Second Chances (48 page)

She wrapped her arms around his head. “So, you like it when I do this?” she asked huskily.

“Definitely,” he said, smiling slightly, eyes twinkling into hers.

“And this?” she asked, moving in slowly. He cocked his head and they kissed.

Someone coughed, and they broke the kiss. “Most definitely,” he gushed. She smiled.

“That's one way of shutting him up,” Janet said dryly. There was a bit of laughter. “Come on you two, get a room later. We do have some things to discuss,” she said.

Mitch kept staring into Sandra's eyes. She smiled a bit. “Later,” she murmured. She went to get off, but he held her on. She tisked in exasperation. “I said later,” she said, grabbing his naughty hands.

“We'll continue the conversation later, or you'll take over later?” he asked, still holding her flanks.

“Both. Now behave,” she scolded, slapping his shoulder. He chuckled, but let her get off, flick her hair, then settle back down to sit on his lap. His left arm snaked around her waist as a seat belt. She didn't object, instead she nuzzled him a bit then they refocused on the conversation.

“It looks like the power saving we've got plus the solar panels on the masts are paying off.”

“How did you...I mean, the solar. How are they still working when it's so cold out?”

“Ever seen shows about Alaska? Photovoltaic cells can handle a lot of abuse there,” Mitch replied with a shrug. “I got the best,” he said.

“Yes you did. We're at 38 percent for the fuel, well, on average,” Lisa reported, nodding to Brian who nodded back. “But the chemical works are producing more at a steady rate even as we speak.”

“Good.”

“Food situation is good. So is the heating, though I think you are mean to turn the heaters off in the playground area and the racquet ball court,” Janet grumped.

“Once you get moving, you'll sweat, trust me, you won't want it warm,” Mitch replied.

“True.”

“Moving on...”

------*------

Janet caught up with Sandra after the meeting. “What's up?” Sandra asked.

“I was thinking about maybe...”

Sandra turned to Janet. The woman wasn't known for beating around the bush. She raised an eyebrow in inquiry. Finally Janet rubbed her arm and then shrugged to herself. “I'd like to make an appointment.”

“Problem,” Sandra said, indicating they should continue walking.

“Oh no, no problem. It's just...I want to conceive. If it's possible,” Janet said, steeling up her nerve.

Sandra turned her head in surprise. “Well, it is catchy,” she said. Janet smiled. “Okay. When?”

“Um...”

“Now?”

“Now? As in right now?”

“I can check your vitals and your temp. If you are ready, we can do it,” Sandra said. “If you are busy though...”

Janet set her shoulders. “Yeah, now is good,” she said, nodding. “Before I lose my nerve.”

“That's the spirit,” Doc chuckled. “This way to the infirmary,” she said, waving them on.

------*------

“So, you were serious about me being more...in charge? In the bedroom I mean? You're...okay with that?” Sandra asked tentatively, smiling up at him as they made their way to their room later that evening.

He spread his hands. “Hey, one of my fondest memories of us together is when you did take charge,” he said grinning at her. “Even if I was a bit sore and scratched up afterward,” he teased wickedly. “It was still worth it,” he murmured.

She snorted. “Poor baby,” she mock cooed.

“I'll show you,” he said, reaching for her. She danced out of his reach, laughing. He chased her the rest of the way into their suite. She turned on him though and caught his hands with hers, then hooked his foot as he moved forward. Off balance he fell towards the bed. She felt him twist to land on his back, instinctively protecting her.

She mock wrestled with him to pin his arms then when he got one hand free her viscous fingers darted in to his exposed flanks to tickle and poke. “Hey! No fair!” he chortled.

“All's fair in love and war,” she said, grinning at him as his arms went down to protect his sides. When he tried to pin her into a hug she nipped the nape of his neck.

“No biting you witch!” he laughed, trying to move his vulnerable throat away from her fangs.

“Too bad,” she said huskily, nipping harder. He shuddered. “I'm a hungry lioness and you taste good. Ready to give up?”

