Everyone was glad to be upstairs together in the Cowffee Cup, and Ben even let Peter hang the out to lunch sign and join them. Ben started making sandwiches and Kara brewed everyone’s favorite drinks. Therese bounced Ana on her knee and Peter grinned next to her, thankful to have Therese home safely. Buck and Ed discussed tactics they might use in the field. Erin and Vivo sat at the head of the table, as Therese insisted because even though Therese was a Senior Space-Girl, not only had Erin retired as Space-Girl Captain, it was still her shop.
“When you walked in the door, I never thought I would have this.” Erin said, looking around and smiling.
“What’s that?” asked Therese.
“A family again. I mean, I had my Vivo, and Ben, he grew on me like a fungus, but now we have everyone else too, this the most special thing in the universe.” said Erin as she smiled pleased with the universe.
“I never had kids, but I hope you’ll let me be an uncle. I always loved Therese, but I never thought there would be three kids in one class I’d learn to respect.” said Ed Shank, feeling like he left teaching on top of the world. Peter and Kara smiled with the rare praise from Mr. Shank.
“Of course, Uncle Ed.” said Peter and Erin at the same time, then turned and laughed.
“I’m too old to be an uncle, but I’d love to be a Grand Pa.” Buck asked.
“That’ll make you useful.” warned Erin.
“Well hell, Therese has already made be nice, what is one more bad habit?” Said Buck.
“Grandpa Buck.” Peter said, and Erin nodded.
“It’s easier to have kids when they come already graduated high school.” Buck said, toasting coffee with Ed. Both men tipped their cups and drank a sip.
“Let me ask you this, Erin, you told me parents of kids can’t go on missions together, but Kara and I, we don’t have kids, am I on the naughty list?” Ben asked, still a little hurt that even though he had saved the crew against the robbers, he was neglected on missions.
“I’m late.” Kara told Ben. She wasn’t sure, but maybe that was the reason, even if it didn’t make sense because their baby might be in her.
“Late for what?” asked Ben.
“You know late.” said Kara.
“Crap, were we supposed to be somewhere?” asked Ben. Kara shook her head and facepalmed, as Erin and Therese ran over and gave her hugs.
“I don’t know, I’m just late.” said Kara. Ben was dense, she loved him, but Ben was dense. Therese and Erin continued to both hug her.
“Late for what?” Ben said frustrated. Erin shook her head at Ben, he still remained the most obtuse man she ever met.
A pair of boots clanked on the floor, and the group turned and looked. Space-Girl Michelle walked out of the office and into the dining area, she was dressed in what she thought was appropriate earth attire, which was heavy leather boots, a leather skirt, and a fur vest. The group stood out of respect.
“I’ll save you the test, your ring transmitted you are.” said Space-Girl Michelle. Erin and Therese giggled and hugged Kara.
“Are what?” asked Ben. “Oh, I’m going to have to learn to be responsible.” Ben said, walking over and hugging Kara, and kissing her.
“Yah, so here’s a couple probation rings, but you guys need to watch all the videos.” Space-Girl Michelle said, tossing Space Sailor rings to Peter and Ben who caught them. Both men put their rings on and grinned. Michelle could have them pressed into service, but both their records on earth made a direct commission as Space-Boys difficult to explain.
“I just came by to tell you that you all did a good job on your mission. I am also going to have a big elevator put in, and check your bank accounts Friday, you should get your first paychecks.
“We get paid?” Peter asked, surprised. This great day was becoming even better.
“There are entire asteroids of gold in outer space, but don’t get too much, eye of the needle and all.” Therese explained to Peter.
“Well said, Space-Girl Therese. I also got your ranks backdated, Chief Buck and Chief Ed.” said Space-Girl Michelle.
“Oh, thank God, they didn’t make us officers.” said Buck, and Ed gave him a high five.
“So, mission feedback, you all did a great job stopping the Gophers. This is the first time the Space-Girls have actually had to defend your planet since the eighties, so to ease fears, we have established an ambassador to your Useless Nations organization, and let me tell you, we can’t wait to have dinner with Mexico, they have these amazing little food things, it is a shell with meat and plants and some amazing green sauce called gackamole.” said Space-Girl Michelle.
