Disclaimer : HAHAHAHAHA! PERFECT DARK IS MINE AND ONLY I HAVE THE RIGHT TO WRITE FAN FICTION OF PERFECT DARK! (gun pointed on the author) No…forget that. Perfect dark and all his characters belongs to Rareware… (sigh)
A/N: This chapter is based on real things that happened to me and the other students that were with me when I went to London.
Chapter 3: Leaving America
"No! Please…Jonathan…let me stay near my family…I don't wanna go on another continent, far from all the people I know", asked Suzan with a desperate tone.
"She's not completely wrong. Don't you think it's a little bit impulsive to flee the country like that?", questioned Foster.
"…I'm sorry. I don't think we have any other choices…it's too late to do anything else…", answered Jonathan.
"Jonathan is right. Even if this is very suffering to leave the people we love like this, we cannot stay. The first thing O'Donell will do as the new president is to get us under arrest", commented Sarah.
Jonathan mentally thanked Sarah. She is probably most rational and psychologically stable employee. She always agree with the decisions that are taken for the well-being of everyone.
"…Yeah…Sarah's probably right", replied Foster that always thought that Sarah was right in every situation.
"…Everyone…prepare yourself. We'll be leaving tomorrow. Not a single employee will stay here…it would be too dangerous for anyone of us", said Jonathan to the intention of everyone.
"But"
"There is no but Suzan. We'll be leaving tomorrow", replied Jonathan.
"Are you sure this is the only solution?", asked Suzan.
"There's only one other solution. Or come with us, or you kill yourself. Everything we know must be kept secret", retorted Jonathan.
**********************************
The day later, at an unknown airport
Almost everyone were arrived. Jonathan looked at Suzan that was crying in the arms of one of her siblings. He guessed that it was his brother. Two children were next to the man. Foster looked at them too.
"How sad…she won't see her husband and her children for a while", commented Foster.
"What!? You mean that this guy isn't her brother!", exclaimed Jonathan.
"Of course not. This is probably her husband and her children. She already talked to me about her children", answered Foster.
"I…I didn't knew that when she was saying family…she meant her children…", replied Jonathan that suddenly felt extremely guilty.
"Suzan never talked a lot about her family at work. She's too paranoid. She's sure that if someone know that she had a family, someone is going to kill them so almost no one know about them", explained Foster.
"I feel suddenly very cruel. I cannot understand her pain after all", whispered Jonathan.
"If she's like this two hours before we leave, I prefer not to think about what she'll look like 5 minutes before we enter the plane", said Velvet with a desolate tone.
*************************************
1 hour and half later
"Flight number 256 for London must go to the douane now. Please, everyone from the flight number 256 must go to the customs office now", said the voice of the interphone.
"OH MY GOD, IT'S US! NO! I DON'T WANNA LEAVE!!!", shouted Suzan.
Everyone made their goodbyes to their family. Jonathan was a bit relieved to see some people like Siegfried that didn't seemed really sad about it.
"Jonathan, you'd better pass first", suggested Joanna.
And so he did. Nathaniel followed him. Joanna and Velvet passed after. The customs didn't caused any troubles. No one brought guns or anything like this in their small baggage after all. That would be real suicide. But Jonathan had been careful and brought a phoenix with him. The weapon was small and not in metal so it was impossible for them to find.
Then Sarah went to the customs office . She didn't have any problems at all. Jonathan noticed that her eyes were red.
"Hey Sarah. Is something wrong?", asked Jonathan.
"…Everything's fine…", retorted Sarah as her eyes filled with water.
She burst into tears. Seeing Suzan cry was common but Sarah…It was the first time Jonathan ever saw her cries. He felt even more guilty about the decision he made but…what other choice did they had? Velvet gave Sarah a hug.
"Jonathan, come with me. We'll go seat and wait for the plane to arrive", said Joanna that already knew that it wasn't really good for Jonathan's mental health to see someone like Sarah crying. Since he replaced Carrington, he had the bad habit to always feel guilty about everything.
"…Okay…I'm coming", responded Jonathan.
************************************
In the plane
Joanna noticed that the hands of Jonathan were crisped on the armchairs of his seat. She understood how he felt. Her too, wasn't really happy to take the plane. Probably because of what happened the last time they went on England with a plane. She tried to not remember about it but the images of the plane crashing, the people shouting, her being ejected, the unconscious form of Jonathan when she saw him in the water. She had goosebumps as she was thinking about what happened. Velvet looked at them with an understanding look.
"Don't be afraid…I'm sure everything is going to be fine", reassured Velvet.
"Just try to be that optimistic when the last time you took the plane you almost died", retorted Jonathan.
"Please, tie your seatbelt, we're going to get off the ground soon", said an air hostess. She looked curiously at Jonathan.
"Are you going to be alright sir?", asked the hostess.
"Don't worry miss. He's going to be fine…", answered Joanna.
