Masses, Lunches, and Missing Lovers

Disclaimer: Same as before.

Tim,

I saw something yesterday that I can't help smiling about. I saw Polly, Shipwreck's parrot, flying free. Conrad and I followed him to see him fly to the Ninja Dojo. It looked like he dropped a note of some kind.

I think it was a love note from Althea to Todd. That relationship is what the boy needs. I can't help but think of how beautiful it is.

I love you. And I miss you. So much.

Kate

The Pit, The Chapel
Caitlin Todd and Conrad Hart
03 March 2002, 0845

As they walked towards the chapel Kate heard a couple notes of a tune Conrad was whistling as they approached the steps.

"Another Legion song?" Kate asked.

"Yes," Conrad replied, "It's called Connaissez-vous ces Hommes. That translates into 'Do you know these men?'. It was an adaptation of a World War II German song called Afrika Korps Lied or 'Afrika Korps Song'," Conrad replied with a wry grin.

"Yet another Foreign Legion song with German influences," Kate observed.

"There was a Vietnamese commissar during the Indochina War of the 1950s that had remarked almost the whole of the Legion is German," Conrad replied, "That was, of course, propaganda by the communists."

"Seems like there are a lot of Germans in the Legion even now," Kate replied, "Didn't you say that two of the sergeants in your former unit were Germans."

"Yes, in fact my section was nicknamed Kampfgruppe Wasner," Conrad supplied.

"Kampfgruppe?" Kate asked.

Conrad added, "Kampfgruppe is German for battle group from World War II, typically these were ad hoc German formations assembled for a particular task and tended to be nicknamed after their commanding officer. For instance Kampfgruppe Peiper was the armored task force led by Joachim Peiper during the Battle of the Bulge. In our case we were given our nickname because our senior sergeant happened to be German."

"What's this song about?" Kate asked.

"It basically translates as 'Do You Know These Men'. It details all the places the Legion's battles of the Second World War and fighting resolutely," Conrad replied.

"In other words more depressing that Morgen Marschieren Wir," Kate replied.

"Oui, mademoiselle," Conrad replied with wry grin. As they approached the chapel's front door Conrad opened the door and with a gesture and a grin said, "After you?"

"Thank you," Kate replied with a smile.

Kate dipped her fingers in the Holy Water and crossed herself. Conrad did so as well, following her to the pew near the middle of the chapel on the far right.

"What do you think Polly was doing at the dojo yesterday morning?" Kate asked.

"It looked like he was carrying something, but he was a bit too far away for me to make it out clearly," Conrad replied.

Kate smiled, "What if it was a love note from Althea?"

"It could be so, mademoiselle," Conrad replied with his own smile.

"It's so sweet, what they have," Kate said.

"Very beautiful," Conrad replied softly, "I just hope that their young love can survive the trials ahead."

"I think it will," Kate replied, before turning to face him, "It sounds like you believe in love and its power."

"I do, mademoiselle, but I also am aware of its capacity to do harm in my own experience," Conrad replied.

"You've said that before," Kate observed.

"Didn't Ambrose Bierce did say that love was a temporary insanity curable by marriage?" Conrad asked.

What could have happened to him to make him that jaded? Kate thought to herself. Even in that brief revelation I can feel the hurt.

Unable to contain her curiosity asked, "What happened to you, Conrad? What's got you so skeptical about love?"

"Have you ever loved to an extent that you were willing to lay it all on the line for someone?" Conrad asked, "And then, have you ever been betrayed by said someone? Your sacrifice being for naught?"

Was that what drove him into the Legion? I mean that SDSU report said he struck a Marine Corps officer, Kate thought. It didn't say much more. His statement simply read it was a matter of honor.

"If you need to talk," Kate said, with an audible gulp, "I'm just down the hall."

"Merci, mademoiselle," Conrad replied, "You may well have a heart bigger than any of ours. I do hope Tim appreciates that."

"Thank you," Kate replied, looking at the former Legionnaire. The signs of the hurt are subtle, but they're there if you know where to look.

"Please understand this, mademoiselle," Conrad replied, "I do intend to tell you, but now would not be the best time."

"Fifteen minutes before Mass isn't the best time for a heart to heart," Kate replied.

"Agreed, mademoiselle," Conrad said, his face once more reverting to the more or less neutral expression.

The Mass presently began, and Kate found herself glancing at the ex-Legionnaire in her pew. All the signs of past inner wounds were there, now that she knew where to look.

"And for those intentions we hold in the silence of our hearts," the chaplain said.

Kate turned to her right, noticing Conrad's eyes were closed as he seemed engrossed his prayer. Though he always says 'Je Ne Regrette Rien' I wonder what regrets he retains.

It was during the Our Father as they held hands that Conrad felt that electric feeling that would happen with physical contact involving Kate.

