“Well, lovey, you managed to push him to the point of cussing us all out. That means he’s beyond reason right now. What are you going to do?” her father asked.
She pulled herself out of the tub and wrapped a towel around her slender body. “Go try to make things right. Wish me luck. Oh, by the way he’s craving Chinese for dinner. Shrimp and Lobster sauce.”
Scott and Dr. Quimby looked at each other. They didn’t know what to believe at this point.
Sam bounded up the stairs, pulled on a sundress, and then she tapped on her brother’s door. No answer. Wiggling the knob, she found it locked. “Michael? Please open the door. I’m sorry.”
No answer. She tried again. “Listen hear, big brother, if you don’t let me in, I will sit here until you come out. Then I will grab your leg and not let go until you talk to me, even if it means being dragged downstairs, into the car and through the base. I won’t let go for anything, and you know it. I’ve done it before!” she threatened firmly.
She had, too, when she was 12 and Michael was angry with her for telling off a girl he had met. She had grabbed his leg and held on, refusing to release him. He had started talking with her an hour later when his leg tired of dragging her everywhere. It took about three minutes for the threat to sink in before the door opened.
Sam closed the door behind her and leaned against it, watching as her brother plopped back onto his bed and stared at the ceiling. “I’m really sorry. I had no idea it would bother you this much. Please forgive me.”
“Why do you do these things to me? Don’t I take care of you? Treat you well? Be there for you?”
“You’re the best. Michael, I’m your little sister. I have to torment you now and then. It’s in my job description.”
He looked at her big blue eyes and studied her face. Part of him wanted to laugh while the other part wanted to strangle her. “If that’s so, then my job description includes beating the crap out of you for tormenting me. I never do stuff like that to you.”
“That’s because I’m the birthday present and you have to keep me from crying,” she said sweetly.
“You think so? Come here.” He sat up, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. She quickly stood before him as he took her hands in his. “Don’t you ever do that to me again. You terrified me.” He held her close, breathing in her warm, sunny scent. She cradled his head in her arms and rested her cheek on top of his head.
“I won’t. Forgive me?”
“I will after I blister you.”
“Uh oh. When will that be?” she asked timidly.
He looked into her eyes. “Tomorrow after work. Be advised that your buddies will be doing some extra duty for helping you.”
“They were only following my orders. Please don’t be mad at them.”
“Nick knows better and he could have warned the others. I will also think of some extra things for you to do to pay back what you did to me.”
“Don’t you think the spanking I’m going to be getting will be enough?”
He pulled her onto his lap. It was impossible to stay angry at her. “Not at all. I’ve been ordered not to leave significant bruises. Therefore, additional payment is warranted. Got it?”
“Yes, Michael,” she relented, knowing not to push him. “Um, maybe now isn’t the best time to bring this up, but you have to admit, that little dolphin is a hoot. He really is drawn to you. Maybe he can join us?”
“He would be like a puppy pestering Ton. I don’t know. So, you’re telling me he pranked me on his own?”
“I know! Pretty interesting, and very human-like.”
Attempting to change the subject, she then quickly told him about the lab situation with Scott moving in and the way the man was setting things up. She finished with an irresistible question and an accompanying grin. “Um, is now a good time to ask about dolphin sex?’
“No.”
***
Michael apologized for his outburst and choice of language during dinner that night. The men shooed him off and queried him regarding his plans for the criminal, egging him on to pursue a more stern approach.
Sam scowled at them. “Both of you are such buttheads! Daddy, you were totally in on it! Uncle Scott, you laughed harder than anyone else. This is so not fair!”
“The advantage of being the parents, my dear,” Dr. Quimby said nonchalantly as he helped himself to more egg foo young.
Michael stole a shrimp from her plate. “Believe me, gentlemen, when I tell you she will be thinking twice before pulling another little stunt like this one. As for you two, I think you owe me as well.”
“Aw, come now, Mike. It was a harmless prank. No big deal. You need to get a better sense of humor,” Scott responded.
