Z Day +48.5

  SHAE

  *You have to admit, they're cute,* Natalie said in my head.

  *I don’t think cute is really the appropriate word for what they’re doing,* I sighed. I leaned back on the couch in my room at the Hacienda and opened my eyes.

  Natalie had shocked me when her voice suddenly spoke in my mind out of nowhere. She told me what was happening with James and wanted me to pay attention to the pair. For some reason, I went along with her suggestion and didn’t regret it.

  *What? Still a little jealous? Even after all that 300-year-old morality talk?* Natalie asked.

  *I can't help it. It’s as if I just got him back yesterday,* Shae said. *But if what you just told me is true, Rhi’s going to be a part of “us.”*

  *There are a lot of variables,* Natalie began, *but ALL of the positive outcomes involve Rhiannon being with you.*

  I sighed again, wondering if I’d ever get used to this new strangeness in my life.

  *He’s not that little boy you knew back then, you know,* Natalie said.

  *Oh, that much I know,* I said. *There’s so much more to him now. Back then, he was so innocent, so—*

  *Young?* Natalie finished for me.

  *Yeah, I mean he’s still young…but yeah,* I sighed again.

  *You really should be ashamed of cradle-robbing,* Natalie teased.

  *Hey, he was legal! And it was my first time doing anything like that,* I defended. *And it's not like I didn’t plan on sticking around.*

  *Were you?* Natalie asked, *Planning on sticking around?*

  *I—* but I didn’t know how to finish that sentence. I don’t know what I would have done after James’s marriage proposal. I’d never gotten a chance to come to a conclusion the night I was taken.

  Natalie seemed to mistake my reluctance for something else, *You don’t have to defend yourself to me,* she said, holding up her mental hands.

  *He’s changed so much,* I said, shaking myself from the mental rabbit hole I’d started down.

  *Of course he has. He grew up; he’s not a boy anymore. I’m not saying what happened to you way back then was a good thing, but could you imagine what would have happened had the two of you stuck together? Him growing up as your tap boy? Do you think you might have ended up being more of a mom to him than a—*

  *OK, stop,* I shuddered at the thought of where she was going. I closed my eyes again and saw James and Rhi still entwined.

  *I can turn it off if that will help,* Natalie offered.

  I was conflicted; more than I thought I’d be. But I couldn’t stop my curiosity *No…I…like watching him,* I sighed.

  *Me too,* Natalie’s grin floated through the strange link.

  *This is so weird,* I said before turning from the two lovers and mentally “facing” Natalie. *It never goes away, does it? The rapport.*

  Natalie was quiet for a moment, *Truth?*

  *Yes please,* I said.

  *The moment we exchanged blood, we were bonded for life. That's why we blood-workers don't exchange. We normally keep it one way only,* Natalie said.

  *Then why—* I asked.

  *Why with the three of you? Spoilers.* Natalie grinned through the link again.

  *That's annoying,* I said.

  Natalie seemed to take a deep breath, *There’s more.*

  I waited as Natalie seemed to be taking a really long pause for dramatic effect. *And?* I finally prompted her.

  *I was going to hold off on this for a while, but things are kinda fluid right now.” Natalie began. “So…the rapport is going to change you…all three of you.*

  *How?* I questioned, worried about the answer.

  *You’ll start to…blend,* Natalie cautiously said.

  *Blend?*

  *Yeah…* Natalie drew the word out, stalling as if looking for the right words. *You’ll find you can speak with one another without touching. With practice, you’ll be able to experience what the other is doing at that moment.*

  *Like how you’re letting me see them?* I asked.

  *And then some. But because of this bond you’re forming…how do I put this?* Natalie collected her thoughts before continuing. *The more you’re in contact with one another, the longer the rapport goes on, the more your minds will synch.*

  *Our minds will synch?* I asked.

  *You’ll start to complement each other. You’ll share each other’s burdens and strengths. You’ll each still be you, but you’ll be more.*

  *You said the three of us, not you as well?* I asked, trying to take this all in.

