Home » The Archives » Chapter 14 » New Beginnings
| Re: New Beginnings [message #2245 is a reply to message #2244] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 22:39   |
Lillehafrue
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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Wednesday, January 9, 2069, 11:30 a.m., the Serengeti, Tanzania. (8:30 p.m., same day, Tracy Island)
Kyrano squatted by the end of the infinity edge pool, where his bride, Lisa, leaned on her forearms, gazing out at the dry landscape beyond.
"A last swim, my dear?" he asked, smiling softly.
She sighed, a deep and satisfied sound. "Yes," she replied, not looking up at him. "This has been wonderful."
He lowered himself to the edge, dangling his bare feet in the quiet waters. "It has been a memorable time, dear one. I am very glad I have been able to share it with you."
She looked up at him then, smiling, and reached a hand toward him. "When do we leave?"
"Soon, dear one. We should ready ourselves for the trip to Paris."
She sighed again, and turned around, swimming with a slow stroke back to the stairs at the opposite end of the pool. Kyrano levered himself to his feet, and paced her back, picking up a thick white towel on the way and handing it to her as she rose, dripping. He took another and dried his legs.
Lisa wrapped her towel around her waist. "I will miss this place."
"Perhaps we shall visit again," Kyrano said, trying to lift her spirits.
"Perhaps."
They made their way back to their private cottage. The Singita Sasakwa Lodge was a small place, but very elegant. It was near the Grumeti River in Tanzania, in the Serengeti National Park. They had spent five days there, enjoying the solitude and viewing the myriad of wildlife that lived in the vicinity. They'd been pampered by all the staff, who found their newlywed status a matter of gentle amusement. Kyrano grumbled a bit about the food, but admitted that the cuisine was, on the whole, up to his exacting standards.
"Jeff wouldn't send us somewhere where it wasn't," Lisa had told him.
They had spent time horseback riding or bouncing around in an old-fashioned safari truck. (Better for viewing the animals than the hovercraft used elsewhere, they'd been told. The trucks didn't throw up as much sand and dust.) They visited the spa, and relaxed in the one bedroom cottage which held all the amenities they could have wished for.
Before Tanzania, they had visited the American Southwest, exploring such sites as the Grand Canyon, and doing a few things they both never thought they would ever do in their lifetimes. Lisa quipped that they were still in places where the weather was generally hot; the only difference was that now it was, for the most part, dry. Kyrano responded by saying it was good for old bones like theirs.
"Do you think Dianne and Jeff will like this carving?" Lisa asked a few moments later. She had changed her clothes and wrung out her bathing suit as best she could. In the heat of their veranda, it would dry enough to be packed with their other clothes. She held a carving of a wildebeest, made of Queen's ebony, its dark brown wood with the black striations gleaming dully in the light.
"Yes, I believe they shall." Kyrano rose from the comfortable chair where he sat and took it from her hand. "It will go well with the Dianne's elephants."
"I wish I could think of something more... personal to give them as souvenirs." Lisa retrieved the statue, and wrapped it up, cushioning it from damage.
Kyrano nodded sagely. "It is difficult to know what to get the man...and woman...who have everything."
There was a knock at their door. Lisa opened it to let in the two staff members, who smiled widely at the newlyweds.
"We bring you lunch," said one, his bright teeth gleaming against his dark skin. "A last meal before you leave us, yes?"
"Yes, thank you." Kyrano had unobtrusively slipped something into his ear. It was a translation device, one that he was beta testing for Brains. It keyed into Thunderbird Five's language database, and was not only translating from the Swahili that most Tanzanians spoke, it was also recording the local dialects to enhance the accuracy of the filters. So, though he and Lisa couldn't actually speak to their hosts, they could listen and understand. It had already helped them in bargaining for some of their souvenirs.
Their meal spread out on the veranda tables, Kyrano and Lisa sat down to enjoy it. The staff members withdrew, and it was quiet once again. Only the sounds of the African birds broke the quiet.
"I wish we could stay longer in Paris," Lisa said wistfully.
"We will return there, you and I," Kyrano replied firmly. "However, I did want to introduce you to my first wife's family. My... Elias Manabo is failing. His daughter, Tamea, wrote to tell me so. I had promised to introduce you." He stopped, and when he continued, his voice was lower. "They have not been a large part of my life, but they are family still."
Lisa reached out a hand to touch his. "I understand, Tuan. I really do."
Kyrano covered her hand with his free one. "I know, dear heart. I know."
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
 
[Updated on: Wed, 22 April 2015 00:49] by Moderator Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2246 is a reply to message #2245] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 22:40 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
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Location: Northeastern USA
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Evil Genius |
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Thursday, January 10, 2069, 6:10 a.m., Tracy Island
"Hey, Dad, you did pretty well there," John remarked between gulps of air. He pulled his sweat-soaked Harvard t-shirt over his head, and used it to mop his brow. "Kept up with me at every step. Who knew the old man had it in him?"
Jeff nodded, breathing heavily. His ancient and well-worn Air Force shirt was dark with sweat, but he took time to catch his breath before he spoke.
"I'm too winded to come up with a snarky retort to that," he finally huffed out. "But thank you for the backhanded compliment."
John grinned. He opened the small cooler that waited at their end of the trail leading from this section of the beach to the Villa. He tossed a bottle of cold water from the cooler to his father, who caught it handily, then took one for himself. Settling his shirt around his shoulders, he grabbed the cooler's strap, and walked over to the trail. Jeff opened his water bottle, took a couple of swigs, and joined his son.
"Looks like you'll be in tip-top form for the moon mission," John said, opening his own bottle, the cooler settled on one shoulder, padded from skin contact by the wadded up shirt.
"I certainly hope so," Jeff said as they began walking up the trail. "With everything that's gone on in the past year, keeping in shape hasn't exactly been a top priority. Getting into the kind of shape that's needed in for this mission? It's a good thing Dianne's been pushing me."
"She's really gung ho about you going, isn't she?"
Jeff snorted. "Yes, but only because she knows I'd kick myself if I didn't do this. I can tell she's a bit nervous about it, though. She keeps trying to read the specs of the shuttle we're taking, and asking Brains to translate the schematics for her. She wants to know where every emergency exit is."
"Hm." John frowned, clearly thoughtful. "I didn't think she'd be worried. It's not as if we don't go into space all the time." He barked a short laugh. "I'm assuming she's worried about me, too... though it's not like I don't go into space every three months and spend a month up there by myself. She never seems concerned about that."
"Yes, she is worried about you, too, John, but about me more. Like you said, you go into space all the time, and you're flying...and staying...in vessels constructed by someone she trusts, out of materials she knows from personal experience are virtually indestructible. I don't." Jeff took another swig of water. "She doesn't trust the WSA like she trusts Brains. She's also not happy that I'm going to have to spend a month at Kennedy Space Center preparing for the launch, then the time we're up there, and quarantine when we get back."
"But she still wants you to do it?"
"Yup. Gotta love a woman like that."
They were quiet as they continued to climb, finishing their water before they reached the Round House. Then John broke the silence.
"What do the sprouts think of all this?"
Jeff shook his head. "I'm not sure. We haven't really talked to them about it much. They don't seem concerned; they probably equate it to one of our space missions or a trip to Thunderbird Five and back." He grimaced. "That's where being part of this operation has a downside. Even something as dangerous as a space launch becomes routine. I think that's why the destruction of Thunderbird Seven was such a shock to us all. We'd become complacent, thinking it was routine, when what we do is anything but."
John nodded his head slowly. "Yeah." He turned to his father. "I think you have something there."
They continued walking, past the Round House and up towards the Villa. The island was still relatively quiet, with only the birds creating their morning cacaphony. Sunlight shone far out to sea, as the sun rose behind the island's central peak. The air was still relatively cool in the shadow cast by said eminence, but the day was brightening every moment, and the temperature would soon climb with it. Jeff sighed.
"I guess Dianne and I will have to talk with them about it and explain a few home truths. God knows I don't want to scare them, but they have to know the risks." He shook his head. "Not yet though. When the time comes." His face lit up with a slow grin. "Who knows? I might not even pass the physical." With a huff, he added, "Though not for lack of trying."
John laughed, and nudged his father with his upper arm and elbow. "C'mon, Dad. You did fine today."
"Maybe today, I did fine," Jeff said, making a face. "But tomorrow I run with Scott. Compared to him, you're sadly out of shape yourself."
"Oh, you think so?" John stuck his empty water bottle in the cooler, and dropped it. He slung the shirt from his shoulder, whipped it around his head three times, then began to run. "Last one to the breakfast table is a rotten egg!"
Jeff just shook his head. He grabbed the cooler and slung it over one shoulder, then set off at a leisurely pace in John's wake. Sometimes, it wasn't so bad being the rotten egg.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
[Updated on: Sat, 22 September 2012 22:55] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2247 is a reply to message #2246] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 22:42 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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Thursday, January 10, just before 11 am
Scenario Complete.
Vince saw those words on the screen before him and let out a sigh of relief. He let go of the simulator controls. The years away from flying jets had certainly made him rusty but he figured he hadn't done too bad. At least between looking over the manual he had been given and Scott's instructions at the beginning of the session, he had been able to remember where most of the controls and readouts were.
At least I survived the simulations today Vince thought as he reached up to unbuckle the safety restraints. He hadn't fared so well with piloting Thunderbird 4, which he had managed to sink. Despite his protests that he had only served aboard a submarine before and not piloted one, the former SEAL was pretty sure he was going to get razzed by Gordon for some time to come.
Vince climbed out of the simulator. Not far away, he saw Scott standing looking in his direction, with a neutral expression.
At least he don't look grumpy, Vince thought. He had learned quickly at the Naval academy that when an instructor or superior officer had a scowl, it was never a good thing.
"So, what's the verdict?" Vince asked as he reached Thunderbird One's main pilot.
"Not bad for your first attempt," Scott told him before going into detail the mistakes that Vince had made and how to correct them. "We'll run the silo landing scenario when we meet again on Monday and see how you do with that."
"Sounds like a plan."
The two men headed out of the simulator room.
"So how are you settling in so far?" Scott asked.
"With training or into the apartment?"
"Both," Scott said with a grin.
"Well, let's just say the apartment is nowhere near being ready for company yet, though I have gotten a start on painting our bedroom walls," Vince told him. The paint for the bedroom had been picked out before they had moved. "Lana's still busy trying to decide what to do with the walls as she refuses to leave them plain white. Not to mention we're letting Lea pick out colors for her own room. I'm afraid to see what she finally decides on."
They stopped walking as they reached the point where they would go separate ways.
"She's five, right?" Scott asked trying to remember the girl's age. Vince nodded. "That could definitely be dangerous. How about training? We're not throwing things at you too fast are we?"
"No, training I can handle much better than interior decorating. Once I get the physical over with this afternoon, the administrative stuff will be out of the way and I can concentrate on the training."
"You came up with a code name then?" Scott asked, curious as to what it was.
"Yeah. I'm going with Ace."
"Feeling a bit confident are we?" Scott said jokingly.
"Not a bit," Vince told him. "It's not something I would have picked for myself but another dangerous thing to do is to let a five year old pick your code name."
Scott laughed as Vince told him about the card game that had led to his new alias. "Letting brothers choose them for you isn't much safer," Scott informed him when he was finished. At Vince's questioning look he continued. "Both Virgil and I were having a hard time coming up with our code names, and I made the mistake of suggesting we picked each other's. The idea was that we could change them after a month, however we both forgot about it."
It was Vince's turn to laugh.
"You didn't happen to let her choose you uniform color, did you?" Scott asked.
"Are you kidding? I'd be wearing pink."
"I think pink is taken, actually." Scott told him. "I guess I'll catch up with you later."
As Scott headed in the direction of the Villa, Vince headed for his apartment.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2248 is a reply to message #2247] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 22:44 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
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Vince struggled with the hospital gown, trying to get it to feel like it covered everything in the back. I hate these things. You would think someone would have found a way to improve them over the years, he thought as he tied the strings into a bow to secure it. They probably haven't changed because it's a source of amusement for doctors.
Figuring it was the best he was going to manage, Vince finally walked out from behind the privacy screen. He found Dianne waiting for him.
She patted the scanner. "Up here, please, so we can get started." Vince stifled a sigh, and levered himself up onto the scanner bed.
Dianne began her examination with listening to Vince's chest and checking his vital signs. She reported her findings to Dom, who held a data pad containing Vince's medical records.
"I see it's been a long while since you had a thorough physical," she commented dryly.
"Yeah, my wife has pointed that out to me on occasion, too," Vince replied. He had expected her to comment on that particular point and not be happy about it.
"Well, we're going to do more than examine you today, Vince," Dianne said as she probed his neck with warm, practiced fingers. "Part of the routine is fitting you with a locater chip, so think about where you want it implanted."
Vince nodded, having been told of the locator chip and its purpose by Jeff. "Just put it wherever is the most common place for it," he told her. "You know, those chips wouldn't be bad idea for kids. It would be much easier to keep tabs on them."
"I agree, but we have to wait until the children have grown enough that the chip doesn't shift position or become imbedded somewhere it shouldn't," Dianne explained. She turned to Dom and asked for the data pad. "Let's see how your immunizations are, and if you need any."
"Ah, another one of my favorite parts of a doctor's visit," Vince commented. He couldn't remember which shots he had been given during his years in the service. Basically, if the base doctor had said it was required for his assignment, then he had taken their word for it. He hadn't put in all the time and effort into his training to be kept back by some technicality.
Dianne chuckled as she scanned the list. "Looks like you need a boosters to your tetanus, and your anti-malarial. Since we never quite know where we're going to go, we need to be prepared for anything. Dom, would you prepare the hyposprays for me?"
"Sure, Doc," the nurse said cheerfully. He left the room.
Patting the end of the scanner bed, Dianne had Vince lie down, and covered him with a sheet. "I'm going to start a whole body scan. Just lie still until it's finished. I'll be watching the scan from over there." She indicated the small station in the corner.
Vince nodded, hoping the scan would go fast. In his head, he thought about the other things that he needed to get done. All of them probably more productive than this, he thought.
Dom came back into the room, carrying a tray, and spoke quietly with the doctor. She nodded, and the nurse put the tray on a rolling stainless steel table. Vince could only see this out of the corner of one eye, as he was heeding Dianne's admonition to lie still.
It seemed like it took forever, but after about 20 minutes, the machine's subtle hum and vibration faded, and Dianne stood. "You can sit up now, Vince. The scan looks good. Everything in the right place and that broken wrist healed nicely." Doctor and nurse met by the scanner bed, and Dom offered a hand to help Vince sit up.
Vince took a hold of the proffered hand and moved to a sitting position, readjusting the hospital gown as he did so. "So does that mean that after you stick me with a few things, I can change back into normal clothes."
"Yup. But first the sticking." She grinned, trying to look malevolent. "I think we'll numb up the site where the locator chip goes first. That requires an actual needle." She pulled a syringe from the tray and gave him a calculating look. "Are you sure you don't have a place in mind? I mean... if I have to go by the most popular of spots, that's going to be the gluteus maximus."
"Hmm, maybe that isn't the best idea," Vince said, hoping his face wasn't showing the embarrassment he was feeling. "Where did you put yours?"
