Wills ordeal is over. And things are... getting back... to normal.. Hopefully!

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JANE'S POV -

So three days of Killer's ordeal were over. Uncle made him do every work that he otherwise wouldn't do himself.

And apparently Nick had him at the edge of a knife so dangerously that Killer swore to not repeat his mistake ever again. I still have no clue what went down in the Interrogation Hall.

"You need to keep these medicines." Ren told Nick while arranging a few pills in a small box.

"I'm going on a mission, Ren. They have a complete medical team ready." Nick replied casually.

"Nick.." she held his hand and looked into his eyes. She was serious, and I could feel the fear Nick had by just looking at her seriousness. I felt a little afraid too.

"This is for you, before you leave for the mission. Please listen to me, and do as I say." she said.

"You are freaking me out, Ren. I know there's something more to this mission that all three of you know." Nick said.

What? Another mission with a hidden story? Nick is so done!

"I'm sorry babe. I'm not allowed to even do this. But I can't see you in trouble. Just don't ask me anything, and do whatever I'm telling you." Ren was pleading him.

"O...kay... Fine. What all am I supposed to do?" He said giving up.

"Great! Firstly, keep these medicines. Second, take your winter sleeping bag. Third, keep a hoodie in your bagpack. And fourth-" She said at an urgency.

"Ren I'm leaving day after tomorrow. You have time. Calm down." Nick tried, but Ren is not Ren if she can calm down so easily.

"That's true." Ah there he is! The sleeping beauty. The Prince who is cursed.

"Calm down Ren. He can survive." Killer said walking towards us, with dark circles under his eyes. I think he needs to sleep more. And also eat something, his bones are visible under his skin.

"What do you mean survive? What the hell is going on? Is Beta sending me on a weird mission too?" Nick asked confused.

"His name is Reese. General Reese. Don't utter that in front of father." Killer defended the guy I didn't even know.

"Whatever. I don't like him anyways. But what did you mean by 'He can survive' ? What have they planned for me?"

"Can't tell." Killer said shrugging his shoulders.

"Damn all of you." he was getting irritated. "Do you also know about it?" Suddenly I realised that the question was directed at me.

"Me? No! I don't understand a word of what you all are saying. I only know that you are going on some mission." I said the truth.

"Then I'll sit with just you." Nick came and sat next to me.

I looked at Killer and Ren with the 'What is this' look.

"Nick, honey, you know I only want good for you, right?" Killer's throat clearing made her change her statement in a second.

"We- we only want good for you, right? Don't do this to me- us. Nick?" Ren said like a mother talking to a 5 year old kid.

"Fine. I know Dad has told you not to tell me. Ugh this is so annoying." "It's lunch time. Let's go and solve the issue with food." I suggested.

"Great!" Killer exclaimed happily, then controlled his expressions. "I mean yeah, let's go to the mess and talk there." I somehow controlled my laughter. Since his ordeal got over, Killer likes to eat as much as possible whenever he can. May be because he was so hungry all these days, and now wants to make up for it. Silly man.

************************************

Flynn was waiting for us there. "Welcome back." he greeted us.

"I'm hungry." Killer responded. "When are you not?" His reply made us all laugh, but one glare shut me, Flynn and Ren in a moment.

"Complete your medicals before you start hogging, Wills." daring Nick spoke. And that smile which I hate, was back. "It's already done. Tell him, Ren." He said proudly.

"Yes. And he is on the lower side of his weight limit." "You are underweight?!" Flynn asked him.

"Almost. So yeah, he can hog all he wants." Ren answered for him. All the while Killer was smiling.

"I don't remember when I last had proper meal. Ordeal, meeting, training - it's been months." he said looking at a far point.

"How about a bet?" Nick said with the mischievous look on his face. Killer is in for a ride. Their bets are not just a joke.

"Bet on?" "Food. Lunch. Now."

"Father says betting on food is not a good habit." Killer murmured in an innocent tone. Such a good boy.

"Loser." Nick said turning around. "Fine. What is it?" Killer gave in.

