Jocelyn Victoria Beatrice Harmon AKA Tonic & Finnlay MacTyre AKA Smoke Screen
Location: Boston 18 months after the Incident
I sat in the dark. Shades were drawn lights out completely. Something was going on with Finn and I was going to corner him and make him tell me what it was. I’d been too caught up in my own head to realize it but for the last two months it was like he was avoiding me. Coming back late. Away for days at a time for “personal reasons”. If this was about a girl and he wasn’t telling me about it I might do something rash. Thoughts of using my power on him floated to the surface and I visibly pushed them away. I found that if you physically pushed thoughts away it helped get rid of them. The thing that bothered me was I was obviously deeply upset if I could think along those lines and not feel the slightest bit ill.
I knew I shouldn’t have waited this long. Was this a breaking point? I felt a wrenching in my gut. Alright so that was not something to think about. Just get through the next few minutes. Try not to yell or scream too much.
I could hear a soft swear word in Gaelic, a shuffle and the keys in the door. I’d left all the lights off even went as far as to kill the streetlight a few houses down. Now of course I got nervous. I swallowed and pushed it down waiting for Finn to come in, amazed that he didn’t think something was wrong. We normally left the light on for each other.
As finnlay finally got the key into the lock he realized that there wasn't any light showing from under the door. He thought it odd that Jocelyn had the lights off but he assumed it was just because she was already asleep, the meeting had gone a little long this time. As he turned to open the door he saw nothing but a pitch black room with only the slightest bit of moonlight coming in. stopping for a moment he tried to see threw the black but to no avail. Grabbing ahold of the handle to his knife that still stayed on his belt he began to slowly enter the room. He wasn't sure what was going on but he had a bad feeling deep in his gut.
“Jocelyn? You there?” he called out quietly as he moved slowly forward.
My hackles raised as I heard the slight edge to Finn’s tone. I breathed in quietly and held it pushing the sensation down and coming up with a poker face that had taken me ages to perfect. I can see how it would be slightly frightening if you knew me well enough as I thought Finn might. I didn’t move but instead said flatly
“Aye.” I couldn’t hold back the falling into the tones of my motherland. Breeding will out, as the saying goes. Normally I really try for a more American sound. What I refer to as “I’m from the middle of nowhere don’t mind me” accent.
But that one word was all high brow British. And at this point I was fine with it.
Finnlay was still walking slowly into apartment ready for a fight when he heard Jocelyn reply to him. Giveing a sigh of relief he let go of his knife believing that there was no need to be worried. Turning to his side he flipped on the light to see Jocelyn standing right in front of him with a look that looked to plain to be real.
‘Well shit’ he thought to himself at seeing how she was looking at him. He also noticed how she let her accent slip for a split second which meant she must be pissed off about something. Trying to play it off Finn simply started to walk to the kitchen where he placed his phone down on the counter and began taking off his jacket.
“Why were standing in the dark?”
I walked to the kitchen threshold and leaned against it watching Finn set his phone down and take off his jacket.
“They teach you in college that the only time to answer a question with another question is in Philosophy, or in interrogation.” I strolled over and hopped up on the counter taking the phone and deliberately putting it in my bra under my shirt. I was counting on the fact that he’d been a gentleman for the past year and a half or that he had no real interest in me anymore.
“Where the bloody fucking hell were you tonight?” Damn my accent. I give I’m not worrying about it anymore.. Oh well at least it was monotone and delivered flatly.
Finnlay watched as Jocelyn took his phone off the counter cursing to himself.
‘Well I had to see that coming.’ he thought to himself. He was however taken back by her sudden burst in anger, he figured she was mad about something but this was something else.
“I was at the Black Rose. Now give me my damned phone back.” he said with a slightly more angry tone than he intended.
I raised an eyebrow. Like hell I was giving him his phone back. He wasn’t getting what he wanted at this time. Maybe later. Maybe. Depends on what he wanted. I hopped off the counter and walked away.
“What’s her name? And if you lie to me you will wish to all the Saints that you had never been born.”I turned back around as I flicked on the living room light switch that was right by my door. I had a clear view of Finn’s face to see if I hit a nerve or not.
Finnlay’s eye twitched slightly at her accusation.
“There wasn't a she at the pub.” he said quickly.
“I was just there with some friends trying to have a good night. Now I really need my phone back.” he began moving out of the kitchen towards the middle of the apartment.
“I find it highly unlikely that there was not a single female in the pub. Would you like to rephrase the answer and include the names of these friends? I may consider releasing the phone to your possession. Or I could just go through your phone to find incriminating texts. Yes, I rather like that option.” I open the door flick off the living room light and slam the door to my room locking it quickly.
