Vintage

The Mission

Jade ignored Donovan’s puzzled look when she arrived late for the meeting, or what she called a daily collection of freaks discussing hot spots in the world, wearing her filthy mission clothes.

“What happened to your shower?” Donovan grumbled. Jade didn’t know why her brother was grouchy.  He was young, rich, and handsome. He could have any woman that he wanted… no wait, he couldn’t. Still, he should get his jollies from having a meeting. He lived for this nonsense. He loved planning and plotting.  Details slowed down Jade. There was nothing wrong with just walking in, kicking the bad team’s butt and then running. Not always a good plan, but extremely effective in Jade’s mind.

Donovan spent hours pondering… action, less thought, Donovan.

“I love leather, and the smell of smoke,” she muttered as she passed her brother’s chair.

She noticed Kira sat like a virgin waiting to be eaten by a monster. Did she forget lunch, is that why she’s gnawing on her lip? Her fingers encircled her brown curls and her eyes were sending Donovan looks, while lowering her eyes. Her brother sat there like Mount Everest, massive and cold.

Lovers spat? No, Donovan would never disobey Charles. That’s why his favorite color is blue just like Charles’s.

 Smiling cheekily, she slid into her leather chair next to Kira, who offered her a handkerchief. She wiped the cool lavender scented piece of cloth across her sticky black smoked-smudge face. Jade bit her lip to keep from smiling-Myron wanted to kiss her with a dirty face- he did care. Jade sniffed herself; I’m a bit smelly, too. It doesn’t matter; he cares. Someone besides Donovan and Kira cares about me.

She couldn’t fathom her feelings for Myron; why it was so hard to open her heart to him? She always slammed the brakes on their relationship, when they revealed too much or his fingers lingered on her skin. Patiently, Myron consoled her heart and listened to her fears. She slapped her stomach to make the butterflies go away.

Claire sent her an icy look as Jade tapped her belly loudly. Kira nudged her ribs. Jade curved her lips into a dutiful smile like a brainwashed cult member. She looked at her father with utter adoration, albeit fake utter adoration. Her sharp green eyes darted around the room. Kira sat to her left in her Yoga gear and Nike trainers. Her dark curly hair caught in a tight bun on her neck.

Menthol assaulted Jade’s nose; she spun in her chair to find Barry wiping his wrinkled face. His white hair hanging around his old face, his kind eyes were watery and tired. Great, he’s passing out cooties, and he can’t cure anything while he’s ill. Jade peered over his shoulder to find Luke dozing in his chair, a clump of shiny dark hair hiding his eyes. She needed to get his stylist’s number- his hair was much too glorious- his stylist was absolutely amazing. Compared to the rest Luke had somewhat of a life outside their team. He broke Charles and Claire’s rules without hesitation. He actually did things to annoy her sister. He would present his amazing smile and turn on his special charm. He could weasel his way out of a murder charge. It didn’t hurt that he was ruggedly handsome.

Barry had that stupid violet with him. A few months back, Kira gave Barry an African violet. He constantly pruned and pampered that damn thing. It had one green leaf. His gnarled old fingers patted the life out of it. Now, his hands had cooties and dying violet germs.

Just toss it in a bin. It’s dead, Barry.

Fateful practical Will sat ordering and cataloguing his security logs. His posture was downright amazing for a large body.  How does he arrange those unruly blonde curls? They are absolutely perfect, not natural in Jade’s opinion. She wondered what would happened if she placed a whoopee cushion on his seat. He needed to lighten up… live just a bit. Maybe, find a girl, wait that was way too much for Will. He was very handsome with his high cheekbones and facial structure. Not pretty a boy like Luke and Donovan. He was like Myron, manly. The smoke is clouding my brain.  Will’s first duty was to the team, such dedication to Charles.

