March 20, 2012
0853 hours
Kowalski walked into the living room with a yawn. “Morning guys.”
“Well 你 look rested.” Skipper 说 sarcastically.
“Sorry Skipper. I just didn’t sleep very well last night.”
“Why not then?” Private asked innocently. “I don’t know. I just tossed and turned a lot. I couldn’t stop thinking.”
“About what?” Skipper asked. Kowalski sort of froze. He didn’t want to tell him what he was really thinking about. “Uh…the invention I’m working on…” He ended up spitting out. “Well Kowalski, there’s a time and place for that. Just try to forget about all of that when you’re sleeping. I need my team sharp. Here, have some coffee.” Kowalski must’ve drunk seven cups of coffee before he finally woke himself up.
(Elizabeth’s POV)
There he was…all 由 himself…I took the dagger out of the side of my boot, removed it from its sheath, and crept up behind him. My 心 pounded so loud I bet China could hear it. I stopped behind him, and I plunged the dagger into his back. I could see him cringe. I could see the pain in his eyes. Silent tears rolled down my cheeks at what I had done. I removed the dagger from his back and stood there, watching him crumple over…and die. I turned around and froze at the sight of my son. “Mom?” He 说 in a concerned tone. He was looking at the man I had just slaughtered. “Ryan…this isn’t what it looks like…” I tried to say, but I could see the fear in his eyes. He was scared of me. He looked at me as if he didn’t know who I was anymore. Frankly neither do I. I dropped the dagger and sheath and walked up to him. I tried to put my hands on his shoulders but he backed off, tears rolling down his cheeks. “Ryan…” I tried to get closer to him, but he kept backing up. “NO! GET AWAY FROM ME!” He cried. Now I had begun to shed tears. “Ryan! Don’t leave me!” He didn’t listen, he turned and ran. Once again I woke with a start. This mission was getting harder and harder on me. Was that how Ryan was really going to look at me? I couldn’t 熊 the thought of losing him after being put through all of this torture.
I looked at my clock again: 9:01am. Well at least I got a little 更多 sleep than last night. Once again, I got up, showered, dressed, and fixed my hair. Stopping to glance at the woman I no longer knew in the mirror before I left for my shift at the diner.
11:59am
(No One’s POV)
Kowalski walked across the apartment, and stopped when he took notice of Elizabeth out on the terrace. She was in her apron, so he figured she was on her break. He stepped outside to say hello. Once he came to her side, he 说 smoothly: “Hey. I take it you’re on break?”
“Yeah. 嘿 Kowalski.” Elizabeth 说 smiling.
“I was…wondering…um…would 你 like to…go for lunch 或者 something?” He asked nervously.
“I’d like that.” Elizabeth replied. However her real thoughts were: Could this get any worse?
12:24am
“Hey guys, have 你 seen Kowalski?” Skipper asked coming into the living room. Private was watching the Lunacorns and Rico was 阅读 the latest issue of KABOOM. “Haven’t seen him since about half an 小时 ago. He went out on the terrace then came back saying he was going downstairs for lunch.” Private answered as he paused the television.
“Yup.” Rico said, not even looking up from his magazine.
“Lunch? Why did he go downstairs for lunch?”
“I dunno. Maybe he liked the selection.”
“Oh I’ll give him a selection. He can get his soldiery tail feathers up here 或者 get 鱼 slapped.” Skipper 说 angrily as he left the apartment.
Meanwhile, Kowalski and Elizabeth were laughing about something Kowalski was talking about. “And then…after we were put through all of that…we accidentally left Private at the toy factory!” Both of them cracked up.
“Oh that poor boy!” Elizabeth 说 between laughs. All of the sudden Skipper walked up and stopped behind Kowalski. “Hello Kowalski.” He said. Kowalski turned around with a start. “Oh…hello Skipper…”
“And what are we talking about?”
“Oh…not much…”
“Well it sure sounds like a whole lot of ‘not much’. Come on, I like a good laugh.”
“We were just talking about the time we left Private at the toy factory…wasn’t that…funny…” Kowalski 说 kind of nervously.
“Oh that is funny. 你 know what else is funny? 你 coming down here after I strictly told 你 not to.”
“Oh…sorry Skipper…I…”
“Are 你 coming 或者 not?”
Kowalski looked at Elizabeth. “Sorry Elizabeth. I gotta go.”
“It’s fine Kowalski. Bye.”
Once Skipper and Kowalski made it back to the apartment, they went into the lab and Skipper slapped him. “Are 你 crazy!? I told 你 not to get personal with her! 你 know I don’t trust her!”
“Skipper I’ve talked to her! 你 haven’t! She’s not as bad as 你 think she is!”
