Chapter 6: An Association For Association
"So, you new here?" Barbie ignored the man holding the punching bag before her and concentrated on the bag itself before delivering a good hard punch to it. She'd been waiting for her suspension to come to an end, and by that, it would mean that she either had a new mission or a new team. Whatever the case, the SPA was taking longer than required to send her a message.
SPA, better known as the Specialized Protection Agency. She'd been working for this agency since college. Selena wouldn't approve of this life threatening job as an SPA agent, specifically an RE (Reserved for Emergency), not that Sel knew. All she knew was that Barbie does computer work for an online company, and though the assignments were far from many, the pay was excellent, so Selena never questioned.
However, the suspicion was back when Barbie failed to hand over the money she promised to pay their old apartment and they were forced by Jay to move to New York, since the man hadn't seen them since they flew from the nest in New Jersey after their high school graduation. And try as she might, the agency appeared inactive every time she tried to contact it, and none of her mails were answered. Obviously, Barbie inwardly rolled her eyes, they're thinking about giving me the cold hand. And after all I've done for the country. I was raised here since I was born. I should be given credit. Another punch to the bag and she shook her head. But I'm one of their best. I can't be let down now. I've been trained, tested, and whatever that stupid agency threw at me. I'm not giving up now. It's time I put that patience of mine to the test. I'm sure they're just looking for something suitable. Barbie gritted her teeth and stepped back, reeling herself for a full roundhouse double twist kick. Her specialty.
Practicing in the hotel's gym was one way to keep her fit and healthy, both physically and mentally. The hotel belonged to Julien Jacobs, big surprise, but at least he allowed outsiders to use any of the facilities in the building. And the gym was one of the best, at least for Barbie since she didn't have to worry about competition. The hotel was only so newly built. But the one reason she was using the gym was because of Selena. Her Asian sister (true, Barbie is Selena's cousin, but Ms. Clarice Valentine decide to adopt her sister's only daughter after a drunken car accident killed both parents) was residing in the building, even though she was paying for half of the apartment rent. The lady was truly mysterious and incomprehensible, but she had her reasons. Reasons she didn't want to share either. All Barbie knew was that Selena was using her waitress/bartender job at Julien's diner/club as payment for the hotel room she was staying in. She also knew that Selena refused to stay in the penthouse area even though Julien was practically giving it to her for free. Also, Jay told her to watch over the Asian. In other words, spy on your older sister and make sure she isn't in or up to trouble. Barbie snorted at the thought and shook her head before getting in position for the full roundhouse double twist kick. Not that her sister was the troublemaking sort. She just had a penchant for getting into trouble at the wrong times or places.
Barbie perfected the move with precision and landed in a kneeling position facing away from the bag, leaving the man holding the bag in shock. A low whistle caught her attention and she looked up. Her eyes connected with a pair of navy blue eyes from across the room. If it ain't the team players. Barbie crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at the four men, well, three men and a teenager, as they made their way over to her.
"You looking for something?"
"You." Skipper, was it? That guy, how he can look like a boss even with his extreme shortness. He's no dwarf though, far from it. And from the rumors, I think he's the most liked amongst the four. As far as fans go. I don't get what's so great with him. The other guy's way better looking. Quiet, with a hint of danger, my kind of guy…Valentine, don't even go there. You know what happened last time. And I mean really. Same kind of guy, Las Vegas, one night. That was all it took to change my whole life.
"Cheesy line."
"This is business, McHale."
"I'm busy." She turned back to the bag, getting into a defensive position. "Get lost."
"We need to talk to you."
"Busy." She murmured under her breath and sent another punch to the bag.
"McHale."
"Give me a," Barbie turned her head quickly when the man called her name and her perfectly aimed punch moved to the face of the man holding the bag. He dropped to the ground in a heap and Barbie rose to her height with a smirk while Rico let out another low whistle. "Yeah, actually I do come here often. Can't you tell?"
Skipper shook his head as he stared at the unconscious man on the mat.
