Starring:
Guest Starring:
Date: November 26th, 2009
Summary:
Charlotte reunites Jamie with Saul; the guardians have some varying points of view on how and where to keep the child safe.
"Here and Abroad"
Dust. Warmth.
These are the things that immediately overwhelm one's senses. A drab landscape made brighter by the sun surrounds Saul Chavez, who sits on a rocky outcropping overlooking a desert-like terrain. It's not truly a desert, but a dry field containing several bristly bushes and rough patches of grass along with an old, rusted out swingset; half of it is falling over. Beyond the field, a good distance away, is the shape of buildings — a whole sprawl of them. A town.
Far to the left, the skeletal shape of an old refinery of some sort looms. Welcome to…
Odessa, Texas
Saul himself is, every so often, sipping from a silver flask as he watches the field. It seems empty at first, but there's a black cat down there tracking some poor rodent; that's what he watches, but mostly he's in his mind. He's seen better days, his strong features lined. He sits hunched over with his elbows upon his knees, clad in black denim jeans, a belt buckle worthy of Texas and a black button-up shirt that's dusty but fits well. Ever well-dressed even as a fugitive.
A life in a circus has had more appeal to Charlotte than she realized. The more she and Jamie talked, the more she wished - but those thoughts were put aside. The girl was urged to say goodbye to Germany, and a few seconds later, they appear behind the man, sitting on the outcropping, overlooking the desolation that Charlotte finds familiar. She did a stint in Texas, after all, and her own body is able to tell her of her location.
The brunette sighs as warm air hits her - she always misses warmth. Still, she says nothing, holding Jamie's hand and waiting for the girl to show a sign of yay or nay concerning this man.
Jamie is carrying her backpack with her, which is filled with just about everything she owns at present. (Which, really, isn't a lot.) Right now, she actually has it on her back, so both her hands are free. When they arrive, she blinks, looking around in amazement. Then she sees Saul, and blinks. She steps forward quickly, moving around to get a better look, to make sure it is him. "Saul?"
It is him — of course it is, Charlotte's ability worked and those broad shoulders and dark hair are quite unmistakable. Being startled is not a familiar experience for the man known as Saul Chavez and it's all the more unwelcome in the climate he's found himself in since being tased and captured in his own home. He scrambles, black cowboy boots sending rocks and sandy pebbles over the edge as he spins and stands to his feet. "Jamie?" The one word is affected by his accent from his native Mexico. Dark eyes dart to Charlotte, a woman he does not recognize. Immediately, he's suspicious, but looks to the child once more. "I thought perhaps you were lost. How is it you got here?"
"She's fine, Mr. Chavez, I promise." Charlotte says, quick to speak up. She's used to startling people. "My name is Charlotte Corday, I'm a friend. Jamie…is in a little bit of a tight situation, and she missed you very much." Charlotte smiles a dimpled little smile, nodding to Jamie. Run over and hug and cry, it says! Be happy and reunited!
Jamie doesn't really need Charlotte's prodding, she's already running to grab hold of Saul even as she introduces herself. "I knew you got out too, I just knew it! Um, yeah, Charlotte brought me, she can find anybody if she knows their name."
Though grim-faced, Saul tucks the silver flask in his back pocket and wraps strong arms about Jamie and goes so far as to lift her right up and hug her like a doll. "It is good to see you again, little one." His words may be less emotional, but the man does close his eyes and hold onto the girl tightly for a moment before setting her down. "I was on a train with many prisoners; true prisoners. Dangerous people with dangerous abilities. When I was free, I could not find you." Those serious eyes of his fix on Charlotte. "How did you come to be with Jamie?"
Charlotte feels open and free and willing to display her information. "She was captured with a group, and later rescued. I moved those fugitives to a safe house I have overseas. Jamie's been there, and for the most part she's been kept safe." Yes, for the most part. But somebody thought it would be a good idea to get on TV and show the world her face!
Jamie nods quickly again to what Charlotte is saying. She's not moving beyond arm's reach of Saul right yet, it seems. She nods to what Charlotte says, "I got rescued with a bunch of others, even though they had me on a different car, with a bunch of other kids, I never saw any of them. We stayed in an empty house and hid there until Charlotte took us to Germany, where there were lots of other kids. It was boring until then. Didn't know where you were." This is all said rather fast.
