The Replacements II- 2

I watched in sympathy as the newest member of our little "family" finished eating and pushed his cereal bowl away. He had to have been nervous…I know I had been nervous when I first met the team not so long ago.

I knew that the two of us would be heavily scrutinized as we trained… the token female and the young boy. I felt a connection with the little Swallow. He needed me.

After talking with him for a while, I realized that he had spent most of his time in a sterile lab environment, being taken care of by scientists. It was no place for a child. A child…not a lab experiment as he had been labeled. Did they not realize he was human?

I was determined to get him out of Center Neptune and give him some semblance of a real life. He seemed eager to come and live with me above Jill's place.

In any case, I did have a spare room that was not being used, and I'd enjoy the company. I was sure I'd have no problem persuading the Chief to allow him to live with me. After all, it would alleviate some of his responsibility.

Leaving Keyop behind in the Cafeteria, I turned to go and talk to the Chief about Keyop's living arrangements. I soon felt myself being flanked by my Commander as I sauntered down the corridor.

"I can come with you, if you'd like." He said politely. "You may need some extra persuasion to get him to allow Keyop off base. Keyop is his prize accomplishment, you know."

I stopped in the hallway and frowned. "What is it with you people? Looking at him like he's just an experiment! He is a child, Mark…a child! Just like we were! And he needs us to become his family…not some stupid scientists!"

Mark held up his hands in self defense. "Whoa, there…I don't see him that way. I totally agree with you." He grabbed both of my hands in his. "That's why I wanted to come with you…to see if I could help. I think it's a noble gesture, you taking the kid in like this. But the Chief may not see it that way. I'll be happy to help in any way I can."

I felt my knees buckle as I returned his steady gaze. Those beautiful, blue eyes of his made my heart somersault. I self consciously withdrew my hands from his, when I noticed how clammy they had become. "I'm sorry, Mark. I don't mean to take it out on you. But it's just so unfair, that poor boy is suffering!"

"I know, Prin." Mark agreed. Then he placed a hand on my shoulder and guided me forward, leading me to right up to the Chief's door.

"Chief Anderson…" I called out from the open doorway. "May we speak to you for a moment?"

Anderson scooted forward in his desk and pushed his glasses further up on his nose. "Of course, Princess, what's on your mind?"

"I was just thinking, well, all of us have a place to live while we are off base. A place to live a regular life, except for Keyop. And…well, I had this extra room and I was wondering…"

Anderson smiled. "That's very thoughtful of you, Princess, but Keyop is special. He requires constant monitoring, and…"

"Chief, what if I helped her out? Between the two of us, we could keep an eye on him, couldn't we?" Mark intervened. "How much trouble could he be?"

Anderson chuckled slightly and returned his gaze to me. "Princess…it's a big responsibility taking care of a young child. Are you sure you're up to it?"

I nodded. "Yes. I am. He…needs me."

"I suppose he could use some fresh air and some experience outside of the laboratory walls." He muttered to himself.

Then he addressed us once more. "Well, I'll allow him to live with you at Jill's Place for a trial period. If it doesn't work out, he will return to live here at Center Neptune. Just…be careful."

"Yes, sir!" Mark and I answered simultaneously. I was beaming as we left the room.

As soon as we rounded the corner, I could contain my joy no longer. I threw my arms around Mark's neck and hugged him tightly. "Can you believe it? Keyop is going to live with me at Jill's Place! Thank you for your help!" I gazed into those icy blue eyes of his once more as my huge smile faded. "How can I ever repay you?"

Mark studied my face intently. Our faces were mere centimeters apart. The moment was right…I leaned in a little more, causing our lips to touch and then…finally…I felt his hand cupping the back of my head, pulling me in for a soft, warm kiss. We lost ourselves in the moment, as one kiss tuned into several kisses, totally forgetting we were standing in the hallway of Center Neptune.

This time I knew Mark was not taking advantage of me. He really cared for me or he wouldn't have gone to the trouble of backing me up with the Chief. My heart leapt out of my chest.

He pulled away and looked at me, smiling. "That will do nicely…"

I smiled shyly back at him. "I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me…I was just so happy…I…"

"Don't apologize. I was hoping I'd get another chance."

I sighed in relief. I didn't know what else to say. "Thank you, Mark…" I stood there, studying his handsome features, with my arms still wound around his neck. His arms folded themselves neatly around my waist.

Suddenly, a voice came from around the corner. "Oh, Mark, we need to get Keyop down to the…"

Anderson stopped mid sentence as he noticed the two of us in a position that revealed the way we felt about each other.

