Bodyguard of Love

by Lane, Terri

  “Well, you see, I figured any trap we set had to be scan proof. They have been too cautious for an average trap to work. This one has nothing that would be picked up as a trap. It is all natural rope and branches holding it together,” she told them.

  Sure enough once the men were down they were stripped of all equipment and there was a scanner. Tessa was impressed by the Commander’s ingenuity. As the terrorists were marched past them Lockley spat on the Commander. Tessa felt herself tense and take a step forward in anger as the guards all cried out in rage.

  “Enough, stand down,” the Commander shouted and everyone did as ordered. Lockley stood there defiantly and with no warning and at an almost impossible speed to follow, Commander Earhart swung her fist connecting squarely with the man’s jaw. There was a loud crack and he dropped unconscious. The guards cheered and Lindesty and Tessa did too. They watched as the men were led and carried away to the brig. Only the Commander, Tessa and Lindesty remained. The Commander turned to them with a smile that softened her features.

  “I want to thank you both for your assistance. I knew you were bait he would not be able to resist. Your bravery was impeccable. We were with you every step of course, but there is always the possibility of error so again I say thank you,” she said. Tessa blushed a little bit.

  “Happy to help get those people Commander. Will the trial be held here? I haven’t heard,” Tessa asked.

  “Damn right. Earth wanted the privilege but the Ambassadors insisted. They lost a lot of good people as much as we did. I think it is important to let people know that if you mess with Station One, be prepared for justice from Station One. We are rapidly approaching full capacity for residents and we are on almost every trade route now. We deserve to serve our justice. It is still an arm of Earth but we have to have some separation from Earth or none of this will work,” she said. It made sense to Tessa and Lindesty nodded.

  “Thanks Commander. Did you need us for anything else?” Lindesty asked. The Commander shook her head.

  “Not at all ladies. I meant it, what I said about your bravery. Do not be surprised if you receive a medal or something. I haven’t figured that out yet. A civilian honor maybe. Well see,” she said and walked off leaving them looking amazed. Tessa suddenly felt free. The crisis was over and the healing was already beginning. She felt energized and ready for anything. She took her friends arm and lead her off towards the main hub of the station.

  “Come on space sister,” she told Lindesty.

  “Where are we going?” she asked startled at Tessa’s sudden energy.

  “I don’t know, but there has to be someplace we can get into trouble!” she exclaimed and her friend laughed. Some days you just have to remember to be glad to be alive.

  ***

  “So, what you are saying is if we just approach them slowly and speak slower the negotiations will go smoothly?” the business man asked amazed.

  “That is it sir. You can compare it to a situation where someone comes right up to you and stands face to face, inches away. The Canluck do not like to be rushed. Other than that, they are a reasonable people and I know they have need of your trade,” Tessa told the man. He nodded and stood. She and the Commander did as well. They shook hands and he left happy.

  “Thanks Tess. I have explained it over and over but he wasn’t getting it. I think it is a case of my uniform getting in the way. Some people can’t see past it,” Commander Earhart said with a sigh going over to the bar in her office. She raised her eyebrows and a glass and Tessa decided why not.

  “Sure, thanks. Were any of his ships ever caught where they shouldn’t have been Commander? He may assume that if you busted him before you would be setting him up for failure,” she told the taller woman as she handed her a glass. Tessa took a sip and smiled. The Commander knew where to get the good stuff.

  “You’re kidding?” she asked Tessa.

  “Nope. Guys like that would mess with anyone who they believed screwed with them. So they assume everyone else works the same way. The concept of a soldier’s honor is beyond some people,” she explained. The Commander nodded.

  “You have a point. So you have been on the job a few weeks now. What do you think? I imagine you are not getting much computer work.” Commander Earhart asked companionably. Tessa thought about it as they walked to the port in the officer’s office. Tessa would always love looking out at the stars.

  “I think I am loving it. I never really knew what I would end up doing once I got out here, but I am really enjoying it,” she said.

