Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
The day of the funeral came quick as the team set out in black suits. They trailed silently to the burial ground. A short and sweet ceremonial was performed by a priest for Jessie. Maybe God was too sad of the solemn day for the sky was as gray as smoke. It looked like it was about to rain.
The five of them lingered back with Doug as he knelt in front of Jessie’s grave for a long moment. Each of them saying their silent goodbyes to a teammate. From a distance, Erin could see Shelly and Ryan coming together. Both wearing dark clothing too. Erin had told her sister not to come but she insisted, there was something she wanted to tell Doug.
Mia looked up with a grim smile at the petite girl “You just missed the ceremony.”
Shelly nodded, she knew it. Doug did not look up when she walked over, only when she bent down next to him did he turn over. Not a single smile was on his face, his eyes were dark from crying too much and they took years out of him “I know you think I disliked Jessie or worse hate her…but I just wanted to clear something up. I didn’t…I admit to having a crush on you. Yet at the same time, I envied Jessie for having such a great guy as a boyfriend. I admired her in more ways than anyone can possibly know. If Jessie’s spirit is with us today, she will know... I’m sorry.” She felt choked up from the words. Her eyes welled up with tears, but she didn’t want to cry.
“Thank you.” Doug said sincerely with his eyes.
She couldn’t hold in the tears as she began crying silently while getting up. Ryan quickly supported her as she laid her head on his chest. Erin watched them with a smile, proud of her sister and at the same time wondered when they grew so close.
Suddenly, thunder announced the rain was coming. Darren walked over as he patted Doug on the shoulder “Come back with us.”
Doug shook his head “I want to stay with her longer.”
“We’ll stay with you.” Mia suggested.
Again his head shook “I want to be by myself.”
Brad turned up to the sky and a few drops fell onto his face. He pulled the black umbrella he was holding and covered himself and Erin. Darren, Ryan and Matt too brought umbrellas as they opened theirs before the rain started pouring. Doug remained still as water began soaking him. Matt covered him with the umbrella “Why don’t you take a short break from the P.R.A.?”
Doug knew he needed time alone to mourn as he slowly nodded. Matt turned to the group with a smile and walked on. Ryan and Shelly too left after that leaving the other four with Doug “I’m okay guys, you can leave.” Doug said without tearing his eyes from the picture of Jessie smiling on her grave.
Erin stepped over to him while Brad covered the rain for her. She bent down next to Doug “We’re expecting you to come back. Take whatever time you need, but you know there’s always a place for you here at the P.R.A.”
Mia nodded in agreement “It’s not the same without you.” She said earnestly.
“We’re here for you.” Brad added and the three turned to him awkwardly as he looked defensive “What? I have a sensitive side!”
Darren snickered “Just don’t turn gay on us.”
Doug smiled for the first time that day as he looked up to his team members “I wouldn’t miss this for the world. Mark my words, I will be back….” His head turned to Jessie’s grave as he slowly let the smile fade “Jessie would want it that way.” His hair was drenched with rain as he combed it back with his fingers. His head turned up to the sky “God, how I miss her!”
Erin’s heart went out to him as she reached out and hugged him “I know…we all do.” She whispered. She pulled away and got up and nodded at Brad, if she stayed there any longer, she would be bawling.
So much for being strong, Mia was crying by then, her eyes and nose were red as she too gave Doug a hug “You have to be strong! For us…and especially for Jessie.” She pulled away as her cold fingers lingered on his face. He nodded at her with a smile and she got up.
Darren patted him on the shoulder “See you later.” Doug nodded again as he watched the two leave down the steps of the cemetery over looking the city. His head lowered and his eyes closed while the rain pounded on his back and dripping into his skin. He would surely catch a cold, but it was worth it if it meant being with Jessie for another hour or two.
****************
The team knew there was work to be done, despite their saddened moods. They cleaned up and met with Matt back at headquarters. He let out a short sigh “I know this is very hard for everyone, but we have to concentrate on our work. Mrs. Wong has already looked down on us for losing her husband. Not to mention his team of dogs have added no good words behind our backs. We cannot let this agency go down in flames due to one unsuccessful mission.”
“But how do we find Darwin? We don’t even know who attacked us.” Darren said logically.
“He’s right…” Mia added “But I have a feeling those three armed people know us. Like they were purposely aiming for each one of us.”
Matt nodded “So we can’t exclude the fact that it could be someone familiar with our operations.” He leaned back on the chair “I’m not sure bringing the P.R.A. out in public is a good idea afterall. We thought it would be a good way of advertising our services, but it looks like we are only bringing more enemies.”
“Maybe the enemies were already there to begin with?” Erin asked.
“What do you mean?” Brad turned to her questioningly “Are you saying it’s someone we know?”
She shrugged her shoulders “I don’t have a clue really. But it would only explain why we are targeted that night. They couldn’t find Darwin’s body, so it’s safe to say that he is still alive.”
