Chapter Four
Kyle awoke to the feeling of strong, but soft hands gently massaging the sensitive muscles in his back, two strong, clawed thumbs gently rubbing on either side of his spine. He smiled happily at the feeling as the warmth of his mate's mind flowed into his.
Good morning, my beautiful Kyle. Kyle chuckled as Sophie massaged his back.
"Handsome". Men are handsome, Sophie . . . Kyle corrected. Sophie replied by wrapping her arms gently around his neck and purring as she nuzzled his face.
Why? Why can't a man be beautiful? Sophie replied, clearly amused. Kyle didn't have a good retort. Sophie purred happily as she nuzzled the one she loved. And you are beautiful, my Kyle.
Kyle chuckled as he felt Sophie very gently pull him against her as she rolled to the side. Kyle reveled in the feeling as the warmth of their bodies mingled as she held her Kyle against her. Sophie placed a gentle kiss on his cheek as her tail wound around his waist. Kyle gently kissed one of Sophie's hands as they snuggled, to which Sophie purred deeply. Kyle sighed as he reflected on the wonderful relationship they shared.
Every day, in every way, he knew he was blessed. Because of The Bond, their minds were so closely linked, they could feel each others feelings. Although they occasionally disagreed, they never argued or fought like some human couples did. Hurting one's feelings would be hurting both.
Sophie purred as she stroked Kyle's hair. The thought of hurting her beloved, in any way, was so abhorrent to Sophie, it made her sick. The same was true of Kyle. They loved each other deeper and more fully than two humans ever could. Kyle smiled as Sophie's tail gently brushed his cheek.
In spite of her appearance, Sophie's exoskeleton was actually covered by a layer of skin, and was rather flexible. Although her coloring was primarily an obsidian-black, Sophie had developed highlights that were a very dark blue. Especially in the skin that covered the top of her head.
As well, Sophie was very warm. Even on a cold day, when he was in Sophie's arms, he felt as warm as if he was wrapped up in a heating blanket. It wasn't just physical warmth, but mental, as well. When Sophie's mind embraced him, he could feel her all around him, enshrouding him in warmth, safety and love. Sophie purred as she brushed Kyle's lips with her own. Kyle gazed lovingly at his mate through lidded eyes.
As much as I'd love to stay like this the rest of the day, we have to get up. Sophie knew he was right, but she gave a disappointed whine, nonetheless. Kyle chuckled and kissed her again as they got up.
As they entered the living room, Kyle and Sophie were not too surprised to find Sam already up. Currently, she was looking at one of the paintings on the walls. Kyle smiled as Sam admired one of the watercolors.
"Good morning." he greeted. Sam was a little startled as she turned. She smiled as she turned her wheelchair to face them.
"Good morning. I was just taking a closer look at these paintings." Kyle smiled and Sophie purred.
"Ah, an art person." Kyle observed. Sam smiled.
"Kind of. These are lovely." Kyle's smile grew. Sophie purred gently as she placed a hand on his shoulder.
Kyle, I'd like to show her the studio. Kyle looked at her for a second before smiling. He looked at Sam.
"Sophie would like to show you upstairs." Sam smiled and nodded. Sophie wound her tail around Sam's waist and carefully lifted her out of her wheelchair, helping support her as she led her to the stairs, Kyle following. Sam smiled as she looked at the stairs.
"I think I can do this." Kyle watched, looking just a little worried.
"Remember to take it easy," he reminded. Sam nodded as Sophie began to go up the stairs, her tail still around Sam's waist as she carefully took each step. It was slow, but Sophie reassured Sam with a gentle trill. Sam was a little winded, but very proud when she finally made it to the top. Sophie took her down the hall and into a room. Sam stared at what she saw.
The room was lit by northern light. A small round table sat in the middle of the room. There were two chairs and several stools here and there. Sitting on stands and dressers were sculptures of various types, and paintings sat against walls. A chest of drawers was still open, tubes of paint and brushes easily visible. Sam blinked as she slowly walked into the room with Sophie's aid. Sam could smell the scent of oil paint in the air. Sam was speechless as she stared at the paintings, many of which she recognized.
