Bound the Restless Wave [The Amazons #2]

by Susanna Valent

Renaissance - Science Fiction

Copyright (C)2004 by Susanna Valent

THE AMAZONS

Book 2

BOUND THE RESTLESS WAVE

By

SUSANNA VALENT

A Renaissance E Books publication

ISBN 1-58873-384-X

All rights reserved

Copyright © 2004 Susanna Valent

This book may not be reproduced in whole or in parft without written permission.

For information email:

publisher@renebooks.com

A Sizzler/Sappho Edition

Eternal Father, strong to save,

Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,

Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep

Its own appointed limits keep,

Oh, hear us when we cry to thee

For those in peril on the sea!

-William Whiting (1825-1878)

The Story So Far

In Book 1, Strong to Save, a political alliance of religious fundamentalists has taken over the USA, passing laws to restrict women's place to the home and outlawing gay sex once again! The dynamic Kris Nordstrom and her energetic friend Andrea Santiago, a maritime engineer—both lesbians—were forced to retire from the Coast Guard. Vacationing with her teenaged nieces, Danielle and Carole, Kris discovers Carole, too is a lesbian. However, Kris was soon forced to abandon them to their dull-witted parents in the conservative American heartland. Meanwhile, Andrea plots a way for her and Kris to escape the increasingly oppressive nation...

BOOK 2

Bound the Restless Wave

CHAPTER 13

Once again, Andy found herself on a plane looking down at the United States from 30,000 feet. From there, it still looked and felt the same, especially because she was travelling non-stop from one cultural center to another. She could almost pretend that nothing was wrong, but paradoxically, at the same time, she could almost envision the East and West coasts cut off entirely from the center, the way Pakistan had been separated by India. She wondered if the two coastal areas could feasibly form one nation, or if it would ever come to that. It was hard to know if such a thing could work because while the West coast was still more or less united in resistance from border to border, things broke down on the East coast south of Maryland, and a woman alone wasn't safe from there to Fort Lauderdale.

Floridians were developing a siege mentality, Andy had heard, and it wasn't the only state geographically torn in two between liberals and fundamentalist right-wingers. The reverse of white flight was bringing droves of liberal intellectuals, activists and academics into the city centers, leaving the rural areas and even the suburbs to the far right. California was similar, the coastal areas as liberal as they had ever been, in fact, defiantly more so; the interior farmlands and small towns conceded to the NRN, INC, TFC and other separatist, splinter groups who were enjoying the free ride from the larger, wealthier and more influential organizations.

Andy leaned back and tried to put all political considerations out of her mind. She had three, maybe four days to scope out the situation at the Boston station. In the meantime, she wanted to enjoy her first-class seat and allow herself the illusion that everything below was just fine.

* * * *

After tipping the bellhop, Andy unpacked and settled into her room. Her balcony afforded a distant view of the Coast Guard station and with her binoculars, she could just make out Athena. However, she couldn't see the main gate at all so she couldn't see the security set-up. She remembered how it had been, but years had passed. She arranged to rent a car the next morning.

Carefully studying what little she could see of the yacht, Andy realized she might not be able to tell if Kris had returned until she actually saw her on deck. The angle was wrong for her to see the hatches and in any event they could be closed even if Kris was aboard. However, at night, the lighting patterns might change. They were probably on a timer on now, but when Kris came back, they would become more random.

With a sigh Andy flopped on the bed and thought about herself and Kris, on the yacht alone. Would Kris respond to her sudden arrival warmly or hesitantly? Would she want to celebrate, leave early or be annoyed at the intrusion? Should Andy bring her bags along right away or leave them at the hotel to be retrieved later? She would definitely take along champagne or flowers to facilitate her offer to crew for Kris. Maybe both.

Then Andy thought, nah, she'll definitely be happy to see me. I don't need to bribe her, but I'll still bring the presents. They'll set a romantic tone if Kris wants to see them that way, or she can see them as platonic gifts.

Andy had an idea. Scrolling through the electronic Yellow Pages next to the phone, she found the main number for the Coast Guard station.

“Hello. If I want to visit a friend whose boat is docked at the station, do I need to be on some sort of access list?” she asked. The answer was affirmative. So much for that! Andy would definitely have to drive and walk past to see what other possibilities there were.

* * * *

The next afternoon, Andy drove over to the station during rush hour when she was less likely to be noticed. Driving back and forth past the entrance, she could see the bow sticking out from behind a building about 75 yards beyond the gate. A Coastie sat in the guard shack, and the gate pike was down. It was all pretty much as she remembered it. Andy didn't really want to breach security; just bypass it legally. She drove to a public lot and parked, sauntering casually back down the street. One pass each way would have to do. Her objective was to see who went in and out and how they did it.

On her second pass, along the other side of the street, Andy observed a pizza delivery truck being checked in. If only I could disguise myself as a pizza, she thought. I could have myself delivered. They have to be authorized, too.

Then she remembered the flowers. I don't have to bring them, she thought. I can send them! All she needed was a florist willing to let her ride along, for a reasonable fee, if necessary.

Andy negotiated the port traffic back around the harbor to her high-rise hotel. Out went the phone book again as she searched for florists. It had to be a gay or lesbian florist, of course, someone who would sympathize with her predicament. A gay florist! She had to laugh. Back home in the Bay Area there was scarcely anything else.

* * * *

The next morning Andy went to Rainbow Flowers, right in the middle of South End. She didn't know what the gay scene was like in Boston anymore, but as desperate as things were for gay men and lesbians these days, they might easily need the business, understand her situation, or both.

A chime sounded when she entered and a pleasant-looking, bearded man came out to greet her, wiping his hands on a green apron.

“May I help you?"

Andy gave him her most charming smile and read his name tag. “Good morning, Ed. My name's Andy Santiago and I'd like to order a dozen roses to be delivered to the Coast Guard station, but I need a little extra help. I have to go with them."

Ed laughed. “I'd really love to help you but I just lost my driver. She had a chance to get out of the country she felt she couldn't pass up. I've been doing the deliveries myself at lunch time and in the evening after I close."

Andy saw her chance. “I'll do them. I'll drive for you."

“How's that again?” He stared at her, understandably confused.

“I'll drive for you until Kris gets back. See, that's the other part of the problem. She's not there now, on her boat. I have to let you know when she gets back. I'll drive for you until then. I know Boston and I don't need to do any sight-seeing. It'll help pass the time."

Ed was tempted. Andy sounded bright, looked good and was definitely family. The long hours were already killing him and the late deliveries were unpopular with his customers.

“Well, I would need to see your license to make sure you have no record, make sure you are who you say you are..."

“No problem. Make a copy of these,” she pulled out her license, her concealed weapons permit and her Bay Area Ferry System ID. “You can run a check while I go back and change. I know I'm not dressed for making deliveries."

She wanted her jeans and running shoes.

Ed picked up her ID. “An engineer! Lucky you live on the West Coast in a safe place. And you carry a weapon. You may need it. There are some neighborhoods..."

“I know. The same in California."

“Come on,” he said, and she followed him to the office where he made copies and handed everything back. “I'll just start your tax paperwork and you can drive when you get back, if you really want to. Gee, this is great."

She stuck out her hand and they shook. “You go ahead and run a background check real quick,” she encouraged him. “I don't mind. But you don't need to pay me. Just let me drive the flowers to Kris on the station and we're even."

Ed shook his head. “If you check out, the flowers are on me."

“All I need's a map then. I'll be back in an hour,” she promised.

* * * *

Kris drove like the wind, swearing like the sailor she was. “Shit! Goddamn!” she ground out, one eye on the speedometer, the other on traffic. Her radar/laser detector was attached to the dashboard and hooked up through the lighter.

Her motel was in south central New York State, and while she had all day, Kris wanted nothing more than to get off the road so she could call Andy and cry.

Kris wondered what Cindy and Harry would do to punish their daughters for loving her, but at the same time she was comforted to know that they were not cut off. Far from it.

Kris wished Andy were there with her, right now that very minute. Andy would reinforce her beliefs, support her actions, stand beside her. Kris said aloud, “I need you, Andy, dammit!"

Andy continued to creep into her mind to keep her company. Finally Kris couldn't stand it anymore and ordered the computer to call Andy at home, where she might easily be because it was Saturday. She could chat hands-free with Andy while she drove.

“Hi! Thanks for calling. I'm out of town on business. If you need to reach me, call my cell-phone,” Andy's voice said.

“Business?” Kris muttered. It was hard to remember the last time that had happened. “Dial Andy's cell-phone,” she ordered the computer, and soon she heard it ring.

“Hello?"

“Andy! It's Kris. Where the hell are you?"

Andy was on Mass Ave in the flower truck but she was prepared. Cleverly she said, “Pasadena."

“Doing what?"

“Turbine seminar. What's up?” Andy pulled over so she could concentrate.

“No, you're busy. I'll call you back."

“Kris, I have time right now. Talk to me,” Andy commanded.

“I had the most awful scene with Cindy this morning. The girls snuck into my room to cuddle and Cindy went ballistic."

Andy was confused. “Why should she care?"

Kris kept her eye on an erratic sports car, letting it pass her quickly. “Two reasons. She resents their affection for me, and she thinks I'm trying to turn them into lesbians."

“You wouldn't even if you could,” Andy tried to soothe her. “Why would anyone think such a thing?” Suddenly a car horn honked in Andy's ear and she swore silently.

“That's some noisy seminar,” Kris remarked.

“We're on a break. I'm outside,” Andy improvised.

“Learning much?” Kris tried to give Andy equal time for her interests. Little as she understood about engines, they were Andy's life.

“A good engineer is always learning,” Andy informed her, trying not to giggle. “Listen, Cindy will get over it. She thinks you're gone for good, I bet."

“That's what I want her to think. She also thinks I'm giving Harry control of the girls’ trust accounts. She wants my money in the worst way,” Kris said. She crossed the border into Pennsylvania and felt her spirits droop. The girls were ever further behind her. She could still feel their weight and warmth in her arms, their tears on her cheeks.

“God, I'm gonna miss them,” she said through clenched teeth.

“It's going to be hard for them, Kris, no doubt. But you've done all you can for now. Just keep your eye on the prize.” Andy told her firmly.

“You're right. I knew I'd feel better if I talked to you."

“When'll you get in?” Andy tried to sound casual.

“Oh, I guess mid-afternoon tomorrow. Will you be back home by then?” Kris asked.

“I may, or I may go from here out to dinner. Just call me anyway,” Andy fudged. “And call me tonight, too, will you? From your hotel? I want to know you got there okay."

“On your cell?"

“Yeah. I don't have the hotel number handy, but I can call you right back,” Andy said.

“Okay."

After they hung up, Kris relaxed. She was already looking forward to their next call.

* * * *

By the time she got back to her hotel that evening, Andy was all set for Sunday. The bouquet was downstairs in the hotel's refrigerator, and the flower van was in the garage. She had only to return it to Ed by Monday before noon.

Kris’ call came around seven PM. Having prepared for the event, Andy had eaten dinner and was in her robe with the bed turned down.

“Hi, Kris. Give me your number and let me call you back,” she said, opening her robe.

When they reconnected, Kris asked, “So how's the seminar going?” She took a sip of her bourbon.

“Oh, you know.” Andy slid her hand between her legs. She told herself she must be crazy, but she did it anyway. “Still heavily male. Lots of techno-babble. I like that sort of stuff; you would hate it."

Kris laughed quietly and Andy's blood-pressure crept up in response. She loved that sound.

“So what are you doing?” Kris asked.

Andy almost dropped the phone, but she recovered quickly. “Uh ... nothing! I just ate."

“I have the news on TV. It's so depressing, I don't know why I bother.” Kris picked up the little blue vibrator and thought, should I? Andy's voice seemed almost like a caress.

“In just a few days you'll be out on the ocean and you can forget all this political crap, and even your personal situation, at least for a while,” Andy reminded her.” Frantically she tried to think of a way to keep Kris talking, so she wouldn't have to respond.

“Yeah, that's true. I just have to top off supplies and fuel and I'll be on my way,” Kris agreed. She put the vibrator between her legs but didn't turn it on. She certainly didn't want to come over the phone in Andy's ear.

Maybe I can get her to talk about her plans, Andy thought. “I really envy you, all that free time, all those islands and ports...” she stroked slowly and gently.

“Don't envy me. Sailing alone is work, even motor sailing. I either have to stay awake long stretches, or lose a lot of time whenever I put into port to sleep,” Kris reminded her.

“Yeah, that is true, but the independence, the separation from everything but nature, that's what I envy.” Come on, Kris, she thought. Help me out here.

Then she had an idea. “Tell me about that incident with the Oaf gang again. When the girls tried to tell me about it they were so worked up, I'm not sure I got all the details."

“Oh, yeah! I never got to tell you about that at all!” Kris remembered, distracted from her own needs for the moment. “Well, it all started when we got back to the and were planning to up anchor and get out on the lake for the night. This group of young Aryans, because that what they looked like, shows up..."

Bingo! Andy thought. She cradled the phone against her shoulder and settled down to pleasure herself in earnest.

As she spoke, Kris thought, I'll just turn this thing on low. It won't happen for a while, but it'll definitely happen.

Listening to Kris’ lengthy description, Andy writhed languorously on her bed. Oh, God, this is so good, she thought. I wonder what the real thing is like with her. Oh, Kris, Kris, my love, she thought. She rotated the mouthpiece away so that Kris wouldn't be able to hear her increasingly rapid breathing.

“Uh-huh,” she said, every now and then, to encourage Kris. “Yeah. And ... then what?"

As Kris described the grand finale of wrenching the boat loose, she heard an enormous gasp, and then a sneeze.

“Oh! Oh, sorry, Kris,” Andy apologized, panting. “I hope I'm not catching something."

“Yeah, me, too.” For her own part, she was squirming and dying to get herself off, but she hadn't had a chance. “So, have you got all your assets moved to banks overseas?"

“Um, yeah, several months ago,” Andy was mildly puzzled at the change of subject.

“Would you mind telling me the details, in case I missed anything?” Kris requested, getting comfortable and turning up the vibrator.

“No problem,” Andy agreed. Good! She never guessed, Andy thought. “First there were the mutual funds...” she began.

“Uh-huh,” Kris encouraged her. “And how did you handle your 401k?"

As Andy repeated the nuances of each transaction, Kris bore down. With Andy's voice to stimulate her, it would be better than it had ever been before.

“So finally all I had to do was cash my savings bonds and re-invest them,” Andy was saying, when suddenly Kris was seized by a fit of coughing. “Are you all right?” she asked anxiously.

“Oh, sorry,” Kris gasped. “Some of my drink went down the wrong way.” She struggled to regain her composure. “It certainly sounds to me as if you've got all the bases covered. Speaking of which, have you come across anything on the subject of legal issues and minors?” Kris was relieved. Apparently Andy had no idea of what had been happening on her end of the conversation.

“As a matter of fact, this woman in my church is looking into it. She started out just doing it for herself, but now she's collecting and distributing information to everybody. I asked her to work on Ohio just before I ... uh, left for this thing,” Andy finished quickly.

“That was very sweet of you, Andy,” Kris purred. “Maybe by the time I get there, she'll have something for me."

Andy grinned. I know I sure will, she thought, visualizing Kris’ face the next day when she showed up. “I'm sure she will. Look, you'll call me tomorrow when you get in, right?” Right, honey? she thought.

“I sure will, Andy. Love you!"

Startled, Andy responded, “Uh ... yeah! Me, too. I love you, too, Kris."

CHAPTER 14

“Oh, God!” Nik groaned, grabbing her head with both hands. “What did I drink?” Extricating herself from tangled sheets she was happy to discover that she was alone. She went into the bathroom and relieved herself, and then hunted for her hangover antidote in the medicine cabinet.

It was when she closed the mirrored door that she saw the bruises. Stunned, she raised her fingers to her throat. “Oh! What happened?” she cried out. Slowly she turned around and thus was able to glimpse scratches on her back. “Jesus!” Quickly swallowing her medicine, she grabbed a robe from the back of the door and rushed out to look at the rest of her apartment.

In the living room she found her CDs in disarray, and her purse dumped out on the floor. Nik got down and scrabbled through the contents. While her cash was gone, all of her credit cards and documents were intact. Flipping over a few of the CDs, she ascertained that several of her more recent pop/rock acquisitions were missing. Looking around more carefully, she realized that a bottle of liquor was gone from the credenza, so she ran to the front door to make sure it was double-bolted.

Finally, she returned to the bedroom to see what else she had missed initially. Her watch was gone, but her gun was still safe it its hiding place, along with her better jewelry.

“Oh, my God! My God,” Nik breathed, her heart still pounding, although she was no longer as frightened. “Nik, you're an idiot. No more bars! And I've got to have the locks changed.” As she said this, she started making a list of things to do. “New locks. An alarm system. A safe,” she muttered to herself, calming down.

“Coffee. I need coffee,” she went on as she rummaged in the kitchen. “And a brain transplant. To hell with this. I'll stay celibate. If I can't find any decent women, I don't have to settle. I'll just ... make friends with normal, reasonable people instead, or whatever."

After she cleaned up the mess and showered, Nik sat down at her computer and paged through her address book. “I need to talk someone, someone sane."

* * * *

Several hours later, after phoning old friends and commiserating on the dreadful social and political situation, Nik had regained some of her equilibrium. Nobody was really any better off than she was, and while that certainly wasn't good, she didn't feel so alone anymore.

Several of her friends were starting to have problems with families, husbands and boyfriends in additional to professional and political problems. With them, Nik had discussed various solutions to these problems, and she was thankful that she at least had no real personal problems to deal with. It seemed many of them would have to choose between profession, or personal freedom, and family.