"On the outside of my ankle," she told him. "Listen, the makers suggest that the muscle just below the collarbone is an excellent place. Does that sound feasible?"
"That will work," Vince told her. And a whole lot less embarrassing, he added silently.
"Okay." Dianne used the thin needle to numb up the area where Vince's chip was going to go. Then she pressed one hypospray to his neck, near the carotid artery, and the other on his shoulder, telling him which vaccination was which, and explaining any possible side effects.
"Can you feel this?" she asked as she pinched a bit of skin where she'd numbed the area. When he said no, she tapped her wristwatch. "Infirmary to Thunderbird Five. Come in Five."
Alan's picture showed in the small screen. "What can I do for you, Doctor?"
"Formal today, aren't we, Alan?" Dianne retorted. "I need a check on this locator chip." She ran off the numbers. "Are you receiving it?"
"Receiving it five by five," he replied. "Who is this for? And what is their color?"
"For Vince Crenshaw," she told him, then turned to Vince. "Do you have a uniform color chosen?"
"Sienna," Vince replied, having paid a visit to Tin-Tin the day before.
"Got that, Alan?"
"Got it."
"Ready, Vince?" Dianne looked at her patient as she swabbed the area again with alcohol. "Now, don't faint on me, okay?"
Vince raised an eyebrow as the doctor slipped the sharp, thicker needle into his numbed skin. The procedure was done in a second, then Dom stepped up to pat away a little bit of blood, and apply a bandage.
"Alan? It's in."
"Still reading five by five." Alan said. "It may take a bit on the dot though. Sienna's kind of between orange and brown, right? I don't want it to be too close to either Gordon's or Brains's colors."
"Maybe darken up Brandon's?" Dom suggested. "Seein' as he's no longer with us..."
"Um, excuse me," Vince said, getting both Dianne's and Dom's attention. The doctor and nurse turned to look at him. "I'm sure this talk about shades of color is all very important, but is there any chance I can change back into some normal clothing soon?" He asked, looking toward Dianne.
She chuckled again. "Unless you have questions for me. Otherwise, you can get dressed and go."
"No questions, Doc," Vince said as he carefully maneuvered himself off the bed. Trying not to look to desperate, he walked briskly across the room and the relative safety of the privacy screen, more than eager to shed the gown and get back into his comfortable slacks and polo shirt.
Dianne lifted her arm once again. "Alan, I think we're done here."
"F-A-B," Alan replied. "Thunderbird Five out."
Dom and Dianne set about cleaning things up.
Vince's Physcial by Tikatu and icarus1982
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
[Updated on: Wed, 22 April 2015 00:53] by Moderator Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2249 is a reply to message #2248] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 22:45 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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Evil Genius |
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Cassie stepped off the monorail and into the Villa. She had been a little surprised by Dr. Tracy's summons to meet with her. The only thing the older woman would tell her was that she had something to discuss with her.
Reaching the med bay she went inside. Not seeing anyone, she made her way to Dr. Tracy's office and knocked on the door. Upon the command to, "come in", Cassie opened the door.
"You wanted to see me?" she asked, as she stepped into the office.
"Ah, Cassie." Dianne smiled as she indicated a chair. "Thanks for coming."
Once Cassie had settled herself, Dianne pulled out a data pad. "I asked you to come because I have a proposition for you." She glanced at the pad, moving her finger down its length. "As you may have heard, Nikki's going to medical school, studying to be a doctor."
Cassie nodded. "Yes, I have. I didn't really know Nikki that well, but I'm sure she's going to do well at medical school," she replied, still not sure where the doctor was heading with this line of conversation. What does Nikki going to medical school have to do with me?
"Yes, I know she'll do great there. But it leaves me short a nurse." Dianne looked up at Cassie again. "I was wondering if you'd be willing to help out in the infirmary. You have the paramedic skills, and though they're not exactly the same as a nurse's, there's a good deal of overlap. You're qualified to deal with the normal, everyday stuff we get, as well as some of the more life-threatening things. You've been doing a great job with triage lately and, well, we could use another set of hands here on the island, too."
Cassie hoped she hid the surprise she felt from Dianne. Being asked to help out in the infirmary was the last thing she had expected. Most of the doctors in the city wouldn't even consider asking a paramedic for help, Cassie thought, thinking of all the condescending attitudes she had encountered, from the doctors who considered 'street medicine' beneath them.
"I'd be glad to help any way I can," Cassie replied. "Though you do have quite a bit of equipment here that I wouldn't know how to work. I'm kind of used to making do with the basics."
Dianne nodded. "We can work out a training schedule to get you familiar with the equipment. And there are things I wouldn't expect of you, like assisting during a surgery... but you'd be a big help otherwise. What do you say?"
"I say, when do I start?"
The doctor laughed, and looked at her watch. "I have some time right now to introduce you to the infirmary, if you're free."
As her training sessions were over for the day, Cassie nodded. "That's fine with me." She still had some prep work to get done before her business trip the following week, but that could easily be done later.
Both women got to their feet, and Dianne led the way out of her office to begin the training.
Written by: Tikatu and starrynebula
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2250 is a reply to message #2249] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 22:46 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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[face=Arial]******Thursday, January 10, 2069, Tracy Island, approximately 4 p.m.******
Reenergized by lunch three hours earlier, Callie was working hard in the lab. She shook her head again. "Still not quite there yet," she said to herself. "I know that answer's somewhere in the formula."
Ever since the Malaysian plane crash back in July, she had struggled for months in finding an antidote for the experimental jet fuel. Her goal was to find a way to stop the fuel from affecting the surrounding environment.
She easily succeeded in isolating all the fuel's components, but it was getting to the solution that had proven difficult.
Her last attempt at the antidote ended up with a spill-over similar to pouring a can of soda too quickly into a glass. After writing down her mistakes on the data pad, she looked over those errors and gasped. "Wait a minute. I think I know what the answer is."
Quickly turning back to her table, she tried something else. She poured enough of one ingredient into a beaker and placed it onto the Bunsen burner. She carefully added the remaining components to her latest formula. Five minutes later, she grabbed the beaker with the tongs and allowed it to cool. Taking an eyedropper, she took a sample of her possible antidote and put a couple of drops into the sample of the jet fuel.
Next, she took the sample and placed it under the microscope. Looking through the magnifier, she noticed the jet fuel breaking down the way she had hoped. "That's it...that's it! I finally got it! At last, I finally got it!"
She took a few steps back to make sure she was clear of all the chemicals on the lab table, and then she started going into a dance of pure joy. "I got it," she sang happily. "I got it, I got it, I can't believe I got it!"
She continued dancing around like an excited fan at a rock concert...until she saw Brains and Tin-Tin. "Oh, um...hi, guys."
Brains smiled. "Hi, Callie. You're sure excited about something."
"Oh, yes, I am. I finally found the antidote to the jet fuel. Of course we'll still have to do field tests and other--"
"Easy, Callie, calm down," said Tin-Tin. "Why don't you show us your discovery?"
For the next few minutes, Callie showed them all the experiments she had worked on, along with the sample she had just completed under the microscope. "What do you both think?"
Tin-Tin nodded. "We need to show this to Mr. Tracy after dinner. He would definitely want to know."
"I agree," added Brains. "The sooner we tell him, the sooner we can really start working on making more of the antidote."
"Especially if the jet fuel becomes more commonly used," Callie said. "Whew, I've been working on this for most of the day today."
Brains patted Callie's shoulder. "Then take a breather. The antidote won't disappear anytime soon."
She nodded and joined them in stepping out of the lab. Well, I can cross off finding the antidote off my resolution list, she thought to herself. And it took just 10 days into the new year.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2251 is a reply to message #2250] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 22:50 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
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Evil Genius |
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Friday, Jaunuary 11th, early morning
Gordon watched as his new student cut swiftly through the water. There isn't much to correct on his backstroke, Gordon thought as Aaron reached the far end of the pool and performed the flip to turn around. The turns need some work, however, and he's surfacing too quickly after the turn, Gordon made a mental note to spend some time just working on that the next morning.
As Aaron reached the end of the pool, Gordon hit the button on the stop watch he was holding. The aquanaut looked down at the time; 1:58:63. It was the first time Gordon had actually timed laps. The kid really does have a decent shot of making the World Team, Gordon thought as he made his way over to where Aaron was pulling himself out of the pool.
"So, what was the time, Coach?" Aaron asked, as he grabbed his towel off a near-by lounge chair.
Gordon told him the time. The copper-haired Tracy didn't miss the smile that came to the teenager's face, although he simply nodded at the news. "You're losing time on the turn though. I'll give you some pointers tomorrow morning and we'll try to improve them. I also want you to work on staying underwater longer after the turn. You've got 15 meters until you need to surface and I'm sure you've been told that underwater speed is faster than the surface time due to resistance." Gordon noticed Aaron nod in confirmation. "You use the 15 meters well at the start but following the turn you're on the surface before you reach 10 meters. That's something else we'll work on tomorrow."
Aaron nodded again as he finished towel drying his hair and then wrapped the towel around his shoulders.
"So, how do you like the island so far?"
Aaron shrugged. "It's okay, I guess. Having my own apartment is nice. I'm enjoying not having Lea getting into everything. I miss my friends back home, though. I love Lea, but hanging out with a five year old just isn't the same as hanging with kids my age."
"I know what you mean," Gordon commented with a laugh.
"I also can't surf as much as I did at home, though my mom is probably happy about that as I've caught up in my school work. I got behind in while we were getting ready to move."
"You're doing an internet program then?"
"Yeah," the teenager replied, nodding. "I started it during what would have been my freshman year. Mom keeps tabs on how I'm doing and makes sure I stay on track though she leaves me alone unless I ask for help."
"That shows a lot of discipline," Gordon commented, as he placed the stop watch on the table. "What's the problem with the surfing time? I know we might not get the great surf Hawaii does, but it's still decent."
"One of Dad's rules. He doesn't want me in the ocean unless I'm with an adult. He' s been busy this week, though he did spend some time on the beach with Lea yesterday evening, so I got a chance to surf."
"It's a good idea not to go surfing alone," Gordon said, feeling the need to back Vince up a little. "I usually surf with one of my brothers. I'll let you know whenever I plan on surfing and you can tag along."
"Thanks!"
"Not a problem. You should also look into getting involved with something on the mainland. It'll give you a chance to hang out with some kids your own age."
"Now you sound like my parents."
"Hey, just trying to help," Gordon said, putting up his hands in surrender. An idea was starting to form, but he knew he had to talk to Vince before mentioning anything to Aaron. There was no point in getting the teenager's hopes up and then his father vetoing the idea.
"I know," Aaron commented. "Guess I'll head back to my apartment and get breakfast before doing some school work. See ya tomorrow, Coach."
Gordon gave a half-wave as the teenager headed toward the Cliff House. He then stripped off the t-shirt and shorts he had put on over his swimsuit and dove into the pool. He wanted to get his own workout in before breakfast.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2252 is a reply to message #2251] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 22:51 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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Friday, January 11th, around 11:30 am
"That's everything you need to know," Gordon said, as he handed the handgun over to Vince. The older man accepted the gun from him.
"Thanks for taking the time to do this," Vince told him.
Given his background with firearms, it had been agreed that Vince didn't need any official training in this area. The former Navy SEAL wanted to get familiar with IR's handguns as soon as possible though and had asked Gordon to give him a hand.
"Not a problem. I'm interested in seeing just how good a shot you are."
"I'll try not to disappoint you," Vince told him, picking up some ear and eye protection and heading toward the firing line. He donned the ear muffs and goggles before taking his place on the line. Gordon, also wearing ear protection, found a safe place to watch as Vince took his aim at the target.
After firing four shots, Vince stopped, wanting to see where the bullets had landed on the target. He worked the controls to bring the target close to the firing line.
"Not bad for your first time," Gordon said, as he examined the target. The bullet holes were right on the line of the bull-eye's target..
"Thanks," Vince replied as he sent the target back out again. He moved it back further than he had the first time. With a quick glance over his shoulder to make sure that Gordon had moved to a safe distance again Vince took his stance at the firing line. Concentrating only on the distant target, Vince finished off the round that was in the gun.
Gordon let out a whistle as he saw the target Vince had brought in once again. "Nice shot," he commented. All the bullets had landed in the center bull's eye. "You and I need to have a competition sometime," he commented, knowing that going up against the former Navy SEAL would be quite a challenge.
"Anytime," Vince told him, as the two left the firing line. "Want to join us for lunch?" he asked as Gordon led him through the proper cleaning of the guns.
"Your wife won't mind a surprise guest?"
"No. Believe me it won't be the first time I've surprised her with a guest for a meal. Just be warned; the apartment still isn't in tip top shape."
"Wouldn't expect it to be," Gordon replied.
Once the gun was properly cleaned and stored the two men headed toward the Cliff House. Gordon had gotten a hold of John and asked him to let everyone know not to expect him for lunch.
"I had an interesting conversation with your son this morning after our lesson," Gordon said as the two walked. "Sounds like he's going a bit stir crazy and missing his friends."
Vince nodded thoughtfully. He had noticed it himself but wasn't sure what to do about it. He hadn't mentioned it to Lana, not wanting to worry her. "I know. He's not happy with me about the surfing rule either."
"Yeah, he mentioned that."
"Well, you can't be both friend and responsible parent all the time," Vince said. "I'd rather he be a little upset with me and safe than something happening. I've tried to get him to look into something to get involved in on the mainland and he keeps putting me off. Lana says he just needs time to adjust." He shook his head. "I'm sorry, you probably don't want to hear me ranting."
"I'm the one that brought up the topic," Gordon told him. "Though I definitely can't give you parenting advice. However, I did want to run an idea by you. Tyler and Alex gave me a gift certificate for a Dolphin Cruise that leaves from Akora as a Christmas gift. I have a feeling our parents helped them out a bit on financing but I'm really looking forward to going. I was going to wait until Alan was back down on the island and drag him along so I had someone to go with, but if you're okay with Aaron spending some time off island with me, I'd like to invite him along. I think he'd really enjoy it and getting off the island might do him some good."
"If Aaron wants to go with you, I'd be more than happy to pay for him to go," Vince said. "Sure you want to spend time with a teenager though?"
The two had reached the Cliff House and Gordon pushed the button for the lift.
"He's not that much younger than me," Gordon said. "Besides, part of being a good coach is watching out for your athlete's mental well-being along with their physical training." The lift had arrived and the door opened. Gordon stepped onto it, followed by Vince.
"Looks like we didn't do too bad a job at picking our son a good swim coach then," Vince replied as the lift began to rise on its way to the second floor.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2253 is a reply to message #2252] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 22:52 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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Lady Penelope's plane had long since touched down on Tracy Island. In one of the guest suites, Izarra Soto Fernandez touched up her eye shadow and ran a well-manicured finger over the crow's feet around her eyes. I am not getting any younger, she thought, but my Sébastian would have wanted me to continue my work. I owe it to his memory. It was true that her late husband had introduced her to the world of spying. It was also true that she wanted to live up to the potential he saw in her.
There was a chime at the door and Izarra walked across the room. She opened the door to see Parker standing there, his hands clasped gently in front of him.
"Good afternoon, madam," he said. "'Er Ladyship 'as sent me to h'accompany you to the interview."
"Thank you," Izarra said. "I believe I am ready."
