Chapter eight
The group stared at the shadow in the doorway. As it moved forward, Jesse could hear the sound of gears shifting and metallic feet on the wooden floors.
The thing came into view.
"Xanatos." Talon said it as if the name tasted like venom.
"Hello Talon. Long time no see. Ah, Detective Maza, always a pleasure."
"What do you want." Elisa asked her voice also sounding venomous.
"Not much, I wanted to return this." He said and tossed her skirt at her.
"Elisa!" Diane said shocked.
"It's not what you think, mom."
"And I also want the girl."
Jesse gasped. He was still after her. Fear came back to her features once again. Peter and Brianna emerged from the kitchen.
"What is the meaning of this?" Peter asked.
Xanatos extended a laser cannon on the forearm of his exo-frame.
"Why don't you just give me what I want?"
"Not in a million years." Elisa said drawing her gun.
Maggie and Talon lunged at him.
"Mom, Dad, take Jesse and Brianna and get them out of here." Elisa said.
A laser blast split through the room. Talon landed on his back against the wall with Maggie on top of him.
Elisa tried shooting at him, but the bullets just bounced off. He aimed his laser at her head and was about to shoot her when Bronx came bounding in and tackled the steel clad man. The laser blast hit the ceiling.
Bronx chewed the laser beyond recognition also causing the suit to short out. Xanatos threw the helmet aside as hot steam burned his skin. Goliath picked him up by the throat.
"I knew we were a fool for trusting your promises. You cannot go one night without harming one of our friends. I should kill you where I stand."
"Goliath no! Don't kill him." Elisa said. "He's not worth the effort."
"You are right." He said dropping Xanatos. "Get out."
Xanatos, with the color drained from his face, wisely left the property.
"This isn't over." He muttered under his breath
"Are you all right?" Goliath asked.
"Yeah. You better get out of here before the others come back in and see you."
"Very well. Will I see you tomorrow evening?"
"You can count on it."
* * *
New York
1996
precinct house
Jesse wandered around the station looking for Elisa's desk.
"Hey, Jess!"
Jesse turned at the sound of her name and searched for the source. She saw Matt Bluestone waving at her.
"Hey Matt."
"If you're looking for Elisa, she's not here."
"Why is she on assignment?"
"Nope, hasn't been to work for over a week. We've called her, your parents, searched her apartment. Heck we even searched the station from top to bottom."
"When was the last time you saw her?"
"Last week, she was leaving with some guy dressed in armor. That's when I was starting my shift, and I haven't seen her since."
"Thanks Matt. Call us if you hear anything."
"Will do."
* * *
"Did you have any luck?" Diane asked.
"Matt said that nobody at the station has seen her for over a week." Jesse said. "Don't worry, Diane, She'll turn up. She's a grown woman and can take care of herself."
"That's not the problem." Diane said. "I'm leaving for Africa in a week. And Peter is going to Arizona. There's nobody to look after you."
"Well I am seventeen." Jesse said.
"And you don't look a day over twelve. But that's not the point. As a foster child, you can't be left home alone for more than three hours. What am I supposed to do?"
"Well, you could take me with you. I have always wanted to go to Africa."
"Nice try." Diane said giving Jesse one of her 'do you think I'm crazy?' looks. "Set the table, Peter will be home--"
She was cut off by the doorbell.
"I'll get it!" Jesse ran to the door and flung it open.
Standing there was someone she knew all too well, and who seldom brought good news.
"Hey Cal." She said to her social worker.
"Evenin' Jess. Are your parents home?"
"I am." Diane said coming out and drying her hands on her apron.
"Mrs. Maza, there's something we need to talk about. Is your husband home?"
"No but he will be shortly."
* * *
"HE DID WHAT?!" Jesse screamed.
"Oh God, no." Diane said, putting her hand over her mouth and dropping onto the couch.
"Mr. & Mrs. Xanatos have filed for the adoption of Jesse. If the court allows, with them both having a criminal record, full custody will be given to them and Jesse will move into the Eyrie building."
"They can't do this to us." Peter said.
"Well, actually they can. Jesse has been in foster care for almost two years. She has adapted well to America, and even though it may seem like she is, she isn't your daughter legally."
Jesse was on the verge of tears. "I don't want to live with them!"
"I'm afraid, child, that if the court finds it in the best interest of your future, that you will have no choice."
"I hate the law. I hate every damn part of it!" She screamed, and ran to her room, slamming the door.
"I fear this may be harder than you think." Diane said to Cal.
* * *
". . .many benefits will come from this arrangement." The judge droned on. "Therefore, the court finds it in the best interest of the child, to grant Mr. and Mrs. Xanatos custody of Jessondra Michelle Maza. Court dismissed." He banged on his gavel and stood to leave.
Xanatos smiled and he and Fox stood from their seats.
There were few others in the room. Jesse, the Maza's, P.J., Brianna, and Matt.
Jesse's head fell into Diane's lap and her shoulders shook with sobs.
"Don't worry Jess." Matt said. "First wrong step they take will be their last."
"I don't think you'll have to worry about that." Xanatos said as he and Fox came over to claim their prize.
