Author's Note: Well, here's the epilogue to fill a request for some Mark/Princess fluff so here you go—Enjoy and thanks to all the readers and reviewers, you all made this possible.
EPILOGUE….AIN'T NOTHING LIKE THE REAL THING
It was a quiet evening at the Snack J, an abnormality as it was a Friday night and since Jill had her grand re-opening, the place had become the place for the college crowd and young professionals to kick back and let loose by week's end. And it had also become the at home hangout of sorts for G-Force while they were on a break from regular duties as Zoltar's defeat this time was severe enough to have him hopefully licking his wounds for quite a while. But the only member of the space commando team in attendance was G-3, who was working there. As usual Princess was at the J, tending bar as she watched the crowd lingering over drinks as the sound system pumped in some slow ballad classics and love songs with the new softer lighting. To try something new, Jill had decided to have theme nights and decreed every other Friday as "Blue Light Friday" like a basement blue light party so the place had become the ultimate date place, with couples packing the place to enjoy the atmosphere set for love. She even hired a DJ to play slow dance tunes to the wee hours.
Princess swallowed a yawn and tried to shake off the doldrums she was experiencing. Since returning from her ordeal on the now destroyed Devil Star the Swan had been re-instated into the PAX on Earth project to see to its completion. Fortunately the Spectrans had not been able to do too much damage due to the alertness of G-Force and especially Eagle Mark in catching the spies. However with the repairs needed and work remaining, the Federation this time assigned three other members from the cyber corps, a man and two women, all of whom were computer geniuses in their own right but another factor was all three were older and married. This fact delighted Mark as he was very adamant with Anderson about what had happened with Randy Addison and wanted to make sure there would not be a repeat. But when the week was over, she still had her duties at the Snack J.
Princess gave a slightly annoyed sigh as she thought about the ever-elusive Eagle, who since their return had again made himself scarce, at least in a personal sense. When the Phoenix had returned, she could not say because the last thing she remembered was collapsing in the deteriorating Devil Star and then waking up in the Center Neptune Medical Center in a hospital room with Chief Anderson by her side but her teammates nowhere to be found. It hurt then and it still stung but not as much as Mark once again keeping her at arm's length and seemingly keeping his distance from her.
Just like with the flowers, they're all are treating me like I'm Typhoid Princess G-3 said sardonically to herself as she watched several more couples file in while some others went out on the dance floor as the slow classic "The Closer I Get" from Roberta Flack sweetened the air. She pasted a smile on her face to transform to the gracious hostess as they came to the bar to get drinks and she was suddenly busy filling orders. Since she was the only one there this Friday, the casual atmosphere was without wait staff so everyone had to order and pick up their drinks at the bar.
She was occupied for several minutes pouring drinks when the door opened and a tall figure with an unruly umber mane and a T-shirt with a "1" on the front entered the J and scanned the crowd at the bar for the pretty brunette behind it. Carrying a concealed bouquet of beautiful roses, Mark unobtrusively made his way to the bar and then took a seat on a stool on the side to surreptitiously watch Princess as she bustled about providing clientele with liquid refreshments.
"Can we have a couple of 7 & 7's?" a curly haired man asked, his arm about a willowy ash blonde with a delicate face. Both were the very pictures of lovers on a date.
"Sure, coming right up," Princess replied pleasantly as she took the bottles of Seagrams and 7-Up and poured the two drinks, adding swizzle sticks and as she stirred, giving the couple napkins and placing the drinks down.
"There you are."
"How much?"
"Four," Princess said as the man gave her a five.
She turned to the cash register and then came back with a dollar when he smiled and said, "Keep the change." He and his date picked up their drinks and headed off to an empty table by the dance floor.
Pleased Princess said, "Thanks." As she placed the dollar in the tip jar and watched the pair vanish into the crowd she saw that in her haste that she had bottles all out on the counter so being the neat freak she was, began to clean up after herself, taking bottles back to recap and store. She was leaning down to store the liquor when a warm baritone spoke.
"Hey gorgeous, how about a dance with me?"
Princess rose with a sigh as she lifted her head from below the bar. "Thanks for asking but I have to---," she stopped in mid sentence as her eyes froze on two warm azure orbs in an aquiline visage she had dreamed about since puberty.
"Hi Princess," the Eagle said with an engaging smile that had her heart pounding as his gaze enveloped her like a warm quilt on a snowy day. For a moment, the Swan had forgotten that prior to his showing up, she had built up a rather strong anger for her commander.
But only for a moment….
Remembering her pique, Princess answered primly, "Hello. What brings you here tonight, Mark? You haven't been around much lately."
