Replacements 2- Part 3

Soon after Jason and Keyop's victory over level twenty in the simulator, the rest of us joined them to work on the dreaded "Whirlwind Pyramid" maneuver.

Mark gave the order, and we all filed quickly into our places. I glanced at Keyop and gave him a quick wink and a nod of reassurance before he shot up and took his place on top.

Before we began to move, I noticed that something was wrong. Mark cleared his throat and addressed our newest team member. "Um… Keyop, I think you should turn around."

How embarrassing! Keyop was backwards!

"Brrrrt… why… dooot… breep… does it… drrrt… matter?" The little Swallow replied.

I shot a warning look down to Jason and Tiny, who were both having a good chuckle at Keyop's expense.

"I don't really know," Mark replied, totally unaware of the buffoons beneath our feet. "It just seems to work better that way."

After Keyop readjusted himself, we were ready to begin.

Then, Mark gave everyone one last reminder.

"Now remember, everyone look straight ahead."

Had he seen Jason checking me out again? I grimaced.

"Just keep your eyes where they belong, and everything will work out fine." I warned Jason by tapping my boot against the purple bruise I had given him the last time he looked up my skirt.

I heard Jason sucking in the air through his teeth as he recalled what a well aimed boot was capable of.

Finally, our team of five spun around together, causing a vortex of air to sweep around the room. We lifted into the air briefly, and then Keyop crashed down onto the mat below us.

"Not bad, Squirt." grinned Jason, coming over and offering his hand to Keyop. "For a first try."

I was glad to see that Jason was beginning to accept our new comrade.

Keyop was eager to get back on the horse and try again. "Let's go… again!" He cried.

"Attaboy, Squirt!" Jason smirked, slapping him on the back heartily.

We continued practicing until finally, Keyop was able to land in a crouching position. He had been determined to show us that he deserved a place on our team, and I was proud of the little guy. I had to hold myself back from giving him a big hug and telling him exactly how proud I was. However, I knew that it would only embarrass him.

Tiny began to complain about being tired and hungry, taking my thoughts off of Keyop for a moment. I had to laugh when Keyop reminded Tiny that he had eaten no less than twelve Space burgers for lunch. I couldn't imagine why Tiny wasn't sick…especially after all of that spinning.

Mark interrupted Keyop and Tiny by announcing that the Chief wanted to see us ASAP. My nerves jumped as I joined the team, parading down to the Chief's office. Deep down, I was really worried that something terrible had happened.

Relief flooded over me when I realized that Anderson was just explaining some of the nuances of our ship, the Phoenix.

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Keyop snorted indignantly as the chief piled training manuals into his lap, effectively giving him little time to learn an enormous amount of information. I felt sorry for him. Even though I had never flown on board the Phoenix, I had at least had some time to study the manuals. I was glad to see Tiny taking him under wing, and helping him with a few shortcuts through the material.

As I watched Tiny and Keyop leave the room, I huffed and turned back toward my room.

"What's wrong, Princess?" Mark strode up beside me and placed an arm around my shoulders. "I heard that sigh...are you mad, or something?"

"No," I smiled. "I was just thinking that maybe I should take another look at my manuals, before tomorrow."

Jason grinned mischievously. "Don't sweat it, kiddo. I'll bet you know more about it than I do by now. But if you really want to study, I'm a great study partner..."

Mark interrupted, " Ok, Jase, that's enough already. Princess doesn't need you adding to her stress right now."

Jason pulled his arm off of my shoulder and shrugged.

"Hey, I was offering to help her."

"Help her with what, exactly?" The Commander's eyes narrowed.

"Stop it, you two," I stood between the two adversaries, trying desperately to maintain distance between them. "Why do you insist on competing with each other all the time? I swear, it's like watching two roosters squabbling."

Both of the "roosters" gawked at me silently. Jason finally spoke up.

"Fine." He answered bluntly, still glaring at Mark. Then his eyes shifted to me once more. His mouth curled upward in a smirk. "But you know where to find me, if you need me, Princess."

He poked his thumb in the direction of his room, and then turned to leave.

Mark said nothing, but his scowl and steady gaze spoke volumes.

"Mark, I just need some time alone, I think." I said.

Although Jason had already left, the air was still thick with tension.

Mark answered curtly. "Yeah, ok, Princess. I'll see you tomorrow, then."

I felt so awkward. Was he mad at me because I wanted to be alone? It was obvious that Mark wanted to spend some time with me, but I just felt uncomfortable being fought over, as though I was a trophy, or something. Surely, Mark could understand that.

I walked back to my room, replaying my words in my mind, wondering if I had done the right thing.

As I propped myself up with some pillows, and began to read, the phone rang.

That's strange. I thought. Who would call me here?

Then I remembered. I had Zark forward all of my calls.

I picked up the receiver. "Hello?"

"Hey, Princess, it's Koji. What happened to you this afternoon? I thought you were coming with me to the race."

