"What is it? Did you find them? Are they..." Chris couldn't say the horrible word as he looked at the Deputy.
The Deputy, still stone faced replied. "Does this belong to you?" He stepped aside to move out of the way.
When the Deputy moved, Chris could see the parking lot. He gasped when a very dirty Adam, Hunter and Dean got out of an equally very dirty black Range Rover.
"KITTEN!" Chris cried out as he forgot they were at a hotel. A few curious people peered out of their windows.
Seth, Roman and Shawn froze for a split second and stared at each other. Then in one movement the three men rushed to the door. Adam was in Chris' arms as both men sobbed and neither man cared.
Soon Dean found himself smothered between Roman and Seth and there was no place he'd rather be. Hunter's arms were filled with a wet eyed, coppery blond.
The Deputy's stone faced expression had vanished. He still had a few official questions, but he could wait. He was sure he'd feel the same if his husband had been through something like this. He was glad his spouse was a happy househusband.
It took a bit, but soon all seven men were settled in the Jericho's room, along with Deputy Hill, as the men found out.
The Deputy chuckled. "Just as I pulled out on to Main Street, I saw this Range Rover go by. I looked at the plate. I knew I'd just found your missing men. I pulled them over, made sure I was right. I gave them a no stop escort. I need to know what happened. Not the whole story, but, about foul play. Were you held hostage or something?" He was very curious as to what the men had been through.
Hunter swallowed his sip of hot coffee that Shawn had made. "No, nothing like foul play, but, I'll be honest, I thought we were goners. Everything was great when we went to launch. Then when the three funnels joined up, the tornado went off like a ball of lightening. It shifted its track and I swear the fuckin' thing deliberately chased us..." Adam interrupted Hunter.
"It did. Bless Dean's heart, he bounced around the back of the Rover like an outta control basketball, but he damn well kept filming. Cole is gonna pay ultra premium for that footage..." Adam was proud of Dean, but he was halted by Hunter.
Hunter chuckled. "Adam, hush. I want to fill them in and get a shower." He gave Adam a wink, he couldn't blame Adam. Hunter was just as happy to be back.
Adam flushed. "Sorry, I'm just so happy. I'll be quiet now." He buried himself in Chris' arms with a smile.
Hunter continued. "Just when I was about to lose complete control of the Rover, we hit the gravel road. That was where we fired the last rocket. We hoped you know it meant we had made it. The radio had gone out, the antenna was ripped off the roof. Anyway, we finally broke away from the pull of the tornado. We were able to go faster and faster. Then, the Rover just slowed down more and more. I finally had to stop. Thankfully, we were out of immediate danger. We got out and saw that all four tires were as flat as pancakes. The self repair worked, but not on a dirt and gravel road. We only had one spare, the other is on our truck. We had no way to contact anyone. Even cell service was down." He had to pause and took a sip of coffee.
The Deputy was enthralled. He'd never heard such a story. These guys had to be the bravest men and they did it to help others in the future.
"The rains and hail started, so we got back in the Rover. At least the hail guards worked. We were still close enough to be blown about, but the tornado stayed on track, so we were safe. When the storm finally roped out, we still couldn't move, all we could do was wait." Hunter once again paused to sip his coffee.
"How did you get four flat tires? You were darn lucky it didn't happen when that tornado was on your bumper." The Deputy asked. He held a pen and notebook, but had long ago stopped writing.
Dean finally spoke. "I was still in the back when we got to the gravel road. I think we had to have run over a barbed wire fence. I saw a broken fence when we hit the road. Unless we ran over crop stalks, they can be a sharp as razors, or maybe it was the combination of both. When we stopped, I looked, none of the tires had been cut by man. Who would do that anyway?" Dean gave a shrug.
"No one." Hunter started again. "It was just one of those things. Anyway, we were good and stuck. About two hours later, we heard a tractor come down the road. When he got to us he stopped. He'd been out to check his crops. He said he'd be glad to help us and had a friend with a rollback trailer. He took off and went to see if the guy was home. So now, long story short, the guy came with the trailer and took us to his place. Just so happens, he's a professional backyard mechanic. It took him a while, but he plugged and repaired all four tires…." Hunter was interrupted by Seth.
"Sorry, but, by that time, we were out searching for you. By your timing, we should have passed each other." He was more confused than ever.
Hunter looked at his watch. "It's twelve-thirty, right?" Dean and Adam looked at their watches and agreed with Hunter. The other four looked at their watches.