"Yeah I know," G-1 said sheepishly as he ran a nervous hand through his hair. "I-I had some things that needed my attention and I figured with you occupied in the PAX project that it was a good time to take care of them."
"I see." The statement was made in a strained manner and a face that clearly indicated that the excuse was not holding water. Princess sighed as she saw the worry flicker in Mark's eyes and his smile faded.
"Looks like that's not going to sell, huh?" He tried to smile again but her hurt expression made it fade as well.
"Mark, can you tell me something?"
"Sure."
"Why?"
He was baffled. "Why what?
Princess dragged a stool over and sat right in front of him, still behind the bar. She fixed him with a cool verdant stare. "Why is it you feel impelled to disappear every time something happens to me that threatens my life? Considering how we've been recently it was...cold."
Mark was genuinely contrite. With nothing else to say and his head down he said, "I'm sorry, Prin."
She sighed and sniffed, "You always are, Mark. But it seems to keep happening. Tell me is this…coldness something I should just expect the next time something happens to me directly?"
A customer coming to the bar for a drink order interrupted the conversation momentarily as Princess went to fix drinks for a table of four. During the brief respite, Mark sat berating himself as he agreed deep down with her impression of him being cold and began wondering why he felt so fearful of being in her presence after almost losing her.
It was the same after the flowers. I just couldn't see her and feel weighed down with the guilt of allowing her to be put in danger and not being able to protect her. But then I realize she's a trained space soldier, like me and more than able to handle capture, even torture. Yet now that I know that I love her how can I reconcile myself to the fact that either of us at anytime could….die. My own death I'm not concerned with….but Princess?
A chill went to the pit of his stomach and just stung there with the remembrances of how he felt cradling her as they raced from the Devil Star, her slender form so still. But he had savagely pushed those emotions aside as he and the others rushed back to the Phoenix just barely making it before the Spectran ship became obliterated into space dust. On the ride home in Sick Bay, Mark had stayed right by Princess and he held her hand as she lay on the pallet, unconscious. Several times he had fought back tears, tears like he had shed as he flew over the flowers and thought he was setting the fire that killed her and began to pray that she would be all right. Upon landing at Center Neptune, he had scooped her up again and took her right to the medical center, then became afraid that when she opened her eyes, they would look at him with accusation in their verdant depths so he took off. It had been a coward's choice and at the time Mark had felt shamed by his teeming inadequacies but his quick mind came up with an idea to get him out of the doghouse tonight.
Another several couples drifted into the J and to the bar so seeing Princess occupied with mixing drinks, Mark got up leaving the roses and headed over to the DJ stand where a lean cinnamon colored fellow named Thad was gearing up for a session of romantic dance music. He wended his way past some couples dancing to the piped in slow tunes and stopped at the sound board. . . .
Meanwhile Princess had just finished mixing and serving the drinks and her mind was immediately back to continuing the heart-to-heart she was having with G-1 so she headed back to the far side of the bar. But when she got there, she was dismayed as she saw through the dim light of the bar that Mark was gone. She sighed in disappointment and was about to perform her own vanishing act when she spotted the bouquet of roses, lying on the stool.
Her heart pounding in pleasure Princess reached over the bar and took the bouquet, lifting it to her nose, inhaling deeply of its perfume. She closed her eyes to savor the fragrance when a familiar baritone purred to her.
"I'm glad you like the roses."
Princess smiled and glanced up to see Mark's blue eyes twinkling. "Uh-huh. I thought you said after the flower ordeal that it would be a long time before you bought any flowers."
Mark leaned closer and said, "I know I did. But I figured that the occasion warranted it so I bit the bullet and got 'em." There was a boyish hope in his expression as he asked, "So am I forgiven?"
Princess continued admiring the flowers with no direct answer. "I see. Desperate times call for desperate measures," she remarked a bit sadly but still smiling.
"Sort of." Mark's features became pleading as he asked, "Are you still going to be pissed at me?"
Princess' smile completely faded to a hurt expression as she asked her own question softly, "I just want to know, Mark. Is my being on the team a struggle for you?"
His mouth dropped open incredulous as he shook his head vehemently. "That's silly. You know the answer to that is no, Princess. You're an invaluable asset to G-Force."
She sniffed, "Sometimes I wonder. Based on how you guys reacted after I was saved from the flowers and the way you've acted now it would seem that all you guys have a hard time with me, the only girl getting into a predicament and needing to be rescued. You all just vanish after the fact." She put the roses down on the counter behind and stood with arms akimbo.
