Josie arrives at the MBI during the citywide crisis and seeks out Mark. The two have a heart to heart talk where Josie confesses some feelings that still linger, not just about him, but other events as well.
(Note: This takes place between the RPs of 05/23/08 and 05/25/08.)
<Josie_Lyons> RPG GO, Nuttinski!
<Mark_Sulfur> ::is just shaking his head at the hole in his office and the car that landed in it. Knows Matt has something against him. Just knows it!::
<Josie_Lyons> ::so during all of ze crisis going about XD Josie finally has reached the MBI. stole a skateboard from some kid to help get the way there faster XD then later hijacked a bike -g- rides up to the lot, letting the bike fall as she gets offa it and goes inside. outta breath XD good thing she stays in shape tho.::
<Josie_Lyons> ::enters the building in search of Marky Mark::
<Mark_Sulfur> ((::dies, at the image of Josie onna skateboard in her business suit. XD::))
<Mark_Sulfur> ::wants to go shove the car out, but… what’s the point, really? Sighs and goes check on everything else that may’ve been damaged. The generator is in the basement, so that should be alright::
<Josie_Lyons> ::sees Mark up outside his wrecked office:: Mark! ::panting outta breath XD in her heels and buisness skirt suit XD::
<Mark_Sulfur> ::blinks, seeing her:: Josie… you okay? ::walking to her, mildy worried that she was attacked::
<Josie_Lyons> ::sweaty XD removed suit jacket along the way, tie undone and blouse unbuttoned some. good thing she wears Secret. strong enough for a tom, but made for a she-kat. XD puts arms around him to hug and lean against him:: I… I made it… here soon as… I could…
<Mark_Sulfur> ::eyes wide at the hug, surprised at that. Does hug her back gently and loosely:: You okay…?
<Josie_Lyons> No! ::leans back from him:: The city is a mess, I couldn’t kill Spinner and half my agents have walked out on me! Mark… what is going to happen? ::clings again, this time crying awwwwww! XD::
<Mark_Sulfur> ::in shock to see her like this. Usually she’s a lot more collected than this. Now reminded of the time they were thrown back into time and she had the same breakdown:: I’m not gonna lie – I haven’t the foggiest. ::hugs her now:: Most we can do is do our part to keep this city on its feet.
<Josie_Lyons> It’s utter chaos out there… ::snifflesobs::
<Mark_Sulfur> I know it is. ::leans his head on hers now. Holds her so she can let it out and eventually calm down. Is in his uniform, which is rare for him::
<Josie_Lyons> ::does so awww lol slowly calms herself and tries to recollect herself into her usual hard manner but can’t quite fully do so:: Mark… can… can we talk somewhere… privately?
<Mark_Sulfur> We’re the only ones here right now. Everybody else is patrolling and checking for people who need help. Jason went to talk to Feral. But, sure. I’d offer my office, but… well… ::waves to it:: It’s been mistaken for a parking spot.
<Mark_Sulfur> ::VERY calm about this. LOL His last breakdown was with the probes and is trying not to freak out for the sake of everyone else::
<Josie_Lyons> ::slight laugh seeing that. then nods:: Break room then?
<Mark_Sulfur> Sure. ::heads there, goes make her some tea. Is taking advantage that the water reserves haven’t tried up yet, tho’ they’ve got barrels and barrels of water in the basement::
<Mark_Sulfur> *dried
<Josie_Lyons> This… probably isn’t the best time but, I need to tell you something while I still am able… still alive. ::pretty grim right now she is::
<Mark_Sulfur> ::arches a brow at her:: C’mon, Josie, I’ve seen you a lot perkier than this. :sets the tea down:: Even all this shouldn’t be enough to break you down.
<Josie_Lyons> Will you just LISTEN to me Mark? ::looking at him with a hint of anger::
<Mark_Sulfur> Alright. ::sits, looking at her:: I’m listening.
<Josie_Lyons> You’ve always wondered why I didn’t kill Spinner instead of you… it’s because I love you too much. Why then did I choose to go with Spinner and betray you it was… it was because I wanted to beat you, to outdo you. But I never could… ::voice a bit shakey, wavering with emotion:: I still can’t.
<Josie_Lyons> ((er didn’t kill you instead of Spinner. LOL!))
<Mark_Sulfur> ::doesn’t really hear the rest of it after “I love you too much”. is staring at her now. XD::
<Josie_Lyons> You’re too good at what you do, and as much as I hate to admit it your way of doing things always outdoes mine, especially when it most counts. You’re a leader Mark, not I, and I still can’t shake away the guilt from what I did to you because I still… I still love you… ::eyes watery now::
<Mark_Sulfur> ::jaw mildly slacked, trying to compose himself and say something, anything. Manages to finally say as common sense takes over,:: The thing is you can’t love me. You love Dave and you and I fully know that. If you love me as a friend, well… the feeling is mutual. ::eyes soft:: You of all people, beating yourself up over something that happened two years ago… Let it go, Josie. ::softly::
<Josie_Lyons> Yes… it’s true that I love Dave more. He and I are right for each other, you only fall second to him but… I can’t forgive myself of everything. That’s… that’s why I act the way I do with you, to push down any feelings I have that linger for you.
