Cyborg 009 Fan Fiction ❯ Ante Mortem ❯ Chapter Five ( Chapter 5 )

Ante-Mortem

By: Wildfire Sky

Sigh…this whole, no review thing is depressing me. I WANNA READ MY REVIEWS!! Internet god, if you can hear me…please tell the webmaster of FF.net to fix the goddamn review problem…and I promise if you do, I'll write as many fanfics as the fans want. Just please make it work again!! Oh yea, and please let this be a good chapter!

Anyways, yea, always good to start off with a prayer to the Internet god. Never know when you'll need him…like for a project…or fanfics…or anything really. So anyways, now that my pathetic excuse for a prayer is finished, I think it's high time we got started, eh?? Oh yea baby!!

A LOTof people have been asking me how I knew Gilmore was a Russian…you're making me feel like I'm wrong, but I wouldn't put in something like that for the hell of it. I read it somewhere, I think in the DVD set or on the internet somewhere. As far as I know, I pretty positive he's Russian, but if someone finds out otherwise, please tell me so I can make the correction.

Ante-Mortem

Chapter Five

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Jet stood in the middle of Francoise's room, glowering at the far wall, his arms crossed and a vicious scowl across his face. He had been pacing before as 003 spoke, and with each passing moment he'd grown angrier and angrier.

Now he simply stared out of the porthole, eyeing the Italian dock of the port town, Civitavecchia, enviously, the old streets bathed in the golden light of early dawn, the fishing boats already pulling out of the river mouth and into the wide Mediterranean. Seagulls flapped through the morning sky shaking off the dew collected on their feathers as they slept through the night. The birds dove down into the sea, snatching up helpless sea creatures and taking them away to their inevitable doom. Far off in the distance, above the port town was the ancient city of Rome, the old marble columns reflecting from the Eternal City and back down to the Tiber River.

"I just don't see why you have to go with him," he snarled, not looking at the French girl seated on the bed.

"Oh please, Jet," Francoise said with an exasperated sigh, "I already told 009 that it wasn't anything serious. Just a tour through Rome, that's all."

Jet turned to face her, a tiny pout on his lips, "Yea, but I wanted to take you into Rome. I was hoping we could go out to dinner or something…"

Francoise playfully raised an eyebrow, "Or something, Jet? Don't worry about it; we'll be back before we cast off again for Tokyo."

"But that won't be until tomorrow morning!"

Francoise stood and wrapped her arms around Jet, gently hugging him, resting her head on his strong chest, listening to his gentle heartbeat. Jet looked down at her lovingly before putting his hands around her and pulling her close to him. Francoise looked up into his brown eyes and smiled. Jet smiled back and slowly lowered his head to capture her soft lips in a kiss.

"003, you and 002 stop messing around with each other and come out for breakfast! Everybody's waiting for you out here."

Jet growled in annoyance, his lips lingering just inches from 003's. He leaned in to finish the kiss, but Francoise turned away, a small blush pinking her cheeks. "If they're waiting, we'd better go, Jet."

Jet stared at her a moment before shoving his hands deep into his pockets with a disappointed frown, "Yea…"

Francoise beamed and whirled around, walking out into the hallway. Jet quickly caught up to her, grabbing her elbow to slow her.

"Uh, Francoise," he whispered, "Why do I feel as though I don't have your full attention?"

"I'm listening to you right now, Jet," Francoise replied, an annoyed look crossing her beautiful features.

Jet stopped, keeping a firm grip on 003's arm, "No, that's not what I mean, Francoise. Whenever I try to spend time with you and cuddle, you always seem to push me away."

Francoise gave the American a small smile, "Sorry, Jet, but I just can't see you 'cuddling' with anybody."

"I'm being serious, Francoise…"

Francoise sighed, wrenching her arm away from Jet's possessive grasp. She cast him a look and continued walking down the hallway. Jet stood shocked for a moment before trotting after the retreating woman.

"Now wait a minute, I'm not finished talking…"

Francoise whirled around and glared, "Not here, not now!"

With that, Francoise turned on her heel and marched into the dining room. Instantly the room exploded with greetings.

"Morning 003! Have a nice sleep?"

"Good morning, 003."

