The White Sheep and the Black Wolf Part 35

X yawned and stretched. Damn, only 30 minutes to go before
departure.

As he had read the reports, the conversation he had with Elle
kept running through his mind. He had found courage in her words,
yet he was also doubtful of it. The road he had been on was
perilous, filled with grief and anguish. Yet would he dare to
venture into the path Elle had shown him? He knew not what other
danger lie awaiting in ambush but knew too well that if he continue
on his old road it would lead him to despair and death. He was
afraid, and he hated to admit it. He was suspicious of the
tantalizing breeze of hope. Where would it lead him?

Head in his hands he sat there, his eyes on the papers, but
unseeing. Suddenly the kitchenette door opened and Grand Consul
Advisor Kimbli entered, his regal robes bellowed behind him and he
was tailed by at least a dozen of grim-faced bodyguards. X stood and
bowed respectfully.

Kimbli's eyes met X's. Turning to his guards, Kimbli ordered
them to leave, which they did so ever reluctantly. Turning back to
X, he gathered up the folds of his clothing and seated himself
across from the agent.

They were quite an odd company. Kimbli was swaddled in
splendid, many-hued robes and adorned with rare and costly jewelry.
In sharp contrast, X was only clothed in the simple black-and-white
suit of the Men in Black. Their postures too differed; Kimbli sat
with great ease as if receiving guests graciously, whereas X settled
himself at the edge of his chair, looking very much like he was
ready if any attacker would appear.

Kimbli couldn't begin to imagine the different lives they
lead. But he felt embarrassed, even ashamed, of being dressed in
such finery and having such a weak and comfortable lifestyle. Kimbli
shook his head slightly. What had happened to him? Where did his
life shifted to this direction? He asked himself woefully.

"Grand Advisor?" X squirmed uneasily at the gaze of the
elder JeeDang was giving him.

Kimbli cleared his throat. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to
stare."

"Grand Advisor, if I may ask, what is the business of your
arrival?"

A gentle smile appeared on Kimbli's lips. "I had to come. A
little human female told me of you dilemma."

X tensed. "How much did she tell you?" he asked softly with
a touch of a growl undertoned.

"Oh, I assure you she didn't tell me all the details. But
knowing your background fairly well, I put two and two together and
figured it out for myself." Kimbli paused as he poured himself a cup
of coffee and put two cubes of sugar into it. "And I came, hoping
that I was wrong in my assumptions." He stirred then looked up. "So
was I incorrect?"

X pursed his lips and avoided the Grand Advisor's eyes.

Kimbli sighed. "I had hoped that I made a mistake, but
clearly the look on your face tells me otherwise."

"Is that what you came here for?" X asked peevishly. "To
check up on gossip?"

Placing his elbows on the table and interlocking his
fingers, Kimbli fixed a hard look onto the younger JeeDang. "No. I
also want to know why you're breaking your promise to stop the
invasion."

X sniffed. "I did keep it."

"By sending your partner to face the danger alone?" Kimbli
pressed.

The other kept silent.

The Grand Advisor's expression became sympathetic. "I've
talked to Agent Elle. She's a very intelligent human, I tell. Her
mind is as sharp as any JeeDang and even better in some cases, and
has a will power that none of our females possess. You're very
lucky, you know, to have such a partner who's concerned for your
welfare."

X only nodded absently, though Kimbli could read that X
quite agreed with him on that.

"Pity however, that you just let her walk away." Kimbli
continued. He stared hard at X. "She's not the same human you cared
about, you know."

X glared. "I know that, sir," he replied curtly.

"Then what's holding you back?"

The younger looked at him straight in the eyes. "I just
don't know if I should fight."

Kimbli blinked then realized what X was thinking. He shook
his head sadly. "You're living in the past. I know that traditions
are upheld even today. Yet I find that although they help to
identify who we are, many of them also dictate who we should marry,
how we should live, and how we greet one another." He placed a
comforting hand unto X's arm. "Remember though, Young One, that this
is the present. You have your life to live, so live it the way that
fulfills who you are, not who you should be."

X looked up in surprise of the ridicule the Grand Advisor
had toward the JeeDangian culture, the same people he had sworn to
protect.

Kimbli smiled at the naiveté of the younger. "Yes even I've
been through the same mess you are in, my boy. I too had an
illustrious career in the law enforcement field. But that ended
however when I listened to my head and not my heart. I gave into my
family's desire for me to enter the world of politics. I've
regretted that decision ever since. I had all the luxury that my
family had never been able to afford, yet I had forfeited my soul."
He leaned forward, still smiling. "I leave you with one bit of
advice young one, listen to your heart." Kimbli stood, gave X's
shoulder a gentle squeeze, and bid him goodbye.

X got up and bowed. He watched as the Grand Consul Advisor
exited. "Thank you, and good bye, Great Uncle," he said softly.