John
stood at the observation window and watched the Eagle lift off. In a few weeks
he’d need to head back to Earth as well, he thought reluctantly. He glanced
at the blue marble hanging suspended in the sky above, then back to the Eagle
which was taking his family to the land of back-to-school supplies and mindless
summer movies.
He knew Tori was excited about starting high school. Her moods varied from wild anticipation to maniacal terror. She had accepted the six-week exile to Alpha with fairly good grace once they had assured her that she could bring along her friend Christie and there would be unlimited email use to contact her other friends. She and Christie frequently stayed up half the night sending messages back and forth to Earth. Tori had found there was quite a bit of status among the adolescent crowd for spending the summer vacation in such an exotic location.
The kids had also been given a chance to earn some money by joining the inventory teams. With the exception of little Susie, all had earned a considerable amount of money for buying new school clothes, books, music and other teenage necessities. Since Alan and Helena both needed to return to Florida this week, the kids had lobbied to go along to spend some of their hard earned money.
The door to the observation lounge opened and Melissa entered. “Seeing them off?” she asked, coming to stand beside him.
He nodded and smiled. She looked at the pad and then scanned the sky. He put his arm around her shoulder and leaned close, pointing out the tiny spot of light against the black sky. They watched together until the light was too small to see.
“You’re dreading going back, aren’t you?” Mel asked, still leaning against her brother-in-law companionably.
“Not… dreading, exactly. Just reluctant,” he admitted. “The kids need to be on Earth right now, I know that.”
“You’re going to need to be up here a lot anyway. It was your agreement to lead the project that got us the contract.”
“I know. And I can’t say I mind. Tony will do fine with day-to-day operations and keep us informed no matter where I happen to be.”
Melissa nodded. “We’re lucky they were willing to take this on. I know Maya still wants to continue their explorations.” She moved to sit on a nearby sofa. John joined her.
“It’s a thinly designed ploy to find other Psychons. They still want a family and Maya is convinced that if they can find others of her kind they’ll know how to help.” John shrugged. "I know Tony has been very supportive, but he doesn’t really hold out much hope.”
“Sahalla’s people would just as soon none were ever found. Alan got a message from her in the last packet from the Croton Federation.”
“That’s understandable. After what they went through with Dorzak, I’m not surprised.”
“Have they considered any terrestrial options? Like a surrogate mother or even adoption?”
John shook his head. “I don’t think they’re really that serious. And since we really need them up here, we’d better not encourage them.”
Melissa laughed with him. “You’re right. I was about to look over the final inventory data. Once we submit it we can get the ILFA rep to sign off and the contract is sealed.” She stood and held out her hand, inviting him to join her.
He stood and took her hand. Mel was such a tactile person. To an extent, he was too, but it had taken him a while to get used to her habit of strolling with her hand in his or an arm around him as they talked business. As he got to know her better he realized it was her method of connecting with other people not necessarily a come-on.
They were discussing the inventory and the next round of negotiations with the commission when alarms began to go off around them and John noted the pressure change. Mel stopped dead in her tracks. John’s reflexes went into action. He put his arm around her waist, drew her to the nearest emergency cabinet and pressed a portable respirator against her face. He grabbed one for himself as he felt the rush of air and dashed for the airtight doors ahead of them that were already grinding shut. Gripping Melissa tightly, John launched the two of them at the door. They rolled through, landing against the wall as the door slid shut. He landed hard, taking their combined weight on his shoulder and his temple. Air pressure was lower than normal here too, and his respirator rolled away from them. Blackness closed in around him as he clung tightly to Melissa’s still form.
The waves roared toward the shore. He stood at the edge of the water, feeling the foam creep up the sand past his feet.
“Come on in, silly!”
Melissa had burst up from the other side of a breaker about ten meters from shore. The water was a brilliant azure blue around her. Her honey-colored hair was wet, plastered against her head. Her breasts… her breasts were bare. She stood like Venus, rising from the waves, clothed only in her beauty. His body reacted to her. She noticed. How could she not? He wore no more clothes than she did. He glanced around the beach. They were on the island, on the ocean side. The water was chilly and the wind had whipped up the waves. Their clothes lay discarded in a pile above the high water line. Mel eyed his erection and blew him a kiss.
