Book Two, Chapter Six: Traitor's Remorse

[shiivster]

Jeckle turns the head to look at Dante. she blinks in the long silence between them, then nods once before staring forward

'hard to survive death once. it's twice now for me. it better be a matter of life and death before i help him again. that's all .. sorry .. don't feel like talking just now'

[Dome]

"Thats ok, I just want you to know I'm here for you. I know what you mean Ionic. Regardless the reason its hard to get passed the fact he turned on us."

Dante reaches out and touches Jeckle's forearm in a reassuring manner before he gets up from the chair. "If you need me, you know how to reach me," he says with a wink before walking back over towards Tiger.

[dakota]

Khris couldn't helpbut grin when Jeckle kicked Ionic. He wanted to do something far worse, but knew it was too late for that now. He got up and tussled Jeckle's hair playfully as he passed with a grin. He saw Dante moving in the same direction he, and tapped the team psychic on the shoulder to stop him," Hold on a sec, I need to speak to Bosskitty for a moment." He said , his tone gravely serious.

He slid into the seat next to Tiger, still holding the serious look. He looked her in the eyes for a moment in silence, before grabbing her by the shoulders and drawing her into his embrace and kissing her. When he released it, he looked her in the eyes, his own watering slightly," You have no idea how scared I was when I thought I lost you."

[albatross]

Tiger returned Kris' kiss passionately, and when he speaks she nods, a little too choked up to trust herself to speak, or else not willing to admit to Kris or herself that she thought she had died.

[dakota]

He held her close. " It's okay. It's over now. but we've got a problem." He kissed her forehead. " There's nowheres on this plane for a little privacy, and Dante is hovering behind me waiting to talk to you. And then, we have to figure out what to do next." He smirked, a telling look he already had ideas. He looked back to Dante," allright, she's all yours. Do I have to give some privacy?" He clearly didn't want to.

[shiivster]

*Jeckle simply sighs at the hair ruffling. that is the least of her concerns. she needs to worry about possible back attacks from Ionic. he won't be forgiven. but she's not blind to the fact he might retaliate. if that happens, she will defend herself. she simply hopes she won't have to. her ability to 'trust' has been shaken badly, and retreating is the best she can manage for now

[Dome]

Dante shakes his head, "uh no budy, that's all yours. I was just wanting to find out what the plan is now. I mean whats next?"

[albatross]

Tiger thinks for a moment. "One of my father's emissaries will no doubt show up at any moment. I've asked Strongbow to head for the nearest airport a reasonable distance from Chinese airspace. Probably Japan will be on the way." She pauses for a moment.

"We'll drop Ionic off when we land to refuel. I would have left him on the island, but I don't want the Chinese military to interrogate him."

[Dome]

"What about the cave with all the rings?"

[dakota]

" Let me get out of the way so you two can talk shop, I want to talk to Jeckle for a minute anyways." Khris slid out of his seat, and proceeded to squat down in front of Jeckle," You okay, kiddo?"

[shiivster]

the odd colored purple eyes open to look at Khris. ;you want the truth or what will make you feel better?'

*her eyes close again and moisture shows breifly then it seems to dry up.

'going on the assumption of truth. this is the first time i died. i feel it over and over. the bullet hitting .. the balloon of pain after the shock wears off. the nothingness of death .. then a burning sensation as life is returned ... can give you more details if you want. worst part of it all? the fact i betrayed Strongbow to save his worthless hide. that's what hurts the most .. MY betrayal'

*Jeckle takes a single deep breath then closes the eyes. its clear this is deeply troubling to her. but then she comments 'we pooped my coat to snap him outta whatever trance he was in. should do some tests on it .. see if its a topicle version of Sodium Penthanol ... '

[dakota]

" I understand Jeckle," Khris smirked," all but the poop part. I think we all have weird feelings about what happened on the island, and it will take a while to get over them. First time any of us died and was brought back I think, and not something I want to go through again. Now come on," he stood up and pulled Jeckle up out of her seat and towards Dante and Tiger, "the four of us are a team, so we get through this together too."

[shiivster]

'well i'm thinking i'm going to have to design a special chest plate for myself then. worn under a regular vest .. it shoul help. but it'll follow the rib line, oh .. sorry' Jeckle says little now as they join Dante and Tiger

'one reason i didn't test the things. i'm a liability. i'll be fine, i'll just file it away under things to not do again'

[dakota]

" What you need is a full set of body armor like tigger and I wear." Khris replied," you too, Dante. Takes a little getting used to, but it's flexible enough you hardly notice you have it on after a while. Look, both of you need to understand that this was as rough as they come, but I think Tigger will agree both of you handled yourselves better than at least I expect out of rookies. But we have more important things to consider, like what's next."

[Dome]

"Gee thanks...Glad I could surprise you old man," Dante says, sarcasm dripping in the comment.

"Jeckle, I'm sorry I didn't... I mean I'm sorry I couldn't stop Ionic before he hurt you. And I think you were a big asset. You occupied the phoenix and distracted Ionic long enough for me to get through to him. We were a good team."