Ok guys, so I'm coming back to fix all of my many, many grammatical errors (also other assorted, really embarrassing slips) with the help of the wonderful Ruby-Blade-Princess who very generously offered to Beta-read for me.
Yeah, update, told you it'd be soon. Sorry if Jack comes out as too cool which -with him being Jack- is somewhat OOC. I'll get to explaining this in a later chapter, probably the next one. Which should be on it's way as well.
Nope, still don't own Xiaolin Showdown, so don't bring your lawyers out just yet.
Chapter I – Another go
A week after that encounter, Kimiko found herself attending a formal party, hosted by one, Jeremiah Slope, celebrating one thing or another (nobody really knows what these parties are ever about. Like school, you just had to attend).
Formal, meant she had to wear a kimono. This in itself was enough to put her in a not-so-shiny disposition (an understatement). And because it was a formal party, being an insufferable snob was practically a requirement. She sipped at her champagne, trying to drown out the chatter of her neighbors who were fulfilling said requirement, and pretending to enjoy themselves.
Kimiko could only take so much. Patience was never a strong point of hers. She smiled her excuses and focused on walking away. This took a lot of concentration. No matter how many years of martial arts training she'd had, Kimiko had never been able to master walking on traditional zori with her legs wrapped in a kimono. It took a special kind of talent to that. A talent she did not posses. Finding a convenient pillar, away from most of the crowd, she leant against it gratefully.
The sound of rustling fabric caught her attention. Someone else had leaned against her column. Kimiko decided to ignore the new arrival. Flirting was not on her agenda for the night. Not unless he came offering a quick getaway plan for two.
"Tiresome, aren't they?"
The voice froze her blood, and she almost dropped her glass "Jack" she breathed.
Clothes rustled again. He straightened and rounded the pillar coming into her view.
Kimiko couldn't help but stare. Jack Spicer in normal clothing. Well, she amended, different, non-goth clothing. He wore black pants and a white shirt with an emerald green vest on top. The only 'Jack' touches to the clothes were the thin silver chains hanging from the vest pocket and the waist of his pants. No goggles either. His red hair was combed back, and looked slightly more neat than usual, with only a few rebellious strands falling over his forehead. The eye makeup was still there though. Kimiko quirked an eyebrow.
Jack gave a little start, he had been looking her over as well "What am I thinking? Where are my manners?".
She was just about to ask 'What manners?' when he surprised her by doing something unexpected. Kimiko was so shocked she couldn't recover in time to react. Jack suddenly reached forward and picked up her hand. It was what he did next that made her jaw drop. In one fluid motion he brought it to his lips and lightly brushed a kiss over her knuckles
"Konbanwa Ohime-sama" he whispered softly, smiling wickedly up at her.
Kimiko gaped at the red haired man in utter dumbstruck shock.
He seemed mildly insulted at her obvious disbelief "What, you didn't think I could do polite and chivalrous?"
Getting a grip on herself, Kimiko relaxed back against the stone pillar "No Jack, I didn't think you had it in you." as an afterthought she added "You speak Japanese?"
He pouted at her jibe "Oh you know, a simple phrase here and there. Can't seem to get the hang of kanji though. Horrible little buggers."
She laughed. How strange that it would be Jack Spicer who would make a terrible party feel bearable. She'd always had him pinned as the guy who crashed the party. Speaking of which…
"So what brings you here Jack?" Just two regular people having a regular conversation, no one would ever suspect them to have once been arch enemies.
Jack snorted and leaned his shoulder against the pillar "Heh. Questions again? I thought we settled upon the futility of those."
Kimiko waved a dismissive hand "Pretend I believe you. For the sake of conversation of course"
He laughed at that. It was a pleasant sound, not the stupid would-be evil laugh he tried to perfect in his youth. "Alright, for conversation's sake. What was the question? Ah yes. Well Kimiko, I'm enjoying a party. No, that's a stretch. Attending. I'm attending a party. Much the same as you really."
Kimiko lifted an eyebrow "Not to be rude, but were you on the invited list?"
He rolled his eyes at her "Not the least bit rude. How could that ever be taken as rude?" he glared halfheartedly at her "Of course I was. I'm the talk of the crowd actually" He looked pointedly at her former companions.
