CHAPTER 6
During his first meeting with the psychologist, Mark catches a glimpse of what could be a harsh reality if he continues to alienate his team mates; particularly the young woman he deeply cares for. Still coping with the death (and seemingly betrayal) of his father, Mark begins to realize he can't afford another loss in his life nor can he relinquish his own. No longer wishing to succumb to the secret that he carries, the Eagle decides to confront his inner demons and face them head-on. Will Mark be able to cope on his own? I'm introducing a new character in this chapter, Dr. Paula Benjamin, who'll pave the way for the G-Force commander to accept responsibility for his actions, as well as a future love interest for Jason. A brief nod to George Lucas' Star Wars characters was mentioned in this chapter, they are his characters and definitely not mine. I've purposely thrown in some humor to what is otherwise a serious topic which is suicide. If the subject matter offends, then please don't read any further. Thanks to those of you who continue to show interest.
Dr. Paula Benjamin continued to stare at the figure of her patient, Mark Beckham, as he feigned interest in the comings and goings of IFPP staff personnel several stories below. The psychologist's office was situated right above the atrium of one of several buildings on the campus of the IFPP (Intergalactic Federation of Peaceful Planets). The young man had been in her office for several minutes and other than stating his name, age, and serial number in a deliberately sarcastic tone, he had not volunteered any more information.
However, though Dr. Benjamin had been known for being a patient woman, she felt the need to coax some form of communication from this obstinate young man. She was a board certified psychologist and had been for all of 12 years; time to put her experience to work. She ran a hand through her close cropped curly hair and uncrossed her legs after swiveling back and forth while seated in her black leather office chair, tapping the surface of her mahogany desk with the ink pen she held in her hand since Mark's arrival. The psychologist briefly recalled some of the information she retrieved about the young commander earlier today in order to prepare herself for their meeting. She had expected Mark to be resistant but he literally wore his benevolence on the sleeve of the dark blue blazer he was wearing. Dr. Benjamin's cocoa colored eyes assessed the rigidity of her patient's stance; the dark sunglasses he wore provided a hood for his blue eyes, the jut of his stubbled jaw was determined, and his arms were folded almost protectively across his chest. He definitely doesn't want to be here, Dr. Benjamin surmised. Time to get started.
"Mark you know I have no other patients to see today. My time is all yours but you do need to make the effort," Dr. Benjamin started quietly.
Mark maintained his silence, only deciding to readjust his sunglasses that had threatened to slide off of the bridge of his nose.
The psychologist continued. "Is it me?" she queried. "Is it because I'm a woman?" She hunched her shoulders. Still no answer. "Is it because I'm a black woman?"
Mark turned towards her then, his angry blue eyes taking in the attractive woman with caramel colored skin and an impish grin on her face. "Don't be stupid!" he hissed.
"Mentioning race or gender always fuels a conversation to some degree!" Dr. Benjamin smirked and leaned back in her swivel chair.
Mark huffed, "Oh so you're a smart ass?" He uncrossed his arms and walked slowly towards her desk. His displeasure at being tricked to speak was evident both on his face and in his voice. Mark placed his hands behind the large cushioned chair in front of Dr. Benjamin's desk, his fingers clutching the back of it for support.
"Well I do have the degrees on my wall to prove it. Basically I analyze information given to me and try to form a logical solution to the problem at hand," the doctor retorted. "But I needed a way to get you to respond to me and you did." This time she crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Now I could begin our session with 'Tell me what you don't like about yourself' but that would be so cliché don't you think?"
"I don't want to be here," Mark answered tightly, his knuckles turning pale as he continued to grip the chair's back.
