A/N: Merry Christmas to all of you, and a special thank you to my regular
reviewers. I hope you all have a great Holiday Season filled with joy, and
time with your families.
And, since this is a holiday chapter, you get a special holiday treat between Alex and Jen! Enjoy!!!
***
Everything was dark, the pain had faded with his sight, and he could hear the faint beating of some monitor next to his right ear; he stirred and moaned quietly, slowly opening his eyes to a blurry world with bright lights and a white walls.
"You're awake," came a female voice, "well, you took long enough."
"J-Jennifer?" he stammered, turning his head in the direction of her voice.
He could barely make out a dark shape sitting at his side, he felt something touch his hand and squeeze it gently as she said: "Yes, it's me. How're you feeling?"
Alex opened his mouth to speak, but closed it again to swallow hard, catching his breath. "Not too bad," he whispered, "tired . . . "
"Still?" Jen laughed, trying to find humor in the tense moment. "You've been asleep for two days. The doctor said you can leave the hospital tomorrow, you're going to be just fine."
Alex closed his eyes again as the headache in his forehead increased, the lights from above shining into his eyes even through the lids; he grimaced and rolled onto his side in the position he was used to sleeping, Jen placed her hand on his shoulder and patted it gently.
"Soon, Alex," she sighed, brushing his bruised cheek with the back of her hand. "Only four more months till I turn eighteen."
"I'm counting down the months," Alex said, quietly. "We'll get to know each other better, and not have to worry about getting into trouble at the same time."
"Yeah," Jen said, "I can't wait."
"Soon . . . " Alex's eyes were still closed, and his breaths were evening out as he fell asleep.
"Get some more sleep if you're tired," Jen said, "I have to go to work."
Alex's eyes opened. "Be careful," he said, watching her walk to the doorway, where Steelix was standing. His vision was clearing, and he could make out Jen's face as she turned to him and smiled, saying light-heartedly "I will" before disappearing.
***
Alex whistled cheerfully as he walked down the hallway and into his office, it was early March, only a month until Jen's eighteenth birthday; he hurried into the small room and sank into the chair behind his desk. Rob Logan peeked around the corner of his door and smiled at the young officer:
"Why are you in such a good mood?"
"No reason," Alex replied, with a shrug, still smiling slightly. "Just having a good day."
"Oh really?" Logan said, "you've never had a good day in your entire career!"
Alex turned around in his chair and poured some steaming coffee into his mug, he looked back at Logan, who was now leaning against the doorframe and shaking his head in bewilderment. He had never seen Alex was happy, his blue eyes dancing merrily as they looked up at him expectantly.
"Just checking up on you," Logan said, "I hope your day continues to go just as well."
"Thank you," Alex chuckled.
He sat in silence for an hour or so, going over paperwork and relaxing, enjoying his "day off" to its fullest and relaxing for the first time in . . . 'The first time ever,' he realized with a small smile, thinking back over his short career but long life in Time Force.
He heard footsteps coming rapidly down the hall and stood up in anticipation of trouble coming, a young ensign appeared a moment later, out- of-breath: "There's trouble, Lieutenant! Ensign Scotts just arrived with your partners in handcuffs!"
"What!?" Alex said in disbelief.
He followed the ensign into the other room and found Jen standing next to a handcuffed Steelix, surrounded by guards with their weapons drawn. Logan stalked in with an angered expression on his usually-calm face, he looked to Jen immediately and demanded in a loud voice: "What is going on here, Ensign???"
"Sir," Jen said, stepping forward. "Lieutenant Steelix has been selling private papers to Ransik for months now---" she handed him a stack of papers labeled CONFIDENTIAL "---I caught him in the act and called these officers to assist me in arresting him."
"Do you confirm this, Sergeant?" Logan asked the highest-ranking guard.
"Yes, sir," the man replied, "we found Lieutenant Steelix meeting with one of Ransik's mutants in an alleyway, unfortunately, the mutant escaped."