Shawn shook his head. "No Hunter, it's ten-thirty. You're two hours ahead." Shawn even showed Hunter his watch to prove it. Adam and Chris did the same, as did the college students.
Even the Deputy was confused. "I would think on watch being off as a battery failing. But, all three at once? That's almost… science fiction..." He let his thought fade.
Adam looked at the Deputy. "Are you saying we went through some space-time continuum?" His eye brow was so highly arched, it vanished under a strand of hair.
The Deputy shrugged. "Kinda sounds like it. Three watches, two hours ahead is strange." He rubbed his clean shaven chin.
Seth's mind had been churning. He suddenly sat up and spoke with excitement. "No, it wasn't science fiction, but it was science. It must have been something to do with being so close to the tornado. There must be some kind of electromagnetic pull. Roman, could lightening have anything to do with it?" He looked at his lover with wide eyes.
Roman nodded. "It could be. See, there are more kinds of lightening than sheets and bolts. It sounds like you may have encountered some Elves..." He was interrupted when the Deputy chuckled.
"I'm sorry, but Elves? Like little faeries? What's next, Hobbits?" The Deputy wasn't rude, just overwhelmed.
Roman smiled. "No. Elves are discs that rapidly expand in areas up to three hundred miles across. They only last for less than a thousandth of a second, and occur in areas where a there are massive amounts of cloud to ground lightening. The Elves cause an electromagnet pulse, that extends in the atmosphere. The Elves were only discovered in nineteen ninety two, when the cameras of a space shuttle caught them. So I would guess, an electromagnet pulse, plus billions of volts of electricity from the lightening might cause a malfunction." Roman finished his explanation. It was the first time any of the older men had heard Roman expound on his specialty.
All while Roman spoke, Chris' mind had been spinning. "Seth, when we can, I want to really look at Dean's footage. Maybe we can actually see the time jump. This could open up a whole new can of worms. This could explain a lot of things I've questioned."
Hunter nodded. "Roman, we may have a lot of questions for you. Now, let me finish our story. Anyway we tried to call you to let you know we were alright, but the phones were out, and still no cell service. We got the tires back on, and the mechanic and the farmer refused any money. We were on our way back, and about a mile from the main road, we fuckin' got stuck in the damn mud. It took a good bit, and a lot of mud splattering, but we finally broke free. We were about a mile from the hotel when the good Deputy here pulled us over. Now, here we are, safe and sound. But not without a lot of prayers and a lot of hope. I'm going out tomorrow to look for those probes." Hunter finished their story and his cup of coffee.
The Deputy closed his notebook. "I'm sure it was the Hill brothers, my cousins, who helped you. Sam is the elder, a farmer and his brother, Charlie is a mechanic. Well, I will take my leave. I'm very glad you're home and safe. Be careful, and thank you. Not many people put themselves in danger to help others. Well, if you need anything, let us know. Goodnight, gentlemen." The Deputy and the storm chasers shook hands. Chris closed the door after the Deputy.
"I'll have to take the Rover in. I want all new tires and a deep diagnostic test. If you're watches got screwed up, no telling what happened to all the onboard equipment. Good thing we have a day or two. Next front is still off the west coast." Chris expounded as he spoke to his team. What he really wanted to do was throw Adam on the bed and make love to him, dirt and all.
Shawn tapped Hunter on the shoulder. "You don't have to look very far." He showed Hunter the recovered rocket probes.
Hunter gave a hearty laugh. "You could find those, but not us? Good job, honey. Now, that frees up my time. Come on, if I don't get a shower, I'll be stuck like this. Chris, Roman and I will take the Rover tomorrow. Goodnight, everyone." Hunter picked up his rocket probes. With hugs exchanged, the Helmsley's went to their room.
The college graduate students soon followed. Both Seth and Roman were anxious to get Dean bathed and pampered. Dean was more than ready. He never wanted to be that close to death again.
When they were alone, Chris finally gave Adam the passion filled kiss he'd been waiting for. The Kitten melted into his Lion, and kissed his husband with equal passion. With reluctance, Adam pulled back from the kiss.
"I'm sorry, my love, but I've got to shower. I am starting to itch. I think I even got mud in my belly button. My ankle is hurting from pushing the Rover out of the mud. I love you so much. I was so afraid I'd never see your handsome face again." Adam whispered softly over Chris' lips. Their eyes locked onto each other.
