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Caitlyn steeled herself and her grip tightened on the food tray as the lift descended into the depths of the bunker. Her confrontation with Vi earlier had left her conflicted and she needed answers. Vi’s final words before she stormed out of the office made her pause. “Who decides who gets a second chance?”
It was a loaded question, and she hated leaving questions unanswered. She didn’t know what to do.
She wasn’t expecting Vi to accept her back into her life just like that. There was too much pain and unsaid things between them for that to even be a reasonable expectation. That doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt seeing her again and being flooded with shame at what her past actions had wrought.
When she had slammed her into the ground in that canyon she had been shocked and elated and just as quickly wracked with guilt and concern because she barely recognized the woman beneath her with what looked like oil slick covering her gorgeous red hair and her face covered in faded charcoal. She had done that. Caitlyn had made her like that by hurting her and abandoning her when all Vi had ever done was support and believe in her.
She saw the recognition flash through Vi’s grey eyes and then the walls were back up and the anger flared. Vi had shoved her off and called her a mongoose which threw her for a loop and she reflexively tried to respond with a witty comeback but only came up with the oil slick comment which had made Vi chuckle. That small sound made her heart feel light. But when she had called her, “Cupcake,” her heart ached.
She used to hate that damn nickname and hearing it again after such a long time was like a physical blow. It reminded her of who she used to be before the rocket hit the council building. Before she became a willful puppet for a warmonger and dictator. Before she had committed unforgivable atrocities against the people of Zaun. Before she had pushed out the only thing that made her happy. Back when she could look in the mirror and recognize the face staring back every morning. Back when she was better than this facsimile that she couldn’t bear to look at anymore.
When Vi had told her the why she was there was to save her dad, she knew there was no other choice but to help her. Caitlyn had tried to block out her feelings for Vi, but it had never worked. Even after all this time, she still trusted Vi and was humbled that Vi may still, albeit reluctantly, trust her too. Even after she had abandoned her.
Jinx had saved her, but she was sure that the only reason that had happened was because if she hadn’t then Rictus would have gotten to Vander. She was trying to piece together her reasoning when all she felt upon seeing Jinx in the flesh was white-hot fury, but it was quickly tempered when she saw how the sisters interacted together with that child she had almost shot. She was a little jealous of how content they seemed together. She quashed that down since she had no right to feel that way when she was at fault for pushing Vi away in the first place.
Then everything went to shit and Noxus attacked, and the place exploded. Vander went into a rage, and they were all left fighting. Caitlyn was fighting off Noxian soldiers and heard Vi cry out and rushed to her aid dropping her gun in the process. She hadn’t even noticed when Jinx had knocked into her should as she had passed on her way to Isha. Then she and Vi watched in horror as the little girl, Isha, she had learned later, loaded Jinx’s gun with gemstones and fired. She would never forget the agonized cry that Jinx let out as she reached towards the child because it was the same sound she had made when her mother had died. Vi stumbled forward and grabbed Jinx, halting her progress and shielding her, and then they all hit the ground. There had been a blazing heat that washed over the area.
Afterwards, she had hauled herself up to her feet and realized that Vi wasn’t moving. She raced over and then Jinx was there sobbing over her sister and Isha and she had looked over at her and begged her to help Vi. Before Caitlyn could even respond the Jayce and the Noxians were upon them and Jinx just surrendered. She didn’t understand why she had just given herself without protest. It was like all the fight had been drained out of her.
Caitlyn was dragged out of the memory as the lift rumbled to a stop and she pushed the gates open. She shook her head and stepped off the lift into the dim interior of the holding area. She nodded to the guard on duty and strode forward to the only occupied cell with determined steps. She slid the tray through the slot and took a step back to observe its occupant. Her long hair was spread out across the floor and she faced the corner and looked nothing like what her nightmares had shown her. She looked utterly defeated, her eyes dull and lifeless.
“If you’re here to kill me, make sure to finish the job.” Jinx’s voice was raspy and flat.
She scowled. “Vi thinks you’ve changed.”
“She can’t accept what you and I know. There are no happy endings.” Jinx picked at a nail and Caitlyn paused, putting a hand on the bars.
“Is that all you have to say for yourself? There won’t be a trial. I’m giving you this one chance to account for your actions, all the pain you’ve caused.” Cait took a breath and continued. “No amount of good deeds can undo our crimes!” She banged on the bars as she realized she wasn’t just talking about Jinx’s crimes anymore but hers as well. She could work to atone for them, but she couldn’t take her actions back.