The striking use of light and shadow and the imagery was unmistakable. Sam turned back, her eyes wide as she stared at Kyle.
"I . . . don't believe it. You're . . . Trevor Stone?" Kyle smiled sheepishly and scratched behind his head.
"Um, "Trevor" is my middle name. I don't remember where I got "Stone" from . . ." Sam almost fell down. Sophie hissed softly as she kept her upright. She couldn't believe it.
Trevor Stone was one of the most famous of the New Age artists. His works had been show in galleries on Earth. He was best-known for his biomechanical paintings and his surrealistic touch.
Despite that fame, nobody knew anything about him, or even if it was a him. Trevor Stone never made any public appearances or came to any showings of his work. Sam smiled as she shook her head.
"Oh my god. I can't believe this. I love your work! The way you control light and shadow is so smooth and subtle! The way you blend flesh and machine is so astounding!" Kyle felt his cheeks warm as he looked abashed.
"Um . . . thanks. Glad you like it." Sam was beaming.
"I just can't believe it. And your sculpture is just as amazing! I just love your work." Kyle chuckled and Sophie purred.
"I'm not the sculptor . . ." Sam raised an eyebrow. She looked at Sophie, who smiled and her jaw dropped.
"Holy . . ." Sam was dumbstruck. Kyle walked forward, his hands in his pockets.
"Sophie can't see colors like we can. But, she can feel very well, so sculpture is easy for her." Sam looked at a beautiful statue standing on chest of drawers and looked at Sophie, who smiled as she tilted her head. Sam looked at several paintings, sitting against a wall. She looked at Kyle.
"May I?" Kyle smiled and nodded. Sam walked over and picked one up. It was one of Kyle's biomechanical paintings. Looking closely, she could see similarities to how Sophie looked. Sam looked through the paintings until she came to one she knew very well.
It was a painting of a woman with long black hair against a background of skeletal trees at night. Her eyes were striking, because they were all black. The whole painting had an eerie feeling to it, but also was very beautiful. "The Lady . . ." Sam breathed, not believing what she was holding.
"You know that one?" Kyle asked, seeming interested. Sam stared at the painting in her hands.
"Yes. When I first saw it, I was so struck by it . . ." Kyle smiled warmly.
"Keep it." Sam's head whirled around, her long black hair swinging.
"No. No, I couldn't. This is famous! This is-"
"Our gift to you." Sam blinked as Sophie nodded her agreement. Sam stared at the famous painting in her hands. It was worth hundreds of thousands of credits off-world, let alone the worth there on Zerichs II. Sam felt tears well up as she looked at Kyle and Sophie.
"Oh, you guys . . ." Sam wrapped her arms around Kyle and Sophie both, who gladly returned the embrace. Sam smiled at Sophie's purr. When she pulled back, she stared at her new gift, awestruck at it. "I always wanted to ask, who is . . ." Sophie purred softly. Sam looked at her, then Kyle.
"I couldn't paint Sophie how she is, but I could do something inspired by her." Sam smiled and shook her head. Kyle smiled and patted Sam on the shoulder. "Come on. Let's go get some breakfast."
At the table, Sam seemed to glow with life as she downed her breakfast. Kyle smiled, happy to see her getting back on track. Already, Kyle noticed Sam's energy increasing and her overall health improving. Sophie purred as her tail gently draped over Kyle's shoulders, the tip resting over his heart.
Kyle, I'm so happy to see Sam getting better. Kyle smiled as he gently stroked Sophie's tail.
So am I. I'm also glad to see you so happy to have a friend. Indeed, Kyle was elated to see Sophie able to talk to and bond with another female. Since Sophie's kind were all female anyway, female-female bonding and friendships were the norm. Sophie purred as she finished her meal. Sam sighed as she finished her breakfast.
