A/N: Another update cuz I'm apparently on a roll here (LOL). Donalbain, I came to post this update and saw your review. Funny you should mention that about Adora because uhh... xD
Chapter 37
It had been three weeks since The Rebellion discovered former Force Captain Adora unconscious in the Whispering Woods.
Many at the encampment in awe of Hordak's Second In Command simply stared, others frowned and walked past, unable to bring themselves to trust her, her reputation for efficiently executing "capture and kill" preceding her.
Princess Glimmer, although wary decided to give her a chance hoping the tall, blonde haired blue-eyed beauty was in fact contrite and willing to join them in their battle against Etheria's alien invaders. After all, the Woods who judged all hearts allowed her within its tall Redwoods…that should mean something?
That and the fact that she provided them with valuable information over the last few weeks with regard to the hierarchy of command within the Horde.
Still, being an Empath there was the Bright Moon side of her that kept suspicion alive; her mother, Queen Angella having taught her to trust her instincts and to put her faith in no man knowing the feeble nature of their hearts.
Man will almost always elevate Self over Charity.
xxx
They sat in the Mess Tent with the others, breakfast consisting of porridge, a hunk of stale bread, some type of burnt piece of flesh and tepid water. Repulsed, Adora eyed it, her stomach turning. Bow looked at her.
"What? They don't serve delicacies such as these in the Fright Zone these days?" he teased.
"No."
"Then what type of fine dining do they offer?"
Adora's sapphire gaze met his. "I'm a vegetarian."
He made a face. "Really?"
She nodded, her eyes dropping back to the tin plate before her.
At this time of day there were close to a hundred rebels within the massive tent, the sound of utensils clinking against the metal dishes, the low rumble of casual conversation in her ears. She lifted a hand and pointed.
"What is this?"
Bow laughed. "Night Squirrel."
She whipped her head to him, the horror in her eyes evident making him laugh harder. "You haven't lived until you've tasted your first smoked squirrel," he joked, scooping a bit of porridge into his spoon.
Knitting her brow, the top of Adora's lip curled in frightful disgust. "Ancients alive…," she mumbled, her eyes going back to the poor doomed creature, her fingertip touching the charred flesh.
Making a face, sliding her plate aside she decided to settle on porridge. Slowly, she gathered a spoonful of the steamy white velvety substance and stared at it.
"Go on," he coaxed, his eyes pinned on her.
Glancing at him, she blew lightly on the spoon to cool it before timidly putting it to her lips. Tasting it, her features registered surprise, her head tilting to the side.
"Not bad," she conceded. "Better than ours."
Having been a former cadet himself, Bow nodded in agreement before returning to his own meal.
"My compliments to the chef," she teased.
They ate in silence for a few minutes.
"So, what's your decision?"
Her eyes snapped to his. "Decision?"
"Yes," he replied, his eyes roaming her features. Stunningly beautiful…
They held each other's gazes, her brow lifting during the protracted silence.
"Please elaborate."
Bow blinked conscious again. "Oh, umm…right. Your decision to totally abandon the Horde and join the revolution," he explained taking another bite of breakfast. He turned back to her. "Or are you simply a spectator planning on settling quietly in some nearby village?"
Adora frowned. "Sir, I do not spectate. I am a Doer," she corrected him, her tone censuring. "I've always been dependable when it's a worthy cause—"
"So?" he interjected, "Do you deem this as such?"
She opened her mouth then closed it. "I think it has the potential to be," she replied carefully. "As long as rules are obeyed."
He furrowed his brow.
"Guys, let's go," Sea Hawk called out as he walked toward them. "It's pack up and relocate time."
"So soon?"
Both men's gazes shot to the woman. She blinked.
"I mean…it's just that, I was getting used to this spot…," she clumsily explained, her gaze wandering back to her bowl.
"Come on," the pirate said to Bow, his eyes warily assessing the Defector. "We've only got three hours before heading for the next encampment," he added turning on his boot heel and heading for the flap. He clapped his hands. "Let's go people! The Woods are ready for us!"