She's definitely got one of the biggest hearts I've ever seen, Conrad thought to himself. I may have sworn to never love again after what happened. But if I met someone like Kate I could see myself doing so again.

Conrad blinked. Where the devil did that come from?

"Conrad?" Kate said.

"Huh?" Conrad said, blinking his eyes.

"The Our Father is over," Kate replied, "You can let go of my hand."

"Oh, I'm sorry about that, mademoiselle," Conrad replied, "I…"

"Had a lot on your mind?" Kate whispered.

"You could say that," Conrad replied, "But I promise, we'll talk about it."

"Okay," Kate replied, with a slight gulp, "Just please know you're not alone and that you have someone that cares."

"Your compassion is both welcome and touching, mademoiselle," Conrad said with a slight lump in his throat.

The Pit, Intelligence Center
Dial Tone, Lady Jaye, and Flint
03 March 2002, 1200

"Looks like she connected her PDA to the laptop again. Now that they're synching we'll get her next batch notes," Dial Tone began.

"Put it up on the plasma," Flint replied, taking a sip of water from his water bottle.

Agent Todd PDA File
03 March 2002:

If anything word could describe the last two days it would be interesting. Yesterday I saw Shipwreck's parrot, Polly, flying free. Conrad and I followed him only to find he went to the Ninja Dojo where Todd is undergoing treatment. It looked like he was carrying a note, maybe from Althea, in his claws.

I don't plan on letting Roadblock or Stormshadow know about this just yet. In my professional opinion I think Althea and Todd's budding relationship is what Todd needs to heal. I can't help but smile when I think about what I saw when we found them swimming in the ocean together.

Another thing I noticed is Conrad. He's been reluctant to say anything about why he joined the Legion, or indeed much about his past before it. The last couple days have been a breakthrough as far as I can think.

Incidentally my breakthrough came with discussing one of the many former Wehrmacht songs that migrated into the French Foreign Legion, Morgen Marschieren Wir. It translates into 'Tomorrow We March' and it speaks of a soldier missing a lover.

I couldn't help but notice Conrad's wistful tone when he recalled it. There's definitely a wound somewhere in his past. When I talked to him about it he told me there was something in his past. He promised he'd tell me what it is at some future point.

"What do you think?" Lady Jaye asked.

"She's definitely sweet him," Flint replied.

Lady Jaye elbowed him in the ribs, "That I see, but I was talking about with the Todd and Althea thing. Think we should let Roadblock know?"

"Sure, but I also think we should have Psyche Out know too, so he can observe the boy's progress," Flint replied.

"We should delay letting Roadblock know as well," Lady Jaye replied, "Let's let the situation develop."

Stormshadow walked into the room just then, an envelope in his left hand, "I've got some pictures of the latest entry Agent Hart's notebook."

Flint and Lady Jaye crowded around Stormshadow to take a look at the newest entry.

From Agent Hart's Notebook
03 March 2002

I'll say these last three days have been something interesting to say the least. Not the least of which is this developing relationship between Todd and Althea. I do honestly think that this new relationship is a good thing for Todd. However I do wonder if it will be sufficient for the boy.

This brings me to my second 'interesting' namely my partner, Kate. She seems to believe the same, minus my skepticism. Though I do believe strongly in Truth, Beauty, Freedom and Love I maintain a healthy dose of wariness, as I've seen love hurt as well as heal in my life.

Kate and I had a bit of a discussion regarding that. Incidentally the way in was the song Morgen Marschieren Wir. For me that song is one that is poignant. For me it's jaunty tune and it's hopeful themes were helpful in warding off the effects of la cafard, or at least keeping them at bay when serving in La Legion.

It did lead to another thing. I think Kate has one of the biggest hearts I've ever seen. Any man who has won her love and trust is indeed fortunate. If I were to fall in love again it would be with someone like Kate.

I truly feel I am a fortunate man to have won her friendship…

"This set of notes is much more personal than the last," Stormshadow observed.

"As if hearing him ranting about how evil is to be extinguished for pages on end isn't?" Flint replied.

"Flint…" Lady Jaye replied, shooting her husband a warning glare.

"Speaking of our two agents, aren't you two handling them today?" Stormshadow asked.

"Yes, we're actually meeting them for lunch at Coconut Pete's today," Flint replied.

Coconut Pete's
Kate Todd and Conrad Hart
03 March 2002, 1231

"So what are you thinking?" Kate asked, looking over at Conrad, who glanced out the window for a few moments with a far away look on his face.

"Well, I'm wondering if our two young, star crossed mutant lovers are planning some manner of tryst tonight," Conrad replied, turning his attention back towards Kate.

Kate smirked, "I'll bet you they are."

"And what, mademoiselle, would you be willing to bet?" Conrad replied with a wry grin of his own.

