CH 28

The new pool at Collinwood was finished and inside it's own pool house. In the shallow end, Jerry and Patricia had their tails on and were practicing undulating like Jackie had showed them, hanging onto the edge.

"This is tough, but I can feel myself pushing against the side," Patricia said.

"Not as easy as Mom makes it look," Jerry agreed. With a grin he added, "But you do look real cute doing it." She looked better than cute. Jerry thought she looked very sexy.

Patricia smiled. "You look rather handsome also. Take a little break then see how good we can swim?" she asked.

"Sounds good to me."

They both turned to grab the pool edge from behind. Although Jerry thought, 'relax', it seemed his body wanted to keep going. He kept up slow motions of moving his body to make his tail move up and down. He also noted leaning back against the side of the pool with her arms out, Patricia's chest stuck out, proudly showing off her cute little boobs under her bikini bra.

"You know, if anyone ever told me I'd be doing this, I wouldn't have believed them," Patricia said. "This is fun."

"It is," Jerry agreed. "I don't think we'll be doing tail stands or jumps any time soon, but just swimming with a tail on is pretty cool."

"Think we can get others to join us?" she asked.

Jerry tipped his head slightly. "We can ask." Although at the moment, he was enjoying time here with only Patricia. It was by no means a date, but it kinda felt like it.

"BUT!" Patricia announced, "If we talk about it in school, a teacher might think we're being improper if we say 'mermaid'. We'd be singling out a specific group!"

Jerry laughed. "What do we call it then? Whale like swimming?"

Patricia eyed him "Whale swimming? Are you calling me fat?"

Jerry laughed. "No! Dolphin swimming maybe?"

"They are still pretty wide," she stated.

"At least I didn't say Manatee swimming," Jerry offered with a grin.

"You ARE calling me fat!" she announced and splashed him.

Jerry took off pumping his tail as he laughed. Patricia followed him.

Jerry dove under and tried to get some distance from her. Turning over on his back, he saw her trying to grab his tail. He turned and tried to avoid her. Patricia went under, pumping her tail hard to catch him. Watching her, he wasn't watching where he was going and ran his head into the side of the pool hard enough to make him see stars and blow out a yelp.

In his struggle to get to the surface, Patricia grabbed his arm and helped him up to the side of the pool. On the surface, he got a breath with Patricia holding onto him with one arm the other hand holding onto the side of the pool.

"You allright?" she asked.

"Yeah, just gave myself a headache," he grumbled.

"That's what you get for calling me fat!" she said with a cooked grin.

Gazing at her, he said sincerely, "You're not fat. Very pretty and sexy, yes, but not fat."

Patricia's gaze softened to start at him. "You think I'm pretty?" she asked.

"Prettiest girl in the school," Jerry said, gazing back at her.

Already close, they slowly got closer and kissed. Jerry had gotten a hand up on the side of the pool. Good thing too, because Patricia wrapped her arms around him as they kissed. His free arm was around her.

When they separated lips, Jerry offered, "That made me feel better."

"Me too, again?" she whispered.

"Oh yeah," Jerry agreed.

They locked lips again. OK, maybe this was a swimming date.

After pausing again to get their breaths back, Patricia meekly said, "So, you like me?"

"I do," Jerry said firmly. "Maybe I can be your boyfriend?"

Patricia beamed briefly, then looked away. "That would be nice," she said in a musing tone. "But you might not want me."

"Why not?" he asked.

"Most guys like breasts." she said as she looked down at the water.

Jerry blinked. "Ahh yeah. So what of you're aren't very big. You'll get older and they'll grow, won't they?"

Barely audible, she whispered "Until I'm 21. Then they have to be removed. I can get those fake ones put in, but they won't be real."

Jerry stared at her. His mouth worked a couple times before he managed to ask, "Why?"

With a slight shrug still not looking at him, she said, "In our family, we have a history of breast cancer. My aunt died from it when she was 27, Mom had hers taken off when she was 23 at the time. My older sister had hers removed when she was 21, and that's when I'm due to get mine chopped off."

