American at Heart (OPEN/DAVE)

[Constable Ainsley Rossi]

Oh, but let me tell you that I love you/I think about you all the time
Caledonia's been everything I ever had
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Ainsley selected her outfit with care today. It was the day of her citizenship ceremony-the day that she would, with all of her heart, pledge allience forever to America. It felt odd-she felt like she had her first day of Uni, when she gave the doorkey back to her daddy, and took the swipe card from the resident advisor. It was as if she was leaving one life behind, but she knew she would start another-a BETTER one, perhaps, as a wife and mother. She WANTED this-she felt that she needed to be a citizen, like any future children she might be blessed with.

She dressed carefully, twisting her red hair up into a French twist and then securing it with a deep green clip to match her dress. She applied a bit of lip gloss to complete her look, and then stepped into her heels. She was ready. And Dave was downstairs, finalizing things for the after-party, and also telling her it was time. She took a deep breath, and headed down.

In no time at all, they were at the auditorium at the local high school, where the short ceremony would take place. She smiled as she stepped out of Dave's car, and took his arm. She recognized no one, and suddenly felt a tiny surge of fear without her badge and gun. A quick glance at Dave, though, let all negative thoughts fly away. She was ready.

As she took a seat on the stage, and Dave and the others took a seat in the aisles, she sat through the little speech given by the officiating officer. Finally, she was asked to stand, and raise her right hand. She did so, and repeated the Oath of Alligence.

I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God. She smiled at the last bit. No longer a subject of Her Majesty, Ainsley was now protected by the Consitiution of the United States. She was given an American flag pin, and the official document, and then they all stood for their first-ever Pledge of Alligence. She faced her new flag, and used every fiber of her being to enthusatically (and quite loudly) declare her undying promise to protect the Stars and Stripes.

FINALLY, the thing was over, and she bounded down the few steps towards Dave and enveloped him in a hug.

Look! I did it!

WORDS COUNT Loootss
STATUS finished
OUTFIT here
NOTES NOPE
MUSIC "Scotland" by Dougie Maclean
CREDIT MADE BY CC! OF CAUTION 2.0.

[NPC]

Duncan MacKintosh sat in the back of the auditorium. He was sure there was some bloody dense American word for the room they were in, but no bother. He didn't much care, he was only there to see his sister. He was glad that this was serious moment, for his loud laughter would've given his presence away, for useless as a chocolate teapot was he at this surprise lark.

He'd been a bit surprised himself when his beloved Ainsley's-or as he called her, Bug -fiancee had phoned him, inviting him to her citizenship ceremony. Duncan, or as Ainsley called him-Dunny-was all to happy to agree. He missed his favorite sister-it was never a dull moment when Ainsley was around. The two siblings had gotten on like wine and chocolate from the first day his Mum had brought her home, and now, as adults, they were still close. She had once said that he was the only one of the Mackintosh clan to "get" her, and he supported her, defended her when everyone else shunned her, and even had helped her to land her first job back in Uni, when she worked in the copy room of his magazine.

Now, he looked on with pride as his smartly dressed sister, beaming with pride and love towards Dave, who'd met him at the door after Ainsley had gone off for the women's room, and smiled. She was gorgeous, prettier than he'd seen her in awhile, and seemed more mature somehow. He was liking what he first saw and heard of this Dave Rossi, and he knew that Ainsley adored the man. It had been a rough go for her, here in America, but she seemed to have gained some footing, and for that he was happy.

He watched some more as Ainsley stood, placing her hand over her heart and in a loud, heavily accented voice, repeated the words he knew to be the Pledge of Alligence. Scotland would miss her, but he knew that Ainsley wanted nothing more to be a citizen of this country she would now forever call home. Bug was a bit of a romantic-he knew she wanted to be a citizen for her future children, and not worry in case things did NOT work out with Dave.

Finally, the short ceremony was over, and Ainsley bounded off stage as he lumbered t to the front towards the couple, ignoring the sniggers from people towards his kilt. He smiled and Ainsley looked up at him and her face lit up. She enveloped him in a big hug as he spoke.

Your man Dave here invited me. I am staying for the party, but I return to Dumfries on the morrow. It's so good to see you, Bug. I am so proud of you. He returned her to Dave, and looked on as she kissed the man, and then was joined by what he assumed were colleagues. He hoped they'd get a chance to chat later-they had a lot of catch-up to do.

Dunny's kilt

[SSA David Rossi]

Dave had been very careful arranging this little surprise for his fiancee, getting her brother across the Atlantic and keeping her attention focused to not notice Duncan slipping into the back of the room.

