by K C Luck
"Nat," she breathed her voice heavy with passion. "We can't, but I hope they let you out soon." Nat chuckled and hoped it too.
Someone cleared her throat at the door and both Nat and Catherine jumped with surprise. Nat saw Catherine blush as she looked and saw Sal was standing in the doorway. She was watching them with a wry smile. "Should I come back?" she asked. Catherine laughed.
"No," she answered. "I need to go back downstairs to sit with Mom. She's very anxious." Sal raised an eyebrow.
"Is your father on his way back to Prospo?" she asked. "That was quick." Catherine glanced at Nat, who smiled and then nodded. She had pulled some strings to get Catherine's dad picked up and then raced back on a Space Ranger fighter. Catherine smiled in return.
"Nat took care of it," she said and then bent down to kiss Nat again. Suddenly feeling possessive with Sal looking on, Nat turned the gentle kiss into something with more heat before she let Catherine walk away. Catherine blushing again, this time from passion rather than embarrassment, giggled and turned to go. "I'll see you soon," she murmured. Nat winked.
"Tell your mom hello. I am hoping the reunion is perfect," Nat said. Catherine nodded, her face filled with both worry and hope.
"Me too. I so much want that," Catherine said and moved to leave. Sal stepped aside with a mini bow and Catherine smiled at the courtesy before she was gone down the hall.
"You need to quit flirting with my girl," Nat said with a joking tone, but there was also a hint of bite to it. Sal waved her off.
"That is one you don't need to worry about," Sal said. "She's so in love with you it is ridiculous. Trust me, I tested the waters." Nat felt a stab of anger at the offhand comment but swallowed it and gave the woman a nod.
"So she told me," Nat said. "Catherine seems to think you were quite honorable about the whole thing considering." Sal shrugged.
"I have my moments," she said and walked closer to the bed. "I guess the real question though is what you are going to do with her. Can't exactly take her along on your next mission. And you don't strike me as a ‘one in every port' sort of gal."
Nat sighed. It was a good question and she did not honestly have an answer yet. Knowing Catherine had changed her through and through, but it did not overcome the challenges which would be ahead for them. If Nat stayed with the Space Rangers, and she could think of no other way to live her life, their relationship would be long distance. Nat had sworn after Olivia she would not put anyone through that again. Catherine deserved better and since she was only eighteen, she had so much to still experience it would not be fair to tie her down.
"You're taking an awfully long time to answer considering the amazing woman is madly in love with you," Sal said. "Don't tell me you think you can do better or I'll kick your ass right now, bad knee or not." Nat shook her head. Sal was right. Catherine was in love with her and was not ashamed to admit it, even though Nat was the one and only woman she had ever been with. And I’m in love with her too, Nat thought, which was the problem. She wanted to be with her as long as Catherine would have her.
“Damn,” Nat said. “Why does life have to be so complicated?” Sal snorted a laugh.
“You’re preaching to the choir,” she said. Nat chuckled too. Sal had a great point. Compared to the ex-pirate’s situation, Nat was on easy street.
“Do you know what they plan to do with you yet?” Nat asked. It took every favor Nat could pull to keep Sal out of jail, but she knew it was probably only temporary. Mission or no mission, Salishan Bransen had crossed lines the Space Rangers were having trouble forgiving. Sal ran a hand over the short black hair of her scalp and shook her head.
"Not exactly," she replied. "There will be a court hearing tomorrow and everything will be brought out into the open." Nat noted a hint of regret in Sal's eyes as she looked away out the room's window. "I don't imagine it will go well for me." Nat sighed with understanding. She did not think it would go well for Sal either but did not want to admit it after all the woman did to save her and Catherine.
“Maybe they will just discharge you and be done with it,” Nat said.
Sal continued to stare out the window. “Maybe,” she said. A thought occurred to Nat. What if Sal is like me and there is no life beyond the Space Rangers?
“If they do, what will you do?” Nat asked. Sal shrugged.