Jesse gave them a deadly look. If looks could kill. . .
"Come on Jesse." Brianna said. "Let's go and pack up your stuff."
* * *
"It's not fair. If I was eighteen, none of this would be happening." Jesse said throwing a teddy bear across the room.
"Jesse, remember, me and P.J. will always be there to support you."
"Yeah, but I'm moving out of the school district, and they'll probably make me go to a boarding school. I don't know when I'll see you guys again." Jesse said, tears clouding her vision.
"It's okay." Brianna said embracing her and crying as well. "We'll get through this and everything will turn out okay."
Fox walked in the room. "Come on ladies, we haven't got all night. There's a party at the castle at nine and I still have to take Jessondra shopping."
Jesse glared daggers at her.
"Mrs. Xanatos...Um...I wonder, since it will be Jesse's first night away, could I come with you?"
"I don't see why not. But never call me Mrs. Xanatos. Fox will do. You can come to the party too, as long as you can behave yourself."
"Great! I have money, I can buy my own dress."
"Nonsense. As Jessondra's friend, your clothing will be paid for in full. It's covered in the contract."
"What contract?"
"The oral one that states you will not take photographs and things like that, but we must discuss later, we have a schedule to keep. Owen!"
"Yes Mrs. Xanatos?" A blond man asked appearing behind her.
Jesse looked him over. Though stiff and cultured, he was extremely handsome. Jesse recognized him from the hearing.
"Jesse tell Owen what you need to bring with you tonight and the rest will be picked up tomorrow."
"Whatever."
Fox left to do some last minute arranging with Diane and Peter. Owen glanced down at Jesse.
"Uh, Owen..."
"Miss?"
Jesse felt intimidated but told the man what needed to go and what could stay.
Fox came bustling back in. "Owen did you get down what you need to retrieve?"
"Of course."
"Then let's be off."
* * *
Jesse stood in the living room with Peter, Diane, and P.J. She went around and embraced them all. Diane was last.
She pulled Jesse into a tight hug. Jesse could fell the tears start to well up in her eyes.
"Good-bye, mom."
"What did you call me?" Diane asked pulling partly away so she could look at Jesse's face. Jesse gave her a puzzled look. "You called me mom."
Tears formed in her eyes.
"Yeah, I guess I did." Jesse said giving a laugh that turned into a sob.
"Goodbye Jesse." Diane said and kissed her on the cheek. "I hope you like you new home."
Fox led Jesse out of the house with Brianna and Owen following.
Diane turned to Peter and cried softly into his shoulder.
The group stared at the shadow in the doorway. As it moved forward, Jesse could hear the sound of gears shifting and metallic feet on the wooden floors.
The thing came into view.
"Xanatos." Talon said it as if the name tasted like venom.
"Hello Talon. Long time no see. Ah, Detective Maza, always a pleasure."
"What do you want." Elisa asked her voice also sounding venomous.
"Not much, I wanted to return this." He said and tossed her skirt at her.
"Elisa!" Diane said shocked.
"It's not what you think, mom."
"And I also want the girl."
Jesse gasped. He was still after her. Fear came back to her features once again. Peter and Brianna emerged from the kitchen.
"What is the meaning of this?" Peter asked.
Xanatos extended a laser cannon on the forearm of his exo-frame.
"Why don't you just give me what I want?"
"Not in a million years." Elisa said drawing her gun.
Maggie and Talon lunged at him.
"Mom, Dad, take Jesse and Brianna and get them out of here." Elisa said.
A laser blast split through the room. Talon landed on his back against the wall with Maggie on top of him.
Elisa tried shooting at him, but the bullets just bounced off. He aimed his laser at her head and was about to shoot her when Bronx came bounding in and tackled the steel clad man. The laser blast hit the ceiling.
Bronx chewed the laser beyond recognition also causing the suit to short out. Xanatos threw the helmet aside as hot steam burned his skin. Goliath picked him up by the throat.
"I knew we were a fool for trusting your promises. You cannot go one night without harming one of our friends. I should kill you where I stand."
"Goliath no! Don't kill him." Elisa said. "He's not worth the effort."
"You are right." He said dropping Xanatos. "Get out."
Xanatos, with the color drained from his face, wisely left the property.
"This isn't over." He muttered under his breath
"Are you all right?" Goliath asked.
"Yeah. You better get out of here before the others come back in and see you."
"Very well. Will I see you tomorrow evening?"
"You can count on it."
* * *
New York
1996
precinct house
Jesse wandered around the station looking for Elisa's desk.
"Hey, Jess!"
Jesse turned at the sound of her name and searched for the source. She saw Matt Bluestone waving at her.
"Hey Matt."
"If you're looking for Elisa, she's not here."
"Why is she on assignment?"
"Nope, hasn't been to work for over a week. We've called her, your parents, searched her apartment. Heck we even searched the station from top to bottom."
"When was the last time you saw her?"
"Last week, she was leaving with some guy dressed in armor. That's when I was starting my shift, and I haven't seen her since."
"Thanks Matt. Call us if you hear anything."
