"Okay, so Claudia will show you around the B&B, introduce you to Leena and the rest of the crew. Two of our agents are out right now, but they should be back by dinner." Artie said, leading the grinning teenager to the umbilicus.
"Awesome, so this means I can really stay, like your not gonna kick me out?" she asked hopefully. He sighed.
"I promise you I will never kick you out," he said, softer than usual. The girl grinned and threw her arms around her uncle's waist.
"Thank you, thank you! You will not be sorry!" she said before skipping after a smirking Claudia.
"Aw, gramps your getting soft in your old age!" Claudia crooned. Artie rolled his eyes,
"I am not soft!" he growled at the girls' retreating backs. Both giggled as the door shut behind them. Suddenly a voice came from behind Artie, again.
"Those two are going to be a force to be reckoned with." the pensive Mrs. Fredric said, walking into the light.
"Indeed." artie responded.
"So, Who the hell is Leena?" the sixteen year old asked as the two girls walked out into the South Dakota sun.
"She is kinda like the 'mom' of our group, she takes care of the B&B, shes always there if you need her. She's pretty awesome." replied the red head, grinning.
"Okay, so i've met Pete and Myka, Uncle Artie said there were two more agents out in the field?" Jessica asked as they got in Claudia's car. Claudia nodded.
"Yeah, My usual partner Steve Jinks, and H.G. Wells." she replied, starting the car and pulling away from the warehouse.
"Youre joking, right? H.G. Wells died a long time ago." the teenager said skeptically.
"Actually she was bronzed a long time ago, after her daughter died." Claudia replied smoothly.
"She?!" Jessica yelped, shocked. Claudia laughed,
"Yeah, She. Her brother sold the books, but she wrote them." she explained.
"Ah," was the only answer the younger girl could choke out. Claudia let her process what she had been told in silence, until they pulled into the driveway of Leena's.
"Okay, here we are!" she said brightly, pushing open the door. She skipped to the poorch, and Jessica followed more slowly.
"Dude, this place is awesome!" she grinned as she walked up the stairs to join claudia. Claudia grinned,
"I know right?!" she replied, grabbing the other girl's wrist and pulling her inside,
"Yo, Leena, C'mere!" she called into the house. Moments later a pretty mocha colored woman poked her head around the door frame,
"Hey Claud, whos this?" she asked, stepping fully into view. Claudia grinned
"This is Artie's niece, Jessica." she laughed at the raised eyebrow leena gave her.
"Huh, I dont see the resemblance." the woman observed. Jessica broke out into a grin,
"Thank god for that!" she laughed. Claudia grinned and leena rolled her eyes, though you could see amusement sparkling in them.
"Well, come on up stairs, and you can pick your room." she smiled, leading the two teens up the stairs. Jessica looked down the hallway of doors and quirked an eye brow. Claudia grinned and stepped foreward.
"Okay, this is Jinksy's room, this is mine, this is Pete's and this is Myka and H.G.'s." she siad, pointing at the corresponding doors as she said each name. When she got to Myka and H.G.'s room, Jessica raised her eyebrows. Claudia just grinned.
"Okay, so I just pick one?" Jessica asked, skeptical. Claudia and Leena both nodded. Jessica looked at the three free doors, and decided on the one next to Claudia's.
"I guess i'll take that one." she said pointing. Claudia grinned.
"Awesome, we'll be neighbors!" she siad happily. Leena rolled her eyes.
"Okay sweetie, where's your luggage?" she asked, smiling fondly. Jessica looked down and fingered the strap of her backpack.
"Um, this is all I've got." she said softly. "My dad, uh he wouldnt let me take anything with me to the Funny farm, so.." she trailed off. Sympathy lit in Leena's eyes.
"Okay, then you and me will go shoping in Univille tomorrow!" she said, opening jessica's door and smiling.
"Sounds fun, count me in!" Claudia exclaimed, grinning. Jessica smiled gratefully at the two women.
"Thanks guys," she said, forcing the sadness from her voice. She followed them into the room, well her room now. "Huh, its pretty nice actually." she said, dropping her bag on the bed.
"Yeah, well we'll leave you alone to get settled for a bit, Leena'll call when its time for dinner." Claudia smiled, sensing that the younger girl needed some space. Leena nodded and both women retreated, closing the door behind them. Jessica sighed and flopped back on her bed.
"Well Jess, what the hell have you gotten your self into now?"
Hey guys, so please let me know if you like it or if you dont!