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C.T had become more affectionate than she thought. "Cuddling" Was not an action she thought she would find herself doing....ever. She didn't think that would ever be her thing, but it was what she had spend the better part of the past few hours doing. It was strange for her, someone who used to hate being touched by another so much too equally yearn for Esther's touch.

She found herself wishing that she could just slow down time, just a bit, she didn't wish for 5 o clock to come as fast as it did, because she knew it would put a damper on her happiness, but 5 o clock arrived, and the apprehension that came with it was enough to put a frown on C.T's face. A shame, seeing as how she had been wearing a light grin for the better part of the day.

"It's time." C.T spoke softly, she didn't need to look at a clock, her internal timer was the only clock she needed and it sent butterflies to her stomach the moment the time ticked to 5. "You know, you probably don't have to be there for this, he knows we have you and we won't need to show you off anymore. You can just wait here for me if you'd like." C.T suggested, almost a plea.

The truth was C.T didn't want Esther there.
She knew what Jacob could do to her with a few words, and while at first she didn't care what the girl had thought of her, it was a different story. Esther's opinion meant everything. She didn't want Esther to see her angry, even if Esther said that she wouldn't view C.T any differently, it would still destroy her on the inside, to lose herself in front of Esther.

"I don't want you to do this alone,"

It seemed that her heart was against her, because that soft confession melted her, all of her resistance to this plan gone out the window in the blink of an eye. The heart was overrated.

C.T closed her eyes and tried to weather the storm, trued to stand strong but she just couldn't because deep down she knew she was just being stubborn beyond reason, and she knew that despite her fears, she wanted Esther with her.

"You're right" C.T admitted shamefully, she had been a fool to try and do this alone, even if her twisted intentions had felt right too her, they were still out of place, she shouldn't have tried to push Esther away.

"We need to do this together." C.T confirmed with a nod, she stood and for the second time that day, she moved towards the door holding it open for Esther, but this time she held her hand out towards the girl, offering to hold the girls hand as they walked.

However, that hand was quickly lowered, as she realized that their secret would be revealed if they openly displayed their affection. She was disappointed yes, but it was for the best...probably. She knew how her people would react, they would be ruthless in their teasing, and she didn't want Esther to have to go through that.

"I won't let him get to me." C.T promised she hoped Esther could feel the sincerity behind her words, she wasn't going to fall apart in front of her, not again. She wouldn't give Jacob the power to control her.

C.T stepped forward towards the crowd, and instantly room was made for her and Esther as they moved through, Mag was standing next to the phone as if she knew she would need to be there for moral support. The woman gave C.T a smile, her gaze briefly touching Esther before returning to C.T, giving her a wink which was received by C.T with an eye roll.

Not one to waste time, C.T picked up the phone, and dialed the number that she had etched into her brain for two days, and after a few rings, the call went voice mail. C.T hung up, not bothering with leaving a message and waited 20 seconds. Before picking up the phone again, and dialing the number, once again she was met with a few rings and then voicemail.

There was a slight murmur in the crowd now, a few feeling slight irritated that Jacob had the audacity to play around. But their ranting was quieted once the phone before them rang, and without hesitation C.T answered.

"Jacob" C.T said coldly, she turned her head to look pass Mag towards one of the desk that were on the main floor, sitting there was Jonas, one of the specialist they had on bored who was skilled in computers, she gave him a nod and he began typing rapidly. The number was being changed. Good.

"Connie." Came Jacob's equally as cold voice. She could tell that he felt insulted, not just by his daughters "kidnapping". But by the fact that she, a person that he felt was far inferior to him had the gall to stand against him. She smirked.

"Do you have what I want?" C.T asked not wasting time and the sigh that she heard on the other line let her know that he was trying to stall, but whether that meant he didn't have the list or not wasn't clear. "Do you have what I want?" C.T repeated per batum

"Yes but..."

"But what?"

"I want to speak with my daughter again"

C.T paused at that, her heart starting to pick up pace, slowly she turned her head to look towards Esther, before she closed her eyes and shook her head, speaking with a strong air of finality. "No."

"How do I know she's alive?" Jacob pressed, he had heard the pause and now must feel that he had an advantage he could grip too.

"Because despite what you have brainwashed the public into thinking, my people and I are not monsters." C.T still managed too keep her voice even.

"I know you better than that Connie, you're ruthless."

C.T looked to Esther once again, holding the girls eyes before speaking. "You think you know me, but what you knew was a puppet, now I want my list or she," C.T heart broke. "Dies" She didn't know how she managed to get through that sentence without her voice breaking but she did, and she had managed so sound so serious that for a moment she convinced herself.

C.T looked away from Esther, looking at her after saying what she had just said, made her feel sick.

"When and where." Oh how she got a sick sense of satisfaction at the anger in his voice.

"Elton park, two days from now, 5 o clock." C.T spoke and then the line went dead, she dropped the phone back on the receiver and let out a deep breath, and closing her eyes. A few people recognized this pose and decided to move on, amongst those that stayed was Mag, which C.T knew because the shorter woman rested a firm hand on her shoulder.

Connie didn't open her eyes to look, but she hoped Esther was still there, it was foolish to think that the girl would move away without her, but then again C.T had just threatened to kill her. Even if it was a bluff.

"Jacob Bradley is a coward, if we meet him in public, even if he tries to place the meeting under the eye of a sniper, he would be too afraid to let them take the shot due to him possibly being caught in the line of fire." C.T said firmly,

Mag stepped in and instantly elaborated on C.T words, she could tell that her leader was tense, she probably wouldn't do to well under more questions. "Elton park is a good location, heavily forested, and it will be really easy for us to get there early and spread our people out, scout the area and make sure it is safe." Mag said with a smile.