Saul nods slowly, his mouth a rigid line. "Good; good." He lays a heavy hand atop the blonde head of his ward. It's a gesture of affection, protective, even though Jamie may look like a hand-rest as he does so. "Germany," he repeats. "Well you're with me now," he states calmly; decisively, as if it should be obvious. "Thank you for your benevolence, Miss…" A hint of the charming smile Saul is capable of shines through his otherwise solid mask of seriousness. "…Corday."
"You're welcome, of course. And Jamie is always safe with us." Charlotte doesn't really know what 'benevolence' means, but he's smiling so it must be good, so she'll thank him. "That's another reason I'm here. I want to move you both, I have some friends in Paris that are willing to receive you."
Jamie smiles at the affectionate gesture, leaning a little against Saul. "Yeah. And they'll never catch us again." Normally so willing to talk about anything, so much so that she has trouble keeping secrets, for once Jamie doesn't try to add any information to what Charlotte is saying. In fact, she practically clams right up, with a touch of guilty nervousness, as Charlotte mentions moving them to Paris.
GAME: Jezabel has disconnected.
"Paris," Saul repeats slowly, chewing over the word with a calculating air much as he said Germany moments ago. "I'm to presume …another safe house? Why the move, from one European country, to another?" The once-businessman ruffles Jamie's hair with a quick smile before moseying past her to sit his strong form down upon another rock, planting his hands on his knees and looking expectantly up at Charlotte with the air of a boss who expects an answer in record time, lest he's forced to fire inadequate employee. In contrast, he smiles. "Is your safe house not so safe anymore?"
"I don't know," Charlotte answers, easily. She isn't the sort to lie, especially not to a man who just wants to protect a child. "But Jamie's presence there makes it more dangerous. Her recent appearance on television makes her face very well-known. There is one known camera in the town nearby the safehouse. This would be the second possible leak of our location - I'm just taking precautions."
Jamie, when Saul moves to sit down, moves to sit down beside him. Not quite as close now, now that she's calming from her initial reaction on finding him, but not very far away either. She bites her lip as her appearance on TV is mentioned, glancing down to the ground.
The man's dark eyes narrow, glinting. "You'll have to forgive me; I have not been … within access of a television." Saul looks from Charlotte to Jamie, clearly noting her expression. "You were on television? You made your face, yourself, known to the public? The world? When those like us are under siege?" Rage exists beneath his measured words. To say Saul is unpleased would be something of an understatement. However, he remains quite composed.
Charlotte will run interference! She steps over ot Saul, setting a hand on the man's arm. Strangers or not, she's all about the physical contact. "Jamie's learned her lesson and understands her mistakes," Charlotte points out. "She's at the age where she's going to make mistakes. Normally it'd be about curfew or bus fare, but the world today makes her mistakes all the more powerful. She's only being natural, it's the situation that's making it bigger than it needs to be." Blame society!
Jamie nods a little to Saul, swallowing before she says, "Uh-huh. We.. we were trying to show people what's really going on. So they'd stand up. That's how democracies are supposed to work, right? They're only doing this stuff 'cause nobody knows about us." Not to mention she got to be on TV. Saul knows very well how much Jamie wants to be famous.
Saul does not oppose the gesture from Charlotte, but does not return it, either. He sits stonily. He looks over at the young girl solemnly, very clearly condemning of her decision to put herself on TV; more, once she's explained herself somewhat. "We will discuss this later," he states strictly. Tough love from Mr. Chavez. "Miss Corday," he then addresses Charlotte, planting his hands on his knees, sitting up straighter. "Jamie is my ward and my responsibility. I would prefer to take care of her on my own terms. My… Company… will take her in." His tone is one of a man who has already made up his mind; no ifs, ands, or buts. "There is a school, in the state of New Jersey, which looks out for… children… with special abilities. I have been told by my sources it is still safely under the radar."