They made their way from the Villa guest room to the study. Parker showed her in before excusing himself. Izarra found herself faced with one of the richest men in the world, and one of the most demure ladies of England.
"Good afternoon," Jeff Tracy said, extending a hand in greeting. Izarra shook it confidently. Penelope held out her smaller, softer hand. Izarra shook that too. Jeff smiled. "Thank you for coming. Please, take a seat."
The trio sat down, Jeff and Penelope behind Jeff's lavish desk. Izarra settled herself as comfortably and correctly as she could. Her heart began to beat a little faster.
"Okay. We've brought you here today on Lady Penelope's recommendation as an experienced intelligence operative. Can you tell me about your previous experience in this field?"
The interview continued for around a half hour. Izarra spoke enthusiastically about her previous work with both the French and Spanish secret services, both in the field and behind a desk doing background checks. Penelope nodded as she recounted the time when they had both been involved in cracking a drug smuggling ring. It seemed like yesterday to Izarra as she felt the familiar fire burn within her. Yes, I need this. I want this job.
At length Jeff tapped his pad and it powered down. He cast a sidelong glance at Lady Penelope. Izarra's brows drew together slightly as Penny nodded almost imperceptibly, before she gave Izarra a smile and a nod.
"Ms Soto Fernandez, we believe that you are an ideal candidate for our... organisation."
Izarra raised one eyebrow and sat forward a little, her pulse quickening.
"Oh?" she asked. "What type of organisation is it that you are involved in? I must admit that I assumed it was within Tracy Industries."
"It will be as part of one of Jeff Tracy's more philanthropic endeavours. You shall be working for me as part of a network of agents all around the world, who work for International Rescue."
Izarra felt as though her mind had gone blank, and she reached forward to lay her hands on the desk. She looked Jeff and then Penny squarely in the eyes.
"International Rescue?" she asked. "You are International Rescue?"
"Yes, we are," Jeff said. "We have agents in almost every country in the world. We want you to become our new agent in New Zealand, working under the auspices of myself and Lady Penelope. It will be your job to investigate any leads or perform any operations needed by International Rescue in New Zealand -- under total secrecy. We would like to use your skills to aid in exploring potential threats to International Rescue both within your particular area and around the world."
Izarra retracted her hands and folded them in her lap.
"This was not what I was expecting," she said. "I mean you no offense, but this seems... unlikely to say the least. How do I know that what you are telling me is the truth?"
"I assure you, this is the truth. However, proof can be supplied," Jeff said.
He stood up and motioned for Izarra to do the same. Izzie followed as Jeff and Penelope walked out of the study and through the lounge. They brought her into a small monorail car. Izarra remained tight-lipped as the car began to move off. After a short journey, Jeff slowed the car down and fixed Izarra with a firm stare.
"This is your proof," he said.
The monorail car slipped through into a large chamber, and it took Izarra's brain several moments to comprehend what she was seeing. The car was travelling through a huge hanger, in the centre of which was one of the most enormous contraptions she had ever seen. Her jaw dropped.
"This is Thunderbird Three," Jeff said. "It's our space ship, used for rescues outside the earth's atmosphere."
"I... my God. It is true," Izarra breathed. "I... I can barely believe it."
"With your proof, what do you think now of our offer?" Lady Penelope asked.
"Without question," Izarra said, "I accept."
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
[Updated on: Wed, 22 April 2015 00:59] by Moderator Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2254 is a reply to message #2253] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 23:04 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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After grabbing a bite to eat, Cassie decided to work on putting music to some lyrics she had written. It had been a long time since she had written any songs and she missed it. She had made her New Year's resolution be to attempt to write music for a poem she had written in her free time.
This was her second try. After a short time of working in her apartment, she had left the confines of the indoors, to find a quiet place to work outside. Her wanderings had led her down to the pool. To her surprise the area was empty, probably due partly to the cloudy skies that had moved in over the late afternoon hours. Taking advantage of this, she settled herself in a chair.
Putting the clipboard with the sheet music on a table, Cassie began working. It wasn't ideal conditions but she had gotten used to that when she took her guitar to the fire house. It didn't take her long to realize that the fresh air wasn't helping the creative juices like she had hoped. After playing a few lines over a couple of times she stopped. It just didn't sound right. Laying the guitar down in her lap she picked up the clipboard and looked at the music she had wrote trying to figure out how to change it.
"Hey, Cass! What are you up to?"
Cassie looked up to see Scott walking over to where she was sitting. The fact that he was wearing a t-shirt, shorts and sandals told her he hadn't come down to the pool area for a swim.
"Attempting to work on a song. Thought a change of scenery might help."
"Is it working?"
She shook her head. "I haven't tried writing music in so long I guess I'm kind of rusty. At this point I'm not sure if its my writing or my playing that's the problem." Giving a sigh, she put the clipboard down. "Maybe I should just give up."
"Well, Virgil's the song writer in the family, but I do play guitar. Maybe having someone else play what you wrote would give you a new perspective on it."
Cassie thought over his offer. Besides Alex and her music teachers, she had never let anyone read a composition while she was working in it. Still, it might just work.
"Okay," she acquiesced.
Scott pulled another chair closer and sat down. Cassie handed her guitar over to him. Scott accepted the instrument with a smile.
Man, he has a great smile! Cassie thought as she picked up the clipboard. Where did that come from. Scott is just a friend. Besides, you're still trying to sort through things with Alex, she chided herself.
Trying to put the thought out of her mind, she slid the clipboard over a little bit so that Scott could see it easier. While Scott played, Cassie simply listened to the music. They worked for awhile, Cassie making changes and Scott replaying a section of the composition over until she liked the way it sounded.
"I think I'm going to call it a day," Cassie said, after awhile, happy with the progress that had been made. "Thanks for your help," she commented as she reached out to take her guitar back. Once again, she saw him smile and wondered why she had never taken notice of it before.
"Anytime," Scott, replied as they both stood. "Does the song have words?"
"Yeah."
"Perhaps, I can hear the words with the song when you get it finished?"
Cassie nodded, though she suddenly felt butterflies in her stomach.It's not like you haven't played your own music for people before, she thought, wondering why the thought of playing the song for Scott was making her nervous.
After saying farewells, the two split. Scott heading up to the Villa and Cassie heading to the Cliff House.
A special thanks to ArtisticRainey for her helpful input while I was writing this
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2255 is a reply to message #2254] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 23:04 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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Emily Tracy was sitting comfortably in a chair listening to Virgil play the piano. Movement at the doorway made her look up. Seeing Scott enter the lounge, she gave her eldest grandson a smile. Scott crossed the lounge to an empty chair near his grandmother. At the piano, Virgil glanced briefly at his elder brother but continued the piece.
A few moments later, the last notes of the piece faded away.
"That was beautiful, Virgil," Emily said, breaking the silence that had fallen over the room.
"Thank you, Grandma," Virgil replied, looking at her over top of his piano. He then switched his gaze over to his brother. "Looks like that walk put you in a better mood."
"I actually didn't go for a walk. Ran into Cassie down by the pool."
"So you've been down there for the last hour?" Virgil inquired.
"Yeah. She was working on writing a song, so I gave her hand by playing what she had written," Scott commented. And probably enjoyed myself more than I would have on a walk.
"I didn't realize she wrote songs," Virgil commented.
"Me either," Scott replied. There are probably a lot of things I don't know about her. Most of our conversations over the past month have mostly been limited to things going on here and current events. He made a mental note to change that they next time they got together.
"I'm sure there are things that we don't know about all of the recruits," Emily commented. She looked over at her eldest grandson. "Though I have to say, you're the last one I expected to see Cassie spending time with. There was a time when I didn't think the two of you would ever see eye to eye."
Scott looked away from his grandmother only to see Virgil nodding in agreement. "I wouldn't have put my money on Scott and Cassie spending free time together back then either."
Seeing he was outnumbered, Scott chose not to comment. Guess it just goes to show first impressions aren't everything.
"Any other requests?" Virgil asked, taking his older brother's silence as a cue to change the subject.
Scott shook his head and Virgil looked to his grandmother. "Just make it something upbeat," the Tracy matriarch requested.
Virgil thought for a moment and then started playing jazz piece. Recognizing it as one of his favorites, Scott glanced over at his brother who gave him a smile. Leaning back in his chair, Scott listened to the music, his right foot gently tapping in time with the music.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2256 is a reply to message #2255] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 23:05 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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Friday, January 11, 12:15 p.m., Paris (12:15 a.m., next day, Tracy Island)
"Here we are," Kyrano said simply, offering his hand to Lisa. She took it, and eased out of the car. The driver shut the door behind her, and Kyrano gave him rapid instructions in French. The driver responded, making Lisa wish she spoke the language. As they approached the house, her arm tucked securely in her husband's, she could hear the car pull away.
"He will come back in an hour, unless we call earlier," Kyrano explained.
"Tell me again about your wi... about Samani's father." Lisa sighed a little at her own slip, but Kyrano patted her hand and smiled.
"Has it not yet sunk in that we are husband and wife, dear heart?"
Lisa smiled back, a shy and rueful expression. "It still seems like a dream, Tuan. It has been a long time since I've been someone's wife."
"You will grow accustomed to it, tercinta, and one day you will find that you feel as if it has always been so." Kyrano paused, and inhaled deeply. "Samani's father, yes. I met Monsieur Manabo... perhaps I should give him his full title, which is Doctor Elias Manabo, when in England. I worked for the Royal Gardens at Kew then, and he had come to see how we utilized insects...particularly butterflies...as pollinators. Butterflies are his specialty, you see. Both of his daughters are named for different species of butterfly."
"I didn't know that."
"Indeed. Samani was named for the vanessa samani, which is native to Malaysia. I cannot recall where Tamea's name came from. We should ask him." They had come to the lobby of the building, and pressed a button for the Manabo apartment. The buzzer went off immediately, telling them they were expected.
"Bonjour, Tuan." Tamea waited outside the door to the appartemente. Kyrano was surprised to see how weary and how much older she looked from his last visit.
"Bonjour, Tamea," he responded. Turning to Lisa, he added, "Je te present ma femme. Elle s'appelle Lisa. Lisa, this is Tamea."
Tamea inclined her head and offered her hand. "Bonjour, Lisa. Bienvenue."
Lisa took Tamea's hand, and shook it gently. "Merci, Tamea." Lisa was now the one with the translator in her ear, as the only French she knew was what she had picked up from Dianne and from Kyrano himself.
Tamea opened the door, and beckoned the others to come inside. "My father has been waiting for you, Tuan," was what Lisa heard from the translator device. "He has been asking for you all morning."
Kyrano smiled sadly as he and Lisa followed Tamea inside.
Elias was settled in a hospital chair, his legs covered by a blanket. He looked twenty years older than he had at Kyrano's last visit, but he smiled when Lisa was introduced, and took her plump hand in both of his bony ones.
"Pardonnez-moi, madame. My English is, how you say, a little rusty," Elias said.
"That's all right, Monsieur. My French is almost non-existent," she replied, smiling.
"Sit down, s'il vous plait, and let us talk." He indicated the chair next to his. "Over tea, peut-être?"
"I will help Tamea with the tea," Kyrano said. Lisa gave him a nod, and he went off to the kitchen.
"How is he?" Kyrano asked in French as he began to help Tamea gather the tea things. As was usual with him, his "helping" turned into a subtle take over of the duties, giving Tamea room to speak.
"This is one of his better days," Tamea replied, her voice weary. "The doctors say he will be gone before spring."
"Then what will you do?" Kyrano asked as he took the whistling kettle from the stove.
"I don't know," Tamea replied, sighing. "I will have nothing left here. He has been everything to me since Maman died... and since Samani..." She looked at Kyrano, giving him a sad, but piercing gaze. "He was so proud of her, you know, and of what she accomplished. All I wanted to do was find a husband and raise a family, as Maman did, but Samani followed in his footsteps as an academic, a researcher. Then you came along with your love of nature and..." She shook her head. "I never did find a husband, or raise a family. And when he dies..." A tear rolled down her cheek. "I am too old to do anything now."
Tamea's words troubled Kyrano deeply. He put a hand on her shoulder, and remarked, hesitantly, "You never know when love will find you, Tamea. I am proof of that. You are a good woman, and still have much to offer."
"I... I wish I could believe that." She wiped her eyes, and asked in a soft tone, "Is the tea ready?"
"It is."
"Then we should bring it out. I do want to talk with your Lisa."
She reached for the tray, and Kyrano held himself back, squelching his natural instinct to serve. She needs to be useful, even in this small way, he told himself. Instead, he went ahead, and set up the small table, putting an extra chair next to Elias's.
"Your Lisa has been showing me les photos de votre mariage," Elias said as Kyrano and Tamea joined them. "It must be nice to have so many new grandchildren. And your Tin-Tin is so lovely. I wish I could see her myself."
Kyrano smiled, the germ of an idea planted in his mind. But it will wait until we get home. For now, enjoy Paris, and this last, bitter-sweet visit.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2258 is a reply to message #2257] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 23:07 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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Around 7:15 pm, Cliff House
"Are you done yet, Mommy?" Lea asked as she stood in front of her mom, shifting her weight from side to side every so often.
Lana smiled as she pulled the brush through her daughter's hair. The little girl was excited about actually being allowed to go to a 'big person' party as she referred to it. The fact that she wasn't staying still was making doing her hair harder than usually.
"Almost, sweetie," Lana replied, putting the brush down in her lap and picking up the light blue bow clip that matched her daughter's dress. She clipped the bow and let go of Lea's hair. "There you go."
"How do I look, Daddy," Lea immediately asked, taking a few steps forward and twirling around.
Vince, who was tying his tie, smiled. "You look lovely, Poppet!"
Before anyone could say anything else, they heard the balcony door to the living area open up. All three of them looked in that direction to see Aaron walk into the apartment. He had on dress pants and shirt with the suit jacket and tie draped over one arm and dress shoes and socks in the other hand.
"Do I really have to go to this thing?" he asked, dropping the shoes on the floor.
"Yes," Vince replied. "It'll be a good chance for all of us to get to know our neighbors here on the island."
"I'd rather stay home and read a book or something. It's going to be so boring."
"Well, if you think you'll be bored you can keep an eye on Lea for us," Lana suggested as she started heading toward her bedroom to put on the jewelry.
"Oh, joy," Aaron said as he put his suit jacket on the back of the couch and began to try putting on his tie.
After watching Aaron fail in the attempt, Vince crossed over to his son.
"Look, Aaron, at least make an attempt at enjoying yourself this evening," Vince told his son taking the tie from him and beginning to put it on correctly. "Make an appearance, hang out for an hour, and then if you want you can leave, okay."
"Ok. Do I really have to watch Lea?"
"No, your mother was only kidding about that although if you come home early we may send her back with you," Vince told him, finishing the job. "There you go."
"Thanks, Dad."
"Now get your shoes on so you're ready to go. Semi-formal does mean shoes are required," Vince told him and then headed for the bedroom to see if Lana needed any help with her jewelry.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2259 is a reply to message #2258] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 23:09 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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Saturday, January 12, 7:15 p.m., Tracy Island
"Argh!"
"What's the problem, love?" Jeff asked from the master bath, where he was knotting his tie. When Dianne didn't answer right away, he glanced out the door. The number of dresses draped across the bed had grown exponentially since he'd walked into the bathroom, and as he watched, another was tossed on top of the pile. He shook his head slightly, ran a comb through his already sleek hair, and headed into the bedroom to see if he could help.
