Planerbound

by neetha Napew

  “I think she's much better. She came down around mid-morning. She was alert. We talked, and she held Nicky. She even gave him some lunch.”

  “Were her spirits better?”

  “I'd say so. She didn't mope around. She seemed a bit subdued, but I attributed that to the medication.”

  Nyk returned Nicky to her. “She seemed better last night, too. Where is she now?”

  “She went upstairs for a while. She seemed calm and at peace.”

  “Calm and at peace? Yasuko, that's how she gets when she's...”

  Nyk sprinted up the stairs and into the apartment. “Suki?” He looked in the bedroom. She was lying on her back on the bed. Nyk looked at the nightstand. A glass half-full of water sat beside an empty pill bottle. Nyk picked it up and recognized it as the prescription he had filled earlier in the week.

  He put his ear to her breast and listened for her heart. With his finger he probed her temple and found a strong pulse. Her breathing seemed deep and regular. He leaned close and looked at her face. Then, he pried up one of her eyelids.

  “Nick! What are you doing?”

  “Are you all right?”

  “Of course I'm all right. I was just trying to take a little nap.”

  He showed her the pill bottle. “Your mother said you were calm and at peace. I came up here and found this. I was worried...”

  “You thought I was suicidal.”

  “I feared you might be.”

  Suki sat up, pulled open the nightstand drawer and withdrew a glass spice bottle filled with capsules. “I dumped them in here because I kept breaking my fingernails on the child-proof cap. Nicky has a few months before he'll start getting into things, so I thought it was safe enough.” Nyk took the bottle from her and examined it. “They're all there -- except for the eight I've taken over the past four days.”

  He returned the bottle to the drawer and flopped on the bed beside her. She stroked his face and he kissed her forehead, then her lips. “I had forgotten how good kissing you feels,” she said.

  “I hadn't.” He kissed her again and stroked her cheek. “We have some time before dinner. I know something else that feels good.”

  “Maybe after dinner. I think I'll use the time to take a shower. I need one, and I'll bet you'd appreciate it, too.”

  “Shall I have your mom set a place for you?”

  She nodded. “Nick, a boulder's been lifted from me.”

  “Welcome home, korlyta.”

  * * *

  Nyk lay on his back in bed. Suki stepped from the bathroom holding her hairbrush and with a hairclip in her teeth. She brushed her hair and fastened it into a ponytail. With a smile she slipped off her robe, stood sideways to him and ran her hand along her stomach.

  “I see you have your figure back.”

  “My figure and then some.” She pinched the skin on her abdomen and shook it. “Baby fat -- I'd like to lose twenty pounds.”

  “Maybe we should start going to the 'Y' on weekends.”

  “You'd come with me?”

  “I'd do anything to help you.”

  “Deal.” She slid into bed beside him. Nyk lay beside her, stroking her face. He looked into her eyes, leaned to her and kissed her eyelids. “Suki, mi z'am. I love you.”

  “Nick, mi z'am,” she replied. “Ni niva n'amor.”

  “Niva.” He traced her eyebrows and caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers. He took her hand and placed it on his chest.

  “I'm ready,” she said and guided his hands onto her body. “Share with me the gift.”

  “Show me.”

  “Like this,” she said, guiding his fingers. “And, like this ... you have such a nice touch.” She drew in a deep breath, closed her eyes and released it slowly. “Now, you show me.”

  He took her hand and guided it. “Like this ... and like this.” She stroked a tear from his cheek. “I was so afraid,” he said. “Afraid we'd never have this again.”

  She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. He kissed salty moistness from her cheeks. “I was afraid, too. Oh, Nick -- I never want to be that close to insanity again!” She kissed his shoulders and arms and guided his fingers. “Now, like this -- just like that -- your touch is just right -- I feel your strength and your tenderness -- you're strong but gentle -- so sweet -- and, so patient with me. No one's ever been patient with me -- like you are.”

  “Maybe no one's ever loved you as I do.”