With a grin he dove into the water. He surfaced by her side and she pulled him to her and kissed him. They sank down into the water together and as their lips parted Melissa leaned back to float in the water. She relaxed, her head, nipples and toes parting the surface. She rested her head against John’s shoulder as they rode over the waves.
“You’re going to get a sunburn.”
Mel chuckled. “Not with all the sunscreen you rubbed all over my body”, she purred.
“Just trying to take good care of you.”
Melissa laughed, turned over and wrapped her body around his. “I don’t think it was completely selfless. You get more ass if I’m not burned to a crisp.”
“Such lady-like language,” he teased.
“You love it,” she laughed. “Fuck me, John.” She shifted just slightly and he entered her. She welcomed him and the rest of the world vanished. He concentrated on her pleasure, waiting until she peaked before he released. It came as an explosion of pleasure and he moaned with the intensity.
A breaker washed over them and they realized how far out from shore they were.
“Rip tide,” she said, twisting in his arms. They floated for a moment, the shore receding further from them. John knew the gulfstream flowed past the island and there was no other land nearby. Melissa indicated a direction and began to swim with strong measured strokes. John followed, but the island was still receding from them. They tired, arms becoming leaden. A wave hit them and she vanished beneath the surface. Darkness overcame them.
“Mel?” John fought his way to consciousness. The scent of her perfume and the feel of her in his arms was his last conscious memory. “Mel?” he called more frantically.
“Easy, big boy.”
He heard her voice and felt her hand rest against his cheek.
“You gave us quite a scare,” she said soothingly.
“Are you okay?” he tried to sit up.
“Fine, thanks to you.”
He tried to open his eyes, but couldn’t seem to focus. Melissa kissed his cheek. “Just relax now, John.”
Blackness took him again.
The sound of running water forced John back into consciousness. He opened his eyes slowly realizing he was in the great big wonderful shower at the Coastal Condos. Three spigots of warm water caressed his body. The water felt wonderful and he stood facing the back wall allowing the water to wash all of his bad thoughts away. From behind him the door of the shower snapped open. John felt a rush of cool air behind him., When the shower door clicked again, he smiled. He knew who was in the shower with him.
Melissa reached around his shoulder for the soap. She lathered her hands up until the bubbles ran down her arm and off her elbow. Slowly, she began to rub his back making designs with her nails. Her hands moved down and around like heat-seeking missiles.
John inhaled deeply then turned around. Their eyes met and he smiled. Melissa reached for his hands and placed them against the beige tiles of the shower. John knew what this meant. He knew that he would not be allowed to touch her. It was a game she liked to play. And it was torturous. Without breaking eye contact, Melissa sank to her knees. She smiled and winked before taking his arousal into the warm cavern of her mouth. John watched as rivets of water ran down her body. He struggled not to give into the sensation and close his eyes. But she was too good at what she was doing and eventually, his eyes drifted closed. As she moved her mouth up and down, Melissa slid her hands up to cup his rear. She gently pulled his cheeks apart and ran her painted nails through the space. This caused John to moan. Melissa pulled back and smiled. Then she lowered her mouth and sucked him greedily. Just when his orgasm began to build, she moved her hands beneath his balls and press against his prostate.
John moaned then beat his fist against the tile. It was heaven and hell. Before he could decide how much pain he was in, his orgasm burst forth from his body. He stood breathless as Melissa stood rising between his outstretched arms. She pulled his head down to hers and kissed him passionately. The kiss was so intense that John’s head began to swim. He felt himself sliding down in the shower. He was sliding…sliding…sliding…
He woke with a gasp, sitting up in bed. The familiar scents and sounds of Medical Center surrounded him. Tony sat beside him. John looked around. He was on Alpha, he knew that. The dream had been so incredibly real.
“John,” Tony placed a hand on his shoulder. “Relax, you’re okay.”
“What happened? Melissa?”
“She’s fine. And you’re going to be too. What do you remember?”
John frowned. He remembered the sirens. Atmosphere leak. He and Mel were about to be trapped. She wasn’t familiar with that sort of drill. He got a respirator on her and they made it through the airtight door. He told Tony.
“That’s it. You got through the doors and landed on your head. Nothing’s broken but you have quite a concussion.”