"But not before we retrieved the papers," Jen said, "he didn't escape with anything, sir."
"Good." Logan looked at Steelix with a regretful look in his eyes. "Do you plead guilty to these charges, Lieutenant?"
Steelix raised his chin defiantly, glancing at Jen, who stared at him with tearful eyes. "Yes," he snapped. He turned to Jen and struggled and his restraints: "You will pay for this---"
"Leave her alone, Lieutenant!" Alex stepped in between Jen and Steelix, pushing the other officer away with a glare that warned him without words. "Back off . . . now."
"Ooooo . . . " Steelix chuckled, "a little defensive of the young ensign, aren't we, Lieutenant?"
"We take care of our own," Alex replied.
"Lock him up," Logan said, "I'll inform the Counsel and find out when the trial will be."
As Logan left, Alex put his arm around Jen while the guards led Steelix away, he patted her arm gently and smiled encouragingly. "You did the right thing."
"I know," she whispered, "I-I just can't believe he did this! I thought I could trust him . . . "
"You have to learn how to deal with these things," Alex said, softly.
"Why!?" Jen cried, but still too quietly for anyone else to hear. "Shouldn't I be able to trust my own partner???"
"Of course," Alex said, "this was a mistake by Time Force, but you can't let this bother you too much, Ensign." He used her rank, they were surrounded by other officers. "There are people---and mutants---out there, who will betray you. But I don't want to lose a promising soldier because of this. Don't worry, I'll make sure your next partner is trustworthy."
Jen nodded, wiping her eyes hastily in an effort to keep them dry and not lose herself in front of Alex; she looked up and saw his sad, blue eyes gazing down at her with open sympathy.
"Go home," he ordered, "get some rest. You'll be busy tomorrow, most likely the trial will take place then."
"Thank you, Lieutenant," Jen murmured.
Alex watched her leave and noted how her shoulders were slightly slumped as she hurried to her car and drove off, she was hurting badly and he knew it, losing a partner in such a way had to be terrible. He turned on his heel and walked back to his office, the day had suddenly taken a turn for the worse . . .
*****
" . . . find you, Lieutenant Steelix, guilty on the charge of treason."
Jen stiffened from where she stood next to Alex, who smiled with satisfaction as Steelix was led away, sentenced to life in cryogenic prison. Alex looked at her and patted her back without saying a word, rewarded with a smile---tearful, but still a smile.
"I'll take you home," he said, "make sure you get there all right."
"Thanks," Jen said.
They walked to her car in heavy silence, finally reaching the vehicle; Jen got out her keys, but her hands were trembling so badly they fell to the pavement. Alex knelt and picked them up, smiling sadly as he suggested: "Why don't I drive?"
"Please," Jen said, quietly.
Alex opened the passenger side door for her and she slowly got in, resting her head against the back of the seat and closing her eyes; Alex sat down across from her and watched her silently for a few seconds before starting up the car.
He could not ignore her quiet sobs as they drove down the dark streets to her apartment complex, although she tried to remain as quiet as possible, he still picked up on it and reached across to squeeze her arm gently. She looked up quickly and her brown eyes met his blue, they didn't speak as their gazes broke and Alex concentrated on the road before him.
They finally reached her apartment and he walked her upstairs, one hand resting on her arm lightly and his body tensed, he didn't like the dark halls leading to her room, too many places to hide . . . and too many enemies after both of them.
"There you go," he said, opening the door and holding it for her. "Home . . . safe and sound now. I'll see you at work tomorrow."
As he turned to leave, Jen reached out and grabbed his arm with a tone of urgency in her voice: "Please, don't go. I-I don't want to be alone."
Alex swallowed hard as he felt her warm breaths against his neck, the tension had grown to be unbearable over the time they had known one another as officer and ensign. Finally, he took her in his arms and kissed her soundly on the lips, feeling her accept him with all she had; he scooped her up and carried her inside, the door automatically shutting behind them.
