Defeated

XIV- Secrets

"That's insane," Tai said. "God, I'm 18 years old, I don't want to meet the guy I've got to spend the rest of my life with! I don't want to-"

"Just talk to him and you may change your mind," Indianna said softly. "I've lost my chance at a mate, please don't throw yours away."

Tai took a step back and looked at Indianna sadly. "I've got to go to class," Tai said quickly and rushed off."

*Ace,* Indianna said through mindlink, *she knows.*

*How did she react?* Ace replied immediately, he sounded nervous.

*If I were you I'd turn on your charm. You're going to need it."

*

Indianna was the first to arrive to the canteen at lunch. She bought a sandwich and sat by herself. Her eyes wandered round the canteen and she sighed, wishing she could be a normal teenager. She wish she didn't have anything to worry about.

She took a bite of her sandwich and watched as Brandon walked into the canteen with Raiden by his side. They were laughing. Indianna didn't understand how he could be that happy. After all he'd done.

"Can you stop it?" Tai asked. Indianna blinked and looked up a Tai in surprise, she hadn't realised she was there.

"Stop what?"

"Mates. The bond or whatever it is?"

"No."

Tai took a deep breath and sat down in front of Indianna. "So that's it? The person I'm to spend the rest of my life with is just decided for me?"

"It's not as bad as it sounds."

"I don't want to be with someone. I don't do people," Tai snapped. "How do I stop this?"

"You don't."

"I'm just going to fuck this up, just like I fuck everything up," Tai groaned. "I don't want this. All I have is Raiden and that's because he's got no choice. He's stuck with me. We're family."

"In my experience, family isn't as strong as it seems," Indianna said gently. She thought about Rogue, about her mother, about her father kicking Rogue out, she thought of Brandon and Brooke. "You're stuck with your mate as much as they're stuck with you."

Tai covered her face with her hands and abruptly stood up. She spun round and swore when she crashed into someone. "Shit, watch where you're-" Tai stopped talking when she felt sparks from the hands that were holding her shoulders.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but you did crash into me," Ace said softly.

"Fuck," Tai breathed. "I've got to-"

"I can't force you to do anything," Ace said and he gently trailed his fingers down Tai's arms. She stiffened, but not in a bad way. "But I can ask you, please, give this a chance."

"You don't want me to give this a chance," Tai said. "Trust me, you really don't."

Ace smiled. "Try me."

"God, don't do that!" Tai groaned. "Don't smile like that! I'm telling you now, Ace, stay away from me. For your own damn good."