“What happened to cause the leak?”
“A micro meteor shower. As soon as we detected it, we put up the Bergman force field. Alan pushed the Eagle and beat the storm back to Earth, but that’s why he and Helena didn’t turn around and come back when they heard you were hurt.”
John put his hand to his head. “That’s right. They had just left with their kids. School’s starting soon and they had to get back.”
He didn’t notice the double take Tony gave him. “Yeah.”
John smiled to himself. “Mel says that’s why she likes being an aunt. She can give the kids back when she needs to. You’re sure Melissa’s all right.”
“She’s fine. Dr. Jones has already released her. Although she stayed here with you until you came to. Do you remember that.”
“Yeah. She was here when I woke up at first. Did she get that inventory finished?”
“I think she’s been too worried about you. I tried to tell her it was just your head and you’d be fine,” Tony joked.
“Tell her I’ll be fine, and not to worry. Make her get some sleep.” John was feeling worn out again and about to drop off to sleep. “Tell her… I’ll be back in our quarters in no time.”
He barely heard Tony’s stammered reply.
Melissa dropped the towel on one of the tables left over from the party, then slipped quietly into the water. John joined her. All the lights were off in the house. It was past midnight and it had been a long day. His arms went around her and his mouth covered hers. They quickly slipped out of their swimsuits. John could feel the warmth of her skin against his. Cool water surrounded their pocket of warmth. He lifted her slightly and moved his lips to her nipples.
“I caught you getting a peak while Cake was nursing this afternoon,” she said softly.
“You didn’t say anything.”
“Like I was going to announce in front of all Mother’s friends that you were ogling my sister’s breasts.”
“I wasn’t ogling. I may have gazed at them a moment, but that’s not ogling.” John moved his lips to her other nipple and Melissa moaned.
“Did it turn you on?” Her hands moved down his body, easily finding his erection in the dark.
“Yeah, right, in front of your mother’s friends, I was having a hard-on surrounded by blue-hairs.”
“I don’t mind if my sister turns you on, you know. After all, we are twins. We do look alike. Have you ever thought about her while you’re doing me?”
John laughed. “Oh, now there’s a loaded question. I absolutely refuse to answer that. There is no right answer.”
Melissa laughed too.
Both froze as the sliding glass door opened. “Who’s out there?” Melissa’s father’s voice called out.
“It’s just us, Daddy,” Melissa answered. It was pitch dark. John tried to move away from her but she was wrapped around him. She stroked John’s hardness and blew softly in his ear. “We were still awake and decided to take a little swim.”
“Hmmph,” her father replied. “Well, just keep it down out here. Decent people are trying to sleep at this hour, little girl.”
“Okay, Daddy.” She called. “Good night.” She shifted, moving John inside her as she called out. He could hear the laughter in her voice.
The door shut.
“Mmm, move it in and out, John,” she whispered.
“Mel, he almost… he did… catch us in the act!”
“Yeah,” she purred in his ear, her tongue exploring, her breath warm. “Isn’t that a turn on? He had no idea I was stroking you while he was talking to me.”
“Shhh, he’s right though that door! It may be a turn on for you--”
Melissa slid up and down on his shaft. “Well, if it’s not turning you on, you’re doing a great job of faking it. Make me scream, John.”
He covered her mouth with his, probing deeply, too far gone to refuse her completely, but determined not to make a sound.
Alpha’s medic was there when John woke the next time.
“Ah, you’re awake.”
“It must be the concussion,” John said. “I can’t seem to stay awake.”
Dr. Jones pulled up a chair, clipboard in his hand. “Mr. Verdeschi said you were a bit disoriented when you woke the last time.”
“Really? I don’t recall…” He had talked to Tony, but didn’t remember any disorientation, just being incredibly sleepy and sliding back into these erotic dreams.
“In order to assist in treating you, Commander, I’d like to ask you a few questions. Mostly about yourself. We haven’t had a chance to get acquainted yet, so I’d like to get some personal details straight from you if you don’t mind.”
“I understand, Doctor.”
“Fine. Now, just the basics first. Your full name?”
“John Robert Koenig.”
The doctor took notes as he wrote down things like birth date, home address, and parents’ names. Then he asked about John’s wife.
“Well, you already know Melissa.”
