Chapter 9:
A/N: Yup, another chapter. I know. gasp! I'm actually already a bit further along in the story, but I thought this would be a nice point to stop for a little while.
Special thanks to white rose01 who has beta'd this chapter in record time, despite having to study for exams.
Thank you all for reading! I hope you'll enjoy this chapter too.
Gismo – Ok, this time it wasn't such a quick update, but hey, an update is an update, right? Not one chapter in 1.5 years! Goodness! Extreme would almost be an understatement. Anyway, I won't let it get to that. I don't think my beta would let me either, so you'd better be thankful for her prodding and poking. (Don't think I'm not poking back though, 'cause she has some awesome stories out there, just waiting to be finished.) Enjoy this chapter!
White rose01 – No, I've absolutely no clue whatsoever about which brother you're talking about. I mean, it couldn't possibly be… No! That's your 'favourite' /evil grin/ Thanks for beta-ing! And by the way: congratulations! I'll take special care to stay away from the roads in England from now on.
Darkhelmetj – Congratulations. You've won the 'Intelligence-Cup' this year. If I may quote: "Happy stories are always so much more…happy." :) thumbs up I totally agree:p Thanks for the review, and enjoy this chapter!
AngelMouse5 – Thank you! I certainly enjoy writing John's life outside IR as well. And that part with Scott and the chocolate was entertaining to say the least. Thanks for the review, and enjoy!
Math Girl – Thank you! I like writing the 'little chats' as you can just see the guys as they are in the 'everyday life.' And Gordon… well, maybe he has found his match in Anna? Who knows. Thanks for the review! Enjoy this chapter.
John had to grin at the thought of his elder brother, who was now most likely making a run for the kitchen. After all, Scott was never late for lunch… except for today. 'I am mean.' John thought to himself. 'I could have called him after his lunch… but what would have been the fun in that?'
There was a knock on his bedroom door. "Enter!" He yelled, quickly hiding the smile. After all, no-one here knew he could communicate with his family through a wristwatch. And now wasn't the time to enlighten them. If ever.
Ben poked his head around the door. "Hey! Amazing! You're still alive! I thought you had drowned or something."
John put down the book he had opened in front of him before his conversation with Scott, for exactly this kind of situations. He stood up from the bed and walked towards the door. "Ben. I live on an island. I've lived on an island for a looong time. My brother could be compared to a fish when he's in the water." John paused for a moment to think about that. "OK, you can compare him to a fish whenever. When he isn't in the water, he's wishing he was. Anyway, the point is, I've lived around water long enough that I don't think I'll drown from taking a shower. You on the other hand…"
Ben decided to ignore the comment. After all, his swimming skills were almost non-existent, and even though you didn't need any swimming techniques to shower, he knew he wouldn't win the argument anyway. "Just wondering what took you so long to get back downstairs. After all, we were going to cook together."
Then Ben seemed to realise something. "Oh, of course! I should have realised! You bought a new book today, and you 'accidentally' got so caught up in reading it that you forgot the time!"
John hid a satisfied smile. 'Gotcha.' Instead he said: "Now what would make you think that?" He walked through the door and started down the stairs. Ben followed him, closing the door to the guestroom.
"Well John, it could be for the fact that it has happened before… and not just once; you've done it so often, you surprised us whenever you actually did come downstairs before one of us had to call you."
John snorted. "Well, you would be wanting to read that book too if you would like languages. It's really quite useful. For example, it – " He couldn't get any further because Ben interrupted him quickly.
"No, don't go into details, please! Let's just go and fix dinner, ok."
John turned his head slightly and answered: "OK, but you should really try and learn something about other languages. It could be useful you know."
They entered the kitchen where Nicole was putting away the groceries. Ben ran towards her, grabbed her and used her as a shield. However the fact that Ben was much taller than his sister only served to make the whole 'trying-to-hide-move' look ridiculous. "Please, protect me from this mad language-geek. He's trying to infect me with his 'learning virus'."
Nicole looked up at her brother. "That wouldn't be so bad. You could use it."
"Hey! You're my Big Sister. You're supposed to protect me, not side with the enemy!" Ben looked down at her incredulously. John just leaned against the doorpost.
Nicole sighed. "If it makes you happy…" She turned around to face John and was about to 'tell him off' for trying to make Ben read something when she noticed something. "But Ben! He's not even carrying any books. What am I supposed to protect you from!"