Mark ran a hand through his hair. "Keyop took off again, too?" It was a foolish question for G-4 had informed the commander that he and Tiny were heading out to the marina and Tiny's boat while Princess was still in the hospital unconscious. He had tried to talk the Sparrow out of it but the youth had made up his mind. Besides, who was he to dictate since he was guilty of basically doing the same thing.
Princess nodded her ebony head as another group of people came to the bar for drinks. But before she went to tend to their needs G-1 grasped her hand.
"Prin, I know we need to talk honey, and I promise you we will." The G-Force commander was in earnest as his summer sky eyes did their magic. "Just come out with me on the dance floor and that's what we'll do."
Their eyes met and locked with Mark's pleading rendering G-3 momentarily motionless as a man called, "Excuse me, miss can we get something to drink?"
Shaking from her inertia Princess replied, "Yes sir, I'll be right there." She pulled her hand from Mark's warm grasp and said, "I-I have to get back to work."
"Okay. But I meant what I said about us talking and I'm not going anywhere." Just to prove his point, Mark folded his arms stubbornly, proof positive he was digging his heels in.
Princess acquiesced, "Okay. I'll be back as soon as I'm done." She hurried to the growing line of thirsty patrons.
Mark could not help but grin as he watched the beautiful Swan smile and fill orders, amazed as always by her resiliency. It was not even a week since her outer space ordeal at Zoltar's hands and here she was pouring drinks and acting like nothing had happened, like she had not been on the cutting edge of life and death. That is what made all five of them on G-Force an exception for to be able to resume "normal" lives after being in battles with a madman like Zoltar is what put them in a separate category than other soldiers.
He marveled as he watched the crowd and asked silently I wonder what these folks would do if they knew it was the Swan from G-Force serving them drinks? The media had trumpeted the defeat of Spectra in its attempt to sabotage PAX and the television had him and his team plastered on it since their return. They were celebrities in birdstyle but craving privacy they continued to keep their anonymity intact in their street clothes and everyday occupations. He had begun doing freelance courier service with his plane so he would not have to explain sudden disappearances when duty called. It was a necessary aspect of being G-Force.
Mark's musings were interrupted by the deep, silky growl of Thad as he made his announcement of the evening's musical entertainment. "Well, hello cats and kittens and welcome to the Snack J tonight where the time is ripe for love. So come join me on the dance floor while I spin the wax to take you all on a ride to romance. Beginning with the Chi-Lites."
The throbbing bass and haunting harmonica intro of "Oh Girl" issued from the four huge speakers as the song began and the words entered Mark's head
Ohhhh Girl, I'd be in trouble if you left me now
Cause I don't know where to look for love, I just don't know how
Ohhhh Girl, how I depend on you
To give me love when I need it, right on time you'd always be…
The words of the song drove the Eagle's thoughts and his azure orbs until they rested in rapt attention on the slender shape of the Swan as she worked mixing drinks for what seemed to be a growing throng. His heart was pounding as it always did when near Princess and he was deep in reverie as the songs played on, all R & B ballads that were made for slow dancing.
"It's a Thin Line Between Love and Hate", "If You Don't Know Me By Now", "Love on a Two-Way Street", "Hey There, Lonely Girl", "Leaving Me", Have You Seen Her?" All songs that spoke of troubles and misunderstandings between lovers and seemingly appropriate to the strain between him and his girl, Mark sat and built up the line of defense for his pending explanation. He began to get impatient to resolve everything as it now appeared that the crowd at the bar was getting larger and his much anticipated dance with Princess was put off indefinitely.
Damn where did all these people come from? And why'd they have to pick now to get thirsty? Mark groused watching the crowd belly up to the bar and then had to stifle a groan as the door of the Snack opened and even more couples came in. That was a guarantee that Princess would stay busy for at least the next hour.
From over at the soundboard, Thad had glanced across the crowded dance floor and made a covert signal to Mark, which he caught and nodded to, knowing the DJ was just checking with him for the little surprise he had arranged. He got up and winded his way to the soundboard to where Thad was spinning the tunes and the DJ leaned down to talk to the Eagle.
"Hey man when do you want me to play the tune you want?" The DJ was busy getting records set up for playing on the twin turntables to ensure continuous music.
Mark sighed and said, "Beats me. You take a look at the bar recently?" A dark scowl came across his even features, displaying his displeasure.
Thad gave a long whistle. "I see what you mean."
Mark grunted, "At this rate, she won't be able to get away from the bar till closing time." He sighed again as he said, "I think it's a lost cause."