**************************************
A few hours later
The lights were turned on. The few lucky one that were able to sleep woke up. Jonathan didn't slept a single minute. Each time he almost fell asleep, there were someone that accidentally bumped in his seat or there were turbulence zone. It is absolutely horrible to see the sun when it is 2am in your head. Joanna was sleeping on Jonathan's shoulder. Even if the lights were on, she didn't woke up yet. Jon looked at her with a desperate look. How could she sleep so peacefully after what happened, he asked to himself.
"Do you want some coffee?", asked the hostess.
"Yes…I would like it black please…", answered Jonathan.
"…Jon?…Are we already arrived?", asked Joanna with a sleepy voice.
"No, but we're almost arrived", responded Jonathan.
"Did you sleep well", questioned Joanna.
"I didn't sleep at all", replied Jonathan.
"…I wish you good luck. You'll see how fun it is to spend an entire day without sleeping", said Joanna with a big smile.
"You said that you wanted to see your parents. Are they living in London?"
"Of course they are. I'm sure my father could help you. He already worked for the Carrington Institute you know", answered Joanna.
"So you're father was an agent…"
"Yes, he was the best of all and the most experienced. He went in retirement shortly before you became an agent. This is why you never meet him before".
"I see. Well I'm sure he's going to be a nice guy after all", answered Jonathan.
"Maybe, but you know…My parents had always been very demanding in everything…even with the people I frequent if you understand what I mean", replied Joanna.
"Honestly, I don't really understand what is complicated about this. Of course I understand what you mean", answered Jonathan with a slightly confused tone.
"Let me explain what you in a clearer manners. My parents are rich and educated. My mother is a doctor and my father is a lawyer. They won't tolerate someone that is wearing grey sweatshirt and sweat pants in their home. To be even clearer than I was before, do not ever tell them the truth about your studies. And because of 'your great amount of proper clothes', we'll go shopping today before we'll meet them. Understood?", said Joanna with a determined look.
Jonathan looked at her with a horrified look.
"Please Joanna, you can kick my ass, you can throw me pies in the face as many as you want, you can torture me in the best way you could imagine but please…I don't wanna go shopping", said Jonathan with a pleading look.
"…I could be tempted by the pies but… no. Or you'll go shopping with me or you find a good hotel for you. You aren't theoretically presentable right now, you absolutely need new clothes", answered Joanna with a smile.
"Nooooooooooooooo! I beg you! I don't wanna do that! I won't be able to bear such extreme conditions like this!", exclaimed Jonathan.
Joanna sighed as she looked at Jonathan. Stay a few months with the Skedars wasn't extreme but some shopping was…Boys will always be boys, she thought to herself.
**********************************
Herbert stared at the childish smile Samantha gave him. That was all his fault. Why didn't he stay near her? Why did he listened to Cassandra De Vries' orders?
The red alert rang. An intruder had entered the building of Datadyne corp. He was in Cassandra's office, with Samantha and Cassandra.
"Samantha! Stay here and be sure no one will touch the Skedar bomb. Herbert, come with me, I don't want to leave this office alone, it's too risky", said Cassandra De Vries with the same annoying and stressed tone as usual.
Herbert smiled to himself. He knew that some agents of the Carrington Institute would come. This is why he botched the bomb when Cassandra and Samantha weren't present.
Now he had remorses. Why didn't he say to Cassandra that the bomb wasn't effective anymore. He knew she would be angry but they could have asked the Skedars for another one. Herbert hated himself. This wasn't the only reason why he felt so guilty. In truth, he would have liked to stay near his two sons and fight against Cassandra but because of something, he made a bad choice. This something that blinded him was called love. And now the person he loved was only the shadow of herself and she will probably never be more than that. Cassandra…that bitch…she's always controlling every move Samantha makes. He never understood why Samantha was always submitted to her younger sister's wish like this. Anyway, nothing of this mattered anymore. Cassandra will probably throw her sister in an asylum to get rid of her. He wasn't going to let her do such things. It was now finished…he wasn't going to help Cassandra De Vries anymore, she didn't deserved this.
"Samantha…", whispered Herbert.
"Yes Herby", replied Samantha with a smile.
"We're going to leave this damned place…forever. We'll leave US, we'll leave America… But it's a secret. Promise me you won't tell to anyone", said Herbert in a very low voice.
"I promise I will keep this a secret Herby", answered Samantha with a grin.
"…Good…"
*******************************
The plane arrived at the airport of Heathrow. Almost everyone had their ears overcastted. Joanna, Jonathan, Velvet and Nathaniel will live to the parents of the two sisters' home. Jonathan gave to each employees a big amount of pounds and told them to go in a hotel of London or near the city until he finds a place where they could live.
"Don't forget, no one must be alone. Each one of you must have at least one roommate of the CI, it's safer like this. On the paper I gave you is the phone number of my cellular phone. When you'll find a suitable hotel and that you got a room, call me and give me the phone number of your hotel. If we need to meet, I'll be able to contact you. Did everyone understood what I've said", said Jonathan
"Yes!"