He lowered her onto the bed and ran his hands up her thighs to the zipper of her pants, too overcome to tell himself to stop; Jen moaned quietly and wrapped her arms around him, kissing his neck and causing shivers to run down his spine . . .
"Keep this quiet," Alex breathed, "if this ever gets out . . . "
"Shhh, I know," Jen whispered, pressing her finger to his lips. "No talking . . . not now."
Alex agreed with a gentle smile, running his fingers through her hair as his other hand rubbed her bare thigh and made her cry out with longing; she tore off his jacket and shirt anxiously, and soon they were lying pressed close to another with only the sheet as a covering. Jen brushed back his dark hair and placed gentle kisses over his sweaty face as their breaths increased and their bodies began to blend together in one fluid movement.
Alex held her tightly to his chest, breathing heavily as her hips grinded against his and their need increased till it was finally fulfilled in one staggering moment that lasted an eternity. His vision blurred and he groaned loudly as she gasped his name . . . they fell asleep in each other's arms, oblivious to the world, knowing only the presence of one another.
***
Alex got up early in the morning to find Jen still sleeping peacefully, curled up on her side and facing him, one hand resting on his bare chest. He took her hand and kissed it tenderly, then crawled out of bed and found her bathroom, taking a quick shower before getting into his uniform; he returned and found Jen slowly waking up.
"Good morning," he said, "sleep well?"
Jen blushed furiously as she sat up, holding the sheet up and covering her nude body despite the previous night. "Yes," she said, "thank you for staying . . . "
This time, it was Alex's turn to blush, which he did as he walked over and slipped on his jacket; he reached down and rested his hand on her cheek. "You've been given the day off," he said, "but I have to go. I'll see you soon, okay?"
"Okay," Jen said, "have a good day . . . and be careful."
"Always."
He hurried to the office , finding Logan walking around absently, looking at the walls covered with newspaper clippings and pictures of Alex's famed parents. "Captain?"Alex said, "may I help you something?"
"Yes, actually," Logan said, "as you know, Ensign Scotts needs a new partner since Steelix is gone. I want suggestions from you . . . who do you think would be an ideal partner for her? She needs someone trustworthy."
"Of course," Alex said.
"Any ideas?"
Alex paused, trying not to sound too eager, but Logan read his mind easily and smiled as he said: "I assume you're thinking about volunteering yourself?"
"It makes sense, sir," Alex said, "she trusts me, and that's what she needs right now, a partner she knows she can trust."
"And that's you?"
"Yes, sir." Alex nodded. "We've known each other for a few years now, I used to be her instructor at the Academy."
"All right, Alex," Logan said, "you're in. I think you're just what she needs right now, I've seen the way you two work together, you could turn out to be the greatest team we've ever seen."
"She has the day off," Alex said, "I'll fill out the paperwork and present it to her tonight so she'll have time to complete it."
"Good," Logan said, "here it is---" He tossed a stack of papers on Alex's desk and the young officer stared at them for a moment before anyone spoke. "Have fun," Logan said, "see you tonight."
"Have a good day, Captain," Alex said, sinking into his chair.
"You too, Lieutenant."
"Right." He took a deep breath and got out his old pen, going over the first paper as the clock began ticking away. Jen's face never left his mind, her voice continued to echo in his ears; he didn't know her as well as he'd like to think, but they would have time for that in the future. He saw admirable qualities in the young woman, they were what drew him to her at first, and of course they had shared time together when he tutored her years before.
What was her favorite color? Did she have a large family---or a small one? Had she dreamed of joining Time Force all her life---or was it a spur-of- the-moment decision? So many things to learn . . . but they had time . . .
TBC
***
Merry Christmas!
Happy Hannukah!
Happy Kwanzaa!
And any other holidays celebrated out there: I hope they go well, too!!! I'll see you after Christmas with a new chapter, I hope you liked your "gift" from me!