"Will do."
* * *
"Did you have any luck?" Diane asked.
"Matt said that nobody at the station has seen her for over a week." Jesse said. "Don't worry, Diane, She'll turn up. She's a grown woman and can take care of herself."
"That's not the problem." Diane said. "I'm leaving for Africa in a week. And Peter is going to Arizona. There's nobody to look after you."
"Well I am seventeen." Jesse said.
"And you don't look a day over twelve. But that's not the point. As a foster child, you can't be left home alone for more than three hours. What am I supposed to do?"
"Well, you could take me with you. I have always wanted to go to Africa."
"Nice try." Diane said giving Jesse one of her 'do you think I'm crazy?' looks. "Set the table, Peter will be home--"
She was cut off by the doorbell.
"I'll get it!" Jesse ran to the door and flung it open.
Standing there was someone she knew all too well, and who seldom brought good news.
"Hey Cal." She said to her social worker.
"Evenin' Jess. Are your parents home?"
"I am." Diane said coming out and drying her hands on her apron.
"Mrs. Maza, there's something we need to talk about. Is your husband home?"
"No but he will be shortly."
* * *
"HE DID WHAT?!" Jesse screamed.
"Oh God, no." Diane said, putting her hand over her mouth and dropping onto the couch.
"Mr. & Mrs. Xanatos have filed for the adoption of Jesse. If the court allows, with them both having a criminal record, full custody will be given to them and Jesse will move into the Eyrie building."
"They can't do this to us." Peter said.
"Well, actually they can. Jesse has been in foster care for almost two years. She has adapted well to America, and even though it may seem like she is, she isn't your daughter legally."
Jesse was on the verge of tears. "I don't want to live with them!"
"I'm afraid, child, that if the court finds it in the best interest of your future, that you will have no choice."
"I hate the law. I hate every damn part of it!" She screamed, and ran to her room, slamming the door.
"I fear this may be harder than you think." Diane said to Cal.
* * *
". . .many benefits will come from this arrangement." The judge droned on. "Therefore, the court finds it in the best interest of the child, to grant Mr. and Mrs. Xanatos custody of Jessondra Michelle Maza. Court dismissed." He banged on his gavel and stood to leave.
Xanatos smiled and he and Fox stood from their seats.
There were few others in the room. Jesse, the Maza's, P.J., Brianna, and Matt.
Jesse's head fell into Diane's lap and her shoulders shook with sobs.
"Don't worry Jess." Matt said. "First wrong step they take will be their last."
"I don't think you'll have to worry about that." Xanatos said as he and Fox came over to claim their prize.
Jesse gave them a deadly look. If looks could kill. . .
"Come on Jesse." Brianna said. "Let's go and pack up your stuff."
* * *
"It's not fair. If I was eighteen, none of this would be happening." Jesse said throwing a teddy bear across the room.
"Jesse, remember, me and P.J. will always be there to support you."
"Yeah, but I'm moving out of the school district, and they'll probably make me go to a boarding school. I don't know when I'll see you guys again." Jesse said, tears clouding her vision.
"It's okay." Brianna said embracing her and crying as well. "We'll get through this and everything will turn out okay."
Fox walked in the room. "Come on ladies, we haven't got all night. There's a party at the castle at nine and I still have to take Jessondra shopping."
Jesse glared daggers at her.
"Mrs. Xanatos...Um...I wonder, since it will be Jesse's first night away, could I come with you?"
"I don't see why not. But never call me Mrs. Xanatos. Fox will do. You can come to the party too, as long as you can behave yourself."
"Great! I have money, I can buy my own dress."
"Nonsense. As Jessondra's friend, your clothing will be paid for in full. It's covered in the contract."
"What contract?"
"The oral one that states you will not take photographs and things like that, but we must discuss later, we have a schedule to keep. Owen!"
"Yes Mrs. Xanatos?" A blond man asked appearing behind her.
Jesse looked him over. Though stiff and cultured, he was extremely handsome. Jesse recognized him from the hearing.
"Jesse tell Owen what you need to bring with you tonight and the rest will be picked up tomorrow."
"Whatever."
Fox left to do some last minute arranging with Diane and Peter. Owen glanced down at Jesse.
"Uh, Owen..."
"Miss?"
Jesse felt intimidated but told the man what needed to go and what could stay.
Fox came bustling back in. "Owen did you get down what you need to retrieve?"
"Of course."
"Then let's be off."
* * *
Jesse stood in the living room with Peter, Diane, and P.J. She went around and embraced them all. Diane was last.
She pulled Jesse into a tight hug. Jesse could fell the tears start to well up in her eyes.
"Good-bye, mom."
"What did you call me?" Diane asked pulling partly away so she could look at Jesse's face. Jesse gave her a puzzled look. "You called me mom."
Tears formed in her eyes.
"Yeah, I guess I did." Jesse said giving a laugh that turned into a sob.
"Goodbye Jesse." Diane said and kissed her on the cheek. "I hope you like you new home."
Fox led Jesse out of the house with Brianna and Owen following.
Diane turned to Peter and cried softly into his shoulder.