GenRex - Compromise

"I'm so sick of you interrupting every fun thing I try to do!" Rex shouted, kicking the door open and storming off down the hall. Left alone in the office behind him, Agent Six groaned softly and ran a hand through his hair. What was he supposed to do now? He'd been trying to dissuade Rex from sneaking off yet AGAIN, but got the feeling it hadn't worked.

At a loss of what to do, he went to go see Doctor Holiday. She always spoke about trying to sympathise with Rex, maybe she could help?

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Holiday was pleased when Six came to see her. She had long harboured feelings for him, but he never seemed to react. But she noticed today he seemed more troubled then normal.

"What's wrong?" she handed him a cup of coffee as he sat down on one of the lab stools.

"Its Rex, he's becoming more stroppy with every passing day it seems.." he related the whole tale to her. Adding that by now Rex had no doubt left base.

"He's obviously planned something, and doesn't want to cancel, but if he'd told you, would you have let him?"

Six paused, realising "I guess, more then likely..."

"No.." Holiday finished. Six sighed, reluctantly agreeing. She reached out and patted his shoulder gently. He glanced up at her, so she offered a smile.

"Try not to worry too much, he IS a teenager. We all had our moments growing up..."

Six raised an eyebrow as she sat back, "If I'd acted like that to One, he'd have skinned me alive!"

She winced "well OK, most average teenagers act like this." she giggled "I remember rebelling by dyeing my hair bright red , my mother went mental, especially since Beverly tried to copy me!" she smiled faintly at the thought of her sister..

When she looked up she thought she seen a sad, sympathetic expression on Six's face. He knew about her sister, shed told him some time before...then his expression settled back to normal.

"Just let him have a bit of breathing space...he'll feel less like rebelling if he knows he's got a bit of leeway..."

"So...don't chew him out for leaving today..?" Six suggested.

"Its a start!" she beamed, and thought she seen him smile. She hoped she wasn't blushing.

His phone rang and he got up with a sigh "thanks doctor, i really appreciate it," this time he did make an effort to smile. He seen her blush, and felt his own face redden. She was beautiful, even more so when she smiled. Did she think..?

HE quickly scooted outside, banishing any thoughts that Holiday LIKED him..

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The phone call turned out to be White Knight.

"I just got security telling me Rex tore out of here, exactly why aren't you after him?!"

Six recalled what Holiday had said, and an idea hit him, "Because I let him go sir, sorry, I was attending to another matter and forgot to notify them."

He could hear Knight muttering an obscenity under his breath "fine, but next time don't forget!"

"Yes, sir." Six said shortly, and pulled a face as the line cut. Sometimes he hated talking to Knight...

So it looked like he had some time to himself until Rex came back...

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Or not. at 4:15 the phone rang, detailing an evo attack on a private residence in town. At a loss for anything else to do, Six took the mission, opting to pilfer one of Providences cars, a sleek black sports model.

Parking a short distance from the house itself he stared up a massive long driveway to the house. Judging by the racket, a part had been on before the EVO had decided to crash it. Running past the badly mangled gates he locked onto the sound, just round the side of the house. A massive bay window had been smashed in by the EVOs entry, oddly, it seemed to have specifically headed to this place...

But judging by the screams, he didn't have time to puzzle it out. Unsnapping the twin katanas he leapt through the broken window...

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Earlier:

"Whoa...this place is awesome.." Rex gaped at the house and grinned.

"Told ya," Noah clapped him on the back "and since Rick's folks are away for the day, he's having  a party, and he said I could bring a few mates along if I felt like it.."

"You rock!" Rex grinned again as they sauntered on in, and Rex met Noah's friend, the party's host.

Loud music, cute girls, and more fizzy drink then Rex had ever seen in his life. heaven. All was going perfectly, he and Noah had even managed to chat up a few girls. Then there was a roar and the window shattered. A massive evo, looking like a giant rat crossed with a dog, landed amidst the smashed glass, drooling and snarling.

Someone immediately called the cops, who redirected the call to Providence...

In the meantime the kids scattered, or tried to. But poor rick ended up right in the things path. It was staring right at him, snarling..

Just as he was about to think his life was over, someone appeared between him and the evo. There was a flash of steel, and the EVO was flung back several feet, hitting the couch and upturning it.

