The Specials (open)

[JubeCube]

Breeze

Cheree had taken an aisle seat, she hated to be cramped up with people all around her. She had directed a lot of the air conditioning into her air vent, she smiled looking out through on of the windows across the aisle. She loved flying, she contemplated causing a little turbulence to keep everyone on their toes, but seeing people on the plane, gripping their seats, their knuckles turning white she thought that perhaps she shouldn't and plus, there were those agents, hiding in the ranks of civilians, which would have no problems in slipping a sedative into her drink. She let out a sigh and turned to the drink sitting on the tray in front of her, she sipped the water slowly and looked around the cabin. She dug through her bag, tucked under her seat and pulled out a diary. She put her feet up on the seat and leant the book against her leg.

We're on our way. They're playing a very boring movie. I feel like I'm in a movie at the moment. I have five friends in the world. But like happens with people we have paired off with each other. Jess and Nick. Bo and Alexis. So me and Allison are left. I'm glad I have someone to talk to and am not a fifth wheel or whatever, but like school I don't care. I do miss my friends dearly. My parents and brother, I have only seen the once, it pains me, and everyone, not able to see or talk to them. Bo's case is even worse.

Cheree sighed and closed the book, she placed it in the bag and pulled out a deck of cards then turned to Allison.

"Wanna play something? This movie sucks."

 

[MeikaBeans]

Allison never could have expected the changes made in the past month. The training, all the experience... There was an entirely different life opened to her. She had so much more confidence than before. The training, though an awful thing to wake up to every morning, had made her feel capable. After a lifetime of mediocrity, it seemed like now she had skills to be jealous of. Her body had gone through changed as well. Gone was the soft little tummy she'd always known. While it was by no means a muscled body, she felt slim. Dirty blonde roots were noticeable, giving her a grungier look than before. Gen. Knight had informed her the hair was "attracted to much attention," but had finally allowed her to grow it out as opposed to dying or cutting it. Allison held out hope she could persuade the General to allow her redye her hair if she could prove herself.

Watching the in-flight movie, Allison smiled to herself. She understood the movie better than ever, taking in the tactics and lingo and picking out all of it that was simply Hollywood glitter. While she sat in the middle of the "Specials," she felt alone. No one had really accepted their situation like she had. While she wouldn't allow a difference of opinion to cut her off from the closest things to friends she had, her last ties to her old life, it was at times tiring. Any time she caught a comment less than enthusiastic about the organization, she bit her tongue. And she did her best to not to comment on it at all, to keep upsetting people.

"Wanna play something? This movie sucks." Cheree turned Allison's attention from Tom Cruise to the deck of cards she was shuffling.

"Sure. But the only games I know are Poker and Go Fish, so unless you want to teach me something new..." She chuckled at herself, letting Cheree make the decision. As long as she kept her mind off business these people were alright. They were fun. Training had been so much easier when they were along side her, making smart remarks and encouraging each other. Allison distant despite it all, trying so hard not to let her views get in the way of their tenuous friendships.

 

[the_bean]

bump?

 

[Matthew82]

ooc: sorry, real life really hetic this week.
bump.

 

[Kuldaboli]

Nick "Samael" Bender

Nick sat in his seat next to Jessica. He wasn’t happy about his ‘mission’ at all. He felt like they were being used. Like they were being taken advantage of. He really didn’t like that at all. The general guy, Nick really tried hard not to learn his name, had issued their designated assignments. Jessica was to cover the perimeter and locate the sniper, and Nick was supposed to ‘take him down’. That phrase really didn’t sit well with him!

He’d seen the way some of the other people on the base had been looking at Jessica, like they knew she was going to screw up. He knew what that was like. To have everyone looking at you like you were a complete waste of space and weren't fit to be in their presence. It made his blood boil when he saw Jessica having to go through that.

When Jessica wasn’t anywhere near, he’d actually confronted one of the soldiers who had scoffed at her behind her back. The soldier had put his hand on his gun and ordered Nick to ‘stand down’. Nick had grinned at him and told him in a very calm and collected tone that if the soldier shot him, then chances were that the ‘mission’ wouldn’t be successful. And it would be the soldier’s fault. As the soldier had let go of his gun, Nick had very calmly asked the man to refrain from making any further comments about Jessica. When the soldier had scoffed, Nick had lunged for him. His advancing had forced the soldier to back up and find himself with his back against a wall. The fear in the man’s eyes had been almost intoxicating. Nick had placed his hand on the man’s chest, right above his heart; thankfully the man’s uniform had been between his hand and the man’s skin. Nick had told him that if he ever did anything like that again… and then he had let the threat hang as he glared into the man’s terrified eyes.