  *Oh no,* Natalie laughed. *You don’t want me included in this any more than I already am. Trust me.*

  I chewed on that a minute before continuing, *Can you really see the future? Or is that all propaganda?*

  *I get flashes of possibilities, guesses if you will. They’re always changing, so it can become hard to keep things straight. Does that make sense?* Natalie said. *I can tell you this: your gestalt isn’t complete yet.*

  *Gestalt?* I asked.

  *Yeah, you’ll know when it’s complete,* Natalie said, but wouldn’t speak more about it.

  We watched James and Rhi through the link the four of us now shared.

  *They are cute...* I finally admitted.

  *Don't fret. You'll get your turn soon enough,* Natalie said.

  *What?* I sat up a little straighter. While I was nowhere near a prude, even I was hesitant about this oddity we seemed to be forming.

  *You really don't pay attention, do you? I already told you this the first night you came to me,* Natalie said.

  I tried to think back. Was it really only a few days ago? But then, my attention was drawn back to James and Rhi’s antics. The look on Rhi’s face was blissful.

  *Do we need to worry about her?* I asked, genuinely concerned.

  *Rhiannon? No, not in so much that she’d betray you, not willingly. She has a vested interest in seeing Pagoda removed, but not as much as she’s interested in your boy. Even if she doesn’t understand it yet.*

  *Will she hurt him?* I couldn’t help but ask.

  *Not after today. As weird as it sounds, she’s getting part of herself back that she didn’t know she’d lost. She’ll always attribute that piece to him…and eventually…to you,* Natalie said.

  *I don’t understand,* I complained.

  *Watch, and maybe you will,* Natalie said in her cryptic way. *If not now, eventually you will.*

  *Was never much into that,* I said as I turned back to the current amorous activity.

  *Takes the right partner,* Natalie stated simply.

  *Maybe,* I conceded.

  *No maybe, listen to your elder,* Natalie scolded.

  *You're like 30!* I said.

  *Yeah, and by your looks, you’re not old enough to drink,” Natalie retorted. “Fine, come back to Drakes, I'll show you.*

  I dismissed the idea almost immediately. *No, someone’s got to keep an eye out around here. I've got a feeling things are going to start spinning up soon. Besides, one of us needs to pretend to be the responsible grown-up.*

  The couple suddenly became more forceful, almost violent. It was more frantic than I had ever experienced or wanted to, for that matter.

  *He's going to hurt her,* I finally said.

  *No. Look at her face. This is what she wants right now,* Natalie grinned.

  I looked. Rhi’s eyes were screwed so tight I would have thought she was in excruciating pain.

  Then Natalie opened the connection wide, letting me feel just a moment of what Rhi was experiencing. I gasped loud enough to slap a hand over my mouth, hoping no one had heard. I could feel my blush radiating off me.

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  Natalie chuckled. *You’ll be able to open your link up like that, on your own, soon enough.*

  *Do you always watch people you've been with?* I asked, looking around the room to make sure no one could see me.

  *Wouldn’t know, you’re the first I’ve tried this with. Plus, you guys are way too entertaining,* Natalie chuckled again.

  I made a strangled sound as Natalie opened the connection again.

  *OK, stop!* I panted, my heart racing. *Maybe that wouldn't be so bad after all,* I admitted, scarcely believing the intensity of the connection.

  Natalie laughed, *We'll change your spots, just wait.*

  *How long are they going to be at this?* I asked.

  *Her? She'll tire out in a few hours. You must understand, it's been quite a while since she's been able to practice her skills on someone. Your boy is just what she needs right now,* Natalie said knowingly.

  *I guess,* I sighed as I watched the two's intensity start to climb once again. I couldn’t stop watching the pair. I’d never had a “front-row seat” before. It was going to be hard getting to sleep tonight; I was so keyed up that my body was thrumming.

  *Would you like me to help?* Natalie offered.

  *What do you—* I started, but suddenly I was back in Rhi’s place. I wasn’t getting snapshots of what she felt, like before. I was her, experiencing everything she did in mind and body.

  When Natalie finally returned my mind to my own body, I discovered I was trembling with aftershocks.