There was silence, the screams stopped. Opening his eyes Rick took in his timely rescuer. A tall guy, wearing a dark green suit. He was holding two sharp, deadly looking swords, and when he turned to look at him, Rick noticed he wore dark glasses. he looked like some sort of secret agent..

"Get outta here kid, get everybody out!" he commanded.

"Whuh...who the heck are YOU?" Rick managed at last. the man gave him a contemptuous look, as if this wasn't the time or place to ask.

"I'm Agent Six, Providence, now move it!"

As his gaze took in the rest of the rooms occupants, they settled on one person, and he struggled not to show any reaction.

Rex. The teen winced, hiding behind Noah, who looked guilty as heck. Six stared at them both, about to issue an order that Rex quit hiding and do his job, then he recalled Holiday's conversation again, and instead, turned back to the EVO, who was struggling to get back on its feet.

"Move!" he snapped again, and as one, the kids all scattered.

The EVO growled at this, and attempted to leap past Six to get at the kids, but another swift kick to its midsection knocked it back again..

Hearing a door slam Six realised the kids were all gone, now he had room to fight..

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Out in the hall with everyone else, Rex and Noah didn't know what to say. Standing aside from the others they had a quick recap:

"What was that about?" Noah asked.

"Heck if I know?!" Rex responded "he looked right at me, he knew I was there!"

"But he didn't tell you to help...weird, especially by Six's behaviour!"

They were interrupted by a screech from the EVO, followed by the sound of something breaking, and a curse of pain. Rex made to move towards the door, but Noah stopped him..

At last, silence, and the sound of something tearing. Curious Rick pushed open the door, the rest of the kids piling in around him. The EVO was out cold, and the agent was kneeling beside it. His right shoulder was bloodied, the suit torn. Blood was soaking into his sleeve. But he was tearing up the curtains to tie the EVO up.

Sensing them gawping he glanced over, before tying the final knot. "It's just a precaution, I've radioed for a containment van. I suggest you tell your parents to contact Providence regarding the insurance," he tossed a business card to the kid, with a number for Providences special "evo made a mess of things" team.

"Uh...thanks man," the freaked out host managed at last. He was staring at the still spreading bloodstain "you uh, want some bandages or something?"

"That would help," Six winced as he stood up, the injury had come from his impacting a wooden side table after the evo had swiped at him. For a squat looking thing, it had a lot of muscle. Running his hands over it he realised he could feel a few splinters embedded in the claw marks and cursed.

He followed the kid into the kitchen where the teen found a large medical kit and handed it to him. He seemed nervous, no doubt worried about..

"Have you called your parents?" Six asked.

"No.." the kid shook his head "they're going to KILL me.."

Six sighed, it wasn't this kids fault. Maybe he could leave his private phone number, tell the kid to let his parents call HIM instead. It seemed he was in a weird mood today after Holidays talk..

He'd just finished tying the bandages (with a bit of help), when he heard a high pitched shriek of horror from the hallway outside.

"OH MY GOD! WHAT HAPPENED TO MY HOUSE?!"

"Oh no...moms home. She was meant to be out all day, dads away.." Rick groaned, looking unhappy. Sighing, Six hopped off the chair.

"I'll handle it kid, calm down," he said.

He strode out into the hall, towards the angry woman. She was looking at the crowd of kid's seeking her son no doubt.

"Ma'am?" she whipped round at Six stone, and stared at him like he was a loony.

"Who the heck are you and why are you in my house?!" she screeched, stepping up to him. Then she noticed the bandaging on his shoulder, staining rapidly.

"What in blazes?"

"I'm Agent Six, Providence," Six said calmly.

She stared at him "Providence, why on earth-" she caught sight of her son hovering behind Six "what'd you do?"

"He didn't do anything ma'am," Six's gentle tones distracted the woman again "I was tracking an EVO attack, and it led right here. Its tie dup in your living room right now." he offered a calm, semi-emotionless smile "I've given your son the details he needs to fix any insurance matters, I'm sorry for any damage."

That floored her, she stared at him, taking in what he was saying. When he smiled ever-so-slightly she couldn't help flushing a little, he was CUTE.

"Well, I'm sorry you had to come all the way out here, but thank you for  stopping the thing," she shuddered, and looked at her son "is anyone hurt?" she looked at Six "aside from yourself?"

"Nope," Rick shook his head "he stopped it before it could bite me, then we all cleared out."

