Chp. 61 "Awkward Introductions"

I spoke, "So, I got a new power."

Avery's eyes widened at the news, and she spoke, "What? When?"

I smiled, realizing she had sounded just like Max, who was currently sitting beside me in my room. He had joined us not to long ago, but Gage was still asleep in his room.

Max smiled, "Yeah, I said the same thing."

I looked at Avery, "I accidently shook hands with an Agent I met in the elevator, her names Agent Berkley. She's actually Roger's partner."

Avery nodded, and she still seemed a bit shocked at the revelation, "So what did you get?"

I smiled, remembering this morning with Taylor, "Teleportation."

Avery's jaw dropped and responded quite exuberantly, "That's huge."

I nodded, "Yea, I know."

Then Max spoke, which was something that always made me cringe, "Speaking of Roger, are we going to go talk to him considering he still needs to tell us the truth about the BD3? I mean we did over hear him talking about it, don't you think we should make him tell us?"

I ran my hand through my hair and nodded, realizing Max was actually quite right. We would need to talk to Roger, and I figured since it was Saturday he would be doing paperwork in his office. The man never stopped working, I swear.

I looked at Avery and Max and nodded, "Let's go then. Should we get Gage too?"

Max shook his head, waving his hand to dismiss my comment, "He'll be sleeping for another two hours if he has the choice."

I had already told Max about the planned meeting with Roger Monday, but I hadn't told him to keep it a secret from Avery. I felt like a school girl waiting to get into trouble because her friends couldn't keep a secret, and the feeling sucked. I just didn't want to risk Avery's life, and she had just gotten out of a desperate health situation.

We took the elevator to the fifth floor labeled Office Sector, and this time I led the way to Roger's office. I knew where it was now, I was just hoping the little luck I did have would allow Roger to be alone, and not have someone there accompanying him.

But of course when I pushed his door open he and Taylor were there chatting and eating lunch like the great buddies they were.

Both of their eyes took in me and my two friends, and for some reason we all just stared at each other in awkward silence. I cleared my throat, realizing I should probably introduce Avery and Max to Taylor, but I could feel both of their eyes taking her in.

And they saw the exact same beautiful woman I did when I looked at her.

"Avery, Max, this is Agent Berkley, Roger's partner."

I sounded shocked, but it was because I hadn't expected her to be in here, and I watched her eyes linger on me a little longer than usual. Then Max of course had to make a fool out of himself.

He walked coolly up to her, almost tripping over his own feet and holding out his hand, "Max Davidson."

Avery then retorted, "It's actually Maxwell, we just think Max is more '21st century'."

Taylor seemed to laugh, along with Roger and I as Max turned to look at Avery with clear hatred in his eyes. He sat in the chair next to Taylor, looking up at her like a little kid in love with his school teacher or something, and I stood uneasily next to Avery. I could tell she felt uneasy about Taylor as well, but it was because she knew we had met. Taylor was gorgeous, and Avery could see that, and I was curious if Avery was the jealous type or not.

But judging by her glare towards me I figured she was.

I swallowed, "Um Roger, we need to talk, but I think Taylor needs to leave for this conversation."

He waved his hand, "Nah, it's ok, she can handle it."

I saw Taylor's glare at the tone in my voice, and she seemed a little hurt by it. I wanted her to feel that, because she had tried leading me on and then left me alone earlier this morning. Maybe I needed to give her a little pay back.

I coughed uneasily as I felt Avery snake her hand around my waist, allowing Taylor to see that she was claiming me.

I spoke, "It's about the uh... the BD3."

His eyes widened, and then he understood exactly what I was trying to tell him. His reaction let me know Taylor had no idea about the fact that the F.P.S. had created the disease, and he shifted in his chair out of nervousness.

Then he spoke, "Berkley, I'm sorry but can you please step out for a couple of minutes?"

She looked at him, her blond ponytail whipping around as she snapped her head towards him. She spoke, "Seriously Boyd?"

I retorted quite sarcastically in response to her comment, "He said please."

Her light eyes found mine and she stood, giving me a good look at her legs in those tight jeans. She walked smoothly over to me then, and I felt my body grow hot under her glare that held a little bit of hate but a little bit of seduction. Then as she passed her hand grazed mine, and I froze in place.

