Chapter 189
"I wonder what's going on with Greg," Amy said.
Patterson merely nodded grimly.
"Patterson...it just doesn't make much sense, why did his father take him off like this, and it's been two days and he hasn't called," Amy said.
"No idea."
"Couldn't you send one of your cameras out to check on him?"
"Of course," Patterson said and quickly flicked a button on his watch. One of his small cameras shot out a nearby window and off into the city.
"Thank you," Amy said.
Patterson nodded.
And at a gazebo in a different part of the city, Lita leaned against one of the posts holding it up.
"You've chosen an interesting place to meet," came Ken's voice. She turned.
"It's a beautiful place Ken. I can't let the fact that Matt dumped me here stop me from enjoying it," Lita said.
"That's good to hear," Ken said. "What did you need to talk to me about?"
"Well you know Ken, I've been dating Steve."
"Nice guy," Ken said.
"Yeah, but see I've got a problem..he just isn't romantic."
"Oh.." Ken said.
"You see Ken....I'm worried about hurting his feelings, he's a great friend, and I want to keep it that way, but I just don't think I should be dating him."
"Oh.."
"So I wanted to get a guy's point of view on how to handle this."
"Lita, I'm no expert....but I'll do what I can."
"Thanks Ken, I knew you would," Lita said. "So how's uh..what's here name again?"
"Her name's Misao, and she's very nice," Ken said. "Except on Thursdays, I haven't figured that out yet..but still we're doing fine."
"That's great Ken," Lita said. "So...let's see what we can do about this huh.."
"Uh huh.." Ken said.
And at the temple.
"Where's Raye gone to?" Rick asked.
"Shopping, she shouldn't be back for a while.." Chad said.
"Yeah.." Rick said.
"So..Rick...how ya doing?"
"That's a good question."
"How so?"
"Well..you ever chase after girls?"
"Of course..then I met Raye," Chad said.
"Yeah..me too..but you can move on can't you?" Rick asked.
"Well..no..you see, she chose you, fair enough...not a problem..but I guess I just can't bring myself to date anyone else."
"Why?"
"I guess I'm paying tribute to Raye by not moving on."
"How?" Rick asked.
"I'm merely showing my devotion to her, by not letting myself get distracted. I may not date her, but I'm still a good friend, and I just don't want to run off and date some other girl."
"Hmm...well that's your right even if it is odd," Rick said.
"But we started out with you, you seemed to have a problem or something..."
"Oh..well you know Chad, I love Raye, she's wonderful. But you know before I met her I dated all sorts of girls. I liked the variety. Each one of them hoped to snap me into commitment, you know, prove to be so desirable that I would say, yeah you're my girl. Only Raye managed to do that...but I miss the variety...Raye is interesting, and I wouldn't give her up for the world..there are just times I you know wish I could stop dating her for a week or so and just date some people with different personalities, different interests then come back. But I can't do that."
"You're right..you can't.." came a stern voice from behind the two. They whirled. Raye stood there.
"You eavesdropped on a private conversation," Rick said angrily.
"I'm glad I did," Raye said. "Just what do you mean stop dating me for a week?"
"Well there are just times when I feel that way, but I love you.." Rick said.
"You love me, when I'm not boring you," Raye said. "I'm glad I mean so much to you," Raye said and turned. "Go ahead date other people, don't let me hold you back!"
She then hurried off.
"Why'd she have to listen in?" Rick muttered.
"Guess this means she's open again," Chad said with a slight grin.
"Don't even think about it," Rick snapped. "I'll get her back."
"Good luck," Chad said. "I'm rooting for ya."
"Are you really?" Rick snapped.
"Yes," Chad said seriously. "I am, this is just a misunderstanding."
Rick nodded.
"This is going to take some work though," Rick said.
"You bet it is," Chad said. "But I suggest you get out of here right now, she can't be talked to in this state."
"Yeah..I know," Rick said and headed off.
"Anyway...I had had it with that bear, if you know what I mean," Mike said.
"I have no idea Mike..." Mina growled.
"Aw..come on..this was a funny story," Mike said.
"I don't want to hear anymore funny stories," Mina said.