Chris responded just as softly. "I love you, my darling husband. I had the same fear. You go bathe, I'll have an ice pack ready when you finish. Don't ever scare me like that again. I couldn't live without you." He gave Adam another kiss.
Adam stripped off his filthy clothes. "By the way, fuck the ice pack. I want something else when I'm done." He gave Chris a wiggle of his perfect ass. He then went into the bathroom and closed the door.
Chris chuckled softly, glad that Adam had the same idea he had. While he waited for Adam, he went to his computer. The forecaster in him just couldn't help it.
It took Adam six hair washes and a deep conditioning to wash his long hair that almost reached the middle of his back. After he brushed and dried it till it was soft as golden silk, Adam left it down. He hated keeping it tied in an elastic band, but in the wind it was necessary.
Adam's ankle still ached, but it was much better than before his shower. He finished grooming, brushed his teeth, and lastly, added a splash of cologne that was a mixture of spice and vanilla. It was Chris' favorite.
Adam didn't bother to put anything on, not even his thong underwear, he didn't want to waste time taking it off again. Besides, he wanted to give his Lion a treat, Chris had earned it after the horrible events of the day.
Chris grinned when he heard Adam finally turn the hair dryer off. He shut down his computer and quickly stripped out of his clothes. Chris was going to take a fast shower as soon as Adam finished. Before Adam came out of the bathroom, Chris pulled the covers back on the bed and turned on the bedside lamp.
Adam finally came out of the bathroom. His eyes went lust lidded when he saw his naked husband. Chris gave Adam's bare as a swat, as he passed by. Without a word, he shut himself in the bathroom.
Adam gave a yelp, then laugh as Chris ducked into the bathroom. He slipped into the bed to wait. Adam pulled up the sheet, just enough to barely cover his package. He fanned his hair out over the pillows and settled in to wait for his beloved Lion.
Chris took a quick but thorough shower. He washed his tawny, lion colored hair and did a quick pass over his body with a razor. Both he and Adam hated body hair. Chris got out of the shower, towel dried his short hair, groomed, brushed his teeth and added his own musk laden cologne.
When Chris came out of the bathroom, his cock was already half hard at the thought of Adam naked and ready. Chris was about to call out to his husband, but he stopped himself.
Adam was fast asleep. His right hand was draped over his abdomen while his left was palm up, by his face, his fingers gracefully curled. A small smile played over Adam's lips. It looked like his lashes brushed against his cheeks, but they weren't really that long. His breath was deep and even. Adam looked utterly adorable.
Chris sighed a bit. He'd been ready to Adam into sexual glory. However, Chris would not wake his Kitten for anything; the poor little thing had been through hell. He quietly slipped into the bed and turned out the light. Chris pulled up the sheet and closed his eyes.
Adam's sleeping brain seemed to know his husband was there. Without opening his eyes or waking up, he rolled onto his side and curled up tightly against Chris. His arm around Chris and his head on Chris' shoulder. Chris wrapped his arms around his husband and held him close. It was the only way he could truly fall into a deep sleep. Chris tightened his hold, the thought of almost losing Adam on his mind. It wasn't long and Chris was also sound asleep. The same soft smile on his lips that Adam had.
Chris dreamed he rocked softly. He must be in a boat, as it was the same sensation. As his sleep addled brain became more aware, he felt a weight on his lower body, and a wonderful feeling snailing up his spine like a slow burning flame. His eyes fluttered open and beheld a beautiful sight.
Adam's eyes were closed, his head back, a snarl of pleasure on his lips. His hands rested on Chris' abdomen as Adam slowly rode Chris' cock. It was a glorious way to wake up.
Adam's eyes opened when he felt one hand slide up his thigh, while the other went around his hard, but neglected cock. Adam smiled at Chris.
"Good morning, my Lion." Adam's voice was low and a bit raspy, it was his morning voice.
Chris' voice was also low and husky but not from sleep, but from lust. "Good morning, my Kitten. You are a very naughty boy. Riding my dick while I'm asleep." He gave a buck of his hips. It caused his cock to drive up against Adam's prostate.
Adam cried out in pleasure. He grinned at his husband. "Well, you were hard, I was horny, so I took care of it. I'll quit if you want." He acted like he was going to quit as he raised up and nearly off Chris' cock.
Chris gave a lion-like growl. "Oh no you don't. You started this, I'll finish it." With another soft growl he rolled suddenly, so that Adam was now under him.