The situation that concerned Nik the most was that of her former mentor, Suzanne Whittington-Hardaway. They had met through an MIT program for women in the sciences and now, although they were in different disciplines, Nik and Suzanne normally maintained a relatively close relationship. But this time, it had taken Nik several hours to track Suzanne down, and what she had discovered scared her.

Suzanne and her 18-year old daughter Alexis, who had been in college in Texas, were being pressed by society, friends and family to give up their professional ambitions to avoid losing their homes and families. Suzanne was a marine biologist with NOAA and had lived in Houston with her family, which included, besides Alexis, her lawyer husband, Frank and their 16-year old son, Bryce.

Until recently (it was always recently, Nik thought), Suzanne, Frank and the kids had lived in reasonable harmony. Then the Hearth and Home Movement developed, and in addition to beginning to endanger Suzanne's job and Alexis’ education, it made Frank aware of what other men were getting, or what he thought they were getting that he should have.

Suzanne was frequently at sea for NOAA, which meant Frank and the kids had to take care of themselves and the house without her assistance most of the time. When she was home, she gladly took over some of the responsibility, but not all of it. Frank and Bryce, who saw other women working at their jobs all day and at home all night, never quite got it that long tours at sea were hard work and Suzanne needed her time ashore to rest as well as work up the results of her research. However, Suzanne felt that as a hard-working wage earner she had a right both to time off and recognition of her efforts and her high self-esteem made it possible for her not to give in on this point.

One day, out of nowhere, Frank became an Oath-Taker. He said it was because so many of his friends and clients had joined the group. Nik knew both Suzanne and Frank well enough to picture the exchanges Suzanne had described.

* * * *

The first time Frank came home late, after work and an Oath-Taker's prayer meeting, Suzanne had thought little of it.

“You know how it is here in Texas, Suze,” Frank said placatingly. “We got us a lot of real traditional folks here, the men in particular. I do a lot of business with them. It's like playing golf, or the Rotary, or the Bar Association."

Suzanne was packing for an extended voyage. She was a compact woman with graying, sandy hair that she kept short for convenience since she spent a lot of time in a wet suit.

She thought about it, folding neatly, tucking items here and there. “Well, you could set a different kind of example, Frank. Would not being an Oath-Taker actually damage your business? Don't we have enough money?"

Frank was huge compared to her, a beefy, hearty man with a loud voice who looked less like a lawyer and more like some of the male ranchers who were his clients. He came to stand behind her and gave her a hug and rest his chin on top of her head. “Maybe not now, but possibly later. It's as if everyone I know is joining."

“Isn't that a scary thought?” Suzanne remarked. “Personally, I don't see the need for it. But if you promise to treat it as a business-related function, and don't bring the philosophy home, and above all, don't infect Bryce with it, I will agree to disagree."

“Fine, fine, not a problem,” Frank told her.

Shortly after their conversation, Suzanne flew west to pick up her ship for a survey of the Sea of Cortez and thought nothing more of it.

Six weeks later, Suzanne told Nik, when she came home again, Frank prepared a candlelight supper as he frequently did to welcome her home. Bryce was at a friend's house for the night and Alexis was away at school.

Suzanne, of course, thought all of this was preliminary to a romantic interlude in bed, so she was especially surprised when, sitting on the couch after dinner, Frank took her hand and said, “I've made a terrible mistake, Suze. I've given you my role."

The hair stood up on the back of her neck. “How's that again?"

“Well, you know, you go off and leave us here. I take care of the kids and the house. Traditionally, that should be your role,” he explained patiently.

“Role? Tradition? Whose tradition?” Suzanne tensed a little. Isolated as she was at sea. Suzanne still knew what was going on in the world and the nation. She had trusted Frank and believed herself and Alexis to be immune to all the madness and therefore, safe.

“You should be home, caring for your family, and seeing to my needs. The Bible says, ‘It is not good for man to be alone.’ It's not a wife's duty to go off chasing jellyfish. Earning a living is my job, and I earn more than enough. I want you to stay home now, Suze, and be softer and more feminine. Let your hair grow, wear dresses and such."

Suzanne stared at him in utter disbelief, feeling as if she had stepped into the pages of a book. She tried to make light of it rather than flying into a rage or running for the door.

“This is a joke, right? You want me to leave my profession and play Suzie Homemaker?” She leaned over and patted his knee. “You always were a kidder, Frank. That's one of the things I love about you. You can get me some nice frilly aprons for my next birthday, and I can wear them with just some plastic wrap..."

Frank fidgeted, shifting around and not looking his wife in the eye. Finally he said, “This really isn't a joke, Suze. It's time for us to both accept the roles God has given us. Now, I'm willing to shoulder 100% of the responsibility for our family's livelihood and I need you to take on 100% of the responsibility for our home and children."

Suzanne sighed. So much for their romantic evening. “Frank, no. We're not going there. My profession means as much to me as yours does to you, no matter what I earn. I've spent almost 30 years with NOAA. I took maternity leave to have our children, you didn't. I make major contributions to the good of the environment. Together with our family, my work is my life. Would you give up your work?"

That argument, which lasted half an hour until Suzanne excused herself to take a walk and gather her thoughts, resulted in a cold bed that night, and, as the days passed, divided their household along gender lines. Fortunately Alexis was at school the entire time and was spared suffering with her mother.

Bryce left clothes and sports paraphernalia all over the house and Frank told Suzanne to clean it up. She ignored the mess and him. Both males stopped doing laundry and dishes and waited to be fed. When Suzanne let them live in the sty they were creating, Frank hid her car keys and deleted her computer files, saying she could have both back when she got her act together.

Having copies of both keys and files, what Suzanne got instead was a lawyer.

* * * *

It had taken several months, and that was why she and Nik had temporarily lost touch, but since that historic disagreement with Frank, Suzanne had moved to San Diego, taking Alexis with her. Since Alexis was over 18, it wasn't kidnapping, but Frank was still attempting extradition based on her student and dependent status. Suzanne and Frank were not yet divorced, nor was Suzanne ready to go that far, but she had separated their finances after quite boldly helping herself, with her lawyer's advice, to half of their joint accounts. She had sent Frank a letter stating that she needed the money immediately, and should it become necessary, the amount would be considered part of a settlement. Suzanne figured that with Frank's six-figure income, he wouldn't need it, and indeed, all he was pursuing was the extradition of his daughter, but Alexis was safe as long as she stayed in California.

It was her original intent, Suzanne had told Nik, to wait Frank out, hoping that his love for her, their shared history and values and his common sense would finally motivate him to relent. So far that hadn't happened, but Suzanne and Alexis had grown closer, especially as they were sharing a small apartment because Suzanne was homeported in San Diego and Alexis commuted to UCSD. Alexis had been resentful about being yanked out of school at first but was fast growing accustomed to the relative freedoms of Southern California. It was harder financially for both of them than it had been, and they both had to make new friends, but they were slowly adapting to life without Frank and Bryce.

“Let me come down for a short visit, Sue,” Nik offered. “I know space is tight but I can stay at a motel..."

“No, Nik, we have enough room. We'll manage. I'd love to see you,” Suzanne said quickly. She thought it would be good for Alexis to see that young professional women still had a life and a future. “How's the weekend after next?"

Nik checked. “Good for me. E-mail me directions and I'll see you then."

Nik smiled now, anticipating the journey as she enjoyed the sunset from her tiny balcony. The world wasn't quite upside down yet.

CHAPTER 15

Andy was hyperventilating. Her bags had been packed and in the truck for hours. She had made herself stay up late in order to be able to sleep late. She worked out for an hour in the hotel gym and forced herself to have a leisurely lunch. She surfed the TV channels but there were so few women's sports anymore, mostly overseas, there was almost nothing worth watching on a Sunday afternoon. She left the TV on a nature show and took her binoculars to the balcony for the twenty-ninth time. Nothing new on that she could see.

When her cell-phone rang, Andy almost went over the railing. Wiping her sweating hands on her pants, she had to count to three before answering.

“Hey! I'm back! You home yet?” Kris asked.

Andy could hear background noises. “Yeah. Unpacking?"

“Looking for food. The cupboard is bare. I'm gonna have to go out."

“Okay. Tell you what. I'll call you back in, what? An hour?” Andy asked.

“Better make it an hour and a half. I want to unpack and start the wash before I go,” Kris told her.

“Okay. Later,” Andy said, and they hung up.

Andy vaulted off the bed into action. Calling Ed on the run, she asked him to tell Kris the flowers would be there in fifteen minutes. Andy couldn't make it that quickly, but it would force Kris to stay put.

She ran to the garage with the vase, slippery with moisture from a night in the big refrigerator, and drove carefully to the station, certain Kris had phoned entry permission to the gate almost immediately. Light Sunday afternoon traffic allowed Andy to make the run in twenty minutes, and the guard barely nodded as he raised the gate to let the van in.

“Oh God, oh God, oh God!” Andy muttered as she parked next to the silver BMW. “Let her not be mad at me."

Andy took deep breaths as she carried the vase in front of her, the flowers fanning out to form a shield that hid her face. She knocked on the hull.

“Come aboard!” Kris’ voice floated out to greet her.

As Andy carefully negotiated the ladder, Kris continued, “I was just about to go out, so ... oh!” she exclaimed as she came on deck. “What beautiful roses!"

Holding the vase tightly, Andy lowered it, came to attention, and formally recited, “Request permission to serve as your engineer, Captain."

Kris stopped and stared, her deep blue eyes widening with shock. “Why aren't you in Oakland?” she asked reasonably.

And then she began to sway. Like lightning, Andy switched the vase to one arm and steadied Kris with the other. “I ... I'm sorry, Kris. I wanted to surprise you.” She helped Kris sit down on one of the benches.

Kris was still reeling, “But ... I'm leaving in a few days!” she wailed.

Andy laughed. “I'm coming with you, if you'll have me. Come inside, Kris. Let's get these flowers out of the sun.” She rose and led the way herself, Kris following in a daze.

As Andy put the vase on the counter, Kris came up behind her. “So ... was there ever a seminar? How did you get the florist to do this? How long have you been planning...?"

Andy shook her head and pulled Kris into her arms, “Shut up a minute, will you?” she requested.

Kris sagged and leaned against her, “Oh, Andy!” she began to sob. “I am so glad to see you! It's as if I wished you here. This is wonderful."

Andy just stood still and held Kris close for as long as she could get away with it, a shit-eating grin threatening to split her face.

Finally Kris pulled back and they both laughed self-consciously. “How the hell did you do this?” Kris demanded again, hunting for a box of tissues.

“I promise I'll give you every detail, but look, why don't we get my things ... I can stay, can't I?” Andy asked, searching Kris’ face.

Kris blew her nose. “Oh, don't be silly. You're hired."

“Great! So let's get my stuff, take the van back and shop for food, okay? Isn't that what you were about to do?"

Kris nodded, still looking bewildered. She turned and inhaled the aroma of the peach roses again. “These are so lovely."

Andy was thinking the same thing of Kris’ long legs, the denim cut-offs revealing her perfect light tan. With a lavender polo shirt to complete the look, Kris was a mouth-watering sight.

“Come on, Kris. Help me unload.” She took the lead because Kris was still a little disoriented, although happily so.

Kris shrugged. “Okay,” she said with a grin.

They got Andy's luggage out of the van and into the galley, Andy handed Kris a bottle of champagne, too. “Here, chill this. Compliments of Ed, the florist."

“Fine, but I still want every detail, I mean it,” Kris demanded, some of her composure returning. She was finally accepting what her brain wouldn't allow her senses to tell her. The smell of the roses, the sound of Andy's voice, the lengthy hug they had shared, the sight of Andy's lithe, firm body clad in crisp white linen trousers and a luscious peach tank top to match the roses. God, if I'm dreaming, don't let me wake up! Kris thought. And while we're at it, let those roses mean what I think they mean.

“I give you my word, I will reveal every step of the mission, on the way to the grocery store,” Andy promised. “Follow me."

* * * *

Drinking Ed's champagne, they made spaghetti and meatballs together, bumping into one another in the galley, dropping things, giggling like teenagers. During dinner they stared into each other's eyes, toasting each other, the meal, the occasion and whatever else they could think of. As Kris loaded the dishwasher, Andy went on deck for a breath of fresh air, taking her wine with her.

After a few minutes, wondering why Kris hadn't joined her, Andy went back in. She found Kris sitting on the couch, looking at the roses, tears running down her cheeks.

Andy went to her quickly and sat down. “What's wrong? Did I make a complete mess of things?"

“No, no, it's just ... look, if yellow roses are for friendship, and red ones are for romance, then what are peach ones for?” Kris asked plaintively. “I have to know."

Andy put her wine down and took Kris’ hand carefully in her own, trembling but determined to press on. “Peach is for ‘I'm afraid to say I love you.’”

Kris looked into Andy's eyes and saw what she had been hoping for. With a huge sigh of relief she said, “Oh, Andy! Yes! God, yes! I love you, too. Don't be afraid. I want to be with you. I've wanted it for a long time."

Andy stared, almost dizzy with relief herself. “You mean it? You're sure? I mean ... just like that?"

“Andy, love, it's hardly just like that,” Kris was able to assure her. “Now come here. I want to hold you, and I want to kiss you properly."

“Wow, our first time,” Andy breathed, her eyes wide.

“Yes. Are you ready?” Kris joked with a soft laugh.

“More than ready. Oh, Kris,” Andy sighed, leaning toward her friend and soon-to-be lover. “Please,” she said simply.

Kris kissed her.

As their kiss deepened and became more urgent, their embrace tightened, their hands moved to caress one another, and Kris realized they needed the greater privacy and comfort of her bedroom.

“Andy, come,” Kris said, standing and pulling her up. “Take our wine and go into the bedroom. I'll close up here."

“Yes, Captain,” Andy whispered, rising on rubber legs.

Kris smiled and gave her a gentle push in the small of her back. “Go."

She found Andy carefully turning down her super-sized bed. Kris closed the door, dimmed the lights and turned on the stereo. Then she opened her arms to her lover. “Come here."

* * * *

As Kris took Andy in her arms, mouths searching one another, she felt Andy's fingers opening her fly. “Oh, yes! Hurry!” Kris groaned.

Andy was delighted. Evidently their desire was truly mutual, and what was more, Kris was not nervous or shy about wanting another woman. Kris was as eager to make love as anyone Andy had ever been with.

Andy knelt and slid Kris’ shorts and underpants down. Kris balanced herself on Andy's shoulder to step out of them, and then held Andy's head gently as Andy's tongue began to probe deeply into her thatch of thick, dark red hair. “Oh, yes, but I'd better sit,” Kris said huskily.

“You do that,” Andy agreed, following Kris back a couple of steps as she sat down on the edge of her bed. Andy nudged her to draw her legs up and plunged deeply into her wet, velvety womanhood, causing both of them to gasp with pleasure. Kris’ juices spurted into Andy's mouth in her excitement and Andy's own honey dribbled down her legs. Andy reached down and struggled out of her own clothing without ever breaking contact with Kris’ turgid folds.

“Come up here,” Kris gasped. “Let me do you."

“No. Later,” Andy grunted, enchanted with her newfound treasure.

Kris’ sensed Andy's great need to give her pleasure, and surrendered to Andy's loving. While she was certainly eager, Andy was not rushed. She was tender, appreciative and best of all, accurate. She took her sweet time building Kris’ climax, attentive to every sound and move her lover was making, following her cues, learning to judge her responses. And she was as romantic as she was comprehensive, her hands caressing, joining with Kris’ on her belly as Kris writhed languorously above her on the bed.

“Oh, Andy, that's so good ... so sweet ... uh ... oh!” Kris groaned, remembering, wanting, and knowing bliss was inevitable. She didn't care anything at all about Andy's past, where and how she had learned to weave her magic. Andy was hers now. In this moment there was nothing and no one else.

Gradually, steadily Kris felt herself approaching orgasm, her first one with Andy. “Oh God, lover,” she whispered. “Oh, yes, please. Please!"

Andy smiled into Kris’ softness. It was so good to be where she was, she didn't want it to end, but obviously Kris was ready to explode. Andy concentrated on the area just above the swollen, sensitive clitoris, occasionally sucking the throbbing organ gently.

Kris’ firm backside bounced on the mattress and her thighs trembled. “Uh ... oooohhhh ... Andy ... ANDYYYYYYYYY,” she screamed, almost doubling up with the intensity of her ecstasy. “Andy, Andy, please!” she wailed as if she were dying. And indeed, something had died. The solitary Kristin Kelly Nordstrom had ceased to exist.

Gently Kris stopped her lover. “Andy, my love, that was wonderful. You come up here now."

This time Andy obeyed gladly. They both moved up to the pillows and Kris took Andy's lips with hers, tasting her fresh pleasure in Andy's mouth. Now it was Andy's turn to whimper with need as Kris’ fingers found their target. Grinning devilishly, Kris withdrew her fingers and licked them off slowly, making Andy moan and grind her hips in frustration.

“Does this turn you on?” Kris growled seductively. She did it again, entering Andy, then licking the honey from her fingers.

“You always were a tease,” Andy complained.

“I hope you like it, because I still am,” Kris informed her, “but I want more than a taste. Lie back.” And with that Kris slid down and wiggled under Andy's hips to indulge herself in her sweet, hot juices. “Gimme some salsa, honey,” she joked, and then she dove in.

Andy laughed but then her legs started to jerk reflexively as Kris targeted her aching sex. She wriggled against Kris’ face as the demanding tongue danced from one sensitive spot to another, pleasing and teasing all at once, until she was tight as a drum.

