One

by Mari Arden

  "Welcome."

  The word is said with such cheer and happiness that I momentarily forget I should be afraid. The woman who uttered it is very small with a curvy waist and a big, bright smile. She stands up to greet me and I notice I can see above her head. She's less than five feet for sure, and looks like what I'd picture a fairy to look like if fairies were suddenly dusted with growing powder. She pulls me into her arms, and my nose detects a hint of lilac. It's familiar, but before I can think more on it, she pulls away, studying me with an open gaze.

  "I'm so happy to finally meet you," she says. "Reid's told us a little bit about you, but me being the curious Nancy that I am, I wanted to know more. Jules, is it?"

  I nod politely, stepping back. "Jules Hendricks."

  She squeezes the upper part of my arms with affection. "It's a beautiful name for a beautiful girl. He usually brings home girls with too much…legs."

  I'm not sure if I should be insulted or embarrassed, but she's beaming so brightly that I decide it must be a negative thing to have too much… legs.

  "Oh."

  "Don't get me wrong," she waves her hand. "They were beautiful and I'm sure they would have produced beautiful children with him-"

  "Oh God," Pax groans.

  "-but I'm partial to smaller women myself." She indicates her petite height. She brings her head to mine, and in a whisper says, "If the world were to suddenly explode, it's the smaller ones that would survive first," she nods enthusiastically. "Just look at the dinosaurs. They were wiped right out when the meteors hit. But all the small things like the fishes and some little birds survived." She frowns. "Of course, it's possible it could have something to do with the fact that none of them were land animals, but I think the common denominator is the fact that they were all small. You know, Darwin-"

  "All right, chatty Cathy," Pax laughs, pulling me away. "Don't run her off just yet, Aunt Gail. I like this one." Her look of annoyance instantly blossoms into a smile so wide I'm afraid she's going to pull a muscle.

  "Oh, I like her, too," she agrees in an animated voice.

  "Aunt Gail, you just met her," Pax chuckles out loud.

  "What? I like anyone you like." Her brows furrow. "Well, except for that other one. She was beautiful, yes, but she was like an ice princess. So cold and untouchable. This one, though, is beautiful like a little, dainty fairy…" I laugh because it's exactly like what I'd thought about her.

  "Most people want their sons to marry princesses not fairies," Pax points out, winking in my direction.

  "Yes well, most people have traditional tastes. But I'm one step ahead of the game. Fairies are the new Disney princesses, mark my words. We're going to be seeing wings and fairy dust instead of ball gowns and boobies."

  Pax winces. "Please don't say 'boobies' anymore."

  "What? You'd prefer I say titties?"

  Pax visibly flinches. "I prefer you stay away from that topic altogether actually."

  I giggle behind my hand at his obvious discomfort. Serves him right, I think, remembering how Pax practically coerced me into being here.

  "Breasts are a natural part of the human body. Even you have them," she points out. "I read somewhere that in a life or death situation a man can make milk in his breasts if his mate is unable to, in order to save the life of their child. The cries of his baby coupled with the baby tugging at the nipples can stimulate hormonal processes that trigger milk producing-"

  "Aunt Gail, please!" Pax breaks in, looking horrified. "I don’t want to talk about men and breast feeding- it's barely noon!"

  "Well, would you like to talk about it during dinner?"

  "I'd like to talk about it during never!"

  She frowns. "I thought we raised you to be more open minded than that."

  "I'm sorry, Aunt Gail." He takes in a shaky breath. "But that stuff freaks the crap out of me."

  She nods, looking at me. "Men can be quite babies. It seems women will always have to be extra careful around their delicate sensibilities."

  I grin back. "It seems so," I agree.

  She sidesteps me to look out the window. I know the second she sees Pax's car. She sucks in a sharp breath. "My goodness, Pax! You drove in that thing? It's not even a car anymore; it's a pile of loosely hanging metal!"

  "I'm taking out a loan, and getting a new used car tomorrow," Pax explains. "I already talked to Uncle Bill."

  She shakes her head, looking distressed. "Let me go get him for you."