"Kyle, you should be a chef in a five-star restaurant. Your cooking is that good!" Kyle felt his cheeks flush a little as he scratched behind his head.
"I'm not that pretentious. I just cook good food that tastes good and is filling." Sam smiled at his words.
That you do, my wonderful mate. Sophie purred as she nuzzled him.
"Kyle, would you and Sophie mind taking me to my boat? I need to check inside and see how messed up things are." Kyle smiled as Sophie purred.
"Not at all."
After they had cleared the table, they traveled the short distance to the glade where they had placed Sam's boat, The Bogart. Sophie held Sam to her back as she climbed up and onto the deck of Sam's boat and entered the cabin. Sam sighed as she inspected the damage. Thankfully, Sam had invested in waterproof electronics and other gear. It just made sense on a boat. Most of the glass of the cabin was shattered, but that wasn't too bad. It was fixing the hull that made Sam nervous.
Sam directed Sophie down below deck, to her quarters. Sam had lived on her boat, so most of, if not all of her personal possessions were there. Sam's frown deepened as she inspected her quarters.
The bed was still pretty wet, but that could be dried out. Sophie let Sam off her back, but held her with her tail. Sam noticed a chest that was still closed and intact. She sighed with relief. Everything else she could replace. The contents of the chest, not so much. Sophie softly hissed as she stopped Sam from trying to lift it herself, picking up the chest and setting it on the bed. Sam smiled at her.
"Thank you, Sophie." Sophie gave a soft moan and nodded. Sam opened the chest and was elated to see that everything inside was safe and dry. She reached in and pulled out something metal.
Sophie tilted her head at the soft sound of small bells. Sam smiled as she pulled out what looked like a lace made from metal, covered with tiny bells, beads and other dangling metal pieces. Sam's smile spoke of sweet memories as she gazed at the beautiful belt. Sophie moaned softly as she came closer, gazing at the belt in Sam's hands. Sam smiled as she handed it to Sophie. She purred as she took it from Sam and held it up. Sophie smiled as she lightly shook the belt, the bells giving a lovely sound. Sam sighed happily as Sophie returned it to her.
Sam had been about to return it to the chest, but instead fastened it around her waist. Sophie watched, curious as Sam did this. She was amazed when Sam lightly shook her hips, and the bells jingled beautifully. They both smiled as Sophie pulled Sam onto her back and picked up the chest and returned to the deck. Sophie carefully handed the chest to Kyle, then climbed down. Kyle smiled at them. Sam looked even more happy than before.
"Since we're so close, how would you like to see our boat?" Sam blinked.
"You have a boat?" Kyle nodded. Sam smiled as they went into the spire and Kyle left the chest inside The Talon as they followed the path downward towards their aqua-farm, before taking a sharp turn. They ended out in a cave in the cliffs where a small catamaran was waiting on the sand of the cave. Sam smiled at the little sailing boat. Although primarily wind-powered, it also had one of the small, bladeless, ionium engines that many boats had. Sophie helped him to push it into the water. Sam smiled as they got on and Kyle fired up the engine.
Sam smiled at the bubbling of the ionized water as they were propelled out into the waves. Kyle then hoisted the sails and the wind began to carry them out. Sam smiled as she felt the warmth of the sun on her face. Since it was the middle of spring, there still was a hint of coolness to the air, but was pleasantly warm. Kyle laughed as they sailed out onto the beautiful blue waves.
Zerichs II was an oceanic wonderland. From its founding, the Zerichs government had been very strict about environmental laws, lest they repeat the tragedy that ruined Earth. All engines had to either be ionium, that ionized the water into vapor that went back into the atmosphere, or the blades had to be covered with a cage. Violations of the law were punished with astronomical fines. It was because of laws like these, and the strict adherence to them, that had made Zerichs II both a paradise to people, and a nightmare for corporations like Weyland-Yutani.
Sophie looked at Kyle and smiled.