"You're really going for a wager here, Hart?" Kate replied.

Conrad replied, "No, as I am agreeing with you it would be a bit superfluous to make a bet."

"Alright, smart guy," Kate quipped, "What would you be willing to bet if you were opposed to me?"

"Well, if they didn't have their tryst I would want to know the story behind the rose you've got tattooed on your butt," Conrad replied.

"How did you know about…" Kate began, before remembering, "Oh, from when you walked in on me in the shower a few weeks ago?"

"Oui, mademoiselle," Conrad replied with a smirk, "What about you? What would you bet me if they did have this tryst?"

"Alright," Kate replied, "I'd want to know exactly why you joined the French Foreign Legion."

"A tattoo's origin story versus my reasons for joining the Legion?" Conrad replied, "An interesting choice."

Kate replied, "Well you know something personal about me, it's only fair I know something personal about you."

"When you present it that way, mademoiselle, I do see your point," Conrad replied.

"Speaking of ink," Kate asked, "Do you have any tattoos?"

"One, Kate," Conrad replied evenly.

"What is it?" Kate replied, then realizing something she added, "Conrad, if it's in a very personal place…"

Conrad raised his hand, cutting her off, before he began to unbutton the cuff of his right sleeve, rolling it all the way to his shoulder.

Kate took a look at Conrad's upper arm, near where it met his shoulder. She could see the profile of a skull wearing the trademark kepi blanc at a rakish angle. Below it were the letters N.J.N.R.R. in elaborate script.

"What does that mean?" Kate asked.

"The skull and the kepi blanc are fairly obvious," Conrad replied, "My service in the La Legion Etrangere."

"No, the letters NJNRR," Kate asked.

"Well, mademoiselle, it stands for this phrase, 'Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien'," Conrad replied, "Which translates into…"

"No, I Regret Nothing," Lady Jaye said as she and Flint approached the table.

"Tres bien, mademoiselle," Conrad commented as the two took their seats.

"You guys are a bit late," Kate observed.

"Traffic was a killer. And no it wasn't Shipwreck's doing this time," Flint replied.

"Je ne regrette rien," Kate began, "Conrad, didn't you say that's a thing all ex-Legionnaires say?"

Conrad nodded, "So much so that it became part of the refrain of a very famous song by Edith Piaf, a famous French singer. She sang it in 1960."

"That's famous in the Legion's history, isn't it?" Flint asked.

Conrad nodded his head, "It was after the failed coup of 1961 which the 1st Foreign Parachute Regiment of La Legion participated in. Degaulle had the unit disbanded and in a final act of spite the paratroopers defiantly sang the song's lyrics as they dynamited their barracks before marching into imprisonment."

"Which were?" Kate asked.

"No, none, none at all! No, my regrets are all gone. The fun I've had and the pain, I have let it all go. No, none, none at all! No my regrets are all gone, washed off, wiped out and away. So to hell with the past!" Conrad supplied.

Very appropriate for you, Conrad. Kate thought to herself. Concern etched her features briefly, as she could hear the raw emotion in Conrad's voice as he recounted the lyrics. Whatever it was in the past it had to have hurt. I could feel the emphasis on that last part.

The ex-Legionnaire rolled his sleeve back down, buttoning it back into place. He reached over to take a sip from his water glass, trying to remain nonchalant.

"So what prompted this talk of tattoos?" Flint asked.

"Simply a side conversation," Conrad replied evenly. There's no way I'm going to mention anything about knowing about Kate's tattoo.

Something else is going on here, Lady Jaye thought as she finished a sip of her own glass of water.

"Okay," Lady Jaye interjected, "So what was the 'main conversation'?"

"A discussion on a possible tryst between Althea and Todd," Conrad replied.

"Oh," Flint replied, "So you think the two lovebirds are going to sneak out and see one another?"

As if we didn't know. But we don't want either Agent Hart or Agent Todd to know they're being watched. Flint thought to himself.

"I'll bet on that," Kate replied.

The Pit, Ninja Dojo
Althea Delgato and Todd Tolansky
03 March 2002, 2248

Todd glanced around him for what felt like the hundredth time before sliding down the rope towards the ground outside the dojo. Glancing around and upward, seeing the full moon and smiling slightly. It meant he would have light for this important mission.

Quietly he crept across the base, intent on avoiding contact with any of the adults. He threw himself flat into a patch of high grass as a Humvee driven by Beach Head moved along the road. He could hear his heart pounding in his chest as he heard the vehicle drive by.

Busted. Todd thought to himself.

To his surprise the vehicle continued moving onward through the moonlit night. Once the sound of the engine faded into the distance he stood back up and resumed his journey. He reached a secluded glade on the shores of a small pond.

