Chapter Twenty-Five Faith

"Noah?" She stumbled backwards, a gasp escaping her lips. "What are you…? Where did…?"

The world around her seemed to be spinning faster and faster. She tried to make sense of it, wondering if she was suffering the effects of sleep deprivation. She'd delivered Madeleine's message to Blake. As she'd left, Blake had asked her to fetch some batteries so she could replace those in the datadevs which had been used for the mission that evening. When she opened the store room door, Noah was standing there.

Faith wondered if she was hallucinating. But as she blinked and looked again, there he was. He took a step forward, then stopped.

"Faith?" The voice was familiar. "I was hoping to find you here, but I didn't think…"

"Why are you–? How are you?" Faith pressed her hand against the doorframe to steady herself. "I don't understand…"

"Madeleine didn't tell you?" Noah looked unsure of himself. "I-I mean… you didn't know?"

"That you were coming?" Faith frowned.

"Not that I was coming… not specifically." Noah shrugged awkwardly. "But that Eremus was sending people into the city."

"Yes." Something stirred in Faith's mind, "I do remember her saying something about that."

Faith stayed where she was, a slow smile creeping over her face. First, Danforth's fear about her appearance on the leaflets. Then, Stella's broadcast, even from her new location at the safehouse, lasting for such a long time. Now, Noah was here. Perhaps things were finally starting to improve.

She blinked again. "You're really here?"

"Yeah, I'm here. Flynn and Madeleine agreed that some Eremus citizens would come into the city. To support the Resistance." He smiled faintly. "Discuss an alliance."

"So…" Faith's mind was racing. "You're… staying here? In the library?"

She took a step forward, closing the gap between them. Stretching out a hand, she touched his arm. He felt solid enough. He was really standing right in front of her. As she brought her other hand up to his face, the air around them seemed devoid of oxygen.

His eyes moved to her hand on his arm. She became aware of how close they were standing. Blushing, she took a step back.

A burst of sound came from the hub.

"That'll be the women from tonight's mission coming home." Beside her, she felt Noah tense. "Don't worry. They've been out all the night. They'll probably head straight to bed."

He didn't relax. Laying a hand against his chest, Faith pushed him backwards until they were both standing inside the store room. She pulled the door closed behind her and turned to face him.

"We'll just wait here until they pass." She sent him a reassuring smile. "It won't be long."

"Alright."

He let out a slow breath. Suddenly, the space seemed tiny. Faith shifted slightly, turning so her body was side-on to his. There were things she wanted to say. And she couldn't do it when he was standing so close.

But before she could open her mouth to start speaking, Noah began fumbling with something in his pocket. Puzzled, she waited. When he brought out a bar of chocolate, she almost laughed.

"Sorry. It was a long journey." With an expression of reverence, he removed the top corner of the wrapper and broke off the first couple of pieces. He held them out on the palm of his hand. "Want one?"

"Thanks."

Feeling shy, she leaned forward and picked up one of the chunks. As she withdrew her hand, he tossed the other one into his mouth. A look of contentment came over his face.

"Been a while since I've tasted anything this good."

"I heard Eremus was struggling."

He finished chewing and swallowed before responding. "We definitely need supplies. But the raid tonight will make a real difference. And the fact that I'm here… about to join the Resistance." He beamed, and she wondered at how easily he seemed to have forgiven her betrayal. "It feels like I'm finally part of something, you know?"

He snapped off another piece of chocolate and offered it to her. When she shook her head, he ate it himself.

"I know exactly what you mean." Faith had been thinking the same thing only an hour ago. But she focused on what she wanted to say, not wanting to get distracted. "And I'm glad you're here… because I hated the way I left."

He finished chewing and she saw him swallow, but this time, he didn't take another piece. Instead, he dropped his gaze, waiting for her to continue.

"You have to know that I came back here for Sophia." She stood up straighter. "She's my best friend, and… and I was frightened for her. I couldn't just abandon her to her fate. Not when Danforth–" she stopped, not wanting to break down before she'd had the chance to finish explaining. "You have to believe me. I didn't want to leave you… Not after–"

He looked up at her, his eyes glowing with intensity. "Not after what?"

