May 3rd 2021
"You understand why this needs to happen?"
"Yes sir, Texas is a threat to the Republic, and if we don't remove that threat, the Republic will be imperiled."
Miles nodded and rolled his shoulders, "Don't forget, you can't be seen or caught, got it?" he ordered.
Alec nodded and then gave him a buoyant grin, "I won't let you down sir, don't worry," he assured Miles.
I rolled my eyes and shifted my weight, watching the proceedings with annoyance. Miles and Bass stared grimly at Alec, sharing a brief look before Miles escorted the young man out of the room.
A few moments later Miles returned and smiled coldly, "He'll be fine, he's a smart soldier," Miles assured Bass.
"I know Miles, it's just a risk. We have a lot to lose if he fails," Bass murmured.
I snorted, "Then don't do it," I told them both.
They shared a look before Miles sighed and came over, his eyes warmer. "Becca, if we don't, we'll end up in a war with Texas and Georgia has been nibbling at our borders…" he sighed, "It's too important for us to just sit back and do nothing."
"If you had just let me negotiate with them, we wouldn't have to send an assassin," I replied tartly, mouth turned down.
Miles sighed heavily and shook his head, "Becca, you know the situation there was too dangerous to let you go," he replied gently.
"And of course too dangerous for any of my staff to go, huh?" I demanded dryly.
"Yes Becca, we've been over this. If we let anyone go to negotiate, they'd end up dead! We had two of our ambassadors there dead in mysterious circumstances, we weren't going to throw good talent into a bad situation."
I glanced over at Bass and narrowed my eyes at him, "Yes thank you Bass, I'm well aware of what happened, I attended the funerals." Glancing back to Miles I sighed and shook my head, "Fine, but the consequences of this are on both your heads."
Stepping away from both men I strode for the door and then paused, glancing over my shoulder, "Don't forget we're having dinner together tonight for William's birthday," I told them.
I shut the door behind me and walked to my office, sinking down behind my desk with a sigh. Rubbing a hand over my face I shook my head and began working, sorting through paperwork and signing where necessary.
A high shriek of laughter pierced the air and a moment later feet pattered rapidly through the hall. With a grin I rose from my chair and walked to my doorway, watching as William ran down the hall towards me.
I quickly knelt and opened my arms, allowing him to run to me. His tiny body barreled into my arms with a shriek of delight. A moment later one of the female militia guards assigned to him raced around the corner laughing, "I'm going to get you!" she cried, eliciting another shriek from William.
I laughed and lifted him into the air, holding him close. "Are you trying to escape Will?" I asked, tickling his side. He giggled and shook his head, "Mama! Play!" he demanded, tugging on a strand of my hair.
I glanced back at my desk; I still had at least another hour of work. Will tapped a hand against my cheek, "Mama, play!" he demanded.
I sighed softly and jostled him, eliciting a laugh, "Okay baby, mama play," I replied, grinning when he shrieked in delight and wriggled in my arms. I set him down and gazed at him solemnly, "You go hide baby, mama will find you!" I told him.
He nodded and took off with a high peal of laughter, his feet pattering against the hardwood floors. I grinned up at Hannah, "Can you go with him and I'll be along shortly."
She nodded and turned on a heel, sprinting after William. A loud peal of laughter filled the hallway and I grinned, turning back into my office and seating myself behind the desk. I worked diligently for another thirty minutes before gathering up my papers and locking the door behind me.
Laughter bubbled out of the bedroom as I shut the suite door behind me and a moment later William came running out of the nursery, Bass fast on his heels. I crouched down and scooped up my son, smiling when he laughed and buried his face in my neck.
"Mama!" he sighed, tiny arms tightening around my neck.
I smiled, satisfaction warming me. No matter how many times I heard his tiny voice, it never failed to bring joy to my heart. Bass smiled softly and came over, reaching out a hand to help me back to my feet.
He leaned in and kissed my cheek, nose brushing against my temple for a moment. "How was your day?" he asked softly.
"Busy. I still have work to do, but I can take care of it after Will is in bed," I told him. He nodded and kissed my temple, hand lingering on my waist. His fingers slid under my shirt, rough skin rubbing against mine as he kissed my neck.