"That's good, I'm glad..." she sighed "I suppose its no real deal, we're insured up to the hilt with this house..." having decided she wasn't too mad in the face of it all, she managed to smile at Six "thank you."

Six just nodded "Its my job, ma'am." then he heard sirens wailing, and seconds later, standing at the front door, he greeted the containment van. He helped them load then EVO on, then hopped into the front seat. The other Providence lackey had been instructed to drive the car Six had purloined to get there in the first place, as Six didn't think he'd be able to steer with his injury. He didn't look back at the group of kids gawping at his departure, but he could sense Rex's stare boring into his back, he had questions. No doubt he'd be hearing it later..

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As the van jolted along the road leading back to Providence, he felt every jolt and bump keenly through his injured shoulder. He winced, feeling a bit sick, and sleepy..

He shook his head, the vehicle's view screen seemed to swim in and out of focus. He didn't feel too well..

The soldier at the wheel shot a glance at him. The agent was normally silent as the grave, he was famous for rarely speaking unless he had to. But he didn't look too good, so he decided to risk Six's annoyance and ask;

"You feeling OK sir?"

Six shook his head, sitting forward so he could prop himself up on the dashboard.

"Nope," he uttered at last. His shoulder throbbed again and he bit back the urge to be sick..

"Want me to pull over?"

"No...just drive...I have to get to Providence.." Six croaked, closing his eyes, but the vehicles suspension couldn't smother every bump in the road and he found himself cursing every few minutes.

Then, at last, he felt the sunlight blazing through the window cut off, and the balmy shade of the vehicles bay settled in. A crack team surrounded the rear of the van and started unloading the angry EVO, one of the sedating it to avoid injury.

"EVO is secured," one reported to knight "transporting it now-" just then they heard a soft thump, and a voice exclaiming in concern.

Its transpired Six hadn't had the strength to get to the docs, barely had he hopped out of the vehicle then dizziness and nausea had finally won and he crumpled to the cold concrete floor. The soldier with him had managed to grab hold of him before  he hit the floor and gave himself a head injury to boot..

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It seemed the EVOs claws had had a mild poison on them, hence the nausea and dizziness. Mercifully, Holiday knew how to make an easy anti-dote.

She was there when Six finally came round.

"Well, you've had Providence in a panic," she chuckled.

"Wha?" he asked sluggishly.

"You collapsed in the parking bay, Some wigged out soldier brought you here, said you'd been feeling sick the whole way back, also that you ordered him to keep going, even though a hospital would've been smarter.."

"..Crap," was all Six managed, he couldn't believe he'd fainted like that. EVO poison or other wise. When he opened his eyes he seen Holiday looked very worried.

"Six, I don't think you realise just how much punishment the body can take before it reaches breaking point. It may not have seemed like much, but this isn't the first EVO I've been brought with poison or anti-coagulant in its claws and teeth. It could've been much worse, if it'd been any stronger you would've been comatose!"

Six felt a surge of guilt, he hated seeing that worry on her face. And over him, why?

"You might not like it, But I worry about you AND Rex, not just Rex.."

He blinked at her, seeing she was now staring at the floor, her face a little flushed. Again..

Sitting himself up (or trying anyway), produced a wave of nausea again, and he hiccupped. Holiday gave him a hand sitting up, her hands were warm through the fabric of his shirt, so he finally spoke..

"I'm sorry doctor," he murmured, he felt her pause, one hand still resting lightly on his arm. Then the back of her hand brushed his forehead.

"No fever," she joked, "so what brought that on?" but glancing up he seen the warmth in her jokey smile.

"Sixwheredyougo?!" he heard Rex's voice, babbling loudly in the hall, then the teenage evo came barrelling through the door. HE spotted Six bandaged up, propped up in bed with Holiday sat by the bedside.

"...problem, Rex?" Six asked, knowing what was coming.

"What was the deal with you? You've never just ignored me like that, let alone done a job like that solo! Why didn't you get me to cure it?!"

Holiday blinked, looking from Rex to Six "what's going on with you guys?" she said at last.

"Its my fault doctor," Six said quietly "I figured it wasn't an ideal situation for Rex's ties to Providence to be let loose. I saw no need to....drag him into it."

Rex just stared at him "did he hit his head this morning doc?" he asked.

Holiday blinked "nooo....but I think he needs rest right now Rex, OK?" she smiled at him.

"At least explain why the sudden change in mood, one point your yelling at me for wanting to go to the party, now suddenly its under the rug?"