"That's terrible!" Jerry cried. "Can nothing be done?"

She shook her head. "Get rid of them before they kill me. That's about it. Our doctor said we have to wait until they develop to make sure no more mammary is going to grow. Only then it's safe to get them removed."

Jerry hugged her a little tighter. "That's so sad."

She nodded and hugged him. "My sister said the fake ones do feel fake. I don't want just … fill in me. Mom says it helps you feel normal, but I don't know."

Patricia's news was a real damper to Jerry's mood. Head on his shoulder, Patricia sniffled. He was feeling bad for her. "This cancer, you could get it, or you pretty much know you will?" he asked.

"So far, every female in our family has gotten it," she said in a dull tone. "When it happens, it comes on fast. The only safe thing to do is get rid of my breasts. I know, I'm only 13 now, but … well, you might not want to get stuck with me."

I'd like being stuck with you," Jerry said automatically. "I think if we get that far, you know, and stay together, boobs aren't going to matter. At least to me. Besides, maybe by then something can be done besides just getting rid of them. Hey, that's years from now anyway, right?"

She let out a snort of a laugh. "Maybe. You trying to make me feel a little better?"

"I am. Is it working?"

"Not really, but thanks for trying. So, do you want to play with my boobs while I still have them?"

Jerry could feel those little nubs poking against him. "Honestly, I'd love to." He then pulled her back so he could see her face. "Patricia, Can I talk to Mom about this?"

She frowned at him. "You want to ask your mom if you can play with my boobs?" she asked, wearing a look of shock.

Jerry flushed. "No! I wanted to tell her about what's wrong with you and see if she can figure out a way to cure you without having your boobs cut off. She's real smart, Patricia, maybe she knows what to do about it."

Patricia grinned and kissed him. "OK, it probably won't do any good."

"She should be home soon, so we can go ask her then," he said firmly.

Eyeing him, Patricia said, "Maybe it's best if I just ask her. This is a girl thing."

"Yeah, it is."

Growing a grin, Patricia moved to the side and lifted herself up to spread her arms out on the sides of the pool. "Your job is to play with them a bit. I am dying to know how that feels."

Moving around in front of her, Jerry eyed her chest that was right in front of him. "Really?" he asked, gazing at her bra.

"Really. If I can't ever nurse a baby, I can nurse you for a while."

Jerry pulled himself up to kiss her again, then lifted her bra up and did as she asked, being as gentle as possible while his heart was beating in his ears.

.

When Jackie and Duncan came in the house, they noticed Jerry and his girlfriend sitting side by side in the foyer holding hands. The kids both looked at them and got up.

"Mom, Patricia needs to talk to you," Jerry said quickly.

By the nervous look on Patricia's face, Jackie had to ask, "No chance of pregnancy, is there?"

"What?" Jerry asked, going a bit pale.

"NO!" Patricia cried. "I … I'd just like to talk to you, privately for a moment."

"I'll be in my office," Duncan stated and left.

Eyeing Patricia, Jackie motioned back outside. "Let's walk and talk. Jerry, stay inside, OK?"

"Sure Mom."

Going back out with the girl that was looking a bit sad, Jackie waited until they were clear of the house, then asked, "So, what is it?"

Patricia explained what she was looking at when she turned 21, due to all the women in her family developing cancer in their late 20's and early thirties. "and Jerry insisted I talk to you about it. He thinks there's something you can do to cure me without losing my breasts."

Jackie put an arm around her. "I'm so sorry you're facing something like that. I feel for you, hon. That's gotta be tough. The thing is, me curing you isn't that simple. First of all, there are many factors to consider. Second, 21 for you is what, eight, nine years away? Medical science may improve by then."

"I'm thirteen now." Patricia told her.

"So you have time," Jackie said gently. "How about this. When you're sixteen or seventeen, come back to see me and we'll see how things are then. Until then, stop worrying about it. Is there a reason why you became concerned now?"

Patricia flushed a bit. "I … Jerry wants to be my boyfriend and I want to be his girlfriend." Twisting her fingers together, she added, "And I just thought he should know before we do become close."