“It’s just for the record. Could you give me her full name and tell me a bit about her… how you met, etc.”
“Melissa Miller Thompson Koenig. Actually, her sister introduced us. You know Helena.”
Dr. Jones nodded, encouraging him to continue.
“I had met Helena after the Ultra Probe returned. She was treating Tony Cellini. It was one of those long distance relationships, and with both our careers in full swing, it was difficult to see each other. I had some business in Florida and was eager to get a chance to see her. Alan Carter was with me. Melissa happened to be visiting Helena that weekend too and they met us at the base. Helena and Alan just seemed to hit it off so well, Melissa and I ended up together after we had dinner that evening. We danced and I supposed that if Melissa hadn’t been there, I would have resented Alan stealing my girl, but the way things worked out, he took Helena home and Melissa and I ended up at the Coastal Condos together. We had an incredible night and have been together ever since. She moved to Houston soon after that to be with me. Alan and Helena were both transferred to Alpha and they were more than happy to be together. When the moon left orbit, she stole a spaceship to rescue us. Then when we returned, she started this business which has kept us busy. We make great partners.”
“I’m sure you do. Children?”
John shook his head. “We haven’t been so blessed, but the Carters have five, three nephews and two nieces. We live close by and help them out a lot.”
“I know they must appreciate it.”
“We enjoy it too. They’re great kids.”
“And now you’re back on the moon.”
“It’s something I’ve been looking forward to. Mel’s not so thrilled about it, but we’ll all be going back and forth a lot, so there will be plenty of time for her to be outdoors. Melissa loves to sail, swim, surf.”
“She seems to have a lot of energy. I don’t know her very well.”
“More than enough for two people. She’s incredible.”
“How well do you know her sister?”
“Like I said, I was dating her when I met Mel. And we’re a close family. I know Helena quite well, I’d say. She and Alan make a great couple, and are probably our closest friends, as well as partners in the business.”
“Did you ever… have sexual relations with her?”
John tried to sit up, but it made him dizzy and queasy. “Isn’t that a little personal, Doc?”
“Take it easy, John. Believe me, I have my reasons for asking.”
John thought a moment. He knew that his dreams since the injury had been erotic in the extreme. But they’d all been of him and Mel. “I’ve never cheated on my wife, doc.”
“I never suggested you had. You said your sister-in-law is happily married, and you describe yourself that way too.”
“Yes, we are, there’s never been any kinky stuff going on between us.” John knew his tone of voice described his distaste in that.
“My apologies. But you did say that you and she were dating.”
“Oh, well, before we married. Well, yes. We had seen each other a few times before and… until we met our respective spouses, we were… intimate.”
“Thank you for being so candid. I think that’s enough questions for now. Have you been dreaming while you slept.”
John felt his face warm and knew he was blushing. “I have. Doc. Those last questions, have I been talking in my sleep? Did I give the impression I was doing… something… improper?”
“Not at all, John. I want you to relax, sleep again if you feel like it. It will help you heal more quickly.”
John nodded. He was still tired. He closed his eyes. With the kinds of dreams he’d been having he certainly didn’t mind returning to them.
The sound of rushing water caused him to open his eyes. As his vision began to clear, he realized he was standing in a lush tropical rainforest. Movement caused him to look up into a tree. A small brown and white monkey jumped onto a vine and launched himself from one tree to another. John smiled at the playfulness of the animal.
“You gonna watch that damn monkey or what?” A sultry female voice called from behind him.
John briefly looked at the ground and chuckled. As he went to turn around, he realized he was dressed only in a soft brown leather loin cloth. He shook his head not knowing if this was real or just another dream.
“Hey Tarzan, you just gonna stand there or what?” The voice called again.
John turned around and grinned. Standing clad in similar jungle attire was his wife. Melissa. She was sitting atop a large gray rock. Behind her a cool pool of blue water flowed gently. He touched his fingertips to his lips and blew her a kiss.
“Come on over here, Big Boy.” She winked and patted the rock’s smooth surface.
John moved toward her. As he sat beside her on the rock, a colorful bird dropped down from a low branch and stood at Melissa’s feet. The bird began to strut. John and Melissa smiled at the antics of the bird.
“Must be a male.” Melissa said with a laugh.