"You wanted to yesterday," Mike said.
"There's only so much I can take," Mina said.
"Oh..I see," Mike said. "You're one of those," he said with a grin.
"One of what?" Mina snapped.
Mike merely smiled.
Mina growled.
"Stop doing that!" she screeched.
"What?"
"Being yourself," Mina said and stalked off.
"Wow..it's never gone that far before," Mike said to himself. "Now what do I do?"
No idea. He thought.
"That's odd..usually I have something to think."
What can I tell ya?
"Nothing? You're my mind," Mike said.
Good point.
"Maybe I should apologize," Mike said.
Apologize? She insulted you.
"So I can take it, but she's obviously upset about something," Mike said.
Chicken!
"Hey...I won't be called a chicken by my own mind."
Well..then...I'll just go.
"You can't! You're my mind!"
You'd be surprised.
Mike looked up at the sky and started laughing.
"I love arguing with myself," he said. "As for Mina...hmm...I think I need some help. But where do I find this help? Of course! Why didn't I think about that before? Probably because I thought about it for only one second! Hah! Mike Leslie is off!"
He then dashed down the street.
Meanwhile in the basement of the A.P.T. house.
"Anything yet?" Amy asked.
Patterson stared at the video screen on his wall showing an enhanced projection of the camera view.
"Greg and his father haven't talked yet," Patterson said.
"Oh.." Amy said.
The doorbell rang.
"I'll get it," Amy said and headed out of the war room.
Patterson noticed Greg and his father meeting for the first time.
"Now we're getting somewhere," he said.
Amy meanwhile was moving the door. She swung it open. Serena was there with her eyes half open holding a flower.
"Serena? Are you okay?" Amy asked.
"Never better!" Serena said and glided into the room.
"Hope you're not busy," she said.
"No, I'm glad to see you," Amy said.
The door to the war room slid open, Patterson already knew of Serena's presence.
"Something's happening," he said bluntly.
"What's happening?" Serena asked. Amy and Serena headed into the war room where Patterson was pressing a few buttons. Greg's father and Greg were talking.
"...I can't have you away..I've gone over this.." Mr. Thomson said.
"I don't understand," Greg said.
"Greg, you're mother is suing for custody, I can't have you living in another house while I try to prove I deserve you more," Mr. Thomson said.
"But...I asked you to let me go," Greg said.
"I know they are your friends, but listen, the simple fact that you want to go to school with your..." he hesitated. Patterson's eyes narrowed.
"Girl friend," Mr. Thomson said. "Won't hold up in court. I need you at my side."
"Well if my mother would let me stay with Amy, maybe I'd prefer to let her have custody."
"How dare you say that!" Mr. Thomson said. "I love you Greg, I've done everything I can for you."
"Well you aren't right now," Greg said.
"She'd never let you live away from her, once she got you she'd hold on."
"Maybe.."
"No..I wouldn't lie to you about that."
"You might."
"Impudence, from you of my son..maybe I should just give you up if you're going to treat me that way..."
"If you win, can I live with my friends again."
"No.."
'What? Why not?"
"Because if I win custody I'll have to keep you closer for a time. The law will probably demand it."
"But if I told you my life was better because I lived with them, and that you helped that come about I'm sure they'd allow it," Greg said.
"No."
"Can I at least call them..talk to them.."
"No...I can't have you talking to either Amy, or her brother."
Patterson's eyes narrowed again, as he contemplating what he was hearing. Amy watched with surprise, as did Serena.
"Greg, you're not to see either of them, it's vital that you don't."
"Vital?" Greg asked. "Why?"
"Stop asking these questions! I'm your father!" Mister Thomson shouted. Greg shrank back genuinely worried.
"What's going on here?" Amy asked.
"I didn't know Greg's father was like this," Serena said.
"He isn't...normally," Patterson said.
"What are you contemplating Patterson?" Amy asked.
"Nothing...just that Greg's father is acting strangely."
"I should do something," Amy said.
"I don't think you should, Greg's father thought it was pretty important that he stay away from you," Serena said.
"What possible reason could their be to keep us apart?" Amy said.
"Uh maybe's he sick or something," Serena said.
