Now when I bore people at a party, they think it's their fault. ~Henry Kissinger
"Calm down, kid," Leonard said again as Jim paced in the Green Room which was actually painted a very soothing pale blue. "She adores you. The audience adores you or they wouldn't be in the audience. Cereec'o is number one of the New York Times bestseller list and it only hits the shelves at midnight."
"I know," Jim said, taking a deep breath. "I'll be okay once it starts. It's this waiting I can't stand."
"I know," Bones said in sympathy. "Does it help that Chillie is here? Or does it make it worse?"
"Oh no. It's very cool that he came. And Yvonne. Larry, though," Jim said, shaking his head.
"He's something. You know Chillie wishes he could fire Larry."
"Probably. But then his Darryl would probably quit. What Darryl Y sees in Larry is beyond me."
"The same could be said of certain people in this room," Leonard said, instantly regretting the words as soon as they left his mouth. To his immense relief, Jim laughed.
"God you have sucky timing."
"I do," Bones had to admit. "Drink some water. But not too much."
Jim nodded, taking several sips and popping a cough drop in his mouth. His voice was mostly recovered from the concert but it was still a little raspy, which Yvonne assured him only added to his already immense appeal. Which was lovely but he didn't really need any additional pressure.
The knock on the door indicated there were five minutes until Jim's appearance so Leonard followed the stage manager out to take his seat in the audience, sitting next to Chillie.
"He okay?" Chillie asked kindly.
"He will be. Once it starts," Leonard said, falling obediently silent when the audience was informed they had applauded long enough and loudly enough at Oprah's appearance.
"You know how I excited I am," Oprah said to her worshipful audience. "You are too, I can tell. And if you look under your seats, you'll find a copy of his latest." She paused as the audience took out their copies of Cereec'o amidst squeals of delight. "Maybe we can talk him into signing after the show," she said, a thunderous round of applause greeting the idea.
"Will he?" Chillie asked Leonard quietly.
"For a little while. Until he can't take it any longer."
"Yeah," Chillie agreed like a man who knew.
"Should we bring him out?" Oprah asked her audience who sprang to their feet in unison. Leonard couldn't help but feel a little sorry for Jim. Who could ever live up to such open adulation? "I give you Jim Kirk," Oprah said dramatically, Jim appearing from behind the curtain, the applause growing even louder.
Jim smiled at the audience, wishing they would stop and sit down. It's not like he wasn't already too nervous for words. He turned his focus instead on Oprah who stood waiting for him with open arms. A quick hug and a whispered word of encouragement and they sat down.
Oprah looked out at the audience that were still showering Jim with adoration, then at Jim who could only smile back at her. He felt a little like an idiot but trying to stop them was neither possible nor his place.
"They'll wind down," Oprah assured him, leaning a little closer to make sure he heard her.
"I hope so," Jim responded, studying only Oprah and the deep blue outfit she wore. It was clearly an original made just for her. "You look more beautiful than ever."
"And you are a flatterer," she scolded with a warm smile. "One more reason I love having you on."
"Thanks for buying all those books. Should keep me number 1 for at least a week," he joked.
"I got them at a discount," she laughed. "Hope that doesn't cut into your lifestyle."
"I'll survive," he said, straightening away from her when the applause finally stopped.
"Welcome," she said so all could hear her.
"Thank you. Always lovely to be here," he responded with a smile that had the audience gasping.
"Number one after, what, less than 24 hours?" she asked with a twinkle.
He shrugged at that. "Power of the internet. Thanks to my fans." The audience clapped at that, Jim clapping for them.
"For those who haven't had the chance to read it, give us a quick overview of Cereec'o, with no spoilers if possible," she requested.
He obliged, giving a synopsis of what Avery, Andre, and Nerissa were up to in this novel.
"No marriage proposal?"
"Not yet," Jim said. "They'll get married eventually."
"That's good to know," Oprah said with a nod. "What of the rumors about a possible movie adaptation?"
"I haven't heard those rumors," Jim laughed. And he hoped that was all they were – rumors.
"From what I've heard, Brad Pitt is petitioning to get the lead," Oprah told him.
