Children of Steel (8 page)

Of course when she bit me the next morning I
though we were going to do a repeat of the previous day. But as
soon as I woke up she let go and laughed.

"You asked for it as I recall!"

"I guess I did, at least you didn't break the
skin." I said as I examined my wrist.

She was definitely changing her attitude, and
it continued to improve over the next several weeks. The fur on my
chest was pretty well recovered after the first week and hers
started to look normal after about two. By the end of the third she
didn't have to worry about anybody seeing it anymore.

We continued our daily practice sessions,
which in addition to my normal combat training sessions really left
me pretty tired. She was also able to move back into her room after
the second week. Balizar confirmed my suspicion that he had
'stretched the time just a bit', I figured 'a bit' was about
thirteen days. But she still came and spent a couple of nights with
me even then. We never did anything other than sleep though; I know
I wasn't going to do anything to risk our fragile friendship.

So when the night of the next clan meeting
came along, I made sure we showed up together. I wasn't going to
let her get cold feet. I had seen her talking with Banner once or
twice and with Kate quite a few times, so I wasn't too worried. I
was dying to see the girls though, as neither of them had shown up
at all for the entire month. Including this last week; even though
Terease was no longer staying in my room with me all the time.

I knocked on the door and Balizar opened it.
I could pick out Katrine's and Mist's scents easily, and couldn't
help but grin.

"Ah, Terease what a pleasure to finally see
you here! Oh, you're welcome too Raj." He said with a wink.

I entered the room behind Terease, found a
spot on the floor by the couch and watched to see what would
happen.

"Terease, allow me to introduce everyone.
From left to right on the couch is Sharazad my mate, then Kate and
Banner. Sitting on the floor in front of Kate is Franz, Kate's
mate, you know Raj of course. Then over there to the side is Sheen,
Herza, Lyle, Mist and Katrine."

I was kind of disappointed that he didn't
trip her, but after all she had been through, and some of it with
me, I guess he didn't want to scare her. But everybody got up and
went over to her and said 'hello', giving her a warm hug and I
could see she was actually enjoying it. I know I did, and I was
just sitting there and watching.

When everybody sorted themselves back out and
sat down, I noticed Terease sat down on the couch between Kate and
Banner, but more importantly Lyle and Sharazad sat next to me. I
had been kind of hoping for Katrine or Mist, but when I looked at
them they were sitting with Herza and Sheen and just sort of
smiling at me.

"What's with them?" I asked Sharazad,
motioning at the girls.

"Nobody was really sure where you stood with
Terease and we didn't want to do anything to get her upset."

"Did anybody think about upsetting me?" I
asked acting hurt, "It's been kind of lonely lately you known."

"Of course we did dear, and judging by those
looks from over there, I don't think you have anything to worry
about."

"So," I continued, looking over at where
Terease was sitting, she seemed to be very interested in what
Banner was telling her. "Did I do all right?"

"Yes dear, you did just fine. I'm kind of
surprised she's chasing after Banner though."

"I'm not," said Lyle, keeping his voice low,
"Banner's been chasing her for almost two weeks now."

"Banner!?" I said startled.

"Well, he is a real smooth one," said
Sharazad.

"Yeah, he's a real charmer all right. Sorry
Raj."

"No, don't be sorry for me. My biggest fear
was that nobody would chase after her."

"Aw, come on Raj don't tell me you aren't
just the least bit disappointed." said Lyle.

"Actually, she's promised to get even with me
for the way I handled this whole thing, and I think she's planning
something nasty too."

"Really Raj, she's such a sweet girl. How can
you even suggest such a thing?" Sharazad gave me a piercing
look.

"Easy, she reminds me of it every chance she
gets."

"I take it then you weren't very tactful
about the whole thing?"

"Hey, I'm only fifteen, what do I know about
tact? I just walked into her room, after she told me to get lost
mind you, and dragged her out."

"You didn't!" Said Lyle, who was sniggering
and trying really hard not to laugh out loud.