"Serena that's not it," Amy said.
"Oh...well..then I'll find out," Serena said.
"You will?" Amy asked.
"Sure, Greg can talk to me," Serena said. "But I'd better go now."
"But Serena..are you sure about this? I mean..you don't have to," Amy said.
"You guys have to find out whose behind that negaverse thing, but I'm good at friendship, so I'm off," she hurried out of the war room and out the door.
"Well..she was certainly upbeat," Amy said. "But I'm still worried, what's going on?"
Patterson said nothing.
"This is very strange," Amy said. "Too many odd things are happening around here. There must be something more to this." She sighed. "I think I have to rest."
"Uh..good idea," Patterson said. "I'll find out all I can about..all of our mutual problems."
"I have no doubt that you will," Amy said adding a brief smile. She then
turned and headed out.
Rick meanwhile was headed down the sidewalk lost in thought.
"Just the man I want to see!" Mike said leaping down from a wall nearby. Rick turned and kicked Mike in the head.
"Wha..." Mike said and stumbled back.
"Oh..whoops, sorry," Rick said.
"No no it's okay...I usually deserve it," Mike said. "Problem?"
"You could say that," Rick said.
"Big one."
"Yes."
"How big?" Mike asked.
"Why?"
"Uh..well..can you fit in another problem?" Mike asked.
"I'd prefer not to."
"Oh..well then I'll handle it," Mike said.
"Handle what?"
"Glad you asked," Mike said.
"Uh oh," Rick said.
"No..forget it," Mike said. "I should be able to handle the problems Mina and I are having."
"You're having problems?"
"Yeah, she finds me annoying."
"You are annoying."
"You see my dilemma," Mike said.
"Can't help you," Rick said.
"But what's sticking into your craw?"
"What?"
"You know what's agitating your stomach.."
"Mike..." Rick said and sighed. "Raye wants to break up with me."
Mike fell to the ground and hopped back up.
"You're kidding," Mike said.
"Nope."
"What'd you do, shoot her or something?"
"No.." Rick said. " She overheard me telling Chad that I miss my girl chasing days."
"Ooh..unlucky," Mike said.
"It's worse than that, I really love Raye, I don't want to lose her."
"Then why are you here to talking to me?"
"Because it's Raye we're talking about, and she is not your ordinary girl, she needs to cool down."
"Well I think you've got that figured out, just don't let her cool off too much, or she hardens into ice, and remember..." Mike said vaulting onto the wall. "You can run through fire, you can't run through ice," he said and jumped off the wall.
"He picks a heck of a time to be serious," Rick muttered. "Still.."
"Yep..you're going to be thanking me for that one later," Mike said sliding up next to him.
Rick glanced at him and then started laughing.
"I don't know why I'm laughing, but I needed that," Rick said.
"Good," Mike said. "Now..I'm off."
Saying this he headed back over the wall.
Rick grinned.
"Ahem..Rick.." Steve said.
Rick turned. Steve stood there.
"Steve, where'd you come from?" Rick asked.
"The pit of the depths of despair I think," Steve said.
Rick's eyes widened.
"He's all yours buddy," Mike said appearing beside Rick again.
Rick sighed.
"I don't know..Ken...what would you do if you were me?" Lita asked.
"I uh...don't know...I guess the right thing to do is just to break it off before you two fall farther. I mean..there must be a point where you can't recover you're friendship," Ken said.
"Yeah.." Lita said.
And at the restaurant.
"I think Lita's going to break up with me," Steve asked.
"What was your first guess?" Mike asked sarcastically.
"Mike..." Rick muttered.
"What if he doesn't understand, what if he doesn't let me explain it?" Lita asked.
"I guess that's a risk," Ken said. "But if he likes you he'll give you the chance."
"Are you sure?"
"I can understand why she would want to dump me..but do you think she'll be afraid I won't hear her out. Or does she even want to be heard out?" Steve asked.
"Lita's a nice girl, she won't just dump you," Rick said. "She'll try and work it out, besides, you two should stay friends."
"I didn't think you could go back, it's not like burning the bridge," Mike said. "Of course if you always run back across before the bridge stops burning..."
