Fate of the Alphaverse

1 - Jaymi

"Of course you can," Joseph scoffed. "It'll only cost you all of Jack savings and half of Julianne's."

Jaymi's eyes rolled so frequently, Joseph was surprised they weren't stuck backwards in her head. "I know that, idiot, I'm just asking." A scowl now adored her otherwise beautiful face.

Joseph hoped his doubt didn't show on his face. If he knew Jaymi at all, he knew just how headstrong she was. Her "just asking" was the equivalent of her saying, "I'm about to do something; Watch out world!"

"Okay then." Joseph was usually a chill, laid back kind of a guy, but around Jaymi? He changed. And not just because he had to protect her. His attitude rarely ventured outside the disgruntled region when she was present. Tiresome for Justin, of course, but what could he do? He was assigned to her after all.

Jaymi flicked her overly long hair, a predominant smirk on her face. Yep, she knew just how irritatingly irksome she could be, yet she continued to flaunt like nobody's business.

Her arms landed with a heavy thud on Joseph's desk. "So, can I go?" Her impatience was growing by the minute. This meeting had not turned out in her favour.

Joseph sighed. "You are dismissed." His voice was merely a low murmur, but it carried well through the chilled, empty office. It was designed to give the illusion of being modern, but one could hardly call it that. The crisp air embraced anyone who dared enter the desolate place. So much for modern. This place looked older than the Stone Age.

Joseph couldn't stay here and leave Jaymi to roam for too long, of course. As her protector, it was his undeniable duty to care for her 24/7, no complaints necessary. He efficiently, but nonetheless messily, crammed papers, documents and other desk junk back into his drawer. Stuffing Jaymi's travel application in his briefcase, he hurried out of the office.

*

Jaymi had done it. She knew she would convince Joseph eventually. "Silly old Joe," Her clear voice whispered to Jemima gleefully. "I just knew he'd let us go."

Although Jaymi was all smiles, Jemima's concern was evident. A troubled look rested upon her face, and a cleft had appeared in her otherwise smooth forehead. "Jaymi, think of Jack and Julianne. They wouldn't have wanted their money spent like this."

Jaymi's smile turned sour faster than Jemima had ever imagined it to. "My parents left me their money to do with it whatever I wish. Remember, although you are my friend, I'm royalty. I don't care for the cost of such an excursion, but this is necessary." A hard look took over her face. "I'm doing this for me, Jemima."

Joseph sat at the back of the craft. His handkerchief was wet when he removed it from his forehead. This would not prove to be an easy task. It wasn't just the money, it was the physical and emotional cost as well that was eating away at him. If it were up to him, Jaymi would go on her own; so what if she killed herself in the process of one of those missions? This was a dangerous business, one Joseph had never dreamed of engaging in whatsoever.

Jaymi's personal flight attendant sauntered inconspicuously down the aisle. She approached Jaymi with a smile. "Where would you fancy a ride to, Miss Jenkins?" Another smile complimented her features with the closing of the question.

A simpering smile lit up Jaymi's features in return. "Start with Until, please, if you will."
Her flight attendant nodded dutifully and proceeded to about face towards the Captain's cockpit.

"Jenevieve!" Joseph called out to the attendant briskly. Jenevieve seemed to have acquired questionable hearing in the time since she spoke to Jaymi. Abandoning protocol, he hastily unfastened his seat belt and made after her. His calloused hand grasped her shoulder before her fingers found the doorknob. She swung around at his touch, guard up. "What, Joseph?" Every feature adorning her face was narrowed and displayed no emotion but pure aggression.