Humming softly I turned and kissed him, smiling against his lips as he made a soft noise of pleasure. After a moment we parted and he took Will out of my arms, "Why don't you have a bath and change before dinner?" he suggested softly.
I nodded and kissed both of their cheeks, smiling when William snuggled into his dad's arms. Stripping as I walked into the bathroom, I grinned when I found the tub already full of hot water. I slid into the hot water and sighed in delight, the scent of the lavender soap filling the air as I scrubbed.
When I had finished with the bath I redressed and braided my hair, going out to find Will and Bass building a fort with his Legos. Smiling softly I waved when Will looked up at me, eagerly pointing to his creation.
"Wook mama! 'ouse!" he announced proudly.
I crouched down and grinned, "I see that baby, it's so wonderful. Are you ready for dinner?" I asked, reaching out to tickle his neck. He squealed and laughed, crawling away and into Bass's laugh.
We shared a look and Bass stood, swooping Will into his arms. "Come on Will, it's time for dinner," he declared, flipping our son so he could growl and nip at his belly. "I'm so hungry!" he growled.
Will giggled and wriggled in Bass's arms, shrieking as his father nuzzled his belly. I grinned and followed them out the door and through the halls to the dining room. When the door was flung open a shout of "Happy Birthday!" echoed out, and William peered around in interest.
A birthday cake flickering with lit candles sat on the table, surrounded by platters of food and our closest friends. Miles, Natasha and a handful of other people stood around smiling, waving to Will.
We began singing Happy Birthday and William giggled as he realized the fuss was about him. Bass carried him to the cake and instructed him to blow out the candles. When he had exhaled and blown out as many of the candles as he could we dug in, allowing him to eat a slice of cake while everyone else ate.
When the party had wound down and William had passed out in my arms, we retreated back to our suite, Bass's hand at my waist. I gently lowered William into his crib, smiling softly as I watched him squirm for a moment before stilling.
A set of strong arms wound around my waist and Bass's lips pressed against my neck, "You're a good mom," he whispered.
I grinned and turned my cheek, eyeing him, "You just noticing?" I teased.
He chuckled, his breath skating over my neck and kissed me, "Never, just complimenting you," he murmured. "You're amazing, you deserve compliments," he whispered.
"Hmm, tell me more," I replied, rolling my hips back against him. He made a soft noise in the back of his throat, his fingers tightening on my waist, pulling me back against him.
"You're so smart, you think three steps ahead of me and it's so sexy," he whispered, his fingers sliding under my shirt and spreading flat against my stomach. His lips pressed against my neck, trailing kisses and nipping softly.
Pleasure flooded me, heat curling through my belly. I sighed and went limp in his grip, sinking into the embrace.
"You're strong, I don't know how you survived this last year baby," he whispered, teeth closing around the shell of my ear, sending a shiver over my skin. "You're incredible," he breathed.
His fingers slid beneath the waistband of my jeans, inching lower until his rough fingers curled against my core, sending a shiver over my body. He slowly began sliding his fingers against my clit and down through my lips, groaning when he felt how wet I was.
I shuddered and arched into his touch, my breathing deepening and becoming heavier. His touch was soft, slow and persistent, leaving me trembling with need.
"N-not here," I breathed, shuddering as a wave of pleasure surged through me, my knees shaking and breath panting.
Bass's fingers curled around my waist and pulled me back, dragging me from the room as he sucked a hot mark against my neck. I moaned as the nursery door shut and Bass pulled me towards the bedroom, still fingering me.
Frankly, I was impressed by his dexterity.
An inane giggle rose in my throat and I turned my head to kiss him as he slid another finger into me, my breath shuddering against his lips. A breath later we were facing each other, stripping off clothing, hands caressing and lips meeting in desperate kisses.
Bass gripped my thigh and lifted it, wrapping it around his waist as he levered me down to the bed. His lips closed around my nipple, sucking on it until I mewled and arched into his touch, pain blurring into pleasure as his tongue flicked over the hardened nub.