"I know the school you speak of. The teacher there is a very close friend of mine." But not too close. Damn crushes. Ah well, she's almost over it. "But putting Jamie that close near any authorities - her face is easily recognizable now. Not just by the government, but by ordinary people who view her as a terrorist, or a friend or child of terrorists, or someone who has been kidnapped by terrorists. In Paris, at least, she would be able to go out on the street. In New Jersey or New York, her face would start a wildfire. She would be safe….maybe a day." Charlotte lets go of the man's arm and steps back, politely.
Jamie nods a little, looking down to the ground again. Absently he picks up a pebble, and comments softly, "So dry here." A random thought given voice, as she wants to avoid thinking about the trouble she's in. At Charlotte's explanation of the problem in New Jersey, she adds in explanation to Saul, nervously, "I turned to water when I was on TV."
Saul's jaw tightens, twitches, upon hearing Jamie's addition. "Not if she follows the rules. I will make sure she follows the rules," he's quick to reply to Charlotte afterward, his voice deep and unyielding. "Clearly she had none in Germany. With all due respect, Miss Corday, a child needs some structure. An education… in English. If you know this teacher and the Company involved in Palisades, you know the school can give her this."
Charlotte blushes, a blush of shame. She immediately glances down. "We have rules, of course, and have been doing the best that we can in order to continue their English education, as well as other educations." She shakes her head, biting on her lower lip. "I know the school can give her this help, I have every intention of moving a great deal of my students to Lee's school as soon as they are safe to do so."
Jamie shakes her head quickly, "There were rules there, Saul. Knew we were breaking them. Micah was gonna do it himself, if I hadn't said I would, anyway, I think. But I wanted everybody to know about my power, so it was better. Now after all this is over, won't ever have to not change again, 'cause everybody'll know I can. Never gotta feel like that again."
"No, Jamie." Saul sighs, a reserved sound of frustration and tiredness. He stands up once more. He was going to save this for later, but he's forced to speak now. "I am sorry to say the world does not work that way. You should be afraid— " Frowning, he corrects himself. "Not afraid… cautious. It isn't fair but it is, unfortunately, the cross we bear for being … different. That will never be over as long as humanity exists." Gesturing once to Charlotte, he says, "I've been in contact with sources, from the Company. They are valuable sources, I would rather be closer to them in America than stored away in France — Paris is, as I understand, often visited by… American tourists, am I wrong? And… anyone with a connection to the internet will have seen this television appearance you speak of. To say one place is safer than the other is… a guess. I can't in good conscience bet Jamie's well-being on… a guess. I would rather she stay… my responsibility."
Charlotte sighs, but consents. "I understand. OF course it is your decision." She wishes the children under her care would be so willing to be respectful of her decisions! "But Jamie has my contact information. Really, you must contact me if you have even the slightest notion that there is danger. I will be there in a second to help you. No matter what."
It's obvious by Jamie's face that she doesn't understand why they have to be so cautious, but she just nods a little, biting her lip again. She hugs her knees to her chest a moment before she stands up once again herself. "Are we going to that school right now?"
"Most certainly, Miss Corday. At the…" There's that charming smile again. It's almost politician. "…slightest notion." Saul reaches out slowly, respectfully moving to take Charlotte's hand and press a gentlemanly kiss to her knuckles. "I have some things stored in town. I presume you're a teleporter? Or is speed your trick?" He steps back to rest a hand lightly on Jamie's back while regarding Charlotte. "Would it be too much to ask to retrieve them and request a trip to New Jersey?"
Charlotte takes her hadn back once he's done with her hand, shaking her head. "No, I don't mind at all. I'm more than happy to take you." She offers a little smile to him. "It makes me more comfortable to know you'll call if you need me." She reaches forward, offering each of them a hand in order to teleport.
Jamie nods quickly to Charlotte and says, "Course we will." She quiets again then, except to ask, "Can you teleport to where his stuff is like you teleported to him, without knowing where it is?" She takes Charlotte's hand as she asks this.
Saul nods once. "Thank you." He takes Charlotte's hand, side-glancing past her to Jamie, who he gives a reserved smile to. "It's at 48 Hart Street," he offers; just in case. "On the north edge of Odessa."
(FADE)