Just a few casual mentions of sexual activity in this chapter. Enjoy!

Turn Down For What

August 7th dawned bright and early for the lovers. They'd been married for almost two weeks. Nick stretched his naked body and relaxed into the sleeping bag, content with that knowledge. He was extremely well sexed since marrying the Philadelphian. She couldn't seem to get enough of him! They made love several times a day between their other duties and his woman seemed to have a thing for public play. He smirked, thinking of that first trip to the mall with her. He'd become quite the marathon lover since then. They racked up hours and hours of lovemaking together; he couldn't be happier to have an actual sex life. Landi snuggled against him and he smiled fondly at her. There had been no new incidences of corpses talking since she'd gone full-time body removal. He had to admire her strength sometimes. She'd resisted Flagg, even before she'd realized that there was a way out for her. And hearing her stand up to a demon like that in his dreams… It was enough to make him want to believe in her God. Yes, he'd married quite an extraordinary woman. She snuggled against him again, her hand drifting to his groin and he smirked at her. As much as he would like to indulge her… again… He'd promised to help Brad with the power plant today. In fact, he was going to be late if he didn't stop daydreaming and get a move on.

Kissing her forehead, he stood up from the bed, pulling on some pants. Looking back at her, she looked so lonely without him… Smiling widely, he threw off his slacks and jumped into the bed, grinning when she woke up with that adorably confused look on her face that begged to be kissed off. So, he'd be teased by his friends for being late. Nothing beats getting laid by a beautiful woman!

"You know, I do believe that you are the most sexed man in our camp. And you're a deafmute," Susan laughed much later that morning. Nick smirked as Brad laughed at the statement, flipping the switches as Brad had shown him. It was likely true; Landi really put him through his paces. The woman was insatiable! But he had to admit that this was important too. Having the power back on would be very convenient. Landi had gotten a survival guide from the library and had decided that they should take advantage of the deer in the supermarket. It would be nice to have a cold place to store the meat. Susan touched his shoulder and pointed at Brad.

"You're going just a bit too fast for me, Nick. Slow down a little and let me catch up, okay?" Nick nodded and slowed down the process.

"He was probably thinking about getting back to that lovely bride of his," Susan chuckled.

"Very likely," Brad answered for the deafmute. "You two are quite the team, eh? I've seen you two in the park, laughing like you're carrying on a real conversation. What's it like?" Nick pulled out his pad to write, feeling mildly offended.

She's my soulmate. And a very fast reader. You have a soulmate in Susan here. What do you think it's like?

"Oh, no. I wasn't trying to offend you, son. It's just that I'm curious. What's it like with a black girl?" He was over exaggerating as he spoke, which told the man that Brad was either whispering or mouthing his words. He sighed; with Landi, he could never tell when she was mouthing words. Trying to think of something to say that wouldn't embarrass his woman, he flipped some switches before answering.

The same as being with a white girl, I suspect. She's my woman-

Brad was reading over his shoulder and grabbed his pen.

"Don't give me that! You two have been seen almost everywhere, making out and carrying on at all points of the city! I'm surprised Mother Abigail hasn't caught you two in her bed yet! I wanna know-"

"What are you two talking about?" Susan asked, coming over to see what Nick was 'saying'. Looking at the note, she rolled her eyes. "Brad, stop embarrassing the man." She looked around and before saying anything though. "Seriously though, from all the evidence provided, she has a lot of stamina, right?" The deafmute rolled his eyes dramatically at the two but nodded at last. They giggled like schoolgirls to his annoyance. Ignoring them was easy; he just turned his head and he was engulfed in silence once again. He started flipping the switches, slower this time.

"Oh, Brad. I think we offended him," Susan chuckled.

"Well, he could stand to be a little embarrassed. Greg said he caught them doing it against a tree in the park the other day. There could have been children around!"

"They're just young. Let them have their fun while they can. Boulder is filling up fast; soon they'll have to-"

"I know. I know. But it's just plain insulting that they're having more sex than we are! A black girl and a deafmute. From the looks of things, they're going to have a baby before us."

