She swiped her finger and frowned at the report. A jangle n the background drew her focus away from the twitching holographic projection and Anna smiled as William entered, tying an apron around his waist. He nodded toward the image, "What's fascinating today?"
"Just the news." Anna waved a hand at it, "The government's moved on another territory."
"Which one?"
"Karenina."
"That Russian Federation owned planet?"
"They're calling it a planetoid, as if that makes it better."
"What'd they do?"
"Nuclear attack," Anna shook her head, "The death toll's already at two hundred and they expect it to climb as they keep fighting."
"What're they after now?"
"Argon. They're killing these people for a bloody noble gas."
"What for?"
"Scientists claim they can make a new fuel cell from it. Something about folding space four times instead of two to make the Yorkshire Run twice as fast." Anna shook her head, "Let none stand in the way of all the suns in the galaxy never setting on the British Bloody Empire."
"They call it progress."
"I call it murder. But, it's all about efficiency and human beings be damned."
"Soon we'll be replaced because we're inefficient."
"In more ways than one I bet."
"How'd you mean?"
Anna held her hands apart, "With space folded once they make eleven stops from Londinium to New Glasgow. With two folds they make seven, which is where they are now. With four folds they'll make three." Her hands were inches apart, "No room for places like Plutonium when you only need to stop three times."
"We've still got the asteroid miners."
"Until the asteroid minerals are obsolete because we've conquered and scorched the rest of the galaxy for their minerals." Anna shook her head, "Sorry, that was unusually dismal for first thing in the morning."
"It was but we've got to express ourselves somehow." William tipped his head toward the back room, "I saw the suppliers' coming in just as I was. They should be unloading by now so we'll be all ready for inventory in a moment."
"Perfect. Thank you William." Anna pivoted as the door opened and she broke into a smile, "Here to fix our mechanical problems Mr. Branson?"
"There's a free drink in it so yes," Branson rolled up his sleeves, "I'll fix whatever you like."
"Perfect." Anna slapped the top of the tea machine, "It's sludge and it needs to be tea."
"For you, anything." Branson removed his coat and swung over the top of the bar, immediately reaching for the tools in his coat pockets. "A person should never be without their tea if I can help it."
"I couldn't agree more." Anna turned to William, patting her hand on his shoulder, "I'm going to see about the delivery, check that they've actually filled the whole order this time."
"I'll keep an eye out here then?"
"Yes, thank you. And William," Anna leaned over the edge of the doorway, William turning to her with his expectant expression, "Come find me if I'm longer than ten minutes. I probably shouldn't be tearing them to shreds when they're just doing their jobs or they'll skunk the next one."
"Sure thing boss."
"And, get Mr. Branson his drink when he finishes?" Anna pointed a warning finger at Branson, who raised his hands in surrender, "But only if he earns it so that machine can get me my tea when I'm back."
"Not a problem." William nodded and Anna went to the back room, exiting through the back door to the rear hallway to check on the shipment.
As she walked the corridor a hand grabbed her, tugging her into a small closet. Anna fought back, beating against her attacker until the switch flipped and she saw John in the glow of the buzzing light. Flinging her arms over his shoulders and she pulled him close. His own hands wrapped around her, lifting her from the ground a moment.
When Anna had her feet firmly planted again she stepped back to take him in. His coat was more worn, his trousers a little tattered, and his leg hissing like it might have a leak. The hair over his face was bent and creased from the worrying of shaking fingers and the lines of his face cut deeper. Anna risked a hand to touch him, tracing over those lines. His hand covered hers, rough on her skin, and he sighed into the touch.
She kept her voice low, almost as if speaking louder than a whisper would send this desired specter away. "You said you'd only be a week."
"I know," John coughed, clearing the grizzle from his voice, "I got caught on Karenina. I wanted to send word but I couldn't risk anyone intercepting the message and putting you in danger."
"Karenina? Are you hurt? How'd you-"
"I'm alright," He held up a hand, "I'm built of tougher stuff than that."
Anna turned her hand to clutch the one over her own, "Were you there when they attacked?"
John nodded, "I saw the first push and then snuck on board the last smuggling ship to get out. They tracked us for a few jumps and the pilot skewed our route so we could lose them. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you."
"I'm just so happy you're safe."
"Not safe, exactly, but not in immediate danger." John hung his head, "I'm sorry, you must think me so careless."
"I should've expected it," Anna brushed at his shoulders, "When my boyfriend is a member of the coalition dedicated to reporting that keeps the galaxy informed when the government would have us in the dark."
He grinned at her, "Boyfriend?"
"I figure you'd have to be something more than 'casual shag' when I had to defend you against a government agent."
"Agent?"
"The day you left. Just as your ship took to the skies actually. A government agent approached me, trying to get information about you."
John's face paled and he squeezed her hand, "Which agent?"
