Lady Jaye returned to an empty room, but had already been told by the floor nurse that Flint had been taken by Dr. Scot for rehab. She wondered at the funny look the nurse had given her. It had been a few days since she'd last been able to look at herself critically in a mirror. Doing so now, she winced. Did she really look that bad? Normally she wasn't a vain person, but this was pretty rough!
Making a quick decision, she found a piece of paper and jotted Flint a note, leaving it on his pillow. She'd head to her mother's apartment and clean herself up as well as check the place out. Grabbing the small bag she had packed when they had traveled to Boston, she decided a quick shopping trip was also in order. She'd have to talk to Dr. Scot about how long she estimated Flint's rehab would take. She had packed so quickly, she really had only thrown jeans and t-shirts into her duffel – nothing too fancy. Her mind had been more on Flint and his condition. She knew her things were still back at GI Joe, as well as his. She'd have to make some arrangements, she thought, smiling at the thought of a shopping trip.
Never one to waste a moment, she made a few phone calls during the cab ride to her mother's place. Her spree would have to wait. Right now, she'd have a personal shopper at one of her favorite places deliver some things for her to consider.
"Lady Alison, as I live and breathe!" Tom, the doorman, said dramatically as she exited the cab in front of the stately building.
She gave him a friendly smile and a hug. "It's good to see you, too, Tom!"
"Your mother left word you'd be living here for awhile, only…." he glanced curiously at the cab as it pulled away. "You have a young man staying with you as well?"
"He's still in the hospital," she explained. "I needed to clean up and do a few things before bringing him back here."
"Well, you just let me know if you need ol' Tom to do anything for you, m'lady! You always were the most precocious child! It'll be nice to have you running around here again! Bring some life here to this place," he chuckled.
She smiled. "I'm not quite sure how precocious I am nowadays, but if you want," she winked, "I'll give you a run for your money!"
Opening the door, he shook his head. "You never change, m'lady!"
She was grateful she didn't run into any other residents in the lobby. Of course, they were of the genteel wealthy set and would be overseeing businesses or charities at this hour of the day, she speculated.
She pushed in the code for her mother's floor and felt the elevator rise. Stepping out into the small, but neat hallway, she noticed nothing had changed so far. The same antique side table with what looked to be the same plant from her childhood was still sitting there by the door. Apparently, the decorator hadn't thought it worthy of changing the small hallway. Taking out the key, she slid it into the lock.
The doors opened and Lady Jaye gasped in surprise. Gone was the heavily antiqued atmosphere she remembered from her youth. A look but don't touch type of place, she had hated staying here the few times she did with her mother. Her father's place had been much more fun.
The place now looked more modern and…comfortable! Sure, there were still the usual knick knacks around, but there were also a lot more pictures. She picked up one and was surprised to see a photo of her young self with her mother – one of the rare times when they had been enjoying each other's company. It had been her mother's club's formal tea and the ladies had performed a parody that had everyone laughing hysterically. The picture had been taken not long after, with a smiling 12 year old Alison posed next to a more serene Adele, her mother.
She replaced the picture and peeked into the bedrooms, finding a guest bedroom that would suit her needs. She glanced enviously at the large tub in the adjoining bathroom, opting instead for a quick shower.
Feeling more like herself after the shower, she heard the buzz of the intercom and went to go answer it.
"Lady Alison, there's several packages for you down here. Would you like me to bring them up?" came Tom's voice through the intercom.
"I'd appreciate it. Thanks, Tom!" she said with a smile.
She laughed as Tom teased her about leaving half the store behind as he brought in several shopping bags and boxes of clothes and shoes.
Going through them with a critical eye, she felt pleased with the selection the personal shopper had chosen. She put a few things aside to return, but decided to keep most of it. She'd send for Flint's clothes from the base as well as her own eventually, but for now, these would do nicely.
Smiling, she chose a dress to wear, figuring Flint had seen her in enough fatigues and jeans for now. Maybe it was time to up the ante. He'd be released in the next couple days, after a few initial sessions of therapy and rehabilitation. It would be fun playing house for awhile. She couldn't help it – both sets of parents had put thoughts in her head of their possible future together. Maybe this could be a kind of trial basis? Granted, it wouldn't be a normal experience, she reminded herself, thinking of his periodic dark moods since his injury.
After hanging up their new clothes in the guest closet, she glanced at her watch. It was time she was getting back.