"I have nothing to wear!" Dianne said, her voice muffled by the clothes in her closet.
Jeff eyed the pile on the bed and his eyebrow rose. "You'd look great in any of these, Dianne."
His wife sighed, an exasperated tone, and came out of the closet, dresses in each hand. She held one up critically, then shook her head and threw it across the bed with the others. Before she could do the same with the second dress, Jeff closed in and took hold of her wrist.
"What's wrong with this one?" he asked. "Doesn't it fit anymore?"
Dianne fixed a baleful eye on her husband. "It's not a matter of fit," she snapped. "It's a matter of style, and of season." She swept her hand out, indicating all the rejected dresses. "None of these dresses are in the current style, and half of them aren't appropriate for the summer."
Jeff glanced over at the pile again. "Okay. I get not wanting to wear a winter dress in the summer, love. I really do. But since when did style become important to you? You've always worn just what you liked, without caring who created it or when it was... the latest..." He couldn't find the the word he wanted, and settled for, "... when it was trendy."
"I know, I know." His wife's frustration was evident. "It's just... this is Penny's party, and though she's too to much of a lady to say anything about what I wear, she might have opinions nonetheless. Also, she's mentioned that Izarra is very up on the latest fashions. I want to make a good impression!"
"Ah, okay. I see now." He let go of her wrist. "Put that one away, and I'll help you pick out something."
"But Jeff..."
He leaned forward to kiss her on the forehead. "If I pick out the dress, and anyone says anything, you can tell them that it's one of my favorites. That way, I'll be the bad guy."
Dianne chuckled, and leaned in to put her head on Jeff's shoulder. "I love you, you know."
"I know."
They kissed, a lingering caress, then Dianne went to the closet to hang up the dress she still held. Jeff began sorting through the pile, handing her the ones that were obviously not for the season, and running a critical eye over the others.
"This one." He had chosen a one shoulder dress in a pale lavender. It had a full, knee-length skirt with a handkerchief hemline and a fitted bodice. "This should swirl nicely on the dance floor," he remarked.
Dianne smiled and took it from his hand. "I approve," she murmured. A wide, slow smile crossed her face, and she moved closer to him, speaking quietly into his ear. "Now that you've picked out the dress, you can help me with something else."
"Oh?" Jeff's eyebrow rose. "And what's that?"
Her smile turned to a cat-like expression. "You can help me pick out my shoes."
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2260 is a reply to message #2259] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 23:09 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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12 January 2069, 7.30pm, Tracy Island
Izarra smoothed down the front of her dress as she sat down at the dressing table. Her fingers, their nails painted to a shining gloss, ghosted over the teal and black jacquard fabric of her Nafisa Dafina cocktail frock. She looked at the dress in the mirror, its three quarter length sleeves crinkling gently at her elbows. Nafisa Dafina was a Somalian designer who had worked closely with Izarra's husband on fabric prints up until his death. Her dress designs were amongst Izarra's favourites.
Izzie opened her little make-up case and made a few finishing touches to her face. I am still in shock, I believe, she thought as she smoothed a patch of her foundation. International Rescue! It was the last thing I ever expected to hear. But, it is also the best thing I could have heard. To think that I will be able to aid this organisation in some way is such a privilege. She touched up her eye shadow and clicked her case shut again.
She stood up and stepped into her very high heeled shoes, gaining four inches in height. Ah, that's better, she thought. With one last look in the mirror, she walked out of the room with a grin.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2261 is a reply to message #2260] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 23:10 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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12 January 2069, 7.45pm, Tracy Island
Dominic straightened Joshua's little bow tie as the monorail car came to a stop.
"Best behaviour, Jak?"
Joshua tapped his little black shoes on the car floor and grinned.
"Best behavor, Daddy!"
"Promise?"
"Pwomise!"
"All right then."
Dominic took Joshua's hand and led him to the lounge. There weren't many people present just yet, but Dom glanced at his watch. There's time yet. As they reached the lounge, he waved to John and Gordon, who were standing just across the room with the lady he recognised as the new agent.
"Gowdon!"
Joshua bounded across to the brothers and Dominic strolled after him.
"Evening, gents," he said.
Gordon grabbed Joshua and tossed him in the air, and John gestured to the woman.
"Izarra Soto Fernandez, meet Dominic Kelly, our resident nurse. Dominic, meet Izarra, our new agent for New Zealand -- and also our family dentist."
"Nice to meet ya," Dominic said, reaching out to shake Izarra's hand.
"The pleasure is mine," she said. "Are all the men here so guapo?" Izarra asked John.
"Eh?" Dominic cocked an eyebrow.
"Handsome," John explained.
Dominic grinned.
"Ah, cheers!" he said.
The little group continued to chat as the rest of the guests gathered to await Penelope's arrival.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
[Updated on: Wed, 22 April 2015 01:06] by Moderator Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2262 is a reply to message #2261] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 23:11 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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Ching, ching, ching, ching...
The gathered party-goers all looked up as Jeff lowered the spoon from his champagne flute. The room fell silent apart from the quiet background music. Jeff cleared his throat.
"Good evening, everyone," he said. "Tonight we're belatedly celebrating the birthday of the lovely Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward."
There was a gentle peal of applause and smiles all around. Penelope, inclined her head at Jeff's compliment.
"So, if everyone would raise their glasses please," he said, nodding to Jenny who had been making sure everyone was topped up with their tipple before filling her own glass, "and join in a toast to a most excellent agent and a most beloved friend. To Lady Penelope," he finished.
"To Lady Penelope!" the rest of the room chorused.
Champagne flutes and glasses clinked together and Penelope smiled gracefully.
"Thank you very much, everyone; you are too kind. I do hope you all will enjoy yourselves. I know that I shall with your wonderful company."
There was another round of applause, before the music was turned up a little, and the party officially began.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
[Updated on: Wed, 22 April 2015 01:06] by Moderator Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2263 is a reply to message #2262] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 23:12 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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Jeff finished his champagne and handed his flute to his wife. "You don't mind if I dance with the birthday girl first, do you?"
"No, of course not," Dianne said, sipping her own champagne. "We'll have plenty of time later."
Jeff smiled, and kissed her on the cheek. "I'll be back."
Penelope was just accepting a second glass of champagne from Parker when Jeff found her.
"May I have this dance, milady?" he asked, bowing slightly.
Penny smiled, a bright twinkle in her eye. "Of course, Jeff. I would never turn down a chance to dance with you." She handed her glass to Parker, and stepped into Jeff's arms.
"I hope you enjoy yourself tonight," Jeff said as they swayed to the music.
"I'm sure I shall. It is a marked contrast to my usual birthday celebrations. They so often felt as if they were an afterthought in the excitement of holiday preparations." Penny sighed slightly. "Having one's birthday on Christmas Eve does tend to lessen the impact of the day in the minds of others." She glanced over to her left, and nodded in that direction. "I am sure you are aware of that since young Tyler and I share the same natal day."
Jeff smiled. "I've been aware of it for longer than that, Penny. Gordon's birthday on Valentine's Day was often a challenge, too; at least, while Lucy was alive... and now again with Dianne."
"But you have successfully celebrated both." Her tone shaded it as a question rather than a statement.
"Yes, we have. We've tried to make each birthday celebration as special as the person we're celebrating."
She smiled then, her cheeks coloring beneath her make up. "And I thank you for that."
They were quiet for a while, letting the music guide their steps. When the tune came to an end, Jeff leaned in and kissed Penelope on the cheek. "Happy birthday, Penny."
She looked downward, swallowing hard. "Thank you again, Jeff. For everything."
He was about to answer, when there was a slight tap on his shoulder. "Can I have this next dance with the birthday girl?" John asked.
"Of course, John," Penny said. Jeff could have sworn that tears had sparkled in her eyes the moment before, but now there was no sign of them. "I would be delighted to dance with you."
"She's all yours, son," Jeff said, drawing back.
"Don't I wish!" John replied with a grin as he took Penelope's hands. The music began again, and John swept her off into the small knot of dancing couples.
Jeff let a long breath out through his nose as he watched them for a moment. Then he went off in search of his wife. He felt a strong need to hold her in his arms, and dance with her, cheek to cheek.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2264 is a reply to message #2263] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 23:13 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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About 8:20pm . . .
"So are you enjoying yourself, John?" Scott asked as he walked up his brother. John had been entertaining Alex and Tyler but the two younger boys had now disappeared somewhere.
"Yes I am. Its nice change to actually be here in person instead of being up on Thunderbird 5. I feel bad for Alan though as I know exactly what he's going through up there."
Scott nodded. "I saw Gordon with the video camera again so our little brother won't miss out entirely."
Not to mention, with Nikki gone Alan might be happy for the excuse not to be here.
John nodded.
"Hi you two, smile!"
The two brothers looked in the direction of Tin-Tin's voice to see her standing in front of them with her camera. Brains was standing nearby. Throwing an arm around each other's shoulders the two smiled as the Malaysian woman snapped the picture.
"Thank you," Tin-Tin told them as she lowered the camera.
Scott and John both replied that it was no problem.
"Do you mind if I ask Tin-Tin to dance?" Scott asked, directing the question to Brains.
"She is free to dance with whomever she likes," the scientist replied easily.
Scott turned his attention back Tin-Tin. "In that case, may I have this dance?" he asked her, holding out a hand to him.
"Yes, you may," Tin-Tin replied.
Scott lead his partner to the center of the room to join the few other couples already dancing to the music.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2265 is a reply to message #2264] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 23:16 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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8:30 p.m.
Callie was contentedly happy to be at the party with everyone else, and she was having a good time.
Parker saw her approaching the bar. "Good evening, Miss Callie. What would you like t' drink?"
"Do you have anything...non-alcoholic?"
"H'Of course. Would yeh like a virgin fruit punch?"
With a smile on her face, she said, "I'll accept that."
"H'It will be done shortly."
Gordon walked up to her with his video camera. "Hey, Callie, looks like you've ordered up."
"Yeah. I took a virgin fruit punch."
Just as Parker was about to give her the glass, Gordon said, "You know that punch has been spiked, right?"
"What?" she gasped.
Parker cleared up the matter. "Relax, miss. The punch is not at h'all what yeh might call spiked." Shaking his head, he added, "That Mister Gordon. Yeh can never quite tell h'if 'e's tellin' you the truth."
Callie grabbed the glass and glared at Gordon. "You know that wasn't funny."
Gordon quickly put the camera down on the counter. "Okay, okay, Callie, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that."
With a speculative look, she huffed, "Well, this is a party, and we should be enjoying ourselves." Then she smiled and said, "I'll forgive ya."
Gordon sighed in relief. "Whew, thanks. Anyway, how's the party been?"
"Pretty good. It's been fun mingling with everybody."
"So, now that you've discovered the antidote to the jet fuel, what's next for you?"
"Actually, I was seriously going to talk to you about that. I'd like to do some training on Thunderbird Four."
"Really?" Gordon was pleasantly surprised. "What made you come to this decision?"
"Being an astronaut's great and all, but I like the idea of cross-training. I've been wanting to learn something completely new for myself and see what it's like."
"I understand. Astronauts and aquanauts have a lot more in common than most people realize. I know when you're training in the space suit, you have to go underwater for that zero-gravity simulation."
"Right." Taking a sip from her punch, she added, "I personally would like to one day be able to handle all of the Thunderbirds, but only in a back-up role. I don't want to take the jobs of the main pilots."
"A Jack--er, Jill-of-all-Trades." He smiled at the idea. "I like that. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if several people could be qualified to handle them all."
Callie nodded. "When do you think I can start?"
"Let me check my schedule first, and I'll let you know as soon as I can." Grabbing his camera again, he said, "If you don't mind now, I've got to finish filming the party."
"Sure thing. And thanks."
"You're welcome."
Gordon went back to filming the events of the party while Callie continued enjoying her alcohol-free fruit punch.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2266 is a reply to message #2265] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 23:17 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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With his drink in one hand and a glass of punch in the other, Scott walked across the lounge and stepped out onto the balcony. He crossed over to where Cassie was leaning against the rail, a slight breeze blowing the long jacket of the pants suit she wore.
"Hi, Scott," she replied, seeing him approach.
"Hi. I brought you a glass of punch," he said, holding it out.
"Thanks," she said, taking the proffered glass.
"If you'd like something stronger, I can go get it for you, but I don't recall ever seeing you drink alcohol."
"The punch is fine," Cassie replied, before putting her lips to the glass and taking a sip before continuing. "With the exception of a sip of champagne for the toast at my wedding, I haven't drunk alcohol in years."
"Any particular reason?" Scott asked, as he leaned against the balcony railing.
"Bad experience in high school."
"Get in trouble for drinking at a party or something?"
"Well, I was drinking at a party but as far as I know neither of my parents know about it," Cassie told him. "One of the guys on the football team had thrown a party for his team and the cheerleaders. I'm not sure who brought the beer and I can't remember who got me drinking it, but when it came time to leave, the friends I had come with and myself were pretty wasted. My brother, Philip, was at NYU at the time, so I called him to come pick me up and stayed at his apartment for the night."
"So your brother covered for you instead of telling your parents."
"I may have been better off facing my parents. Philip volunteered at a soup kitchen and guess who he woke up at five the following morning to help out." Cassie took a sip of the punch in your hand. "I guess his method worked though," she continued. "I never did drink at a party again, though I can't say the same for some of my friends on the squad."
"So you were a cheerleader in high school? I didn't peg you as the type."
"Why? Because I'm not blonde?"
"No. You just don't seem like the type that would like wearing the cheerleading uniforms."
"I viewed them as a necessary evil."
Scott laughed at her comment. "Did you participate in any other sports?"
She shook her head. "Not in high school. I did swimming in junior high but wasn't really all that good. I gave it up and joined chorus and yearbook in high school. Giving up swimming allowed me to also participate on the dance team, which basically consisted of people on the cheerleading squads. So what about you? Play any sports in school? Tennis maybe?"
Something about the way she asked the last question made Scott look over at her. Cassie was wearing a knowing smile, which made him think she had heard about the incident while he was teaching the kids tennis.
"Did someone say something to you?"
"Things get around," she replied. "Seriously though, did you play any sports in school?"
"Yes I did and I did play tennis actually. I also played basketball and did little league over the summer."
"Must have kept you busy," Cassie commented, before taking another sip of the punch in her hand.
"Are you kidding?" They heard Virgil say, and looked up to see him walking toward them. "Scott is the reason the rest of us are all over achievers ourselves," the younger Tracy added, as he came up beside Scott and rested his hand on his brother's shoulder. "Along with his sports he also managed to find time to do student council and become senior class president. Unfortunately for me, his arch rival was the star quarterback, and decided to give me a hard time just for being Scott's brother."
"The only competition that existed between the two of us was in that guy's head," Scott replied glancing over at his brother. "What was his name anyway?"
"Edward Turner the third," Virgil replied and then looked away from his brother and back at Cassie. "Thankfully for me, I only had to deal with him my freshman year. I think I would've gotten more grief the following year after Scott was voted Prom King over him if he hadn't graduated."
