Generations - Reunion

Jason watched her as she organised the children at breakfast time. The last few months had been nerve-wracking for them both since Anderson’s heart attack had forced Princess into taking on the additional role of Security Chief. He wasn’t happy that she was killing herself trying to live up to her own expectations, and it was against his wishes that she was going into the office today, especially considering that barely four days ago, she was too ill to leave her own bed.

As usual when Princess was under the weather, her skin seemed paler than usual, and the contrast between pale skin and inky hair was heightened. In best of health, she seemed a little fragile (a huge lie, which Jason knew well from many years experience), but now that air of fragility was exaggerated – and the appearance was not far from the truth.

“Sit down, Prin, and eat your own breakfast. We’re all capable of fending for ourselves,” he said, rising and pulling her into her place at the table. “Vivian, get your mother a cup of coffee and some toast, please.”

“I’m fine, Jason. I can get my own breakfast.”

“You shouldn’t be down here. And besides, why else have children if not to fetch and carry?”

“Dad!” Jason grinned at the joint shout from Chris and Vivian, and sat in his own place, rubbing his hand gently down his wife’s arm. She smiled at him and at her daughter who put some coffee and toast in front of her.

“Thank you, Viv. Jason, I’ll be fine. You know that once I start to get better, I go in leaps and bounds. You don’t have to come in with me today. I can cope.”

“Princess, you didn’t see the massive list that’s waiting for you. I saw it when I spoke to Jenny on Friday. There’s no way you could get through it alone.”

“It’s not for long. You told me that the Chief said his replacement would be available shortly. I can cope until then.”

“You shouldn’t have to!”

Her smile turned feral. “It’s not my fault you and Kye are too busy with your own businesses to spend time on G-Force unless we’ve got a mission.. Somebody has to do it, Jase, and I’m the only one left.”

“You’re right, which is why I’ve spent the last year getting my own business to the point where it runs itself.” He shrugged. “You know I prefer just to drive, anyway. The other shit just happened.”

“Jason!”

“If that’s the worse that they hear from me,” he said grinning at Chris and Vivian, “then we can count ourselves lucky.”

“You’re only mildly civilised, aren’t you? After all the work I’ve put in.”

He leaned back in his chair and stretched, enjoying the way her eyes followed the movement of his body. “You like uncivilised.”

“Too much information, Dad,” said Chris standing up and collecting dirty cups and plates.

“Way too much. Mama, can I have your toast if you don’t want it?”

Princess pushed the plate to her daughter after taking half a slice for herself. “What?” she asked Jason impatiently.

“Sweetheart, you have to eat.”

“I will, during the day. You have no idea how much food Jenny seems to think I need.”

“But I will because I intend to be there today.”

“Doing precisely what, Jason?” Princess was wary – there was no way that she was going to let him loose on anything that required even the smallest amount of tact and diplomacy.

“I’ve worked it out with Jenny. I’ll look after your little fledglings today, while you deal with the politicians.”

“Be polite, Jason. Don’t make them cry.”

“I won’t. And, may I remind you that I do know how to run a training session. How many years has it been?”

Princess leaned over and kissed him. “Far too many. And I’m starting to feel it every morning. The Rigans arrive today,” she said changing the subject. “I’d better deal with that.”

“Definitely. But let me deal with everything else on the programme plate today. Chris, you ready for what’s ahead?”

Chris nodded. “I’ve been ready all my life, Dad. I’m just not sure how you do it, though.”

“Do what?”

“Pretend like you do. You know, keep your cover.”

“We’ve not had to do that for some years, Chris,” said his mother. “But there is a trick to it, and it’s one you’ll pick up. Just try not to pick up some of Jason’s worse habits along the way.”

“Spoilsport.”

“Car’s here, Dad,” said Vivian coming back into the kitchen. “Check it out, Chris. It’s huge.” The two children left the kitchen.

“Car?” asked Princess.

“Easier. Remember – mine had to go in for its service. It’ll be waiting for me at base, so I asked for a lift for us all. I’ll bring us home tonight.”

“But what if I’m not finished -,” she started.

“You will be, Alexandra. You got sick because you kept pushing yourself too hard. What would have happened if we had a mission? You have to limit yourself.” She knew he was serious – just the use of her real name spoke volumes.

“I have work to do, Jason. I’ve run missions after a full day’s work before.”

“I don’t want to have to make this an order, Princess, but I will if I have to. You may be acting as Security Chief, and you may be the head of the G-Force program, but since Mark left, I’m the head of the G-Force team, and so I get final say.”

She was looking at him with her eyes wide with hurt. The mention of Mark hurt. It thrust her back into the suffering his disappearance had caused her. It reminded them both that their current life was because Mark wasn’t there.

It was rare that Jason pulled rank like this on her, and even rarer that he even alluded to Mark, and she could see the worry that had caused him to threaten to do so.

