The next morning, I gave Hailey a bath... or, I should say I set her loose and let her play in the tub to her heart's content while I took a shower. After that, we went to the kitchen and I had breakfast ready for everyone, then I gave them all of the things they had purchased yesterday. Hailey told me after breakfast that she needed a few minutes alone, so I stood outside our room and waited. When the door opened, Hailey stood there in one of her new outfits for when she wore a space suit. A long sleeved t-shirt and a pair of pants that let her have the most movement inside of a restrictive suit.
“You look really nice.” I said and she smiled. “Do you need help being shoved inside your space suit?”
Hailey giggled. “Gleas said you're not allowed to help and that she'd take care of it.”
I stuck out my bottom lip and pouted as I crossed my arms.
Hailey laughed. “She said you'd do that!”
I rolled my eyes. “All right, get going.” I said and waved her aside. “I need to get changed, too.”
“Okay!” Hailey said and almost skipped down the hallway.
“For some reason, I think she's enjoying watching us work.” I said absently and went into the room and changed into my flight suit, hooked the Light sword to my belt, and put the helmet and gloves into my bag of holding. After that, I walked down the hallway and met Simone as she came out of her room.
“What the hell is that you're wearing?” I asked and pointed at her military space suit.
“Um... I'm going to work?” Simone said as if she was asking a question.
“Not in those old rags, you're not.” I reached into my bag of holding and took out one of the large boxes that had been in the order I picked up yesterday. “Go put this on and be quick about it.”
“What is...” Simone reached out to take it, then gasped when her fingers brushed mine. “HUNTER!!!”
“Your first flying lesson will occur at twenty-hundred, or eight o'clock tonight.” I said. “We can't have you falsely advertise, can we?”
“I... I don't know what to say.” Simone said and cradled the box in her arms.
“Maybe 'get out of my doorway so I can change'?” I offered.
Simone put the box down, then reached out and put a hand on my chest. She let it linger there for a moment, then gave me a little shove. She smiled as I stepped back a couple of inches and the door closed. I chuckled and walked back down the hallway and knocked on Jelly's door.
“Hold on! I'm almost dressed!” Jelly said loud enough for me to hear.
“Do you mean actual clothes or the space suit?” I asked.
Jelly didn't say anything for a moment, then spoke. “Can't you see through walls?”
“Yeah.” I said. “I already told you that I don't invade people's privacy like that.”
The door opened and Jelly stood there in a very similar outfit to Hailey's, which is probably where Hailey got the idea to dress like that.
“So you can turn it off?” Jelly asked, curious.
“Can you imagine what it would be like if I was constantly looking through all the walls around me?” I asked with a smile. “I wouldn't be able to tell where they were. I would also be walking into them and probably tripping over everything all the time.”
Jelly's mouth dropped open slightly at that realization. “I didn't think of that.”
“Most people don't.” I chuckled. “I'm glad I caught you before you finished getting dressed, though.”
Jelly's eyes widened at my words and I had to suppress my urge to laugh at her thoughts.
“I couldn't in good conscience let you work another day wearing that ratty old suit.” I said and took out the other large box. “Make sure to follow the instructions.” I handed it to her and tapped the top of the box. “The temperature regulation needs full skin contact.”
Jelly held the box in her hands and stared at me.
“I'd tell you to hurry up and get changed; but, it looks like you're going to need a few minutes alone.” I stepped back. “See you in the shuttle bay in ten.” I said and the door shut between us. I walked down the hallway as slowly as I could and then down the stairs as I procrastinated as much as possible. I took my time, almost crawling down the stairs, then I stood at the bottom and waited for the show to come.
*
I can't believe he bought this for me. Jelly thought as she sat on the bed and her hand stroked the large box. I can't even return it or say I don't need it, because it's custom made for me. No one else can wear it and have it be effective.
Jelly opened the box and her breath caught at the sleek helmet that didn't impede her vision at all. The cloth was supple, even though it really was thicker than what she had expected it to be. She took the manual and gave it a quick read-through, then agreed with Hunter. Any clothing, be it underwear or a bra, would severely interfere with the temperature regulation. The body's heat would gather behind that clothing and the suit would cool the surrounding area to compensate, which could damage the exposed skin around the clothing if left for too long.
