Thanks for all the wonderfully encouraging reviews—I'm so glad everyone likes the story—hope you enjoy this chapter. Fans of 009/003 fluff rejoice!
Special note to Magician Cyborg—Yes I did read your story. You're a fine writer but you lost me when you paired up 009 with someone other than 003. It's your story to do what you want but my personal preference is 009/003 since they are the canon couple—and they are so complimentary to each other and are quite close in the anime—looking out for each other and the frequent eye contact shows that to be so. It's my own preference so please don't be offended, your style is quite good and keep writing. Thank you for your review.
And to Wicked Enough and Sorrowful—thanks for catching my goof!
ENTER ROBESPIERRE
The next day following the stormy night was bright with sunshine, effervescent and light like a bubble, the mood carrying over to the 00 cyborg team as they all sat down to breakfast. The small and petty skirmishes of the prior afternoon were forgotten yet at the back of each of their minds was the information they received from 001 yesterday. But they each kept quiet about it as they consumed another elaborate feast set out by Chang.
002 finished his eggs with a loud belch. "Great breakfast, 006."
The rest of the group looked up in surprise while two of the cyborgs eyed the flame-haired youth in disgust. GB scoffed peevishly, "002, your table manners leave quite a bit to be desired. The last thing anyone here at the table wants to hear in the morning is an organ recital from you."
"Humph!" 002 retorted.
"I agree with 007," Albert said as his ice blue eyes pinned Jet. "You seem to forget we have a lady present with us."
003 blushed and lowered her head from her seat next to 009. "It's all right. I didn't really notice. Besides, isn't it a certain custom that a belch is the supreme compliment to the chef."
009 grinned affectionately at the French girl and added, "That's right. 007, you should lighten up, after all we're all like family here."
"Okay, okay! Don't gang up on me, I just made a comment, is all" 007 said with a pout.
002 eyed him triumphantly as he addressed the rest of his comrades. He grinned at 003 and 009. "Thanks for sticking up for me guys."
006 came in from the kitchen. "Well, did everyone have enough?"
"Plenty," Pyunma answered as he rose from the table. "Well, I've got to take off. I have to be at work in a half an hour." He had gotten a position with a commercial fishing boat that had allowed for his periodic absences and he was able to spear fish for them with his underwater capabilities making him invaluable to the company.
"Me too," 005 said as he got up as well. He had been hired at a new construction site in the downtown business district and headed out.
004 then got to his feet. "There's a trucking company looking for someone to do short day runs. I'm heading out to see if I can get the job. After all, Dr. Gilmore said for us to live normal human lives and I can't just hang around playing games all day." He opened the sliding door and let himself out.
Jet yawned as he stood up. "Well, I guess I'll find something to do." He was about to leave when 006 stopped him.
"Oh, don't worry 002, I have a job for you," the plump flame-thrower said with a cheery smile. "I need you to get the supplies for my restaurant."
"Me? Why me? 009 is usually your errand boy," Jet demanded. "Hasn't he been working for you since we last fought Black Ghost?"
"006 is giving us the day off," 009 responded as he gestured to the girl by his side.
"That's right," 003 echoed sweetly. "We've both been working at the restaurant for the last six days straight and he said we deserve a break." They exchanged soft glances with each other while 002 rolled his eyes.
"Right. So I'm taking 003 on a ride and picnic and we gotta get going." Joe got to his feet and took Francoise's elbow. "Professor Kezumi's lending us his convertible. 006, do you have our basket ready?"
Change held up the wicker container. "Right here, 009." He handed the tall Japanese youth the basket. "You both enjoy yourselves now and have a great day."
"Thanks, 006," Joe said in gratitude as he placed his other hand on Francoise's back. "C'mon koishii, let's go." They exited through the glass door.
Smirking, 007 got to his feet and patted 002 on the back. "Well, I guess that leaves us to get to the restaurant. C'mon 002, it won't be so bad."
"Humph!" Jet said dubiously as GB and Chang dragged him off.
Outside in the circular driveway, Joe gallantly opened the passenger door to the red Karmann Ghia convertible and assisted Francoise in while tucking the picnic basket behind in the small back seat. He made his way to the driver's side and climbed behind the wheel. He then inserted the key and started the engine then the two roared away on their jaunt.
"So where are we going?" the French cyborg asked her handsome companion.
"You'll see, " he replied enigmatically with a grin.
After about an hour, Joe pulled into the parking lot of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. He turned to Francoise with a smile.
"Well, here we are," he announced cheerfully as he killed the engine.
Francoise looked around in awe at the breathtaking scenery and gasped in appreciation. "Oh Joe, it's absolutely gorgeous here." She climbed from the seat as he offered his hand to assist her and still holding hands they walked to the edge of the parking lot to view Fujiyama and its majestic splendor, perfectly reflected in the mirror surface of Lake Kawaguchi.
