Chapter 11 - Revealed

"I'm so sorry honey. I never would have wanted you to find out this way."

My head still reeling from the crash I couldn't quite make sense of what she was saying. "Find out?"

"You shouldn't have come after the stone." She said sighing. "I never expected this. When I say the stone gone I assumed..."She sighed again. "It doesn't matter now. One day I will explain everything. I'm sorry Rosé but you can't have it back. I'm going to have to take it, and Rosé, I'm going to have to hurt you."

For the second time the world went black.

I awoke to the sound of tires squealing. My mum was gone, and so was the stone. My head throbbed and the sounds around me were excruciating. How can birds and waves make so much noise. Where am I?

The shock of what had happened started to seep through my consciousness. My mum, my flaky, distant mum, had hit me! How could she do that? The fact that she had clearly chased me all the way from the warehouse, drove me off the road and stolen the simsetta stone was a secondary thought. She hit me! I was, however, to be brought back to reality in a rather unexpected way.

"Blue?" I said my head still fuzzy. "What are you doing here? How did you find me?"

His response was quick, frantic even. "Where is she?" And it didn't make sense.

"Your mother. Where is she? Did she take the stone?"

"Blue, you're not making any sense." I knew what he was saying of course but it wasn't something I could talk about outside the agency. Even to my beloved Blue.

"Rosé there's no time. You must tell me."

Shaken in more ways than one I answered. "I don't know. She hit me and when I woke she was gone and the stone with her."

"Sugar!" He swore loudly. "I've got to go Rosé. I'm sorry, I'll explain everything later."

As he ran off only one thought was in my head. Why does everyone keep saying that? I needed sleep, I needed a drink and I needed to be home.

Instead I got a cold chair in the office while I gave my report to Devon.

I recounted everything that happened, shock finally setting in. As I finished my account Devon just shook his head. "This has been going on a long time Rosé and is much deeper than you could imagine, but, frankly, it is well above your clearance level. You shouldn't be mixed up in this and I can't divulge anything more than you know at this point. I can promise you that I will explain everything later."

"NO!" Did I just shout at my commanding officer. It was too late now and I plunged ahead. "Look, I'm sorry but I am sick of not knowing what is going on with my own family. I have a right to know."

"Perhaps, but that is not under discussion here. The more pressing point is that you went, unapproved and solo, to a location under suspicion. The fact that you did that could potentially compromise the entire operation. This is extremely serious and we will discuss your disciplinary action later. For now, go home. Get some rest."

Disciplinary action, great.  My perfect op had just turned into a nightmare.

Despite not getting any sleep the night before I found myself unable to sleep. To calm me down I had a quick shower and a glass of wine, ok maybe two.

I guess I over did it because when Blue came home, I snapped.

"Where have you been?" I raged.

"How could you leave me like that and just run off."

"I'm sorry Rosé." He looked exhausted but it wasn't enough to take the edge off my anger.

"Sorry?!? You're SORRY. Everyone's sorry today and not one of you can even tell me what you're sorry about. I've had no sleep, been in a car crash, been decked by my own mother and basically told not to interfere by everyone I talk to."

"I know." He said sadly. "You have every right to be angry. It's just complicated. Sit down Rosé."

Blue took a deep breath. "Rosé what I am about to tell you is going to hurt, a lot."

This doesn't sound good. 

"Rosé, I asked Devon if I could be the one to tell you this."

Devon how does he know Devon?

"Considering the involvement you already have in the case you have been given clearance and are know allowed to receive a full debrief."

How does he know all this? What is going on?

"Rosé, I don't work for Doo Peas Corporate Tower. I never have. I am part of the SIA and I been working undercover there." He sigh again this time so deep I could swear his heart was ripping in two. "I don't really know how to say it so I'm just going to get it out. The reason I'm here Rosé, the reason I am undercover, I'm here for your mother."

I pulled away in shock. "Who are you?"

"Rosé it's still me, I'm still the same Blue."

"No, no you're not. Everything is a lie, it's all been based on lies."

"Rosé I love you, that's not a lie. Please I couldn't tell you." He pleaded. "It was a deep cover op and with her being your mother I couldn't get clearance. Believe me, I wanted to tell you!"

"I...I...I don't know what to believe right now."

I ran out of the house. I probably shouldn't be driving after having that wine but I have to get away. The hole in my heart that had started to heal after Nuala death has just been ripped open and I feel as if I am going to break at any moment. I headed to a spot overlooking to ocean. I need clear my head and that seems the best place. The love of my life has been lying to me, my mother is working for a cabal that, as far as I can tell, is intent on taking over the world, and I knew none of this. I feel like I'm standing on the edge of a precipice and I don't know which way I am going to land.