Love for all of you!
Sierra
And, since this is a holiday chapter, you get a special holiday treat between Alex and Jen! Enjoy!!!
***
Everything was dark, the pain had faded with his sight, and he could hear the faint beating of some monitor next to his right ear; he stirred and moaned quietly, slowly opening his eyes to a blurry world with bright lights and a white walls.
"You're awake," came a female voice, "well, you took long enough."
"J-Jennifer?" he stammered, turning his head in the direction of her voice.
He could barely make out a dark shape sitting at his side, he felt something touch his hand and squeeze it gently as she said: "Yes, it's me. How're you feeling?"
Alex opened his mouth to speak, but closed it again to swallow hard, catching his breath. "Not too bad," he whispered, "tired . . . "
"Still?" Jen laughed, trying to find humor in the tense moment. "You've been asleep for two days. The doctor said you can leave the hospital tomorrow, you're going to be just fine."
Alex closed his eyes again as the headache in his forehead increased, the lights from above shining into his eyes even through the lids; he grimaced and rolled onto his side in the position he was used to sleeping, Jen placed her hand on his shoulder and patted it gently.
"Soon, Alex," she sighed, brushing his bruised cheek with the back of her hand. "Only four more months till I turn eighteen."
"I'm counting down the months," Alex said, quietly. "We'll get to know each other better, and not have to worry about getting into trouble at the same time."
"Yeah," Jen said, "I can't wait."
"Soon . . . " Alex's eyes were still closed, and his breaths were evening out as he fell asleep.
"Get some more sleep if you're tired," Jen said, "I have to go to work."
Alex's eyes opened. "Be careful," he said, watching her walk to the doorway, where Steelix was standing. His vision was clearing, and he could make out Jen's face as she turned to him and smiled, saying light-heartedly "I will" before disappearing.
***
Alex whistled cheerfully as he walked down the hallway and into his office, it was early March, only a month until Jen's eighteenth birthday; he hurried into the small room and sank into the chair behind his desk. Rob Logan peeked around the corner of his door and smiled at the young officer:
"Why are you in such a good mood?"
"No reason," Alex replied, with a shrug, still smiling slightly. "Just having a good day."
"Oh really?" Logan said, "you've never had a good day in your entire career!"
Alex turned around in his chair and poured some steaming coffee into his mug, he looked back at Logan, who was now leaning against the doorframe and shaking his head in bewilderment. He had never seen Alex was happy, his blue eyes dancing merrily as they looked up at him expectantly.
"Just checking up on you," Logan said, "I hope your day continues to go just as well."
"Thank you," Alex chuckled.
He sat in silence for an hour or so, going over paperwork and relaxing, enjoying his "day off" to its fullest and relaxing for the first time in . . . 'The first time ever,' he realized with a small smile, thinking back over his short career but long life in Time Force.
He heard footsteps coming rapidly down the hall and stood up in anticipation of trouble coming, a young ensign appeared a moment later, out- of-breath: "There's trouble, Lieutenant! Ensign Scotts just arrived with your partners in handcuffs!"
"What!?" Alex said in disbelief.
He followed the ensign into the other room and found Jen standing next to a handcuffed Steelix, surrounded by guards with their weapons drawn. Logan stalked in with an angered expression on his usually-calm face, he looked to Jen immediately and demanded in a loud voice: "What is going on here, Ensign???"
"Sir," Jen said, stepping forward. "Lieutenant Steelix has been selling private papers to Ransik for months now---" she handed him a stack of papers labeled CONFIDENTIAL "---I caught him in the act and called these officers to assist me in arresting him."
"Do you confirm this, Sergeant?" Logan asked the highest-ranking guard.
"Yes, sir," the man replied, "we found Lieutenant Steelix meeting with one of Ransik's mutants in an alleyway, unfortunately, the mutant escaped."