"Well, both Kate and Herza suggested it, and
I
couldn't think of anything else."

"She couldn't be too mad about just that,"
Sharazad said pointedly, "What else did you do?"

"Well, basically I just threatened her every
time she didn't want to do something."

"Oh?"

"And I told her she looked like crap, was an
idiot, and lots of other nice things."

"You're right" said Lyle, "she ain't ever
going to sleep with you!"

"Oh I almost forgot, I guess you could say I
forced her to sleep in my room too."

"Don't fret dear," said Sharazad patting my
leg, "it's results that count and we all know you didn't volunteer.
I'll see if I can talk her out of it later."

"Not a chance!" called Terease from the
couch, as I suddenly realized she had been following the
conversation. "He enjoyed it way too much I think."

"See? I'm doomed." I sighed.

"Don't worry Raj, I remember our agreement!"
Terease said smiling, and then went back to talking with
Banner.

"What agreement was that?" asked Lyle.

"Well, I kind of said she could, as long as
it wasn't crippling."

"That was dumb."

"Hey, do I look like a brain surgeon? I was
just trying to make her feel better, after all the ordering around
I'd been doing."

"
I
think it was sweet Raj," Said
Sharazad "and I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it. She's
probably just teasing."

"Just don't help her. Okay? And don't let her
con Banner into helping either."

"I think that's fair. I'll let everybody
know."

We changed the subject then, and made small
talk about different things for the rest of the night. When Banner
left with Terease on his arm later on, I had to admit I felt pretty
good.

"Raj," Said Balizar, "You did fine son.
Thanks."

I smiled a little embarrassed, “Thanks. I
guess it’s time to call it a night myself and head for bed.” I got
up then and headed to the door.

“Want some company?” Katrine asked quietly,
getting up and joining me at the door.

I smiled and took her arm, “Always” and we
left.

We went down for breakfast together the next
morning, and I was feeling quite happy despite my lack of sleep, or
perhaps because of it. We sat down together and started in on
breakfast with a relish.

"Happy how things worked out last night Raj?"
she smiled

"Yes, very." I smiled at her, “And feeling
well rewarded too.”

"Very well rewarded," She chuckled and slid a
little closer and ran her hand along my thigh.

"I still have a few hours before I have to
report today." I said suggestively as I wrapped my tail around her,
"Hey look, there's Terease and Banner."

"I think we can work something out there,"
she replied as she motioned to Terease and Banner to join us, her
own tail doing the same as mine.

"Good morning," said Terease sitting down
gingerly across the table from us with a smile. "Have a pleasant
evening?"

"Very," said Katrine smiling as she moved her
hand further up my thigh, "and you two?"

"It was absolutely wonderful," said Terease
snuggling up to Banner.

"Yes, it was a very enjoyable night," added
Banner, giving me a wink. "Anything happen at the meeting after we
left Raj?"

"I wouldn't know, we left right after you." I
couldn't help smiling.

We talked a few minutes more, about nothing
in particular, and then Katrine and I excused ourselves and
left.

"Banner looked pretty happy, didn't he?" I
said.

"Well, now that she's discovered sex, I bet
she keeps him real busy. Speaking of which ..." and she dragged me
into her room.

I was late for duty that day, but it was
worth the fine.

The next day I didn't get much sleep either
as Mist wanted to make up for lost time as well. So it was that on
the day before breakout, I was headed back to my room determined to
lock the door and get some sleep. I walked into my room and to my
surprise, found Terease of all people waiting for me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked quite
surprised.

"Well actually, I kind of enjoy spending time
with you, and was planning to spend the night."

"Oh? What about Banner, I thought you two
were pretty well an item now." I asked suspiciously.

"I gave him the night off. Actually he's
pretty busy tonight with breakout coming up, and he's pulling a
late shift."

"It just seems kind of strange, your being
here without my having to twist your arm. You're not thinking of
doing anything other than sleep are you?"

"Don't get your hopes up…"

"That's about all I could, I'm dead tired." I
interjected.