What game was she trying to play?

I walked over to the free chair and stood behind it as Avery sat, and I began, "I'm going to be honest ok, because there's no reason to lie anymore."

I looked at Avery and Max, and then back at Roger after getting Max's ok to continue with whatever I was asking.

He nodded, "Go on."

I began, "Max, Gage, and I overheard you and Henson talking about the BD3, it was the day Avery was vaccinated. You said it was created by the F.P.S. Is that true?"

I watched Roger look at me, and he folded his hands on his desk, "It's true, but I assume you already know why they did it."

I smiled, thanking him silently that he wasn't denying it, "Yea, we pieced together everything."

He sighed, "We were going to tell you, but the others didn't understand. They don't understand why we need you to take these bastards down. We need you Andy, to help us."

I nodded, "And I'm going to."

He smiled in victory, leaning back in his chair, and I prayed he wasn't going to bring up our plans about Monday night. It was really stressing me out, and I knew we needed to leave before anything slipped out of Max's or Roger's mouth by accident.

But instead Roger asked, "So how was training this morning with Berkley? She told me you got the hang of your new power pretty quick."

I felt my heart sink, and suddenly Max and Avery's eyes were on me, but all I could feel were Avery's. I could feel the stare of daggers and I shrugged nonchalantly, trying to make it seem as if it were nothing special.

But we all knew it was a little special.

I nodded, "Yea, it went well. We'll be going get lunch now."

Max waved Roger off as I nearly ran out of Roger's office, and I knew I was about to face a very upset Avery. I didn't know what I was going to say considering she had lied to me, but I could've told her this morning when we talked.

But I didn't.

Once we were out of Roger's office Avery stayed quiet, which was something that made me uneasy, but of course Max couldn't.

"Berkley is hot, holy shit Andy why didn't you tell me!"

I closed my eyes in annoyance as I stepped into the elevator, pressing the Living Quarters button. Then Avery looked at me, "Well it looks like I might have some competition."

I looked at her in disbelief, trying to hide the fact that she might have a little competition on her hands. I didn't understand the feelings I was having for Taylor, but I knew enough to know it was something I should be worried about.

"Avery, I don't even think she's gay. You have nothing to worry about."

She didn't seem convinced, and I hoped she hadn't seen the way I had looked at Taylor when we had walked into Roger's office. The door dinged open to the floor we needed and we began walking towards the cafeteria, and Avery spoke, "That's alright, I know things she doesn't so I have an advantage."

I looked at her, rolling my eyes, "And what's that Avery?"

She smiled devilishly, "I know all your hot spots that make you cum."

Max nearly screamed besides me in horror, "Oh my GOD, Avery shut the fuck up! That's disgusting ok!"

Avery shoved him, "Are you gay Max? You're like the only guy I know that doesn't think lesbians are sexy."

He groaned, "Andy's my little sister, so hearing what 'makes her cum' isn't something that sounds attractive to me, especially if you're involved."

I laughed at their bickering as we made our way to the cafeteria, knowing everything was going to change in a couple of days when we met with Roger.

My worry seemed to have vanished, and that was up until Max opened his mouth yet again, just to screw us all. He questioned, "So what's the plan Monday night with that meeting?"

Avery's eyes looked at me and I knew there was no use lying anymore. I would need to tell her, and I knew if she figured out Berkley was tagging along she would refuse to leave my side. I just didn't want to have to worry about that night.

I spoke, "We're staking out the place an hour before, and then we'll meet him."

"Meet who?" Avery questioned curiously.

I sighed, "Walker, the guy who shot me the other night."

She gasped, and I knew I would have to explain to her everything that had gone down but I figured now wasn't the time.

Then Avery questioned again, "Is that Berkley chick going?"

I looked at her and nodded, "Roger's bringing her."

She played with her food and shrugged, frowning slightly at the information she had just gained from me.

"Well, looks like I'll be going to."

***A/N***

I'm glad to hear you guys are enjoying "The Catalyst", I really enjoy writing it and sharing it with you guys. And It's finally made it to 100k+ reads!