Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ A Knight's Work Is Never Done ❯ Summer Vacation ( Chapter 13 )

A Knight's Work Is Never Done

Chapter 13: Summer Vacation

 

By: Ginsan

 

 

 

"Is it too late for me to go back to being an asshole?"

 

"Yes, considering you're already packed, and ready to go. Will you stop dragging your feet, and get downstairs."

 

"Remind me again, why did I agree with this?"

 

"Because you're really a softy, and the Class Summer Camp got canceled. Now hurry up. The other's are waiting for us to pick them up."

 

"Fine, but you did explain the rules, yes? Sight seeing is fine in a group, but no one goes off alone. I am not a mobile ATM. If they run out of money, I am not giving them any. If anyone sees me running, everyone should be running after me, and asking questions later. If I disappear, do not go looking for me, I'll show up again later. If I say be somewhere at a specific time, I mean be there by that time, not after it."

 

"Yes Jordan, we've all gone over this. Now, will you get moving?"

 

"OK, OK. Let's go." Jordan grabbed his last two suitcases, and headed out of his room. "Make sure to lock the door. Last thing I want is to find out the maid's been in there."

 

Ami shoved him out of the door, and indeed locked it behind them. "See, I locked it. Now quit worrying, and get a move on. If you make us miss the flight, you will be buying new tickets for all of us."

 

Jordan grumbled as he lugged his suitcases down the stairs. "You know, I think I'm starting to be a bad influence on you. You're getting too good at bulling me. Besides, it's a private jet, it can't leave without at least me on it."

 

Ami smiled as she pushed past him, and went down the stairs ahead of him. "Well, I did have a good teacher. Now, do I have to bully you to the limo, or can I trust that you'll be good while I help Morgan?"

 

"I'll be good. Go help Morgan. And remind her, that she gets three pieces of luggage only. I'm not lugging her entire wardrobe through the airport."

 

"Yes, yes, I'll remind her."

 

Jordan grumbled under his breath as he lugged his suitcases down the stairs. Ami shook her head as she followed him down. As they passed Morgan's open door she walked in, lightly knocking on the door.

 

"Morgan, are you ready yet? Jordan wanted to remind you three pieces of luggage only. He's starting to take everything down... stairs...."

 

Ami had to pause as she surveyed a disaster area that would put most earthquakes to shame. A riotous mixture of pink, purple, black, and red greeted her eyes. The walls were covered in Pink and purple checked wallpaper, and all the furniture was black with red trim. Various anime posters competed for wall space with Famous Singers and Actors. Scattered over everything, including the bed, were clothes, clothes, and more clothes. Running around frantically, making things ever worse, was Morgan.

 

"Morgan, what's going on? You're not even packed yet, and we're leaving in twenty minutes."

 

Morgan continued running around, tossing various pieces of clothing around as she zoomed around Ami.

 

"I lost my Passport. I'm not going anywhere if I can't find it. I begged Jordan to let me hold it, and now I've lost it." She started sniffling, and looked on the verge of tears as she continued looking. "I have to find it, or Jordan will never let me live it down."

 

Ami sighed as she calmly looked around the room. After a few minutes of looking she grabbed Morgan and spun her to look at her desk, where her carry-on bag was sitting.

 

"Morgan, what's that sticking out of the pocket?"

 

"AHHHH!" Morgan leapt across the room and grabbed the passport. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Morgan hugged the papers for a moment, before leaping back across the room and hugging Ami. "You're a life saver Ami. Just don't tell Jordan what happened. Please, please, please, don't tell him. He'll never let me live it down."

 

Morgan looked up at Ami, pleading with puppy dog eyes.

 

Ami chuckled as she patted Morgan on the head.

 

"Don't worry, I won't spill. Now, we've got fifteen minutes to pack still. What say I help you out, so we don't have to listen to Mr. Grouchy complain. Hmm?"

 

Morgan smiled as she started grabbing and tossing clothes into her suitcases. "Thanks Ami, you're the best."

 

 

* * *

 

".......... Who wasn't clear about me stating only three pieces of luggage, plus carry on?" Jordan stared at a rather large pile of various suitcases, and bags. Other than looking like a tornado had ripped through a luggage store, several extra suitcases had indeed been added. "OK, I can almost understand the three animal taxi's, but honestly, we'll be gone for a week and a half, not an entire year." He sighed, as he looked between the pile of luggage, and the girls. "You lot are seriously attempting to drive me insane. I know it." At a glare from Ami, Jordan threw his hands up in the air and started walking away. "Fine, you can keep all the luggage, but I refuse to carry anything that isn't mine. You lot can find luggage carts. Remember, it's Terminal 19. If you're late, I'm telling the Pilot to fly on without you."

