by Gini Koch
I managed not to snort too loudly. “I think she’s crazy about you. You don’t seriously think Amy gets down and dirty with every guy she meets, do you?”
“Well, no, but . . . I’ve never dated a human girl.” I raised my eyebrow. “You don’t count.”
“Humph. But, true. Hang on.” I opened the bathroom door. “Ames, I need Christopher’s shoes.” They flew out. “Thanks.” I tossed hers in and shut the door. “Look, go get properly dressed. Jeff and I will wait for you guys, and I’ll have him send everyone else on, okay?”
Jeff strolled up and handed Jamie to me. “Already handled.” He kissed me and gave me the Snugli. Then he grinned and put his arm around Christopher’s shoulders. “Let me explain the human female to you.”
“Oh, please.” Jeff winked at me. I laughed and went into the bathroom. “Ames, no worries, it’s just the four and a half of us here; everyone else is on their way to Dulce.”
She was still blushing. “Everyone thinks I’m a slut, don’t they?”
“I think I have that title sewn up, at least per your late and very unlamented father.”
“Is your mom mad at me?”
I snorted, big time. “Uh, no. She was having fun. She really does think of you as one of her other daughters.”
“That would make her more mad with me, then.” Amy still looked worried.
“Hardly. Ames, she wanted me to marry Christopher when I first hooked up with this crew. She adores him. So, good choice.”
Amy gave me a sidelong look. “Did you sleep with him?”
“Geez. I see my reputation precedes.”
“He’s your type.”
“Was. Was my type. Brian was, too, and I haven’t banged him since senior year.”
“You slept with Chuck.”
“Good lord, who sent the group memo?”
Her turn to snort. “Uh, you said it was the best vacation of your life. For you, that meant killer sex for at least fifteen out of every twenty-four hours.”
“Yeah, yeah, fine. Until Jeff, yeah, Chuckie was the best. By far.”
“And you didn’t marry him.”
“Had he asked before I’d met Jeff, I’d have said yes.” And, of course, if I’d comprehended that he was so asking. Sometimes, I didn’t even catch a straight-out statement, as Chuckie could absolutely attest. My superhero name could be Density Girl. “But once I’d met Jeff . . .” I shrugged. “I don’t know how far you two actually got, but unless Jeff’s an anomaly, trust me—once you go alien, you never, ever go back.”
“We’ve only done it a couple of times,” Amy said while she stripped and put her underwear back on.
I recognized the look on her face—it was a combination of pleased and guilty. “How many times? Exactly?”
She blushed. “Three.”
“Kind of fast, for how long we left you two alone, I mean.”
She turned bright red. “We only did it twice here.”
The light dawned. “Aha. So, where did you two find time to fit in the dirty deed during all the excitement?” She mumbled something. “Sorry, can’t hear you.”
“The changing room at the gift shop by Notre Dame.”
“Wow.” Marked this as a great idea.
“He almost died! And he was so brave—you missed most of it, but he was just so amazing, and then they had him hanging there and he was hurt but still trying to protect us and . . .”
“And staring at him half-naked and spread-eagled was more than the ol’ libido could take?”
“I’m a slut, aren’t I?” She pulled her jeans on, but she wasn’t looking at me.
I couldn’t help it, I started laughing. “Ames, geez. You’re twenty-nine, he’s almost thirty-two. I couldn’t resist Jeff, at all. Still can’t, not that I want to. They’re gorgeous, and you love the brooding, serious types.”
“Why didn’t you go all the way with Christopher?” Shoes on, still not looking at me.
“Because we weren’t right together, and I was already in love with Jeff, even though I didn’t want to admit it. Why didn’t you sleep with Michael? I know he gave it his best shot.”
She shrugged. “He’s gorgeous, but he’s a player. I . . . I don’t want to just be someone’s . . . experience.” I heard the fear in her voice.
“Christopher’s in love with you.”
“I know he likes me, but I don’t think he loves me.” She pulled her shirt on. “I mean, he doesn’t really know me.”