Cassie smiled. Looking at Scott, she could see he was a bit uncomfortable from his brother's comments. She had a feeling the Thunderbird 1 pilot wouldn't have mentioned being Prom King himself.
"Don't you have somewhere else to be?" Scott asked, taking a sip of his drink. "Where's your date anyways?"
"Vince asked her to dance."
"Dancing sounds like a good idea," Scott commented, seeing a way to get away from Virgil. He turned to Cassie. "Would you care to dance?" he asked, holding out a hand to her.
"Sure," Cassie said, placing her hand in Scott's. "I'll talk to you later, Virgil," she said, as Scott led her toward the lounge.
They deposited their glasses on a service cart and then joined the other dancers.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2267 is a reply to message #2266] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 23:18 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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As one song ended and another began a few of the dancers switched partners or went to get something to drink or eat. Scott and Cassie stayed where they were though. Glancing off to the side, Cassie saw Virgil and Elise now dancing together.
"May I cut in?"
Dom's accented question brought Cassie attention back to her own dance partner. She saw that the dark- haired nurse was now standing next to them as she and Scott stopped dancing. Scott glanced at Dom and then at Cassie and simply nodded, taking a step back.
As Cassie and Dom started dancing, Scott watched them for a moment. In reality he had wanted to tell Dom that he couldn't cut in. I don't know why though? It's not like I've got a monopoly on Cassie's time. She's perfectly free to dance with anyone she wants to.
With a slight shake of his head, Scott walked away from the two now dancing.
"Did I interrupt something?" Dom asked with a quick glance at the retreating Scott before turning his attention back to Cassie.
"No. Why?"
"Just wondering," Dom commented. As Cassie didn't seem at all upset about him cutting in, he decided to let it go. Maybe I'm reading more into the situation that there really is?
"Where did Joshua get too?"
"He's dancing himself believe it or not. Right over there," Dom told her, pointing off to his right.
Cassie turned her head to look in the direction he was pointing. It didn't take her long to spot Joshua and Lea dancing near the one side of the room. Lana was nearby keeping an eye on the two little ones.
"That's adorable!"
"Yeah. You should have been there when she asked him to dance. She was so polite about it. I have a feeling someone had coached her."
"It's good that they seem to be getting along," Cassie commented. "So, what have you been up to this evening?"
As they continued their dance, Dom told her about his evening so far.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2268 is a reply to message #2267] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 23:19 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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"So, are you enjoying yourself, Cherry?" John smiled down at his sister as they danced. He could feel the non-committal single shoulder shrug. "I guess that means, 'no'?"
"Well, sorta." The teen let out a deep sigh. "The food's great, as usual, and the music is okay. But it's just not as fun as the New Year's Eve party. Or even the Halloween party. Or Virgil's birthday."
"Don't tell me you're getting to be a jaded society party girl!" John said with a chuckle. "You're far too young for that!"
Cherie rolled her eyes. "Of course, I'm not."
"Then why isn't this one as fun?"
"I dunno." Again, she gave him a half-hearted shrug. "I guess because there's nothing to do but dance and eat. Or, if you're a grown up, dance, eat and drink."
"That's just about all we did at the New Year's Eve party," John countered.
"Yeah, but there were lots of cool people there. Lots of guys to dance with. I listened to Grandma Emily talking with that Duchess. She was a hoot!" Cherie glanced up at her brother, a quizzical look on her face. "Did you know that Kat was there?"
"I know." John's face held a tint of something Cherie couldn't place. "She came to speak to me. Even introduced her fiancé."
"She's engaged?" She shook her head. "That was pretty quick."
John gave her a keen glance. "Quick? What do you mean by that?"
"I dunno." Cherie looked away, and gave another now-annoying half-shrug. "I kinda thought she'd be pining away after you longer than that."
He snorted and shook his head. "I don't know where you got that idea."
"It's just the way she seemed to be."
There was a pause, then John changed the subject. "Well, there are still interesting people to talk to. Have you talked to Ms. Soto-Fernandez?"
Cherie made a face. "Our dentist? I mean, I know she's going to be an agent and all that, but she's a... a dentist. How is that interesting?"
John's eyebrow went up, and he smiled, a mysterious expression. "I don't know, Cherie, but I've heard some pretty interesting things about this dentist of ours. She's known Lady Penelope for a while now. I understand they both used to be in the same line of work."
The girl looked confused. "You mean modeling? Our dentist used to be a model?"
This time, John laughed aloud. "If you think that Lady Penelope used to be a model, you'd better go talk to her and get the straight story. Modeling is what she does now... but only on occasion."
The music ended, and John asked, "I'm thirsty. How about you?"
"I guess," was her non-committal answer.
"Then I'll get us both some punch, and you can go talk to Lady P. Ask her what she used to do." He motioned off to one of the center tables, where her Ladyship sat with Emily and Izarra.
"I'd like the punch, but..." Cherie eyed the older women warily.
"Double dog dare you."
She rolled her eyes again. "Oh, all right," she said, her tone one of resigned petulance.
"I'll bring the punch to the table," he said, grinning. "I wouldn't miss this for the world."
He stalked off to the punch bowl, glancing back only once to see Cherie approach Penelope's table.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
[Updated on: Wed, 22 April 2015 01:12] by Moderator Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2269 is a reply to message #2268] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 23:21 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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"And here's a wall flower," Gordon commented, as he zoomed in on John sitting alone at a table. "What's wrong, can't convince anyone to dance with you?"
"I'm taking a break. Is that allowed?" John responded.
"I suppose so. Got anything to say to our wayward brother."
"Hi Alan," John said, looking into the camera. "Sorry you're missing the fun but I'm glad to be enjoying the evening myself. I'll dance with Lady Penelope once for you."
"Yeah, because she's the only one you can convince to dance with you," Gordon quipped.
"If all you're going to do is give me a hard time, take you camera elsewhere, will you?"
"I think I will. I've wasted enough time on you, as it is."
With that said, Gordon left John at the table and wandered around the room some more. Eventually the camera came to rest on a very bored looking Aaron. Shutting the camera off, Gordon walked over to him.
"Hey Aaron. You don't look like you're having very much fun," Gordon commented.
Aaron had tagged along with him a bit at the beginning of the party as Gordon had recorded people arriving for the party. The copper-haired Tracy had taken the time to introduce his student to the people he hadn't met yet, including the younger Tracy kids.
"Hey, Coach. I'm kind of just hanging around until my father has decided I made enough of an appearance."
"You might enjoy yourself more if you do something more than just hold up the wall. Ask someone to dance. You can dance, right?"
"Of course I know how to dance," Aaron said defensively.
Gordon looked around the room looking for his sister. He knew she would enjoy being asked to dance with someone other than her brothers and probably wouldn't turn the teenager down. He finally spotted her talking with Scott.
"Why don't you go ask Cherie to dance?" Gordon suggested nodding his head in his sister's direction.
"I don't know."
"Oh, go on. She doesn't bite. Or are you scared to ask a girl to dance?"
"I'm not scared!" Aaron said standing up straight.
"Then go ask her," Gordon said, nodding again in Cherie's direction.
"I will," the teenage replied.
With that said, Aaron started off across the lounge. Gordon switched the camera back on, and started recording again.
"And here's Tracy Island's newest teenager off to ask Cherie to dance," Gordon narrated as he followed Aaron across the room. He watched the scene unfold on the screen.
Both Cherie and Scott glanced at Aaron as he came up to them. Scott nodded and grinned, and left the two teenagers alone. Though Aaron's back was to him, Gordon was still able to see his sister's face as he talked to her. Cherie had what he considered was a rather coy look on her face as she spoke with Aaron, but he knew she had said yes as soon as he saw her bashful smile. "And what do you know folks, she said yes to him," he said, as he taped Aaron leading Cherie into the middle of the room with the other couples.
Gordon taped the two of them dancing for a little bit and then started panning through some of the other couples.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2270 is a reply to message #2269] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 23:22 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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"Lady Penelope is a very lovely woman. She seems so. . . I'm not sure what the right word is. But I bet the story of how she came to meet the Tracys and became involved with International Rescue would be. . . interesting, to say the least," Will commented as he watched her walk away to join another group.
"You're right there," Vince replied.
They watched the retreating form of the guest of honor for a few moments longer, then returned to the conversation they were having before she'd joined them.
"Y'know, I still find it hard to believe that we attended the Naval Academy at the same time, yet never ran into each other," Will said.
"Well, with a graduating class of over 800, I suppose neither of us could have gotten to meet all of our classmates. Although I think I saw you at some of our home football games. With your height and that hair, you'd be hard to miss."
"Yeah, I suppose. Did you have any problems adjusting?"
"Not really. My Dad was career Navy and he ran a strict ship, if you know what I mean. You?"
"Well, as tall as I am -- which you noticed -- it took me a week or so to remember not to sit up in bed, or stand straight up from my desk. I must've hit my head on the ceiling and the bottom of the bed half a dozen times at the beginning of each term." Will raised one hand to rub the top of his head.
Vince grinned, and was about to speak when Lea ran up to him, tears streaming down her face. "Daddy, I wanna go."
He bent down and picked her up. "What's the matter, Poppet?"
"They said I can't dance with them, 'cause I'm too little."
"Who did, sweetie?"
But she'd started crying harder, and couldn't answer, instead putting her head on her father's shoulder. Vince started to look for his wife. This problem was a little out of his experience.
"You can't leave just yet, Lea. I haven't had a chance to dance with you yet," said Will.
She raised her head and looked at him, with the tears still running down her face. She hiccuped and sniffed. "Wh-what?"
He smiled at her. "Well, I like to dance with all the prettiest girls in the room, and you're the one without a partner at the moment. Besides, I'm the tallest person here. So we can prove to whomever said that to you that they're wrong." He paused, listening. "And I think I'm hearing the perfect music for us to dance to."
He held out his arms to the little girl, looking at Vince for permission. The other man smiled and nodded as his daughter reached out to the redhead, who gathered her close to him. She was all smiles as Will wiped the tears from her cheeks and headed toward the are where a few other couples were already dancing. He whispered in her ear, and she giggled and put one hand in his.
Then he began a slow foxtrot, while quietly singing the words to the old, old song that was being played: Our Love is Here to Stay.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2271 is a reply to message #2270] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 23:23 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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"Mmm." Dianne sighed into Jeff's ear. "Now I have you just where I want you."
"Oh?" Jeff's tone was amused. "What exactly does that mean?"
"That my dance card is filled for the rest of the night with only one name." Her breath tickled his ear as she spoke. "Yours."
"Does that mean I'm not allowed to let anyone cut in on us?" She could feel the muscles of his face contract against her temple as he smiled.
"Damn straight." Her expletive made him pull back so he could look at her. She smiled up at him, her eyes half-lidded. "You've already been the perfect host."
"By dancing with Penny and Izarra..."
"Yes. And you've been the loving father."
He smiled now, beginning to catch her drift. "Yes, I danced with Cherie."
"Then the dutiful son."
He nodded. "Mother and I danced, yes."
"So, now it's time to be the attentive husband... for the rest of the night."
"But..."
She cocked one eyebrow at his sputtered protest. "But?"
"I haven't danced with Elise."
Rolling her eyes, she nodded in the direction of another dancing couple. "Do you really think Virgil would let you cut in? If those two danced any closer, they'd be back to back."
He chuckled, then added, "I haven't danced with Callie, either. Nor Cassie."
Giving him an exasperated look, she asked, "Do you really want to?"
Drawing her closer, he kissed her hair. "Not particularly... though it would be the polite thing to do."
"Let our sons be polite for a change," she told him. "We're making up for lost time. I want to dance all the dances I missed back at Virgil's birthday party."
"Well," Jeff murmured, "when you put it that way, Mrs. Tracy. I am your obedient servant."
"I prefer you as an attentive husband, Mr. Tracy," she replied. "Now, and later on tonight."
He smiled again, his deep dimples and smile lines creasing his face. "I think I can work with that."
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2272 is a reply to message #2271] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 23:27 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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Virgil held Elise close as they swayed to the music. He smiled briefly at his parents as they passed.
"They look happy, don't they?"
"Hmmm?" Virgil looked down to see Elise smiling up at him.
"Your folks. They seem to be enjoying themselves tonight. It's nice to see."
"It is." He pulled her close as he felt her shiver. "Cold?"
"A bit," Elise responded.
"Well, we can't have that." He pulled his jacket off and draped it over her shoulders. "Better?"
"Much. Thank-you." She breathed in the scent of his cologne and smiled. "Would you care to walk me back to my apartment?" she asked, her green eyes twinkling.
He laughed and took her hand. "Of course, my lady." With a nod to his parents, he and Elise walked towards the monorail. To their surprise, it was empty.
"Where is everyone?" Elise asked.
Virgil shook his head. "Either headed back early or staying late, I guess." They talked quietly as the train headed towards the Cliff House. Once it had stopped, he again took her hand and led her to the door of her apartment.
She opened it and looked up. "Would you like to come in?"
He raised one eyebrow. "Will Henry let me?"
Elise merely shook her head and led him inside. The kitten came bounding in from the other room, meowing happily. He then spied Virgil and he froze, back arched and hissing. "That cat hates me," Virgil stated.
Elise crouched down and the kitten leapt into her arms. "No, he doesn't. Henry doesn't hate anyone, do you, baby?" She nuzzled the kitten as he purred and rubbed against her chin.
"I think I should be jealous," Virgil quipped with a grin.
Elise stuck her tongue out at him as she put Henry down. "Can I get you something to drink?" she asked as she shrugged out of his jacket and hung it over a chair.
He shook his head and sat down on the couch. "No thanks. Why don't you join me over here?" She came over and sat down next to him. He put his arm around her shoulders and drew her in close, pressing his lips to hers. "I've wanted to do that all evening." They sat there, quietly, exchanging kisses and talking softly. "What are your plans for tomorrow?" Virgil asked sometime later.
Elise shook her head. "Nothing much, just some household chores. Why?"
"I was thinking. Maybe we could go for a walk, have a picnic. Alex was talking to Jenny tonight about going for a hike later this week. It reminded me of this terrific waterfall I've wanted to show you. We could go."
"You, me and Alex?" Elise teased.
"Brat," he replied, kissing the tip of her nose. He moved down to her lips again, his arms caressing hers. She wrapped herself around him, pulling him closer.
When he pulled back, he ran his fingers down her cheeks. "You looked beautiful tonight."
She blushed. "You don't look too bad yourself." She ran her fingers over his chest, pausing to unbutton his shirt. Leaning forward, she placed a soft kiss on his chest. "Mmmm....I love your cologne." Her hands wandered around his back, lightly caressing his skin as her lips moved upwards to his neck.
Virgil leaned his head back and let out a soft moan. "Elise..." She grew bolder, pulling the shirt completely off and leaning in closer. She captured his lips as his hands gripped her tightly.
Finally, they broke apart. "Virgil?" Elise asked, her voice a little breathless. "Wouldn't it make more sense if you just stayed here tonight? We could get an earlier start tomorrow." She looked up at him, her green eyes bright.
Virgil could feel his heart pounding in his chest. "Yes, I think that would be a great idea."
"Then we'd best turn in. We'll be getting up early in the morning." She began to turn off the lights. As she pulled the curtains over the French doors, Virgil came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and turning her to face him. He bent and kissed her passionately, easing her dress straps off her shoulders. Now it was her turn to shudder as he trailed his mouth along her neck. He nudged the straps further, causing the dress to slip off and pool at her feet.