"Thanks for coming, I know Ainsley will appreciate it--and I know I appreciate her still having SOME family who will still talk to her, simply because I don't want her to become too dependent on me," he had said. "While I will keep her comfortably supported, it is a fact of life that we will be parted sooner than either of us would like, and she's probably going to need all the help she can get when the time comes to... lay me to my final rest."

His mood shifted, back to happier thoughts. "She's come a long way since that first day at our office... and the only thing rivaling how proud I am of her for it is being the lucky guy who she's chosen to travel this road with."

[Constable Ainsley Rossi]

After the ceremony ended, Ainsley hurriedly made her way to Dave, where Duncan stood next to him. With a large, bright smile, she hugged her beloved brother, and then her finace in turn. As she hugged her future husband, she whispered to him, her accent heavier than usual with emotion.

Such a lovely surprise...Thank you. She released him, leaving a hand on his arm as Dave finished his conversation with Dunny. She smiled sadly at Dave's last statement.

While I will keep her comfortably supported, it is a fact of life that we will be parted sooner than either of us would like, and she's probably going to need all the help she can get when the time comes to... lay me to my final rest. She made a small face...why bring up the somber on a happy occasion? True though it was, she was desperate to not think of it. She didn't interject, but let the men finish as her mind wandered a bit. She wondered what it would be like, a future without this man she loved...she couldn't even imagine it.

Dave finished. She's come a long way since that first day at our office... and the only thing rivaling how proud I am of her for it is being the lucky guy who she's chosen to travel this road with. She smiled. She certainly felt more adult.

Well, thank you, my dear... She turned her attention to Duncan.

Your man Dave here invited me. I am staying for the party, but I return to Dumfries on the morrow. It's so good to see you, Bug. I am so proud of you. Ainsley made a face. He STILL called her bug...this annoyed her just a bit.

Don't call me BUG. I am glad you're staying on....but really, on the morrow? Why so soon? You work too much...you'll be back for the wedding, though? He had to be...she needed her brother, one of the few people in the world that could calm her..him, and Dave, and a few others. Besides, she needed SOMEONE from her family there.

Her colleagues came by, offering their congratulatons, and then she prepared to head to her home for the after-party. She turned back to Dave and Dunny, and smiled once more.

Boys, are you ready??

[SSA David Rossi]

"Let's..." Dave suggested, taking the lead and getting the door for them, then leading them to the borrowed Jaguar. "It's a friend's," he explained to Duncan, "but he doesn't mind letting us borrow it for special occasions."

They made small talk as they drove back to the mansion, Dave tossing a quick toot on the horn as they passed by the Clarks', belatedly noticing a familiar black-and-silver Firebird in the rearview--apparently they'd taken a slightly slower route back, or Paige hadn't been hitting the gas as much as Clark normally had before KARR had decided that SHE was his "designated driver." As he slowed to take the turn into their drive, he had to shake his head a little at his strange neighbors... they were good people, even the machines, but could be a real trip wrapping your mind around.

As he parked, he happened to notice another familiar presence looming beyond the grill. "Looks like somebody let Blackout loose again..." he noted with a mild groan--the hulking AI-controlled chopper meant well, but sometimes his curiosity and his seemingly unending barrage of questions were a bit much. Still, he tossed a wave the big guy's way as they headed inside to get comfortable while he started up the grill. "Dunny, how do you like your steak?" he asked. "And, you've got to tell me the story on... why she's called 'Bug'," he observed, a mischievous smirk splitting his features.

[NPC]

Duncan stood next to Ainsley's fiance, weird though it was to consider this older man a future brother. Duncan was used to being the only man in Ainsley's life, and the adjustment had been a bit surreal. But he knew that Ainsley was beyond the moon, and so he was happy for them. He understood Ainsley's attraction to older men-knew that for her, they equated safety and comfort, and he also knew from the way that Ainsley spoke of Dave that it was beyond that-that it was genuine affection, and happiness.

Thanks for coming, I know Ainsley will appreciate it--and I know I appreciate her still having SOME family who will still talk to her, simply because I don't want her to become too dependent on me... "While I will keep her comfortably supported, it is a fact of life that we will be parted sooner than either of us would like, and she's probably going to need all the help she can get when the time comes to... lay me to my final rest. She's come a long way since that first day at our office... and the only thing rivaling how proud I am of her for it is being the lucky guy who she's chosen to travel this road with. Duncan nodded. He knew the practicalities of the situation, even if Ainsley pretended not to. No matter how accepting one was, he knew that the facts were that this Dave Rossi had a good twenty years on his sister, and that his time would come sooner than hers.

