CHAPTER 5

The story continues as the remaining G-Force members continue to function without their commander, forcing a reluctant Jason to take Mark's place while he's still in the recovery phase. It's rather lengthy, but serves its purpose. A special thanks to my beta-readers GoldAngel2 and Whiteswan; I'll never be able to thank them enough! Also my undying gratitude to MistyGirl1 and Jen23 who supported me from the beginning. As everyone knows, the characters don't belong to me!

Focus! Focus, damn it! Jason's mind ordered while he sat at his desk in an attempt to work on past due mission reports overlooked by G-Force's commanding officer, Mark Beckham, who was now on medical leave until further notice. Chief Anderson had informed Jason that he was now "acting commanding officer" for the time being, and though technically as second in command he knew this to be the case, it felt entirely different to be reminded of it. And Jason didn't want to be reminded of it. Particularly now while he was covering for Mark's negligence regarding his responsibilities. The Condor hated reading about G-Force's failed attempts at thwarting Spectra's invasions of Earth, described in vivid and graphic detail, these past few months in the mission reports. The invasions had come at a time when Mark had been going through his own private hell after discovering Colonel Cronus (Ken Beckham) was his father. Mark was still dealing with the ramifications of the IFPP's covert operation involving his father but the team had suffered from the consequences as well. Mark's absence was more than noticeable and felt by every member of the G-Force project. With each passing hour the paperwork on Jason's desk had multiplied, Keye and Tiny were busy seeking the whereabouts of the prostitute Mark had been with, and Princess was taking care of their commander on hiatus at her place, hoping to aid in his rehabilitation.

But this wasn't the only thing eating at Jason and he knew it. Angrily, he threw his ink pen on the surface of his desk, causing the writing utensil to split at its center. Jason elbowed his desk and placed a hand to his throbbing temple upon realizing the real reason he couldn't concentrate on the pile of paperwork before him. Princess had signaled him via his communicator several times the previous evening and he never responded. Jason had never done that before, choosing to deliberately ignore her signal, and now he was consumed with monumental guilt. He had promised Princess before taking both her and Mark back to the beach house that should she need him, he'd be there for her. And he had gone back on his word, choosing instead to drown his promises in several bottles of beer at Tiny's place last night. His headache a silent but pulsating reminder of the night before.

Adding to the consumption of guilt was the harsh exchange of words between him and Mark regarding Princess Anderson. Jason had readily admitted after being provoked by Mark that he felt something for her; acknowledging that should Princess return his feelings he would gladly reciprocate. Jason groaned inwardly Shit! I can't believe I said that! What the fuck was I thinking? Why not just tie the noose around Mark's neck? Hell, better yet, my own! Jason questioned whether Mark had gone to Princess with this and if so, he sure as hell couldn't face her now. Though common sense should tell him this might be the last thing on Mark's mind right now, Jason knew that his friend held a deep rooted sense of insecurity, especially where Princess was involved. He had added insult to injury by admitting his feelings, and the proof existed on the stricken look Mark had given him after he had all but announced Hey! I've got the hots for your girlfriend!

Jason was still absorbed in thought when he received a buzz at his office door alerting him that someone wanted entrance. "Go to hell Tiny!" he stated loudly at the intercom, activated by the figure's presence at the door, while he searched his top desk drawer for an aspirin bottle.

"No dice Jase, besides we need to talk," came the simple reply from Jack "Tiny" Harper. Tiny was known as G-5, the Owl. He was also the pilot of G-Force's warship, the Phoenix. Jack was the eldest of the group of young people and at the ripe old age of 24, felt compelled to share his southern wisdom, albeit unsolicited a great deal of the time, with the other members of G-Force even if it meant he had to cram it down their throats.

He preferred to be called Tiny, although his stature reflected an entirely different make-up. Tiny stood 6 ft. 3, a few inches taller than either Mark or Jason, and was a mass of muscle from top to bottom. He was never one to receive credit for his intellect because his appearance masked that possible notion. Yet Tiny could demand attention when he felt like it, and this time he did.

