Icicles 13
Do not own Star Trek
Khan lay awake listening to Marla fall asleep. She had woven her fingers in between his and currently was cuddling his arm. True to her word, the tribble had been crawling over him, attempting to find a spot to wedge itself into before giving up and snuggling against Marla's chest.
Outside the storm began to rage and he felt fortunate to be inside and wrapped around the woman next to him. A particularly loud clap of thunder jolted Marla awake. She grumbled and snuggled closer to him. He gently kissed the nape of her neck and she sighed before turning over to cuddle into his chest and entwine her legs with his. Khan put his arm around her, pulled the covers up over her shoulders and closed his eyes. She wrapped an arm around his waist, tilted her head up and kissed his jaw before settling back and falling asleep again. The tribble scrambled over and wedged itself down in a space between them. With the combination of the rain and Marla's breathing on his bare chest, he himself began to drift off into a dreamless sleep.
Andrea clicked off the light beside her and snuggled down into the queen bed in her nightgown as the thunder rattled the windows. Oh, what a day. Work had been busy and she had seen one of her co-workers get fired for something trivial. Needless to say, her stress level had risen a little. Peter had called her earlier to say goodnight. She didn't know what she would do without him. He was a godsend. Amanda was a godsend.
She hoped maybe Amanda would continue to let her stay. A tiny nagging voice in the back of her mind told her she couldn't. Other people needed the warm bed she lay in more than her. They would deserve it more than she ever would. Andrea rolled over and tried to recite what they had discussed during her counseling session. She had value, she had strength…The voice seemed to laugh at her, taunting her, asking if she really believed that.
Andrea could practically feel the darkness begin to surround her again, settling itself beside her, on top of her, consuming her, like she was cuddling with her demons. It was as if her darkest thoughts were gently stroking her, enticing her to come back into the abyss. To come back into the dark, to let it shower her with attention she was denying it. It called to her, reminding her it would never leave her like Peter would one day. It would never kick her out like Amanda was bound to do. It would never run off and get married or taken to another planet like Marla would eventually. All she had to do was let it in.
Andrea breathed in and out. No. She was not going to let it win tonight. She shut her eyes tight and thought of happy memories. Happy things. Happy people, happy times, happy places. Her tribble snuggled up next to her and she fell asleep, covers gripped tightly in her hand.
Andrew's feet pounded the wet pavement as he completed his early morning run before work. He had considered skipping it, but decided not to skip because if he did, he would start making excuses for other days and eventually stop altogether. The sun hadn't even begun to peek out from the horizon yet. He slowed and glanced at his watch. Quarter of six. He needed to run the half mile home, shower, change, eat a protein bar in the car on the way to work. Sounded good to him.
He was going to the space station early the next week. Kirk had requested him specifically to look over some minor repairs to the Enterprise. Hopefully this time, he would be able to discuss the ship with Montgomery Scott. Andrew was getting the sneaking suspicion this was going to become a regular thing, a habit for the Captain to routinely call him up to the station to oversee repairs to his Lady. Perhaps he would get transferred to the station instead of semi-monthly trips up. Andrew hated the idea of leaving Marla alone on Earth, but honestly, she did have other people in her life now, as much as it hurt to admit. She had Amanda, friends, the support group, even a boyfriend.
Granted, he had absolutely no idea how long that relationship with John would last. Knowing Marla, she would likely get freaked out by the commitment and break it off soon enough. But he did not know exactly how involved they were. It was incredibly likely they had slept together the night before since he suspected John had spent the night at Marla's. He had to admit, that was pretty quick for Marla, so maybe this time was a bit different. Usually she wouldn't sleep with a guy unless she was certain about everything. Or maybe Lee had screwed her up. He didn't know. He'd ask her later, after work.
Maybe she would be fine without him, but the question was, would he be fine leaving her after waiting so long? Would he be fine not seeing her for months on end?
Andrew opened the front door to his house and kicked off his running shoes before walking down the hall to the master bedroom. A California ranch house. He liked it well enough. It was small, but he had a decent backyard. He had a guest room specifically with Marla in mind when he had bought the house in case she wanted to be in familiar company was she woke up.
As he turned on the shower and got in, his mind began to wander. He really wanted to ask one of the women working on the Enterprise out. He had met her while hiding from Kirk one day. Janice. Janice Rand. He believed she was Kirk's yeoman. Dear lord, she was gorgeous. Blonde hair, bright blue eyes and a smile that could melt the artic. Next week, he was definitely tracking her down for sure. He wanted to tell Marla, but he didn't want to jinx it. Maybe after he asked her to dinner. Yes. After he asked Janice to dinner, and if she said yes, then he would tell Marla.
Andrew got out and quickly dried off before pulling his uniform on, slightly giddy. This was going to be a good week, he knew it. A good week. He snatched the protein bar and water off the counter and his keys on his way out to the car. Marla had noticed he was eating better and commented on it the last time she as at his house.
"So who is she?"
Andrew hit his head on the door of the refrigerator.
"What?"
"Who. Is. She?" Marla repeated slowly as she sipped on the bubble tea she had gotten at the train station before he picked her up, with her other hand in the bag of grapes on the counter.
"What are you talking about, Marls?" Andrew rubbed his head.
"You've been buying protein bars, you have wholesale sized protein shake mix, there are vitamins on the counter, lettuce in your fridge instead of take out, granola bars instead of your favorite junk snacks in the cabinet, and the access key to the Starfleet employee gym. The only time you ever start getting healthy and working out and all this other stuff is when you like a girl, now who is she?"
"Can't I just get healthy to get healthy because I have another shot at life?"
"Bzzt. Who is she?" Marla pressed. "Tell me." She whined.
"No. Because there is no she."
"He?"
"NO! Marla!"
"Just checking." Marla shrugged.
"There is no one, and stop eating all my grapes!"
Andrew grimaced as he turned the corner.
Marla awoke groggily to find herself still tangled up with John, who was snoring quietly. She lifted her head and glanced at the clock. Six thirty. She had to pee. But she didn't want to get up, nor did she even know how to without waking the man beside her. Maybe she could just fall back asleep. Her bladder reminded her that was not an option. Maybe if she slowly scooted away. She removed her arm from around his waist and slowly rolled over. He continued snoring away. Alright, partially free, now to get out of bed without waking him. Marla slowly rolled to the side of the bed, trying to not to move the mattress. It had been ages since she had to do this. Lee usually had kept to his side of the bed and kicked her over to her side after about an hour of cuddling. Finally, she was off the bed and shuffling to the bathroom. After relieving her bladder, putting the lid down and praying the flushing toilet and sink didn't wake him up, the next challenge was getting back into bed without waking him up.
She knew this wasn't necessary, but it was still a fun challenge. John was still snoring as she crept back into bed and burrowed under the covers. Napoleon was back on the headboard. She moved to resume her position on his chest when he rolled over and caught her around the waist with an iron grip, trapping her back into being the little spoon. Marla adjusted the best she could to get on her back before yawning and giving back in to sleep.
Marla didn't know how long she slept when she was awakened by the sensation of someone stroking her thigh. She stirred and opened her eyes. Yes, that was right, John was in her bed. He gently kissed her shoulder and ran his fingers across her stomach.
"Morning." She mumbled. "What time is it?"
"Ten thirty."
"We've practically slept the day away." Marla groaned.