Jade grinned warmly at Kai. This was must be big; Charles forced Kai out of his beloved shop. Something dire must be on the horizon. Charles’s firm rule, another ridiculous one that Charles deemed fit to control the team: Kai was not to be bothered by anyone as he created gadgets and machines to enable the team to combat evil across the world. Kai’s large brown hand cupped his face. Did she detect fatigue in his deep brown eyes, just like his little sister Kira’s? While Kira was sweet and bubbly, Kai was serious and quiet. Kai gave her a soft smile in acknowledgement.

Jade frowned deeply when she spotted Myron’s empty chair. He was always a bit late... never this late. Charles would have his head. Especially, because they had guests from across the pond.

Claire’s red nails tapped Charles’s gleaming table as she waited for him to take roll. Daily roll call was like attending school, just waiting for the teacher to call your name, while hoping that your nemesis would be absent. Jade looked to Charles’s left; she’s on time as usual. Claire was never ill; germs were afraid to enter her body.

Charles looked at Myron’s empty chair with irritation. His stony grey eyes laced with faint traces of anger.

Charles’s long fingers pushed his locator, just as Myron stumbled into the meeting. Numerous bandages adorned his fingertips.

“Sorry, Charles, I was on patrol. I rescued a cat from a tree. Sweet old lady offered to bandage my fingers, and offered me a cup of tea. What could I say,” Myron offered with a smile. Charles motioned Myron to take his seat, his head shaking slightly.

Myron’s blue eyes met Jade’s. She knew that he told a huge whopper of a lie to Charles. Kira yawned and dropped a wad of paper into her lap. Jade loved notes. Deftly, she opened her little missive. Kira wondered why she hadn’t taken a shower when they returned to the building.

Jade dropped her pen. Her head dropped past Kira’s knees, “I needed some solitude,” Jade whispered.  Where did she get that from? Jade wondered when she eyed a sparkly anklet adorning Kira’s brown ankle with a big ole D. Maybe, Donovan’s favorite color wasn’t blue.

Kira yawned again; her small arms extending caused her breasts to rise and fall softly. “In your mother’s hothouse?”

Jade nodded. She noticed that if looks could kill, Donavan would have killed their dark-haired guest on the spot. The stranger’s brown eyes trailed over Kira’s body. If Donovan didn’t put a ring on her, maybe this guy would. Donovan’s fault, not tall dark, handsome, and staring at Kira’s fault.

“Well, since everyone deems to make their presence known, let us begin,” Claire began coolly. Her voice could stop a mountain lion in its tracks.  Claire walked to stand behind the stranger… the American. She placed a hand on the dark one’s hard shoulder. “When our predecessors made contact in Area 51, they were bestowed with great gifts from the Nurtasians. We made a firm promise to carry out their goals on Earth, and protect our Universe from aggression. At this time, we must request assistance from every team. Based on the sensitive nature of our next mission, we request help from our British family.”

“Evan, the floor is yours.”

Why was I late today? Evan, the bloke who dumped Kira a few years ago in England, was here! He was the handsome stranger that undressed Kira with his eyes? Can we say Katy Perry’s Fireworks!

“Thank you, Claire, my sweet lady,” Evan replied.

Is c***k served at dinner in the England?  Claire is sweet?  Goodness, Kira, you fell for his pretty words.

Evan touched the Smart board, a digital video appeared. “My name is Evan, first commander of the Gor Team in the Britain. In case you are wondering, I have the ability to read emotions. My code name is Emo.”

That explains the flowery compliment.

“I can’t read minds. However, I can sense deception and every emotion in any brain.”

Jade wondered if he could sense her aching feet.

“My colleagues include, Jamie and Elena. Jamie has super human strength.” Jamie nodded in acknowledgment. “Elena can control animals with her mind.” The pretty blonde smiled at them.

“Of course, we have read your profiles prior to the meeting. We’ve studied you for weeks.”

Jade looked around at the team, everyone had leather folders. We were supposed to read it? We show up, and Charles barks orders at us. Jade took note as Kira pushed the notes towards her. They have to have a Cliff notes version.

