“A side of smart-ass?” Brian chuckled.
“Better to be a smart-ass than a dumb-ass.” She and Jason said in unison then laughed.
They followed Brian into the kitchen, and after unloading the groceries, they poured glasses of wine and sat around the kitchen talking about each other’s week. Everyone watched as her mother and Brian cooked a grand meal. Their newest endeavor was a couple’s cooking class that Brian managed to convince Jason’s parents to take the following week.
“Where do you find the time?” Eric asked as they all sat and took their first bite of seared sirloin and garlic mashed potatoes.
“It’s not much time,” Brian said as he added butter to his potato. “There’s about fifteen minutes of preparation and an hour later, viola.”
“I meant your case load, and the election, and your family,” Eric took another bite. “This is amazing.”
“Thank you,” Julianne smiled as she leaned over and let Brian kiss her cheek.
“It’s simple, really. I just make sure I keep everything in balance, I’ve got my honey here to make sure of that for me.” He sat back and put his arm around Julianne’s shoulder as he lifted his glass of wine with his other hand. “Speaking of family, Kit Kat, you’re sister said she tried to call again today.”
“Dad—”
“Honey, I know what she did was wrong…”
“Daddy, there’s wrong and then there’s—”
“Kat,” her mother interjected and looked at her sternly.
“She’s been going to see a therapist and we think she’s making great progress,” he added softly.
“Daddy, I don’t want to talk about it.” She said honestly.
“What do you think?” Brian asked after several awkward moments of silence passed between them. “Your mom’s mashed potatoes are awesome, aren’t they?”
“It’s delicious,” Jason wrapped his arm around Kat’s shoulder. “We’ve been talking about Vanessa lately and maybe we can have her come to the Halloween party?” He rubbed her shoulder with his thumb and she looked at him.
“Yeah,” Kat sighed. “We’ve been talking about it…” Especially because his parents were around so much lately and they could only be themselves when they had an excuse to do so.
“It’s good to learn how to forgive and forget,” Barbara reached for her hand. “And it’s not to minimize how hurt you are, sweetheart. But she is your sister, and she isn’t nearly as mature as you and Jason are,” she patted her hand.
“I know.” Kat pushed the food around on her plate.
Jason changed the subject to an upcoming test in his American government class, which their fathers became involved in. They all helped clean up, then sat and watched a movie. Kat and Jason took the couch they usually slept on together. Though lately, Kat found herself sleeping there alone because of their last power incident. Jason was consumed with guilt over the whole situation, so he hadn’t done anything more than kiss her cheek or forehead. And he had officially moved into his bedroom.
Not that he had done anything intentionally. He had fallen over after she injected him and she had reached out to help him. But the jolt of so much raw energy overloaded her system. He hated himself for it and was even more scared of their powers now. Especially after learning he was stronger than other Hybrids because his family was royalty.
That was why, her mother suspected, it was easier for him to harness so much energy when Kat had touched him that first time and then when he had become consumed with jealousy. And it was why, Kat suspected, he seemed different now, almost broader, and slightly taller, and just a little more buff. And his eyes seemed to be bluer than she remembered, and she was definitely more drawn to him. A fact her mother confirmed by telling her to maintain a hands-off policy.
Kat had been working on that in her mind lately. Was she really supposed to live the rest of her life with him and never touch him? That seemed utterly ridiculous to her. She knew that it was so on Or-Pisc in and she understood it. Their bodies were different when they were home because the scientist that ran the government had tampered with them for so long that they were practically perfect in every way. Well, perfect in their eyes, but living an emotionless, drone existence, didn’t sound perfect to her.
Nor did it sound remotely appealing or romantic to be paired with someone to rear offspring that you didn’t have any fun making. When it was your time to reproduce, you went in for a cell removal surgery, and a year later reported to a facility to pick up your kid. The only good thing she could see in that was no stretch marks, or morning sickness, or any of that other stuff women complained about.
Kat was sure that her mother had left out details, which wasn’t of great concern. Once Kat was ordered to return home, she would know all the dreary details. That was yet another thought that petrified her. Once her mission was accomplished on Earth, she and all the Hybrids that consisted of the first generation would undergo the process to become full-bloodied Nemeanians. Their mission would still be Earth related because their experiences were invaluable. They would help the second and third generation Hybrids that were already in place on the planet.
Of course, that was all speculation since their planet was becoming more and more uninhabitable. Their sun was dying, which wasn’t cause for immediate concern because they had known about it for centuries. Even humans could estimate how much fuel their sun had remaining. Earth, though, was fortunate enough to still have millions of years. Or-Pisc in wasn’t as lucky. They had another century or so before their sun started to expand as a result of utilizing the last of its hydrogen, so their ultimate mission was to make Earth home. And they needed to do that within the next fifty to one hundred years.
Brian burst out laughing. Kat looked over at him, and then followed her mother’s gaze to the television. The previews were still playing. Lost in thought, Kat hadn’t paid attention to the science-fiction spoof that was coming out soon, the depiction of the invading alien race offensive to her. They really weren’t that ugly. Or gray. There was a race of creatures from Bode’s galaxy that was reptilian in appearance, and would surely scare the pants off even the bravest human, but they were peaceful herbivores that wouldn’t harm anyone unless provoked.
