A Complicated Card

It was amazing how quickly things got quiet after the boys left. Everything around her was new again. Damn that stray dog feeling. It seemed wrong not having a permanent home, but for a year this little square of a room would be it. Sitting on her bed, she swung her feet like a child and fumbled the card in her hand. Her decision concerning it would have to wait.

"Oye, Jane! We're going out for dinner, you want to come?"

"Jane," Jess thought to herself, "that's right it's my 'name.'" Mustering her best fake enthusiasm she beamed a smile and replied with a "sure."

"Right, I just need to grab my friend down the hall. Be right back!"

"Uh huh." Jess really didn't care. By this point she was rather tired of introducing herself and pretending to be interested in others' stories. With her room mate gone, she had time to reflect on that morning. It seemed like ages ago and yet it had only been hours.

Earlier that morning

"That's all of it!" proclaimed the young brunette as she stared at her college pile. Hands on her hips, she surveyed her needed processions. "Damn, I have a lot of crap."

"Hey Abraham, I need to chat with you." That sultry voice of a woman could be none other than Fujiko. Her and Jess had mended their little tiff, but there was still a bit of resentment. The fact that she had showed up the day before was odd in itself.

"Abraham? Why do you all insist on calling me this?" With a flop, Jess landed on the nearest chair and waited to hear what was so important.

"Listen, I heard what you did."

"What did I do?"

"Your planned escape. Not many people can pull one by Lupin. I'm quite impressed."

"Oh, well that's nothing really. I shouldn't be commended for that. But, why the hell do you care?"

"I'm glad you asked, although rather harshly, I have a proposition for you."

"What kind of proposition? Listen, I'm not into chicks…" the now weary brunette asked. Ignoring the comment, Fujiko continued.

"Whether you like it or not, you have the skills and mind of a thief. No normal person could do what you did. You schemed and planned a perfect escape without the great Lupin III any the wiser. The fact that you were able to be accepted back by the boys is just testament to an untapped potential."

"So what? I'm going to medical school, not thievery school."

"Are you sure that is what you really want to do? I've been watching you and the longing in your eyes every time the men go off on of their jobs."

"I don't see why you give a crap." Jess prided herself on her poker face and the fact that Fujiko could read her so easily was making her uneasy.

"Here's the deal, I want to enter into a partnership of sorts with you. All you need is some training and…"

"Whoa! Why the hell are you asking me? You've never shown interest in working with others unless it is to your benefit. You can't be expecting me to believe I won't be used. Plus, you have betrayed the guys so many times and seeing as they are the only family I have now, I can't risk it."

"Fine, you want to know why? Here it is: As hard as it is to believe, I don't get along with women all too well. You're the first one that actually gave me a chance and the first one I could actually call a friend."

"A friend?"

"Yes, and I'm not going to pretend to not know what you mean when it comes to betrayal, but wasn't the stunt you pulled last week along the same lines?" The sarcastic girl was silent at having been called out on her escape. "But I know guilting you into something won't do. I want to offer you a chance to be independent. Just do the training it takes and if it's for you…well you make your own decision."

"Independent." The word seemed so unreachable. No obligations to others; do as she pleased. No, this all could turn bad. Fujiko had to be up to something. Not wanting to be completely impolite, Jess simply answered, "Let me think it over."

With that the young woman stood up and walked towards the kitchen. This wasn't really a subject she wanted to think about on the day she was going off to Oxford. So, like most girls who are forced to mull over a tough decision, Jess took out a large container of ice cream from the freezer and stood at the counter. Swaying back and forth to a song in her head, Jess let her mind wander with every scoop.

"It can't be possible that this offer is true," Jess thought to herself. "I have to go to medical school, I can't be a thief. It…it just isn't right. Right? What the hell, when did I start caring what was considered right?"

"Hey kid, what's wrong with you?" She felt a hand pat her on the back and looked up to see her partner in sarcasm smirking. Leaning on the counter across from Jess, Jigen watched the young woman as she methodically ate her comfort food.

"Nothing a pint of ice cream and I can't figure out. How about yourself? You've been moping around here like someone stole your gun."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"You know, you're cute when you're lying." Jess looked up from her sugary treat and peered under the brim of her counterpart's hat. "You aren't going to miss me are you?"

"Miss you? Why in the world would I miss someone who is stubborn, sarcastic, and gets herself into trouble all the time? If anything I should be glad you'll be gone." He waited for her usual witty quip but nothing came from her lips. For a moment the gunman thought he had finally gone too far until Jess looked up and responded with a broad smile.

"You know, I didn't hear you complaining last night."

"Hahaha, fair enough and if it makes you feel better, yea I'll miss you."

"Goodness, try not to say it like it's so painful."

"Well, I know I'll be experiencing a greater pain courtesy of your right hook if I didn't say it."

"Bullying men into doing my will; I like it."

Jess soaked up the simplicity of the moment. A year ago she would have never seen herself here. To diverge from her precious plan so much didn't seem so bad. In a matter of months she had gone from American nobody to international thief. Though to be true, the label of thief was thrusted upon her a bit unfairly. Yet, it didn't matter because with it came the friendship of three of the greatest men she had ever met plus a great consideration from one in particular. The man being referred to continued to stare at Jess across the counter as she reflected. The glances didn't go unnoticed and she returned the favor with a forward lean and a soft kiss on his cheek. One thing still stayed in her mind, though. Surely he would help her.