The ‘mission’ called for him and Jessica to work as a team. That was the only positive thing he could see about this whole thing. He could spend time with her. He’d wanted to get to know her better since forever. Ever since the first time they’d been paired together for an assignment in school. He just… didn’t know how to start the conversation.

When they had been allowed to see their families, Katie had asked him who ‘that girl’ was and had nodded towards Jessica. Nick had looked over and seen Jessica talking with her mother with the biggest smile on her face. Nick had smiled at the sight and had told Katie that her name was Jessica and that she was his friend. Katie had just nodded as she looked at Jessica, before a huge grin spread across the young girl’s face. It looked to Nick like Katie knew something. Like a big secret that she wouldn’t tell anybody, but wanted everybody to know that she knew. He had tried to get Katie to spill the beans about what was going through her mind, but the young girl had just shaken her head with that same grin on her face. She hadn’t told him anything, even when Nick threatened to ‘tickle her senseless’. As their families left, Katie had turned back at the last minute to look Nick dead in the eye. She’d grinned again and given him a wink, before glancing to Jessica for a split second. Then she was gone. Katie was only 7 years old, but she easily had the mind of a far older person. The things she could figure out were amazing. She would be hell on wheels once she hit puberty! Not to mention her higher teens!

Nick reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and fished out his wallet. Opening it he found a picture of Katie, smiling on the swing set in the park. It was a picture that he had been taken last summer on one of the hottest days that year. He chuckled slightly. It was something to start a conversation with at least. Slowly, he reached over to show Jessica the picture.

“That’s my sister.” He said softly as he showed Jessica the picture. “Her name is Katie.” He looked at Jessica as she looked at the picture. She was the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen. He felt his heart beat faster everytime he even thought of her, let alone when he saw her. Come hell or high water on this ‘mission’, he wouldn’t let anything happen to her.

Remembering Katie’s grin and her wink from the visit, Nick smiled. “I think she likes you.” He said with a slight chuckle.

 

[the_bean]

Jessica had long since lost herself in thoughts that not even she was conscious of. You know how your mind wanders when you are troubled. She glanced over at Nick when his arm came across the seat, and then to his hand, to the photograph. She took it from him, and turned toward him in her seat, sitting on her hip so that she could rest the side of her head against the back of the seat.

She held the photo gently in her fingertips, careful not to leave any smudges on the glossy surface of it. Katie was a beautiful little girl. She looked a lot like her older brother, too. It was obvious that Nick loved her more than anything. She'd seen the way he interacted with her when they'd all gotten to see their parents. He would die of a broken heart if anything ever happened to that little girl, she thought, and handed the photo back to him.

"Likes me? She's very beautiful, Nick. You're lucky to have a sister as sweet as her." She smiled at him very softly, though there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. "You really love her, don't you?"

 

[Kuldaboli]

Nick "Samael" Bender

He took the picture from Jessica's hand. He looked at Katie's smiling face in the photo and smiled. When it came to his family, she was the only light of his life. He'd do anything to keep her safe.

"Yeah." He said, his voice a little raspy. "Without her..." He shook his head slightly. "there's not really that much for me to come home to in the way of family." His finger traced the young girls face in the photograph. He chuckled slightly.

"When she came to see me, she pointed at you and asked me who 'that girl' was." He glanced up at Jessica with a smile before his gaze returned to the photo. "I told her your name and... that you were... my friend..." He glanced at Jessica for a split second form under his longish dark bangs. He felt very nervous all of a sudden. He didn't want Jessica to think he was a freak or something.

"She just nodded and then started grinning." He chuckled. "Like the cat that ate the cannarie." He nodded a few times. "That's how I could tell that she likes you."

He looked up at Jessica and saw something in her eyes that he didn't like. Sadness. He'd recognise that look anywhere. He'd seen it enough in his own reflection to recognize it instantly. He frowned slightly. "Are you okay?" he asked worriedly.

 

[the_bean]

Jess smiled as Nick talked about his sister. The depth of his love for her was apparent in the way his voice slightly wavered. There was an extra something in his smile, too. "Well I'd certainly like to meet her sometime," she said. "If she likes me, I'd have to say she has good taste. Besides . . . if she's anything like her older brother I'm sure I like her right back."

