Ten
The study was quiet, save the soft sound of a hard drive humming, and the occasional rustle as the desk chair's occupant shifted. Chino was curled up on the couch, her muzzle resting on the arm as she watched Jade work.
"God damn it," Jade muttered, reaching out and selecting a section of text, then copying it. "That's not what I asked for." She pasted it into an email and then typed furiously, sending the message with a savage keystroke. "And you'd better have that in by Tuesday, mister... or I'm going to ram that IMUX in a place where even extended cables won't reach it. "
"Grr." Chino agreed, yawning and poking her pink tongue out.
"Yeah." Jade leaned back and rocked her head back and forth, rubbing her neck with one hand. She'd been crouched over her email for hours, trying to catch up on things that had been building all week. Tori had gone out to pick up a few things off the island, and she'd taken the opportunity to concentrate on her project. "Okay.. next."
She leaned forward and clicked on the next mail. "Ah." This, at least, was moderately good news. Sinjin's analysis of the data they'd recovered from Peak had turned up a copy of their friend's online banking account, and that had been sent to not only Rob and Jade but to the corporate legal department as well.
Jade clicked on it to forward and typed in Alastair's name. "There... you wanted a smoking gun, you got one. The bastard was billing those customers a 'management fee' and pocketing it." She hit send with considerably more satisfaction this time.
The next mail was from Ankow's office, and she skimmed through it, making small disgusted noises. "Yeah, right... I'll provide an onsite aide and escort for you, buddy.. right out the loading dock door." With a sigh, she forwarded the mail to Mariela. "This is a visiting board member. He thinks he's god's gift to WesTrek, please treat him accordingly."
A bit of warm sunset trickled in, striping her forearms as they lay on the desk. It reminded her of just how long a day it had been, and she surveyed her half-full mailbox, then closed the window out and let the underwater scene she currently had as her backdrop replace it.
"That's enough, Chino." Jade let her head rest against the soft leather back of the chair. "I'll do the rest of that later, okay?"
"Yawp." Chino yawned sleepily, then climbed down and ambled over, sitting down on Jade's bare foot and licking her ankle.
Jade picked the half-grown puppy up and put her on her lap, scratching her ears and smiling a little as Chino transferred her licking to the underside of Jade's chin. "Hey... that's cold." Jade hugged the puppy, and kissed her nose, glancing around a little guiltily as she did so. "You want to go for a walk? I think I need a walk, Chino...your Mama stuffed me like a pig with that spicy noodle thing she made for lunch."
She stood and carried the animal into the kitchen to retrieve her leash, then put her down and opened the back door. "G'wan... "
Chino happily frisked down the steps and galloped over to the gate, waiting impatiently as Jade worked the latch and they walked out onto the path heading towards the beach.
Tori tucked the bags she'd acquired under an arm and strolled towards the outside cafe at Bayside. The sun was starting to set, and a cool breeze was coming off the water. She took a deep breath of the salty air and found herself a seat, tucking her purchases under her and leaning back against the railing. A waiter drifted towards her and she ordered a strawberry banana smoothie, then settled back to wait.
It didn't take long. She had her drink and was sucking contentedly on it when she caught a motion out of the corner of her eye, and turned, to see a tall, hooded figure casually making its way towards her. Right on time. Briefly, Tori wrestled with her conscience, considering what she was doing as being meddling rating a twelve on a one to ten scale.
On the other hand, she reasoned, as James paused and watched a seagull before he continued. On the other hand, this is my family now, and I love them. Jade understood that, right? "Hi, Dad."
"Hey there, kumquat." James dropped into the chair across from her. "Whatcha got in the glass?"
"It's a strawberry Banana Smoothie." Tori pushed it towards him. "Try it."
He picked it up, sniffed it suspiciously, and took a small sip. "Huh.. that ain't half bad."
Tori smiled, then leaned forward, and cocked her head. "Did you get hurt?" A bandage covered half the shadowed face, almost obscuring his right eye.
"Naw." James returned her glass. "Some damn crazy stuff the VA's doin'." He cleared his throat. "Government gimme pig kinda thing."
"A skin graft?" Tori inched her chair closer. "That's where the really bad ones were." She peered curiously at him, noting the embarrassed glower that was the very image of his daughter. "Can I see?"
"No, you may not, young lady," James growled at her. "So, don't you be looking at me like that."
Tori gazed compassionately at him.
"Stop that."
She gave him her best sad puppy look, the one that always worked on Jade.