Finnlay was about to say something when he saw Jocelyn quickly enter the spare room and shut the door.
“Son of a…” he started as he rushed for the door. As he gripped the handle he shook it hard trying to open the door.
“Jocelyn! Open this damned door and give me phone. I am in no mood for this shite.” he started to raise his voice a little.
“It doesn't matter who I was with cause you don’t them anyways so could lie if I really wanted to so it doesn't much matter much now does it?” he paused for a moment taking a breath.
I gritted my teeth at Finnlay’s raised voice.
“Which is why going through the phone was a much better idea. So glad you are on the same wavelength Finnlay. I shall only be a moment then you may have the phone back.”I am able to flip through the phone and see the first two names Jimmy and Ashby. Male names. Fine. I walk over to the bed and lay down working up the courage to read the messages. It seems beneath me and a breach of trust to actually open the messages.
Not hearing a reply Finn decided that he couldn't risk Jocelyn looking through his phone. Ina split second his body had broken down into smoke and traveled under the door before appearing inside her room. Not breaking a sweat he began walking forward almost instantly after he had reformed into his body.
“What the hell Jocelyn!” he began to get really angry at seeing her actually going through his phone. As he made his way toward her he didn't realize it but he had a look of rage and anger plastered firmly on his face. As he got closer he reached for the phone figuring he had no choice but to take it back by force.
I knew he was going to do that damned smoke trick. I looked at him as he reformed and that look of rage and anger made me just as mad. I seriously thought he’d know me better than that. Fine. We can play this game. I dropped my right hand his phone in my left hand. My bare left hand. I looked at it pointedly.
“Where I come from a locked door means something. What have you got yourself into that you did not think to already delete? Do not think to patronize me. If you cannot already tell I am beyond livid.” I drop the phone onto the bed.
“One way or another I will find out what it is that has changed you. We can do this the easy way or the hard way Finnlay. You pick. You are not keeping this secret any longer. I would appeal to your softer side but that would not get me what I want. Truth. Out with it.”
“Are you trying to threaten me?” he asked thinking she had lost it.
“What has gotten into you? I already told you what you need to know. Nothing else that has been going on concerns you ok.” he said ready to turn to smoke again if she tried to touch him with that damned poison hand.
I nod. I over reacted. I moved away from my bed giving Finn a wide berth. I went from aggressive to fragile far too quickly. He was not seeing me like this. I refused to continue this conversation. He did not trust me. I grabbed my gloves. Elbow high and stretch satin white. I unlocked the door and strode out shutting it quietly and pointedly. He’d either smoke under it or open it but either way it gave me more time to get out the front door. I pulled on the left glove smoothing it up my arm. Opened the front door and put the other glove on as I tossed on a jean jacket. The jacket hung for a second and it took me longer to get it on. Long enough for Finnlay to catch up to me at the front door. Damnit.
Finnlay grabbed his phone off of her bed before walking out of her door trying to follow her before he saw her walk out the front door.
“Where are you going now?” he asked still angry at what had just happened.
I muttered.
“Ah for Christ sake…” I lean my head on the front door the knob still in my right hand. I almost had it open. I know he’s upset. Hell I’d be upset if he did what I just did to me.
“Possibly out the door.” I state neutrally. It is beyond me to calm him down at this point or apologise. Maybe later. Maybe. I still have not opened the front door. It seems rude. I will be getting there at some point tonight probably sooner than later.
Finnlay just stood there for a moment looking at Jocelyn as she was waiting to exit the apartment. Gritting his teeth Finnlay managed to keep down some of his anger at what was happening. How dare she pull this kind of shit, start all of this and then try and pull the sad card.
“You know what, forget it. It doesn't matter anyway. Leave or stay your choice” he said as he began to walk into his room looking at his phone.
I could feel back back stiffen.
“You did not just say that to me.” That was the tipping point. I could feel myself turning. I had to close my eyes and breath a death grip on the door knob still not turning around. I heard it in my head over and over. Control was a fragile thing.
“You did not just say to me ‘You know what, forget it. It doesn’t matter anyway. Leave or stay your choice.’, with the full weight of that implication.” I could not help it I turned around and raised my voice at his retreating back.
“Even if you did, tell me you did not! Tell me I imagined that! Because if it did not matter then you could tell me why you have been going out late, or staying out later and later, or leaving for days at a time!!! Because if you just said that I am no longer important enough to matter!!! And I will be Goddamned if I am not important enough to the one person I go out of my way for who pulls away from me!!! You come back out here and finish this we are not remotely done yet!! And do not tell me you are done yet, your tales of Irish fights are longer than this argument has been by far!!!” I was full out yelling by the time I was done. I felt better a bit. I would feel even better once Finnlay told me what I was missing.
