by K C Luck
Moving with purpose now, Catherine stepped out of the lounge and looked around for Frederick. He was waiting against the wall for his next command and lit up when he saw her. “How can I be of service?” he asked.
“We need to knock the pirate out when she returns,” Catherine said. “I need to take her weapons and find out where Captain Nat is being held.” Frederick nodded.
“I will find a knife in the kitchen,” he said and started to walk away. Catherine grabbed his arm.
“No, wait,” she said. “Not a knife. I don’t want to kill her.” Frederick looked puzzled.
"Why not?" he asked. "She's a pirate and you may never have a better chance." Catherine paused. He was right. For a reason she could not quite understand, Catherine did not want to kill Sal. Knocking the woman unconscious was one thing, but dead was another. Something inside her believed there was good in Sal, even though she had no doubt the woman had done unmentionable things. Her mind returned to the kiss and how easy it would have been for Sal to force herself on Catherine. But she didn’t. Still, am I being a fool? she wondered. Was she just delaying something she intends to do anyway? Catherine shook her head and did not believe it. Somehow, she knew Sal would never really hurt her.
“I just won’t,” Catherine finally answered. “So not a knife, but maybe a frying pan? Something hard with a handle.” Frederick raised a finger with excitement.
“Brilliant,” he said and bustled off to get it. He was back in less than a minute with a skillet heavy enough Catherine knew it would do the trick. Now all she had to do was stand by the door and let Sal open it to step in.
Not knowing when the pirate would be back, Catherine moved into position. She did not have to wait long as the pounding of footsteps running up the gangway sounded almost immediately. Catherine took a deep breath. This was her one chance to gain the upper hand and she knew it. Cocking the skillet back, she listened for the lock to be engaged from the outside. There was a click and a whoosh and then the woman was stepping in. Catherine swung with all her might, but Sal was quick enough to duck and only take the glancing blow on the shoulder. Then she was turning and, in an instant, Catherine realized it was not Sal, but instead it was her Nat. Catherine dropped the skillet and threw her arms around the woman. "Nat, oh my God, I'm so sorry," she gushed. "I thought you were Sal." Nat pulled her into a tight hug and held her for a moment.
“Catherine, thank God, you are safe,” she said. “Forget about hitting me. I am just so thankful to find you.”
“But how did you—" Catherine started wanting to know everything Nat had done to find her, but Nat pulled back to look into her face.
"I'll explain everything later, I promise, but right now we need to go," Nat said and took her hand to lead her toward the exit. "I don't know how long we have until they think to look here." Catherine followed without hesitation. She trusted Nat completely and would go with her anywhere as long as it kept them together. With Nat scanning in every direction, they hurried back down the gangway and onto the packed dirt of the landing field. "We need to get into the jungle on the other side of the village." Catherine nodded and ran with Nat toward the thick foliage. They had only gone a few hundred yards, and Catherine recognized they were near the large domed banquet hall where Rog was holding court. Suddenly, Gruden the pirate stepped out of the shadows. He was zipping his fly after pissing into the weeds and looked as surprised to see them as they were him. Nat jumped for him, but he was able to get his plasma gun free of its holster just in time to stop her momentum.
"Hold it, bitch," he said. "What the hell? I heard you were out running around, but Sal said she killed you and screwed your girlfriend." Catherine's eyes widened at his words. What is he talking about? she wondered. She saw his eyes narrow. “But apparently, she lied,” he muttered with a frown. “Why would she do that?” He raised his weapon higher and put it into Nat’s face. “What is going on here?” he asked. Catherine saw Nat’s eyes were fixed on the pirate’s weapon and she knew her hero was trying to figure out how to take it from him without getting either of them shot. Gruden was the one thing keeping them from making an escape.
“It’s complicated,” Nat answered. “Too complex for someone as stupid as you to understand.” Gruden flushed at the insult but did not take the bait.
"Nice try," he said. "But I won't let you make a move on me. I'm going to shoot you in the gut and then you know what? I'm going to bang your hottie pet right here against the wall while you slowly die watching." Catherine felt the cold realization he was telling the truth tighten her stomach. She could hardly breathe and did not know what to do. Gruden grinned and she knew this was it.