John gave her a mock scowl. “And just what makes you think that bird is a male?”
Mel reached over and laid her hands over John’s loincloth. “Because he has a big pecker.”
John looked at the bird then back at his wife. “Only you would see it that way.”
Melissa cut her eyes at him. “How about you show me yours? For purely scientific reasons.”
“Oh you want to see if I measure up to the bird?” John released the ties of his cloth and it fell to the soft loam beneath his feet.
Melissa grinned. “Not quite the same size. Perhaps if I pulled on it, it might expand.”
John put his hands behind his back. “Well in the interest of science, perhaps you should continue with your experiement.”
Melissa lifted her jungle attire over her head revealing her naked body. John reacted.
“Now that’s a good start.” She winked.
Placing her hands on his hips, she moved him closer to her. She leaned down and blew on John’s manly extension. He became immediately erect. She smiled.
“Well in the interest of science, I’d say my hypothesis is correct.” She pronounced with flair.
“And what hypothesis is that?” John asked pushing her legs apart with his thigh.
“That man is bigger than bird.” She said.
John grinned. “Allow me to show you.”
Just as John moved toward her but just as he went to penetrate her, he felt the painful sting of an insect on his cheek.
Melissa, Tony and Dr Jones met in Helena’s office to discuss John’s condition. Dr. Jones had already arranged a video conference with Alan and Helena. They were in Melissa’s office on Earth. Mel waved quietly at them. Helena gave her a brave smile and Alan winked at her. She wished they were here. Dr. Jones turned the computer screen toward Tony and Melissa. Alan and Helena could see the same data on a second screen.
“Would you like the good news or the bad news?” Dr. Jones asked as he took the chair behind Helena’s desk.
Melissa grasped Tony’s hand. “Let’s have the bad.” Melissa said exhaustion in her voice.
“The Commander is not his self.” Dr. Jones started. “He believes that he is married to you, Mrs. Carter.”
“What?” Melissa sat forward almost leaping off the couch.
“The Commander thinks are you are his wife. Furthermore, he thinks that his wife is married to you, Mr. Carter.”
Helena grasped Alan’s hand and leaned forward. “And the children?”
“He describes them as all nieces and nephews belonging to the two of you. Oddly, he seems to have most other facts straight. He’s just mixed up his personal life.”
“Just which twin he’s married to?” Alan asked.
“And the children,” Dr. Jones added with a nod.
Melissa sat back in her chair. “It’s as bad as you described, Tony.”
Tony nodded silently.
“There is good news.” Dr. Jones flipped through John’s chart.
“Let’s have it, Doc.” Tony ordered quietly.
“The Commander is fine. He’ll make a full recovery.”
“When will he come to his senses?” Melissa sat worried.
“Soon enough. I suspect when his wife gets back… but until…”
“Spit it out, Doc.” Tony leaned forward.
“Until then, I’m afraid that Mrs. Carter is going to have to go along with the Commander.”
Melissa jumped off the couch, “Oh… my… God! You can’t mean that.” She turned to the screen. “Cake. Tell him he’s nuts.”
“Mel, it would be for the best,” Helena said quietly, shock still registering on her face. “We don’t want to upset him unnecessarily.”
“Oh, my God! No. Alan?”
“Love, we have to do what the doctor says.”
“That’s my sister’s husband in there and there is no way in hell I’m taking him back to my quarters!”
“I realize this situation is…unusual. However, the Commander does have a concussion. For right now, he’ll remain in Medical Center. We won’t release him for a while. Mr. Carter, how soon can the two of you return?”
Alan had a comforting arm around Helena who looked as if she were about to faint. “Not until that storm has passed. Tony?”
“Looks like we’re passing through a trace from an old comet. Nothing Earth need worry about, or us, as long as we keep the shields up. Maya says it’ll be a couple more days, though.”
Dr. Jones nodded. “I’ll want him to remain here for at least two days. That could be enough time for him to heal on his own. I don’t intend to make any revelations until the two of you can return.”
Alan nodded. “Sounds good, Doc. Honey, you just do what the doctor tells you,” he instructed Melissa.
She nodded, clearly distraught. Alan winked at her.
“Cake?”