Kyle, let's show Sam the shipwreck. I think she'd love to see it. Kyle agreed. He looked back at Sam and smiled.
"How would you like to see something neat?" Kyle asked. Sam smiled and nodded as Sophie purred. Kyle directed the boat along the shore and Sam was able to admire Eramore Island.
The cliffs were a good hundred-and-fifty feet high at least, and the trees at the tops of the cliffs looked another hundred feet. From the sheer rock faces, Sam could see how the island had gained a reputation for isolation. For a boat, there was almost no place to land. At least, not safely.
"This is beautiful." Kyle smiled back at Sam.
"It is. Here we are!" Kyle smiled as he dropped the sails and they gradually slowed to a stop. He motioned for Sam to come forward. "Look down there." Kyle pointed below the surface. Sam did, and gasped at what she saw.
It was a galleon, made from wood. It was encrusted with coral, but it was still beautiful, nevertheless. Kyle chuckled as he watched Sam's reaction. "Sophie found it." Sam looked at Sophie, who purred. "She was looking for places prawns and clams and other fish might hide when she stumbled on it." Sam smiled at the beautiful find.
Given the exceptionally large amount of ocean on Zerichs II, the locals had a love of boats.
As such, it wasn't surprising that they had remade some of the most classical sailing ships, such as the galleon. They were still in use, mostly as pleasure vessels. Sam looked at Kyle, her eyes filled with wonder.
"This is amazing." Kyle nodded.
"Would you like to go down and see it closer?" Sam blinked. Kyle pulled out a re-breather and offered it. Sam smiled and pulled the unit on, putting the mouthpiece in as Sophie wrapped her tail around her. She removed her belt and handed it to Kyle as she and Sophie dove in. Kyle smiled as he watched from the edge of the boat.
Sam was amazed as she dove, Sophie pulling her along as they swam closer to the wreck. Sam could clearly see the nameplate on the bow. The Mandolin. Sam was awed as Sophie pulled her with her as they investigated the deck. Colorful fish swam by as they neared the broken remains of the mast. Sam guessed that the ship had been there for at least a hundred years. She wondered if Kyle and Sophie had claimed salvage rights on it.
Swimming over the other side, Sam could clearly see where the side of the ship had been smashed on the rocks of the cliff faces. As beautiful as they were, wooden ships still were more fragile than their steel and titanium counterparts. As they neared the bow, Sam could see the figurehead. It was a woman, holding a bouquet of flowers. She was awed at the whole experience. Sam motioned towards the surface and Sophie nodded, heading back towards the catamaran and the surface. Sam sighed as she broke the surface and pulled the mouthpiece out.
"That was amazing!" Kyle smiled as Sophie pulled Sam out of the water with her.
"Glad you liked it." Sam beamed as Kyle offered her belt to her.
A short time later, Sam and Sophie had dried off as they just drifted and admired the sea as the sun warmed them. Currently, Sam sat next to Kyle as Sophie lay stretched out on the front of the boat, both napping and sunning herself. In the sunlight, Sam was able to fully see the deep-blue highlights of Sophie's exoskeleton. Particularly the smooth carapace of her head. There was such an elegant grace and beauty to her. Sam had never seen anything like it. She looked at Kyle and noticed how he gazed at Sophie so lovingly. She smiled.
"It's so amazing." Kyle looked at her.
"What is?" Sam brushed a strand of raven-black hair from her face.
"You and Sophie. How you two communicate, how you work together. I don't think I've ever seen two people get along as well as you do." Kyle smiled warmly.
"Thanks, Sam." Sam took a breath of the fresh ocean air.
"There are so many questions I want to ask you about it . . ." Kyle looked at her.
"Go ahead. I don't mind." Sam nodded.
"When did it start?" Kyle sighed softly as he looked up at the fluffy white clouds in the sky.
"Pretty much as soon as she was inside me." Sam blinked and Kyle chuckled. "I didn't know that at the time, and it always was when I was asleep. I thought it was some wonderful dream." Sam smiled at his soft smile.
