by Bianca D'Arc
They’d discussed this earlier and Leah knew Ty would be staying on board to help gather evidence from the pirate ship. He knew the codes and language of the jits better than anyone.
“Ready and waiting for your arrival, sir.”
“You’re the best, Leah. We’ll see you in two standards.”
*
Michael met Leah in the hallway in front of Smithson’s private quarters. There was a team of uniformed women behind her, or he would have dragged her into his arms for the homecoming kiss he really wanted. Aside from that, he was still in full armor and he wouldn’t be able to enjoy her soft body against him as much as he wanted. No, the hug could wait until they were alone. For now.
She reached up to help him with the fastenings on his helmet without being asked and then they were face to face. There was so much he wanted to say, but he wasn’t free to speak his mind. Not yet.
The moment would come soon. He’d had time to think while he was out on this mission, time to realize what was important and what wasn’t. Leah. She was what mattered most to him. She mattered more than any person he’d ever known, any woman he’d ever bedded, anyone, anywhere.
“Good to see you safely returned, sir.” Her eyes spoke more than her words and Michael read every nuance.
“Good to be back. Are we ready, Colonel?”
“Yes, sir.” She turned to the evidence team behind her, signaling them to begin recording. “Override codes, sir?”
Michael did his part, entering the command codes unique to him that allowed access to all parts of any station or base under his command. The doors to Smithson’s private domain opened after a moment and specialized members of the evidence team entered first, lest the place be booby-trapped. When the initial guard called the all-clear, Michael and Leah entered, observing as the team tapped into Smithson’s personal files.
“Encrypted media here, sir, and lots of it,” one of the techs called. Michael walked over to investigate while Leah continued to assist with the initial search of Smithson’s personal effects.
“Box it all up for the experts, Ensign. I want everything about this search to be totally by the book.” Michael noted the rows of encrypted data crystals. There was too much here to delve into now.
“I’ve got a cryptography team on standby in case she had anything encrypted more tightly than I give her credit for.” Leah came up beside him, a comfortable, welcome presence at his side. Damn, she felt good there. Next to him, under him, astride him.
Michael squelched his wayward thoughts. Time enough for that later. For now, they had to oversee this critical gathering of evidence. There was no way he’d let Smithson slide through on a technicality. The case against her was going to be tighter than a drum.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Two standards later, Michael and Leah finally retired from the room, leaving the techs to mop up the remnants under supervision of the ranking officer. The woman was good and Leah trusted her, which was enough for Michael. He had to get Leah alone. There was so much he wanted to say…and do.
She followed him into an empty guest chamber in the command section he’d reserved for their use. The door slid shut as he pulled her into his arms, armor and all. He couldn’t wait to kiss her, to feel her under his palms.
“God, I’ve missed you.” Michael muttered against her lips as he drew her in for a long, deep kiss. His tongue claimed her mouth, his body seeking the warmth of hers, but the blasted armor got in the way. When he could draw the strength, he pushed away a little. “Help me get this armor off, Leah. I need to feel you against me.”
Her smile lit his world. “You won’t get any argument there.” She giggled like a carefree schoolgirl as their hands tangled, trying to remove the armor as quickly as possible and only prolonging the agony as they fumbled. He liked the sound of her laughter. There had been precious little laughter in both of their lives recently, and his heart felt good they could find it together. There was a lot he wanted to share with this special woman, if she’d only give him the chance.
The chance of a lifetime.
His hands stilled as his eyes searched her face. After a moment, she became aware of his scrutiny, her small hands stilling over his heart as she looked up at him. They’d managed to get the top part of the armor off at least.
“I haven’t thanked you yet.”
“For what?” Her voice was breathless.
“For the way you handled this mission.” He pecked her lips. “Your cunning intellect.” He kissed her brow. “And your beautiful submission.” He breathed against her lips. “It was the greatest gift I have ever received.”
