Hawk punched in the code and slowly pushed the door open. He entered the room cautiously with his rifle at the ready. He had no idea what might have occurred between the two old foes and couldn't take chances. He peered around the door. The room was empty. A table was shoved up against the far wall with armor scattered all about the floor. Calli's armor. He listened, but no sounds alerted him to any danger.

He moved down the hall. The door to Calli's room was ajar. He slowly pushed it open. He could see Nathan and Calli curled tightly into one another, the smell of sex lingering in the air, along with another scent. A spicy, musky scent he had smelled just once before. Well now, this wasn't what Calli had come here for, but maybe, he thought, softly closing the door, it was what she needed. He moved quietly down the hall to his room to shed his armor. A quick shower was in order.

Nathan stirred at the sound of footsteps. Calli murmured softly, "It's all right, it's just Hawk coming in." She didn't even open her eyes. He felt a quiver of uneasiness as the door opened and then closed, but Calli seemed undisturbed. He fell back to sleep to the sound of the shower.

Nathan stirred at the feel of Calli stretching beside him, running her body the length of his. He opened his eyes and smiled up into her stormy grey ones.

"Good morning", she grinned, leaning over to kiss him. He pulled her against him.

"Would you like some breakfast?" she teased, running her hands down his body.

"Mmmmm, maybe later." He pulled her into a passionate kiss.

Hawk was cooking breakfast when they finally left the bedroom. Nathan had on the soft clothing she had so considerately provided in the now unused guest room. His armor she had neatly placed in the wash room. It was going to be cleaned before he'd be allowed to don it again.

Hawk and Nathan eyed each other speculatively as they entered the kitchen.

"Good morning, Hawk," Calli said brightly. She smiled at him. He nodded and motioned to the table.

"Breakfast is ready, help yourself", he grunted, sitting down at the table.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked innocently.

Calli laughed. "Very well indeed. How about you?"

"I got in a bit late. I have a ways to go though so I got up early", he said.

"Really?" Calli looked at the big mutant in surprise. "Where are you going? I thought we would be going back to the Citadel today."

"I've changed my mind. There's something I want to take care of", he said.

Calli glanced at Nathan, then asked Hawk, "How long are you planning on being gone?"

"I'll be back in four days. Are you going to wait here for me?", he asked.

Calli grinned. "Of course, if that's what you want." He nodded, rising from the table and leaving the room without further explanation.

Nathan raised an eyebrow at her.

"Do you know where Hawk's going?", he asked curiously. "I thought Hawk went where you did. You've always been together."

She shook her head. "No, I don't know where he's going. He's my partner, not my slave. We aren't always together though I guess we usually are when we come into the city. It's probably because we're on a mission or trading and I do most of the trading. Out here he calls the shots sometimes. "

"I see." He hesitated then said, "Why did you summon me here, Calli?"

Calli shoved the remainder of her food around, her appetite gone. "Last night complicates things, Nathan," she said slowly. She looked up. "You know Dr. Bening is getting older. He doesn't want to practice anymore."

Nathan nodded. "He's retired already. You're his only patients now."

She sighed. "I know. We need a new doctor. "

She held up a hand when he started to say something. "Dr. Bening talked me into talking to you. He said you're the best he's ever seen. That's why I asked you to meet me to discuss it. Before you say anything, you have to know what I am."

He observed her for a moment, then said, "I think I know what you are. You don't age and you heal fast and completely. Not even scars remain on you. When did you start mutating?"

Calli let out her breath. "I was at dead center of the explosion that cleaned the river of rads. So was Hawk, and a few others. Most of them died. We didn't. It was years before I realized the extent of what had happened to me. And it didn't happen to everyone, at least not to this extent. I have a theory about that but we can discuss that later. So you understand my doctor has to be completely secretive about me. But I didn't count on last night. I want you, Nathan, I want to be with you. That's going to complicate things."

"Why can't I be both? You're lover and your doctor?' he asked.

"I don't know. I don't know if you can or if I can. I don't want you to make any decisions right now. Go back to the Citadel. I'll tell Dr. Bening to give you my records. Go through them and see what is involved. See if you can do it. If you were my lover, would you be able to cut into me, stop the bleeders when they bring me in dying? You have to be sure", she said intently.

"What if I decide to just be your doctor, not your lover?", he asked. "What then?"

Calli answered simply, looking into his eyes, "Then you would only see me when I'm dying. I don't think I could be near you and not have you." She looked down, then took a deep breath and said, "But those decisions can wait. Right now I'm going to be here for 4 days until Hawk returns. Do you want to wait with me?"

He reached over and took her hands, pulling her to her feet. "I can't think of anyplace I'd rather be", he said, leaning down to kiss her. They would contact Dr. Bening later to let him know Nathan was going to be gone longer than planned.