  “And Lindesty, is she having as much fun?” Earhart said with a grin.

  “She may bitch, but she is. Although having to go to the Gorgons’ home world for some training was a surprise,” Tessa said and laughed. “It is funny you know,” she finished staring out into space with a half-smile on her face.

  “What is?”

  “I was always the space happy one. Then she gets sent off and I stay here,” Tessa said with another laugh.

  “Do you want to go somewhere else?” Tessa thought about it and shook her head.

  “No, I don’t need to. I have enough space right there,” she said gesturing out the window. “Aliens around every corner and you never know what is going to happen next. Do I sound crazy?” she asked looking at the Commander.

  “Maybe a little but then so do I. By the end of my first year on station I was hooked. I can’t imagine being anywhere else. Anything I ever wanted to do with my life is happening here. We are rapidly becoming the center of the galaxy Tessa. This is a place for dreams. It worked for you and me, and Lindesty too,” she finished and Tessa agreed. She liked the idea. The place of dreams. They finished her drink and Tessa picked up her folders.

  “Was there anything else I could do for you Commander?” she asked before leaving.

  “Oh yes, I am glad you asked. Could you meet the Lither delegation in the morning? They are arriving early but I have a security briefing and frankly they prefer the diplomatic corps,” she said.

  “Sure, my morning is free. Did they book big enough rooms?” She asked.

  “What do you mean?” The Commander asked frowning.

  “They travel with their twelve wives,” she informed the Commander.

  “Twelve!” she exclaimed.

  “Yeah, they don’t leave home without them. It is a status thing. She said walking to the door.

  “Damn I couldn’t even handle two men,” the Commander said. Tessa managed to not blush when she looked back. The Commander was sitting at her desk with a twinkle in her eye. She knew about Tessa’s relationship, but never mentioned it.

  “It bet it is a juggling act,” she said and heard the Commander laugh as she went down the hall. She passed Chief McDonald on the way down.

  “How you doing Tess?” He asked.

  “Living the dream Chief. You?” she returned. He growled something unintelligible. That was the norm for the Chief of security. That was a job she would never want. She made her way home whistling softly to herself. The Station seemed even brighter these days. Welcoming and inviting. The Commander was right. The place was becoming the center of the galaxy and she got to play here. Life was amazing, she thought to herself. As soon as she got in her quarters she removed her jacket and hung it over the back of a bar chair. Her blouse followed, leaving her in her one piece under top and her gray skirt. She kicked her shoes off and went behind her bar. She decided on some Kindar wine. Her lovers got her some special from their home world. She had to remember to thank them properly. The thought made her giggle.

  “I don’t know what you did to get here girlfriend but keep it up. This is the life,” she said to herself and turned on some soft, ancient classical music. Tessa could not help grinning. She had been truthful with the Chief when she passed him in the corridor. She believed she was living the dream. She was not naïve enough to believe there would never be any more trouble. Some races were not pleased with all the attention being paid to Station One. Tessa didn’t ca
re though. She was making a difference out here on the Edge and that was the important thing for her. She turned and got some munchies from the little refrigerator unit behind her and pulled out some chocolate.

  “A little relaxing, some snacking, and then it is time to find my boyfriends. As good as it gets,” she chortled to herself.

  “Is that so,” she heard a familiar voice and almost choked on her wine. Jobol and Jindal came walking out of the bedroom and she groaned and then cursed.

  “Damn, I am never going to get used to having more than one room quarters,” then she smiled at her friends.

  “How did you two get in here?” She asked getting out two more glasses.

  “You really should change your lock code from time to time,” the Ambassador said with a smile. He leaned over the bar and she gave him a kiss and then one for Jindal.

  “I will remember that. So how has your day been?” she asked pouring them some wine.

  “Good, good. We concluded a few negotiations on trade with the Gorgon. They are much easier to deal with since the crisis. I think they realize how much we need to stick together. It sounds like you had a good day too,” Jobol said after a sip of wine.