"Jigen," Jess moved to the other side of the kitchen island and inclined towards the marksman. "If I needed help with something, you would be there, right?" She lowered her head to conceal her eyes and began to trace her figure up his tie.

"What's wrong, is that guy back? If he is I'll take care of him for you…"

"No, no, it's not that." Closer Jess moved towards him until he felt compelled to rest his hand on her hip. "It's just that I'll be on my own and I was wondering if you could teach me how to defend myself…"

"You mean to shoot."

"Well, yea…" Looking up slowly she expected to see the usual smirk she had become so accustomed to, but instead what she got was a stern stare.

"Jess, no, I can't. Ask me anything else, but not that."

"I don't understand." Jess pushed herself away a bit as her relaxed features turned to slight anger. "Did I do something or say something?"

"No and don't friggin' yell."

"Then why not?"

"You're…you're too innocent. Listen, I don't want you to be getting involved in a business that could end up with you being hurt or worse." Jess' features softened again and she took a step closer to read him better.

"I'm afraid I don't really understand."

"I know you like being self sufficient, but the more you learn about what we do, the more at risk you become. I can't take the risk of losing you."

The young woman was completely taken aback. For as many times as men had told her that they loved her, it was nothing compared to what Jigen had just said. Like her, he wasn't one to express a sentiment freely, so the conversation that had just taken place left the brunette stunned. In return, she produced a small smile and wrapped her arms around the gunman.

"Don't worry about me then, OK?" Jess exclaimed in a muffle voice as she laid her head against his shoulder.

"Yea." He really didn't believe the girl who embraced him so tightly would keep from getting in trouble. It was her habit, plus she was stubborn as hell. But, would she be Jess if she wasn't that way?

Before he could think his way through it, the brunette had released her hold and began to walk away. The whole way she had gone about asking him worried the marksman a bit. It all smelled of something Fujiko would do. It was for the best that Jess was leaving, as hard as it was for him admit.

Back to the living room the young woman sauntered. She never looked back since she could feel the glances she was receiving behind her. Turning the corner, Jess came upon Fujiko just where she had left her. In her hand, the thief held out a card with all the information on her proposition.

"You were listening, weren't you?"

"All I'll say is that the offer still stands. You make up your mind from there."

Jess hesitated for a moment but finally took the card. Stuffing it in her back pocket, she walked upstairs. Taking the card wasn't a crime; she'd just think about it.

When Jess had made her assent to the second floor, another figure appeared behind the still reclining Fujiko.

"Lupin, I actually feel slightly bad about doing this to her."

"My favorite part was when you called her your friend. You know she trusts you about as far as she can throw you, but good touch."

"Shut up."

"You actually consider her a friend Fuji-cakes?

"She really is the only girl who gave me a chance, as short as it was. I agreed to do this for you because you said it would be to her benefit, but I'm not too sure she'll be thrilled if she every found out you set this all up."

"Asking her to come with us wasn't just a coincidence. Her escape to America just sealed the deal in my mind. She'd be a perfect addition to the group. Doctor, escape artist, and the only person I know to make Jigen act pleasant. All she needs is the training in fighting, but she's aggressive as hell so that shouldn't be a problem. As for her finding out, she can't."

"Why not?"

"You and I both know she'd high tail it out of here. Plus Jigen would shoot me, and I can't do much stealing if I'm dead. Either way, we need to leave. LET'S GO EVERYONE!"

To the present

Of course the conversation that occurred after Jess had left the room never graced her ears, but the card Fujiko had handed her still lie in her hand. As much as it hurt her to go against Jigen's wishes, she would make a call tonight to the number listed and she would begin training. But at the moment, there was a man standing in her doorway watching her.

"May I help you, sir?" A tall man with pitch black hair and green eyes had caught her attention out of the corner of her eye. Arms crossed he wore a smirk on the face that looked like he hadn't shaven in a couple of days. Needless to say, though, he was easy on the eyes.

"You aren't from around here are you? You sound American."

"That's because I am, you don't sound English either."

"Scottish, and my name is Will Butler."

"Well Will, is it a custom to stare at unsuspecting Americans?"

"No, but you look about as miserable as I feel at the moment."

"Haha, what am I suppose to say to that? Thanks, you look like crap too!"

"Well, I'm glad you have the ability to smile, I was a bit worried there. It's just this place is making me slightly miserable."

"Are you tired of all the unusually friendly people too?"

"Yes, and for the life of me I can't remember a single name. What is yours by the way?"

"Je…Jane. My name is Jane Moses."

"Well, I'll make sure to remember that one. I live just a few rooms down. I can't help but ask, what is that you have in your hand?" He was referencing the card she held. Tucking it into her back pocket, she hid it form view.

"It's nothing, just a chance at a new path."

"Well, that's why we're all here isn't it? I don't suppose you're hungry?

"Yea, I think my room mate forgot about me so let's jet. It's nice to know I'm not the only one who foreign to this place."

"How about his," Will remarked taking linking her arm in his, "you watch my back and I'll watch yours."

"Sounds like an excuse for you to stare at my ass."

"That's all I ask."