“You mean tacos?” asked Kara, smiling a grin with Therese.
“Yes tacos! I love them, you know? Great job on the public service announcements Space-Girl Therese and Chief Ed. I really think you all did a great job, thank you. Any questions?” asked Space-Girl Michelle.
“Are you really hundreds of years old?” asked Ben, impressed because Space-Girl Michelle looked twenty, and Ben would card her even for cigarettes. Michelle’s skin looked as young as ever, only her earned scars showed it wasn’t brand new. Michelle grinned at the compliment though.
“No, I’m in my thirties or fourties-ish by earth years, but whoever is the head Space-Girl takes the name Michelle out of honor and to confuse those who chose to be our enemies, and I kind of spent like 10 years or so in a suspended animation healing cycle after almost dying, but the good news is I didn’t age. As far as the show goes, it also makes switching actresses easier if you can just kind of pop a new Michelle in every once and a while.” answered Space-Girl Michelle. Ben nodded, that made more sense than a regeneration ring.
“Where did you get that outfit, it is awesome?” asked Therese.
“Emily’s right here on earth, all the Space-Girls shop there, Erin introduce it to me, I had to get this skirt, I love it, I think your hot mechanic liked it too.” said Michelle while grinning, causing all the girls to giggle.
“Well, I’m off, back to headquarters, keep up the good work.” Michelle said. Everyone stood and did the Space-Girls Salute. Space-Girl Michelle returned the salute. “Erin, do you mind walking me back?” asked Michelle.
“I’d be honored.” said Erin, walking to the office with Space-Girl Michelle.
When they reached the office, Michelle said “You know I have to ask.”
“The answer is still no. I’m sorry, I can’t do it again.” said Erin. The pain from losing Isabella was still too deep, and Michelle was at least half grateful Erin didn’t punch her for walking in the store. Erin’s departure from the Space-Girls was painful for everyone.
“You know I had to ask.” said Michelle, and Erin nodded.
“Does Therese have any idea?” asked Michelle.
“No, Rodger and Mary are as real as real to her, I didn’t even know when I first met them.” said Erin. Her exodus from the organization left her the unwilling custodian of the building, but Erin avoided even thinking about anything related to the Space-Girls or their duties. She had all but forgotten Rodger and Mary even being on earth until Therese reunited their paths.
“You know, when I was still Space-Girl Monica, they saved my life. They saved all our lives, they saved the rabbit homeworld and the galaxy.” said Space-Girl Michelle.
“And the rabbits truly did an amazing job creating her the perfect parents, they do their namesakes honor.” said Erin as she remembered the story of the last-ditch defense of Haremar by Space-Girl Mary and Space-Boy Rodger who were forced to hold off a major assault by the Gophers in order to buy time for reinforcements.
“I’m grateful to hear that, and their distant cousins here?” Asked Michelle of the rabbits.
“They know, they are less advanced, but they know.” replied Erin. She couldn’t explain it, no one could, of Therese’s friendship with her rabbits. Michelle nodded.
“You should have never brought Therese into this. You had no right. She is different, she’s special.” Said Erin sternly as she glared at Michelle and the lights in the room dimmed.
“They had every right. With the Shadowbird gone, she was a long shot, but our only shot at getting me out alive, and for that, I will always be grateful.” Said Monica. Erin only glared coldly at Space-Girl Michelle.
“Thank you, Space-Girl Captain Erin, you should have been the Michelle.” said Space-Girl Michelle as she walked into the elevator and descended. Erin growled at that praise, although she was proud of herself for being so civil with Michelle.
Erin went and looked at the picture Therese had given her, she put her hands on it on, and leaned forward against the wall, happy to have a family again. In all the places in the galaxy, there was nowhere else she would rather be.
This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
“Hi.” said Therese as she entered Erin’s office.
“Sorry, I was just taking a minute, I still love this picture.” Erin said, smiling as she looked at the art Therese made for her.
