Fear and Aggression
Page 48
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“Mike knows.”
“Did you tell him!?”
“No. He figured it out. He talked with me, I didn’t say anything, but he knows. I trust Mike. That may not be much consolation to you, but I do trust him.”
“It’s pretty obvious, I guess. I don’t want to take any medication, and I’m not worried about Aspiria causing this—but I am throwing up and no one else is sick at all. We can’t keep this a secret much longer, anyway. I don’t want this baby. I love us, and who knows where this could all go in the future. But I don’t want it right now. I want to continue my research. I want to go home to a hero’s welcome, with you. I want to write papers, and speak to large audiences. I want to bring Aspiria, and let the world see her. I don’t want to be caught up in a scandal. It will be bad for me, but it will be worse for you. You will be removed from the Space Force, and instead of getting a hero’s welcome, you will be testifying in front of Congress, and maybe getting court marshaled. This could get really ugly, real quick. I feel like such a fool. We are both a couple of fools.”
“I thought that I was invincible. I thought that I could do and have whatever I wanted, and that I could fix up any of the consequences. I am so sorry that I brought this upon you. It is all my fault. I just somehow didn’t think…”
“You can say that again,” she said softly and with a gentle smile. She leaned up and kissed him softly.
“I agree with you, that this will get really ugly. Mike is the biggest worry wart on here. If he stops stirring everyone else up, and if we act like it is all under control; no one else gets sick, and we work your rotations around it—maybe we can buy ourselves some time; finish the mission at least. The consequences will come, but if we can start off back home as hero’s, maybe public opinion won’t stay against us. The Space Force has a vested interest in us being heroes—so does the White House; we might get more support than we think. It’s worth a try.”
“I’m not sure that I want a baby at this point in my life. Even if it doesn’t turn out as bad as I think it will, I will still be lugging around a child as I try to give public appearances. I just don’t want this right now,” Tammy said adamantly.
“I know. It’s the worse timing that I could ever imagine. Still, it is us—you and me. I love you so much, and I still think that I can conquer anything—even this. You and I, together; we can definitely conquer it. We are Captain Steve Jenners and the amazing Tammy Rogers!”
“You’re sweet, but it was this kind of attitude that got us here in the first place.”
“Exactly!”
“I don’t mean here around this planet. I mean here in my room talking about a pregnancy that is not allowed to happen.” She gave him another kiss. “I’ve got to get some sleep, before I start feeling sick again. I love you.”
“I love you too, Tammy. Somehow, we are going to make it. Maybe you should leave off the ‘I’m sick’ announcements on the intercom.”
She winked and Steve left the room.
Chapter 35