"What is it like?" Kyle sighed softly as he looked down at his beloved, sleeping peacefully.
"Warm. A feeling of warmth. Like you're wrapped in a warm, soft blanket." Kyle chuckled.
"I later learned that was what Sophie was feeling inside me." Sam blinked. Kyle smiled as he shook his head. "Words fail me in describing it." Kyle looked at Sam. "Most of all, there is a feeling that you're never alone. Sophie is always there for me. I always can feel her. She's part of me." Sam listened as Kyle did his best to describe what The Bond was like. "There are times I can't tell where I end and Sophie begins anymore." Sam was surprised. "There are times our minds are so closely linked, I can feel when I touch her as if she had touched me." Kyle looked at Sophie and smiled.
"That's amazing." Kyle nodded.
"When I have been hurt, Sophie has felt my pain. The same was true when I was sick, once." Sam was stunned.
"Wow." Kyle nodded.
"She also was able to comfort me and ease the pain and discomfort."
"How?" Kyle sighed as he tried to find a way to phrase it.
"The best way I can think to say it, is her mind kind of . . . wraps around me." Sam raised an eyebrow. Kyle frowned in thought. "Like a warm blanket wrapping around you that takes away all pain, all fear and comforts you. It's almost like Sophie is all around me, not just in front of me." Kyle shook his head. "Sorry. I know that doesn't make much sense." Sam smiled.
"No. It makes perfect sense. It sounds wonderful." Kyle smiled.
"It is."
"No wonder she loves you like she does." Kyle smiled softly. Sam looked at her friend, napping at the front of the boat. "She really is amazing." Kyle smiled.
"That she is." With that, Kyle stood and walked over to Sophie's sleeping form. Sam watched as Kyle gently picked up Sophie's tail and delicately kissed it just below the large blade that tipped it.
Even from where she was sitting, Sam could hear Sophie's purr as she rolled to the side, reached up and wrapped her arms behind Kyle's neck as she drew him down into a soft, languid kiss. Sam smiled at the cute display.
They returned to the cave and docked the catamaran just as the shadows began to lengthen. It had been a fun day. Sophie carried Sam on her back as they made their way back up the tunnel to the cave where The Talon was. "I need to check if anybody has tried to contact us, then we'll head home." Kyle mentioned as he headed inside the ship. Sophie followed, Sam still on her back. As they entered the cockpit, Sam looked around, taking note of the Autodoc and smiled. "Huh . . ." Sam looked over at Kyle as he checked the displays. "Peter gave us a ring. Wonder what's up."
Kyle pressed a few buttons before speaking into a microphone. "Peter, this is Kyle. You there?" There was a buzz of static. Kyle sighed, about to try again when the radio squealed, making him wince.
"Where the goddamn hell have you been?" asked the voice through the radio, irritation clear in the tone. "I've been trying to contact you for the past two days!" Kyle winced further at that.
"Uh, sorry, Peter. I've been a little busy. What's up?"
"MacReady is back, and right now he's about ready to strangle me if I don't tell him where Sam is." Sam sighed softly and rolled her eyes.
"That sounds like Mac." Kyle sighed as he spoke into the microphone again.
"Peter, can you tell him to be calm and that she's safe?"
"Tell him yourself. He's right here listening." Kyle blinked. Sam sighed and shook her head.
"Let me." Kyle got out of the chair, letting Sam sit. "Mac?" There was a sound like someone rustling cloth from the radio before a new voice came on.
"Sam? Jeez! I got the ricochet as soon as I entered the system. What the hell happened? Where are you?" Sam looked at Kyle, who smiled and nodded. Sam sighed as she turned back to the radio.
"I'm on Eramore Island, Mac. And I'm in the best of hands." Sam winked at Kyle and Sophie.
"Eramore?! How the hell did you end up there?"
"A nice aqua-farmer heard my SOS and saved me. I'm in his ship right now."