Jinx seemed to shrink in on herself more. “Do what you came here to do.”
The fight just seemed to leak out of her then as she gazed at the figure in front of her. She didn’t know what she came here to do. But she was tired. So very tired. “Hating you…I’ve hated myself. I just don’t have the energy for it any longer.” She turned away and her shoulders slumped. This visit hadn’t done anything but show her a reflection of herself.
“I didn’t know your mom was there.” Caitlyn’s heart faltered at the words. “It probably wouldn’t have made a difference, but…I didn’t know.”
After hearing those words, she couldn’t stand being there any longer and she left without another word. She had to get out of there before she lost it completely. She stepped back into the elevator and pushed the top floor button and the lift began to rise. Her breathing grew shorter as her pulse skyrocketed. She finally reached the council floor and stumbled out, thankful that nobody was here to see her breakdown and she made her way to the still open wall and gazed out at the city.
Jinx’s words had hit her like a freight train. What did that mean? All this time she had been so focused on catching Jinx and bringing justice to her mother and blinded to everything else. She had always thought that since Jinx had it out for her that she had purposely targeted the council but if she hadn’t even known that her mother would be there, what did that mean? No matter how she looked at it, Jinx’s words were truthful because there was no reason to lie at this point. It meant that her mother had died because she had been in the wrong place at the wrong time and nothing more than that. An accident.
She fought off the burning in her eyes, refusing to allow the tears to fall as she leaned on the wall to keep herself upright. If Jinx’s words were true, then she had built this vendetta against her and brought pain and death to innocent people because she couldn’t see through her own pain and hatred. What had she done? She had pushed away the only light in the darkness she had, Vi, all because she had it in her head that Jinx had killed her mother on purpose. Had lost herself in the process and broke her promise to Vi about not changing.
Vi had believed in her and tried to reach her and guide her but she stubbornly remained clouded in her depression believing she was doing the right thing. She had forced Vi to wear a badge and join the organization that killed her parent’s, gassed the people of Zaun to flush her target out, all for it to mean nothing and leave her even angrier than before and with nothing to show for it.
Vi had tried to keep her on the right path but she strayed too far. Her breathing grew more labored. She slowly slid down the wall to the floor. She had the shot and Vi had stood in her path and she had shot at her because she had been in her way. If she had been in her right mind, she would never have shot Vi of all people, but it had been so close. If she hadn’t had the gauntlets, she might have killed her. The very thought made her heart clench in agony.
Then the explosion had blown them all away and trapped them back at the ladder. All Caitlyn had felt at the time was failure, betrayal, and desperation. She had been so angry at Vi for getting in her way. Why couldn’t she understand that Jinx had to go? She should never have trusted a trencher to help her with this so when Vi had reached out she had lashed out and hit her, knocking her to the ground. It was the worst mistake she had ever made, and she will never forget Vi’s sobs as they echoed up the tunnel as she climbed out.
She hadn’t even had time to recover from the fallout before she was suddenly thrust into the role of commander and after that it was one responsibility after another, one crime after another until she became numb and convinced herself that she was doing the right thing, all the while shoving the real Caitlyn in a box out of the sunlight. She justified herself by saying that this was the only way to maintain order even though she knew it was wrong. She was the commander, and she was not allowed to show weakness.
She forced herself to slow her breathing and wiped furiously at her face. Yes, she had committed countless crimes, and she knew it. They were unforgivable and as she had told Jinx, there was no amount of good deeds that would absolve her. She could move forward and work for the rest of her life to atone. Once this war was over, if she even made it to that point alive, she would be stepping down from her role as commander, her standing tainted by her past actions. The council could reform and she would give up her seat to a Zaunite and finally take a step in the right direction for healing the rift between the two cities.
But her priority was to make it up to Vi, in any way she could. To attempt to rebuild her trust in her. She was pretty sure Vi hated her, hell, she hated herself, but she would try to make it right. Vi put family above everything and actions meant more to her than paltry words and sentiments. Vi had said that Jinx had changed and her parting words in the cell supported that claim, but could she do it? Could she put aside her hate? She had held onto it for so long now and she hadn’t lied, she was so tired of hating. It had only brought her pain and made her feel empty and drained all the time. Was it worth holding onto anymore?
