The Replacements-15

Once I returned to center Neptune, I wandered past the Ready Room and heard Tiny shout my name.

"Mark! You're back! How'd it go?" He shouted. I could hear the hope in his voice and I was suddenly afraid to let him know what a miserable failure I was.

I paused and looked back at him, my thumbs looped into my pockets.

"She's not coming back, Tiny."

"What happened?" Tiny's eyes widened.

"I made a huge mistake. I guess I'm not a very good Commander….can't even keep the team together." My eyes remained focused on the floor. I couldn't bear to see Tiny's disappointment.

"Don't worry, Commander, we'll get her back, somehow." Tiny remained optimistic. "I, uh…tried to talk to Jason, but I, uh…didn't get very far. Maybe you can talk some sense into him."

"I dunno, Tiny…" I sighed. "So far, I've been striking out."

"Maybe Jason can help you get Princess back…" Tiny scratched his head and gazed at me anxiously.

"You know, Tiny, that's not a bad idea…after all, it was his comment that sent her over the edge."

"Well, it wouldn't hurt to try. Good night, Commander." Tiny grinned.

I walked briskly down the hallway toward my second's room. This had to work.

I knocked on the door, and listened for his voice.

"Can't a guy get any sleep around here? Whatd'ya want?" Jason grumbled.

I stepped cautiously into his dark room, ducking to avoid any flying shuriken.

He sat up in bed and shielded his eyes while turning on his lamp. "Shut the door, will ya?"

"We need to talk." I began. "About this afternoon…"

"I went to talk to Princess. She's working at Jill's, now."

"Tiny told me you were looking for her." Jason mumbled.

"She has an apartment above the diner, too."

"Hey, you little devil, you checked out her place already? Didn't know you had it in you!" Jason jeered.

"Yeah, we just talked…well, mostly…" I continued. "She's very upset. She thinks we're some kind of boys' club, and we're excluding her. She's really uncomfortable, Jase, and I'm afraid I've made it worse."

"Go on…" Jason grinned impishly.

"I kissed her…but I didn't mean to…"

"Details, man…give me details!" Jason demanded. His smile grew even wider.

"It wasn't like that, Jase. One minute I was asking her to try the team again, and she agreed…and the next thing I knew, she was pushing me out the door. She thought I was taking advantage of her; toying with her emotions." I huffed as I plopped down in a chair by the bed.

"Were you?" Jason asked.

"No! Of course not! I just want her back on the team! And if it wasn't for you, and your stupid comments, this might not have happened!" My temper flared as I observed the smug look on Jason's face.

"I think you should get her back. We need her on the team!" I growled.

"Ok, ok…If it's that important to you, Lover Boy, I'll help you get her back tomorrow, alright?" Jason continued. "Now can I get some sleep?"

"You'd better apologize to her…and don't call me Lover Boy…got it? It's not like that." I scowled and headed for the door.

"Alright already…just leave me alone." Jason turned over in his bed and pulled the covers over his head.

I wasn't too sure, but I could've sworn I heard him mumble "Lover Boy" under his breath once more as I shut the door behind me. That Condor was incorrigible.