"Just the morning. Who was it last night saying they were excited to sleep in? Hm?"
"I meant maybe nine or nine thirty." She grumbled.
"Regardless, it is slightly late for breakfast and too early for lunch." John commented as his fingers played around the waistband of her shorts.
"John, is this your way of asking for morning sex?" Marla smirked.
"I was merely commenting on the food situation." He replied.
"Okay, then. Then the logical solution is brunch." Marla moved to get up, but found herself still in his grip. "John?"
"I believe you were just offering morning sex, unless I'm terribly mistaken?" He spoke huskily into her ear.
"Maybe." Marla replied teasingly, turning to face him and rubbing his chest. "I have to think about it."
He kissed her lazily. She responded with equal lack of urgency. He pressed against her harder, brushing his tongue across and nibbling her lip before she allowed him entrance. Soon, they surfaced for air.
She rolled on top of him and began kissing him deeply, running her hands through his hair while grinding her crotch against his at an agonizingly slow pace. He began tugging at her waistband in earnest and Marla pulled back and slapped his hands away before resuming, making it clear she was in charge. She could feel his morning wood against her. She had every single intention on making him wait until he was on the very edge of frustration. She reminded herself that was how she ended up with a giant hickey on her neck the previous night. Ah, best let him have a little leeway.
She rolled over and he immediately was on top of her. Marla brought her hips up and ground a bit harder and faster. He grabbed her hips to continue the pressure. Marla smiled wickedly up at him. She noticed in this light, his blue eyes had a green and gold look about them before he pressed his mouth against her neck, hands abandoning her hips as he slid his hands under her shirt, pulling her up against his chest, his nails digging into the flesh of her back. John's hand wandered back to her waistband of her shorts to be slapped away once more.
He gave a frustrated growl as she ground even harder against the bulge in his shorts. Marla guided his free hand towards her breasts. He quickly got the idea and yanked her shirt up, eager for more flesh. John greedily rubbed, nipped and sucked, earning low moans from Marla as she arched her back into him.
Marla considered the man on top of her. He seemed content at the moment fondling her chest. She twisted her fingers in his hair once more, thinking of a new way to frustrate him. She moved her other hand down his muscular chest before trailing to his stomach and to his waistband where she ran a finger at the very edge of the elastic before reaching in and gently stroking his shaft, earning a cascade of groans and whines into her sternum. Her thumb slowly circled around the head of his cock, continuing to grind against him. His breath was hot and heavy against her flesh. John moaned her name against her breast in an almost pleading tone. She withdrew her hand and eased up on the pressure with her hips, causing him to grind back hard against her, desperate for satisfaction.
She smirked. She started pulling her shirt back down, causing John to make an incredibly agitated noise. Alright, time to give in. She was getting just as worked up as he was. She managed to wriggle out from underneath him and get to his side of the bed and up.
"You are a fucking tease." He growled at her.
"Oh, really now." She attempted to keep her voice even as she ran her fingers through her disheveled hair. "Where did you put those condoms?"
"I will find them. You, on the bed." Marla felt a thrill run through her as she complied by sitting on the edge of the bed. She watched him find the box and eyed him as he slid his shorts off and ripped open the packet with his teeth. He glanced at her after he rolled the condom down. She nearly stopped breathing when he looked directly at her and she knew he was going to get rough. Marla scooted back to the center of the mattress and barely had time to brace herself before he pounced on her.
He ravaged her neck and chest with kisses and teeth. She worked her shirt off quickly as he slid her shorts downs and off, tossing them aside. His hands ran up her sides, over her breasts and up her arms that she still had stretched above her head before running his fingers lightly back down. He sat back to take in her naked form in the morning light, fixing it in his memory. She watched his eyes travel up and down from her messy hair to the nebula-like appearance of the love bite to small nest of curls between her thighs before he pulled her up for a kiss, his hand finding her core.
"Fuck, Marla. You are soaking." He breathed as he slid his fingers within her. He pulled his fingers out and licked then clean before laying her back and planting soft kisses along her scars. She expected the roughness he had used on her neck, feeling the red marks starting to swell and form as he settled between her thighs. Instead, he began teasing her folds and entrance with the head of his cock. Marla whimpered in frustration as he smirked.
"Not enjoying the taste of your own medicine?" He cocked his head mockingly as he rubbed against her clit. "Hm?"
"Please…John." She tried to buck up her hips to have him move back.
"What do you want, Marla?" His smirk becoming devilish.
She merely made an irritated noise as she reached down to her opening. He pinned her arms above her head with his hands.
"I'm not going to give you what you want until you tell me." He hissed into her ear.
"You." She finally breathed, feeling his hot breath against her flesh.
"What about me?" He nibbled her ear.
"I want you to fuck me." She finally gave in.
"Still missing something." He responded in an almost sing song voice as he gently kissed her collar.
"John, if you don't fuck me right now, I'm going to explode from frustration. PLEASE."
"Now, was that so difficult?" He was still smiling wickedly as he let go of her arms and finally slid inside her. "So impatient."
"Just for you, Commander." She hissed into his ear before nibbling gently. He shuddered as her mouth moved to his neck and began to pound into her roughly. She attempted to match him as his fingers knotted themselves in her hair. He was breathing erratically and gulping back words. "Ah. I want to hear you. Isn't that what you told me last night, John?" She managed seconds before she simultaneously sank her teeth and nails into his flesh and clenched down on his cock, drawing a ragged sobbing groan from his lips that sent intense waves of ecstasy through her.
Marla began to feel herself climaxing. She felt his other hand reach down, searching for her clit and begin rubbing the tiny bundle of nerves.
Marla nearly screamed his name. She was breathing heavily as she came down from her orgasm, John finishing seconds later. He pulled out and fell beside her, the pair of them soaked in sweat. He breathed deeply as he pulled her to him and crashed his lips onto hers. She pushed his hair out of her face and responded with equal intensity.
"Good?" Marla breathed.
"The best." He panted and chuckled slightly.
He began retreating and settling once more between her thighs, which he noted were shaking.
"Allow me to do what you would not last night." He kissed her drawn up knees and started peppering kisses and gentle nips down her quaking inner thighs. Marla sighed at the sensation of his tongue lapping at her as she gently ran her fingers through his hair. She closed her eyes and relaxed. She was ripped from her pleasure when she heard her phone go off in the living room. "Ignore it. It's your day off." John growled between her thighs.
"And what makes you think I would walk away from this? Oh my god." She chuckled and then moaned as he sucked on her sensitive clit. Her phone stopped ringing. Less than a minute later, his began ringing. He hesitated. "Ignore it." Marla echoed.
"Unfortunately, I can't. It's probably Marcus" He grunted as he rested his forehead against her abdomen.
"Just call him back in a few minutes and say you were in the shower." Marla spoke as he got up, threw off the sheets they were tangled in and wiped his mouth. She sat up and watched him stand.
"I can't. He's…very particular about being able to get in contact." He grunted as he left the room to answer it, taking the condom off and swearing as he went. Marla growled in frustration as she got up and made her way to the bathroom, holding furniture for support.
Khan angrily snatched the phone off the table.
"What?" He snarled into the receiver.
"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed, Singh. Did I interrupt something?" Marcus snorted. "I wanted to know about Lakewood."
"Taken care of." He replied icily.