He could see the pain he’d caused her, and had felt it himself. At times like this, he cursed Mark for his actions. How could he have abandoned her? How could Mark have abandoned his team?

Jason felt a shiver run across his spine, and his gut knotted with apprehension. Why did he feel that something momentous was going to happen?

He pulled her up and put his arms around her tightly. “I can’t loose you, sweetheart. Those few days when you were so ill, I was terrified that I’d loose you. I won’t let you get to that state again. “ He kissed her deeply, desperately. “I do love you, you know. I know I don’t say it much, but I do.”

It was her turn to kiss him. “I know you do. You show it in so many ways that I don’t need you to keep saying it. Although it is nice when you do. And I love you as well. I promise, I’ll take care of myself. I know you’ll look after the fledglings. Just don’t make them cry.”

She pulled away and, collecting her jacket and briefcase, moved towards the front door. He ran after her.

”Once. Once I make somebody cry, and it’s held against me for the rest of my life.”

“Jason, he was a Captain in the Marines!”

“Can I help it if he was a wuss?”

Princess looked at the Marine holding the car door open. “You have my permission to try to extract revenge on behalf of the Marines, Sergeant.”

“My pleasure, Ma’am”

“Sergeant,” said Jason softly, “remember that she said try. Remember exactly who and what I am. Just don’t cry when I whup your sorry ass.”

“I’ll remember that, Sir.”

Jason settled into the car and tucked Princess into his side. “I hadn’t realised how much fun this could be,” he said as he stroked her arm.

“No, Jason. Not in the back of a car. Ever. And definitely not when the children are around.”

“Mama,” asked Vivian, “can I get my allowance now?”

“I’ve told you, Vivian, not until we get to the base.”

“But I’ve got shopping to do.”

“That’s nice. When we get to the base, you can do your list of where you’ll be, then you can get your allowance.”

“None of my friends have to do that.”

“None of your friends have the Chief of Security as their mother, Viv,” put in Jason. “You’re a target, kitten. We need to keep you safe.”

“I’m being stifled!”

“Hardly, Vivian.”

“Not to worry, kitten. How about I meet up with you later and take you for a treat?”

“Just you and I, Dad?”

“Just us.”

“Can I show you something special, Dad? Something I really want badly.” Jason nodded, wondering what his daughter was up to.

“That doesn’t mean I’ll buy it for you, though.”

“I just want you to see it.”

They were passing the spaceport as she spoke, and Princess suddenly sat bolt upright.

“Mark!”

“What?”

“I just felt him. Mark. He’s on Earth.” She rubbed her hands up her arms, moving away from Jason. She could feel him, that tingling in her blood that had been gone for eighteen years. It was back. He was here, but she couldn’t feel where.

Jason’s eyes went flat with anger, and he felt that knot in his stomach again. No. This couldn’t be happening.

“I hope he’s got a good explanation. And after I hear that, I’m gonna take him fucking apart.”

Princess was shaking now, and Jason tried to pull her back into his arms, but she resisted. He felt his heart drop as he heard her whisper “Mark, where are you?”

Chris and Vivian were frightened, Jason could see it in their faces. “Mama?” whispered Vivian, reaching out her hand towards her parents. “Dad?”

Chris put an arm around his sister and studied his mother. It had been many years since he’d seen that much anguish on her face, but he remembered. He remembered thinking that Mama was the saddest person in the world. He didn’t want her to be like that again, and if his father’s return would cause it, Chris would do all he could to stop that return.

Vaguely, he felt the same tug in his own implant and felt fearful. Why would he be able to feel Father?

He felt Vivian burrow closer into him, and hugged her tighter, then felt relief as his parents reached over, pulling their children into a close embrace.

They were a family, and Chris knew in his heart that nothing would ever change that. But he still felt frightened.

Vivian was calming down, but she still felt angry and confused. Mark was a name out of legend – and as far as she was concerned the one person whose existence denied her the dream of her parents marrying. She was going to fight him every step of the way. She hugged her mother tightly, and was gratified by the answering pressure.

“It’s all right, children. I’m fine now,” said Princess. Vivian and Chris looked at each other and then at their father. His face clearly said exactly the opposite of Mama’s words.

They pulled up outside the Federal Building and as they got out of the car, they both stiffened. There was that touch that they could both identify at once as Mark checking up on his team. Princess swayed, and this time she didn’t pull away when Jason put his arm around her.

He looked around, feeling that Mark was somewhere close, but it was no good. They started to go up the stairs towards the entrance, and he felt that presence again. He swiftly looked around, scanning the stopped cars.

The cars started to move off, and he turned away swiftly. He thought he’d seen a glimpse of Cronus in one of them.

Jason looked at the woman next to him. He’d been deluding himself for years now. She wasn’t his wife, only his lover. She was still married to Mark, and her husband’s return threw the life that Jason had built into jeopardy.

He made a resolve as they entered the building: this was his family. Nothing and nobody was going to pull it apart.

And if he had to take on Mark to keep it intact, then so be it.