Somebody New
The next morning Alica awoke to the sound of someone shuffling about the room. She yawned and stretched, and opened her eyes to see Long standing over his suitcases, which were all lined up as though ready to go.
"What's going on?" she asked, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.
"My father's coming home." He stated solemnly, looking over the suitcases. "He took off yesterday and he'll be here sometime this afternoon."
"So I guess you don't want to be here when he gets back, right?"
"I took the liberty of bumping our tickets up to leave this morning. We've only got a few hours before we take off, so I suggest you make yourself ready." Alica sighed and climbed out of bed. "I know you didn't want to go back this soon, but I don't know where else we could go. We're going to be carrying an awful lot of my luggage around and I think it's best if we take it straight to our destination."
"Is there anyway I could possibly take a shower before we leave?"
"Of course." He nodded, motioning to the nearest bathroom out in the hall. "Just remember to take a change of clothing in there and lock the door behind you." She went over to her suitcase and rummaged around, picking herself a clean outfit before heading into the bathroom. Meanwhile Long went down into the kitchen an made some breakfast.
Once Alica was all dressed and ready she checked the time, finding that it wasn't quite as early in the morning as she had thought. When she went downstairs she found that they were alone, Long's mother and sister had most likely already gone off to work and school. They ate their breakfast hurriedly, as Long seemed very anxious to leave the house before his father got home. When they were done they went straight out to the airport and boarded the plane.
"Well, it looks like we've managed to evade your father."
"Looks like it."
"It was kind of a shame to leave so soon, I was just starting to get to know your family." He nodded absently, still in a bit of a mood. "It only takes mentioning your father to get you all riled up, doesn't it?"
"I will not live under the same sky with him."
"But the sky's pretty much the same all over the world."
"It's a Chinese expression, bu gong dai tian. It means that I will not tolerate his presence. It's an insult of sorts."
"Ah..." Alica nodded, settling back into a comfortable silence.
The rest of the trip passed rather lazily, one uneventful hour passing into another without notice. They both took naps at one point or another, but even so they were very tired by the end of the day, when they finally got off the plane and drove back home. Long insisted on carrying all of his suitcases at once, while Alica only took her own. She went on ahead of him and pressed the button to the elevator, once they were at their floor he made off for his dorm quite quickly, leaving her to follow behind. He somehow managed to get out his keys and unlock the door before allowing all of his luggage to just collapse on the floor.
After that he proceeded to take them into his room a few at a time, making a couple trips instead of carrying them all. Once he was done he opened up his first suitcase and started unpacking, grumbling to himself about how long it was going to take to unpack everything and how tired he was. He didn't even understand why he was so tired, except maybe for the usual jet lag, combined with the boredom of sitting around and doing nothing all day.
Back in her dorm, Alica had unpacked all her bags already. After that she wandered over to Long's dorm to check on him, knowing that he had much more luggage than she did and anticipating that he might need some help. He agreed to let her help quickly enough, so she sat down beside him and helped him pile some folded clothes up in his drawers. As she did so she noticed that he looked awfully tired. It didn't take much to convince him to lie down while she finished putting his clothes away for him.
While going through one of his suitcases she was surprised to find his little box of dirty magazines stashed between several layers of clothing. She took it out of the bag, glancing over at the bed to see if he was watching. He looked like he was already asleep, and she assumed that he'd completely forgotten about the magazines. She just shrugged and dragged them over to the bed, stuffing them underneath. The sound made him stir, and then roll over to see what was happening.
"What are you doing?"
"Putting away your magazines." She explained with a smirk.
He groaned. "I'm never going to hear the end of those things am I?"
"I don't know what you're so embarrassed about, there's not even anything pornographic in there. Most people have much worse stuffed under their beds."
"Even you?"
She smirked to herself. "Do you really want to know?"
"I used to think that people grew out of pornography once past the age of... mmm... about eighteen or so."
"Nah, try fifty." He rolled back over and pulled the blankets over himself while Alica went back to putting his clothing away. Soon enough he began snoring, so she finished her work and then went back to her own dorm to get ready for bed herself.