"I know. I'm calling people off the hunt for the attacker as we speak. What I want to know is did he see your face?"
"I assure you I am not an idiot."
"Just making sure, son."
He growled.
"Also, start packing. I'm granting your request. A ship is going to Deep Space K-7 on Monday with supplies. The Bradbury. Your ass is going to be on that ship under the guise of filling in for Lakewood and you will be gone two weeks. Week there, two days to get what you need and a week back."
"Why now?"
"Because it is convenient. I'm not deploying a ship solely to take you out into Klingon territory and put lives at risk for your ass."
"No, just so I can do research so you can start a war and kill thousands." Khan snipped.
"Careful Khan. So, how does it feel knowing the little slut of yours was screaming the name of a stranger last night? The name of a lie. Did you know she used to be a stripper?"
"I figured that out weeks ago." Khan hissed. It was true. A night job she didn't want to talk about, mentioning it paid the bills, the former best friend.
"Well, I found that out myself this morning when digging through her old records. How many others do you think she's made feel special? Like they were worth something. That they had her full attention. You know, the way you felt this morning when you woke up next to her? How many men do you think she made feel that way for just a few minutes when she was flirting and taking her top off for money?" Marcus sneered. "How many other men have seen her naked? Hundreds? A thousand? How many others have touched her body? I wonder if she enjoyed it. But you know what? You have to face it son, she will never love you. She will love John Harrison, not Khan Noonien Singh."
His stomach churned violently. He hung up, swore loudly and threw the phone against the couch.
"John?" Marla leaned out of the bedroom door, pants and shirt back on. "John. Is everything okay?"
He was breathing heavily as he turned to face her. He was determined to not think about it. He was determined to not think about other men's disgusting hands on her. Given the chance, he would shatter every single bone in the hands of the men who had touched her in that club until there was nothing left but shards.
"John…What's wrong? Something's happened." Marla rushed to him and began caressing his face. "What is it? Is it Amanda? Your siblings? Tell me." She looked up at him, her brown eyes full of worry.
"They are fine." His voice shook slightly as he pulled her close to him and stroked her hair. "That was Marcus."
"What did he want?"
"I have to go off planet again."
"But you just got home." Marla started, sounding confused.
"I assure you, I will not be gone that long this time. Only two weeks."
"Alright. I suppose you can't tell me where you're going?" She grimaced as she rubbed her hand up and down his broad chest.
"I can. I have to fill in for Lakewood on the Bradbury to take supplies out to DS K-7."
"That's Klingon territory." Marla sounded slightly alarmed.
"It is Federation space. Yes, there is a Klingon outpost close by, but it will be fine. The Klingons have only fired upon Federation vessels when provoked. I will do my best to make certain that Captain Abbott does not do anything to provoke them."
Marla looked away, concern still in her face.
"Marla…" He sighed as he pressed his mouth to the heel of her hand.
"Yes?" She looked up at him again.
"I realize I have to keep you in the dark about many things, but I do hope you realize I am being as honest as I possibly can with you about everything."
"I'm former military, John. I understand not being able to say anything." She spoke sternly. "I'm not going to press the issue if you can't tell me about what you're working on." She nuzzled his bare chest.
That was not what he meant at all. He was going to have to tell her eventually. Maybe. Well, once he found his crew and an escape plan. He supposed the only thing he could do was continue being himself and as honest as he could be about himself around her without putting her in the firing line and pray that when she did find out, she wouldn't run screaming in the opposite direction or be killed.
"What do you want to do today? And no, we are not staying in bed all day." She smiled and began tracing small circles on his chest.
Khan looked out the window, scanning.
"Might I use your shower? Then perhaps we can go out to your hometown."
"Why do you want to go out there?"
"Am I not allowed to see where you grew up?" He cocked his head slightly.
Marla looked up at the ceiling and closed her eyes, thinking.
"Fine." She sighed. "I'll give you the tour then." She chuckled. "Now either go shower or put some clothes on. Towels are under the sink."
Khan gently kissed her on the cheek before moving back towards the bathroom. At least in the little town, he would be able to see if they were being followed. He didn't see anything out of the ordinary out the window, then again, he wasn't looking very hard. His train of thought was momentarily interrupted by the strong smell of sex when he re-entered the bedroom. Marla followed soon after, her face said she smelled it too as she opened a window.
"Marla, are you also planning on showering?"
"Haven't thought of it, maybe after you get out."
"Shower with me, save water."
Marla started laughing.
"What's so funny? I'm trying to help you cut down on your water bill."
"Because if we shower together I have a feeling it's going to take three times as long. Go shower and I'll get in after you and shower while you get dressed and we'll go get something to eat and head out."
"As you wish."
Marla began stripping the bed while she heard the cabinet doors open and close in the bathroom. No, showering together when they were trying to get out the door was not a good idea. She wadded the sheets up and took them to the washing machine. She heard the water go on as she started stuffing the sheets in. She turned to find Napoleon sitting on the kitchen counter. Marla walked to the fridge and reached in for the bag of baby carrots and put a few out on the counter. The tribble eagerly scooted over and began munching happily. She smiled and walked back in the bedroom and began laying out her clothes. She made sure to include a scarf to cover her neck. Marla had a feeling make-up would irritate it.
The water turned off in the shower and Marla started digging for some type of air freshener in her dresser drawer. She finally found a wall plug in she got at the pharmacy and shoved it in the wall, hoping to dispel the musky sex smell from the room. The bathroom door opened and John came back in with a towel around his waist. He threw a small bag on the bed and started drying off.
Marla went to take her turn. As she turned on the water, she was grateful that John had left hot water for her. She scrubbed away at her skin and scalp, eager to go eat. Her stomach rumbled in confirmation. She hurriedly rinsed out her hair and shower gel off her skin and shut the water off.
She re-entered the room to find John was fully dressed and sitting on the edge of her bed. It made her wonder how he could possibly sit that straight up. His gold, blue and green eyes flicked over her.
"Where would you like to go eat?" He asked as she dried off, pulled on her clothes and started doing her makeup.
"Um…we can go to that place on the corner. They've got reasonable food."
"Reasonable?"
"Well, cheap prices and decent food. The rest around here is pretty expensive. But then again, it is San Francisco." Marla grabbed an infinity style scarf and wrapped it around her neck. She wrinkled her nose and began adjusting it, making irritated noises at the fact it didn't cover every little red mark.
He rolled his eyes behind her.
"You look fine."
"Hey, who's the one who made them in the first place?" She threw a look over her shoulder.
He smirked to himself.
"Let's go eat, I'm starving. Can you find Napoleon and put him away while I find my keys and everything?"
"Yes." He stood and left the room while Marla pulled her shoes on.
Adam Lakewood stirred in the hospital bed. His first sensation was shooting pain throughout his entire body. He cried out. He could barely move. What the hell happened? All he remembered was stumbling out of the party before feeling hands around his neck, being thrown to the ground and nothing. One of the nurses quickly entered the room.
"You're awake."
"PAIN." Lakewood managed.
"Yes, yes. Let's get you something for that."
"Why does everything hurt?" Lakewood was holding back tears as the nurse injected him with something.
"Because you have quite a few broken bones. You've been in surgery to repair and put rods and such in last night. You're going to need another one soon."
"What?"
