What was Aaliyah to do? Charlotte's big emerald eyes were wide with curiosity at what she had just said.

“Great job Aaliyah,” Elias said sarcastically.

She crossed her arms, “I didn't think she would hear!”

“Is it a secret mission?” Charlotte asked in a hushed voice, her excitement seeping into it. “If so, I want in.”

He groaned. “Look what you did. How will we escape this thing?”

“I’m not a thing!”

“My bad, I mean elf.” 

She puffed out her cheeks in annoyance, looking for all the world like an angry chipmunk. “You are an annoyance.” 

“I agree, should we get rid of him?”

“You wouldn't be able to handle it if I were gone,” he smirked.

“Please, I have Charlotte now.” Though Aaliyah hated to admit he was right. 

“What is this top secret mission? Please,” she put extra emphasis on the word, “I’m dying to know.”

Elias glared at Aaliyah. “Since your blabbering mouth gave it away, you might as well tell her.”

“Give me a break.”

“How long?”

She rolled her eyes. “Ugg, you are a pain.”

“Killer.” 

“What?”

“I’m your painkiller.”

“More like a pain inducer.”

“I agree with her,” Charlotte piped in.

Elias shook his head, “I preferred what I said."

“Whatever,” Aaliyah muttered before sharing a look with Charlotte who gave her a sympathetic pat on her arm. "Since I already slipped up a bit—

“More than a bit” Elias inputs.

She ignored him. “This rat and I are planning to..." she tugged Charlotte closer and whispered, “break into the Headquarters archive. It holds my parent's murder case."

“Br—”

She slapped her hand over Charlotte’s mouth who flinched. “Be quiet,” she hissed.

“Looks like I have two incompetent women to deal with.”

Aaliyah’s mouth dropped open. “You did not just call me—us that.” 

"You called me a rat first," he sniffed.

“The he**?" Charlotte raised her fist, "Are you asking for a beating?”

Elias backed away from them and shot her a haughty look. “Violence is not the answer.”

“It is to me,” she swung her fist. 

He easily caught it. “Hey that’s not fair, I can’t hit back.”

“Why?” Aaliyah questioned, “Not that I want you to hit her.”

“I’m a man! For what other reason?”

“That never stopped them before,” Charlotte muttered.

His eyes narrowed. “Hasn’t stopped who?”

Was it not just her boyfriend?

Truthfully, she didn’t know for sure if Charlotte's boyfriend did what she was inferring he did.

Still…she was going to get to the bottom of this.

“Is it those parents of yours?” he gritted out.

Her eyes went wide. “H-how did—I-I mean of course not.” she looked frantically around them, “We don’t have the best relationship but they would never—” she stopped speaking as if she couldn't get her next words out.

“Where are they?” his voice was deadly. “Are they here, because if they are, I swear to you—”

“Please stop,” she begged him.

Aaliyah couldn't stop her next words. “Why are you protecting them? Why are you protecting him,” she said in frustration.

Her eyes were filled with fear. “Stop. Stop talking about them.” 

“Char—”

“Enough!” A few people looked over at them.

“Forgive me. It’s just...” she closed her eyes, trying to hold back. It wouldn’t get her anywhere to keep on pushing. Charlotte was unreachable and obviously very fearful of something.

Elias stayed silent, his face tight with anger.

“And thank you,” her eyes softened. “Truly, but there is nothing for you to worry about.” Determination lit in her eyes, “It’s nothing I can’t handle.”

“If you are so adamant that you can handle it," Elias began, "I guess you could help us in our...little task,”

Aaliyah would've been surprised at him for relenting but...

He has a soft heart

She knew he had only done it to cheer Charlotte up.

And it worked.

Charlotte grinned so brightly at him, that she felt the need to shield her eyes. “You’re the best!” she said, throwing her arms around his waist.

Elias's cheeks heated; his eyes looked to her for help.

“Oh Char, don’t be telling lies now," she giggled.

She jerked away from Elias as if he had burned her. “You're right. What was I thinking?”

“I just gave you permission to join us!" he looked incredulous at her. "You ungrateful brat.”

"Brat?" she narrowed her eyes at him, “It was a moment of insanity on my part."

Charlotte looked truly disappointed in herself before her hand flew to her mouth. "Ew! I even touched him.” She turned worried eyes to Aaliyah, “Do you think I will be okay?”

“Well..." she pondered for a moment, "Some of his idiocy might have rubbed off on you so I don’t know.” 

“Oh gosh...I’m doomed aren't I?”

“I’m afraid so,” she looked solemnly at her.

“I don’t even know why I’m friends with you,” Elias muttered.

She grinned, “Because. Awesome is one way to describe me."

“Hmm...I have something better in mind."

“Yeah?”

“I only need five words.” 

She looked suspiciously at him but…she gave in to her curiosity. “What is it?”

Elias gave her a mischievous smile and Aaliyah knew she had fallen into his trap.

"A pain in my a—"

“That’s not nice!” Charlotte interjected.

“You hypocrite!" he crossed his arms, "You both have been rude to me all evening long." He sighed, "I can’t even catch a break so why can’t I give you a taste of it?”

“A taste of what?” Charlotte asked.

“Rev—”

“Don’t care.”

Elias blinked at her.

Then blinked again before he burst out laughing. “Why was that so funny to me?”

Aaliyah looked concerned at him. “Maybe you’re a masochist.”

He shook his head. “No, I'm not.”

“How do you know you're not?” Charlotte inquired.

“Obviously because I don’t like pain,” Elias eye’s met Aaliyah's. “I don’t handle it well.”

A pang shot through her chest at his words. She knew just how badly he dealt with pain. How the aftermath of his attempt to subdue it left him with a splitting headache, and many ‘lower your voice’ or ‘turn down the light’.

Aaliyah sighed, “Let’s fill her in on our plan and proceed with it before we run out of time.” 

“The event won’t officially be over until early moring, but you're right." A spark lit in his eyes, "It’s time we put our plan into action.”

“What should Charlotte’s role be?" she scanned her up and down, "Do you have any ideas since you scoped the place out?”

He gave her a slow smile. “I have the perfect role in mind."