Chapter 5: Beginnings and Endings

"Another, please," Gordon said to the bartender, holding up his glass. The man came over and took it.

"Sir, are you sure you haven't had enough?" the bartender asked.

Gordon looked puzzled. "That'll only be my second one . . ."

The bartender shrugged, clearly uninterested. He went off to get Gordon another light beer.

A lady parked herself on the stool next to his. Her wavy, ultra-long dark hair fell behind her. "Beer, please," was all she said. Her voice was mysterious, much like Simone's was, only less eery. She had a body like Shakira, only more mystical. Her top was a white spaghetti-strap tank top, and her jeans were almost skin-tight. Something about her intrigued Gordon greatly.

The bartender came back with bottles for each of them. Gordon poured his back in a glass, and she drank straight from the bottle.

Gordon watched her. She looked stressed.

She turned and looked at him. Her ice blue eyes startled him. They seemed so familiar . . .

"Rough day?" she asked him, trying to be friendly.

He laughed slightly, taking a drink. "Rough month more like. Family issues."

Her eyebrows rose. "I hear ya." She raised her bottle, and took a swig. "How bad is it on your end?"

He shrugged. "I tried to help my brother get over his dead girlfriend by helping a doctor build a memorial for her. Turns out she's alive and dating that doctor."

She seemed surprised. "Hmm . . . complicated."

"Yeah, I know," he replied, taking another drink, "So, what's your story?"

She laughed. "Far too long to explain. Basically, I had a family reunion, and it didn't go so well. Fact, it didn't go at all. No love lost between any of us. So, now, I'm back home in Nevada, where I can relax."

Gordon tilted his head. "That doesn't sound all that weird."

Her laughter was great, and her smile was broad. "You have no idea. Let's put it this way: your imagination can't even begin to discover my family. You know what? Let's change the subject. What business are you in?"

Gordon thought for a moment. "Well . . . emergency rescue services."

She seemed delighted. Gordon hoped he was making a good impression with her. "Really? What do you work in? Like, fires, air . . .?"

"Mostly underwater. Though it can be mixed. I'm trained to handle a lot of things."

She smiled flirtatiously at him. "Very nice."

He smiled back. "So, what business are you in?"

She thought. "Well . . ."

A cell phone rang. Of all the times for it to go off! Gordon thought, answering it.

The girl listened as he talked, hoping he wouldn't leave. She quite enjoyed him.

"Hello? . . . aw . . . wait, what? . . . well, whatever . . . whatever . . . goodbye." He closed the phone, and placed it in his back pocket. He pulled out a couple of bills from his wallet, and left them on the counter for the bartender, paying for her drink as well.

Gordon turned to the dark-haired beauty. He just watched her for a moment. "Would you like to come with me? Some place a little more . . .seclusive? It's a very . . . unique situation I'm in. I can explain on the way."

She stood up, smiling. "Sure. I don't usually go out with guys I meet in bars . . . but there's something about you, Mister . . . ?"

"Tracy," he said, holding out his hand for her to take, "Gordon Tracy."

She placed her hand in his and shook it. "There's something different about you, Gordon Tracy."

"I get that a lot," he replied, pulling her up with his hand effortlessly. "Now, may I ask what your name is, Miss?"

She smiled mysteriously. "Mimosa . . . Mimosa Granger."

-

Jeff hadn't meant to do that. He really hadn't. He had meant to tell Penelope she was going about this wrong. He was still in love with Lucy . . . and he was too old to go through the marriage thing again.

But something had overtaken him when he walked up to her. He'd placed his hand on her shoulder, and whispered her name. "Penny . . ."

When she'd turned around, he was about to do what he'd practised in his head a thousand times. He was going to tell her he was sorry . . . he just didn't return those feelings.

But when she turned around, and looked at him . . . he'd bent down and kissed her.

At first she'd seemed surprised - taken aback even. But then she softened, and returned the kiss. Her hands slipped around his neck, and his around her waist. The kiss deepened. He pulled her in closer to him.

That would be the second everything went horribly wrong.

"Ahem!"