His large brown hand tapped the board. “As you are aware, this is Bart, commonly known as the Alchemist.” They stared at Bart’s darkly handsome face. “He portrays himself as a man of industry and goodwill. However, his enterprises have been costly for our teams.” His fingers flicked away Bart as a delicate chin covered by midnight hair appeared on the screen. “Bart works for Raven. We have never seen her face, just a glimpse of her chin.”

Jade noticed Myron eyes’ tightening like he was in deep thought. Or was attempting to finalize a puzzle. One corner of his mouth curled as he rested his head on his hurt fingers.

“Keep moving,” Charles ordered gruffly. “Tell us something that we aren’t aware of.”

Evan nodded. Jade felt a wave of sympathy for her father. It was be a living nightmare to know that person who stole your wife’s life walked freely in the world. Jade watched her father swallowing nervously as he stared out of a window attempting control his emotions.

A beautiful blonde woman with deep blue eyes faded on screen. “She is a relatively new operative. Code name: Siren. She can hypnotize with her eyes. Don’t look into them. “

Jade leaned forward when the New Republic City Museum appeared on the screen. “Raven and her team plan to purchase a shipment of radium at a fundraiser in three days. We are here to help you stop it.”

Claire took her favorite place, to be more specific- center stage. “Your devices were sent your pairings, tickets, outlines of the security setup. In an effort to make your American counterparts welcome, some teams have been changed.”

Cautiously, everyone checked their phones. Jade was taken aback when she saw that she was Luke’s partner for the evening. Usually, she was with Will. Who thought of this? She was not going to spend the evening chatting with Will? Kira was paired with Evan, not Donovan.

She didn’t bother to look up when a large hand thumped loudly on the table.

“Who formed these teams?” Donovan demanded darkly.

“I did,” Claire offered.

“Well, reorganize the teams, Claire.”

“No.”

Jade lifted her head to stare at her younger brother. Something was different in his “No.” Donovan never made waves. He offered peaceful council to smooth tense times during meetings. Jade called him Switzerland behind his back; he defined neutrality. His jaw was clenched tightly; his eyes blazed fury at Claire. She didn’t get it.

Jade turned her head towards the window when the hot rays of the sun faded from her back. A large grey cloud covered the sun. She looked at Donovan’s handsome face which was contorted with annoyance.

Oh, hell, weather boy…

Donovan had the uncanny ability to control the elements: water, fire, air, and earth. He rarely allowed his emotions to control his actions. As kids, it was funny when he made it snow during Christmas or ruined someone’s outdoor party with rain.

 What’s his problem? It’s not like… Kira.

“Claire, Donovan is right. I won’t pair well with Evan, how can I possibly be his date? It won’t be believable, it could cause us to fail in the mission and maybe we should just rethink this,” Kira gushed.

This was the reason we nicknamed her Babble. Kira had the ability to say this all in one breath, one long amazing breath. Not one comma. Not a period in sight. Just one amazing gush. Jade noticed that her fingers twitched at she looked at Barry for support.

 What’s that about? I’m missing a lot today.

“Claire, as medical advisor, I’m overruling your placement of Kira. She’s with Donovan. Evan can partner with the other female.”

“I sai-“

“Claire, Barry’s decision is final.”

Claire looked shocked when she was finally shut down by Charles. Was it a brand new day? Doubtful. Out of her eye, she noticed her father and Barry exchanging a knowing look.

 What was that about? I need a new question.

She blinked a few times, and offered Kira and Donovan. “Of course, you can be together.”

Jade raised her hand. She waved it around to make Claire’s acknowledge her.

“So, am I back with my work boyfriend, Luke?”

“I love you too, darling,” Luke crooned form across the table.

Myron gave Luke a heated sideways glance.

Claire shook her blonde hair. “No, I’m not redoing the entire chart. So, you can play with Luke. We need someone serious to stabilize you. Kira and Luke aren’t the answer.

“Ouch,” Luke muttered. “Can you push the dagger a little deeper, Claire?”

Jade’s heart thumped loudly when she read: Come outside. Myron left a message on her bathroom mirror. Her fingers touched the towel wrapped around her head. She looked around nervously.

