Chapter 38
Leaving on a Jet Plane

Last night had to have been a dream...the best and most real dream he had ever had, in his dream he had made love to his saving angel... the one woman who had helped him claw and bite his way out of hell and into the very fringes of what some might call a happier life. They gave each other their hearts and last night they gave their bodies.

It had to be a dream he would wake up in his room either on the floor or actually in his bed depending on where his subconscious had decided to let him rest. Given the likely time in the morning Kim would still be asleep in her own bed.

He opened his eyes and discovered that last night may not have been a dream. He saw Kim laying her head against his chest snoozing; she had a small smile on he face.

She must be having a good dream. But that raises the question am I still dreaming?

Kim herself awoke to the pair steel gray eyes looking down at her and before she said anything Jared asked his question.

Jared: Is this a dream?

She smiled and moved to prop herself on her elbows and gave a deep kiss, he knew from that moment on that the last night was real and this was real and he wouldn't have it any other way.

Kim: What time is it?

He rolled to look at the bedside clock it read 1200.

Jared: 1200…1200 I don't think I have ever slept in that late ever.

The phone rang and that told them Solaris was back to life in the aftermath of what would later be called Rise of Hybris. In a few hours after Weber had called them at noon they found themselves loading their stuff into the Hummer and driving down to the space port were their mechs were being loaded up on the first drop ship to Dune fully loaded with their two mechs, Weber's repair team, 50 Section 9 agents including Portia, and to top it off Davion was coming to Dune as well to assume direct control of the battle for Dune.

In the hold of the drop ship Jared was about to talk with Weber about the number of armor plates they had among other things.

Jared: Weber just wondering are you sure that we have an enough armor plates to patch up the Atlas on the way to Dune?

Weber: Oh Jared I was wondering when you would come asking and the answer is yes we do.

Jared: Good. So tell me how do you feel leaving Solaris?

For a moment he didn't answer but just looked outside the massive hold doors and into the pinkish glow of the afternoon sunset.

Weber: It feels good... good to go back to the roots from whence I came, to be a combat tech that's what I have missed the most.

Jared: I can agree with you Solaris was good but it isn't quite the same as a combat zone. Out there it is simpler you either kill the enemy or he will kill you and the chances of you ejecting and surviving until SAR gets there is at best 50/50 less so when dealing with clanners. Besides I guess one can say that it was on Dune that everything started happening you know... the clan build up, going to Solaris, and well you know from there. On top of that you don't have fans and the press all over your back.

Weber smiled and replied

Weber: Ha you trade fan girls and the paparazzi for one pissed off Mad Cat... that's so much like you.

Jared: At least with the clanner if he is bothering me I can at least turn around and shoot him.

Weber: Yeah you got that right. Would you mind if I ask a blunt personal question?

The mechwarrior looked at his friend warily and tried to guess what he was going to ask of him.

Jared: Uh...ok what the hell ask.

Weber: Are you and Kim going out?

If the stunned look on his face didn't give away anything then nothing he could say would.

Jared: Well...err... yeah, but how did you?

Weber: Carlson I have raised my own son he's 27 and is stationed on Outreach providing assistance to the Kell Hounds from a engineering stand point, on top of all that he's married already so I know the all signs. And to tell you the truth... I'm happy for you two.

For the first time in awhile Jared was stunned speechless. Until they heard an elevator come down from the upper decks but neither of them turned to face the source until they heard a familiar voice.

Kim: I guess that explains why you and Portia were looking us strangely.

Weber: Hi Kim just talking with your boyfriend over here.

She blushed and threw Jared a "We're fucked aren't we?" look and he agreed this is something that if Brinks caught wind of then things for them would become very fucked up indeed.
Noticing the looks they had Weber put their minds at ease by telling them that the only people that he was sure knew about them were he and Portia and it would stay that way until they decide to go public.

Then before anyone could speak more the captain's voice came over the PA.

Capitan: FIVE MINUTES TO LAUNCH ALL PERSONEL PROCEED TO YOUR TAKE OFF POSITIONS.

Weber: Well god has spoken let's get moving.

As the trio walked Kim noticed that Weber had attached his wrench to a slash that ran across his back from shoulder to waist.

Kim: What's up with the wrench?

After a long moment of hesitation he answered.

Weber: You know how you two had your problems to deal with; you know the administrator and that bitch of an aunt of yours? Well I have always rejected my nickname "The Wrench" thinking that I am tech and only a tech, but until recently I have made peace with my other side if you want to call it that and I will no longer deny what I am.