He broke away from the kiss abruptly, as did Penny. They both looked, arms still holding each other, across the room.

There stood Tessa, arms crossed, foot tapping, looking as though she might laugh at any given second. She took a few steps towards them, and stopped, staring coldly at him. "I had no idea what a hypocrite you are, Jeff," was all she said, a mock smile spreading across her face.

Jeff had become as white as a sheet. Penny seemed just as bad. Her hands fell from around her neck, and his dropped to his sides.

Jeff swallowed. His mouth opened to say something, but Tess held up a finger to stop him. "It seems to me that when Virgil and I kissed like that, we were only . . . oh, I don't know, suspended!"

Jeff tried to speak again. "That was completely different from this."

She laughed. "Explain that to me, Jeff."

"You and Virgil are just children. Lady Penelope and I are both adults. We know to stop before things get out of hand."

Tess raised an eyebrow at him. "Lady Penelope is the same age as your eldest son. Whom - if you recall - I have dated. She and I also went to school together. We have the same values, and the same inhibitions."

"You were in an older class," Jeff countered.

Tess just kept smiling, knowing the odds were in her favour this time. "I was mature for my age. I still am. One can't go through all the crap I have and not be."

Penelope spoke up. "Look, this wasn't anything like what you and your fiancé were suspended for."

"Oh really," Tess began, stepping forward again, "well, why don't we just wake up the rest of the family, and ask them?"

Jeff's eyes went wide. "You wouldn't dare . . ."

Tess's evil grin - the same her father often bore - spread across her face. "Watch me. In six seconds flat, I can have Virgil out of bed and in this living room."

The two nodded, knowing they were caught. "Just, what do you want in order to keep quiet about this . . . incident, Tess?" Jeff bargained.

Tess began circling the two. "First of all, I obviously want myself and Virgil reinstated. Secondly, half the chores we currently have. Thirdly, I want no more of this 'no PDA what-so-ever' crap, because that's all it is - crap. You should be able to trust that nothing will happen between me and him. And finally . . . I never want to have to visit my father again." She stopped, staring intently at him.

Jeff looked surprised. What had happened between her and her father? "Why do you not want to visit your father?"

Tess looked angry at having him brought up now. Her eyes flashed green and cat-like, as they often did when she was extremely mad. "Look, there are some mistakes even I can't forgive, okay! There are certain values I believe in, and he spat right on those. I can't even stand to look at the man now. I want him to know that." She looked Jeff square in the eye as she spoke. "Do we have a deal?"

Jeff's neck twitched. "Deal."

-

Tessa sat curled up next to Virgil on the sofa, her arms wrapped around his. Her smile put the sun to shame, it was so bright. Virgil kissed the top of her head, then pulled her up and kissed her directly on the lips.

"I love you," she announced, wrapping her arms around his neck.

He held her waist. "I love you, Tess. How did you convince my father to let us off the hook?"

She returned his kiss. "Darling, if I told you that, I'd be breaking my end of the bargain."

Shock was clearly plastered across his face. "You have something on my father?"

Tess's smile was that she had inherited from the Hood. "It's possible to get information on anyone, Virgil. Especially when that someone is trying to protect more than just themselves."

Virgil was confused. "Should I be worried about this? Is this secret going to change my life forever if it gets out?"

Tess laughed. "Virgil. Trust me . . . it won't get out. I don't want us in trouble again, and your dad will sooner die than reveal it. No, you should not be worried. But, yes, it will change your life forever if it gets out." She loved playing this game with Virgil.

He was curious. "Come on, Tessa, we're getting I married. Please tell me?" He gave her the puppy face.

"Speaking of marriage," she began, changing the subject, "I want to get married sooner than we had planned. I know, we originally wanted to get married in the spring at the earliest. But, darling . . . could we get married sooner?"

He pulled her closer so he could look into her eyes. "How soon is sooner?"

"October . . ." she said, wincing in preparation for his reaction.

He blinked. "October? Tess, that's only two months away . . . there's no way we could organize a whole wedding in that short of a time frame!"