We quickly broke our embrace and smoothed out our rumpled clothing, pretending nothing had happened.

"Yes Sir." Mark croaked. He sounded thoroughly embarrassed.

I could feel a blush spreading across my face.

We continued on to the Ready Room with the Chief in an uncomfortable silence. I was just glad that the Chief had decided to ignore what had just been revealed to him.

As we walked in, Jason met us with a strange look on his face.

"Hi, Jason…" I said as my eyebrows knit together. I was curious to see what he was up to.

"Hi, Princess! I've got to go." Jason pushed past me, attempting a quick getaway.

"No, Jason." The Chief stopped him with a hand on his chest. "It's time for you all to observe Keyop in the simulator."

Jason looked horrified. I actually saw his face beginning to glow with embarrassment. What had been going on?

"What is that behind your back, Jason?" Mark asked curiously.

"Uh…" Jason's face turned bright red.

I could see Tiny and Keyop, sitting together on the couch, giggling. They had been up to something, alright.

My curiosity got the best of me as I walked up to Jason, who now had beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "Do you have something in your hand, Jason?"

Jason looked around at all of us and sheepishly pulled his hand out from behind his back. There, glued to his hand, was a girly magazine centerfold which left nothing to the imagination. Mark was standing next to me, stuffing his hands in his pockets nervously. Now it was my turn to get embarrassed.

Anderson looked as though he was about to explode. I could actually see the steam rising from his collar.

"I suppose that belongs to you?" he asked Jason pointedly.

I couldn't wait to get in a jab. "Really, Jason…I guess I over-estimated you. If that's the closest you can get to a real girl…"

Tiny and Keyop disintegrated into peals of laughter, rolling and cackling over on the couch.

I stifled a giggle myself, and Mark's stoic expression finally burst, as he began to chuckle along with Tiny and Keyop.

The Chief stopped himself from saying anything more, as he could see the horrified expression on Jason's face. Jason finally ran out, humiliated.

"What was he thinking, having that kind of stuff in the Ready Room?" Mark chuckled. "He should have known that sooner or later, someone else would see it."

Keyop could hardly speak for laughing. "Breep… doot… wonder… brrrrt… what else?"

"That's enough, Keyop." Anderson replied angrily. "It looks like I'm going to be having a long talk with Jason."

I felt it was only right to get us all back to the task at hand. "I thought we were going to see Keyop try out the simulator?"

"You're right, Princess." Anderson replied, checking the time. "Keyop, are you ready to go?"

"Beep… ready… drrrt…"

"Okay, Keyop; let's go see what you can do!" Mark grinned.

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I gazed into his small, round face and patted him on the shoulder before I joined the others on the observation deck. "Good luck, Keyop…I know you'll do just fine. I'll be rooting for you!" Then I leaned over and gave him a peck on his cheek.

He grinned confidently as he spoke, "I'll…brrt…show 'em!"

Then, he turned and walked into the simulator, staring up at the observation booth the entire time.

I was horrified to see him trip on the mat and fall flat on his face. If there was one thing he didn't need…it was that. So help me, if anyone teased him, they'd get my yoyo wrapped around their neck.

Despite his embarrassment, I was thrilled to see him executing tactics perfectly in the simulator, moving quickly through the levels, all the way up to level twelve.

Jason, as usual, stood in the corner, making negative remarks. Who needed that? Weren't we supposed to be a team?

I noticed that Mark seemed to be getting irritated by Jason's commentary, as was the Chief.

Suddenly, Anderson asked Keyop to wait for a minute, and to my complete surprise, he sent Jason down to fight with him in the simulator. What a great idea! Maybe that would teach him.

Jason barked out a command, "Level twenty!"

I could feel my face burning with anger. How could Jason subject Keyop to this? Level twenty was too dangerous, even with Jason down there.

Evidently, Mark and Tiny agreed with me.

"That's too dangerous!" Tiny exclaimed.

Mark looked at the Chief. "Are you going to let him do that, Chief?"

Anderson's gaze remained on the two birds in the simulator. I noticed in the reflection of the glass a slight grin appearing from beneath his moustache. "Just watch…" he stated proudly.

I watched in amazement as the two of them, the Condor and the Swallow, fought together, completely obliterating everything the simulator threw at them. They were truly a sight to behold. Keyop made up for his size with amazing speed and agility. And Jason's incredible aim and powerful attacks were a perfect compliment for the kid.

As they stood there, basking in the glory of their victory, I noticed a sly smile creeping across Jason's face as he glanced over to Keyop. Now I knew why the Chief had sent him down to join Keyop. Maybe things would be alright, after all.