"You shouldn't have done that. We could've found a private room to discuss this matter with." The man dryly commented and Barbie took off the gloves and held up a finger.
"Point one, he'll be fine. Just bruised. My excuse is that I missed and 'accidently' punched his face. Point two, aside from him, we're the only ones here in this place. The owner trusts me enough to let his partner stay with me. Point three, I don't really care what happens. I can take care of myself."
Skipper folded his arms and carefully watched her.
"So they say."
"Pardon?"
"Just to be clear, you are Callie McHale, maiden name California Raven Jade Valentine, nicknamed Barbie?"
"Just because I'm named after a gem doesn't mean you can treat me like a delicacy. I demand for the purpose of your disturbance."
"McHale," Barbie turned to Kowalski, "do you think you can shush that big mouth of yours for a while?"
"I thought you were the one who talked big in school?"
"I'm not taking that insult."
"Hey, it's no present. You don't have to accept it. You just have to know it hit you."
"I don't accept gifts from people like you."
"Do you want Round 2, Bennett? Or was that 12? I lost count."
"This isn't high school, McHale. And you know I can't hit you. You're a female who isn't threatening to kill me. And Selena'll kill me if she found out."
"Huh. Wait a minute. What'd you just call my sis?"
"Valentine." Came the nonchalant reply.
"No, you didn't. You-"
"Enough." Kowalski dismissed her with a frown. "Skipper's got a proposition for you."
Barbie faced Skipper, her curiosity getting the best of her. "What kind?"
"Ever heard of Penguins, McHale? And I'm not talking about the cute and cuddly kind."
The blonde warily eyed him. "Why?"
"Agent McHale," she froze at the reference, "meet your new captain and teammates."
"Excuse me?" She looked from Skipper, to Kowalski, to Rico, to Private, and back to Skipper. "Are you telling me the agency set me up with NY's black ops? The elite? The Penguins?"
"We're not just NY's favorite." Private chirped proudly at the lady. "It's the whole world."
"And I'm supposed to believe that you four make up Penguins? Just, the four of you?" Skipper raised a brow at her.
"You got a problem with that, soldier?"
"None, sir, but isn't the job-"
"McHale, we're a highly trained military group. And apparently, your expertise is a great asset to this team."
"Do I have a choice?"
"Yes. Retirement, or this."
"I'm not giving up because of a bunch of males. No offense, sir. And, of course, I'm forgiven of past hostilities?" She sheepishly grinned at the man, remembering the 'hostilities' she was talking about. Calling your boss 'short' was just not good. Most especially if you're dealing with a black op SPA Agent leader. Those people were hardcore trainers, period. And it looks like even the Penguin leader' little brother wasn't spared, if his body was any mention. He looked great for a…teenager.
"I'll just ignore that and not put insolence on your file." Barbie gave him a grin and saluted the man.
"You can count on the opposite, sir."
Skipper returned the salute and Barbie dropped her hand. "Welcome to the team, McHale." Skipper plucked the pager from his belt and prepared to switch it on as he turned to Kowalski. "Debrief my cadet, Bennett. Yes, Chief?" He walked away with the pager to his mouth. Barbie looked after him in slight disbelief and pointed after him with a glance toward Kowalski, who had the same look of disbelief.
"Does he not have a cell phone?"
Kowalski put on a serious look and turned to the blonde. "He does, but he doesn't trust the device. I believe he thinks that the government's got a brainwashing sequence going on with the lines."
"Unbelievably retro. Is he always like this?"
"Paranoid? Yes. Out of date? Never. Take note, McHale. Skipper should never be out of date. He'll get extra paranoid when it comes to the unknown, and we really don't want that."
"Okay. Interesting boss. Guess the rumors weren't so far off. Missions will be different, but obviously not lacking fun."
"Mostly field missions, but desk work is part of the deal."
"I'm going to be the secretary?" Barbie shrugged. "I'm okay with that. That's most of what I've been doing since I joined the SPA. I specialize more on tech work than field work. Computers are my thing."
