The Next Ten: Beginnings Series Books 11 - 20

by Jacqueline Druga

  Jess laughed heartedly. “You? No. I’m the one going with Ellen.”

  “Oh, sure so you can lead the Society right to her.”

  Scoffing, Jess shook his head. “Get the fuck out of here. At least I can protect her. You on the other hand would find a nice little hole to hide in if the Savages came.”

  Richie stood up. “You honestly think Ellen would want you over me.”

  “Um, yeah.” Jess nodded. “She told me today she wanted me to go, in so many words.”

  “Well, I wanna hear those so many words.”

  “Let’s go.” Jess pointed to the office door. “Let’s get the guard in here and you and I will go.”

  “You’re on.” Rich walked out into the hall. “We’ll ask her which one is better to go. I bet you it’s me.”

  “I bet you it’s me,” Jess argued.

  “What do you wanna bet?” Richie asked.

  “Loser does night turn.”

  “You’re on.” Reaching up to the security door, Richie buzzed the code for them to leave.

  ^^^^

  With his hand extending for the living room door, Henry stopped and looked back at Hector. “Are you sure about this?”

  “I’m positive,” Hector said.

  “I should do this right now?”

  “Henry, I think all kinds of arrangements around Beginnings are going to have to be made when you go with Ellen. It’s better to tell Joe now.”

  “And you don’t mind me leaving Nick with you?”

  “Not at all. Just don’t sleep with Ellen out there.”

  “Why would you say that?” Henry asked. “You know Ellen and mine’s history. That would never happen.”

  “I’m just making sure, not that it would bother me. Personally, it wouldn’t but we’re making such progress with Misha. She doesn’t want to get involved with any man who had a previous relationship with a woman in Beginnings. I never had one.”

  “Hector?” Henry scratched his head. “How did you explain Nick to her then? She knows Nick is Ellen’s son, right?”

  “I just told her that Ellen was artificially inseminated for you. That’s why we have Nick.”

  “That’s a lie,” Henry gasped. “What if she finds out?”

  “She won’t. I want this. It’s just a little fib. I’ll blame it on you and tell her that is what you told me.” Hector shrugged. “But that is a subject for another time. Right now, find Joe.”

  “I’m finding Joe.” Henry opened the door and stepped out. “I think this is best, Hector?”

  “I do, too. You’re the best choice.” Hector moved closer as Henry slipped through the archway. “Remember . . .” he called to Henry as Henry started down the path. “Don’t take no for an answer, no matter what Joe says.”

  ^^^^

  “Oh, yeah.” In the Social Hall, Frank bobbed his head in arrogance, his finger pressing to the earpiece of his headset. “All clear?”

  “All clear, Frank,” Robbie responded. “I’m covering Tracking for a few.”

  “Excellent. I’m playing darts for a few. You know, because it’s gonna be a while until I get to do this again.”

  “Get that time in now.” Robbie said. “Frank?”

  “Yeah.”

  “No drinking. OK?”

  Frank paused and looked down to where he was been sitting. A glass, half full, set on the table. “Um, no drinking. I promise.”

  “Thanks.”

  Tossing the headset around his neck, Frank remembered his promise and forgot about the drink. Just as he clapped his hands in a kill scope for his next dart victim, he spotted Hal. “Aw,” Frank whined.

  Hal grinned and waved.

  Frank whined again and as soon as he saw Elliott, Frank stomped his foot. “Fuck.”

  “Evening, big brother.” Hal approached him.

  “Hal.” Frank shifted his eyes to Elliott. “What’s Sgt. Fuckin Ryder doing here?”

  “I’ll get to that.” Hal lifted his hand.

  “You aren’t here to make me do any more parlor tricks, are you?” Frank asked.

  “No.” Hal shook his head.

  “Because I don’t think I can jump leaps of fate anymore. My butt hurts.”

  “I’m sure . . .”

  “I wonder if cats hurt from hopping about.”

  “Cats don’t hop about,” Hal corrected.

  “So if cats don’t hop, why do I?” Frank questioned.

  “Because perhaps,” Hal said snidely, “you aren’t a cat.”

  “Oh, yeah. I’m a rabbit.” Frank shrugged. “Same difference.”

  Hal refrained. “Anyhow . . .”

