Rebirth

Chapter Twenty-Two: Safe Travels

Iris gave X a puzzled look. "Look, Shortwave; I might predate you and be better suited for combat, but you know the 'what's what' here better than I do."

"She's right," X chimed in. "Iris has been out of commission for...well, a long time. Also, you're really good at coordinating stuff, right? You had to coordinate calls when you were a receptionist, didn't you? Or am I wrong?"

The petite redhead sighed. "No, you're right. It's not the same, but I get what you mean." She grinned bashfully up at Iris. "I guess I'm just feeling intimidated even though I shouldn't, huh? "

"Can't imagine why," Iris remarked. "We're all friends here, aren't we? Besides..." She gave Shortwave a wink and a lopsided grin. "...I did some pretty stupid things toward the end of my life. Well my previous one. Anyway, I might need someone like you to keep me in line, too."

Shortwave giggled at her words. "Okay, Iris; I'll do my best."

***

Paul absently scratched the side of his head with his stylus as he studied his computer screen; someone had sent a message to Maverick Hunter Headquarters that was either a threat or simply filled with poor grammar. Maybe a recipe? "What am I supposed to do with this...?"

He heard the main doors open, and as he looked up to greet Maverick Hunter Headquarters' newest visitor his jaw dropped.

The figure before him was tall, dark, and very feminine. Long, purple hair fell to the small of her back, though two locks cascaded over each of her shoulders to rest upon a dark-colored jacket and white blouse that covered her ample bosom. The outfit tapered delightfully inward at the waist before flaring out again into a skirt that lightly hugged her slender hips before ending at the knees, revealing shapely calves, and black leather flats covered her dainty feet. "Navigator Layer, reporting in," she said while brushing a stray lock of hair from emerald-colored eyes.

It took several seconds for the stunned receptionist to recover. "O-Of course, N-Navigator!" Paul squawked before regaining his professional demeanor and forcing his eyes back down to his monitor. "Welcome back, Navigator Layer," he finally greeted. "Y-Yeah, I've checked you...er, back in; should I inform Commander Signas of your arrival?"

"Yes, please," she replied while brushing another errant lock of hair, which drew his gaze again. She noticed the shift of his attention, and with a slight tilt of her head she asked, "Is there anything else?"

He blinked and shook his head to re-center himself. "No! No, you're cleared for entry."

"Thank you, Paul," she replied with a tender smile. "It's good to be home again...even though I really wasn't gone for long. Have a good day."

As she made her way past the reception desk to the lifts, Paul couldn't help but watch the gentle sway of her hips before grunting in annoyance. "Mind your manners, soldier," he admonished as he turned his attention back to his duties. Before he succeeded, however, his eyes briefly lost focus as he thought of the beauty that had stood before him. "But man, she's even prettier than before..."

***

Layer leaned back against the wall of the elevator just after the doors closed and sighed heavily. "This is gonna take some getting used to..."

The receptionist hadn't been the only man to react positively to her new appearance; during her trip home from the clothier, she couldn't help but notice the attention she was getting, from both men and women, much to her surprise. Of course, she was used to men looking at her, but mainly from the neck down, her chest in particular. With her new outfit, however, she noticed that women had started to follow her with their eyes; not only that, she also noticed that people were starting to look at her face as well, not just her chest. "Maybe it's the change to my hairstyle...?" she mused as she touched her bangs, which no longer obscured her eyes. She then giggled. "Maybe Mr. Hurt was right; maybe I do have pretty eyes?" She reflected on her interaction with the receptionist. "He was looking at my face, wasn't he?"