"You did look pretty beat at practice today,"
she continued. "But the reason I came is that you're kind of like a
brother now. You're safe; I don't have to worry about anything from
you."

"I think that was a compliment," I said
collapsing on the bed. "At least I hope it was. So how about giving
your brother a neck rub?"

She got down on the bed next to me and
started to work on my neck and shoulders, and I began to drowse off
almost immediately.

"Oh, by the way, I'm on alert tomorrow, so no
dirty tricks tonight hmm?" I told her sleepily.

"That wasn't why I came, so don't worry. I
hope you don't mind but I chased off a couple of your girlfriends
tonight."

"Thanks," I mumbled.

"I just think you may have bitten off a
little more than you can chew, if you know what I mean. And it's
nice to look after you for a change."

"It's a dirty job, but somebody's got to do
it." I replied softly. The kneading of my neck and shoulders was
beginning to put me out, and little involuntary sighs were starting
to rumble deep inside.

"What? Looking after you, or your multiple
girlfriends?" she asked laughing.

"Both." Single words were about all I could
manage at this point.

"So were you surprised about me and
Banner?"

"Yes," I was definitely falling asleep
now.

"Are you jealous or upset?"

"Happy," I managed, and couldn't make out her
response to that as I fell into a deep sleep.

I awoke the next morning with Terease curled
up in my arms feeling refreshed. I looked at the wall clock and saw
that it was three hours to breakout. That meant I had to report in
one.

"Wake up sleepy head." I said to Terease
while gently shaking her.

"Hmm? Look who's talking, you didn't even
wake up when I undressed you."

"Don't tell anybody, they might get the wrong
idea."

"What that I undressed you?"

"No, that I slept through it." I smiled,
"With someone as pretty as you, it would really ruin my
reputation."

"Well
that's
a change of tune."

"Hey, I never said you were ugly, just in bad
shape. Now that you've put on a few pounds and your coat is better,
you're very attractive."

"So," she said, giving me a sidelong glance,
"are you trying for three now?"

"Nope, just giving credit where credit is
due. If you hadn't so obviously taken up with Banner, you'd be
getting offers from all over."

She laughed. "That hasn't stopped Gabe at
all."

"I told you he would." I laughed with
her.

"Well, I told him he was wasting his time,
but he seems to feel he has a lot to waste."

"He claims there aren't enough female foxes
on this ship. Anyway let's get some breakfast I'm starved."

"Me too."

We got dressed and walked down to the mess,
arm in arm. I was really beginning to enjoy Terease's company. I
had become accustomed to her presence from the previous weeks and
had thought that it had ended when she took up with Banner. I was
quite happy to find out that wasn't so. Like I said before, I like
all the friends I can get.

Breakfast was a quiet affair; most of the
people in the mess were being rather subdued.

“What’s got everyone so worried?” Terease
asked as we sat down and started to eat.

“Breakout,” I said starting in on my own
plate which was piled much higher than normal, and only with high
protein foods.

“I must be missing something,” she said. “Why
is breakout so worrisome?”

“You know the breakout flash?”

She nodded, “Of course, all that potential
energy has to go somewhere, and so it’s realized as a full spectrum
discharge across the entire electromagnetic spectrum to satisfy the
requirements of Planck’s constant and the Hertz-Hotlzman…"

I held up my hand stopping her. “That flash
tells everyone that we’re here.”

She nodded, “And?”

“Pirates.”

She blinked, “Oh. I didn’t know that. Who are
they?”

I shrugged, “Could be anybody, another
corporation that sees easy pickings and decides to try and pick up
some extra profits this quarter, a competitor with a good spy
network and a vendetta to satisfy.”

“I’d still think the odds of someone hitting
us at breakout are pretty small,” she said digging back into her
food. “After all, space is pretty vast.”

I nodded, “Unless they have really good
intelligence on what our vector and state were when we went into
jump and get there with it before we do. But there’s always the
random element.”