“Wait!” Catherine said. “Please. You can do whatever you want with me, but don’t shoot her.” Gruden laughed.
"I'm going to do whatever I want anyway, and frankly, I'm sick of this one," he snarled and moved to fire. Before he could, a figure stepped out of the shadows of the building behind him and smashed a large wine vase down on his head. The glass shattered and Gruden slumped to the ground. Catherine was shocked at the turn of events and blinked with surprise when the dark-haired servant she felt a connection with earlier came forward.
She looked right at Catherine. "Are you okay?" the woman asked and Catherine nodded while the stranger walked to her. They stared into each other's eyes and Catherine could see the similarities were uncanny. The woman was older and had lines on her face from a life which was no doubt difficult as a servant to the pirates, but the shape of her features was so familiar. Mostly though, it was the eyes which captivated Catherine. Who is this person? And why do I feel such a connection? she asked herself. “Is your name really Catherine Porter?” the stranger asked. “Did you grow up on Prospo?” Catherine caught her breath at the question. Suddenly for reasons she didn't quite understand, her heart was beating faster.
“Yes,” Catherine answered and glanced at Nat who was watching them both with a puzzled look on her face.
“Do you know her?” Nat asked the stranger. The woman suddenly looked embarrassed and lowered her eyes. Stepping back, she shook her head.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “You need to go. He will wake up eventually and others will be hunting for you.”
“But wait,” Catherine started as she needed to know more about the woman who looked so much like her. “Who are you?” The dark-haired stranger started to back away.
"No one," she replied. "Now go. Hurry." Nat retook Catherine's hand.
“She’s right, we have to go,” Nat said and started to lead her away into the jungle. Catherine looked back at the retreating figure of the woman.
“Will you be alright?” Catherine called to her. The woman waved.
“Yes, I always find a way to survive,” Catherine heard her say and then Nat was pulling her into the thick bushes of the jungle. Once they were under the canopy, it was much darker and Catherine had to focus on her steps to keep from being tripped. The image of the woman’s wave haunted her, but she forced herself to think only of helping them escape. Nat moved with determination as she pushed massive green leaves and thick vines out of their path.
“Where are we going?” Catherine asked.
“I know of a cabin where we can hide for a couple hours until dusk,” Nat answered without breaking stride. “It’s a wreck, but it has a door we can shut and it doesn’t appear anyone ever goes there.” Nat slowed and looked back. “It’s at least a mile. Can you make it?” Catherine nodded.
“I will,” she said forcing a particularly clingy vine aside. “Keep going.” Nat obliged and continued on at a fast pace. Before long, Catherine was winded and prayed they were close. She was amazed Nat even knew of a building way out in the jungle. “How did you find this place?” she gasped. Nat did not answer immediately, but then glanced back.
“I was chased by a giant snake,” she answered. Catherine almost tripped. A giant snake? she thought and immediately scanned the ground. It was hard to see under the trees and with all the plants.
"We're almost there," Nat said to reassure her and Catherine found the energy to run even faster. Thankfully, the extra push was just enough and they broke out into a small clearing. At the center was a sagging shelter. It was not much to look at, but if it meant they could hide while Nat explained what was happening, Catherine was grateful to see it. Retaking her hand, Nat led Catherine into the building.
CHAPTER 27
NAT
The space was even darker than under the trees and Nat wished they had a light, especially when she had to close the door. "Don't move," Nat said and began to search the space to determine what was inside the room. After a moment, her hands fell on a shelf and found what felt like a candle stub and matches. She lit one and started the candle burning. She heard Catherine sigh with relief. Using the minimal light, Nat surveyed her surroundings. It was clear the cabin had not been occupied for a long time, but overall the space was better than she expected. A small table with a single chair. Some collapsing shelves, which were sagging with the roof. Even a narrow bed. She was most thankful to see there were no snakes or other creatures. After setting down the candle, Nat stepped up to Catherine and took her in her arms. Catherine leaned into her and Nat felt tears of relief sting her eyes. "I was so worried about you," Nat murmured into her hair. Catherine let out a sob.