“I agree. You need to learn to bend a bit, my boy. She got you good. Laugh with the rest of us and get over it,” Dr. Quimby added
“I’m finding it very interesting in how the two of you are trying to lighten the load for yourselves and put all the responsibility and consequences on Sam. That isn’t very mature or responsible, is it? I mean, I don’t think I was raised that way.”
Both men grimaced, looking sheepish. Mike leaned forward, entwining his hands on the table top and accomplishing a perfect imitation of his uncle’s favorite posture of intimidation. “In fact, I would think you two would have thought to provide a better example of behavior for her. By your actions, you showed her it was perfectly okay to scheme and deceive. I’m very disappointed in you. You both owe me big time. Failure to pay might very well cost some trust and respect,” he said, throwing past words back at them.
“Hey, I just found out, remember?”
“Go ahead and throw me under the bus, asshole,” Dr. Quimby grumbled. He caught his daughter’s smirk, and pointed at her. “You are a little Siren, aren’t you?”
“I try my best, Daddy.”
“Ok, the first thing you two are going to do for me is to take my chores for one month, starting after I come back from the assignment,” Michael eyed them, seizing the rare opportunity to his advantage.
“Alright, that’s reasonable. We should be better examples. Sorry,” Dr. Quimby shrugged as he kicked Scott to agree.
“Good. The next thing you are going to do is to allow me plot the stop points for our trip. I will pick the accommodations and I want an open credit card.”
“I have a feeling this is going to cost us some bucks.” Scott groaned.
“Third, I want you to lift your no bruising policy. I owe her.”
“Hey!”
“I’m not sure about that one.”
“Dad, you know I won’t harm her. However, she needs to see that I won’t be lenient either. Agreed?”
Dr. Quimby hesitated, and then nodded. “Agreed. Sorry, kid. You asked for it. I did warn you. Are you done?”
“Not quite. This is non-negotiable. I want full control of the new lab, without interference.”
“What!” Scott roared incredulously.
Michael leaned back, arms crossed. “I didn’t whisper. I want full control. If you insist on residing there with us, for reasons I really can’t imagine other than being a royal pain in my ass, then I insist that you follow my instructions. Sam and I have certain ways of working our projects that you would not approve of and thereby restrict. I understand that our office is sound-proofed however, there is more to our processing then just shouting.”
“Like what?” Dr. Quimby asked, seeing his friend’s scowl.
Michael glanced at his sister. “It doesn’t matter, it works. Neither of us would feel comfortable to pursue some of our research if you were there to interfere. We had that issue on ship. Nothing personal, Scott, but you are like a father to us. We don’t need a Dad there to nag.”
“You little brat,” Scott fumed, seeing Michael flash him a sweet smile so much like his sister’s.
Dr. Quimby sighed. “Give it up, Scott. You’re not moving in with them. He’s got a point, and a right, to run that lab his way. You gave him that
authority.”
“What about me? I’m the one who won the bet and made the Master-Sergeant feel bad. I want to be in charge too.”
“You, little girl, are only in charge of watching your Ps and Qs right now. Don’t push me,” Michael said firmly. She widened her eyes, the sense of seriousness strong. She nodded silently and sunk in her chair.
“Sit up straight,” her father ordered. “I’ll say this much, Michael, you certainly have made it difficult for us to support any future pranking, at least of this caliber. I’m really sorry for my part. Scott? Apologize.”
“Like hell….”
“I could think of many more ways to spend your money,” Michael warned, knowing that finances were always his uncle’s weak point.
Scott narrowed his eyes. “When did you learn to become such an asshole? Fine, I’m sorry.”
“That didn’t sound very sincere,” Michael commented.
Scott glared at him. “Take what you can get.”
“While you two are gone, I’m going to get that place ready for you. Light green walls? How about arctic blue? To compliment Ton,” Dr. Quimby interjected, looking to change the subject.