Adam made a sound between a laugh and a yelp as Chris flipped him over. Adam sighed as Chris once again wrapped his hand around his cock.
Chris leaned down and took Adam's lips in a searing kiss. He pulled his hips back and thrust into his Kitten's tight, hot hole. Adam whimpered and melted into the mattress. Adam hooked a knee over Chris' hip as his hands rubbed up and down Chris' back.
Chris' lips ran down Adam's chin, to his neck. The Lion moved to the spot just below Adam's left ear. Adam whimpered when Chris gently bit down and nipped the sensitive flesh. At the same time, Chris drove his cock deep into Adam. As a bonus, he gave Adam's cock a gentle twist as he pumped the shaft in his hand.
Adam was in sensation overload. He showed his feelings by gently raking his nails down Chris' back. It was a signal for Chris that he was lost in pleasure.
Chris knew the way Adam would respond to every touch, every caress, every kiss to the skin. Chris had spent many hours, learning his husband's body. Adam had done the same. Together, they knew how to enhance their sexual encounters and never be bored.
Chris and Adam's passion for each other grew the more alert and awake they became. Chris thrust in and out of Adam's tightness at a steady pace. His hand around Adam's shaft moved in tempo with his thrusts. Chris' mouth feasted on Adam's neck. He didn't mean to, but Chris got so lost in Adam, he left a deep, dark purple mark on Adam's skin, just below his ear.
Adam gave a kittenish mewl and returned the favor. He decided if Chris was going to mark him, then he would mark Chris. Chris gave Adam's cock a harder twist when Adam got too carried away with his teeth.
Chris increased his pace with his thrusts, tugs and pulls as he felt the change in Adam's reactions. He knew his husband was close, when Adam's eyes fluttered. His breaths grew shallow and a thin sweat broke over his brow. Chris was also laced with sweat.
Adam arched up to meet Chris' thrusts, it also drove his cock deeper into Chris' hand. His hands gripped his Lion's shoulders. "So close. Please… so close..." His words came in an airy pant.
Chris growled in Adam's ear. "Let go for me, baby. Just cum for me. Such a beautiful Kitten." His growl became a soft breath as he kept up his pace.
Chris nearly lost it when Adam's muscles clenched around his cock and pulled it deeper into the tightness. Adam came with a cry of ecstasy. It coated Chris' hand and dribbled down Adam's sides. Adam barely remembered how to breathe.
Chris came at nearly the same instant. His milky essence filled Adam and ran down onto their thighs, to the sheets below. Chris licked some of Adam's cum from his fingers, then kissed Adam deeply.
Adam tasted himself in the kiss, but Chris' taste still came through. His hands slid down Chris' back as the exotic kiss continued.
When Chris finally broke the kiss, his flaccid cock slipped out of Adam's body. Adam whimpered at the loss. Chris rolled onto his back and Adam went with him. Adam curled around Chris like he was his own cuddly toy. Chris held Adam close and caressed Adam's bare arm, it helped calm the blond.
Chris used to hate to cuddle after sex. Before he'd met Adam, Chris had been quite the player. He always picked up some pretty boy for a pre-chase fuck. It helped Chris stay focused, got rid of his excess energy.
Once he and Adam had begun to sleep together, the only thing Adam ever asked for was to be held and cuddled after sex. It was the only way Adam could relax and enjoy the after sex sensations. Since it was all Adam ever asked for, Chris did it, reluctantly at first, but now, Chris wouldn't dream of not doing it. Chris liked the holding and cuddling almost better than the actual sex; almost.
Adam's fingers lightly traced over the muscle striations on Chris' chest. "Sorry I woke you, but I wanted you so badly and I felt guilty about falling asleep on you. Guess I was more tired than I thought." Adam softly kissed Chris' neck just at the joint with his shoulder.
Chris kept up the feather light caress as he spoke. "I don't mind at all, fantastic way to wake up. I also don't mind that you fell asleep. It was quite a day. Oh Adam, I thought I'd lost you… Oh thank you, God." Chris pulled Adam in even closer. Adam could barely breathe, but he didn't care.