  “That's for sure, Nick. ...Mmm ... this feels so good ... so good...”

  “Divide your mind.”

  “Divide yours.”

  He traded kisses and caresses with her. “What's your key this time?” she asked.

  “You don't want to know,” he said with a smile. “I'll just say every time we make love I discover something about your body.”

  “There's a Japanese proverb about two men -- a rich one and a poor one. The rich one took a trip to explore the world. The poor one explored his garden.”

  “I can explore your body for a lifetime and not see everything.” He placed her hand against his chest. She pressed his against her breast and he could feel her heart racing.

  Nyk rolled onto his back and opened his arms. “Over here,” she said, lying on her back. He lay atop her, gazed into her eyes and felt her hands gripping his shoulder blades. She closed her eyes. “Nick ... Nick,” she panted.

  He held her shoulders, caressed the back of her head and kissed her. “Oh, Suki.” She kissed his tears from his cheeks. “I'm sorry. I didn't want to cry...”

  “Don't ever feel shy about crying in front of me,” she replied.

  He held her and wept, his body shaking with sobs. “I'm so happy to have you back.”

  She looked into his face with tears streaming down hers. “It is me you love. I felt it -- I felt the truth to it -- the absolute truth to it.” She sobbed with him.

  “I told you -- I'd love you the same way even if Destiny hadn't chosen you for your role. I love Nicky and I love your parents. I love Andra. But, YOU are my life, korlyta. Zinta mu viva es. You are my life.”

  He began to regain his composure and he stroked tears from her face. “Crying felt pretty good, didn't it?” she asked.

  “It was a release -- after all we've been through.”

  “Now you know good I feel after crying on your shoulder.” She leaned toward him and he kissed her lips.

  Nyk held her and stroked her arm. He felt her body relax as she drifted to sleep. A knock came at the door. “Sukiko? Nick?”

  “Yes, Yasuko,” he said, pulling the covers up to his chin.

  “Is everything all right?”

  “Come in -- it's not locked.” He heard the door open. “We're in the bedroom. It's okay.”

  Suki's mother poked her head through the door. “I thought I heard crying. I was concerned.”

  “We're fine.” He brushed some of Suki's hair from her face and kissed her forehead. She cracked her eyes open. “We're fine, aren't we, korlyta?”

  “Mmm,” she said and pulled herself against him.

  * * *

  Dawn's light roused Nyk. Suki still clutched him as she lay alongside. He kissed her cheek. “Good morning, korlyta. How did you sleep?”

  “Deliciously. Did we sleep holding each other all night?”

  “You wouldn't budge. If I tried to roll over, you held on tighter.”

  “I'm not letting go of you. Nick, did my mother come into our bedroom last night?”

  “Yes -- she heard us crying and was worried.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Maybe we should start looking for someplace else to live. We'll never have any privacy here.”

  “I like it here,” he replied. “I love feeling part of a family. It's sweet how your mom cares for you -- I could see a Floran mom behaving the same way. I love being close to your parents.”

  “Even my father?”

  “Even George. I'll bring you some breakfast.”

  Nyk started to rise but Suki restrained h
im. “Nick -- last night...”

  “Yes?”

  “I enjoyed last night. I haven't enjoyed anything in weeks.” She leaned toward him and he met her lips with his.

  * * *

  Nyk sat down to a bowl of oatmeal. Yasuko smiled at him. “I'm happy to see you and Sukiko are getting back on track.”

  “She's a long way from cured.”

  “It looked like last night was a big step in the right direction -- don't you agree?”

  Nyk nodded. “Yes, the Suki I fell in love with is emerging.”

  “I'm pleased no end to see the happiness you bring her. To see her in your arms again...” Yasuko brushed away a tear. “I was so afraid for her, Nick.”

  “I was afraid for both of us. Yasuko, I think we may be ready to take Nicky off your hands tonight.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “We must become a family. We've already lost three months.”

  “Of course, you're right. He's been a delight, Nick.”