Matt nodded in agreement “Good observing, Erin.” He turned to the team with a smile “I know this is not a good time to be accepting new agents, but you know the rules, six agents and one head. I'll be back in a minute.” He got up and walked outside to escort the two new agents in.
Mia quickly leaned over the table to Erin “You think it’s two guys or one guy one girl?”
Brad, who sat next to Erin shook his head at Mia “Don’t be nosy, it doesn’t matter who it is, we’ll have to work together.”
Darren’s eyes moved to the door when the three people came in “Don’t speak too soon, Brad.” He warned.
Matt caught the team’s attention as he pointed to his left “I’m sure you all know this familiar face. Ted, is rejoining the team taking Doug’s place temporarily. After all he is a big shot captain at the police department in the homicide team.”
Ted smiled with his head shaking “Matt, you are too generous. I wouldn’t call myself a big shot.”
The head laughed humorously “Okay, why don’t you have a seat.” He pointed randomly to the empty seats next to Erin and Mia. Ted was about to walk over to Erin when Mia stopped him.
“Ted, come sit next to me!” she announced and he grinned as he walked over to her side. Mia turned to Darren in a whispered voice “Smart move huh?” she was proud of herself.
Darren nodded sarcastically “Yeah, now he can look at Erin directly.”
Mia’s smile faded as she leaned back in her chair and turned to Ted who was smiling at Erin. She saw Brad’s darkened face and gave him an apologetic look. Maybe it would be better if Ted sat next to Erin.
Matt cleared his throat to get the attention again as everyone turned to the new guy “This is Eric Leung. He is one of the new fire fighters of the SatTin team. Joe and I took a few hours to chose the right person and realized we have our guy when we read about his background. Why don’t you explain it Eric?” he turned to the new team member.
Matt retrieved to his seat while Eric nodded to the group “I am somewhat of a risk taker…as in I like to do anything exciting, dangerous or just plain crazy. I love to sky dive…” he saw Mia flinch and laughed “I know your Mia now!” he pointed and she nodded while the team chuckled. “I also have a black belt in karate, aikido, taekwondo, hapkido…” he saw Darren wave his hand.
“We get it…” Darren said teasingly “No one mess with Eric.”
Eric looked down shyly “I didn’t mean to show off.”
Brad shook his head “Darren’s just kidding.”
“So you must be Brad.” Eric pointed out. His eyes turned to the quiet girl next to him “And you must be Erin.”
Erin smiled “I must be. Unless you mistaken Ted for me.” She joked.
He laughed comfortably “I think that’s a little hard. Ted’s much cuter.” His comment made the team laugh together in unison. Matt smiled, he was happy they were getting along. Eric bowed at them shortly before he took his seat “I’m Cancer by the way.”
Everyone’s smile slowly faded and Erin turned to him “That’s a tough sign to live up to.”
Eric knew the background behind the sign “I know Jessie was Cancer. I’m not here to take her place…but I hope I can be accepted.”
Mia nudged him gently “Erin didn’t mean it that way. It’s just…why that sign?”
“Because Gemini is bad…” meaning Reina’s sign. Eric was told about that too. “Capricorn…I am not deserving because of Dennis’s history here. Sagittarius is too hard to say…and everything else has been taken. Anyways, I am a true Cancer by birth.” Eric explained.
Darren nodded “Good point.” He leaned over to Mia “He’s a talker.” He whispered.
“And cute.” Mia replied as Darren's smile dropped abruptly.
Matt clapped his hands “Alright team. Let’s get started. Ted, because of your connections with the police files, I want you and Erin to work together and look at all the enemies or people that disliked Darwin Wong in the past.” The two looked at each other strangely and then back at Matt who nodded firmly “I trust my gut. You two work well together. Brad, I want you and Eric to return to the auction building and see if you can find any clues left behind.”
“How about us?!” Mia asked excitedly before waiting for Matt to continue.
He laughed “You have a special project.” Matt said “I want you two to follow Elisa Wong. We can’t skip the fact that she could be behind all this.”
Mia rolled her eyes “Whoopee!” she said without much feeling. She suddenly sat up and leaned on the table “Matt, it’s not fair. Why does everyone get to do the interesting stuff while we have to do the boring stuff?”
Erin tilted her head with a smile at her friend “You want to switch with me?”
“Sure!” Mia cried, she threw Brad a wink but he only looked at her strangely. She shook her head at him “You’re slow.”
Matt laughed when he realized what she was saying “Easy there Mia…I’ve made my choice. You guys all have jobs, so get moving.” He ordered. When they sat there chuckling and smiling at him. His smile faded “I’m not joking. Move it!!” he yelled.
The team got up “Yes, sir.” They said and left the room. Matt leaned back on his chair as he moved his hand behind his head looking smug. He liked having the authority.