“No,” she muttered into the air. Holding onto this hate wasn’t worth it. The cost was too high. It had already cost her the only person who had been able to see past her name and truly see Cait. She let out a shaky breath and looked back out over the Piltover and Zaun.
She needed to let go of her hate and move forward. There was one thing she could do for Vi to bridge the gap between them. She would beg for forgiveness if she thought she deserved it, but she didn’t. It would never be the same. She knew that Vi would try something to get her sister out. She didn’t trust Jinx at all, but she did trust her to take care of Vi. She trusted Vi no matter how she felt about her sister. She would see to it that she could make her escape easier. She would recall all the guards from the bunker cells to the Hexgates with little suspicion and leave the path open.
She stood up and crossed her arms and felt just a bit lighter after solidifying her decision. She would trust in Vi and leave the rest up to her. Vi hadn’t had much choice in her life. She had always been the protector, the responsible one. It was time someone took care of her and gave her the choice. She was almost certain that Jinx would try and make Vi stay behind somehow but there was an equal chance that Vi would follow after her sister anyways.
The thought made her falter and her shoulders slump. If Vi did follow her sister, she might never see her again and she’d only have herself to blame. Caitlyn swallowed. Could she risk her own happiness for Vi’s? Yes, she would. She’d be absolutely devastated if she never saw her again, but what was that old saying, “If you love it, let it go.” She would not stand in the way of Vi’s happiness no matter what happened to her.
Caitlyn straightened her jacket and took a deep breath, feeling strangely at peace for the first time since her mother’s passing. She made her way back to the elevator and passed out the order to move everyone to guard the Hexgates and then returned to the estate to wait.
——————
She arrived just before dinner and was confronted by Maddie, who had been worried about her absence. Now that she was more clear-headed, she was disgusted with herself for even entertaining the farce of a relationship to get over Vi. She had known it wouldn’t have made a difference and when Maddie reached out, she recoiled. “No, Officer Nolan, I’m fine. You are free to leave.” She said in a stern tone.
Maddie pouted, “But…”
“No, what we had never should have happened. We’re done. It was never going to be anything more. I’m sorry.” With that said, she strode around her and headed back to her room without a backward glance.
———————-
It wasn’t until the sun had set that she decided to head back to the cell. Loris had told her earlier that Vi had left the estate not long before she had gotten back so it had been long enough. Vi wouldn’t have tried anything in broad daylight. Her anxiety grew as she entered the lift once more and headed down to the bunker cells. She clung to the tiny ray of hope that Vi was there and they could finally talk about all the things they needed to. To have a chance at fixing things.
She pulled the doors of the lift open as they arrived at the cells and stepped out. Her gaze fell on the open cell door and to the emptiness within and everything just stopped. Her heart shattered. Vi and Jinx were gone.
Tears welled up in her eyes but she was quick to wipe them away. She had known that this was a possibility but the reality of it pierced through her and her chest ached. Her lips cracked into a small smile that didn’t match the sadness in her eyes. She turned and got back on the lift. Her shoulders slumped in defeat. ‘I wish you all the best Vi and I’m sorry. You deserve to be happy,’ she thought as she made her way back up. She had a war to finish.
———————-
It was pure torture being up in the council chamber. Jayce made his speech and asked the citizens of Piltover and Zaun to join in the fight. She saw Sevika and one of the firelights just shook their heads and left and it stung. Things weren’t looking good.
Later, in the smaller council chamber, Jayce, Mel and herself met to hash out the battle plans. She could tell that they wanted to ask her where Vi was but they thankfully thought better about asking. Jayce had moved to confront her at one point, but Mel shook her head, telling him to leave it be. They finished planning and then it was all a rush from there.
They were thrown into battle, and Caitlyn had taken up a post high above with an updated rifle in an attempt to take Ambessa out quickly. Her shots rang true but the hextech rounds just got absorbed by the runestones on her right arm. Ambessa had launched an attack on her position, forcing them to retreat. She made her way down to the courtyard where the two strike teams formed up and went all out on Viktor’s cocoon being dragged in by a monstrosity.
Caitlyn had bobbed and weaved through the smoke with a single-minded focus on her goal of clearing the way for the bomb to be placed. She got the signal that it had been activated and used a body to take cover, but nothing happened. Just as she peaked out to find out what happened, she was knocked off her feet and then the world went dark.