"Good morning."

"Finally!!"

"007!"

"What?? Oh, fine! Good morning, 003. It's so good that you've finally joined us for breakfast! Now I can eat?"

Joe looked over at Francoise and nodded to her. Albert gently jabbed him in the ribs and Joe got to his feet, walking over to where the girl stood. "Good morning, Francoise."

Francoise smiled at him and planted a tiny kiss on his cheek, "Good morning, 009."

Joe beamed happily and he quickly followed Francoise over to the table, ignorant to the steaming cyborg standing in the shadows. As Francoise sat, Joe looked over at Albert who quickly gave him a thumb up and a nod. Joe nodded back before he sat down next to 003.

"So…are we still going to Rome this afternoon?"

003 nodded slowly, "Yes…I was hoping to go to the Pantheon and the Coliseum…"

"Really?" Joe said, "I wanted to see those too! Then maybe we could go out to dinner or---"

"Nothing has been decided yet, 009." A voice snarled viciously.

Joe turned around and frowned. Jet stood behind him, a dark sneer on his face. He stepped from the shadows and placed a firm hand on 003's arm.

"We still need to talk about some things before we decide what to do."

Francoise stared at him but kept her mouth shut, obviously not wanting to get into an argument in front of the others. Joe's gaze fell back on her face and he stood up.

"Well, tell me when you're ready, 003…"

"If she's ready…"

"Jet!" 003 hissed, "Stop it!"

Jet merely glared in Joe's direction before sitting next to Francoise, throwing an arm around her shoulders. Joe shook with fury before going to his seat. Francoise looked uncomfortable, but didn't dare shrug off Jet's arm and try his explosive temper. Joe sat next to Albert gloomily with a heavy sigh.

Albert frowned before he lifted his fork and cast around a warm smile, "Well, now that everyone's here, let's eat!"

Instantly, the hungry cyborgs converged on the meal set before them, scooping large sums of the rice and meat onto their plates, filling their glasses with drink, before settling back down to eat. Conversation broke out amongst the friends except for Jet and Joe who were holding a small glaring contest, Jet's more intense than the passive Joe's and Francoise trying to ignore the entire ordeal. Suddenly she found herself regretting ever kissing Jet in the first place. She sighed and slowly began eating Chang's rice.

Albert watched the girl struggle with her feelings and his heart went out to her. He decided to play the father figure once again and talk to 003 one on one. It would be the best way for her to finally get out her feelings.

"Oh yea! Rome is a beautiful place! I can't wait to go on shore!" GB cried, jumping to his feet.

Gilmore emerged from the kitchen with a plate, coughing casually and catching GB with a harsh look, "No one is leaving to Dolphin today except for 009 and 003."

GB's jaw dropped in shock, "What?? How come only them? I want to see Rome too!"

"They may go on shore because out of all of you, they are the most responsible."

GB opened his mouth to reply, but Pyunma quickly jabbed him in his side to silence him. 007 growled under his breath and sat back with a huff, crossing his arms and glaring.

"It's still not fair."

Gilmore ignored the pouting 007 and sat eat his meal, catching the appreciative nod from 004. He smiled slightly as he pushed away his now empty plate and swallowed the rest of his coffee. He stood up and glanced around.

"A barge will be coming along side our ship in about two hours. 004, make sure that everyone is ready to pump the fuel and collect supplies from the ship."

Albert nodded, "Yes sir."

Gilmore smiled and turned to 009, "You'll have to take the cruiser and make your way to Civitaveccha and dock there. I wouldn't try going up the Tiberthis time of year, too many boats and yachts on the river."

Joe nodded quietly, "Yes sir."

Gilmore turned and briskly walked out of the room. Silently the others dispersed except for Jet, Albert, Francoise, and Joe. The group sat staring at each other silently, not knowing exactly what to say to the others. Finally Albert cleared his throat and stood.

"003, may I speak to you for a minute?"

Francoise nearly leapt from her chair, eager to get away from the tense atmosphere, "Of course!"

Albert took her hand and quickly led Francoise up onto the deck, leaving the two jealous cyborgs alone. Jet leaned over the table and set his leader with a hard glare, his eyes blazing with contained fury.

