Love's First Embrace

Jet was sitting near the pond; skipping stones with a blind look in his eyes. It was clear to see that his mind was elsewhere. Why did he stay with the group? It's not like he needed anybody else. He could operate just fine on his own. Besides, they were all strong; could take care of themselves as well. All he got out of this was a lack of peace and quiet. And a feeling that he couldn't describe in words at all.

'It's a wonder how I can even stand this,' the boy thought, 'I don't like people. But that girl makes me feel all warm inside. And how can she even stand me? I'm completely blind to the well being of other people; it isn't earning me any cash. Besides all that, I'm an emotionless machine; I don't have any of the thoughts and feelings I had as a kid anymore. I don't care about her one little bit. No, scratch that. I must care about her somewhat; else I would have done the smart thing and hightailed it out of here long ago. For some reason, she makes me want to stay. But why hasn't she simply gotten tired of me by now and kicked me out? Certainly, if I was her, I wouldn't have wanted me around since early on in the trip.'

At that moment, Virginia entered the area. She saw him sitting there; lost in his own thoughts. It hurt her to know how little he thought of himself. Especially since he now knew that his soul was that of a human being. He could no longer use the excuse that his lack of emotions were due to his artificial body. She hadn't brought that story ever since he started with it. Jet could feel just like the rest of them. So why did he try so hard to make it like he couldn't? Certainly, it wasn't helping the group out any little bit.

She knew this was possibly a suicide mission. But she had to try. Virginia could never forgive herself if something happened to Jet and she couldn't do anything about it. Besides, she thought about the words of the Guardian of Memories. Omoide had called her "Jet's beloved." And Jesssica also had talked about them being in love. The girl wanted to throw it off as if it was nothing. But the pureness of her friend's words had made her think, and a Guardian could see inside Jet's inner soul. What if he had some sort of feelings for her that he tried to deny? What would she say if she ever found out the truth?

'I'll probably be embarrassed. Especially if Gallows found out. I'm mean, Jessica is bad with her teasing, but that's just a little bit of sibling rivalry. Uncle Tesla used to talk about similar things going on between him and Daddy. They fight and tease one another just to play. But Gallows would really get to Jet. I'll bet that would cause a whole lot of trouble. Jet will most likely begin shooting at him,' she mused.

But this wasn't about a possible romance. It was more about Jet's problem. He needed to know and understand that she was there for him and could lean on her shoulder whenever he was feeling down. For so long he had been all alone in the world. Now was the time that she could bring him into her arms and protect him from the world. Virginia refused to let Jet push her away; he needed her whether or not he realized it. So she walked up to where he was sitting and took a seat next to him; blushing as she did.

Jet rudely inquired, "What are you doing here chatterbox? I don't want to talk to anyone at the moment. So just go back to the house and your friends." He turned away from her and looked right at the lake. But unlike what most people on Filgaia, he didn't seem to be amazed to see real water above ground. Natural water; not artificial like Yggdrasil's. Was it because his artificial memories were of a Filgaia where such a thing was common? Or did it have to do with his usual, harshly indifferent attitude?

She didn't care which it was. Only that Jet needed to see the bigger picture. "I came to help you out. You're upset. Don't try to lie to me Jet, I see right through you. But I won't desert you in your time of need. I care about you. So what if you're now in an artificial body? You're still my friend. Even if you never were human, I wouldn't let any harm come to you. Things like that shouldn't get in the way of your feelings. I believe that no matter where a person comes from, or how they were born, they're still a living being who should be treated with respect. I promise not to let anybody ever harm you as long as I live."

"Keep dreaming Virginia," Jet retorted, "I don't need you! I don't need anyone! This whole team thing should have tired me long ago. We saved the world and what do we have to show for it? Now the Ark of Destiny has a price on our heads. It's near impossible to make money under such trying conditions. I'm leaving right now! You don't have to deal with me ever again." He got up and prepared to walk away.

But Virginia wouldn't give up. She grabbed onto his arm and pulled him back. There was no way she'd let him go out there on his own. Jet needed to have friends like everybody else. His whole life had been lonely. As a child, he had no one his own age to play with. Then, in an attempt to create a friend, he ended up becoming the creation. After Yggdrasil, he was completely alone. Living without anyone to care about him. Now, she was going to keep him from being pained again. Jet tried to break away from her. However, all that managed to do was make Virginia pull harder; causing him to fall into her arms. In that instant, both began to blush uncontrollably. Jet wanted to break away from her embrace; but found that his body wouldn't respond. For some reason, that warm feeling made him want to stay just like this.

"I'm here for you no matter what you say. You do need us. All your life you've been alone and I won't let it continue. Perhaps what happened back then was for the best. You found someone almost your age who cares about you. And I found someone almost my own age who I can rely on. You've gave me a strength inside that I never knew existed. I wonder if Jessica and Omoide aren't right about what they said? I want them to be. I want to love you and you to love me," Virginia accidentally told him.

Jet whispered in a totally un-Jet voice, "Love. The only people who ever loved me was my dad as any father loved his son and your dad who thought of me as a nephew. But how does love between a man and a woman work? My parents weren't together since I was born so I didn't ever see it up close."

Virginia looked at Jet with a somewhat sorry look in her eyes. "I may never have seen it from my own perspective, but I do slightly remember about how my parents acted; and my uncle and aunt. Love is when you care about a person with all your heart and wish to give it your all for them. When you're in love, you wish to be with that person. Even if you can't be together, you wish the best for that person. Look at my Daddy, or Clive. Both of them are apart from the ones they love, however they both wanted nothing more than to make a better future for those people. It's kind of hard to explain it all in words."

Jet didn't know what was coming over him. He moved his face closer to Virginia's; almost against his will. But for some reason, she wasn't slapping him and moving away. Rather, the young girl was also trying to do the same thing. It didn't feel like something he would have done before she spoke. But in the eyes of the youth, he couldn't move away if he wanted to. He desired to touch his lips to hers and savor that one moment; that one kiss. Maybe he did love her as they said. Their lips met; it was like heaven.

But no sooner did they begin to savor the moment, then the two heard a giggle. Then, Jessica called out, "I knew that you two were together! You couldn't fool me Jet, you're not that good a liar. Well, we should be going to see Mom now. Vincent's finished talking to Aunt Victoria about Ekatrina. So we have time to visit. I'm sure that she'll give you her blessing; a love between her son and the princess."

Teefa's Last Words...

I told you that Jessica would have some fun in this chapter. It's good to have fun with her. We'll see Jet's reaction in the next chapter. Ginny will be talking 'bout it too. After all, his feelings for her are most likely going to be shown in a sudden movement when he feels like he can't control it.