I parked my jeep at the village entrance, got out, slammed the door shut then followed Nakhl to the largest of all huts.

The hut stood next to a mountain with a cave chamber full of candles on rocks and torches hanging on each wall.

There wasn't anything valuable in the cave, I didn't know how I could go back in time, or if it's even possible, but one thing did catch my attention ... a stone carved with Elies script.

The books written in this script had immerse power capable of changing the world completely, rewriting history, shifting the present or even erasing people from existence and the memories of others.

If my bet was on anything being able of taking me back in time, it'd be the books, or anything written in the cursed script. A hand on my shoulder plus a penetrating gaze evoked my attention.

Nakhl noticed my staring at the carved stone then spoke.

"You are wondering how its possible, by what means one can go back. The answer is simple Madlax, all you do is chant two special words at the same time as touching the stone. Normally of course just touching the stone and chanting won't work ... but you are the chosen one, you now have the gift and lady Quanzitta's spirit is waiting to guide you on the other side."

I understood what Nakhl explained, the words needed to be said were at the back of my mind, ready to be spoken. Before proceeding I took in a deep breath.

Next I walked over to the ragged stone, stretched out my right arm, placed my hand against the ice cold piece of rock, then finally let the two special words out.

"Elda Taluta."

Nothing happened, the candles surrounding me were there, Nakhl stood to my far left and I stood unchanged.

However at a closer look I noted the stone carved script light up, the words seemed to dance around in my head, voices of spirits chanting screamed, "Elda Taluta", and I felt reality seep from underneath me as if being drained.

Reality, life, sound, smell, touch dissipated along with my previous location.

I saw an eternal darkness surrounded by small dots of yellow, blue, red and white in the far distance.

Moving my gaze down to my hands I saw emptiness, there wasn't a body harboring me.

I was pure consciousness, nothing more or less.

After what felt like five minutes I began to make out my possible location.

It appeared just like the night sky except instead of watching it from below, I was square in the middle of it.

For a moment I thought, maybe I'm dead ... not having a body and being in the heavens is something that happens to the deceased.

Before my idea's could take over too much of my conception, I heard a woman's voice echo trough emptiness, she calmly said.

"Welcome Madlax, I have been expecting you here."

With my mind I tried following the voice, as my vision rushed passed nothingness a female figure formed before me, causing me to stop.

Long white hair, dark tanned skin and poise filled my view as the spirit took her human form.

She parted her lips then spoke.

"I'm Quanzitta and before I describe my reasons for summoning you here, you should know what this realm is."

In my mind I made a nodding motion. She slightly chuckled, snapped her fingers then stated.

"I see you'd be more comfortable with a human form."

The regularity of having a physical form returned in a flash.

I saw the fingers of my hands, boots on my feet and blond bangs in my face.

She noted my expression, softly continuing her speech.

"This realm isn't where the dead go, those pail dots far in the distance aren't stars either.Celestial bodies far larger than stars or even galaxies ... those are infinite universes of quantum possibility. Madlax this is the realm of god, a place truly endless, a place outside of time. Here no one exists but I, the one assigned to watch over these worlds endlessly."

What she said was a lot to take in, I understood the basic concept, but the number of questions popping up seemed uncountable.

She read my mind, an all-knowing smile spread across her face as she made an attempt to ease my inquiring mind.

"Madlax I know you want to know more about this, and I'll tell you a little, however your purpose isn't to learn the truth of everything, a human mind is incapable of grasping these concepts ... you are here to fix a mistake."

Quanzitta looked me straight in the eyes then told me more of this realm.

"I myself have zero control of the worlds, you could say I'm only an observer of life, however gifted people like you are capable of changing those worlds with the three books. Margret Burton was my only other choice, the other person with the gift for going back in time to stop the war, but she's incapable of actually changing events precisely, she would do no good to me ... that is the reason you were chosen Madlax."

I scowled at her, and then asked.

