AN: I promised it'd be fast. This is pretty fast. ;) Considering I'm sick with like...strep or something. And studying the hell out of my finals. And life. And other crap. bleh. ;)

"Well, I know you guys don't want to, but it's time-"

"-Yeah, yeah. We know we need to talk about the government again."

"Okay, so you always know what to say, right?" Leaf snapped. Gary frowned.

"Hey, I didn't mean to-"

Leaf sighed, "I know you didn't. I'm just...I'm tired, which is no excuse, but I'm snappish today. Sorry."

Gary gave her a slow, concerned look. "Are you sure you're okay? Nothing...you need to talk about?"

Leaf nodded, digging the heels of her hands into her forehead. "Yeah. I'm just worried. And anxious. We all are."

"I'm sick of worrying to. And the pain of waiting," Gary admitted.

"No shit."

"Okay, stop with the cynicism," Gary muttered, sticking his tongue out with a sharp look. Leaf tossed her head back, her neck cracking as she rolled it.

"You realize that's not possible?"

Gary gave a dark chuckle. "Do I ever."

"I'm serious. Don't be rude."

"I'm not! I'm just trying to...argh, it's just who I am! It's not fair for you to be so depressing, and expect me to comfort you! Just because you're down doesn't mean you get to take it out on me!"

"I'm not! I'm not trying to at least! Okay? I already apologized for being grumpy. You don't have to shoot me down for whenever I'm trying to be positive too!"

"When? When in this conversation where you trying to be positive!? I'm just trying to get a point across!"

"Well I'm sick of double standards! You expect me to be positive, but you get to be negative then?"

"And you stop countering everything I say with something negative!"

"Well if you would stop being so insistent and be a little more understanding!"

"Just stop it! I'm sick of this, of you contradicting everything I say!"

"Well I'm sick of you being snappy and acting bitchy just because you feel like it! This isn't when you were little! This is real fucking life!"

Leaf's lower lip trembled as she scooted back on the bed, hunching around her curled up knees.

"Okay, that was out of line. I'm sorry," Gary apologized softly. Leaf nodded slowly, her eyes fluttering shut as she buried her head in her knees.

"I know.

"Can we not fight?" Leaf sighed, rubbing her temples. "And we both need to fight fair. No more talking about the other person."

"I don't want to fight!" Gary cried, throwing his hands up.

Leaf's shoulders slumped. "Yeah. Yeah you're right. I dunno. Maybe...maybe we just need space today. A couple hours away from each other."

Gary cocked his head. "Alright. Fine. I...I'm gonna go out. Not you're fault...just...we both need space. Plus, if we're raiding that bank tomorrow..."

"Alright. As long as you're being-"

"Yes, faithful, I know."

Gary gave her a slow, soft smile. "Don't worry Leafy. I swore, and I will."

Leaf met his with her own hesitant one. "Right."

The door clicked shut behind Gary, and Leaf laid back on the edge of the bed, staring up at the ceiling.

"What is wrong with me? And...why...why does everything have to be like this?"

There was no response.

"I'm tired, so tired. Of all of it," she murmured, wishing she was far away, in another place. "But so is everyone else. And someone's gotta take them down."

Leaf squeezed her eyes shut, her fingers clenching.

"Someone's gotta stop them," she whispered to herself. "Someone's got to."

"I need to go shoot at something."

"I swear to Arceus, I better win!" Misty yelled, chasing Ash around the house.

"Okay, okay," Ash laughed. "But I get controller one!"

"How dare you, you insolen-"

"Haha, I'm gonna get it!"

"You guys are weird," Leaf laughed, sitting cross legged as the couple dashed down the stairs. "I already have the first controller."

"Ugh, no fair!"

"Of course it is!" Misty growled, stomping her feet indignantly. Leaf laughed lightly.

"If you can convince Mar to take me out paint balling, I'll give you the controller."

The two were up the stairs within moments, running through the mansion.

Leaf laughed as she walked up the winding stairs, feeling slightly more relaxed already.

"So, I hear someone wants to go paint balling," Marina smirked, her hand on her hip as she leaned against the front door.

Misty and Ash dashed by Leaf towards the basement, rushing to get the controller.

"Oh, I'm going!" May yelled from the top of the stairs, her eyes wide.

"Me too!" Dawn shouted from her the music room.

"It's fine with me," Marina smiled happily. "Get in the car. We're not going easy today."

"We're going to have so many bruises," May groaned playfully.

Leaf let out a soft chuckle as Dawn rushed upstairs.

"WAIT! I need to change!"

"Of course you do," Marina muttered.

"Aw, don't be grumpy Mar, it's not like you gave us much warning."

"Fiiinee."

The club was hot, muggy, sweaty, loud, and dark. Paul hated it.

Gary slid a shot to Drew and offered Paul one, but the man shook his head.

Drew gripped the shot as he glared sullenly at the throbbing and writhing masses on the dance floor.

"Remind me again, WHY the fuck are we here?" Drew growled, slamming his fist onto the bar table harshly. Gary ripped at his hair, eyes dark and unreadable.