  The ravaged car reminds us of what happened, and there's tension in the air. I try to lighten the mood because there's darkness on Pax's face. "I know your weakness now," I call out in a teasing voice, gesturing him over. "You're afraid of making milk in your boobies."

  His reaction is what I hoped for. He forgets reality for a minute. An exaggerated look of horror comes over his face. "Wouldn't every man be? I don't want a baby sucking on my nipples. That shit looks like it hurts," he shudders.

  "Well you better pray there isn't a meteorite shower that wipes out all the females, or these boobies," I pinch his brick chest, "will be making milk for sure."

  Suddenly, he jumps on top of me. "I know how to get these boobies into the milk making mood…" He starts tickling the undersides of each breast, and I shriek, giggling uncontrollably.

  "Stop," I pant. "Stop!"

  "Not until you promise me you'll help save all the cows if Earth is ever bombed with meteors so no man will ever have to suffer making milk with their breasts!"

  His outrageous request makes me laugh harder until my giggles start to sound like dying grunts. "Okay, okay, I promise. I promise!" I shout loudly. He stills, thrusting his face closer to mine.

  "You can't take it back," he says.

  "I won't," I shake my head solemnly. "I swear it."

  His nose brushes against mine. "Swearing… Mmm-mm. I do like me a woman who talks dirty…"

  He kisses me right there on his aunt's sofa, right in the middle of the day. This is wrong in every way I can think of, but his kisses make everything seem right even when it's not. I love how he makes me feel instantly warmer like my body's been entombed and his kisses bring me to life.

  "Ah-em."

  I love that Pax makes me feel tingles and sensations inside me that I didn't know exist- like my toes. They curl whenever he touches me. My whole body sends messages of warmth and ecstasy and my toes continue to curl, keeping the pleasure in, keeping it contained like electricity.

  "Ah-em."

  I register the sound a second before Pax pulls back. He falls back, hitting the ground in his haste to get off me. "Shit," he cusses.

  The man walks to the other side of the room to give us time to collect ourselves. I quickly fix my hair and the collar of my shirt, shooting daggers at Pax. He looks a little apologetic but not much. I smooth the ends of my hair over my shoulder. Great, now how am I going to tell his uncle about what happened after he just caught us making out? I'm disgusted with my body, with how easily I give into Pax at his merest touch. It's like my body belongs more to him than to me.

  "I'm sorry that I walked in at the wrong time." Pax's uncle has a quiet, calm voice, and it reminds me a little of Pax. When he turns around, I gasp. He looks very similar to Pax- so similar he could be his father. He must have seen the dawning recognition in my eyes because he introduces himself. "I'm Bill, Reid's uncle. His father was my twin."

  Ah, it makes sense now. They both have the same dark hair and the same green eyes. They look exactly like how a father and son might look like. I see him put his hand on Pax's shoulder and squeeze gently. Even though Bill isn't Pax's biological father, I instantly feel the bond between them, and I know that in every way that matters Pax is his son.

  "Gail and I don’t have any other children so the day Pax came to live with us was the best day of our lives."

  I can't help it; I smile at Bill, instantly warming to him even though I want to dislike him. It must be a Paxton trait.

  "Aw, shucks, you're going to make me blus
h now."

  Bill snorts. "Like you know how to. There isn't an embarrassed bone in your body."

  "Got that trait from your side of the family."

  "I'd argue that, but it's the truth," Bill shrugs.

  The friendly banter between the two of them breaks the ice, and I almost forget that Bill just caught us making out. Almost.

  "So what brings you two here today, son?"

  "I'm going to get the loan tomorrow for a new car," Pax says. Bill grunts, disapproval evident in his features. He opens his mouth to speak, probably to reprimand Pax. "But that's not why we're here," Pax quickly interrupts. Bill's eyes narrow, trying to read us. I see why he's a cop. I'm willing to bet he's a good one, too. "Why don't you have a seat, Uncle Bill?"

  Bill sits across from me, and I can't help it- I scoot to the end of the couch. He crosses one leg over the other and watches Pax grab my arm and force me back to him.