  “So If I’m not showing off how good I jump, what’s Sgt. Fuckin Ryder doing here?”

  “I’ll get to that,” Hal said. “Now, Frank, this is important. Ellen leaves soon and you and I both know, without question, who it is that is going with her.”

  “With a doubt,” Frank stated. “No question.”

  “No argument?” Hal asked.

  “None.”

  “And our father, as you know, backs up this decision.”

  Frank winced some. “Well, not entirely, but better his son than someone else.”

  Hal snapped his fingers. “That’s right.”

  Elliott rolled his eyes, but did have to admit to himself that he enjoyed the play of words between the two Slagel men.

  “Now for the reason Elliott is here,” Hal explained. “Do you like Sgt. Ryder?”

  “I hate him.” Frank raised his eyebrows. “He was all right when he was dying, but he got shitty when he found out he was gonna live.”

  “Didn’t he though?” Hal instigated. “So, anyhow, if Sgt. Ryder were to initiate something that would really rub you wrong, you would . . . I don’t know, possibly hurt him?”

  Elliott huffed, “Thank you very much for that, Captain.”

  “Hush.” Hal waved his hand at Elliott. “You know I wouldn’t let him hurt you. Please. Aren’t I the one, according to Ellen, that is the only one who can take on Frank?”

  “Hal!” Frank snapped. “Get to your point. Obviously you have one if you came all the way from New Bowman.”

  “I do,” Hal nodded. “My point is, not wanting to see any confrontation erupt between the two of you, but . . .” Hal smiled. “Guess what?”

  ^^^^

  Was Dean at the North Pole or in Beginnings? Sitting on his living room floor and looking around at the massive amount of presents made him really wonder.

  “Stay in there,” Ellen’s instructing voice to the children trailed into the living room as she made her return. “Hey,” she said, almost disappointed as she joined him on the floor.

  “What?” Dean looked up innocently.

  “You didn’t wrap anymore.”

  “El.” Exhausted, Dean dropped his shoulders. “Why wrap? Just give them to people.”

  “Dean. Please.”

  “Why are we wrapping?”

  Gasping, Ellen’s mouth dropped open. “Why not? It’s the Christmas Spirit. God, Dean, half the fun is unwrapping. We can wrap thanks to Danny Hoi for bring back paper.” She sighed out, “It felt so good to shop again. It really felt good to go into the store, pick out what I want, and say ‘charge please’ with no limit on what I can spend.”

  “Of course not,” Dean mumbled. “When you maxed out one card, you just used someone else’s.”

  Ellen giggled. “Yeah, something like that.”

  Both of them looked up when the doorbell rang.

  Ellen stood up. “That must be Andrea. She’s the only one who rings my bell.” Smiling, Ellen opened the door. “A-ha.” She pointed, opened the door wider and allowed Andrea in. “See Dean? And bonus . . .” Ellen waited for Joe to enter. “My Dad.” She closed the door. “Don’t peek. Your presents are in here.”

  Joe looked at the massive amount of gifts. “Christ, Ellen, what did you do? Buy out all of New Bowman?”

  “Something like that.”

  “Joe., Andrea spok
e up. “Please save the hum-bug attitude and give it to him.” She swung a point at Dean.

  “Me?” Dean stood up. “What did I do?”

  Andrea huffed out, “Oh you would ask that, wouldn’t you?”

  Dean shook his head, confused.

  Andrea folded her arms. “Tell him, Joe.”

  Joe opened his mouth. “Dean, I . . .”

  “I will, “ Andrea interrupted. “What? Did you think we wouldn’t notice because you’re so little?”

  “Andrea,’ Joe whined.

  “What is going on?” Dean asked.

  Before Joe could say anything. Andrea did. “You left the lights on in your lab.”

  Dean blinked a few times. “That’s it? Oh, sorry.”

  “Sweet Jesus!” Andrea snapped. “That is not it. Tell him, Joe.”

  “Dean, it . . .”

  “What . . .” Andrea intruded again, “Were you thinking? Not only did you leave the computer on, you left everything out in the open.” Her head bobbed about as she scolded. “It’s no secret now, Mr. Einstein, that you are fully planning on leaving Beginnings.”

  “I never said it was a secret,” Dean said. “I’m going.”