Tess sat up, and held his hands in hers. "Virgil, I know how short a time it is . . . but my father . . . darling, he gets out of prison in November, and I'm quite sure he'll do something to stop us from getting married. Even if we get married in October, there's still a chance he'll do something."

Virgil could not believe what he was hearing! "How is he going to do something? He's in maximum security prison. And when he does get out, didn't he already agree that he'd accept this? Wasn't he supposed to be the one to give you away?"

Tess looked nervous. She looked behind her, and all around the room, before setting her eyes back to him. "Virgil . . . what I'm about to say will likely help you understand everything. The mysterious phone calls, the crying . . . everything. But this is top-secret; Virgil, what I'm about to say is not allowed to leave this room, alright?" She looked deeply in his eyes. "I want no one to know about this."

He nodded. Virgil's interested was peaked, and he was frightened for his fiancée. "Alright. What's been going on?"

-

Penelope watched Jeff from where she sat in an armchair. His grip was firm on the phone, and his eyes were determined, listening to what his son was telling him. He nodded, uttering a few words in reply, before setting the phone down.

Penelope sighed, looking down at her feet. They were alone in the room, and that frightened her. "Well, what did Gordon have to say?"

Jeff walked over and took a seat next to her, on the sofa. "He says he'll be home late tomorrow afternoon, and that Scott told him he'd be back in a few days."

She arched an eyebrow. "A few days?"

He shrugged in response, neither looking at each other. "I asked Gordon about it, but he said that Scott had told him almost nothing. He said that Scott probably just wanted to 'say goodbye' or something." Jeff seemed almost flustered as he spoke.

There was nothing but silence between them for a long while. Penelope finally stole a glance at him, wanting to ask him so much. "Jeff . . . about . . . yesterday . . ."

He sighed, and turned to look at her. "We don't need to discuss it, Penny," he said softly. "I shouldn't have kissed you . . . I'm sorry."

Penelope bit her lip. She turned away slightly, no longer facing him. Her heart felt as though it had just been ripped apart, piece by piece. Why did he say that? Why must he take back the best thing that's ever happened to me! Her eyes burned, and she feared tears would find her.

His head was down. "I didn't mean to be so bold. I never meant to hurt you."

Penelope smiled. She would try her hardest not to let her true emotions show. Society had always taught her to say and do what was expected of a woman in her class, and so she would follow protocol. "Of course, Jeff. I understand. One can get caught up in a moment, and things will happen that should not have. Excuse me." She got up, and headed towards her room, tears beginning to streak down her face.

-

As Gordon walked in the door, his shoulders felt as though the greatest weight in all of the Earth had just been lifted from them. As he stepped over the threshold, he was almost body-slammed by Tessa.

Her arms wrapped around him, and she held tight. "Welcome back, Gordon!"

This was slightly unusual for Gordon, as he and Tessa had never fully gotten along. He patted her on the back nervously, trying to break away while doing so. "It's . . . uh, good to be back?"

Tess let go, and walked back over to Virgil who waved in acknowledgement. His father came over then, and escorted him fully inside. "So, how did everything go? When will the facility be open?"

Gordon laughed. "Dad . . . it's never going to open. The deal fell through."

Everyone in the room seemed shocked. "What!" Jeff asked, eyes wide. "Son, what happened?"

Gordon shrugged, dropping his bags. He smiled, trying to come up with something that would not give anything away - he and his brother had agreed that would be Scott's job. "Well . . . Mr. Peterson decided that he did not like the idea without Scott's permission, and when Scott caught wind of it, he didn't much care for the idea of a memorial either." He nodded to himself, pleased with his truthful lie.

Jeff was confused. "Well, then . . . why didn't you come home sooner?"

Here we go with more "lies". "Well, I had Scott come down, and look at some blueprints, and then after that . . . we decided he'd be better off having someone with him while he went through some . . . trying circumstances."

Tin-tin's eyebrows shot up. "Trying circumstances? Gordon, please don't tip-toe around the facts - what has been going on!"