I sighed. “He’s an imageer. Among the many talents is the ability to touch a picture or video of someone and know everything about them. He touched the picture of me, you, Sheila, and Mom and Dad from my sweet sixteen.”
“To find out about you.”
“Yeah, true.” Oh, well, she’d find out sooner or later anyway. “I look like his mother, Ames. So does my mom. Christopher was interested in me because I reminded him of his mother, and he attached to Mom for the same reason.”
“A lot of guys want to marry a girl just like their mother.”
“Maybe. I’m betting she was more like you than me. Jeff says I think the way Terry did, but I’ll bet cash money I don’t act like she did. Christopher and I are great as friends, as family, as someone to cover each other’s backs. And, trust me, I need him, because the superpowers are weird and scary. Awesome, but scary, too, and I need him to help me when Jeff can’t or won’t. But we would never have worked. The things I do that Jeff thinks are adorable Christopher is amused by only because it’s not his girl doing them. Christopher hasn’t been interested in me for a long time now.”
“But he was in love with you for a while.” She looked sad.
“So what? Jeff and Christopher were both in love with an A-C girl named Lissa. She was going to pick Christopher, but she was out with Jeff when she was murdered in front of him. I could spend the rest of my life wondering what things would be like if that hadn’t happened. But what good is that?”
“He’s only known me for a couple of days.”
Her hair was messed up again. I dug my brush out and handed it to her. “Ames, did you listen? He touched that picture and others. He touched every person in the pictures too. I know because, shocker alert, I never dust. That means he’s always known you, since he met me. He just hadn’t met you in person yet. But I think he wanted to. And I know once he did, he confirmed it.”
“Confirmed what?” She gave me back the brush, and I dropped it in my purse. Noted all six Poofs were there, snoozing.
I put my free arm around her shoulders and looked at her in the mirror. “That you’re the girl he’s been waiting for.”
She leaned her head against mine. “Are you sure? Because . . . I’m so in love with him.” She started to cry a little. “And . . . I don’t know what I’ll do if . . .”
I heard the door open. “If he decides he’d rather be alone, lonely, and unhappy instead of with the girl he’s in love with? He’s an alien, not an idiot.” I hugged her, then let go and walked out. Christopher held the door for me. “Really, this is romance, not sex, time. We’re on a schedule.”
“Got it. Kitty . . . thanks.”
I kissed his cheek. “You did the same for me, if you recall.”
Jeff was leaning against the wall. “Were we this stupid?”
“You were, if memory serves.”
He laughed. “I told you I was going to marry you within, what, ten minutes?”
“I think it was thirty, but who’s counting?” He took Jamie and put her on his shoulder again while I snuggled up against him and buried my face in his shirt. “So, how did you pick this particular T-shirt?” He wrapped his free arm around me.
“It was the only one that fit me.”
“Being totally ripped and all big and brawny does limit your clothing choices, I guess. Have I mentioned that you look so hot in these clothes?”
“I feel stupid.”
“You look great. How many women flung themselves at you on your way into Notre Dame?”
&nbs
p; “I was running to get to you before you got into trouble. Didn’t stop to flirt.”
“You don’t need to. Your shirt says it all.”
“What does my shirt say?”
I looked up at him. “Make love with me.”
His eyelids drooped, and he got the half-smile, half-snarl on his face that always reminded me of a jungle cat about to strike. “Maybe I’ll keep the shirt.” His voice was a purr. I started to grind against him, and he slid his thigh between my legs while his hand stroked the small of my back. “Maybe I’ll have you wear the shirt . . . and nothing else.” My breath was getting ragged. “What do you want, baby?” His voice was a low growl as he slid his hand over my bottom and squeezed.
I moaned softly. “You.”
Jamie made a baby sound and started fussing. We both took a deep breath and then shifted back to good parenting positions. Jeff cuddled Jamie while I put the Snugli on and tried to get my nipples to stop poking through my shirt.
Just in time, as Christopher and Amy came out of the women’s bathroom. He had his arm around her shoulders, and she had both arms around his waist. I finally paid attention to their shirts. His said “Fall in love in Paris” and hers said “Parisian Princess.” Fitting, really.