  “It was fantastic and still getting better. I never imagined I could be so happy. I am actually working more with the Commander than I thought I would be and that is going good to. I really like her. I could never do her job and she handles it so well. She is something of an inspiration for me,” Tessa admitted. Jindal held out his glass and they clinked a toast.

  “To inspiration. May we never run out of it,” he said with a loving smile that always warmed Tessa.

  “Indeed,” Jobol added.

  It pleases us to see you so happy darling. When we met, you were as beautiful as the Kilgar nebula. This evening you outshine the sun,” Jobol said and Jindal nodded. Tessa was never sure if she would get used to their extravagant compliments and wasn’t sure she wanted to. They always made her feel so good.

  “You two are a big part of that, I hope you know. The job and the prestige aside. You make my heart flutter in a good way. I hope I can do the same for you two,” she said honestly.

  “Every moment of every day. Don’t ever doubt it. So did you hear about the new arrival next week?” Jobol asked.

  “No, just the Lither tomorrow. I told the Commander I would meet them when they arrive, she has a security briefing,” she said.

  “Well the Earth embassy from Vega is stopping in on their way back to Earth. We just heard the Vegan neighbors, the Nartock are not happy about it. There was a problem during last year’s negotiations and the Nartock specifically blame the Vegan Earth delegates. Some muttering about weapons and the Prime Minister’s niece. I haven’t heard the specifics. If the Commander has come to rely on you, I imagine she will ask for your help once she learns of it,” Jobol said. As usual he knew things before anyone else. Jindal just snorted in amazement. He couldn’t figure out how his boss did it either.

  “It will be touchy?” Tessa asked.

  “You could say that,” Jobol returned. Tessa nodded and then pushed it aside. She would worry about it later. All part of the job.

  “Want some chocolate?” she said sliding the tray across the bar top and they pounced. She had introduced them to the sweet and they were hooked. They all three munched on the candy until there was one left and Tessa snatched it up.

  “No fair,” Jindal cried foul.

  “You two ate the whole box when I wasn’t looking last time. This one is mine,” she said and she tucked it in her top between her breasts.

  “You can’t have it,” she told them with a grin. They both chuckled and eyed her frame. Tessa could feel their energy and knew what was coming and she wanted it. She sipped her wine keeping an eye on them. They both pretended upset and then laughed and picked up their wine.

  “You know Little Tess, if I had known you strip off your clothes when you come in the door I would have started breaking in here weeks ago,” Jindal said. Jobol and laughed and Tessa grinned.

  “No doubt. I look forward to it,” she told them. “So how does the rest of your week look? I was going to take a few days off at the week’s end. I haven’t had a day off since I started two weeks ago,” she asked. They looked at each other.

  “I think something could be arranged. What were you thinking?” Jindal asked.

  “I was thinking about the Star Suites. They are expensive, but I think I can spring for a night. I have heard they are spectacular. They are right against the hull and the ceiling is clear so you can see nothing but the stars,” she told them and her voice echoed with her excitement for the idea. They both grinned.

  “Then we will have to arrange it my dear. I have never been to one and I am a little surprised at myself. I would like to see it,” Jobol said and Tessa was ecstatic they like the idea. This whole having money thing was fun, she thought. Jindal was looking at her curiously, suddenly.

  “What’s up sport?” She asked him smiling.

  “I think, I would like, some chocolate,” he said and leaned quickly over the bar and picked her up and brought her over the bar. She laughed in a shriek as he lay her across his shoulder and started for her bedroom. She lifted her head from against his back and saw the more dignified Jobol following with a smile.

  “I will make you work for it,” she cried out as they entered the bedroom.