“Take care of him until I get there, Bean,” Helena said faintly. Her use of Melissa’s childhood name gave Mel an indication of how upset she really was.
Mel held her sister’s eyes, spit in her palm and used her index finger to make an ‘X’ on her palm. “Promise.”
They broke the connection.
“Is he asleep?” Melissa asked.
“I expect him to sleep for some time.” Dr. Jones replied.
“Good. I’ve got work to do.” Melissa swept out of the office.
Silence descended on Melissa’s office as the connection was broken. Alan turned off the camera and the two monitors. Helena reached over and hit him on the arm.
“Hey, what was that for?”
“This is all your fault, Alan Carter.”
“My fault? I wasn’t even there.”
Helena was close to tears. “If you didn’t go bragging about your sexual escapades every time you and Melissa do something new and exotic, John wouldn’t… wouldn’t…” She burst into tears.
Alan knelt in front of her chair and put his arms around her. She put her head on his shoulder and sobbed.
“He loves you, Helena. You know that. Besides, this isn’t about sex. It’s about being on Alpha.”
Helena shook her head. “Not completely. Every time you start bragging, he comes home, with that wistful look in his eyes. And I know…” She beat on Alan’s shoulder again. “This isn’t the first time she’s stolen my boyfriend because she’ll do things I won’t do.” She cried harder.
Alan let her cry, giving what comfort he could and thinking about her statement. The sisters usually got along so well and were so close. They rarely seemed jealous of each other. His own sister had more problems with jealously toward him than Mel and Helena had. Thank god she lived on the other side of the world from him.
“Don’t think that, Helena. Why you’re every bit as sexy and desirable as Mel.” Alan wondered if she knew how his body was reacting to her proximity. He stroked her hair, his cheek against hers. It was a Saturday afternoon and there was no one else in the office building. For a split second, he fantasized about pulling her to the floor and proving it to her.
“Then why didn’t you ever make a pass at me when you and I were on Alpha together?” She asked.
The fantasy bubble burst as fast as it had arrived. “Because John would have killed me, then turned my sorry carcass over to Mel who would have killed me again.”
Helena pulled back from him, looked at him a moment, and laughter burst through her tears.
“So, should we take our kids to Texas? Or get Robert and Susan here?”
“Let’s ask them to come here. Tori is still in shopping mode.”
Alan nodded and stood to make the call. As he dialed from Melissa’s desk he looked back over at Helena, who appeared a bit calmer. He cocked his head and asked, “Would you really have let me knock you up five times?”
Helena laughed. “Not in your wildest dreams.”
He was swimming laps. It had been a long and tiring day at work and he enjoyed
coming home and getting the kinks out. He surfaced at the end of the pool and
caught sight of a movement out of the corner of his eye.
“Hey, I didn’t know you were home.” He turned and swam to the edge of the pool. Melissa sat on the end of one of the lounge chairs. She looked gorgeous in her dark blue silk suit. She also looked sad.
“How was Hong Kong? Everything go okay?”
Mel nodded. “Went fine.”
John knew quite well that a minimum of words was a bad sign. Especially if things really went well. He pulled himself up on the side of the pool, shook the water out of his hair and stood. He pulled a towel from the towel rack and knelt beside her. “Now really, what’s wrong?”
Uncharacteristic tears formed. Mel opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out. She swallowed and tried again. Twisting the wedding band on her left hand she managed to say, “I… I started today.”
John sat on the patio in front of her and took her hands. She had called him two days ago from the other side of the world to tell him she was late. It was only by a few days, but month after month her hopes would build, until…
“Honey. I keep telling you it’s okay. We don’t have to have kids.”
She pulled her hand from his and brushed a tear from her cheek with the palm of her hand. “I know. You always say that. And I do believe you. But, it’s just…” she sobbed no longer able to speak.
He pulled her into his lap. He was wet and ruining a suit that he was sure cost several hundred dollars, but at the moment he didn’t care. She curled against him, placing her cheek against his collar bone and continued to cry. “Why is it so easy for Helena and so hard for me? You’d be such a good dad.”
“And we both enjoy being aunt and uncle and giving the kids back when they get too annoying.”
Melissa struggled out of his lap. “Stop it! Stop trying to come up with excuses.” She stood and began to pace. “You use the same ones over and over again and we both know it’s a lie. You want kids every bit as bad as I do, admit it.” She paced around the patio, furious and still sobbing.