"I see," Jackie said with a small grin. "Like I said, for now stop worrying about it. When you're older, sixteen or seventeen, come see me and we'll talk about it again."

Eyeing Jackie closely, Patricia asked, "So, is it possible you can cure me?"

"Just go be yourself and don't worry for now. That's the best I can tell you at the moment," Jackie said firmly. "If you want to be Jerry's girlfriend and he wants you, go for it. Do not let this thing get between you."

Patricia nodded vacantly. "Do you think Jerry would want to be with me if I do lose my boobs?"

"I think of you love each other, it won't matter," Jackie replied.

"Jerry said that too."

"Well there you go!" Jackie announced. "So stop worrying! Did you guys get some practice time in with your tails?"

"We did!" Patricia said in a brighter tone. "And we swam in them too." She grew a smirk and added, "But Jerry didn't watch where he was going when I was chasing him and hit his head on the wall of the pool."

"You were chasing him?"

"Yeah, I thought he called me fat."

Jackie laughed. "Then he got his just deserts." She playfully poked Patricia in the shoulder. "No more worrying, right?"

"Right."

.

John, Delilah and Cameron talked the rest of the day and even in bed after they turned in, kept working out what they thought the best option would be for peace between the humans and Cylons here. They got set what they were going to propose.

When the planet revolved around so the sun was shining on the city below, they brought the ship down to land on a flat area in the ruins close to where they were brought down before. This time John, Cameron and Delilah came out, Delilah and Cameron carried a table with them, John then Ed and Bob carried chairs.

While they were setting these up, terminators posted a picket around the ship. Joan came out to get some sun with Allison, Bob and Malinara. The Atlantians also came out to look around. All of them stayed clear of the area the table was set up at. Ed was wanting to do something, so John had him hold a camera to the side to record this meeting.

Lee, Victoria and Tom arrived first. John showed them to their side of the table. He also eyed Tom. "Tom Zarek," John stated in an even tone. "This is a meeting to get a peace agreement between you and the Cylons. If you cannot act decently, I will have Cameron remove you. Is that clear?"

Tom bristled but replied in an even tone. "I need to know what is proposed."

"Then do nothing but sit and listen," John told him.

Quietly, Lee told Tom, "It's best if you do not speak."

They no more than got sat down when John Cavil, Jennifer Six, Tina Eight, and Conoy Leoben arrived. They greeted the Connors, then took the other side of the table. Ed got ready to film at one end, John stood at the other end.

John then said, "Ed, start rolling." Seeing the light come on, John said, "I am John Connor, a resident of the planet Earth who came here for a prospective peace agreement between the Cylons and the Colonial humans. On this side of the table is John Cavil, Jennifer Six, Tina Eight and Conoy Leoben. On this other side for the Colonial humans is Tom Zarek, Lee Adama and Victoria Foster. To the side here are my wives, Cameron and Delilah Connor."

John paused briefly, then explained everything they had learned about the human Cylons conflicts from the beginning. He stressed the mistrust each had and why, with first humans trying to eliminate cylons they were to meet and talk to, then why cylons just attacked after finding human ships near their borders.

Once he covered the events, he added, "Myself and my wives have discussed these events and the repercussions of them in detail. We came to the conclusion that what started the first war was indeed the human's fault when they attack cylons instead of speaking with them. The second war was caused by the mistrust cylons had of humans and did not believe humans would ever listen, so they worked out what they thought was a solution to keep humans from attacking them and attacked first so their planet and all they worked for would not be destroyed. BOTH wars were a very sad chain of events that happened due to the unwillingness to talk to each other."

John paused again. "That unwillingness to speak to each other is THE first thing that needs to be corrected. Yes, giant mistakes and horrid blunders were made by both sides. There are no innocent parties. As I said, we studied what happened in detail, talking to both sides because we found it hard to believe why humans and the machines they made were at such violent odds. On Earth, we hold no distinction in rights or responsibilities in what anyone is. I'm human, both Cameron and Delilah are terminators, our kids are cyborgs being part machine and part human. It doesn't matter to any of us what anyone is, but how they act."