———————
She came to slowly to a quiet battlefield. She first saw her team on their knees at spear point by Noxian soldiers. She gritted her teeth and watched as Ambessa stalked up the stairs. She turned to look behind her and saw Maddie holding her own gun on her. She removed her mask and presented her gun to Ambessa. She shook with fury. She had been played the whole fucking time! Ambessa smirked as she disassembled the gun, dropping the pieces carelessly to the ground.
“I warned you of the hazards of professional entanglement.” She admonished in a smug tone.
Caitlyn snarled in response, and she heard the tell-tale click of the rifle and lurched to the side and grabbed Maddie’s gun making the bullet whizz by her into the ground and she jabbed out at Maddie with the butt of the rifle knocking her off balance. She hauled up and prepared to shoot at Ambessa, but she had lunged forward and ripped the gun out of her hands and then she felt the searing pain in her side from the hidden knife.
She gasped at the pain as Ambessa spoke into her ear, “Desperation is the doorway to oblivion, child.” Caitlyn fell to her knees gasping and clutching her side.
Ambessa tossed the rifle back to Maddie who was just recovering. “Let’s get this over with.” As Caitlyn glanced down at the blade, she had a brief moment to appreciate the irony of the position of the wound being exactly the same as Vi’s when she had saved her from Sevika. She heard Maddie approach and steeled herself, her jaw clenched, coming to terms with the fact that this might be her last few moments alive.
Breathing was agonizing as every jolt sent searing pain through her side. She didn’t even register that Maddie had said anything and only thought of her past regrets and how she wished that she could have seen Vi one more time.
There was a bang, and she prepared for the pain, but it never hit. There was the sound of glass shattering and then Maddie slumped into her should and rolled off to the ground, dead. Confused but certainly not unhappy with the results, she turned to gaze at the doors as they creaked open to reveal Mel. She confronted her mother and Ambessa just smiled and shrugged off the threats.
Then there was a new sound that was getting louder and louder. Caitlyn frowned look up, ‘Was that…music?’ That’s when one of walkways above exploded in color and a large dirigible came into view. Her eyes widened in shock. Was that Jinx?! How? Why?
Ambessa ordered her soldiers to attack and the square erupted into chaos. Firelights dropped from the sky on their boards and joined the melee and from the smoke on the ground came Sevika followed by Zaunites. Caitlyn couldn’t believe it; Jinx had come back to fight when she had no reason to. What had happened? Was Vi with her?
Her team took advantage of the chaos and joined the fray. She saw Mel fighting with her new powers as well and then the canon hit the cocoon and she struggled to her feet hoping that they had one less thing to worry about. The smoke cleared and it was an empty shell. Ambessa smirked and her face fell in dismay. Fuck! It was a distraction. Where was Viktor?
There was a horn call and then the field was flooded with those creepy white metal dolls. They swarmed over everyone but left the center of the square untouched where they were standing. As much as Caitlyn was burning to know where Vi was, she couldn’t afford distraction when the monster was right in front of her. She circled around Ambessa as Mel pleaded with her mother and waited for an opportunity to strike.
Ambessa kept a wary eye on her as she moved around her and as she scoffed at Mel, Caitlyn sucker-punched her mid-sentence. It had felt good to hit that smug bitch after all she had done. She felt a little bit of an inkling as to why Vi liked punching things so much. It had been deeply satisfying. She challenged the woman. “Shut up and fight!” She tossed a spear at her and picked up her own, still ignoring the ache in her side.
She had grossly underestimated Ambessa. Her first strike would have been lethal had Mel not backed her up with defensive magic. And as she struggled to recover, a foot came barreling into her stomach, knocking her back.
She and Mel began to tag team and hound Ambessa. Caitlyn getting in close and Mel supporting from afar with defense or attempted offense. She was getting beat down to the ground repeatedly and each time it was harder and harder to pick herself back up. She scored a blow to her leg and slashed out at her with a broken spear tip only to be kicked back again and Mel leapt in front of her to trade off. When Mel was knocked back Caitlyn leapt back in.
She missed and was forced to her knee and then she was sent reeling from a backhand to the face. Disoriented by the first blow, and while she recovered, it was followed by a headbutt that sent her back to the ground. Mel was knocked back into the surrounding soldiers and Caitlyn forced herself up once more to attack. Ambessa quickly broke her guard and commandeered the broken spear and turned it back on Caitlyn, almost touching her eye. She fought hard to keep it at a distance but could feel herself flagging. Mel added a barrier, but the spear continued to push through. Her gaze shifted from the spear to the glowing runestones on her arm and made a decision. Bracing herself she ripped the dagger out of her side and swiped at Ambessa’s arm. At the same time agony erupted along the left side of her face.