"Does this mean I don't have a choice?" - "You don't have a choice. I know you want to go back, to be with Vanessa Rene, well that'll come with a cost too. If you fail ending the war or dodge the whole ordeal completely by taking her and running off, you'll disappear from existence. I watch over you, and if you fail me you'll die, but if you complete your task ... You'll have something precious to you -Vanessa Rene."

As she stopped talking, a blue dot in the distance began to grow brighter as if nearing us at incredible speed.

I asked.

"Is that the universe ... my universe?" - "Yes", came a simple reply, followed by another analyses of my thoughts.

"How you stop the war is simple. In your past the books exist, unburned. They have the power to end the war, with them gathered then brought to my human form in the village you'll end the war. All I ask of you is to gather the three books then use them ... before Friday Monday does."

Now we were zooming trough titanic gas clouds at the far reaches of the universe, everything seemed fast, the speed of light.

After a blink we were already nearing a familiar galaxy shaped as a spiral with white and caramel color to it.

I heard Quanzitta's voice echoing to me as her human shape turned into nothingness.

"You're going back to the time when you and Vanessa Rene first meet. I would take you back further however I feel sympathy for you, and if I did that you two would never meet. Close your eyes and steady yourself Madlax, you'll be back in a park awaiting your chance to shoot Enfant members targeting Vanessa the next time you open your eyelids."

My eyes shut as I zoomed trough rows of planets then I vanished to a proper location on the planet Earth.

As I started opening my eyes the sounds of birds whistling on trees, cars roaring by and wind streaming against my skin all returned.

If what just happened to me wasn't a crazy dream, I was back in time with my memories.

Here to change my past, Vanessa's past and stop the civil war itself.

The first thing I saw was my jeep parked next to a patch of trees.

I thought, "I really am in the past", as I noticed Enfant members driving passed me, in a black car, down a long street leading to a park.

Everything is the same, this moment didn't change a bit.

The Enfant members after Vanessa, the same ones I killed in the past are alive -not for long tough.

Shaking my head back to reality, I rushed to the jeep, swung the door open, crashed inside, then without slapping the seatbelt on I started the car and began my drive towards the organization members.

Today I'd practically reenact the past ... do nothing to change the outcome of the future yet -its too early.

Far in the distance on a bench by a fountain I saw Vanessa unknowingly retracting data off a computer.

This was the moment where the organization members would surround her. I took out a box of ammo, loaded my two signature guns, slyly smiled then pressed on gas.

Edging a street corner, I halted the jeep, aimed my guns then awaited my que to shoot the men gathering to interrogate Vanessa Rene.

I know she hates violence, that she'll feel uneasy about me for a while after what I'm about to do but there's no choice.

A man in sunglasses points a gun at Vanessa, she holds up an information disk as if about to hand it over ... but stops midway, she hesitates about it, pulls back and I hear her say.

"No! I will not give up the truth." That moment is when I fire three shots killing all men instantaneously.

She stands motionless for a moment taking in reality.

I drive the car down the street to where she can clearly see it, put on the brakes then shout out the window.

"Hey I'm sorry I got here so late ... it took a while to get trough all the guys who were following you."

She remains motionless as if she's ignoring me, intently I gaze at her for a second before inquiring in a soft tone.

"Is something wrong?"

I keep looking at her, seeing only a strange confusion in her eyes.

Beneath my breath I whisper, "give me a break", as I remember doing the same thing last time.

There isn't a choice, she won't move, I have to carry her here myself -which I don't mind at all.

With a sigh I step out the jeep, march towards the statue still Vanessa, give her a frustrated half smile then suddenly sweep her off the ground and into my arms.

She squirms a bit but doesn't resist as I carry her off towards the passengers side of my jeep.

I feel happier then I've felt in a month experiencing her living warmth seep onto my arms, the solidness of her body brushes against mine.

I open the door, gently let her down and wait as she takes a seat, afterwards I slam her door shut, walk around, hop into the driver's seat, start the car then zoom off.