"I said.. stop that!' The tall man rasped. "Those damn brown eyes ain't workin' on me, hear?"
She mentally counted to ten.
"Aw, shit." James scooted his chair closer. "It ain't hardly nothing... damn doctors were just tryin' to fix it so it didn't smart so damn much."
Tori lifted a hand slowly and touched the fastener on the bandage, feeling the skin tense under her touch, as James's eyes closed in reflex. She pulled the white gauze aside and leaned closer. "Oh... I see."
The two large, knotted scars that had almost covered the right side of his face had been seemingly removed, replaced by what looked like a thin layer of reddened, tacked-in-place skin. "Where did they get the skin?"
The blue eyes opened and regarded her. "Fake. Some new stuff." He muttered.
"Ohh... artificial skin.. yeah... I saw a special on that." Tori gently put the bandage back into place. "Cutting edge technology... in fact, um... " She laughed softly. "Jade helped program the mainframes for that stuff."
"Yeah, well... won't look any prettier, but it sure damn 'nough feels better," James admitted a little pride seeping into his words. "Hurt to move the other way."
Tori brushed his other cheek with her fingertips, resisting the urge to hug him. "I"m glad... I know Jade will be glad to hear it too."
"Mmph." James leaned back and stuck his hands in the pockets of his hooded sweatshirt. This was his summer version, she realized, as it had the sleeves cut off to expose his muscular arms. "How's my kid?"
"She's all right." Tori settled back too. "It was kind of a tough couple of days."
"You go up there with her?"
Tori nodded.
"Good girl."
They were both silent for a bit.
"She kind of knocked everyone's socks off." Tori finally said, feeling her way very cautiously.
James smiled, his eyes briefly glinting with paternal pride. "I bet." Then he fell silent again.
"I... got to meet your wife." Tori saw the flinch. "At the service, and then we stopped by where she lives this morning."
His eyes focused on something out on the horizon, and he remained quiet, watching and listening.
Tori took her time, wanting, above all not to hurt him. "It's... I've been wondering all day what I was going to say to you when I saw you."
"She's doin' all right." James finally rasped. "Ain't she?"
How to answer that? "No... I don't think she is." She spoke on an exhale. "She seemed really alone."
He stared at her intently, devouring everything.
"I mean.. she lives in a nice place... but... " Tori clasped her hands to keep them from shaking, aware of how delicate a line she was treading. "Everything was very... stark. Very plain, and functional... and there.. it was so strange. There weren't any colors."
The waiter drifted back over. "Something for you, sir?"
'Whiskey." James answered, in a clipped voice.
Tori waited for the waiter to leave, then put a hand on James's knee. "I'll stop, if you want me to. "
"No." He seemed tired. "G'wan... she wasn't... sick.. or nothin, was she? I...I mean.."
"I don't think so, no." A breath. "Just very alone." Tori steeled herself. "I think she really misses you."
He was totally motionless for a long moment. "Thought she'd have started over by now... ' He answered, in a remote voice. "S'what she said she'd do... find her someone who wouldn't run off on her like I done."
Tori took his hand in hers. "That's not what she did." She took a breath. "I think she lost the most important thing in her life... and there was nothing that could replace that, so she didn't even try."
The waiter came and delivered James's shot. "Get you folks an appetizer or something?"
"Um... a basket of Cajun shrimp," Tori told him, just to make him go away.
The shadowed eyes regarded her in bleak shock. "Jade tell her about me?" James finally asked, bluntly.
"No," Tori replied quietly. "She promised she wouldn't.. and I know she'd never break a promise to you." She took a folded piece of paper from her shirt pocket and put it in the palm of his hand, closing his fingers around it. "And I didn't think I had the right... not without talking to you first. But I did write down the phone, and the address." Her eyes searched his face. "If you wanted to use them."
His hand tightened around the paper and he sat very still, blue eyes shifting in intense thought. "She didn't forget about me, huh?" He asked at last, in a mild, wondering tone.
Tori felt the awful tension gripping her relax. "I don't think anyone who met you could forget you." She murmured. "You're an extraordinary person." She leaned back, emotionally exhausted, then deliberately picked up the shot of whiskey, and downed it in a single gulp. "Brr." She shuddered, as the alcohol burned its way down, sending a relaxing flow through a body not accustomed to the hard stuff.