John stood. “Yes, I do. And it hurts every time someone asks me about it. It hurts to get another announcement of a new birth from one of our friends. Dammit, it even hurts when I see a pregnant woman in a restaurant. But you want to know what hurts me even more? Watching you go through this every single goddamn month! You hide it from everyone else, Mel. But I know it’s tearing you up, and I can’t stand that any more!”
She doubled over as if she were in physical pain, but John knew it ran much deeper than that. He moved over to her and pulled her into his arms.
“It’s time we did something about it. We make plenty of money. We’ll do whatever it takes. The doctors have already told us it isn’t you, and it isn’t me. Somehow we’re just not compatible.”
She leaned against him, clinging to him as if he were her last chance at life. “Maybe you should have married Helena instead.”
He smoothed back her hair and kissed her forehead. “That’s not exactly an option now, is it?” he joked.
“I suppose not,” she said with the first smile he’d seen tonight.
“So, we keep lying to everyone else, and you start a new campaign tomorrow. Adoption, in vitro, surrogate mother, whatever it takes. Okay?”
“Yes, Commander,” she teased.
“No respect,” he said with a laugh. “You never take orders from me. Neither has your sister for that matter.” Before she could respond he picked her up and headed for the pool.
“John! No!” she kicked ineffectually. “My suit!”
“It’s already wet, honey.”
Without waiting for her reply he tossed her into the pool and dove in behind her. He began to peel off the suit before they surfaced for air.
John felt better this time he woke up. The headache seemed less. The dreams, still erotic, had a less stressful feel to them. Melissa walked in the door and he smiled at her. She seemed tense, but returned his smile.
“How do you feel?” she asked from across the room.
He held out his hand to her. “Much better.” He slid over so she could sit next to him on the bed. She pulled up a chair instead, but took his hand. “What’s wrong?” he asked. “The doctor said I’m going to be fine.”
She patted his hand, holding it with both of hers. “Yes, he did. And Alan and Helena are one their way back up here. I’ve been worried.”
“They didn’t have to come back. I know they’re busy, with getting the kids ready to go back to school.” He looked at their hands, entwined above the sheets. “Mel, I know you don’t want to be up here all the time, but I appreciate you being here with me. And since we don’t have any kids, it sure makes it easier to stay.”
He reached out to pull her closer. She resisted. That wasn’t like her at all. “Honey? What’s wrong?”
At his words, tears welled in Melissa’s eyes. “I’m… sorry, John. I just… can’t right now.”
“Can’t? Can’t what?” he asked puzzled.
“It must be this place,” she said, practically trembling. “I just want to go home.”
He patted her hand. “You’re still rattled over the meteor shower aren’t you?” When she didn’t answer, he interpreted that as an affirmative. “I know there are risks living out here. But there are risks everywhere.”
She sniffled, but still didn’t allow him to comfort her. “I know, I know, you’re more likely to have an accident in that old GTO of yours than be killed in space.” She shuddered again and stood, moving away from his attempt to embrace her.
John sat up. The headache wasn’t so bad now. Melissa stood on the other side of the room, obviously shaken. He needed to console her. He rose slowly, standing unsteadily. “Mel? Honey? You’re overreacting to this.” He walked over to her and gently turned her around.
“I’m fine. You’re fine. All our backup and warning systems worked. The field generators will keep anything else from getting through.” As he talked he pulled her close and stroked her silky blond hair. She relaxed enough to lean her head against his shoulder. She was a strawberry blonde this week. That wasn’t the color he preferred. He thought about that warm honey-gold color he liked so much. He also idly wondered when she had changed her perfume. He had always liked that one called ‘Seduction’.
She seemed to calm as he talked to her about Alpha and how it was set up to protect them from meteors and other natural disasters. He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers.
Neither John nor Melissa heard the door to Medical Center open. Dr. Jones entered with Alan and Helena. The three stopped short as John’s kiss grew more ardent.
Alan glanced at Dr. Jones and Helena, then he stepped forward. He was a man of action and in this situation he acted before thinking any further. He stepped forward and placed a hand on John’s shoulder. With a tug he separated the pair and turned John toward him.