“With pictures,” Sam perked up.
“It will be beautiful. I think it would be an excellent teaching facility too. Leave it to me. Mike, are we good now?” he asked, seeing Scott’s continued glare in the direction of his son.
“Yes. By the way, I’d like my office in classic earth-tones, please. Now, if you will excuse me, I’m going to get some reservations started for our trip. Your credit card, please?” He held out his hand, smiling as Dr. Quimby handed it to him. “Thanks for dinner. How did you know I was in the mood for Chinese?”
The men looked at the girl, who shrugged. “I dunno. Don’t ask me.”
Scott watched his nephew leave, the frown still on his face. “Who taught him how to be such jerk?”
“I hate to say it, old man, but I think it was you. That was the same payback you made me give when I was twenty-four and sorely pissed you off. Don’t you remember? Along with the comment about “failure to pay will cost trust and respect.” He must have remembered that story,” Dr. Quimby answered.
Scott grunted, swearing under his breath. “At least it’s coming out of your account.”
“Sorry, I gave him our family expense card.”
“You’re an asshole, too.”
Chapter 7
“Mikey? Are you still angry with me?” a little voice asked the next morning from the perch upon his stomach.
Michael he hid his face to the morning light and groaned. “Must you jump on my gut every morning? There are pleasanter ways to wake a man.”
“But you’re not a man, you’re my big brother,” the voice said sweetly. Michael peeked from under the pillow. Sam had her long thick auburn hair tied in two high ponytails and in her wetsuit ready for the morning plunge. Scott had left the boat docked at the house and she had gotten permission from their father to swim down the coast and arrive late. Wisely, he felt it would be better for all of them if they allowed Michael the rare luxury of sleeping in.
“What time is it?”
“Eight. I’ll make you breakfast if you want.”
“I’m gathering we are swimming in, unless you want me to drive.”
“It’s up to you. Hungry?”
“Coffee is fine. Oh, thanks.” She handed him a cup with a smile. He sat up to sip it. “Mmmm, Scott’s right, you make the best. So, is this to keep me from wailing on your butt tonight, little sister?”
“I have no hope of that,” she moaned. “You just deserve to see the nice part of me now and then. I do pester you a lot. It’s just so fun. I’m sorry if I scared you.”
“I over-reacted. I usually do when it comes to you. Pestering goes both ways. We just need to make sure that neither of us gets hurt. So, did you like the way I handled Scott? You didn’t think I could do it.”
“You were brilliant. I was very impressed with your tactics for plotting our trip. I never knew you were so adept at conniving. Bravo, Big Brother.”
“That’s quite a compliment from the queen of cons. Well, the folks did say I would have been a good attorney. Wait until you see the rooms we have. They are going to be spending some dough-ray-me,” he chortled as he stood and stretched.
“Hey, Michael? It might be too soon to bring this up, but I’d really like to study that connection little Splasher has with you,” Sam said as she propped herself on his unmade bed as he readied for work.
He peeked out the bathroom door to look at her. “Splasher?”
“The little bottlenose that took up residence in your brain,” she explained. “He’s fascinated with you. I would love to know how he sent those impulses so strongly. It’s up to you, of course.”
“Sis, I love you, but I really need a few days to get you, him, and those things out of my head. Promise me not to try anything until I’m ready.”
“I promise. And if you sense anything weird, it won’t be from me.”
“Oh, I know that. You will not leave my sight for the next few weeks. You thought it was funny to be joined at the hip. Well, my little one, you will be so sick of my face by the end of our assignment that you will never even consider trying to meld with me again.”
“But I like being around you,” she said, confused.
Michael pushed her off his bed and pointed to the blankets to get her to help tidy it up. “Remember those words. I’ve even arranged it so that you will room with me so I can keep a constant eye on you.” He smiled as she groaned. “Did you straighten up your room? Go do it now and don’t forget to make your bed. You have five minutes before we leave.”