 

Jordan continued grumbling to himself as he picked up his luggage, and began heading towards the International Terminal. He paused long to toss one of Ami's suitcases that had fallen off, back onto his cart, before bullying his way through a crowd of people.

 

"This is going to be a long trip." Morgan stared after Jordan, before turning back to the other girls. "Okay, let's find some more carts, and get over to the jet. He really will tell the Pilot to take off if we don't show up."

 

 

 

Jordan was waiting impatiently by the Gate when the girls finally showed up. He was about to yell at them before he saw the worried look on Ami's face, and the fear clearly evident on the normally brash Lita. The fact that her knees were shaking so bad she could barely move also kept him quiet a moment.

 

"OK, what's the hang up now, and why is she shaking like an overly large pile of Jell-O?"

 

"Well, Lita has a little problem with Airplanes. She was supposed to take some sleeping pills to deal with this, but she's out of them and didn't say anything, thinking she'd be alright this time."

 

Jordan slapped the heel of his hand against his forehead. "None of you tried buying some from the abundant number of shops an the way up the Terminal?" Several embarrassed head shakes met his question.

 

"She didn't get this bad until we were in sight of the plane." Ami shrugged her shoulders apologetically as she continued to try and help consul Lita. "We could go back for some now though."

 

Jordan growled in frustration. "No, I'll take care of it. Morgan, get everyone settled on the Jet. Tell the Pilot to get ready for take-off. Amara, could you give me a hand with Lita. Just help her to the seat there."

 

Jordan waited until everyone was going down the gate towards the Jet, before turning back to Lita, and Amara.

 

"OK. Lita, the next thing you're going to remember, is being at the L.A. Airport. You're not going to remember anything about the flight there. I'm going to put you to sleep for a little bit. Amara, get ready to catch her incase she slips out of the seat."

 

Both girls had puzzled looks on their faces, and Lita's turned to worry, as she saw a small needle made of green energy appear in Jordan's hand. Before she could protest, he touched her forehead with the needle.

 

"Don't worry, this won't hurt. You won't feel a thing actually."

 

He gently pushed the needle into the skin until it disappeared completely. Almost immediately, her eyes closed and she indeed started slipping out of her chair, to be quickly caught my Amara.

 

"There. Now, we just have to make sure she stays strapped safely in her seat during the flight."

 

"Okay know-it-all, what'd you do to her?"

 

"Nothing too serious, provided it's not done repeatedly. I simply rendered her unconscious for a while. The needle will last until the Jet lands. Okay, time to leave. Though I'd prefer not to go, the sooner we get there, the sooner we can get back."

 

* * *

 

"Morgan, remember what I told you about how it was impolite to punch people?"

 

"Yah?"

 

"Paparazzi are not people. Feel free to wail on them when you get ticked enough. You're a minor, we can get you off easily enough."

 

"Will do bro."

 

As everyone was embarking from the plane, several of the girls were trying to figure out what the two siblings were talking about, especially since it sounded like Jordan was encouraging Morgan to hurt someone. Once they emerged from the Gang-way they quite literally slammed into a wall. A wall of lights, and noise. Completely blocking the exit from the Terminal, was a small army of reporters and photographers.

 

"Mr. Mallone, how does it feel to be back in Los Angeles after what happened seventh months ago?"

 

"Mr. Mallone, Are you really seeking the death penalty for Ronnie Mendoza?"

 

"Mr. Mallone, do you hold yourself responsible for what happened on the night of the 20th?"

 

"Mr. Mallone, why are you traveling with a party of Underage Girls?

 

Questions where being asked so quickly, several of which were so slanderous they couldn't believe them, that most of the girls were beginning to get headaches just trying to understand. Through it all, Jordan and Morgan stood in place, ignoring the reporters, though both looked to be getting rather upset. A glance at Jordan's fists showed that they were so tightly clenched they were turning white. Jordan glanced at his watch several times, as though waiting on something.

 

After one more glance, some of the tension drained out of his form as he seemed to spot someone behind the crowd of reporters. He smirked, as several large Security Guards appeared, and began shoving the reporters away, clearing enough space for the group to escape though.

 

"Quickly, before the Damned vermin regroup. If we can get to the Limo waiting outside, we'll be in the clear."

 

Not even knowing what was going on anymore, the girls quickly followed after Jordan, with an occasional shove from Morgan to keep them moving. Two of the Guards detached themselves from the crowd, and followed along behind the group, glaring at anyone who got too close. Surprisingly, an older woman shoved her way past the two guards, and rushed up to a now bemused Jordan.