John motioned to both sides of the table. "After discussion the situation here, we agreed on a proposal to put forth that we feel will be the best solution to end the conflict and get a real and permanent peace in place. A couple things need to be changed right away. The humans are surviving in ships that our space agency feel are not fit to BE in space. There is nothing wrong with this planet, it's habitable and there's no one living here. Even if humans don't want to stay here, it would be a good place to land and live temporarily until they get themselves sorted out. Humans must also show no aggression towards cylons, as cylons must also show no aggression toward humans. Next, the Cylon resurrection system has to go. Be recreating yourselves, you are not evolving as any race should be doing. We've been told you can't pro-create. We can fix that for you, but the war MUST stop first. As I said, you need to talk to each other on what we propose and keep talking to each other after an initial agreement. So, John Cavil, Lee Adama, what do you say?"

"How can you trust a CYLON to keep ANY agreement!" Tom blurted out.

John looked at Cameron, "Cam, take care of him, please."

Cameron marched over to him. Tom shot up to face her in time to catch her fist in his face. Tom tumbled to the ground, out cold. Cameron picked him up over her shoulder. "I will go ensure he is not permanently harmed," she told John, then walked over and up into their ship.

John Cavil laughed. "Thank you for that, Mr. Connor. What I say to your proposal is, that is a very good idea. I have no doubt you would ensure peace and give us the ability to make children as you can do. Although I do have to wonder about if when you leave, the humans will keep to their agreement."

"I would say the same," Lee said. "Yes, having this planet to live on would be the answer to our prayers, but how can we be sure the cylons won't nuke it? John, I know you've given this much thought and brought forth the most fair proposal you can come up with, but we, and I can see the cylons also are still nervous about trusting each other."

John nodded in thought, then asked, "Mr. Cavil, what is your fear of the humans now?"

"That they will rebuild a fleet to come after us again," Cavil stated.

"Right now, and any time in the near future, we aren't capable if that," Lee replied. "And if we have a peace agreement, we've no reason to. We're only looking for a place to live and not have to fight."

"How about a station, or place that you both know and provide representatives at?" John asked. "Also visits to each other to keep up good relations would also help."

"Where at?" Lee asked.

"How about on Picon?" Jennifer Six asked. "There are humans there that are fighting us. We could put a permanent ground station there near the humans so they can learn of this peace also and stop fighting."

Cavil nodded to her. "That is an excellent idea. Lee, would you agree to that?"

"I have to ask will our people there be able to stay or leave as they wish?" Lee asked.

"I don't see why not," Cavil told him. "We do want all fighting to stop, correct? If they are there but not being aggressive, I can agree to that."

"What about taking us to Earth?" Lee asked.

John shook his head. "Earth is much farther away from your fleet than this planet is, that would be a very long trip."

Conoy spoke up. "By the Book of Kobol, all tribes were kicked off Kobol here from fighting with each other. The Lords of Kobol made everyone leave."

"Maybe if there is no fighting then those Lords, if they are still around, won't mind people here," John offered.

"Mr. Connor has a point," Cavil said.

Lee frowned slightly. "We should have brought something to document what we're deciding on."

John pointed to Ed. "Ed is recording everything from the time you arrived. Once we're done, Lee Adama and John Cavil will each get a copy of the video to return with and discuss it with your people. Keep in mind, this video will be read only."

Victoria asked, "Everything? Even Cameron knocking Tom out?"

"Yes, everything," John stated. "If he is a little embarrassed by that being shown, then maybe he will learn a lesson."

"The Quorum may not take that well. Tom is a member." Victoria said.

"Then they should send people who want to talk and not just loudly throw about their own opinion," John replied.

Laughter sounded out up by the ship. John looked to see Joan and her clan, the Atlantians and a few terminators grouped up outside.

Delilah eyed this and said, "They're up to something, I better go see what."

John noted Malinara laugh as she pointed at Joan. He had a feeling they should wrap this up. "Lee, John, are there any other points either of you want discussed for this non aggression treaty?"