"With all due respect to Mr. Pitt, he's a little old to play Avery," Jim said, making the audience laugh.
"Maybe so," Oprah said with a warm smile. "What do you think of the possibility?"
"Of a movie?" Jim said. "John Le Carre has been quoted as saying 'Having your book turned into a movie is like seeing your oxen turned into bouillon cubes.' If he feels that way, I can't imagine seeing the Paraguay series turned into bouillon."
"So you hadn't heard of that possibility?"
"I hadn't. I'll call my lawyer and ask if he knows. He sometimes only tells me things he wants me to know," Jim laughed.
"He's also your manager," Oprah said.
"Yeah. He tries to manage my life but I can generally stop him if I try hard enough," Jim said.
"Sounds like an excellent arrangement," Oprah said with a smile.
"Better for me than him," Jim agreed.
"As if often the case," Oprah said. "Are you enjoying your visit to our beautiful city?"
"I am," Jim said with a bright smile, ignoring the giggles from the audience. "I took in a Blackhawks game. They won. Go Hawks," he said giving a fist pump to the approval of those gathered. "We went to the Ice Floes concert."
"You've been busy," Oprah said. "The Ice Floes had originally been scheduled to appear today. That was before we knew it was the publication date."
"Oh dear," Jim said with a laugh. "Hopefully they won't be mad at me for bumping them."
"They'll be on tomorrow," she assured him.
"Good," Jim said, wondering briefly why Chillie hadn't told him. But it really was of very little consequence.
As they continued chatting, as naturally as if they had been in their living room, Bones' phone vibrated. He reluctantly took it out to find a text from Pike: As soon as the interview is over, come to Airfield Yeager.
She said he'd sign autographs. And we're having dinner with Chillie, Bones texted back.
"Everything okay?" Chillie asked, leaning closer to speak quietly.
"Fine, fine," Bones said, erasing the frown off his face before it worried Chillie.
How long? Pike asked.
No idea. What of dinner? Bones wrote back.
That's a problem. Can you get out of it without causing a fuss?
Bones considered the question, paying some attention to the conversation Jim was having with Oprah. Jim was better at thinking up reasons for their mysterious absences and sudden change of plans, being a writer and all. I'll tell Jim when the interview is done.
Keep me posted, Pike responded.
Bones put his phone back in his pocket, all attention focused on the interview. Jim was witty and charming and had the entire audience in the palm of his hand. As well as the Queen of Daytime who looked a little like she wanted to lick him. All over.
When the interview finally ended, with Oprah confirming her everlasting love of Jim and his writing, Jim said good-bye to the audience at home and stood to stretch. The women glued to their seats inhaled as one, sighing when he smiled over at them.
"Will you stay and sign your books?" Oprah asked him so that the audience could hear.
"Sure," Jim agreed. "First I have to powder my nose."
"Of course," she laughed. "You go ahead. We'll organize the tables and the lines."
Jim nodded, watching Bones approach, recognizing the expression on his face. They went silently into the men's room, Jim asking immediately what was wrong.
"Pike needs us at Airfield Yeager," Bones said, Jim frowning at that.
"You tell him about the autographs?"
"Yeah. He asked how long it would take. I said I didn't know and we're supposed to have dinner with Chillie."
Jim nodded, locking the bathroom door and taking out his phone to call Chris. "Hey."
"When can you be here?" Chris asked without preamble.
"Uhmm… I need to stay for at least an hour. Then we'll have to tell Chillie something. We should be able to get there in less than two hours."
There was a thoughtful pause on the other end as Jim waited. "Get here as quickly as you can without raising suspicions. Tell Chillie you're sorry but something's come up."
"We will. We'll get there as soon as we can," Jim said, hanging up and taking care of business. "What should we tell Chillie?"
"You're the writer. You tell me."
"Hmm… well. I guess we should tell him that we need to get home. And hope he doesn't press us for details."
"Okay," Leonard said, unlocking the door and leading Jim out. They were intercepted by the stage manager who said they might want to go into the green room since they weren't quite ready to start the book signing. Leonard asked if he knew where Chillie was, and was escorted to where he waited.
