Chapter 18

Martian Consulate
2815 Woodland Dr NW
Washington, DC

"So how did your doctor end up in DC?" Penelope asked

It was four weeks after Spencer har returned to work. He was due for a check-up, and hopefully clearance to return to full duty. Thankfully he didn't have to go back to New York City for it because once again Penelope was coming along as his legal companion. "His wife is part of their diplomatic mission. She was assigned to head up the consulate staff here. So he was posted with her."

"Cool beans. What's her name?"

"Commander Lirabetssa Linalter. He said she speaks English as well."

DC didn't so much have an Embassy Row as it had an Embassy Neighborhood. Or two. Maybe three. The building they were looking for was tucked away on a very quiet and isolated street in the back of one of them, right up against Rock Creek Park. They passed the Embassy of Lebanon, turned a corner, and ran smack up against a military blockade. "They do realize that this is not going to work long-term, right?" Penelope asked. "I mean, the aliens are here. People need to get used to it."

"You would think so." Spencer replied.

After showing ID, having them call up to the house to verify they were expected, double checking everything, and generally being annoying, the military finally let them through. They turned the corner and found the likely reason for the extra security. There were several trucks in the road being emptied as the consulate staff moved in. About one third of the people working on emptying the trucks were Quadrainian, according to uniform, and two-thirds were Mrr'tani. "Essa said they're their closest allies." Spencer said as they parked. "Apparently the two species consider each other very good friends."

"Well," Penelope replied, "What are friends for." She walked to the back of the nearest truck, picked up a box, and followed the line inside.

Spencer collected a box as well and followed her. Into the lobby and up a grand-ish staircase. The central living area had impressive windows and a large fireplace, but there wasn't really time to admire, because there was a woman at the top of the stairs directing traffic. "Server stack." She said, looking at the box Penelope was carrying. "Secure comm room, that way." She pointed straight back.

"Yessss!" Penelope said as she headed off.

"Translators, front office, that way." She pointed Spencer to the left. "Wait, who are you people?"

"Oh, sorry." The box was not heavy, Spencer balanced it on his hip. "Dr. Spencer Reid." Right, don't offer a hand. "I'm here to see Dr. Linalter."

"Oh, right. Of course." The woman in question had soft, brown hair, hazel eyes and a lively, impish smile. "Lira Linalter. Essa will be right, um, up or down, hard to tell."

"Understandable." Moving was always confusing.

"Yo, Lira!" A soft, rough voice called out from overhead. "The AV net…." There was a movement over head. Spencer looked up to the loft over the kitchen and straight into the greenest eyes he had ever seen. In that moment the sweetest sense of safety and security washed over him.

He was home

It made no sense to feel that way but he knew in his bones he was home. He was safe. He could relax utterly, It was better than sleeping on the jet, better than dinner at Dave's, better than a needle in the arm, this sensation was utterly heavenly. For a moment he couldn't even breathe. And he could not look away from those eyes.

Someone was saying something. Someone was saying something from very far away.

And then someone touched him and jolted him from it. "Uhhh, Spency?" Penelope said as she poked his shoulder. "You okay?"

"Huh? Um, yeah." Damn it, she made him look away.

Essa and one of the Mrr'tani had arrived while he was not paying attention. Now he and his wife exchanged a smile. "What were you saying?" She asked the person upstairs.

"The AV security net is up." He said. The person with those green eyes disappeared back into the loft.

Essa and Lira smiled at each other again. "Spencer. I'll show you where to put that box." Essa said.

"Sure." Spencer followed him while Lira headed to the stairs.

"Did I miss something?" Penelope asked.

"Q nobles." The Mrr'tani replied. "Very strange. They say you know how to access local computer networks?"

"Oh, yeah! I'm Penelope by the way."

"Screen Dancer. Come help. This way."


The box went into an office space off that way. "Um, who was that up in the loft?" Spencer asked.

"Major Sinaralo Belasco." Essa replied. "They're head of security. They're also one of our house Companions."

Companion. That title kept coming up. "Okay, I'm confused. It might be rude to ask…"

Essa smiled. "Let's make it easy. I can't speak for anyone else, but I won't take any questions as rude and we'll keep it between us. But I get to ask questions about Terrans too. You know more than anyone."

"Fair enough. We commonly used the pronoun 'they' for people who don't want to specify their gender. Nar, Sinaralo and also met someone in the hospital who called themselves a Companion but it was hard to tell. How does gender work in Quadraninan society?"

"Well, biologically one percent of our population is of the Nobility and ninety-six percent is Commoner. Within those groups I'd say we have about the same percentage who are transgender as they do here on Terra. Three percent of our population are Companions. They're considered gender neutral."

"So he's not bonded to anyone? And I'm assuming Nar is?"

"Yeah. We made it legal before we left for boot camp. And Lira and Cass, her Companion, have been bonded since they were children, practically. Cass's mother is also part of House Linalter. So is Sin's aunt, they all grew up together. Now that the war's over we're trying to transition back to traditional family structures."

"That can't be easy. So there are biological differences between Nobles, Companions and Commoners?"

"Yeah. Commoners are nearly indistinguishable from Terrans. The rest of us are a little different."

"How so?"

"Mmm. I can't tell you. It's classified."

"But I am one."

"I know. I've been trying to figure out how to make that work since I met you. Still working on it. Shouldn't be a problem though. Anyway, why don't we go check your intestines?"

Essa was changing the subject. Spencer decided to go with it for now. Pressing would not get him what he wanted.

But he was not giving up.


Meanwhile Lira went upstairs.

The house was built into a small hill, which allowed for terraced courtyards. This one was very private. It had a lovely outdoor soaking tub and a lot of space that they had been told could be used for gatherings. They were setting it up as a fencing arena.

Now she found Sin here, having gone to the far end of the property, likely to get away from what happened. Not that they could. "So." She said, a smile growing on her face.

"That didn't happen." Sin said.

She laughed at that. "Are you kidding? The whole house felt it. The Mrr'tani probably felt it."

Sin shook his head. "I'm too old."

"No you're not."

"i've been through too much."

"He'll have to live with it."

"I never wanted this."

"Too bad. The Elder Kings have spoken."

"Who is he anyway?"

"Only son of Lord and Lady Garron, something cousin-ish to the Crown. She was pregnant when she took refuge here at the start of the war."

"So this is his home planet."

"You said you wanted to see more of it." Sin groaned. Lira laughed again. "It's worse. He works for the State Police here. Injured in the line of duty at least three times already."

"You know, the Elder Kings can go fuck themselves."

"They're going to get you for saying that. Don't worry, you have time to get used to the idea. He's not even awakened yet."

"You are not serious?" Sin shook his head. "So who's doing it, you or Essa?"

"His mother's asked Essa, but it's up to him."

"I don't know if I want to be here for that or not."

"We'll give you fair warning."

"That's the best I'm going to get, isn't it?"

"Yeah. You know I am happy for you."

"You would be."

Lira laughed and pulled Sin into a hug. "Sweet sibling mine." She said. "Just wait. It's going to be wonderful."