He looked around again before whistling a high pitched whistle. He heard a second whistle in reply and felt his heart race for the second time that night. He whistled once again, the pre-arranged signal to show he hadn't been followed. The bushes to his front, and to the the right rustled and Althea emerged.

Todd rushed over to Althea. She looks more beautiful than I remember.

In the moonlight Todd took her in his arms, pulling her close. He could feel her arms wrapping around the back of his neck. He leaned forward and kissed her passionately. Then he buried his face in her neck, taking in her scent.

With a sniffle he whispered, "I missed you."

"Me too," Althea replied, kissing him back before just holding him close. She felt Todd return the embrace. After a while she let go, looking around, before taking his hand.

"Come on," Althea said, leading Todd along the shore of the pond, towards a trail that led into the woods. They came to a stop in a small clearing with a profusion of wildflowers and a large flat rock. Althea guided him to a sitting position and for several minutes they just held each other, not speaking as Althea stroked his hair. Then Todd pulled away.

"What's wrong?"

Todd sighed. "It's just….I mean there's so much…"

"Todd…" Althea began gently.

"There's just so much I have to tell you. But it's hard to say," Todd replied, blinking.

"Take your time. I'm here for you," Althea said.

Todd took a deep breath. "I didn't just want to shut you out without telling you but...I had to. I...needed to be alone for a while. I just couldn't be around you. It's not you. It's me. When I started to remember…" Todd stopped and closed his eyes. "It just hurt too much. I couldn't handle it. I felt so...ashamed."

"Todd I asked around and heard that Mystique hurt you when you were younger," Althea said softly. "It wasn't your fault."

"I couldn't fight them," Todd replied, tears starting to leak from his eyes, "I…"

"Shhh," Althea took his head and kissed the tears on his face. "It doesn't matter to me. I...I don't care what they did to you! I think you are one of the bravest people I know."

"I don't feel very brave," Todd said.

"Todd I don't know everything they did to you," Althea said. "But I know anyone who survived what you did and still has the strength to keep going has got to have a very strong spirit deep down inside."

"That or very lucky," Todd replied with a sigh.

"Maybe." She stroked his cheek with her hand. "But you've come this far. You can't let them beat you."

"I know," Todd sighed.

They sat together for a few moments, just holding each other in silence. Althea broke that silence, "So what kind of training have they got you doing?"

"A lot of ninja stuff, that's the best way I can describe it," Todd replied. "They also have me doing other weird stuff. Like poking me with these tiny needles."

"Acupuncture," Althea said. "Does it hurt?"

"Well actually it doesn't," Todd scratched his head. "But the first time they did it I thought it was going to. I kinda screamed for a few minutes...heh…"

Althea giggled. "Yeah that sounds like you."

"They also have me take these baths with this water that smells kinda funny, but it's nice."

"Hot spring water, eh?" Althea said. "I've had those. They're nice and they also help you become stronger."

"Yeah," Todd sighed, looking over at Althea, "I missed this. Just talking to you I mean."

"Just talking to me?" Althea asked with a raised eyebrow.

Todd blushed just before Althea leaned in and kissed him. Todd kissed her back. Smiling he replied, "Well I guess there's other stuff I miss too."

Althea pulled him closer, allowing him to rest his head on her shoulder. Todd smiled, enjoying the warmth against the night's slight chill. "I wish we could just stay here all night." Althea sighed.

"I know, but I have to go back soon. Before they miss me."

Althea replied, "Me too."

Todd whispered in Althea's ear, "I just want to stay here, just for a few more minutes. I don't want to think about anything else right now."

"Okay," Althea stroked his hair. "When can you come back?"

"I don't know," Todd sighed, "Roadblock's taking me on some kind of camping trip in a week or so. Maybe after then?"

After a few more minutes, just sitting quietly together Althea said, "Todd?"

"Yeah?"

"Promise me that you'll return as soon as you can," she said softly.

"I'll be back soon. I promise," Todd replied, pulling her close, whispering into her ear.

"I'll wait for you," Althea replied, before digging into her jacket. It was a black bandana with something gold on it. "I got this for you."

She put it on his forehead, "Think of me when you wear it."

"This is cool," Todd said, "What's that gold writing yo?"

"It's Kanji," Althea explained, "It says 'warrior'."

"Wow," Todd looked at her, "I never got anything this nice before. Thank you."

"You're welcome," Althea smiled. "You know there is another way of thanking me."

"Huh?" Todd thought for a second before the synapse fired. He blushed before pulling her close and kissing her.

After holding her for a few more minutes he said, sadly, "I have to go."

"Yeah," she kissed him back, "Come back to me soon."

"Promise," Todd nodded. He held her hand for a moment, wanting to preserve the moment a little longer. He impulsively gave her a brief, longing kiss before hopping away into the night.

Althea stared after him sadly, whispering, before sneaking off into the night, "Take care of yourself Todd."

TBC