"Yeah, this is one of my favorite places. When I was a kid at the orphanage, the Father would pile us into the old station wagon and bring us here for picnics." He sighed in wistful reminiscence. "Those were my favorite times, we'd spend the entire day here and for a while at least, I'd forget all about having no parents."
Francoise heart ached for him as she saw the sadness in the golden-brown depths of his eyes. She reached up and gently brushed his umber bangs back as she responded kindly, "I'm so glad that you remember the happy times. The Father sounds like he was a wonderful man."
Joe took her hand in both of his and smiled. "He was, koishii. He truly loved us all." His smile faded as he added, "I still find it hard to believe that he had anything to do with Black Ghost." His manner became sullen as it usually did when they talked about the vile organization that stole so much from them.
Francoise shuddered involuntarily then smiled to lighten the mood as she said, "Why don't we try to forget all about Black Ghost for the moment? You've planned a beautiful day so let's enjoy it."
Joe looked down into the eyes the color of a tropical sea and the smile returned to his mouth. "You're right as usual. Let's go hike over to the lake and when we get there, we'll have our lunch." He leaned down and kissed her. "Wait here for me, koishii and I'll go get the basket."
"Okay, cherie," she answered sweetly.
The rest of the day was a wonderful time, destined to become a treasured memory by both 003 and 009. Joe took Francoise and holding her hand guided her to a far place near the lake that was secluded and idyllic, with Fujiyama standing sentinel over them as they sat and ate their lunch. Conversation was light and as it had become between the two cyborgs they confided and shared stories and memories from their pasts, their sensitive and compassionate natures reflecting back to each other, drawing them closer.
After lunch, they sat with their backs against a sakura tree, autumn leaves floating around them with each soft breeze. Francoise found herself in the warm crook of Joe's arm as he told her all about the legends and customs connected with Fujiyama and its shrine at the peak. He told her that in the summer, flocks of pilgrims head up there to worship and give thanks. And she in turn told him all about the cathedral of Notre Dame which was situated on Ile de la Cite, a small island in Seine River in her home city of Paris, a favorite place of hers when she grew up there. The reminiscing between them went on.
"Jean-Paul and I used to play in a park near the Seine after school and sometimes we'd just go and stare at the cathedral. Then Robespierre would join us and the three of us would play till sundown."
"Who's Robespierre?' Joe wanted to know.
Francoise's eyes became soft and dreamy. "He was my brother's best friend. He always played with us and when we got older I had a mad crush on him." She blushed prettily as she remembered the handsome boy from her childhood and then noticed the somewhat cool expression on the Japanese cyborg's visage. She felt a pang of remorse as she ascertained his slight feeling of jealousy and she reassured him. "Joe, I was just a child and I looked up to him. Besides, you remind me of him, you both have the same temperaments, the same caring ways." She snuggled up to him and his rigid frame relaxed.
Joe sighed and shook his head. He wasn't the jealous type but something about the beautiful blonde French girl awoke feelings in him that until recently he thought he was incapable of. It was true that he was fiercely protective of her since almost the first day he joined up with the cyborgs, but something about the way she appeared to depend on him made him feel important, like he could do anything. He knew for a while that he was deeply in love with her, knew it the day he discovered that she stayed up all night to take care of him when he was recovering from defeating the 0010 brothers. Even when he'd been attracted to Cynthia, Ishkik, and Helen, Francoise was still the one that stood out and most related to him on all levels.
His blonde companion snapped him out of his daydream. "Joe, are you okay?"
"I'm sorry. I was just thinking about what it would've been like to know you back then. I probably would've tried to get you to notice me instead of him," he mused as he studied her thoughtfully.
Francoise smiled at him. "I'm sure I would've noticed you right away. Robespierre was my brother's friend and although I had a crush on him, he was like a big brother to me."
Joe reached and tucked a stray golden strand of her fragrant hair behind her ear. "You know, the first time I saw you I was drawn to you. That time in the cave while you were feeding 001, I couldn't take my eyes off of you."
Francoise blushed again. Shyly she said, "I felt the same way. And after you saved me and 001 I knew you were destined to be part of the team. I was so glad when you decided to join us."
He went on as he continued caressing her. "When 0010 first blasted you and you were lying on the ground unconscious, I was first devastated then when he faced me I was furious. I wanted to tear him apart because of what he did to the team and especially to you."
She looked down as she fingered his vest. "Then when he tried to attack me again, you saved me."
"Uh-huh. I promised myself when you came to that I'd do all in my power to protect you. When he tried to vaporize you, I grabbed you and accelerated as fast as I could to bring you to safety."
"I felt so safe in your arms, Joe," Francoise said softly, emotion making her nearly breathless as she pressed against his chest, his warm breath and gentle rhythmic caresses making her feel protected and cherished. She gazed up into his caramel eyes glowing at her.