"He doesn't need books to contaminate you. He tries to make you learn something by actually relating what the book tells you! He's dangerous! We should silence him. Do you have any duct tape?"
John was having trouble keeping himself from laughing, and Nicole's expression was a mixture of amusement, annoyance and resignation. She shook her head.
"No, though we could always threaten with the dishes…" Nicole looked at John with an evil smile. John shrugged.
"For which, in return, I can always spoil dinner for you guys. You know, add too much salt, or only give you the fat instead of the meat."
Nicole shuddered at the thought of the fat gliding down her throat. "Ehw, no thanks! Ben has just volunteered to do the dishes."
"I did?"
Nicole poked him in his side, and added, through clenched teeth: "Yes, you did. You don't want to eat only fat, do you?"
Ben still looked at her incredulously. But then he remembered she had been off to get the vegetables while John and he went to buy the 'meat'. Therefore, Nicole wouldn't be aware of one fact that made the whole difference. However, instead of enlightening her, he played along.
"Well, it would be fun to see you eat it. And why don't you do the dishes? Why would I have to do it?" He tried to sulk his way out of it.
Meanwhile John started to make his way through the cupboards, getting everything ready for cooking. He couldn't resist to add: "Nice, long, slimy pieces of fat."
"OK! OK! I'll do the dishes! I don't know exactly how this started with John scaring Ben with his languages, and ended up with some sort of conspiracy against me. But you'd better make sure there's no fat in sight!" Nicole relented. No sooner had she said it, or Ben turned around, sure he wouldn't be able to keep from laughing.
John's face remained deadpan as he pulled the 'meat' from the refrigerator and took it out of its wrapping. "Oh, I don't think I'll have to put much effort into that. After all, we bought fish. Could you pass me the olive oil please?" He continued to work as if he hadn't said a thing. Nicole however was doing a nice impression of a goldfish, opening her mouth repeatedly. A none-too-pleased goldfish at that. Ben let out a strangled sound as he still tried not to laugh. An angry look crossed the room, the two men being on the receiving end.
John looked at Ben with a confused look. "Somehow your sister doesn't look very happy. Any idea why that is?"
The only answer he received was an outburst of laughter. John smiled at Nicole. "Don't worry, we'll just do it all together. Though if you two people don't come over here and help me to get dinner on table, you'll be the only two doing the dishes while I enjoy the sunset."
"Well then, chef, please tell us who's supposed to be doing what, so we can avoid that particular scenario." Nicole replied.
Some time later their hunger was stilled, and they were enjoying each other's silent company, the last rays of the sun illuminating this corner of the garden.
"Say, Nicole? Did you have any plans for the house yet?" Ben quietly asked. John wisely remained silent. This was something personal.
"I…I haven't given it much thought yet." Nicole answered as she looked at the house her parents had lived in for so many years. The house where she and her brother had grown up. A house full of memories. "Did you think about it?"
Ben remained quiet for a moment. Then he hesitantly said: "I ehm, I thought maybe you could sell your apartment and come back to live here…" Upon seeing her ambivalent expression, he hastily added: "I would do it, but my work doesn't allow me to live any further than I already do. I would really love to keep the house… together we can keep it in a good state. I'll come over as often as I can."
John could see the internal battle Nicole went through. He could understand some of her contradicting feelings as he had gone through them the day before, when she had asked him to stay at the house. Not quite sure of what to do, John offered quietly: "I'm sure she wouldn't mind."
Nicole's head snapped up as she heard her own words said back to her. She looked at John, and later at Ben, intensely; then she slowly said: "Well, I suppose someone should keep the cherry-tree."
A smile appeared on Ben's face. He stood up and walked over to his sister to give her a loving, but back-breaking hug. Nicole grimaced. "Hey, I'll need my back to move my stuff, you know! Or you can carry all the heavy things on your own!"
Ben grinned. "I would almost say: 'I don't care', but I'm not going to let you trick me that easily!"
Nicole smiled too. "It was worth a try."
"Mission: Failed." Ben retorted with a satisfied expression. Nicole slapped him lightly on the arm, at which Ben returned to his seat, the satisfaction still evident on his face.
"So, what do you do for a living nowadays?" He asked John lazily, catching him completely by surprise.