"Brad! It's not a competition."

"Of course it's not. He's already winning!" They laughed and looked at the man who was helping them. "Imagine, a deafmute daddy!"

"Well, it's not like he's a eunuch," Susan laughed.

"No. Little Landi wouldn't have him otherwise!" They laughed again, then Brad groaned when he noticed Nick speeding up the sequence again.

"I'd better catch up. Nick's leaving me behind and I'd rather not blow up the plant with us in it. What do you say to a little action of our own to celebrate after the power's back on?" He said this last slyly as he worked his board.

"I wouldn't be opposed," Susan said flirtatiously, striking a pose for her man. He made sure to swat her butt as he walked by to inspect another panel.

Soon the couple had the situation under control and were able to send Nick back into the crowd. He quickly wove through it, looking for his wife. He found her talking with Tom and it warmed his heart. Landi was always quick to include Tom when he was around. She played his games, showed him her own, and laughed with him, something that he doubted the mentally challenged man had in his life before the world died. Squeezing through the gathered crowd, he hugged her from behind, laying a hand on Tom's arm to show him he wasn't forgotten.

"Nick! Nick, it's loud in here. Tom Collin don't like it, laws no."

"The machines are just warming up, Tommy," Stu said. "It won't be loud for long."

"Yeah, Tom. This is important. Just stick with us a little longer, okay?"

"Okay, Landi. But, will you hold my hand? I'm scared." The girl smiled and grabbed his hand as they waited for something to happen.

"Listen up, folks. We're about to go for it, here," Brad said through his megaphone. "It may not be such a bad idea to keep the nearest exits in mind."

'Would you like me to hold your hand too?' she mouthed at her man, looking up at him upside down and grinning impishly. He leaned down and kissed her chin, grabbing her hand as he did.

"Are you scared too, Nick?" Tom asked in wonder. The man being addressed shook his head, pointing to the control room.

"I don't understand, Nick."

"He means that Brad and Susan know what they're doing, Tom. There's no need to be afraid," Landi answered, squeezing his hand tighter and smiling at him winningly. She turned and smiled brilliantly at Nick when he kissed her forehead; it was like she could read his mind sometimes. The deafmute did it again, treasuring that smile of hers. The noise continued to build in the room judging from the looks of discomfort all around him. He, of course, noticed nothing. He did notice when Landi tried to disengage from his hand to point out the lights to Tom. Nick held her hand firmly and pointed up himself. The lights were flickering on and off. Suddenly they turned all the way on. Tom was suddenly jumping in place, yelling happily. Landi pulled away from the excited man and turned fully towards her husband.

"So… shall we celebrate later?" she asked with a sexy smirk on her face. Someone bumped into her and she immediately straightened up, bumping into his throbbing member. Before she could do more than look at him, her brother swung her up into a hug, yelling and celebrating the return of the power like everyone else in the room. Random strangers began to swing her around like this was a dance. She was halfway across the room before she knew it. "Nick!" she yelled. Waving at her from his place in the middle of the room, Nick started making his way to her. Someone bumped into her yet again and she fell over, only to feel someone catch her before she was trampled underfoot by the excited crowd. She looked up and saw an African battle god was holding her up. He had braids like hers down to his well-toned waist. In fact, his whole body was well toned. He was smirking at her from behind a perfectly trimmed goatee and warm, intelligent brown eyes. Blushing as she realized that she was staring, Landi pulled herself up with his help. She turned and smiled at him, dipping a curtsy.

"Thanks for the assist," she yelled over the noise. Before he could say anything, she turned away and waved into the crowd. Her man came barrelling out of it. He swept her up into a hug and kissed her passionately. The girl melted into his embrace, looking up at him adoringly. He smiled down at her and the couple moved off into the crowd without hesitation, but not before Nick tossed a glare over his shoulder at the handsome stranger.