"Okay, what do you want me to say?"

"Tomorrow's a BIG day," Paul intoned. "You bumbling idiots know that, right?"

"Yes," Drew and Gary snarled together.

"We need to get out of that house or we're all going to suffocate. Leaf texted me earlier, she's paint balling with May, Marina, and Dawn. Jimmy, Misty, and Ash are playing some video games I think. So...we're at a bar."

"A club."

"Yes, essentially."

"Wasn't this one of the things Leaf said you should never go to again?" Paul piped up.

"You're just SO helpful today," Gary retorted sarcastically.

"But it is, isn't?" Drew insisted.

Gary hesitated before nodding guiltily. "Yeah. I need a drink."

"She TOLD you to stop it, and she's being lenient. And why a club? Why not a bar?" Paul scolded. Gary glared at him.

"I'm regretting bringing you now."

"You realize that the paps are going to have a fucking field day," Drew said with raised eyebrows. Gary nodded wearily.

"This was the most familiar place."

"Why, because this is the place where you pick up all you're slags?" Drew taunted.

"Alright, fine!" Gary threw up his hands as he tossed back the shot he had in his hand in one large gulp. "We'll go somewhere else without booze."

"I'm staying out of this best friend business," Paul warned, reaching for the keys sitting on the table. "I'M going to be the responsible one who drives you idiots home safely."

Drew gave Gary a wary look. "You sure you want to get wasted?"

"It's not like they don't have those pills for...you know. Tomorrow will be fine."

"It's not just that. You know you do stupid things when you're drunk."

"Paul can make sure I don't do anything stupid," Gary offered as they walked out of the club.

"That would mean not allowing you to get drunk and piss off Leaf. I mean, I want to stay on that woman's good side," Paul said calmly.

"Ass," Gary groaned. "Anything after I'm drunk."

"Fine. But I'm not doing anything for either of you if you throw up on me."

"Promise you won't let me do anything I'll regret?"

"Promise."

"Alright, not that that's over and done with...where's the nearest GOOD bar around here?"

When a drunk Gary fell asleep on Leaf's bed, she didn't comment, just rolled over and kept sleeping.

The next morning, after Gary wasn't so hungover, neither of them mentioned how that was the first night they ever spent in the same bed.

Or how they'd ended up wrapped around each other, no matter that they'd been shrieking at each other hours before.

Neither of them said anything about the fight, or the space, or the drinking. No, they had a bigger, more important job that day.

They had to rob a bank.

They could deal with it later.

"REMIND ME WHY WE'RE ROBBING A BANK!?" May shouted over the din, her hands clutched tightly around Drew's waist. It was early in the morning. Earlier than any of them had been happy about, but it was way before bank hours, so it guaranteed the minimal amount of people.

"AND WHY THE HELL ARE WE RIDING MOTORCYCLES?"

"BECAUSE THE REBELS NEED MONEY!? I DON'T KNOW, WE'RE JUST DOING WHAT CHARLIE AND BELLA WANT US TO DO! IT'S FOR THE GOOD OF THE COUNTY!"

"UGH!"

"WHY ARE WE YELLING?"

"THE WIND? DUH!"

"OH COME ON!"

They both burst into laughter, their bodies shaking with the effort. Suddenly, a car ran a red light, and Drew cursed. He swerved wildly, gripping the wheel as he gunned the engine. The wind was howling even louder now, and May flinched, burrowing closer into Drew's back.

Ruefully, Drew wondered how she was the most comfortable around him when she was scared, or in battle. If only she was a little more open at the house.

They pulled up in front of the large, shiny building without much other interruption, as people had not ventured out of their houses yet.

"Right, come on. Dawn, Paul, Jimmy, and Ash should be in there already. The other's are meeting up with us at the door. Somebody's gotta open the vaults." May reported, moving towards the side door.

"We go to Vaults 5-10 right? They got the first five?" Drew asked.

"Yeah, and the Gary and Marina are meeting up with us. Leaf and Misty are heading to the security room to see if they can get it open. If not, then we'll have to use...use some cutters. Metal ones. Perhaps...heavier duty stuff."

"This is not a good idea," Dawn murmured, inching along the wall.

"Remember who we're doing this against..." Paul said quietly. "Who it's for." Dawn nodded slowly, shaking her head.

"I guess. I still feel bad."

"Now's not the time for indecision. Come on."

Paul slipped along the bend, barely flinching as he tazed another man. His clothes smoked as he collapsed in a heap.

"Maybe a little less force?" Dawn said.

"No, can't afford them waking up."

"I suppose."

"Okay." Their earpieces buzzed with static.

"Yeah, me and Jimmy are already there, how far are you guys?" Ash's voice was joyful, even though they were robbing a bank.

"Couple more corridors," Paul answered, still moving swiftly, yet quietly along the wall. Dawn followed behind, her hand clutching a gun she hoped she wouldn't have to use.

"You're all covered up, right?" Jimmy asked.

"Of course, Dawn even has contacts in."

"But they've disabled the cameras, correct?" Paul muttered.