In the morning when Long woke up he headed straight to the shower, intent on washing the sweat of the night off of his body in preparation for his duties that day. He quickly undressed and stepped into the stream, sighing as the soothing warm water poured over his skin. He wondered briefly what it would be like to be in Van's shoes for the rest for the vacation, relieved just to have the man gone. It would be nice to let go of his paranoia of the man for awhile, even if it were simply to allow him to be himself around those he cared for, like Alica.
He knew it was a miracle that he'd even been able to take her to meet his family in the first place. If Van hadn't been out on vacation he certainly would have forbade it, aside form the fact that they hadn't touched each other the entire time. Van is entirely overprotective about her. I still believe there's something more to that than either of them are letting on. Perhaps they're in denial. He finished washing up and then put on his clothes, brushing his hair and getting himself ready for the day ahead.
He decided that he would stop by Alica's dorm before he set out for the office. Being the half-sister of the CEO would certainly have some benefits, and he hoped that she would be able to help him with his duties. He went over and knocked on her door, and together they went on to the office, where Van had left a folder full of detailed instructions. As Long set down in the luxurious leather chair behind Van Tylon's desk a shiver of thrill ran up his spine. Despite his loathing of the man, and the entire organization as well, being in a position of such power was quite tempting.
He picked up the folder, opened it up and read the first page, frowning dismally at it's contents. "Alica... I was supposed to start an inspection of the entire building an hour ago. I only have fifteen minutes until I have to start giving out assignments to the other assassins!"
"We'd better get going then, hadn't we? Maybe I can take half the building and you can take the other half."
"Alright." Long agreed with a nod. "You take the bottom half and I'll take the top, we'll meet back here as soon as were done." With that they both flew out of the room, Alica going over the floor they were on while Long took the elevator up. He looked over his half of the building as quickly as possible, skipping the top floor because it was Van's personal quarters. They both arrived back in the room with mere moments to spare, Long collapsed in the chair behind the desk and Alica offered to summon the assassins to the room. As it turned out, Fox was first.
"Oh, this is rich." He stated upon seeing Long sitting back in Van's leather chair. "So he left the place to you for the week, eh? I knew he had a thing for you."
"Put a sock in it, Hans. As long as I'm sitting in this chair I'm the boss around here, and you'll treat me no differently than you would Van himself."
"In that case... what's on the agenda today, govnah?" Long groaned in annoyance and shuffled through the piles of paper and folders on his desk, before briefly looking over Fox's assignment for the day and then stuffing the folder into his hands.
"There, now get out of my office!"
"That's no way to treat a valued employee!" Fox scolded, leaving the room nevertheless.
"Should I call Bakuryu in next?" Alica asked. Long nodded and searched through the pile on his desk for the ninja assassin's folder. Soon enough the old man walked into the room, clad in a black outfit with flame designs.
"I can't believe he left you in charge." The low grating voice mumbled resentfully. "It should have been me! I was the best assassin who ever...!"
"Shut up!" Long interrupted, getting up to stuff the folder in his hands. "Now go look over your assignment." Bakuryu snarled at his successor and then disappeared in a puff of smoke. "I know they never give Van this much grief." Long stated, sitting back down in the thick leather chair.
"You're right." Alica admitted. "But you have to expect this sort of thing, they were jealous of you enough before Van put you in power.... Shall I bring in Greg?"
"Might as well get it over with." Long reluctantly agreed. He picked Greg's folder out of the mess on his desk right before the buffoon lumbered into the room.
"I heard that you were the boss today, but I didn't believe it 'till now." He said.
"It looks as though Van's sending you back to basic assassin training." Long commented while reading the folder.
"W-What?"
"As many missions as you've screwed lately you're lucky he doesn't just use you for experiment fodder!" Long handed him the folder. "You'd better pay attention to your lessons this time or I'll off you myself!" Greg sighed, staring at the folder for a moment before exiting the room. Long sank back into the comfy leather chair, relaxing for a moment before resuming his duties.
"Do you think you have time to rest?" Alica asked.