"Just what the hell are you trying to prove, huh?" he snarled, staring Joe directly in his eyes, challenging him, "You think you're better than me? Is that it?"

Joe stared back, "You took her from me, 002."

"What?" Jet laughed, "She never wanted to be with you, 009. Oh wait wait, let me guess. She came to your room one night when you were having those silly little dreams of yours, and in the spur of the moment, you both declared your love for each other, am I right?"

Joe was silent.

"Jesus you're an idiot, 009," Jet snapped, "When it come to romance you are absolutely hopeless."

Joe glared at him, his blood beginning to boil, "Just what are you saying, 002?"

"You-don't-deserve-her! I do! I'm the better man in every way. She wants me, she's been dying to have me…and with God as my witness, you'll have to fucking kill me to get to her."

Joe began to stand, his fists balled and his vision a blurred red, "That can be arranged."

Jet smirked, a dangerous gleam in his hard brown eyes, "Good. And this time 005 isn't here to save you…I'll make sure that even if you do want to see Francoise, it'll have to be at our wedding!"

Joe lunged across the dinning table and tackled Jet, throwing the American to the ground. The two rolled, fists flying at each others faces, yelling and cursing. Jet kicked out with his legs, sending Joe flying into the table and knocking it over with a loud crash. The latter retaliated, accelerating behind the surprised Jet and wrapping him in a headlock, intent on choking his opponent to death. Jet snarled, reaching behind him and tossing Joe from his back, the Japanese youth slamming into the far wall and punching a deep hole in it. He jumped to his feet, preparing himself to fight again as Jet advanced, fists ready. Joe took a step forward and was about to attack when a firm hand clamped down on his shoulder, holding him back.

"What the hell is going on here?" 004's voice cut through the tense air like a knife, freezing the two boys with a savage glare, "Stop this right now, 002!"

Jet sneered, "He was asking for it."

"And you're asking to be confined to your quarters!" Albert snapped back, stepping between the two, "003, maybe you should go to your room and get ready to leave."

Jet stepped to block 003's path, "She's not going anywhere with him."

"It's my decision, Jet," Francoise said, defending herself, "I already promised Joe that we would go to Rome this afternoon and I'm not going to break it."

"But…"

"Get going, 003," Albert cut in quickly, nodding at her, "I'll straighten these two out right now."

Francoise nodded, casting Joe a small look before walking to her room. Once she disappeared into the hallway, Albert whirled on the battered cyborgs before him. He stared at each of them before motioning at the fallen table.

"Pick it up."

Silently, Jet and Joe obeyed, throwing each other vicious glares as they worked to right the table and set the chairs back in place. Albert stepped over to them, picking up a glass on the floor. When he set it back on the table, he nodded at Joe.

"Have a seat you two."

Joe collapsed into the chair nearest Albert, Jet sitting opposite of him, his arms crossed and eyes narrowed. Albert stood at the head, looking at the cyborg teenagers. His gaze halted on Joe's bowed head and a disgusted frown settled on his lips.

"Now, listen up. I don't know what the hell is wrong with you two and frankly I really don't care. All that I know is that this crap needs to end and it needs to end now…009, just what are you thinking? Dr. Gilmore already said he'd ground you if you guys didn't behave."

Joe opened his mouth to respond but Albert put up a hand to stop him, "Don't say a word, I don't want to hear your excuses…now, if you don't want to go to Rome, fine then, I'll take 003 myself and enjoy the city."

"I do want to go!" Joe exclaimed quickly, "I told her in her room last night that we would go together."

Jet's head jerked up, eyes on fire, "And just what were you doing in her bedroom last night, huh?"

"Enough!" 004 snapped, "002, shut your mouth. I don't want to hear another word from either of you until the moment you leave, 009. The only way to solve this, I suppose, is to keep you two apart. Neither of you are to come within fifteen feet of each other except at dinner time. 002, you have kitchen duty and both of you will go to your rooms the moment 009 and 003 return. If I catch you two even in the vicinity of her room, I'll make sure that you clean this ship so well that…just, don't push me today. Got it?"

"Yes mother," Jet sneered, standing up.

Albert glared, "Don't do it 002…I swear you'll regret it."