"Yeah, that Kyle guy. Well, that's a relief. We all were worried." Sam smiled at the radio.
"By the way, how is the Old Lamp? Still lighting as well as it usually does?" Sam asked. Kyle blinked at that. There was a brief pause.
"Yeah, but a few bugs got in and got themselves burned good." Sam smiled at that.
"I'll bet. It's great to hear from you, Mac."
"Same here, Sam. All right, I gotta get hopping on some things. Talk to ya soon."
"Take care, Mac." Sam sighed softly as she shut off the radio before she turned to Kyle and Sophie. Kyle was smiling his usual, soft smile and Sophie was giving a soft purr. "Well, Mac's going to be visiting us in the next few days." Kyle looked surprised. Sophie did as well.
"Um, did I miss something somewhere?" Kyle asked, sounding lost. Sam softly laughed.
"Let me explain: Here, with the Nazis about and a situation we're not sure about, we kind of speak in "code", so to speak. Mac left it unsaid, so if anyone was listening, they would just think he was staying where he was." Kyle blinked, a look of comprehension on his face as he smiled and nodded.
How clever . . . Sophie mused. Kyle agreed. The young blonde smiled at Sam.
"Well, I don't know about you, but I'm dying for some dinner. Let's get back." Sam smiled and nodded.
They spent the next few days helping Sam to recover her strength and balance, always keeping in mind that MacReady would be dropping by at any time. Kyle wasn't too worried, as Sophie would be able to pick up the scent of anyone who came.
So, Kyle wasn't too surprised when a knock came at the door a few days after the message.
Sophie disappeared down the hall while Kyle answered the door, but kept her mind closely linked with her mate's.
Kyle opened the door and was a little surprised at the figure the greeted him.
He wasn't too much taller than Kyle was, but was obviously older. His brown hair was wild and about shoulder length. A thick brown beard hid most of his lower face. His gray eyes reminded Kyle of slate in color. He was dressed in a leather jacket and cargo pants. The man's figure was very striking. Kyle had never actually thought on what MacReady looked like.
"Name's MacReady. I was around and wanted to check in on Sam." Kyle smiled at him, motioning for him to enter.
"Come on in. Tea's hot and I have some cake and crackers."
"Thanks." As MacReady entered, Kyle could feel Sophie carefully analyzing their new guest.
MacReady's pheromones didn't indicate any aggression, but he was wary. Even from down the hall, Sophie was fully aware of everything that was going on, ready to act in the blink of an eye if anything happened.
MacReady looked around as Kyle led him to the kitchen and dining room. Sam smiled from where she at at the table. Kyle noticed the subtle, but meaningful smile on Mac's face when he saw her.
"Glad to see you, Sam." Kyle couldn't help a smile of his own as Sam slowly stood from her chair, and MacReady looked stunned beyond words. She shakily walked the short distance towards him and hugged her stunned friend. Kyle's smile grew as Mac slowly embraced Sam back.
How sweet . . . Kyle smiled as Sophie's warm feelings flowed between their link.
"Sam . . . gosh. How in the world-?" She smiled as she looked at Kyle.
"Kyle did it. He and his wonderful partner." Mac looked at Kyle, a look of pure amazement adorning his face.
"Jeez. You did a spinal for her?" Kyle smiled as he stuck his hands in his pockets. Sam shook her head lightly.
"No. Something better." Mac looked at her, surprised and confused, but happy. He looked at Kyle, the smile growing on his face.
"Thank you. I can't say just how glad I am to finally see Sam able to walk again." Kyle scratched behind his head, looking abashed.
"It wasn't just me. You have more thanks to give to my partner." Sam smiled wider as she looked at MacReady.
"Mac, she's amazing! She's the most wonderful person I've met. She was the one who saved me, and she's helping me to relearn to walk."
"Well, where is she? I want to meet this person . . ." Kyle gave a soft sigh.
Ready? Kyle asked. He received a positive. Kyle looked down the hall as Sam smiled.