Kimiko shrugged nonchalantly.
"Besides" he continued looking up at a stray lock of red hair "You'd think I'd stand out in a crowd"
As if to prove his point, the host of the party took that moment to drop in on them. "Mr. Spicer, Miss Tohomiko, I trust you are enjoying my party?" Mr. Slope queried pleasantly.
Ah yes, the question asked by all party hosts who know for a fact that the party is a complete failure, but hope that the guests haven't noticed. "Oh yes excellent party" "Smashing!" they both answered. No point in hurting the poor guy's feelings.
Slope positively beamed at them, he turned to Jack "Mr. Spicer, it's been a long time since you've made a public appearance. I trust things haven't been too bad?"
Jack smiled. Politely. "Needed a break from the spotlights. I have sensitive eyes, and I burn easily" Kimiko was impressed, a perfect, polite, smiling dismissal. The man took the hint and bid them a pleasant evening, scuttling away to ask the question to the remainder of his guests.
Jack turned his attention back to the dark haired woman "I love these parties." he confessed "There's this sense of consistency to them. They," he stressed the word "Never change. Fact."
She chuckled wryly "I know. But really, where have you been all these years? Also, keep in mind that I can make you answer truthfully."
Jack looked strangely delighted at her barely veiled threat "Kimiko, baby, still a firecracker. I would never dream of not answering your innocent questions, And you ask so nicely to boot."
Kimiko smiled pleasantly and lifted her glass in a toast. Grinning crookedly he held her toast and brought his glass clinking to hers. Over the rim of her own drink, she followed the path the glass made to his lips and noticed that the hand holding the champagne was gloved. Strange. She stored the fact for future reference.
"There were problems that needed taking care of. Problems that needn't catch the public eye." Jack answered.
She frowned at his elusiveness "That isn't much of an answer Jack." she pointed out.
"That was a very personal question Kimiko." he countered. His tone was still pleasant, but a little colder than before.
Kimiko opened and closed her mouth. She glared at him, "Alright. Answer me this. What do you want with me?"
Jack's eyebrows shot up, "With you? Kimiko, baby, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but the world does not revolve around you, oh and that blush looks lovely on you. Very feminine."
"Zip it Jack." She snapped averting her face.
Her inner string of curses was interrupted by the sound of a sigh, "I said I'd be truthful. Truth is I did come here to find you."
She shot him a sideways look, "Go on. Why?"
"Now is not the best time to discuss particulars." he muttered.
Kimiko felt her temper flare. 'There we go' Kimiko thought, her suspicion rising. "Particulars." she repeated, "Uh-hum. This had better not have anything to do with the Shen Gong Wu." she hissed, lowering her voice. The Wus were as Master Fung would say, a matter of utmost discretion.
Jack shook his head, "Past. Gone and by. This is an altogether different matter. And you my dear, will see exactly what it is." he said noticing her annoyance, "If you'll meet me tomorrow for a talk." He was serious now, his voice low.
Kimiko narrowed her eyes, "And why would I do that Jack?"
He smiled again, it was grim ,"Why, because you're curious of course." She was about to protest, but he cut her of with a raised finger, "Don't deny it, it's been eating at you since that day a week ago."
He dropped his head next to hers. It dawned at her how tall he was. "I don't pretend to know a great many things about you Princess, but I know one thing. You are curious. So let me put your questing mind at rest. Meet me tomorrow at fourteen hundred hours at the Strong building. Just to talk. No strings attached."
Kimiko pulled back slightly. Jack was right, she'd never get any rest until she'd satisfied her curiosity one way or another. And since he was offering… "Fine. Strong building at two tomorrow."
He smiled drawing back, "Lovely making business with you." he said bowing. He turned to leave, stopping only to drop his empty glass on a passing tray.
Kimiko was left alone leaning against her pillar, glaring at her glass. She downed it in one go. 'Damn him' she frowned. What had happened? This was not the Jack she remembered. That Jack couldn't intimidate a fly, and just now, if only for an instant, he had intimidated her. Not much, but still.
'Some things…' She thought scanning the room for a red head 'Some things do change.' she muttered. 'I liked him better when he was goofy.' she thought bitterly.
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Thanks to Dominosowner who is my very first reviewer Kudos!