"Does it matter?" John nodded and Anna took a breath. "Shorter than you, brown hair, self-satisfied smirk. Called himself Mr. Green. Self-righteous prick if you want my opinion. Seems to think pretty highly of himself and his position."
John groaned, "I thought I lost him at Corsican."
"Apparently not."
"What'd he say?"
"He's convinced you're a dangerous subversive and your seditious statements are a danger to the foundations of the Empire itself. Tried to get me to believe the same."
"Maybe you should've."
"Why, because he's an agent for the government?"
"Because he's not wrong." John leaned back against the wall, "I can't stay. I'll put you in danger."
Anna tugged his arm as John seemed to make for the door. "You only just got here. You can't leave yet."
"If I go now then they won't come looking for me here," John tried for the door again but Anna held fast.
"I don't think so, John Bates. Not until I know why they'd be after a war reporter and satirist. You're nothing to them but a nuisance at best. All the rest is rhetoric and propaganda. It doesn't matter."
"Would that it were true."
"What do you mean?"
John sighed, running a hand through his hair, "When I exposed the first scandal, the carbon wars on Monte Cristo, the government took my leg. Called it my penance for crimes against the state."
"I remember you saying as much the last time you were here."
"What I didn't mention was that when I was crippled and practically destitute, after the government seized all my assets, the Rebels Alliance found me."
"The guerillas?" John nodded, and Anna folded her arms, "What'd they want with you?"
"They offered me a place with them because I could help them tell their story and I agreed."
"You joined an actual seditious movement?"
"They're the ones who gave me this leg. They thought I could do more damage exposing the government than they could fighting it. They needed a war in the public forum and I could give them that."
"And in return you got your leg?"
"In return I got to live."
"What do you do for them?"
"Any rebellion needs a voice. Just attacking outposts or garrisons got them nowhere because no one heard about it. The cap on information lay with the government and they had no one who could help them be heard."
"Until you?"
John nodded, "Until me."
"How'd that affect whether you lived or not?"
"The Rebels Alliance wants to give an image as a party for the people but that's as big a lie as the ones the government gives us." John shook his head, "They're just as bad as the government, if I'm honest, and half the time I look over my shoulder because I don't know if it's the government I'm escaping or them. Both sides are dangerous."
"Sounds exhausting."
He hung his head, shoulders drooping, "You've no idea."
"What will you do?"
"I've got something in the works." John hissed through his teeth, "It's gutsy but it might be my only chance."
"What?"
"Get enough dirt on both of them so they have to leave me be."
"That's daring."
"I told you, gutsy."
"I think you mean suicidal."
"That's what one does to survive." John held his arms close to his body, "That's why I asked about the agent. Green isn't government."
"He's not?"
"No. He works for the Rebels Alliance. He's black badged before to try and suss me out."
"Black badged?"
"When someone uses the levels of bureaucratic muck to create fake authority. They put badge with it to gain information. He's one of the best at it."
"Must be because he's good at playing a smug bastard."
John grinned, "I shouldn't have underestimated Ms. Smith."
"That was your only mistake," Anna put a hand on his arm, "What about the government?"
"That's a slightly more complicated situation."
"What's more complicated than them taking your leg for a story?"
"Because it wasn't just because of the story." Anna narrowed her eyes and John gestured to his leg, "This was more personal."
"Personal? How so?"
"The head of the division responsible for punishing speech and press crimes against the state has a history of sorts with me."
"Of sorts?"
John cringed, "She's my ex-wife and she hates me more than life itself."
"Ex-wife?"
John put up his hands, "I'm sorry, I should've told you I was married before but I didn't think and-"
"John," Anna grabbed one of his hands, "I'm not upset you didn't tell me. We had three days together a month ago. How much could you really have told me about your life in that time?"
"Not as much as I wanted to." John ran a finger down her cheek, "But she's dangerous Anna. And if she knew that we were even sharing air she'd send her cronies after you."
"Her little government hatchet men? What are the names of her personal bloodhounds?"
John nodded, "Barrow and O'Brien. They've been on my tail me since Vienna II but I think I lost them around Malta V. I can never be sure though. I've never met a duo of more relentless androids."
Anna took a deep breath, "How relentless?"
"They once burned down a building because they thought I was inside."
"Oh."
"And that's why I need to leave Anna," John grabbed her shoulders, "I couldn't risk either side of this mess getting to you."
"What will you do?"
"Find another smuggling ship and get as far as the Grecian Belt or maybe even Mumbai Prime." John threw his hands in the air, "If they even think I'm close to them it's like sharks circling blood in the water."
Anna put a hand on his arm, "Then stay."
"What?"
"Stay." Anna shrugged, "They're expecting you to hop your way across the galaxy while they give pursuit. They want you to run. If you say here, get some rest, and rethink your plans, then maybe they'll be chasing their tails awhile."