James blinked at her in surprise, then drew his hand back and opened it, looking at the piece of paper before he tightened his fist and stuck it into his pocket. "Yer pretty damn special yourself, Tori." He remarked in a gentle voice. "I can see why my kid's so stuck on you." He watched her lick her lips. "You want 'nother one?"
Tori rubbed her nose. "Um.. no... I.. don't usually do that... I was just a little wound up.. sorry. I'll have him get another."
James snagged her smoothie glass and started sucking on that instead. "Naw.. this is all right." He looked up as the waiter put the basket down. "Can you get me one more of these damn things?"
"Um.. sure." The man looked confused, but willing, and left, after marking down something on his pad.
Jade's father leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "How'd my kid handle it?"
Tori took a shrimp, examining it. "It was rough...I think what happened really hurt her." She booted the bags next to her lightly. "I got her some treats... just to cheer her up a little."
James peeked into the bag. "Lord." He managed a slight grin. "Got you enough chocolate there?"
Tori smiled back. "Want to come to help administer it?"
The answer came back surprisingly fast. "Yeap... I think I'd like to do that." He confirmed. "Need to talk to her about a few things anyhow."
Tori put a bill down on the table and picked up the styrofoam plate of shrimp. "C'mon... " She offered him a spicy nugget. "Share?"
"I'd better take custody of them bags." Came the gruff reply, as James joined her, and they walked down the patio, into the setting sun. "No sense in risking good chocolate... you might trip or something."
"You sound just like Jade when you say that."
"Doncha mean she sounds like me?" James countered, tasting a shrimp. "Jesus H. Christ in a Humvee, girl.. what the hell are you eating there?" He swallowed a mouthful of the drink he'd taken along.
"Um... it's kinda spicy, huh?" Tori smiled sheepishly. "Sorry.. shoulda warned you... I've gotten to like things a lot hotter since I've met Jade."
"Heh." James chuckled.
"Hmm?" Tori gave him a puzzled look and saw the amused twinkle in his eyes. "Ow…." She realized what she'd said, and groaned. "Daaaadd…."
"Heh… tips of yer ears turn pinker than a pig's butt, y'kow that?"
Tori reached her free hand up and covered her ear in reflex. "Ugh… I know... I know."
Jade was sprawled on the beach, her butt firmly perched on dry sand, and her legs stretched out into the surf, glistening as the incoming tide washed over them. She was leaning against a piece of upthrust coral rock, and tossing bits of broken shell lazily into the water, watched alertly by a curled-up Chino next to her.
She wiggled her toes and watched the long shadows cast by the setting sun behind her flicker, the warmth on her back and shoulders combining with the somnolent salty air coaxing her almost into sleep.
The waves moved in softly, with their familiar rush and hiss, and the faint tinkle of shells being left behind for lucky hunters to find. Jade closed her eyes and enjoyed the peace, sorely needed after the past few days.
At least she had a whole day tomorrow to relax before the new week started. She ran through a list of possible activities, then decided to ask Tori if she'd like some time underwater. A nice trip out on the boat.. maybe they'd picnic…
Jade opened her eyes and gazed out at the empty horizon. 'Damn, my life has sure changed, Chino."
"Rrfh." The Labrador licked her chops and put her head back down on Jade's thigh.
"I used to work all weekend." She stroked the dog's soft ears. "Or sleep.. if I'd finally worn myself out enough… I definitely never looked forward to Fridays before." Now, she not only did, but also resented when meetings or conference calls kept her late at the office, and she wondered briefly just how much that had impacted her job performance.
Probably a lot, she admitted privately. She knew she used to keep up on every minute detail, sometimes startling staff members with her sharp questions. That… just didn't happen anymore. She had let a lot of things slip, left a bunch of issues resting on her crew, and mostly on Tori's shoulders, trusting them to do their jobs, and hoping it didn't come back to bite her in the ass.
It felt so strange.
But so far… so far, no major disasters had happened, amazingly enough. Little things, sure, but they always did anyway, and she'd come to realize lately that maybe, just maybe… she'd been a touch too involved.
"Bet I drove everyone out of their damn minds, Chino." She confessed. "I'm lucky they didn't toss me off the 14th-floor balcony." She stifled a yawn and tossed a last shell into the water. "We'd better go back… see what your other mommy's been up to, hmm?" She leaned over 'Where's Tori?"
The milky ears shot up, and Chino raised her head, cocking it to one side.
"Go find Tori." Jade urged, with a grin, watching as the puppy scrambled to her feet, and started ambling off. She pulled herself up and dusted her shorts off, then followed, digging her toes into the warm sand with a feeling of distinct pleasure.