Thad grinned as he said, "Don't sweat it, my man. I'll stick around afterward when the place is closed. It'll be better the dance floor will be empty and Prin'll be free."
Mark's expression brightened. "You sure? I don't want to hold you up."
The DJ shook his Afro. "Nah, it'll be okay."
Mark offered his hand and the men grabbed each other's thumbs in the soul handshake. "Thanks, man."
"No problem."
Satisfied, Mark made his way back to his stool at the bar to wait things out. . . .
Meanwhile, Princess was still mixing and serving drinks to what appeared to her to be an endless sea of patrons and she began to think the same thing, that any conversation between her and Mark would probably not happen. At least until after she closed the Snack J and that was not for a couple of hours at least.
As she continued to fill drink orders, Princess' mind dwelled upon of all people, her impostor, the poor girl from Spectra that had died in her arms. She wondered about the type of person she had been, and what she had to endure to train herself to be her mirror image in addition to undergoing the pain of genetic manipulation so she could actually become her. Princess thought about how Rula had done what she could to help her and Mark escape and then wondered what had transpired during her own absence. She especially wondered how Mark had reacted and what he had done while Rula's cover was intact. She then recalled the last statement about herself her double made before she died and when she did pass Mark's face showing shock and what?…..regret?…sadness? After all, she had been playing the part of being her and Princess was sure that included close times with Mark, since he was not only her commander but her boyfriend. He was a decent person so it was not out of the realm of possibility that the Eagle would be genuinely disturbed by the girl's senseless death but was there more there than met the eye? Or was she just suspicious because of his recent hiatus from her?
Questions flew through her mind as she served the crowd at the J and then noticed that his stool at the end of the bar was empty, making her mood gloomier if possible. Well, I guess the Eagle flew the coop again. He probably got tired of sticking around.
"Miss, how about a couple of Tequila Sunrises?" a man asked.
"Sure, coming up."
Automatically filling two glasses with crushed ice Princess reached for a bottle of tequila and a jug of orange juice and mixed the two, then added the grenadine, tilting the glasses to get the effect of the sunrise. She pasted a smile on her face as she served the drinks and then seeing a lull in activity, leaned back and remembered again…
Ha tequila. Ironic. It was a virgin Margarita that I had with Randy that started the whole mess. I never should have left with him. But I was fooled completely by him, thinking he was with the Federation. Talk about having a blonde moment! Princess berated herself as more romantic soul ballads played, drifting through the J as everyone was paired up and on the dance floor. Her spirits flagged as she felt her confidence waver and her pretty face looked faraway and sad.
Then a baritone caused her heart to leap. "Princess? Are you okay?"
She turned and her eyes met blue ones, soft with concern. "I thought you had split."
Mark grinned and leaned to take hold of her hands. "Silly. I told you I wasn't going anywhere and you know I always keep my word."
Princess returned the smile with a nod. "Yes you do." She then shrugged and said apologetically, "I'm sorry that I've been so busy that we haven't been able to have our dance."
He squeezed her hands and reassured her. "It's okay. Maybe we can after everyone leaves."
Princess protested, "But it'll be so late."
Mark leaned even closer as he murmured, "I'm not sleepy. Are you?"
She shook her ebony curls. "Uh-uh."
Another group came to the bar for drinks, garnering the Swan's immediate attention. "Duty calls," she said reluctant to leave.
"Yeah." The Eagle let go of her hands and said, "Go get 'em, sweetheart."
Warmed by his endearment, Princess winked and then went to work as he studied her, smiling softly and his eyes lit with affection. . . .
About two hours later the crowd had finally thinned as closing time was drawing near and Thad continued spinning slow dance tunes for the stragglers remaining. Now that she was done tending bar Princess and Mark were sitting on stools side by side, holding hands and talking.
Princess lowered her head as she listened to the music and Mark's thumb lightly traced circles on the hand he held, and the question of most importance to her was on her lips as she confronted him.
"Mark?"
"Huh?" The Eagle's eyes turned to her inquiringly.
"Can I ask you a question?"
He grinned at her and squeezed her hand. "You bet. What's on your mind?"
Princess hesitated and turned from his direct azure gaze, feeling suddenly awkward. "I---ahhh—I've been wondering what happened while I was gone and the girl Spectra sent as my double was here."
Mark stiffened slightly as he continued holding the Swan's hand. "Well, uhhh, we all thought she was you at first, honey."
"Really?"
"Yeah," he admitted, feeling the chill as her face became dubious. So he hastily added, "B-but I always had a feeling that something wasn't right. I mean, she just wasn't acting like you."