We drive for an hour, headed to her place.

By now the sun is set and lampposts are lighting the way ahead.

Everything thus far went the same as in the original past, except my urge to stop the car in the middle of the road then embrace Vanessa tighter then she once had me.

I resisted doing anything yet ... if I did it'd ruin my chances of saving her and more then that becoming special to her.

The entire hour she didn't say a word so I broke the silence whilst crossing a mini bridge.

"So are you going to say anything or what... well?"

My words came out annoyed.

A silence and me waiting, then she firmly stated.

"Pull over!" - "Huh?" - "I said pull over."

She demanded.

A good listener, I did as she said and stopped the car.

I tilted my neck towards her with a kind smile paved over my face and the sincerity showing trough the amethyst of my eyes

Softly I asked.

"What's wrong?"

Vanessa had a grim expression and her voice sounded drenched with disgust as she said.

"You killed them ... they're all dead!"

With a smile on my face and pride evident, I replied.

"Yep I sure did." - "Three people..." After a short pause I added, "actually it was seven if you count the other ones tailing you."

She tilted her head away from the window then met my gaze, puzzled, she asked.

"But why?"

I closed my eyes and stated.

"Because that's my job. My name is Madlax and you are the client. I am sorry I had to kill those people, but those Enfant members saw your beautiful face ... If I didn't kill them, you'd be targeted by every single Enfant member in the world."

I chuckled,smiled with my eyelids closed then added in a sweet voice.

"You seem kind, your to nice to kill anyone -you couldn't have done it."

We arrived at the hotel late in the midst of night.

I was beat and happy to be somewhere where I would rest without the same regretful memories of Vanessa's death in the other time line plaguing me.

With her here it actually felt comfortable, warm and more like home than anything else I've know.

As soon as we arrived she dashed up to a rather large suitcase, dug trough it then pulled out a laptop.

Vanessa stood up, grabbed a pair of reading glasses off a metallic rack with cacti on it, walked over to a table square in the middle of the room between the bed and couch, next sat down on the bed and began typing away on that boring laptop.

As I turned around then walked to the kitchen for a cup of coffee, I knew what she was looking at on her computer ... the same data disk that wiped my memories last time -a data disk that alone was the greatest threat to my plans.

After making the coffee I walked back to the main room, and stopped in the hall, leaned one leg over the other and my left hand against a wooden cabinet, gazing at her as she frivolously made attempts with her soft rapidly moving fingers against the neon green keyboard to unlock the date which couldn't be unlocked -until the memory erasing trap would activate in a few days time.

I heard as she let out a barely audible growl and stated as if thinking her irritable thoughts aloud.

"Its asking me for a password", she clutched her hands, "I finally get the data and now this... If I manage to connect without it then Enfant will easily be able to track me down. Looks like I'm going to have to figure out the password myself."

Overhearing her, I stated whilst sipping my coffee.

"You should be more worried about your safety ... just try not to forget that Enfant is targeting you."

She looked away from the PC screen and annoyingly said.

"How could I forget?" - "Look just be careful, you don't know the true power of Enfant."

I took one last sip of coffee, placed the cup down, strolled over to the couch and crashed for a night of sleep.

As the sun rose I woke up at around 7:00.

Vanessa was fast asleep in the double bed across from the couch a crashed on.

Without waking her, I stretched up, spotted a bathroom across the kitchen then slowly neared it.

Inside I spotted a paled bathrobe with amethyst sleeves the color of my eyes.

Before figuring out what I'd have to do I would take a nice steamy shower ... honestly I'd rather take the shower with Vanessa but this would do.

My memory is crystal clear, I remember the way this day went in the past and I'll repeat a certain few things, however today I'd also start changing the past -right after my shower.

Slipping on the bathrobe, I heard Vanessa's voice echoing from the main room -she was awake.

With a towel in my hair I walked passed the bathroom doorway then stopped and listened for a while.