Tyr Anasazi watched them go, wondering at how easily he could have interrupted them. He counted three different points where he could have taken the girl for himself. Instead, he'd let the mixed couple have their fun. He didn't really know why he cared. She'd tripped and he'd caught her, no big deal. But something about that sweet, friendly smile she'd given him… Women didn't look at him like that. There'd been nothing flirtatious or sly about that smile; it was probably the most honest smile he'd ever received in his life, before or after the plague.

And the quiet man with her knew about his instant fascination; had all but warned him off with that glare…

Resolving to find out more about that girl and that wonderful smile of hers, the man left the building.

Landi dressed thoughtfully in her ankle-length, lilac-colored sundress, wondering what had gotten into her husband. Nick had been unusually forceful with her this afternoon, taking her over and over with long, sure strokes until she was dizzy with it. She'd cried out and begged and he'd ignored it all, thrusting into her as if it was the very last time they would ever make love… It was all so strange.

Deciding to ask him about it later, she shrugged herself into the little cream-colored half sweater she'd found at the mall the other day and stepped into her sandals Now she was ready for the meeting tonight at the town hall. Nick came into the upstairs bedroom completely naked from his first shower since he'd left Arkansas. Landi looked him over appreciatively, reveling in the fact that he was all hers. No one else could touch him but her. The idea was exhilarating. Not to mention lust-inducing. Trying to think of a way to keep her hands off her man, she headed back into the closet for a silk scarf to tie her hair up in for the night. He came up behind her and she could feel his agitation. He handed her a note.

You belong to me.

"Well, I'd better belong to you after this afternoon," she grinned up at him, walking around him and back into the room. A silk scarf wasn't really the way to go with this dress. She braided her locks instead, thinking of wearing a hat to the meeting. Nick followed her to the bed they never used except to throw things on. He pointed at the note she'd sat on the dresser meaningfully, not making a move to dress. She looked at his face and saw that he was very upset.

"Oh, honey. I wouldn't just jump the broom with anyone. I belong to you," she kissed his cheek, "and only you," she kissed his other cheek. He looked at her piercingly and her smile dimmed a little. "What's the matter, Nick? You've been strange all afternoon. Ever since the power came back on." Her eyes narrowed suddenly. "Did someone say something offensive to you while we were celebrating? 'Cause if they did I'll rip 'em a new one!"

Nick looked over his suddenly furious bride and relaxed. Of course, she wasn't contemplating running off with that stranger from this afternoon. While she was considering avenging some imagined slight against her man, his smile turned fond. What was he thinking? Was he really so jealous of his woman that he would upset her like this? Thinking of skipping the meeting altogether, he tackled her onto the bed and shook his wet hair into her face to see the smile return to her face. Her curious smile made him feel even more guilty about the way he'd been treating her this afternoon. He kissed her persuasively and she responded eagerly to his caress.

"Nick… the meeting?" she asked him as he started lifting her dress. He looked down at her and shook his head slightly, more interested in her freshly showered body. He uncovered her sex, feeling like an archeologist uncovering a priceless treasure, and leaned in to sample his avenging angel. Suddenly she jerked away from his mouth. He looked up and into her annoyed brown eyes.

"We have really got to get a lock for that front door," she sighed, pushing off the bed altogether and straightening her clothes. "Yeah, yeah. We're coming, bro!" Nick sighed as well; he'd have to make it up to her after the meeting. He was fully dressed in under a minute, stepping into his shoes as Landi turned off the lights to head downstairs. He flipped on the lights briefly and grabbed his notepad.

If we lock the door, what'll happen with Tom?

"We're ready, bro," she told her big brother as she locked up the house. 'Little Tommy is going to get quite an eyeful one of these days coming into people's houses without knocking," she mouthed at her husband, walking backward down the stairs. He smiled and reached for her and she ducked his arm, obviously thinking that he wasn't taking her seriously. He chased his glaring wife to the car and pressed her against the door where she was trying to open it despite their combined bulk. He opened his pad in front of her and wrote:

We'll lock the door from now on, love.

She looked up at him and smiled. After that, he let her open the truck door. She climbed into the cabin, wrapping herself around him as Larry drove off for the meeting.