"But not before we retrieved the papers," Jen said, "he didn't escape with anything, sir."
"Good." Logan looked at Steelix with a regretful look in his eyes. "Do you plead guilty to these charges, Lieutenant?"
Steelix raised his chin defiantly, glancing at Jen, who stared at him with tearful eyes. "Yes," he snapped. He turned to Jen and struggled and his restraints: "You will pay for this---"
"Leave her alone, Lieutenant!" Alex stepped in between Jen and Steelix, pushing the other officer away with a glare that warned him without words. "Back off . . . now."
"Ooooo . . . " Steelix chuckled, "a little defensive of the young ensign, aren't we, Lieutenant?"
"We take care of our own," Alex replied.
"Lock him up," Logan said, "I'll inform the Counsel and find out when the trial will be."
As Logan left, Alex put his arm around Jen while the guards led Steelix away, he patted her arm gently and smiled encouragingly. "You did the right thing."
"I know," she whispered, "I-I just can't believe he did this! I thought I could trust him . . . "
"You have to learn how to deal with these things," Alex said, softly.
"Why!?" Jen cried, but still too quietly for anyone else to hear. "Shouldn't I be able to trust my own partner???"
"Of course," Alex said, "this was a mistake by Time Force, but you can't let this bother you too much, Ensign." He used her rank, they were surrounded by other officers. "There are people---and mutants---out there, who will betray you. But I don't want to lose a promising soldier because of this. Don't worry, I'll make sure your next partner is trustworthy."
Jen nodded, wiping her eyes hastily in an effort to keep them dry and not lose herself in front of Alex; she looked up and saw his sad, blue eyes gazing down at her with open sympathy.
"Go home," he ordered, "get some rest. You'll be busy tomorrow, most likely the trial will take place then."
"Thank you, Lieutenant," Jen murmured.
Alex watched her leave and noted how her shoulders were slightly slumped as she hurried to her car and drove off, she was hurting badly and he knew it, losing a partner in such a way had to be terrible. He turned on his heel and walked back to his office, the day had suddenly taken a turn for the worse . . .
*****
" . . . find you, Lieutenant Steelix, guilty on the charge of treason."
Jen stiffened from where she stood next to Alex, who smiled with satisfaction as Steelix was led away, sentenced to life in cryogenic prison. Alex looked at her and patted her back without saying a word, rewarded with a smile---tearful, but still a smile.
"I'll take you home," he said, "make sure you get there all right."
"Thanks," Jen said.
They walked to her car in heavy silence, finally reaching the vehicle; Jen got out her keys, but her hands were trembling so badly they fell to the pavement. Alex knelt and picked them up, smiling sadly as he suggested: "Why don't I drive?"
"Please," Jen said, quietly.
Alex opened the passenger side door for her and she slowly got in, resting her head against the back of the seat and closing her eyes; Alex sat down across from her and watched her silently for a few seconds before starting up the car.
He could not ignore her quiet sobs as they drove down the dark streets to her apartment complex, although she tried to remain as quiet as possible, he still picked up on it and reached across to squeeze her arm gently. She looked up quickly and her brown eyes met his blue, they didn't speak as their gazes broke and Alex concentrated on the road before him.
They finally reached her apartment and he walked her upstairs, one hand resting on her arm lightly and his body tensed, he didn't like the dark halls leading to her room, too many places to hide . . . and too many enemies after both of them.
"There you go," he said, opening the door and holding it for her. "Home . . . safe and sound now. I'll see you at work tomorrow."
As he turned to leave, Jen reached out and grabbed his arm with a tone of urgency in her voice: "Please, don't go. I-I don't want to be alone."
Alex swallowed hard as he felt her warm breaths against his neck, the tension had grown to be unbearable over the time they had known one another as officer and ensign. Finally, he took her in his arms and kissed her soundly on the lips, feeling her accept him with all she had; he scooped her up and carried her inside, the door automatically shutting behind them.