I arched my hips into his and huffed in frustration, needing more friction. Bass kissed and nipped his way to my other breast, his other hand sliding across my belly and down to curl around my cunt, his fingers sliding back within me.
I moaned in relief and arched into his caresses, eyes sliding shut as I sank into the pleasure. Bass mouthed at my breast and sucked on the lower swell, nipping as his fingers stroked inside me. Breath punched out of my chest as pleasure swelled within me, a needy whine sliding from my throat.
"You like that baby?" Bass whispered, kissing back up my neck, nipping at my ear.
I shook my head, "More…I need more," I whimpered, rolling my hand against his fingers.
He chuckled and rubbed harder on my gspot, his thumb sliding through my folds until it came to rest on my clit. He left it there, not doing anything and I huffed, "Fuck Bass, come on!" I demanded, writhing under him.
He laughed roughly and sucked my earlobe between his teeth, "Whatsa matter baby?" he teased.
I growled and reached down, wrapping a hand around his wrist, trying to force him to stroke me. "If you don't do something, I'm going to murder you," I hissed.
"Well I'd hate to die without fucking you one last time," he conceded, his lips curling as he kissed me, pulling back to keep it from deepening. I whimpered low in my throat and chased his mouth until he kissed me, his tongue sliding over mine.
His thumb pressed against my clit as his tongue ran along my lower lip and I moaned, pleasure making my legs tremble. His mouth moved slowly against mine as his thumb stroked my clit slowly.
Shivering, I moaned against his lips and rolled my hips, "More," I demanded, voice hoarse with need. Bass growled low in his throat and sucked on my nipple, teeth buffing against the tip until I thrashed, crying out his name.
His fingers inside me curled hard, rubbing and thrusting until I had to lift a hand to bite on my wrist, a choked sob coming out of my chest. Bass worried at my breasts and throat as he fucked me with his fingers, whispering in my ear.
"You're so fucking wet baby," he gasped, grinding his cock against my hip with a moan. "I can't wait to be inside you," he whispered.
My body clenched around his fingers and I shuddered, impatient for him to be inside me. He rubbed harder, almost aggressively, within me and pleasure slammed through me until I arched and cried out, coming hard.
A moment later Bass was covering my body with his, our lips and legs tangling together. He gripped a hip tightly and a moment later slammed home, punching a cry from me. My legs wrapped around Bass's thighs as his fingers curled into my hair, tugging it back until my neck arched and he could suck and bite freely.
Our gasps and moans filled the darkness around us as Bass buried himself in me, his soft curses falling against my skin. My nails bit into his waist as I slammed back against him, whimpering.
A soft cry came from the nursery and I pressed a hand to my forehead, praying William would quiet. "Will is waking," I gasped, "hurry."
Bass huffed against my neck, "It's fine…ignore him…he'll go back to sleep," he gasped breathlessly.
"Just…harder," I whimpered.
He nodded and palmed a breast, rolling the nipple between his fingers. I arched and moaned when his fingers slipped away, heading down to play with my clit. His fingers circled around the throbbing nub until I was aching, begging for more.
William whimpered and cried.
Bass groaned, "Oh Goddammit."
"If…you fucking stop…" I panted, reaching down to hold his hand against my clit, arching to try and get more.
"You'll kill me?"
I bit his throat, eliciting a moan from him.
"Yes."
He choked out a laugh and rubbed harder, hips pounding into mine. I whined and arched into him, gasping his name like a prayer.
William cried louder and I could hear him kicking against the bars of the crib, calling out.
Bass groaned and laughed weakly against my neck as he thrust, "Come on baby," he growled, "cum for me," he ordered.
He pinched my clit between two fingers as he slammed into me, pushing me over the edge and into an orgasm.
"Ahhh!"
"Fuck Becca, yes!" he groaned, hips stuttering as he was fisted by my body, milking him as he came. We moved against each other until exhaustion won out and we collapsed into each other, sweaty limb wrapping around sweaty limb.
William cried louder and Bass laughed against my throat, "I'll get him," he whispered before rolling away, tugging on a pair of briefs before hurrying to the nursery. I listened as he gathered Will into his arms and sat, rocking and singing.
