Walking through the National Gallery of Art, Jaye felt a sense of peace overcome her. She had missed this, the freedom of going anywhere, doing anything at any time. She liked her work with GI Joe, but this was what she had missed. She sat down on one of the benches in a gallery and simply enjoyed the atmosphere.
A man sat next to her, facing the opposite side. "The laird requests a meeting, my lady," he said softly, his brogue bringing back memories of her childhood.
"This is not a good time," she whispered in Gaelic. She moved to get up, but the man's arm clamped around her, forcing her back down.
"I dinna think it a suggestion but an order from the laird of yer clan," he said disapprovingly. Jaye sighed and closed her eyes. "Is he here?" she asked, still speaking Gaelic.
"Nay, not here, but nearby," he said. "Let us go."
Jaye let him lead her to the entrance of the museum. She debated on escaping, but knew they would find her eventually. While she did not want to face the laird, she certainly didn't want to disgrace her family. They could do that on their own, she thought harshly.
"Where are we going?" she asked once more in Gaelic.
"I always remember ye bein' the curious lass," the man sighed. "A restaurant just up the block. We've been looking for you for awhile, knowing they'd be giving you leave at some time and that you would end up here."
They reached the restaurant and the two were led to a table in a dark corner, where a figure sat hidden in the shadows.
The man bowed to the figure and left. Jaye sighed and sat down in the empty chair.
"Glad to see you could make it, Alison. Sorry for the subterfuge, but we needed to talk."
"You do realize what this could mean if I was seen talking with you!" Jaye hissed at him. "How dare you use the laird and clan against me! I should say the hell with it and just take you in."
He gave a deep throated laugh. "I don't think you will. Your sense of family hasn't betrayed us yet, has it, my dear niece?"
Jaye crossed her arms. "Make it quick," she grumbled. "I have plans and I don't want to be late."
He gave another laugh. "Always the stubborn one, weren't you, my dear! I know you are not an active board member of MARS, but we would like to buy your share in the company."
Jaye gasped. "That's my heritage! How dare you!" she seethed. "I would never! You may be bringing it down, but there are those that will help rise above what you have made it into. I would want to be part of that era. I refuse to accept yours or Cobra's money! If that is all you want, you have my answer. I will take my leave!"
Destro studied his niece. "So, what you are saying is that you want to become an active member to save the company?" he asked, knowing that it would raise her ire.
Jaye got up. "I came when you beckoned, but know this – it will be the last time. Do not ask again for me to sell my share nor give up my birthright. Good day!" She turned around and left the restaurant. She was seething. How dare he! What was the whole purpose of this little meeting? If he had merely wanted her stock, he would've sent her a letter at headquarters and blown her cover. He would have thought that amusing, she knew. She wanted to leave before he started talk about Cobra. Although they had been discussing everything in Gaelic, she was still worried. This was Washington, D.C., and spies were everywhere. She wondered if his true purpose was to discredit her to the Joes.
She had to blink several times to adjust her eyes in the sunlight from the gloom of the restaurant. Frowning, she found her Duc and made her way back to the hotel she had booked a room in. She was glad she had reserved the room under one of her aliases. No need to have either a clan member or a Cobra agent show up in her room unannounced!
Relaxing in her bubble bath, she sighed and willed her mind at peace. Yeah right, she told herself. Her past just could not leave her alone. She had come to GI Joe to make a new start, but it seemed her other life was trying to catch up with her. She slid under the water, holding her breath. It would be easy just to drift away, a voice in her head said. No worries, no cares, just the peace you've been craving, it implored. She emerged from the water, shaking the soap from her hair. No, I'm not a quitter and I don't take the easy way out, she admonished herself, surprised those thoughts were even in her head.
Getting out, she dried and got dressed. Looking in the mirror, she smiled at herself. She did not know of one of her teammates who would have recognized her. She guessed some would have a good laugh that she could look this way! She called down to the concierge and made sure the car she ordered was waiting to take her to the play. While she was used to being able to afford what she wanted, it wasn't something she liked to flaunt. Hearing some of the backgrounds of her teammates, and how they had fought their way up from poverty, it had made her clam up even more about her background. Let them think that her pay from MI-6 allowed her to live comfortably. They didn't need to know how comfortable she could make herself!
