A Gladiator And A Scrapper

Part 17 - Marching On Helios

Athena woke early in the morning. She and Janey had gone upstairs, to where Janey's room was, and slept there, together.

Janey was lying face-down in bed, snoring very loudly, she was covered up to the head by loose bed-sheets.

Athena slid out of bed, clicking on her armour, borrowing a pair of pants from Janey due to the events of the night before.

Once she was fully dressed, she slid Xiphos back into it's shieth, placed her weapons in their holsters. During this she was looking at Janey sleeping with a smile on her face. For a moment Athena felt her heart warm in her chest. She gave a wholesome smile and walked over to Janey, leaning down.

She turned Janey's so she was laying on her back, then gave Janey a kiss on the forehead. She quickly wrote a note, and walked out of the room, placing the note on a bedside table.

Athena strolled back to Moxxi's bar. It was Jack's plan to wait till the next day for Felicity to make the army, then to reconvine at the bar the next morning to go over the finalised plan of attack.

Athena walked into the bar, climbing the stairs, she saw Nisha, Moxxi and Lilith were already there. She walked up behind them, noticing that her footsteps were completely silent on the soft floor.

"Morning." Athena simply said. Nisha and Lilith giggled when she walked up. Moxxi gave a smug, yet pleased, smile.

"Have a good night?" Moxxi asked, with a knowing look in her eye. Athena's cheeks went a slight shade of pink but she rigidly held her posture and death stare. Lilith and Nisha were roaring with laughter now.

"Yes...." Athena said, fearing that if she said anymore she would give something more away. After a few seconds of everyone except Athena laughing.

"How was it?" Moxxi teased playfuly, grinning warmly.

"SO what's the plan." Athena nearly shouted, deflecting the question the instant it was asked.

"Oh go ahead we're all mature women here right?" Lilith said, gesturing around the table, then giving a cheeky grin. Athena sighed.

"Not unwelcome..." Athena whispered. Lilith and Nisha let out another chorus of laughter.

Janey woke possibly a few hours later. Within seconds she noticed that Athena had gone already, after a minute or two of waking up, she saw the note.

She picked it up and read it.

Dear Janey

Thanks for the night

Thanks for caring

Love you...

Athena xoxoxo

Janey smiled as she read aloud. She was filled with warmth and just sat watching the words on the letter for at least 10 minutes.

Janey had gotten up and dressed, in fresh clothes that weren't soaked through with...nevermind.

She went for a walk around Concordia, looking at the morning that was suddenly a place of joy. She was, for once, actualy enjoying the sight of the moon's expanse. Tumbling broken rock, a ruined wasteland beyond the city, the stars shining above and the sheer sight of Pandora.

This happy mood and view lasted about 10 minutes. It was abruptly ended by a thick laser slamming into Elpis, as Helios fired another shot into the moon. Janey suddenly remembered that Jack and his Vault hunters were talking about taking the station in Moxxi's bar.

She hurried toward Moxxi's bar, yet at the same moment she saw Athena, and the rest, heading toward the fast-travel station. She moved to intercept Athena but she heard her blue-haired girlfriend saying something to Jack in a very angry tone of voice.

"I've already told you no, I refuse." Athena nearly shouted, Jack and Athena were hanging back to talk. Jack looked furious.

"Don't cross me assassin, because you're making me angry, and if you don't do what you're told I will make your life hell. So be a good little assassin and do your job." Jack said, malevolently he smiled before moving to join the rest of the group.

Janey heard Athena growl under her breath as she strode forward. Everyone had gathered at the fast travel point. Athena looked around, searching, then saw Janey as she was approaching, and walked up to meet her.

Athena leaned up and pecked her on the cheek as she reached her, then took her hands in hers.

"I have to go to Helios now, please be safe while I'm gone, ok?" Athena said.

"That stands for you too ok, I don't want you getting hurt again like you were." Janey said, from over Athena she could see that everyone was listening to what they said, even Moxxi, who was leaning against a building not too far away. Only there for the purpose of overhearing their talk.

"I will do my best, love you." Athena said, kissing her full on the lips. An soft kiss that lasted for what felt like seconds but was probably a bit longer than 1 or 2...3 or 4...5 or 6...longer than 8.

Athena pulled away, Janey lifted her in a hug and held the gladiator in the air before putting her down.

"Take care. For both our sakes." Janey said.

Athena walked away toward the fast travel. She stepped up as everyone else fast-travelled away, scattering and teleporting, Athena looked over to Janey, whom was waving and smiled.

As Athena was about to go she just heard Janey shout.

"Give em hell honey." Janey had said, Athena put up a thumbs up behind her back as she scattered into code and disappeared.