Nemeanians, at least, looked humanoid. Their eyes were larger because they had been tweaked to have excellent night and day vision. And they were taller, and in much better physical shape than the average human, but they all looked the same. There was nothing to compete over if everyone pretty much looked alike.
They were, for all intents and purposes, a peaceful race that worked cooperatively among each other. Humans would probably call them tree-huggers because they lived in harmony with their planet and fellow Nemeanian. But they could easily work together to annihilate other races when the need arose.
That was the case on Earth. They needed the planet, so they had to get rid of the humans. Six billion people against a few thousand Nemeanians were bad odds. But with time to spare the plan was simple: pit the humans against each other. It was clearly in their nature, so with just a little push here and there, they took out more of each other than the Nemeanians ever could.
Of course, there were several other plans in place. And some, she was sure, were already underway. But they had learned that sharing information was not a good idea. Not if someone was captured and spilled the beans. Roswell had been a perfect example of that. So they were, for the most part, oblivious to each other. Which Kat hated, because she was always worried she would either act too human or too Nemeanian around someone she didn’t know.
When the movie ended she walked her parents to the door then excused herself when she saw Jason’s parents still sitting in the living room with him. She headed up to her room and showered and was relieved to find him sitting on their bed, one brief opened in his hands, another on the bed. He pulled the covers back and she slipped under the sheets, then grabbed his hand and pulled him back onto the bed.
She sat up on her knees and pulle
d his shirt over his head, then leaned up to kiss him. She couldn’t hide her disappointed when he turned his face and she caught his cheek. After positioning himself against the headboard, he pulled her against him, then pulled the covers over her and opened the brief.
They read through the brief together, him more than her, because Colombian cartels were the farthest thing from her mind. She snuggled against him, grateful for at least that bit of affection.
The next morning, she woke to a note that said he had left for the gym, and he would see her at home for dinner. There was a study group meeting to prepare for midterms, so he wouldn’t be able to meet her for lunch. She crumpled up the note and tossed it. It was yet another change since the power surge incident. He was avoiding her, and she was sure it was because he was still angry about the whole Nicolas incident.
She walked downstairs and made herself a cup of coffee and found herself getting angrier by the second. They hadn’t spoken about the incident since they had woken up. They had merely sat and listened to her mother explain how emotions played a pivotal role in their powers manifesting. Then she had gone into that bit about him being stronger, and then showed them how to mix the injections, and self-administer them as needed.
When Kat tried to talk to him about the mission that led up to his jealous rage, he clammed up in the worst way, and would walk out of the room. She had decided to let it ride for a few days. But as she sat there alone, again, because her lifemate was avoiding her, she fumed. The fact that he refused to do anything with her really got her temper flaring. And that he was keeping something from her made her downright pissed.
She headed for the stairs and was startled when the doorbell rang. She pulled it open and one of her bodyguards was standing there with a box in his hands.
“It’s safe.” He handed her the box.
“Safe from what?” Kat inquired.
“She dropped it off,” he pulled Vanessa into view.
“Oh,” Kat said genuinely surprised.
“Let go of me,” Vanessa shrugged herself out of his grasp. “Kat, can I please come in? Please?”
“No,” Kat bit her lip. “What is this?”
“Boxing gloves,” the bodyguard answered.
“They’re so you can beat me up,” Vanessa said stepping toward her. “Because I deserve it. Deserve for you to be mad at me…to hate me…” She looked away.
“You’re right,” Kat snapped as she started to close the door. “I have every right to hate you.”
“I know,” Vanessa stopped the door. “So all I can say is sorry over and over again, beg for your forgiveness, and hope that you can forgive me for being stupid and petty and jealous.”
Kat stared at her for a long moment, then looked down at the box. Was there another alien race taking over the people of this planet and replacing them with pod people? There had to be, because Kat didn’t recognize the girl that was standing before her. Vanessa never admitted she was wrong. She never took responsibility for anything.
“Come in,” Kat said after a moment. The void in her chest was still present, but her need to be around humans was also a factor. And there was Brian, her desire to please him a mystery she had yet to figure out.
“Really?” Vanessa looked up at her.
“Yeah,” she stepped out of the way. “Come on.”
“Thank you,” Vanessa stepped into the foyer and took in all the new furniture. “It looks great, Kat. You guys have made it into a lovely home.” She wiped away tears.
“Thanks. But we have to give Barbara most of the credit. She has a pretty good eye for the way we like stuff.” Kat stepped into the formal dining room and opened the box, “Pink boxing gloves?” Kat stared at the contents.
“Yeah, I had ‘em specially made,” Vanessa lifted them out of the box. “See, Kit here and Kat on this one,” she pointed to the jeweled-studded embroidery. “Here, try them on,” she held one open.
“I don’t want to,” Kat eyed the glove then backed away. “I’m not gonna beat you up, Vanessa.”
“I deserve it,” she dropped the glove into the box.
“You do,” Kat agreed. “And even if I did beat you up that still wouldn’t make it okay, it still wouldn’t take the hurt away.”