“All set?” Jeff asked.
Christopher nodded. “Yeah.” He looked around. “Kind of nice to be here again.”
“Get used to it.”
He gave me a confused look. “Why?”
“Oh, right. You two were, ah, busy when your dad explained all the new, fun things we’re going to be doing.” Jeff slipped Jamie into the Snugli, then put his arm around me. I wrapped my arm around his waist as I leaned against him. “We’ll tell you on the way to the shower. Ceremony. Whatever.” I couldn’t help it, I yawned. Widely. I was still tired from the Surcenthumain Rage High.
We took the elevator down to the basement. “You really did it in all those places?” Amy asked.
“More than they listed.” I shrugged. “What can I say? My needs are simple, my wants are few.”
“Yeah,” Jeff said happily. “It sucks to be me.”
CHAPTER 72
WE ARRIVED BACK at the launch area. Same A-C on gate duty. “Nice to see you back, Commanders.” He had a brave little smile on his face. “Is the situation under control?”
“Nice to be back, and it’s under control now.” I took a deep breath. “I’m sorry we weren’t in time to save Wayne or the others.”
He shook his head. “Wayne was Field, ma’am. He knew the risks. They all did.”
I doubted very much that Wayne or the others had expected what they had gotten, but I chose to keep that one to myself. “What’s your name?”
“Walter.”
I studied him. I’d been too late to save Wayne, but I could do something for his brothers, so that maybe they’d have something positive to discuss at a future family dinner. William and Wayne had said they were one of the best Field teams, after all, and I didn’t doubt it. And Walter, with no A-C talents, had managed to hold out against Al Dejahl’s mind control at least as long as Gladys had, maybe longer.
Walter shifted. “Is something wrong, Commander?”
“You like it in Dulce, Walt?”
He looked confused. “I go where I’m assigned, Commander.”
“Yes, yes, good man. I’m asking if you want to be in Dulce, or Caliente Base, or if you would prefer to be elsewhere. If given the choice.”
“Oh. Well.” Walter looked hesitant.
“Go on, I’m sure she has a reason.” Jeff looked down at me. “No idea what it is.”
I gave Walter the expectant look. He cleared his throat. “I grew up at East Base.”
“Miss it?”
He nodded. “Sort of. I . . . miss the snow and the seasons.”
“What about William?”
“His wife works at the Space Center. It’s kind of hard for them being in Caliente Base.”
“Was Wayne married?”
“No, Commander. He didn’t have anyone steady, either.”
“William’s an imageer, and Wayne is . . . was, an empath, right?” I felt Jeff stiffen as Walter nodded. “Do you have a talent?” I knew he didn’t, but I felt it was polite to ask. He liked that we were polite, after all.
“No, ma’am.” He managed a weak grin. “Other than being annoying. At least, that’s what . . .” He looked down quickly. I chose to refrain from commenting on the tears I saw roll down his cheeks.
“Big brothers are like that,” I said softly. “He loved you very much.”
“How would you know that, Commander?” Walter didn’t sound accusatory; he sounded sad.
“Wayne was ready to one-up you at the next family dinner.” Everyone else looked at me with varying expressions of confusion.
Walter didn’t. He smiled. “Yeah, I sent them both to Saguaro International. They told me they’d gotten to hang out with you.” He seemed to realize what he’d said, because he blushed bright red.
“Hanging out was more what I was doing. They were working. Well and hard, I must add. I really . . .” I’d really liked them, both of them. Wayne had been a smart, fun, funny guy. And he was dead now. And I wasn’t really sure why he’d been killed, why his death had been deemed necessary or expedient by our bad guy cadre. The only things I was sure of were that I’d let him down, somehow, and that it had to be rectified.
My throat was trying to close up again, and mommy hormones meant I’d have no control if I let the tears start. I cleared my throat and shoved on. “Walter, I’d like to ask you to consider going to work at the Embassy. I’ll talk to you about it in more detail later.”