Dr. Benjamin leaned forward and elbowed her desk, grasping her hands together with the ink pen still centered between her fingers. "Neither do I. It's not pleasant for me to sit here and watch a young man throw his life away because he chooses not to face certain realities. Granted those realities were harsh and he was an unfortunate victim of circumstance. But you see, I've read his file and in it I've discovered a remarkable human being. And I believe this young man is capable of fighting for his right to live, but only if he realizes his own self worth and his worth to his team mates." Dr. Benjamin's seriousness of the situation had immediately disintegrated the humor she interjected into their earlier conversation, and she raised her chin slightly letting Mark know that she was not a force to be reckoned with. She lifted a hand towards the chair in front of him, indicating that he should sit down. Reluctantly, Mark did so.
Dr. Benjamin expelled a deep breath and pursed her lips before speaking. "Now I'd appreciate it if you remove those sunglasses while you're in my office. I do look at the eyes as a sort of window to the soul, and I've been pretty good at being able to tell if someone is honest with me or not simply by looking into their eyes."
Mark shifted a bit in his seat at the psychologist's request. His eyes darted from side to side as if though he were contemplating an escape. Yet one look at Dr.Benjamin's face told him that resistance was futile and feeling cornered again, Mark hesitantly removed his sunglasses. His left eye revealed a bluish/purple bruise on it's corner.
Dr. Benjamin sucked in her breath sharply before sputtering. "I don't understand. I don't recall reading of any injuries sustained after you were brought in to Center Neptune's hospital. Yet I see a black eye and an injured right hand," she indicated the final statement by pointing her fingers at Mark's right wrist wrapped in an ace bandage.
"I ran into a door," Mark answered quickly, wanting to end the doctor's perusal of his most recent injury caused by a very angry young woman, and rightfully so. He actually had the good grace to lower his head upon recalling the reason he'd gotten the well deserved slap in the first place. Princess hadn't spoken to him since the occurrence on the beach took place and the drive over to the IFPP campus had been particularly tense. When Princess deposited him at the building's entrance she had all but shoved him out of her SUV and mouthed angrily, "I'll pick you up later," before stomping on the accelerator and taking off.
"So tell me," Dr. Benjamin implored, "Since when do doors have fingers?" Her eyebrows arched suspiciously, taking in the imprint left on Mark's face, knowing he wasn't being honest with her.
Mark leaned forward, his elbows on his knees as he tepeed his fingers together. "Look Dr. Benjamin, I really don't want to get into it. Let's just say I screwed up royally and leave it at that alright? What do I need to do or say to get out of your office and on with my life?"
Dr. Benjamin began to swivel from side to side once again in her leather chair. "So now you want to go on with your life? If I recall just several days ago you hired the assistance of a prostitute to end it. What made you change your mind now?" Her tone was even and nonjudgmental; her face fixated on her patient for a reaction.
Mark frowned at her scrutiny, his blue eyes darkening at the forwardness of her questions. "You don't believe in pulling any punches do you?"
"I don't have the time and neither do you. I don't expect you to tell me everything that led up to your decision to end your life. I am not here to cure you or even to save you. I am here to help you see that there are other alternatives but in the end the decision has to be yours. You're a young man worthy of another chance; that's why Chief Anderson and Dr. Baxter sent you to see me. They believe that I can help you to pinpoint the source of your depression." Dr. Benjamin then leaned back in her chair, stretching her long legs before her while eyeing Mark at the same time. "Tell me what you think of that."
"Does it really matter what I think? I already told you I don't want to be here. I don't like people poking around inside of my head," Mark answered bluntly. "Just place the blame on my father and Anderson like I do. That should make the paperwork easier for you."
Dr. Benjamin arched a brow before responding. "And when do you begin to take responsibility for your own actions? No one forced you to take a near-lethal dose of an experimental drug to end it all. No one pointed you into the direction of Sector 9. No one has been coercing you into dealing with prostitutes. When does the 'blame game' end Mark?"