Gordon just smiled. "Wouldn't you all like to know." He grabbed his bags, and headed off in the direction of his room.

-

Tessa was worried - Lady Penelope hadn't shown up when Gordon touched down, and it was very unlike her to pull something like that. She also hadn't come to dinner.

Tess raised her hand to knock on Penny's door. "Penny? It's Tess . . . please let me in," she whispered.

The door opened, and Penelope was there, eyes red. Tess walked inside quickly, and closed the door. "Oh, Penny . . ."

Penelope sat down on the edge of her bed, her forehead in her palm. "How could I have been so stupid! This is my own fault!"

Tess sat down next to her, and took her hand. "What's happened?"

Penny sniffed, and looked at Tess. "He kissed me. After all these years of secretly adoring the man, he finally shows me he returns my feelings. But what does he do the very next day? He apologizes, saying it was all a mistake."

Tess grabbed a tissue, and handed it to Penelope. "Oh, Penny . . . it's not your fault. Jeff is just scared. This is more than likely the first time he's actually kissed a woman since his wife died. I shouldn't have said anything . . ."

Penny sniffed. "No, you were right in doing what you did. It was wrong of Jeff to penalize you and Virgil and then turn around and kiss me. But why did he have to pretend like he didn't mean it?"

Tessa laughed. "Penny, I highly doubt anyone will ever understand the things men do sometimes. I mean, remember Virgil's Christmas present for me?"

Penny laughed. "The wrench?"

Tess nodded. "Yes. The wrench. What was going through his mind when he gave me that, I've yet to find out." She looked at her straight in the eye. "Come on now, Penny. Let's get ready for when you leave tomorrow. You can wear your best dress, just to let him know what he's missing."

-

Jeff watched from the side of the runway as Penelope walked out the door. His breath seemed to disappear. She was beautiful in his eyes.

She walked down the winding pathway in her strappy pink stilettos. Her slender figure was enhanced by the sleeveless, pink silk, V-neck dress. A transparent shawl fell around her shoulders. Her hair was pulled back in an elegant bun, and around her neck was a set of pearls that she obviously hadn't picked up in a dollar store.

His eyes stayed on her and only her. He watched as she said goodbye to everyone besides him. First Tess, then Virgil, Tin-tin, Alan, Gordon, Brains, Kyrano, and then finally . . .

"So long, Jeff," was all she said, a simple, polite smile on her face.

He swallowed. "So long," he repeated, unable to find adequate words.

Her smile continued, as she stepped into FAB1. "Give my best to John and Scott." She winked at Gordon, and he smiled back. Jeff knew his sons, and instantly recognized that Penelope and Gordon were sharing a secret.

The door and hood to her car closed, and Parker gave a final goodbye to everyone before starting up the engine. The boys watched in fascination as the car took off, a jet starting to propel it into the air. They raised their hands and waved.

Jeff couldn't help but feel as though a part of him was leaving with her. How hard it had been to apologize to her. Jeff really meant it when he had kissed her, and taking it back didn't feel quite right.

In any case, though, he would have to carry on as though nothing ever happened. His son would be coming home in two days, and he needed to be ready.

-

Scott kissed Lana as Kyrano began to approach the island.

Lana smiled, blushing. "You're sure they won't fall over and have a heart attack when they see me?"

He laughed. "Now, I didn't say that. They just might do that. But they will still be happy to see you."

"We are about to land, Mister Tracy, Miss. Fitzgerald," Kyrano spoke up, oblivious to their conversation.

Scott turned towards the cabin, her hand encased in his. "Thank you, Kyrano. We have our seatbelts fastened," he turned towards Lana, "Ready, dear?"

She kissed him. "Ready as I'll ever be to meet your family."

He rolled his eyes. "You won't be meeting them. They already know you."

"Yes, but honey, that was under different circumstances."

The plane bounced as it landed on the runway. "Now, you remember what we decided?"

She nodded, laughing. The plane came to a stop, and Kyrano opened the door. "I love you," she whispered to him.

"I love you too," he whispered back. He held her hand tight, and walked her to the door. He appeared first, hiding her.