“Kris, I need it now. I can't take any more. Let me come, baby, please,” Andy begged, raking her fingers through Kris’ luxuriant short mane.

Kris laughed so that Andy could feel it, but she gave in gracefully and gently drew the hardness of Andy's clit into her mouth.

“Jesus! Jesus! I'm coming!” Andy shouted, and she all but levitated in orgasm, thrashing wildly in Kris’ strong arms, gushing uncontrollably into her lover's eager mouth. “Kris! Kris!” Andy shrieked, and then she started to cry, huge sobs wracking her wiry frame.

Kris moved back up and cradled Andy, letting her release all the emotions she had stored for years, never knowing if or when they could be expressed.

“Oh, God, Kris,” Andy mumbled, when she could speak again. “I love you so much. Thank you.” She nuzzled against Kris’ breasts, which she realized belatedly she had neglected during the urgency of their joining. But she was so sleepy now. They would keep.

Kris kissed her and pulled up the covers. “I think we have a lot to talk about,” she whispered. “But it can wait."

* * * *

Kris closed her Bible, stretched and picked up her wineglass. She leaned back and relaxed on the couch, and that was how Andy found her when she woke up a little after nine-thirty.

She slid into Kris’ arms and a kiss before resting her head on Kris’ chest. “Whatcha been doin'?"

“Mmmm,” Kris sighed, slightly surprised at the ease with which they were moving into the new dimensions of their relationship. “Just reading the Bible. I do it at eight central, with Dani and Ky."

“Every night?"

“So far. It helps us feel connected to each other and confuses their parents,” Kris laughed.

Andy laughed, too. “You amaze me."

“Likewise.” Kris’ gaze narrowed. “Why are you wearing my shirt?” she picked up her wineglass again and took a sip.

Andy rolled her eyes exaggeratedly. “Don't you watch TV? Don't you see any movies? Don't you know anything? After making love, the smaller one always puts on the larger one's clothing!"

Kris laughed so hard she almost spewed wine across the room. “Stop it! Ick! Ugh! Look what you made me do!” She was helpless with laughter as she went for the paper towels.

Andy jumped up and ran away giggling. “All my stuff is in the other cabin. I just didn't want to come out naked in case the curtains were open."

Kris recovered. “I guess you'd better move some things into ... our bedroom, then."

Andy smiled and ran to hug her. “Thank you, Kris.” She was radiant.

Kris bent to kiss her. “You're welcome. Then come sit with me. We need to talk."

“Am I in trouble?” Andy worried.

“No, darling. Not at all."

Andy returned in her own robe and half-filled a wineglass for herself. “What should we talk about?"

“The great big empty spaces in our lives that we could never discuss before.” Kris took Andy's hand. “I don't mean to pry, and you don't have to tell me anything at all, but there are some things I need to tell you. I can't believe you don't have any questions."

Andy eyed her, still a little apprehensive. “Well, there is..."

“I thought there might be,” Kris said, leaning over to nibble Andy's ear just a little.

“You know way too much for a rookie. Who is she, or who were they?"

“That's what I wanted to tell you about. Her name was Janet,” Kris said, looking at Andy lovingly.

“Was?” Andy probed.

“Yes, darling. She died a long time ago.” Kris stroked Andy's hair back from her forehead.

But to Andy it was news. She sat bolt upright. “Oh, my God, Kris! I'm so sorry!” Tears sprang into Andy's eyes; the sense of great loss had not escaped her. “I am so sorry you never told me, but I guess, I mean I understand, you couldn't."

“No, I couldn't tell anyone. May I tell you now?"

“Yes! Please! Do you have any pictures?"

“Of course! Wait.” Kris got up and soon returned with all of Janet's memorabilia and a photo album.

“This was Janet,” Kris began, and slowly, sometimes stopping to dry tears, she told Andy everything about her first true love, things that only Kris, and Jim McCarthy, knew. She told Andy about Jim, too.

“It must seem bizarre, but our sense of loss was so profound, so painful. There was so much he didn't know about Janet, so much I never had a chance to experience with her. It really helped us both reach closure. I don't think I could have gotten through that first year on the whole without having been with him. I wanted to die, Andy. I can't even begin to explain how desperate I felt. Jim brought me this stuff up in Maine, all but the medal. He gave me that the next year, when I went to Texas."

Andy looked at the badge, ring and medal reverently. “And what's this?” she asked, touching the leather book.

“It's poetry, things she wrote about me, and about us. Some of it is pretty erotic. I don't mind if you read it, but maybe by yourself?"

Andy shook her head. “I don't think I'm ready for that yet. But I think the idea is lovely, and I can understand how someone would want to write poetry about you. Maybe I should give it a try sometime."

Kris blushed. “Oh, Andy. You are so sweet and understanding.” Why had she never noticed this woman's devotion to her? She felt like an idiot.

“I just love you, Kris. Now what about little Janet? Did you ever see her again?"

“Now and then. We stay in touch mostly by e-mail. She's very bright and totally multi-lingual.” Kris picked up the photo album again and paged to the back. “Here are her school pictures."

“Aren't you worried about her?” Andy asked anxiously.

“Thank goodness, no. Her mom's a career diplomat from Venezuela, so she has dual citizenship,” Kris explained.

“Terrific! What a relief,” Andy said. “Where is she now?"

“Tokyo. Her parents will be able to keep her safe from all this nonsense, even if they have to come here. Her mom's diplomatic status makes them immune."

Andy snuggled up again and Kris kissed her hair. “Can I confess now?” Andy asked.

“Goodness! I wasn't aware you had any secrets,” Kris joked. “I mean, certainly you have a private life, but..."

“It's really mostly about feelings,” Andy reassured her quickly.

“It doesn't matter what it's about. If you need to share something with me, I want you to feel free to do it.” Kris pulled Andy even closer to emphasize her words.

“Well, you know about Lorraine, but after that, I sort of played the field. Every time after I saw you on vacation, I would look at my girlfriends and realize they all had something in common with you, but one way or another, they seemed inadequate. I would try again and again, so I guess you could say I was pretty promiscuous. I didn't mean to be but I was always looking for something more."

“I'm starting to feel guilty,” Kris frowned.

“Please. It's not your fault. Society never allowed lesbians to have a military career and a life, especially not now.” Andy collected her thoughts and struggled on. “It was especially obvious to me, what I was doing, three years ago when you took command. I went home sad but I kept on dating because I knew you were going on to stars and it would be another, well, I don't know how long, but too long for me to put my life on hold."

“Oh, Andy, I'm sorry. I never knew. So you've had lots of women. Is that what you're trying to tell me?” Kris asked calmly.

“Yes, but I didn't want to, and while I wanted to, and tried to, love one or another, it was impossible. But I don't blame you,” Andy insisted. “And I was careful and I stayed clean and healthy. I just had a blood test and a physical. I'm in great shape, and I have no intention of doing anything to mess it up."

“Andy, don't worry about it. I trust you to take care of yourself, and us, properly. Okay? Now look, you feel badly because you were with more women than was probably good for you, and I feel badly that I never realized how you felt. I think those pretty much cancel each other out. And guess what."

“What?” Andy murmured into Kris’ shoulder, content.

“All of your experiences made you what you are, for me, today. What matters to me is now, and tomorrow. Yesterday is over. Let's enjoy our good memories and make new ones, all right?” Kris turned Andy's face to her so they could see each other's eyes. “Okay?"

“Mmm-hmm. Except, could I ask one more thing?"

Kris smiled. “Sure. Fire away."

“After Janet, and Jim, until now, what did you do? Men?"

“Nothing. Nobody,” Kris told her. She thought it best to keep her little black bag to herself for the time being.

“See, I always thought you were into men, but your career made it impossible to find a good one,” Andy explained.

“Until Janet I thought it was men, and of course it was my career, too. I always thought that men were just basically unreasonable about my career, but Janet informed me that straight women generally don't find men unreasonable about things like that. She pointed out a lot of things about me to myself, and also about lesbians, that I never gave a thought before."

“Like what?” Andy was curious.

“Oh, the way lesbians stand, and move, and walk. That was how she spotted me. She knew, I didn't. Anyway, thanks to her, I was ready for you."

“I can't believe you haven't had sex for ten years!” Andy exclaimed.

“I've taken care of my own needs, Andy. I am alive, in case you hadn't noticed."

“I noticed plenty. So do you do it thinking about women?"

Andy was genuinely interested, and so totally non-judgmental, Kris decided to tell her. “Yes, always women. Fantasy women or unavailable women. And recently, especially after I decided to go to Oakland, I thought a lot about you, but I was afraid you were ... otherwise occupied."

“Really? You thought of me?” Andy was thrilled. “And what do you mean by occupied?"

“You know. With someone else. You never acted interested in me."

Andy grinned. “Had you fooled, huh?"

“Very much so,” Kris nodded.

“I was trying to protect your career, and myself from a broken heart,” Andy explained. “If you'd rejected me ... I can't even imagine how I would have dealt with it, or if I could have. Besides,” she took Kris’ hand and looked at her seriously, “I wasn't about to risk our friendship again, not for any reason."

“Oh, I think that last occasion was more my fault than yours. I was being very narrow-minded, which I came to realize just before it was too late. But for what it's worth, I wouldn't have rejected you. We would have found a way, career or not. I was desperately lonely sometimes, and I depended on our friendship a lot, so I wouldn't have ended it for that. I needed you, and I did concentrate on my career and my relationship with the girls to stay out of trouble. Enough talk now,” Kris said, and she kissed Andy slowly and deeply, feeling her enthusiastic response and loving it. It was glorious.

Andy had to stop to breathe. “Can we go back to bed now?” she whispered in Kris’ ear.

“I think that's a very good idea."

CHAPTER 16

“What a pain!” Dani grumbled, reading a phony e-mail from Kris. It was one of the two a week their parents permitted, and told them nothing they didn't already know. She was ready to sail for Jamaica and the weather was nice and she was looking forward to some good fishing. Blah blah blah.

“Yeah. I wonder where she's really going,” Ky mused, lying on her back on Dani's bed. “I mean, now that she's got Andy with her, that makes it a lot easier to sail."

“Sshh!” Dani cautioned. “We don't know about that, remember?"

“No one's here but us,” Ky said. “Don't get paranoid."

“Just be careful. Okay, want to be the lookout?"

“Sure.” Ky opened the door and went into her parents’ bedroom, which overlooked the driveway and the front of the house. “All clear!” she hollered. Cindy was at her sewing circle. The girls had it down to a science. They only broke the rules when both were home so they couldn't get caught.

“Signing on,” Dani yelled back. Using their TotalNet software and account from Kris, she was able to check their real-world e-mail. A moment later she yelled again. “Okay! Signing off!"

Ky waited just a minute longer to be on the safe side, and returned to Dani's room. “Anything?"

“Just a short one,” Dani pointed to the screen.

Together they read, “Weighing anchor this morning for Key West, my darlings, last stop before the Caribbean. Will check in on the way down. Andy sends love, and so do I."

“We can reply tomorrow,” Ky decided. They didn't like to keep the phone tied up staying on-line lest they arouse their parents’ suspicion. “We can flash it as soon as we get home from Vacation Bible School.” This was where they were sent every morning to avoid temptation. They were infrequently tempted to do anything wrong as it was, so the stultifying three hours a day did nothing more than stiffen their resistance to the program.

“Okay,” Ky agreed. “I'll send and you watch.” She got up to leave.

“Listen,” Dani said. “As long as we have a minute, I want to talk to you about something."

“What? Don't forget we have a project for tomorrow."

“Yes. I know. The Lessons of Ruth. But this'll only take a minute. In the fall, I want us to take Modern Dance after school."

“What?” Ky squawked. “That's sissy stuff."

“No, it isn't. It's not like ballet with the toe-shoes and stupid tutus. You wear some kind of loose outfit. It's incredibly athletic and it'll take the place of our tae kwon do. We need to stay in shape and Mom and Dad will never guess! They'll think we're really getting into the HHM. Are you with me?"

“Uhhhhhhh,” Ky hesitated. At her age, dance held little appeal.

“If you don't they'll find us something stupid like New Testament Cooking. How to recreate the Last Supper complete with foot-washing,” Dani threatened with a giggle.

Ky looked at her with horror. She knew it was true. “I guess so."

“Good. We'll ask tonight. By next summer we should be able to lift grown men over our heads."

“And body-slam them?” Ky asked hopefully.

“No. They might like it,” Dani said wryly. “Okay, beat it. I gotta read this junk and work on my report, and so do you."

* * * *

“What do you say, Harry?” Cindy asked after the girls made their case for the dance class.

“It's okay with me. Sounds real graceful. Nothing wrong with that.” He knew little about dancing except disco, of which he would never approve. This sounded classy to him, like ballet.

“As long as your father doesn't object, I'll call the Y and look into it,” Cindy announced. “I want to make sure there are no lesbians involved."

“Okay, Mom, thanks,” Dani said earnestly. “I wouldn't know who to ask about a thing like that."

“I'll just keep this brochure,” Cindy murmured, glancing through it again. “And then I'll see about a car-pool."

Inwardly, Dani breathed a sigh of relief. She could just imagine the phone call. ("Why yes, Mrs. Nordstrom. In fact there are several lesbian instructors. Would you like me to put you through to their special lavender office?") But that wouldn't happen. Talking about car pools already meant they were in.

By the time they got upstairs, Ky was busting a gut trying not to laugh.

“Geeze!” she exploded, collapsing on her bed.

“If you ever give us away, I'm gonna kill you,” Dani threatened.

“I'm sorry, I'll try real hard, but who knew she would say that?” Ky whimpered, trying to keep her voice down.

“Look, if we get there right after school, we can use the weight room for a few minutes three times a week, once before dance and twice before Young Christian Women's Circle,” Dani told her.

“Until they catch us,” Ky pointed out. Young women were usually discouraged from lifting weights.

“We'll say it's for dance if they ask. If we don't stay more than ten or fifteen minutes at a time, they may not even notice us,” Dani hoped.

“If they do, don't make a scene,” Ky begged.

“I won't, Metoo,” Dani giggled, messing her sister's hair. “But I do wanna stay in shape. And we have to stick together, like Aunt Kris said."

“I know. I'll try to be good."

* * * *

“It's a TFC-approved activity,” Cindy told Harry the next evening. “I checked with several other mothers and there will be some more girls from our church."

“Good,” Harry said amiably, giving his wife an affectionate peck. When Cindy was happy, everybody was happy. “I told you they'd settle down."

“There's even a Christmas recital, and I've been assured it will be in good taste, and the staff at the Y also says there are no known homosexuals on the staff. If they knew of any, they'd have to be fired."

“That's good, too,” Harry said agreeably. He wished he could have a beer but settled for a soda. He would have real beer when he went bowling. The guys had made a pact about keeping it quiet.

Cindy smiled to herself. Everything was under control.

* * * *

Late that night, Dani lay awake turning over her aunt's last few messages in her mind. Andy had joined Kris for some indefinite period. Dani wondered what that was all about, how Andy could just leave her job and sail around with no plan about returning, no itinerary, nothing. It sounded lazy and disorganized and she wondered how Aunt Kris was going to work on her big project of protecting them and keeping them safe from Oafs.

There was another matter. What was up with Aunt Kris and Andy? Aunt Kris was a lesbian, so did that mean Andy was a lesbian? And if she was, were they lovers? And if they were, how long had that been going on? And what did they do?

Like most teenagers, Dani found the idea of her parents making love gross. By extension she supposed she had included her aunt up until now. She hadn't thought about it, but in retrospect Dani guessed she expected her aunt to know all about being a lesbian, but not do anything about it. But if she knew, how did she find out? The thought of Kris and Andy doing it made Dani very uncomfortable. Dani knew Kris had a right to her life, and she didn't want the details, but now she was forced to think about it and she didn't want to. On the other hand, if Dani had to discuss her own details, she would rather do it with Kris. She turned over, thinking it would be nice if Kris were now equally embarrassed to realize Dani thought she and Andy were doing it. Served her right.

* * * *

The next day Cindy spot-checked Dani and Ky's e-mail and found nothing out of line. Yet, she couldn't resist the opportunity to pound home one of her favorite points.

Closing their files she remarked primly, “I'm very happy to see that your Aunt Kris is following our guidelines for communicating with you."

Dani and Ky sat side-by-side on Dani's bed, realizing they looked like a couple of bizarre pioneer dolls in their long dresses and headscarves. Every day was a new nightmare of TFC and Oaf restrictions and expectations, but the only religious sensation the girls experienced was martyrdom. Not knowing what they were supposed to say, they just looked at Cindy to see what she would do next.

Inevitably, Cindy went on. “I know you both admire your aunt, but at the same time, I think you should be aware that she isn't exactly the sort of model a young Christian woman needs during her formative years."

Before their vacation with Kris, Dani would have challenged this statement or demanded an explanation. However, she found that a vacant, stupefied expression reduced conflict, shortened lectures and led her parents down the easy path of complacency. Dani was playing a waiting game: waiting for Kris to appear with gun or sword or HumVee or whatever device she deemed necessary for their rescue.

Dani felt it was her job to protect Ky and keep her parents in the dark. Sometimes she chose a neutral answer. “Okay, Mom,” Dani said, nodding slowly as if absorbing this great pearl of wisdom.

Ky nodded as well.