 

"It's about time you got here. You do know that the board meeting is in less than 2 hours? And, it's rush hour now. How do you expect to get there on time?"

 

Jordan smirked at her, as he gestured at the small group following him. "Don't worry about how I'm going to get there. You worry about getting everyone settled in their hotel rooms. I'll handle the board meeting." Jordan turned to look at everyone, before dumping his carry on bag into the ladies arms. "Everyone, this is Holly. She'll be taking you to the hotel, since I have a small bit of business to attend to. She may complain a lot, but she's well compensated for her time, and she enjoys what she does, so it's mostly hot air. I'll catch up with you all later. I'm sure jet lag is about to catch up with all of you, so I'll see you all tomorrow night."

 

Jordan waved back at everyone, as he hurried down the terminal, several ambitious reporters still trying to follow him.

 

* * *

 

"Do they like their rooms?" Jordan leaned back in his chair, and stared at the city line through the window as he spoke on his cell phone. "Heh, yah, I thought they might have that reaction. They can fight over who keeps which room, once they're conscious again. Hmm No, I'm not sure when I'll be done here. The meeting is over, but Sue is on her way up with some last minute paperwork for tomorrow evening. Yes, everything should be set."

 

He paused to take a sip from a glass of water, when a soft knock at the door announced Susan's arrival as she walked in with a small armload of paperwork. Jordan turned the chair the rest of the way around and nodded at Susan, gesturing for her to drop the paperwork on the desk.

 

"Speaking of the devil, she just walked in. I'll check back in with you tomorrow. Make sure you don't spill the beans about what's going on. I want it to be a surprise. Yes, I know you can't tell them, since you don't know much about what's going on, but just don't let them know something is going on. Bye Morgan. Yes, I'll tell her you said Hi."

 

Jordan hung up the phone as he reached for the first of the papers Susan was giving him. Hopefully, this wouldn't take too long. Jet lag was starting to creep up on him.

 

"Morgan says Hi. What is all this crap anyway? I thought we had everything ready?"

 

Sue avoided looking him in the yes as she placed the paperwork down, and flipped to where he needed to sign. Clear signs that she was hiding something.

 

"OK, we both know each other well enough to know somethings up. What don't you want to tell me?" He started looking through the paperwork, looking for what she was hiding. He groaned as he found it on the third page. "Him? Let me guess, Mom thought he should be invited, and that I just forgot to send him an invite?" He sighed as Sue shrugged her shoulders. "I suppose he would have tracked me down anyway while I was over here. Probably to gloat about another new secretary."

 

He started signing the paper anyway, and handed them back to Sue. She flipped through them quickly, and nodded, making sure everything was right.

 

"I knew I should have stayed in Tokyo."

 

* * *

 

 

"This place is huge. I've been inside the Mallone Fashions in Tokyo, but this place could easily fit the entire store inside the lobby. How come none of us connected Jordan with this? I mean Jordan Mallone, Mallone Fashions. I mean, Hello? So obnoxious!"

 

Jordan smirked at Mina's comment as he walked up behind the group. "That would be 'So Obvious' Mina. Also, this is more than simply a store." He couldn't help but laugh at Mina as she jumped back several feet and clutched at her chest, and the others girls chuckled at her. "This is our Main Headquarters. We Design, Model, Make, and Sell here. And luckily for you lot, all of you get the Grand Tour."

 

Jordan gestured towards a set of doors at the back of the lobby as he walked through the middle of the group. "We'll start with the design studio. But, I'll warn you now. Don't touch anything unless I, or one of the designers say you can. Several of them can be... Overprotective of their work."

 

Jordan led the group past the doors, pausing to hand out a visitor's badge to everyone but Morgan. They walked down a corridor and past several doors, until Jordan lead them to a section with several large cubicles.

 

"OK Ladies. This is where almost every design we create is thought up. Mom has her own lines that she makes, but these folks in here create the majority of our catalog."

 

He lead them around each of the cubicles, letting them look around at some of the empty ones, before finally stopping at one labeled T. L. Contias.

 

"Ah, good. He's in today. Ladies, this is Thomas Louis Contias." Jordan shook hands with an older gentleman who seemed to have problems keeping his hair from getting into his eyes. "He designs most of our Summer Collections, Though he specializes in Swim wear. Thomas, these are a few of my friends from over in Tokyo. Friends being a polite way of saying they're constantly at my house driving me crazy. OWW!"

 

Jordan clenched his teeth in pain, and held his left foot as he was glared at by a ticked off Ami.