"Hmm." Tori ducked into the kitchen. "She must have taken Chino for a walk." She put her packages down, slipping the chocolate out and setting it on the counter. "She loves to run on the beach."
"My kid or the dog?" James asked, leaning on the counter.
"Yes." The brunette woman answered, with a smile.
"Mmph… she always wanted a dog."
"She told me," Tori replied quietly.
The tall man pushed off the counter and went to stand by the sink, gazing out at the water. "Wasn't easy for a kid.. the way we lived." A pause. "Moving around all the time... Jade didn't make too many friends."
"Moving doesn't' always cause that." Tori moved over and leaned next to him. "I lived most of my life in the same spot… I knew a lot of people, but I figured out pretty early on that most of the people who wanted to be friends with me, had a motive."
James nodded a couple of times.
"It wasn't that bad, really…I had a lot of fun growing up. I think it was best before I was old enough to realize what was going on with my family." She mused. "I was a pretty happy kid."
They stood in silence for a bit. "Miss yer family?" Jade's father finally asked.
Tori had to think about that. "I miss my sisters. We were close." Another pause. "My aunts and uncles….we used to have big gatherings… they'd all be there, with all my cousins. We'd get pretty rowdy sometimes."
James merely listened, and watched, a natural state with him.
"I don't miss checking myself in the mirror six times before leaving my room." A distant look entered the brown eyes. "Or never being quite good enough." Her head cocked to one side thoughtfully. "Being here, on my own was such a change... I'd go back there for holidays and wonder how I ever lived like that for so long."
The outer gate clanked, audible even through the closed windows, and they peered out to see Jade entering, with Chino bouncing around near her knees. Tori felt a smile crossing her face in unconscious reaction at the sight, as the crimson rays turned her wife's semi pale skin a burnished golden hue. She was wearing a very brief, cut-off sleeveless sweatshirt and a pair of ragged denim shorts, and there certainly was a lot to admire showing.
"Good Lord," James complained. "Think she's living in the streets with them clothes." He shook his head and stomped to the door, flinging it open and putting his hands on his hips. "Whatcha think ye're doing out there half-naked young lady?"
The dark head jerked up from where Jade had been brushing off the sand from her knees, and she blinked. "Dad?"
"J'think it's the mailman talkin t'you like that?"
His daughter straightened up and mimicked him, putting her hands on her hips, and then glancing down her long frame. "Half naked? This isn't half naked." She paused, then grinned and pulled off the sweatshirt, leaving herself in nothing but her sports bra and muscle tone. "This.. .is half naked." She spread her arms cheerfully. "See?"
"Lord have mercy." James clapped a hand over his eyes. "Git in here." He pointed off to his right. "And you stop laughing."
Tori was leaning over the sink, trying to catch her breath from giggling. "Oh god... I can't.."
Jade trotted up the steps with Chino scrambling next to her and entered. "C'mon, Dad.. it's not like you've never seen me in my underwear."
One blue eye appeared. "There was a lot less of you to see when you were six and running round without yer clothes on, I'll tell ya that." James groused. "Or when you were a tot and pulled yer diapers off all the time."
"Dad." Jade rolled her eyes.
Tori felt a new set of giggles coming on.
"Damn, good aim you had." Her father went on, irrepressibly. "Used them things like a slingshot."
"Dad!" His daughter got out an outraged squawk.
"Heh... teach you to sass me, won't it?" But the blue eyes twinkled gently. "Didn't figure back then, though… such a scrappy little thing'd grow up so damn pretty."
It caught Jade off-guard. She produced the most tongue-tied, bashful look Tori had ever seen on an adult human being, and she sorely wished she had the foresight to use her phone, to capture it forever. "I'm not surprised." She distracted James from his blushing offspring. "Look who she takes after." She winked at him, then laughed. "Oh.. neat.. now I can say I made a sailor blush!"
"Sonofabuscuit." James muttered.
"I'm going to go get some email sorted… " Tori slipped past them and diplomatically left the two alone. "Come get me when you feel like dinner."
Jade watched her go wistfully, then took a breath, and ducked into the laundry room, retrieving a white cotton t-shirt and pulling it on. "Better?" She gave her father a wry look.
He grunted, but his mouth twitched into a grin.