"Let's see here…" The nurse pulled out her PADD and flipped through. "Knee caps, fibulas, tibias, right femur, the majority, if not all, of the metacarpals in your left hand, several ribs, right hip, coccyx, nose, clavicle, left scapula, left radius and ulna."
His mind attempted to process the information given to him as the pain began to dull and he felt himself float off into sleep again.
Khan glanced up from his food at the woman across the small table from him, idly spinning her straw in her iced tea.
"What?"
"Hm?"
"You're staring." She informed him.
"Am I?"
"Yes."
"Am I not permitted to look at you? Have you turned into Medusa and I am going to turn into stone?"
Marla laughed before she took another bite of her sandwich.
"So what do you want to do in my hometown?" Marla looked at him as she took a sip of her iced tea.
"Perhaps we could go for a proper look around the house with no police involved?" He grinned at her.
"Never going to live that down, am I?"
"Never. Arrested in your own house." He shook his head and chuckled.
"We weren't arrested." Marla scowled playfully at him.
His hand found hers and he squeezed it gently.
"I'm almost done, then we'll get going."
"No rush."
"So when are you leaving?"
"I'm not certain. Most likely tomorrow night to the space station to get the ship ready."
"Do you need a ride out to the yard?"
"Probably not. Marcus will likely send a car for me." He grumbled.
"You don't sound happy about that." Marla commented as she finished her sandwich and worked on her tea.
"I cannot complain."
Marla gave him a look.
"He watches me like a hawk." He finally grumbled.
"Why?"
"He does not trust me."
"You're his first officer." Marla looked confused. "Why would he not trust you? He appointed you. He is head of Starfleet, he has to have some faith in the people he hired." She stabbed her straw through the ice cubes.
"I do not know." He lied. "I think he's being overly cautious and paranoid about everything. It's driving me mad."
"Have you talked to Pike about it? Perhaps he could talk to Marcus." Marla fished out an ice cube and began crunching on it.
"No, I am not going to do that. I will handle this with him myself."
"Alright. Ready?" Marla set the empty glass on the table.
"Yes. Let's go." He stood and offered his hand. Marla's phone began ringing inside her pocket. She gave an apologetic look to him and dug it out. He sat back down as she answered it.
"Hello? Oh, Andrew. Hi. Are you on your lunch break? Yeah, they gave me the day off today…I see…yeah….yeah….Weren't you just up there? What the hell is Kirk doing to that ship to need you for more repairs?! They better give you a pay raise if you do work exclusively with the Enterprise…What do you mean you're considering transferring to the station? Drew-… ugh fine. We'll discuss it later. Yes, I'm at lunch with John….Shut up. No, shut up. Shut up or I'll go track down Janice…Because Kenny told me…Andrew everyone knows you are incapable of shutting up when you're drinking. No, I have to go. I'll talk to your tonight, I'll come over to your place when I get back. We're going out to the house…. Our house…The one we grew up in…Oh yeah, that one. Yeah. Okay, love you too, bye." She hung up. "My apologies."
"No reason to apologize. Shall we?"
"Yes."
Khan scanned the area as they walked out to the bike. Nothing out of the ordinary. People milling around the busy street, a homeless man sleeping in one of the narrow alleys between buildings. He was forced to stop when Marla handed him a helmet. He mounted the bike and held on to Marla as the bike hovered and they took off.
He appreciated that the way Marla had her mirrors positioned, he could see properly behind them. Cars followed and passed them, others turned off. It appeared no one was following them. He furrowed his brow and held on tighter as Marla took the exit.
He knew at the end of the trip to DS K-7, it was likely he would be thrown back into Hell. Back to working on whatever weapons Marcus wanted. Back to begging for the lives of his crew. Except now it was likely he was going to have to beg for Marla's life as well. Marla began squirming and he realized how hard he was squeezing her. He eased up as she pulled on to the side street and slowed in front of the house. She parked and unfastened her helmet. Khan pulled his off as well and handed it to her to take.
The house looked different in the daylight. Very calm, very serene in the suburb. He could now see the tree line back behind the house leading into the woods. It was surprising that the area had remained untouched by developers. There were a few cars in the gravel area on the side of the property outside the fence. Khan noticed that a small fence had been installed around the gardenia beds with signs instructing visitors to not touch the plants. The hole where he dug up the gardenia had been replaced with a wooden dowel rod. A couple of people were walking around outside.
Marla walked past him and up to the front door. He followed her up the steps and into the house.
"Hello, welcome to the McGivers House. Oh! Miss McGivers! I was told to expect you." A woman in a suit walked towards them and took Marla's hand from a desk area that he had failed to notice the last time. "It is an honor to be meeting you. I am Natalie." She smiled a giant fake smile that matched her dyed and highlighted hair. "And who is your…friend here?' The woman flicked her hair back over her shoulder and smiled a different smile. A rather flirty one and her entire stance changed.
"My boyfriend, Commander Harrison." Marla gave an equally fake smile, her brown eyes suddenly colder than stone. He could see where Annora and Tabitha got it from. "Natalie, I would like to go into the attic and basement and also out back if you don't mind."
"Oh I don't mind at all. Let me just call Miss Annora-"
"That won't be necessary. She has given me permission to have free roam of my home and property." Marla's fake smile never left her face. "I was just being courteous by telling you so you wouldn't be frightened if you hear any noises from those places."
"I'm sorry, your house? This is Miss Annora and Miss Tabitha's house." Natalie informed her with a snotty tone, smile still plastered on.
"I did grow up here, it is my family's home. It belongs to all of us. Now, if you'll excuse us." Marla tugged at his coat sleeve to follow her. "I believe Tabitha has told me the attic is untouched as is most of the basement except where you have been storing Christmas decorations."
"Yes, because no one has a key." Natalie's fake smile dropped. "So no one has been up there. President McGivers didn't even have a key."
Marla snorted as she climbed the stairs. Khan didn't look at Natalie's face as he went after her.
"Bitch." Marla muttered under her breath as she moved the rope barricading her former bedroom.
"And what exactly makes her a 'bitch'?"
"One, she was flirting with you, two, she threatened to call Annora, and three, she dared to try and tell me this wasn't my home."
Khan raised an eyebrow.
"Flirting?"
"Yes, she was flirting with you John."
Khan gave her a puzzled look.
"She was being nice."
"No. Men and women flirt very differently." Marla spoke as she dragged a chair to the wall and stood on it, reaching for a circle on the crown molding. "Women tend to use body language. Flipping their hair, smiling, giggling, the way they stand…the list goes on."
Khan blinked at her. She rolled her eyes and redirected her attention back up to the circle. She tugged at it with her nails and it popped out. Marla stood on her tiptoes and searched with her fingers before he heard a tiny scraping noise.
"Why does your family hide all their keys in the walls?"
"Dunno." Marla replaced the circle and turned to jump off the chair. Khan quickly stood in front of her and helped her off the chair. "Thank you. Alright, you're taller than I am, so I'm going to need you to do me a favor. Follow me." Marla put the chair back and walked out into the hallway. He followed and put the ropes back. Marla stood under a string hanging from the ceiling.
"You need me to reach that?"
"Please?" Marla grinned.
Khan reached up and pulled. A set of steps descended from the ceiling. There was a door at the very top.
"Thank you." Marla pulled herself up onto the steps and climbed up. Khan glanced around behind him and followed her once more.