I love the way you feel wrapped around me so tightly, little love

My Anaconda

Don't want none unless you got buns, hon

Larry joined in the phrase happily. The two East Coast maniacs he was riding with burst into laughter. At Nick's confused look, Landi laughed more.

"You've never heard of Sir Mix-a-Lot's 'Baby Got Back'?" He shook his head and wrote a note for her.

Them 'good old boys' didn't have much use for rap in middle America. I doubt you know any country music.

"You'd be surprised," the girl smiled at him. At his doubtful look, she turned to him and stared deep into his eyes as she sang with a Southern twang.

Come closer, baby, I can't hear you

Just another whisper if you please

Don't worry 'bout the details, darling

You got the kind of mind I love to read

Talk is cheap and baby, time's expensive

So why waste another minute, boy

Life's too short to be so apprehensive

Love's as much a symptom, darling, as the cure

Oh, baby, when I feel this feeling

It's like a genuine voodoo hits me

It's been too long since somebody whispered

Hoo-whoo!

Oh, baby, I can feel this feeling

That everything that you do gives me

It's been too long since somebody whispered

Ooh… Shut up and kiss me

She was kneeling up in the seat, her head tilted at an angle as she looked down at him and sang. He was in shock at his virginal temptress. Everything in him wanted to claim her for his own. She backed down in embarrassment suddenly.

"Damn, girl. Stu would be impressed! You sound like a country girl!"

"Well, you have to if you want to sing Mary Chapin Carpenter," she grinned, nuzzling her husband. He tilted her head up and kissed her indulgently. She looked up at him through her lashes and he smiled down at her, his ego stroked.

"You two are disgustingly in love," Larry laughed, laughing more when she stuck her tongue out at him. Nick ignored the byplay, knowing that they were just bonding the way siblings do.

The trio made it to the meeting with only minutes to get to the seats Lucy and Tom were holding for them. Both men were a little annoyed with Landi that she could slide through the crowd so easily because she was so small, Nick secretly happy that she stayed close.

"How ya doing, sis?" Lucy smiled and hugged the dark-skinned girl as she passed.

"It's been a weird afternoon," she answered, finding her place beside Tom. Nick nodded at Larry's woman and sat down on Tom's other side. He joined in the applause when Stu got up to the mike, not noticing the feedback that had the crowd chuckling.

"I guess we're going to all have to get used to this again, huh?" he said as the feedback died down. More applause met this announcement. "Uh, what I started to say was, I'm wondering if we couldn't maybe start by singing the national anthem."

Fran stood up and started singing and everyone was quick to join her, putting their hands over their hearts. The crowd sang enthusiastically, just glad to be able to sing it again. Nick put his hand over Tom's heart, tears in his eyes at being a part of something bigger than himself again. Afterward there was thunderous applause.

"Oh my gosh, jam session after the meeting," Landi grinned at her brother under the clapping.

"You got it, sis," Larry grinned back.

"Whatcha guys talking about?" Tom said as the applause died down.

"Hush sweetheart," Landi said absently, looking to the front of the room. Nick was only watching her, smiling at her excitement. The atmosphere in the room was electric; Landi wasn't the only one bouncing with adrenaline and happiness. It felt good to reconnect with people after so long being alone in the dark. He wiped his eyes and smiled a watery smile.

"I'm pretty nervous up here. So I hope you all bear with me."

"We will, Stu," someone shouted from the crowd, prompting laughter. Larry elbowed his sister sitting next to him suddenly. Landi turned to him in annoyance from where she'd been holding Nick and Tom's hands after the emotion of the anthem.

"Hey, I'm on this." She blinked, her sharp retort for his rough-housing during the meeting forgotten. She sat up and saw that her brother's name was indeed on the program. Picking up her own program, she noticed that Nick's name was on it too and pointed it out to him. The dark-skinned beauty looked at him curiously and he shook his head, shrugging.

"What's the matter, Landi?" Tom asked, looking worried.

"Nothing, Tom," she whispered, wiping a bit of dirt off his face. Tom smiled brightly, reminded of how his mama used to treat him. They gave their attention back to the meeting.