  "I don't think I've formally met you yet," Bill begins, staring into my face. "I'm Bill Paxton. You must be Jules, correct?" I nod. "My wife told me you'd be visiting. I had some paperwork I was going to go to the office to do, but she insisted I stay, saying Pax was bringing home a very nice girl to meet us." He holds out his hand. I take it, shaking firmly. There's an air of authority around him, but his green eyes are caring. If I stare into them long enough I can imagine I'm talking to Pax and it might make this whole process easier.

  "I'm Jules Hendricks. I go to school with Pax."

  "School." He nods. "Semester 's almost over, I hear."

  "Yes," I say politely. "School's out while we study for finals. They start next week."

  He nods. "Study hard and you both will do well."

  "Yes, sir." I don't say anymore. My stomach is in knots. I can't very well say: hi, I know you're a cop and I'm pretty sure I'm a criminal, but could you help me take down some bad guys and maybe work something behind the scenes so I don't land in jail? I have a feeling no matter how kind his eyes look, he won't take that sort of news well.

  Bill watches us closely, and I know he's too good at his job to not suspect something's up. I'm sure they're trained on reading body language, and awkward lengthy silences. I bite my bottom lip. Pax told me to trust him, so I'm going to try. If he fails, I'll run, I tell myself. I'll make them chase me to the ends of the earth.

  "Is there something you'd like my help with?" Bill finally asks in a gentle tone when no one makes a move to speak. His gaze is sharp, and I'm willing to bet this is his police voice, kind and caring, designed to coax confessions and guilt. I swallow the lump in my throat.

  "Yes," Pax answers for me, his voice low and precise. "Jules and I would like your help on something."

  Bill nods. "Go on," he urges.

  "First, before we begin, I want you to make a promise to me."

  Bill's eyebrow shoots up, looking a little alarmed. "A promise?" he repeats, as if he didn't hear correctly.

  "Yes," Pax affirms. "A promise. Can you do that?"

  Pause.

  "I'm afraid I don't know if I can. I'd need to know what we're discussing first."

  "If you can't make a promise, then it's a no go." Abruptly, Pax stands up. "Thanks, Uncle. Tell Aunt Gail I'll come back to visit. Jules and I need to go now."

  Bill uncrosses his legs, leaning back to look at Pax. "Don't be so hasty now, son," he says quietly. "What sort of promise do you need?"

  "We want your advice on something."

  "Of course," Bill answers instantly.

  "I want your advice as an uncle to his son using all his knowledge as a police officer to help give that advice. I don’t want Bill the police officer. I want my uncle." Pax looks him straight in the eye. "Do you understand?"

  Bill's face is expressionless, a perfect mask to hide everything he's thinking. I know what Pax's plan is now. He wants to have his uncle approach our situation the way an uncle might, but to also use all of his clout as an officer to help us out of our mess. I squirm next to Pax. I don't see this turning out well.

  "Will I be tempted to become Bill the police officer?" Will I need to arrest anyone in this room?

  "No," Pax answers immediately. "At least, I hope not."

  It's clear Bill doesn’t like that answer. His gaze shifts to me, and I have trouble meeting his eyes.

  "I'd like you to help us, but if you can't that's all right," Pax says, forcing his uncle's eyes back on him. "I won't think less of you because of it."

  There's a pregnant silence, one in which I'm sure Bill's mind is furiously working, figuring out a way to get information from us without committing to anything.

  "Uncle," Pax says softly. "It's really important that you stay my uncle through this. If you feel like you can't, please do not try to help. It will only make it worse for the both of us."

  "You know I would do anything in my power for you, son, you know that."

  "I do," Pax acknowledges softly, his fingers squeezing mine. "I have that same love for another person and I'd like to help her out. I need to know if you can do this with me or if I should do this on my own, because either way, I'm already involved."

  Bill looks pained with this confession. I don't blame him. His mind's probably jumped to all sorts of conclusions, and I'm willing to bet all of them are bad. Pax remains steadfast though, never breaking eye contact with his uncle, not even when a flare of anger is evident in his eyes. Pax won't back down, and I know he's putting it all on the table for his uncle: help me and I stay, or don't and I do this on my own, damn the consequences.