 

"Ah. This charming Young Lady must be your new Girlfriend I take it. A pleasure to meet you Ms...."

 

Thomas held his hand out toward her, and tried not to laugh at Jordan who was now glaring at him and muttering about pay cuts under his breath.

 

"Mizuno Ami sir. It's a pleasure to meet you too."

 

Thomas smiled as she extended her hand, and he shook it.

 

"It's so nice to finally have someone to keep this Vagabond in line. But, make sure to keep him in one piece Ms. Mizuno. We do need our future owner in good health. Now, if you'll all excuse me, I have some business I need to attend to."

 

He waved to them all and hurried back the way they had come, laughing the whole way.

 

"I thought we agreed, no more Jackass." Ami glared at Jordan while the rest of the girls' smirked.

 

"It was a joke. Geeze. If I really hated you people, do you think I'd fly you over here and be giving you a personal tour of my family business?" Jordan paused to shake his foot, finally getting some feeling back into it. "Now, if you lot are done laughing at me, let's continue on."

 

"I don't know. Kind of nice watching you dangle on the end of your leash. Keep up the good work Ami."

 

Everyone tried to smother their giggles, as Ami began blushing a bright red. Jordan proceeded down another hallway, limping slightly as he walked and cursing Amara under his breath.

 

* * *

 

"This, is our Vault. In here, you'll find the Originals of every Design we make or used to make. Please, no touching the glass wall. You wouldn't believe how difficult it is to clean."

 

Both Jordan and Morgan grimaced, obviously facing bad memories pertaining to said glass walls.

 

Jordan led them around the small maze for a bit, leaving the explaining of each outfit to Morgan, who seemed to enjoy it. After several minutes or wondering around, Jordan's cell phone went off, and he quickly answered it.

 

"Jordan speaking. All set then? Good. We're already over here, so we'll be there in just a minute. See you in five." Jordan hung up his phone, and placed it back in his jacket. "Good news everybody. I set up a little surprise for you all today, and it's finally ready. Morgan, you know the way to Vault Zero, care to lead?"

 

"Uh, sure thing bro. This way."

 

A very confused Morgan lead them around several turns, obviously clueless about what was to happen next. After a few minutes, they emerged into a large, circular room.

 

As before, the walls in this room were mare of glass, and all but one section was lit up. But, the last section of wall was not illuminated, effectively keeping whatever was in site from being seen.

 

"OK ladies, this room is a very special Vault. In here, every Original was designed and hand made my Mother. What we're here to see though, is a never before seen collection, called Fantasy Princess. It's never been seen outside this building before since Mom could never find models she thought proper for them. However, I have a feeling they'll look absolutely splendid on you lot."

 

Morgan turned a confused look at Jordan. "What do you mean, on them? Mom's going to kill you when she finds out."

 

"Oh, I doubt that sweetie. After all, I gave him the permission for it."

 

Morgan spun around before letting out a squeal of delight, and running up to hug the lady who had just walked into the room.

 

She stood just at six foot even. Her skin was lightly tanned. Her eyes were a slightly darker shade of green than Jordan's. Her hair was a blazing red. It was styled to resemble wings on either side of her head. Over all, it was rather odd. She was wearing a black, sleeveless dress. The shoulders, consisted of three successive flairs that completely covered her shoulders. A belt of silver roses was wrapped around her waist. At the bottom, the dress split from her knees to run down both of her legs, and meet the back of the dress at ankle level. She was also wearing a pair of black, high heeled shoes with straps that wound around up to her calves.

 

"Good, I can't wait to see what they think of the dresses. Morgan, if you'd let Mom go, she can unlock the Vault."

 

"Oh yah. Sorry."

 

Morgan let go of her Mom, and stepped back to stand with Rini and Hotaru.

 

Mrs. Mallone walked up to a box on one of the walls. She opened a panel, and began punching buttons into the keypad. After a moment, there was a hum as the last section of the wall slowly lit up from inside. Bit by bit, each dress inside was revealed.

 

There were collective gasps from all the girls as the dresses were revealed. Mrs. Mallone smiled at the girls as she hugged Morgan and Jordan goodbye.

 

"Well girls, I'd love to stick around and see how you all look, but I still have some work to do today. I'll see you all tonight. Toddles."

 

She vanished through a nearby door, leaving all the girls to stare after her, and ponder what she said. As well as stare at Jordan and the smug look on his face.