Joe took his other hand and cupped her face as he leaned down to capture her soft full mouth. He teased it open to receive him as his tongue explored her mouth, slowly and languorously, savoring the taste of her like a gourmet dessert. He pulled her closer as his hands traveled down the curves of her tiny waist and her arms snaked around his lean torso as she responded with equal ardor. His body responded with pulsating intense heat as the rest of the world seemed to vanish for him.
After an indeterminate period of time they drew apart, forehead to forehead, panting softly as they each caught their breath. They studied each other deeply as the leaves danced about them and the sun sojourned toward the horizon.
Joe broke the spell as he rose to his feet, offering his hand to Francoise who rose daintily to stand beside him. "I'd better get us back home, the sun will be setting soon."
"Yes, I suppose," she answered a tad resignedly. "I just hate to see this lovely day end."
"It's not over yet, koishii," he said with a soft smile. "We'll just head back so we're close to the beach house when it gets dark. Then when we get there, we'll take a walk on the beach." He bent down to grasp the picnic basket and took her elbow to head back to the car.
The ride back was silent with both cyborgs lost in their individual reveries. Francoise was thinking about the way she felt so safe and secure when she was with Joe and he was thinking that if they had not been turned into cyborgs, he never would have met this special girl, she was from another time another generation. He mused that if they had both remained as they were before Black Ghost, she probably would be a sweet old lady he'd help to cross the street instead of the girl that lit up his life and captured his heart.
Inadvertently, Joe slid his right hand from the steering wheel and laid it on Francoise's hand that was resting on the seat between them. She glanced down as his hand encompassed hers and she smiled at him as the wind blew his hair back revealing his usually hidden eye and he winked at her. Then his expression became one of surprise and then dread as he abruptly pulled his hand away to wrench the steering wheel to avoid a sudden obstacle, an enigmatic motorcyclist that appeared from nowhere.
"Ohhh!" Joe gasped as he barely missed the cycle. "Hang on, Francoise!"
"Ahhh!" she shrieked as she was thrown against him. "What's going on?"
"I don't know. This guy's come from nowhere and it looks like he's trying to make us crash. Just hang on!" With a look of determination, Joe accelerated to try to get away from the cycle which, was weaving in front of their car as if trying to cause a collision. The rider was completely decked in dark garb that covered him and a black helmet that totally concealed his face.
The cyclist continued to bob and weave as the two vehicles came to a dangerous sharp curve that had a steep embankment that sloped down into a jagged rock bed. Joe decided to go on the offensive as he rammed the cyclist who had fallen back and flanked his right side. The cyclist skidded and went over the embankment as he was thrown free from the cycle and the momentum sent him to the ground where he lay prone and motionless as his cycle hit the rocks and burst into flames.
Joe and Francoise screeched to a halt and jumped from the car. They both ran to the edge of the road and peered over at the still cyclist.
"Oh Joe, we have to do something!" Francoise cried.
"I know. Stay here, koishii," he ordered as he clicked his tooth. "Acceleration!" and he was down in a flash. He knelt down and hoisted the limp dark form and then climbed up to the grass near Francoise where he laid him down.
She knelt beside him and asked Joe worriedly, "Is he alive?"
"Yeah, he's still warm. Let's take off his helmet to give him some air." Joe and Francoise both took hold of the helmet and lifted it off the unconscious man. They tossed the headgear aside and Francoise gasped as she viewed the visage of the man who had been harassing them.
Joe shot his head in her direction. "Koishii, what is it?"
She just stared with both hands on her cheeks, eyes wide with shocked recognition. "R-Robespierre!" she whispered, awestruck.
"Huh?" Joe inquired. "Robespierre? You mean your brother's best friend? Are you sure?"
Francoise nodded woodenly as she stared incredulously at the handsomely sculptured Gallic features. She replied quietly, "We have to get him out of here."
Joe gazed at her and answered gently, "He needs an ambulance, Francoise. We can't really do more than call one for him, koishii."
She whirled her head to pin him with her eyes. "Oh Joe, please! We can get him back to the beach house and let Dr. Gilmore take him on the Dolphin and put him in the infirmary. Please, I beg you!" she said with a soft sob.
Joe felt an uneasy tinge as he was drawn in and saw the desperation in those beautiful, tear-filled aqua orbs of hers. Wordlessly, he wrapped his arm about the man's shoulders and hoisted him up as she took the other side. Together they walked with him to the waiting convertible. They opened the passenger door and pushing the seat back, laid the motionless man in the back seat, his tall form filling the seat side to side.
Francoise and Joe then climbed in the front seat. Joe started the motor and they tore off, heading back to the beach house the ride silent but for the labored breathing emanating from the back seat.
NEXT---ECHOS OF THE PAST