Yes, Mummy almost lost her head. I don't understand her; I would've thought she'd want her youngest, smartest daughter to be happy...especially given her past. But it's my pleasure, really...I love Ainsley, and I would give my left hand for her.And, yes, you're a lucky man..please do your best to never hurt her. He meant this-the two had always been close. Ainsley, he knew, was the most brilliant of the six MacKintosh's, though she sadly hid it behind a bit of fluff. She was also the most sensitive, and able to understand each of them differently.

Ainsley interjected then.

Don't call me BUG. I am glad you're staying on....but really, on the morrow? Why so soon? You work too much...you'll be back for the wedding, though? ...Boys, are you ready? He nodded. He wouldn't miss her wedding for the world. And he WAS ready...it was rather becoming stuffy in this auditorium thingamjig. He must ask Ainsley what the proper word was.

Yes, Ainsley. I have to return to work. He was sad by this, but he had requested the entire week before her wedding off.

He followed the couple as Dave agreed, and was escorted to a waiting Jaguar. Bollocks. He was aware that this Rossi fellow had money...and then the man spoke.

It's a friend's,...but he doesn't mind letting us borrow it for special occasions. Duncan folded his tall, large body into the car, mumbling to himself.

Nice friend. THe last thing any of my bloody mates gave me was a pint. He settled in as Ainsley took the front seat, and as they drove, she pointed out various landmarks to him. Finally, they passed "where the Clark's lived," a large, sprawling home. He noticed a black and silver Firebird, too, and waved.

Finally, they pulled into a long driveway, and he made his eyes wide. Thier home was BIG-and quite old, Duncan could recognize this straightaway. Colonial, he'd bet, and from the sheer size, it had at LEAST 6 bedrooms. Ainsley always DID know how to cull the very best men.

It's a beautiful home... He was interuppted. looks like somebody let Blackout loose again... He was a bit taken aback about the nonchalant way that Dave and Ainsley simply waved at the chopper, and then went about things like there wasn't a big freaking helicopter parked in their backyard.

He followed them inside, and AInsley showed him his room while Dave fired up a "grill", which he quickly realized was a charcoal barbeque, like on the telly, and he freshened up and met the couple downstairs. Ainsley had changed her outfit, and he kissed her cheek as he settled in at the table on the back porch.

You look lovely, and it smells wonderful, thanks. Ainsley beamed at him, and poured out three glasses of wine.

Dunny, how do you like your steak? And, you've got to tell me the story on... why she's called 'Bug'. Duncan grinned.

Rare, like Ainsley, thanks...and bug. SHe is called Bug because when she was quite little, about two or three, she had a fear of moths. Well, one day whilst we were vacationing at our nana's summer home in the Shetland's, a moth flew in the house. AInsley screamed loud as day, and ran for the loo...she locked herself in there, and wouldn't come out for hours. I had to kill it, and convince her it was dead without showing her the dead body, because she would shriek more. Anyway, our sister cracked jokes about the moths "bugging" her, and it was eventually shortened to Bug and then when she started to wear glasses for reading, she looked like a bug, so the name just stuck harder. Has Ainsley told you much about our childhood? He hadn't realized how much he had smiled during that story. He had really missed her.

[Constable Ainsley Rossi]

Ainsley was all smiles. Her fiance was definitely winning points, and her brother was always a welcome sight. She stood for a moment longer, letting the men finish their chat, and then let Dave lead them to Clark's Jag. She made a mental note to thank him later, and maybe suggest to Dave that HE invest in one. She DID like to ride in style, after all. But it wasn't quite practical for the children...if they had any.

The ride home was just a bit tense-making small talk and trying to keep the two men interested in each other. She couldn't stand if Dunny didn't like Dave, and vice-versa. She wouldn't give up either one, though...she knew that much.

It's a friend's,...but he doesn't mind letting us borrow it for special occasions...
Nice friend. THe last thing any of my bloody mates gave me was a pint. Ainsley nodded.

How are your friends, Dunny? Honey, slow DOWN. If you're going to start driving like Paige, I'll ship you off to Switzerland... While Ainsley didn't normally suffer from motion illness, her future husband was putting the Jag to it's limits. She hoped they would not be pulled over-while they were both Feds, she really didn't feel like dealing with that today.

He slowed a bit, and she took to pointing out landmarks to Duncan. Just as they were ready to pull into their driveway, they passed the Clarks, and she smiled and waved as Dave put on the horn. Their neighbors were an odd couple, certainly, but she didn't have space to judge. To the outside world, her relationship with Dave was far more a topic of chat than the strange man who lived next door with the pretty wife.