Mark opened his mouth to speak, wanting to spew a mouthful at this woman who seemed to know everything about him, but then realized he couldn't. He hated to admit, that so far, Dr. Benjamin had called a spade a spade. The word coward came to mind and he didn't like it at all. Mark pushed himself out of the chair and walked back to the window facing the atrium. He was about to respond before he noticed Jason and Princess in what appeared to be a deep conversation…
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"So out with it Jason! Why didn't you answer my signal the other evening? You told me I could count on you if I needed you and you weren't there!" The Swan finally had the Condor cornered. Jason had been dodging her from the moment she stepped into IFPP Building, literally running in the opposite direction when he caught site of her. He was just about to exit the campus via the atrium when Princess caught up with him, head swerving and all.
Jason was face to face with a pair of stormy green eyes and a look that screamed 'Don't mess with me today!' He couldn't tell Princess the entire truth about the scene between him and Mark, but he knew he had to give her something to get her off of his case. She was already only an inch or so under his nose, her feet encased in her favorite pair of butt-kicking high heeled sandals.
"Look Prin I apologize about the other night. I forgot I had some things to take care of involving my sponsors for an upcoming race. I couldn't get out of it." Jason's expression was sheepish, his gray eyes yielding.
Princess folded her arms in front of her and leaned slightly to her right, her stance epitomized her disbelief at what Jason had just told her. "You know I'd almost believe that piece of crap that you just tried to feed me, but I ran into Tiny a few minutes ago." Jason's face fell. "It seems that he was concerned about me taking care of Mark alone and apologized on your behalf for being at his place the other night." Princess clutched at the material of Jason's khaki jacket and then pushed on his chest slightly knocking him off balance. "Tell me, how many bottles of beer did you manage to choke down before you put your foot in it?"
She started to turn on her heel but Jason caught her by the arm. "Wait Prin!" He then pulled her in his direction, but held onto her shoulders holding her at arms length. "Alright, you caught me in a lie. I'm sorry." He sighed heavily before continuing. "Mark and I kind of got into it the other night. We both said some things…things that neither of us can take back. I may have even threatened him a bit." Princess frowned and Jason felt the need to justify his actions. "He kind of got to me." The show of emotions on Princess' face went from anger to exasperation. Jason backed away from her a bit, releasing his hold on her and shoving his hands into the back pockets of his pants. "The next thing I knew I went over to Tiny's and tried to forget about what happened by… drinking a couple of twelve ounces." He then began to rock on his heels; his hands were still stuffed in his back pockets.
Princess crossed her arms once more. "Jason what happened? I knew that things would probably be different between you and Mark for a while, but not enough for you to turn your back on him."
Jason went on the defensive. "Are you for real? I didn't…" he stopped then started again, "Prin let's just say that Mark and I discovered we have something in common." Jason's eyes swept briefly over the something in question. "It's a guy thing alright? You wouldn't understand." The Condor had become ambivalent; not wanting to share anything more than he had to. He was still trying to decide exactly how he felt about her. The last thing Princess needed to know was that he and Mark were fighting over her like two dogs over a newfound bone.
Princess' anger returned quickly. "I'm surrounded by testosterone-fueled jackasses! Why don't you and Mark whip out those prized possessions between your legs and measure it to see which one of you carries the biggest stick!"
Jason's gray eyes were the equivalent of thunderclouds. "Yeah and wouldn't you like to be the one holding the ruler?" he shot back taking one step closer to Princess as he pointed an accusatory finger her way. "You aren't going stand there like some self righteous Sunday school teacher and tell me that nothing happened between you and Mark later that night. Anderson may have bought that story you told him the next morning, but I know different and I know Mark. I'm almost certain he took advantage of the situation."
Princess gave Jason a look that could freeze water but Jason noted she didn't deny his suspicions. She hated it when Jason was right and quickly reverted the spotlight back to him. "If you don't want to go into detail about what went down between you and Mark, then fine! I'll take care of things on my own from here on out!" With that being said, the Swan brushed passed the Condor's shoulder and headed back inside the building in which Mark's session was taking place.
