by G. E. Stills
“I can provide those memories if you wish,” Akito said.
“No… no I think I would much rather create new ones. I think I’ll talk to Tantara though, she’ll be easier to convince.”
“As you wish.”
Still in conversation with Akito, Lina dressed and joined Rhody for coffee. “I’m going out by myself for a while today. I can’t just stay home any longer. I’m going to talk to Trevor about a job.”
“Trevor?”
“I happen to know that he is looking for security agents. I think I could be one.”
“Um.”
“Not your decision, Rhody, so don’t even say what you’re thinking.”
“Okay. You’re becoming very independent, Lina.”
“Yes I am. It feels great.”
She left shortly after breakfast.
***
Lina took a seat facing Trevor across his desk. She shifted to a more comfortable position.
“You’re looking very well, Lina,” he said. “So to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?”
Lina smiled. “I won’t try to be evasive or to waste your time. I want a job. I want to be one of your agents.”
Trevor’s face drained of blood. “Um––”
“Trevor, although Akito will not provide details I do know that you used me as one before. I’m asking that you use me again.”
“Um––”
“Trevor, please. I need something to do. I can’t just stay home and do nothing. Even if I wanted too, I don’t think I’d be allowed to return to Earth. I know too much about Teelan now. I’m not smart enough, nor do I have the desire to compete with the scientist types around here. I’m not really interested in becoming a technician. The people here are fantastically intelligent.”
“So are you, Lina. More so each day. I can see that.”
“Thanks. So what do you say? Can you find something for me?”
Trevor leaned back in his seat and smiled. “Be here the day after tomorrow at eight sharp. You’ll start your training as soon as we fill out some paperwork.”
Lina stood a huge smile on her face. “Thanks, Trevor, or should I say Boss?”
“Trevor will be fine.”
After shaking hands, she left, destined for Kat’s lab. It took some talking, but in the end, she convinced Tantara to make the needed adjustments to Akito. Lina returned to the apartment late in the day.
“So was the day productive?” Rhody asked over their meal.
“Yes. I got a job with Trevor. I start training in two days.” She held up her empty glass. “More wine please.”
“That’s your third one. Do you think––”
“Rhody, I’m celebrating. I plan on having a lot more of these. I don’t need you to monitor my consumption. Now, will you get me more, or should I walk over to the dispenser and get it myself?”
He stood and took her glass. “Yes, Ma’am.” He chuckled. “More wine for the lady coming up.”
She watched Rhody’s back as he waited by the dispenser for another glass.
“I think you’re building up liquid courage for what you plan on happening later,” Akito said.
“And your thoughts would be right,” she answered.
They moved to the living room and started a movie. Midway through the show, and two more glasses of wine later, she slid across the couch and started kissing him. Their kisses were not fully responsible for the giddy, tingling feeling that caused heavy perspiration under her clothes and the ache at her core. What she planned for later had a large bearing too.
The credits were rolling and Rhody broke their kiss. “So what movie should we watch next?”
She cupped his cheeks in her hands. “I have a better idea if you don’t mind.”
“And what is that?” He was breathing hard just like her.
“I’d like it if we fucked.”
His eyes opened wide. For a moment, he gazed at her in stunned silence. “Ah…Lina, much as I’d like to, we can’t. I don’t have protection and you aren’t on any form of birth control.”
“Yes I am. I won’t get pregnant.”
“Since when? I mean, since when are you taking contraceptives?”
“I had Akito adjusted today. He has control of my reproductive system. So we can. Unless you don’t want to?”
He smoothed his hands over her arms and gazed into her eyes. “Oh I want to. I want to a lot.”
“Well then.”
“You have this planned don’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Just one thing, Lina. If we do this, it won’t be fucking. It will be making love.”
“I like the sound of that even better.”
He scooped her up into his arms. “TV off, lights in the living room out. Lights in my room, dim,” he ordered the apartment computer as he carried her down the hall.
***
Lina opened her eyes slowly. After a sigh of contentment, her lips stretched into a smile. The feel of Rhody’s skin pressed against her back was heavenly. Memories of the previous night flowed deliciously through her mind. So that is sex. Wow.
“That was fantastic,” she whispered more to herself than anyone.
Rhody kissed the back of her neck. “I thought so too,” he whispered. His arm crept around her drawing her tighter against him.
“Well I guess I should get up and go to my own room. I need to shower.”
“If you don’t mind I’d like it if you stayed right here for longer. I like the feel of you against me. There is no hurry for you to leave. We have all day.”
Lina snuggled closer. “Then I’ll stay. You feel nice too.”
“Would you consider sleeping here from now on? I’m asking. What do you think?”
Although he couldn’t see, Lina grinned. “I guess my answer would be…I’m going to miss my old bed… a little.”
Late in the afternoon hunger and thirst drove them from bed. Lina crawled out and gathered her underwear and clothes from the floor. Feeling his gaze on her naked backside she sashayed for him before she left the room. “This is what you get, babe. I hope you aren’t disappointed,” she said.
“Not in the least. No even a little bit. Tea?”
