Chapter Four * Sure enough, her initiation began the minute the trio entered the hotel lobby. There were fans waiting, several superstars were down in the bar signing autographs. Drew and Sean caught sight of them, jaws dropping at the picture they presented. Jay and Adam waltzing in with a Marine-a female one at that. "Hey Adam, that your new bodyguard?" "Yeah, man you need protection from Sean?" Jay just told them to shut up and Adam cringed as the elevator doors shut out the noise. "Don't tell me those are friends of yours?" "I thought so. I am sorry about that-I should have warned you." "It's ok, I can handle them. There isn't anything they can say that I haven't already heard. They might even come up with something worth a response." "I can't wait to see this." Jason added. "We didn't check on that other room." "We will, I want to drop off my stuff first, besides don't you want to change?" Monica temporarily forgot she was in uniform and didn't exactly blend in here. It just fit her like a second skin. "Yes, I suppose you have a point. I look a little out of place." Jason just laughed "A little? Try a lot there Major" Monica chuckled "That's Corporal to you, nasty civilian." Jason stuck the key in the door and slid into the room, flipping on the lights. "I'll leave my bag here for now and go see about another room." Jason departed leaving Adam and Monica alone. Adam plopped his lean figure down on one of the beds. He watched as she unlocked the seabag and proceeded to dig through it for some clothes. He realized she may need an iron, so he got up and retrieved the iron and board from behind the bathroom door. Plugging it in, to let it heat up he returned to the bed. "Thank you." "Is there anything else I can do?" "Not that I can think of. Can I take a shower?" "Sure, be my guest. Do you want me to leave?" "You're fine. Keep me company. I'll leave the hatch cracked. Maybe you should brief me on what to expect from this point on." Moni marched to the bathroom and closed the door part way. "First you'll have to clue me in on that language you're using." "My apologies, it's ingrained, I even use it when I am home. My younger brothers think PT (physical training) stands for 'potty training'." Adam couldn't hide a laugh at that one. Once he heard the shower running he elevated his voice and spoke above the noise. He began by explaining who the two were downstairs with the mouths and who Sean was. Sean had been like a babysitter at times Adam inwardly thought. Making sure he was on his best behavior when his sister wasn't around. Looking back, if she felt that was necessary, then was trust even present from the beginning? Continuing out loud, he told her why his fiancé had called off the engagement and relationship. Adam was apprehensive divulging all this information. She emanated this aura that told him it would be wise to not withhold anything that may cause her to feel she was misled. Surprisingly, he felt a little free lifting some off the weight off. He just hoped he hadn't turned her away with his revelations. "Adam?" "Yes?" "I have something I should tell you. Courtesy demands that I extend the same honesty to you that you have just given me." "Ok, shoot." "That's the wrong command to give to someone like me!" The appearance of her sense of humor threw him off. Not as much as her next statement though. "The man I came all this way to see, bears a strong resemblance to you. He has a regulation high and tight and although he is shorter in stature, you share similar facial features and eyes. Your smile mirrors his and it's very disarming." Adam was speechless. "I felt that you needed to know. I have a photo if you are skeptical. In my time with you and Jason, however long that may be, I don't want you to feel as if you've done something-not that I am now free to take out my frustrations on you, but who knows what will happen that may re open an old wound." "Ok. Thank you." He wasn't that cynical-he had always heard the old saying that everyone had a twin somewhere in the world, but what did that mean as far as his interest in getting to know her. If he were given time, would she be receptive to him or not seeing as how he outwardly reminded her of this asshole? Let's be fair here, he didn't know this man, or what his reasons were for leaving her stranded, but whatever they were, it wasn't good enough in Adam's book, no matter what their relationship suffered. He could have called and told her not to spend the money on a ticket if he were just going to stand her up.