Other Job Business

A/n: I have no idea where this came from. Oops. Xana's Lair has me doing the writing and the activity again. (Promoting- I do it)

Dedication: For Kittyclaw because everything in the world is a competition.

"I'm almost there," Aelita whispered into the phone. "I just need to clear the courtyard and I'll be there in minutes." There was a murmur of something- maybe approval from the other end of the call. "Be safe," she sighed, shoving the little pink phone into her back pocket. Looking out miserably into the rain she prepared herself to run.

"You look just like her, you know," a gruff voice called from behind her. Aelita jumped, heart pounding in her ears. She spun off balance to see who had managed to sneak up on her when she'd been doing to so well to stay out of sight. It was Jim. Her stomach crawled up into her throat. She plastered herself against the door.

"Jim! Oh, uhm..w-who?"

"Antea. You're her spitting image."

Ice ran through the girls veins, color draining out of her cheeks instantly. "My- I don't know who that is," she squeaked. "Someone you know?" The man leveled her with a look.

"Trying to pull one over on old Jimbo?" He scoffed, hands fisted on his hips. "I'm not particularly old but I'd know my friend's little girl anywhere. Except you're a little taller now. Still as crafty as ever."

Tears pricked the corners of Aelita's eyes and she tried not to look phased by his words. Jim didn't relent. "Jim-"

"I don't know what happened, but I suspected when I saw you the first time. You're not old enough."

"I'm not," she confirmed. And I don't remember you.

"Are you sick?" The girl shook her head, batting at her tears. "Franz's other job then."

Aelita choked out a laugh. "I always forget that you were in the military."

"I'd rather not talk about that, now."

The girl fidgeted, glancing back towards the door she'd nearly made it out of. "Jim... please don't tell anyone. I don't have a guardian. If anyone finds out they'll.. they'll take me away. I'm needed here. My family's here."

"I wouldn't do that to you," Jim assured her, voice softer than she was used to. "But you are Franz's daughter, aren't you." It wasn't a question.

"Yes," she admitted weakly. "But my parents.. my parents are gone now."

"Antea too, then?"

Aelita nodded, fisting her hands behind her back. "We're not entirely sure..." she trailed off. And Jim stooped forward, pulling the girl into an awkward hug.

"I figured. I thought you were gone with them."

"You knew me when I was little?" Aelita asked, letting herself be enveloped by the bigger man. She held on despite herself.

"Sure did, but you were just a squirt then." He released her reluctantly. "Ya' called me Uncle Jim. When I'd watch you, and you'd hide in the garden..."

Aelita laughed, fresh tears stinging her eyes. "Why didn't you tell me you knew sooner?" she questioned.

Jim darkened, tearing his eyes away from her. "I thought you were dead. And even if you weren't, you'd be... well in your twenties. You wouldn't be showing up at Kadic. I thought seeing you... I had to convince myself it was wishful thinking."

"Thanks," Aelita managed, wiping her eyes on her sleeve. Jim smiled.

"I'm glad you're not gone."

"Me too."

"Antea would be so proud of you." He looked out the door, past her, into the darkness. "Your band on hoodlums waiting for you?" he questioned.

"Yes, but I promise it's stickly other-job-business," she assured him. Jim gave her a stern look.

"Sprite, you better be careful, do you hear me? Your father would kill me if I let something happen to you."

"Promise," Aelita choked out, torn between a laugh and a cry.

"Get."

"Bye, Uncle Jim." And she took off running for the factory, leaving him in the doorway.