"I made quick work of them." Long excused himself, getting up to sort through the papers in a moment anyway. "Let's see now..." he mumbled, "the next duty on our agenda today is-" Before he could continue someone knocked on the door of the office. Alica quickly went over to open the door. In walked a young black haired man with gooseberry green eyes, escorted by a higher officer.
"Excuse me, sir." The officer said with a bow. "This guy was transferred here today and we don't know what to do with him."
"Kai...!" Alica cried, recognizing the young man. His solemn expression picked up immediately upon sighting her, the forlorn expression on his face changing quickly to a smile.
"Miss Alica...."
"I'll find a place for him." Long told the officer. "You're free to go now."
"Thank you, sir." The officer said, leaving with another bow.
"So... you two know each other?"
"I first met Kai in one of the other offices." She explained. "Kai, this is Long, a good friend of mine." She nudged Kai over to him, but he approached somewhat hesitantly, as though intimidated by the larger man.
"Now... what should I do with you?" Long asked, giving him a scrutinizing glance. Kai balked at his intense gaze, seeming a bit apprehensive, and disturbed by the wording as well. Then Alica came up and placed a hand on his shoulder and he started to relax a little.
"Don't worry, Kai. Long's not the sort of man you think." She knew that Kai had a sort of reflexive distrust for his superiors, especially the male ones, as they had tended to mistreat him severely in the past. The fact that Long was taking over Van's position didn't help either. Alica was sure that Kai had expected to see her half brother when he'd been brought to the office, but since she had introduced them by name she was sure that Kai could tell that this wasn't him. Since he seemed stressed out by the situation, she did all she could to reassure him.
Meanwhile Long was lost in thought, trying to figure out what ought to be done with the new staff member. He looked through the papers in the desk, but there was no mention of it, nor any specific places open for him to fill. The fact that he'd been overlooked made it obvious that the young man wasn't anyone terribly important. Finally Long put down the papers and just tried to figure out something himself.
He was at a loss for ideas, until he gazed across the room at Alica. He felt bad about dragging her around as he had, and also felt it appropriate in any case. Suppose that more of the people in the building saw them working together, as the assassins already had. Nothing new to those few, but if someone else saw it could easily get to Van's ears. How would it sound to him knowing that they were often alone in that office, with Alica going in and out like his little servant? He knew that it wouldn't sound good.
He decided that he ought to put her back to work, even though he really didn't want to and would sorely miss her company. It simply wasn't worth the risk. Besides which, even if Van didn't hear about the two of them being together he would realize that she wasn't performing her duties. It would be cause enough for suspicioun. Therefore Long had to find someone to fill her place, and here he had a staff member conveniently thrown right into his office.
"You know, Alica... you really ought to get back to your job, don't you think? Van would not be pleased if he were to find out that I've detained you from your work." She looked up at him with a confused expression on her face. "I can give Kai a temporary position to fill, in here as my gopher. Then you can return to your duties."
"I guess it would be for the best." Alica reluctantly admitted, though she'd much rather help Long in his office than go back to her assassin and lab work.
"There is an assignment for you here." Long stated, handing her a folder. She looked through it grimly and then closed it again, sighing in resignation before heading out the door. Kai's gaze followed her out, dismayed that they'd been separated so soon. Long sighed and leaned back in his chair, sifting through the papers again to check his schedule. There were papers to sign and people to call and appointments to keep, and all kinds of other things to keep him busy. It seemed as though Van didn't want him to have a single spare moment.
"Well, it looks like I've got to get to work on these papers... how well do you know the building, Kai?"
"Not well, sir." The young man replied, eyeing him suspiciously. "This is my first time in this particular building."
"Then I would appreciate it if you'd take some time to familiarize yourself with its layout..." Long said. He bent down and started fishing through one drawer, pulling out a several pages worth of floor maps. "Once you feel you have a good grasp of direction I would appreciate it if you would bring me something from the cafeteria for breakfast. Just tell them it's for me and they ought to put it on Van's tab."