Adora watched as the company immediately stood whether they were through with breakfast or not, dutifully putting their dishes in the water troughs filing out in an orderly fashion.
"Impressive."
Bow looked at her. "What is?"
"The blind obedience," she explained, her eyes scanning the tent. "Quite impressive."
He knit his brow, something about her comments not sitting right.
He's always had that sixth sense about people, the pit of his stomach twitching in warning when something was not what it had presented itself to be.
It twitched now.
Adora packed what little things she was given by the generous individuals in whose care she remained:
Poncho
Quilt blanket and pillow
Changes of underwear
Bar of soap
Hair tie
One pair of boots
Toothbrush
Book
She stopped to examine the last item loaned to her by a kind older woman; an old dusty book, its edges worn, the leather binding cracking. Dusting it off she turned it over in her hands, managing to make out the faded title: "To Thine Own Self Be True". Blinking she shrugged and stuffed it in her duffel. A knock at the tent pole caught her attention.
"Come!
A sentry poked through the flaps. "You're needed at the debriefing, Captain."
A faraway look in her eye, Adora nodded.
xx
Accompanied by the guard, Adora was escorted to the Lead Tent, the occupants huddled over a wooden desk, a laptop and a topography map spread before them. The pink laden woman raised her head.
"Adora, join us," she motioned as the blonde cautiously made her way to them, the two men eyeing her. Glimmer repositioned the laptop, Adora's thumbnail drive inserted in its side.
"Now that you've had time to recuperate, Captain, tell us what you know about the Horde's movements," she asked. "We were finally able to crack the code on your thumb drive," she gestured to the laptop.
Adora nodded, her gaze lingering on her drive.
"I see they knew exactly how to find us," Glimmer sighed. "Poor dear Shakra. Unknowingly tracked…," she trailed off.
Stone-faced, the blonde watched them, the men worriedly stroking their stubble with Glimmer biting her lip, her concerned violet gaze studying the digital specs. She lifted her eyes. "Do you know Private Shakra?"
She blinked. "No."
"Well, she's a courageous woman," she replied. "She reminds me of my own mother…," the Princess' voice cracked slightly, her hands over her nose and mouth. She took a deep breath.
Although muddied, Adora's mind struggled to recall moments with her former nanny. The memories faded and broken, she furrowed her brow remembering times of calm, nurturing, and maternal safety before curiously going blank, thoughts of Hordak and his love for her suddenly invading her thoughts.
"But I digress," Glimmer stated composing herself, her direct gaze going back to Adora. "You mentioned your memory and the slight amnesia," her gaze sharpened. "Is anything else coming back to you?
"It is."
"Before you defected, what other plans did they hold for Etheria?" she asked, "For other worlds?"
Adora raised her chin. "Galactic domination. Assimilation and exploitation of cultures, resources, and weapons," she stated. "The pursuit of power and ultimate control."
The rebel leaders' eyes all went round. "And how far along are they in realizing their goals?" Sea Hawk asked.
Her blue gaze shifted to him. "About fifty-two percent complete."
Someone gasped.
"Do you have knowledge of the realms they've seized thus far?"
She nodded. "Actum, Vulneria and Sineria. Bi-Fothum, DeNeen, and TerNeen," she rattled off.
Glimmer furrowed her brow. "Two of the systems you've mentioned are sister worlds."
"Correct," the blonde replied turning to her. She stepped forward. "Horde Prime is particularly interested in seizing twin worlds; he is obsessed with twins for some tactical reason. He made an attempt at seizing our twin world several millennia ago but failed."
Bow frowned. "And that world is?"
Adora turned to him. "Eternia."
"Eternia…," Glimmer echoed in whisper. "I'm somewhat familiar with its characteristics but only from folklore. Many here don't believe Eternia exists; they think it's a myth."