“I thought they were going to kill you,” Catherine said. “I don’t know what I would have done.” Nat stroked her hair and kissed the top of her head.
"It's okay," she said. "We're safe in here for now." Catherine looked up at her, and in the flickering light, Nat had never seen anyone more beautiful. Light glistened off of the tears in her eyes and instinctively, Nat kissed them away. Catherine raised her face and then Nat's lips were on her mouth. At first, the kiss was tender, but it quickly turned hotter and Nat felt Catherine's need to be comforted pour out of her. Catherine's lips parted and Nat knew she was welcoming her in. Feeling a rush of desire, Nat kissed her harder, using her tongue to make Catherine gasp. Now the woman was clinging to her and as crazy as she knew it was, Nat picked her up and carried her three steps to the small bed along the wall. As she set her down, Nat's head spun with thoughts of all which had happened and still was to come. Live in the moment, she thought and reminded herself she might die tonight when she went back to help Sal. She and Catherine may never see each other again. The thought of it made her desperate and she pressed her lips to Catherine's again. The kiss was deep and so filled with all of the emotion Nat was feeling, it made her ache.
As if sensing the specialness of the moment, Catherine took Nat's face in her hands. "I want you," she whispered. "No one else ever. Just you." The confession touched Nat so deeply she almost could not breathe. Catherine was everything she ever hoped to find. She loved her and lowered her head so their faces were close.
“I love you, Catherine Porter,” she said. At the words, Catherine slipped her arms around Nat’s neck and pulled her down.
“Then make love to me,” she said. “And make me forget everything for a little while.” Nat did not hesitate and moved her hands up under the fabric of Catherine’s shirt until she found the woman’s full breasts. As her palms ran over the taut fabric covering Catherine’s erect nipples, the woman shivered. “How can you make me feel so alive?” Catherine whispered and reached to push her lacy bra up so her naked skin was exposed. With a rush of passion, Nat lowered her head and took one of the hard nipples into her mouth and pulled on it hungrily. Catherine shook with excitement and ran her hands into Nat’s short hair to pull her down harder. It was almost too much as Nat felt a throb of ecstasy tear through her.
She could feel the tightness building between her legs and lifted herself to move on top of Catherine. With legs entwined, Nat pressed down until her clit rubbed through the fabric against Catherine’s hip. Sensing her need, Catherine pulled up Nat’s shirt and ran her fingertips across the lean muscles of her back. With a growl, Nat pushed again and the pressure of Catherine under her was exquisite. Catherine moaned with the feel of the friction too and lifted her hips to meet Nat’s next thrust. Nat shook with the sensation of their bodies moving as one.
“Catherine,” she moaned. “Is this okay? Am I hurting you?” Catherine shook her head.
"You're not hurting me," she whispered. "Please don't stop." The words lit Nat on fire and she moved her hips faster, now using her arms to lift up and put more pressure on the focal point between them. She could look down into Catherine's face now and saw the woman's half-closed eyes filled with desire. Again, Catherine lifted up to meet Nat's downstroke and moaned when the muscles in Nat's thigh rubbed her. She immediately lifted up again to match Nat's rhythm and the two of them moved in unison as the intensity continued to build. The pleasure was so extreme, Nat could hardly breathe. Faster and faster until Nat felt the tightness inside her start to explode.
"Oh my God," she whispered. "Catherine, oh my God, you are making me come." Catherine let out a cry of pure pleasure and pulled Nat against her so hard and with such wanting, Nat started to come a second time while Catherine bucked and shivered with an orgasm of her own.
“Nat,” Catherine whimpered as the waves rolled through her. “How do you make me feel like this without even taking my clothes off?” Nat chuckled a little at her words. As selfish as it was, Nat loved knowing she was the only one who had ever made Catherine come. Slowly, she lowered herself to lay beside the woman’s still quivering body and enveloped her in her arms.
“It’s so intense with you,” Nat confessed. “You make me crazy.” Catherine smiled.