She was on the phone, speaking fondly to someone, in the kind of tone I'd like to hear her say my name in again.

Knowing what I must do, I made my way to a wall with the telephone wire, just as she began to speak I ripped the wire hard -causing the connection to brake.

Hearing the disconnection, Vanessa twirled around, she saw me smiling whilst sighing, brushing a mini towel trough my hair and holding the wire in my left hand.

Noticing her attention I stated.

"The phone line could be tapped."

Anger seeping trough her voice, she asked.

"Your point?" - "It's too risky."

I dropped the wire, walked over to the bed then took a seat.

Her expression became no less relaxed as she demanded.

"So how long do I have to live like this?"

Whilst drying off my hair I responded.

"Well until we know what their next move is ... I guess."

After a minute, Vanessa settled down on the couch to the side of the bed I was siting on, gazing straight at her, knowing the answer to my question, I asked anyways.

"So then what is it you did?"

She didn't respond but kept staring at me, I sighed then added.

"You don't have to tell me if you really don't want to." Another moment passed by before she pulled out the data card from the laptop on the table between us. Vanessa stated. "I want to go public with the data on this data card ... this information could very well change the future of Gazth-Sonika!"

She described what she thought the data could do, she naively thought it would end the war -however I knew it wouldn't, if anyone would end the war ... It'd be me.

I laid my head and the rest of my body on the bed as she said, "If I go public with this, the civil war may come to an end", with another sigh I contradicted.

"No it won't!"

Vanessa stammered.

"Uh why not?" - "There's no way Enfant would let you go public with that data ... they'll kill you before you get the chance. At this point in time you only have two choices to keep yourself alive: the first is never to go public with that data."

I finished in a sweeter tone.

"The second is to employee me forever, so what is it going to be Vanessa Rene?"

In a determined tone she asked.

"If I employee you and go public with the data, what will happen?" - "Lots of people would die, but not you."

As she soared up I added.

"I'd kill them to protect you."

In truth she had a third choice, the one where I stopped the war with something actually potent, with the three books.

With that choice the data played no importance what so ever, my plan is to take the third option -the only valid choice for me.

Before she could express the anger in word form, I hushed her by saying.

"There is a third choice you know ... it has nothing to do with the data you have but It'll end the war for good. Vanessa what if I say that I have the same goal as you but a better method of accomplishing it ... what do you say about teaming up?"

Her anger dissipated yet curiosity grew as she sat back down and asked.

"Team up to end the war ... but how?"

An all too conspicuous smile formed out of my lips as I replied.

"Lets just say you'll find out in a few days ... I'm not sure yet myself but we'll find out."

Vanessa spent the rest of her day on the PC, trying to crack the password.

My day was spent staring at her as she worked on the laptop, loafing around and then taking a short nap on the couch.

Lightly napping, I felt her standing next to the window and looking at me, not any fear but fondness in the atmosphere around her.

The sun was now setting and soon I'd receive a phone call from SSS, but till then I'd enjoy this pleasurable moment with Vanessa alive and well only a foot away.

Something strange happened next, either I already changed the past or last time my sleep was too deep, but I felt Vanessa's natural heat as she stepped closer to the couch, and began leaning closer towards my face.

I wasn't actually asleep, but I pretended to be as she stopped nearing me, her face only an inch away from mine.

My breathing increased, my heart began to flutter intensely and I felt heat start scourging trough my blood.

I think she noticed my physical reaction to this closeness, but nonetheless her feather soft lips tickled my right cheek, where heat rose the most.

Just as it happened, it was over, the kiss was weak, short but its power seeped trough me ... from that moment on I knew how she felt -my plan would work.

I kept my eyes closed as she left for the shower.

Next my cell phone rang, I answered. "SSS what's up?" - "I have information that might interest you, if you don't mind coming over." -I'll be there soon."

