Chapter 36: Two Days
They met in the library of all places. Butch had opened the door when James showed up outside.
"Following me on your Boy?" James asked quietly after the door closed behind them.
"Can't be too careful."
James considered that an understatement. They needed to be more careful now then they had ever been which made him feel uneasy about this meeting place. Wasn't it too…out in the open? He followed Butch into the planetarium. He watched as Butch punched buttons programming in a large shining moon and they sat down with an empty seat between them.
After a few silent moments James said, "I haven't been in here in years are you sure it's safe?"
"Safer for you than for me."
James knew he was right. Al didn't come right out and say it but James knew he wasn't allowed free reign in the lower levels, not any longer. Not now that Jolene and Butch were 'separated'. She was to stay with Jonas but if she had everything had worked out why...?He wasn't quite sure he knew what was going on with that situation but he knew if he was found or tracked below he would be considered a threat, Butch on the other hand, Hell who knew what he could do with his tracker? Damn it, he was so ready to leave.
Butch spoke softly still staring at the ceiling, "I'm surprised you don't visit more often, what with being from the outside and all. It's one of your daughter's favorite spots in this tin can."
James glanced quickly at his Boy looking for Jo's signal.
Butch caught his movement out of the corner of his eye, "She's in her room." Safely tucked away from me.
"So you haven't contacted her? She isn't coming here?" James wondered because of this location and she being an integral part of the 'leaving' that was to take place, Butch may have contacted her somehow.
"Now that wouldn't be impossible but just a little too risky don't you think?
James heard the anger and frustration in Butch's voice. He shook his head in agreement. "I thought Wally and Paul would be here though."
"They will not be joining us on our adventure."
James pondered that a moment. "We can trust them to not give us away?"
"I've been stringing them along on this, but they are not going with us. I think we have a better chance with fewer people. They won't be happy about it but we're not coming back anyway."
"Okay then." James rubbed his hands together and scooted to the edge of his seat, "I nearly have everything wrapped up that I am taking with me. You have the location of the G.E.C.K and the codes for the door?" Butch nodded. "Alright then, I can be ready to leave in four days."
"Two."
"Two? I don't think I will have everything ready in two days."
"Two days. I have Al Fuck's codes and the location of your G.E.C.K. We go in two." Butch clenched his teeth when he spoke, the tension seeping off of him.
"Why two days?" Then it hit him; the wedding was in two days. "Aw, the wedding..."
"She won't marry that shit. She won't. We leave in two."
James watched Butch's knuckles turn white as he gripped the arms of the chair. "Alright. Alright, I'll gather Jolene and the supplies from the clinic and meet you near the maintenance elevator say 3am?"
"Can't happen soon enough for me." He slowly released his clenched hands.
James stood and put out his hand to Butch. "Good luck, to both of us."
Butch stood and took his hand in a firm hand shake, "We sure the fuck need it."
As James turned to go Butch sat back down, "You're not coming?"
"I'll leave when I'm ready."
Checking his Boy before heading out, James walked out the door.
James entered his quarters. The final preparations had put him in a good mood. He wanted to share this enthusiasm with Jolene. He also felt she should get to make the decision on whether to go or not, instead of Butch making it for her. He hadn't been alone with her for days, he'd been busy, she'd been busy and then there was Jonas always creeping around. All was silent as he listened at her door. He was about to open it when he heard voices in the clinic. Maybe she was in there. Heading for the clinic door instead he stopped quickly when he heard Al's voice.
"So we have thirteen left."
"Yes"
Jonas was with him.
"I think we should put them in tonight."
"No, we wait two more days for the best growth."
"So you have come to your senses and will insert all of them?"
A sigh from Jonas, "Yes, as the babies grow she will need to be restricted to bed rest."
"Excellent. I shall see you then on your honeymoon."
James heard the door open and close. What the fuck were they working on? He suspected things weren't as wrapped up as Jolene thought. He knew Jolene was alone in her room what with Jonas being in the clinic so he entered her room quickly not sure how long he would have alone with her. She was asleep. Of course she was, it was late and she'd been busy getting everything ready for the wedding. He shook her. There was no response, just her heavy breathing as she rested. He shook her again, still nothing. Then he shook her harder and called her name, nothing. He lifted an eye, she was drugged. What. The. Fuck.
He stormed into the clinic ready to rip Jonas a new hole, "Why is my daughter practically comatose in there?"
Jonas jumped nearly dropping a Petri dish. "James?"
"Answer me!" He slammed a fist on the counter next to Jonas, Jonas flinched.
"She's been having a hard time sleeping. I've simply given her a sleep aid." Jonas turned to go back to tiding up his work.
"Sleep aid my ass, she's out cold."
He turned back to James, "She knows what it is James. I'm not forcing it on her. She's had a busy week and needs her rest." He moved slightly to reach past James.
James reached out and stopped Jonas, grabbing his shoulder, "and what was Al doing here just now?"
"Al?" Jonas turned slowly under James' grip but only after he'd locked up the zygotes for implantation. "I think maybe you've been working too hard. Al was not here."
"Then what have you locked up there? What do the two of you have cooking with my daughter?" He shoved Jonas back out of the way to access the metal multi-environmental cabinet and punched in the password to the lock. Nothing happened. "You've changed the password?"
"I've followed procedure and changed it according to security protocols. It's not my fault that you are busy elsewhere when this happens."
James breathed a frustrated sigh, wanting to deck the smug ass. "Okay, so what is it?"
"James, really its late I think we should both retire." He took off his lab coat and draped it over a nearby chair.
"The password Jonas." James couldn't believe the arrogance of this prick. How had he ever considered him a true friend?
"Goodnight James." He turned to go but James reached out and wrenched him back by his arm.
"Tell it to me." He squeezed Jonas' arm hard.
"No." Jonas struggled to get his arm free.
James lashed out and punched Jonas, hard across the jaw. He wanted to wail on him but stopped himself and growled, "Get out."
Jonas picked himself off the floor wiping the blood from his lip, not sure what James would do next he turned quickly to retire with Jolene.
"No. Get OUT! You don't come back until after the wedding. I will NOT share a home with you."
"James, be reasonable…" He cautiously approached James with his hands out, in a peaceful gesture.
"GET OUT!" James lunged at him, not sure what he would do if he got a hold of the weasel. He didn't get to find out though because Jonas was out the door before he could reach him.
James spent nearly an hour trying to hack the cabinet so he could find out what they were up to. Frustrated he checked on Jolene once more before returning to his room to begin packing.