"Hey," Chillie said in greeting where he was waiting in one of the out-of-the-way areas.
"We have to leave as soon as Jim finishes. An emergency at home," Leonard said.
"Everything okay?"
"It will be. We would prefer to stay but we can't," Leonard said.
"I understand. Is there anything I can do to help out?"
"Thanks but no. We'll be fine. And we'll call as soon as we can," Leonard said, wondering if that was too much. But Yvonne had come up and Chillie told her. She seemed to understand that Leonard couldn't discuss it any further and with a kind word, left with Chillie.
Leonard went back to the green room where the stage manager was telling Jim they would stop the line after an hour. That might be enough time and they wouldn't allow photos. Photos, if they were allowed, would slow things down significantly.
"That's fine," Jim agreed with an easy smile. It turned even brighter when Oprah knocked and entered.
"Brilliant as always," she said, kissing his cheek. "Hurry and write your next book so you can come back."
"You got it," he agreed.
"As much as I'd love to stay, I have to fly," she said in regret.
"I understand. Thank you for having me."
"It was my pleasure. Leonard," she said to him with a smile. "Always lovely seeing you."
"You too," Bones said.
There was another knock on the door just as Oprah was leaving, one of the crew telling them that the tables and line barriers were in place. She escorted Jim and Leonard to the tables, Leonard sitting off to the side out of the way. There were several markers and a pitcher of water. Jim poured a glass for Leonard who accepted it with a nod.
"You ready?" the stage manager asked.
"I am," Jim agreed, putting on his best it's-so-nice-to-meet-you smile. The fans were orderly and enthusiastic, some wanting to linger. Those were ushered gently on, the parade not stopping.
Jim was sure he was never going to be able to straighten his fingers again when the stage manager said that was everybody. It had taken a little longer than an hour, Jim not minding the few extra minutes. He figure Pike wouldn't know exactly so it was fine that they stayed until all the requests were filled.
"Thanks again," Jim said with a smile at the crew that had gathered.
"Thank you," the stage manager said, handing Jim a gift bag. He knew inside was a bottle of very fine champagne and a personally signed thank you note from Oprah.
He and Leonard finally made it out to the rental, Leonard calling Pike. "We're on our way now."
"Good."
"Is someone checking us out of the hotel?" Bones asked.
"Done."
"All right. We'll be there in 35 minutes. Less if the snow lets up."
"Drive safely but get here as soon as you can," Pike instructed, hanging up.
Jim drove carefully out of the city, arriving at the airfield in the 35 minutes Leonard had predicted. They entered the code into the gate so that it would magically open to allow them in.
Pike was in the secure briefing room inside the hanger, opening the door so that Jim and Leonard could also enter. Once inside, they found Selema Robau Asad waiting there as well.
"Selema," Jim said with a smile, kissing her cheek.
"Jim. Leonard," she returned, accepting Bones' kiss. "It's been too long."
"It has," Bones agreed. "You look spectacular."
"And you have a silver tongue," she said with a beautiful smile. Selema was of Pakistani descent, with the characteristic complexion and black eyes to match her black hair. For all she looked Pakistani, she had been born and raised in America and dressed like it, sporting jeans that showed off her curvaceous figure, and a red sweater that was appealing yet modest.
She was at the top of the echelon of the Consortium where the Middle East was concerned. That she spoke Arabic, Urdu, Punjabi, and several relatively minor languages made her an invaluable asset when they were summoned to the Mid-East. It also helped that Jim spoke Arabic and understood much of Urdu.
"That I do," Bones agreed.
"You need to get to Rahth Mutadaffaq," Pike said, pulling down a map of the Middle East. "Sheik Siraj Khalil-Gheisari is ready to re-emerge and reclaim his familial oil fields. The cartel isn't going to be happy about it since he is always in favor of lowering the price for us. But he and his family are agitating for his return to power and Tahla promised we'd see to it. Sheik Wahenrha won't be mourned by his people considering he rules with a tight fist. They will think it's an act of God, that they are being released from his prison."