SSS informed me of Limelda, the scary chick, the one targeting me, I asked him not only to watch Enfant, but to track down the exact location of their headquarters for me.

Since Friday owns Firstari and is the initial cause of the war, I need to take care of him and snatch his book as soon as possible. After finishing the exchange of information I headed back to the motel.

I knew the first thing tomorrow morning I'd need to take Vanessa to my apartment, but tonight we could relax.

Whilst walking in trough the front door I noticed Vanessa was already asleep on the half of the bed closer to the wall.

She lay peacefully on her side facing the couch with both arms in front of her face -like an angel.

As I neared the couch something caught my attention, I stopped then looked down at two sandwiches placed in a plate on the table.

My lips turned into a soft smile and a contented sigh escaped my mouth as I remembered these same two awful sandwiches from the other time line.

Nevertheless I picked one up, pulled it towards my mouth then just as I took my first bite, Vanessa's voice startled me.

"So how did it go?"

She was now sitting up, dressed in light pink pajamas, as I switched my attention to her, I saw a reveling stylistic cut on her t-shirt.

Motioning my head in a nod, I honestly replied.

"They don't seem to be taking any action, but they know our relative location ... we'll need to relocate soon."

With a more positive notion I inquired.

"So did you do all this, did you make these sandwiches?"

She replied in a proud tone.

"Yes." - "They're awful!"

Vanessa heaved, next she remarked.

"I never said I was a good cook." - "True."

I bit another piece of her sandwich, then two more bites, till the whole thing was gone.

With a shrug, I turned to face the couch, brushed both hands trough my blond tresses then began to undress, first unbuckling my top belts, second bending down then unzipping my long black boots.

Taking off a boot, I stated, whilst knowing what was deemed to come.

"I'll be here on the sofa."

Whilst removing the second one I heard her say.

"Wouldn't you rather just sleep in the bed?"

Pretending to be surprised, I asked.

"What did you say?"

The look in her sea green eyes told me everything about her longing, and her seductive voice as she suggestively said.

"We can share."

With a light smile paved on my face, I walked over to the edge of the bed, flipped the gray blue sheets down, then watched Vanessa's expression as I crawled into bed with her.

I brought the sheets up to my shoulders, next flipped away from facing her to the side facing the table and couch. Starting now, I will change things, become closer to her ... rewrite the past.

Its as if I can't say anything at the moment, my heart is beating hard at the thoughts going trough my head ... Vanessa in bed next to me.

Urges to flip her over then embrace her keep pulsating as I stare into the blankness of night.

For a few minutes I pretend to sleep as I sense her starring at my back.

Unable to keep quite, I ask.

"What is it? Why are you looking at me?"

She asks.

"Can you tell me your age?" - "Probably 17."

She asks another question.

"When did you start doing this work?" - "3 years ago."

Unable to keep things going as they should, I suddenly twirled to the side facing Vanessa, my face on a pillow only an inch from hers.

Surprise struck me as I saw the look in her eyes, fear from the sudden movement yet longing for something.

Knowing her next question, I responded before she asked.

"The reason I started this work is - I'm good at it."

With only inches separating us, with my desire to feel her actual warmth there was nothing stopping me from touching her.

My right arm went around her back, with a slight pull we were pressed against each other, her chest felt warm and I heard myself sigh in comfort.

Vanessa let out a whimper.

Her legs brushed against mine then entangled my legs between her warm thighs.

I changed the past ... this is different.

Last time we never even touched except for an accidental brush of skin, however this was better, what I want, and what she wants.

Tonight wasn't the night for me to take it all the way, so I rested my face in the crook of Vanessa's neck then whispered whilst feeling my breath reflect off her skin.

"Tomorrow afternoon we'll have to leave this place ... well you don't have to come. Enfant thinks I stole the data so you can go back to Nafrece and live a normal life."

I felt her tighten our embrace and press her legs harder into mine.

There wasn't a response for an entire minute as she brushed her hands from my back to the top of my head, caressing me warmly with those gentle feather soft fingers.