"I'll make this as painless as possible so that we can all get out of here and have a beer." More applause. Nick wrote something on his pad and showed it to Ralph on his right, but Landi missed it. She was just amazed at how enthusiastic this crowd was. They applaud Nixon's resignation speech and ask him to do an encore on the keyboard!

"First off, I'd like you all to meet the man that got the juice on again. Brad Kitchner, stand up and take a bow." The man didn't hesitate to be acknowledged and everyone applauded wildly for him.

"Okay, uh, next thing's this so-called Free Zone Committee. Uh, the names came from Mother Abigail."

"Where is Mother Abigail?" Lucy leaned over and asked Landi quietly. "I haven't seen her all day."

"I'm sure she's around someplace," Glenn answered for the girl from a row up.

"...I guess whatever starts with her has to end with us," Stu finished. "That means a vote. First, though, I'd like you all to meet the folks you'll all be voting on. I'm one of 'em. Stu Redman from Arnette, Texas." The applause was loud for him. "Next is Nick Andros, originally from Caslin, Nebraska, and Ralph Bretner from Oklahoma City." Landi pushed her man up and he looked around the room excitedly. "Ms. Francis Goldsmith from Nugunquet, Maine. Stand up, Frannie, let 'em see how pretty you look with your dress on." She was likewise accepted by the crowd. "Brad Kitchener's good friend Susan Stern from Tacoma, Washington." The woman stood and waved. "Mister Glenn Bateman from Woodland, New Hampshire, and Larry Underwood from New York city!" Landi started applauding wildly for her big brother along with the crowd. All the candidates sat down and Larry looked around to see his woman and kid gone.

"Did you see where Lucy and Joe went?" he asked quietly.

"Maybe she took him to the bathroom," Glenn once again answered for the girl. Stu was still talking, but Landi was looking around with her brother for her missing sister in law and nephew.

"...If any of you other folks have any other ideas…"

"Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman!"

Stu suddenly looked a little uncomfortable but went along gamely. "Chair recognizes Harold Lauder."

The poet stood up slowly, full of self-importance. "I move that we accept Mother Abigail's Free Zone Committee in total. If they'll all serve, that is."

The room erupted into more applause, but Landi put a worried hand on Glenn's shoulder as he looked very upset all of a sudden. The old man turned around and saw her looking at him with concern. He patted her hand and turned to face forward once again.

"Uh, Judge, can we do that?" Stu asked

Judge Farris stood up excitedly. "You damn right, you can. And I for one think it's a damn good idea!"

"Uh, folks, it's been moved and seconded that we accept the entire committee as listed on the agenda. I guess I ought to ask if there's anybody on the list that wants to step down." Silence reigned until the Judge spoke again.

"A voice vote will do just fine," the Judge said, looking around the room.

"Those in favor of accepting the committee as it stands?"

"Aye," everyone in the room said emphatically.

"Opposed?" Again, silence reigned as people looked around for possible dissenters.

Stu banged his gavel to make it official. "The committee is so adopted." That got a standing ovation as people felt the power of democracy for the first time in a long time. Landi hugged Tom, she was so happy. Then she reached around him to kiss her man. Everyone took their seats after a while and brought the next person on the agenda up.

"There ought to be a 'Turning Off' committee," Norm Bruett said officiously. "Having the power on is nice, but you have to realize that people didn't get up out of their sickbeds and turn off all their appliances before they died." Landi was nodding along to the man's spiel, thinking that it might be a good idea for rotating out of body detail, when Lucy suddenly screamed from the back of the room.

"She's gone! She's gone! Mother Abigail, She's gone!"

Oh no! Where's Mother Abigail? There's likely to be a proper panic now; the Mother was the glue holding this whole community together! Well, if you've read the book, I'm sure you know what happens next. ^_~

Sir Mix a Lot - Baby Got Back

Mary Chapin Carpenter - Shut Up and Kiss Me

See ya next time! Thanks for reading! Remember, reviews are loved ^_^