  *Wow,* I panted, finding my hair was a sweaty mess.

  *Yeah,* Natalie said, *and that was an echo, not the real thing.*

  I shuddered again as my body slowly started to calm down. The calmer I became, the heavier my eyelids felt until they would barely stay open.

  *Night sweetie,* Natalie said just before the cool emptiness of sleep took me.

  ∞?∞

  JAMES

  Rhiannon and I clung to one another in mutual release. After a minute, we relaxed enough to let blood back into our fingers and collapsed onto the bed. We were both panting as sweat rolled off us.

  *I haven't had anything like that...* I started but found I was at a loss for words.

  *I try,* Rhiannon said smugly.

  *You succeed!* I said enthusiastically.

  *Not so bad yourself, cowboy,* Rhiannon said.

  I grinned at her like an idiot. *Shower?*

  *In a minute...I can't feel my legs right now,* she managed, rubbing her trembling thighs.

  *What do you...wait, why are we still in rapport?* I asked.

  *I...actually, now that you mention it, I don’t know,* she said.

  *You know what that means, right?* I said, my suspicions rising.

  *No, what?* Rhiannon asked.

  *Promise you won't get mad?* I braced myself.

  *Why would I get mad?* she asked.

  *Because there's only one person I know that could do this sort of thing,* I said cautiously.

  *You mean that blood wi—* she started.

  *Be nice,* I cautioned.

  A not-so-quick shower later, we were lying sedately in Rhiannon’s bed.

  I was on my side, my head propped up on a pillow while she lay on her stomach, curled around another pillow, looking at me. I ran my fingers slowly through the hair that she had laid out next to her.

  *Your hair is amazing,* I said in awe.

  *It should be for all the work I put into it,* she said.

  *Doesn’t it get in the way, being so long?* It was past her rear, straight and raven black.

  *Of course,* she said.

  *Then why…* I asked.

  *Because I like it. Sure, I have to spend time tending to it every day, and sure, I have to adjust how I move, sit, and fight. But it turns heads. I like that,* she stretched.

  My fingers ran down her back, tracing the outlines of her sharp shoulder blades. *Wow.*

  *What?* she looked at me.

  *How long do you work out every day?* I asked.

  She chuckled. *A few hours.*

  *It shows.* I ran my fingers across her back again. *I like your freckles.*

  *Ugh, I hate those things,* she groaned.

  *Why?* I asked.

  *It’s like dirt that you can’t wash off,* she complained.

  *I think they’re kinda hot myself,* I said.

  *You probably played with too many Connect the Dot books as a kid,* she teased.

  *Now that you mention it, you got a pen? I wonder what picture would show up on you,* I grinned.

  *Probably a pentagram,* she grumbled.

  *You’re not that twisted,* I said.

  *You have no idea,* she warned.

  Changing the subject completely, *Sorry for…what happened back then,* I said.

  *Oh?* She cocked her head at me.

  *Miria told me about the crush you had on me in school. About how you tried breaking through to me, and I ignored you. I'm sorry.*

  *That was a long time ago,* she began. *Besides, usually, when you look back on high school, it's with disappointment or shame from all the odd moments. It’s rare to have something affiliated with that time turn out to be better than expected.*

  *I'm glad your expectations were low,* I smiled.

  She slapped my chest.

  *So, was that what this was? You finally putting that demon to bed?* I asked.

  *I think you have a high opinion of yourself,* she teased.

  *Quit evading.* I stroked her hair gently. *I got a better look at your “security camera” in the bathroom. There isn't any security in your room, is there?* I watched as just a hint of color flooded her cheeks.

  *If I can't be touched, he sure as hell wouldn't let them watch me. All the cameras were disabled,* she shrugged.

  *You're a very sneaky girl, you know that?*

  She nodded and looked uncharacteristically apprehensive.

  *What's that look for?* I asked, running my fingers around her shoulder blades again. I couldn’t seem to keep my hands off her.

  *What?* she looked at me from behind her hair.

  *That look. What was that?* I asked.

  *You notice too much,* she said.