“I know—”
“Or the fact that I can never trust you again,” Kat paced to the window and took a deep breath. The jittery feeling that was pulsing through her veins was inevitable with Vanessa there. “And how I can still close my eyes and see you two…” Her voice cracked and she grabbed the back of the chair and squeezed it.
“Kat, I can’t make those images go away, or take back what I did. I can only apologize for making a horrible choice and try to make up for it every day, if you’ll let me.”
“Why should I?” Kat shouted. “I have always been nothing but the best sister I could be to you. I have always loved you, and protected you, and lied for you!”
“I know, dammit! I know better than anyone how fucking perfect you are! How you’ve never done anything wrong and how impossible it is to follow in the ginormous shoes you leave to fill!”
“It’s not a competition, Vanessa!”
“I know that,” Vanessa cried. “It’s taken me this long to realize that I’ve just always made it that way.”
“So you finally figured that out? Well, whoop-dee-do for Vanessa! I’m so glad you could get that straight after you fucked my boyfriend!”
“He wasn’t your boyfriend anymore.”
“That doesn’t matter! You knew how much I cared about him, Vanessa. More than anyone, you knew that I loved him!”
“I know!” Vanessa sobbed. “I guess I just figured that I could, I don’t know, bring you down a notch by being with him. It was stupid…so stupid,” she sobbed. “But everything was going so perfectly for you. Perfect student, perfect athlete, perfect friend, and perfect fucking scholarship to one of the best colleges in the country! And you just had to top that all off by getting the perfect guy that leaves an actress for you! And for nothing less than marriage!”
“Don’t you dare bring Jason into this,” Kat said defensively.
“Don’t you see that was the final straw? I’ve sat back and watched how perfectly your life has unfolded, almost as if it was all planned to perfection. The perfect Katarina gets everything she wants and then some.” She sobbed.
Kat stared at her for a long moment. She had never seen Vanessa so defeated or forthcoming; the difference was wearing her nerves thin. And to hear it from her perspective…to see herself through Vanessa’s eyes was a bit disturbing. It did seem like everything was planned, which it was…down to the very last detail.
“I am so sorry, Kat. I truly am, because you’ve always been an awesome big sister. And I miss you, every day, every hour on the hour. Because you’re not just my big sister, you’re my best friend. And I can’t lose you, so I’ll say it a thousand times a day; I’ll let you beat me every day and twice on Sunday.” She covered her face with her hands and sobbed into them.
Kat wiped her face then grabbed some tissue and handed a bunch to Vanessa. They stared at each other for a long moment and Kat sighed. She had no idea what to do. The hole in her chest was still there, and the thought of kicking Vanessa out of the house without making amends seemed to make it ache more. But she wasn’t sure she could forgive her, or ever forget that it happened.
“I gotta go.” Kat sniffled as she looked at the clock.
“Yeah, okay.” Vanessa turned and headed toward the door. “Kit Kat?” She turned to look at Kat again.
“Yeah?”
“Thanks for letting me come in. And I’m really very sorry. Not just for Roger, but for everything.”
“I know you are,” Kat whispered.
“You do?”
“Yeah,” she nodded.
Vanessa nearly knocked her over when she closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around Kat’s waist and cried. Kat wrapped her arms around her sister and pressed her cheek against Va
nessa’s head and sighed.
“This doesn’t mean that I’ll ever forget,” Kat whispered.
“I know.” Vanessa nodded against her chest.
“Or that I forgive you,” Kat said leaning back so she could see her.
“I know,” Vanessa nodded matching her stare. “But it’s a start.”
“I gotta get to class.” Kat grabbed more tissue and wiped Vanessa’s face. “And you should be at school.”
“Yeah,” she nodded as she back toward the door. “Will you call me later?”
“I will.”
“I love you, Kit Kat.”
“I love you, too.” Kat smiled a little when Vanessa gave her another bear hug.
“I’ll talk to you later,” Vanessa wiped away the last of the tears and opened the door.
“Yeah, I’ll call after we get settled in this evening.”
“’’Kay,” she stepped onto the porch and waved.
“Bye,” Kat closed the door and leaned against it.
She took several calming breaths and forced the jittery energy to subside. She walked upstairs, got into the shower, and let the water run over her head as she went over everything. Deciding that she did the right thing, she relaxed so she could get to class without accidentally hurting someone.
After class, Kat walked out of the room with the girl that sat beside her. The poor thing was so overwhelmed with logarithms that Kat couldn’t help but offer her assistance. As they started down the hall, Kat did a double take when she spotted Jason leaning against the opposite wall. There was a single red rose in his hand and their picnic basket was at his feet.
“I thought you had a study group?” She asked when he approached them.
“I did.” He studied her for a moment. “I heard you had a visitor this morning. I wanted to make sure you were okay and see if you wouldn’t mind joining me for lunch?” He looked at her classmate. “Hey, I’m Jason.”
“Courtney,” she waved at Kat. “I’ll catch up with you on Wednesday, thanks for all the help.”
“No problem, Courtney. I’ll see you Wednesday.” Kat looked back at Jason.
Sleeper Cells Page 14