Jason's mouth formed a grim line as he raised his head toward the sky. "Damn it!" he muttered under his breath. Deciding not to leave after all, Jason turned on his heels in the direction Princess had just taken only a moment before. He had to make amends. Bottom line was Princess had depended on him, and he had let her down. She deserved better than what he'd just given her.
Jason was making his way toward the elevator once he'd gotten into the lobby of the building. He had seen Princess step through the elevator's sliding doors but she was unaware that Jason was nearby. "Hey Prin wait up!" he called out, increasing his pace in an attempt to reach Princess before the elevator doors closed. Jason didn't see the young woman who had stepped into his path. She was trying to catch the elevator as well.
"Ooof!" was the noise they made when the two collided and the elevator doors slid shut. The young woman was set to collapse when Jason's arms had gathered her to him. The startled figure latched onto Jason's shoulders. The first thing he noticed was a fiery halo of red ringlets and the smell of jasmine drifting into his nostrils before the young woman lifted her face, revealing lavender colored eyes, an upturned nose with a slight dusting of freckles sprinkled about, and full luscious lips as ripe as berries. "Whoa!" was all Jason could say. His eyes drank in the site of what he was holding in his arms. Unfortunately, the young woman wasn't as excited to see Jason as he was to see her.
"Do you mind?" she asked, feeling somewhat violated. Her lavender eyes darkened to a beautiful violet and Jason was certain he felt a surge jolt his cerebonic implant. Before he could apologize, the shapely figure wearing a figure hugging wrap dress pushed herself up and away from him, smoothing her hands over her now wrinkled outfit. He caught a brief glimpse of her I.D. badge. Rachel Sheridan. Jason shook his head slightly before eyeing a small clutch bag on the floor the young lady must have dropped after they bumped into one another. He kneeled to retrieve it then extended his hand with her tiny purse as an offering.
"Hey I'm sorry. I was headed for the elevator and didn't see you coming," he stated sincerely as the woman fingered the ringlets of her flaming red mane into order.
The young woman snatched her bag from Jason and gave him the once over before walking past him. "Humph!" she snorted and sauntered toward a set of elevators on the opposite side of the lobby.
Jason called out, placing his hand along the side of his mouth, "You're welcome!" He watched the woman with the curvy figure and staunch attitude disappear through the elevator doors. The corners of his mouth lifted into a smile. Note to self; get the digits. He stood rooted to the spot for a minute or two before he suddenly remembered he was following Princess and for what reason. Jason punched the elevator's lobby button for the sixth floor…
Jason managed to reach the receptionist's desk outside of Dr. Benjamin's office. The psychologist's office doors were open slightly and he heard Princess' voice rise an octave.
He knocked before peering his head inside. "Excuse me Dr. Benjamin, what's going on? Is everything alright?"
Their previous feud momentarily forgotten, Princess spoke up. "Dr. Benjamin said Mark left about 15 minutes ago." Worry creased the young woman's brow.
Dr. Benjamin turned to Jason. "There's no need to get upset. Mark simply said he was going home. He became somewhat distracted during the latter half of our meeting so he asked to cut it short. We intend to reconvene the day after tomorrow." The psychologist sighed and directed her attention at the Swan. "Princess you're making far too much out of this. Truth be told, I don't see that young man as a threat either to himself or anyone else. He needs guidance and plenty of support. Besides it's not like Mark was wearing a leash."
Jason sputtered before speaking, "Ha! Yes he was!" silently reminding them of the electronic sensor wrapped around Mark's ankle. Princess glared at Jason's back as he stepped toward the large window in Dr. Benjamin's office. He looked out at the various buildings comprising the IFPP campus; his eyes ping-ponged left to right before glancing down at the atrium. Jason stood motionless for a minute. It then dawned on him that Mark was never one to sit still even during a routine physical let alone a session with a psychologist; a sly smile crept upon Jason's features. 15 minutes ago huh?
"I'm just surprised Mark even referred to the beach house as home. And why didn't he wait for me to pick him up?" Princess asked while standing across from Dr. Benjamin's desk.
