Chapter 5 Seeing M

Isa's P.O.V.

Waiting for Eve by the luggage carousel has thus far proved to be one of the most boring activities of the century; even Serenity seems to think so, since she is currently passed out in my arms. Although that could also be because she has jet lag, I never get it so I wouldn't know. So I sit watching gray clouds roll across the sky, spitting rain at the windows as they pass. Goddess! I hate being bored, ever since I was thirteen it's been a bad idea for me to let my mind wander. Because unfortunately when I do, I remember Cal and the bindings he placed on my powers. ALL of my powers. I remember how he lied to me and said he loved me and then betrayed me just because my mother's family had been forced to lock his father (who he didn't even like or get along with) away in another dimension. But the things that haunt me most are my memories of Tiago. And just like that, I'm falling, falling, falling…

*****************************Flashback**********************************

Station H. (Hong Kong)-1995

I'm sitting in the corner of a crowded, busy hallway, crying.

'Where is Aunt Peggy? I stayed right next to her, just like she told me to. So WHY can't I find her?'

Even though I'm eleven, almost twelve, I'm quite tiny for my age and look as if I'm only five or six, and I am therefore completely unsurprised that all the adults in the hallway have thus far ignored me and my crying. That's not to say that I haven't gone up to a few of them and tried to ask for help, I have. But they all just told me to go bother somebody else. Well somebody else isn't here. Suddenly I feel a large hand touch my shoulder and hear a lightly, strangely accented voice gently asking,

"Why are you sitting here? Are you hurt or lost?"

Looking up, I meet the eyes of the man speaking to me, and inwardly gasp in recognition.

'This is my soul mate.'

The man in front of me is beautiful in a way that seems strange at first glance. He has long blond hair that he has pulled back in a pony tail with a black leather cord. And he has chocolate brown eyes, that look slightly too wide on his face, and are filled with curiosity and concern. His complexion reveals that he is of Spanish decent and he has high cheek bones and a wide mouth that is curved into a gentle smile. I adjust my accent to mirror his, and reply,

"I amlost, but I'm not hurt. Do you think you could help me find my Aunt Peggy?"

"Peggy? Oh you must be Isabella; M has been talking about your visit for weeks. Your name is Isabella isn't it?"

"Yes it is, but I prefer to be called Isa."

****************************End of Flashback*****************************

"Isa? Isa? Isabella, snap out of it."

And just like that, I'm awake again. Eve is standing in front of me, eyeing me with concern. Looking down at Serenity I see that she's still asleep, and then I thank the Goddess for small blessings.

"I'm so sorry Eve, I can't believe I fell asleep, it must be the jet lag..."

"Um, Isa? Your eyes were open; I don't think you were asleep. Look, Isa, are you okay? Have you been getting enough sleep lately? I mean if something's wrong you know that you can always talk to me, right? "

"Yeah, I know. It's just something I've got to work through on my own for right now, just a lot of painful memories coming back for the most part, they're not all bad I guess, just painful."

"Alright, well I've got my luggage and since you've already grabbed yours we'd best not be keeping Tanner waiting any longer."

"Lead on."

As we walk out the doors of the airport I spot Tanner standing against a large black SUV and I try to walk a little faster.

"Double-Oh-Five, welcome back."

"Tanner. It feels good to be back."

Tanner opens one of the backseat doors for me and I slide Serenity in to the waiting booster seat. After I'm done strapping Serenity in I close the door and turn to look at Eve.

"Are you coming with us?"

"No, I have to get back to the new headquarters and help Q finish setting up shop."

"Is your cell number still the same?"

"Yes actually, it is."

"Good I'll give you a ring in around, let's say, two hours? Will that work for you?"

"Yes, that's perfect. I'll talk with you then."

Eve kisses my cheek and runs through the rain to her car.

"Well shall we be off then? Don't want to keep M waiting."

"Yes... Tanner, do you think it's too late for me to do an about face?"

Tanner opens the passenger door for me and with a small smile says,

"Oh yes, much too late."

I can't help but laugh as I slide into my seat.

"I thought you'd say that."

Tanner laughs as he shuts my door. Twenty minutes later it's stopped raining (but it's still overcast) and we are pulling up to a town house that sits near the heart of London.

"Well, here we are."

'Yep, time to face the music.'

"Thanks for the ride Tanner."

As I climb out of the car I see Aunt Peggy come out of her house to greet us.

"Isabella!"

"Hello Aunt Peggy. You're looking well."

"So do you dear, so do you. How was your flight?"

"Oh it was fine..."

Just then I feel a cold breeze shift in our direction and I shiver. I open the rear passenger door and start unbuckling Serenity from her seat.

"Mama? Why are you crying?"

I look up at my daughter, and I am surprised when I have to blink tears away to see her clearly.

"I'm just tired, don't worry about it. Here let's get you out of the car so you can meet your Aunt Peggy."

"Do you think she'll like me?"

"I know she will."

This said, I lift her out of the car and turn to face M. It's funny, as soon as we landed on British soil I immediately started to think of Aunt Peggy as M again. I have to remind myself to call her Peggy in front of Serenity so she doesn't get confused. Tanner comes back outside from setting our bags inside.

"M, is there anything else you need me to do before I go back to HQ?"

"No, just make sure to keep an eye on Mallory if he turns up."

"Yes Ma'am. Goodbye Oh-Five, Miss Cromwell."

Serenity hides her face in my hair. Shifting her, I hold my left hand out to him.

"Goodbye Tanner. Serenity say goodbye to Mr. Tanner."

She looks up at him rather shyly.

"Goodbye Mr. Tanner."

After we watch Tanner drive down the street and out of view Aunt Peggy turns to me and says,

"Well, we best get indoors and get you both settled."

As we walk up the front steps I ask,

"Are you sure we won't be an inconvenience to you? I can find us an apartment if you want me to."

She just raises one perfectly groomed eyebrow at me and gives me a look that tells me that if the question or the offer, ever crosses my lips again, she will smack me upside the head for it.

"You spent half of your years growing up in this house and you know you're the closest thing I have to a daughter. Why on earth would I want you to stay anywhere else?"

As soon as we step in the door Serenity gives a yawn so big I'm amazed that her jaw doesn't break. I smile.

"Well, I think someone is ready to go to bed."

"But I'm not sleepy!"

"Yawn"

"Oh yes you are."

"No I'm not!"

"YAWN...Blink...Blink... "

"Okay maybe I'm just a little bit sleepy."

Aunt Peggy chooses this moment to speak up.

"Serenity, me and you can go to the kitchen and make some hot chocolate and get to know each other and your Mummy can go upstairs and start to unpack? How would you like that?"

TBC