 

"Well, that's my clue to jet as well, since I doubt I'd be allowed in while you lot change." Jordan paused to give puppy dog eyes to Ami. A resounding smack upside his head by Morgan however, ended that. "Geeze. I try one joke, and get assaulted. Fine, I'll see you all at 7 o'clock sharp tonight. You'll all have a full day, and I have work to get done. See you all later."

 

With a wave to them all, he vanished down another side corridor before anyone could ask him about the dresses.

 

* * *

 

Jordan sighed as his finished signing the last piece of paperwork. So far, it had only taken him 3 hours to do it all. He glanced at the wall on the clock, and smiled slightly. Just enough time to go see both of them and be back with time to change.

 

He reached out and pushed the intercom button on the desk.

 

"Susan. Could you please have my car brought around front. I'm going out for the rest of the day."

 

There was a brief pause before she answered back.

 

"Sure thing sweetie. I suppose your going to go see them? The car will be around in five minutes. Good Luck."

 

Susan cut the com, and Jordan sat back in his chair for a minute before standing up and grabbing the paperwork he'd just signed. He walked out of the office and tossed them in his Outgoing before heading for the elevator.

 

"Wonder if I should bring her flowers..." Jordan mused to himself as he stepped into the closing doors.

 

* * *

 

"Ah, Mr. Mallone. Your secretary called, and said to expect you. I'm Dr. Mizers."

 

Jordan reached out and shook the doctor's hand as they began walking down the hall.

 

"Pleasure. I'm afraid I don't have much time, but I want to spend as much with her as I can while I'm over here in the States. I can't be sure when I'll be able to come back."

 

"I understand sir, especially with a hectic schedule like yours. But, any time you can spend with her is appreciated. She has improved a little bit, but she's still not talking, and she barely eats her meals. See if you can at least get her to eat her dinner while your here."

 

"I'll try. I'll let you know when I'm ready to leave."

 

The Doctor nodded and walked away, leaving Jordan alone in front of the door.

 

Made of steel and glass, the door was quite forbidding in appearance. Scrawled in black numbers at the top was the number '265', and to the side of the door stood a medical chart. Under that, was listed the patient's name. Jordan stood looking at the name and the chart a moment before grabbing the handle, and knocking on the door.

 

"Hello. Whether you want me to come in or not, I'm coming in. Sorry I haven't been able to visit before now." Jordan opened the door and closed it behind himself after stepping inside. "Doc says you haven't been eating your veggies young lady. They're never gonna let you out if you don't at least try."

 

"F-You Mallone"

 

"Nice. Least you're vocal this time. Last time, I couldn't even get that much out of you. So Frannie, I think it's time we had a talk."

 

* * *

 

"How'd it go Mr. Mallone?"

 

Jordan glared at the Doctor as he continued to try and clean food off of what was once a clean shirt. He glared at the doctor for another minute before sighing and giving up on the shirt.

 

"Better than last time anyway. I got her to cuss me out, and she threw her dinner plate at me. I'd call it an improvement. I suppose."

 

The Doctor laughed as he handed Jordan a towel to clean his face off with.

 

"Yes, she is improving. With you in town for a few days, and a few more acts like this, maybe we can motivate her to actually leave her room."

 

"Maybe." Jordan wiped most of the sauce off his face, and pulled a few stray noodles from his hair. "I'll try and stop by tomorrow, or at least Monday. I've got to take off now." Jordan tossed the now filthy towel back at the Doc. "I'll call you back when I can visit her again."

 

"Thank You very much for your visit today Mr. Mallone. She hasn't been this active in quite some time."

 

Jordan smirked on his way out. "Glad I could oblige by being a target. I'll make sure to wear some grungier clothes next time. So long Doc. And good luck with her."

 

Jordan made his way out to the parking lot, and hopped inside his car. He cast one last glance back at the Asylum before driving off. Fran really did seem to be dealing with things a little better.

 

The last time he had come had been just before they left for Tokyo. All she had done was stare at the wall and cry silently. Now, she was screaming at him and throwing food at him. Definitely an improvement. He'd just have to make sure she didn't have any sharp objects next time. That could get messy.

 

"Speaking of messes." Jordan sighed as a lock of sauce laden hair fell into his face. "I hope this stuff comes out easy. Hate to be late to my own party."

 

* * *

 

Across town, in one of the less traveled city parks, an eerie light glowed briefly through the trees. The light soon faded, replaced by a shrill shriek as a large shadowy form shot out of the trees and fled into the sky.

 

Back on the ground below, another shadowy figured moved between the trees, avoiding the light. Seeing a couple of joggers pass nearby, it alter course to intercept them. Two screams cut abruptly short, and an eerie silence settled over the park.

* * *