John had been totally at ease with his 'second family', so he hadn't even thought of having to lie about his job…again. Suddenly he realised just how far the hand of International Rescue's security policies went. He would have to be alert everywhere, always, with the only exception being Tracy Island. That is, when there weren't any visitors.
"I work for my father's company." He answered, while trying to hide his discomfort. He told Ben the same as he had told Nicole the day before. Then he tried to divert the conversation away from this 'fragile' topic by asking, "How are you doing at your work?"
Ben shrugged. "Fine. Actually, my boss was quite pl- Nicole?" He looked at his sister questioningly. "Are you ok?"
Nicole smiled at him. "Yeah, I'm fine. I'll start bringing the stuff inside so we can do the dishes. Or do you want another cup of coffee?" Ben shook his head. "John?"
"No thanks. Here, let me help you." John stood up, gathered the plates, and walked towards the kitchen door. Nicole was about to follow him when Ben took hold of her arm. He waited till John had disappeared inside and then asked concerned: "What's bothering you?"
He had seen the pensive look she had had.
Nicole looked slightly uneasy now. "It's just that… it feels like John's keeping something from us."
Ben looked surprised. "What makes you think that?"
"Didn't you notice that the moment you asked him about his work, he became a little restless? The same happened before, when I asked him a similar question. It was as if he was uncomfortable telling us about his job."
Ben thought back for a moment. Now that he thought about it, it had seemed as if there had been a quick flash of panic in John's eyes. He hadn't been sure about it, so he had let it go, but now Nicole had told him this happened before, he was willing to reconsider. It had seemed as if John had been a bit tense from that moment on. And then his willingness to start with the dishes…
"Yeah, I suppose you could be right. But…" he looked his older sibling in the eyes, "it's his right. He's not obliged to tell us anything unless he wants to."
Nicole tried to avoid Ben's serious eyes. She knew John had every right to have his 'secrets', just like any other person. But in some part of her heart she felt slightly betrayed. As if he didn't trust her.
"Nicky! Did you hear me? John is a grown man, and as such he can choose to remain silent about certain parts of his life."
"Yes, I heard you. I understand. But that doesn't mean I have to like it though!"
As she said this, she looked Ben straight in the eyes, the fire in them slightly diminished by the hurt she felt. Ben sighed. "I know, but we don't have a say in these things. So why don't we just trust John's judgement in this, all right?"
Nicole nodded. After all, there wasn't much else she could do or say. Silently she picked up the coffee cups and went inside where John was already rinsing the plates and utensils.
"Ah, there you are! I was already wondering whether you had decided I should do the dishes by myself anyway." John half-smiled.
"Yeah, well, we almost did, but then we took pity on you… No wait, that doesn't sound right. Oh yeah! We actually want to keep everything whole!"
John nodded thoughtfully. "I suppose you're right. I can't be trusted with the dishes. I'll only break the stuff." He took his hands out of the water and stepped back. "So I think I should stay away from it, as far as possible…"
"Oh no you don't! You will stay right here, washing the stuff. I'll dry it and Ben will put it away, so we should manage to keep everything in one piece."
Mockingly, John resigned and went back to his 'duty', while Nicole ordered her brother inside to do his share. At first the atmosphere in the kitchen was tense; no one spoke a word. However, gradually they got back in their 'normal' rhythm of joking around, and as they finished the dishes it almost seemed as if there hadn't been any tense moment at all.
"So, what shall we do now? It's only 8:30pm." Ben asked.
"Isn't that your bedtime.", Ben?" John asked teasingly.
"Yes, usually it is, but when we have a visitor I can stay up 'late'. So, I can stay up late tonight." Ben finished explaining his logic with a huge smile on his face, trying to look innocent.
"Nah! John's not a visitor! He's family. So, sorry, bed time for you Benny." Nicole said with a serious expression.
Ben glared at her. He didn't like the nickname. Then he resumed his role. "But I want to play outside!"
"Well, we could go for a walk. Shall we walk to the lake?" Nicole proposed.
"Yes! We are going to play outside!" Ben shouted. John eyed him with mock worry.
"Nicole? I think we'll need a dog leash, 'cause your little brother here might just get lost in his excitement."
"Hey!" Ben exclaimed. The two astronauts chuckled. Ben grimaced and then added: "Woof."
A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Stay tuned for the next! - zeilfanaat