  Suki stepped into the kitchen in her short robe. “I was going to bring up a tray,” Nyk said.

  “I need to get out of that apartment.” She opened her arms to her mother and embraced her.

  “I must go to the market today,” Yasuko said. “Maybe you'd like to come with me.”

  Suki sipped from a cup of coffee. “I'd love to. Nick, would you come too?”

  “I can't -- I have other commitments.”

  “Oh, someone needs a change,” Yasuko said and picked up Nicky. She headed for the makeshift nursery in the guest room.”

  “What are your plans?” Suki asked. “The lab again?”

  “Yes -- and Jonathan wants to see me.”

  “About the diamonds?”

  “Yes -- we're trying to come up with a way to move some into the market.” Nyk refilled his coffee cup. “He told me how much diamonds are worth on this world. I hadn't a clue. No wonder Seymor can afford that penthouse on Park Avenue.” He took Suki's hand. “He also told me how much that stone you're wearing is worth.”

  “Now do you understand why I was reluctant to accept it?”

  “Yes -- I feel a little foolish.”

  Yasuko returned with Nicky and set him in the infant seat. “I'll get dressed,” Suki said, “-- if I remember how.” She kissed Nyk. “See you tonight.”

  * * *

  Nyk walked into the jewelry shop. Jonathan gestured him into a back room. He opened a safe, withdrew a flat case and opened it. Inside were two rows of glittering gems. “These are our share of the first set of stones we sent to be cut. Aren't they beautiful?”

  “They're breathtaking.”

  “Most of these are far to rich for my clientele. I'll try to interest some more upscale shops in them.” He looked into Nyk's eyes. “Nick, I love gems. I love running this shop. The diamond trade is a closed community. I could never break into it -- because of my origins. I've had to satisfy myself with a small neighborhood shop. It's been tough. With gems of this quality -- I -- we'll be able to break into it in a big way. A big, big way, Nick.” He brushed a tear from his face. “It might take some time, but these stones will attract attention. The diamond community ignored me when I knocked on their door. Soon they'll be knocking on mine.”

  “I'll bring some more raw stones,” Nyk said.

  “Let's start moving these into the market first.”

  “I'll bring some and you can have them on hand when you're ready for them.”

  * * *

  “He's down and asleep,” Nyk called to Suki. He undressed and slid into bed. She hopped on the bed, kissed him and cuddled under his arm.

  Her eyes met his. “What?”

  “I just like looking at your face.”

  “Nick -- you are being careful, aren't you?”

  “Yes -- so careful I think I'm becoming paranoid.”

  “I had a phone call today -- from Illya Kronta.”

  “Illya called you?”

  “He was looking for you. We had a nice conversation -- he tried to convince me he was trying to help us. I swear -- though we spoke in English, he had a noticible French accent.”

  “Illya was an ExoAgent, about twenty years ago. He was stationed in Paris. It shows the Agency's attention to detail -- Illya's Earth name was Pierre LaCroix. They taught him French, and English with a French accent.” Nyk caressed her cheek with the backs of his fingers. “He told me a bit of his story. He fell in love with an Earth woman -- an American student spending some time in Paris. They lived together for a while.”

  “What happened to them?”

  “He was discovered and sent up. He never had the opportunity to say goodbye.”

  “How sad.”

  “He said he loves her to this day. She had an odd name -- Daphne, I think. Yes... Daphne. It strikes me as an odd name.”

  “It's not so odd. Do you remember Miss Wallace from my shower? Her name is Daphne.”

  “And, I suppose she spent time in Paris when she was a student.”

  “As a matter of fact, she did.”

  “She reacted oddly when we met... I wonder...”

  “I'll call her tomorrow.”

  * * *

  Suki led Nyk to the street in Brooklyn and pointed to an apartment building. “That's it.” Nyk followed her to the entrance and pressed the button marked D Wallace. The door unlocked with a buzz.

  “Sukiko -- you're looking good,” her old teacher said. “How are you feeling?”