The door to Jason's office slid open as the big guy sauntered inside, finding Jason in the midst of swallowing two aspirin with his standard cup of coffee as the chaser.

Tiny sat down in the chair nearest Jason's desk and gave him the once over. "At this rate, you'll have an ulcer before you reach 25," Tiny claimed.

Jason retorted, "Must be the company I keep! What the hell do you want Tiny? Can't you see I'm busy?" He discarded the empty aspirin bottle into the small wastebasket near his desk and indicated with his hands the small mountain of paperwork before him.

Tiny frowned but decided to press on. "I couldn't help but notice that Prin signaled you last night while we were back at my boathouse. You didn't answer then. Did you ever follow up?"

Jason pretended to study one of the mission reports and his wolf gray eyes briefly peered over the top of the file. "I'm not at Prin's beck and call. Besides she called me and not you, so what of it?"

Tiny's eyes became piercing and he gave Jason a thunderous look. "I care about what happens to her too Jason. Prin is like a little sister to me and she might have called because she needed help with Mark."

"Anderson briefed me this morning and said everything was fine according to Prin's report," Jason stated in a dangerously clipped voice though he never looked up from the file before him.

Tiny then placed a large hand over the report in Jason's hand and slammed it into the desk. "Do you honestly think that if something had happened, Princess would report it to her father? Even you're not that stupid Jason. But something happened because she wanted to talk specifically with you; she didn't bother to signal either Keye or me. So what's the deal?"

"Doesn't concern you Tiny so mind your business!" Jason's expression was livid.

"The team is my business! Did something happen between you and Mark last night before you came to my place?"

Jason opened his mouth to speak but Tiny intervened and stood over the desk, flexing his shoulder muscles when he spoke, maintaining his hand on the report in Jason's grasp. "Need I remind you, you're not the only one who can kick a little ass in this room." Jason then clamped his mouth shut; fuming that Tiny wouldn't let up on this conversation, and finally decided to come clean.

Jason sighed heavily and shook his head in indignation. "Let's just say Mark and I had a few words after I dropped him and Prin off yesterday alright? I said some things I probably shouldn't have said and now I regret them; end of story." He then snatched the papers from underneath the larger man's hand.

Tiny then slowly returned to his seat with a questioning look on his face. "What did you say Jason?"

Jason again pretended to maintain his focus on the report in his hand. Silence permeated the space between them and after several minutes, under Tiny's scrutiny, Jason had begun to squirm in his seat. Tiny eyed him knowingly and his dark brows rose after he had come to the only conclusion.

"Damn it! Is this about Princess?"

Jason shifted in his chair.

"Come on Jase! You know how Mark feels about her! Did you say anything stupid?"

"Why does everyone automatically assume that Mark is right for Prin? Have you forgotten how much he's fucked up these past several months? Things between them could be different now!" Jason clutched at the papers in his hands.

"Who are you trying to convince, me or yourself?" Tiny then re-evaluated the situation and took a deep breath. "Jason," he began quietly, in hopes of making his friend understand, "I know that you haven't really been seeing anyone seriously since Luci …well, since Luci was killed but if I really thought you had a chance with Prin, I'd say go for it. Hell a few years ago, you two might have had a shot together. She literally followed you around like a stray puppy. But Jase, things have changed and you've both grown up. I think you're confusing being alone with being lonely and in the process you're seeing Prin in a different sort of way, well…because she's convenient." Tiny leaned a bit in the chair he occupied and placed his elbows on his knees. "You've both been kind of leaning on each other lately. Since Mark's been out of the picture, she turned to you. You turned to her after Luci was killed, a few months before Mark's father died."