"Mac, her kind are new to this area." Mac looked at Sam, then back up to the hall as Sophie slowly entered.
Mac's eyes widened a little as he took in Sophie's appearance. Sam smiled as Sophie approached.
Sam held her hand out, which Sophie softly took, purring gently as she knelt down to be at their eye level. "Mac, this is Sophie." Mac took a deep breath and offered his hand.
"Nice to meet you. Thanks for helping Sam out." Sophie carefully took his hand and gently shook it, the edges of her lips curling up into a soft smile. Kyle smiled from where he was standing, watching.
Well, it looks like we've made a new friend . . .
The four of them sat at the table for the next few hours, Sam telling Mac everything that had happened and all that Kyle and Sophie had said. MacReady just sat and listened, smoking his pipe. Mac was impressed with the whole thing.
"Boy, that's one heck of a story. And I've heard a lot of them over the years . . ." Mac said as he downed some tea. Mac cleared his throat as he set his cup down. He looked at Kyle. Sophie had wrapped her tail around his waist as she softly purred. Mac smiled. "I owe you two. You ever need anything, you give me a shout, you hear?" Kyle smiled and shook his head.
"Don't mention it. I'm just glad we could help Sam." Mac chuckled softly at that. He looked at Sam.
"I'm glad, Sam." Sam returned the smile and placed her hand over Mac's. Kyle smiled and Sophie purred. Mac sighed as he put out his pipe and put it away inside his jacket. He kept his smile as he looked at Kyle and Sophie. "Well, I gotta get back. Thanks for helping Sam, and thanks for the peace of mind." Mac stood and coughed lightly. "I meant what I said," he said, putting his hands on his hips. "If you two ever need a favor, you ask me." Kyle smiled and nodded. Sam followed MacReady to the door in her wheelchair, talking with him. Sophie and Kyle stayed at the table.
Mac looked around at the paintings on the walls, recognizing them instantly. "Boy, he must be pretty well-off if he can afford these. This is Trevor Stone's work . . ." Sam giggled at that. Mac looked at her. "What's so funny?" Sam almost laughed.
"Mac, he is Trevor Stone." Mac stopped and stared. He glanced back at Kyle and Sophie at the table, who seemed to be having one of their unspoken conversations. Mac shook his head.
"Boy, Sam. When you luck out, you do it in a big way . . ." Sam smiled as Mac left.
At the table, Kyle watched as Sam and MacReady talked before he left.
So, what was your impression of him? Kyle asked. Sophie moaned softly.
He's a nice man, and we can trust him, but . . . Kyle raised an eyebrow at the feeling of uncertainty from Sophie.
Sophie? What's the matter? Sophie gave a soft sound that was almost a snort.
He's sick. Kyle was surprised.
What? Like the flu? You smelled that when I was sick. Sophie gave a negative.
No, this was different. I don't know . . . Kyle frowned, but hid it as Sam returned.
"I'm so glad. It felt good to see and talk with Mac again." Kyle smiled and Sophie purred.
"We're glad." They spent the remainder of the day talking, Sam sharing some stories of Mac and his exploits. When night fell, they all were able to go to bed comfortable and calm.
Kyle smiled as he changed into his t-shirt and shorts as they readied for bed. Sophie purred happily as she used her tail to pull her mate into the warm bed with her. Kyle sighed as Sophie wrapped her arms around him as she pulled him against her.
Sophie's favorite way to sleep was behind Kyle, his back to her front, the "Spoon" position as some called it. It was warm, comfortable and protective. Sophie purred deeply as she stroked his hair, pulling the warm blankets close around them as she wrapped her tail around him.
I love you, my wonderful mate. Sophie said fondly as sleep touched the edges of her mind.
Kyle smiled as he kissed her hand lovingly.
And I love you, my beautiful darling. Sophie kissed him on the cheek as they went to sleep.
Author's note: A present to my wonderful readers for their support and belief in me.
As they say on Zerichs II: "Happy Nadolis!"