“Love some. I’ll be out to join you soon.” Lina padded across the hall. Under the warm spray of the shower, she thought. I don’t remember much about my old life, but this new one is wonderful. I’ve got a handsome man that cares for me. I’ve got a new job and a beautiful apartment. I don’t think I could ask for a life much better than this.
Lina dressed and joined Rhody in the kitchen.
“Is there something you would like to do this afternoon?” he asked.
“I’d like to go hiking. I like being among nature.”
“Then hiking it is.”
When they returned from their hike, darkness had fallen. Bright flashing city lights lit the way to the elevator that took them down to their apartment. After eating supper, she sat curled up to him and watched a movie. It ended and Rhody stood. He helped her to her feet and guided her down the hall. Lina stopped by her bedroom door. “I’ll be there in a sec. I need to get some pajamas to wear.”
Rhody grinned. “You won’t be needing any.”
Lina smiled up at him. “No?”
“No.”
“I think maybe I’ve created a monster.”
“Yes you have, and now you will have to suffer the consequences.”
“I love the consequences. Lead on, my handsome man.”
***
“Take a break for a moment, Lina,” her instructor said.
Lina just nodded, panting too hard to answer verbally.
He strode away.
Her top and baggy shorts clung to her, as did her hair. Lina’s arms glistened with perspiration. Trails of sw
eat trickled down her shaking legs. She leaned forward, resting her hands on her knees. Even though tired and bone weary, she managed a smile. She had managed to fell her instructor twice during this session of unarmed combat training. Something she had never managed before.
I may be exhausted right now, but I’m the happiest I can ever remember being. Two more days and I will have completed my training. I’ll be an agent. One that Trevor can be proud of.
The physical training was tough, but the hours of study were far worse. Hours in the classroom and more on the computer at home. One thing she didn’t like about her training was it had seriously cut into her love life.
She thought of her plans for the evening. Rhody had gone back to work on the Freedom, but this was the end of his shift. Tonight my man will be home. Tonight I won’t be sleeping alone. It’s still hard for me to fathom that we’ve been sleeping together for two months now. It seems like our first time was only yesterday.
“That’s all, Lina. You pass,” the instructor said when he returned. “You’re good. Very good. None of my students has ever been able to take me down. When you pass––You’ll notice I said when and not if––When you pass the written finals next week you’ll be an agent. Good luck.”
“Thanks Hal,” she said.
Lina strolled away toward the locker room. Shower first, I stink, and then home to start getting ready.
The ride home passed in a blur. At her command, their apartment door opened. Lina set about getting ready for the evening. She had two things she wanted to celebrate. Her passing the physical part of her training and welcoming Rhody home.
The candles and fancy tablecloth did not take long. Now to get myself ready. Lina glanced at her watch. “Damn. Not much time. He’ll be home soon.” She was stripping as she raced down the hall. She finished removing her bra and panties while standing in front of her dresser picking out others. The ones she picked were the ones that had caused him to blush the most months ago when she picked them.
Rushing to her closet, she selected a short navy-blue mini-skirt. She pulled it on and zipped it closed. Her sky-blue top barely covered the sequined bra she wore underneath. Unlike his, the crystal in her navel was strictly ornamental. Lina slipped on knee high black suede boots to complete her outfit. Next, she sprayed his favorite fragrance in the air and stepped through it. She took a final look at herself. She had conformed to the most popular fashion of hairstyle. Shoulder length now, it had bright blue and silver streaks in addition to her natural brunette color.
Lina dashed into the living room and was waiting when the door slid open. “Hi, honey. I’ve been waiting here for hours,” she lied. “I’m so glad you’re home.” He was barely over the threshold when she threw herself into his arms and covered his face with kisses in exuberance.
“Wow. What’s the occasion,” he finally managed.
“I’m just so happy to see you home.”
“And?”
“And I passed the physical part of my agent training. And this is an anniversary celebration of sorts.”
“Anniversary?”
“It’s the anniversary of the first time we made love. I’m sure you want to take a shower. I have the clothes I want you to wear set out on the bed. I’ll be in the kitchen waiting. We’re having your favorite meal and of course, generous amounts of wine.” She winked at him.
Turning, she sashayed away seductively. She yelped when he swatted her butt playfully.
“I’ll be out in a few, my sexy little temptress,” he said.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Naa’dia gazed down at her daughter lovingly. Rho’naa’s head was covered in tight red curls. Naa’dia knew that soon her child would begin learning to walk. She already said two words. Mommy being one. “It’s time, my dear. Time to call Rhody, your dad.”
At the mention of his name Rho’naa looked up with her big blue eyes. “Daddy?”
“Yes, daddy will come.”
Tears streamed down Naa’dia’s cheeks. She carefully installed the battery she’d removed long ago into the phone while hoping it retained enough charge. To her relief it lit up and she punched in the number she knew by heart even after all these months. Two rings later, he answered in a sleepy voice.
“Rhody.”
“Yes. Who’s this? The caller id says Steven, but you’re not a Steven.”
“No, not Steven. This must be his phone.”
“I recognize your voice, but I can’t fit it with an id yet.”
“Please don’t call the authorities until you’ve listened to me. Please!”