Just the mention of Luci Clark, the first woman Jason had ever loved, reignited an old ache in him that he had believed was gone. Luci was a race driver and an ambitious one at that. Rather than wait for the rewards her talent as a driver would bring later, Luci literally sold her soul to the devil. She had sworn her allegiance to Spectra and in the end it had cost her own life. Jason got up and walked towards his office's corner window, arms folded, surprisingly allowing Tiny's words to sink in. "And what about Mark? You don't think of Prin as a convenience to him?" Jason asked quietly, his back facing Tiny's now mellowed expression.

Tiny thought a moment before responding, "Mark never really allowed himself to get close to her even while they grew up in the same house. I honestly believe part of his problems stem from this, emotionally he's repressed. It was bound to catch up with him sooner or later. Mark has lost his mom, his brother, and his father twice. He can no longer distance himself like he once did. He needs someone like Prin to balance things out, make him feel as if though his life has purpose once more, you know? Mark listens to her and values her opinion of him, despite the way he's messed up lately. And Prin truly cares for him more than she lets on. I've seen the way they look at each other when they think no one else is watching; man you could light a city with their electricity alone."

Jason continued to stare out at the view provided of Bay City from his office, the mid-afternoon rays from the sun leaping off of the windows from the other skyscrapers, while he contemplated what Tiny had just told him. He knew Tiny was only being Tiny, honest as the day he was born.

Jason turned and acknowledged Tiny's words of wisdom. Maybe there was a reason he was chosen as the owl after all. "Thanks Tiny," Jason mouthed with all sincerity. "Sorry about my attitude earlier. It's been a crappy day." At least his headache had lessened in severity, for which he was truly grateful.

Tiny offered his friend a small smile. "Well that's what happens when you throw a woman in the mix. Everything comes out chaotic. And it hasn't helped that Prin is no longer the skinny, mop headed, stick figure we grew up with. Suffice it to say, the girl has grown up and no man can deny she has a lot of …feminine charm," Tiny coughed on the last words spoken. Jason laughed at Tiny's choice of expression.

Their amusement was interrupted by the familiar chime on both of their communicators.

"G-2 and G-5 responding. Go ahead G-4." Jason answered seriously.

"Just got some news about the prostitute Mark was with when he was found. Her name was Valeria Odomodu, age 30, galaxy security list her as Rigan." Keye responded brusquely.

"Is that it?" Tiny asked in an irritated manner. "You've been in there all morning…"

"You know you're supposed to be down here in the computer lab helping me to find this info. And 'No' that's not all. It seems Valeria was a graduate from the ISO academy and her major was chemistry. She was an employee at ISO, a chemist. Seems she was fired after being there for only three years but that information is classified. I'm trying to hack into ISO's database now to find out more."

"In the end she sold out to Spectra. So where is Valeria now?" Jason asked.

"Our local law enforcement sources say they came upon a homicide scene in which Valeria matches the description. Described the body as having more holes than Swiss cheese. How much do you wanna bet that purple people eater, Zoltar, and his cronies got to her as soon as they found out Valeria didn't kill her intended victim?" Keye responded.

Jason's brow furrowed at this as he shook his head, "Somehow Zoltar must've figured out Mark's true identity after he returned from planet Riga. Either that or he's putting all of the pieces together. Our boy, Mark, is in more trouble than he realizes."

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Mark and Princess spent the majority of the late afternoon at the beach house in silence. Given what had occurred between them earlier, Princess did her best to avoid any contact with her temporary room mate for the time being and chose to remain outside while Mark was cleaning the bathroom after last night's events. She couldn't deny the physical attraction between them; that had been ongoing for the past few years. Yet, they had never acted on it until earlier after this afternoon. Princess' face burned at the memory while she sat on the steps of the deck looking out over the beach's shoreline. The young woman breathed deeply and expelled a lengthy and heavy sigh. If the communicator hadn't gone off when it did…

Mark had just tossed out the last remnants of broken glass from the bathroom's mirror he destroyed after hallucinating his father's presence before him. Well Beckham, what else do you have in store? What else can you mess up today? He was mindful of his bandaged right hand and winced at its soreness. Mark sighed heavily as he closed his eyes and pushed his fingers through his mahogany mane, allowing his mind to drift back to what had taken place between him and Prin previously. It had felt so good to finally let his guard down and to be with her the way he always wanted. He was invariably tired of the platonic relationship being forced upon them by Chief Anderson and Colonel Cronus. Mark frowned. Not Cronus remember? Ken Beckham, your mother's sperm donor! Your father! His own mind was taunting him.