"Mike..." the other two said.
"Well it doesn't matter, the bridge still collapsed and killed the troll below it, I'm gone," he said and flipped over the back of the seat and headed off.
"What is up with him?" Steve asked.
"Mina's annoyed with him, I think he's overcompensating by bending reality even more so then he usually does," Rick said.
"Oh...I hope he gets better, I'm not in the mood," Steve said.
"Neither am I, still..his antics do grow on a person," Rick said.
"Like a tumar..." Steve said.
"Tumor."
"Who cares," Steve said.
"He seems reasonable, but I don't want to hurt him," Lita said.
"From what you say about him he seems like he'll be hurt the least," Ken said.
"I wish I knew for sure," Lita said.
"Lita, you seem to be convinced there's no other option, so delaying will only do more damage."
"Yeah..I know," Lita said. "Stinks doesn't it?"
"Not if you and Steve talk."
"You know I thought she was it," Steve said.
"It?" Rick asked.
"Sure, the one."
"The one what?"
"The girl that was perfect for me. We shared the same interests, she didn't just see me as a dumb jock..she saw me as a more complete person."
"She still sees you that way," Rick said. "But Steve, romance isn't your strength."
"But Lita was patient, if I can't work it out with her, how will I work it out with anyone else? You've got a gift Rick, you can do this."
"Steve, I've got my own hole to dig myself out of, I wouldn't be too envious."
"You can have any girl you want though."
"I can't have Raye unless she wants me, and I could never have Lita."
"Oh?"
"Nope...Steve..don't get discouraged, Lita's your first try."
"Yeah..I guess," Rick said.
"Guess I can't hold this up any longer," Lita said.
"It's best not too, at least I think so," Ken said.
"Yeah...guess it is," Lita said.
"Good luck," Ken said.
"Yeah, thanks Ken, we really should talk more," Lita said.
"Sure Lita, I'll give you a call," Ken said.
Lita nodded.
Serena meanwhile found herself standing outside a bus stop starring at a map.
"I really should have planned this more...now where is Greg's house?" She asked herself. "Jeez...what was I thinking.."
It was then she noticed something floating in front of her. At first she thought it was a bug, and moved to shue it away. The small object returned to it's position in front of her face.
"Oh.." she said noticing that there was something very inorganic about it.
"Gotcha.." She said. "Lead the way.."
And Serena headed off following one of Maverick's cameras.
Several miles away.
"Amazing..she actually figured it out," Patterson muttered.
"Ambitious huh?" Furuhata Sagara said showing off a homemade diagram she had drawn on one of Darrien's notebook pages.
"Interesting," Darrien said. "I like the idea."
"I knew you would," Sagara said.
"Oh...you know me that well?"
"We have been seeing a lot of each other."
"Yeah..that we have.." Darrien said. Serena's face popped into his mind.
"You know Furi, I really should take the night off," Darrien said. "I've got to see some friends."
"Darrien, I wish it were that simple, but if we don't get our proposal done soon..we could lose our slots on the team," Sagara said.
"I guess you have a point...we should finish it."
"It's just a few more days."
"Yeah...you're right," Darrien said. "So what's our next move?"
"I've got it all right here," Sagara said opening a briefcase.
"So..." Lita said.
"Uh..so.." Steve said.
"I know what you're going to say.." The two said in unison.
"I understand," Steve said.
"You do?" Lita asked.
"Yeah..I do...and I think if we just let things go for a week or two..maybe we can meet up or something and you know be friends, it was fun while it lasted, but you need someone who can care for you Lita."
"I never doubted that you did," Lita said.
"Yeah..well anyway..I'll see you soon, I hope," Steve said.
"Sure Steve, I'll be looking forward to it," Lita said.
Steve nodded. Lita nodded too. And the two walked off in separate directions.
CHAPTER 181 CHAPTER 182 CHAPTER 183 CHAPTER 184
CHAPTER 185 CHAPTER 186 CHAPTER 187 CHAPTER 188
CHAPTER 189 CHAPTER 190 CHAPTER 191 CHAPTER 192
CHAPTER 193 CHAPTER 194 CHAPTER 195 CHAPTER 196