Ambessa dropped the spear and took off her mask. “You fought well child.” Her eyes widened when she noticed the bloody knife and the stones on the ground beside Caitlyn.
Caitlyn ignored her and yelled at Mel, the pain making her voice strained. “Now!”
She didn’t hear the words that Mel said to her mother, but saw how Ambessa just disappeared from the field and she clutched at her side trying to stem the flow of blood that the knife had been keeping in. She felt blood pouring down the left side of her face and tried to calm her breathing. A few moments later, Ambessa and Mel reappeared in front of her in a bright light which made her shield her eyes. Her vision was beginning to grow fuzzy, and she slumped to the ground as Ambessa took her last breaths. Her arms shook with the effort of keeping her body up.
‘Was it finally over?’ She thought as she felt Mel gently support her, trying to get her to sit up. Then nothingness. The next thing she remembers is suddenly falling into a painful heap on the ground. She groaned as she tried to move but her body wouldn’t listen. She heard Mel once more at her side and attempting to staunch the wound in her side. Never let it be said that Ambessa didn’t enjoy playing with her prey. This type of wound was meant to be a slow and painful death.
She closed her eye and tried to ignore the pain. She heard Mel’s voice grow louder but she couldn’t hear her words clearly, it was all garbled. Then she heard thundering boots getting closer along with a yell of, “Caitlyn!” Her eye snapped open and she struggled to rise. She knew that voice.
“Vi?” She gasped and then her vision was filled with red and rough but gentle hands were cupping her face. Vi’s concerned and tear filled face filled her vision and she choked on a sob.
“Hey, Cupcake. You gotta stay awake for me, ok?” Her voice cracked, the concern and panic evident in her tone.
Everything was so fuzzy. “‘m trying…hurts,” she flailed a hand upwards trying to reach for Vi. Vi caught her hand and held it to her face. “…you came back?” She whispered as she felt herself growing weaker.
Vi gave her a watery grin. “Couldn’t let you have all the fun, could I?” This elicited a small huff from Caitlyn. Vi turned and yelled over to someone out of sight and when she turned back Caitlyn’s eye was closed and she had fallen limp in her arms.
Vi yelling her name was the last thing she remembered before it all went dark.
——————-
The first thing that Caitlyn was aware of was pain. Her head was pounding and her left eye felt like it was on fire. Her side ached where she had been stabbed and the rest of her body was sore. She let out groan and grimaced. “Fuck.” She tried to move but her body was sluggish to respond to her commands.
There was a muffled curse and then she felt warm hands cradle her face. “Hey, take it easy, Cupcake. You’re safe, it’s okay.” Caitlyn opened her eye at the touch on her face and her vision was filled with the concerned face of Vi.
“Vi?” She gasped out her hands shooting up to grasp Vi’s wrists. “What? I…you left. How are you here?” Her eye raked over Vi’s face, taking note of all the new marks and scars. “Are you alright?”
Vi snorted, her eyes a little watery. “I should be asking you that. You were the one who passed out after beating a fucking warlord. Had me worried for a while there.” Her face became more serious. She pulled her hands away and sat down heavily in the chair that was pulled up close to the edge of the bed. Caitlyn frowned at the change in demeanor and moved her hands to push herself up. Her side pulled and and she grunted, pushing through the pain to sit up even as Vi reached out to help her. “I told you to take it easy, Cait, you’ll pull your stitches.”
“What happened?” As much as Caitlyn wanted to bask in Vi’s presence and the sense of contentment it gave her, she didn’t deserve this tender attention.
Vi sighed and ran a hand through her hair, which still had streaks of black covering her natural red. “It..it wasn’t good. You had lost a lot of blood and it was touch and go in the beginning. We were able to get you stable enough to get to the medics but…” she gestured to her face. “I’m sorry, Cait, but they couldn’t save your eye. There was too much damage.”
She clenched her fists. She had known that it was highly likely that she would lose her eye when she made the choice in her gambit with Ambessa. It had been worth it in the end since they had won. And it was a fitting penance for her after everything she had done.