Just as Finnlay was about to enter his room he heard Jocelyn's outburst.
“Why do you care so much what I do with my own time huh? Just want to know so you can have another excuse to up and leave out of nowhere until you need me again to save your sorry ass?” he began yell. The anger was flowing off him at this point coming in waves as he was just getting madder and madder.
“And what did you say ‘person I go out of my way for’? When if I may ask have you gone out of your way for me?” His face was that of pure rage at this point full of nothing but anger and disdain.
I saw red.
“Ah examples. Fine. When you were on ‘personal time’ in Ireland who kept the gym and the pub running? I apologized for ‘up and leaving out of nowhere’ I thought only females were allowed to bring up old history in a fight? That is bad form Quiet Man. You really want to know why I care so much about what you do with your time? Because I love you!!!” I yelled every answer at him. Then I thought about what I just yelled and my eyes went wide and I backed to my door.
“Okay you win fight is over… I am going to bed now.”
Finnlay just stood there shocked at what he had just heard. After she quickly went to her room he finally snapped as he grabbed a glass on the stand near him as he chucked it as hard as he could at the wall.
“AHHHHH” he yelled as the glass crashed into the wall shattering on impact. He was overwhelmed with emotions at this moment he was angry and sad and just to buried with stuff happening right now. He was getting visitest from his past, he was meeting with the kings all the time now, and now this.
Walking up to his nightstand he began to open the drawer to grab his pistol hidden inside it. When he closed the drawer he looked up at the picture he had sitting there of 5 people standing smiling at the camera with looks of pure joy on their faces. Smiling slightly at the picture he turned around before heading towards the front door. Throwing on his jacket he slid the pistol in the back of his jean as he walked out the front door to clear his head with a ride.
I winced as I heard the glass shatter. There was only one glass in the living room. My favorite one. I hadn’t closed my door and I watched from the dark recesses as Finnlay went to the front door. Was that a gun? Seriously? Great. Now I couldn’t sleep. I waited till he left. Leaving the glass for later, hell for him to clean up. He made the mess. I waited till I could hear him walk off from the door.
As Finnlay walked out the door he breathed in the nice cool Boston night air. He closed his eyes for a moment as he decided to just take a walk rather than go for a ride. Turning as he got to the sidewalk and began to keep down the path trying to let his mind roam free. After quite a while of walking he could see two girls who where clearly drunk across the street laughing and being obnoxiously loud as they struggled to walk straight.
“I can't even get peace and quiet in the middle of the night.” He tried his best to ignore it when he saw two men following them into an alley. Frowning he calmly walked across the street towards the alley getting ready for a fight.
“Hey!” he yelled when he got to the entrance of the alley and saw the men had cornered the the women. As the men turned the women took the opportunity to leave as Finnlay stood there ready to kill the two men. Calmly walking forward he smiled as they tried to rush him clearly not knowing what he was. As they passed right through them the poor man on the right felt his knee break as Finnlay’s boot was placed hard into it. As he feel to the ground in pain the other man turned around straight into a pistol barrel that flashed before his lifeless body feel to the ground. Putting his pistol back Finn grabbed the man whose leg was broken and who was currently trying to crawl away.
“Oh no you dont. Your not getting off that easily.” picking him up slammed him up against the wall repeatedly. After about the third time he grabbed his knife superheating it to a red hot degree as he placed the flat side against the man's cheek. The man managed to get out a small scream before Finnlay covered his mouth.
“Sh sh sh sh. Don't worry you'll only get what you deserve.”
I heard Finnlay walk away from the door and as he turned the corner I opened it. Closing it quietly I slunk down to our bikes. Which were both still there. Okay. That makes following him just in case he gets hurt easier but keeping back far enough is harder. I sigh and see him in the distance walking along the sidewalk. After about five minutes I’m pretty sure that he has no clue I’m tailing him. He’s a damned fool walking around this late at night. I see the drunk girls just as he does. He probably heard them. They look like they’re having a blast. Then I see it. Two men following the girls. I watch Finnlay go still and I know he is going to play hero. That’s all well and good. Fine by me. I’ll just cut the girls off and get them the heck out of there.
They head down an alley and I make for a cross street that crosses into the alley. Ah Boston with predictable cross-streets. Gotta love it. I am able to get the girls attention just as Finn gets the guys attention. I lead them to a better lit part of the city and tell them to wait at the diner that we pass and call a cab. I hand them forty dollars and tell them to go home.
