Part 42: The I In Team

                                    

                                          
All of a sudden, Galaxy pulled back, letting go of her nemesis’ neck as she propped herself up on her hands. 
                          
Toxic was sure that he had the most dumb-struck, puppy-dog look written across his face. He could only stare at her, blinking several times before his mind started working properly again. She gulped, and then, almost uncertainly, a coy smile lifted the corners of her mouth. . 
"How was that for passionate? I'm sorry, I got a little caught up in the routine." 
She shrugged, brushing off what just happened nonchalantly.
                          
Toxic jumped to his feet at a speed that would probably put both the speeders to shame. 
It was the routine. She was just putting more effort into the routine.
He blinked severally as he tried to make himself believe her words and his own justifications.
                          
"Well that rehearsal went perfectly." Toxic said, surprising himself with the words coming out of his mouth. 
"If that doesn't get at least second, I'm rigging this whole place to blow."
Toxic joked, holding out his hand to help her up.
She smirked a little at his sarcastic threat before placing her hand in his. Her hand trembled at his touch; like trembled visibly enough for him to note it.  He stared down at her calloused hand like a scientist would stare at a mouse in a maze.
If it meant nothing, then why is she shaking? That annoying little voice in the back of his mind chuckled villainously. Shut up. Heavy physical exertion could after all, cause shaking.  He internally scolded himself.
She noticed his scrutiny and let go of his hand, clenching it tightly to her side. 
"Explosives are not always the answer." She grinned, trying hard to steer their conversation towards a more regular one.  
                          
Toxic shut his eyes and grimaced. 
The guilt in her voice hit him like a giant bazooka sized shot of pain. The bad guy clutched his stomach, biting her teeth down. It was her guilt, he could feel it, but this was unlike any of the prior encounters with it.  
This was worse, much worse. 
His head reeled, and he felt as if he were going to be sick.
                          
"Toxic?!" She cried fearfully, placing her hand on his back and grabbing his wrist in concern. 
"Are you okay?!?" 
At her touch, the pain slowly subsided, the room stopped spinning and finally, he began to feel the floor under his feet again; much to his relief. 
"Yeah I'm fine. Just remind me never to have caviar for breakfast again." 
He lied to her for the first time in his life.
                          
Why did I just lie to her? What was she feeling guilty for, and why can't I read it?!? He soliloquized. 
Indeed, this was getting more and more strenuous for him. 
She picked up his things from the corner of the room, handing him his gloves before gently draping his long coat over his shoulders. Gone was her guilt, her thoughts were now replaced only by concern. After they gathered their things she stepped beside him and slid her hand firmly into his; those round ocean-blue eyes of hers gazing up at her longtime foe with worry. 
                          
They walked back to the room in an awkward silence. Though he was glad for it, it allowed his poor mind to try to fit together the odd pieces to the mystery of this girl. Then it hit him. 
It hit him so hard he would have slapped himself if his hand had not been firmly connected to hers. 
How could I have been so blind? How can I have been so inhumane as to completely not see it? Informal was right, for someone so smart I am indeed so incredibly stupid. 
He thought, as the most probable answer dawned upon him.
                          
"Toxic are you sure you're okay?" She asked again, noticing the stunned expression on his face. But he was in too much shock to form words, and he didn't want to lie to her ever again. Toxic simply nodded and carried on walking.
Her guilt is over me. He thought. She's feeling guilty over something she feels for me. Could it be? Attachment, attraction, desire, affection?. What if it's not just me going through all these crazy new emotions. Could it be she's going through the same thing? That would explain a lot! Like, why I can't read her guilt… it could be because it isn't a crime to fall in love with someone, or at least to desire them. He pondered silently 
                          
Could she want me as much as I do her? He thought; an uncalled hopeful desire building in the pit of his stomach. 
That's ridiculous. Toxic had never even imagined that anyone could want to be with him. Or that anyone would even find him desirable. Though he talked a big game, and displayed the correct amount of arrogance whenever  the issue of his looks was brought up, he'd often felt that he was much too tall for his skinny build, and that even a ghost would be spot-on to tell him he needed a tan. 
He thought his muscle tone was laughably dainty, and that in terms of sexual attraction, what he possessed was about the equal worth of an albino beanstalk. Then there was the fact that without his radiation proof gear, he glowed like a 70's lava lamp. Who would ever be comfortable with that? 
                          
Toxic glanced down at her in scrutiny. If she did feel the same way, could things ever work out between them? 
No you idiot, of course it wouldn't. She's the hero, you are the bad guy. It doesn't work like that. No matter how much you'd like it to...he said, continuing his berating inner speech to himself.
                          
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Hello wattpaders!
I'm so sorry for the delay, I just got so caught up with writing my latest chapter of "What Lies Beneath Crimson Ice" (which I published late last night) that I totally blanked on updating this. I'll make up for it with a double Arch Frenemies post today. 
Heads up, you have until Saturday to win the Signed hard copy of this completed novel via the contest on the official Bedding Camp Facebook page, so dont forget to enter to win if you haven't already. 
                          
Love you all and please, please, PLEASE dont forget to vote. :)
-QueenOfGeeks