Cindy fleetingly wondered why the girls put up so little opposition to any negative remarks about Kris anymore. After that terrible incident in Dani's bed, and Kris’ hasty departure, she and Harry had lectured the girls on the impropriety of same-sex bed partners, read the Bible together for guidance, and prayed copiously. Danielle and Carol's quiet acceptance of a new list of rules for feminine comportment convinced Cindy that the Lord was indeed tasking an active role in their lives. The girls must realize Kris had abandoned them. She would never come back, so that they would now have to depend on their parents and put their trust in the Lord.

“Do you have any questions?” Cindy asked.

“Shouldn't we pray for Aunt Kris?” Dani asked seriously.

“Yes! That's a good idea! Why don't you pray for her each night after you read your Bible verses together? Pray for God to open her heart and mind to accept her proper role,” Cindy urged.

“I'll pray for her at bedtime, too,” Ky said, smiling at her mother. “Will you and Daddy pray for her, too?"

Cindy was momentarily startled, which caused her headscarf to flap slightly. “Why, of course! We'll pray for her every day.” She stood up and gathered both daughters into her arms. “I'm proud of you for including her and reminding me. I'm going to tell Daddy and Reverend Wallace how thoughtful you both are."

In the mirror, Ky could see Dani rolling her eyes and bit the insides of her cheeks to keep from laughing.

After Cindy waltzed off to start supper, Dani mimicked, “I'm so proud of you! You're turning into little Nazis."

Ky giggled. “I almost feel guilty. But you're right. It's easy to keep them happy."

Dani nodded. “Just keep telling them what they want to hear."

CHAPTER 17

Having cast off and coiled the lines, Andy watched covertly as Kris piloted effortlessly away from Boston Harbor. They would have a reasonably unhurried sail down the East Coast before arriving in Key West for a few days off. Kris had called to make sure there would be room in the tiny Coast Guard marina. Slip reservations in the resort were expensive, so if they needed to anchor out, they wanted to know in advance.

Standing on the bridge, Kris looked, as always, comfortably in command. Andy loved that about her. Glancing at Kris from time to time as she made her way around the decks, inspecting their equipment to see that all was in order, Andy felt the usual not-so-faint stirrings of lust. Granted, she had been craving Kris off and on for years, but not until this week had Andy let herself believe it could really happen. Not until she sensed Kris’ desperation over the social situation and what it was doing to Dani and Ky, did Andy feel she had a real, serious chance to engage Kris’ attention and affection.

Perhaps she was being a bit of an opportunist, taking advantage of Kris in a weak moment, but on the other hand, from what Kris had said and the way she behaved, the two of them had been on a collision course for a long time. Andy decided not to question her ethics further. Kris was a big girl, a grown woman who could say, “No, thank you,” and back it up. Kris needed and wanted a partner and Andy adored her. It was working.

Looking over again, Andy watched as Kris hopped up into the big captain's chair and ran a casual, practiced eye over her instruments. With GPS, sophisticated radar and constant updates from the National Weather Service, all it took for a successful voyage was an eye on the heading and the judgment to know when to quit for sleep or run for cover from a storm. Andy enjoyed the challenge of wind sailing but at the moment life itself provided enough of a challenge. She'd take the nice vacation, thank you very much, Kris. Once they were far enough south they could swim and make love in the shallow water of tiny, uninhabited islands, catch and cook fresh fish, buy shellfish from the natives and go where others seldom went.

Andy climbed up to stand behind Kris, putting her arms around her lover from behind the chair, gently caressing already-stiffening nipples through the slinky material of her bathing suit.

“Mmm,” Kris sighed. “I'll give you just two hours to cut that out."

“Aye, Captain. Two hours it is,” Andy murmured against the nape of Kris’ neck.

“You always going to call me ‘Captain'?” Kris inquired, her eyes crinkling with amusement.

“Just as long as it turns me on,” Andy confirmed, sliding her hands up and down Kris arms, admiring the firmness of the muscles, the smooth skin.

Kris turned slightly toward her. “Are you turned on now?"

“Always,” Andy confessed.

“So am I, darling,” Kris growled, making the hair stand up on the back of Andy's neck. She turned from the wheel to cup Andy's chin in her hand. “I want you to eat my pussy.” And she kissed her warmly, deeply, until Andy's legs began to tremble.

“Kris ... oh...” she gasped, melting instantly.

Kris hopped down and pushed Andy back against the high Captain's chair. Locking the wheel on course, she turned again and pulled Andy's bikini bottoms down. “You first. Hop up,” she commanded briskly, assisting her because Andy's legs had turned to jelly. Then she put her lover's legs over the chair arms, stepped behind her and began to fondle her breasts as she kept an eye on their heading from behind the chair. “Finger yourself slowly,” Kris whispered, kissing her neck.

Andy began to rub her slit languidly, luxuriously. “Why...” she groaned, “Why are you doing this?"

“Because I can.” With one hand Kris eased her own cut-offs down, under which she wore a bathing suit bottom. That slid to the deck as well. “Spread your lips apart and slide your fingers inside, but don't touch your clit,” Kris instructed gently.

Andy obeyed with a groan and Kris’ lips found hers again, captured and subdued them.

Soon Andy's hips were bucking and she begged for release. Kris took hold of Andy's arms and pulled them back so she could no longer reach her genitals. Gently she moved Andy's hands to her own breasts. “Play with your nipples now, darling."

“Please ... Kris ... please,” Andy begged as she squirmed in the chair.

Kris watched their course, and Andy's progress, for a moment, then took up a position in front of the chair. “Keep your hands to yourself now, sailor,” she grinned, and she bent her own lips to Andy's glistening pussy.

Andy yelped and wrapped her firm thighs around her Captain's head. She hung onto her own breasts and waited for Kris to put out the fire she had started deep inside.

Kris felt the sun growing warm on her back as she buried her face in Andy. It seemed that she could feel the rhythm of the tides through her lover's thrusting and bucking as she came gloriously, howlingly in the middle of the blue Atlantic, with white clouds high above and the lazy swells just beneath them.

When Andy hung exhausted in the chair, Kris finally withdrew with a very pleased and satisfied expression on her face. “Now,” she said, kicking a sturdy crate, topped by a pillow, into position, “you may reciprocate."

“Gladly.” Andy slid out of the high chair and Kris took her place, splaying herself for her lover, leaning back and closing her eyes. “Check our course first, honey,” she mumbled.

“Aye, Skipper,” Andy responded, and having done so, she knelt on the makeshift stool and took her lover in her mouth. The impromptu kneeler was Andy's own invention, having realized that circumstances would force one or both of them to be at the helm a lot of the time. Kris loved her new mate's ingenuity. Every captain knew it was good to have an expert engineer aboard. Immediately Kris's fingers entwined in Andy's thick, dark hair. As the skipper, she could put her hands anywhere she wished, and Andy wanted her to. She would kneel on the stool until Cape May, or even further, if Kris desired it.

Andy's skill was such that Kris wouldn't have resisted if she could have. A strong, probing tongue found its way to her most vulnerable places. Strong hands gripped the cheeks of her ass and lifted her up into the warm, loving mouth of her adoring lover. She readily perceived Andy's devotion and almost felt guilty. She would reciprocate later. Now it was time to enjoy the perquisites of command.

Andy flicked her tongue wildly along Kris’ slit, which was brimming with sweet, hot juices. Kris was getting ready to come. “Yes...” she crooned. “Oh, that's so good ... honey ... oh...” She writhed in Andy's grip, wanting, waiting, certain of the outcome.

“Mmmmmm,” Andy responded, equally certain. Eagerly, tirelessly, she pleasured Kris as deeply as she could and soon the inevitable explosion occurred, from Kris’ toes up to Andy's mouth and out of Kris's throat in a scream of ecstasy.

“ Andyyyyyyyyyy!!” A ragged, hitching breath. “Andyyyyyyy!” She bucked and rolled through a series of spine-snapping climaxes. Tears began to roll down her cheeks as the spasms subsided. “Oh, God, baby, that was SO intense,” she gasped, caressing the glossy waves of hair spread across her naked thighs.

Andy continued to lap gently, smiling to herself. The way to this woman's heart was definitely through her clit. She felt Kris squeeze her and stopped to look up. “Yes, my love?"

“Stay up here and let me go below for a moment, will you?” Kris smiled.

“Aye, lover,” Andy grinned, pleased with herself.

Kris stood and gave Andy a hand up, pulling her into a deep kiss. “This may be the best trip I've ever taken on,” she murmured.

“It's my best vacation already,” Andy said, her straight-forward nature allowing nothing less.

“Then you're a glutton for punishment, Ms. Mate. This is a heckuva long trip,” Kris grinned, leaning close to rub noses with her sweetheart.

“Like I care. We're gonna stop along the way, aren't we?” Andy reached up to run her fingers through Kris’ thick hair, searching the captain's steely-blue eyes with her own big brown ones.

Kris laughed, swinging her around. “God, yes! Originally I was just going to go as fast as I could, except for Grand Cayman and whenever I absolutely had to, because I wanted to get to Oakland and be with you."

“'Be with,’ as in like this?” Andy said, leaning up into another kiss.

Kris tasted herself on Andy, gently tugging her tongue into her own mouth, feeling Andy's arms tighten. “Yes, exactly like this. But now that I have you where I want you, we can take as long as you have time for."

Andy stifled another groan of desire, wondering if it would always be this way, so urgent, so instantaneous. “Well ... I have two months,” she whispered, reaching down to slide her fingers into the lovely, hot slit.

“Enough, woman! You'll wear me out. Save some for later,” Kris giggled, twisting away.

Andy watched her go, licking her fingers thoughtfully. Plenty of time.

* * * *

Well aware of the trouble women were having on the East Coast, especially the Carolinas, Kris put in only at military installations for overnight stops, supplies and fuel. Their schedule, while not restricted by time, was still tied to the sun. Kris didn't like to run at night so they cast off at dawn and were tied up by sunset at the latest.

While refueling at Cape Hatteras, the Petty Officer in charge of the marina asked Kris, “What's your ultimate destination, Captain?"

“California,” Kris smiled, watching Andy fill up.

“Lucky,” the woman murmured. “We can hardly get off the base here. The locals get pretty ugly at the sight of what they call ‘unattended women-folk.’”

Kris winced. “That's too bad. I really am sorry to hear it. Have you asked for a less stressful posting?” she looked at the nametag, “Chief Brown?"

The woman shrugged. “There's no point. Too many Oafs and TFCers in the Guard no matter where you go. If I had a female CO, it might be different. I've heard about you and [?], so I know. But all the senior female officers and petty officers are retiring, like you,” she sighed. “I don't blame you."

Kris was concerned. “What are your plans, then?"

The Petty Officer thought a moment. “I guess when my hitch is up, I'll head for someplace like Australia or Canada and work on boats, if they'll have me. It's what I do."

“Got e-mail?” Kris asked.

“Sure,” Brown nodded.

“Let me have your address. If I hear of any opportunities out West, I'll let you know,” Kris offered, wishing she had more to offer.

The woman almost smiled. “Aye, Captain. Hang on and I'll get it."

When she came back to help them cast off, Petty Officer Brown said, “Don't put in anywhere but military installations in the South, Captain Nordstrom. Even when the Coasties don't want to deal with you, they have to mind their manners. At the public marinas they don't, and they won't."

“Thank you. We'll take that advice,” Kris promised.

As Andy backed out and Kris cast off, Kris saw Brown come to attention and salute her. Kris returned the courtesy, then waved.

When she had finished stowing the lines, Kris joined Andy on the bridge. She was wiping tears from her eyes.

“What's wrong?” Andy asked, alarmed.

“That young woman, all the young, independent women who need freedom to work and support themselves. Every day I think about Arlene Bagby. You remember her?"

Andy nodded. “Vaguely. She was like, your mentor?"

“Exactly, and she's determined to ride it out on Nantucket, but I'm not so sure she can. Where will everyone go? What will they do?” Kris put her arms around her lover from behind the high chair, resting her head on Andy's shoulder.

Andy patted her hand. “I wish I knew,” she sympathized.

“Oh, I'm sorry,” Kris said. “I don't mean to spoil our vacation with political concerns."

“Kris, they're personal concerns, too,” Andy reassured her. “Dani, Ky, you, me. We all have to have someplace to go. I mean, California's fine for now, but I'm not fooling myself anymore. That could change. Three years ago I was sure we'd retake Congress and the pendulum would swing back. It hasn't happened."

“We may all be old women before it does,” Kris said sadly.

Andy checked headings and radar, then turned to Kris. “So, do you have any ideas?"

“Ideas?” Kris repeated, still distracted.

“What to do until this is over. Worst-case scenario. Let's brainstorm,” Andy suggested.

“Okay. Well, let's see. Just live at sea. Fish and wear almost nothing. Just put into ports for absolute necessities."

“With the girls?” Andy laughed.

“Yeah. Swiss Family Nordstrom,” Kris joked. “Without the island."

“But you need an island,” Andy insisted.

“What for?” Kris asked her.

“Kris! Just think! Toilet paper is bulky. Where are you gonna keep, say, a year's supply? And that's just for starters. You have to have storage."

Kris leaned on the console and looked at her. “I suppose you're right. I mean, until now, I could carry whatever I needed and buy stuff whenever or wherever I wanted."

“Assume the worst,” Andy repeated. “What if you can't buy anything except at military installations?"

“Coastal ones,” Kris interjected.

“Right, or even worse, what if you can't use the whole US at all?"

“Canada?” Kris mused.

“You could stock up right now, while you still can, for say, a couple years,” Andy suggested.

“And put it where?” Kris inquired.

“Exactly. Not on [?],” Andy summarized.

“Do you have any ideas about storage? Any serious ones?” Kris asked.

“Not exactly. I know I said we need an island, and an island would be best. I mean, better than someplace ashore. Someplace rocky, like with coves and caves, or someplace remote where you can bury things,” she thought out loud.

“I'm starting to feel like a pirate,” Kris grimaced.

“Yeah, in a way. We won't be plundering or pillaging, I hope, but we may be outside the law sooner or later,” Andy agreed.

“The minute I take the girls I'm a kidnapper,” Kris informed Andy.

“Yes, if you [?] them,” Andy nodded, watching some powerboats between them and the shoreline.

“There's no ‘if.’ I [?] to."

“Not if they leave on their own,” Andy remarked. “I mean at least not until you harbor them."

“If I suggest it, I'm abetting them; and all the gear I gave them, that's aiding them. I can't help it about the equipment, and that would only become an issue if we were caught and all the details were found out. But I wouldn't tell them to come or suggest they come. It has to be a complete surprise so they don't give the plan away, assuming all this happens: that they have to leave, that I have a plan, that I can reach them."

“Kris, if you need to get them, you will. I'll come with you,” Andy said, gripping her arm fiercely.

“Thanks, love. I know. But just this little chat shows how much planning and research I need to do. Do you know of any islands with caves out in Northern California?"

“Not personally, but it's a very rocky coast, and I know up in Puget Sound there must be hundreds. “We could look there."

“There's the Aleutians,” Kris remarked. “With GPS we could always find our caches."

“When we tie up in Key West, we could go on-line and down-load some charts,” Andy suggested. “Go over them on the way to Oakland."

“Let's do that, and let's try not to worry about it until we're at sea again. We'll have lots of time out here with nothing to do."

* * * *

“Look at this,” Andy said as they walked along Margaret Street toward Duval. She had grabbed a free paper at the marina.

“Watch your step,” Andy, Kris laughed. “You can't walk and read."

“So I'll stop. Would you please look?"

“It's hot. I want a beer,” Kris complained.

“.[?] Key West wants to secede from Florida."

Kris took Andy's arm. “They've done it before. We'll find a nice, cool bar and you can read all about it."

Andy was so startled by and pleased with Kris’ public display of affection that she folded the paper and trotted along obediently next to her.

“So if Key West secedes,” Andy said, once they had their beer, “could you live here?"

“Visit, yes; live, no. Much too expensive."

“Really. $4.50 a beer is pretty outrageous,” Andy was forced to agree.

“Practically speaking, it's unlikely,” Kris elaborated. “Key West has no defense against the rest of the US. They can make their own local rules, though. They already do, which is why lesbians and gay men are welcome here. Tourism is the lifeblood of all of the Keys."

“I guess you know all about it. Was it great, living here?"

“Good Lord, no. It was awful. I could never do what we just did, touch another woman in public. In a way it was worse than anywhere else, because I was the only one who couldn't be open. Janet could never visit me here.” Kris smiled ruefully. “She never even saw [?]."

“Really? Why?"

“Andy, have you forgotten? We were both pursuing our careers. We never visited one another's homes or duty stations. We always met far, far away and never in gay-friendly locations.” Kris tried to explain gently. It had been a trying situation even when she was deliriously happy.

Andy frowned. “It has been a while, but Lorraine and I, well, we went to Provincetown before we got out. New Orleans, too."

“Janet and I didn't even want those locations on our leave paperwork. Maybe we were excessively cautious, even paranoid, but ... it worked. We were never caught or even looked at, as far as I know. We might not have been anyway, but the way we worked it, we never even had to think about it."

Andy sat back hard, struck by the difficulty of all of it once again. It was a major reason she had gotten out. “I'm very sorry about Janet, Kris. Truly I am. I think there were a lot of things about you I ... missed."

“We do have some lost time to make up for, that's for sure,” Kris agreed, reaching for Andy's hand on the table and caressing it. “Fortunately, we have the opportunity as well."

Andy smiled again, and then she looked out the door. “Oh, hey, the sun's going down. C'mon, I wanna see the sunset from Mallory Square."

Kris made a face. “All those tourists! I don't think so. We can see it from [?]."

Andy was bewildered. “I know you've seen it a hundred times, but I haven't. Come on, Kris,” she got up to go and tugged at Kris playfully.