Dunny piped up from the backseat.

It's a beautiful home... Ainsley nodded. She LOVED Dave's antique, big manse. Not just because of the sheer size, and not even because she had her own ballroom, but it was quaint, and after a few weekends, she had made it homey. She loved driving up, and seeing the path with the African violets that the gardener planted, and the large front porch where'd she set up a "coffee nook", meant for her to have a quiet place to go when Dave had something boring on TV.

She spotted the large black helicopter hovering in her backyard, and smiled.

That is Blackout. Dave, call Clark, let him know that BO is on the loose, shall you? Come on, Duncan, she led him inside and up the stairs, chattering on her way up.

Blackout is Clark's personal heloplane. It's AI...artificial intelligence. It's worth your while to forget you saw it...I don't think it's secret, but it's awkward. I'll let Dave explain about Clark later. I think he's getting lunch on; you should freshen up, and feel free to use the bathroom at the end of the hall. There's fresh linens there. No wonder Dave had had the housekeeper stop by whilst they were out.

A bit later, the three had gathered on the back porch, and Dave was manning the grill. She LOVED to watch her fiance work; his muscles and the determination with which he flipped burgers to perfection turned her on. She poured out some red wine, a Malbec, while Dave and Duncan talked.

Dunny, how do you like your steak? And, you've got to tell me the story on... why she's called 'Bug'. Ainsley sighed. She hadn't told Dave this story, only that her childhood nickname was Bug and he knew that she wore spectacles for reading, especially close up.

Rare, like Ainsley, thanks...and bug. SHe is called Bug because when she was quite little, about two or three, she had a fear of moths. Well, one day whilst we were vacationing at our nana's summer home in the Shetland's, a moth flew in the house. AInsley screamed loud as day, and ran for the loo...she locked herself in there, and wouldn't come out for hours. I had to kill it, and convince her it was dead without showing her the dead body, because she would shriek more. Anyway, our sister cracked jokes about the moths "bugging" her, and it was eventually shortened to Bug and then when she started to wear glasses for reading, she looked like a bug, so the name just stuck harder. Has Ainsley told you much about our childhood? She made a face.

Yes, I have...smells lovely, dear. Shall I fetch the salad?

After outfit

[SSA David Rossi]

Dave started to haul out his phone, but found himself being cut off mid-reach as the big machine spoke. "Don't bother, SSA Rossi--Dad knows I'm over here, and I just wanted to extend my congratulations to Ainsley on her citizenship... and my regrets that I couldn't be there for her taking the oath."

He paused, then decided a formal introduction was in order. "Duncan Mackintosh, Blackout. Duncan is Ainsley's brother... Blackout is, well, complicated. Agent Clark has dealt with the artificial intelligences he's brought into the world as if they were human children, which sometimes leads them to forget they're not." He took a breath, then knowing what would be on the big lug's mind in reply, continued, "That doesn't make them any less valuable members of the team, though, and I dare say without his help I wouldn't have my lovely fiancee," breaking to give Ainsley a kiss. "Go tell your parents that burgers are on, Big Guy?"

The big machine said his pleasantries, agreed and rolled back to his own side of the property line, finally leaving them alone. "Well, now you're in one one of our deepest, darkest secrets around the office..." Dave observed with a laugh. "Most people couldn't handle knowing we're no longer alone on this planet--they default to thinking of artificial intelligence as always being either C-3PO or the Terminator, when the truth seems to be that just like people it can go either way in any one individual--and we've been very lucky with the two that exist so far, though I don't know whether it's... touching or alarming that both want to raise human kids as we've raised them."

[NPC]

Duncan was quick to catch on to his baby sister's new lifestyle. He knew she was happy-that much was clear, but she also seemed to have matured a bit. Her attack had left her scared at the world, and angry, and while he didn't blame her, he had hoped that her move to America would shake her funk. It seemed to, and for that, he was pleased. He just wished their mother could see her thusly-radiant, brilliant, and comfortable. Maybe things might be a bit different, but the old one was stubborn, and refused to see it. 


The sight that had awaited him at their home, though, jarred him for a few moments. A very large heloplane-he thought they called them "Helicopters" here-was hovering nearby. Without much thought, as though it were normal, Ainsley greeted the machine, and went on chattering. Luckily, Dave explained for him, after the machine "spoke" in a robotic monotone. 