The play had been entertaining and well directed. As Jaye left the theater alone, she felt a pang as she noticed the couples around her. She and Mike used to….no, better not go there. The Mike she knew is no more, replaced by the stranger, Zartan.
Not looking where she was going, Jaye tripped over a wrinkle in the carpet and stumbled. "Allow me, my lady," murmured a male voice, helping her up. She looked up, stunned. Flint stood there, grinning at her.
"What, surprised to see me? Yes, Flint knows culture," he mocked in his best caveman voice.
"Well, yes…I mean, no…." she sighed and closed her eyes. Opening them, she looked up at Flint. "Let's start over. Hey there, fancy seeing you here!" she said in a cheerful voice.
He chuckled. "Since we're off base, how about we make it Dash and….Alison or Ali?" he asked.
"Either one is fine," she said, surprised at how glad she was to see him. "So, what did you think of tonight's performance?"
"How about we talk about it over a cup of coffee?" he suggested. "There's a great little café not too far from here."
Jaye smiled. "Sure. Um, let me tell my 'cab' I don't need it, ok? I'll be right back," she called over her shoulder. She didn't want him to see the Mercedes waiting for her outside. She quickly found the driver and let him know she wouldn't be needing him. As she turned away from him, she found Flint right behind her.
"Cab drivers must be dressing nicer these days," he mused. "Usually mine look like they've been sleeping in their clothes for days!"
"Where is this café that's so great?" she teased, trying to distract his train of thought.
They discussed the play and other things as they sat in the café. Jaye was surprised to learn that Flint had attended Oxford and been a Rhodes Scholar. "Literature, huh?" she teased. "Would your super weapon then be throwing quotes at the enemy?"
"Very funny," he said. "What about you?"
"Bryn Mawr, then Trinity. I studied a little of this and that and ended up a linguist. Did a little acting here and there as well." She shrugged at his surprised look. "I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. When MI-6 came calling, it seemed the way to go at the time."
"You grew up in Scotland, but you also have American citizenship as well. I'm surprised the CIA didn't recruit you," he joked.
She shocked him when she glibly replied, "They did. I didn't want to work for them. MI-6 offered more action. I didn't want to be stuck behind some desk job just because I know a few languages and the fact that I'm a woman. Europeans aren't as stuck on that as the Americans are," she said pointedly.
Flint had the grace to look away. "Ok, call us old fashioned," he argued. "You have to admit, though, that if you look at the number of women selected for our group…"
"Women," she interrupted, "that were chosen by, hmmm, let's see…the founders of GI Joe, which would be…men!" she argued.
They debated late into the night. At one point, they looked around and realized they were the only customers left in the café. Flint glanced at his watch and gasped. "It's 3 in the morning!" he laughed.
Jaye smiled at him. "I guess we should be going. I had a nice time, Dash," she said sincerely, squeezing his hand.
He smiled in return. "Me too," he said softly, holding on to her hand. "It's nice to get away from the day to day, isn't it?"
She realized she was still holding his hand and let it go, embarrassed. "Well," she said yawning, "I guess I'd better head back to my hotel."
He smiled. "My car's in the parking garage. How about I give you a lift? Where are you staying?"
Jaye felt uncomfortable telling him where, but she also knew that late night in D.C. was not the place to go walking at night. She doubted she could get a cab at this hour as well.
"At the Fairmont," she replied, giving him directions. They walked to his car and he opened the door for her. She smiled her thanks and got in.
"So, southern boy?" she teased.
"No, Midwest farm boy. Kansas."
"Ah, Dorothy," she said in a serious voice. She gave him a sideways glance and smiled. It had really been an enjoyable evening.
Too soon they were at her hotel. Flint whistled as he drove up to the curb.
"Thanks for the ride," she smiled in at him. At his questioning glance, she shrugged and said, "So I like to treat myself sometimes. I'll see you back at the base?"
He smiled. "Sure. I had a nice time."
"Me too," she smiled in return and meant it. Impulsively, she leaned over and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Thanks for a really nice ending to the night."
She got out and walked into the hotel, his eyes following her every step of the way.