Marla switched on a light, illuminating the attic. Everything in the attic was covered in a layer of dust. Things were covered in tarps and cloths, a stack of boxes were in one corner, furniture in another. Marla sighed beside him.
"It appears most of my belongings are up here, in those trunks over there." She gestured to two large steamer trunks with ancient yellowed labels with her name on it. "There's my old bed, my dresser…they must have cleaned out the apartment and moved most of it up here." Marla walked towards the corner. "Half of it has to be Andrew's." She muttered before resting her hands on the back of her head. She exhaled as she stopped in front of the pile.
"Is something wrong?"
"No." She sighed. "I'm just trying to figure out what to do. The attic needs to be cleaned, these piles need to be gone through. If there's anything of Scott's up here, they're going to want it downstairs or in some other museums or to put it up for auction."
Khan walked up behind her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. She patted his hand and looked up at him.
"You do not have to do this right now if you are not ready to."
"I know, but it needs to be done. I don't want Annora anywhere near any of this stuff or else everything is going to auction and Andrew and I are never going to see it."
"So what are you going to do?"
"Lock the attic back up, call Andrew and see if he can get a box truck when he gets off work, get everything out with him tonight and into a storage unit until we get everything sorted when he gets home."
"Do you still wish to go around town?"
"Not too far. I still want to go around the property. I saw the church is still here down the street and I want to drop by there. I need to call Tabitha and get her to keep Annora busy because I'm sure our darling Natalie downstairs has already called her. I should do that now."
"Alright."
"Go downstairs and find out if Natalie called her, please?" She gave a small smile.
"Aren't you worried she's going to, what was it, ah yes, flirt with me?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Smartass." She mumbled as he kissed her cheek.
"Everything will be fine."
"I know." She gave a reassuring smile.
"I'll be downstairs." He released her and descended back down the stairs as Marla pulled out her phone.
Marla sighed as she dialed Tabitha.
Tabitha's fingers flew over her keyboard. It was one event after another now that spring was here. They would just keep coming with the summer. The phone beside her rang. Tabitha groaned and picked it up.
"Tabitha Williams-McGivers."
"Hey, Tabitha, It's Marla."
"Hello there! What can I do?"
"I'm over at the house right now in the attic. I want to take everything out, put it in storage and sort through it with Andrew when he gets back from the space station. I just need to know I'm not going to run into issues with Annora. Natalie wanted to call her."
"Oh no, Annora has absolutely no say in the museum. It belongs to me and as do all the items inside. Natalie is an idiot."
"Ok. I'll go rescue John from her then."
"Commander Harrison is there with you?"
"Yes."
"So, there is a thing between you two." Tabitha leaned back in her leather desk chair.
"Yes." Marla grumbled.
Tabitha chuckled.
"You're absolutely sure that Annora cannot touch anything." Marla redirected the conversation, sounding annoyed.
"Yes. One hundred percent sure because they are technically and legally mine. Tell Natalie to call me when you get downstairs. I'll call you a moving truck and tell them to call you when they get there."
"Alright. I'll talk to you later then."
"Marla, I'll call Andrew for you. Would you like to try dinner again tonight with you and Commander Harrison?"
"I'll have to check with him. I see no problem with it. I know he does need to pack because he's going off planet in a few days. Marcus called and told him this morning."
"I see. Well, I'll fix dinner in the kitchen and you two can join me. Andrew too. Just call me when you're on your way."
"Alright. We are headed over to the church then and around to see the town."
"Good. I'll see you then. Bye."
"Bye."
Tabitha hung up and smiled.
Marla shut the light off, locked the door and went down the stairs. She could hear Natalie's flustered breathless voice downstairs talking about how long she had been working there as she put the trap door up. Marla paused before walking back into the master bedroom.
There were pictures of Scott and his wife everywhere. She recognized the bedspread as her parents. She hesitantly sat on the bed and looked out the window. She could remember sitting on the edge of the bed as her mother combed and braided her hair, lecturing her about prancing around in the mud with the boys and ruining her clothes. If anything if she was going to do that, then wear a bathing suit. Marla laughed at the memory. She leaned back on her hands. There used to be a tire swing on the oak tree out in the yard. She remembered pushing David and Scott on it when they were younger. She wiped away a stray tear from her eye. She wasn't going to cry here in the old bedroom.
She was slightly startled when she heard footsteps up the stairs.
"Marla?" She heard John call her name.
"I'm in here." She called back. He appeared in the doorway.
"Now what are you doing in here?" He leaned against the doorframe.
"Reminiscing."
"I see. Natalie didn't call Annora. What did Tabitha have to say?"
"That she owned everything and there was nothing Annora could do a damn thing about."
"Good. Let's call Andrew and go then. Natalie has been getting a little too friendly."
"How so?" Marla asked sharply.
"She tried to slip her phone number into my pants pocket. I informed her I was not and would not be interested. "
"Good. Tabitha wants to talk to her." Marla stood and smoothed out the bedspread. "I also want a word with the bitch."
"Marla."
"Yes?" She brushed past him and started down the stairs.
John gave her a look. She merely smiled back.
"Natalie, Tabitha wants you to call her immediately. Also, I will be informing her of your harassing guests of this museum. My advice is to keep your hands out of people's pockets." Marla snipped. Natalie's face was unreadable as Marla breezed past her.
Marla headed back towards the trees. She hardly noticed John behind her when she recognized the path. Did that mean the lake was still there? Her feet were flying beneath her as she took off down the narrow trail. She could see the lake through the trees, just at the bottom of the hill would be the clearing that led to the shore. Marla tripped on a root and slid and rolled down the hill, letting out a yell of surprise before hitting a pine tree. She groaned in pain as she lay still to recover from the hit.
"Marla!" John was beside her in what seemed to be a heartbeat.
"I'm fine." She waved him off as she started to get up. He ignored her and lifted her to her feet.
"What exactly did you think you were doing?" He scolded pulled pine needles out of her messy hair. "You could have snapped your neck."
"John, I'm fine. I've taken harder hits than that."
"You're bleeding." He commented as he looked over her palm.
"It's just scraped up skin. I'm not bleeding, it's pinprick of blood if even that. Calm down. I'll wash it out when we get to the church." Marla rolled her eyes as she shakily walked back to the path and proceeded to the water. She found a large rock and sat on it, looking out at the water. John settled himself beside her. The pair remained silent for a few minutes.
"What is this place to you?" He finally broke the silence.
"My little area. Whenever I wanted to escape my brothers I would come out here. The boys would always get lost if they tried to come down here by themselves, so it was a perfect hiding spot."
"You miss them."
"Terribly."
"You have Andrew still."
"I know." Marla stared out over the steely grey waters as they gently lapped at the shore. She could hear a loon in the distance and some ducks hiding in some tall grass. A second loon answered the first. John's hand found hers. They sat and listened to the two water birds calling after each other. "Well, shall we go find the church then?"
"Are you capable of remaining on your feet this time?"
"Shut up." Marla stood and walked towards the trail as he laughed and stood.
"Marla, come here." He was still giggling.
"Why?" She sighed.
"Just come here." He motioned, still standing by the water.
Marla cautiously made her way back to him.
"What?" John held a finger up to his mouth and crouched down.
"Look." He motioned towards the reeds where she had heard the duck to see a mother duck swimming in a circle with her eight brown and yellow ducklings behind her.