As an example, it would be like getting freezer burn on something that you kept in the freezer for too long. It worked and preserved things normally; but, if left too long, it would cause damage because it was too much cold.
Jelly took out the helmet and the mag-lock gloves and then lifted out the flight suit. She was surprised that it was one piece and then she understood why they were custom made. Unlike a normal space suit, there was no way to adjust it once it was used. You wore it as it was and it conformed to your body and no other adjustments were necessary. It was your suit and it would stay that way. She hugged the suit to her chest and tried her best to keep her emotions in check.
There was no way that the military could afford to buy these things for every pilot they had and she had never once imagined she would ever own one. It wasn't even a goal of hers. It was beyond her means to even save up for one, let alone actually buy one... and here it was, given to her by a man that wasn't her boss. She also suspected that he knew perfectly well what she was doing there... and he let her. He wasn't restricting her communications, her flight time, or even her personal time.
Except for yesterday.
Jelly had to smile at his antics and everyone was just going along with whatever whim he had. Of course, he didn't really have to twist my arm too hard to get me to agree to go along as well. She chuckled as she slipped off her clothing and started to put on the flight suit. Plus, it was fun and actually felt like a day off. She caught her breath at that thought and the suit snapped into place around her neck. He knew I was actually working for the military and reporting on all of his activities during my days off and he made me take yesterday off!
Jelly sat down and let that thought float through her brain as she put on the mag-lock gloves. Their loud snap was a comfort to her. She took several breaths and stood up, her mind set and her goals clear. She had been a little worried that her mission and Hunter's need for her skills would conflict at some point, and now she knew that wasn't possible. He was aware of what her actual job was and that was also a comfort to her.
Neither of them would ever admit it out loud, though. The game still had to be played. Jelly smiled and picked up her helmet and left her room. She was happy that he knew they were playing a game and that made her relax just as much as wearing the fully protective flight suit did.
“You look great.” Simone said from behind her and Jelly turned to look at her.
“Helllllo!” Jelly said exaggeratedly as she looked Simone up and down.
Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.
“Yours is just as tight, stupid.” Simone said and laughed as they walked down the hallway.
“Who has the better body?” Jelly asked, teasingly.
“Gleas.” Simone said, completely serious.
Jelly blinked her eyes for a moment. “What?”
“Didn't you see Hunter's reaction yesterday when she appeared in those pants, then she turned around and wagged her ass at him?” Simone asked and laughed again. “She definitely knew what buttons to push for him.”
“I didn't even notice after teasing him myself.” Jelly said and then laughed, too. “I thought she was joking when she said she wanted him to see the whole show.”
“She definitely outclasses me on the sexiness scale.” Simone said and they reached the top of the stairs.
*
“I wouldn't say that.” I said and smiled up at the two women. “You both look good.”
Simone smiled because the Presence didn't waver. “Are you being all chivalrous and want to walk us over to the shuttle?”
“Hell, no.” I said. “I wanted to see your breasts jiggle again as you walk down the stairs.”
Simone laughed, because once again, the Presence didn't waver. “At least you're honest about it.”
“It was quite the sight and I won't insult you by denying that.” I said and then grinned. “So, go ahead. Give me another show.”
“You're not ready for it.” Simone said and tapped Jelly's shoulder. “You first.”
“But...”
“Trust me.” Simone whispered.
Jelly held in her sigh and walked down the stairs. My eyes were drawn to her breasts as she made sure to jiggle them a little more than the steps on the stairs normally would have shook them. When she reached the bottom and looked into my eyes, she saw my surprise and smiled crookedly.
“Simone was right.” Jelly said and stepped by me and walked across the cargo bay.
“Eyes up.” Simone said and I looked up just in time to see her hop down the first step.
“Goddamn.” I whispered as her large breasts moved like they were completely unrestrained, even though they were restrained by the flight suit. Simone bunny-hopped down each and every stair, which jiggled and shook her chest, until she reached the bottom. To my surprise, it took a few moments for the motions to stop.