"Rex," Six instinctively tried to sit forward, forgetting his injury "You're always saying you want a break, that you want to be a normal kid. So there, you had one, I-" he moved too much and the injury twanged again, he went visibly white and was forced to slump back against the soft pillows piled up behind him.

"Six?!" Rex looked worried now "is it that bad?" he asked Holiday.

"That things claws were laced with poison, nothing too severe, but its taken a lot out of him, so lets give him some time to rest, OK?"

Rex looked a bit embarrassed "yeah, I know. Sorry," he was still puzzling over Six's giving him the chance to just be a normal part of the crowd...what'd brought this on?

"You've got the rest of today off Rex," Six coughed at last "so make use of it.."

Rex blinked, then nodded "cool, ima call Noah.." he started towards the door, then made a kind of shrug "today was cool, ya know?" then he was gone.

Holiday giggled "I think that's as close to a thank you as a teenager can get!" her expression turned serious again "seriously though, what WAS going on?"

Six explained the whole party incident, adding he'd thought it'd be easier for Rex, after the fight he'd had with him that morning, not to have to show his EVO powers to all those kids.

"It was just pure chance I was sent to THAT call, I didn't know exactly where he was going...so I figured against dragging him into it."

She smiled at him, it was the first big effort she'd seen him make in awhile, no wonder Rex was lost for what to say. Noticing he was dozing off, she patted his arm gently, telling him to sleep, he needed it.

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Rex didn't mention the incident after that, but he found himself feeling a bit confused. His first instinct had been to prepare to give Six a hand, but when Six had looked right through him, acting as if he hadn't noticed him, he'd been confused. Then Six had gotten mauled by that thing. What was his handler playing at?!

Six himself seemed preoccupied. Going over the incident in his mind, he recalled the EVO had tried to attack that kid, Rick, wasn't it? It'd tried to attack him repeatedly, which meant it'd honed in on him somehow. He thought he'd noticed an overly clinical, yet slightly perfumed smell lingering in the air.

Mulling it over he found the kids surname and looked  it up. Seemed his mother was CEO of a massive perfume company, specialising in men's and women's high class fragrances. Had the EVO been attracted to the perfume?

It seemed odd, it only made sense if the stuff was made with an ingredient strong enough to produce a scent that alluring to EVOs. Slightly curious he took a trip out there to enquire. If such a thing did exist, it could be trouble...

Offhand, he let Rex go off base, the teen had rambled something about a school festival, he was going to help Noah set it up for that afternoon.

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Luci Werner was surprised to see the Providence agent show up on her doorstep. Last time she'd seen him, he'd been discussing the EVO attack with her, splattered in blood. Now, all neatly dressed, he'd come back to ask about, of all things, her company?

Baffled, she invited him in. Her husband raised an eyebrow at the mention of Providence, but thanked Six for his help.

Six explained his theory behind the VEOS specific attack, and asked did they have any prototype perfumes that the kid could've gotten his hands on?

"I don't think so...wait," she frowned "I did leave the basement lab unlocked for an hour or so that morning, before I left for the conference, he must've snuck in to borrow something, no doubt to impress the girls.."

Six chuckled faintly "I found out the kid I'm working with made off with a spare suit of mine to go to the prom, trust me, I know."

The father chuckled "they're funny at that age, you don't know what to do with 'em.."

"Tell me about it, I STILL don't have a clue.." Six ruminated, making the mother laugh at the two men.

The trio ventured down to the lab, where a horrified Luci realised her son had pilfered a recent sample bottle.

"That one wasn't fully refined, its still in its concentrated form...if this is the stuff he borrowed the last day, it explains the EVO, something in it must be attracting them. I'll have it checked right away, there's a sample at HQ.."

"He took the whole bottle? What for..?" Six asked. Then something hit him, and he smacked his forehead with his hand "oh no.."

Seeing Luci and her husband giving him funny looks he explained "there's a school festival today isn't there? At your sons school?"

"Yes, how'd you know?" Luci asked. Six sighed.

"The kid I work with at Providence, he the same age as your son. He mentioned something about a festival  before he left base this morning, and I'm willing to be its at the same school, his best friend knows your son it seems.."

"So then...was this kid of yours at the party?" Luci asked.

"Yes, although I wasn't aware of it, he didn't say where it was when he left, so it was a surprise to see him there.."