"Scott! Welcome home!" Virgil yelled.

"Good to see you smile!" Tess yelled.

"Welcome back, son," his father smiled up at him.

Scott grinned broadly. "Good to be back, everyone."

Gordon grinned at his brother. "Show 'em what you found in Canada!" he yelled.

Scott forged being surprised. "Oh ya! I hope you don't mind, I found this up North, and I just couldn't leave it behind."

There was a collective gasp as he pulled Lana onto the plane staircase, and walked with him down to the ground. He looked at her, and smiled. A blush swept across her cheeks. "Can we keep her, Dad?" he asked quietly.

Jeff was shocked. Completely and utterly shocked. "That can't be . . ."

"But she's dead!" Tess yelled.

Gordon nodded, smiling in spite of everyone around him. "See why I couldn't build the memorial now? Turns out a certain doctor I know was helping her recover her lost marbles."

Lana imitated a look of dislike in Gordon's direction.

Scott turned to his father. "So, Dad, can she stay?"

Jeff smiled. "I don't see why not. If that's alright with her."

Lana and Scott looked at each other. "Oh, I'm perfectly alright with it." They both were silent for a moment, breathing deeply. She stared directly into Scott's eyes. "We're married."

Another wave of shock swept through the crowd. Lana smiled as she held up her left hand, revealing a gold band with a stone inside of it. Scott looked over at his brother. "Gordon told me he was going to Vegas, and I thought it would be a wonderful idea if we got married there. We needed a couple of witnesses anyway, so Gordon came and brought a friend with him."

Alan turned towards Gordon. "And they would be . . .?"

He shrugged. "A girl I met in a bar. I got her name and number, though. You know me, I'm not the love-them-and-leave-them type."

Tess rolled her eyes. "Sure you aren't."

There was silence, and everyone turned towards Jeff to gauge his reaction on this whole situation. He was silent for a moment, his head bowed. When he looked up, he smiled at his first child. "You know, I always pictured my sons getting married in a big ceremony, with a huge announcement in the papers, and everyone we know invited. Instead, one of my sons runs off to Vegas without anyone knowing, and another has decided he wants to run off and get married secretly." Jeff turned towards Virgil to emphasis his point. When he looked back at Scott though, his smile was bright. "But I still couldn't be prouder. Congratulations, son."

-

As the newlyweds walked in, the rest of the family was just bursting with questions.

"Where are the pictures!"

"What style of dress did you wear?"

"Where are the pictures?"

"Did she make you wear a tuxedo?"

"Where are the PICTURES!"

"How long was the ceremony?"

"WHERE ARE THE PICTURES!" Tess yelled, trying to be heard over everyone.

Lana and Scott laughed. "Okay, okay, listen!" Scott began. "We opted to have the ceremony videotaped, and we had a professional photographer come in and photograph us. The final results are being mailed to us when they are developed. Alright?"

Gordon was still quite curious. "One thing still bothers me," he began, speaking silently so only the two could hear him, "What did Greg say when you told him you were marrying Scott?"

Lana smiled. "Well, first of all, I told him I had chosen Scott. And there was cussing, and pleading. Then I explained I was marrying Scott, and there was more cussing, and Mr. Coffee Pot said, 'Hello' to Mr. Wall. Then I believe he turned around and asked Simone out to lunch."

Gordon laughed. "Sounds like something he'd do. Man, I'm sure not upset to lose that guy."

Tess came up next to him then, a mischievous smile on her face. "So, Gordo, exactly, who was this girl you met in a bar?"

Gordon shrugged, trying to work his way around this. "A local. She lives in Las Vegas. Drinks pretty good beer."

Tess shook her head. "Yeah, okay, got that. But what does she do? Is she . . . an accountant? A salesperson? A mailman? Perhaps a CSI?"

Gordon smiled. "She's an artist. She draws pictures for comic books."

Tess's eyebrow raised. "Seriously?"

Gordon nodded, unable to believe she was so interested in this. "Yes. She also likes rock music and cheesecake. She's allergic to chalk. Her favourite colour is black. Are there anymore cliché questions I have failed to answer?"