Jet opened his mouth to respond, but the look on 004's face warned him otherwise. He frowned and turned on his heel, stomping away.

Albert released a heavy sigh, "What a hothead," he murmured to himself before turning to look at Joe, "009, you are going about this in completely the wrong direction. If you want to win 003 over, you have got to show some restraint when it comes to dealing with 002!"

Joe sat back in his chair, "I know I shouldn't let him get to me but…but what if Jet's right? I don't even know what she sees in me…"

Albert crossed over, grabbing 009 by the shoulders and solidly shaking him, "You stop that right now! With that kind of attitude you'll lose her for sure…trust me on this one, 009."

Joe looked up at the older German and shook his head, "But…I hardly know anything about Rome or eating out or dating. Maybe Jet should take her after all."

004 looked away in disgust, "Don't be such an idiot, 009. It's eleven o'clock now, get your ass on a computer and research for a good hour! By the time 003 is ready to leave, you'll know everything you'll need." A sly smile crept across 004's face, "In fact, I suggest you start with looking up the finest Italian restaurant you can find…give me the number and I'll make reservations for a table. Now get moving! Today's the day you win back 003's heart!"

Joe slowly stood, staring at 004 with growing respect. He bowed his head solemnly, "Thanks 004…"

"Don't mention it."

Albert watched as the Japanese youth strode from the dining room and his heart sank. He could almost feel the boy's suffering, for he too felt very much the same thing…so very long ago…

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Hum...I don't know about ya'll, but I think that was the worse chapter I've ever written. Goddamn writer's block!! Argh…oh well, maybe a few suggestions can help me spruce it up a bit, huh? Whadda ya say? Help me out with this one?

Ah!! So many reviews!! I mean, I'm glad the server's working now but… now I have to respond to them all…but, it's no biggy…some things ya gotta do for the home team. These are responses for both chapter 3 and chapter 4. I'll address them both in the same response if you have more than one!!

Tomoe2Kenshin:Well, I'm glad that you like it so much…makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside…thanks for the review!!

BabyG of Westlife:What's wrong with BabyG? Is she sick or something? Yea, Francoise does seem a little confused…but she did it to herself right?

Fantasygirl:No! Don't let it kill you!! Then I'll have one less reviewer! Oh curse me and my ignorance!! Foolish fates how could you take her because of one little story!! Nooooo!!

Dark Angel 0013:I'm honored that you like my writing skills, makes me think that I can actually write…wait…are you just being nice??

Siora:Good, I was worried it might be getting a little bit confusing…you've reassured me that it's not so I thank you for that!! And we're fellow singles? Well life could be worse…and about the lazy thing, don't sweat it, I'm extremely lazy too!! ^_^

GoldAngel2:Look at the email and/or chapter 4

Oracle of the Stars:I wonder too!! DUM DUM DUM!!! BTW, the whole Rometrip starts next chapter.

Wolfwood11:Good, good!! I didn't even realize my plot twisted at all!! Lol, but seriously folks, thanks a bunch for the review and telling Starlight about me!! And no, I'm not really going by the show because this is afterwards. And don't worry, I got to see both of your reviews…and like I said above, I read somewhere that Dr. Gilmore was Russian.

c009fan:We'll see who she sticks with and it might not be who you think…or will it? Hell I don't know I haven't gotten that far!! Thanks for the review!!

Starlight16:She sure is a playa!! Good think she doesn't sleep around…which makes you think…didn't Black Ghost replace everything in their bodies? And I mean everything…I'm sorta playing with the thought of adding a lemon into this. I've read some of the ones on FF.net and they're really not up to par with what I've read before…maybe they need a little something to up the bar, eh? Glad you like 002/003, but don't get your hopes up too high!! And no, Joe is not racist…

Jenny644443855:Dare I ask what the number stands for?? Thanks for the review!!

Holli:That's too bad…am I not describing his right or do you just not like his attitude? If it's description, tell me so I can try and fix it!!

CYBORG CRAZY1 FAN:I mean exactly what I said…they've got something goin' on between them!!

Thanks again for all of the reviews!! This only helps me better myself as a writer!!

Look out for my next chapter!! Finally we go to Rome!!