  THE END

  = Bonus Book 6 of 9 =

  Claimed by Dragons

  Scarlett had seen plenty of things over the past twenty-five years of her life and most of it didn't thrill her like it probably should have. After all, she lived in England. You couldn't walk twenty feet without tripping over something that had been built hundreds of years ago, even thousands of years, for example. What did surprise her was the fact that there was a man across the pub where she was enjoying her Friday night post-work beer who was very clearly staring at her. Scarlett liked to think she was pretty enough to attract men but she had had rotten luck with it ever since she was fifteen and started caring about them. Scarlett definitely didn't mind being looked at but she wasn't the only girl at the bar and there was no guarantee that it was her the man was looking at. That was until the bartender came over with a fresh drink (and Scarlett's favourite, at that) and told her it was from the gentlemen in the corner. Scarlett blushed as red as her name and tried not to look at him. But she couldn't help it.

  He was good looking. Really good looking. It was darker in the corner he was sitting (as was the case with most pubs, especially the older ones that were small and cramped), but Scarlett could still make out his features. Messy black hair fell over the most shocking pair of blue eyes Scarlett had ever seen. His nose was long and aquiline, and his jaw solid. He had the mouth of an angel, full and soft and smirking just the smallest bit. Scarlett thought he would approach her, but he seemed as content to watch as she was. It was just a tad voyeuristic, but Scarlett doubted her drink was drugged as it had been served by the bartender. She pushed her old one aside and took a sip. Perfectly made. A sigh fell from her lips. She lifted her glass to the man, who raised his own back, but still made no move towards her. Maybe he was just feeling generous. It was a Friday after all. Maybe he'd just gotten a big promotion at work and felt like celebrating by buying someone he thought attractive a drink. If he found Scarlett attractive, of course. The way he was looking at her made it seem like he did.

  A shiver ran down Scarlett's spine, violent enough to make her whole body shudder. The person sitting next to her gave her a funny look but didn't comment. Scarlett rolled her shoulders and ran a hand through her brown hair. She glanced at the guy again. His gaze had wandered elsewhere, but Scarlett had a feeling in her stomach that he was still interested in her. She hoped he wasn't a stalker. The bar was on a main street, though, and it wasn't that late. She doubted anyone would try to abduct her here.

  When she was ready to go home the man was still sitting in the corner, drinking a large glass of what looked like wate
r and looking at his cell phone. Scarlett approached him feeling a little nervous and cleared her throat to get his attention. He looked up and smiled when he saw it was her.

  “I just wanted to say cheers for the drink,” Scarlett said. “I really appreciated it. I do have a question, though.”

  “Are you going to ask why I bought it for you?” the man replied in a low voice as smooth as silk that made Scarlett's knees go weak. She passed it off as a belated effect of the booze; she was a little bit tipsy after all.

  “No,” she replied. “I wanted to ask what made you order that particular drink.”

  “You look like that particular kind of girl,” the man replied. He grinned, wolfishly, showing strong, white teeth. “My name is Hunter.”

  “Scarlett. Jones.”

  “It's nice to meet you, Scarlett Jones. Do you come here often?”

  “That's a terrible pick up line,” Scarlett replied and Hunter laughed. “No, I don't usually drink.”

  “That's a shame,” Hunter said. “You're the most interesting thing that's walked in here in a long time.”

  Scarlett's stomach warmed and her chest tightened. “Maybe I'll have to stop by more often.”

  “Maybe you will.” Scarlett could have sworn that when he smiled again she saw two sharp teeth. “Have a good night, yeah?” Scarlett blinked, feeling like she was almost in a trance, and lightly shook her head to clear it.

  “Thanks,” she said. “You too.” She turned and walked through the tight, short corridor to the front door and out into the cold, shuddering. She rolled her shoulder and glanced behind her. The door had swung shut automatically but she could have sworn that she could still feel Hunter staring at her. She flagged down a cab to take her home, preferring to pay for a fare rather than deal with the Friday night bus crowd. As it was the back of the cab reeked of alcohol. It reminded her of nights when she'd be out with her friends and get so wasted that she could remember anything when she woke up the next morning, somehow having managed to get into her own bed and not someone else's.