“I’ll figure something out,” she answered. “I have some funds.” Sal looked back at her. The woman’s eyes were cold as ice now and any regret was long gone. “Probably shouldn’t mention it, but I do happen to know where all the pirate’s off planet stashes are hidden. I figure it's my due.” Nat frowned.
"You're right, don't tell me stuff like that," Nat said. "Although I'm sure you'll do the right thing tomorrow and confess those locations at the hearing as well." Nat and Sal's eyes met. It was suddenly crystal clear the woman had no intention of sticking around for any hearing. Nat lifted her chin and for the moment, tried to stop thinking like a Ranger.
“Where will you go?” she asked. Sal shrugged.
"Here and there," she said. "The galaxy is a big place." Nat nodded and could tell Sal was about to go. There was, however, one more question in Nat's heart, which she needed to ask Sal, but a part of her dared not do it. Memories of the race through the canyon a year ago, while she chased a talented pirate pilot into a trap, still haunted Nat. Even after taking revenge by exposing their hidden base, Nat could not let go of the regret and responsibility she felt over Shaun, her co-pilot’s, horrible death. Could the other pilot have been Sal? she wondered, not for the first time. Setting such a cunning trap seemed right in line with something the woman would do. She could have just been doing it to appease Rog. Or did she do it just to kill? Nat could not be sure and a part of her realized she needed to be. Nat swallowed.
“I need one more thing from you, Sal,” Nat said. “Before you disappear into the wind.” Sal tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. She paused a moment before answering.
“What?” she asked.
Nat took a deep breath. “About a year ago, on the planet Elivib, did you lure a Space Ranger fighter into the canyon there?” she asked. Sal raised an eyebrow.
“Why would you ask me that?” she said. Nat did not like the lack of a direct answer and she felt her heart start to beat faster.
“Did you?” Nat said. Sal looked hard into Nat’s eyes, but her expression was unreadable. In that moment, Nat knew Sal was the one and then Sal shook her head and looked away.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said. “Now, if you’re done with the interrogation, I have places to go and women to conquer.”
"We're done," Nat said her voice hard. Without another word or a look back, Salishan Bransen walked out the door. Nat watched her go and knew they were even and there was nothing more to say. Leaning back on her pillow, Nat closed her eyes and tried to forgive herself for what happened in that canyon. Suddenly there was the sound of loud voices in the hall and Nat looked up to see her friends Vic and Dee come in.
“Holy crap,” Vic said as she walked up to Nat’s bedside. “Was that who I think it was? Fucking Salishan Bransen?” Nat grinned.
"You just missed her," she said. Vic's eyes widened and she was speechless. Dee snorted a laugh at her friend's starry-eyed look.
“Chill out, Vic,” she said and then looked at Nat. “Although she’s a bit of a legend at Base. Was she really an undercover space pirate like they are saying?” Nat nodded.
“Yes,” she said. “A true badass and you know coming from me, that means something.” Vic laughed.
“True that,” Dee said. “It takes one to know one. How’s the knee?” Nat was about to answer it was sore but getting better when Vic butt in.
“Nat, do you think she would give me her autograph if I asked her?” Vic said. Nat considered the question for a moment before answering and then shook her head.
“I wouldn’t ask,” Nat said. “She’s not particularly friendly.”
“Damn
,” Vic said looking disappointed. “Well, maybe next time.”
“Maybe,” Nat said, but somehow knew there would never be a next time.
CHAPTER 32
CATHERINE
Catherine held her mother’s hand in the coffee shop just down the street from the hospital. Both of them were nervous and Catherine kept giving the hand a squeeze to reassure them. It was so surreal to be sitting there next to the woman Catherine believed most of her life was dead. My mother is alive and beside me, Catherine thought for the hundredth time and now her dad was on his way back to Prospo. Although she was still not clear on the details as to why he left her without word, she was excited to have him home again. It was incredibly sweet of Nat to arrange for him to be brought back in a fighter as it could travel so much faster than a transport. Catherine knew waiting even one minute longer than she had to would be torture to her nerves. She had decided not to tell her dad about her mother and how she had been rescued. She especially left out the part about her here waiting to see him. It would be shocking enough to hear it in person. Feeling impatient, even though the Space Ranger Base had been kind enough to contact her to say her dad would be arriving soon, Catherine had to do something. “Can I get you a snack? Are you hungry?” Catherine asked her mother. The woman smiled and patted Catherine’s hand. It was clear she was overwhelmed with the reality of the situation as much as Catherine was at the moment.