Jared: And that is?

Weber: I'm George "The Wrench" Weber the most deadly combat tech ever to walk the Inner Sphere.

Kim: I better pray that you don't meet a clanner in battle then.

Jared Weber: Why not?

Kim: Because I feel sorry for the clanner son of a bitch who faces you.

They had good laugh as they reached the main elevator to the bridge where Davion and Portia along with several high-ranking Section 9 officers were taking their seats.

Dashca: I never got chance to thank you two for what you did last year you know?

The pair recognized the heavy Russian accent to belong to Dashca the captain that brought them to Solaris.

Jared: You guys check the engines this time?

The older man chuckled and assured them that they would avoid such an incident this time. When they finished talking they took their seats and strapped in. After a short delay the sound of the engines roaring to life filled the bridge, looking around many of the Section 9 officers were looking a bit green a far cry from Davion and Weber's grins as the Overlord class drop ship rose ever higher off the ground, Portia kept a solid stone face. Looking to his right Kim was enjoying the rush maybe not quite as much as Weber or Davion but still better off then the S9 officers, She put her hand on his interlocking their fingers together.

Kim: Two more minutes.

Jared: Two more minutes.

The two minutes passed quickly and they were in space. Taking one last orbit around Solaris until they got into jump position Weber hummed a song as they turned towards their jump point.

Jared: Leaving on a Jet Plane?

Weber's eyebrows spiked up at the amazement that someone as young as Jared even knew the song.

Portia: How did you know that?

Jared: Well back at boot in what spare time I had I sat in during some of the flight training classes and learned for the most part how to pilot fighters, bombers, and so forth the guy that I learned from would play that song every time he went up and so I guessed he passed that on to me.

Davion: You can fly? Why?

Jared: Because I thought if push comes to shove that a time that need someone with those skills it would be better to know then the learn later.

Dashca letting his men set up the systems needed to jump and do final equipment checks he asked the question that was bouncing around his head.

Dashca: Then why did you two become mechwarriors if you don't mind me asking?

Kim was the one to answer the mans question after getting the nod from Davion that it was ok to do so.

Kim: What else can you expect from born mechwarriors? Give us a gun or a ship and we are among the absolute best but give us a Mech and we become almost god like on the battlefield.

The others nodded in silence they all agreed. It was then that the ship jumped to light speed starting their 3 week journey to Dune.

With so many people on board everyone except Lord Davion and the ships actual crew had to share a quarters, non officers like the Section 9 agents and most of Weber's crew had to be four per a room. Officers such as Jared and Kim were two to a room and the heads like Weber and Portia had their own room. The first day was spent getting settled in and beginning the in-flight repairs to Jared's Atlas.

In the hold...

Jared was working in the tight confines of the cockpit replacing the many blown fuses to the electronics of the cockpit. Kim was testing the HUD displays and overhead control panels. They were both jammed in there in a mess of bodies, tools, wiring and parts.

Jared: Hey Kim can you hand me a number 45 fuse?

She placed the small part into his hand and waited to hear that they were done with rewiring the systems.

Jared: Ok let's see if this works or not Kim punch it.

She started the systems up and they all showed green much to the relief of both of them, the cockpit was getting warm and the smell of sodder and burnt circuits was starting to get a close to overpowering.

Kim: Ok it's good let's get out of here...

She hit the cockpit release and stepped out taking in a deep breath before turning and helping to pull Jared out of the cockpit.
They had been at the repairs for 16 hours since they jumped from Solaris, the ship was silent except for a few crew members that manned the night shift deciding that their day had been long enough they retired to their room. It was much like the room had on they way to Solaris just bigger in all respects, apparently Weber had made a deal with Dashca about cabin selections. Once they had showered and dressed for bed they got into the king size bed. They both knew that once they hit Dune peaceful moments like this between them would become far and few. Kim drew her self close him and started talking to him about something that she had been worried about since yesterday morning.

Kim: Jared...

Jared: Yeah?

Kim: You know that when we get on Dune you can't play favorites and put me over the mission right?

Jared pulled her closer and thought for a moment.

Jared: I know Kim... Davion comes first that's the way its been and that's the way it will be... but when the mission is accomplished I will try to protect you as best as I can.

The next thing he knew he was lip locked with her, after they broke Kim spoke just barely above a whisper.

Kim: I'll watch your back you watch mine.

Jared: We'll see the end of this war Kim I promise we will. One way or another we will.

They fell asleep soon after in each other's arms both wondering about what awaited them on Dune.

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