  “Much better.”

  Daphne glanced at Nyk. “Mr Kane...” She returned to Suki. “Let me look at you -- you still are my favorite student. What did you want to see me about?”

  “Miss Wallace -- you spent time in Paris, right?”

  “Yes -- many American students do. It was nearly twenty years ago. I was an art major, and I went there to study the old masters.”

  “But, you changed your major.”

  “Many students do that, too. What is this about?”

  “Have you ever heard the name Pierre LaCroix?” Nyk asked.

  Daphne stood and turned from them. “That's a name I haven't heard in many years. Yes, I knew Pierre LaCroix.” She looked at Suki. “What is this about?”

  “Would you like to explain?” Suki asked.

  “Okay,” Nyk replied. “Daphne, vir Illya Kronta nom't kont't-zi?”

  Her jaw dropped. “Ji. Mi li-kont't.” She turned to Suki. “I knew it! I knew he was one of them! I didn't know if you knew.”

  Suki showed her the ring. “I'm engaged to one of them. How did you know?”

  “By his Floran racial characteristics. They pass for Caucasians, but if you know what to look for -- the shape of the eyes, a hint of epicanthic fold, the outer corner slants up ... the blond hair, sparse beard, light body hair... It's mainly the eyes...”

  “And, how they look into yours.”

  Daphne nodded. “Have you seen images of their world?”

  Suki shook her head. “I've been there.”

  “Oh! I'm so envious...” She turned toward Nyk. “What's your real name, Nick?”

  “It's Nykkyo. Tell us about Illya.”

  “I met him at the Louvre. We kept bumping into each other, and we started seeing each other. At first, I thought he was a Frenchman. As I got to know him, I realized he wasn't like any other man I had ever met. He was...”

  “He was the kindest, gentlest, sweetest person you had ever known,” Suki interrupted. “I know -- it's another characteristic.”

  “Yes -- I fell in love with him, and he with me. He asked me to move into his apartment. As an impoverished student, I accepted right away.”

  “How did you discover he was a Floran?”

  “It was an accident. One morning in his apartment I was awakened by an odd noise. Illya was sleeping like a log -- he had overindulged in a local vintage. I located the source of the noise. It was a communications device about the size of a paperback book. It had odd lettering, and I realized right away it was an advanced technology -- far beyo
nd that of Earth of that day -- even of today. I woke him and confronted him. He told me his real name -- about his world -- why he was here. He began to teach me the language. It became our private way to communicate.”

  “How do you feel about our mission?” Nyk asked.

  “Nykkyo -- I believe sustaining yours is our world's best and perhaps only hope. Some day -- after the Centauri mission and you can reveal yourselves to us -- our world may face a global catastrophe. I cannot believe a people as gentle and benevolent as yours would stand by and watch billions of their fellow beings perish.”

  “Was Illya responsible for you switching your major?” Suki asked.

  “Yes. He told me he was an amateur historian with a fascination for the early days of his world. We would sit overlooking the Seine, drink coffee or wine and have long talks about the nature of history and the future. I had never thought much about history before.”

  “Then, what happened?”

  “He disappeared. I came home to the apartment and all his effects were gone. I never heard from him again. He told me it might happen. I had to leave Paris. I changed my major to history and decided on a career in teaching -- to pass on some of what I learned from Illya.” She looked at Suki. “Things must be different, today -- if you two can be engaged.”

  “I'm afraid not. I chose to leave the Agency and go native.”

  “It appears Illya made a different choice.”

  “No, Daphne -- I'm sure the choice was imposed on him. Suki and I still risk his fate. You still love him, don't you?”

  “Yes... Illya was the reason I never married. After loving him -- I could never love another man. I don't know if he's alive or dead.”

  “He's on the homeworld, very much alive. Would you like to speak to him?”

  “Is that possible?”

  Nyk wrote an address on a slip of paper. “Meet me tomorrow at nine. I can't make any promises.”