Her voice came in a determined murmur.

"I'm not leaving until the truth on that data disk is revealed, and I won't leave you.Tomorrow we are leaving this place together ... I'm coming with you Madlax!" - "Good ... I wanted to hear you say that. Good night Vanessa."

As my eyelids open, I feel warm curvaceous softness underneath me, and some wetness underneath my left cheek.

With a few blinks, as my awareness returns I realize what my head is on top of -Vanessa's chest.

I wonder if we spent the entire night like this, after all, I do remember falling asleep with my face dug into the crook of her neck.

Returning myself to the present, I feel that wetness under my cheek.

Trying not to wake her up, I softly brush my cheek off, pick my head up then notice the puddle of fresh drool on the top part of her chest.

Not wanting her to wake up and see I drooled onto her chest, and worse for the drool to drip lower, I do the first thing that comes to my head.

I part my lips, move my head towards the part of her chest soaked, place my mouth over it then slurp up.

The feel of her skin against my lips is ... good.

After I'm done with sucking up my drool, my mouth is still on her chest.

A sudden shake of her body, next I hear her soft voice.

"Good morning Madlax."

Realizing she's awake, I tear away from the delicious surface I drooled over all trough last night.

Looking into her sea green eyes, I see a strange expression on her face, a look of confusion. Instantly defensive words spiral out my mouth.

"It's not what it looks like ... I wasn't..."

Her confusion dissipated as fast as it appeared, replaced by a suggestive glance and lips curving into a seductive smile as she asked.

"Oh, and what where you doing with those lips then? You better explain yourself young lady."

Glimpsing at her covered chest which my head hovered above, next back at her, heat rose on my face as I told the embarrassing truth.

"This night, your chest was like a pillow for my head to rest upon. Vanessa I drooled on you, so not thinking clearly, I sucked it off for you. And thats what happened."

Her body shook as she chuckled then even began to laugh.

Just as I thought of rolling off her, Vanessa's arms swung around my back.

In a slyly coaxed voice she said.

"You know there is a bit of drool you missed."

With her eyes Vanessa motioned down.

Either it was my eagerness or drowsiness, but I took her words to heart, moved my neck down, then brought my mouth to a gap between her breasts.

Not seeing the liquid, I pulled the part of her shirt covering her chest down a bit, my lips traveled lower and reality crashed into me like a plane hitting the ground.

My heartbeat became rapid as I let my lips suck on her skin and my tongue taste it.

If this was a perfect world, if there wasn't a war I had to end, I'd be happy spending my time like this forever.

Time passed by, two minutes and I didn't hear her ask me to stop, but I did stop because she tricked me.

My hands pressed against the bed, pushing my body up so my face would meet hers.

Somehow I wasn't as calm as I thought I'd be when my breasts pressed against hers.

Strong electrified currents of desire seeped trough me as I experienced the intoxicating feel of every part of her body press against the same parts of my body.

It caused me to feel weak, feel like I'd die if I didn't do something.

The jolts grew tenfold when our gazes met.

My pupils were definitely dilating as I stared at her.

Neither of us could say a word and her face showed she was fighting a longing desire.

Only one word escaped my lips.

"Oh Vanessa!"

It came out too loud, however something worse happened next, a jolt right between my legs just as her breath hit my nose.

The intensity was immense, I moaned out in total pleasure.

Her melodies moan came next.

"Ah ... Madlax!" These outbursts set us off, I knew even a light touch, just another glimpse would liberate me from my self set restraints, so I acted with the last drop of willpower I had.

I ended up hating what I did. With a quick motion of my hips, I rolled us towards the edge of the bed, tried stopping, however failed miserably, released Vanessa just in time and crashed onto the hard floor.

My back hurt as I stood up.

Vanessa gazed at me with a concerned expression, her lips parted and she pleadingly asked.

"I'm sorry ... are you hurt Madlax?"