“You see? I told you that you weren't ready for it.” Simone said, her voice full of confidence. She didn't have to look down to know that she had made me excited with her show.
“I need to be more careful about what I admit in front of you from now on.” I said, and she laughed.
“Teasing can be so much fun when you turn it around!” Simone said and hooked her arm in mine as if I was escorting her, then she dragged me across the cargo hold and into the shuttle bay.
We worked for the whole shift, came back to the ship for lunch and shared a good meal with everyone, then went back to work and did the next shift. When we were done, we had supper with everyone and then I led Simone back to the shuttle for her first flying lesson. We were well away from the debris field, so I took the shuttle out and handed the controls to her. I had her slowly fly basic drills and then we did one rotation around the ship. With that done, I took over again and landed the shuttle back in the bay and closed the doors.
“You know, you could just give me the information.” Simone said.
“Nope.” I said and she sighed. “It wouldn't be useful to you, mainly because our body types are different. You would have my memories of using the controls and judging the distances for movement. You'd have to unlearn it and then adjust your perception of those same tasks for yourself.”
Simone just gave me a blank stare.
“Learning it on your own makes more sense.” I said. “Why else do you think I didn't ask Jelly to share her experiences with me so I could fly the shuttle myself in dangerous situations?”
“She's almost a foot shorter and her reach is much different than yours.” Simone said, finally understanding. “She's not much shorter than me, though.”
“Your arms are still about two inches longer.” I said and tapped the back of her hand. “You would be reaching for the controls out of 'habit' and would hit the wrong ones, because your arm lengths are different.”
Simone sighed. “Why can't being a telepath be easier?”
I chuckled. “Can you imagine what we would be like if we scanned everyone for their skills and were able to use them effectively?”
“Super powerful?” Simone asked.
“We'd be a mess! Our heads would be filled with so many skills and errant memories that we wouldn't know what to do with them.” I laughed. “We would probably go crazy trying to decide what to do first.”
Simone opened her mouth to refute that. She thought about her attempt to copy Luxea's salvaging skills and how much it had changed her thought patterns and how it had changed her opinion of Hunter. It wasn't until Hunter had pointed out how much her thoughts had adjusted to match Luxea's that she realized what had happened.
I let her thoughts run through the whole thing, then I touched her hand. “I'm glad you stayed here.”
Simone gasped as she felt my emotions and I felt her entire mind focus on me. I opened my barriers a little and let her see and feel how I would have felt if she had decided to leave with the cargo shipment on the Udelis.
“Oh, Hunter.” Simone said and tears came to her eyes as she gripped my hand.
“It's all right.” I said and wiped her eyes with my free hand. “You didn't leave and you didn't keep alienating me.”
“But... I... I was...”
“I know.” I said and then changed the subject. “I think we need to hire some generic space workers.”
“For moving cargo?” Simone asked, and I nodded. “I don't think there's a lot of women who do that.” Right after she said that, Simone's face darkened in a blush, because she had automatically assumed that Luxea would try to sleep with one or more of them if they were men.
“I assume that, too.” I said.
“That doesn't make it right... or a nice thing to think.” Simone said, sadly.
“Yeah.” I sighed. “Unfortunately, history has already repeated itself once. What are the odds it could happen again?”
“Hunter, you can't keep thinking she will.”
“I can only go by her actions so far, and they haven't been favorable. I honestly don't want to take the chance that she will do it again if we hire a few men to help.”
“Hunter...”
“I'm already taking the chance with keeping Kalina around with the way Rhubin reacts to her.” I said. “I'm tempted to mention it to her; but, I'm afraid with the way things are in her personal life, she might jump at the chance instead of staying clear of it.”
Simone wanted to argue that, and she couldn't. She had spent enough time around the both of them to pick up the same things from their surface thoughts. She knew that Rhubin had deep attraction to Kalina and that he had a hard time keeping his emotions in check when around her. Normally, that wouldn't be a problem; but, they were both employees at the moment and they couldn't fraternize like that.