They stood embracing in the moonlight until Elise pulled back and took his hand. With her eyes glowing, she led him into the bedroom.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2273 is a reply to message #2272] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 23:28 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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Sunday, January 13th, 8:15 am, Elise's apartment....
Elise hummed softly as she turned the bacon on stove. Henry rubbed up against her legs, purring. "Aww, Henry, you'll get some as soon as it's cooked." She bent down and patted the kitten.
"Good morning."
She looked up and smiled. Virgil stood in the bedroom doorway, a towel slung around his neck. He wore his pants from last night, but was barefoot and his hair was damp from his shower. "Good morning."
He walked over and kissed her, then turned his attention to the stove. "Bacon? You're making me breakfast?"
She laughed. "Bacon and eggs. And there's coffee on the counter."
"I may never leave." Virgil padded over to the cupboard and took down two mugs. He filled them with coffee and handed one to her. She added milk and sugar, then nodded for him to sit down at the table.
"Go ahead, this is nearly ready."
He sat down, keeping a wary eye on Henry, who in turn was watching back. Virgil shook his head and laughed to himself. He then looked up to watch Elise finish cooking. She wore a thin white robe and her blonde hair fell loosely down her back. She took a piece of bacon from the pan and tossed it from hand to hand until it cooled, then smiling, knelt down and fed it to the kitten. She talked baby talk to the little cat, who looked up at her in adoration.
What is it about her? Virgil thought to himself as he sipped his coffee. She completes me somehow. Like there was some part of my life missing, that I never realized until I met her. It's more than just attraction. Much more. He smiled as she crouched, still talking to the kitten. Then it hit him. My God...Now it makes sense. Should I? He took a deep breath. What the hell. "Elise?" She looked up. "I love you."
She stared at him in shock. "You...what?"
Feeling like a huge weight had lifted from his heart, Virgil walked over and pulled her to her feet. "I love you." He kissed her and spun her around in his arms. "You know, I never knew how wonderful it felt to say that to someone."
"But, Virgil..."
He silenced her with a kiss. "Elise, I've never felt like this with anyone before. You're smart, witty, beautiful." He kissed her again. "And all mine!"
Elise shook her head. "Virgil...I don't know what to say..."
"Then don't say anything." He rested his forehead on hers. "You don't have to say it back. Just know that I mean it. I love you."
She pulled back and walked over to stand in front of the doors, watching the sun glint off the waves. "I've never felt this way either," she said softly. "I never thought I could." She turned to face him and smiled. "I guess that means, I love you, too!" She laughed. "You're right. It is a wonderful feeling!" She jumped into his arms, kissing him. Within a heartbeat, the kiss turned from friendly to steamy. She broke apart and took his hand, leading him back to the bedroom. "I think you're going to need another shower."
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2274 is a reply to message #2273] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 23:33 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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3 p.m. Thursday January 12, 2069 in Bozeman, Montana
(11am Friday January 13, 2069 on Tracy Island).
The knock on the door roused Luke from the couch. His mother was out grocery shopping, leaving him alone in the house with just Rommel for company. "Well Rom, if it's someone for Mom they'll have to come back," he said as he stood up and stretched. He walked to the door, Rom at his heels.
He opened the door to one of the last people he expected to see. "Anna! What are you doing here?" Rommel barked a 'welcome' bark.
"Visiting you, of course. And bringing Rommel a treat. Can I come in? It's a bit cold out here." Anna stood on the porch wearing a coat that would be fine for Seattle or Christchurch but wasn't quite up to a Montana winter.
Luke stepped back. "Sure come on in. I don't want you to freeze out there."
Anna came in and took off her hat and gloves. Then she took off her coat to reveal a heavy sweat shirt. She unzipped that to reveal a sweater. "Actually, I'm fine. I learned about layering a long time ago. I figured this would be colder than we were used to so I made sure we all had extra sweaters to wear under our coats."
"We? Who all is here? And can I get you something to drink? Coffee, tea, hot chocolate? A soda?" Luke led Anna over to a chair in front of the fireplace.
"If you have a diet soda that would be wonderful. I think I over layered and got overheated." Anna sat down on the bench by the door and took off her boots. She wiggled her toes then decided to take off the top pair of socks. She had over dressed, forgetting she wouldn't actually be outside for that long. Her feet were sweating. She stuffed the socks into a coat pocket.
Luke grinned and headed for the kitchen. He put ice in two glasses and grabbed a diet cola for Anna and a regular one for himself. He then raided his mom's cookie jar.
"Here you go. One diet cola and to balance it out, a plate of home baked chocolate chip cookies. We also have oatmeal-raisin but I thought I knew what you preferred." Luke set the tray down on the table between the couch and a stuffed chair Anna had sunk down into. He sat back down on the couch and poured the sodas. Rommel sat on the floor next to him and looked pitiful. "Yes Rom, I brought you a treat too." He tossed Rommel a rawhide treat and the dog promptly lay down to chew in it. Luke turned to Anna. "So what are you doing here?"
Anna put down her cola and bit into a cookie. "I mentioned to Alex and Tyler once that I had always wanted to see Yellowstone in the winter. So guess what Mr. Tracy gave me for Christmas? A week-long stay at Yellowstone lodge for me and my family and a week in Seattle to visit my mom and the rest of my relatives there."
Luke grinned. "I'm not surprised. Did he ask you to check on me?"
"No. Actually, I'm hiding from my family." Luke raised an eyebrow at her. Anna sighed. "I get along fine with my family -- when they're several thousand miles away. But we have nothing in common, really. After three days I felt I needed to run away from home. It's amazing how someone can make you feel like a 13 year old who nobody expects anything important from." Luke winced at that comment. "My daughter Mary is thinking of spending a year at the University of Washington so we toured the campus. Then I told everyone we needed to be in Bozeman early. We're spending the day here and will go on to Yellowstone tomorrow. Since we were in town, I figured I'd drop in to see you. And Rommel, of course." Rommel, having finished his treat came over to Anna. She grinned down at him and scratched his ears.
"Where are the rest of your family?"
"Back at the hotel. Probably in the swimming pool," Anna answered. "Where's yours?
"Dad's working at the store. Mom's at the store too -- the grocery store, that is. We're out of Rom's favorite treats."
"Oh, horrors!! Emergency shopping trip needed, of course! Maybe these will help." Anna reached into her shoulder bag and brought out some gourmet dog treats. She tossed Rommel one. He immediately gobbled it up. "And if no one else is here I can give you this. I saw it at the airport and couldn't resist." She handed him a paperback.
"'International Rescue: The Authoritative History' by Steve Gunner." Luke chuckled. "I wonder how much he got wrong."
"A lot. I finally had to stop reading it on the plane. I couldn't hold back my laughter any more and I couldn't explain what was so funny. Do you realize you belong to an organization of several hundred people with a secret underground base in the Australian outback?"
"Well, that's better than some of the theories I've heard. My favorite is the Antarctic base where we're all required to sit in the tanning beds so we're all tan. This is meant to throw people off about the real location."
"This one wouldn't be so bad if he hadn't gotten everything so wrong. And if he wasn't so petty. Among other things, Ned Cook faked his accident to get a story."
"He arranged to have a building fall on him. Right," Luke chuckled. "Well it should be an interesting read, at least. I'm sure it will cheer me up."
"Getting bored?"
"I feel so useless," Luke grumbled. "I can't do anything. I feel like I'm stuck here all the time, except for therapy."
"Why can't you get out to do anything else?" Anna reached for another cookie. She deliberately kept her 'professional' voice off. "Do you need to stay home for some reason?"
"I can drive all right but we only have two cars here. I take Dad to work sometimes so I can get out but all the places I want to go are places where I'd be doing something -- something I probably can't do right now. I guess I'm just bored. I know I'm doing better at my twice-a-week therapy sessions but," Luke raised his head and grinned wryly at Anna, "I just hate feeling helpless!"
"Where have I heard that before? Maybe from every cop and firefighter I ever worked with? So when are you coming back to the Island?" Anna looked at the last cookie on the plate and reminded herself that she didn't need it. She'd already gained weight on this vacation and was looking forward to a fancy dinner tonight with just her husband. Visions of crème brûlée went through her head. She told herself she couldn't have both the cookie and the dessert. When she realized the silence had gone on too long she looked up at Luke and raised an eyebrow.
Luke hesitated. "Do you think they'll want me back soon? I may not be recovered completely for a while."
"Horse puckies." Anna's voice had not gotten louder but the intensity had changed. "I know you know how bad Gordon was after his accident. They didn't let him down and they didn't let him hide. They're not going to do it to you."
"You swore. I didn't know counselors were allowed to swear," Luke said, smiling slightly.
"Ok. Change my comment to excrement of a male bovine. Now that we have that out of the way, why don't you tell me what you're really worried about?"
Luke hesitated. He wasn't sure what was wrong but something was. Anna was right, he was worried. But about what?
Anna watched him for a minute. When he didn't answer she went on. "Tyler really needs you to come back even if it's just for a visit. He took your accident pretty hard. He's had too many close calls this year and needs some reassurance that you're ok."
Luke continued to look down at his hands without speaking. He was saved by the bell. Or to be more exact, by the sound of his mom turning the door handle. "Luke? Whose car is that in the driveway? Do you have company?" His mom was carrying three grocery bags while pushing open the garage door.
Luke went over to take one of the bags but his mom refused to give it up. "The doctor said no heavy lifting."
"Three boxes of Kleenex is not heavy lifting, Mom," Luke grumbled. "Mom I'd like you to meet Anna Hansen, a friend from work. You were gone for a while; how much shopping did you do?"
"More than I expected. I need to fatten you up still. Pleased to meet you Ms. Hansen. Nice of you to stop by. How long are you in town? And would you like to stay for dinner?"
"I'm just in town for tonight. My family and I have reservations at Yellowstone lodge for the next week. I may stop back in on my way home next week though. And thank you for the invite but my husband is supposed to be taking me out for a romantic dinner in," she looked at her watch, "about an hour and a half. Here, let me help you bring the rest of the bags in. Luke can put the things away. As long as you didn't buy a fifty pound bag of rice, that's not heavy lifting, is it? And can I get your chocolate chip cookie recipe?" Anna chatted away while bringing in several bags from the garage. "Can you recommend a good restaurant? Someone at the hotel recommended Vince's. Is it romantic? Or should we try a steak place?" Anna kept busy for a couple more minutes, then excused herself. "I have to go try and make myself look beautiful. I have a big date with a cute guy in an hour."
"You'll stop by again when you come back through, won't you? It's been so nice that so many of Luke's friends from work came all the way up here from California to visit him. Bring your family and come for dinner." Mrs. Morel liked this friendly woman and was reassured that someone would be looking after Luke while he was so far away.
"I don't know. We were talking about renting a car and driving through Jackson to see the Grand Tetons. Maybe get in some skiing. It might depend on the weather." Anna realized that if her family met the Morels the fact that Luke didn't live in California would be bound to come out. She'd have to think of a cover story if she came back.
"Let me walk you to the door. Although I don't think you could get lost between the kitchen and the front door," Luke laughed.
"I wouldn't bet on it. I have a friend known as 'Anna the Lost'. She once managed to get lost in her own kitchen." Anna sat down to put her boots back on. "Even if I don't get back next week, I will keep in touch. If for no other reason than to get your Mom's cookie recipe."
Luke watched her drive away. Her visit had left him unsettled and he didn't know why. He wanted to go back to work for International Rescue. So what was bothering him?
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2275 is a reply to message #2274] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 23:34 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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Sunday, January 13, 2969, New Zealand
Izarra Soto Fernandez kicked off her high heels as she sank into her brother's sofa with a glass of wine in hand. After her trip to Tracy Island, she was looking forward to relaxing amongst family.
"Ah, Joaquin, you always have the best reds."
Izzie's brother walked into the room with a tray of snacks and laid it down on the coffee table.
"Well, Izzie, I always break out the best for you."
"And it is always appreciated, little brother."
She reached out and picked up a handful of pretzels and Joaquin sat down with his own glass of wine.
"So how have you been?" he asked.
"Not so busy," Izarra answered, trying to hide a little smile. She had, of course, just accepted a job with International Rescue. She continued. "With the other dentists in the practice, I am mostly focusing on administration, but I get it done very quickly. I have been reading my Chase Rivers books again -- I'm looking forward to the next one; hopefully there will be a next one."
"How many times have you read those books?" Joaquin said, chuckling.
"Too many to count," she said, grinning. "And how are you? How is Wellesley? How are the children?"
Joaquin chuckled as his sister plied him with many questions at once as usual, and he took a sip of his wine.
"Wellesley is fine. Working hard as always in the office. I've tried to tell him to take it easy, but you know what he can be like. That's where he is now."
"Indeed," Izarra said, munching another pretzel.
"Peter and Darcy seem to be enjoying their classes. I did worry that they were only studying medicine to follow in my footsteps, but as always, my twins surprise me."
"Is the University of Auckland suiting them?"
"They say that they wouldn't have wanted to go elsewhere. They have made a huge amount of friends, as always."
Izarra smiled and sipped more of her wine. The plum and berry flavours of the smooth merlot danced in her mouth before the liquid sank smoothly down her throat. She closed her eyes and tipped her head back to rest on the plump sofa cushions. In part I still cannot believe it. International Rescue! It is so strange. I look forward to this challenge very, very much. When Izarra opened her eyes again, she saw that Joaquin had fixed her with a hard stare.
"Are you sure you made the right decision in coming here?"
Izarra chuckled lightly and lifted her glass to him.
"With wine like this, it can't have been a bad decision."
Joaquin kept his gaze steady and stared her down. Izarra finally sighed and shrugged her shoulders.
"When my Sébastian died, I knew I could stay no longer in Spain, nor return to our house in France. When I went back to mother and father, I knew that the Dominican Republic was not the place I wanted to be. I love our homeland, and I will return to live there when I am an old soltera with ten cats and a fat, drooling dog... but I am not so old yet. Where else would I go but to be with my brother in this beautiful country, to work and to own my own practice? Yes, Joaquin, it has been the right decision."
"As long as you're sure, Izzie," he said. "I don't want to see you sad again."
"No one can ever make me as happy as my Sébastian did," Izarra said, briefly closing her eyes. "But I must move on. And I have, and I am happy."
"I never thought that you would be happy just being a dentist," Joaquin said, shaking his head.
And that shows all that you know, little brother, Izarra thought, and she hid her grin behind her wine glass.
--by ArtisticRainey
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2276 is a reply to message #2275] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 23:35 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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Tracy Island, Late afternoon . . .
Edward sat silently as the nurse pushed the wheelchair toward the hospital exit. He would have preferred to walk but just the prospect of finally leaving the hospital had eliminated the will to make too much of a fuss over the hospital policy. As the doors parted, and he made his way through the doorway, Edward took in a deep breath of the fresh air. It was good to be free of the sterile environment of the veteran's hospital.
The nurse brought him to a stop beside his brother's car. Ted opened the door for him and, refusing help, Edward climbed into the passenger seat. As he waited for his brother to walk around the car, Edward thought about how to start the search he had been waiting almost two months to pursue. He was determined to find Desert Rose.