"Oh yeah, Misty and Leaf have gotten to the security already. And you know Leaf. Of course they're all disabled. Well, they're playing blank loops."

"You know we can hear you right?" Leaf sighed. Her voice was impatient, if not amused. "And yes, I HAVE disabled them."

"Hey! What about me?" Misty grumbled.

"You're keeping watch. Just like you were supposed to." Leaf said.

"Great, 'watchkeeper'. Sounds great," Misty muttered sarcastically.

"You guys there? We're in the southern corridors already," Gary's voice conveyed. Another crackle of static filled their earpieces.

"What was that?"

"That my friends, was my ear piece falling off," Misty said. "I had to knock someone out."

"Just be quick about it," Paul ordered.

"Hey, we are!" May said indignantly.

"No one was talking to you May," Marina chided gently.

"Oh."

"Okay, I got it. Try vault four. I think I got it open."

"Got it Leaf, we're on it," Drew said.

May tensed when she heard the footsteps.

She was on watch with Gary while Drew and Marina went in. They were looting things that could be sold at pawn shops. The coins and jewelry, and other things. Not the money, because money could be traced. Money could lead them to the rebels.

A guard. An armed guard.

This wasn't good.

Not good at all.

Perhaps he wouldn't turn the corner. But something told May he was. So she clenched her hand gun a little tighter, flicking the safety.

This was an old fashioned gun, from decades ago. It was the only reason that it wasn't traced by the government. Anything that was weapon or money related was tracked. How else did they completely dominate the country?

Sure enough, the man turned the corner.

May swung a fist at him, catching him in the back of the head. She went for his comms unit next, tearing it off of him, making sure he couldn't call for help.

The man groaned on the ground, but May didn't show any mercy. Too more blunt hits and he was out cold.

"Just got one here, hurry up guys, people will look for them before long," she urged.

"May's right," Leaf agreed. "Okay team two, I got the other vaults open. I'm working on the last one, team one. Mist, you still paying attention?"

"We're almost done, it's pretty heavy though. You guys will have to help carry some of it," Marina replied.

"I have the back vault," Drew said quickly, "You get the other ones, Mar?"

"Yup," was the quick reply.

May barely let out a sound when she fell, dropping to the floor as the guard swept her legs out from under her.

She hit the floor hard, the lights swimming and the air knocking right out of her lungs.

"Hello? What was that?"

Her vision was fuzzy and she couldn't hear anything. Her chest hurt like a bitch, but the familiar, cool handle of the gun was still in her hands.

The guard leaned over her, eyes dark and furious. "Thought you could take me out, just like that?"

May didn't say anything. She couldn't say anything. Instead, she brought up the gun. The guard flinched, eyes going wide.

She didn't have time to feel guilty, to think about it or anything else.

She pulled the trigger.

The sound of the gun going off alerted Gary, and he immediately started shouting.

Her comms lit up.

"What the hell was that?! Who is that?"

"May?! May, are you okay?"

She was still catching her breath though.

"Are you okay?"

Gary pulled the guard off of her, his face slack with concern. May wheezed.

"Y-yeah. Is...he d-dead?"

Gary frowned.

"Yeah. Yeah he is. Headshot."

May closed her eyes, something inside snapped inside.

The rest of the mission, she was in a haze. They got out of the place successfully, and everyone was safe.

May went back to their house, went straight to her room, and locked the door.

And didn't emerge for a full day.

"I killed someone," May whispered softly. Drew scoffed at himself. Earlier he had wanted her to be more welcoming. Now she was.

And he had absolutely no idea what to do.

Drew was hesitant. The living room was too hot, and the screen in front of them was too bright. Everything was thrown out of proportions. He had always known that there would be an emotional part of their relationship, but he never had to deal with it before.

Of course he liked May. He had already admitted it. But she hadn't been very upfront about her emotions. Don't get him wrong, he hadn't been either, but it seemed like a roadblock neither of them had wanted to cross. At least, until now.

"Haven't you before?"

May lowered her head, tugging on her lip. "No. No I haven't. At least, not like that. Before, it was out of necessity, and the adrenaline and...and I never had to see their faces. It was always quick and unsuspecting. But this time? I saw his face, practically begging. But I didn't have a choice."

She whispered the last part, her eyes sad. "I didn't have a choice, did I?"

"No," Drew sighed. A hand sank into his green hair. "No, you didn't. I had trouble the first time too. I didn't understand why we were any better if we were going to kill. But then I realized, if we didn't kill? Well, then they would have an advantage. Such an advantage, that winning this battle as the underdogs just wasn't practical. It was nearly impossible, let alone giving us a good chance.

"We couldn't afford that. Same principle here," Drew explained.

"It didn't make it any easier," May whispered hollowly. "He was there, and I could've just knocked him out. But it was too risky..."

She fell silent, her voice weak.

Drew sighed. He let her fall into his open arms as she shook silently.

"I know May, I know."

And he did. But there was nothing he could say to help the guilt. May knew of all of it already.

But it didn't help the guilt.

AN: Review please? It helps...a lot. Thanks!

-Ange