"Aw." Marla rested her hands on his shoulders.
"Marla, I understand how upset you are about your siblings. Are they buried at the church?"
"Yes."
"Are you going to go visit?"
Marla hesitated.
"I don't know." She finally admitted. John stood and faced her. He gently cupped her face and stroked her cheeks.
"It will help the healing process." He spoke to her softly. "It will be a hard wall to hit to see it, but once you accept it, you will begin to heal."
"I know."
"I will be with you if you need me to be, I will wait if you need to be alone. Tell me what you need when we get there, alright?" He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and kissed her.
"I want to wait for Andrew to go back to them." She murmured as he pulled away.
"Okay. That's okay. That's fine." He pulled her into an embrace.
"You know, you're nowhere as big of a cunt as I thought you were when we first met." She mumbled into his chest.
He stared down at her, unsure to take that as a compliment or not.
"It's a compliment, I promise." She mumbled, sensing his confusion.
"Lead the way back, then."
"Fine."
Andrew pulled up to the house. He took a deep breath as he parked behind the bike.
He was grateful to be off work early, not so grateful that Tabitha had called him to tell him about some stuff instead of Marla herself. Andrew wasn't even sure if they were still at the house or if they had gone to the church yet. The church was just about a quarter mile down the road. There were more houses in between than he remembered. The sweet smell of gardenias permeated the air, just as he remembered from childhood. Andrew had avoided this place for years. He hadn't know it existed still. The cemetery was the one place he absolutely refused to go. He didn't want to see everyone's names carved into stone. Everyone he held near and dear.
"Andrew!" His attention snapped to Marla as she jogged towards him. If he closed his eyes, he could still see her as a kid, running towards him with her braided hair, laughing and dragging him out to the backyard to show him that frog, Leif Erickson. Now she was an adult, her hair was no longer in braided pigtails, she was no longer wearing denim overalls, chucks and an oversized baseball hat, her face wasn't chubby anymore and her stupid boyfriend was trailing along behind her instead of David with a sippy cup.
"Hey Marls. Care to explain what's going on?"
"So, we need to move all our crap out of the attic. We're about to head over to the church. I would really like it if you came along. Also Tabitha wants us over for dinner."
"Does she?" John spoke behind her.
"Oh, yeah, forgot to mention that. Sorry."
"Marla, I don't know if I can go to the church." Andrew spoke under his breath to her.
"Andrew, please. We're here. We're together. We need to go."
Andrew looked away and brought his hand to his mouth, contemplating.
"Fine. I don't want John in the cemetery with us though. If I cry…I'll be damned if I cry in front of a co-worker." He finally answered.
"Fine. Let's go."
The three began walking down the road. Andrew and Marla occasionally pointed out things and memories. Khan merely listened. The church was stone and looked slightly out of place. The cemetery beside it seemed to stretch on and on. The trio entered through the large wooden doors. Khan looked through another set of open doors into the dimly lit sanctuary. Stained glass lined the walls all the way down, the pews were made out of a dark wood. His footsteps were muffled by the worn out and thin carpet covering the stone floor down the aisle. Khan approached the altar to examine the statues, candles, and carvings. The giant circular window of stained glass behind the altar emitted a faint blue and gold warm glow. The pulpit was intricately carved out of what he believed to be oak. It was a beautiful place. A brown stain was visible where there was a slight turn up in the carpet. It wasn't rust. Old blood that must have soaked through the carpet. Curious.
He turned to find Marla beside him. He automatically wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
"It's beautiful here."
"I know. We grew up in this church, attended weddings and funerals and celebrations…I was supposed to get married here." She rested her head against him.
"I say once more, he was an idiot. But if he were not a massively inferior idiot, I would not be here with you." He rubbed her arm lightly. Marla approached the large, brass votive candle rack next to the altar. She shoved some money in the box and lit a thin taper candle from the pillar candle next to it. She began lighting candles on the bottom row. Khan watched her light eight candles.
"We're going out back." Marla spoke quietly. "Andrew is speaking with the secretary now."
"Do you need me to come?"
"Andrew would prefer it if you didn't. He wants privacy."
"I understand."
"You can come with us in, but I would suggest keeping a distance. Um, they told us in the office there aren't plots, but there is a mausoleum in the very back that Scott commissioned for the family. I don't know why he needed to do that-"
"To keep Kayla's family from trying to desecrate our graves as they did over the years according to the secretary." Andrew grunted as he approached, his voice echoing. "They wanted to bury him in Arlington, but he insisted on being buried here so there's security at the entrance. We're waiting on the secretary to accompany us out. Apparently most of the family is in there. Oh look, they missed a spot of Lee's blood." He noticed the stain on the stone and pushed back the ripped up carpet with his foot further.
Marla cringed. Khan squeezed her gently while feeling rather confused. Why was her former fiancé bleeding in church?
"I'll be right outside if you need me." He murmured to her.
"We won't." Andrew interjected rudely.
"Drew." Marla reprimanded.
"Alright, so you are members of the McGivers family." The church secretary and another older man in coveralls with a toolbox entered and spoke to them. "Welcome." She extended her hand to all of them. "This is Jack, cemetery curator. He oversees the cemetery and funerals and upkeep of the older gravesites and mausoleums."
"Pleasure." The man also extended his hand to shake.
"May I ask what the toolbox is for?" Khan questioned.
"With every new curator, there is a letter passed down over the years and we have all been given very special instructions if these two show up." Jack grunted as they started walking out.
Khan gave him questioning look.
"I'll tell you in a minute." Jack cleared his throat and hocked a wad of phlegm out to the side.
Marla moved to Andrew's side and held on to his hand, swinging it slightly. Andrew gave her a reassuring look. Various gravesites were strewn with Easter flowers and pastels and white lilies. A tiny stuffed toy rested on a tiny headstone. Khan redirected his attention back to the group. Various trees were planted. Some young, some gnarled with age, buds beginning to form.
Finally, they came to the great marble vault built into the hill. The name McGivers was carved at the top, Celtic knots adorning the metal grates over the door.
"It goes back in pretty deep and down." Jack grunted as he pulled out an old key and fitted it into the lock. "Haven't been in since we put Peaches' sister in a few years ago. Drug overdose."
"I'll be right here." Khan nodded as Marla glanced back at him.
Jack pushed the grates aside and began fiddling with another more complicated lock on the inner door. The door swung open and the three walked in. The secretary nodded and began walking back to the church.
Marla kept close to Andrew in the darkness. Jack fiddled around and managed to get some lights on. There was yet another set of doors that he opened and led them into a round room. There were plates on the wall with names she didn't recognize, remains of the names behind each one. Slightly raised marble slabs laid in the floor, with recognizable names and Celtic crosses engraved on each one. She swallowed hard and glanced around. There was a small room across the rotunda. She approached cautiously. Inside were headstones laid out along with the solid marble burial vaults from the graves Scott had exhumed and moved into the mausoleum. A few were damaged and broken. Marla once again swallowed hard when she realized at least five of the damaged headstones belonged to her and Andrew. Kayla's family no doubt.