Jason spoke over his shoulder. "Mark didn't go to the beach house. He went to his home, at the airstrip." The Condor returned his focus back to the atrium below.
"How can you be so sure? There's no telling where he is now," Princess added rubbing her cheek with a nervous hand.
"Trust me Prin. He went to his place. I know Mark like I know the back of my hand." Jason placed a hand onto the window overlooking the atrium, spreading his fingers apart on the thick glass leaning against it slightly. "I'm his best friend remember?" Now all the Condor had to do was to convince the Eagle of that fact.
Dr. Benjamin eyed the two people in his office shrewdly, taking note of what was taking place. Jason is Mark's best friend and Mark is currently living with Princess. Interesting. She sat on the edge of her desk and watched the interaction between Jason and Princess.
Jason walked over to Princess and reached for her hands, cupping them in his own. "I'm sorry about earlier. I was out of line." His wolf gray eyes softened as he spoke.
Princess was charmed as usual and a small smile fluttered from the corners of her lips. "Me too," she answered simply, her green eyes reflecting sincerity.
Jason blew air slightly from parted lips. "Let me go get him alright?" Princess started to speak but Jason placed two fingers to her lips cutting off the flow of words. "I owe you this one remember? To make up for the other night," he spoke quietly. "I've got your back."
Princess thought for a moment before mouthing a silent 'Thank you.' Jason placed a small kiss to Princess' forehead, gave a nod to Dr. Benjamin, and left the doctor's office.
Princess gazed warmly at the door Jason recently left out of. Dr. Benjamin cleared her throat before speaking, "That's quite a young man you've got there."
Princess clasped her hands below her waist. "He's my best friend too," she responded proudly.
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Mark got out of the cab and paid the fare after being taken to his intended destination. He looked around the airstrip and saw that his plane, the small Cessna he owned, was gone. It's probably back at Center Neptune, he thought. His cherry red sports car was gone as well. Anderson probably has that at his compound. Still it would've been nice to see them where they belonged. Here at his airstrip. Since both his plane and car were in storage, he was pretty certain his personal belongings had been packed up and stored away as well. The cab took off leaving behind a moderate trail of dust. After the blanket of dirt settled, Mark glanced at the small house standing several feet in front of him. Home. The Eagle in him returned and after removing his sunglasses, observant blue eyes scanned the area before walking towards the front porch of his house. All seemed clear but something raised a sense of caution within him. Always wary of his surroundings, Mark took another look around before taking his house keys out of his pants pocket and inserting the key into the lock. To his surprise Mark discovered his front door was already opened. He was even more surprised at what he saw.
"Son of a bitch!" Mark cursed loudly as he took in the damage that had been done to his place. His home had been ransacked and torn apart. Mark's eyes devoured the destruction. Furniture had been broken to pieces, glasses shattered, and holes had even been punched into the walls of his small living space. The shelves from his kitchen had been stripped clean; even the cans had been ripped apart. Mark stepped over the debris and went throughout his home, noting that every room had not been left untouched. His office, his bedroom, even his bathroom had the appearance as if grenades had gone off within the vicinity. "Motherfu…," he couldn't even say it without wanting to inflict pain on those responsible. His face hardened as he came to the obvious conclusion of those who had invaded his home. Spectrans!, Mark's mind screamed hatefully as he pushed his hands through his hair. He leaned against a portion of a wall that was left in his hallway, his head pointing toward the ceiling. He trembled at the depth of rage that consumed his body, wishing that Zoltar were in his grasp so he could act upon it. Zoltar must be trying to put the pieces together. Trying to figure out if Mark Beckham and the commander of G-Force are one and the same; Cronus' son. Only that man wasn't Cronus, he was Colonel Ken Beckham; my father. For the first time in months, sorrow crept into Mark's thoughts.Achingly, he slid down the wall and crouched against its surface, placing his elbows on his knees, his left leg savoring the weight of the electronic sensor around his ankle. He looked from side to side and exhaled. What the fuck have I done to myself? Mark shut his eyes tightly. What have I done to my team mates?