“Why would I call the authorities?”
“This is Naa’dia.”
“What!” Rhody’s voice indicated he was wide-awake now.
“Rhody who is that?” a sleepy female voice asked from the background.
“Never mind, Lina. Do me a favor, go get some coffee for us.”
“Lina?” Naa’dia asked. “The Lina I know?”
“Yes,” he answered tersely.
“Rhody I have no right to ask. I know you must hate me. I deserve your hatred. But once you loved me, and I still love you. Put this call on speaker. What I have to say concerns Lina too.”
“Haven’t you hurt her enough damn it? You better run, bitch, because I will find you.”
“I’m through running and hiding. I know you can zero in on this phone signal to pinpoint my location. I intend to leave this phone turned on. I won’t run. I’ll be here waiting. Please, Rhody. I’m begging you.”
Something in her plea touched him. Yes, he hated her now, but she was right, yes at one time he had loved her. “Fine. This conversation is now on speaker. It better be good.”
***
Lina jolted awake at Rhody’s outburst. She watched him sit bolt upright in the bed. Lina raised one eyebrow in question. His only response was to ask her to get coffee.
Moments later, he pushed the speaker button.
“Lina, this is Naa’dia. You may remember me,” the woman said.
Lina blinked and for a moment her eyes swam when Akito open her locked up memories of that final day on Earth. They flooded into her mind. “Oh God!” She pressed a fist in her mouth.
“I remember. I remember Naa’dia now,” she whispered to Rhody.
“Lina, Rhody, I was born a Men-gar. All my life I was taught to detest humans. I came here to destroy and gather information that could be used against you.”
“Yeah, you were pretty effective at that,” Rhody snapped.
“I know.”
Did she detect sorrow in Naa’dia’s voice. “And then I met Lina––”
“And you destroyed her mind and raped her,” Rhody spat.
“I did destroy her mind and I regret that every day. I stopped the process in time though. Otherwise she would not be part of this conversation. She probably doesn’t remember, but after that we made love.”
“Love? No you didn’t make love to her, you raped her.”
“We made love, Rhody. Tell me this. When a person is raped, do they climax? She did, I did. Making love to her started the change. Making love to you continued it.”
“It was nothing but sex between you and I Naa’dia. You used me and sex was just a means to achieve your goals.”
“Rhody, you know better. What we did was much more than just sex. There were strong emotions involved…yours and mine. I won’t argue with you. You remember it as you wish. I will remember our being together as the best days of my life.”
“So what is the point of this conversation?”
Lina could hear Rhody’s temper flaring. She also saw his eyes were misted.
“I was born Men-gar, but I am human now. The Men-gar are wrong to hate humans. Terribly wrong. I know what I’m going to say is woefully inadequate, but it is the only word I can think of. I’m sorry. I’m sorry for
my actions on Earth. Lina, I’m sorry I hurt you. Rhody. What we had…well I’m sorry it didn’t work out. I wish I could go back and change everything, but I can’t.”
“And now you’re asking for mercy?” he said.
“No,” Her voice was forceful. “No, I ask for none and expect none. There is another factor involved here or I would have taken my life long ago.”
Rhody covered the phone receiver and whispered to her. “Go in the other room. Call Mom and Trevor. Tell them I have Naa’dia on the phone. Tell them when they get here to be quiet.”
Lina nodded. She tiptoed to the bedroom door, grabbing her phone from the dresser as she passed. She listened to the conversation between Rhody and Naa’dia while she dialed Kyra.
Rhody uncovered the receiver. “Go on,” he said to Naa’dia.
“Rhody, I have…we have a child.”
“What? Impossible.”
Lina mouthed the same words albeit silently. “A child?”
“What kind of sick game are you playing, Naa’dia?” he asked. “You may look human. And you may think of yourself as human, but inside you’re Men-gar. Human and Men-gar genes are not compatible. There is no way the child could be mine if there even is a child.”
Kyra answered on the second ring. “Kyra this is Lina,” she whispered. “Come to our apartment quick. Bring Trevor with you.”
“What’s going on, Lina?” Kyra asked.
“Rhody has Naa’dia on the phone.”
“What?” Kyra asked incredulously.
“I know you think it’s impossible, Rhody,” Naa’dia said. “I said the same myself. But I can’t argue with the fact there is an infant girl looking up at me as we speak. Rho’naa has your red hair and blue eyes. She’s darling.”
“It’s true. Kyra, I have to go,” Lina said while listening to the other conversation with one ear. “I need to call Trevor. When you get here, be quiet. I don’t think Rhody wants Naa’dia to know I’ve summoned you.”
“Call Trev. Tell him I’ll pick him up. We’ll be there soon.”
“Thanks, Kyra,” Lina said.
Rhody and Naa’dia have a child? Oh my God.
She hung up and called Trevor telling him the same. Kyra arrived to get him while they were still talking. After disconnecting with Trevor, she tiptoed back into the room. She had just finished putting on panties and bra when a smoky haze formed in one corner. Without a word, Kyra and Trevor stepped out of it. Trevor had some type of device in his hand.