“Kowalski, did 你 see the way she looked at me when I walked up? She looked at me as if I was the last person in the world she ever wanted to see. She clenched her napkin and she had this look in her eyes. But no 你 didn’t notice that because you’re too naïve to know any better!”
“Naïve? Naïve! The only one I see who’s ‘naïve’ is you! 你 know nothing about Elizabeth! She’s one of the nicest women I’ve ever met!”
“Kowalski, if I didn’t know 你 any better I’d say 你 have feelings for this woman.”
Kowalski was about to say something, but ended up standing there with his mouth halfway open. Then he turned and left the lab and out onto the terrace.
Skipper, in the lab deep in thought, sighed. Maybe I should give her a chance… He thought. As much as his gut was telling him not to, he left the apartment and went back downstairs.
Elizabeth started her work again and was serving customers just as Skipper walked up to her. Her 心 stopped again. She thought seeing him for the first time was hard, it was even harder the 秒 time. She stammered innocently. “Oh…Skipper…I-”
“No…Don’t say anything. I came down to tell you…” He took a deep breath. “That I’m sorry. I just care about my team. Just…don’t hurt him okay? He’s a good man.” Elizabeth’s 心 pounded again. She nodded understandingly. She couldn’t believe she was getting to him. But she still wasn’t sure if she could do it even if she got the chance.
“Do 你 want to…come to our place for 晚餐 tonight? I think Kowalski would enjoy your company.”
She hesitated before answering. She cleared her throat. “Yeah, I’d like that.” She finally got herself to say. Skipper nodded, then left.
Once Skipper got back to the apartment, he went out on the terrace to an angry Kowalski. “Hey. I just talked to Elizabeth. I’m sorry Kowalski. I’ll give her a chance. I invited her for 晚餐 with us tonight. I hope you’re right about her Kowalski.” He turned and started to go back inside, but Kowalski called after him before he got to the door. “Skipper?”
“Yeah Kowalski?”
“Thanks.” Skipper smiled, nodded, then went inside.
[b]1904 hours[/i]
There was a knock at the door. Kowalski answered it. “Hi Marlene, please come in.” They decided to invite Marlene over too, to relieve some of the awkwardness that would have been there if Elizabeth came to dine with four men. At least Marlene knew the team; she could set Elizabeth at ease.
Not too long after Marlene arrived, Elizabeth showed up. Kowalski led her in, introduced her to Marlene and Rico, and they sat down to eat.
They had a wonderful dinner. Marlene and Elizabeth became acquainted. Elizabeth got to know the team better. While the rest of the team and Marlene were distracted with conversation, Elizabeth and Kowalski slipped out onto the terrace.
“It’s a beautiful night.” Elizabeth stated.
“Yes…it is…” Kowalski replied, however he was too busy looking at Elizabeth to notice the few stars in the sky.
“I had fun tonight.” Elizabeth said.
“I did too. I’m glad 你 came.”
“I am too. I’m also glad Skipper wasn’t too harsh on you. I know it’s probably hard for him to accept me…considering I’m new here and all. I can understand his distrust in me.”
“Yeah, I suppose. But I’m sure he’ll warm up to you.”
Elizabeth looked down at the corner of her eye for a moment. “Yeah…I’m sure…” She 说 under her breath. She couldn’t help but think about how hurt Kowalski would be if she went through with this. Her thoughts were interrupted when Kowalski leaned 前锋, 期待 and kissed her.
For a moment she was lost. She kissed him back, wanting this moment to last forever. Neither of them realized that Skipper pulled back the curtains, saw them, smiled, and returned to the others. When she realized she was making a mistake, she pulled away slowly, trying to play it cool. They looked into each other’s eyes. “We should…get back in there before they realize we’re out here.”
“Yeah…” Kowalski said. They laughed nervously, then Kowalski put his arm around her and they went back inside. “Thanks for a wonderful time guys. But I really should be getting back to my apartment.”
“Okay. Bye Elizabeth.” Kowalski said.
After everyone else finished their goodbyes, Elizabeth returned to her apartment.
(Elizabeth’s POV)
I can’t believe what just happened. I’m falling for someone whose friend I’m supposed to kill. I slid the key into the lock of my apartment, stepped in, and closed the door behind me. I went into the bathroom and splashed water into my face. What am I supposed to do now? How am I supposed to kill Skipper, get my son back, and not hurt Kowalski? I’m not heartless. It’s bad enough I have to commit murder, which I still have my doubts if I can bring myself to it. Even if Kowalski never found out I killed Skipper, I can’t exactly explain how I all-of-the-sudden got an eight 年 old son. And if I ran away, he’d still be hurt. What did I ever do to deserve this kind of torture?