Don't bother, SSA Rossi--Dad knows I'm over here, and I just wanted to extend my congratulations to Ainsley on her citizenship... and my regrets that I couldn't be there for her taking the oath. Duncan raised an eyebrow. 

Duncan Mackintosh, Blackout. Duncan is Ainsley's brother... Blackout is, well, complicated. Agent Clark has dealt with the artificial intelligences he's brought into the world as if they were human children, which sometimes leads them to forget they're not...That doesn't make them any less valuable members of the team, though, and I dare say without his help I wouldn't have my lovely fiancee. Dunny nodded, not really sure how to respond. 

Well, you must tell me that story. They turned away, into the backyard then. He settled in and let Ainsley fuss about-she was good at that, and seemed to take to it fast and efficently. A few minutes later, she was placing a glass of wine in front of him, and had settled down across from him, to chat. 

Dave interrupted once more. 

Well, now you're in one one of our deepest, darkest secrets around the office...Most people couldn't handle knowing we're no longer alone on this planet--they default to thinking of artificial intelligence as always being either C-3PO or the Terminator, when the truth seems to be that just like people it can go either way in any one individual--and we've been very lucky with the two that exist so far, though I don't know whether it's... touching or alarming that both want to raise human kids as we've raised them. Duncan nodded again. 

Right, I must say it IS a bit surprising. I am interested that the government allows your neighbour to keep a heloplane on civillian property. And it's definitly alarming... He stated. He sipped his wine. Perhaps thier mother had a small point about this strange country. 

[SSA David Rossi]

Dave noted his future brother-in-law's concern, and quickly set to reassuring him. "Well, the deranged Mr. Gordon attempted to come for Ainsley again, and the big guy was our eyes in the sky finding where he had taken her and, as I believe you say... 'putting Paid In Full on his account'. And over here, regulations are more concerned over where you launch and land an aircraft from than where you park it... and since there's a lot of acreage between his pad here and the neighbors, and he's remarkably quiet, nobody quibbles about it despite things not being totally kosher. It's an FAA problem, and the position of the investigators who handle this area has been 'as long as it's safe, no harm no foul.'" He paused, then noted, "It does also help to consider that our neighbor has a unique kind of, ah... special relationship with DARPA, the Pentagon's technology incubator."

He looked up to see the neighbors moseying over, the hulking Clark looking almost comical looming over the tyke being rocked in his arms and his bride, even in flats, noticeably being the tallest member of the family and bearing a big bowl of potato salad. "Paige Whyn, her husband John Clark and their son James," Dave started. "The Clarks are kind of our tactical specialists... and the teenager not far behind is Aimee Reid, our team brainiac's kid sister," he explained to Duncan by way of introduction before addressing the new arrivals. "Glad you all could be here--please, make yourselves comfortable, can I get anybody anything to drink?"

[Constable Ainsley Rossi]

As Dunny:
Well, the deranged Mr. Gordon attempted to come for Ainsley again, and the big guy was our eyes in the sky finding where he had taken her and, as I believe you say... 'putting Paid In Full on his account'. And over here, regulations are more concerned over where you launch and land an aircraft from than where you park it... and since there's a lot of acreage between his pad here and the neighbors, and he's remarkably quiet, nobody quibbles about it despite things not being totally kosher. It's an FAA problem, and the position of the investigators who handle this area has been 'as long as it's safe, no harm no foul. Duncan nodded. He remembered Ainsley telling him about the return of AListair Gordon, and her pleading with him not to come to America, that she was OK, and her work friends were supporting her. Now he understood more fully.

Well, I am glad you all were here for her. I remember the first time that it happened, and that....man got a hold of her. He didn't want to. It had taken everything he was made of to not kill Alistair himself, and let the law serve its justice. And also, taking care of his sister. THe physical wounds healed a lot faster than the emotional ones, but he knew that they still haunted her.

It does also help to consider that our neighbor has a unique kind of, ah... special relationship with DARPA, the Pentagon's technology incubator. Duncan nodded. He didn't know much about the American military, but it sounded impressive. Just then, a strange trio showed up.

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Ainsley

Ainsley listened and sipped her wine as her husband spoke to her brother. He explained about Blackout, and then AInsley spotted the Clark's coming up thier drive. She stood up, and went to help Paige with the bowl as Dave made the introductions.

Paige Whyn, her husband John Clark and their son James. The Clarks are kind of our tactical specialists... and the teenager not far behind is Aimee Reid, our team brainiac's kid sister,Glad you all could be here--please, make yourselves comfortable, can I get anybody anything to drink? AInsley carried the bowl into te kitchen after greeting the newcomers.

(ugh, not a great post, but it's up)