"Since you haven't had enough food since months, let's give you a chance. I'll flip this coin twice. Firstly, we'll decide half or double. In the second chance, we'll decide whose meal. Who are the two volunteers?" Nick asked loudly.

There were five of us in the room. Killer, Nick, Ren, Flynn and me.

"One can be Jane." he said looking at me. Well I was a safe option. I don't eat too less, that he'll stay hungry if the coin says half. Nor I eat so much that he won't be able to finish double of mine. Killer agreed too.

"And second?"

"Count me in." He couldn't have had a better timing!

"Sir!" all three of them stood up straight. Uncle nodded at them and came and sat with us. The three of them looked at each other clueless.

"Sit down. Who's flipping the coin?" uncle asked casually.

Flynn appeared with a coin. "Heads for half. Tails for double."

And he flipped. I could hear Killer's heartbeat loudly across the table. "Tails."

Oh boy. Killer looked at me like this was the only day he was praying for me to win over his own father.

Flynn picked up the coin to flip again. "Colonel..?" "Heads, always." uncle replied crossing his arms on his chest.

And the coin was flipped again. The heartbeats were louder, if it was even possible. "Heads"

Killer brought his palms on his face and hid himself, while Uncle laughed loudly. "This would be the last time you'll bet on food." Ren whispered.

"Nick it was your idea, wasn't it?" "Sir.. I.. actually.." Haha Nick, you're in too!

"Flynn, serve them together. They'll finish double of mine. Let's roll." Uncle was in great mood.

"Colonel, I don't have.. enough food.." Flynn hesitated. "Oh then you start cooking again." uncle said as a matter of fact.

Bang!

It was so damn funny. Uncle looks too fit, one would assume that he eats very little. But today, he was on fire! Before Flynn could bring the next serving, his plate would be empty. He was so quick, I couldn't believe my eyes.

Ren was ordered to write down what all uncle had finished since his sons were lagging behind. It sounds funny how both Killer and Nick combined couldn't match uncle's speed. Technically, both of them individually had to eat equal to what he is eating. But even that seemed like an impossible task.

After a few servings of sweet dish, Uncle closed his plate. Nick and Wills looked at his fork and spoon with painful eyes. Their mouths were stuffed and they were gulping down bites without chewing them properly.

"Hurry up, kids. How long will you make me wait?" Uncle asked, settling comfortably in his chair.

While Nick and Wills hurried up, I couldn't resist asking him. "How on earth did you do that?"

He laughed a little. "During my training days, I was supposed to finish all the food left behind by the cadets - seniors or juniors or my own batchmates. And I had hardly fifteen minutes before I give the completion report. It took me a few months of after-meal drilling to learn how to finish everything within time."

Oh my goodness. I've seen these boys leaving so much of unserved and unfinished food on table. It's impossible for one guy to finish all of it!

"How did you not gain weight, then?" Ren asked surprised.

"Waking up half hour before everyone and swimming my sweat out burned all the extra calories. The day I was caught by any instructor or a senior, compensated for a few days in one go. It was a win-win deal for me." He said shrugging his shoulders with zero expressions on his face.

"This was before or after orientation?" Flynn asked. "Come on, Flynn. You know night outs start after Dinner." So he used to face his seniors with a bursting tummy? Damn it.

"Hey you guys are going very slow. Don't make me apply the same rule on you two. Hurry up. We need to go to bar, next." his warning tone was back.

We all turned to him in a reflex. "Bar?" Killer asked with food in his mouth.

"Yes. Captain's beer is long due. Right?" He asked Ren lifting one eyebrow.

"Umm.. Sir.. we can have it some other day.. It's fine..." Nice try Ren.

"Nope. They've got me late enough. Plus I want to see how capable they are of handling their drunken selves. You've had lots of parties in my absence. Let me see one myself tonight." The expression of surprise was dripping from the boys' faces.

"Flyn serve them the rest. You go and open the bar." Flynn did as told, and left two big bowls of curry, one bowl of rice, and two bowls of chocolate pudding in front of already full boys.

I would have puked by just looking at the amount. "Fast fast." his warning was getting sharper.

