The Replacements- 14

Princess finally yanked off her apron and walked over to my table. "My shift is over. Wanna go upstairs?" She asked.

"Huh? " My eyes widened. "Upstairs?"

"Come on," she grinned. "I'll show you my place."

She grabbed me by the hand and led me upstairs. I could feel Jill's eyes on my back as I left. I couldn't help but to wonder what she was thinking.

Princess' apartment was small, but neat. She motioned for me to sit down on the sofa. "Make yourself comfortable. Can I get you anything?"

I shook my head. "I'm fine, thanks."

"Ok, "she continued, "I'm just going to change clothes. Be right back."

I noticed a guitar propped up in the corner of the room.

"You play the guitar?" I called out to her from the living room.

"Yes. A little." She answered softly.
"It belonged to my father. It's the only thing I have left… from my family."

"Do you know what happened to them?" I asked timidly.

Princess appeared in a tight fitting red tee shirt and blue jeans. "I don't know. All I was told was that my Dad was a musician, and that this was his guitar." She picked it up lovingly, sat down on the sofa and strummed it.

"Princess…" I stared at her. She looked so beautiful.

She stopped strumming and looked up at me.

"Why did you leave us?" I asked.

She cleared her throat. "I just wasn't cut out for the team. I think maybe females shouldn't…"

"Please, stop…" I interrupted. "Female or not, you belong on the team. Look, I've seen what you can do, and you're very talented! Don't underestimate yourself!"

"Mark, I appreciate your efforts, but being the only female member of an all male team just isn't going to work for me."

"So, what will work for you?" I stared into her emerald eyes.

"I don't know, Mark…" Tears formed in the corners of her eyes. She turned her head away from me and laid her guitar on the floor beside her.

"Princess, I don't know what to say, except that the team is falling apart now that you are gone. Tiny is angry with Jason for what he said, and so am I. But, listen…" I reached over and held one of her hands in mine. "Jason can be a little quick tempered, and impatient, and he says things he doesn't mean. But I know deep down he respects you and that things will get better. I promise."

I gently placed my hand on her chin, and turned her around to face me.

"Jason has some issues he is working on, himself. Issues that have nothing to do with you."

I sighed heavily. "I'll help you through it. It will be me… and you. Please, tell me you'll give the team another chance." I begged.

The tears cascaded down her face as she gazed back into my eyes. "What about the Chief?"

"He'll be thrilled that you are returning. You'll see. "I grinned and wiped the tears from her eyes.

"So will you come back?" I pleaded. "Look, I'll even get down on one knee…"

I playfully bent down and groveled at her feet. She giggled through her tears. "Ok. I'll give it one more chance. But the first guy who looks up my skirt during the Pyramid is toast!"

"No looking…cross my heart!" I laughed and winked at her.

I sat next to her on the couch again, and was a little surprised when she reached over and gave me a hug. "Thanks, Mark." She sighed.

I squeezed her tightly. I didn't want to let go.

As we pulled away, somehow our lips met. Electricity surged through my body. The one kiss turned into several kisses, each one was deeper and more sensual than the one before.

Suddenly, she pushed me away. Her face bore a look of disgust.

"So that's how you play...huh?" She spat, "How can you say that you'll treat me like the other members of the team? That's the whole problem, Mark! You are a member of an all male club! There's no room for a female member on the team...you'll just end up toying with my feelings, and treating me like...like..." She couldn't finish. She dissolved into tears.

"I'm… sorry." I exclaimed. "I didn't mean for that to happen. Please don't think I'm taking advantage of you."

"Just leave..." She whispered. She turned away from me, whimpering quietly.

I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Some Commander I was. I had managed to screw up everything. I left Princess' apartment totally defeated, and headed back to Center Neptune.