A creaking noise came from the front door causing Mark to quickly open his eyes, placing his body on high alert. His first instinct was to transmute, and he raised his left arm only to realize he was no longer wearing his communicator. Shit! Not that he couldn't defend himself, but it had been a while since Mark had faced several men at once. It would have been nice to have a little back up. He looked around and found a small plank of wood nearby. Grabbing it, Mark cautiously slid back up to a standing position, readying himself for a fight. The crunching sound of glass being stepped on drew treacherously close and Mark took a deep breath before raising his right hand with the two by four above his head.
"What the hell…?" was all that Jason managed to get out before both he and Mark grabbed each others collar.
Simultaneously they released each other, seeing that neither was a threat. Though to Mark, Jason's arrival only served to come at a time he didn't need the interference. Mark tossed the piece of wood into the small mountain of debris behind him and headed for the kitchen.
Jason smirked, "And just what did you intend to do with that piece of lumber you had in your hand?"
"You want me to pick it up and show you?" Mark retorted over his shoulder checking out what was in his refrigerator.
"Never mind." Jason surveyed the front room and whistled before speaking again. "Damn those Spectran frat boys sure know how to party!" he exclaimed sweeping his head from left to right. "You know this place is a true testament to how fucked up your life really is." He stepped over a broken end table to make his way toward the kitchen.
Mark found a can of beer toward the back of the fridge, popped the top, and leaned against his kitchen counter. "Well at least I'm consistent," he answered before taking a sip. A brief pause hung between the two young men before, cutting their eyes at each other, both actually shared a small laugh. Mark shook his head as he continued to down the can of beer.
Jason spoke up. "You know you aren't supposed to be drinking that."
Mark motioned toward the fridge. "There's another one in there if you want it."
"Carry on," Jason urged as he made his way toward the icebox. "I can't believe they left the beer." He then eyed the can and made a face. "Damn it Mark! No wonder! Only you would buy this cheap shit! Didn't I teach you anything?" Jason popped the top on the can and took a sip.
Deciding to ignore the jokes for now, he purposely changed the subject. "Jason why are you here? Surely Prin didn't send you after me."
Jason eyed his friend, only now seeing the bruise near Mark's left eye. "You're right, she didn't. I offered to come and get you. I figured we needed to talk. Though right now I'm a little more interested in how you got that shiner." He pointed at Mark's face while still holding the beer can in his hand.
Mark frowned. "You mean she didn't tell you? I'm surprised." He stepped around the kitchen counter's edge and made his way around the obstacle of debris to get to his front door. Jason followed Mark to his front porch. "I thought she told you everything." Mark looked straight ahead, pretending to focus on the row of grass in the field before him.
Jason stood beside him and continued to sip on his beer. "You know Mark, I never thought I'd see the day those blue eyes of yours would turn green."
Mark downed the last of his beer and crushed the can in his hand. He turned to Jason. "Let's just bring it to the light alright? I am not jealous of you." Despite his denial, Mark's voice was dangerously low.
Jason smiled roguishly and continued to stare straight ahead. "Like hell you aren't! Why did you cut your session with Dr. Benjamin short?" Mark's face continued to harden realizing that Jason guessed the reason for his abrupt exit from the psychologist's office. Deciding this wasn't the best route to take with Mark, Jason shrugged. "Forget it."
A minute or so passed. It didn't appear that Mark was going to keep the conversation going so Jason pressed on. "I take it things aren't going well at the beach house, huh?"
Mark took the crushed beer can and threw it towards the grass field in front of them. "No it isn't."
"I also take it that black eye is a little souvenir from a certain brunette that you must've really pissed off," Jason continued and tried his best to hide the smirk behind the beer can he was still nursing on. He then held the half empty beer can up to the light and proclaimed, "Shit Mark this stuff is actually giving me a buzz! Where'd you get it? Mexico?"