“It was a calculated risk and worth it in the end,” she met Vi’s gaze. “How long has it been?”
Vi was giving her an unfathomable look. “3 days. You did this to yourself on purpose?”
“We were losing, Vi, and it was the only way. I saw an opening and I took it. It was a small sacrifice.”
“Small? Losing your eye was a small sacrifice? Cait, you’re a sniper, how is that a small thing?” Her tone was incredulous. Where was this coming from? She knew how much shooting meant to Caitlyn. Why would she throw that away over a gamble?
“You think I don’t know that, Vi? Shooting was one of the only things I’ve ever been proud of, and I was good at it. It was the only thing about my career choice my mother ever approved of instead of questioned,” she snapped in frustration. “I may never be able to shoot again but it doesn’t matter. My eyes haven’t been all that helpful these past few months since I couldn’t see what’s been obvious to you since the beginning. I’ve been as good as blind already and willfully at that.” She made a curt gesture at Vi. “You said it yourself the day you left. She oinked poison in my ear and I ate it. You were right. I’ve done unspeakable and unforgivable things to Zaun and to you and I will spend the rest of my life trying to fix the damage my own actions have caused. Losing my eye is a small price to pay for the crimes I’ve committed.” Caitlyn’s shoulders fell and she couldn’t bring herself to look at Vi.
Vi remained silent as she continued. “I was so lost in my own anger and sorrow, I was drowning in it. It was like I had blinders and could only focus on what was in front of me. Hunting down Jinx and getting justice was all I could think about because if I let the grief in, I’d fall apart. I couldn’t show any weakness. I couldn’t see past my own pain to see that you were hurting too.” Her fists tightened on the sheets. “I treated you horrifically and asked of you things that had I been in my right mind, I would never have done. I’m so sorry and I won’t be able to say it enough because you deserve so much more, Vi.”
Vi was still angry at Caitlyn for many things and hurt even more by some of her actions. She had tried to move on, but it seemed that Caitlyn was so deeply ingrained in her heart, that it was an impossible task to forget her. The moment she had been thrown to the ground at Viktor’s conclave, everything came flooding back. The pain, the anger, and the love too. She had wanted to be angry with her, but she had shattered her resolve with a few words. Her feeble attempt at a witty comeback with the oil slick comment made her feel warm and reminded her of the playful banter they used to have. She had slipped and called her Cupcake, and she caught the hopeful look on her face after that and how Caitlyn had seemed close to tears. Vi had decided to give her a second chance despite her anger. She had asked Caitlyn for help saving her Vander and she hadn’t even hesitated to give it. Her betrayal still stung and the stubborn part of her didn’t want to let that go. She needed Caitlyn to know what she had done.
“I wore that fucking uniform, for you. Joined the organization that killed my parents, because you asked. You gassed my people as an excuse to draw out my sister and I still stood by you and you haul off and cut me out and shot at me and let’s not forget how you hit me and left me, alone, in that fucking tunnel. Do you really think that a couple of fancy words is gonna make me forget that? Forgive you, just like that?” She snarled and Caitlyn met her angry gaze.
“Of course not! I-”
“I realize now that it wasn’t fair to ask you not to change. People change but it was how you changed that hurt. You shot at me! You almost shot a kid! If I hadn’t had the gauntlets, it could’ve been worse! And don’t even get me started on the martial law, Commander.” She emphasized the with derision.
Caitlyn snapped. “I know! I regret all of it, Vi! If I could go back in time and take it all back, I would! But I can’t and I will have to live with those consequences. I hate myself for hurting you. I never wanted to hurt you. You were the best thing to happen to me and I threw it all away for nothing!” Caitlyn sobbed. “I stopped looking in the mirror after you were gone because I couldn’t recognize the face looking back. Everything went to shit. I didn’t have a chance to sit and think about what had happened before Ambessa swooped in and offered everything I thought I wanted on a silver platter and I took it. By the time I realized how wrong it all was, it was already too late. The weight of my name and the position I held was slowly crushing me.” Her pulse was racing and her body felt too warm and the pounding in her head was becoming unbearable. Her left eye was burning.
Vi noticed that Caitlyn was becoming paler as she spoke. Beads of sweat dotted her forehead, and the fury was slipping away. She had gone too far, and Caitlyn was in no condition to be hashing this out right now. She stood from the chair and pushed on Caitlyn’s shoulders, gently guiding her to lay back down. It was concerning when the woman gave no protest. “We shouldn’t be doing this now. You need to recover and rest.”
