Lightning and Starlight

Vincent

Vincent:

Yeah, I don't know what to think.

Let me back up.

So picture this, will you? I walk into work one day after hanging out with my friends the night before. Then the chief of police, Robert, comes up to me.

He says, "Hey, Ciobanu. I have a job offer for you."

Of course, I'm confused, but I ask what it is.

He tells me that a special forces unit that covers a few states has requested a hero of high standing and power. My mind is blown. He tells me he told their leader, who is a friend of his, that he had just the hero for the job.

Then I get a file. I know my mission. I'm prepared for my mission.

I'm prepared to leave my friends and city behind. I'm prepared to leave my life behind.

What I'm not prepared for is her.

The second I am escorted into my new home, the secret base for the special forces, I meet Verena, their leader, and she tells me how things work.

Well, that included the whole partner situation. Don't get me wrong. I love people. I am very much a people-person. I was just confused when she said the hero she had in mind as my partner was a woman.

No, no. I know what you're thinking. Well, I have a few guesses.

One being that I think men are better than women. You would be incorrect. Women have proved themselves way too many times to be better than men. Case closed.

The second guess is that I have never seen a woman in my life and am afraid. That would be wrong.

Mostly.

Okay, maybe more correct than I would like to admit. I don't seem to get anywhere with girls. I don't know why. I always wondered if it was my friendly personality. It does make me seem weird initially because I like the color black and think I look great in it. I've heard those comments way too often.

Anyways... I feel like that went off topic.

I was okay with a woman partner. I was nervous, but excited. Then I meet her in the halls with Verena.

Well, I crashed into her. Or she crashed into me? I dunno.

All I know is that one moment I'm listening to Verena and the next I'm on the ground. I look up to see a beautiful woman. I smile. Why wouldn't I? That's a typical greeting.

She furrows her brows. I fight the urge to furrow mine, as well. I tell her my name, and the rest is history.

Well, all of that has caught up with me now.

She's gorgeous. She's cautious. She's daring. She seems dangerous. She's determined. She's caring when she wants to be. She's smart. She's powerful. She's disciplined. She's mysterious. She's alluring. She's intuitive.

I could go on forever.

I pull on my suit, but then I shake myself out of my thoughts. Thoughts of her.

"Verena!" I yell.

Neera's voice answers instead. "Verena left. What do you need?"

I shut out my thoughts. I can't be distracted. And she is very much distracting.

She's smart, and powerful, and beautiful... Crap now my thoughts are stuck back on her.

"Vincent?" Neera asks.