“Myron, I’m not dressed... no makeup and you’re outside. I don’t feel like gossiping. I’m tired, and want to lotion up… go to bed.”

She jumped when a loud rap broke her monologue.

“Jade, out of the bathroom, and stop talking to yourself. Do you have an alter or something? Let me know, if I’m dating more than one girl.”

Jade sighed. She wrapped her towel tighter around her slender body. She pasted a smile on her face, and opened the door.

Her jaw dropped when the smell of scented candles filled her nose. Her eyes roamed around her darkened bed. Soft flickering lights from hundreds of candles illuminated her bedroom. She stepped on her cool wooden floors. She swallowed nervously. Rose petals, hundreds of rose petals covered her bed… pink, yellow, white, orange.

“Myron,” she whispered.

She leaned back when his arms wrapped around her waist. “You need to stop sneaking up on me...”

“Never.” He pressed a quick kiss to her damp neck; he loved when she wore Marc Jacobs’ Daisy. “Much better than smoke, but you can rock it.”

Jade elbowed Myron in his rib.

“Ouch, I’m hurt.”

“Whatever.”

Myron led Jade to the bed, and pushed her down.

“I’m going to pull a Kira. I’m going to say a lot, and you aren’t going to interrupt.”

Jade crossed her legs; she scowled when she realized that she was nude. “Dude, I’m not Sharon Stone… make it quick.”

“Patience, grasshopper.”

Myron reached into a small wicker basket. He grabbed a handful of yellow rose petals, and gently dropped the petals across her trembling thighs.

“Jade Lewis Watson, yellow roses mean friendship. We are friends before anything else. They always mean the promise of a new beginning.” Myron stared deeply into her eyes as he sprinkled the petals across her thighs. Jade’s mouth dropped open; her shoulders slouched in shock.

Myron placed a hand over Jade’s head. White rose petals sprinkled over her dark hair like snowflakes. “Deep in your heart, you believe that you aren’t worthy of love and affection. White roses mean heavenly... worthiness... acceptance. You are so worthy of love.”

Why do I have to get the sweet guy?

Her fingertips wiped her damp eyelashes.

“I fully intend to pursue you to the ends of the Earth…  I will never walk away. Orange roses mean a business partner. You are a brilliant agent. Hey, I am strapped for words. I’m freelancing here. Passion, pursuit, fascination, everything that I feel when I see you.”

Jade’s eyes opened wider. He’s not going away.

“Pink roses mean admiration… I admire your tenacity, wit, and grace.”

A red rose petal dropped on Jade‘s pink roses. She blew hot air until it floated away. “Red roses mean love, sincere love… passion, respect, and understanding. I love you, Jade. It isn’t easy loving you. But, my heart is yours.”

Jade looked into her bedroom mirror. She resembled an ancient flower goddess. Her body draped in a rainbow of rose petals.

“Myron, I-“

“You don’t have to say anything.”

“Okay,”

Jade rushed over to Myron and jumped in his arms. Her lips brushed across his gently. “Jade, your actions say everything.”

Jade pulled away from him.

“Jade, I almost forgot about this one.”

Myron offered her one perfect lavender rose, the one at the far end of her mother’s hothouse. Tears dropped from her green eyes. “The rose…”

“They mean enchanted; you’re a witch. I’m under your spell… don’t want to be freed ever. I could spend eternity locked away in a tower with you.”

Jade’s chest quivered as she wrapped her arms around Myron’s neck.

“It’s worth the cuts… your father’s evil looks and everything… just to be with you... Stick with me,” Myron pleaded.

Jade pressed on her tiptoes, her lips an inch from Myron’s.

“I do lo-“

Myron pushed Jade away when the sirens began to blare in the building.

“Do you have like a teammate chastity belt or something?”

“No, just bad timing.”

Myron watched Jade pulling on her clothes. He attempted to be a gentleman and hide his eyes. He changed his mind, especially when she slowly wriggled on a pair of sweats.

He noticed the lights flickering, and the alarm grew louder.

“Intruder, let’s go.”

That’s my girl… always on the hunt, Myron thought.