0853 hours
Kowalski walked into the living room with a yawn. “Morning guys.”
“Well 你 look rested.” Skipper 说 sarcastically.
“Sorry Skipper. I just didn’t sleep very well last night.”
“Why not then?” Private asked innocently. “I don’t know. I just tossed and turned a lot. I couldn’t stop thinking.”
“About what?” Skipper asked. Kowalski sort of froze. He didn’t want to tell him what he was really thinking about. “Uh…the invention I’m working on…” He ended up spitting out. “Well Kowalski, there’s a time and place for that. Just try to forget about all of that when you’re sleeping. I need my team sharp. Here, have some coffee.” Kowalski must’ve drunk seven cups of coffee before he finally woke himself up.
(Elizabeth’s POV)
There he was…all 由 himself…I took the dagger out of the side of my boot, removed it from its sheath, and crept up behind him. My 心 pounded so loud I bet China could hear it. I stopped behind him, and I plunged the dagger into his back. I could see him cringe. I could see the pain in his eyes. Silent tears rolled down my cheeks at what I had done. I removed the dagger from his back and stood there, watching him crumple over…and die. I turned around and froze at the sight of my son. “Mom?” He 说 in a concerned tone. He was looking at the man I had just slaughtered. “Ryan…this isn’t what it looks like…” I tried to say, but I could see the fear in his eyes. He was scared of me. He looked at me as if he didn’t know who I was anymore. Frankly neither do I. I dropped the dagger and sheath and walked up to him. I tried to put my hands on his shoulders but he backed off, tears rolling down his cheeks. “Ryan…” I tried to get closer to him, but he kept backing up. “NO! GET AWAY FROM ME!” He cried. Now I had begun to shed tears. “Ryan! Don’t leave me!” He didn’t listen, he turned and ran. Once again I woke with a start. This mission was getting harder and harder on me. Was that how Ryan was really going to look at me? I couldn’t 熊 the thought of losing him after being put through all of this torture.
I looked at my clock again: 9:01am. Well at least I got a little 更多 sleep than last night. Once again, I got up, showered, dressed, and fixed my hair. Stopping to glance at the woman I no longer knew in the mirror before I left for my shift at the diner.
11:59am
(No One’s POV)
Kowalski walked across the apartment, and stopped when he took notice of Elizabeth out on the terrace. She was in her apron, so he figured she was on her break. He stepped outside to say hello. Once he came to her side, he 说 smoothly: “Hey. I take it you’re on break?”
“Yeah. 嘿 Kowalski.” Elizabeth 说 smiling.
“I was…wondering…um…would 你 like to…go for lunch 或者 something?” He asked nervously.
“I’d like that.” Elizabeth replied. However her real thoughts were: Could this get any worse?
12:24am
“Hey guys, have 你 seen Kowalski?” Skipper asked coming into the living room. Private was watching the Lunacorns and Rico was 阅读 the latest issue of KABOOM. “Haven’t seen him since about half an 小时 ago. He went out on the terrace then came back saying he was going downstairs for lunch.” Private answered as he paused the television.
“Yup.” Rico said, not even looking up from his magazine.
“Lunch? Why did he go downstairs for lunch?”
“I dunno. Maybe he liked the selection.”
“Oh I’ll give him a selection. He can get his soldiery tail feathers up here 或者 get 鱼 slapped.” Skipper 说 angrily as he left the apartment.
Meanwhile, Kowalski and Elizabeth were laughing about something Kowalski was talking about. “And then…after we were put through all of that…we accidentally left Private at the toy factory!” Both of them cracked up.
“Oh that poor boy!” Elizabeth 说 between laughs. All of the sudden Skipper walked up and stopped behind Kowalski. “Hello Kowalski.” He said. Kowalski turned around with a start. “Oh…hello Skipper…”
“And what are we talking about?”
“Oh…not much…”
“Well it sure sounds like a whole lot of ‘not much’. Come on, I like a good laugh.”
“We were just talking about the time we left Private at the toy factory…wasn’t that…funny…” Kowalski 说 kind of nervously.
“Oh that is funny. 你 know what else is funny? 你 coming down here after I strictly told 你 not to.”
“Oh…sorry Skipper…I…”
“Are 你 coming 或者 not?”
Kowalski looked at Elizabeth. “Sorry Elizabeth. I gotta go.”
“It’s fine Kowalski. Bye.”
Once Skipper and Kowalski made it back to the apartment, they went into the lab and Skipper slapped him. “Are 你 crazy!? I told 你 not to get personal with her! 你 know I don’t trust her!”
“Skipper I’ve talked to her! 你 haven’t! She’s not as bad as 你 think she is!”