“Who would have thought, when I finally walked in your store, I’d be a real Space-Girl.” said Therese, standing next to Erin. Therese wasn’t sure she would survive high school when she walked in that door.
“It hasn’t been a year, but you seemed so young then.” said Erin, remembering the girl who could barely walk into the store and giggled into her drink at the first taste of coffee.
“I was scared to death to walk past that cow, and now I’m flying spaceships and fighting the Gopher King. Tell me that’s not a trip.” said Therese.
“Were you really that scared to come in here?” asked Erin.
“My life was hell, either medicated or suffering, pick one. But everything changed the day I had the courage to finally come in here, and when you looked at me and you smiled, I knew everything was going to be just fine.” said Therese.
“Just fine? You got shot?” said Erin.
“And if I wasn’t here, and at home, they would have killed me.” said Therese truthfully.
“Do you regret any of it?” asked Erin.
“This no, regrets in life, yes, but I have to tell myself I did the best I could at that moment in time, and even if it wasn’t as good as what other people could do, it was as good as I could do.” said Therese.
“You have done fine. Did you pick out a new last name for when you start college?” asked Erin. Ben had cautioned her that despite being Space-Girls the dead Therese needed to stay dead until he was able to completely purge the government records of her ties to the implant, although he was confident the Space-Girl computers would make shorter work of it.
“Actually, Buck suggested I use his, and I agreed, at least until I marry Peter and take his.” said Therese.
“That was sweet of him.” said Erin, still amazed at the depth of the man who went from best annoying customer to family.
“It really was. College, wedding planning, Space-Girls, life is getting overwhelming, but you know what though, I never knew my grandparents, my parents are the healthiest people I ever met, I have never seen them even catch a cold, but they both lost their parents before I was born, so Buck being my grandpa, that’s pretty cool.” said Therese.
“Let’s go get a cup of coffee and enjoy it.” Replied Erin. Therese nodded in agreement and they walked out to join the group.
“And so I feel like the biggest asshole on the planet, and I’m even saying I am an asshole, and I feel like an asshole, but do you think she let’s me off that easy?” said Buck.
“Oh no, Therese would never let you get away with that, she’s just like her mother.” said Kara laughing.
“And she didn’t, she didn’t at all, I was mortified, I could handle being an asshole, but she reminded me I wasn’t, she walked up to me, and when I looked at those eyes, I knew she saw right through me, and damn it I knew I had to be better, at least to her, I hadn’t given up on annoying Erin.” said Buck laughing.
“It’s true, I used to come over every morning just to see her get worked up when you came in the door.” said Ben with a deep smile.
“And why is that?” asked Erin, announcing her return.
“Because you, and Therese, you both look so cute when you are angry.” Ben said, causing the others to laugh in agreement, except Therese and Erin who pretended to be angry at Ben which just caused Ben to laugh further.
“What about me? Ben, do you think I’m cute when I’m angry?” Kara asked.
Ben covered his nose as if Kara was going to hit it. “Sometimes.” Ben said, as Kara pretended to punch him, causing the others to laugh.
“We’re just trading stories about how we first met. So far, I’m the only one that had the police there.” said Kara.
“Mr. Shank, you want to steal her thunder?” asked Therese, still unwilling to call him Ed out of respect.
“What?’ asked Kara.
“It’s true.” said Ed Shank, facepalming.
“It’s Okay to tell it, they all know everything.” said Therese, sitting down and smiling at Mr. Shank.
“Well, I get called into this meeting to represent the Math Department, but not because I was the chair, but the guy then, what’s his name, the piece of crap was too scared to go. Apparently, he, the teachers, the principal were all sweating bullets, because of some kid with a bad rep was wanting to attend classes unescorted, so that prick Weaver even begs the school police resource officer, who that day was a patrol cop just covering for the day, to go, so we all go into this room, and Weaver is hiding behind this cop as far back as he can go.” said Mr. Shank.
“The cop was Officer P.” interjected Therese.
“Oh shit, not him, he’s a bad ass.” said Kara.