She knelt in front of the first one of hers. It was a red stone, carved into the shape of a heart. Strawberries were etched around the edges and the US Army crest was carved at the bottom. She felt the tears begin to form. It was gorgeous. Then she noticed the scratches, the chunks taken out of it, the giant crack at the bottom. The words "BITCH" "WHORE" "CUNT" scratched into it. The tears began to fall as she recognized the handwriting as Kayla's. What the hell did she ever do to Kayla? What did she do to deserve the pure hatred from the woman? She glanced down the line. The others were exactly the same as the first in design. A few were completely cracked into multiple pieces, as if hit by a car, more graffiti and finally the last one looked just about untouched.
Andrew's were the same. His headstones were made out of a black stone, almost mirror-like. There were no designs save for the large gold and black, save for the American flag, Navy insignia inlaid in the stone. The last one was missing.
She felt a had on her shoulder. She turned to see Andrew.
"Come on." He motioned with his head. "Jack needs us."
Marla turned and followed him. Jack stood next to one of the raised slabs, his tools out and dust covering the surrounding area. He was panting and wiped his forehead. Marla looked down at the name. It was hers. Marlena McGivers. The dates , the Cross and an Army inset similar to what was on Andrew's headstone.
"Alright, one of you go get that other one you had with you, it's going to take a few of us to get this moved." Jack grunted.
Andrew walked out to retrieve John as Marla looked away and began finally forcing herself to examine each stone. Scott and his wife laid side by side, as did David and his wife. A large red, white and blue wreath lay on Scott's grave. Then her mother and father and her paternal grandparents. Andrew's laid next to hers.
"What we've been told is to open this sucker up when you two came back. It was a very secret thing that you two were frozen. I mean, there were rumors flying around when the President built this damn thing. You know, conspiracy theories and shit. I don't know what's in here, but all I know is we gotta get it out." Jack coughed. "We just tell tourists that he built it to keep people from fucking around with your two graves. I mean, you saw the headstones."
John and Andrew walked back in. John looked to her immediately.
"You two, get over here. You stand back little lady."
"Little lady?" Marla growled.
"Shouldn't have said that Jack-o." Andrew laughed as he gripped the edge .
"Move, I'll show you fucking little lady." Marla snarled at him and he moved over.
"One, two three lift." Jack grunted as they lifted the slab and moved it aside. "Easy, easy, easy down. Watch your hands and toes."
"Why is there a casket in there?" Marla panted.
"Well, we had to have something. Army wanted it shut up."
Marla crouched down and felt along the sides.
"There's a lock. Jack, do you have a key?"
"You really want to open up a two hundred and fifty year old casket." Andrew stared at her in disbelief.
"Well then, help me get it out! There's a reason Scott wanted us to dig 'me' up so…" Marla flailed her arms in frustration at him.
"Come on, Marla." John grunted, drawing her attention as he grabbed the handel. Marla turned and spread her arms as John had and lifted with him, feeling something shift inside and nearly dropping it.
"Marla, you're fine, it's fine." John reassured her as they set it on the other side of the vault lid.
"Oh, yeah, there's nothing fucking in there my ass!" Marla snarled at her brother.
"There shouldn't be!"
"Either way I don't have a key." Jack snorted.
"Perhaps you should…I don't know…Check the walls?" John commented snidely.
"Shut up!" Marla snapped at him.
"Actually…" Andrew began walking around the walls and feeling them. John rolled his eyes.
"John, help me look." Marla sighed as she ran her fingers through her hair.
"Those seals seemed awfully loose. Figured it was from age." Jack suggested.
Marla hesitantly bent over and gave a tug on the Army emblem. Indeed it shifted. She tried twisting it and it rotated as if screwed in. She kept twisting until the seal came off completely. She turned it over in her hand, feeling the weight of the metal. There was a slot on the underside. She handed it to Jack to get open.
"Here you go." Jack tossed her a small key.
"Andrew, open it." Marla spoke nervously tried to hand him the key.
"It's your casket, you open it." Andrew muttered and pushed it back towards her.
"I found the key. You open it."
"Oh for the love of…" Jack trailed off into curses as he snatched the key from the siblings and fiddled with the lock. There was a small click and he opened the lid. "Good news, it's not a body." He grunted.
"Oh thank god." Marla muttered under her breath.
"Here." Jack handed the key back to Andrew and shuffled to the door. "I'll be out smoking if you need me."
Marla hesitantly approached the casket.
"You know, I picked this one out." Andrew coughed and pointed at the casket. "David wanted some vile hot pink one and Dad wanted some ugly grey one.
"It's nice. Thank you Andrew." She said awkwardly as she patted the lid.
"You're welcome."
Marla inhaled deeply before walking around to see the contents. Inside lay a few things. One was a jewelry music box she recognized as her grandmothers, a manila envelope, three boxes and two stacks of books bound together with something Marla could no longer identify.
"Well…what should we do with it?" Marla finally spoke.
"Open them I guess." Andrew reached down for the music box and opened the lid. A creaking tune of Clair de Lune tinkled slowly. "Mom and Grandma's jewelry is in here so I guess this is for you."
"There's a computer chip thing and what looks to be a key in here." Marla opened the envelope.
"Photos and more photos in the boxes."
"I don't want to open those books right now." Marla glanced at Andrew.
"I'm going to go get the car and pull up so we can put this stuff in there. Also, Marla, I want you to take my car while I'm off planet."
"Why?"
"Because I would feel better if you had my car as opposed to that fucking bike."
"I don't have a drivers license, just the motorcycle one."
"That counts as both in this day and age." Andrew dismissed. "Take the damn car and I'll take the bike and park it in my garage."
"Fine."
"Good. I'll be right back."
Marla watched Andrew leave before she sank down to sit on his empty tomb. John settled beside her and pulled her to his side.
"How are you feeling?" He asked as he brushed some dust off her shoulder.
"Hanging in there." She sighed and patted his knee.
"Will you stay the night at my apartment tonight?"
"Why?"
"Because it is my last night on Earth for a few weeks and I would prefer to spend it with you rather than alone." He stated matter-of-factly. "And I would feel more comfortable knowing you were not alone after how emotional a day this is turning out to be."
"I'll have to see how I feel after dinner, okay?"
He didn't answer.
Marla made an irritated noise.
"I heard you. I did not think that statement required an answer." He responded without looking at her.
"Whatever. You pissed?"
"No. Why would I be angry if you don't feel like staying the night at my apartment?"
"Just checking to make sure you weren't sulking."
"I assure you I'm not. Would your former fiancé get angry if you did not wish to spend the night when he desired it?"
"Occasionally he would get moody about it, yes."
He turned to look at her with a confused face.
"Why? If you don't feel like it, you don't feel like it. You are not obliged to spend the night anywhere. I would be disappointed, yes, but I would get over it. He was being childish."
"I'm sorry."
"You don't have to apologize. Look at me. He's dead. He's not going to come back and bite you. I am not him nor will I ever treat you in the poor ways he treated you."
Marla looked slightly embarrassed. He gently kissed her temple as the car pulled up outside. The car door slammed and Andrew entered moments later.
"Hey, movers are at the house and Tabitha is with them." Andrew motioned back with his thumb and cleared his throat. "I'll…uh…I'll get this stuff and put it in the trunk. Marla you can drive over so you can get used to driving again."
"Do you need help?"
"No, I got it." Andrew grunted as he gathered it all up in his arms and carried it out.
"What are we going to do about this?" Marla stood and sighed as she motioned to the mess on the floor.