A coy smile formed of my lips as I softly replied whilst sitting back down on the bed.

"Vanessa I'm fine ... really, and it's not your fault anyways."

My smile became sly as I whispered.

"You tricked me about the drool." - "Oh is that right? Actually I didn't, look."

Vanessa placed her right hand underneath her shirt, a moment later she brought it out, then showed me her fingers.

She didn't trick me after all, her fingers were wet.

Instinctively, I clutched her right hand, brought it towards my mouth, parted my lips then took in the fingers she showed me.

Slowly I sucked on them, causing a few clicking sounds with my tongue.

As I pulled her fingers out my mouth, I whispered.

"Now I'm done with you. Go pack your things Vanessa, we're leaving soon."

Like last time, this time I made her wear a blindfold whilst I drove her to my apartment.

The drive was rather long and we arrived by sunset.

My place was on the last floor and Vanessa could trip with a blindfold blocking her vision, so just as she opened the jeep door, I swept her up into my arms then carried her the rest of the way.

As I walked passed the doorway, I noticed my page from secondary pasted to a wall.

With a sigh I placed her down on my couch, walked over to my laptop on a cabinet across a table then began typing.

I tilted my head towards Vanessa and softly said.

"You can take off the blindfold now."

She complied, undid the black cloth, and then looked around for a moment before asking.

"This is where you live? But why did I have to put on a blindfold?"

Without turning away from the PC screen I replied.

"The location of this place is top secret."

I saw her reflection on my PC screen, her lips formed into a coy smile as she inquired.

"Am I really that untrustworthy?"

Quickly I twirled around to face her, smiled then stated.

"Your very trustworthy, you were honest this morning. Vanessa I made you wear it so I could carry you up the stairs and besides the streets around here aren't what you'd call a pretty sight."

Before she could muster a remark, I added.

"Tonight I'm cooking you pasta for dinner, so just make yourself at home, and I'll be in the kitchen if you need me."

As I began walking passed her, towards a bead curtain leading do the kitchen, I saw her smile dreamily at me.

Cooking is something I'm good at, something I do enjoy.

The pasta took half an hour to boil, and then I added red sauce and vegetables for all the flavor necessary.

With a contented sigh, I poured the pasta on two plates, took one in each arm, next proceeded out the kitchen and towards the round table where Vanessa was already working away on her computer.

I stood across from her, balancing a plate in each hand whilst observing the PC screen.

All the screen displayed was a window asking for a password.

First I placed her plate down, next mine.

I sat down in front of her, looked straight at her then asked.

"Why are you so determined to go trough with this?"

She didn't respond, she just sat there like a frozen ice sculpture staring at me, so I retorted.

"You're not gonna tell me."

Hearing me give up, she switched her expression back to motion, smiled at me then apologized.

"I'm sorry. I guess that's pretty rude of me to get you so heavily involved, and then not tell you anything."

Briefly she stopped, gazed at me then began to retell her story.

"My parents were deceived by the Gazth-Sonika government. My dad was a diplomat in Nafrece in charge of relations with Gazth-Sonika. Soon after he was appointed the threat of the civil war grew. Once the war broke out my parents were detained by the Gazth-Sonika government, and they were both held under the suspicion of actually initiating the civil war."

She paused for a moment, her expression became more determined as she continued.

"I know my dad had nothing to do with it. But the truth was forever lost to darkness!"

I asked.

"So you want the truth?" - "Yes, I joined Bookwalds international devision because I knew they had ties to Gazth-Sonika."

With concern in my voice, I inquired.

"What about your parents?" - "I imagine their probably dead by now, but I must find out the truth ... I must! I want to finish off what they could not... I feel like I have to."

I stared down at my warm untouched pasta, this is the moment where I tell her.

The past I never told anyone but her ... whether it's in this time line or the last.

Slowly I began.

"I have a faint memory, he was somewhere in this country ... my father."

She spoke.

"Your father ... so that's why you live here."