Now it was her turn to turn away. She stared at the shelving, stacked with boxes of supplies. "Um… not after we'd…" Reaching out, she straightened a couple of boxes. "Well, I mean, we had…" she turned to face him. "Hadn't we?"

"What had we…?" He laughed softly. "Talked? Started to get to know one another? Enjoyed each another's company?" He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Kissed?"

"Yes. That." She willed herself not to get distracted. "All of that." Reaching for his hand, she clutched it tightly. "I wanted to say I was sorry."

"I know."

"You do?" She glanced up at him, surprised.

"I do." He shrugged. "I mean… It's not like you could've told me you were leaving… I couldn't have just let you go, could I?"

His simple acceptance of her apology humbled her. "If it hadn't been for Sophia, I'd never have…" she dropped her gaze. "Well, I'm not saying I'd have wanted to stay Eremus' prisoner forever, but… I didn't leave because of anything you did. I never want you to think that." She took his hand again. "Honestly, nothing could be further from the truth."

"Is that your way of saying you missed me?"

She blushed. "I guess so."

He leaned closer. "I missed you too."

"Are you…" She dropped her gaze, flustered by his closeness. "Will you be staying for a while?"

"Not sure how long we'll be here."

"We?" Her eyes flew back to his. "Someone came with you? Who?"

"Ella."

"Jacob let her out? I mean, Ruth told us she was–"

"It's a long story." Noah was too tired to fill her in on the situation with Jacob. "But my ma managed to release her. And she volunteered to come here."

"Volunteered?" Faith was confused. "What for?" She glanced at the door. "Where is she?"

"She was exhausted." Dodging Faith's first question, Noah jerked his head towards the hallway. "Robyn took her to a dorm of some kind."

"And where was Madeleine planning on putting you?" Faith felt the colour rise in her cheeks. "Not in with us, I'm assuming?"

"Right here, would you believe?" He chuckled at her appalled expression, waving off her concern. "I've slept in worse places."

"I guess they're worried… about the way the other women might react to you."

"They definitely are." He turned to her. "Should I be worried?"

As she opened her mouth to reply, the door to the hub banged open. Noah stiffened. Finding his hand, she tucked her own inside it and laid a finger on her lips. The sound of voices grew in volume, accompanied by the thunder of footsteps, but none of the women even paused outside the door.

When the hallway was silent again, she smiled. "We're good." She let go of his hand. "See? They just want their beds."

He relaxed slightly. "You think they'll accept me?"

"Honestly, I don't know. They're not used to being around men here. You can understand that, right?" He nodded. "But I think, as long as Madeleine explains who you are and why you're here, they'll come around."

"I hope so."

"They've been out all over the city tonight. Delivering leaflets." She felt a surge of excitement at the impact they'd already had. "Ones which tell the truth about Danforth. About the experiments at the academy. About Eremus." She grinned. "I listened in on a conversation between Anderson and the chancellor earlier this evening. Sounds like they're really worried about the content of the leaflets."

"Content you provided, I suppose." Noah's hand went into his pocket. When it emerged, he was holding a screwed up piece of paper. He straightened it out and Faith gasped. "Found this on my way into Bellator."

"They really did put them everywhere."

"Guess so." Noah's face clouded over. "Isn't this dangerous? I mean… putting your face out there? On such a dangerous document?"

"No more dangerous than you or Ruth or Ella coming into a city which would execute you in a second if it caught you." Faith held her head high. "Or hacking into Bellator's computer systems." She stared up at him. "It's how I'm making a difference. Like you coming here. Can't you understand?"

"I understand. Doesn't stop me from worrying about you, though."

"Don"t worry about me." She made a sweeping motion with her hand. "Madeleine won't let me out of the library now that my face is out there. She's been very strict about it. I'm perfectly safe."

"I'm glad to hear it."

"And I'm hoping…" she leaned closer, "that if I keep it up, if Madeleine is pleased with me, that she'll consider rescuing Sophia from the hospital soon." She bit her lip. Things were going well. If they continued to do so, there was no reason why the Resistance couldn't bring Sophia back from the hospital. She had to believe it would happen.