Suddenly Mark felt an overwhelming need to get out of the house; the thought of confinement was causing a sense of urgency, beckoning him to leave before he could feel the walls closing in on him. He had just put on a t-shirt with a pair of worn denim shorts and felt comfortable enough and well enough to go for a walk. Mark then looked down and eyed the sensor on his left ankle, snorting at the device. It's as if though I'm IFPP property! He needed to get out now!

Mark made it toward the patio door and discovered Princess sitting on the steps of the deck. Sliding the door aside, he cleared his throat a bit to announce his presence. Princess then turned slightly to peer over her shoulder, while Mark closed the sliding door back to its original position. Just the smell of the ocean's air rejuvenated his senses.

"I'm going for a walk," Mark stated. "Do I need your permission?" His voice dripped with sarcasm.

Princess noted Mark was placing his barrier up once again. Her sea green eyes flashed momentarily before answering, "Time out is allowed for good behavior." Tossing her coal colored hair over her shoulders, wondering if Mark noticed the word she enunciated, Princess returned her attention to the ocean.

"Depends on what you mean by good behavior. Was I any 'good' after you woke up next to me earlier this afternoon?" Mark goaded; his voice rippling with dangerous under currents. Princess I'm way ahead of you!

Princess stood up quickly and began to head down the steps. "You're deliberately trying to shake me Mark. But it's not going to work. You need to go for a walk? Then I'll join you." She proceeded to walk ahead first.

Mark had caught up with Princess in a few quick strides. They walked in silence for several minutes, side by side, with Princess all but marching in a straight line, her movements purposeful, almost military-like. It wasn't a struggle to keep up with her, just annoying.

Tired of the drama, Mark spoke first. "Damn it Prin! We're not in boot camp! I didn't ask you to come with me!" He placed a hand on her elbow to stop her from going further.

Princess' nerves had been tightly wound until she finally snapped. "I'm so damn angry at you!" she yelled and pushed against Mark's chest with her hands. "So disappointed! Do you realize what you've put us through? What you've put all of us through?" The wind on the beach had picked up and lifted several dark strands of hair across Princess' face, hiding the threat of hurtful tears she didn't want Mark to see.

"It was no one else's business! Why can't everyone let me live my life the way I choose?" Mark yelled back.

"Because you're not choosing life you idiot! You're choosing death! You know the implants we have were designed to make suicide an impossible choice! Self sacrifice for the good of mankind is one thing, but you couldn't even bring yourself to commit an act of suicide! That's why you reached out to Valeria, you knew she'd do it! You deliberately placed yourself in the hands of a Spectran agent!" Princess stated accusingly. "Did your father's death warrant that Mark? Despite discovering his secret was it necessary to do away with your own life?"

Mark turned away from Princess and shoved his hands in his pockets. "You wouldn't understand. There's more to it than that," he answered quietly. "I'm tired of the IFPP and Anderson interfering in my life. They took my father from me. I'll never be able to forgive them for that." His stance was rigid, and he dropped his head, closing his eyes at the pain that again had resurfaced.

"But torturing yourself this way, trying to end your life isn't the answer Mark. You have to come to terms with it." Princess' eyes averted to Mark's left ankle, and with a nod she implicated the sensor in which his lower extremity was encased. "It doesn't matter whether you're wearing that device or not; you'll never be free until you accept what's happened. Only then can you move on and live the life you want. G-Force's purpose is to fight for the type of freedom you're seeking. There's no freedom in ending your life, even if you pay someone to do it for you," she ended somberly.