Satisfied with the ending of the chapter, Lana saved the file and closed her laptop. She looked over toward the pool where Aaron and Lea were throwing a ball back and forth. A smile came to the mother's face as she watched her kids play.
More voices made Lana look toward the Villa to see Alex and Tyler making their way down, followed closely by their mother. Dianne spotted Lana and waved. Lana returned the greeting, and as Alex and Tyler made a beeline for the pool, Dianne walked over to her.
"Mind if I join you?"
"Not at all," Lana said indicating the empty chairs at the table.
Dianne sat down across from the other woman. She placed the book she had brought down to read on the table.
"Wasn't sure anyone else would be down here," she commented.
"Well, the kids wanted to go swimming and I figured the fresh air would be nice." After a short pause, Lana continued. "Izarra is a very intriguing woman. I enjoyed talking with her last night."
"She is indeed. Those who have visited her already report she's a very competent dentist. I'd definitely recommend her if you're looking for a nearby dentist for your own family."
Lana smiled. "Izzara managed to fit her own pitch in last night. The kids are actually due for a check-up next month. I'll probably call her office and set up an appointment. At least the dentist issue is one thing I can check off my to-do list."
"Always a nice thing to be able to do."
"I actually wanted to talk to you about another item on the list -- schooling for Lea. Aaron's continuing the internet program he did back in Hawaii. I was homeschooling Lea back home, but it was set up locally so I need to figure out something else."
Lana looked over at the pool. Aaron had organized the younger kids in a water version of monkey in the middle. Tyler was currently in the middle and looking to get a bit frustrated. As Lana watched, Aaron purposely made a bad throw and let Tyler get the ball.
"He's pretty good with kids," Dianne commented, having followed Lana's gaze.
Lana nodded, a proud smile on her face. She took her eyes off the game and looked back at Dianne as she continued. "Anyway, given the isolation here on the island, Vince and I thought about sending her to a school on the mainland but needing to fly her back and forth daily just seems impractical, especially after her reaction on the flight over here."
"Yeah, a daily flight back and forth could be hard on her, though Jeff and I would definitely work something out to accommodate you if that's what you want."
Lana shook her head. "It would be good for her socially but one of the reasons I started homeschooling her was so I could be involved in her education, especially with my degree in elementary education. Your kids are schooled here on the island, right? Is it something I could get Lea involved in?"
"Yes. Tyler, Alex and Cherie are all involved in a satellite program. It runs along the U.S. school year, but some of the teachers are from New Zealand and Australia. It's all done via the computer. It wouldn't be hard to include Lea in with the group. Right now my mother, Emily or I supervise them during 'school hours'. Another hand with that task would be very welcome and you could stay involved in her education. If you want, we could get things set up tomorrow."
"I'd like that," Lana replied, happy that her the question about her daughter's education was resolved.
The two women continued talking as the kids played in the pool.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2277 is a reply to message #2276] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 23:38 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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Tracy Island, the beach, sunset...
Elise walked barefooted along the edge of the surf. She held her sandals in her hand and hummed softly to herself. She wandered over to a cluster of boulders and settled herself down, watching as the sun dipped lower on the horizon. She rested her chin on her knees and smiled.
After a late breakfast, Virgil had headed home to change while she packed a picnic lunch. They meandered through the jungle, finally arriving at a secluded pool, complete with waterfall. They swam and frolicked in the water like children, then made love in the sun-dappled clearing. She sighed happily.
I can't believe the way my life has turned around in a year. From a job I was only mildly happy at to working for International Rescue. I've found a new "family" in my friends and co-workers, and even more in Virgil. He loves me. And I love him. I've never told that to anyone before.
She watched as the sun dipped lower, turning the sky a brilliant shade of red. I've never met a man so generous before. He's always giving me things! My necklace, the comb, even those little notes and sketches in my mailbox. She smiled. Let's not forget the physical. He's certainly perfect there too! Elise giggled to herself.
"Elise? Am I disturbing you?"
She looked up to see Tin-Tin standing near. "Of course not! I'm just watching the sunset. Here, pull up a rock and join me."
Tin-Tin sat down and looked out over the sea. "It's a beautiful night."
"It is."
They were quiet a few moments. "I often walk here in the evenings. I hope I wasn't bothering you. You seemed very deep in thought."
"Not really. Just daydreaming." Elise glanced over at the young Asian woman. "Tin-Tin? Did you ever have something inside you, so exciting that you wanted to share with the world, yet at the same time, keep it secret to enjoy all yourself?"
Tin-Tin's thoughts wandered to a certain blue-eyed scientist. "I do indeed," she said quietly.
Elise shot her a glance, and smiled to herself. The two women sat in comfortable silence, and watched the sunset.
The Lounge, early evening....
Scott made his way down the hallway, following the sound of the piano. He stepped into the lounge and smiled at the scene in front of him. His parents were sitting on one of the couches, Jeff's arm around Dianne's shoulder. Alex and Tyler were on the floor, heads bent over a book of some sort. Virgil was at his piano, playing something Scott didn't recognize.
He smiled at his parents, then made himself comfortable on one of the other couches. "What's he playing?" Scott asked his father.
"I'm not sure what it's called. Something he's been working on," Jeff replied.
Scott nodded. "It sounds good."
"Doesn't he always?"
They listened for a few minutes before Dianne sat up. "All right, boys. Time to get ready for bed." Tyler and Alex both groaned, but Dianne shook her head. "It's a school night and you both need showers. Let's go." With much muttering, both boys shuffled out the door. Dianne smiled after them. "I think I'd better go with them." She leaned over and kissed Jeff. "Don't be too late," she said with a coy smile.
Scott and his father sat listening to Virgil for a few minutes longer before Jeff got to his feet. "I'm going to go call Alan then give your mother a hand. Good night."
"Night, Dad. Tell Al hi," Scott said.
"I will."
"Bye, Dad," Virgil called out as Jeff left the room.
Scott got up and grabbed a beer from the bar fridge. He watched his brother at the piano, then carried a second bottle over to him. "Here, take a break."
"Thanks," Virgil said gratefully, flexing his fingers before taking the bottle.
Scott settled himself on the sofa again. "So, I noticed you never came home last night," he said conversationally.
Virgil met his brother's gaze evenly. "No, I didn't."
"You and Elise weren't playing Parcheesi, I take it."
"No, we weren't." Virgil took a long drink from his beer. "And frankly, I don't see that it's any of your business." He got up and went out to stand on the balcony. Scott waited a few moments, then followed after him.
He found his younger brother leaning on the railing, looking out over the ocean. "So," Scott said after a few minutes of silence. "Want to tell me what that outburst was all about?"
Virgil sighed. "Do you know how hard it is for us to have any kind of relationship? I mean, besides IR, the whole tropical island thing, not to mention the rich playboy persona the press has pinned on us." He shook his head. "I feel like we...like I live in a fishbowl. I can't even stay over my girlfriend's without being interrogated."
Scott raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Virg, I wasn't interrogating you. Believe me, you'd know if I were. And yeah, I know exactly how you feel."
"I'm sorry, Scott." Virgil smiled sheepishly at his older brother. "Guess I'm just feeling testy."
"You are? No kidding, I never would have noticed." Both brothers stood in comfortable silence for a few minutes. "Well, who won the Parcheesi game?" he asked, sipping at his beer.
Virgil chuckled. "I think it was a tie." He glanced over at Scott, his expression sobering. He paused and took a deep breath. "I'm in love with her, Scott."
Scott nearly choked on his beer, coughing and spluttering. "You what?"
"I've never felt like this about anyone before. It's like...like there was something missing in my life, something that I never noticed, until I met her."
"That may be, but, Virg, love?"
"Yeah, love." He sighed. "She's beautiful, smart, funny..."
"Stubborn, pushy, annoying."
"She's all that, too. And it's just more of the reasons why I care about her." He turned to face his older brother. "You've known her longer than I have. After her folks died, she could have curled up and lost herself. Instead, she pulled herself up and made a life for herself. Sure, she still has issues; hell, who doesn't? She didn't ask for this life, or even this job, but she's doing it anyway. She's finally found her place, and she's happy."
Scott frowned. "How does she feel about you?"
"She loves me, too." He shook his head. "Look, I know it's not going to be this perfect all the time. I'm sure there will be things we'll disagree on and even argue about. But life is full of risks. I'd rather see what happens, then always wonder what could have been."
"I just don't want you hurt. Either of you."
Virgil smiled. "I know."
"Good." He paused a moment. "So, when's the wedding?" He had the pleasure of seeing Virgil's eyes widen in shock.
"Marriage? I never said anything about marriage! We barely..." he stuttered, his face pale.
Scott burst out laughing and draped his arm around his brother's shoulders. "Gotcha."
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2278 is a reply to message #2277] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 23:39 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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Monday, January 14th, after lunch . . .
As Gordon brought the boat to a stop, Vince let the anchor go. The former navy man was looking forward to the upcoming dive. Gordon had already shown him IR's atmospheric dive suits. They were an improvement upon the ADS 2001 that the Navy now used. From the look of them, they looked to be more maneuverable than the suits he was used to. This dive would give him a chance to compare the two suits.
As he turned he saw Cassie looking over the edge of the boat into the water below.
"Hey Gordon, exactly how deep did you say we would be diving?" the dark-haired firefighter asked.
"We're only going down about a hundred feet," Gordon replied. "No deeper than what you've already been down. This is just to get you and Vince familiar with our ADS suits. You'll do a deeper dive later, after you get the hang of the maneuvering jets on the suits."
"That's good to know," she replied.
"Well, let's get started," Gordon said enthusiastically. He went through a brief refresher of the suits, which he had explained to both Cassie and Vince back on dry land. Though movement in the suits was possible, Brains having taken care to make the suits more flexible than other atmospheric suits, it was limited and slow. After answering a few questions, all three of them began to don their equipment.
"I'm not sure I'm going to be able to walk in this thing, let alone swim," Cassie commented after she had gotten the suit on except for the helmet.
Gordon laughed before replying, "that's what the maneuvering jets are for."
"You think these things are hard to move in, you should try the ones the navy used," Vince informed her. Speaking of the Navy, they sure wouldn't mind having their hands on these suits. Not only are they easier to move in, but they're much lighter too, he thought.
The group donned the helmets and then Gordon checked over the suits of his two companions, making sure everything was connected right before they entered the water. When the copper-haired Tracy had finished checking the connections on his suit, Vince returned the favor.
"All right, guys. Let's get started," Gordon said, his voice coming from the radios built into the suits helmets.
With the slow, awkward movements that the suits allowed, the three divers made their way into the water and began their test dive.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2279 is a reply to message #2278] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 23:40 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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Elise found herself sitting on the same cluster of boulders where she had watched the sunset the last evening. This time, she had come down there with Cassie, who was currently playing her guitar. The dark-haired firefighting was playing an original piece that she had finished the day before.
As the last notes drifted away, Elise clapped softly.
"That was lovely. It was about your son, right?" Elise asked, as Cassie laid the guitar down across her lap.
"Yes. It started out as a poem, but it didn't seem quite complete in that form," Cassie said, her voice echoing the sadness that she still felt at the mention of her son. At least I'm not avoiding the thought of Nathan anymore, she thought, knowing that though she still had some healing to do, she had come a long way since the previous summer. "I almost gave up on the song a couple of days ago. It probably would've gotten filed away with other works in progress that never got finished if Scott hadn't come along."
"You and Scott seem to be spending a lot of time together."
Cassie shrugged her shoulders. "Guess we have more in common than I thought at first."
"Sure it isn't something else?"
"He's just a friend. I've been spending time with Dom, too."
"Fair enough," Elise said, sensing it was time to drop the subject. "What do you say we head back to my place and I'll make us something for dinner. I think I've had enough sun for the day."
Cassie nodded and, picking up her guitar, stood up from the boulder she was sitting on. Beside her, Elise stood up too and the two girls started walking across the sand both lost in their own thoughts.
"Hey ladies!"
The shout brought both women out of their thoughts. Glancing in the direction the shout had come from, they spotted Gordon and Aaron walking up from the surf, surfboards tucked under their arms.
"Hey, Gordon," both Elise and Cassie responded. "How's the surf?" Cassie added.
"Great! Why don't you give it a try?"
Cassie laughed. "I don't think so. Somehow tempting a wave to knock me off a colorful board has never appealed to me."
"Oh, come on. It's not that hard and the feeling you get when you're riding a wave is like nothing else you've experienced. It's like sitting on top of the world."
"You can use my board," Aaron offered, holding out his board to her.
"No thanks, I'll pass. You guys have fun though," Cassie told them.
"Suit yourself," Gordon said, with a shrug.
"You don't know what you're missing," Aaron added.
As the two surfers headed back to the water, Cassie and Elise continued their trek back to the Cliff House.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2280 is a reply to message #2279] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 23:41 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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Monday, January 14, 2069, 7:30 pm, Tracy Island
"You wanted to see me, Father?"
Kyrano turned from where he had put away the last of the pots they'd used for dinner. He smiled widely at his daughter.
"Indeed, I did, Tin-Tin," he said, motioning to the small kitchen table. "I would offer you tea, but I feel that we are both still sated from dinner."
Tin-Tin laughed as she joined him at the table. "You're right, Father. I am still stuffed. I couldn't handle anything more right now." She sat down across from him. "Where is Lisa? I didn't see her at dinner."
"She is still resting," Kyrano replied, seating himself. "She has suffered greatly from jet lag this trip, and it will take more than one day for her to recover. I will take her a tray later, when I myself retire for the evening."
"Well, it's good to have you both back home. Thank you so much for the mementos from Kenya and Paris!"
"I am glad you like them, my daughter. Lisa chose them with you in mind."
"She made some wonderful choices!" Tin-Tin cocked her head to one side. "What did you want to speak to me about?"
Kyrano reached across and captured his daughter's hands. "I wanted to ask you to consider doing something. Not for me, nor for Lisa, but for someone else very special."
"What do you want me to do?" Tin-Tin sounded confident; her eyes shone with the eagerness of youth. "And who should I do it for?"
He took a deep breath to steady his voice. "When we were in Paris, we saw many sights, but we also made a very special visit. You see, when I had last visited Paris, I had promised your mother's father that I would bring Lisa to meet him after we were married." He shook his head and squeezed her hands slightly. "Your mother's sister, Tamea, had written to me, telling me that your grandfather was... he is dying."
Tin-Tin's eager smile faded. "Oh, Father, I am so sorry! Was the visit difficult for you?"
"In a way, it was, yes." Kyrano found it difficult to admit to the sadness he had felt at the time. "Lisa was a gift, however; she brightened your grandfather's day so much, and he was so happy to meet her." He paused, trying to decide how to phrase what he wanted to say. "He also expressed a desire to see you, before he leaves this plane." He smiled slightly. "I made him no promises, but determined in my own mind to tell you of this desire, and to ask you to consider making the trip to Paris."
Tin-Tin's expression had turned thoughtful. "Hm. I don't remember him well at all; just a few fragments of memory here and there. It would be nice to have some memory of him that wasn't so dim and distant." She gazed at her father. "When would I have to go? Soon, I would think."
"Yes, Tin-Tin. Soon. He fades with each passing day and does not have much time left." He tapped her hand with a gentle finger. "I also suggest that, if you go, you bring someone with you. Paris is a city meant to be shared, and you will want someone to buoy your spirits after such a visit."