"Sounds like you're fitting right in." Noah smiled. "And making such a difference. Sophia will be home in no time at all, I'll bet."

"I hope so."

"In the meantime," Noah stepped closer once more, circling his arms around her. "Did I tell you how much I'd missed you?"

"You did." Faith found her whole body was trembling. She slipped her arms around his waist, pulling him even closer. "But feel free to tell me again, if you like."

"What if I show you instead?"

Noah bent his head closer, his lips hovering over hers. She held her breath in anticipation of the kiss.

And then the door behind her burst open.

"I take it you two know each other?" The voice from behind made them both jump. Faith spun round to see Robyn standing in the doorway, holding a rollaway sleeping mat and a blanket.

Noah let go of Faith so fast she almost fell. By the time she had recovered herself, he was standing at the very back of the store room, his face flaming.

"Don't let Madeleine catch you." Robyn glared at Faith. "A relationship with an Eremus boy won't go down too well around here. You don't want people doubting where your loyalties lie, do you?"

Blushing, Faith struggled to regain her balance. "It's not– I mean… We're not…"

"It's okay." Robyn broke into a smile. "It's nice to see someone with a bit of happiness for a change. Just keep it quiet, okay?"

"Of course." Faith glanced at Noah, who was still staring at the floor. "I think I'll go to bed."

"Good plan." Robyn stood back and waved her through. "As for you, Noah, let's get you settled in this closet." She glanced at Faith as she scuttled past. "I don't need to lock him in, do I?"

Her tone was teasing rather than accusatory, but as Faith hurried away down the hallway, she found her cheeks were on fire. When she reached the dorm where she and Diane slept, she was relieved to see Ella fast asleep on an empty bed in their room. Not wanting to disturb her, she tiptoed past and slipped under her own covers as quietly as possible.

In the morning, Faith woke early to find Ella deep in conversation with Diane at the end of her bed. Scooting over to join them, she found herself smiling for what felt like the first time in weeks.

"Hey!" Ella hugged her. "It's good to see you."

"Wait, you're not…?" Faith pulled back. "I thought you'd be angry."

"We've already been through this." Diane rolled her eyes. "She knows why we came back. She doesn't blame us. It was Jacob who locked her up."

Faith turned back to the older girl. "Is that true?"

Ella nodded. "I mean… I get why you couldn't tell me you were going. I'd've been forced to try and stop you, wouldn't I? And poor Sophia…"

Diane shot a sideways glance at Faith. "What happened to you last night? I thought we were going to catch up when I got back from the mission, but you were nowhere to be found."

Faith knew she was blushing. "I was just talking to Noah. Didn't Ella tell you he was here too?" Ignoring Diane's amused expression, she ploughed on. "I bumped into him last night – in the supply room, of all places… We were talking… then Robyn came down and–"

Diane clapped a hand over her mouth. "Robyn caught the two of you together! What did she say?"

Faith slapped Diane's arm. "We weren't together. Not like that." Diane closed her mouth, but the smirk remained. "Isn't it time for breakfast?" She turned to Ella. "Come on, we'll take you down."

Ella looked grateful. "Thanks."

When they reached the hub, it was busier than usual. But despite the number of people in the room, the mood was muted. Something was wrong.

Once she had shown Ella where the food was, Faith grabbed a bowl of oatmeal and honey, some juice, and an apple. Taking a seat next to Diane at their usual table, Faith looked around.

"What's up with everyone this morning?" She glanced over at Diane. "I thought everyone would be thrilled that the mission went so well. Blake told me the number of people listening to Stella's broadcast had shot way up."

"I heard that too." Diane frowned. "When I got back people were celebrating."

As she finished speaking, a Resistance member called Olivia leaned across from the next table.

"You didn't hear?" Her face was pale. "Not everyone made it back from last night's mission."

"What?" Faith sat bolt upright. "How many people are missing?"

"Just one." Olivia dropped her voice. Faith braced herself for the name. "Laura."