"Thirsty?" Jade went to the refrigerator and retrieved a pitcher of grape juice. She could feel the unspoken emotion between them, and it was making her a little nervous. "Wasn't expecting you to be by… you in the neighborhood?"
He took the glass she offered and held it. "Not really… Tori done gave me a call. Had a few things to say."
Jade was a little surprised, but she nodded. "Want to go inside?" She led the way into the living room, and staked out a corner of the couch, watching him settle into the corner of the loveseat at right angles to her. They were both, she realized, a little uncomfortable. "What's the bandaid about?"
He reached a hand up and touched it. "Just some stuff they're doing to make it hurt a little less."
"Mm."
They were both silent for a bit.
"Tough up there, huh?" James asked, after several sips of juice.
"Wasn't the most pleasant experience I've ever had, no." Jade squared her shoulders and faced him. "But I'm glad I went."
He nodded slowly.
"Family's the same."
His lips twitched.
Jade studied the tile, tracing the grout lines intently. "Mom's doing all right... I guess... I.. um.. " A head shake. "I wish you'd call her." She had to force the words out, in a quiet mutter. 'It was hard as hell to see her and not say anything." She exhaled unhappily, then glanced up.
James shifted uncomfortably. "Been so damn long... I don't know…can't just call… "
It would be a shock, true. "You could write," Jade suggested softly.
"Never was much good at that." He sighed and stared at the bit of paper. "You… really think it'll be.. she won't just tell me to go to hell or something?"
Jade considered the question very seriously. The fear she understood only too well. "I think she's in a lot of pain." She almost felt her father flinch at that. "And I think you're the only fix for that, Daddy." Now, she looked up, putting all the sincerity she could into her voice and eyes. "That's what I honestly believe."
He was very still, only the pale eyes moved, flicking around the room as he thought. Finally, he let out a tired little sigh. "I miss her." A pause. "Damn, I do."
Jade had to clamp her jaw down hard. "I know." She said, after a moment for the lump to go down.
"The whole damn thing with the family though… I don't know if I can fight that fight again, Jade." James closed his eyes. "Can't ask her to give that up again… you know they won't put up with me."
Jade got up and went to her study, returning a moment later and sitting down again. She held an envelope in her hands. "To hell with them." She stated softly, holding one hand out to him. "C'mere."
Hesitantly, he leaned forward. "What?" He watched as she put the envelope into one hand, and curled his fingers over it. "What is that, honey?"
"Your pension."
James's brows, almost obscured against his scarred skin drew together. "What?" Puzzled, he opened the envelope and took the papers out, unfolding them, and running his eyes cursorily over their contents.
Then he stopped.
And his face went totally blank in utter shock.
"Jade Giana West, what in the name of God is this?" The question came out in a strangled whisper.
It was a very sweet moment. Jade absorbed it and tucked it away down deep. "May's trust fund came due." She answered calmly. "I signed it over to you, and had Richard put it in your name."
"M…" He simply stared at her.
"I think May would have liked that." Jade smiled wistfully. "I know I did." She looked up. "You gave me so much….it felt great to give something back." A tear escaped, and she wiped it away impatiently. "Don't say you won't take it, because it's too late for that."
He folded the papers up and leaned his forehead against them, to overcome to say anything at all.
"I knew if I asked you… it'd be no." Jade ticked a finger off. "If I offered, you'd refuse. If I gave you a chance to turn it down... you would." Her jaw jutted out. "So I didn't. "
He gazed at her.
Jade smiled, and glanced up, to see a pair of brown eyes peeking at her from the stairwell. "Tori… could you get Dad more juice? I think he's about to cough up a kidney on the floor here."
"Sure." The brunette ambled down the stairs and ducked into the kitchen, then reappeared with the pitcher, bringing it over and pouring some in James's empty glass. "You okay?" She put a hand on the silent man's shoulder.
"No I am not okay." He managed to rasp. "Did you know about this?"
"Sure… I'm her spouse." Tori sat down next to him on the loveseat, putting an arm around him. "I thought it was the most incredibly great idea I'd ever heard."
"Did yer." James seemed to still be in shock.
"Yes, I did." Tori didn't feel any resistance to her touch, so she scratched his back between the shoulder blades, where his daughter always liked it.
He fingered the papers. "Can't think of a damn thing to say." He muttered at last.
Jade smiled, and regarded her now empty, clasped hands.
That meant he wouldn't say no.
May would have definitely approved. And as for the rest of the family…. Jade's eyes glinted in the dusky light.
They can most certainly kiss my ass.