“Honestly, my stomach is in such knots, I can’t imagine putting anything in it right now,” she answered. “But thank you.” Catherine smiled back.
“You’re welcome, and you’re right. Eating something right now is about the last thing I want,” she said. “But I’m going to check outside again. I don’t want to miss him.” Her mother nodded and Catherine slipped out onto the sidewalk. Her excuse to go outside was two-fold. Catching her dad first before he came into the building, felt like the right thing to do. She wanted to prepare him. Not to mention ask him a bunch of questions too, she thought. There were things she wanted answers to and foremost was how he could just up and leave her like he had with no credits and no options. As she was thinking of it all, she saw an Ubercab turn the corner and head her way. In her heart, she knew it was him and took a deep breath. The craft stopped and her dad stepped out of the backseat. When he saw her, she saw tears well up in his eyes and in the moment, Catherine did not care about the whys and the hows. She was simply happy to see him safe and here with her again.
“Catherine,” her dad said as he held his arms out to her. “I don’t know how you did it but thank you for helping me get back to Prospo.” Catherine went to him and wrapped her arms around his waist.
“It wasn’t really me,” she said. “A friend did it. She someone who... well, she makes things happen.”
“I hope I get a chance to thank her,” her father said as he hugged her tight. For the first time in a long time, he did not smell of alcohol and it caught Catherine off guard. In fact, he seemed healthier overall. Stepping back, Catherine looked into his face and saw the constant five o’clock shadow with bloodshot eyes were gone too. Catching her look, her father gave her a timid smile.
“Dad, where have you been?” Catherine asked more confused than ever. Her father looked away.
“I went to a special rehab,” he said and then turned back to her and there was resolve in his eyes. “I know I have a lot of explaining to do, but please believe me I did this for love.” He stepped forward and took Catherine’s hands in his to look in her eyes. “Catherine, I was killing myself and after you turned eighteen, I realized you would leave and I would lose you to the real world if I didn’t change.”
Catherine shook her head. Everything was so overwhelming. He did this because he loves me, she thought. And now I have him back and he’s actually sober. “Why didn’t you just tell me?” she finally asked. “I thought you were dead.” She saw his face fall.
“God, I never wanted that to happen. It was supposed to be a week so I figured you would think I was on a bender and then I could surprise you when I returned.” He ran a hand over his face and Catherine could see the remorse he felt. “But I was a tougher nut to crack than they thought. What was supposed to be a week was a month and I was not allowed to leave or contact the outside world,” he said. “Including you.” Catherine was thoughtful while she put all the pieces together. It seemed crazy yet made sense and slowly she realized everything was going to be okay after all. And he doesn’t even know about Mom yet, she thought. Or Nat.
“Oh Dad,” she finally said and hugged him again. “I’m so proud of you.” She felt him let out a big sigh of relief.
“Thank you,” he whispered into her hair. “I never meant to scare you.” Catherine just hugged him tighter.
“Excuse me,” a voice said from behind her and Catherine realized it was her mother. Excited now, Catherine stepped back and turned to see the woman. She looked nervous and Catherine went to take her hand before looking back at her dad. When she did, her father was frozen in place and staring at his wife. Slowly he lifted his hand to reach toward her. His eyes were filled with confusion, but also hope.
“Miriam?” he asked. “But how—” Catherine’s mother stepped forward and took the man’s outstretched hand.