“And take all your fun out of it?” he demanded. “Never!”

She grinned, enjoying the game and role play. “Hmmm...what if I do this?” she asked, nibbling on his earlobe as one hand snaked lower to naughty areas.

“Um...”

“Hmmm?” she asked, kissing and tracing her tongue on the lobe.

“Um...” he wiggled, not really to get away but to try to get an advantage. But she squeezed her thighs, pinning him. He found his arms trapped at his sides, and she had the advantage. He could roll, but he liked where this was going. “I think I'm in trouble,” he admitted.

“Definitely,” she murmured. “I'm going to make you pay for misbehaving in public,” she mock growled.

“Could be worth being punished for,” he chuckled, but the chuckles were cut off when she engulfed his lips with hers. After that all thoughts of escape ended.

------*------

Mitch was teased the next day for bites on his neck and the way he was walking. He shrugged the good natured ribbing off. “It was worth it,” he said, making a show of stretching. He wrapped his arm around his fiancé's waist and kissed her lovingly. “I can't wait to do it again. After I heal a bit.”

“Poor baby,” she mocked. “You've got...” she looked at a clock. “A couple hours,” she said wickedly. He groaned a bit, then smiled. She smiled and waggled her eyebrows at him.

“That a threat or a promise?” he asked.

“Oh, most definitely a promise,” she said, wrapping her arms around him and then digging her claws into his rear until he yelped and went on his toes. She laughed at him.

“Get a room,” Cassie said in disgust, shaking her head. “Seriously mom, gah,” she said.

Sandra looked over to her daughter and stuck her tongue out at her. That got a smile from Mitch and others. She did release Mitch though, enough so he could stand at her side. She kept one arm wrapped around him though, with her fingers holding the back of his belt.

“So, what'd we miss?” Mitch asked.

“Oh, the usual,” Janet said, shaking her head. “Piotr is predicting a calm day, then another storm. He's trying to narrow its path down, but the radar array is getting some false returns with the mountains around us. He said he wants to talk to you about relocating it higher so it has an unobstructed view around the area,” she said.

“Wonderful,” Mitch sighed. “Does he have any idea how hard it would be to service it? Not to mention power? Data transfer?”

“Yeah no, I doubt those ideas have sunken in. He's too wrapped up in the grand plan to think of the little things to make it work,” Janet said with a laugh.

“Joy,” Mitch grumbled. “Well, it's not happening
this
year. No way are we doing something that complex in this winter.”

“Oh, I think he knows that,” Janet said, shaking her head. She looked over to Anne who shrugged. “At least I think so,” she said. Anne smiled, rubbing her tummy.

“I'll have a chat with him. He can plan it with some of the guys during the winter,” Mitch said. “Give them something to do,” he said. Reluctantly he turned to leave.

“Back to work?” Sandra asked.

He turned back to her with a sad expression. He shrugged. “Duty calls dear,” he said.

“Kiss?” she demanded, grabbing the front of his shirt possessively. He smiled at her.

“Now how could a guy refuse that?” he asked. “What part? You've got some...” Cassie made a mock retching sound behind him.

“Ignore her,” Sandra said, giving her daughter a reproving glance. “I'll find a suitable punishment for her later,” she said, making Cassie stop and pout. “You were saying?” she asked arching her eyebrow.

“Promissory note for later?” he asked.

“Better not be too much later,” she growled as he took her into his arms, then swung her about to bend her over and kiss her like in the movies. She laughed as they kissed, arms going around him for support. “I still haven't forgiven you for being outside for nearly a week!”

“Get a room,” Cassie sighed as Anne and Janet chuckled.

Mitch let Sandra up, a little mused but no worse for wear. She squeezed his flank then patted it. “Go on. We'll play later dear,” she purred.

“Oh ye gads,” Cassie said, rolling her eyes and shaking her head mournfully. Anne nudged her. She snorted but backed down from her complaints as Mitch left and Vance came in.