  I want to run in anger. I want to curl in a ball in shame. Pax doesn't deserve this. His uncle doesn't either. They both shouldn't have to get involve in my problem. As good as it felt to have someone listen to what happened, I know that I can't let Pax and his uncle risk anything for me.

  "Pax, I've decided-"

  "All right," Bill says.

  I freeze. What? I feel Pax physically relax, and I realize he'd been strung up the whole time, sitting straight as cardboard while engaging in some sort of mental communication with his uncle.

  "I promise to help you the best that I can." I promise to try my best not to arrest anyone here.

  Pax nods. "Thank you." There is a moment of silence while Pax contemplates something in his head. "Do you know anyone by the name of Juan Gonzales?" he abruptly asks.

  The only movement Bill makes is a slight widening of his eyes. It's so small I briefly wonder if I saw it at all.

  "I know many Juan Gonzales's."

  "Do you know of one in Minnesota? An important man. A-" Pause. "A drug lord."

  The silence is immeasurable. It seems to stretch and stretch as Bill sits immobile, and occasionally blinking. "That's classified information," he finally says.

  "What if I told you I know someone who can get you his location?"

  I become rigid. My heart is going to burst out of my chest and Bill will see how black it is.

  "In exchange for that information, that person will require a pardon for any actions he or she has taken that may be considered criminal activity."

  I know Bill promised not to, but I see the moment he shifts over from being an uncle to a cop. "That's not possible. Aiding and abetting a criminal is against the law-"

  "Pardons occur all the time. Say someone was driving at the wheel of a car and accidently killed his parents. He got pardoned. He never went to jail for it. He took two lives and never went to jail for it. A murderer. Free."

  Bill clenches the armrests beside him. His knuckles are white with the force of it. "You're not a murderer, Reid," he whispers, his eyes wide with shock and anger. "The drunk driver pushed you out of the road. You had no choice! You tried the best you could. You-"

  "I was drinking too! I should've seen him! I would've if I hadn't turned back to yell at them!"

  Bill shakes his head vigorously. "No. No. Stop it Reid. That man has a life sentence for what he did. There is justice for your parents. You carrying all this unnecessary guilt isn't healthy. You need to do so
mething to help you let it go."

  "You're right," Pax is calm again, taking a shaky breath. "I'm doing something to make it right. I'm helping to give back a life for the two lives I helped take." Bill's expression is a mixture of anger, shock and weariness. "If I can be pardoned for my role in what happened, then this person can be pardoned for taking justice into her own hands."

  A heavy silence descends. I love Pax for doing this, but at the same time, I hate him. I hate him for using his uncle in this way. I hate him for harboring guilt over something that's out of his control. I hate him for needing to do this for me to help take his pain away. Most of all, I hate myself for loving him so much that I'll let him do it.

  "Can this person get me to the location of Juan Gonzales?" Bill finally asks, looking up.

  I nod. His eyes fall to me. "Yes," I whisper.

  "Juan Gonzales is reputed to have several factories where he produces his drugs. Can this person take us to those places?"

  I nod again. I want to tell him that I know everything. I know how dangerous this man is. I can help the police destroy Gonzales's empire.

  "Then perhaps a pardon can be negotiated."

  I almost sigh with relief. Pax squeezes my hand.

  "There's more." Bill leans back. He doesn't look surprised. He's probably seen a lot in his line of work. His eyes are trained on me. I swallow, willing my voice to sound stronger. "There's more," I repeat. "Gonzales might be injured, or worse, dead. There are parts of his empire that are still standing." His factories and other farms I didn't burn. "There will always be someone to replace him. Everything must be destroyed for the evil to stop. Everything."

  Red.

  This time the color comes with a sound: screams.

  "Juan Gonzales is at the center of this. If he falls, everything else should collapse with him like dominos," Bill states.

  I shake my head. "No."

  Red.

  "He didn't just deal exclusively with drugs. His empire reached further than that. He dabbled in other things. Evil things." I shudder. "He did anything for money. Anything."

  "Prostitution?"

  I shake my head.

  "Well then." He sounds more impatient. "What is it?"