Disclaimer in Part 1.

THE MISSIONARY POSITION

Part 7

by Arianwen P.F. Everett

Emilia winced slightly, as she realized that in order to get home, she'd have to ride in a closed carriage with Jack. The Verinette's had insisted they take theirs and come collect her own horse and buggy the next day. Since the night was getting a bit chilly, and she was already shivering mildly, Emilia had accepted their offer. Now she realized the inherent intimacy that the carriage would provide, intimacy Jack would most certainly attempt to capitalize on. As the coachman eased the Verinette's carriage to a halt in front of them, Emilia thought of an expression she often heard Jack use, 'Time to bite the bullet'.

The two spies climbed into the carriage, and sat across from each other in silence until the two horses began to pull away. Neither could bring their eyes to meet the other's, until Jack finally lost patience with the cold silence surrounding him.

"Look Em, I'm sorry! I guess I misread the situation. I assumed what happened today in the park meant that you wanted more from our partnership. I was wrong. I admit it. I promise I'll never step out of line like that again. Me aculpa, whatever. Just please speak to me, Em," Jack almost begged. He hated not knowing what she was thinking. She had way too much on him, she could hurt him bad, and his insecurities again came rising to the surface.

"It's okay Jack, and it's not your fault. You're right. I did send you mixed signals this morning, and I'm sorry. It's just been so long since I was kissed like that; I didn't realize how much I missed it till it was too late. I lost control," Emilia explained, examining her gloves, which she'd removed upon entering the carriage.

Jack didn't know what to say. He'd never understand why most women thought that 'loosing control' was a bad thing. In fact, he didn't even see it as loosing control. It was more like taking what good life brought your way. Why would one want to waste time and energy trying to control something that brought so much pleasure, when there was no downside in sight? The feelings were mutual. They were both adults, and not under the influence of any aphrodisiacs, this time. He and Em were on the same side, at least for the foreseeable future. Why not indulge their instincts? Still, Jack Stiles knew enough about women not to even ask the questions slipping through his mind. Em had her reasons for restraining herself, and he wasn't going to win any arguments in this matter if he insulted her logic. It would be best to drop the subject. However, before he could even get his next words out, Jean Claude appeared suddenly at the carriage's window.

"Emilia. Jack. Thank goodness. I thought you'd never leave the ball. We have an emergency!" Jean Claude explained hastily.

"What now J.C.?" Jack asked, annoyed at having his conversation with Em interrupted. It seemed that whenever he and his beautiful partner began to discuss their relationship in a serious way, this damn bird barged in and tossed it all on the back burner. Someday he was gonna loose his willpower and throw the interfering parrot on a back burner. At this last thought, Jack smirked wickedly, wondering if parrot tasted more like duck or chicken?

"I'm sorry Jack, but Miss Margaret Bellsot was kidnapped from her bed, by Captain Brogard, this night, in order to coheres young Mr. Darwin into stealing certain personal items from the two of you!" Jean Claude replied urgently. Sometimes he wondered how his two primate companions managed to get anything done in between their fighting and flirting. They could at least show him a little more gratitude.

"What the bloody hell does that Bastard Brogard want with our personal effects?" Emilia swore, shocking Jack and Jean Claude with her use of language.

"Taking grammatical lessons from sailors, Em?" Jack asked, earning a silencing look from his partner.

"No, I'm just sick of that... Thing... hurting innocent people! Even the Daring Dragoon can't help them all, anymore! Please forgive my rudeness," Emilia answered, centering herself.

"That's okay. I'm going to go follow Monsieur Darwin, make sure he doesn't get himself into anymore trouble. Viva La Resistance!" Jean Claude concluded as he flew off, leaving Jack and Emilia alone again.

"Jack, what do you think Brogard wants?" Emilia asked, perplexed.

"I have no idea. J.C. did say the items were personal. Maybe Broggie's stranger than we though. Maybe he's going Klepto on us," Jack joked, while Emilia pondered the possibilities.

"Do be serious," Emilia scolded halfheartedly.

"All right then. Maybe he wants to stop the wedding. He's always had a soft spot for you, Em," Jack offered, having a feeling he might be onto something.

"Brogard has never operated covertly. It's not his style. Whatever he's up to, I'll bet he doesn't have the blessing of the Governor," Emilia theorized, not wanting to even discuss Brogard's infatuation with her. It already gave her nightmares on occasion. The man was evil to the core. Thank God he wasn't too bright.

For the next ten minutes, Jack and Emilia sat in silence, each trying to gather their thoughts before hashing out what they planned to do next.

As the horse drawn carriage neared Emilia's estate, Jack looked out the window, only to see two people who could only make the situation worse, sitting atop their own buggy. "Ah hell! Em look!"

Emilia sighed defeatedly at the sight of Mr. and Mrs. Bellsot, ordering the driver to stop, as she and Jack climbed out of the carriage.

"Mrs. Rothschild, you are despicable! She's my Baby, and you've turned her into a whore! How dare you do this!" Hellena Bellsot shot out furiously.

"What are you talking about?!" Jack responded, defensively stepping between Mrs. Bellsot and Emilia.

"My daughter, Mageret, who was seen in YOUR company the other day, ran off with that... that... CABIN BOY!" Helena Bellsot raged. These serpents were responsible! They would pay!

"WHAT?!" Emilia exclaimed, happy surprise filling her.

"So, our boy, Darwin has some fire in him after all," Jack commented to his partner, himself amused by the young man's surprisingly decisive action.

"Well, I think it's wonderful. Mr. Darwin is a fine young man. I wish you the happiest of days with your newest relation," Emilia commented, raising chin, as she sidestepped Mrs. Bellsot, pulling Jack along by the hand.

Helena Bellsot stood stunned. She hated these people with an anger she had never felt in her life before. They had single-handedly taken her child away from her, not with force, but with ideas. They had corrupted her to the soul. Now she lie in a bed of perversity, rotten to the core.

"Mrs. Rothschild!' Hellena Bellsot growled.

Emilia turned, as she held her front door halfway open. "Yes, Mrs. Bellsot?"

What could she say? All was already said and done. All was lost to her. Her daughter was now married, not as she would have wished. She had no other children. It was now just her and William again, and she did not know here to go from here. She was beaten and broken. Whatever these sinful souls had done, they had not brought her here, only speed her along this road. Margaret would have married eventually, and she have been just as alone, if she had planned the wedding herself. She envied Margaret. She envied Emilia Rothschild. Youth was truly wasted on the young.

Gathering up what was left of her pride, Hellena Bellsot turned, climbing back into the buggy with her husband, taking the strap, and starting her two horses down the road, back to the mission, and what remained of her life.

Jack and Emilia watched her go, neither missing the poignancy of the moment. As much as this simplified their lives, it was a bittersweet victory.

And there was still the matter of Captain Brogard to deal with. He was an ever constant threat. He was getting more devious as time went by, and one day he might get lucky. A broken clock was still correct twice a day. However, if it ever did happen, it would not be anytime soon. For next time they crossed swords he'd be taking on Mr.and Mrs.Stiles.