“Kowalski, did 你 see the way she looked at me when I walked up? She looked at me as if I was the last person in the world she ever wanted to see. She clenched her napkin and she had this look in her eyes. But no 你 didn’t notice that because you’re too naïve to know any better!”
“Naïve? Naïve! The only one I see who’s ‘naïve’ is you! 你 know nothing about Elizabeth! She’s one of the nicest women I’ve ever met!”
“Kowalski, if I didn’t know 你 any better I’d say 你 have feelings for this woman.”
Kowalski was about to say something, but ended up standing there with his mouth halfway open. Then he turned and left the lab and out onto the terrace.
Skipper, in the lab deep in thought, sighed. Maybe I should give her a chance… He thought. As much as his gut was telling him not to, he left the apartment and went back downstairs.
Elizabeth started her work again and was serving customers just as Skipper walked up to her. Her 心 stopped again. She thought seeing him for the first time was hard, it was even harder the 秒 time. She stammered innocently. “Oh…Skipper…I-”
“No…Don’t say anything. I came down to tell you…” He took a deep breath. “That I’m sorry. I just care about my team. Just…don’t hurt him okay? He’s a good man.” Elizabeth’s 心 pounded again. She nodded understandingly. She couldn’t believe she was getting to him. But she still wasn’t sure if she could do it even if she got the chance.
“Do 你 want to…come to our place for 晚餐 tonight? I think Kowalski would enjoy your company.”
She hesitated before answering. She cleared her throat. “Yeah, I’d like that.” She finally got herself to say. Skipper nodded, then left.
Once Skipper got back to the apartment, he went out on the terrace to an angry Kowalski. “Hey. I just talked to Elizabeth. I’m sorry Kowalski. I’ll give her a chance. I invited her for 晚餐 with us tonight. I hope you’re right about her Kowalski.” He turned and started to go back inside, but Kowalski called after him before he got to the door. “Skipper?”
“Yeah Kowalski?”
“Thanks.” Skipper smiled, nodded, then went inside.
[b]1904 hours[/i]
There was a knock at the door. Kowalski answered it. “Hi Marlene, please come in.” They decided to invite Marlene over too, to relieve some of the awkwardness that would have been there if Elizabeth came to dine with four men. At least Marlene knew the team; she could set Elizabeth at ease.
Not too long after Marlene arrived, Elizabeth showed up. Kowalski led her in, introduced her to Marlene and Rico, and they sat down to eat.
They had a wonderful dinner. Marlene and Elizabeth became acquainted. Elizabeth got to know the team better. While the rest of the team and Marlene were distracted with conversation, Elizabeth and Kowalski slipped out onto the terrace.
“It’s a beautiful night.” Elizabeth stated.
“Yes…it is…” Kowalski replied, however he was too busy looking at Elizabeth to notice the few stars in the sky.
“I had fun tonight.” Elizabeth said.
“I did too. I’m glad 你 came.”
“I am too. I’m also glad Skipper wasn’t too harsh on you. I know it’s probably hard for him to accept me…considering I’m new here and all. I can understand his distrust in me.”
“Yeah, I suppose. But I’m sure he’ll warm up to you.”
Elizabeth looked down at the corner of her eye for a moment. “Yeah…I’m sure…” She 说 under her breath. She couldn’t help but think about how hurt Kowalski would be if she went through with this. Her thoughts were interrupted when Kowalski leaned 前锋, 期待 and kissed her.
For a moment she was lost. She kissed him back, wanting this moment to last forever. Neither of them realized that Skipper pulled back the curtains, saw them, smiled, and returned to the others. When she realized she was making a mistake, she pulled away slowly, trying to play it cool. They looked into each other’s eyes. “We should…get back in there before they realize we’re out here.”
“Yeah…” Kowalski said. They laughed nervously, then Kowalski put his arm around her and they went back inside. “Thanks for a wonderful time guys. But I really should be getting back to my apartment.”
“Okay. Bye Elizabeth.” Kowalski said.
After everyone else finished their goodbyes, Elizabeth returned to her apartment.
(Elizabeth’s POV)
I can’t believe what just happened. I’m falling for someone whose friend I’m supposed to kill. I slid the key into the lock of my apartment, stepped in, and closed the door behind me. I went into the bathroom and splashed water into my face. What am I supposed to do now? How am I supposed to kill Skipper, get my son back, and not hurt Kowalski? I’m not heartless. It’s bad enough I have to commit murder, which I still have my doubts if I can bring myself to it. Even if Kowalski never found out I killed Skipper, I can’t exactly explain how I all-of-the-sudden got an eight 年 old son. And if I ran away, he’d still be hurt. What did I ever do to deserve this kind of torture?