Chris felt the hot tear from Adam's eye as hit his cool skin. Adam sniffed deeply. "I was afraid of losing you too. It was like… Drew… only in reverse. But, it wasn't Hunter's fault. We had plenty of time. I launched the rocket. We wanted to see if it was on target. It was, so Hunter sped off. It was… almost as if, when the probe hit, it woke the storm up. Those three funnels joined up and the storm went faster than lightening. It was if it decided to chase us, like Hunter said. I never saw a man drive so well or so hard in those horrible conditions. We are alive because of Hunter. He is a hero. He didn't tell how hard he worked. Oh, Christopher Keith, I love you." Adam gave Chris a kiss filled with so much emotion, it rivaled every kiss they'd shared over the last five years. It was rare for Adam to take such control.
Chris returned the kiss, but let Adam have the control. He felt his husband needed it. Adam slid his tongue alongside Chris'. He could still taste his essence faintly as Adam deepened the kiss. Their cocks grew hard once again as the pain and anguish of yesterday became the lust and passion of today.
When Adam broke the kiss, Chris suddenly jumped out of bed, picked Adam up with a grunt, slung him over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes and carried his beautiful man into the bathroom.
Soon the couple stood under the waterfall of hot water. Adam's chest was pressed against the cool tiles as Chris thrust into his still stretched, yet tight hole. Adam's left hand pressed against the tiles to support himself against Chris' hard thrusts. His right hand wrapped around his own cock and moved in time with Chris' movements.
Chris held Adam firmly by the hips. He liked when they made love in shower. He could watch his dick as it thrust up and into Adam. When Chris puled back and nearly out, his cock glistened with Adam's wetness, before the water had a chance to wash it away. Chris loved the way the puckered hole quivered with anticipation.
Chris spun Adam around to face him. Adam braced his back against the wall and wrapped his legs around Chris' waist. The Lion captured his Kitten's lips. While they kissed, Adam took his cock in hand and continued to pull and tug on the swollen flesh. It all felt so good.
When Chris' mouth wandered down to Adam's nipples, Adam let out a sound like a very happy cat. It was a loud mewl, mixed with a kind of purring noise. Had they not been in the shower, the entire hotel would have heard.
Well, everyone but Shawn, Hunter, Roman, Seth and Dean. They were all too busy doing the same thing as the Jericho's. Hunter had Shawn pressed against the shower wall. If the wall hadn't been there, Shawn and Adam would have been back to back.
In the third room, Dean thrust in and out of Seth. Dean had Seth bent over, face down over the foot of the bed. As Dean thrust into Seth, Roman stood behind Dean and thrust in and out of the auburn haired man.
Seth was pressed against the bed in such a way he couldn't reach to jerk himself off. It dove the youngest crazy. He was so heated, but could find no relief. Seth's heat drove Dean to piston in and out of Seth like a machine, Roman had no choice to but to follow. The sounds of three bodies sliding together filled the room, along with their grunts, groans, moans and whimpers. Roman, Seth and Dean also three purple marks on their necks. They had been at it since the crack of dawn.
Separated by the shower wall, both Adam and Shawn came at almost the same moment. Hunter and Chris soon followed with animalistic growls. Adam slumped against Chris as his legs slid down and he feet landed on the shower floor. Chris held Adam close. Together they swayed, under the still warm water, to a song only they heard.
Chris and Adam washed, then dried. While Adam brushed his teeth, Chris worked his hair until he had it just right. His collar length hair was flat and straight in the back, but the top was worked up into neat, short spikes. It was the one thing Adam was not allowed to touch once the spikes were set. He'd once, playfully messed Chris' hair…. He couldn't sit for a week after the spanking he'd gotten… that wasn't playful.
Adam brushed out his hair and pulled it in. For a change, he made one long braid. Chris liked it, but Adam didn't do it often, as it was hard to get it flat and neat. Today he got lucky, his hair cooperated.
"That looks nice, Kitten. Now, I want you off that ankle for a while. I can tell it's hurting you. I have to work out where we're going next. I also want to work on that… time thing. Maybe Doc Brown wasn't so far off." Chris helped Adam to the bed, as the blond still limped.
While the couple dressed in jeans and tee shirts, Adam spoke. "I will not change my name to McFly. Could I have an ice pack? It's rather sore after..." Adam flushed when Chris gave him a very sly smirk and a wink.
"After I sent you into sexual oblivion?" Chris asked as he buttoned his jeans and pulled on a black tee shirt that bore the Jericho Storm Chase, Inc logo. Adam wore the same, only his tee shirt was royal blue.
"Shawn has cereal and milk. We'd better eat cheap. The Rover's new tires and possible repairs won't be free. We need to find a dealership. Maybe the insurance will at least pay for the tires." Adam spoke thoughtfully as he reached for his cell phone to find a Range Rover dealership.