“I want to always do that to you,” she said and rolled into Nat so they were face to face. Their eyes met and Nat could see a sense of seriousness come into Catherine’s brown eyes. “Did you mean it?” she asked. Nat was not sure what she was saying.
“Mean what?” she asked gently. Catherine looked down as if almost shy.
"That you loved me," she said. Nat's heart skipped a beat at the question. The words had been spoken in the heat of the moment and now she took a second to consider them. Do I love her? she thought wanting to be completely honest. She had never loved anyone before and yet, she knew what was in her heart. Nat took Catherine’s hands in hers and squeezed them.
“I love you,” she said. “I don’t know what our future holds, but I will love you until I die.” She heard Catherine let out the breath she was holding and sigh with happiness.
She looked up and Nat could see the relief and the love she felt reflected in her eyes.
"I love you too," Catherine said. "I never imagined I could feel this way about anyone, but you've opened my eyes to so much. I know this is crazy and we could be captured again at any minute, but in some ways, I have never been happier. You make me feel alive." Nat knew exactly what she meant and kissed her on the lips.
“It’s not crazy,” Nat said. “I feel it too.” Catherine was quiet and Nat could see she was thinking hard about something. Unsure of what was going on, Nat was patient. Finally, Catherine frowned.
“Nat, do you know what else is crazy?” she said.
“What else is crazy?” Nat asked. Catherine sat up in the bed and Nat raised herself to an elbow. She watched the woman run through the facts in her mind again and then she shook her head.
“No, it can’t be possible,” Catherine said and looked almost sad. Nat touched her arm.
“What is it?” she asked gently. Catherine covered Nat’s hand with her own and sighed.
“For a second, I was thinking the woman who helped us, the one who hit Gruden over the head with the wine vase,” she said. “I was thinking she might somehow be my mother.” Nat blinked. The confession was not what she was expecting and she immediately replayed the scene over in her mind. It was true the servant who saved them looked like Catherine. A lot actually, Nat thought now that she was considering it. And she was especially inquisitive about who Catherine was, but how could it be possible? “I told you it was crazy,” Catherine said. “It’s just that both times I’ve
seen her, I felt incredibly connected with her. Like we somehow knew each other.” Nat raised an eyebrow at the new information.
“You met her once before?” she asked. Catherine nodded.
“When Sal took me to the celebration banquet,” she answered. “The woman was serving us wine and I swear, when she heard my name was Catherine Porter, she dropped the vase in her hands she was so surprised.” Catherine turned to Nat. “Do you think it is possible? I thought my mother was killed in an accident off planet. When a transport she was on exploded, but what if that was not what happened?” Nat paused. The whole thing sounded crazy, but not impossible.
“When did it happen?” Nat asked and she could see a glimmer of hope starting to come into Catherine’s eyes.
“Fourteen years ago. She was part of a humanitarian coalition going to a planet which had just suffered a horrible series of earthquakes,” she said. “My dad always said the spaceship blew up, but he never gave much more detail. He hated to talk about it.” Catherine lowered her eyes. “He loved her very much, even though he never felt he was good enough for her. When she died, he never got over it.” Nat squeezed Catherine’s hand. I could understand that feeling, she thought now that she had met Catherine. If she died, Nat would never forgive herself.
“Did you ever know why the transport exploded?” Nat asked trying to put the pieces together. What if it was space pirates after all? she wondered. As if reading her mind, Catherine’s eyes widened.
"Nat, what if it was space pirates?" she said excitedly. "No one ever seemed to know what happened or at least I was never told the details. It really could be her!" Nat took a deep breath as she realized Catherine's hopes were starting to soar. There was no way to know if what she was deducing was correct and if she was wrong, Nat knew Catherine would be crushed. Nat rubbed a hand over her face. Things were quickly becoming extremely complicated. "Nat," Catherine said. "I have to go back and find her again to ask who she really is. I need to know." Nat nodded. There really was not another option, because if it were true, it would change Catherine's life forever. Even though Nat was not close with her mother and they had their differences about Nat's sexual preferences, growing up without her would have left a gaping hole in her life. If I lost her at four years old and now had a chance to find her again, nothing would stop me, Nat thought.