Part 2
Kent was waiting for June inside the bathroom. He sat down on the toilet lid, his elbows rested on his knees. He had a pensive look on his face, his romantic façade completely down. He looked up when June came in and shut the door.
"Everything clear outside?" He asked. June nodded, glancing over at the shower. It was on full blast, its steam filling up the entire space to the point that neither person could breathe clearly. "There aren't any microphones in here. As long as we keep the water running, no one should be able to hear us."
June's head bobbed again. "I made my report to Lady Jaye. As long as I check in with 'mom' within 48 hours, Snake-Eyes and the others will stay out of sight." The man before her rose his cell phone.
"Don't forget that we'll also be getting texts throughout the trip. If we only get casual comments from Mainframe and Scarlett, then we're in the clear. If we get any texts in the form of questions, then we need to be on high alert."
"Have you heard anything yet?"
"Yeah. My 'best man' sent me a message a little while ago. We're alright for now. But we need to keep up the newly-wed appearance at all times. If we don't, we could be…compromised, to say the least."
The girl watched her partner's very carefully. "Are you alright?"
The man rose his head, surprised. "Huh? Yeah, I think I'm just tired from the trip." The blonde bent before him and put a hand on his knee.
"Kamakura, you need to make sure that you're not pushing yourself too hard. You didn't have to come on this mission with me."
"I'm fine. And this mission wasn't really a choice. It was an order, Marie."
Marie sighed. "Believe me, I know that better than anyone." She stood up. "I ordered room service. It'll be a good time to show off some of our 'affection'. You ought to shower before me and greet our man, since you got in here first." Kamakura gave her a raise of the brow, to which Marie chuckled. "Relax, Sean, I won't look."
Kamakura hurried into the shower while Marie sat on the ground, ensuring to face away from her partner. She decided to meditate while she waited for her turn. She flinched as her mind emptied…then filled with memories. Memories of why she was there…of what had been done to her.
…. ….
Life with Cobra was all they had. Having lived on the streets for so long, they were just grateful to have a roof over their heads-even if it meant constant experimentation.
"'Icarus' will be the greatest new weapon Cobra's got," Michael Vance insisted. "We'll be virtually unstoppable."
"Once we get more results, you mean," Destro cut in. "Thus far, your little creation has only worked once." Michael gave the silver-headed man a glare.
"I simply need more test subjects. But don't worry, I've released a few minor samples into the public under the guise of a new drug."
"And what will that accomplish, Doctor?"
"The Doctor will have more results for the drug that we can count," Dr. Mindbender interjected. "We'll have all of the test subjects we need, of all ages, genders, heights, physical stature-everything we'll need to find the perfect combination of stats that we need to make this drug work."
Michael smiled darkly. "Exactly."
Destro frowned. "Very well. Whatever you must do to get results, do it."
…. ….
"These private quarters aren't so private, are they?" Marie asked.
"It's as private as Viper Fang Island gets," Michael pointed out. "Besides, it's as much of a home as we could get. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, my dear." Michael slid into the twin-sized bed with Marie, slipping his arm under her head. Marie snuggled into him.
"You know, I have my own room, right? You don't have to share these cramped quarters with me."
"I know. But I'd rather have you at my side at all times, little sister. I feel…safer that way."
"Oh, big brother, you worry too much." Still, Marie stayed with him. As she started to fall asleep, his voice came to her ears again.
"You know we're not really siblings, right?"
"Hmm?"
"I still remember the day when I found you on the street. Only five years younger than me, lying alone in Brooklyn. No family or friends to take care of you…. You were like a little lost puppy."
"Which you adopted." Marie mumbled into his chest. Even now, in this underground Cobra facility, Michael still held the scent of fresh pine trees. It was a scent that she'd fallen asleep to since she was 8.
"Yes…." Michael wrapped his other arm over her waist. "I promised then that I would always protect you. Nothing will ever change that." His lips brushed her head, but it was different than his normal kiss. It was soft, yet warm as though ignited by a sudden burst of flames. Marie fell asleep shortly after, thinking nothing of it. At the time, at least.
…. ….
"Ahh…."
Marie moaned as Kamakura sent another kick her way. They'd closed the windows from the camera and were putting on a "honeymoon audio" show for the microphones. They each made the noises necessary as they trained in Arashikage combat styles. Kamakura sent his foot into her heels and tried to knock her down, but she was able to dodge him. She toppled him over to the ground, sitting on his chest and aiming a straight palm for his nose. She stopped just before she hit him.
"How exhilarating," she breathed, sliding off of him and laying at his side. The smile he gave her said what he couldn't aloud; this was the first time she'd beaten him in hand-to-hand combat in a long time, and he was proud of how much she'd grown.
"Kent, how long have we known each other?" She asked. This question seemed normal enough, but Kamakura could see in Marie's face that she was serious. So, while keeping up their ruse, he answered honestly.
"Five years, love." They crawled up to their luggage and, without looking at each other, dressed in their night clothes. Kamakura has considered sleeping on the floor, but they couple had agreed that, if anyone caught them separated, they'd be in danger of blowing their cover. So, attempting to be respectful to his female partner, he crawled into the bed next to Marie.
"That long, huh?" Marie mused. Her back was to Kamakura, so the boy couldn't tell what kind of look was on her face.
"What're you thinking about, hun?" He put a hand on her back. She turned around to look at him with a small smile.
"I was only 19 when we met. It seems like we were so young…and now, we're both grown up."
"And married," he reminded, hinting that she should remember where they were. Marie seemed to snap back into focus and put a hand to his cheek.
"Yes, and married." She leaned in to touch foreheads with the boy. He was almost convinced that she wasn't acting now, but tried to remind himself that he knew better. She loved someone else, after all.
... ... ...
Chapter 2! To clarify something, I've bolded the codenames of the Joes' during their first use, like the comics do. :)