My heart skipped a beat. Koji? What was I going to say?

"I...I'm sorry, Koji. I got tied up." I gulped. I couldn't just break up with him on the phone. "I'm available now, though. Can I meet you somewhere?"

"Uh...yeah..." Koji replied. "Meet me at the lake. Our usual spot."

Oh boy...our usual spot...this was going to be difficult.

"Ok, Koji. I'll be there in twenty minutes."

I quickly sat up on the edge of my bed and slipped on my shoes. We weren't supposed to leave the base tonight, and if I got caught, I'd be in big trouble.

But I have to break things off with Koji now that I'm on the team again, and I may not get another chance. I thought.

I slipped out of center Neptune quietly and made my way to the park.

There, sitting by the lake, was Koji. I felt so horrible knowing that I had to break things off with him. But right now, the team had to be my first priority.

Poor Koji, he probably thought that this was going to be a romantic evening.

"Hi, there." I said, as I approached him on the shore.

He turned and smiled, and patted the ground next to him, motioning for me to sit down.

"I was beginning to wonder if you'd even show up."

"About that," I sat down and crossed my legs. "I'm really sorry about not showing up earlier. I don't usually do things like that. I mean, I would have called, but something came up."

Koji nodded silently. He cupped his hands around my face and pulled me toward him for a soft kiss. "I guess I can forgive you, this time." He said quietly.

Now my job was even harder.

"Koji."

"Hmmm."

"I have to talk to you about…us."

"What about 'us'?"

"I'm afraid I can't see you anymore. Not like this."

"What do you mean?"

Tears filled my eyes. This was becoming extremely difficult. I drew in a deep breath, and began my explanation.

"I have some…family issues going on right now. Some things that will keep me away from here quite often, and I don't think I can give my full attention to a relationship, right now."

"Why don't you tell me the truth, Princess. There's another guy, right?"

I knew I couldn't hide the shocked expression on my face.

"Another guy? N- no, of course not." I stammered. I couldn't help but think of Mark. I couldn't stop thinking about him. I had come out to break things off with Koji because of the team, hadn't I? Or was the real reason for this breakup... my Commander?

"Whatever." Koji muttered as he got up abruptly and climbed onto his motorcycle. "I'll see you around, then."

"Koji!" I cried out, only to be drowned out by the motorcycle's engine.

With that, he sped off, leaving me crying.

I sat there, sobbing, looking out at the moonlit lake. It was so sad to be alone, when it could have been a romantic evening. I truly cared about Koji, but I was just getting to know him. Koji and I had become close during the time I quit the team. I would never have allowed myself to get close to someone like that if I had still been on the team.

In any case, it just wasn't meant to be.

A voice startled me. "What are you doing out here, Princess?"

"Huh?"

"Why are you breaking curfew?"

Our Commander stepped out from the darkness. He didn't look happy.

"I, uh, had something I had to do."

"Yeah, it appeared that way. Was that guy worth the consequences?" Mark's eyebrows knit together.

I couldn't believe he was going to pull rank on me like that.

I defended myself. "Why were you spying on me?"

"I wasn't spying. I'm the Commander of G Force. It's my duty to enforce the rules." He growled.

"Mark, I can explain."

Mark drew closer to me, and suddenly he could see that I had been crying. His expression softened.

I tried to defend myself. "I had started dating Koji, and I had to break things off with him. This was my only chance to let him know that…I had family issues."

"Family issues? That's what you told him?" Mark's eyes widened. "So, you were breaking things off with him?"

Tears began flowing down my face. "Yes. It's not easy, hurting someone like that, is it?"

Mark sat down beside me and squeezed me tightly. "I'm sorry, I had the wrong impression, Princess."

We sat together quietly for a long time, finally reclining together on the shore and gazing up at the sky.

"Princess."

"Hmmm?"

"When I saw you with Koji, I was really angry."

"I know," I replied. "I thought you knew that the team was very important to me."

"I wasn't angry because you were breaking the rules, though."

"You weren't?"

"No," Mark replied quietly. "When I saw you kiss Koji, I felt let down, like what we had between us was a lie."

"You know me better than that, don't you?"

"I thought I did. But I was relieved to hear that you won't be dating Koji anymore."

I smiled and stared into the starry sky. I saw a streak of white flash across the sky.

"Hey, look! A shooting star!"

I heard Mark chuckle softly. "I saw it."

"Make a wish…" I replied.

"I just did."

I propped myself up on one elbow and gazed down at him. "What did you wish for?"

Mark laughed. "If I told you, then it wouldn't come true."

Then he stood up and pulled me up off of the ground, to hold me tightly. "Come on, it's getting late. We should get back to base."

I pushed myself back a little to look at him. "Am I still in trouble for breaking curfew?"

"Well, if you're in trouble, then so am I. We'll keep it between us, and I'll think of an appropriate punishment." He chuckled, holding my hand in his.

"I like the way you think." I said, and squeezed his hand tightly.