"I didn't see any of the kids reacting to you being there, beyond surprise.."

Six shrugged "The kids got it hard enough working for Providence without having to work on a day off as well.."

As he followed her back up to the main house, Luci chuckled "sounds like he's got a pretty good deal, you seem to get on well with the kids, my son was impressed at being saved by a Providence ninja.."

Six recalled the kid gawping at the swords and laughed softly "trust me ma'am, I wasn't kidding when I said I don't have a clue about teenagers, I've known Rex five ears and he still hates doing what I tell him!"

"Teenagers!" the father piped up, and silently they all agreed.

Six promised them he'd retrieve the sample if possible, although it may end up being destroyed if it was literally luring the EVOS to their son.

"I hope he'll be OK..." Luci fretted as the agent left "I hope that guy'll reach him in time.."

"I get the feeling he's in the safest hands with him, still, I didn't know Providence agents had to go by code names.."

If only he'd known about the REAL origin of Six's name.

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Six slammed on the gas, tearing off towards the school. if that perfume WAS that dangerous, the whole school was in trouble! It seemed mad, but Holiday had spoken about how sensitive EVOS were to sounds and smells in some cases...

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The kid meanwhile, was in the process of showing said aftershave/perfume thingy, to his friends. They were in a second floor classroom, all the desks pushed back to form an area they could sit in and finishing drawing advertisement posters for the games and stalls.

"Its supposed to be the ultimate way to get a girl, according to moms ads anyway, she was talking about it being a bestseller in the making!"

"And she let you take it?" Noah asked, leaning past Rex to nab a pen.

"Doubt it," Rex added.

Rick sniggered "nope, she's going to go mental, but it'll be worth it...I'm hoping I can finally get Marina to go have a burger with me.."

"Good luck," Rex chuckled "girls are so finicky..."

Rick uncorked the bottle, and they all tried a bit on. It did smell a tad strong, but they figured it'd wear off.

The windows were wide open, and the unique scent of the unrefined perfume drifted out the window. In the wooded area behind the school something stirred...

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The secretary gave Six a funny look as he came tearing in.

"Can I help you sir?"

"I need to find Rick Werner, and fast!" Six told her.

She tapped on her keyboard "oh here, says his attendance card was used to swipe into room 2-C, i believe the kids are all preparing for the festival, is it important?"

Six flashed her the Providence ID "very."

So she let him race off into the school  picking up the phone to let the head teacher know there was a Providence agent loose in the school.

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They'd been happily goofing about with the art supplies, having a felt pen war, when they heard a growl, and in a sense of deja-vu, the window imploded. The only thing missing was Rex, he'd nipped off some minutes before to go to the bathroom, claiming his bladder thought it was a ping pong ball.

The rest were there though, Rick, Noah and two others. At the sound of the window smashing they scrambled back one and all.

"Again?" Noah yelped "dude, why do EVOs like you so much?!"

This one resembled a very ugly dog, only several times the size of a big dog, and even weirder, it stood up on its hind legs, claws snapping out as it eyed them.

It took one step toward them, but something flashed out of mid-air and glanced off its snout. It howled in rage, stumbling back.

Noah looked at the doorway, somehow unsurprised to see agent Six there. He gestured them to get behind him..

"It keeps staring at me!" Rick panicked, looking at Six for help.

"Kid," Six kept on eye on the EVO, whilst trying to talk to him "The perfume bottle, or whatever it was, you got it?"

"Huh?" Rick stared, then held up the glass bottle "yeah, why...wait.."

Six nodded "its following the scent, same as the last one. That stuffs a faulty batch, one of the ingredients produces a chain reaction, creating a complex pheromone undertone, its attracting the EVOS! Give me the bottle.."

"What're you going to do?" Noah asked at last.

"Get it outta here...which way to the roof...?"

"Uh, down the hall, two flight sup, on the left.."

"Good-" the evo leapt, jaws open, aiming for the petrified Rick. Six shot between the boy and the EVO, and felt its jaws clamp around his arm. With a snarl of anger he flung it free, and dealt the EVO a powerful kick to its mid-section, knocking it into the wall again.

A plan had formed in his mind, but he needed help.

"Kid, pull the fire alarm, get everyone outta the hallways, I need a clear run..."

Rick nodded, and he, Noah and the other kids vacated the room, and seconds later the harsh shrill wail of a fire alarm assaulted Six's ears. He whistled, getting the EVOs attention, then darted outside into the hall.