Both of them made a silent deal. Killer would finish the rice and half curry, and Nick would finish the other half and complete pudding. As soon as uncle realised it, he cut in "I said together. But it is supposed to be halved. Don't you try to be smart."

Two bowls of pudding was all that was left. Killer nodded and pulled one bowl towards him. He looked like he'll puke any moment.

Bit by bit, he finished his half with a constant constipated look on his face. I think he doesn't like chocolate. Wait a minute! 'You like chocolate?' 'I love chocolate!' 'Lucky human.' Is that what he meant that day?

Damn it. He hates chocolate! And still he finished one complete bowl of it. That is cruel.

As soon as they were done, Uncle got up and proceeded to bar. Killer's face showed how hard he was trying not to throw up.

Four beer mugs were ready. Uncle, Killer, Nick and Ren picked up theirs and Flynn got me a nice cocktail.

The gamblers cheered and I went back in time. That date was beautiful, excluding the last part. I like Martins so much. We've been texting each other. He has apologised a hundred times. And I've forgiven him, for if he had not broken those rules, I wouldn't have felt so great.

"Will you not forgive him?" I asked absent mindedly. "Not so fast, girl." Uncle answered while taking another gulp.

I nodded and realised that Killer was looking at me intently. Nick whispered something in his ear and his eyes got wide. He started looking at me angrily.

Great. So he didn't know what happened that day, and now he knows.

All of them finished two mugs of beer each, while Uncle chatted with me and Ren mostly. Both sons just stood there silently, somehow finishing the task at hand.

"When are the cadets coming back?" He asked.

"This Saturday, sir." Killer answered.

"Mmm. Three days from now. We didn't get a chance to discuss about Ethan's performance, did we?" Uh-oh.

"No sir." Nick knew where this was leading to. "Sir the next batch-"

"You two lost that bet, right?" Uncle said turning around. Yeps, there you go.

"Yes sir."

"Then let's meet at the firing range after this in full gear with weapons. Let me see how good is your target with food in your stomach and alcohol in your brain. Wills, bring the CEE documents. We'll discuss about the next batch there."

They're going for firing practice at this time in the night? God help them.

Gulping the last sip, Killer spoke "The CEE documents.. are not yet... ready sir.."

"Why? You were supposed to finish it one week back. Why isn't it complete?" Uncle was getting angry.

"I.. didn't get time - I mean.... I had planned to do it after we come back, but.."

"But you didn't know that you'll perform so poorly that you'll have to pay back for it, right?" "Yes sir" he said bending his neck in shame.

"And the instructor I/C never cared to check whether these documents are complete or not. Did you, Major Nick?" "I.. I didn't check sir."

I'm sure Nick would not have checked any documents during his leave. Poor boy.

Uncle turned towards me "See for yourself. Trainers of KMA. So eligible that I can't even begin to appreciate them." he was clearly pissed.

"You two have twenty minutes to compile all the data and complete those documents. Wills, give me the completion report before leaving and Nick you get the range ready till then. Off you two." Nick and Killer ran out.

"You never let them breathe easy." I said while Ren signalled me to stay shut.

"They are best when they work together. It will also show if they have really come at terms with each other or not."

Agreed. Uncle has smart techniques to deal with such scenarios.

"They behave like kids sometimes." I said alcohol working in my brain.

Uncle scoffed at my statement. "They couldn't behave like kids when they really were. Atleast now they can." he said with a little smile on his lips.

"Why is that so?" I asked him.

"How do you end up asking questions that bring the whole story out?" he asked me laughing.

My eyes lit up. I kept my glass on the side and sat prepared for the story. He laughed again at my move, then went serious.

"Nick and Wills were unlucky kids, till they met each other."

Guessed so. I knew there was more to their brotherhood.

************************************

How many of you guessed it right? For those who didn't, the flash back will be published in the next chapter.

Tell me what all you thought and we'll see who reached the closest. 😛

We have come a long way. I realised that after almost 80 chapters, we are talking about their past. Crazy, right?!

Thanks for sticking around in this long and seemingly unending journey. I have no idea whether or not I should, and if yes, then when and how to stop writing this book. (Don't kill me - I'm not stopping soon.)

You guys are amazing!