"If I'd have known that talking to Brooklyn would change your mind then I would have suggested you do that as soon as you started to disagree with me."
Indianna scowled at Greyson who smirked at her as she approached him. "Shut up."
Greyson reached out and took Indianna's hand, pulling her towards him. "Thank you," he murmured.
"I'm still annoyed," Indianna grumbled and looked down at her feet, glaring.
"Hey." Greyson took Indianna's chin and tilted her head up. "Please don't be. You're keeping yourself and our children safe. That's the most important thing. Don't scowl at me, sugar."
"You're important."
Greyson smiled and kissed Indianna's forehead affectionately. "God, I love you, woman."
Karl suddenly yelled from across the room. "They're here! Fucking hell, you took your time, lads! It's not like we're waiting for a psychopath to come and kill us or anything!"
"You just can't keep your mouth shut, can you?" Harry groaned, but made his way over to where Kal was now standing, over the hole in the ground that led to the tunnel. Familiar brown hair popped up from the floor and Ace emerged, helping up Tai whose face was blank, blood stained her clothes.
"Wait here," Ace murmured to her and reached down into the hole, helping Gareth - one of Rogue's men they had managed to free - to lift up two unconscious men.
"I better go get everything ready to free them from Rogue's control," Greyson sighed. He looked at Indianna, his face serious. "Go and pack a bag, sugar."
Indianna gritted her teeth, so desperately wanting to say no. "Okay," she whispered.
"Thank you for your help, Gus," Ace was saying. "You better catch up with Oscar, Kirstie and Mac."
"Hopefully I'll be seeing you shortly with more men," Gareth said and disappeared back into the tunnel.
"You're going to have to show yourself sooner or later," Ace said into the tunnel. "Come on, we have work to do."
Raiden emerged from the tunnel next, followed by Brandon. Brooklyn, who was across the room, sat up straight, watching Brandon cautiously. Harry immediately tensed, eyes narrowed. His nose flared and anger clouded his mind.
"Harry!" Indianna called, her voice loud across the now silent room. Surprisingly, Harry turned his head ever so slightly, listening to her. "Go and help Greyson."
"I-"
"Now, Harry!" Indianna ordered, raising her eyebrows challengingly at him.
Harry glowered at her but obeyed and swiftly left the room. Brandon sent Indianna a grateful look. "Brandon, you aren't to leave the side of those two men. If they start to gain consciousness then you tell Ace or Kal immediately. Tai, come with me." Tai was staring at the ground. Ace took her hand and she jumped, looking at him with wide eyes.
"What?" She muttered but Indianna noticed how she tightened her grip on Ace's hand.
"Indie is talking to you."
Tai blinked and looked across at Indianna.
"I assume you'd like to get cleaned up?" Indianna said softly. "Come with me."
"Go," Ace insisted, prying his fingers from Tai's grip. He gently nudged her in Indianna's direction.
Indianna could hear Tai following her as she left the basement. "We can't say too much. Rogue's men are surrounding us. They can hear everything when we're upstairs."
Tai didn't say a word and followed Indianna silently as they made their way upstairs. Indianna led Tai to her bedroom. It no longer felt like her room, she couldn't remember the last time she had slept in here. "The bathroom is just through that door. Clean towels are in the cupboards. Help yourself to any clothes in the wardrobe. I think we're a similar size. Take your time. I'll be in Greyson's room down the hall."
When Tai didn't say anything Indianna took a step back, leaving her alone.
"Wait." Tai's voice was quiet and she turned to Indianna, but her eyes were on her blood-stained hands. "I wish I could take it back. I can't control myself. I'm a monster-"
"Please don't call yourself that," Indianna said.
"It's true. I can't be trusted-"
"Would a monster feel remorse?" Indianna asked, cutting Tai off. "Do you think Rogue feels remorse over his actions?"
"That is different-"
"You are not a monster, Tai," Indianna insisted. "You didn't do what you did on purpose. As you said, you lost control. What happened has happened, it can't be taken back. The only thing we can do now is focus on the present. Tai, will you help us now?"
It was a few moments before Tai acknowledged that Indianna had spoken. She pursed her lips and gave one sharp nod. "I need to wash this blood off of me," she said and turned on her heel and disappeared into Indianna's room.
Indianna made her way to Greyson's room next. The scent of him surrounded her when she entered and she closed her eyes, caressing her bump. She didn't want to go without him. Indianna swallowed the lump in her throat and changed out of the clothes she had been wearing for dinner. Once she was in sweatpants that covered her bump and one of Greyson's t-shirts, she hunted through his wardrobe to find a bag and placed it on his bed, looking around the room as a feeling of anxiety filled her.
She didn't know what to take. How many days would she be gone? Would she be coming back?
Indianna covered her mouth, the thought of not returning made her nauseous.
She sighed and shook her head, forcing herself to not think about that. Instead, she walked over to Greyson's wardrobe and pulled out a fistful of his t-shirts, stuffing them into the bag. She added underwear, leggings and a pair of trainers. She then wandered into the bathroom to collect some basic toiletries. Catching a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror made her sigh, she looked drained. There were dark bags under her eyes, a paleness to her ivory skin and her hair was in a constant state of frizziness.
Once she was packed she grabbed Greyson's jumper that was thrown on his bed and pulled it on, taking a deep breath as his scent captivated her senses. She hoped it wouldn't fade too quickly once she had left. She couldn't remember how long his scent had taken to disappear before. Indianna shook her head, forcing herself to push away the negative thoughts. She had to have faith in Greyson. She had to believe that he could defeat Rogue.