Kris pulled her hand back. “Stop being a baby. You go. I'll see you later."

Andy looked stunned. “So much for making up for lost time, huh?” She turned and stormed out.

Kris bit her lip. “Oh, Andy,” she muttered. Throwing down money, she ran out and was just able to glimpse her lover in the thickening crowd.

“'Scuse me, ‘scuse me,” she jostled her way through the revelers crowding toward the pier. “Shit,” she grunted.

By the time Kris reached the arches at the entrance of the square, Andy was already leaning dejectedly against an ornamental bollard, ignoring the flaming ball dropping in the pastel-hued sky. Kris looked around quickly, and spotted what she needed. Andy hadn't seen her yet, so she slipped over to the mime selling roses in front of the cat-trapeze act. “Let me have one of those, would you?” Kris requested, and she handed him a bill. She turned back toward Andy, who, except herself, was the only one on the pier all alone. Kris, you're an idiot, she berated herself silently.

Shyly she approached her lover, not knowing what to expect. Andy's fiery temper could easily propel her right into the water. “Darling,” Kris said hesitantly. “Please forgive me."

Andy's head came up, revealing the tears on her face, and Kris’ heart contracted with guilt.

“Oh, Andy, I'm sorry,” she quavered, starting to cry as well.

Andy looked at Kris and the rose for perhaps all of two seconds before she threw her arms around the older woman. “Kris!” she cried out. “I thought you went back!"

“Sweetie, sweetie, no. I'm just not used to ... all the romantic stuff, I guess. Maybe you can teach me?” She caressed Andy's back soothingly.

Andy glanced out at the water. The sun was halfway down already and the colors were intensifying. “Look!"

They watched the sun slide below the horizon, arms tightly around each other, the rose secure in Andy's grip.

“I love you,” they said simultaneously, as if on cue, and then they giggled. Their first fight was over.

CHAPTER 18

“So you see, I've been very foolish,” Nik completed her confession, sitting with Suzanne in her tiny dining room. They had begun talking the minute Nik arrived, as if almost no time had intervened, let alone years. In fact, Nik hardly remembered eating. Alix came in briefly from school, stammered and blushed when she shook hands with Nik, then went out with her friends again. She wasn't coming home, she said. She would stay with a friend so Nik could have her bed.

“Nik, come on. Yes, okay, but it's quite understandable. All of a sudden all your potentially romantic sources have dried up,” Suzanne summarized. “At church, you find only couples. At work, everyone's passing for straight. You just got there, so you don't know who they are. And admit it, you haven't let on about yourself."

“No, I keep to myself, because I don't know who to trust,” Nik admitted. “What would you do?"

Sue Whittington laughed. “I honestly don't know. It reminds me of the things my aunt told me about the 70s and 80s, when people wore certain colors and used code-words to identify themselves."

“If I knew the code, I'd wear the colors. What do you suppose the color is for aloof, highly-educated, techno-snob?” Nik asked, almost seriously.

“Midnight blue, shot through with silver,” Sue joked back, making them both laugh.

“I see. The night sky and the stars,” Nik smiled. “I rather like it. I may wear it even if no one else realizes the significance."

“You may just be in a for a long drought as far as dating is concerned, Nik. People of your caliber are going to play it safe in a variety of ways. The kinds of people who are willing to take chances are unfortunately also the kind you meet in bars. I would think patience would be the better option,” Sue said, eyes twinkling. “You're still young. Try not to worry about it. After all, look at me. I have no mate right now and I'm resigned to never having one again. The pickings are pretty slim for professional women of every type."

Nik's face fell, “Oh, is it hard for you? I guess I didn't think much about it."

“Lots of it is hard for me,” Sue nodded. “And some, believe it or not, is easier."

“Like what?” Nik asked, getting up to pour them more coffee.

“Oh, let's see. The hard part is being separated from my family and friends and having a great deal less financial security. Bryce despises me, and it seems only yesterday he was my precious little boy.” Tears threatened and Nik put her own needs aside for a moment.

“Go on, Suze,” she encouraged, taking the older woman's hand.

Sue nodded and reached for tissues. “Frank is poisoning him and he has plenty of help from the Oafs and now they've joined the TFC. When I was there I was able to balance those influences, but because I travel so much, my influence was eroded. I have to travel to do my job.” She struggled to pull herself together. “I used to take the kids on an expedition every summer, a short one. This year I ended up moving Alix and myself over here. And of course she didn't want to come at first, and it's small and crowded, so we fought a lot over all kinds of petty things."

“I see. Well, she didn't seem upset tonight, even offered to stay out, so she's obviously made friends,” Nik observed.

“Yes, she's adjusted quite well. Kids her age are very flexible, and changeable, too. Funny, though; I don't remember her acting so awkward about meeting my friends before,” Suzanne wondered aloud.

Nik blushed, “Um, Suze?"

“Hm?"

“Young women don't get that ‘stunned ox’ look without a particular reason, at least not in my meager experience."

Suzanne's mouth dropped open. “Oh. Oh, no! I mean, not that I wouldn't still love her but...” Suzanne stumbled to a halt. “Help me out here, Nik. Are you sure? I mean, she's met you before."

“No, not entirely sure, but before, she was a little girl. Let's wait and see. I get that look from my students all the time, the guys too, until they realize I'm not available. The girls, however, continue to hope,” Nik colored, a little self-conscious.

Suzanne looked at her younger friend appraisingly, considering her in a way she never had before. “Good Lord. It must never end!” She burst out laughing.

Nik had to laugh, too.

“I think I need some time to think about this,” Sue said, looking down at her coffee, then up at Nik. “Could we discuss it some more, maybe a little later?"

“Of course. We have the whole weekend to talk about anything you want,” Nik smiled, reassuringly. “Remember, not so long ago, homosexuality was becoming acceptable. It will be again someday, I hope."

Suzanne nodded thoughtfully. “So tell me about your little project,” she invited. “The one where you try to find places for women to go."

“Frankly, it arose out of my own fear and selfishness. I didn't know where to go, and I had no plans. Now, however, I see there are some options. I got into the project when, no matter where I turned for assistance, no one had any clue.” She shook her head and laughed. “I asked my pastor, she promised to look into it, and the next thing, I knew, she dumped it in my lap."

Sue nodded and smiled with her. “Then what?"

“Well, you know me, I really got involved, and now I get all kinds of calls and e-mails from people looking for solutions to various situations, and I try to match their needs with agencies. In fact, a couple of agencies were born out of this, a legal aid group and a sort of underground railroad within the church. We call it the Freedom Train."

“Leave it to you, Nik. You always were an exceptional problem-solver,” Sue told her. “And while it may be premature, who knows, you may meet some very interesting women this way."

Nik looked at her friend wryly. “Funny you should say that. In fact, I'm about to meet someone, two women, actually, who are together, but one of them is looking for a way to protect her nieces."

“Sounds like a promising start. I'm sure you'll meet others who aren't attached. Now, explain what you'll do for them,” Sue encouraged.

“Well, these girls live in Ohio, so first we contact a lawyer in Ohio. She then works out what is legal, also what is not, but is doable. Then I tell the client, so to speak, and she decides what action to take if any. Later, if requested, we could utilize our UCC contacts in the area to pull them out."

Sue nodded. “I see. And why is their aunt helping them and not their parents?"

Nik said, “In this case, I've been told the parents are Oafs and TFC who may not allow the girls to complete their education and may force them into marriage. The aunt is a retiring Coast Guard officer who will care for them if necessary. It would technically be illegal but..."

Sue's eyes narrowed. “Coast Guard? What's her name?"

Nik's memory was eidetic. “The family name is Nordstrom, and that is the Captain's name also."

“Nordstrom?” Suzanne was taken totally by surprise.

“Yes, precisely. You know her,” Nik stated. “How?"

“She was completing a master's degree in oceanography while I was at MIT on a fellowship. It was years ago and I was homeported part-time in Woods Hole. She took leave to do a North Atlantic expedition with us that summer.” Suzanne shook her head. “Small world. She wasn't a captain yet, of course, but she was quite impressive, as I recall. We haven't been in touch or anything like that, but I definitely remember her."

“Then she would be ... how old, do you think?” Nik tried not to betray her interest. She might have to put her military prejudice aside for once.

Sue was onto her, though. “Too old, unless she robs cradles for a hobby. Early 40s, I would guess. And didn't you say she's with someone?"

“In fact, I'm guessing. She's traveling with a woman from my congregation who is a long-time friend of hers. She's researching possible retirement locations as well as plans of action for her nieces. I have no way of knowing for certain what her personal circumstances may be,” Nik said thoughtfully.

“Keep the faith, then. You're mature for your years. If anything, you could become friends. She's almost as formidable as you are, academically-speaking,” Suzanne informed her.

“And it would take someone of your caliber to make such an assessment accurately, if at all,” Nik said, returning the compliment.

“And that's why I'm afraid we're all on the endangered species list for the foreseeable future,” Sue summed it up succinctly. “I wish us all the best of luck."

* * * *

The next morning Alix showed up after breakfast.

“We're going over to the park and rent bikes,” Sue told her daughter. “Want to come?"

“No. I can't, I have to study. I mean, maybe. Wait a minute.” She went into her bedroom and closed the door, leaving Nik and Suzanne exchanging amused glances.

In a few minutes Alix was back. “Okay, I'll go. I can study later,” she grinned. Noticing Nik's gaze, she blushed. “I'll, um, meet you downstairs.” The door slammed behind her.

“What are you doing to my daughter?” Suzanne kidded.

“If only I knew. But I can't help it. All I did was look at her when she spoke,” Nik pointed out. “To avoid her would be rude."

“I wonder when she was planning to tell me,” Suzanne wondered as they went down together.

“She may not quite realize she has anything to tell yet. Does she date?"

“No, actually, she's quite put off by boys, especially since we moved, and I certainly haven't pressed her. She hangs with her girlfriends, or she studies."

“Then she isn't ready. When she is ready, she'll tell you. I haven't told my own parents yet,” Nik admitted.

“Nik! Why not?"

“[?] aren't ready,” Nik said simply.

“I see,” Suzanne said thoughtfully. “Then I'll be careful to make sure Alix knows I'm ready."

“Good plan."

* * * *

Much later that day, after Alix had gone back to her friend's house for the night, Suzanne asked, “If she's attracted to you, why doesn't she stay?"

Nik smiled. “Suze, perhaps I shouldn't have said anything. She's a teenager. She may be receiving signals from her hormones which she is unable to interpret, or I may be wrong."

“You think she left because she feels confused and embarrassed,” Sue cut to the heart of the matter.

“Possibly. I'm far beyond her grasp, in age, experience and distance. On the other hand, she may find me so bizarre she can't tolerate my company for very long."

“She can tolerate your buns just fine, I noticed,” the older woman said. “Maybe I just don't want this to happen. It's the worst of times. Not only with being separated from Frank and Bryce, but the whole rest of the mess we've let this society get into."

“It is a very bad time. There is no denying that. Although here she has more freedom and you're getting to know one another better than if you had remained in Texas,” Nik pointed out. “You said so yourself."

“Here I don't have to watch my back constantly as long as we stay either in the city or away from the interior,” Suzanne said. “Even when I go to sea, while I worry about her, I can still make myself do it. If she failed to contact me twice a day, then I would come for her."

“If it wouldn't make you uncomfortable, I can be available. I could get here faster than you could from your ship,” Nik offered tentatively.

“Oh, no. I wouldn't be uncomfortable, and that is a lovely thing to say. I'll keep your number handy, just in case. I always will, now. I'm so sorry you got lost in the shuffle of my moving here,” Suzanne said, reaching over to pat Nik's slender hand.

“What are your plans regarding Frank and Bryce?” Nik asked her.

“I guess I'm a coward, but I plan to wait them out. I realize I have to face the possibility of divorce, and the longer we stay apart, the more likely it becomes. Frank has Bryce dating TFC girls now. In fact, I've even heard a rumor about that."

“Tell me. Perhaps I can look into it,” Nik said.

“Oh. It's just stupid, but so typical. I heard that TFC girls are being taught to, um, manually stimulate their boyfriends to keep them happy and avoid pregnancy. It's presented as part of the woman's obligations to please the man."

“I take it this stimulation only goes one way.” Nik made a face.

“Oh, of course. I don't find it all that hard to believe. Young men used to routinely grope and pet and fool around and the usual outlet was to do it with a girlfriend. Or else, for goodness’ sake, they masturbated. Now that's out, and this is in, using girls again, but in a different way.” Suzanne shook her head.

Nik nodded. “I'll research it. It's appallingly believable. Preliminary subjugation practice. What a bizarre society we've become. We need to step up our efforts to find safe places for these young women. If it's true, it may, if nothing else, inspire good people to do better."

“Let me know if I can help, Nik,” Sue said. “I can't imagine what I could do, but if I can, I will."

“Just be there for Alix whenever she needs you,” Nik asked softly. “She's probably one of the few young women left in American who can safely come out to her mother."

“I know, Nik. I will."

CHAPTER 19

“Good morning!” Kris greeted Andy as she came up to the bridge with two steaming mugs of coffee. “How did you know I wanted a refill?"

Andy gave her a shy grin. “Haven't you ever been courted?"

Kris took the mug and sipped before she answered. “Mmm. Perfect. Only once that mattered.” She pulled Andy close but didn't kiss her since they were on deck in a military installation. “But I don't mind being courted again. You?"

Andy blushed. “You don't have to court me. I'm yours if you want me."

“I want you,” Kris growled, “but later, lover. Ready for our next adventure?"

“Yeah, sorry I overslept."

“Sorry I wore you out,” Kris grinned.

“I'll get you for that, Captain,” Andy snarled good-naturedly. “Ready to cast off?"

“Get yourself a bite to eat while I start. I boiled eggs,” Kris offered.

“Thanks. Be right back."

They weren't going far on their first day out of Key West. In fact, they planned to fish their way only 70 miles west to Fort Jefferson and anchor overnight. From there it would be a very long way to Grand Cayman and they would have to be on the open ocean at night and pull shifts. Cuba got in the way no matter which direction they went.

“So we'll check out some of your old favorite spots?” Andy asked, joining Kris at the wheel so she could eat the sandwich she had made.

“Yeah, there are some good holes at these little islets, and at the Marquesas Atoll. I'd really like to have some fresh fish for the long haul to George Town,” Kris explained, watching the buoys.

“Mmmm. Me, too. And at Fort Jefferson?"

Kris shook her head. “You might spear-fish once we anchor, or take the Zodiac to the tinier keys out there. You can visit the fort, too. No supplies there, though. Just a place for us to get our last good sleep for 600 miles."

“Okay.” Andy was unconcerned. “We'll manage it. After all, you were gonna do it all alone."

“I feel so much better about it with you here, Andy.” Kris looked around and seeing they were unobserved, pulled Andy close for that kiss she had missed earlier. “There. That's better, isn't it?"

Andy gave her a soft, loving look, the kind she hadn't shown anyone for years. “Much. More than I can ever say."

By the time they reached the Marquesas, they were up two decent snapper and a really big grouper, which was enough, but Kris said they could stop and take the Zodiac inside the coral circle anyway.

“Why? What's in there?” Andy wanted to know as they inflated the boat.

Kris gave her a knowing smile. “Lots of soft sand, about a foot of water in some spots, and total privacy."

“Oh, cool!” Andy ran to get some water bottles and slathered more sunblock on both of them, including the places normally shielded by swimwear.

“Thought you might like that,” Kris giggled.

They motored in very slowly, as the deepest the water ever got was a mere four feet, and Kris brought the boat about in the shade of a huge lump of coral, where they anchored. “Be very, very careful of the coral. It's sharp,” Kris cautioned.

“Oh, there's plenty of clear sand right out here, Kris, look."

Kris sloshed up behind Andy, spun her around and pulled her suit off. “On your knees, Mate.” She shoved her lover playfully.

Andy dropped with a laugh. “Aye, Skipper. Stand right there."

Kris tossed her head back and stood, legs apart, hands on hips beneath the bright sun. Her hair shone almost like copper.

Andy stopped and looked up at her, thinking Kris looked almost god-like towering over her, stark naked. “What a sucker you are for oral sex,” she told her lover delightedly. She quickly dug herself a shallow trench to make it easier to get at Kris’ pussy, and embracing the shapely thighs, pleasured the captain, while Kris steadied herself on Andy's shoulders, moving slowly up and down.

The only problem with their position was that, as Kris approached orgasm, her knees began to buckle under her. She moaned in frustration.

“Drop down,” Andy urged, “I'll finish this way."

Kris sank to her knees and Andy stroked her firmly to climax as they kissed in the crystal blue water.

“Oh, Andy ... Andy ... Oh! Oh, God!” Kris shrieked, almost collapsing, but Andy held her up. “Oh, thank you. I always wanted to do that."

“Yeah, me, too,” Andy murmured, holding her close.

“Come here,” Kris whispered, “and let me..."

Andy nodded and spread her legs, her own moisture running down to mingle with Kris’ in the water beneath them. “Yes, do me,” she murmured agreeably. “Right there ... yes!” she gasped. “Oh, yes."

Andy surrendered completely to Kris, leaning on her strong arm as her legs shook with impending ecstasy. “I ... oh, please ... Kris ... so good."

“You're so ready, love,” Kris told her. “Come for me."

Andy kissed Kris hungrily until she had to tear loose to breathe. “Mmm ... aaaaahhhhhhh!” she shouted. “Oh, yes! Yes! YES!” she exploded, thrashing and frightening a school of small, silvery fish.