"I see."
They shared a thoughtful silence, which Tin-Tin broke. "You've given me a lot to think about, Father. I'll consider it carefully, and make a decision in the next day or two. I don't want to leave if there's a huge workload; it wouldn't be fair to Callie."
Kyrano smiled. "Only Callie?"
Tin-Tin blushed and chuckled. "Well, if I'm going to bring someone along, I would want it to be Brains."
"Ah, I understand. Paris is meant for lovers," he teased.
"Father!" Her outrage was feigned, and the two of them shared a laugh.
She rose, and leaned over to kiss him on the cheek. "Thank you, Father, for telling me about Grandfather. When will we see the photos you and Lisa took?"
"Soon. Lisa will want to be able to add her own comments, and should be rested by mid-week."
"Then let's put that tray together, and you can get some rest, too. You do look tired."
Kyrano rose, too. "Thank you for offering your help, my daughter. I think I will take advantage of it."
Together they moved deeper into the kitchen, and began to prepare a tray for the jet-lagged Lisa.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2281 is a reply to message #2280] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 23:43 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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Monday, January 14, 2069, 7:30 pm, Tracy Island, Cliff House
Finishing up the email she was typing to Jackie, Cassie clicked on the send button. She had enjoyed hearing some of the adventures her old crew had been getting into and it was nice to know that some things never changed. She was about to open an email from Sachio when her messenger chimed. Looking at the alert, she saw that Luke had just signed on. Opening a window, she typed him a message.
Kitten2039: Hey there! How are you feeling today?
MTHawk17: Hey. Same as usual.
kitten2039: Anything I can do to cheer you up?
As Cassie sent her second message, she heard the alert for an incoming email. Refreshing the page, she saw that she now had a message from Alex.
MTHawk17: Got a way to instantly heal me and teleport me there?
MTHawk17: Forget me, how's you?
Kitten2039: Not bad. Scott had me try landings for real for the first time today.
Hitting the return button, Cassie switched over to the window with her email and opened the message from Alex. She had been waiting for the last couple of days for his reply and didn't want to wait to read it.
MTHawk17: Did you total the plane?
Kitten2039: No! The plane is in one piece. Not so sure about Scott's nerves.
Kitten 2039: Thank-you so much for your vote of confidence!
MTHawk17: Anytime. So, what are you up to?
Kitten2039: Catching up on email. Leaving for Kabul tomorrow for a few days.
MTHawk17: Sounds fun. Pack your sunscreen.
Cassie heard the chime of the incoming message but didn't look at it this time as she was absorbed in reading Alex's email.
MTHawk17: Hey, you still there?
Ignoring the second incoming message, Cassie continued to read through the email. Reaching the end, she blinked away some tears that threatened to fall. Dom was right about one thing; I do know where I stand now.
Cassie glanced at the messenger and saw that Luke had sent her three messages since her last comment. Switching over to the messenger box, she typed a message.
Kitten2039: Sorry! I was reading an email from Alex.
MTHawk17: Alex? Your ex, Alex? What's going on?
Kitten2039: It's nothing important. What were we talking about before?
MTHawk17: Cassie, what's going on?
Cassie stared at the screen. She had a feeling that Luke wasn't going to let the subject go but she also wasn't sure what to write and how much to explain to him. Before she could decide what to type, her phone rang, startling her out of her thoughts. Without looking at the caller ID, she simply picked the phone up and answered it.
"Hello."
"Cass, it's me," Luke told her. "What's going on? Talk to me, girl."
Cassie sighed. As she hadn't mentioned Alex to Luke since before he had left the island, she told him about the conversation she'd had with Dom the previous week. "So, I did what Dom suggested, and told Alex that I was enjoying my new position with Tracy Industries and how he would feel about considering a move to Wichita."
Luke sighed. "I take it you got an answer tonight?"
"Yes. To make it short, he suggested I put in for a transfer to the New York City branch," Cassie told him, fighting to keep her voice from breaking. "He's never going to change, is he, Luke?"
"No, honey, I don't think he will. Hold on. I have to go downstairs; the folks are sleeping." He made his way down to the living room, and settled down on the couch. "There, that's better." He sounded slightly out of breath. "Have you actually talked to him? Or just emails?"
"I talked to him a time or two before Christmas, but it's mostly been emails. Guess the emotional distance that comes with exchanging emails made it easier for me to deal with."
Cassie got up from the chair and headed out onto the balcony. A cool breeze blew as twilight settled over the island.
"Don't you think, that if he really wanted things to work out, he would have tried harder? Instead of asking you to come to him, he would have shown you what you mean to him by coming out to you?" Luke shook his head. "That didn't come out right." He sighed. "He could have at least called you in person. Don't you think it's a little cold that he never even called?"
"Sometimes I'm not even sure what to think anymore. Last summer, being apart seemed so right and then he tells me he wants to give our relationship another try. I guess part of me wanted things to work out. He's been a part of my life since I was sixteen. Guess it's harder to turn my back on that than I thought it was."
"I know where you're coming from, honey. When Barry came to visit at the hospital, then stuck around until I was released, I thought things were back to how they had been. But then he went back to LA and..." His voice trailed off. "I wish I were there to help you through this instead of being seven thousand miles away."
"You don't know how much I wish you were here too, but you getting better is what's important right now," she told her friend. "I'll be all right. Dom was right; if he can't even consider making the move to be with me, then Alex doesn't care for me as much as he claims to." Cassie paused. After a few moments of silence, she continued. "It's telling Alex that is going to be the hardest thing."
"You can do it; you know you can."
"Thanks for the pep talk," Cassie said with a smile. She looked down at her watch. "It's too late to call him tonight. Guess I'll try to get a hold of him before I leave tomorrow."
"Anytime, Cass. Wish there was more I could do," Luke replied.
"I know. Just hearing your voice tonight helped a lot. Thanks for calling me, though it's getting late there, isn't it? Your body needs proper rest in order to heal."
Yeah, yeah. I get any more rest and I'll be back in a coma," he muttered back.
"I guess your family has still been getting on you about taking it easy then?"
"My family and everyone else I know," Luke sighed again. "Cass, are you going to be all right?" he asked, changing the subject.
Cassie shook her head. Leave it to Luke to switch the conversation back to me, she thought. "Well, I'm not going to tell you I'll be fine, because I know you won't believe that. It's not going to be easy to tell Alex that it;s truly over, but that's what I need to do. The next few days, maybe weeks, are going to be rough but I don't want you worrying about me. I've got Dom and Elise here to talk to if I need to, and the business trip will be a good distraction. I never dreamed I'd get a chance to go to Afghanistan. I'll get through this, Luke."
"I know you will. Keep me posted."
"I will and take care of yourself. We all miss you here."
After exchanging good-byes, the two friends hung up. Cassie stood at the balcony and looked out over the island trying to figure out how she was going to tell Alex what she needed to tell him.
Written by: lillehafrue and starrynebula
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2282 is a reply to message #2281] |
Sun, 29 July 2012 23:44 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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Tuesday, January 15, around 11:15am . . .
Cassie headed toward the hangar at a very brisk walk. She was already running late for her flight to Christchurch International Airport. She could just picture the impatient look Scott would be wearing went she reached her destination.
I'm actually surprised he hasn't tried calling me yet, Cassie thought as she hurried along. I really didn't think the conversation with Alex would take so long but I guess I should have expected it. Alex has never been one to take the answer no very well.
Cassie tried to put what she hoped would be the last conversation with her ex-husband out of her mind. She didn't want to talk to him again. He was a part of her past. Even so, she was certain that if she dwelled on him or the conversation to long she would start crying again and that wasn't something she had time for right now.
"You're late," was Scott's greeting as she reached her destination.
"Sorry. I got caught up in something," Cassie said. She didn't want to give a long explanation nor did she think it would do any good.
She noticed the quizzical look Scott gave her and wondered if he could tell she had been crying. She wasn't sure how well the cold water she had splashed on her face had really helped.
"Are you okay?"
"I will be," she replied. "Are we ready to go?" Cassie asked, wanting to change the subject.
"Yeah, I did the pre-flight checks while I was waiting," Scott told her.
Cassie nodded and then headed to board the airplane. Scott followed her silently. As they entered the cockpit, Scott motioned for her to take the pilot's seat, wanting to use this flight to the mainland as a chance for Cassie to get some practice in.
After getting clearance from Jeff for take-off, Cassie soon had the airplane in the air and headed toward New Zealand. Once they approached the air space for the Christchurch airport, Scott took over. He landed the plane on the indicated runway. Despite their late start, Cassie still had plenty of time to catch her flight to Kabul.
The two hadn't talked much during the flight, conversation having been limited to the topic of flying. As Cassie retrieved her bag and exited the plane, Scott silently followed her. Once off the plane Scott broke the silence.
"Have a safe trip. Make sure you don't get too wrapped up in business to do some sight-seeing while you're there."
"I won't," Cassie replied, having already figured some time for that in her itinerary.
"And if you need someone to talk to, feel free to call me," Scott offered.
"I will. Thanks," Cassie replied, forcing a small smile.
With a quick wave, Cassie headed inside the airport. Scott watched her for a moment and then turned and boarded the plane for his flight back to Tracy Island.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2285 is a reply to message #2282] |
Mon, 30 July 2012 12:34 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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Wednesday, January 16th, Tracy Island . . .
"Okay, Virgil, I think I got what I need," John said into his wrist com. He then reached out to turn off the small digital camcorder he had setup on a tripod to record the movements of the dicetyline cannon.
"Copy that," came Virgil's response over the wrist com.
John reached out and separated the camera from the tripod as the cannon disappeared back up into the underside of the green aircraft. He knelt down and carefully placed the camera in the bag at his feet. Standing back up, he picked the tripod up and started folding it up.
"Think you have enough data to create a simulation for the cannon?"
John glanced in the direction of his brother's voice and nodded. "Between the data I've already gathered while Tin-Tin and Brains were working on this thing and the shots I now have of the cannon's actual movements, I should be good to go."
Virgil nodded as John folded up the tripod's legs. "It'll be good to be able to get some practice with it in between its actual uses. Last thing we need to do is be out in the field and nobody be able to aim the thing."
John smiled. "Well, in most cases you'll probably have a decent size target but you're right, extra practice is always a good thing." John knelt down and put the tripod into the camera bag. "So where's the cannon at in terms of production. Anything else to do?"
"We've got a field test left," Virgil told him as John got to his feet, putting the strap of the bag over his shoulder. The two brother's headed toward the exit of the hanger. "We've got it scheduled for when Cassie gets back from Kabul. Hopefully it'll go smoothly, if not we'll have some things to tweak with it. Hopefully no situations come up where it would be useful before then, though I suppose we could make do with out it as we've done in the past."
John nodded as the two left the hangar and headed for the monorail.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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| Re: New Beginnings [message #2286 is a reply to message #2285] |
Mon, 30 July 2012 12:35 |
Lillehafrue
Messages: 478
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northeastern USA
Karma: 0
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TB Pilot
Evil Genius |
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Wednesday, January 16, 2069, 11:55 a.m., Christchurch, New Zealand
Dianne maneuvered the sports car she had picked up from the family garage at the airport into a parking space. Normally, she would have driven something less ostentatious, but in this case, she wanted to declare her more recent status as Jeff Tracy's wife. Still, she was excited knowing she was not just picking up the family's latest pharmaceutical order, but seeing someone she had not seen in a long, long time.
There were people waiting in the reception area of the salesroom floor, but as soon as she appeared the receptionist touched two buttons on her phone and murmured, "Ms. Addams, Dr. Tracy is here." Then she smiled at Dianne and said, "Ms. Addams will be here momentarily. Would you like your order delivered now?"
Dianne returned the smile. "I think I'll wait until I return from lunch with Ms. Addams."
The door behind the receptionist opened and Sally Addams came through, a broad smile on her face. Dianne could see very little change in her old friend. The platinum blond hair was still as straight as ever, though there was the hint of a recent trim and layering. Sally's clothes were still as up to date as her budget would allow. The only thing Dianne truly noticed were the laugh lines on her friend's face. They were deeper, indicating that Sally laughed much and laughed often.
"It's good to see you again, Dr. Tracy," said Sally, using Dianne's formal title as she was considered a representative of the company while on company time. "I only have an hour for lunch so we should move quickly."
Dianne nodded, and the two women left the building. Once outside, they both squealed and embraced. Sally held Dianne at arms' length and looked her up and down.
"Oh, God, you're looking good, Di," she said, grinning. "Life must be agreeing with you."
"You're no slouch either, Sal," Dianne replied. "You look fabulous!"
They walked out to the car together, but Sally stopped when she saw the make and model. "Driving yourself? No limo?"
"Oh, God, no!" Dianne shook her head as she unlocked the doors. "My husband is of the opinion that the fewer people know of our comings and goings, the better. And nothing screams, 'Here I am, look at me!' more than a limo." She slid into the driver's seat, and Sally took the passenger's side. "Still, sometimes I like to flaunt it," she explained as she started the car. "Not often, but it beats driving a van."
"I can see your point... and Jeff's," Sally said as they pulled out of the parking lot. "And if you've got it, why not flaunt it?"
"Exactly!"
They talked almost incessantly on their way to the restaurant where Dianne had a luncheon reservation. The maître d' guided them back to the most secluded of alcoves, and the sommelier approached, offering the wine menu. The women exchanged glances, and regretfully declined.
"I have to fly back this afternoon," Dianne told her friend.
"And it would look bad for me to come back to work with alcohol on my breath," Sally explained. She leaned over and gave Dianne a conspiratorial look. "But we will indulge in dessert!"
"Yes, we will!" Dianne said, grinning.
They spent a little time figuring out what they wanted to eat. Sally chose a crab and lobster meat salad. "Need to keep my girlish figure somehow."
Dianne chose grilled scallop and shrimp kabobs. "Not that we don't get seafood at home, but I just love scallops."
As they settled down to eat, Dianne asked, "So, how do you like New Zealand so far?"
"I haven't gotten out to see much of it," Sally explained. "But so far so good... though the lingo and the accent will take some getting used to."
"Oh, don't I know it," Dianne said. "I still have trouble figuring out what to buy on the rare occasions that I grocery shop. Clothes shopping is another animal entirely."
"Oh!" Sally gave her a wink. "You mean, you don't have an assistant to shop for you?"
Dianne shook her head and rolled her eyes. "There is no way on God's good earth that I am going to let someone else choose my clothes."
"I can see you've learned a little bit about fashion," Sally teased, waving her fork at her friend. "I never thought you'd ever wear anything but jeans and scrubs."
Dianne swallowed a mouthful of her scallops. "I still wear jeans and scrubs," she said. "But I've had a few good... guides to the world of fashion." She took a sip of her soft drink. "Are you enjoying your job?"
"Absolutely!" Sally nodded firmly. "I have a great group of coworkers. I also have great classmates; I've had to take some refresher courses on drug names because of the differences between the US and New Zealand."
They sat quietly eating for a time, then Sally said, "I saw on the news that you were a speaker at the Memorial service."
Her friend nodded. "I think I have some closure now, especially since La Fontaine was convicted."
They continued to chat until it was clear that Sally needed to return to work. However, they made sure there was time for dessert.
98% pure evil...and loving every minute of it.
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