Hawk returned to the safe house late on the fourth day. Calli didn't question him about his absence and Nathan didn't feel comfortable asking. Hawk nodded at Nathan as he came in and then went straight to his room. Soon the shower was running. Nathan had already realized that they valued cleanliness. Even though they often spent days or weeks in the wasteland they would bath in streams or rivers or whatever water source they could find. They didn't worry much about radioactive contamination or human disease, but mutants had been plagued with their own diseases for years now.

Nathan helped Calli put dinner on the large table they had returned to its place in the kitchen.

"Evening, Hawk," Calli smiled as he came into the kitchen, wearing a loose shirt and pants made of the same soft cotton as the other outfits found in the house. Calli wore a loose, short sleeveless gown, brightly colored in a cheerful blue and green pattern, while the loose shirt and pants Nathan wore was very similar to Hawk's. Cotton cloth was very expensive, just another indicator of the wealth at Calli's disposal. This wasn't lost on Nathan, who wondered not for the first time if it was she who had sponsored him.

The meal went pleasantly. Calli regaled him with some wasteland tales and he told stories of his own from his practice. They stayed with pleasant topics although they all were aware tragic ones easily outnumbered them. Hawk only spoke when he was asked a question or had an observation. Nathan knew the intelligent mutant was watching them closely, observing him and Calli. Finally the meal was over and Calli rose to gather the dishes. Hawk and Nathan started to help, but she shook her head.

"Don't bother, guys", she said lightly. "I want to feel like a housewife tonight. You boys go play in the living room."

They looked at each other questioningly and went off into the living room. Hawk took the big couch. Nathan sat a little uneasily across from him.

"Did you and Calli come to a decision?", Hawk asked.

"I have, but Calli won't hear it until after I have more time to think about it. How do you feel about it, Hawk?", Nathan asked nervously.

Hawk considered. "About you becoming our doctor, or about you being her lover?", he asked.

"Both."

"Calli makes her own decisions about her life. I'm satisfied you would be a good choice for my doctor. I know you have some experience with mutants on the battlefield and at least some from your training. I know Calli has tried to avoid you but I've made it my business to keep tabs on you", Hawk said.

"I'll do my best for both of you," Nathan responded.

The big guy nodded and looked around for his book. He hadn't said so but Nathan felt he had approved his relationship with Calli.

Nathan wandered into the kitchen where Calli was putting away the last of the dishes. He put his arms around her pulling her back against him.

"Hawk's busy reading", he murmured against her ear. "Want to make an early night of it? We'll be leaving pretty early, won't we?"

"Ummm, I'd like that", she agreed. They walked through the living room. "Good night, Hawk," Calli said lightly. He grunted, not looking up from his book. She laughed as they went into her room.

Nathan was getting his breath back, watching the woman beside him. She never seemed to run out of energy. She was hardly breathing fast. He knew he wasn't going to give her up. She was so full of warmth, so passionate, so full of life. So full of life….. The thought hit him. He leaned up on one elbow and looked down at her.

"Uh, Calli," he said. She peeked up at him.

"Um?", she murmured.

"We've been going at it pretty hot these last few days. What if you get pregnant?", he questioned.

She opened both eyes and laughed at him. "Did you just now think of that?"

He grinned crookedly, "I guess I was thinking of other things."

She considered him thoughtfully. "Seriously," she asked curiously. "Do you think I can?" She reached up to trace circles on his chest. "You're full human. I'm not. What do you think?"

"I don't know", he said slowly. "Have you ever had a child?"

Calli turned over, closing her eyes. "If you decide to become my doctor, there won't be any secrets kept from you. There may be things you don't know but only because it's not in my records or hasn't come up. But if you decide not to become my doctor there will be many things about me you'll never know."

"Even if I'm your lover?", he asked.

"Especially then. That's what makes this so complicated", she sighed.

The day dawned bright and sunny. They could tell by the light pouring down from the ceiling tubes. They would be leaving this morning.

"No, we're not going out together," Calli insisted. "I don't want anyone to see us together."

"Why not?", Nathan asked. "I don't want to give you up, Calli. I don't care if the whole wasteland knows we're together."

"Well I do. You have to promise me you won't tell anyone, or I won't see you anymore. We'll work it out but I don't want anyone to know", she said emphatically.

"Don't bother", Hawk interjected when Nathan started to argue. "Calli's made up her mind. You'd better get going so you make it to the Citadel before dark."

"You have to promise!" Calli insisted.

"All right, I promise. But when will I see you again?", he asked.

"I've radioed Dr. Bening to give you full access to my records. Take your time going through them. I'll be around in about a week to see him. I'm sure he'll come up with some reason to call you to his office while I'm there. Are you sure that's all the weapons you want to take?", she asked, eyeing his laser rifle. At least it was in full repair, almost like new. "Do you have enough energy cells?"

Nathan laughed. "I'm fine. How about walking with me to the storage vault?"

"Through that dark tunnel? Alone with you?", she asked teasingly, making her stormy eyes wide. Laughing, they took leave of Hawk and moved through the vault door into the tunnel.