"And by thing you mean hacking into the Pentagon?" The blonde didn't answer him and just stared off to the side. "Yes, McHale, we know about it. We're supposed to. It's in your file." The female turned back to him, indifferent.
"Of course it is. SPA doesn't let anything get by them. Those people are strict recorders of everything. My ability to hack into the Pentagon was why I was offered a job at SPA as a computer specialist, than an actual agent."
"Precisely why you were recommended. Well, placed is more like it. You already had the spot before either side could say anything."
"Yeah, that's just how the agency works. You just have to go with it. One question." Kowalski nodded at Barbie to continue. "Why are we talking like this is completely normal? I mean, the walls do have ears, you know."
"True. The place is bugged. But by us. All of Jacobs' buildings are. We do most of our meetings in his buildings."
"Oh right. You guys work for Jacobs, don't you?"
Kowalski's mouth curled in distaste and the tall man shook his head.
"We don't work for him, we work with him. And if you ask Skipper, he's just going to tell you that the self-conceit works for us."
Barbie grinned and crossed her arms, shifting her weight to the other foot. The message of the statement was clear to her, but she wasn't one to judge someone she hasn't met yet. "Sounds like you've met the guy. How charming is he?"
"We're just in charge of keeping his overinflated head and, in his words, 'fabulicious booty'," Kowalski emphasized the word with air quotes and an eye roll, "from being murdered by others. Not that anybody's tried so far after Clemson." Clemson was a story to tell. A fellow rock star from the same country Julien came from with the aspirations of being the famous one. Too bad Julien struck first, and though Clemson has tried to get rid of him many times so that he could be top, the Madagascan king had luck on his side. Luck and the Penguins. Not that the 'king' was willing to admit it. His manager, composer and best friend, Maurice Richards, though, was much more polite.
"A babysitting job, huh?" Barbie grinned. It wasn't everyday you were told that an elite team of crime fighters were taking care of an heir. "Nice."
"No, it's not nice." Barbie turned to Private, who had finally spoke up, apparently not liking the idea of taking care of the 'royal' either. "He keeps bossing us around, telling us what and what not to do. And he always crosses the lines we set out for him. Always. Don't ask Skippah about it. I fear he'll send the entire team into a lap around the bay."
"Really?"
Rico nodded with a grim frown and looked up at her.
"Rea'ly." It was the second time they've made eye contact today, but that didn't stop the strange yet comforting chill running through Barbie. Or the slight blush on either as they turned their attention to Skipper. Don't, Callie…
"Boys," Skipper briefly glanced at Barbie as he made his way back to the four, "and girl, we're needed. Downtown. Jun Callaway's got another car." Barbie blinked at him and dropped her arms to her sides.
"What? Now?"
"Yes, now. Do you want to have some tea before leaving, McHale?"
"Just because I'm named after a doll, doesn't mean I'm the tea party kind of girl."
"Good, coz I ain't waiting for that to happen. Leave the unconscious man. He'll be fine." He turned and hurried out the doors of the gym.
The four stared after him before following him up the stairs to the front lobby. The gym was located in the basement of the hotel and soon enough, they were walking past the front desk and across the carpeted lobby to the revolving doors. Private moved closer to Kowalski and whispered. "He's awfully pushy nowadays, doncha think, 'Walski?"
"You're telling me. He's never called me Bennett ever since he trusted me enough to be his best friend. I think it's because of Dr.-"
"Boys." The three males immediately retained a 2 feet radius from each other, keeping straight faces while Barbie stared in wonder.
"Whoa. That IS trained."
"Welcome to the big leagues, McHale."
"Don't call me that. I'm not married anymore. The name's either Valentine, or Barbie."
Skipper glanced at her for a while before shaking his head. "I'll call you what I want. You okay with that?"
"Yes sir." Barbie increased her pace and reached the swinging front doors of the lobby before they did.
"Barbie, wait-" Barbie ignored him and roughly pushed the swinging doors. A loud smacking sound was heard followed by a familiar cry, which made Barbie jumped back.