I hear a gunshot and run off back toward Finn’s location. Fearing the worst. I’m at the end of the alley as I see a silhouette of someone getting slammed into the wall. Creeping closer I notice that it’s Finn doing the slamming. I breathe again the spots I didn’t notice fading away. Then I see a knife blade that looks red hot. I smell the crisp scent of superheated carbon steel. My eyes widen in horror and Finn presses the blade to the man’s cheek. Time seems to slow for me as I hear the pop and sizzle of burning flesh and my vision goes grey. The man chokes out a small scream before I watch Finn over his mouth.
My feet are moving as my vision goes in and out. I wrench Finn off of the man. Semi-coherent I say.
“No. No more.” But its not Finn that I see anymore at this point. The man, who part of me screams that he would have done worse to the girls; is no longer a man in my eyes. All I see is someone torturing another person and it has to stop.
Finnlay was surprised to see Jocelyn had thrown him off the man but didn't understand the problem.
“What are you doing?” he said clearly angry keeping an eye on the man who was now on the ground with his back against the wall making sure he didn't get to leave.
“I have this under control I don't need you getting in my way. Now if you excuse me.” he said as he tried to step pass Jocelyn towards the man still holding onto his knife.
I look up at Finnlay. He wasn’t like this six months ago, was he? I know he wasn’t like this a year ago. Something fundamental has shifted in him. I shake my head.
“No. You don’t do this. This isn’t how you act. No matter what he has done or will do killing and torture are not an option. What is wrong? Can’t you see that this is not how things are done? That this is wrong!” I clasp Finnlay’s forearms. I can feel the heat from the knife but I don’t care.
“If this is what you call under control I’d hate to see you lose it. I’m not moving until you come to your senses. This is wrong and you know it. Somewhere deep in there you know how wrong this whole situation is.” I could still feel the heat from the knife but my eyes stayed locked with his.
Finnlay looked at Jocelyn who was trying to keep herself in between him and the filth of a human that was behind her. Furious by her interference he pulled his hands away from her grasp.
“He deserves this and much worse for what he was panning to do and deep down you know that. His friend there got off easy.” he finished by pointing to the man he had just shot.
“This is how things should be done around here. What should I leave him to the police so he can see another sun rise? No, he lost that privilege by his actions. People like him don't deserve to live in our world!” he paused for a second again looking at the man who still sitting there in shock.
“And who made the good little Irish Catholic boy judge, jury and executioner? I think you need to take a step back and reevaluate the situation, love. If this is how it should be where does it stop? Humm? Do we get a warning or is it step out of line and die? What happens to people who get in arguments? Am I next cause I argued with you? Or am I next because I’m standing up for a basic human right? You know I’m pretty hard to kill. If you want him you’ll have to deal with me first.” I pull off my right glove and lean down and back to touch the man on the forehead. I can tell he’s still unconscious. Probably passed out from shock. The healing isn’t much just enough that his cheek heals. My eyes never leave Finnlay’s as I heal the man. I straighten and tilt my chin up.
“So is killing me worth his life?”
Finnlay was seething with anger at seeing and hearing what she was doing.
“You sound like a child who hasn't figured out the truth of this world yet. And don't try to twist my words around to make me out to be the bad guy hear. Now I'm going to ask one more time. Get out of my way and let me finish this.” as he finished he reached behind his back and pulled out his pistol once more. Holding it in his right while his knife was in his left still glowing hot from heat.
This was really happening. If I give in now everything I’ve said already means nothing. When did this happen? How did I not see this? I was too busy with the lab to notice the change. When? Why? How many times has this happened?
“No. Don’t do this. I don’t know what happened but this...this is not right.”
Finnlay gave a sigh. He turned slightly to walk around trying to get Jocelyn to move ever so slightly. Not much but just enough to give him enough room.
“You complain about me appointing yourself as Judge Jury and Executioner but who died and made you the moral compass of everyone's lives?” looking at her he saw that she was keeping herself firmly in the way of a clean shot to the thug.
“Fine then, have it your way.” he said as he drained the heat out of the knife before putting back in its sheath and relaxing his muscles. He turned to walk out of the alley clearly done with the events of tonight. As he began to walk passed he saw Jocelyn sit up a bit more and relax at hearing his words.
“Oh and one more thing. This is gonna hurt.” he said before quickly turning around firing his pistol straight through Jocelyn hitting the thug square in the head.
“Sorry love but you left me no choice.” was all he said before he turned and made his way back to his apartment while bringing his phone up to his ear.
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