He looked dazed. “Embassy duty is usually considered a top assignment, Commander. I haven’t been active long enough.” Walter looked about twenty-two to me, give or take.
“Yeah, well, we’re kind of on new rules now. So think about it.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
We went to the elevators. No one spoke until we were inside. “What happened to the bodies?” Jeff asked as soon as the doors closed.
“No idea. Didn’t you ever see them?”
“No,” Christopher said, his voice tight. “I saw them when I was in isolation, but when we arrived in Paris, they weren’t there. Or we were never where the bodies were.”
Amy looked ill. “It was horrible, what they did to them. They . . . they waited and killed them in front of Tim, Michael, and me. They tortured them first. And then dissected them. I couldn’t figure out why. I still can’t.”
“Who did it?” Jeff asked.
“My so-called father,” Amy snarled. She shook her head. “After what I saw him do, what he said his plans were, and what he did to me, I’m glad he’s dead. I wish I’d killed him myself.”
“No, you don’t,” Jeff said quietly. “You think you do, but be glad you didn’t have to make that choice.”
“I made it for you,” Christopher said, even more quietly than Jeff.
“I know. Thank you.” Amy flung her arms around Christopher and buried her face in his neck.
Christopher looked incredibly relieved. I figured Amy was going to have some issues later, but that’s what my mom and dad were for. Mom seemed to be good at covering the Replacement Mother role, and I was happy to share her with the people she, Dad, and I loved. Dad, of course, would not only follow Mom’s lead, but he’d be there if Amy wanted someone who actually loved her to walk her down the aisle and so forth. Besides, as Ericka Gower had told me, once you were in with the A-Cs, you were family forever. Amy would, ultimately, be okay.
While Christopher consoled Amy, my mind went back to what Gaultier and the rest had done. It was bad enough hearing what had happened to any of our people. But hearing what they’d done to someone I knew and liked made me want to throw up and hit something. Neither option seemed wise at the moment.
Instead, I took a deep breath. “Let’s get through the induction ceremony and get some sleep. Then we’ll figure out where they are.
I’ll want you three to tell the rest of Alpha and Airborne, as well as Chuckie, what you saw. Might figure it out that way.”
“What’s your plan with Walter?” Jeff asked as the doors opened.
“I want people around us we can trust.”
“Why can we trust him?”
“Just know we can.” Like I’d known I could trust his older brothers.
“Great, I feel so secure.”
The library area was packed and it sounded like people were having a wild time. I spotted a lot of guys in uniform, and not Armani fatigues. Marines in dress blues were everywhere. I noted a large number of the younger Dazzlers sidling up to quite a number of them. The Marines didn’t seem to object.
I forced myself to focus on the party, mostly because I knew Jeff cared about this ceremony much more than he wanted to admit. Waded through the crowd. It was packed so much that Jamie got jostled quite a bit. Jeff growled, lifted me up and put me onto his shoulders. “This is different.” I had to shout. Realized if he was turned around and the baby was asleep, I wouldn’t have the slightest objection. He stroked my thighs. Boy, did we need a bed for the baby.
Jeff carrying me like this was a huge hit. We got lots of cheers and catcalls. Jamie didn’t like the noise, but she didn’t seem too upset. Finally got to the part of the room where my and Jeff’s parents were. Most of our friends and family were close by. Everyone was staring at us, and I started to get really self-conscious.
Reader stood up on the same platform Al Dejahl had been using. He flashed the cover-boy grin and damned if the entire room didn’t start to get quiet. There were chairs here, so Jeff lifted me off his shoulders but kept me on his lap. Christopher followed suit and pulled Amy onto his lap.
The room had a huge screen, and it lowered as Reader spoke. “Hey there, party animals.” Everyone laughed. He had a microphone, but I did wonder if he had troubadour in him somewhere. Because it was almost impossible to look anywhere but right at him.
“Stop lusting after James.”
“He’s gay. Totally hot, but gay.”
“Yeah. It’s a toss-up, whether it’s worse to have you drooling after my gay friend or my uncle.”