  ‘No, you are not.” Andrea argued. “You cannot go. Tell him, Joe.”

  “Dean,” Joe tried again to talk. “I have to . . .”

  “First!” Andrea screamed another interruption.

  Joe tossed up his hands, then whispered to Ellen, ‘I’ll get that door.’

  Totally engrossed in Andrea’s yelling at Dean, Ellen never noticed the knock on the door.

  Andrea continued, “First, you are a father. Second, you are the medical mind and means and medical leader of this community. You have an obligation.”

  “I have an obligation to my wife,” Dean argued.

  “You cannot and will not go.” Andrea gave a dramatic bob of her head.

  “I go with her. El?” Dean faced Ellen. “El, tell Andrea who you are taking.”

  Crossing her arms, Ellen nervously opened her mouth but hid her relief when Henry, who had entered the home, also entered the conversation.

  “You, Dean?” Henry stepped closer. “You can’t go. You have the kids and the community’s health. What are you thinking? Ellen should take someone with limited responsibilities and someone who can protect her. I plan on going.”

  Dean laughed, “You? Oh sure, Henry, let me send my wife with you for a month. Don’t forget we both still aren’t happy with you. Besides, what are you gonna do? Bitch at the Savages?”

  “Dean.” Henry raised an eyebrow. “I would have El and I out of any physical situation before you even finish thinking about it.”

  “Henry,” Dean had edge. “Get out of my house. You aren’t going with my wife. I am.”

  “No, you are not!” Andrea barked “I think Henry should go.”

  Henry smiled. “Thanks, Andrea.”

  “Both of you . . .” Dean waved his finger at Henry and Andrea. “Are out of your minds. You can’t stop me.”

  “I will, Dean,” Joe interceded. “If I have to hog tie you and lock you up, I will. I can’t allow you to not only leave your abundance of off spring, but I can’t allow you to leave this community.”

  Snidely, Henry grinned. “See. Joe wants me to go.”

  With his face crinkled in irritation, Dean swung a look at Henry. “Where did you get that? And he won’t hog tie me. I go with El. Period. El?’

  Ellen honestly wanted to respond as she stood side by side with Joe. She made the attempt, her lips parted, but a knock on the door was the sound that emerged.

  Joe gave a twitch of his head. “You or me.”

  Ellen lifted her finger. “I’ll take this one.” She reached for the door, opened it, and in walked Jess and Richie.

  Richie stepped in first. “Joe, are you busy?”

  With a serious calm and a tad of dramatics, Joe looked around the room. “Kind of looks that way, yes. What is it?”

  “We need you to settle an argument,” Richie stated.

  “It’s important, Joe,” Jess added, “or else we wouldn’t be here.”

  “It better be goddamn important!” Joe barked. “Who the hell is holding down Containment?”

  “It’s handled,” Richie replied. “Now, we are arguing and we have a bet on who you think should go with Ellen.”

  Unseen, Ellen’s hand ejected to her face.

  Henry tilted his head. “We’re arguing the same thing. Who do you think should go?” he asked Richie.

  “Me.” Richie replied.

  “I say me,” Jess sated.

  “You guys?” Henry scoffed. “No, you two aren’t even in the running. This argument is between me and Dean.”

  “Dean?” Richie laughed.

  “Dean?” Jess said in shock.

  “Yeah, me. I am her husband,” Dean rebutted.

  Richie snickered. “You’re like three feet tall.”

  Dean stepped to Ellen’s brother of the same height. “And you have room to talk.”

  Andrea lifted her hand with attitude. “Gentlemen, this argument is really moot.”

  “Yeah,” Henry instigated. “Andrea thinks I should go.”

  “I do,” Andrea agreed.

  “Bullshit!” Dean snapped. “I don’t care if Andrea supports you, Henry. I go. I’m her husband.”

  “I’m her brother.”

  Jess aided the argument, “I believe Ellen told me she wanted me to go.”

  All three, Henry, Andrea and Dean, not only swing a view to Ellen, but they all blasted her with a loud ‘What!’

  Ellen cringed.

  Knock-knock-knock.

  Sighing in relief, Ellen’s shoulders dropped. “Saved.”

  Joe opened the door. “You think?”