"That and by 5'o clock, in this season the sun at a high point, it's glare will make visibly difficult through the trees, but not only that, it will help give a visual on any unwanted guest." C.T finished for Mag giving the woman a nod, that prompted her to walk away, she had cafeteria duties, and with her exit, others started to clear out too, most having skipped meals in their apprehension. Alone with Esther once again, C.T finally turned to look at the girl.

"Esther....You know I would never hurt you....right?"

"I know,"

That confirmation made C.T feel a little better, because as much as she hated to admit it, Jacob was right. C.T was ruthless two days ago, had C.T been faced with having to kill Esther to reach her goal, she would have done it without a second thought, she would have tortured the girl and when she had gotten all the information she wanted, she would have dumped her batter body somewhere public, and then.....C.T would have went for Jacob's wife.

Sick. She was feeling sick just thinking about it, vivid images in her imagination being fed by things that she had actually done, people she had mutilated, their faces replaced by Esther's, she wanted to vomit.

"No."

C.T spoke suddenly, shaking her head "No matter what it comes too, If I do then...every thing he said will be...." What validated? It's not like he told any lies, sure she hadn't committed any heinous crimes against humanity in years, but that didn't erase what she had done no matter how much she wished she could forget it, in reality she was just a murderer that was taking a small leave.

C.T let out a slow sigh, she had really tried, to take Esther's advice, and not let Jacob get to her, but even though she felt she had held her own during the phone call, the aftermath was still eating at her

But Esther's presence was helping the girls smile, her touch, the light kiss she laid on her hand. C.T needed to cling to that warmth, less she wanted to lose her head. Reaching out for her hand C.T grasped within hers giving a light squeeze, right now she didn't care who saw her, she needed this. "I don't know what we do while we wait, I feel that somewhere along the line I had a plan, but I've lost it now." C.T said honestly, she didn't mind letting Esther know how lost she was.

"A party? That's surprise everyone"

C.T couldn't imagine it, very well with her limited experience with fun. But she knew that many of her own would jump at the chance to cut back and just let go for one night, she knew that behind her back the beginnings of something along the lines was brewing. It would explain a lot, unanswered question as to why on certain excursions into the city for supplies, many of her men decided to bring back large amounts of booze along with their load. Of course while she looked strict, C.T was very lenient as a leader, so she let them think that they were getting one over on her, she knew it was probably Mag that had put them up to it.

"I have a feeling that the others plan on throwing one pretty soon, with or without my consent." C.T admitted

"And as for the list, the plan it has been set in motion for months, you just happened to provide the perfect catalyst, we already have dirt on all of the names that should be on the list. We'll just use it to systematically destroy each of their public image. Afterwards, we move on to your father." It disgusted C.T to no end, to associate a monster like Jacob Bradley with someone as sweet as Esther, but she had to test the girl. She didn't know if Esther was 100% committed to destroying her own blood, but the way that the girl spoke, putting herself in line with C.T in her people was very reassuring.

"And afterwards we can go where ever we want." C.T spoke reminding Esther of their promise, their trip to C.T hometown and then the open road after that, it was something to strive for though even if they decided not to travel to far, C.T would be happy to just spend her time with Esther. "You are the greatest thing, that has ever happened to me." C.T whispered, before using her hold on Esther hands to pull the girl closer, slowly sliding her hands up the girls body to grip her face gently and lean in for a kiss that she felt delivered every emotion she wanted to convey. She would have held her lip lock with Esther forever had a loud clearing of ones throat hadn't interrupted her.

C.T sighed pulling away and rolling her eyes, instantly knowing who it was. Only one person would have the balls to announce their presence, to C.T while she was having a very obviously private moment.

Mag.

"What do you want Mag." C.T asked with a sigh, she decided to hold on to the state of exasperation to try and hide the fact that she was embarrassed that she had gotten caught.

"Don't mind me, not trying to interrupt this little romance you got running here, but I couldn't help but overhear-"

"You were eavesdropping"

"The word party tossed around, Esther darling." Mag spoke clearly looking for support where she could get it. "Don't you think we deserve a party? I mean after dealing with a no nonsense leader like C.T for so long shouldn't we be able to have some fun?"

C.T knew that Mag would play to Esther, she would try and get Esther on her side because she knew that C.T wouldn't be able to argue against Esther as easily as she would Mag. Mag would get shot down without a second thought, Esther wouldn't and C.T hated Mag for being clever enough to realize that.

"A distraction." C.T echoed, Esther words, she could use a distraction, she knew that the others were worried about her, especially Esther, she could tell by the way the girl stayed close but tried to give her space, or by the way Esther tried to be her beacon when she spoke with Jacob. C.T was a ticking bomb, and she needed to be treated as such most times. Maybe this party would help her more than she thought.

"Ok, fine. We can have this party. But don't do anything too stupid Mag. We have important business in two days remember that." C.T warned and Mag nodded raising her hands in surrender. "Understand ya boss, trust me I'll have the kids in bed by 9." C.T once again rolled her eyes at her long time friend, before turning to Esther. "And I'll hold you to that promise." C.T said with a sly grin which did not falter when Mag started making retching sounds beside her. "Get a room"

"Shut up Mag."

At Esther nudge to her ribs C.T gave the girl her full attention, and could tell by the look on her face as well as the question she asked, that Esther was joking around, but still C.T gave her an answer. One that was fitting for the question. "Hah, good joke, no I'm not going to dress up." C.T answered, she was wearing black jeans and t shirt under her leather jacket.

"I'm assuming you have clothes for the occasion." C.T asked, a bit sarcastically. When Esther had been brought in, her bags had been delivered with her, while her destroyed car had been left behind. "Mag knows not to expect anything of me, but you are not as fortunate, she will probably nag you if you come in anything less than formal" C.T said honestly