When he let her up for air, she drew back to meet his eyes. Her expression was clouded, a small frown marring her lovely brow.
“You know I’d only do that for you, Michael, right? I never was promiscuous.”
“I knew.” He bent to kiss her cheeks. “It meant even more to me, knowing you did it for me and me alone.”
“I’d do anything for you, Michael.”
The sheer honesty in her voice made his heart contract as he stared down into her lovely eyes. She fidgeted under his scrutiny and he let her go, just a few inches. He couldn’t bear to be parted more than that from her at the moment.
“As it stands,” she looked away, “I’m glad the mission was a success. Aside from a few minor injuries, we came out of this clean and with solid evidence to hang Smithson and her cronies.”
Mike allowed the change in subject, knowing there were still a few things that needed saying before the air was clear between them. He feared and anticipated the next few minutes with equal fervor. If she responded the way he hoped, he might just be the happiest man in the universe. If not, he didn’t know what he’d do. Perhaps chain her to his bed until she agreed? The thought had some merit, but first he’d see how she took his proposal. He had to work up to it though.
“You were brilliant, Leah.” His hands stroked her back, gentling her. “Ty’s cover is intact and the pirates think you were the sole agent involved in infiltrating their ring. I couldn’t have planned it better myself.” A smacking kiss followed his words. “You’re going to get a promotion out of this, I think.”
“To be honest, I don’t want it if it means I can’t be your XO anymore.” She took a deep breath. “I was ready to resign my commission, Michael. I’m only staying because of you.”
His heart stuttered. Could he be hearing her right? Things were looking promising for his plans, but he wasn’t taking anything for granted.
“You honestly think I’d let you go?” He pulled back to meet her eyes. “If anyone tried to take you from me at this point, they’d have one hell of a fight on their hands. Leah…” He knelt before her, grasping her hands tightly. “Marry me.”
She gasped. “Are you serious?” A smile bloomed over her lovely face, then dimmed slightly. “But—”
“But what? Leah, you know you can ask me anything. Don’t go shy on me now.” He stood, capturing her once more in his arms.
“Well…” Still she hesitated, her face coloring ever so slightly. “What about your, uh, duties? Can Sons even get married?”
He laughed, his fears calming. “A few of my brothers already have, so I don’t see why not. I’ll still have to make deposits to the fertility banks, but you’re my woman, Leah. I only want you from now on.”
“Oh, Michael.” Tears gathered in her eyes and he took it as a good sign, though she still hadn’t said yes.
“I never knew what love was until I met you. I’ve never said this before to anyone, but… I love you, Leah, with all my heart.” He drew one of her hands up between them, placing a kiss gallantly on the back of it. “Will you be mine? Marry me, work with me, let us raise our sons together? I need you more than I need my next breath, woman. Say yes and put me out of my misery.” His hopes grew with each sharp intake of her breath, each tear that rolled down her soft cheeks.
“Yes, Michael. Yes!” She sobbed as she threw both arms around his neck, kis
sing his face with eager lips.
Within moments the rest of his armor was thrown off and Leah’s clothes made a heap at the foot of the bed. They clung together, each refusing to let the other go far until Michael asserted his authority. He rolled them so she lay astride his hips and pushed gently at her shoulders until she sat up, sheathing him in her tight warmth.
“Ride me, woman.”
“My, you’re bossy.” She smiled down at him as she undulated over his hips.
Michael smiled. “You love it, though. And you…” Uncharacteristically, he paused as if unsure, his gaze narrowing. “You love me.” She gasped as he tugged at her hips with his hands. “Don’t you, Leah?”
“Yes, Michael.” Her voice was sure, her eyes speaking volumes. “I love you with all my heart.”
*
Hours later, Michael stroked Leah’s shoulder as they lay twined together in the big bed. They’d have to get dressed and see to the cleanup of the station in a few more minutes, but they’d do it side by side. As it would be now, forever. Michael still couldn’t quite believe it.