Cavil said, "I think we covered the major points. Lee?"

"I agree," Lee said. "I'm sure we'll want to add other things later, but until we can both get this agreement passed by our respective people, I think we have a decent non aggression agreement. Hopefully we can expand into a full peace treaty." He stood up and offered his hand to Cavil. "Agreed?"

Cavil stood up and shook his hand. "Agreed. And John Connor, thank you for making this meeting happen."

"My pleasure. We like to see everyone getting along. I know it will take time for you, but this is a good start."

Rock music came from by the ship. John looked to see instruments were out and Delilah had her guitar. He'd thought she went to keep them quiet, not join in. He let out a sigh. Joan sang as they played Billy Joel's 'You may be right'

Friday night I crashed your party
Saturday I said, "I'm sorry"
Sunday came and trashed me out again

I was only having fun
Wasn't hurting anyone
And we all enjoyed the weekend for a change

I've been stranded in the combat zone
I walked through Bedford Sty alone
Even rode my motorcycle in the rain

And you told me not to drive
But I made it home alive
So you said that only proves that I'm insane

You may be right
I may be crazy
Oh, but it just may be a lunatic you're looking for
Turn out the light
Don't try to save me

You may be wrong for all I know
But you may be right

Well, remember how I found you there
Alone in your electric chair
I told you dirty jokes until you smiled

I was lonely for a man
I said, "Take me as I am"
'Cause you might enjoy some madness for a while

Now think of all the years you tried to
Find someone to satisfy you
I might be as crazy as you say

If I'm crazy then it's true
That it's all because of you
And you wouldn't want me any other way

You may be right
I may be crazy
Oh, but it just may be a lunatic you're looking for
It's too late to fight
It's too late to change me

You may be wrong for all I know
But you may be right
You may be right

You may be wrong for all I know You may be right
You may be wrong but you may be right
You may be wrong but you may be right
You may be wrong but you may be right

"Kids," John grumbled. He then noted everyone had been watching the performance.

"They are good!" Victoria cried.

"We don't have music, but that was enjoyable to listen to," Cavil said.

"It was!" Jennifer beamed, then called, "Can you do another one?"

Joan looked at her and gave her a thumbs up.

Jennifer cast John a questioning look. He told her, "That means she'd be happy to."

The group conspired, then they struck up another tune. This time it was Aerosmith.

There's something wrong with your world today
I don't know what it is
Something's wrong with your eyes
All seeing things in a different way
And God knows it ain't his
It sure ain't no surprise, yeah

Living on the edge
Living on the edge
Living on the edge
Living on the edge

There's something wrong with your world today
The light bulb's getting dim
There's meltdown in the sky
If you can judge a wise man
By the texture of his skin
Then mister you're a better man than I, oh!

Living on the edge (You can't help yourself from falling)
Living on the edge (You can't help yourself at all)
Living on the edge (You can't stop yourself from falling)
Living on the edge

(Everybody, everybody)
Tell me what you think about your situation
Complication, aggravation
Is getting to you, yeah
If Chicken Little tells you that the sky is falling
Even if it wasn't, would you still come crawling Back again?
I bet you would my friend
Again, and again, and again, and again, and again

Something right with the world today
And everybody knows it's wrong
But we can tell 'em no or we could let it go
But I would rather be a hanging on

Living on the edge (You can't help yourself from falling)
Living on the edge (You can't help yourself at all)
Living on the edge (You can't stop yourself from falling)
Living on the edge (Everybody, everybody)
Living on the edge
Living on the edge
Living on the edge
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah...

As usual, Delilah was wailing on her guitar. After the song, cylons and Colonials applauded. John also noted the other Colonials, marines and a nurse, also came closer to listen. So did the Centurions. To John's delight, no one raised a weapon.

Delilah even took the video Ed made and subtitled the songs in Piconese so the Colonials and cylons could read the words before she made the copies. Lee got one, Cavil got one, they kept one and Ed Billings got his copy to take to Washington.