"Oh my gawd." Barbie gasped in shock as Selena attempted to dislodge her hand from between one of the doors and the wall.
"CALLIE!" Selena screamed, alerting the early occupants of the hotel lobby, and continued tugging at her hand using her other. "Oh gawd, seriously?! I'm gonna-" Before anybody could do or say anything to calm Selena, said female's hand flew from its hold and she stumbled back into the door behind her, sending the doors swinging around with her in it. Barbie sidestepped quickly, barely missing the Asian when she flew out. Instead, she bumped into Kowalski and sent both of them falling. Kowalski fell on his back, grateful for the soft carpeting, and not so grateful for the added weight that dropped on him.
"Ow…" The two groaned and Selena rolled over him and dropped to the ground, face down.
"That was so stupid…I can't believe that just happened."
Kowalski raised his head a bit to glare at her. "You're stupid. Did you think that trying to push through before Barbie could was going to work? And what is up with that? Is there some kind of competition between the two of you? You're not blind, and you damn know well that Barbie's faster and stronger than you." Kowalski muttered angrily and dropped his other arm over his head. "We really have got to stop meeting up like this. You're going to kill me." He leaned back on the carpet and closed his eyes. "My brain hurts."
"Okay. Do you need a kiss on that too? Yes, I'm fine too. Thank you for asking. Do you need a hand? I'd gladly help."
Kowalski popped an eye open and slowly turned to Selena. "You know, this is why nobody wanted to be friends with you. You are so…"
"So what?" Selena harshly demanded, glaring at the man. "What? I'm so what?" She grabbed the man's shirt and pulled him as close possible while she sat on her feet. "Answer me."
Undeterred but a little shocked at her attitude the man replied as coolly as he could, hoping it would help calm her down. "You talk to yourself." It did, somewhat. She let go of him and gave out an unladylike snort.
"Of course I do. There's usually nobody to talk to. Right?" She hissed down at him and got to her feet, dusting herself off. "Nobody wants to be friends with a freak." Kowalski sat up with wide eyes.
"That's not-" She crossed her arms and glowered at him.
"I seriously don't need your pity. Or your sympathy. Or your lies. I'm not stupid."
"I didn't say that." But those words could be countered with the ones he said just a minute ago. Nevertheless, he got to his feet. "Well I just did, but it was out of anger and you know it. I did not mean it."
"Why don't you call the mental hospital, Kowalski? No, wait, the asylum's better. They've got real nurses and doctors interested in experimenting on the crazy people. And strait jackets to keep them from attacked anyone. Nobody would care what would happen to them." Her tone had gone even harsher, with sarcasm thickly oozing out of it. "I know you'll take real glee in sending me there. Tell the whole world what I am while you're at it. Tell the whole freaking world."
"I'm not that kind of person. And I think you're too sleep deprived. What time did you go to sleep last night?"
"No?" Her frown had turned into a snarl now. She had ignored the sleep question and it was clear she didn't want to talk about it, possibly because there may be some truth in it.
"Okay, stop. I didn't mean it, I take it back and we're friends again."
"Friends my foot. First time you saw me again you wanted to throw me into the fountain. Fixing my glasses was just something to do to keep me away."
"I'm trying to start over here. And I said I'm sorry. How many times do I have to say it? Why can't you get over it?"
"I get that you almost died three times because of the bastard you call a father." Kowalski shifted on the spot and Selena raised her arms over her face with a startled gasp.
"Selena." The female blinked and abruptly dropped her arms, the red of embarrassment clear on her face. Kowalski stared at her wide eyed as the female stumbled over her own feet for her escape and dropped back to the ground. Her hair, though still wet from a recent shower, was dry enough to hide her face. The Neanderthal knelt beside her, gently placing his hands on her arms and feeling her tense up. "Selena, you told me I wasn't like him. And I'm not, okay? I would never, ever hurt you like he did to me. Jay or no Jay." The swift flow of wind that came to them indicated that somebody had entered through the doors.