Reluctantly, she obeyed, still confused by his words. They were always together anyway, so what could be different? She soon discovered his meaning. He was everywhere. They might as well been handcuffed together. After he followed her into the bathroom, she pushed him away.
“Does the concept of personal space mean anything to you?” she asked gruffly.
He shook his head. “Nope. Not for the next few weeks. I plan on your learning your lesson about invading my brain.”
She sighed, thinking of how to turn the tables. It could be done if she could pretend to enjoy his smothering attentiveness and assistance every breathing moment. No, she would seriously maim him before she became that convincing an actress.
About mid-day, Michael tapped her shoulder. “Let’s hook me up. I’m getting some input from our little friend out there. He’s engaging in some heavy duty love making.”
“That’s gross. I never realized how amorous the cetaceans are. Ok, let’s see what’s going on. Tell me in detail what you are feeling. Oh stop it! I’m a scientist. Forget I’m your sister for a minute,” she scolded sharply when he hesitated. Taking a deep breath, he began to put the sensations in his mind into words.
“I need a cold drink,” his sister said after a few minutes, fanning herself.
Michael opened his eyes. “Now you see? Get me one too.”
The two walked to the docks to discuss the issues with their little wet friend. Michael decided it would be best to try to communicate directly with him before going to the pod’s bull, not wanting to risk the little guy being shunned for breaking social etiquette. Sam agreed and would first attempt communication with Ton to gain some understanding. She suspected it would be a futile conversation since the orca was set in his ways and more than a little opinionated about their activities.
The two dove into the bay, seeking out the cetaceans. In record time, Ton appeared and rubbed affectionately against his calf before nosing Michael with a greeting. Michael rubbed the smooth snout and blow hole, sending images of high side breaches in open water with the band. Ton was pleased. The male land walker was finally learning! He also sensed a change in his calf’s mood and inquired if she had her tail flukes bitten lately. She returned the image of a setting sun and was dismayed when Ton eyed Michael before tossing out the impression of the
girl tangled in a net. Michael nodded, affirming she was in trouble. Ton responded with a snort as he shoved her.
Sam communicated the problem while Ton spouted with annoyance and projected the vision of eating the little dolphin. She sighed. This was his solution to the majority of difficulties the huge animal encountered. She quickly dissuaded him and sought instruction in blocking unsolicited imaging and sensation. Once again disinterested, Ton merely showed an adult bottlenose.
“I get it. He’s too young to control himself right now. He’ll grow out of it. He’s probably like a teenager who is bragging about having sex.” Sam explained.
“Thanks, but I’d rather not listen. Or feel it.”
“I can’t blame you. Ton thinks if you talk to him and explain that it causes you pain, he will stop.”
“It’s not painful, in fact…” he let the thought drop.
“Do you want to keep having dolphin sex? If not, then talk to him!” his sister ordered, pushing him out of her ‘space’. If whales were able, Ton would have been rolling his eyes in disgust at their ridiculous behavior. With a grunt, he left.
“Where is he going?” Michael asked.
“To take care of business for you,” she explained. “I just hope he doesn’t eat the little thing.”
They waited patiently, treading the water in the warm sunlight. A swell beneath them announced heavy movement. Ton was returning with the little bottle-nose in tow.
“Michael, be nice. He’s just a baby,” Sam said, climbing atop of Ton and hanging on as he launched forward for a fast, wild swim and dive. Immense pleasure filled Sam’s mind as the whale expressed his joy in having his calf’s companionship.
Michael stroked the dolphin, his band in place, and imaged as best as he could the problems land walkers had with thought sharing. He sensed confusion and a feeling akin to rejection. The little animal was reassured but had some difficulty understanding boundaries. Sam had been correct in that the dolphin was highly intelligent and had the capacity to grasp the understanding of appropriate communication. When imaging the mating ritual, Michael placed a vision of the human process. He could feel the dolphin shudder with disgust as it agreed to exercise discretion.
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