"It is real," Adora replied. "In fact, we had a visitor from that realm when I was a child. There was an apparent double-cross…," she stopped, her mind going fuzzy, her hand going to her temple. Squeezing her eyelids and regaining her composure she shook her head as if to clear it, her gaze returning to them. "I am not privy to details but what I do know is that this traitor has locked the portals between Eternia and Etheria."
"Ancients…," the pirate mumbled.
"Why?"
"I don't know, Princess," she replied, "But apparently he is a disingenuous individual and someone not worthy of my Master's time."
Catching the phrasing, Glimmer's violet gaze narrowed in suspicion. "I see." Her gaze went back to the thumb drive before returning to the woman. "I'd like to know how Eternia managed to defeat the Horde. Have you any knowledge?"
Adora simply shook her head.
"Fine. That will be all, Captain. You may return to your tent and finish packing. Someone will arrive at your door in thirty minutes to escort you to the rendezvous."
Adora inclined her head as Bow gestured to the open flaps following her out.
Glimmer and Sea Hawk exchanged glances. "Did you catch her phrasing?" she asked.
He furrowed his brow. "Yes."
xx
They both crossed camp, everyone busy packing and corralling the animals in the grazing area.
In silence they walked, Adora's wandering gaze eventually settling on something. She stopped, Bow a few steps forward stopping and whirling around. "What is it?"
She raised a hand. "Who is that?" she pointed.
Following her line of direction, his amber gaze settled on a white stallion. "Who? Now that's interesting," he snorted. "More like what."
Frowning, her gaze snapped to his. "What do you mean, what?"
"It's a handful," he explained. "Won't let anyone ride it. Won't even let anyone touch him. Bucks everyone off. Nasty beast. He's good for nothing," he added with a wave. "The quartermaster is contemplating putting it down once it's studded."
Glaring, she turned and walked to it.
"Adora! We don't have time—"
Approaching the wooden fence she stopped, the horse yards away and standing alone, his gaze warily locking with hers. The body language was evident; he trusted no one.
Bending over, she rested her forearms on the wooden beams as the two stared at one another, Bow sidling up to her.
"You heard Glimmer, you've got thirty minutes. Don't waste your time trying to befriend this thing," he gestured. "He'll most likely be put down soon."
Just then, the horse decided to amble cautiously toward the blonde, Bow incredulous as the horse slowly approached, Adora's steady and calming gaze trained on him. Cupping her hands, she extended them.
The white stallion came to her, at once sticking his muzzle into her hands and licking her palms in friendship as she smiled. Carefully, she stroked his nose, his big brown eyes on her, his lashes long. Bow simply stared.
"You seem hungry," she stated before glancing about. Bending over, she reached into the wooden feedbox and selected a carrot with a long green stalk. She held it out to him. "Here."
Snorting, he opened his mouth and taking the carrot between his teeth he chewed happily as she continued to pet him. Bow studied her.
"You've got a way with animals."
"Not really," she replied. "As a girl I've always loved horses. We don't have many in the Fright Zone and even then, my Guardian never allowed me to ride them." Suddenly, her face went blank as if attempting to call to mind a distant memory. Tilting her head and knitting her brow, her pupils dilated.
"Hordak, right?"
The name shaking her alert, surprised at his guess Adora met his gaze. "Yes."
He stared at her. "I remember."
Confused she knit her brow. "Remember what?"
He wondered whether he should tell her, recalling how much of a fog she'd been in after their flogging when she defended Hordak, her "guardian".
In the silence, her eyes went back to the horse as he suddenly jumped and kicked.
"Whoa!" she called out, her hands raised gently grasping his mouth and nose. "You're quite spirited, mighty one," she stated.
Immediately, the horse calmed at her touch and words. She tilted her head.
"Spirit," she stated with a smile. "That's what I'll call you."
With a happy snort, the horse neighed his approval causing her to giggle.
Widely feared Force Captain Adora…giggling. Bow watched her. "You told me Hordak was your Guardian."