"You two go back. I will help Jack and walk back." John muttered to her.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Go take care of what needs to be taken care of." He gave her a quick peck on the lips and she walked out.
Khan quickly checked the casket to make sure nothing was left before he closed it and slid it back into the vault.
Jack walked back in as the car pulled away.
"We need some other people to help get that back on."
"No, we can do it. You come and take that end." Khan grunted as he prepared to do the majority of the lifting.
After the slab was in place, Khan made certain Jack closed everything back up tight before heading back to the house.
Khan strolled back along the road. He couldn't sense if anyone was following him or if it was just some animal off in the bushes. He had his money on the latter. He could see the box truck as he drew nearer, men moving things out and Tabitha supervising. Natalie sat beside her, not looking happy. He suspected Tabitha had read her the riot act. He managed to sneak past and make his way into the house, up the stairs and into the attic where the McGivers siblings were directing movers. The attic was nearly half empty.
"Get lost?" Andrew commented. Khan chose to not respond, but instead grabbed the nearest box.
"No, We're not taking Scott's stuff just yet. We're getting ours out first and then coming back for the rest at a later date." Marla explained.
He put the box back down and Marla grabbed and squeezed his hand. She wrapped her arms around his waist and rest her head on his chest. He held her tightly.
"I don't want to be alone tonight." She muttered quietly to him as Andrew started directing the next wave of movers.
"Alright."
"But…I also need to stop by the apartment before going to your place and we still need to go to Tabitha's. Andrew isn't coming. He's going to take the truck to his storage unit. He needs to leave in the morning for the space station."
"That is fine." Khan was suddenly very grateful he had done his laundry and sheets and cleaned the apartment before going to Marla's the previous night. "I apologize, I did not know coming ere would lead to such stress."
"It's alright. We wouldn't have known about this stuff up here if we didn't come. Next time, we'll go tour the town, deal?" Marla looked up at him. He responded with a gentle kiss.
Andrew climbed back up and cleared his throat. Marla turned to look at him.
"If you vomit-inducing lovebirds are finished, we have more boxes to go down."
"Drama queen." Marla muttered under her breath as she rolled her eyes and went to help. Khan followed after her and picked up the box next to her.
As he passed the box to a mover, he suddenly began to worry. What if Marcus did something to her while he was gone? Clearly the man wasn't happy with the situation and had been doing a good number of things to discourage it. What if he decided to punish him instead of her by killing his crew? His blood ran cold. Surely he wouldn't resort to something that drastic. But this was Marcus they were speaking of. The man had ice in his veins and soul. What if he decided to subject her to torture?
"Commander, are you alright? You don't look too well. Very pale." Tabitha laid a hand on his forehead before he could stop her. "You aren't running a fever…go sit. I heard you were moving tombstones or something around."
"I assure you, I am fine." Khan argued.
"Alright then."
"John, be nice." Marla commented as she passed. "One more trip and we'll be done. Then we'll drive to Tabitha's."
"Marla, you two go sit. Andrew, you too. Go on, go sit in the living room." Tabitha shooed them away.
As the trio settled onto the couch, Khan allowed himself to once again fantasize about all the ways he could possibly torture Marcus before killing him. He already decided the man must die the second he regained his crew. He was too involved in his sadistic fantasies to notice Tabitha had come back in and was holding a discussion. Perhaps he could set Marcus in front of a mirror so he could properly see every little thing Khan was going to do to him.
He was torn from his thoughts as Marla touched his arm, signaling it was time to go.
Andrew watched the pair go out to the car.
"I swear he's like a puppy following her around." He shook his head and looked at Tabitha. "Can you believe they hated each other when they first met?"
"Really?" Tabitha looked at him.
"Mhmm. Took them a bit to warm up to each other and now they're best friends, fucking, and spending the day together."
"Thanks for sharing." Tabitha wrinkled her nose.
"Amanda will take the credit."
"I'm sure she'll be over the moon."
"Oh she is. I told her last night on the phone."
"Andrew, are you sure you can't come for dinner? We're ordering pizza."
"I need to get this to storage. Luckily, the guys showed me how the truck unloads itself."
"Really now?"
"Yes."
"Hm. Alright. Come here and give me a hug." Tabitha reached out and Andrew hugged her. "You be safe and be safe on the station."
"I will be."
"Good." Tabitha rubbed his back before releasing him.
Tyrone's leg jiggled under the table. Marie was taking a while in the bathroom. He had insisted on taking her to dinner to the diner where they had their first date. He had planned to propose later that night, but the ring box was beginning to feel heavy in his pocket.
He slid his hand in his box to check for what seemed like the thousandth time to make sure it was still there. Tyrone's head snapped up as Marie approached the table. The diner was buzzing with business that night. Now was as good of time as any.
"Marie, don't sit down."
"Hm?" She stared at him. She looked beautiful in the black and white dress with a red ribbon around her waist.
"Attention, everyone!" Tyrone stood and addressed the diner. A quiet fell over the guests. "I'm sorry for interrupting your dinners, but I have an announcement. I am madly in love with this woman right here in front of me. Without her, I am nothing. She is my morning, my night, my sun, my moon. And I hope, she will be my bride."
Marie's face was that of shock as he knelt to the ground.
"Marie Fireblood, my goddess of the Lakota nation, will you marry me?"
Tears began rushing down her cheeks as she nodded.
"Yes. Yes, god yes." Marie managed as he placed the ring on her finger. The diner erupted in applause as he picked her up in a hug. She squealed and kissed him hard.
"Dessert's on me, kids. Congrats." The waiter grunted from behind the counter.
Marla yawned as she crawled into bed beside John. Dinner was eventful, what with getting a call from Marie, screaming that she was engaged and then having her phone explode from calls from Amanda and Scarlett. Napoleon was trilling from the vent next to the bed. John had offered to let her bring the tribble along for the night.
After practically demolishing the pizza Tabitha had ordered and getting her things from her apartment, the pair had sat on the couch watching travel shows and talking about the events of the day until they both agreed it was getting difficult to stay awake. She had made sure John packed while she supervised from the bed and made certain despite his protests that he had enough warm clothes.
John's fingers traced patterns on her arm as he laid beside her.
"Are you sure you have enough warm clothes?"
"Yes, Marla." He groaned and rolled over on his back.
"I just don't want you getting sick again."
"Again?"
"Yes, Admiral Marcus said you got sick last time because you ignored the warning about the cold."
"I promise I am not going to get sick this time." He reassured her.
"Good."
"I'm glad you came." He murmured to her as he pulled her close and nestled his face in her hair, inhaling the now familiar scent.
"Me too. Ugh, I am exhausted." She sighed as she shifted positions. He rested his head on her chest and she gently rubbed his back.
"As am I."
"We should probably sleep then."
"Mhmm." He inhaled and exhaled against her skin.
"We aren't going to be able to talk for two weeks, are we?" Marla played with his hair.
"I'll figure something out." He mumbled. "Do not fret."
"Who says I'm fretting?"
"The fact you've asked me three times if I have enough warm clothes." He teased as he lifted his head.
Marla made an annoyed noise.
"It will be fine. Go to sleep. Goodnight." John kissed her and moved so he was once again beside her. He held out his arm.
"Goodnight." She closed her eyes and snuggled into his warm body and drifted off to sleep.