Princess leaned closer, very interested. "How was that, Mark?"
Now he became uncomfortable under her verdant scrutiny. He sighed and replied, "She just wasn't you, Princess. She was too forward, too pushy and that's not you."
Princess glanced down, lowering her head as she ascertained Mark's statement. "I see. So you were with her," she declared softly, hurt by the fact.
Worried by her attitude, Mark let go of her hand to place one hand on her shoulder and take hold of her chin with the other to raise her head to look at him. He took a deep breath and plunged right in.
"Look, I'm not gonna lie to you. I was with her a couple of times but each time I was with her, something didn't feel right and then there was a communications failure on Vector Neptune so the chief had me and Jason check Addison and who we thought was you out. Plus, I was getting Bird Scrambles from you that she was denying sending to me. And that's when I found out that my suspicions were right, she wasn't you so we nabbed her and found out that Spectra had captured you and made the switch. Anderson arrested her and Addison but then they disappeared and then we came after you."
"I see," Princess' tone was slightly distant as she digested the information. Mark groaned inwardly as he saw the signs of his girl's pique and hastened to reassure her. He clapped his hands on her shoulders and stared straight at her so he could keep her attention.
"Prin, please listen to me. I may have been initially fooled by the fact that she was beautiful like you, as a matter of fact your spitting image. But believe me baby, that's where the similarity ended. You want to know why?"
Her eyes were riveted by the guileless orbs of blue as she nodded. "Uh-huh."
Mark leaned close and murmured, "Because when I was with her it was like getting hit with a ton of bricks."
Princess said wryly, "I don't know if I want to hear the rest of this."
Mark grinned, "Yeah, well you'll like this part. When I'm with you I feel like I do when I'm flying, like I'm at the top of the world and nothing can touch me." He leaned even closer and said, "Being with you is like feeling a warm breeze blowing on me as I lay on a hill, perfectly natural like everything is absolutely right. Nobody can ever make me feel the way you do, Princess."
Princess closed her eyes as a warmth spread through her heart at his confession. But then she remembered her hurt as tears welled up and then she asked, "Then why did you avoid me right after you rescued me?" Her head lowered and her face was veiled by her midnight tresses.
Now the Eagle also lowered his head in shame. "Because I know that Anderson's been right all along about us getting too close. I'm having a hard time accepting the fact that my duty keeps me from doing the natural thing, protect the woman I love." He raised his head to look directly at the Swan and added, "After you passed out on the Devil Star, I took you back to the Phoenix and stayed with you the whole ride back home. But when we got back, I was afraid that when you woke up, you'd blame me for not protecting you and I couldn't face that so I made myself scarce." Mark lowered his head again as he beseeched, "Please forgive me."
There was a pregnant pause between G-1 and G-3 as during the intense discussion the J had become deserted and the music had stopped making the atmosphere between the couple thick with tension. The words stood between them like an invisible force field as Princess spoke first.
"Idiot."
Mark's head flew up as he became incredulous. "Huh?"
"You heard me. You're an idiot, Mark." She watched as dismay spread across his even features and giggled. "Oh come on. Don't you know that I'd never blame you for anything that would happen to me on a mission." She placed her hand on his shoulder as she went on. "I knew when I agreed to join G-Force that it would put me, put us in constant peril and that one day we might not come home and go to the afterlife. And I accepted that as long as I know that if we die, we'll die together."
She then continued in a soft voice, "But when we're off duty, and the danger is gone I expect you to come to me to show me that you're glad to see I'm all right. Just like I would do for you." Princess added, "That's what hurts, Mark. It tells me that you don't care."
Mark echoed, "Don't care? Oh Princess…"
An announcement from the soundboard echoed in the empty Snack J. "Okay folks, we're gonna wrap this up with a special song dedicated to the lovely lady named Princess at the bar from a secret admirer. Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell singing 'Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing'." Thad grinned widely and held a thumbs up to the Eagle.
The introduction of the song began: Ain't nothing like the real thing, baby Ain't nothing like the real thing…
Her eyes wide forest pools Princess stared as Mark got to his feet with a sweet smile and a twinkle in his eyes, holding out his hand. "Dance with me now?"
A smile teased at her full pink lips as she nodded and took his proffered hand to walk to the now empty dance floor and the Eagle and Swan swayed to the music locked in each other's arms. Their mouths then found each other as well with no further words necessary as the song spoke to their hearts:
Ain't nothing like the real thing…
END
Final Note: Well, it's finally done. I hope all of you enjoyed it and thanks again for sticking with me through thick, thin, and the dreaded writer's block.
GoldAngel2