Tenderly Kris lowered Andy down into the water and lay beside her. They floated gently, bumping the bottom and one another, kissing and cooling off.

Andy got up and brought some water from the boat. “God, it's hot out here,” she observed.

“Yeah, the water is great so it's very deceiving. It's as barren as a desert though, really,” Kris agreed.

Andy splashed down again. “But what a super idea, Kris,” she sighed, leaning against her lover. “In all the years I've known you, I don't think I ever exactly thought of you as romantic. Just gorgeous and unavailable."

“I'm not gorgeous,” Kris sloshed water over her head. “Ugh! I need a shower. Let's get out to Fort Jeff and anchor, okay?"

“No,” Andy said firmly. “Not until you agree that you're a beautiful woman.” She straddled Kris’ thighs and held her down. “Say it."

Kris laughed and looked up at her. “Will you settle for not bad and very fortunate to have found such a wonderful lover?"

“All right, but I'm gonna keep trying,” Andy groused. They shared quite a long kiss before Andy finally let Kris up.

Once anchored at the fort, they walked around the upper level of the old prison and took a quick snorkel tour to cool off before showering and making supper, which they ate on deck.

“What a fantastic sunset!” Andy enthused.

“Better than Mallory Square?” Kris teased gently, holding Andy close.

“Oh, I don't know which is better. I like ’em both,” she sighed, leaning back against Kris. “Maybe it's the company."

“Yes, I feel the same way,” Kris said softly, burying her face in Andy's thick black hair. “I have waited an awfully long time for this."

“Thank God,” Andy breathed.

After the sun was down and all their chores were done, they took some wine up to the bridge to look at the night sky. The huge fortress loomed darkly behind them, and on the tiny beach there were one or two isolated campfires. The rest was blackness pinpointed with stars. Kris retracted the awning back under the electronics arch, which housed the radar, sonar and communications antennae. Then they sprawled on the seats and looked at the constellations together.

“God, this is the best,” Andy sighed, twining her fingers with Kris'.

“After we get through in Grand Cayman, there will be lots of chances to do it again.” Kris promised. “Although we do have to watch the weather for hurricanes."

“There are three cells coming off Africa,” Andy acknowledged, “but we're moving faster than they are right now."

“Okay, Ms. Mate. I'll leave that up to you. C'mere,” Kris said, pulling Andy close. “You in the mood?"

“When am I not?” Andy responded, and for a while there was no more conversation.

Later, when they were curled together on the widest bench, observing the stars in the sky instead of the ones in each other's eyes, Andy said to Kris, “I know you're gonna think I'm nuts, but I wanna give you something."

“You've already given me everything I can even think of wanting,” Kris replied drowsily.

“It's not a real thing, an item, it's more like an idea. It's a choice."

Kris looked at her, “Choice? Of what?"

“What you want to do with your life. I mean, just listen, don't go off on me, okay?” Without waiting for an answer, Andy rushed on, “I have had a lot of women in my life. You've had two. I kind of sprang myself on you without giving you a chance to think about it; I thought about it for years. You're just now free of your career. I had freedom for years. So here's your choice: don't make a permanent decision about us right now. Take some time to look around. I will understand if you need time and space when we get back.” She stopped for a deep breath. “Okay?"

Kris smiled at her lover, “Andy, I can't imagine such a thing. I'm kind of a one-woman woman, myself. If you won the lottery, would you buy another ticket?"

“Think of it as already having another ticket, then,” Andy pressed gently. “I don't ever wanna feel like I trapped you, that I didn't give you enough time and space to make your choice."

Kris was silent for a very long time, until Andy got nervous and thought she had made a bad mistake. She shifted slightly, “Kris?” she whispered. “Please don't be angry."

The chuckle rumbling from Kris’ chest relaxed Andy immediately. “I am far from angry. I think it's a lovely gesture, but I can't imagine why I'd ever need to take you up on it. I have nothing but the most honorable intentions toward you, darling. What's that advice the columnists are always giving? ‘Marry your best friend.’”

“We don't have to go so far so fast,” Andy said. “I love you, and that will never change. Take your time."

“How about I take my time as long as I can, but if the situation changes so that we feel we have to pull up stakes, then we'll act? Suit you?"

Andy breathed a deep sigh of relief. “That'll do me just fine."

CHAPTER 20

“I don't wanna do this,” Dani grumbled in a low tone. She and Ky were getting ready to go to a special church-sponsored seminar to teach young women proper dating dress, conversation and behavior.

Ky said, “Me, either, but it's worse for you, because you're sixteen and you have to date. I'm just keeping you company."

“Oh, Ky, what am I gonna do? I can't date!” Dani sounded more than a little desperate. “I want to go to college! I want to be an officer, and I hate kids. I know I said we have to give them what they want, but how long can I keep it up? I can't kiss boys! They hate us!"

Ky knew what to do. She went to her sister and hugged her. “Go and act like you love it tonight. Take lots of notes and we'll ask Aunt Kris. We always feel better when we hear from her. She'll help us find a way to deal with it."

Dani nodded. “You're right. There won't be any boys there tonight. How do I look?"

“Um, terrible, so that must be good,” Ky said encouragingly. They had been told to dress as if for a date and Cindy took that to mean a dark dress with white headscarf, enormous flat patent shoes and impenetrable beige tights.

“I feel like that weird little girl from [?]Dani complained.

“That's why it looks familiar,” Ky nodded. The stood side by side, looking into Dani's mirror, then burst into giggles.

“One day this will all seem so silly,” Dani sighed. “I wish it felt that way now."

“C'mon, we better go,” Ky said. “Get your notebook, and look dumb."

“Right."

* * * *

In the church basement, they sat at the far end of the second row of the double semi-circle that was arranged facing the desk and blackboard. By the time they began at 7 PM, almost all the seats were taken. The girls came in a variety of shapeless dresses worn halfway down their calves. With the white headscarves, flat shoes and heavy tights their outfits were almost like uniforms.

The pastor came in, a jowly, heavy-set man in a dark suit, white shirt and muted tie. A woman dressed just like the girls followed meekly in his wake. Both adults carried Bibles, as did most of the girls. The woman was the mother of one of their classmates.

All the girls stood up, as they had been taught. Favoring them with a patronizing glance, he motioned the girls to be seated, placed his Bible on a corner of the teacher's desk, and then sat on the other corner, affecting a casual pose. Dani reminded herself to let her jaw hang open slightly as if enraptured.

“Now, young ladies,” he began in the same ponderous manner their father tended to adopt when they got anywhere near theological matters. “It has been decided that in order for you to become, eventually, good Christian wives and mothers as has been set out by God our Father in His Holy Word, you should be instructed in the virtues of young Christian womanhood, particularly regarding courtship procedures. Although it is against our Lord's Holy Word, in most circumstances, to allow women to teach, as they are to be quiet in the church, we realize at the same time that even good Christian men would be unable to instruct you in the ways becoming to your position. Therefore the church council has approved a woman to teach you, in this instance only, of the ways of a Christian woman with relation to her suitors..."

As Wallace nattered on, Ky realized that this was where her dad gotten the mannerisms. It was exactly the same every time she suffered through a sermon. Ky's brain went numb, which produced the requisite expression of vague attentiveness on her face, as though, while what the good minister was saying was over her head, she would respectfully absorb as much as much as her feeble female intellect would allow.

Sneaking a look at her sister out of the corner of her eye, Dani wondered if any of the other girls found this as outrageous as they did. Unwilling to give their true attitudes and long-term plans away, Dani and Ky never confided in any of the dowdy, repressed girls with whom they were forced to socialize and worship. Some of them might even have been as panic-stricken as Ky and Dani were, but lacked an Aunt Kris equivalent to get them out of it. She just knew if that she had felt abandoned by now, she would have been long gone.

Ky didn't open her notebook yet. She figured the pastor would be too uncomfortable in their presence to get into the good stuff, the stuff Aunt Kris was looking for, or anything amusing or bizarre. That was women's work, a phrase that had become an epithet once again.

Pastor Wallace levered himself off the desk and turned to the teacher, “I commend them to your care and keeping, Mrs. Axleby. Let us begin with prayer, and then I shall leave you to your task."

Ky tuned him out. She had heard enough about how weak and sinful women were and she no longer prayed in church anyway. It was simply a time to daydream about being somewhere else, she didn't care where. If she had any real praying to do, she did it by herself, at night, without supervision, the way she had done when she was Lutheran.

“Now, class,” Mrs. Axleby began when the door closed behind Pastor Wallace, “let's begin with a reading from Genesis. The Fall of Man."

Dutifully they all turned to the chapter and Mrs. Axleby asked the girl nearest the door to begin. Dani was sure the Pastor had assigned this reading and all the rest with the express purpose of keeping them beaten down and feeling unworthy to aspire to anything beyond marriage. By the time the church was through with them, they should be willing to humbly accept the most abusive man of God as a husband.

That chore complete, Mrs. Axleby handed out copies of their course of study, with weekly topics and Bible readings. Ky and Dani took theirs as if they were prepared to be fascinated. Tonight's topic was “How to Accept a Gentleman's Offer to Accompany Him on a Date.” Evidently refusal was not an alternative!

Ky leaned over, “What is there to say but ‘yes’ if there isn't any choice?"

“Ssshhh!” Dani warned, but she winked.

Under Mrs. Axleby's supervision, the girls hesitantly compiled a list which was written on the blackboard, taking turns raising their hands. There was no discussion.

“Let him do the talking."

“Go wherever he wants to."

“Attend his sports events and cheer enthusiastically."

“Listen attentively."

“Don't complain."

“Take his instruction seriously."

“Learn about his interests, especially sports."

“Don't pester or nag."

“Find out his favorite color and wear it a lot."

Dani wanted to excuse herself to throw up but then she would have to spend the whole class time outside the room and she didn't want to draw attention. She thought that if the boy were a girl some of the advice might work, as long as both of them were doing it!

Ky wrote studiously while contributing nothing. Once feisty in classes and interested in religion, Ky was totally passive in the new church, particularly since the Bible incident with Dani. She was now focused entirely on how any of the information might be helpful to them and their aunt. Nothing else mattered. “I am a spy; I am a spy,” she would recite mentally as she copied everything down. Had she allowed herself to think too hard about the whole picture: a lifetime to be spent within the confines of the strictures of the TFC, she knew she could easily go insane.

At the halfway point there was a break and the girls went outside to sit on the benches in the garden. There was no point dwelling on the fact that in the old days they would have been shooting hoops. Dani and Ky split up so that no one would tell their parents they spent all their time together. Dani stood near some girls who were discussing boys in the church. She thought it might be useful to know whom to avoid. Surely, if they were giving a course on dating, the church would also arrange social activities which they would have to attend.

“Ricky Davis is cute,” one of the girls said.

Sure; cute but mean, Dani thought.

Karen Axleby said, “My mom wants me to date David Wallace."

She would, was Dani's mental response. The pastor's son: dull and respectable.

“Did you know the boys will be taking Biblical names at confirmation in the spring?” the oldest girl asked.

“You mean we could be married to guys named Ezekiel or Isaiah?” someone squealed, and they all giggled.

No one mentioned the fact that girls weren't confirmed anymore. Since the act symbolized adulthood in the church, it wasn't necessary. Once they turned eighteen, they communed if their parents or husbands approved, and that was it. There was no corresponding ceremony, and certainly no increased responsibilities.

Dani looked around and didn't see Ky. Must be in the bathroom, Dani thought.

After the closing prayer, the girls went out and got in the car with their father. Women were still driving; they had to, but not at night and not to church if at all possible. The former was considered dangerous and the latter didn't look good.

“How was class?” Harry asked enthusiastically. His girls certainly were growing up fast.

“Great, Dad."

“Fine, Daddy."

“What did you talk about?” he asked, easing into traffic.

“Oh, you know. Girl stuff."

“Things to do that boys like,” Ky said sweetly.

“Good, good.” That was enough. He didn't need the details.

While Dani was dressing for homework and bed, Ky slipped into her room. “Guess what!"

“Guess what?"

“Guess what I found out during the break?” Ky was in a state.

“I'm clueless.” Dani put down her hairbrush.

“I followed Mrs. Axleby. She went to the office and she and the boys’ teacher, Mr. Ferguson, exchanged class rosters. I couldn't hear every word, but I think they're gonna try and pair us off."

Dani's eyes went wide. “Oh, no! Dammit. We need to find out who's in that class, exactly."

“I know,” Ky said, reaching into her blouse. She withdrew a folded, sweaty piece of paper. Smoothing it on the bed, Dani saw it was a list.

“How did you get that?” she demanded.

“They left the room with the copier on,” Ky shrugged. “I took one. Actually, one of each so they wouldn't be quite sure what happened."

“Gimme it,” Dani said. “Where's the list of girls?"

“In my room."

“Get it."

“Aye, Lieutenant."

“When she got back, Dani took it. “Copy the boys by hand. I'll copy the girls. We'll put the originals away."

“What are you gonna do?” Ky pestered.

“Figure something out."

As soon as both lists were copied, Dani shooed Ky out. “I'll call you when I'm done. If you stay in here too long, you'll make Mom and Dad suspicious and I don't want to leave the door open."

“Why can't we say we're talking about boys?” Ky sulked.

“'Cause then they'll wanna know who we like and I don't want to have that discussion yet. Go on now."

As soon as she was alone, Dani tried playing with the list, wondering what criteria would be used. Using physical appearance, respective ages, fathers’ professions, and fathers’ positions within the church she made a short list of candidates her parents were likely to force on her.

“Ky.” Dani slipped into her sister's room about an hour later. Handing Ky the page she asked, “What do you think of these match-ups?"

Ky looked at it intently. “Uh-oh. You know what a climber Mom is."

“Exactly. Well, I don't know what I can do about it but at least it won't be a shock."

CHAPTER 21

Ariel Basheera almost wished she didn't have to do this. It was an important interview, no, a critical one. She had to do it or someone else would, and he had agreed to see her. Probably for all the wrong reasons, but he had agreed.

She was on her way, with her crew, to the family homestead where the Senator was vacationing. It was beautiful, all right, but remote, on the edge of national forest a hundred and fifty miles northeast of Boise. It was a major hassle getting there. Ariel supposed that was part of the fun for the Senator, to make a woman traipse all the way out West from New York. Perhaps he had thought her incapable of making the trip. Oddly enough, it had been fun in a way. Every time an Oaf tried to hassle her she showed her French passport and scared him away. It got old after the eighth or ninth time, but there was still a definite satisfaction in seeing the looks on their faces. Many nations had made it quite clear that harassing their citizens in the way that American women were harassed would not be appreciated. Moreover, as a member of the media, Ariel had tremendous clout, and she knew how to use it.

They bounced along in a rented four-wheel drive vehicle, which the Senator's chief of staff had recommended for their journey to the banks of the Little Lost River. Ariel had never been to Idaho, but she was far from thrilled that she could now check it off her list. She just wanted to do the interview and get out but there was little hope of that, not with a five PM appointment. She was sure it was the Senator's intention that she and the crew stay in his compound overnight so she could get a taste of the little patriarchate he had built for himself. It was rumored the Senator kept several wives there and if Ariel could prove it, she would, especially if she found herself stuck there for the night.

As they came around a bend, they could look down into the compound, which was surrounded by barbed wire. “Look at that, Mack,” Ari murmured to her producer, who was also the driver.

“Should I shoot it?” Teri asked, hunting for her lenses.

“We're on a public road. May as well,” Ari told her. “Let's take ten minutes. We'll work it up later. Mike me."

Working quickly, Ari's crew set up and she delivered two possible intros standing on the side of the road with a backdrop of the Sawtooth Mountains behind her. Then they shot more footage and stills to use with voice-overs if necessary.

Climbing back into the car she reminded them, “Don't forget, Jones is a strong supporter of the Oafs, polygamy—he's a Mormon—and he's anti-feminist, homophobic and anti-choice. He may very well try to bait us, especially you and me, Teri. Mack and Will, they may insult you about my being in charge. Say nothing if you can possibly avoid it, and if not, offer a polite, noncommittal answer. Is that clear?"

Nods and affirmative grunts satisfied her. They had been together on a lot of assignments, including various Balkan and Middle Eastern wars. They had even been shot at so with that experience under their belts, they went in.

A man with a shotgun guarded the gate. Mack collected all their IDs and handed them over. After making a call on a cell phone, the man opened the gate and waved them through with a surly look. They pulled up in line with some other vehicles in front of the main building and by the time they all got out and started to unload their gear, the senator had appeared on the porch.

“Welcome! Welcome to Jones Valley! Miss ... Bashir, isn't it?"

It was starting already. Ariel winced inwardly at the archaic title but kept her cool. “Basheera, actually, Senator Jones, but please call me Ari.” It was a little trick she used with older men, letting them use her first name and perhaps leading them to believe she was harmless.

“Why don't we go into my study? There's a nice picture window, lots of light for your, um, camera-girl. Odd profession for a girl? Isn't it? A little on the wild side, and kind of scary to potential suitors, I would think."

Teri smiled and said nothing as she hefted a tripod and waited expectantly.

“That will be fine, Senator. It shouldn't take us long to set up. You do have a lovely place here,” Ari said smoothly.

“Let Miriam show you where you can freshen up,” Jones offered when a woman in what looked like pioneer garb came out shyly, and they followed her into the house.

Mack, Will and Teri went about their tasks like the pros they were. Ari brushed her hair and checked her makeup, which was minimal, and the Senator let Teri powder his patrician skull so it wouldn't cause glare. Ari had chilling memories of Ronald Reagan in similar Western garb being interviewed on his ranch and hoped the image wasn't prophetic.