“Sorry, mate, but you have our girls mixed up,” he said shortly. Without hesitation, he pulled back his right arm and delivered a well aimed blow at John’s jaw. John crashed to the floor so quickly he didn’t have time to look shocked.
Melissa put her arms around Alan. “Thank you,” she whispered in his ear.
Alan patted her on the back and stepped back to allow Helena and Dr. Jones access to their re-injured patient.
The waves boomed on the deserted beach. The sun had set long ago and they sat in the back seat of the GTO. John’s legs stretched between the bucket seats on the console. She was curled at his side and his arms were protectively around her. They leaned against the back seat and watched the moon rise. He leaned over and nuzzled her golden-blonde hair that seemed to glow in the light of the rising moon. Her perfume took him back to a black-tie affair in a ballroom where they had danced the night away.
She turned and looked up at him. “A perfect ending to a perfect day,” she murmured.
Yes, it was. Any chance to be with her was delightful, but the day had been special. The whole family came for a picnic here on the beach. This area of Cape Canaveral was a wildlife refuge and few people even had the clearance to come here. They had played volleyball and rode the waves on small floats. When Sammy fell asleep he had picked him up and carried him to his car seat in Robert’s rented Lincoln. Tori sat in Helena’s lap as they roasted a marshmallow to make a s’more. They worked with intense concentration and handed the sticky sweet confection over to him to eat. When Tori started to yawn, Susan called time on the youngsters and all were packed into vehicles. Robbie and Susie had also succumbed to sleep and Melissa and Robert picked them up from the blanket in the sand and carried them back to Alan’s Navigator. Alan packed up the last of the picnic and stowed it away while Robert coaxed a drowsy Geoff into his booster seat, promising to see him first thing in the morning. Robert and Susan got in the Lincoln with Tori and Sammy. Tori waved to them as they followed the Navigator down the sandy track that led back to the road. They made sure the fire was out and walked hand-in-hand on the beach.
Now they were here in the back seat of the GTO listening to the sounds of the night. He leaned down to kiss her, the sounds of the waves offering a mesmerizing white noise in the background. Her hands moved down his chest, unbuttoning his shirt. She wore a sleeveless cotton blouse and his hands moved underneath her shirttail. She moved her lips along his jaw and down his neck, turning so that he had easier access to her shirt. Soon he had removed both shirt and bra and her lips left a fiery trail down his chest. She unfastened his shorts and quickly coaxed him from his pants. She leaned over his erection, kissing him teasingly before taking him inside her mouth. He leaned back with a sigh, his hand running through her silky hair. His other hand found her nipple and stroked the tight knot it made on her smooth breast. She moved faster on him and his arousal became most urgent. He tugged at her shoulder, sitting her up, helping her remove her own shorts. She knew what he wanted and knew he wanted it quickly. She was ready for him and straddled him. His fingers explored her, confirming that she was as ready for him as he was for her and suddenly he was inside her. Both moaned with the intensity.
Their union was more than the physical. John felt that once again she had carried him to another spiritual plane that he had never attained with anyone else. He felt the waves of his passion and hers overwhelm them both and he screamed out her name as he came…
“Helena!” He sat up in bed in medical center. The shout was part triumphant, part plea.
“It’s all right, John. I’m right here.” She sat on the edge of his bed and stroked his cheek. His jaw was sore.
He looked around. “You… I …” He was confused. “You went to Earth.”
“I came back,” she said simply, with a smile. “You needed me.”
Her calm voice soothed him. “You’re always there when I need you.” He lay back, took her hand and brought it to her lips. “I couldn’t live without you.”
She stroked his cheek. “You’re going to be just fine.”
“The kids? Did Tori and Sam come back?”
“No, Mother and Daddy are with them,” Helena explained.
“The meteor shower. You didn’t have any problems with it?”
She shook her head. “We were fine. You learn to deal with those things when you live in space,” she explained. She leaned down and kissed him. “Now why don’t we get the doctor to release you and you can recuperate in our quarters.”
John grinned. “Are you going to help me recuperate?”
“Of course,” she laughed. “And it may be several days before you can travel, or work.”
“Then I can’t think of anyplace I’d rather be.”
“Neither can I,” Helena replied truthfully. “Neither can I.”