<Mark_Sulfur> Then you’ve gotta let them go, Josie. Take all those feelings and give them to Dave. I’ll still be a good friend to you.
<Josie_Lyons> ::looking at him sadly:: We can’t be friends, Mark… not as long as I’m Director of the NSA… of what little left of it there will be for me to direct when this is all over.
<Mark_Sulfur> Why not? We’ve becoming allies. Hard headed allies, but still allies. Why can’t we be friends, too?
<Josie_Lyons> Because there will always be something that will come up to where I can’t be fully honest with you.
<Mark_Sulfur> ::snorks:: Well, same here. ::sighs, looking at his hands:: I have to admit… I have thought at times what it would’ve been like if we’d still been together.
<Josie_Lyons> Really? Even… even after everything?
<Mark_Sulfur> Even after everything. :;reaches over to brush a tear out of her eye:: I admired you both in AND out of work, Josie. And, a part of me still does.
<Josie_Lyons> ::sighs at that. leans face against the hand that removed her tear some. takes his hand in hers then:: You’re too good for your own good… y’know that, Mark?
<Mark_Sulfur> :;chuckles:: I dunno about that sometimes. You’ve seen me fly off the handle before.
<Josie_Lyons> ::lets him go and looks at him fully again:: For good reason.
<Mark_Sulfur> ::lets her go, too:: Yeah, but I could’ve handled things better. I dunno why I’m so calm right now. Maybe I’m just waiting for the other shoe to drop… or the fact that I want everybody else to stay calm, too.
<Josie_Lyons> It’s easy to be calm when you’ve good capable kats working under you. Knowing that when you give an order they’re more than ready to follow through to the best of their abilities.
<Mark_Sulfur> ::snorks:: you of all people know the type of kats I work with. ::smiles now:: And, I couldn’t have it any other way. ::then looks at her:: And, you’re a capable leader, too. You’ve always been.
<Josie_Lyons> ::shakes head:: No. I’m not… ::leans back against her chair:: Spinner was right… I’m just not able to properly motivate anyone… maintain loyalty…
<Mark_Sulfur> And, since when you do you listen to Spinner?
<Josie_Lyons> Since he’s the one who’s taken over half my force… strolling on into my office and setting all of this off.
<Josie_Lyons> He was RIGHT THERE and I didn’t kill him…
<Mark_Sulfur> Because you know McGrath’s still there. You have more common sense than that.
<Josie_Lyons> ::laughs:: It wasn’t because I didn’t WANT to, Mark. I moved too slow for the men he had with him.
<Josie_Lyons> McGrath or not I’m prepared to do what must be done. McGrath would understand.
<Mark_Sulfur> Then maybe now it’d be best if we worked together. Yuo have enough knowledge about the NSA. There has to be something there that’ll work against Spinner.
<Josie_Lyons> Everything’s been disabled due to the EMP blast he used… It’s the one I proposed be used during the Nanobots crisis.
<Josie_Lyons> What remains of my forces are either gathering intelligence or trying to restore power elsewhere at various NSA facilities.
<Mark_Sulfur> There’s gotta be a way. There always is. ::looks at her softly:: And, you. Keep your chin up, alright?
<Josie_Lyons> ::glances away:: I’m finding it harder to each day, Mark. Spinner knows everything that I do and more. He used me, I was a pawn to him and the higher ups to keep things going smoothly in his absence. I probably still am just a pawn, serving some use to him considering he’s not bothering with killing me off.
<Mark_Sulfur> :stands and half sits in front her, holding her by the upper arms gently:: You are NOT a pawn. You’re smarter than that. You are NOT Jack Spinner. You are Josie Lyons. YOU are the NSA director, not him. YOU know yourself more than he does.
<Josie_Lyons> ::looking at him anew at that:: And what good does that do me? Do anyone?
<Mark_Sulfur> By making him think he knows you, you have an advantage over him. Do the exact opposite of what he expect you to do.
<Josie_Lyons> Mark… even *I* don’t know what I’m to do.
<Mark_Sulfur> Then you’ve gotta find a way, Josie. Stay with us in the meantime, okay?
<Josie_Lyons> You sure? I don’t want animosity around here because of me.
<Mark_Sulfur> At this point, we can’t AFFORD any animosity.
<Josie_Lyons> ::sighs:: Alright. I stay and work with you here.
<Josie_Lyons> ((I’ll^))
<Mark_Sulfur> ::smiles softly:: Atta girl.
<Josie_Lyons> And… promise you won’t say anything to anyone about me and you? Especially not Dave… I wouldn’t want to hurt him for old feelings that don’t compare to him now.
<Mark_Sulfur> ::snorks:: Dave and I don’t even talk, so I wouldn’t worry about it. And, promise me… You gotta let me go.
<Josie_Lyons> ::laughs a bit:: I promise. Besides… I think I’ve competition again for you anyway. You should see about talking more with that doctor “friend” of yours. ::smirks::
<Mark_Sulfur> :;chuckles:: We’re talking. Don’t worry. ::leans up to hug her close now:: It’s gonna be okay, Josie. I promise.
<Mark_Sulfur> <I’m still willing to give my life for you.>
<Josie_Lyons> ::returns the hug:: I hope so Mark… they keep getting harder on us out there.
<Mark_Sulfur> I know… But we’ll make it easier.