“It’s me,” she said. Catherine stood with tears in her eyes mesmerized by the moment. Both of her parents, alive, and back here together again. She watched as her dad pulled Miriam into his arms and held her.
“I always knew,” he said. “Somehow. Someway. I knew you were alive. I felt it in my heart.”
CATHERINE RAN BACK to the hospital. All she wanted to do was tell Nat everything. Her parents, although shy and confused, were settled in at the coffee shop to talk for the first time in fourteen years. It is all so perfect, she thought, smiling as she went. As she came to the front doors of the building, Sal was walking out. They both froze when they saw each other. Sal recovered first and gave Catherine a sly smile. “I did not know if I would have a chance to say goodbye to you or not,” she said. Catherine tilted her head.
“Where are you going?” she asked. Sal shrugged.
“It’s a big galaxy. I’m sure I’ll find somewhere I’m welcome,” she answered. The reply was meant to be a flip answer, but Catherine could see there was a bit of sadness behind the words. It made Catherine’s heart clench. Although Catherine knew Nat was the only woman she would ever love, Sal would always be special. After all, she saved us in the end, she thought. Stepping closer, Catherine touched Sal’s arm.
“I can never thank you enough,” she said. “We all owe you our lives. If I can ever—” Sal put her hand on Catherine’s and held it with a surprising fierceness.
“Do not say you need to repay me, Catherine,” she said. “It is you who rescued me.” In a flash, Sal closed the distance between them and she searched Catherine’s face. Catherine caught her breath. The woman was so intense. “Do you love her?” she asked in a whisper. “Like a love which will never end?” All Catherine could do was nod. In her heart, there was no doubt. After a pause, Sal stepped back and laughed. It was not a happy sound.
“Well, she’s lucky as hell then,” Sal said. “And I could say something asinine like ‘if she ever stops being good to you...’ but you know what? That Ranger loves you so much it is ridiculous.” Catherine’s heart fluttered at her words and she smiled. It was a mutual feeling. Sal saw the look and shook her head as she held up a finger. “But,” she started. “She’s proud and stupidly loyal to the Space Rangers. If she starts some crap about duty and not being fair to you, tell her to shut the fuck up. Got it?” Catherine nodded and Sal walked to the curb to hail a cab. One stopped almost immediately and Sal turned back as she opened the door. It looked like she was about to say something else, but then paused to reconsider. Catherine stepped toward her.
“What?” Catherine asked. Sal smirked and shook her head.
“Nothing important,” she said and slipped into the cab. Before Catherine could even get to the window,
the vehicle was zipping away into traffic.
CHAPTER 33
NAT
“So, hey, we got you a get-well gift,” Vic said holding out a wrapped box once she had stopped mooning over the idea of meeting Salishan Bransen. Nat took it with a grin.
"You did not need to do that," she said but was eager to open it. After all she had been through, something simple and fun sounded good. Vic shrugged and glanced at Dee.
“Figured you needed a new item for your collection,” Dee said. Nat raised an eyebrow and pulled off the paper. When she opened the box, she saw a vintage t-shirt with a Catwoman logo on the front. “Not easy to find,” she added. “I can’t understand why you like that old Earth stuff personally.” Nat gave her a big smile as she held the shirt up to look at it.
“I don’t expect you too, Dee,” she replied. “But from what I hear, it was the best of times and places.” Dee snorted a laugh.
“If you say so,” she said. “I prefer the here and now, thanks.”
“Hey, speaking of the here and now, what are you planning to do next?” Vic asked. Nat wished she knew the answer. There were so many parts to the decision, she was not sure which direction to go. And how does Catherine fit into any of it? she thought. Nat felt a stab of sadness in her heart at the possibility of losing her. Even through the most stressful and dangerous of situations, their passion toward to each other had endured, yet now Nat worried about what a normal life would do to them. We’ve been living in a fantasy of sorts so far. The question now was would Catherine still want Nat for the routine day-to-day. “Hello?” Vic said waving a hand in front of Nat’s face. “Prospo to Nat. Is the question so hard?”