"It should. We pay enough in premium. I'll be right back. I gotta go to the ice machine. I love you, Adam." Chris bent down and kissed Adam and gently brushed his cheek with his knuckles.
Adam grinned. "I love you. Thank you for the ice, it is a bit painful today. Dean and Hunter told me not to help push us out of the mud, but I had to. I did re-twist it a bit." He didn't want to exactly tell that part, but he had to, he could never really keep that kind of secret from Chris.
Chris frowned. "I want Shawn to look at it. Stay off it today, I mean it." Before Chris could leave to fill the ice bag, there was a knock on the door from the Helmsley's room.
Adam started to get up, but Chris gently held him down. "What did I just say. You naughty boy." Chris opened the adjoining room door. "Hi guys, come on in." Chris waved the Helmsley's and the college students in.
"I am going to fill this. Shawn, please look at his ankle. Lame brain here re-twisted it yesterday and didn't think to tell anyone." Chris gave Shawn a nod. He left the room to fill the ice bag.
"We told you not to help. Why didn't you say anything? Oh, I found a Rover dealership. Roman and I can take her at ten." Hunter chided Adam like a parent.
Adam felt like a stupid child. "Good. I was just going to look for a dealership. Don't forget the insurance. I didn't hurt my ankle that bad. I had to help push."
Shawn knelt by Adam. Adam hadn't put on his shoes yet, so Shawn removed Adam's sock. He carefully began to examine Adam's ankle. Adam hissed whenever Shawn pressed on a tender spot.
"Well, it's not broken, but if that pain keeps up, you're going for an X-ray. There could be a hairline fracture. I don't think so, but we'll see. Stay off it today, ice it and take some aspirin. Come on, let's get you propped up." Shawn patted the upper part of the bed.
Adam sighed. As Shawn and Hunter got him settled Adam whined. "Then everyone has to work in here today and keep me entertained. Dean, we need to go through footage or it will be too late for Cole to broker it to the news stations." Adam gave a grunt as Hunter placed the younger man's injured ankle on a nest of pillows. Adam had to admit, it did feel better.
When Chris came back, Shawn took the ice bag and placed it on the worst part of Adam's injury. Shawn told Chris what he'd told Adam about the the possible hairline fracture.
"… I don't really think he does, but if the pain gets worse or stays more than two days, he will need an X-ray. I'll get him some aspirin. Oh, boys, help me with breakfast, please. We have cereal, milk, toast, butter, jelly and orange juice." Shawn got up to go back to his room.
Roman and Dean went out to the mini fridge in the ROW and got the cold items. Seth and Shawn got the cereal, plastic disposable bowls, spoons, knives and paper napkins. Shawn first gave Adam two aspirin, then settled in to make toast in the toaster he'd brought from home. Over the years, Shawn had learned to bring a few small appliances along, like a toaster, and percolator for coffee, as not all hotels or motels had coffee makers in the rooms.
Chris happily fixed Adam a good breakfast, then opened his laptop. "Do you guys remember any super close lightening strikes? Could the Rover have been struck? Did your cameras cut out?" Chris asked the questions he'd been pondering as he thought about the two hour advance of time on the watches of Hunter, Adam and Dean.
Hunter swallowed a sip of juice. "I don't think we were struck. It would have left a mark, and probably would have totally fried the electronics. We probably would have died. There were a lot of close strikes, at least the thunder rattled the Rover enough. I don't know about the camera. Dean?" Hunter looked at his passenger from yesterday.
"Well, I'm not so sure we weren't struck, or at least a near miss. Remember that one burst of thunder was so fuckin' loud, it sounded and felt like an earthquake." Dean spoke with a sight edge to his voice. He'd been scared yesterday, any man would have been.
Adam quickly chimed in. "Oh yeah! That must have been the strike I saw out of my window. It didn't hit us, but it was damn close. Dean, what Chris really meant was, did you get any white noise shots?" Adam better explained Chris' question in cameraman's terms.
Dean's brow arched. "Oh, sorry. Now I understand. I honestly don't remember. We will know when we look at the playback in a bit. I was bounced around so much. I doubt there will be anything worth selling. I used the steady cam button, but I dunno if any steady cam is that good." He finished and ate a huge bite of cereal.