Confused, Adora's head whipped to him. "You mean that wasn't a guess? When?"
"After the flogging. Remember?" he coaxed. "You seemed to remember a few weeks ago…when you first saw me."
She stopped, her hands going to her side as Spirit brayed his displeasure at the loss of connection.
"Flog—," as if to summon a memory, her face went blank, her pupils dilating once more. She then came to herself, her hands flying to her cheeks.
"Oh my Ancients! Flogged…almost to death!" she shouted, passersby glancing over in confusion.
Bow nodded. Apparently the memory of her love for horses coupled with the flogging triggered…something…
"He gave me the whip but I didn't know what crime you'd committed. I didn't want to do it so he…," she trailed off. "He whipped both of us, the BASTARD!" she spat angrily. "He's an animal…which is fitting because he snorts like a pig...then you in the other bed calling him a swine…," she rambled shakily, her eyes darting everywhere in sensory overload.
"Calm down," he urged, taking her wrist and putting an arm around her. He led her to a tree stump. "Sit."
Unexplainably agitated, the horse brayed again, trotting in circles and kicking out in apparent distress, no one picking up on any alarm already familiar with his generally cantankerous nature.
Taking a seat, Bow passed her a canteen of water, she taking it and knocking it back, her grasp shaky. Coughing, she handed it back to him.
"Easy," he stated patting her back.
Adora looked around. "What am I doing here? Where are we? What in hell is going on?"
He furrowed his brow. "You're with The Rebellion. You're in the Whispering Woods," he replied. "We found you three weeks ago lying in a patch of grass dehydrated and discombobulated. You said you didn't know-"
Blinking, her alarmed sapphire gaze suddenly locked on his confused amber ones. "Oh NO!" she grabbed his arm. "It's a trap, Bow! We've got to go! Now! Get Glimmer! Get Sea Hawk…tell everyone that Hordak knows where we are at this moment! My thumb drive is the homing beacon! Oh Hera…they'll kill everyone!"
The horse took off running as Bow's jaw fell open at the confession. Adora jumped up, the two sprinting to Glimmer's tent and bursting through the flaps causing the Princess' and pirate's heads to snap to them, still huddled around the laptop.
"The thumb drive is a tracker!" Bow shouted. "Hordak knows where we are. We have to go now!"
Sea Hawk's eyebrows shot up as Glimmer's mouth fell open. Ripping the drive from the computer, she abruptly stood holding it in her open palm. Raising it above her head, a band of light ignited within her palm blinding everyone in the room as they recoiled shielding their eyes.
The drive immediately burst into flames burning it to a cinder before completely disintegrating.
At that moment, the thunderous clamor of robot troops marching in the distance reached their ears, the ground quaking as the sound of fighter jets screeched overhead. The Princess glared at the Captain.
"This was your plan all along, wasn't it?" she angrily accused.
Worried, Adora shook her head. "I'm…I'm so sorry I don't understand how I could—"
Just then, the jets began to drop bombs in and around the encampment, everyone screaming and running for cover.
"Execution!" Glimmer shouted as the men bolted from the tent, the Princess grabbing Adora's wrist as they sprinted toward the center of the massive camp, guards around the perimeter opening fire at the Horde jets tearing across the skies. The two women halted at the campfire.
"Castaspella!" Glimmer shouted.
Immediately, a gorgeous brunette dressed in a high-collared cocktail dress and black thigh high boots materialized beside Glimmer. She smirked at her longtime friend.
"Terrible timing," she stated, her hands going to her hips. "What blew up now?"
"Oh shut up!" the Princess shouted frustratingly. Pointing to the jets above them, Castaspella's chestnut gaze followed it, her mouth dropping.
"Oh my—"
The Princess lunged forward extending her palms as a blinding flash of light pulsated through her body and shot forth in explosive power. Directing them up and over, the white hot energy beams covered the entire circumference of the camp in dome-like formation rendering the camp invisible as cover as the Queen rotated her fists one over the other generating a massive energy field.