"Staying puts you in danger of losing all this." John waved at the ceiling and Anna laughed.
"It's a bar on a shit moon about to become obsolete once the government gets it's argon from Karenina, John. I can rebuild this anywhere."
John put a hand on her cheek, "But you can't rebuild you."
"I don't know," Anna ran her fingers down his shirt buttons, smiling to herself when she heard his breath catch. "They rebuilt you. Who knows what cyborg parts they could give me if I asked nicely when I needed a few?"
"I don't want you to have any cyborg parts." John bent to kiss her cheek and Anna wrapped her arms over his shoulders, "I don't want anything about you to change because I wouldn't change a thing about you."
"Nor I you." Anna turned her head, their lips just brushing, "So stay."
"It's dangerous."
"It's worth it," Anna held a moment more, "Stay."
John seized her mouth in a kiss and Anna's fingers speared through his hair. He lifted her, putting her back to the wall as her legs wrapped over his waist. She broke the kiss, breathing hard in his ear.
"This feels familiar." She ground down on him, "That even more so."
John rutted his hips toward her, "Very familiar."
"You've obviously missed me."
"More than you can imagine." John ran kisses over her neck and sucked the juncture between her neck and shoulder.
"Oh, I can imagine." Anna ground down again and snuck a hand between their bodies when someone banged on the door.
Both froze. The sound of William's voice called through the door had Anna groaning into John's shoulder. "Boss? They're all done and I've checked the delivery. It's all here so should I start the inventory now?"
"Yes," Anna managed, biting her lip as John's hands did not stop stroking over her stomach and sides. "Please do."
"Mr. Branson's almost done as well and says he wants the drink you promised him."
"I'll be right out." Anna laid her head back against the wall as John's hands froze. She looked into this eyes, "Best laid plans."
"No, it's good." John set her on the floor, "I can freshen up and we'll continue this in comfort instead of a fast shag against the wall of your storage room."
"Yes, we both deserve it." Anna pulled his mouth to hers but released his lips quickly, "Though I wouldn't mind a fast shag in the storage room. Add it to our list of locations."
"I wouldn't mind wither," John snuck another kiss, "But you deserve better."
Anna tucked the hair behind his ear there, "I am glad you're staying."
"Only for a few days. Then I'll need to head out, draw them away."
"If you insist." Anna opened the door, "I'd like you to stay longer but I'll take what I can get."
"Anna," John put his hand over hers, "There's nothing I'd like more than to stay here, court you properly, and dedicate the rest of my life to knowing you better. It's just not possible right now."
"I know," Anna kissed his cheek, "That's why I'll take what I can get. Even a day of that kind of attention is worth the price of admission."
Anna checked the hall, "Now take the elevator up to my room, shower, and get some rest. I'll send some food up later for you."
John slipped into the hallway, entering the elevator just as William came up the hall. He paused, scanning Anna moment before adjusting the box in his hand, "Are you alright boss?"
"Why'd you ask?"
"You're a bit flushed. Is it the weather? They say the Wuthering's in a few days so the temperatures are spiking."
"No," Anna shook her head, "It's not the weather."
"Oh."
"How's the inventory thus far?"
"Daisy's got all she needs for the kitchen and I'm ready to start on the repair supplies but it looks promising."
"Good." Anna walked back toward the bar, "I'm going to get our patient Irishman his drink and then one for myself."
"I wouldn't mind a cup if you're offering."
"There'll hopefully be a steaming sample of the best the Yorkshire Run has to offer when you finish William." Anna pushed through the door, "Mr. Branson, is my tea ready?"
Anna lay on John's chest, stroking slowly in time to the tingle of his fingers over her back. "Is this where you saw yourself?"
"When?"
"Anytime."
"It's where I was hoping we'd be a few hours ago."
Ana swatted at him, "I meant, are you now the person you saw yourself becoming when you were younger?"
"What?" He leaned up slightly and Anna shifted to look him in the eye.
"When you were young, did you see this future for yourself?"
John laughed, "No. I couldn't have dreamed this if I had twice the imagination I do and three times the experience."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Why not?" Anna adjusted her body to lay halfway across his chest, "What did the young John Bates imagine for himself in the big, wide, galaxy?"
"I wanted to write poetry." Anna's eyebrows went up and John nodded, "Your comment, on the dock the first day, wasn't entirely wrong. I studied philosophy and journalism at University but what I really wanted was to find a patch of undisturbed grass on some planet somewhere and write odes to the asteroids or sonnets about streams of sunlight."
"What stopped you?"
"One needs to eat to live and no one wanted my poetry unless it was dark and depressing. Even then, they only wanted it wrapped in my satire. I couldn't respect myself and do that."
"So you quit?"
"I put it on hold to get a job I thought would be less dangerous." John gave a snort, "We never really know do we?"
"Did you ever go back to it?"