"Do you think you could hurry the party and get your doggy bags, 'coz Callaway's getting far far away." Jay's stern voice came clear over to Kowalski and Selena, who froze up in fear. "Kowalski, what are you doing?" Kowalski gently and discreetly pulled Selena down and closer to him. Thankfully he didn't leave his overcoat in the van, or Jay would've immediately spotted Selena. There would be a lot of questions behind that and neither of the two was willing to answer. Another good fact was that Selena was nearly one foot shorter than his six foot six. Hiding her was a piece of cake. Kowalski cleared his throat and turned his head as much as he could to see Jay staring at him intently.
"Just picking up a few things, Jay. They fell from my pocket in our hurry." Kowalski turned back to the ground and 'picked' at the fibers of the carpet before rising, slowly enough so that Selena could do the same and fast enough that Jay wouldn't be suspicious. "Okay," he pocketed the 'fallen items' without turning, "all set." Jay nodded and took out his cell phone.
"Go ahead. I have to go check on Selena first." Kowalski's head shot up in his direction along with his body, not that Jay noticed as he was concerned with the screen of his phone. "She isn't answering her phone."
Selena cursed silently and then held down the urge to giggle and jump in joy when her phone vibrated in the back pocket of her jeans.
"Hum." Jay stared at the phone, pocketed it and headed for the elevators. Kowalski pushed Selena's right arm, urging her to go the other side. Selena edged around Kowalski to his front. The man grabbed her arm and pulled her along as he briskly walked to the front doors, the others in tow. "Oh, Fire!" The relief in Jay's voice was unmistakable as a baby Siberian husky leaped over the carpeting and landed feet away from the officer. Fire, was as mentioned, a baby Siberian husky who was saved by Marlene on one of her veterinarian trips and given to Selena as a birthday gift. Selena prided herself in the puppy since he was very well trained by both females, not just in potty but in doing everyday things like opening a door or surprisingly, getting a jug of juice for guests. The puppy was completely adorable, smart and spoiled by Selena.
"Oh shoot." Selena murmured and stopped short, causing Kowalski to do the same. "He escaped again." She watched as Jay dropped to one knee and regarded the seated puppy.
"You going to Selena, pup?" In response, the puppy got all fours and barked once happily. "Oh great. Lead me to her."
"Shoot shoot shoot." Selena dropped to her knees and peeked around Kowalski, shaking her head and hands vigorously at the puppy as Jay got to his feet. The puppy tilted its head at her, the confusion clear on its face. Jay saw the dog staring at something behind him and turned around. Selena moved back behind Kowalski, hoping that Jay didn't see her. At that moment, the puppy started yapping excitedly and jumping about in a cute circle. Jay turned his attention back to the animal, who turned in the opposite direction as the front doors and trotted away. Jay followed without a word and soon they were at the elevators.
Not waiting for another chance at being exposed, Kowalski pulled Selena outside and joined the others on the sidewalk. "Oh thank you, baby. I am so going to give you a steak when I get back. A big juicy one with barbeque sauce."
"How about me?" Selena turned to Kowalski, who had on a sheepish grin. "I helped you escape the clutches of the overprotective stepfather too." Selena playfully nudged him with a grin and a nod.
"Blueberry chocolatte frappe. Tomorrow. I have to go pick fresh blueberries first and ground the grains."
"Don't forget some homemade dark Belgians. Guardian won't be able to eat that."
"Yeah, sure. I'll have a whole box with your name on it. Now shoo. You're supposed to be gone."
"Aye, ma'am." Kowalski jokingly saluted her and climbed into the van. Selena scrunched her nose at him, though a small smile peeked out the corners of her mouth. She watched the van drive off before heading to her motorcycle. There was no way she could go back to her room. Jay was going to be there and hopefully, he and Fire would have the sense to just check up on her later. And she was already late for work. For the part time secretary job she managed to snag from an old friend. They weren't close, so hopefully the boss was going to be nice and let her pay with overtime.