Whilst closing my eyes, sincerely I informed her.

"I never told anyone about my father before, your the first person. I don't really know why but I wanted to tell you." - "I'm very honored. Thank you Madlax."

She kindly said.

My head shut upwards with a sweet smile as I replied.

"Your very welcome Vanessa Rene." - "Please call me Vanessa." - "Then eat up Vanessa." She gave out a chuckled, "sure", as she picked a fork up, rolled on strings of pasta, brought it up to her mouth then slowly tasted and swallowed it.

I watched her eat it as if it was a delicates.

When she finished she wiped her mouth off then softly complimented.

"It was very good ... just it tastes like the pasta a friend of mine makes back in Nafrece."

I rolled some on my fork, gulped it in a flash, next looked up at her and said.

"Well now I'll be the one making the pasta for you." - "Or I could." - "No! Vanessa let me be the cook, and your protector."

After dinner I cleaned the plates then settled back down and began cleaning my gun.

I remember how today will go, the reason today went this way is because this is the day I became important to Vanessa in the previous time line.

Today we conveyed our real reasons for existence.

She told me the truth to her past, something only the two of us know.

We became irreplaceable to one another , this is pretty much where our relationship left off before she died in my original time line.

From now on I will focus on changing the future and not recreating the past.

Tonight at midnight the data disk trap will be released but of course before that I'll destroy the damn useless piece of hardware.

As I wipe the gun and she rests on the couch behind me, I hear her ask.

"Madlax do you even have any memories of what your father might have been like?"

I placed the gun onto the table and it made a bumping noise, for a moment I thought of what to say then replied.

"I hardly remember anything."

It was true because I didn't exist before the moment when I killed my father, however it was too early to tell Vanessa everything about me being a version of myself from the future who was here to save her and use three magical books to end the civil war.

I shrugged then softly stated.

"One day I will find out who I am."

A second later I heard Vanessa slide off the couch, near the back of my chair whilst making noise with her heels, next reach out her right arm, place it on my right shoulder then wrap her other arm around my head.

Instantly her right hand slides down from my shoulder and to the side of my left breast, next to the unicorn symbol on my green jacket.

Her other arm brushes trough my blond bangs.

It feels so good to have her embrace me like this, to hold me so protectively, as if she, not I were the bodyguard.

She spoke words of pure kindness.

"I hope that you find your father ... but even if you don't ... I'll still be here."

I closed my eyes, brushed the back of my head against her soft chest then slowly whispered.

"Thank you Vanessa."

She tightened her arms around me then placed her chin onto the valley of blond on top of my head.

Her hot breaths seeped warmth into my skin.

It felt like I was in a warm shower, well actually an infinite number of times better.

Breathlessly I stated.

"Don't ever let go Vanessa, tonight I want to feel you... close."

She replied just as breathlessly.

"I won't let go of you Madlax. Like I said I'll be here."

We stayed in that position for over fifteen minutes, I purred at her warmth and she stood there motionless.

The time was around 11:30PM now, and the memory erasing trap on Vanessa's data disk would be released in less then thirty minutes.

Wanting to keep our embrace of comfort going, but knowing I had something to take care of rather sooner then later, I pushed back the chair just enough as to get Vanessa to step back.

She hissed at the fact she had to undo her embrace.

I stood up, turned around to face her, and then informed her.

"There is some business I need to take care of Vanessa. I'll take the data disk with me, whether you want me to or not. And after I return ... I have a surprise for you so please wait up Vanessa."

She smiled, placed her right hand into her breast pocket, took out a disk, stretched her arm with an open palm and let me take the data disk from her.

Whilst placing it in my pocket, I heard her say.

"Come back soon. I'll wait up Madlax." - "I won't disappoint you."

I walked passed her, towards the exit door.

Just as I opened it, Vanessa stammered in front of me, leaned her head in, softly kissing me on the cheek, next whispering.

"I can't wait for your surprise."