With cameras and mikes off, Ari briefed Senator Jones on the kinds of questions she would be asking and reminded him that if he wanted to go off the record, he could simply ask for the equipment to be turned off. Once he was ready, Ari nodded and the interview began.

“Senator Jones, the world watches with interest as we near the fall elections here in the U.S. Can you tell us your assessment of the current campaigns and their implications for future domestic policy?"

He smiled benignly. “Even the most conservative estimates give both House and Senate to the NRN with comfortable margins. It's the mandate of the people. It's time we returned this nation to the basic, Biblical values upon which it was founded."

“How would you justify that in light of the constitutional separation of church and state?” Ari asked with apparently genuine curiosity.

“The Constitution can be amended,” he explained glibly, icy blue eyes sparkling with enthusiasm on what was clearly his favorite topic. “I'm sure the Founding Fathers would never have included that concept if they could have envisioned the moral decay that has nearly destroyed us as a nation."

Ari let Jones prattle on while preening for the camera, trying all the angles to get his “rugged good looks” in front of the American people. They could cut as much as they needed to later on, as long as they didn't damage the essence of the interview or twist his words.

Ari pushed on through her stock questions, delivering a “zinger” every now and again.

“What is your feeling about the so called ‘feminine brain drain’ being experienced by government, businesses and universities? I refer to the phenomenon in which women raised and educated here are taking their talents overseas to countries where laws are less restrictive and more welcoming. Can the U.S. afford to lose such a valuable resource?"

Jones favored her with a patronizing glance, “But then we have such charming ladies as yourself coming to take their places! More to the point, we are welcoming equally-or better-qualified men from European and African nations whose talents were withering under politically repressive regimes. Moreover, it allows our well-qualified men here to advance to their rightful positions of leadership from which they were prevented by well-meaning but poorly-conceived affirmative actions laws."

“Are you saying that having so many good women here made it too tough for men to compete?” Ari asked, batting her eyelashes. Zing!

Obadiah Jones glowered, “I'm saying that our laws didn't give women the freedom to stay home and bear children as is their proper biological and societal role. The liberals pushed both genders into boxes where they didn't belong and where they weren't comfortable. No real woman wishes to lead men, no true man can follow a woman; but many are forced to assume roles they don't want. If women who are uncomfortable here wish to move overseas, that is their right, at least for the time being."

“How interesting, Senator. ‘The time being?'” Ari probed.

“For the time being,” he repeated, his anger subsiding. “With proper education and training, all young women will gladly accept their places in society and their happiness will come from caring for their children and husbands. Not bad advice for you to follow yourself, young lady. In fact, are we almost done here?” he checked his watch.

“I think we've covered just about everything,” Ari acknowledged.

“Good! Excellent! I'd like you to all be my guests tonight. I can give you a tour of Jones Valley, which you can film. I'll show you how idyllic a place the world can be when everyone lives as God intended."

“How kind of you, Senator Jones. Of course, we accept."

The tour consisted of a walk around the working ranch. A few men worked in the barns and fields, many women in the houses and gardens. Except for modern farming implements, the flavor of a pioneer or western movie was very strong. Jones obligingly pointed out the various operations in progress and introduced Ari and her crew to several men but none of the women.

All of the men addressed the Senator as “Senator” or “sir” even though Ari was sure some of them looked like the Senator himself, possibly sons, nephews or brothers. They had little to say in greeting the young reporter and her associates, and Ari didn't press, hoping for more later out of earshot of her host.

Two girls, twins by their dress and physical appearance, coming back from the chicken coop with a basket of eggs between them dropped a nervous curtsey to the senator and moved on as quickly as their burden would allow, giggling. Ari shuddered and thought it would be interesting to look at the photos of all the children later. One never knew what one might find.

“Do you have many security concerns all the way out here, Senator Jones?” Ari asked, indicating the razor-wire fence and armed guards.

“Just wolves,” the senator smiled matter-of-factly. “The government has seem fit to bring them back and unless we guard our property and send out patrols to protect the cattle, we'll lose them,” he shrugged. “It would be foolish not to take preventive measures."

“Are you able to get TV reception out here, satellite or cable?"

“No cable out here, young lady. Much too far for any broadcast signals. And I don't approve of most TV programming. It hardly matters. We have a rich and full life without the influence of the outside world,” the Senator explained patiently.

Yeah, I'll bet, Ari thought. Wouldn't want anyone to think an original thought. “It's certainly a glorious setting,” she said, refusing to play into his trap.

“Why don't we settle you all for the night?” the Senator suggested as the sun disappeared. “We have dormitories for single folks. You can bunk in with them.” He raised a finger and a woman detached herself from a small group on the back porch of the main house. “Eve, will you and Seth please show our guests to quarters for this evening?” It wasn't a request, nor was it treated as one. Turning to Ari once again, he said, “I'll see you all at dinner."

Ari turned to Mack and the others. “Think of it as an opportunity,” she murmured, and they allowed themselves to be escorted away to their respective lodgings.

CHAPTER 22

“Hey, sleepyhead!” Kris smiled fondly. “You all slept out?"

“God, yes, I think twelve hours would be enough for anyone,” Andy yawned, making her way across the lounge. “Stiff, though."

“It was a long haul,” Kris nodded, “and minding the radar all night gave me a headache sometimes, too."

“Mmm. And that squall! My God, I almost forgot how they could come up out of nowhere. Don't make me do that again!” Andy said, pouring coffee. She yawned again, hugely. “Sorry."

“I'll look at the chart while you eat. We can talk about where to go next."

“Thanks. It was awfully nice of you to let me sleep so long,” Andy said, coming up behind Kris to hug her.

“You hadn't had any in 24 hours,” Kris reminded her.

“Aren't we a good team?” Andy asked dreamily, resting her head on her lover's shoulder.

A pang of love so intense it almost hurt gripped Kris hard for a moment. “We sure are. Now eat while I check this out."

She pored over the maps and finally announced, “It seems we have two ways to go, depending on how much time we want to take. We can go along the coast or hop from island to island. Originally I would've just headed straight for the Canal from here, but now I don't feel like I have to."

“Lemme see,” Andy nudged her so she could look at the chart. “Have you been to any of these little islands?"

“No, nor the Mosquito Coast."

“I'll bet they don't call it that for nothing. Let's hop down the islands, then, you know, fish and swim and all."

“Fine with me,” Kris agreed, rolling the chart. “I have a bank appointment this afternoon and I want to get my clothes ready. You gonna come?"

“I guess, if you don't mind,” Andy was hesitant.

“Why, what's the matter?"

Andy shrugged, “Well, I don't want to be in the way or look like I'm prying."

“Oh, come on. Maybe you'll learn something new about your own finances,” Kris said, giving her a hug. “Or you might be bored to tears."

“Okay. If I get bored I'll find a bar and watch the girls."

“Just don't touch."

* * * *

Two hours later they were in a plush, carpeted office high above the hot, deserted center of George Town. As she looked out at the shimmering heat, Kris felt as if her linen suit was wilting. It was a lot of dull talk, this introduction to the world of offshore finances, but as she listened Kris was sure she had done the right thing.

As Wesley Boggs finished his explanations and summaries, Kris remarked, “The only thing that bothers me, is that, should I return to the United States and be detained after women lose their financial rights, can't my assets be seized?"

Wesley, who looked like a retired football player, his broad shoulders straining the seams of his summer suit, smiled and said, “You aren't the first to ask that question, and you won't be the last. People have been trying to hide their assets legally for years, and here's how you do it: incorporation."

“How do you mean?” Kris asked, intrigued.

“In lay terms, you create a company of yourself. Your assets belong to the company, one chartered here and therefore immune. If you would like, I can recommend a lawyer."

“Happens all the time, does it?” Kris repeated, rubbing her upper lip. “All right. I think I would like to look into it."

Wesley picked up the phone and gave some instructions to his secretary. As Kris and Andy departed a few moments later, they were handed a business card and directions. “Tomorrow, 2 PM,” Wesley said, “The corporate tower just down the street. I'm sure you'll like Brenda Livingston. Please give her my regards."

“Of course. It's been a pleasure, Mr. Boggs.” They shook hands.

“Likewise, Captain Nordstrom, Ms. Santiago,” he smiled with an easy confidence. A happy client meant a happy banker.

“Fun,” Andy commented in the elevator on the way down.

“Please,” Kris told her. “I know it isn't but it has to be done. And I do like knowing the people who are managing my money. I want them to know I'll be watching them."

“Okay, so can we get out of these clothes now, please?” Andy begged.

“That's all you ever think about, isn't it?” Kris joked as they hopped from shadow to shadow to get back to the public pier where they had left the Zodiac.

Andy smiled serenely. “Almost."

They got into their bathing suits and spent the afternoon swimming off the rear platform and sitting in the shade, reading. Not being hooked up, Kris didn't want to use up fuel or batteries to run the air conditioning if she could help it, and the slip fees were outrageous.

“When we know for sure we're leaving, we'll dock overnight, hook up and refuel, okay?” Kris asked Andy.

“Fine with me. It'll be a lot better when the sun sets, too."

* * * *

“You just sit yourselves right there and I'll get us some iced tea,” Brenda Livingston said, bustling around her office. She moved some stacks and put three large wooden chairs around the end of her conference table where the wood was now visible.

“It sure is the worst time of the year to visit George Town. Except we're not busy. In winter you gotta make an appointment two months in advance for business like this. Right here, honey,” Brenda called to a shy-looking, slender young man in a white shirt who appeared at the door with a large tray. “Put it right here and I'll be mother. Okay, who wants sugar?"

Kris was enchanted. This was no high-powered Wall Street lawyer, this was a nice plump, friendly grandmother with an office full of pictures of bright-looking children with gleaming mahogany faces. “Are these your family?” she asked as the lawyer served the tea.

“Children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and I don't know what all. You name a relation, I got one of ’em in there somewhere."

“I see someone I know,” Andy said. “This fellow in cricket whites."

“Oh, you found Wesley. That's at Cambridge. I guess he didn't tell you he's my nephew.” Brenda came to stand next to Andy. “Isn't he pretty?” She looked at her new clients. “Now I know you two don't look at him that way, but still, he's handsome like a statue or some fine painting, like that David over there in Florence, isn't he?"

Kris and Andy stared at her, astounded.

Brenda waved at them dismissively. “Now don't you worry. I've been around long enough to know what's what. And I'm your lawyer, so it's best you be right up front anyhow. Now let's talk."

Kris laughed a little self-consciously, “I like your style, Brenda Livingston. Let me tell you our situation."

After an hour of pointed questions and copious note-taking, Brenda announced, “This isn't hard to do. You become incorporated. Limited, we say here. You need to choose a name. Your assets belong to the company, and you're the president. Who do you wanna be, honey?” she addressed Andy.

“Oh, uh, it's not my money."

“You two need to talk about this! Your money needs to be out of reach, too. I'll be back in a few minutes, and pick yourselves a name.” She heaved herself up and made her way out, softly closing the door behind her.

Kris and Andy stared at each other and burst into laughter. “What a character!” Kris chuckled. “What about it? Want to be my executive vice president?"

“Just put my money in with yours? Own part of the company?” Andy clarified.

“Sure, it's probably a better idea. We'll let Wesley combine our assets and diversify our holdings and each own the percentage we put in. If you want. I don't want to push you."

“I like it but I feel, you know, I'm somehow taking advantage,” Andy said slowly.

“We need to learn to think in new ways to deal with the situation we're in,” Kris said, trying to be logical. “If you don't like it, we won't do it."

Andy surrendered gracefully. “It seems like she knows us better than we know ourselves."

“She certainly isn't afraid to say what she thinks. How about a name?"

“Well, we're a new company with a totally radical reason for being. New something?” Andy offered.

“New Goals? New Energy?” Kris tried out.

“How about something nautical, you know, sea or travel oriented?” Andy suggested.

“New Destination? Newport? New Voyage?"

“New Outlook, Lookout, Horizon?” Andy said tentatively.

Kris looked at her sharply. “Horizon? New Horizons?"

“Yes! Yes! That's it! Toward a new life! Over the horizon!” Andy jumped up and hugged her. “New Horizons!"

Kris laughed at her enthusiasm. “All right, madam Vice President. Order us some letterhead."

They were still laughing when Brenda came back.

“What's so funny?” she asked, settling herself.

“Oh, we're just amused by our own cleverness. We want our company to be New Horizons,” Kris explained. “And I need to do something about passing control to my nieces should anything happen to me and Andrea."

“And I need to designate an heir or whatever it is as well, for my percentage,” Andy added. “Besides, all this is complicated by the fact that we want to leave everything to females who are underage, and we don't trust their parents. Am I right?” she looked at Kris, who nodded.

“It is complicated. You can leave it in trust, but you need a guardian and you don't wanna use a man, right?” Brenda verified

“We can't. Between us we don't personally know a man in either of our families we can trust. Does it have to be a relative?” Kris asked.

“No, it can be any legal adult. It doesn't have to be an expert, but someone who is willing to consult an expert,” Brenda added.

A crafty look stole over Andy's face. “Good. I choose you,” she said to Brenda. “I want to leave my portion equally to all my nieces. I have four of them. They're kids. I hope we can survive this, but if I don't, they'll have something."

“Can she do that?” Kris demanded. “Can she designate you?"

“Baby, it wouldn't be the first time,” Brenda shrugged.

“Well, I don't have a better idea than that,” Kris decided. “Will you represent my nieces, too?"

“You're the boss,” Brenda said. “I just do the paperwork. Give me all the names and addresses. That New Horizons sounds just fine, and as long as someone else isn't using it, I can have everything done in a couple of days. How long are you staying?"

“As long as it takes,” Kris said with a smile.

Andy said, “I have to back and see Wesley, I guess, and transfer my accounts."

“You just do that, and I should have this wrapped up in no time."

CHAPTER 23

Dani waited anxiously for her TotalNet program to open, the real one through which they communicated with Kris. Ky watched the driveway from their parents’ window. As soon as Dani had retrieved their messages, she signed off and called out, “Okay! Got something!"

“Go ahead and read it,” Ky offered. “I'll stay here."

When Dani came to change places with her, Ky went and read the message:

Hello, Darlings,

Jamaica is very pretty but expensive. Hoping to go fishing tomorrow. Andy is excellent company but I still wish we could all be together.

Dani, about your list and the dating problem, here is my recommendation. Choose the least attractive, most geeky boy on the list, and the one most likely to get stuck with the least attractive girl. Someone you know doesn't want to date either would be best. Approach him and see if you can arrange to provide cover for each other. If he doesn't want to play the dating game maybe he'll be content to go to some movies you both like, study together and so on. Tell him if he asks you or your parents about dating you'll say yes. If you make it non-threatening for him you could both hide for a long time without being discovered, and since you are attractive, it may appeal to his ego. Let me know if you think that might work.

Ky, thanks for the report on your dating classes. I have forwarded it to the folks in Oakland for analysis. I'm not sure what they can use but knowledge is power. Know thine enemy.

Both of you are doing a wonderful job! Stay strong and brave for me

Aunt Kris

* * * *

“Wow. The dorkiest boy,” Ky repeated when they had hidden the program again. “Who is that, do you think?"

Dani already had her lists out. “Niles Bower. He's a real nerd. The clunky shoes, the pocket protector, the lisp.” She shuddered.

Ky said, “the ugly glasses. Yeah, and who would they match him up with?"

Dani looked over the list of girls. “Probably Rose or Monica. Rose is fat, Mo has terrible acne. The question is, would Mom and Dad let me date him?"

“Would you date him?” Ky asked. “I mean, wouldn't it be awful?"

“I would much rather date someone I can intimidate. The ones that I'm most likely to get paired with will always be trying to bully me, or grope me, or both. Niles would be too thrilled to even try it.” Dani smiled slightly. “That must be what Aunt Kris is thinking, too. She doesn't want me to be forced to let them handle me. That would really make her mad."

“God, I wish she would just come get us,” Ky moaned, flopping dejectedly on her bed. “We could finish school somewhere else, or some other time. We could just study and take entrance exams. Someone will let us into college."

“Well, she's not gonna come that fast. If she's in Jamaica or anywhere near it, she's not nearly ready to come get us."

“So now that you know what to do about dating, are you gonna do it?” Ky wanted to know.

“Assuming Mom and Dad would let me. If they want beautiful grandchildren Niles is not the way to do it. I mean, look at him,” Dani said glumly. “But for now, I'm not gonna do anything. I'm not gonna go looking to spend time with any boy. I'll wait as long as I can, until they try to put us together. Then I'll go talk to him."

* * * *

“You do realize that Kris never gave us the account numbers we need for the girls’ trust fund,” Cindy reminded Harry pointedly one evening in early September.

Harry put down his paper with a sigh. “After that fuss about them being in bed with her, what did you expect?"

“But that was truly disgusting! She must realize how wrong it was and that we were right to protect them. And not giving us the information won't change the law. She won't be able to manage their money soon.” Cindy's voice had taken on that buzz-saw whine that Harry was usually unable to resist for very long.

“I'm sure she didn't see it that way. To her it was harmless affection,” he tried, knowing it was a losing battle.

“The woman is a pervert! I don't care if she is your sister, she's still a pervert,” Cindy shrilled.

Harry didn't argue anymore. The ending was set in cement. “I see what you're saying, and I agree with you. The problem is, she's off on her boat. She doesn't care."

“But we can't leave her in control of that money!” Cindy cried out, frustrated. “They won't be going to college, but we need that money for weddings and dowries."

