Chapter 10: Waiting Out the Storm

A terrible storm had moved in unexpectedly to the island putting all plans to a halt. The Mallrats were bored and on edge with The Guardian around.

"I'm not comfortable knowing he's around," Lex said.

The Mallrats were gathered around in a Hut slightly larger than the others that they could only guess was at some point in time a recreation room. There were odd games strewn about, an air hockey table, and toys.

"Funny, us women used to say that about you Lex," Amber rolled her eyes.

Lex clamped his mouth shut quickly. He knew all too well they were right. He'd made a pass at all the women in the tribe, except for Lottie of course.

"I have to agree with Lex," Alice said, "This man is…well he's outright loony."

"But right now he's helpless and unconscious, and I'm going to do everything in my power to sustain his life," Salene said firmly. Her mind was made up.

Ebony scowled at her, "Yeah well just keep him away from me, otherwise all your hard work will go to waste. We all know I'm a little less forgiving." Ebony was of course speaking about when Jaffa had attempted to kill her.

"As many times as you were let back into this tribe, you think you would be," May scoffed.

"Who are you to be acting high and mighty, not that I'm taking Ebony's side, but I seem to recall you being an all around shady character not too long ago," Trudy broke in.

"Alright, enough!" Taisan interjected. She was tired of the fuss. "We'd all do right just to let Sal do what she is doing; besides we have other matters to fuss about."

"Exactly, like how do we get off this island when we're being flooded around a flood of mass bodies of water?" Ellie started.

The room grew quiet aside from the children playing. It had been raining non-stop for five days now. They had to bail water out of the boat twice already.

Shrill screams pierced the growing silence. They were those of Gel. Nobody had even noticed she was missing.

"That ghostly man is awake!" Lex found Gel in hysterics.

"Sammy, see if you can calm her down…" Jay suggested.

Salene pushed past the two men and into the room where Jaffa was sitting upright in the bed staring straight ahead and chanting some gibberish."

She spoke softly to him, coaxing him to lay back down, "You're fine…I'll get you some water."

Ebony, still befuddled at the woman's care for the Guardian said, "She always felt the need be the 'mother'."

Salene shooed every way, shutting the door in their faces. She was going to help this man in any way she could, her future depended on it. At least she hoped she'd benefit from nursing Jaffa back to good health.

During the reunion stage, Amber and Bray had decided to take things slowly, but things were moving at a snail's pace according to Amber.

"You look terrible," Taisan came into the kitchen.

"Do I? Gosh I hope it's not that evident," Amber panicked.

Tai laughed, "Relax, I was just thinking about your expression."

Amber sighed, "Oh good, I though maybe my whole heart was displayed on my face."

"Matters of the heart you say? Are things okay between you and Bray?"

"Oh things are fine…sure…but…"

"But you wish things were moving at a faster pace."

Amber smiled, "Are you a mind reader too, medicine woman?"

Taisan played into the joke, "No, that's what my crystal ball is for."

After a small laugh and silence, Taisan spoke still, "I know what you're going through, it's hard to get back to that place of ecstasy and joy that was once."

"Exactly! Am I wrong for loving with my every whim?"

"No, we just have to give it time, thought patience is running thing."

Amber pouted, "I know you're right, and I know we need to give it time, but I don't know how much longer my patience will hold. He doesn't even touch me hardly when we kiss, it's like I'm diseased."

"I have faith in you Amber. He's probably thinking you took things too fast to begin with and he wants to go about things right this time. Just…"

"Give it time, I know, I know."

Taisan smiled, "I have an idea. I think its time for one of our 'Mallrat' parties."

Amber beamed, "That's a great idea. Just make sure there's no paint or A.I. Zoot's around."

They both laughed and set in motion the plans for a party.