"Yes, sir." Kai agreed, taking the maps and heading out the door. Long studied the papers that laid on the desk, reading through them carefully before stamping some with Van's signature, others denied. He'd been at it for half an hour or so when Kai returned with a plate full of waffles, with butter, syrup, and bacon on the side. He set the plate down on the desk and Long examined closely, noting that the waffles were still warm.
"Very good." He stated, picking up the plastic fork and knives. Kai also set a half pint of milk and one of orange juice down on the desk. "And did you ever get the hang of the building?"
"I can make my way around now." Kai said with a nod.
"Superb!" Long said with a smile. "In that case, take an hour off... meet me back in this office once you're done."
"Yes sir." Kai agreed. He bowed courteously and walked out the door. Long watched him go, quite appreciative of having such a dutiful attendant. Then he dug into his breakfast, thankful to have something to fill the emptiness in his stomach. Kai wandered around the building, uncertain of what to do with himself. He didn't feel the need to explore all the levels of the building as he already knew his way. So he ended up back at Alica's dorm.
Alica seemed glad to have his company, and the two spent the entire hour catching up on all the things that had gone on since they'd last seen each other. She assured him again that Long was a trustworthy man, and told him all about how they came to be friends. After the lengthy talk with her, Kai felt a bit better about being under his command. Eventually Kai had to go though, and Alica had to get to work as well. So they parted ways at the door, Alica waving as Kai went back to the office.
She stopped by Stephen's dorm before heading off, just to see if he'd left yet. She knocked on the door a couple times, and was just about to take off when he finally opened the door. He stood there in a lab coat and some strange glasses with magnifying lenses that made his eyes look huge.
"I'm sorry, I... um.... I was in the middle of an experiment." He admitted, smiling sheepishly. "But won't you come in?"
"Stephen... we've got to be down in the lab in fifteen minutes."
"Oh! Oh, right.... Guess I'd better, um..." he shakily reached up and pulled the glasses off his face. "Guess I'd better take these off." He gave her a broad smile and then looked over his outfit. "Well, I... I guess I'm pretty much ready to go then. Couldn't go answering the door without coming to a stopping point in the experiment anyway."
Alica smiled back and giggled a little at his apparent nervousness. "I guess we'd better get going then," she suggested.
"Right. Of course..." He agreed, nodding and starting off for the elevator. The two walked side by side to the spot, Alica pushing the button as they got near. "So, um... I thought you were going to be helping Long in his office today?"
"I was." She explained. "But he found someone else to do the job so that I could get back to work."
"Oh, I see..." The elevator reached their floor presently and dinged softly as it came to a stop. The two walked in and she pushed the button for their next floor, they stood silently in the enclosed area as they waited. Alica couldn't help but wonder why Long had decided to send her back to work. She felt a bit dejected to be sent away for any reason, no matter how good the reason was. And she suspected that the real reason behind her dismissal from his office had something to do with the way Van had scared Long into keeping away from her.
I don't understand, the bastard's not even here and still he gets to people! She clenced her fists and pursed her lips in anger. Where does he get the idea that he can do this to me?
"Alica... are you alright?" Stephen asked. The elevator dinged as it stopped at a floor, but it wasn't theirs. A couple more passengers piled into the elevator.
"I'm fine, Stephen." She replied, a bit embarrassed that she'd let her anger get out of control to the point where someone noticed it. "Thanks for your concern." Stephen didn't seem to buy her story, bit he didn't say anything about it. They just waited quietly in the elevator, listening to the murmur of someone else's discussion before it finally reached their floor. They went on into the lab then, taking their usual spots at the table. Alica tried to concentrate on her work, still bothered by the way he brother's influence seemed to take away everything she held dear.
Stephen noticed the look and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry if you're not in a good mood today. Is there anything I can do to help?"
She looked up at him and smiled. "You don't need to concern yourself with me, though thanks for the thought." She turned to go back to work, but was unable to concentrate because he was still looking at her. She didn't really understand why, but hoped that he wasn't going to try and get her to talk about the problem. "What?"
"It's just..." he looked down, a bit embarrassed, "you're so beautiful."
She smiled warmly, in gratitude at the comment. He smiled back shyly, wondering how he'd been lucky enough to find such a lovely woman, and make her smile.