Choosing to ignore those last remarks, Mark answered regretfully, "I said some things that were really stupid and hateful to Princess. I'd give anything to turn back the clock in order to change things." He lowered his head, just thinking about the pain he'd inflicted upon Princess ate at him like a gaping wound.
"I ought to kick your ass just on principle…," Jason started, "but Prin can fight her own battles. This thing is between you and her." He upturned the can, draining the last of the beer.
Mark rubbed his hands over his face, anguish etched in the corners of his mouth. To Jason he appeared very old, despite his age of only being twenty-two. "Will you look at what you're doing to yourself? I know that you've got this Darth Vader slash Luke Skywalker sort of hang up going on with what happened with your father and all…"
"Watch it Jase!" Mark's hackles were up and he was ready to pounce, the tension visible in his shoulders. "You're treading on thin ice. This is none of your concern."
"Then talk to me damn it!" Jason shouted back. "Talk to me! Tell me what's going on! You don't think I haven't been where you've been? Do you know how many times I've put a gun to my temple when I think about what happened with my parents?" Jason's gray eyes displayed his hostility. "How I watched them get gunned down by those fucking Devil Star assassins as an eight year old? How I had to have my identity taken away just to stay alive? The chief changing my name from Joseph Mancini to Jason Devereaux? I felt like those Spectran bastards had taken my soul but my agenda now is to take them down! Not to let them win!" Jason had barely taken a breath between sentences, deciding that Mark needed to hear it all. "This shit will not be over until we defeat them! And I don't want to fight this battle without my best friend beside me!" Jason turned to face Mark, allowing his friend to see the haunted expression that replaced the hostility from before. "You and I both know this was not what Colonel Beckham expected of you. Despite how he did it Mark, your father died a hero. He saved billions of lives. He sacrificed himself not only because it was his duty, but so that you could continue to live on, to carry on his legacy."
Mark inhaled sharply as tears began to form in his eyes. He wiped at his face before they had a chance to fall. "Jason...," he began in a thick voice, "you wouldn't understand. There's more to it than that."
"And a prostitute with orders to kill you does?" Jason asked in a seething tone.
"What do you mean 'Orders to kill me'? I met Valeria in a bar…" Mark tried to explain. "I told her how I felt; that life to me wasn't worth living…"
"She was a Spectran agent hired to kill you once Zoltar got hold of your scent. That drug she helped to concoct was an experimental derivative being tested at the ISO. She used to be a chemist for the federation before switching allegiance to Spectra. You were set up, probably being followed all along after you left Planet Riga. She was hired to kill you before you even decided to kill yourself. Since Valeria failed to carry out her mission, Zoltar and his goon squad murdered her after she allowed Princess to save your sorry ass."
Mark turned and hit the front door of his house with his injured right hand. "I don't believe this shit!" he shouted, wincing at the pain the mild infliction of trauma caused him.
"Why couldn't you do what any red blooded American male does and get with a one night stand?" Jason asked loudly, deciding to turn the tables on him.
Mark looked at Jason incredulously. "What in the hell is the difference between a one night stand and a hooker?"
"Hell about seventy-five dollars! Didn't I teach you anything? I mean come on Mark, a prostitute! What in the fuck were you thinking?" Jason still clutching the empty beer can in his hand, leaned on the railing of the house's porch.
A brief pause hovered in the air before both young men erupted into raucous laughter. More tears even formed in Mark's eyes upon realizing that only Jason could take a serious conversation and turn it into something bordering on the obscene and totally tasteless.
"I don't know man. Valeria was willing and I was able. I just needed a release." Mark answered honestly, suddenly feeling more at ease in Jason's presence.
"You know, eventually you're going to have to bite the bullet and establish a relationship with a woman who doesn't have a mattress strapped to her back," Jason taunted him.