“When we get back, I’ll have to ask the elders if you can be inducted into the tribe.”
Leah’s voice startled him out of his thoughts and her words had him scrambling for meaning. His confusion must have been written on his face. She leaned up on one elbow to look at him.
“Blackfoot is more than my family name, you know. It’s also the name of my tribe. I’m descended from a long line of warriors, and now by marrying me, you’ll be joining their ranks.” She leaned back, snuggling into his chest. “If the elders think you’re worthy, of course, but I wouldn’t worry about that.” She chuckled and stroked his chest the way he liked.
“I can see I’m going to have to do some research. Just how does one join your tribe?”
“Well, there’s a ceremony and a big celebration. In the old days, the warriors—mostly men—would spend the day in games of skill while the women prepared a feast. Nowadays, with no men left in the tribe, the women warriors usually compete, but it’s much more low-key. The food is still plentiful though, and quite tasty. Then the medicine woman will say a few words and you’ll be inducted. Come to think of it, she could marry us, too, if you don’t mind a traditional ceremony. Our medicine woman is licensed to perform legal marriages, though it’s been quite a number of years since she’s been called upon to do so.” Leah kissed his collar bone. “I think it would bring a lot of joy to all of them to see the old ways live on a little with us and our children. It would bring hope too. A new start for the tribe. What do you think?”
“I’d be honored to marry you in the traditional way, Leah. Bringing hope is what we Sons do, more than anything else. This’ll just be a different way of doing it, but I’m all for discovering new things.” He sipped from her lips, sealing the thought with a tender kiss.
*
Weeks later, Michael and Leah met with her grandmother, the matriarch of her family, and one of the most powerful elders of the tribe. They’d taken precious leave time and traveled to Pacifica Tert, the planet on which Leah was born and where her family lived still. Michael had learned about the tribe in the intervening weeks, meeting with a few of the other elders who lived on stations and worlds roughly on their path to Pac Tert, as the natives called it. The tribe, it turned out, was spread over the galaxy, with thousands and thousands of members, though their numbers had been cut in half by the virus, just like every other human population.
Every elder looked at Michael with an appraising eye—something he was used to as a Son—but in an entirely non-sexual way. They evaluated his character, his strength, his will, and his suitability to join their tribe. They all held great respect for Leah, welcoming her as a long-lost daughter who’d become a hero in their eyes. He liked the way they interacted with her and cared for her comfort. Their hospitality was undeniable, as was their acceptance of him after their initial appraisal. Things had gone well, but the most important hurdle was yet to be jumped.
Leah’s grandmother. Retired General Adelaide Blackfoot herself.
Michael had never really connected Leah to the famous woman in his mind. General Blackfoot was a legend among the space-going soldiers of the line. Michael had studied her strategies from the early parts of the war between humanity and the jit’suku when he’d still been under Dr. Amber’s care.
Now that he put two and two together, he realized Leah Blackfoot came from a long line of military commanders. Her grandmother wasn’t the only famous Blackfoot general. Leah’s father and brothers had acquitted themselves more than honorably in the ongoing war before succumbing to the alien virus. Losing them had been a fierce blow to humanity’s forces, but the women picked up and soldiered on.
Leah herself had done so, even after the tragedy of losing her husband so young. His admiration for her only increased when he realized how much she’d lost and what her bloodlines must have instilled in her. More and more, he began to feel almost unworthy of her, but there was no way he could ever let her go.
The old woman was still spry, though well into her retirement. Her shrewd eyes made Michael feel like a young recruit as he was introduced to the living legend, Adelaide Blackfoot. He shook her hand respectfully, surprised by the strength of her gnarled grip. Leah hugged the old woman close, tears of genuine joy and affection in her lovely eyes.
“So you want to marry my girl, eh?” the general asked.
Michael nodded. “I do, ma’am.”