He lowered her onto the bed and ran his hands up her thighs to the zipper of her pants, too overcome to tell himself to stop; Jen moaned quietly and wrapped her arms around him, kissing his neck and causing shivers to run down his spine . . .
"Keep this quiet," Alex breathed, "if this ever gets out . . . "
"Shhh, I know," Jen whispered, pressing her finger to his lips. "No talking . . . not now."
Alex agreed with a gentle smile, running his fingers through her hair as his other hand rubbed her bare thigh and made her cry out with longing; she tore off his jacket and shirt anxiously, and soon they were lying pressed close to another with only the sheet as a covering. Jen brushed back his dark hair and placed gentle kisses over his sweaty face as their breaths increased and their bodies began to blend together in one fluid movement.
Alex held her tightly to his chest, breathing heavily as her hips grinded against his and their need increased till it was finally fulfilled in one staggering moment that lasted an eternity. His vision blurred and he groaned loudly as she gasped his name . . . they fell asleep in each other's arms, oblivious to the world, knowing only the presence of one another.
***
Alex got up early in the morning to find Jen still sleeping peacefully, curled up on her side and facing him, one hand resting on his bare chest. He took her hand and kissed it tenderly, then crawled out of bed and found her bathroom, taking a quick shower before getting into his uniform; he returned and found Jen slowly waking up.
"Good morning," he said, "sleep well?"
Jen blushed furiously as she sat up, holding the sheet up and covering her nude body despite the previous night. "Yes," she said, "thank you for staying . . . "
This time, it was Alex's turn to blush, which he did as he walked over and slipped on his jacket; he reached down and rested his hand on her cheek. "You've been given the day off," he said, "but I have to go. I'll see you soon, okay?"
"Okay," Jen said, "have a good day . . . and be careful."
"Always."
He hurried to the office , finding Logan walking around absently, looking at the walls covered with newspaper clippings and pictures of Alex's famed parents. "Captain?"Alex said, "may I help you something?"
"Yes, actually," Logan said, "as you know, Ensign Scotts needs a new partner since Steelix is gone. I want suggestions from you . . . who do you think would be an ideal partner for her? She needs someone trustworthy."
"Of course," Alex said.
"Any ideas?"
Alex paused, trying not to sound too eager, but Logan read his mind easily and smiled as he said: "I assume you're thinking about volunteering yourself?"
"It makes sense, sir," Alex said, "she trusts me, and that's what she needs right now, a partner she knows she can trust."
"And that's you?"
"Yes, sir." Alex nodded. "We've known each other for a few years now, I used to be her instructor at the Academy."
"All right, Alex," Logan said, "you're in. I think you're just what she needs right now, I've seen the way you two work together, you could turn out to be the greatest team we've ever seen."
"She has the day off," Alex said, "I'll fill out the paperwork and present it to her tonight so she'll have time to complete it."
"Good," Logan said, "here it is---" He tossed a stack of papers on Alex's desk and the young officer stared at them for a moment before anyone spoke. "Have fun," Logan said, "see you tonight."
"Have a good day, Captain," Alex said, sinking into his chair.
"You too, Lieutenant."
"Right." He took a deep breath and got out his old pen, going over the first paper as the clock began ticking away. Jen's face never left his mind, her voice continued to echo in his ears; he didn't know her as well as he'd like to think, but they would have time for that in the future. He saw admirable qualities in the young woman, they were what drew him to her at first, and of course they had shared time together when he tutored her years before.
What was her favorite color? Did she have a large family---or a small one? Had she dreamed of joining Time Force all her life---or was it a spur-of- the-moment decision? So many things to learn . . . but they had time . . .
TBC
***
Merry Christmas!
Happy Hannukah!
Happy Kwanzaa!
And any other holidays celebrated out there: I hope they go well, too!!! I'll see you after Christmas with a new chapter, I hope you liked your "gift" from me!
Love for all of you!
Sierra