The Replacements- 13

The next morning, I ran into Tiny on the way into the Cafeteria.

"Good morning, Mark," Tiny stretched and yawned as he grabbed a tray to go through the serving line. "Any news?"

"She left a note." I replied, grabbing my own tray.

"A note?"

"Yeah, she quit." I added. "She says she's not cut out for the team."

"What? That's ridiculous!" Tiny growled. "Wonder where she got that idea?" He added sarcastically.

I sighed. "Well, Jason's comment didn't help."

"I oughta knock some manners into that guy…" Tiny grumbled.

"Tiny, please…do me a favor. Don't take it out on him. He's going through a lot, too. I need you to help me keep the peace." I plopped down in a booth, overwhelmed. Tiny sat across from me.

"Anything for you, Mark. What do ya want me to do?" Tiny's eyes widened.

"Just try to keep things somewhat normal with Jase. I know it's hard, but… can you just talk to him this afternoon? I'm going to try to find Princess and bring her back, and I really need your help to make this work. The team needs her, and the sooner Jason realizes that, the better."

I grabbed my coffee mug and took a quick swig of coffee.

Tiny picked up his fork. "Ok, Commander, I'll do it for you. I'll try to talk some sense into that hard head."

Tiny was truly the most underestimated member of the team. I valued his easy-going nature, and the great effort he put forth in every task. The guy really had a lot going for him.

"Thanks, Tiny." I smiled, as I hurried to finish breakfast. I had a Swan to find.

I rode through the city, hoping to see Princess reclining on a park bench, enjoying the scenery.

Often, I'd stop and show a picture I had swiped from the Chief, and ask if anyone had seen her. I pretended she was my sister and told them that she had run away from home.

Even though I was acting, it was hard to think of her as my sister… especially when the guys I showed the picture to sometimes whistled and made lewd comments.

I was getting nowhere fast.

Late in the afternoon, I decided to take a break, and I stopped in at a local diner to grab a quick bite to eat. It was quite a happening place. There was a band playing in the back of the restaurant, and a crowd danced to the music. I sat down in a booth in the far corner of the restaurant and examined the menu.

"Can I take your order?" A breathy voice interrupted my concentration. I stopped reading and looked up.

"Princess!"

"Mark!"

"What are you doing here?" We shouted out simultaneously.

"I found a new job here at Jill's place. I have a new apartment, too. Upstairs." Princess seemed almost embarrassed to see me. She pulled a stray curl away from her face. "Why are you here?"

I could feel a blush rushing toward my cheeks as I responded. "I… I was looking for you."

"Thanks, Mark," Her cheeks reddened. "But there's no need. I'm really ok. Really…" She trailed off; her mind seemed to wander.

"Can we…talk?" I asked.

"Yeah." She nodded. "After I finish my shift. I only have another hour left. What about your dinner? Can I get you something?"

I nodded. "Just bring me a Reuben and some iced tea."

She scribbled my order down on her note pad, and scurried off. "Be right back." She sputtered.

I watched as she dashed around the diner, taking orders and whispering with a woman behind the counter. She looked so familiar to me…light brown curly hair, pulled neatly into a pony tail. Finally, the woman in question sauntered over to my table.

"Mark, do you remember me?" She sat down opposite from me in the booth and poured me a glass of tea. "It's me…Jill, from the program." She spoke to me in a hushed voice.

My eyes widened. "Jill? I'm sorry I didn't realize who you were right away. It's been a while, how are you?"

"Fine. After the implant problems, Chief Anderson set me up with this place. Isn't it great?"

"What about the others?" I asked.

"They were all given aliases, and set up with new lives, too."

"I always wondered what happened to the ones who didn't continue on. So, you're still working for the Federation?" I took a sip of tea.

"Yes. From time to time." She whispered. "We all are. Anderson has a whole network set up throughout the country."

She continued on. "Anderson called and told me what happened with Princess. He asked me to help her out."

Princess walked up and handed me a plate. "Here you are, Mark." She tilted her head toward Jill. "I see you've met Jill. Isn't she great?"

"Uh, yeah…" I scratched my head. "Sounds like she's been quite helpful to you, Princess."

"Yes, she has." Princess grinned and turned back to help the customers in the booth next to us. Two young guys appeared anxious for her attention. As a matter of fact, they were appraising her a little too closely for my liking.

I watched intently as the flirting escalated. She certainly seemed to enjoy the attention she was getting, but it was only making me mad. When I finally saw one of the customers pat her on the butt, I nearly jumped out of my seat.

"Mark, what's wrong?" Jill asked. "Do you have a problem with Princess working here?"

Jill's voice snapped me out of my trance. Apparently, she didn't see what had just happened. "Me? No, no, I just…"

Jill giggled. "You like her, don't you?"

"Yeah, of course I do…she's my teammate…or… she was…" My eyebrows knit together.

"You know what I mean…" Jill teased. Her eyes followed mine over to the table where Princess was standing.

Princess whirled around and gave the rude customer a swift uppercut in the jaw and smiled sweetly. "You can look, but you can't touch…got it?"

The offender nodded submissively.

"See? What'd I tell you, Prin?" Jill yelled over to her new friend. "You've got it, baby!"

Jill laughed heartily.

I couldn't help but to chuckle a bit, myself. Princess certainly knew how to take care of herself. I guess she didn't need me to protect her, after all.