"What do we do with Sheik Jmhanahe Wahenrha-Grhadrha?" Jim asked.
"No one will mourn his passing, not even his family who thinks he's a camel's behind. Extract him if you can. Eliminate him if you can't," Pike ordered.
"Where is Khalil now?" Leonard asked.
"Safehouse Phmsmha in Bahegmha Smhasahe. It should be easy enough to get him out," Pike said. "You won't have to worry about that. Kameer Bouhadi and Sam Giotto are going to bring him to Rahth Mutadaffaq."
"Will they arrive before or after we take care of Wahenrha?" Jim asked.
"We need to have Khalil nearby. If we can't have him installed immediately, another tribe will claim dominion," Selema said.
"Right," Pike agreed. "We have Safehouse Srhatmha ready for him. Security is already in place. The three of you are going to check into the Emirates Pavilion. Jim and Selema, you'll be making the final arrangements for your upcoming wedding. Leonard, you'll be there as chaperone as Selema is next in line for the throne of Bahegmha Smhasahe."
"I've always fancied myself as a princess," Selema laughed, tossing back her hair in a most royal fashion.
"And I've always wanted to be a consort," Jim said. "Your highness," he added quickly when she raised one royal eyebrow at him.
"We'll have bodyguards?" Leonard asked.
"Of course. Kameer and Sam will stay with you the entire time you're there."
"All right," Leonard acknowledged.
"How was Oprah?" Selema asked Jim, laughing when he groaned.
"Fine. You know. Apparently my lawyer has been in talks with someone about turning my books into movies," Jim said, scowling at Chris.
"Only preliminarily. Nothing you need to worry about. Yet," Chris said.
"I don't want to worry about it at all," Jim told him.
"They are willing to buy the rights for 5 million for the first and 4 for each subsequent novel."
Jim sighed and shook his head. "Really? They are so bereft of their own ideas they need to buy mine?"
Chris shrugged at that.
"She also told me that Brad Pitt was campaigning to be Avery. He's too old. And too well known," Jim said.
"I said that to them. I suggested an up-and-coming actor by the name of Christopher Pine."
"Never heard of him," Jim said, shaking his head. "He any good?"
"He's dreamy. His eyes are almost as blue as yours," Selema said with a smile. "He'd make an excellent Avery."
"Whatever," Jim said with a wave of his hand. "Do what you think is best. You know I trust you."
"What happens when the press gets wind of Jim's sudden wedding?" Bones asked.
"Privacy. Need for security. His personal life stays out of the media for the most part," Pike said. "If it gets out, I'll deal with it. And the royal family of Bahegmha Smhasahe has agreed to support the reports. Their real daughter, Wajeeha, agreed to disappear for the duration. Selema looks enough like her that it won't raise suspicions. Supposedly the royal family is opposed to their heir-apparent marrying a heathen from the West so they refuse to attend the wedding."
"Engagement ring?" Selema asked Chris who extracted a box from his pocket to hand to her. She opened it, gasping softly at the beauty of it. "Oh my. You have excellent taste."
"Thank you," Chris and Jim said at the same time, Selema laughing.
"It's insured but please be careful," Chris added as Selema slipped it onto her finger.
"You can be sure we will," Selema said, showing it to Leonard to admire.
"Is there anything else we need to know?" Leonard asked.
"There's a full briefing on the shuttle. Go to Emirates Pavilion and act like lovers who are willing to defy Wajeeha's parents. But don't go overboard."
"Right," Jim agreed. "Everything we need is on the shuttle?"
Chris nodded at that. "Weapons. Money. Clothes. Passports. Selema, you'll need to change into one of the thobes at Airfield Tal'ifi. Jim and Leonard, you'll need to put on the one of the suits. Look like mega-wealthy western business men."
Confident they were ready, they went to the shuttle so that Jim and Selema could do the pre-flight checks as Leonard did the inventory.
"We all set, Bones?" Jim asked from the co-pilot seat.
"Sure are," Leonard agreed, taking the seat behind Selema and buckling in. "We're ready."
"Good," Selema said, relaying the information to Chris who wished them luck.