Mark stood motionless for several minutes with his back against Princess, not wanting her to see the turmoil her words were causing him. "The fight isn't worth it, if you have no control over the outcome," he retorted.

Princess reached out to lay her hands on his shoulders. "No one has control over the outcome. But if there's a chance that things may turn out alright, that success is the end result, then don't you want to be around to see that?" Princess urged Mark to turn and face her. "Have you ever considered what your future may be like?"

Mark saw such optimism in Princess' beautifully determined face; briefly he allowed himself to be consumed by the depths of her large green eyes. He reached up and lightly skimmed his knuckle over Princess' soft cheek; he then pulled her towards him.

"Prin I…," Mark had started but then he flinched. Mistrust and resentment had begun to blind him once more and he pushed Princess away from him, his face contorted with suspicion. "Anderson told you to say these things to me. He'd do anything to keep me quiet or from causing anymore disruption to G-Force."

Princess couldn't believe her own ears. A painful expression now shadowed her face, as the implication of Mark's words hit home. He didn't trust her.

"Doesn't anything that I've done prove that isn't the case? I lied to my father today to protect you," Princess implored.

Mark merely ignored the statement; his voice venomous. "Why did you get into bed with me?"

Princess' face blanched. Mark was playing with forbidden fruit and he was dangling the apple right in front of her. His eyes were now slits, his expression twisted.

"Not for the reasons you think! I was worried about you, I…I sat next to you on the bed and I fell asleep after an exhausting night! You're reading far too much into it! I would never put myself in the position to keep you here just by sleeping with you!" Princess couldn't believe she was justifying her actions to him.

"The organization can't afford a liability and that's exactly what I am!" Mark shouted back, beating his fist into his chest. "And what better way to shut me up and keep me satisfied at the same time than to have the young and tender Swan to keep watch over me!"

He stepped forward and was dangerously close, within inches of Princess' face, and slid his hand underneath the mass of hair falling below her shoulder blades, resting his injured right hand at her nape. Mark's indigo blue eyes were mesmerizing to her, despite his hateful remarks.

"You're a very good actress Prin. You almost had me convinced that you really cared about me," Mark whispered against her lips. "No sense in letting all of this quality time go to waste…" There was a time Princess would've given in to his wicked invitation. But not this time.

Mark never saw it coming; the slap had enough force behind it to send him to his knees. And standing over him was one very irate young woman. As far as Princess was concerned, Mark was knee deep in it!

"Get this straight, you arrogant bastard! I am no man's concubine! I will admit Dr. Baxter felt your staying with me might not only be in your best interest but the federation's as well! But this was not my father's idea! Nor do I believe in using sex as a means of getting the job done! It's been my understanding that those who are obsessed with it, are usually also obsessed with something they can't have!" Princess continued to glare at the dazed young man at her feet, cupping his injured cheek. "The way I see it, you have no choice in the matter. You will stay here, but only because I am allowing it! You will participate in the course of action outlined under Center Neptune's guidelines for your rehabilitation! And you will make damned sure that you never insult me that way again, or I will recommend the remainder of your rehab stay be confined to Center Neptune until you learn how to respect those who are trying to help you!" Fury illuminated from within her as Mark got to his feet and returned a frosty blue glare in her direction.

Princess never allowed Mark to respond. She started back towards the beach house, at first walking quickly, before erupting into a blind run, fleeing from what had just happened. She didn't want to make sense of it; knowing only that Mark had hurt her too deeply. For the first time, Princess truly hated him and she began to doubt if she could stand by him. Mark's words continued to haunt her as she ran along the stretch of beach, "The fight isn't worth it if you have no control over the outcome."

Her spirit broken, Princess sucked in a deep breath and sank to her knees. She then began to sob uncontrollably.

Thanks for reading!