Sorry it's been a minute. Got a new job and started grad school. Thanks for still being interested in my fanfic story!:) I appreciate your comments!

Chapter 13

The sun was higher in the sky than it usually was when I woke up. I think after everything my body was just fed up with me.

I stretched lazily and dragged myself out of bed and slowly put clothes on. When I finally got dressed my brain had woken up completely. I remembered that we were meeting today early to discuss the next step in the plan. With that realization my heart stopped and I rushed out the door with my backpack. I booked it through Sanctuary and when I approached the map room I heard a familiar charismatic voice that tripped up my feet. I dropped to the ground and tied my shield to my waist and pulled my gun out of its sheath. I snuck up to the edge of the doorway and peaked around the corner only to see crimson raiders and vault hunters. Handsome Jack's voice sounded again and I rounded the corner cautiously, confused as to why he was here and no one seemed concerned. Maya noticed my gun first and raised a cool eyebrow, "I think we need to explain everything to Lily. She's proved herself". Everyone looked in my direction at that and I put my gun in its sheath.

Lilith solemnly nodded and looked at Zero. "Do you want to tell her everything?" She gave him a look that I couldn't interpret, but wondered about all the same.

His helmet flashed NO. Fine. I didn't want to talk to him anyway. I looked around for Vince and when I realized he wasn't here my heart fell a little. I refocused on the situation at hand.

"We'll all tell her." Lilith began. "Do you remember me telling you about a hologram named Angel?" I nodded. "Well, she's still in contact with us."

Maya, Sal, and Axton (as Axton spoke I realized his voice was that of Handsome Jack and I waited for them to explain that piece of information) took turns explaining how they arrived here by train that Handsome Jack had destroyed and when meeting CL4P-TP, Angel began talking to them and gave them instructions to get to Sanctuary. She's been giving them information that would help them defeat Handsome Jack. Just recently she helped them infiltrate Handsome Jack's body double's base. That's how they got his voice and we will now use the voice to get into Jack's base to take him down.

"We're going to make the plans today, prepare tonight, and head out tomorrow." Lilith brushed her hands through her red hair, her tattoos slightly glowing. I wondered why I didn't get any tattoos. Like, was I an anomaly with sirens? Half siren is a strange type of thing to be, but I would worry about that later.

I focused hard on the plan and focusing on everyone but Mordecai. It was weird and I didn't want to process that whole thing just yet. He seemed to focus anywhere but me, too.

Our plan was to get into his base and take out Jack's source of power, whatever it may be. Angel wasn't specific on the details.

We poured over the maps and planned out the best path. Sal, Brick and his gang would head in first to take out as many of Jack's men and avoid the higher level minions so that the next team could run up and get the higher level army. That team will consist of Lilith and Maya. Mordecai, Zer0 and I would pick off the stragglers so they couldn't ambush our teams from behind. Axton and Roland would go very last as Axton had Jack's voice and needed to focus on getting to the door safely and Roland would be there to make sure nothing happened to him.

I glanced at Zero and wondered how he felt about it. I felt like I pulled my weight well on our side mission, but I just never knew. He didn't say anything. Everyone seemed fine with the plan. Eventually when Axton got close to the barred door, he and Roland would wait for the rest of the team to get there before Axton opened the door.

"Right, take today to prep. We leave early tomorrow morning". Lilith and Roland looked at each other and I felt like I was imposing on their privacy. I looked away and noticed Zer0's helmet tilted in my direction. I don't know if he was looking at me or not, but I still felt exposed, per usual. I looked down at the ground and kicked my foot against it.

Everyone slowly trickled out. Maya winked at me and put her hand on my shoulder for encouragement. Her usual carefree demeanor was slightly tense, but I appreciated her strength, regardless. Mordecai walked to the window after a quick glance at me and grabbed a clear bottle with clear liquid, most likely vodka. I made a mental promise that one day he and I would have a conversation. I followed Zer0 out and watched him walk away into the square. A thought overtook my body and I couldn't make it go away.

I'd been too curious for too long and I wanted to know where he went when he wasn't around. I gave him a head start then carefully followed him. He made it to the fast travel station and looked around. I anticipated his paranoia and hid out in the open. I parked myself by the statue and was cleaning my gun, which I've been known to do from time to time. I felt the heat of his gaze and managed to ignore him and focus on my gun.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw the flash of light and he disappeared. I popped up and ran to the station. I had a small window before he disappeared in the area he went. I opened up the power box that only Scooter and I knew the code to and scrolled through the recent travels. The most recent one was the place that Zer0 and I trained at and where Vince and I had our moment. Thinking about the kiss caused my body to heat up.

Did all the vault hunters know about that place?

I had to get the timing right. I had to get there when he wasn't close enough to the station to notice anything, but close enough so I could still see him. There would be a huge margin for error. I did the calculations the best I could then decided it was now or never. I set the destination and went.

The field was empty, but I looked around and saw him disappear around a corner through the surrounding mountains. I headed after him quietly and every stretch of path I waited until he turned another corner before rushing to watch the next turn he took.

The mountains weren't large, but there was a slight incline and eventually he reached the top of the path on the smallest mountain top where I noticed a type of spaceship. It was as large as a house, sleek and completely black. It matched him well. I waited behind a rock wall and waited for anything to happen. There was a campfire outside that looked like it was used regularly.

The ship's door opened again and someone came out. I assumed it was Zer0 out of his uniform and I got super nervous like I shouldn't see who the man behind the mask is. But I couldn't look away and when the scene registered I didn't believe it.

My nerves turned to shock and I felt my heart speed up and then drop to my stomach. Gods. I didn't think this was real. But the more I thought about it, the clues started connecting in my brain. Rapid fire connections caused me to stumble out of my hiding place.