"You want a trail to follow?" Six muttered, staring at the EVO.

From the safety of another classroom, Rick and his friends watched as Six raised the bottle in one hand, making sure the EVO could see it, then tightened his grip. The bottle's thin glass shattered, the perfumed liquid mixing with the cuts on his hand, soaking into his sleeve.

"What's he doing?!" Noah squeaked.

"Were all wearing this stuff, it wont know who to go for!" one kid piped up "but now itll fixate on him, because he's got most of the bottle on him.."

Glaring at the EVO Six took off, pelting down the hall. Behind him he was aware of the evo tearing blindly after him, so eager to hunt him down..

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Six had just vanished out of sight when Rex came back. Seeing the carnage in the wrecked classroom he soon found Noah and the others, the alarm still bleating away.

"What's going on?" he asked his best friend.

"EVO, its followed the perfume, that's why it attacked us the last time.."

"Seriously?!" Rex asked.

"Yeah, that's what the guy in the suit said anyway.." Rick looked bug eyed, startled.

"Suit-wait, he was here again?!" Rex shot a look at Noah, who just shrugged.

"Where'd he go?" Rex asked.

Rick soon explained the agents plan, how he'd doused his hands and suit in that perfume, forcing the raging EVO to tail him to the roof..

"Crap!" Rex felt torn, he couldn't let Six do this twice, last time he'd been seriously hurt..

He took off running, Noah and Rick following after him. They got to the roof to see an awful sight,,,

Six was clutching one of his swords in both hands, but his right arm was soaked in crimson, the blood dripping to the floor. A large rent in the back of his jacket eerily close to the site of the original wound was also leaking red..

The agent looked exhausted, and the EVO didn't look too good either. Its eyes glimmered as Six swayed on his feet slightly, and it began to run right towards him..

This was more then Rex could stand, he pushed forward, running towards his handler. NO way was Six doing THIS job solo!

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His head pounded and he felt sick. He could feel the amount of blood he'd lost starting to kick in, he couldn't keep a steady grip on the sword, his hands slick with blood, mostly his own. Dimly he heard the EVO roar, and looked up in time to se it charging towards him, shit..

Then a massive metal fist suddenly swung into view, punching the EVO hard enough in the side of the head that it blacked out instantaneously, flying across the roof stopping just close to the edge.

"Six!" he heard Rex's voice a second later, and dimly thought -why is he doing that?-- then his legs gave way and he slumped to the blood splattered concrete of the roof. Opening his eyes he seen Rex kneeling beside him, using his favourite jacket to try and stem the blood flowing from the bite wound.

"Whuh...Rex...I thought I told you-" Six began, but Rex sighed.

"It isn't worth if you're going to get slaughtered pal, Holiday would do her nut if I just stood back. Besides, I'm an EVO curer, why try to ignore it." He smiled faintly "it was fun for a while, but I'm not letting EVOs rip ya to shreds just so I can goof off. Still, thanks anyway.."

"In future Rex," Six murmured, feeling a bit dizzy  "just tell me in advance if you're planning something. I might not always say yes, but it'll happen a lot more frequently then you doing your roadrunner act and vanishing…"

"Point taken," Rex said at last

"What's...going on?" he heard Rick ask.

Rex looked at Noah, who stepped in.

"They work together, at Providence, he's Rex's handler. Rex is an EVO, as you can see, he also cures 'em"

"Seriously…that's actually pretty amazing.." he looked at the battered agent Rex was helping "so, he knew him before then? So....why didn't he say something at the party?"

Noah shrugged, recalling what Rex had told him "Six figured he'd give him a break, he doesn't get many "off" days to relax, working at Providence. It was dumb luck Six showed up at that house, he was just tracking the EVO, he'd let rex escape the base a few hours before..."

"Whoa," Rick was silent "that's gotta be tough."

"Yeah, he and Six fight a lot, but even if he won't admit it, Rex wont let him get hurt just for his sake.."

They watched Rex, who finished tying the jacket around Six's injured arm. Undoing his tie, Six got Rex to tie it around the crudely bandaged arm, like a sling. At last he finally, somewhat unsteadily, got to his feet.

"The EVO..." he remembered.