Mr. Shank laughed and continued, “And that big guy, Douglas he comes in with the school safety officer, bringing in the kid and the teachers are all sweating bullets like they are about to get smashed, and in comes the sweetest looking little girl.” said Ed Shank.
“Little, I was like fourteen.” said Therese.
“Well little to me, and very little standing next to Douglas. So she goes and sits down at the table, and Douglas and the security officer, they go sit down at the back of the room to relax, which causes that son of a bitch Weaver to start sweating more. I knew right then I’d have to support this kid just to piss off the principal. Well her counselor gives Therese some papers to sign and so Therese pulls a pen out of her jacket to sign it, and I swear that puss Weaver must have thought he was going to get stabbed, so he goes to grab the cops taser, and well of course, the police officer won’t allow that, so he ends up slamming the principal face-first into the table, and right by Therese and her pen. So, Therese is signing these papers, and Weaver sees this pen moving in her hand, and he just starts crying and pissing himself.” said Ed Shank.
“He didn’t!” said Kara.
“Swear, true as a prime number. So the cop is slamming him in the table, and Weaver is pissing himself, and I look up, and I see these tears forming in that girl’s eyes because her dream is going up in a puff of smoke, so I tell the kid, don’t worry, he does this all the time, let’s all just go to the teachers' lounge and finish this meeting. So as we leave, Weaver is getting put in cuffs, and all of us walk over to the teachers' lounge, and Therese is looking up at me, but still not saying anything, so we go over to the lounge, and I poor myself a cup of coffee and offer her one.” said Ed.
“And I am so glad I refused because that slime would have turned me off coffee forever.” said Therese, and Ed laughed in agreement.
“So anyways, I ask the kid what she wants, and she tells me she wants a fair shot, and I knew she meant it. So later I told the principal she was going to get that fair shot or I was going to walk into every TV news station until someone Gave my the chance to tell the truth about that shithole he ran. So, he put me in charge of that chance, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like I did something right.” said Ed recounting his memory of the episode.
“Did Principal Weaver go to jail?” asked Kara.
“No, they dropped the charges, but the cop made him write one hundred times that he would not try to take weapons from police officers because he is scared of little girls.” said Ed, laughing with everyone.
“You’re shitting me.” said Kara.
“No I swear, I knew the officer, he used to go to the school, he got promoted and still has those papers hanging up in his office.” said Ed before busting out laughing so hard he had to catch his breath.
“Awesome.” said Therese.
“What can I say, peanut.” Ed teased Therese who smiled back.
“I’d been saving this for a special occasion, and I can’t think of a better one.” Ben said, pulling out a bottle of Scotch whiskey and some small paper cups, and poured a shot for everyone but Ana. Ben passed the drinks out, and raised his, “Everyone name your toast, mine is to finding someone who would put up with me.” said Ben raising his drink.
“To drinking with your math teacher.” said Kara as she raised hers, laughing.
“To becoming a grandfather and a great-grandfather who’s useful.” toasted Buck.
“To making all those years worth it.” Ed toasted to Kara, Peter and Therese.
“To my first drink of alcohol.” said Therese, raising her cup and one eyebrow.
“I’m with Ben, to love.” said Peter.
“Pick your own.” said Ben. He smiled, showing Peter he was just giving him crap.
“To second chances.” Peter toasted Ben who nodded. This nod was the closest thing to a pardon Ben had ever given anyone.
“To family.” said Erin.
“To me and Ben drinking yours, because you and Kara are preggers.” Vivo saluted as he and Ben each grabbed a drink from their respective lady, then everyone but Kara, Erin and Erin raised their cups and drank.
“I think I like coffee better.” said Therese. The alcohol hit her in an uncomfortable way, but numbed some of her emotional pain as much as it burned her throat.
“Good choice.” said Erin, winking.
“I almost forgot, I have your student ID’s.” said Ben, tossing an ID each to Peter, Therese and Kara.
“When did you have time to go to the college?” Asked Vivo.
“I didn’t go, I just made them like I always do.” said Ben, shaking his head.
“They’re good. They’d better be, college starts tomorrow for these kids.” said Ben, pouring a round of drinks for those who participated in the spirits.