Nick noticed the sadness hinted in her expression and asked if she was okay. She gave a very small nod and sighed softly. "Yeah, I'm okay. Just a little depressed about this whole thing. It's really not turning out like I'd been hoping it would."

She glanced over at the rest of the group with a bit of longing in her eyes. "I'm just feel less and less connected to everything as the seconds pass. I mean, I love Bo a lot, you know? He's like my brother. We've known each other since we were practically babies. And now . . . it's like I don't even know him any more. I don't even know myself anymore." She turned back to Nick, though her head remained down, and slowly she shifted toward him and laid her head against his shoulder. "I don't like the way it feels, Nick." She tucked her hand around his arm and closed her eyes. "So thanks for being my friend."

 

[Kuldaboli]

Nick "Samael" Bender

The longing in Jessica’s eyes and in her voice cut Nick like a knife. He could almost feel her loneliness and feelings of detachment coming off of her in waves. She was hurting. You’d have to be a fool not to see it. It was almost as if he could see her slipping further and further into the shadows.

Nick steeled himself. Jessica was too wonderful a person to be lost in the shadows of society. She was beautiful, intelligent, kind, caring and without a doubt the best person he’d ever had the pleasure to meet. No, she did not belong in the shadows. It was cold and lonely there. He knew all about that. He’d been there. Hell, he’d practically lived there for a long time, his sister his only lifeline.

He did not want to see Jessica sink into darkness. She belonged in the light. She belonged in the brightly lit world that honors and cherishes wonderful people like her. He wouldn’t allow her to fade into nothingness. Never! Not as long as he could help it. He’d hold her up and lift her into the light, drowning himself in darkness if he had to.

The touch of her hand on his arm felt heavenly. The feeling of her head on his shoulder was nothing short of divine. He smiled at her words when she thanked him for being her friend.

“Sometimes people grow together. And sometimes… they grow apart.” He said softly. “I don’t know why it happens. All I know is that it does. And it always hurts when it happens. It leaves people feeling lost and lonely.” His eyes shifted to look at the rest of the group. He felt much the same way as Jessica did. It really looked, and felt, like it was the two of them… and then the rest of them. His eyes rested on Bo. He sat there and watched Alexis sleep, the tiniest smile on his face. Bo seemed mesmerized by the sleeping girl.

“I think if you talked to Bo,” Nick continued in the same tone of voice. “You’d find out that he feels very much the same as you do. Like you said, you’ve known each other since the sandbox.” He smiled at Jessica’s tiny giggle, before speaking again, just as softly. “It always hurts when people go their separate ways or drift apart. Especially if you’ve known them for as long as you’ve known Bo. It’s natural. The best thing you can do is to talk to Bo and explain how you feel. Get it off your chest. I guarantee you; he feels much the same as you do. You’d be surprised.”

He remained silent for a moment, hoping she was letting his words sink in. He really wasn’t that good at this sort of thing. He never knew what to say or if what he said would be appropriate. Now though, he’d just said what he felt. He rested his cheek on the top of Jessica’s head.

“You don’t have to thank me for being your friend, Jessica.” He said softly. “I’ll always be your friend. No matter what.” He raised his head and, taking a chance, kissed the top of Jessica’s head gently, his eyes drifting closed at the wonderful sensation.

 

[Matthew82]

bump!

 

[the_bean]

OOC: I apologize for the shortness of this post, but I was in the process of posting a large one and I lost it.

IC:

Jessica nodded slowly as Nick spoke about talking to him. "Maybe I'll talk to him about it," she answered quietly. "Not now . . .but later, after all of this is over."

She couldn't have been more happy to have Nick here with her now. Of all the people to cling to, she never in a million years would have forseen this. But she liked it; she liked him. He grew silent and she wondered what he was thinking. But before she had a chance to ask, his cheek was against her head and he said he would be here friend always. Hearing that brought a smile to her face more honest than any she'd shown in these last few weeks. She hoped that statement would remain true. And then, he kissed the top of her head.

Jessica's hand tightened on Nick's arm and she squeezed her eyes shut.

 

[Kuldaboli]

Nick "Samael" Bender

At the feel of Jessica’s hand tightening on his arm, Nick froze dead in his tracks and his eyes flew open. A million thoughts ran through his head at the speed of light, none of them making any sense to him, except for one: ‘I blew it!’