"And since when are you the one to give advice to the lovelorn? I remember a time when Tiny and I use to call you 'The Marathon Man,' able to leap the tallest bedpost in a single bound," Mark shot back at him through narrowed eyes.
Jason puckered his lips and shook his head in amusement before answering. "Yeah well don't hate because I choose to end my dates by having breakfast in bed and leaving with a well deserved good bye kiss at the door. Not flying like a bat out of hell to the 'Bay City Clinic' for a shot of penicillin in my ass like yourself." He then tossed the empty beer can at Mark, hitting him on his shoulder. "By the way, you did use protection didn't you? I mean while you were with …"
Mark stared at Jason in disbelief. "Jason I did try to kill myself. Donning a condom at the time was the last thing on my mind. But to put your mind at ease, I've been checked out and I'm clean." Mark straightened to his full height and stretched a bit, easing the tension from his limbs. He then recalled the scene outside of Dr. Benjamin's office. He hated to ask but felt compelled to know. "What's going on between you and Prin?"
Jason looked directly at Mark and answered honestly. "Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I will admit that I thought something was there; maybe I wanted something to be there. Prin was there for me when Luci died." He then returned his attention to the grass field before him. "Having a woman, Princess, there made me realize how much more I wanted out of life. Prin made it easy to feel that way once again." Jason shrugged and briefly he thought of the pretty red-head he bumped into earlier at the IFPP Building before continuing. "Hell, Mark just look at Prin. I mean really look at her. Not just for how beautiful she is on the surface, but for what she allows others to see on the inside." Jason then gave Mark a harsh look. "There's nothing I wouldn't do for her. I love her, I'll always love her, and she will always be my girl. If for one second I felt that you were going to slither back into that pathetic hole you had created for yourself after your father was killed, I'd do everything in my power to keep her away from you. I'd have seen to it that she not crawl into that grave with you. But I'm not in love with her and she's not in love with me." Jason wanted to tell Mark more but his loyalty to Princess won out. She had confided her feelings to Jason months ago and he promised he'd keep his mouth shut. Princess had 'Eagle on the brain.' Mark would have to earn her love and respect as far as he was concerned.
A look of complete understanding was silently exchanged between the two young men. Feeling as if though he'd been warned of impending consequences should he mistakenly hurt the young woman who meant so much to both of them, the Eagle extended his hand to the Condor.
Jason accepted the offering and shook Mark's hand. He was about to remove it but Mark maintained his grasp. "Princess means more to me than you believe. It was never my intention to hurt her. I don't know if I'll ever be able to make up for what I've done or said, but I will tell you this. After I get my life back in order, I'll see to it that you aren't the only one she turns to. I intend to fix things." His voice was calm but meaningful and he released his hold on Jason's hand.
His friend nodded his head approvingly, having heard Mark state he intended to straighten out his life was good enough for him. Just then a gleam of light flashed on their faces and both men turned toward the source. Mark frowned as he watched what appeared to be a pair of unsavory characters scoping his house and its occupants through a pair of binoculars, just over the hill past the grass field.
He nudged Jason's elbow. "You see that?"
Jason nodded, his mouth forming a grim line, staring in the same direction as Mark. "Yeah Spectrans at six o'clock."
Mark grimaced, "Is your car out back?"
"Yep. I say we make a bee line for it going out the back door of your house, but slowly and get the hell out of here. I'm sure I can lose them in the city." Jason straightened and rolled his shoulders, checking the Spectran voyeurs one last time before heading into Mark's house.
"I'm way ahead of you." Mark patted Jason's shoulder as he opened the front door, but stopped short causing Jason to raise a brow. "Listen…I just wanted to say thanks for everything…Joe." A small smile and a nod of the head were offered with genuine sincerity.
Jason cocked his head to the side and mirrored Mark's smile at the mention of his biological name. "Anytime, man. Anytime." A balling of fists and a brief tapping of their knuckles occurred before walking into the house and closing the door behind them.
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