"I'm on it!" Rex said nonchalantly, strolling over he placed a hand on the EVO. It soon shrank back into its original form, a large Doberman dog. Curing animals was a recent thing for Rex, but he was relieved he'd learnt it.

"Ta-da!" he said, for Rick's benefit. The dog got up, and padded over to Six, whining almost apologetically and licking his hand, as if trying to say sorry for mauling him. Six just smiled faintly, scratching behind its ears, which made it wag its tail very happily...

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An ambulance from Providence soon arrived, and it stayed on site to deal with any other injuries besides Six's. An animal handler picked up the dog, chances were it'd been someone's pet...

The agent all but forced Rex to go back to the festival planning, insisting he'd be fine. There was still time to clear up the mess and start the festival.

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Rex and the little group that'd been in the classroom wound up hanging about, mostly discussing Rex's EVO powers, and Six's swords.

"OK, I gotta ask," Rick said "whys he called that anyway?"

"What, "Six"?" Rex asked, barely restraining a grin.

"Yeah.."

Still grinning Rex spoke "He's the Sixth deadliest guy on the planet's why, cool right?"

Excepting Noah, all jaws dropped.

"SERIOUSLY?!" another kid said at last.

"VERY seriously," Rex nodded "he hasn't said much, but I think he was raised by a group of world-class assassins.."

"Dude that's unreal." Rick said.

"Trust me, I couldn't make it up if I tried." a familiar voice spoke from behind them. They all jumped  a mile, spotting Six standing there.

He'd changed his clothes for a fresh green suit. Albeit he'd settled for draping the jacket over his shoulders, trying to put it on with his arm in a sling was awkward.

"Don't sneak up me like that Six," Rex wheezed "you're a little too good at it.."

"Blame my upbringing," Six retorted sarcastically. He noticed all the kids gaping at him "what?" he asked,

"Nothing," Rick managed at last "world-class assassin thing, that's scary awesome dude.."

"Uh...thanks, i think.." Six managed at last, a bit bemused.

"What're you doing now?" Rex asked. Wondering if he had to go back to base..

"I'm catching a lift back to base with doctor Holiday," Six indicated a medical vehicle parked by the gates, Holiday waved at Rex and beamed.

"Do I-" Rex began.

"NO, stay here, there's no need for you to come back with me. I'll fill out the report, you may as well enjoy the rest of the day, be stupid not to." he shrugged.

Rex stared for a moment, then grinned, nodding "OK, see ya later!"

"Oh, I called your parents," Six said to Rick.

"Aw crap, what'd they say?"

Six smiled faintly "its all settled. I saw them before I came here, they know what's going on, its not your fault. I warned her id have to destroy the sample, she already knows."

Rick mimed fainting "I owe ya one man, I thought id be for the chopping block for sure!"

Six just laughed faintly, raising a hand over his shoulder in a wave as he walked over to Holiday. She smiled, linking her arm through his uninjured one. She said something to him, he responded, and then, to Rex's total and UTTER astonishment, Holiday kissed the agent.

They pulled apart after a few seconds, Holiday said something, and Six smiled.

"Dude, you're gonna swallow a fly in a second.." Noah at last prompted his best friend.

"Gah...buh.....didshejust-?!" Rex babbled.

"Yeah. Your trainer just snogged your Doctor..." Noah chuckled. Rick raised an eyebrow.

"Dang, wish I could ask how he got a girl that easy...."

"He probably wont tell me," Rex said "if I know Six he'll make me figure it out myself! I cant believe he didn't friggin say anything!"

----------------------

Once they'd driven off, both Six and Holiday cracked up laughing.

"Man, I think you just made Rex's brain POP" Holiday giggled.

"He's going to be so peeved when he gets back.." Six laughed "he wasn't expecting that!"

"It's been an unexpected day.." Holiday blushed. She'd been tending Six's wounds in the medi-van, when her worry had overruled her, and she'd found herself berating him for being so reckless, what would she do if- then shed stopped, blushing. He'd apologised, reaching out to take her hand, the other reaching up to take off his trademark glasses.

She'd never seen him without them, and he had the most gorgeous brown eyes. Shed blushed even more, then he'd made her entire LIFE, by almost shyly kissing her. Needless to say shed more then happily returned it. What they'd been saying to each other at that had been along the lines of "who's gonna tell Rex?" "Eh, who says we have to SAY anything?" then smooch. That'd solved the problem...

She smiled at him again, loving how he smiled back, a real, genuine smile.