He’d gone too far. He was sure of it. She didn’t like him ‘that way’. He mentally cursed his stupidity. She needed a friend. Not someone making moves on her! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! He’d probably ruined every chance of getting to know her.

What if your power had gone off, you stupid fuck!!! He screamed at himself mentally. You could have seriously hurt her!!! Did you think about that, you moronic halfwit?!!!

Slowly he pulled his lips away from her head. He held his breath, afraid that a single breath could send his ‘power’ soaring and cause her irreparable harm.

“I… I’m sorry… I probably shouldn’t have done that…” He stammered before swallowing hard and looking away, shame evident on his face. “I could have hurt you… I’m sorry.” He whispered, hiding his face behind his longish dark bangs.

 

[the_bean]

"Nick . . ." Jessica was looking up at him, though her face was still somewhat resting on his shoulder. "You didn't hurt me . . . you wouldn't."

A reassuring smile found her lips, curving them upward at a gentle angle. With a slow sweep of her hand, she pushed his bangs out of his face and combed them back with her fingers. As she did so, she leaned upward and pressed her lips softly against his face, near the edge of his mouth, but shyly so. She didn't want to seem too forward, but she did want him to know that she cared a great deal about him.

As she pulled back, and laid her head against his shoulder again, her hand slipped down finally, brushing through the length of his hair as it did and came to rest again on his elbow.

"I know you would never. I trust you."

 

[Kuldaboli]

Nick "Samael" Bender

Her smile warmed him inside. She had such a beautiful smile. The feel of her fingers running through his hair was nothing short of heavenly. He couldn’t help but to close his eyes and relish the feeling. He was certain things couldn’t get any better then this. And then they did!

Her kiss was gentle and tender. He could feel the caring in it. Her lips were soft and their touch sent shivers of pure delight down his spine. He wanted so badly to kiss her back. All too soon, she pulled away, leaving him dazed.

He felt her lay her head on his shoulder again and her hand slipped down through the length of his hair to come to rest on his elbow. He didn’t dare open his eyes in case this was all a dream. Her soft spoken words sent his spirits soaring. He opened his eyes and looked at Jessica, that beautiful girl that meant the world to him, and he couldn’t help but smile. She trusted him. Those three small words from her filled him with hope. He layd his cheek on her head again and gently covered her hand, resting on his elbow, with his.

“You have no idea what your trust means to me.” He told her softly. His other hand moved a fraction and he slowly stroked the side of her knee with his index finger. He raised his head and placing a finger under her chin brought her head up. Her eyes were breathtaking. He could drown in them forever. “Thank you.” He all but whispered to her, his voice filled to the brim with gratitude, before slowly leaning in and placing a tender kiss on her soft lips. He knew it was a chance he was taking, but he was willing to take a leap of faith. He wanted nothing more then to be with her.

 

[the_bean]

Jessica lifted her head as Nick guided it with his finger touching so very gently beneath her chin. Her eyes lifted as well, finding his as he spoke his soft thank you. She was about to tell him that there was no thanks needed, but she was halted when he leaned in and tenderly touched his lips to hers.

The feeling of it sent a strange feeling through her body, it was not unwelcome, but rather very good. A spark, you might call it, traveled along her spine, warming her everywhere. Her heart leapt and her stomach knotted and Jessica's hand moved to gently stroke his cheek.

How long had she waited for this; without even realizing it? Two years of subconcious longing now fulfilled, the plain but pretty brown-haired girl suddenly felt truly and honestly happy.

Her hand fell from Nick's cheek to the juncture of his shoulder and throat, her thumb stroked gently. She pulled hesitantly away from his kiss to look into his eyes again, and then pulled him into a loving embrace.

"No," she whispered against his ear. "Thank you."

 

[Matthew82]

OOC: sorry about the lack of posting...real life sure does get in the way of fun stuff...it seems as though my "love interest" has ditched on the thread, so if it's cool, like to change the plot of my character in that regards. any opinions? want to keep this one going or just let it die? let me know...thx!

 

[MeikaBeans]

((OOC: Just dropping a line to say "do whatever you need to." The thread had started off so well, I'm eager to get it moving again. We've got... what, 4 loyal participants now?))

 

[the_bean]

OOC: I'm prepared to continue if other people are!

 

[Kuldaboli]

OOC: Yeah. Count me in. I may not be much of a power poster (a long time can pass between posts for me, Sorry about that.) But I'm more then willing to continue if other people are up for it.