Shrewd eyes studied him. “I’ve heard all about you Sons. I even had a little input when Amber Waithe suggested the project. I bet you didn’t know you have Blackfoot DNA in you.” She chuckled.
“I know little of my genetic origins, ma’am, but I’m intrigued to learn whatever you can tell me.”
The old woman settled into her chair. “I’ll tell you what I know, young man. Pour the tea, Leah,” she directed her granddaughter to a tea service that had been laid out on the table. “I knew Amber Waithe when she was just an upstart geneticist with a brilliant idea. She wanted to combine the DNA of the best of humanity to come up with you Sons. Judging by the look of you and the stories of you and your brothers’ exploits, she did a damn fine job of it, too.”
“Thank you, ma’am. But how—?”
“How do I know where at least part of your DNA came from?” She cut him off with a knowing grin on her wrinkled face. “Because I’m the one who gave it to her.” She sipped her tea, leaving him hanging while her eyes twinkled. “I’m not a Blackfoot by birth, you understand. I married in. My people were of another tribe, now mostly lost. When Amber came looking for warrior DNA, I gave her a sample of my husband’s. I had his old hairbrush and it contained—according to Amber—enough hairs with root follicles intact to give her at least a little of his genetic code. I gave her my own DNA as well, since she wanted diverse samples to combine together. I don’t know how much of it ended up in the final mix that created you, but I like to think we did our part, and that something of my husband lives on in you and your brothers.”
Michael was stunned as he sat back in the chair. Leah looked about the same as the old woman continued talking.
“It all comes full circle now, of course. The Great Spirit has seen fit to bring you back to the tribe, to renew and rejuvenate our dwindling numbers and hopes. I like it. It has a sense of destiny about it and a feeling of rightness. What say you?”
She sipped her tea in the silence that followed.
“I honestly don’t know what to say, ma’am.”
Leah looked worried though. “But what if—?”
“I thought you might worry.” Adelaide leaned forward and tossed Leah a data pad she’d had hidden under a pillow at her side. “I commed Amber a few days ago and asked her if there could be any complications. This is what she sent back.”
Leah scanned the pad and her eyes widened, but she didn’t speak. A moment later, she handed the datapad to him. Michael read the words, amazed by what he was seeing. Dr. Amber had
run an analysis of his DNA against a sample of Leah’s obtained from her service file. The bottom line conclusion was that they’d have healthy, happy offspring and weren’t a close enough genetic match to make any difference.
Amber had also included a private message at the bottom for Michael, wishing them well.
“Now that’s out of the way,” Adelaide went on, “I’m pleased to welcome you to the family, Michael…and to the tribe.”
Leah grasped his hand, squeezing tightly. “Thank you, grandmother.”
*
A week later, they were married in an elaborate ceremony and Michael was officially inducted into the tribe. A huge party followed at which he was astounded to find not only his superior officers, but Dr. Amber Waithe and the Leader of the Governing Council herself, Mathilde Gray. It was a high honor that such important women would come to witness their marriage.
They took a few minutes out of the party to present both bride and groom with Distinguished Service Medals for their work in busting up the piracy ring in Smithson’s sector. Leader Gray spoke glowing words about them both, much to the crowd’s delight. Most of the tribe came to the wedding from planets near and far, summoned by the elders to witness what they were touting as the rebirth of their people. It was a heavy load to bear, but Leah handled it well. Michael was used to the pressure of having most of humanity depend on him for one thing or another, but this was slightly different. This was somehow more intimate. He was no longer just another of the Sons, but Michael Amber, husband to Leah Blackfoot-Amber, the first male to marry into the tribe since the virus struck.
It was a new beginning in many different ways.
“To the newlyweds,” Leader Gray toasted them as they gathered for dinner in the formal dining hall that had been decorated by the tribal community in garlands and shimmering beadwork tapestries. “May they live long, healthy, fruitful lives, serving both the Blackfoot people and all of humanity.”