Coffee of the Gods

As they flew in over the building, John took a last look around at the city laid out below him.

"Yes... we did. I never did find out if they caught... the rest of him. We were pretty sure at least one of his clones got away and I don't like leaving a job half done. Still, It went decently for our first time working together. My teammates are... interesting... to say the least."

As they slowly floated down to the structure, he brushed a stray lock of blond hair from her face and smiled.

"But we didn't come here to discuss work, did we?"

Alatea smiled. "No, definitely not." She told him as they touched down. "Welcome to my home."
The building in front of them was... unusual to say the least. It resembled nothing so much as a greenhouse someone had decided to set up like a house. There was no glass, however, just finely woven mesh that let light and air through but kept rain out. At the moment, the mesh was rolled up and pinned, leaving the entire place open. The furniture within was a mismatched set. Much of it was reminiscent of her island home, but here and there were cushy comfortable chairs or sleekly elegant tables, and there were various plants growing all over, some with birds roosting within. The minimal electronics in the house were all enclosed in what looked like glass, and the kitchen area was walled and roofed with more of the woven material.
Alatea wasted no time in taking him inside and showing him around. The entire place was an unusual mix of the organic and the modern. "Welcome to the Nest. This place took years to make, but it's my own private hideaway. It's not often I have people up here, is there anything I can get you?"

John looked around, taking in his new surroundings. It was amazingly open, with a view that took in the entire city and beyond, He suspected if he tried he could probably see parts of Pennsylvania from here.

He turned his gaze to the furnishings and ran his finger lightly along the leaf of a strange looking plant. It and the rest of the fauna seemed to be thriving up here despite the thinner air, a sign of Alatea's green thumb and dedication.

"I'm fine, thank you." he said as he followed Alatea around the flat. "You're house is amazing. I should have expected you would live somewhere as unique as yourself."

He reached out and touched the glass covering around the stereo system.

"What's this for?" he asked, inquisitively.

She blushed at his praise of her home. "Thank you. It reminds me of home, at least, as much as anywhere this far north can remind me of the Caribbean."
She smiled at his question. "I leave the place as open as possible, even when it rains, most of the time. I only close up when it gets too cold. I don't want the rain to ruin anything, so I protect those things that need protecting. Wires and circuits don't do very well when wet."

John refrained from asking the first question that popped into his head. Why would the scion of a weather goddess need to protect her apartment from rain? It seemed like the sort of question best left unasked.

For a moment there was an akward silence as the two stood in the middle of the open air apartment, taking in the surreal view surrounding them. For just a moment they both remembered that they had only knew each other for a few hours, and that part of that time had included him shooting at her. But John was nothing if not a master of breaking awkward silences.

He took a step towards Alatea, placing his hands on either side of her waist. He turned his head to the side and bent down, bringing his lips to the side of her neck, gently caressing the soft skin there before moving upward towards her ear.

"I know of a few things that do." he said softly.

Alatea fussed mindlessly around the house, eager for something to do to distract her from the silence. It was more or less complete, except for the odd rustling of a plant, and it was ridiculously awkward. She started to question her sanity in bringing him here. She barely knew him, his entire existence was based on fooling people, and yet she'd brought him here, to her home, and left herself vulnerable. Was she out of her mind?
The thought process was interrupted by his very warm hands on her waist, and his soft lips on her neck and ear. Oh. THAT was why. A soft noise escaped her lips. She was, admittedly a little confused as to what he'd said, being understandably distracted, but words didn't really matter at that point, anyway.
Not wanting him to have to bend over uncomfortably, she carefully used a bit of wind to lift her eye level to him before responding with a passionate kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck.

As she lifted herself with the gusty wind currents, John caught her in his arms, holding her light body up, his mouth pressed against hers as she passionately embraced him. His right hand roamed up and down her back as he supported her with his left.

As he held her, he moved towards the bed, setting her down gently on it, laying her back gently, his face hovering over hers. Everywhere their skin met tingled with passion and elecrical energy. There was more than one type of storm rumbling inside of this small woman.

"Relax..." he whispered. His hand slid behind her, feeling for the zipper of her costume.

"...we have all night."


------------------------------------------

At the League headquarters, Duani's computer made a quiet beeping sound, alerting her of a new e-mail.

From: John Doe
Subject: Acquisition of new assets

In regards to our previous conversation, please note that we are moving forward as scheduled. Shipment of new assets has arrived from the Caribbean, and we are laying groundwork for future expansion in this direction. We believe that this will prove extremely useful in the predicted hostile business environment. Further details will follow as they become available.

Sincerely,

Mr. John Doe
Special Operations
DA Industries

Not long after Duani received the email, a reply comes through
From: Duani
Subject: Re: Acquisition of new assets

Mr. Doe, in regards to your new shipment, I would advise caution, as contents are fragile and can cause serious bodily harm if incautious. I wish you the best of fortune on your new endeavor, however, and I shall be eager to receive further details.

Duani,
Head of Personnel
League