  The three of them, Frank, Hal, and Elliott, blasted in past Joe like an emotional tornado. Frank was the hard whipping whirlwind, Hal the funnel, and Elliott brought up the tail of it all.

  Frank wasted no time. “Dean!” He charged forward. “What the fuck are you up to?”

  From his argument with Henry, Jess, and Richie, Dean turned confused to Frank. “Excuse me?’

  “You heard me. You know. What the fuck are you up to?”

  Just as Joe was going to intervene, he caught a glimpse of something so typical on Hal’s face, arrogance. Before saying anything further, he moved to Hal who was inching his way toward Frank. “Hal, what did you tell him?”

  Hal just gave a tilted head innocent look.

  Joe faced Elliott for answers. “Do you know, Elliott?”

  “He delivered a painful truth.”

  Dean didn’t have time. “Look, Frank, right now I am really pissed off, OK? I don’t know what I did and I don’t care. I’m arguing about something very important. In fact . . .” Dean’s voice raised some. “There should be no argument over who is going with Ellen.”

  “Exactly,” Frank nodded. “But you think you know the exact person. Isn’t that right?”

  “Yeah, Frank, I do know that person,” Dean snapped. “And it’s not Richie, who thinks he should go.”

  Hal laughed. That notion amused him.

  “Nor . . .” Dean swung a point. “Henry.”

  “Sorry.” Hal held up his hand, chuckling even more.

  “Or is it Jess,” Dean continued in his rave, “who says Ellen told him he could go”

  “She what?” Hal asked shock.

  Frank facially showed his disagreement. “El, did not. Did you tell him, El?”

  Ellen tried to talk. It was useless.

  “Yes, she did.” Jess stepped in. “El is the one going. El picks.”

  “Well, El . . .” Frank moved to Jess. “May be going but it seems Dean made the decision. It seems he told Sgt. Fuckin Ryder he could take Ellen.”

  Elliott corrected, “I believe he asked me.”

  Dean, stunned, turned around. “I did not.”

  Ellen gasped, “You did. I was right there. You said you’d be honored to have E
lliott go.”

  “If I couldn’t!” Dean yelled. “I can.”

  “No!” Andrea yelled. “You cannot!”

  Dean’s hands went out and his voice went it’s loudest yet. “She’s my wife! Why are you people not understanding this?”

  Smug, but cool and calm, Hal moved closer. “Dean,” he spoke quietly, “I understand she is your wife. However, it is not just a question of your children left behind, nor a community whose welfare would be indigent without you.”

  “Yeah,” Frank agreed. “Whatever he said.”

  Hal ignored Frank and continued, “It is an argument of assurance in Ellen’s well-being and safeguard while she is beyond those walls. Now, really, Dean, do you honestly believe, not saying you do not have your talents, but do you think that you have the skills to shelter her from the physical elements at large in this wild world? However, it is commendable that you chose Sgt. Ryder.”

  Frank scoffed, “Who doesn’t have the skills either.”

  “I beg your pardon, Frank,” Elliott said, offended. “But I do have the skills and do not appreciate you insinuating that my abilities lack.”

  Frank rolled his eyes. “Whatever.”

  Henry reached out with a poke to Dean’s arm. “Why did you ask Elliott to go? That is so wrong, Dean.”

  Dean growled. “I was merely asking him to be the one to go if I could not. I can! Drop it! I’m going!”

  “Ha!” Frank blasted. “No, you aren’t. First off, El is not only a part of my life, she is a part of my family. My father knows who is the best one to go. Right Hal?”

  “That’s right, Frank,” Hal said. “Our father has verbally stated who that is. Frank and I know this. Right, Frank?”

  “That’s right, Hal.”

  Hal nodded. “Do you see us arguing over the fact of who goes? No.”

  “That’s right,” Frank said smugly. “Hal knows my dad wants me to go.”

  Hal spun to Frank. “You? No, Frank. Me. Dad picked me.”

  “Dad picked me,” Frank bickered. “Dad? Didn’t you pick me?”

  “Father,” Hal interrupted. “You did say I was the one, did you not?”

  “Hold it.” Dean lifted his hand in frustration. “Joe has no say so, Ellen’s father or not. Even if he did, it only goes to figure he would pick one of his sons. Lord knows only a Slagel and their testosterone demented brutal minds would have the ability to watch Ellen.”