“Someone's being frisky this morning,” Anne said wickedly, teasing Sandra. Cassie busied herself with Janet cleaning up the wreckage of breakfast.

“He is, isn't he? We haven't had a lot of time together. Busy and all with the harvests, fall, contacting the eastern village, dealing with the stuff at Copper Town, the aliens, then this last minute project....” She smiled fondly when she remembered his proposal at the party only a few weeks ago. “I mean, we have a lot of time in the coming winter, but well...”

Janet turned from where she was loading the dishwasher. “And last winter all the girls were chasing the poor boy all over the place,” Janet said with a laugh.

“True,” Sandra said, pulling her hair band out and then shaking her hair out. She used her fingers to fluff and brush it out, then smiled at Janet. “What?” she demanded.

“He's not the only one frisky,” Janet said. That got a blush from Sandra, then she stuck her tongue out. “Cheeky too.” Anne smiled politely. Cassie remained quiet. As soon as the dishwashers were loaded and running, she beat a hasty retreat with Vance in tow.

Sandra snickered. “Hey, I can't help it. I'm looking forward to more snuggle and get to know him time with winter and all.”

“Well, if last winter is any meter stick, tying the boy to the bed to get him to rest is about the only way you can get alone time with him...” Janet said, letting the thought trail off with a smirk as she looked at the doctor. Sandra gurgled a laugh. Anne blushed, looking down and away in embarrassment. “We've got plenty of rope in the cupboard. And the usual dog collars and stuff. Want help?”

“You wouldn't!” Anne protested, eyes wide as she turned on her partner. Janet shrugged, still looking at Sandra expectantly.

“I think I've got it handled thanks,” Sandra said with a leer and smirk. “How are we on supplies?” she asked, changing the subject.

“Food, we're all good. I think you need to do an inventory though, check expiration dates and give me a list of what you may need come spring.”

Sandra nodded. “Will do.”

“I'm not sure how much we can replace. Hopefully all of it eventually.”

“Me too. We used a lot this year taking care of the wounded from Copper Town. Twice,” Sandra said, making a face.

“Don't I just know it,” Janet said, shaking her head. “We would have lost a lot of them without you and those supplies,” she said.

“Use em or loose em,” Sandra said. “Part of the problem of being a doctor is balancing that and any future need.”

“Yeah. I'm hoping we don't have many frostbite incidents this winter,” Janet said, shivering.

“I'm hoping we don't have any. I'm not happy about having to cut people's toes and fingers off,” Sandra said darkly.

Janet winced. “You? Think about the poor patient!” She said. Sandra nodded. “I'll make sure everyone knows what to do, and goes out buttoned up. We'll have to buddy up, keep in radio contact. And don't go out in a storm,” she said.

“Yeah,” Sandra agreed, nodding.

“Now you get to convince Mitch of that last part,” Janet said.

Sandra grinned. “That's where the rope comes in,” she said with another leer. “He better not make me break a nail or he'll really be in for it,” she growled, exerting a chortle from Janet. “I'm going to make the rounds,” she said, waving a hand before she left. Janet snorted then chuckled as she turned back to the dirty dishes.

------*------

Now that things were winding down, Sandra finally had some time to just stop and think. Most of her patients were caring for themselves now. They were up and about; Dora and Tina were running them through therapy and keeping them on simple projects to keep their minds occupied.

There was something she'd neglected to work on, something she'd planned to, but in all the mess with the refugees and everything, she'd been side tracked. She dusted off her material and then got to work. She worked on a plan for winter, a health and welfare plan. Everyone needed additional sunlight exposure to prevent vitamin D deficiencies. The vitamin D in the milk, meat and veggies they were eating weren't enough to compensate for the loss of something as simple as going outdoors.

Mitch for all his planning hadn't quite planned on something so simple. His LED and compact florescent bulbs were extremely energy efficient, but they didn't emit enough UVB light to induce the epidermis to produce vitamin D.