Adora stood open-mouthed as Mystacor's royal sorceress threw her arms into the air releasing rapid fire shells at each jet, hitting them with targeted precision as they each caught fire and began to fall from the sky one after the other.
"Over there!" the Captain shouted, pointing as the two women's gazes followed.
Armed robots emerged from the trees, their silver coated steel gleaming in the reflections of the downed fiery jets, on their breastplates, the crimson bat wings of the Horde.
"They see us!" the Princess warned, her arms outstretched. "They'd already breached the perimeter before my Invisa-band could cover it!"
They lifted their lasers and took aim as Castaspella calmly clicked her tongue against her teeth. "Shameful."
"Watch out!" Adora shouted as the ammo came straight for them. Running, she shoved Glimmer to the ground, a beam narrowly missing the Bright Moon Princess.
The source flow now interrupted, the Invisa-band shimmered and began to dissipate as Mystacor's Queen raised her arms at the oncoming soldiers.
"Be gone!" she stated almost whimsically as two powerful shots sprang from her open palms and sailed like a shot for the hapless robots.
They fell like dominos, the magical ammo exploding upon impact as their bodies blew into pieces right where they stood. Adora bent over, extending an arm yanking Glimmer to her feet.
The sound of more troops in the far distance reached their ears as Bow and Sea Hawk emerged having corralled the armed rebels. Each wearing their supply-duffels, Glimmer signaled for them to abandon camp and move deeper into the woods, the animals having already been tied together and following behind.
They disappeared into the enchanted foliage, the Woods shielding them as Bow hesitated, he and Adora locking gazes. Dropping his head, he turned and followed.
The brunette brushed her hands together, admiring the carnage as the robots and jet fighters lie in fiery heaps along the perimeter. She turned to her dear friend.
"Anything else?" she asked. "I must get back to my dinner party, darling."
"No my friend. The Woods can cover us now. As always, thank you for your assistance."
Nodding, her chestnut gaze shifted to the blonde, assessing her. "And you are?"
"No one of consequence," Adora dejectedly replied.
"She's responsible for the attack," Glimmer snapped, her gaze hard.
Castaspella's brows shot skyward in appreciation. With a nod she replied, "Impressive. Next time you join us, just be sure you're on the right side of history, darling." She glanced at both of them. "Toodles!" And with that, she disappeared. Glimmer turned to Adora.
"Regardless of what Casta said, none of us can ever fully trust you again, Force Captain," she stated. "Bow mentioned something about a spell over you," she waved a hand, "I'm not sure I believe it but I'm sorry; fending them off drained me and as Leader, I cannot afford the luxury of offering the benefit of the doubt ever again."
"Understood," Adora replied, "And you shouldn't have to." She extended an arm. "I know what I need to do at the Fright Zone. Best of luck to all of you."
Suspicious, Glimmer looked at it. Hesitatingly, she clasped arms, the two women eyeing each other.
"One more thing."
Adora lifted a brow. "Yes?"
Glimmer raised a palm and suddenly…Adora's world went white.
Blinking awake her gaze focused on the treetops in the misty dawn, birds singing. Woodpeckers went to work as small animals foraged in the brush. Smoke arose from the wreckage as she focused.
"Adora?"
The blonde frowned slowly realizing her position; she lay on her back in a patch of grass, Shadow Weaver hovering over her. The cloaked witch glanced over her shoulder.
"She is alive, Hordak," her snake-like hiss called out, her glowing cat-eyes refocusing on the woman.
Hearing footsteps, Hordak came into view. "Are you injured?" his worried gravelly voice inquired.
She knit her brow. "A little sore but…I'm okay. I think." Suddenly, her features leveled in grave understanding. Scrambling to her feet she backed away. Hordak furrowed his brow.
"What is it, Child? Don't you know who I am?"