Seth perked up. "Adam, Dean, be sure to run your time stamp block. it's possible we could catch the exact moment of the time jump, then pull the same time up on pictures, and possibly Roman and Shawn's footage. That would be so fucking fantastic. Do you know if that happens we could prove Roman's theory about Elves. Roman, that would seal your Doctorate for sure." Seth was so excited he did what usually did when worked up, he vibrated.
Roman smiled. "Nice thought, Seth, but the data won't belong to me. But, I could write a paper about it. Still not sure what my final dissertation paper will be about." He sounded a bit sad, but the truth hurt sometimes.
Chris shook his head. "Roman, I would not keep you from using the data for your Doctorate at all. Especially, if it proves a theory, so don't worry about it. Well, let's finish up, we've got work to do." He took on his "boss" tone and set the example by quickly finishing his breakfast and cleaning up his trash.
Roman looked at Chris. "I didn't know I could use the data. Thanks, thank you very much. I'm working on a possible thesis paper on Red Sprites, Blue Jets and Elves and the affects the can cause, either in the atmosphere or on the earth. It's a lot harder than I thought. I guess I'm in a specialty that not many share. Most lightening specialists are in NASA. Yes, that is important, but I want to know if lightening has anything to do with thunderstorms and the formation of tornadoes. Maybe something along the lines of a red sprite causes a tornado or a blue jet prevents a tornado. Does dry lightening the night before have anything to do with it, or maybe some other theory I haven't thought of yet..." Roman suddenly paused. Everyone stared at him, like he had three heads or something. He ducked his head sheepishly and slumped a bit in his chair.
Chris, Hunter, Shawn and Adam all spoke at once. "Don't stop…." the adults chuckled. Chris took over the conversation.
"Roman that is absolutely fascinating. I had no idea you were working on that. All you turned in for your Thesis Study was, 'The Effects of Transient Luminous Events.' I think, dear student, you should have written a much more detailed outline. I just thought you handed in the usual well written, but incredibly boring thesis paper ninety percent of students turn in. This study of yours is fantastic. I had no idea. Reigns, I am very impressed and I want to hear all about this later." Chris gave Roman a nod of respect.
Seth gave Roman a slap on the shoulder. "See Ro, I told you. Sometimes you are a bit too humble. Don't be so damn afraid to show how smart you are. There is nothing wrong with being smart." Seth never understood why Roman always wanted to hide his high intellect.
Dean scoffed. "Seth baby, you forget, Ro and I didn't grow up in goody, goody farm country. Where Roman and I grew up, if you were smart, and got good grades, you got bullied, big time. Those things seem to stay with you." Dean gave Roman a nod and a smile.
Adam "tisked." "Yeah, I can understand. Roman, your studies could benefit our research as much as ours can benefit you. Don't you think that would be a good thing? Never be afraid to let your talent shine. Well, enough of that."
Shawn smiled at Adam. "Adam is right. Oh… Hunt, you and Roman better get going. You've got that appointment at the dealership." He looked at his watch, then Hunter.
Hunter looked at his watch. "Damn, it's wrong again. According to this, it's only seven thirty. It's two hours behind now, even when I reset it. Guess I have to get a new one. I hate it, the kids in my last class in Denver gave it to me before we moved. Maybe the jeweler back in Norman can fix it. If not, I'll have it framed for display." He sighed, Hunter had loved the watch, but it was what it was.
Roman stood. "I can't wait to finally talk about my studies. Chris, thanks. I'm ready when you are, Hunter."
Both Dean and Adam had glanced at their watches, neither had paid much attention since yesterday. "Hey, mine says seven thirty too. Dean, what time do you have?" Adam asked with an arch to his brow.
Dean nodded. "Me too. Oh well. Adam I'll get the cameras." He went outside when Roman and Hunter did.
"But, what about me?" Adam whined as he lay on the bed. Chris and Seth were going to work in the ROW because there was better equipment access. Dean was going with them to help analyze footage. Shawn had gone out to do a bit of shopping for supplies and groceries. That meant Adam would be in the hotel room all alone.
Dean rubbed his chin. "Hey, if we turn the driver's seat and the passenger seat, it makes into a bed. We need his expert eyes for the analysis."
So, eventually, Adam was settled in on a makeshift bed, his ankle propped up with a fresh ice pack. Shawn, Hunter and Roman had left to do their errands and now Chris, Seth and Dean sat the the computers to study the data from yesterday.
It was going to be interesting. Would they find the answers they hoped to? Would more questions arise? Maybe there really had been a wrinkle in time.