“Ahh crap, I think I have to teach.” said Ed, reaching over and taking the bottle and pouring himself another drink.
“Where did summer go?” asked Peter.
“Where did they all go?” Replied Buck, pouring himself another shot and drinking it. Therese took the bottle and poured herself another drink, a large one, and drank it, causing Peter to lift an eyebrow, but Ben patted him on the shoulder to reassure them, they’d both had their right of passage of drinking too much, and now it was her turn and she’d earned it.
“I’m going to walk home, you all have a good night.” said Buck.
“Let me borrow your spare room, I can walk back for my car in the morning, goodnight you all.” Ed shank said, following Buck out. Ed was tired and ready to rest. The remaining group sat and drank for another hour, making jokes and laughing at them.
Therese took a large sip of her drink, and pulled on Ben’s collar. “Ben.” said Therese.
“You okay, kid?” asked Ben, noticing Therese was becoming drunk. Peter was putting Ana to bed, asleep in the office, and Vivo was running the Kookie Mart half-drunk to the amusement of the regulars. Kara and Erin were sitting on the couch across the Cowffee Cup discussing their pregnancies.
“Okay? I have these voices try getting me to kill myself for a decade. I was picked on and ridiculed. I flew a fucking spaceship and fought a possessed superhero. I fought the Gopher King’s army, I met the President, I guess I’m Okay.” said Therese, sipping her drink. The alcohol helped her feel better, she knew she needed it and every sip reminded her of that.
“Now tomorrow, I have to go to college and see all these people again, and they are going to be all like hey there’s the crazy girl, and I just want to tell them I’m a fucking Space-Girl, but then they’ll really think I am the crazy girl.” said Therese, taking another drink. Therese wished she ignored her mother’s lifelong warning to not drink sooner.
“Well, fuck them.” said Ben, taking another drink.
“Ben, how do I even know that any of this is real?” said Therese, putting her feet up on the table and sipping her drink.
“Keep drinking like that, and you’ll know it’s real enough in the morning.” Ben told her.
“Are you still going to kill my boyfriend, because if you are you should wait until he pisses me off, I like him right now.” said Therese, drinking her drink. The alcohol helped her not be guarded about her words and she liked that.
“That was a long time ago.” Ben defended.
“That was like a year ago. You’ve always been honest with me.” pushed Therese.
“No, I’m not going to kill him, I really like him, now.” Ben answered.
“You got my best friend pregnant.” said Therese. Ben took the bottle and poured a little in each of their cups, and then a lot in his.
“Are you going to kill me for that?” teased Ben.
“No, Ben, I like you, now.” Therese said, laughing. “I’m drunk, aren’t I?” asked Therese.
“I’d say a little past drunk and heading to smashed.” Ben told her.
“How are we all going to get home?” asked Therese, as the room started spinning.
“I think Erin and Kara are going to have to shuttle you guys home, and then they can drive the rest of us home.” said Ben, taking a sip.
“Can I ask you one thing while this gives me the courage?’ Therese asked.
“You’ve earned one question.” said Ben.
“You love her?” Therese asked, protective of Kara. She might have helped Ben with the Kara, but she still wanted to make sure he really loved her.
“Yes, Yes I do, she is as crude as me, but smart and snappy, and so much of it is real, and so much of it is a show because she’s as scared as I am. Just when you think you’ll never risk love again, life is like surprise motherfucker!” said Ben, taking another drink.
“Yes, that’s her. We’ve been best friends since we were little girls.” said Therese, slowing down and smiling, Ben caught the chair as she fell back, and up-righted her. Therese’s paper cup fell harmlessly to the floor. Ben picked Therese out of the chair and carried Therese over to the couch.
“I think this one’s ready for home.” said Ben, gently laying Therese on one of the couches.
“Give me a minute, and then if you would, please carry her to my car. Kara, you grab Peter, looks like I’ll be watching Ana tonight, but that’s Okay, she needed this” Erin said. Peter and Therese slept the whole way home, and were very polite drunks as they were put to bed, although both needed reassured several times Ana was going to safely stay with Erin that night.