Adora nodded rapidly. "Y-yes. You are evil and you must be stopped…at all costs!" she accused. "How could you do this to people…to innocent children? How could I have trusted you?" she rambled, tears beginning to form in her eyes. "I almost got these people killed!"
Folding her arms, Shadow Weaver silently turned to the warlord.
"Lies, my dear. Nothing but lies," he stated calmly taking a step forward. Adora took a cautious step back.
Shocked, he hesitated. "They've somehow brain-washed you into believing all those terrible things about me, my child. Mind reform is not uncommon among the rebels," he explained. "We're doing the good work of cleansing the land of filth, tyranny, and injustice!" He extended a hand. "Come, Child."
Her eyes clouded by tears, Adora's sapphire gaze shifted down to his hand then back to him. She shook her head. "Over my dead body!"
"So be it," Weaver interjected.
Lifting a bony palm, death shot forth from the witch and seized Adora's body, blackness surrounding and penetrating her cells. Crying out in excruciating pain, her voice choked off as she collapsed to the ground, her heart stopping, her wide gaze staring at nothing, her pupils completely dilated. Hordak exploded.
"Don't kill her! I need her! What are you doing?"
"She's damaged goods, my Lord. I sense she has been irreversibly influenced, ruined by The Rebellion's creed. Even if I revived her and regenerated the spell it will no longer adhere as before—"
"Wake her up. Now!" he commanded. "Recast the spell or so help me, I will have your head!"
She sighed in frustration.
"Just remember…I told you so," she spat before raising her palms.
Adam sat up in bed with a gasp.
Confused, his eyes searched the darkness glancing about. Hearing footfalls, the lights suddenly flicked on, his eyes squinting awake.
"What is it? Are you okay?"
"Yeah…," he swallowed hard, panting. "Yeah, I'm okay. It's not me." Climbing out of bed, Teela watched worriedly as he shuffled to his bathing chambers, his silk pajama bottoms hanging low off of his hips.
Clad in his oversized t-shirt, Teela folded her arms and knit her brow. Entering, she stopped at the bathroom doorway as he bent over the sink and splashed cold water over his face. Taking a towel, he pat himself dry and straightened. He stared into the mirror.
"Bad dream?"
"Didn't seem like a dream," he turned and walked past her, she eyeing him and turning aside. She followed him back to his bedchambers.
"Do you want some tea?"
Adam plopped back onto the bed and looked up at her. He gave a wan smile. "Only if you're making some for yourself."
Teela gave a small smile as she headed for the kitchen.
xxx
They sat at the dining table.
"Thanks for the robe."
He smiled. "Welcome."
Silence.
"What did you mean by, it's not me?"
He stopped mid-sip, his gaze going to her. "It was my sister."
Shocked, Teela watched as his gaze dropped to the table.
"Something happened…something bad happened and it felt like…," he trailed off.
She frowned. "Like what?"
He met her gaze. "Like…her flame was snuffed out."
"Snuffed out…as in…killed?" she asked shakily.
He nodded.
Teela's hand went to her mouth. She took it away. "Is she dead?"
He shook his head, his eyes squinting for understanding. "No…not anymore. But…she's different—" he stopped utterly baffled.
Her emerald gaze widened. "Sorcery."
Adam's head snapped to her. "How do you know?"
"Malek," she replied. "He once told me about death spells and revitalization…all that dark stuff."
He angrily clenched his jaw. "So, she's under the influence of a witch."
"Maybe."
"That would explain—" he cut himself off.
Teela furrowed her brow. "What?"
"Nothing."
Her eyes pinned on him, she took a sip of tea as they sat in silence.
"Do you want to talk about your sister?"
He looked at her glancing away. "No."
She pursed her lips. "How about Cylvia?"
Adam's sapphire gaze snapped back. "Hell, no."
Teela snorted a chuckle, Adam growing a smile. "Speaking of nightmares…," he trailed off knocking back the rest of his tea.