"To what?"
"Poetry."
John shook his head, "No. I got too caught up in other things that it kind of died. Withered away somewhere in my brain."
Anna shifted toward him, "So you don't write poetry anymore?"
He shook his head, "I got blocked. Maybe because of the satire I wrote or the things I saw or the basic fact that no one wants to read it, but I couldn't write any more of it if I tried. The poetry's all dried up for me, never to be written again."
"I think you're too hard on yourself."
"No, I've tried to put metaphorical pen to paper about it for years and nothing. It all just dribbles out. I get a few lines before it turns to shit." John sighed, twisting his fingers in Anna's hair, "I hoped it would clear but when it didn't I decided to continue what I was doing and now here I am."
"Running for your life from the government and the Rebels Alliance?"
"Another thing I never would've seen coming for myself." John shook his head, staring at the ceiling, "Somewhere, in the aether of space, I lost who I was. I'm here because whoever the real me is, he's too far away. I lost my poetry when I lost myself and I can't get one back without the other, hence my conundrum."
Anna traced the profile of his face, "You'll find yourself again."
"How are you so sure?"
"Because I found you so it can't be that hard." She smiled, "And because I want to read what you write when your block clears and poetry comes from your pen instead of pain. I want you to use your words to heal yourself instead of reopening all those wounds."
"So do I." John caught her hand and kissed it, "But, for now, you could always read my other work."
"I could," She slipped her hand beneath the covers, "But you're a different man now than you were then. I want to read who you are now."
"Do you?"
"Of course I do. That's the man before me."
"He's not much to know."
"I disagree John, and I think we'll find that man."
"How?"
"I'll just have to inspire you a bit."
John grunted as Anna's hand wrapped around his half-hard arousal. "I think you might inspire me too much."
"Not possible." Anna pulled the sheets down to fully expose him to her view. "One can never be too inspired."
"Then what are you inspired to do?" John's voice panted out as Anna positioned herself to straddle his good leg and the half of his other leg twitching at her attentions to his erection.
"So many things John." Anna ran her free hand up his partial limb, tracing the scar tissue above the cap before trailing her fingers around his hips. "So many things."
She leaned over him, kissing his cheek before running the tip of her tongue along the edge of his jaw. John groaned, which only encouraged Anna more, and moved his own hands to her hair. The tingling over her scalp tightened her grip on him while her kisses covered his chest. Her fingers ran through the hair there, enjoying the sensation under her hands.
Mapping lower Anna scratched slightly, sending John moaning and arching his back under her ministrations. Her Cheshire grin had him gritting his teeth as Anna bit down near his nipple. The rumble of his exclamation vibrated through her body and she slid lower.
Her first hand maintained the steady rhythm on him, pumping him to pulsing hardness in her grip. The bucking of his hips had Anna sucking a line from one side to the other before working her free hand to his sack. Rolling it in her fingers Anna practically beamed when John's fingers gripped the sheets with his white knuckles.
However, when she licked over him, John cried out her name. Anna scraped her teeth over him and John shouted. When she slid her tongue into his slit Anna's whole body vibrated with the way he struggled to make words from his strangled sounds.
Anna lowered her head and took him in her mouth. She sucked slowly, taking him as deeply as she could, and then pulling upward. Her tongue curled around him, controlling her actions as she bobbed her head to send him into the throes of pleasure. With her teeth dragging over the pulsing flesh, Anna could feel John struggling to not release.
She sucked off with a pop, moving to position herself over him, and sunk down. John's eyes rolled into his head as Anna moved over him. Rolling her hips she used his chest for leverage. Sneaking a kiss from him before drawing back to prevent him deepening it Anna grinned at him, biting her tongue between her teeth.
"This is about you John. Remember, you need inspiration."
His hands grabbed for her and Anna sighed at how his stroked to her breasts. Her rise and fall met the jerk of his hips. His hands running down to grasp her hips, driving himself as deeply as he could inside her. Anna leaned forward, using her own hand to bring herself to the edge, and nipped at John's pulse.
Their panting was almost enough to drown out the beating of Anna's blood in her ears. The look on John's face was almost enough that she did not think about anything else. And the grip of his fingers in her flesh almost took all of her attention from the thundering of her heart in her chest.
He broke, body spasming a few times until he settled, breathing hard. Anna's fingers found the spot, using his climax as her peak, and cried out his name to the darkness of the room. She slumped forward, her arms shaking on his chest, and he pulled her to him.
They lay there, hearts eventually beating in sync with one another and breathing evening, for a moment until Anna slipped herself free. Readjusting she took her original position, molded to his side with her head on his chest. Her arm wrapped his waist as his fingers ran up and down her arm while others trailed through her hair and down her back.
"Feeling inspired yet?"
John laughed, kissing the top of her head, "I always feel inspired when I'm with you."
"To write?"
"To dream."