  *I'm a cop. You can’t really turn it off,* I shrugged.

  *I tricked you. I...betrayed Shae. I really am a horrible person,* she frowned.

  *Hmmm,* I said.

  *What?* she said.

  *First off, sure, you tricked me, but I didn't have to go along with it. I could have left, but I didn’t. And after the first time, I stayed. Even after I found out it was a trick, I chose to stay. You are a lovely and amazing woman, not to mention incredibly talented in the bedroom,* I said.

  *And the shower,* she said.

  *And shower,* I agreed.

  *A few other places, too.*

  *I'll take your word for it,* I grinned.

  Her eyebrows rose.

  *As for Shae, I hate to tell you this, but that woman is smarter than you and I put together. Do you think she didn't see something like this coming? OK, well, maybe not this EXACTLY, but she had my thoughts. She knew my desires even before I did. And in case you forgot, she kinda ordered us to do it the second time.*

  *Yeah, I don't get that,* Rhiannon said.

  *I’ll be honest, I don’t either, not that I’m complaining.* I cocked my head at her, *Why are you two always picking on one another?*

  *She scares me,* Rhiannon said.

  *She scares you, the big bad assassin, and so you pick on her?* I asked.

  *I…I dunno,* Rhiannon said. *Her reputation precedes her, maybe it's gotten into my head a bit. That, and it's fun to pick on her. Her reactions are hilarious.*

  *Reputation?* I asked, ignoring the rest.

  *As a courier. Most couriers are trained to read people without a bloodtouch; to slip behind someone’s personal mask, even more so than a trained shrink,* Rhiannon chuckled. *The longer the courier, the better they are.*

  *And you’re afraid she’ll slip behind your mask?* I offered.

  *Aren’t we all?* Rhiannon said. *Well, maybe not you. You and Shae are…* she trailed off.

  *In love? Oh yeah,* I smiled, *We have been for a long time. But what we just did doesn’t change the way I feel about her. I have a feeling she somehow knows that more than I do.*

  *Oh no,” she said melodramatically, *my rash plan to fuck you into loving me didn’t work?* she asked with an odd expression on her face I couldn’t read.

  I stopped and looked at her. *Uh…I don't think so. I mean, we've only just now started to get to know one another.*

  *Good,* she said.

  *Good?* I said.

  *Yeah, good. If you'd tried to tell me you loved me, I would have tossed you out the window for being a liar or a damned fool.*

  I smiled at her. *I will tell you this. I've never gone to bed with someone I didn't care about.*

  *But you totally seem the bar-hopping one-night-stand kinda guy,* she teased.

  *Woman, I am a geek. That's not in our vocabulary.*

  *Maybe it wasn't back then. But geek is the new chic. There are geek bars now, or at least there were. There are more deviant online geek sites for like-minded nerds to meet up and fuck than you can imagine. I'll be honest; nowadays, the geeks are getting laid more than the jocks and cheerleaders.*

  *Huh,* was all I could manage. *Wait, how do you know all this? You don’t exactly strike me as the geek archetype.*

  *I have a lot of free time on my hands so I end up reading a lot,* she shrugged.

  *Well, it looks like I've been missing out on this geek scene,* I said.

  *That's alright, I think we're more than making up for lost time here,* she smiled.

  *And what about you?* I asked.

  *Me?*

  *Are you in love with me?* I asked.

  *Oh, honey. You're cute and all, but I don't love anyone,* she chuckled.

  *Why not? Not me I mean, why not anyone?*

  *It doesn't work out,* she said plainly.

  I felt her close the book on that topic as a strange tension filled the air.

  *OK,* I started, *How f’ed up, are you?*

  *What?* she asked, raising an eyebrow. *Is that you’re idea of a tension breaker?*

  *How screwed up are you according to the military?* I tried again.

  *Oh! Your pillow talk needs some work. Lets see, where to start…* She starting ticking off fingers, *PTSD, TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), Anxiety Disorder (my favorite catch-all), Depression, Adjustment Disorder, Mood Disorder, Dissociative Disorder, Psychotic Disorder, Cognitive Disorder, and that’s just the mental shit.*

  *You got me beat by a long shot. They initially had me on 15 meds to straighten out my mental juices. I can’t image how many they were pumping into you,* I said.