Teela burst into laughter as he smiled, his gaze studying her features. "I've had enough agitation for one night," he added.
Chuckling, she stood and took his teacup.
"Thank you."
She nodded, walking to the sink. Washing and rinsing, she set them on the drying rack as he watched, his oversized robe charmingly way too big for her. Returning, she took her seat, her forearms leaning against the table, the long sleeves swallowing her hands. She clapped her hands together through the soft fabric and held his gaze.
"I don't know what happened between you two but you seem a lot more relaxed now," she stated. "You don't have to talk about it or tell me anything," she shook her head, waving the awkward sleeves, "I'm just making an observation."
Adam's mouth curled into a lopsided smile. "You're a good friend. Thank you."
"So what happened?" she said with a wink.
He snorted a laugh. "She left me because I'm a coward."
Teela's brows shot straight up. "What?"
Chuckling, he stood and walked into the kitchen, Teela watching the muscles in his bare back ripple with each step. Her gaze settled on the scar on his shoulder blade as he opened a cabinet and took out a ceramic plate.
"Yep. I'm a low down dirty weasel who left her to deal with Skeletor," he added. "She could have been killed, raped, tortured, etc. etc.," he waved off. Turning to the pantry, he took out a package of cookies and plated them.
Teela's mouth flew open. "Oh my God is that what she called you…when you two were arguing in your office yesterday morning?"
"Yup. Among other things."
Intrigued, she shifted in her chair. "What else?"
Adam returned with the plate and a couple of napkins. Swinging a leg over the back of his chair, he took a seat and placed the cookies between them. "Let me see…," he selected a cookie and took a bite. Crunching he nodded in recollection. "That I can never be the man Marekesh is and He-Man had to save her life because I'm a bastard and I'll never amount to anything…," he said mouth full of cookie. He swallowed. "That I could go fuck myself—"
Gasping, her mouth dropped open. She took a cookie and bit into it, her eyes fixed on Adam. "Oh…my…God!" she squealed, her mouth full. "Are you kidding me? That's crazy!" she drew out chewing rapidly.
He grinned as she chewed, their eyes locked. He gave a sharp tilt of his head. "Well, that's...Cylvia," he concluded with a sigh.
"Forgive me but I could never understand why you picked her," she stated before suddenly standing. "You got any milk in here? These cookies are good."
At her remark, Adam's mouth dropped open. "Umm…in the fridge where milk usually is," he teased.
Teela turned. "Hah. Hah." She opened the cabinet and took out a glass. "Do you want some?"
"No thanks," he replied, his gaze going to the darkened windows. The moonlight reflecting off of the ocean's gentle tides, Adam sighed. Something occurred to him.
"Mom's planning your birthday, you know. It's supposed to be spectacular," he stated monotone.
She padded back to the table, glass of milk in hand. "Yes. I love your Mom. She really helped me when I was reassigned to the Palace."
Amused he lifted a brow. "Oh? How so?"
Teela stopped mid-drink, mouth full of milk. Lowering the glass, her gaze went wide darting to and fro. Adam smirked.
"You have sort of a milk mustache going on there," he said pointing at her lip, "You look like your father."
She squinted her disapproval at his teasing, her head tilting right.
"And there's something about the reassignment that you're hiding from me, Tee."
Frightened she swallowed. "Well you're hiding stuff about Greyskull from me, pal," she teased back.
He grinned. "Touché."
Silence as he leaned back, folding his arms. "So what do we do tomorrow?"
She shrugged.
"Swim?"
Her eyes beamed. "Yeah!" suddenly, her gaze dimmed. "Wait…I don't have a bathing suit."
He frowned. "They don't have stores here?"
Teela gave a small smile. "Thank you."
His chin dropping, Adam stared at her. "Bikini or one piece?" he asked, his voice low.
Her eyes widened blushing a lovely shade of crimson.
"What?" he knit his brow.
"W-whichever is f-fine."
Adam's eyebrows shot skyward. Stuttering…?