“I'll post a tentative job and see what responses come up. If I can't hire any women, I may just have to go without help.”
“Your work will slow down if you don't have help.” Simone said. “I want to stay here when the Udelis comes back.”
“Luxea needs help, too.” I said, then sighed. “I don't want you to be that help, though.”
“When she was happy, I was fine being around her.” Simone admitted. “Now that I know I absorb people's preconceptions if I stay in close proximity to them, I don't want to be around her if she isn't happy.”
“I can't make her happy now.” I said. “If I make any move towards her, she tenses up.”
“She's scared that if you touch her...”
“I know.” I sighed again. “Despite telling her, over and over, that I won't read her thoughts, she doesn't believe me. So, all I can do for now is hope that she can come to terms with everything on her own.”
Simone wasn't sure that was going to happen, considering Luxea knew what it was like being with a man that can use Presence as an aphrodisiac and she hated that it would also let him read her thoughts.
“Come on.” I said and stood. “I'm late to my standing date to hang out with Hailey.”
Simone chuckled. “She's got you wrapped around her little finger already, huh?”
“I'd say no; but, she's going to be my future wife.” I said and Simone's eyes widened as the Presence didn't waver. “Yeah, it surprised me, too.” I said and led her out of the shuttle and we left the bay. “There's no time frame for it, though.”
Simone shook her head, because the Presence still didn't waver. “Do you love her?”
“Not yet.” I said as we walked across the cargo hold while holding hands. “I'm getting there, though.”
Simone gave me a look, and I laughed.
“I think she would be insulted if I declared my love for her right now, because it would be a lie and I'm pretty sure she can tell when someone lies now.”
“You have a connection to her?” Simone asked, surprised.
“I think when I added a pile of my Presence when I was using the healing and regeneration spells on her... that were keyed for my use only, by the way... it boosted her own Presence and merged them together.” I stopped walking at the bottom of the stairs.
“She has a part of you inside of her.” Simone said, almost in a whisper.
“Right now, she's walking around the room and is waiting anxiously for me to return.” I said and Simone's eyes widened at me. “No, I'm not looking at her.”
“Is it permanent? Your connection?”
“Considering she has a fraction of both my regeneration and self-healing, I'd say yes.”
Simone gasped. “Hunter... she... can she really...”
“The hospital wasn't happy about letting a magically healed and very healthy person out. Not one bit.”
“Surely, they didn't test...”
“No, thank god.” I said. “They didn't realize just how special she's become.”
“That group did.” Simone almost spat.
“They only knew of her being associated with me. If they had known how connected we were...” I shook my head. “I got her out, so it's all right now.”
“What about the mother?”
“Still no word.” I said. “Not that I expected it.”
“You think they are just going to keep them without a trial.” Simone said and I nodded. “That means... you could be babysitting for a long time.”
I chuckled. “She'll be legal age in three years and a month.”
“Hunter...”
“Do you think you can get the others to help plan a big thirteenth birthday party?” I asked and Simone accepted the change of subject without complaint.
“They'll kill me if I don't tell them and let them help.” Simone said, and that made the both of us laugh.
“We better get upstairs before Hailey comes out looking for me.” I said and started to walk up the stairs.
Simone started a moment after me and I heard her thoughts because we were still holding hands.
“Enjoying the show?” I asked her without looking back. I knew where she was looking.
“It's only fair.” Simone said and didn't hide her excitement at being so close to my backside.
I can't argue, considering the show she gave me earlier. I thought with amusement. “Here's where we part.” I said and let her hand go beside my room. “See you in the morning.”
“Thanks for the flying lesson.” Simone said out loud while her thoughts thanked me for sharing my thoughts with her.
The door to the room opened and Hailey stood there. She almost glared at me until I spoke.
“Honey! I'm home!” I said and knelt to give her a hug and a kiss on the cheek, which made her giggle and then she blushed. “I've got all evening to hang out with you, so what do you want to do first?”
“I want you to get a shower! Whew!” Hailey waved a hand in front of her face.
I laughed. “I'm not gonna argue that.” I said and stepped into the room and shut the door.