  She just smiled. *What was your damage then?*

  *Which time?* I asked.

  *Tease me,* she squinted at me.

  *Biggie was the IED attack that took out my convoy. I still have a hard time riding in cars. Driving, I’m OK, but being a passenger is hard. Then, there were a couple of firefights that didn’t end well for anyone; those still give me the shakes occasionally, especially if I’m around gunfire or explosions when I’m thinking about it.

  *But strangely enough, the one that really fucks me up wasn’t combat related at all. I was first on scene to some 18 year-old MP who decided to check out while downrange. Poor kid was still alive and choking on his own gray matter when I got to him.*

  *Damn,* she whispered.

  *It wasn’t all the blood and gore that really got to me. By then, I’d seen my fair share of nastiness. It was the fact we had to keep him alive for 23 minutes until the medics arrived. There’s not much worse than feeling helpless while you watch someone fade away right before your eyes.*

  She nodded as there wasn’t much to say.

  *Anyway,* I took a couple of deep breaths. *For some reason, of all the shit I’ve seen, watching that 18-year-old kid choking on his own brains fucks me up to this day.*

  *Was it a suicide?* she asked.

  *That’s just it, we weren’t sure. The wound was at a really weird angle. The military deemed it an accidental discharge, but we think it was to spare the family. A kid, fresh in country, that quick out of training, seeing the crap we were seeing back then…he wouldn’t have been the first to make his own way out.* I shook my head and rubbed my eyes. *What about you?*

  *Not a whole lot with me,* Rhiannon said. *There were a few combat actions, but not a lot and nothing big. We were PSYOPS and we didn’t really go around storming buildings and kicking in doors. No, most of my damage was from an IED. It rattled my brain bucket hard enough to put me into a coma for nearly half a year.*

  *Ick,* I grimaced.

  *Yeah, it’s weird waking up after six months and not only finding out you’ve lost all that time, but your body’s changed on you. You have no idea if orderlies had been molesting you in your sleep or posting naked pics of you on the Internet. Not cool.*

  *Yeah, I’d say so.*

  *Add to that you can’t walk or read, and it makes for a real bad day,* she said.

  *Well, shit, now I feel my story is complete BS,* I said.

  *Well, duh. You’re Air Force; y’all think the AC going out is a bad day,* she smiled at me, and I couldn’t help but smile back.

  All the services ripped on one another all the time. But God forbid a civilian make an unkind remark towards one of us. We would climb over one another to defend each other. It was like having a kid brother no one else could pick on but you.

  *Now what?* I asked.

  *Now? We curl up and sleep. It's been a long day. When we get up, I'll give you a quick tour, maybe a quick fuck and then send you home,* she said matter-of-factly.

  *I can work with that,* I said and glanced down at her. *You don’t mind me sleeping here?*

  *Kinda an odd question, don't you think, considering?* she frowned at me.

  *Not at all. Sex is one thing, sleeping is another. Sleeping with someone says you trust them implicitly. I mean, they could kill you in your sleep,* I said dramatically.

  *And this is supposed to be making me feel better?* she continued to frown at me. *You overthink things, you know that?*

  *Yeah,* I acknowledged.

  *Just come here,* she said, pulling me into her arms facing her. *Let me know if you want me to let go.*

  *Trick question?* I said.

  *Nope,* she chuckled.

  I rested my hand on her back and felt her hard muscles roll beneath my touch as she moved. *Wow.*

  *What?* she said.

  *Your body, it just feels amazing. It's like steel wrapped in velvet.*

  *Thanks, now shut up.* She settled in and became very still.

  I waited, my own tiredness pulling me closer to sleep. *Rhiannon?*

  *Yeah?* her mind was foggy with sleep already.

  *I might love you a little,* I said quietly.

  *That’s nice, dear. Now, in the immortal words of Samuel L. Jackson, ‘Go the fuck to sleep.’*