Tess was insulted. "Geez, pal. All I did was ask a few questions about a seedy brunette you met in some seedy bar."

He shook his head, sitting on the sofa. "How'd you know she's brunette?"

Tess smiled. "Mind powers, remember? One of the few useful things my father gave me."

"What is it with you and your father lately? You seem to have developed a strong disliking for the man."

She laughed. "I think you just answered your own question."

-

Tess sat perched on the couch next to her fiancé, having a wonderful time flipping through the latest Vogue. Alan whole-heartedly supplied her with them monthly, in exchange for her silence on certain issues (i.e., the time when he told her it was safe to swim, and Scott was landing). Virgil sat next to her, reading over her shoulder despite the fact that he had no interest in any of the latest fashions.

The phone rang from across the room, and Jeff answered it at his desk. "Hello?" he asked formally. He held the phone out. "Tessa. It's for you."

Tessa placed the magazine down next to her, and stood up. "Who is it?"

Jeff shrugged. "Maximum security ward at London's largest and oldest prison."

Tess smiled falsely. "Oh." She walked over and took the receiver from Jeff's hand. Instead of placing it to her ear, however, she placed it back on its cradle, and walked back towards Virgil. "That might have been important, you know," he pointed out.

"The man is of no importance to me," she said simply, picking up the magazine again. The phone rang once more. Tess sighed, walking back over. She picked it up, immediately setting it back down. Just as she turned though, it rang again. Angrily, she picked it up and yelled in it, "What do you want from me!"

"Tessa, please, I know you're angry-"

"Angry?" she laughed, "Oh, I'm not angry. I'm down-right pi-"

"-None of that!" her father yelled. "Look, I've said I'm sorry, and that's all I can do. Why can't you accept that there's nothing more I can do?"

Tess was silent, tears welling up inside her. "I've forgiven you for so much, Dad. So much. But it seems as though every time I forgive you, you turn around and do something worse. Please, Dad, let me live my own life. I want nothing to do with you anymore."

Her father paused. "You choose them over me? You choose a bunch of strangers over your own family?"

She laughed slightly. "Don't you see, Dad? You're the stranger. I don't know anything about you anymore. These people are my family. They love me. I love them."

"I love you," he whispered back to her. She could tell he was almost crying too.

"I don't know if you do anymore," her eyes were glassed over with tears as she spoke, "But then again, they say it's easier to hurt the ones you love. So I guess you love me a whole lot."

When there was nothing but silence from the other end, she uttered only two words. "Goodbye, Dad." The phone was soon back on the cradle, signifying the end of not only the conversation, but their relationship.

-

The Hood handed the phone back to the guard, who hung it back on the wall. He placed his face in his hands. "What do I do? My eldest daughter will never speak to me again, all over something that happened years ago."

The guard said nothing. But he felt sorry for the man.

"Nothing was supposed to turn out like this. She wasn't supposed to fall in love and marry into that family - she was supposed to help me destroy them. Just like my youngest wasn't supposed to die . . ."

He stood up then, knocking the table over. "Confound it all! She's my daughter, not Jeff's!"

The guard rushed over, and grabbed the Hood. "Mr. Belagant! You're going to have to calm yourself!"

The Hood knew he could easily gain a way out of this prison . . . but he knew that it was only a few short months until he'd be a free man, anyway. And in that time, he could formulate a plan.

He sat back down, smiling. "Alright, officer. Have I used up all my phone privileges for the month?"

The guard nodded. "One phone call per month, and only to a blood relative, in your case."

The Hood nodded, still smiling. "Alright then. Can I go back to my cell, now?"

The officer cuffed the Hood, and blind-folded him as a precaution. They began walking back down the hall.

The Hood may have been acting innocent on the outside, but on the inside, he was already picturing next month's call . . .

Author's Note:

Yes, I know, it is cruel to leave you hanging like that. Especially at the end of a fanfiction. But, trust me, I'll be starting work on another adventure of Tess's soon enough, and all questions will be answered . . .