A smile spread on my face, pleasure of a different kind curling through me. Listening to and watching Bass father our son had been the greatest joy of my life. I could see that him bonding and falling in love with his child had healed something in him.
He wasn't the man he had been, he was happier.
I sighed softly and closed my eyes, snuggling into my pillow.
A few minutes later Bass emerged and slid into bed with me, strong arms wrapping around my waist. "What are you smiling about?" he asked softly.
I shook my head faintly, "Nothing. I'm just happy," I replied sleepily.
He pressed his lips against my neck and I could feel his smile.
"Me too baby, me too."
November 12th, 2021
"General Blanchard is alive."
I bit back a groan and reached out for the report being offered, reading over it hastily as the messenger continued.
"Private Alec Penner is believed to be held by Texas, in retaliation for the assassination attempt on General Blanchard. This letter from the General is for you ma'am," the young man murmured, holding it out next.
I took it and read over it, brow furrowing. Blanchard was demanding that Texas be allowed to hold onto Alec and deal with him as they saw fit, hinting strongly that he would be put to death. If we chose to retaliate or try to rescue him, it would be open war.
With a sigh I nodded and gave the man a grave look, "Is there anything else?" I asked tiredly.
He shook his head and I dismissed him, gathering the papers to take with me to Bass and Miles. I strode hurriedly down the hall to Bass's office and knocked twice before entering. He looked up from him desk and smiled softly, gaze warm.
"What is it?" he asked, "I didn't expect to see you yet today," he admitted.
I nodded and handed him the letters before seating myself across from him, waiting for his reaction. His brow furrowed as he read and a moment later a heavy sigh pushed out of his chest. His eyes were sad as they lifted to mine.
"I had high hopes for Private Penner, but it seems instead we've lost a good man," he murmured.
I nodded, "I'll speak with treasury and Miles and make sure his family is compensated for his loss."
"He doesn't have any family. He was orphaned by the blackout," Bass murmured. He sighed and shook his head, "Miles will be upset."
I frowned, "I'll tell him then."
"Are you sure?" Bass asked, looking surprised.
"Yea, he's a big brother, he deserves to hear this from me. He'll need someone to hold onto, even if he won't admit it."
Bass nodded and then sighed, shaking his head.
"He was a good kid."
I smiled sadly and leaned over his desk to kiss him softly before turning, my heart heavy.
"They all are," I murmured, mouth tight as I recalled everyone we had lost to build this Republic.
Head high and shoulders stiff, I went to find Miles and deliver the news of yet more loss.
"You know if you tell us what we need to know, you'll be set free. You can go home. Back to your family."
I watched as her face flickered with grief, deep lines carved around her eyes as they shadowed with pain, her gaze darting away from mine.
"I'm sure they miss you, wondering where you are, if you're even alive. If you'd just do what we ask, we could send out a letter to them, make sure they know you're ok."
Hope flickered on her face for a moment before brutally being shut away, her eyes hardening with resolve. Her shoulders straightened and she flattened her palms against the desk, lifting her eyes to mine.
Stormy blue-grey eyes held mine, anger making them look the surface of the ocean during a storm. I knew her so well, knew that the anger pent up inside her would be tempered and honed, primed for release at the right moment.
Her words would cut, aimed to destroy like the most tactical of bombs.
"I'm dead to them Miles, just like you were to me before you started hunting me. I guess there's nothing left of you but the butcher you're infamous for being," she hissed, her words laced with poisonous anger.
"Then you should respect when I tell you that if you insist on refusing us, you won't find yourself in such comfortable settings."
I hated this.
I didn't want to threaten her, I wanted to take her from these dank cells and set her free, off to be safe with her family. But she held the key to everything.
To restoring the power.
"Rachel, please," I beseeched softly, hoping she would see reason.
Her gaze flickered away from mine and she swallowed hard before glaring at me.
"Go to hell Miles."
I stared at her for a long time, carefully studying her face, remembering it and then tucking away all my emotions. With a sharp nod I turned on my heel and waved a hand towards the guards, giving them a decisive nod.
"So be it Rachel," I murmured.
