theroies part 6
into the lions den
written a long time ago, but finally published by Jena rink
I can't even begin to explain why this took so long. I swear I'll get back on it more frequently.
Love you all,
Jena
It was now or never. Josie opened the doors to Peradyne Industries, her eyes immedietly scanning the room and meeting what appeared to be a teenager at the welcome desk, her feet up on it, and her nose buried in a book. It was huge. Far larger in comparision to the original Peradyne, which Josie had been in frequently during her trips to the past. She figured that Victor had a thing for large spacious buildings, and she was right. It was goreous, but that just made her even more nervous. Somewhere in this building were the people she'd been refusing to talk to for almost six years. And underneath the "so good to see you again's" and "how are you"'s she knew part of them hated her for leaving.
"You here for the meeting? I bet you are…."she said, and Josiejumped, pulling her luggage up to the desk.
"I'm Josie…Josie Trent.."she said, sticking out her hand. The girl shook it.
"Nichelle Zachary…"she said simply,"I'll put you're stuff behind the desk….you're late so we should hurry…"she grabbed her hand, pulling her down a labyrinth of hallways.
"Are you Z's…"
"He's my uncle…my parents died in a plane crash a few years back…"Nichelle said,"So they made Z my guardian and I've been here ever since…"They stopped outside of two closed oak doors, and Josie stopped, taking a deep breath. She could hear yelling from inside.
"This isn't the original Blake Holsey…people just don't disappear!" Corrine pointed out, her lips in a thin line. Marshall grabbed her hand under the table, and she squeezed it, staring at Z,"There's no Black Hole…there's nothing…ever that's happened here that would suggest anything like that…"
"Well done Corrine, how long did it take you to figure that out?" Vaughn said sarcastically, and Z sighed, running his hand through his hair.
"We could ask Josie…"Z ventured, and Marshall swallowed thickly.
"Why she doesn't talk to any of us…save for the letters..I don't know what she could possibly know…" Corrine said quietly, her face drawn.
"Josie, had a hard time…and I think it might be best if we ask for her help…."Z said again.
"She doesn't talk to anyone, why are you defending her?" Marshall coughed into his mug of coffee, and Corrine shot him a strange look.
"I'm defending her because no one here will…."
"She's not your daughter…"Vaughn said simply, and got up,"And it was her decision to isolate herself…"
"I wish she was my daughter…better than the father she did have…"Z said,"Vaughn, you're drunk, and this isn't going anywhere….your parents are going to be here in a few minutes…and…."Nichelle's voice cut them off.
"Hey, Uncle Z! There's someone outside to see you!" Nichelle said, and he rolled his eyes, stepping past Vaughn and out into the hallway, closing the door behind him.
"Nichelle, did you, or did you not bring someone up here despite my explicit instructions to stay downstairs?"he said, annoyed. Nichelle gave him a knowing smile.
"I think you'll want to see her…"Nichelle said, and he glanced up.
She was staring at a painting on the wall, her fingers running over the canvas lightly,her strawberry blonde hair a dead giveaway.
"Josie?"he questioned, and she turned around silently, staring at him,"What are you.."he walked forwards, and she hugged him tightly.
"Victor called.."she said wryly, hearing the screaming from inside the room.
"Sounds like the lions den in there…"she added weakly, and he shrugged.
"You'll be fine…"he told her, and opened the door slowly.
That was when she came face to face with Vaughn.
"I'm leaving I'll see you all in the mor-Josie…"Vaughn stood there, in shock, and she refused to meet his eyes, stepping past him and bracing herself for Corrine's hug, which immedietly came.
"Oh my god you came! How are you? Was your flight okay?" Corrine gushed, and she met Marshall's eyes over her shoulder. They'd talk later.
"Hey, Jose…"Marshall gave her a hug as the door opened and Sarah and Victor walked in.
An hour later they had still gotten nowhere.
"We'll meet tomorrow night…in the meantime I'll get Lucas' classes…."Marshall said, as they all stood up.
Josie found herself in the hallway again, staring at the pictures.
"Josie…it's good to see you…"she turned to see Sarah Pearson by her side, and smiled.
"These are beautiful.."she breathed, running her fingers over another one.
"Vaughn collects them…"Sarah said, and Josie glanced down.
"I was going to tell you…you're going to be joining Corrine in the labs tomorrow if that's alright…Victor had a desk set up with you until we figure this whole thing out…and Noel has offered up his guest room…"
"Thanks for all the help with this…"Josie said softly, and she nodded.
"I'll see you in the morning….."she told her, and walked off.
Somehow, on her way to the door Josie got more and more lost. She was frustrated, and it was late, and when she heard Vaughn's voice she snapped out of her reverie, turning to face him.
"You're going the wrong way…"he said, glancing behind him, and he caught her arm.
"Come on…"he said, his eyes meeting hers. They were haunted. She nodded, and shook her arm out of his grip, following him to the lobby.
"Thanks.."she said,"I um…"she turned. He was gone.
Getting Back in Vaughn's good graces was going to be harder than she thought.
sorry its so short, but the next part needs to stand alone...
please review...