"Good! You can leave and go anywhere you want. I just don't want you to be two far away form London. Are there any question?", asked Jonathan.
No one asked anything.
"Fine, you can go. Have a nice day", said Jonathan as some of the employees began to leave with their baggage. Nathaniel and Velvet went directly to the home of the sisters. Jonathan sighed, there were going to be tortures before he'll be able to rest and he knew it. He just hoped the prices weren't going to be too expensive…false hope. It's obvious he doesn't know anything about the prices of London :D
*********************************
"…Fucking clothes…I'm ruined…", Jonathan murmured to himself.
"Come one Jonathan. Maybe that it was slightly expensive but you look nicer in those clothes", replied Joanna with a big smile.
"All I know is that now I'm a poor man and that I'm so tired that I could sleep on my feet without any problems", replied Jonathan.
"You're not poor at all. Almost everything is expensive here. You'll have to stop being such a miser", retorted Joanna.
They entered a bus (red with two floors :) ) to be brought to the house of Joanna's parents. She suddenly looked like she was extremely anxious. Jonathan noticed it.
"Is there something wrong Joanna?", asked Jon.
"Everything is fine Jonathan", replied Joanna.
"I don't believe you, there's something you don't wanna tell me", said Jonathan with a convinced look.
"It's because…I didn't see my parents for a while you know and…and the last time I saw my mother we had an argument so I'm not sure what will be her reaction", answered Joanna with a worried tone.
"I'm sure she'll be glad to see you even if you argue with her the last time you saw each other", responded Jonathan.
"Yeah…you're probably right", murmured Joanna.
And he was right
********************************
"Oh my god!!! James, it's our daughter! Joanna, I'm so glad to have you back!!", said Joanna's mother as she threw herself in the arms of her daughter.
"I'm happy to see you mom", answered Joanna with a smile.
Jonathan noticed that Joanna's mother had nothing to do with her daughter. She was short, with shoulder length blond hair and seemed very cheerful. She was more like Velvet. Joanna's father noticed the presence of Jonathan and stared at him during a long period of time. The older man seemed disappointed by Jonathan. He was a tall man, well more taller than Jonathan. And his face remembered Jonathan of one of the actor that played the role of James Bond (guess from which actor I'm talking about). Jon was slightly intimidated by the older man's behaviour.
"So you're the one who replaced Mr Carrington as the boss of the Carrington Institute?", asked Joanna's father.
"Yes, it's me. I'm glad to meet you Mr?"
"Dark…James Dark (:D)", answered the man.
"It's nice to meet you. I'm Jonathan Fraser", responded Jonathan.
"Are you sure your name isn't Jonathan McGowan and your father isn't Herbert McGowan?", asked James.
Jonathan was completely caught off guard. How did he knew this 'confidential' information? Even if he knew the man was probably going to notice, Jonathan preferred to lie.
"I'm sorry…I don't know any…Herbert Mc…Gowan", answered Jonathan with a faked puzzled tone.
"James, will you stop your stupid interrogatory? He's just a guest. Hi, I'm Becky Dark. I suppose that your Joanna's boss, aren't you?", asked the woman.
"Yes, I am", answered Jonathan.
"It's nice to meet you", said Becky as she shook his hand.
"Joanna, Velvet told me there was a man in your life. Where is he?", asked Becky.
"…Mom…my boss is my boyfriend too", replied Joanna that was slightly embarrassed by the question of her mother.
Becky looked at her with disbelief and then looked at Jonathan. She quickly regained her composure. James continued his interrogatory.
"So what is your length Jonathan?", asked James.
"Err I'm almost 5 foot 11. Why are you asking me this?", asked Jonathan with a puzzled tone.
"Joanna's boyfriend are usually taller than me", commented James.
"James, stop asking question like this. Joanna has the right to change her criteria", said Becky.
Jonathan was slightly confused by the situation. Joanna blushed as she heard what her mother had said.
"Can someone show me where the bathroom is, please? I really need to go", said Jonathan.
"Of course ! Let me show you", said Becky.
She showed him where the bathroom was. Jon quickly thanked her and entered the bathroom. His spy abilities felt that something was wrong with this room. He looked at his reflection in the mirror. He saw something else in the mirror. There was a hidden camera at the corner of the room. Jonathan sighed, he was sure he wasn't going to get along with James. First of all the interrogatory and now the camera. Jonathan looked straight at the camera and smiled.
"Sorry James, I'm not sure you're truly the best spy in this house. I'm not a fool, I saw your camera. Now, I'll put a towel on it because I don't want my father-in-law to see me pee…so…goodbye for now!", said Jonathan with a grin as he threw a towel on the camera.
End of chapter 3
I know…this chapter hadn't a lot of action and it wasn't very long. It's the preparation for next chapter. A lot of very important things and information will be said next chapter… some terrible things will happen too. As for the names of Joanna's parents…well…maybe that you already noticed I wasn't original at all :) Thanks to my reviewers: Peachrocks, TetraLink17 and Spider-bear.