Walking Away
Rose was out with Tina tonight, probably having a great time at the film festival, which left Joey at the school feeling a bit bored. There was nothing on television, really, Ana-Pants was gone home, so he couldn't bug her until she tried to optic blast him. Kitten was enjoying her new girlfriend from That TV Show, and...when he was done counting, that was every last one of Joey's available friends. Cassidy was into his new girlfriend, too, and Misha was out and about as well.
Everything was too quiet these days and Joey wasn't sure when the thought came to him, but he knew it at once.
This is what respectable feels like.
He didn't dislike life at Xavier's; he had a roof over his head, food to eat and a very hot girlfriend to hang out with. His teammates, what was left of them, were awesome, too...but damn if he didn't miss the old days. Getting by on his wits and going from one job to another without worrying about what was coming next. He didn't want to say he felt /trapped/ at Xavier's, but he definitely felt like the place was dulling all the edges he'd built up over the years. That whole craziness with Foxx wouldn't have happened if he'd been on top of his game.
Falling in love with Rose was the best thing that ever happened to him, but he needed something more, something that he couldn't get here.
When his cell phone rang, he expected it to be Rose telling him that she and Tina were headed out for drinks and they wouldn't be home until late.
"It's your dime." Joey says with a sigh.
"Long time no hear, John-boy." the voice on the other end says through a thick Australian accent.
I know that voice. "Ghost?"
"In the flesh, mate. I hear you went respectable. That true?"
"Oh, I got some things goin', just waitin' for 'em to ripen up." Joey says, trying not to feel like a loser.
"Damn, that's too bad. I got a line on a job that could net everyone a few million. Gang is gettin' back together and I thought I'd give you a call, man. But you're livin' the good life now, mate, so we can run it without you. I'll catch you--"
"Hey, hold on, man! I didn't say I couldn't make it. What are the details?" Joey asks.
"Big business in Melbourne. We're gonna lighten the pockets of some American company doin' business out this way. How soon can you get home?" Ghost asks.
"I'm on the next flight. Don't start without me." Joey says.
"Wouldn't dream of it, mate. It'll be good to have you back." Ghost says, then hangs up.
Joey takes a deep breath and stands up...before realizing he should call and tell Rose what's going on. The moment he has the thought, he can practically hear the guys making the collective sound of a whip cracking. He wasn't whipped. Rose didn't make him call in with hourly reports, but they both understood that they each needed their space from time to time. Sometimes, she had to be by herself when she didn't want him to see her a certain way. This was just going to have to be his version of that.
He call his fixer and secures a flight to Sydney in four hours, then a cab to pick him up. Finally, he writes Rose a note and leaves it on her bed.
Babe,
Sorry I didn't call. Feeling stir crazy and I needed to get out. Might have a way to pay for the wedding when I get back. Call you soon. Love you.
Joey
Then he headed out the door to his waiting cab.
------
Three days pass, then six, then two weeks, followed by a month.
No one's heard from Joey since.