Caitlyn felt a bit less lightheaded now that she was lying down, but she refused to let this drop. She’d never have peace until she got it all out and given how hectic their lives have been since they met, she didn’t want to chance of being interrupted. She had to know if there was still a chance that they could be more. “Why did you come back, Vi?” She asked once she had calmed down a bit.
Vi didn’t answer immediately. She wasn’t sure how to answer that question. When she had gone down to the bunker to get Jinx, she had a hard time breaking through to her sister. She seemed so beaten down after Isha that she was worried she would do something stupid. She had asked her to help her fight and rewrite her story. Make her a hero rather than a villain. Jinx didn’t want it. Vi asked her what she wanted to do. Jinx had said she wanted to end the cycle. When Vi asked her how she intended to do that, something new had sparked in her sister’s eyes and they had left. It was almost laughably easy to escape and there hadn’t been any guards around. At the time, she had found that odd but now that she took the time to think about it, maybe Jinx had a point. Jinx had grudgingly said that the ‘Piltie Princess’ wasn’t the most awful thing in the world. Vi had discovered that Caitlyn had visited Jinx not long before she had. When she had asked her about it, Jinx had refused to say anything on it.
“Why did you let Jinx escape?” Vi sank back into the chair, arms crossed, and gazed steadily at Caitlyn.
Caitlyn tilted her head and gave her the softest look she had ever seen. “Sorry to say, you’ve grown predictable. I couldn’t release her myself, but I knew you would try to do it yourself. I just made it easier for you.” Her smile fell a bit. “I half expected to find you locked in that cell when I went down a while later considering Jinx’s track record with trying to give you the slip.” She bit her lip and looked up at the ceiling. “I know you, Vi, and words mean very little to you. Broken promises and all. The one thing you put above all else is family. You always protect the family and would do anything for them. I had been so hell-bent on catching your sister that when I finally had her within my grasp, I couldn’t do it. She was your sister and I had caused you enough pain and if I did something to Jinx, you’d never forgive me. I couldn’t lose anymore of you than I already had. Holding that much hate was exhausting and I just couldn’t do it anymore.” She turned back to Vi whose eyes were swimming, the tears threatening to fall. “I chose to let the hate go. I wanted you to be happy because you’ve fought your entire life for your family with little thought for yourself. You’ve had very little choice in your life, most of it being forced upon you. I wanted to change that and give you chance to choose what you wanted. You deserve to be happy, and if you chose to be happy somewhere else and never see me again, so be it.”
The tears sluiced down Vi’s face and she felt warm all over. Fucking hell, this woman was going to be the death of her. She surged to her feet and leaned over the bed her hands a little shaky as they cradled Caitlyn’s face and kissed her, pouring all the things she couldn’t put into words into the kiss. Caitlyn responded with the same intensity. It was so much more than their first kiss all those months ago.
Vi pulled back once air became a necessity and they were both out of breath but had smiles on their faces. “Warn a girl next time, Cupcake. My heart can only take so much.” She rested her forehead against Caitlyn’s.
Caitlyn’s smile widened. “I can’t help myself because it’s you,” then she winced as the pain in her body made itself too strong to ignore any longer.
“What’s wrong?” Vi’s brows furrowed in concern.
“Everything hurts. I don’t want to stop, but my head feels like it’s splitting in half.” Vi pulled away and reached over to the bedside table and fiddled with a bottle of pills and then turned back to prop her up.
“Here, take these. They should help.”
Caitlyn took the pills and Vi held a glass of water to her lips to wash them down. She replaced the glass on the table and lowered Caitlyn back down onto the pillow. “Thank you.” She reached out to Vi and entwined their fingers. “Will you stay?”
Vi nodded. “Of course, Cupcake.” She smiled and let go of her hand to walk around to the other side of the bed. She heard the thumps of her shoes hitting the ground and felt the bed shift under her weight. Vi tucked herself in close to Caitlyn and wrapped her arms around her, mindful of her stab wound. Caitlyn did the same, treasuring the feeling of having Vi beside her.
“We’re going to be ok, right?” Caitlyn whispered, the medication and her overall exhaustion quickly dragging her back towards slumber.
“We will be, Cupcake.”
They had more to talk about and things to hammer out but for now, they were content with just being with the one they loved.