“Look at it this way,” Harry tried to reason. “Make her mad enough and she'll keep the money herself. The money is still actually hers, until they're of age or she turns it over to them. She can still take it all back."

“Unless we can get control. Let's see a lawyer."

Harry caved at last. “All right, I'll look into it."

* * * *

“I'm sorry, Mr. Nordstrom, but your choices are actually quite limited with regard to your sister and the trust accounts."

Cindy fumed as she listened to the two men. How could this have happened? It wasn't supposed to be like this.

“Just so I understand,” Harry reviewed, “unless Kris voluntarily gives up control of the account to me, she can't be forced to."

“That's true now, but it may change. If the laws pass so that control of all major financial instruments is handled by a woman's nearest male relative, the accounts would automatically transfer to you on the date the law went into effect,” Mr. Bates explained.

“You mean, if the accounts were in the United States,” Harry stated.

“Yes, or, if she came into the United States, she could be detained for having offshore accounts. That's assuming the laws as proposed pass intact. In that case, she would have to sign them over or stay in detention. But we're looking at a year or two at best for that,” he nodded sagely. “As your lawyer, I'd be remiss not to make a suggestion that could take care of this a lot faster."

“What is that, Mr. Bates?” Cindy asked. She knew it was men's business but there were times she couldn't restrain herself.

Bates looked at her mildly but addressed Harry, “I understood you to say that access to your daughters is very important to her. Use it as leverage. Access to them for control of the trust account. Is that feasible?"

“It might be,” Harry said slowly. “She did ask for permission to travel to Ohio to visit them. Come next year she's likely to need something in writing."

“That could be withheld,” the lawyer encouraged him.

“There's also mail, phone and internet,” Cindy pointed out. “We don't have to wait for her to travel. I mean, we can stop her from talking to them at all."

Bates pursed his lips. “Extreme, perhaps, but possible. Would she abandon them?"

Harry said, “Control of her own life has always been her most important concern. She might."

“If there's anything else?” Bates hinted, obviously wanting to move things along. These were not his most lucrative clients, being from his church. Certain pro bono work was expected among the Oafs. This was a minor matter but it did take time.

“We'll be in touch,” Harry nodded, rising and motioning to Cindy to collect her belongings.

“Any time at all,” Bates said smoothly.

* * * *

“How do we find out if she'll trade access to Danielle and Carol for control of the funds?” Cindy wondered aloud as they drove home from the lawyer's offices.

“We could ask her outright,” Harry suggested.

“We could drop hints to the girls and see if they'll get nervous enough to ask her,” Cindy said craftily. “They hate to be separated from her. If they see she'll keep the money rather than see them..."

“Do you really want them to be alienated from her and lose control of the money?” Harry interrupted. “I see that as a real possibility. And don't forget, right now there are no laws to enforce."

“I want the girls’ money and her out of our lives,” Cindy said firmly. “If I can't have all of it, I want as much of it as I can get."

“Look, let's wait until the elections. Two months. If the elections give the NRN full control of both houses, we'll be in the driver's seat. If not, she will still have control of the money and the only thing we can legally do is stop her from visiting us."

Cindy pursed her lips thoughtfully. “That just might be enough. You're right. Let's bide our time. We could remind her once and then wait her out. She may drop some clue about her intentions."

Harry was relieved. He hated being put in the middle. Any reprieve was better than no reprieve at all.

CHAPTER 24

Teri and Ari trudged to the main house for dinner. “Some weird place, huh?” Teri nudged Ari as they watched a group of young women singing a hymn on the porch while absorbed in their dinner preparation.

“Yes, it is odd, but it smells good."

“Gives me the creeps,” Teri kept her voice low. “I mean, come on. Dormitory style housing for adults? Why are there so many single women, and where do the married ones live?"

“All excellent points. Just take pictures of everything, let me ask questions and maybe we can piece it all together when we get back. Now, try to look joyful and dippy. We want them to trust us,” Ari cautioned.

Stifling a snicker, Teri dutifully followed her boss into the house.

A silent older woman led them into a huge dining room. The men and boys were already seated at a long table on the right side of the room. Two long tables on the left were set for about two dozen but none of the places was taken yet. The Senator was at a smaller table, seating eight, at the far end of the room, along with Will and Mack. The silent woman conducted Ari and Teri to the Senator's table, and Jones looked up, smiled and said, “Welcome to our simple supper. The women will be serving in just a moment."

Almost as soon as he said it, double doors from the kitchen opened and a whole parade of bonneted women of all ages processed out with bowls and platters. A bevy of little girls followed them and sat at the tables on the left.

“The little ones set the tables and clean up afterward. We don't allow them to carry the big, hot dishes out of the kitchen. We wouldn't want them to get hurt,” the senator explained benignly.

Once all the tables were laden with meat, vegetables and bread, the women took their seats and everyone bowed their heads.

Senator Jones rose to ask the blessing. “Merciful Father in heaven, we ask you to bless the fruits of our labor. Keep our men strong and firm, our women gentle and fertile, and give us many obedient children with whom to fill your Kingdom of Righteousness here on earth. We pray in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen."

Ari, who was a secular humanist of Arab extraction, carefully kept her face blank and hoped her micro-corder was getting it all. She wondered how the prayer went on the nights when there were no guests from the international media.

“Why are there so many more women than men?” Ari asked as she passed the bread. “These biscuits smell delicious!"

“Oh, several reasons,” the Senator replied, helping himself. “First, some of the men are too far out on the ranch to come in overnight. Second, some of the men work in Washington for me, or in Pocatello or Boise and their wives stay here because it's safe. We don't allow our womenfolk to live unattended away from the guidance and protection of their men. Third, a few are unmarried and are here because they can't fend for themselves. They do, of course, hope to find husbands, and I do all I can to help."

Ari munched and nodded thoughtfully. “I see."

Mack had a question, too. “Are there any married couples? Where do they live?"

“There are.” Jones cut some meat and his attention drifted to a corner of the room. Ari followed his eyes and say there was some sort of podium there. A man from the other table had gotten up and was turning the pages in a book.

The Senator explained, “We read the Bible from one end to the other throughout the year. The men take turns reading a portion at every meal. We usually suspend conversation for that period."

Mack nodded and they all turned their attention to their meals as the reader, in a stentorian tone, began to plow through Lamentations. By the time the cherry cobbler was brought out, warm and flaky, the reader had just about put poor Will to sleep. They silently cut and passed plates, and suddenly, just when everyone seemed to be done eating, the reader stopped and went back to his table.

Another man took his place at the podium and asked for prayer concerns. Starting with the oldest man at the men's table, each person rose and asked for a particular blessing.

“Good weather for the harvest."

“A safe trip to Washington for the Senator."

“A fuller understanding of God's plans for my life."

As they droned on around the room from table to table, the man at the podium dutifully wrote them all down, composing a true filibuster of a prayer. Ari groaned inwardly but maintained an outwardly bland expression. They would be there all night and then too mentally exhausted to pursue any interesting lines of questions with the Senator or anyone else.

The little girls were having their turns.

“Please help me to be good for Mommy and Daddy."

“Please make me more like Jesus."

Ari looked at Teri and nodded almost imperceptibly.

“Oh, I must ask you to excuse me,” the younger woman said apologetically. “Where is the restroom?"

Jones smiled kindly and snapped his fingers. An adolescent female rose and approached the table. “Esther, please take Miss ... er, to the women's latrine,” he directed. “And be sure to bring her right back,” he admonished almost playfully. “It's dark and we don't want anyone getting lost."

Teri sighed. No chance to look around but at least she could have a break from all this religiosity. She followed the young woman out.

The women's latrine was the one attached to the women's dorm and on the way back Teri asked Esther, “Where do you go to school?"

“We're all home-schooled right here at Jones Valley,” Esther said shyly.

“Did you ever go to school anywhere else?” Teri persisted.

“Oh, yes, in Spokane, before we moved here.'

“Why did you move?” Teri wanted to know.

“Well, my mother is divorced. We went to a new church and learned that women shouldn't live without men's help, so they sent us here."

“Oh, I see. And do you like it?"

“Yes. We have lots of food and I have friends and a nice warm place to sleep,” Esther said enthusiastically.

“Well, that sounds good,” Teri said. “I think I'll just sit right here on the porch. You can stay with me or go inside. I don't mind either way."

“I have to go in for prayers, and the Senator said to bring you back,” Esther said, worried.

“I'll stay here,” Teri promised. “I think I ate too much, and I need some fresh air."

“All right. Please don't go anywhere,” Esther said and she ran in.

It wasn't two minutes before one of the young men came out. He seemed both surprised and relieved to see Teri sitting quietly on the top step. “Don't like prayers none?” he asked.

“No, I just need to stay outside. I'm stuffed,” Teri said lightly. “You?"

“The Senator doesn't want anything to happen to our guests,” the young man said shortly. “You the cameraman for that reporter?

“I'm the camera tech, yes,” Teri said.

“I wouldn't want my woman runnin’ around the world without me,” he said belligerently. “Why don't your husband make you stay home?"

“I'm not married,” Teri told him. In the dark he couldn't see her eyes so she used the time to observe and soak up as much of her surroundings as she could. “Are you?"

“No. I will be, though, and my wife will stay by my side and do as I say."

“I see,” Teri said, not pressing. A piano began to play inside and voices were raised in song. She wondered how long that would go on.

“Where do you live, that you can just run off without anyone to guide you? Is one of those men your man?” he persisted. Clearly his contact with the rest of the world was, or had become, rather narrow, she thought.

“I'm from England where women have their own pursuits and are responsible for themselves. I don't know exactly what you mean by one of them being my man. They are my colleagues. We work together,” Teri said, searching for the right words.

“You live alone, you work, you travel,” he summarized. “It ain't natural. It ain't what God intends for his people.” The young man stayed at a distance in the shadows, seeming almost to be talking to himself more than to her.

“It's a big world. There are many ways of living that are different from each other. Lots of different countries and cultures,” Teri said helpfully.

“Maybe now,” he grunted. “Not once they see the light. You'll see too, when the righteous control the government. Won't be nothin’ we can't do."

Before Teri had to respond to that, the sound of many feet and the scraping of chairs reached their ears. Evidently prayers were finally over, and suddenly all the men were outside, the women remaining behind to clean up.

Will, Ari and Mack waited patiently until they could step out into the big yard, then all four moved away together to the deep shadows under the trees.

Ari said, “I would really like you and Will to try to look around a bit tonight, Mack. Maybe your movements won't be monitored so closely. Teri and I will try to see what we can find out from the women, although I doubt it will be much."

Teri gave a quick report on her discussions with the two residents she had encountered.

“Whoa. They shipped that woman here? This is some weird cult,” Will said. “Can't wait to get back to DC."

“I'm sure they don't call it a cult,” Ari began.

“They never do,” Mack joked.

“In any event, they will have a legitimate explanation for everything. Ah, here come our escorts,” Ari said brightly. “What time is breakfast?” she asked Esther.

“Six-thirty exactly we say grace,” the young woman replied.

“Thanks.” Ari turned to the others. “Meet out here at six to load, and we'll go as soon as we can say goodbye to Senator Jones."

Saying goodnight they followed their hosts docilely to their respective dorms, hoping to pick up anything they could before bed.

Teri watched as the other women trickled in from the main house and moved about the large hall, drawing their curtains, wandering in and out of the latrine at the end of the room and changing into flannel nightgowns against the chill mountain air. She got into her sweats and Ari did the same. They heard a few whispered conversations, then thumping as the women dropped to their knees for more prayer. Ari just climbed into bed. If she awoke in the night she might wander as far as she could within the compound. In any event, they could all compare notes in the morning.

* * * *

“Brrrr!” Terri exclaimed. “It sure is chilly. I wonder what winter is like!” she exclaimed as they loaded up the big SUV the next day.

“Glad I won't be here to find out,” Will remarked as he fitted in equipment cases and luggage. “Glad I won't be here another day."

“Let's go, folks. We'll need a big meal to get through all those prayers,” Ari joked as she slung her own gear into the back.

But God was gracious and the prayers were short. “We need to make use of all available daylight as we move on toward winter,” the Senator explained. “We have plenty of time for worship and praise after dark."

“Then we had better let you get to it,” Ari said, rising and putting her napkin aside. “We thank you very much for the hospitality and excellent food. I won't be able to eat for a week!"

Senator Jones beamed. “Come spend a few weeks with us and our ladies will teach you to cook. You'll land a good man in no time."

“Sounds like a plan,” Ari laughed, shaking his hand. “We'll see you back at the Capitol in the fall."

He stood, waving and watching them drive away as the guard shut the gate behind them. “Heathens,” he muttered. “Yet, even they have a place in God's plan: bringing my message to the people."

* * * *

“Escape from the Twilight Zone!” Will cried as soon as they were out of sight of the Senator's compound.

The four of them laughed with evident relief, and then Teri asked, “Okay, who's first?"

“Wait, wait, let me get my palm-top out,” Ari pleaded.

“I'll go first,” Mack offered. “Guess what I found."

“A willing young woman to be your wife?” Teri tried.

“A willing young man?” Will said innocently.

“Nothing that exciting. The satellite TV antenna."

“Damn that lying sack of shit!” Ari fumed. “I wondered how he stayed up to date without TV. He has to know what's what in Washington. Where was it?"

“There's a shed with a pile of rocks way out behind the barn. The dish is camouflaged as a big rock in that pile. I got curious because I couldn't figure out what they needed rocks like that for. There aren't any others."

“So if they don't use them, no one touches them, and no one does anything without Jones’ permission, so the rocks just sit there,” Ari reasoned. “I'm sure he has net access, too. He has to, although I didn't see a computer."

“Either he uses a laptop or it's hidden in some big old piece of furniture in his den where the others don't have access,” Teri theorized. “Gotta be. So he stays in touch with the outside world and keeps everyone else in the dark."

Will said, “I got a lecture last night."

“Tell us,” Ari said, scribbling with her stylus.

“I don't know how to tell you this, Ari, but you and Teri are going to hell unless you find husbands to trust and obey."

“I'll buy a pioneer dress at the Oaf thrift shop as soon as I get back,” Teri promised. “Please, Jesus, don't let me die before I have a chance to mend my ways."

“I'm supposed to be an instrument of the Lord and lead you back to the straight and narrow,” Will went on. “They even gave me a Bible. I hate to say this but the den father or whatever he is thought I had promise."

“That is scary,” Ari mumbled as she made notes. Her palm-top recorded everything they said but she was adding written notes as well.

“Okay, okay. I got the scoop. Are you ready?” Teri asked.

“What?” Mack asked. “Did the Senator make you an offer?"

Teri waited until the derisive hoots died down and then said, “No, all I did was count noses. There were twenty-four women in the dining room, including a woman about the Senator's age, whom I took to be his wife."

“The one who took us to the table last night?” Ari asked. “No, his wife is visiting relatives in Salt Lake City."

“No matter,” Teri said. “Anyway, twenty of them were in the singles dorm when we went to bed. When I got up during the night, I went around and had a look. There were only seventeen in the beds. This morning when we got up, there were twenty again. They weren't in the bathroom or sharing a bed. So where were they?” she ended significantly.

“Oh, come on, they could have been anywhere,” Mack scoffed.

“At night, in the dark, without a male escort?” Teri challenged. “I think they were with the Senator and/or one of the other married men in the houses no one ever explained. The Senator never answered the question about the married people. That means some of the women could be extra wives passing as singles because there's no place else for them to be while we were there."

“Could they have had duty in the kitchen, baking?” Ari asked.

“In the dark?” Teri asked. “Since no one was around, I went out and did a little recon. I didn't see a light anywhere, except outside lighting. They wouldn't make any effort to conceal the kitchen lights."

“Could they have been caring for the children somewhere?” Ari played devil's advocate.

“Wouldn't they be with their mothers, the ones who live in the houses with their husbands?” Teri batted it back.

“Maybe they were in the barn, having an orgy,” Will suggested irreverently.

“For their sakes, I hope so,” Teri said sweetly. “But I doubt it."

“Well, it isn't proof, but it is thought-provoking,” Ari told them. “You all did a great job. Not sure how we can use it right away, but I'll keep my notes and watch for an opening or anything that reinforces our theories. You never know."

CHAPTER 25

“Sometimes you have the strangest concept of fun,” Andy observed as she looked around the miniscule, dusty port, such as it was, of Porvenir in the San Blas Islands. “Whatever gave you the idea to come here?” The tiny Cunha people with their ritual scars and tattoos gave Andy the heebie-jeebies.

“Andy, where is your sense of adventure? Will you look at this lovely place? Look at the these interesting people and their pretty crafts, and stop bitching,” Kris laughed.

“Well, they do make me feel tall,” Andy allowed as she followed Kris up and down the rows of blankets and frames spread with brightly embroidered molas. “But what are you gonna do with it?"

“I have some plain pillows I'll sew them on, and look at these blouses! Fantastic! The girls will love them!” Kris enthused.

Andy gave up. “You win. I'll buy a Christmas ornament. They may not make sense, but they're certainly unique,” she said, picking up an armless black Santa. “Like this?"

Kris smiled, “Honey, if it makes you happy, it makes me happy."

Andy laughed and shook her head. They had certainly been doing what [?] wanted to do all the way down to the coast of Panama: anchoring in tiny coves and loving each other's brains out. Their other encounters with indigenous peoples had netted them some great fish and other seafood. And as far as Andy could tell, there would be more of the same as they worked their way up the Pacific side of the continent. As long as no one was throwing spears or blowing darts, it was pointless to complain.

And that didn't even touch the way it was for her with Kris. This was not the Kris she was used to, or rather it was that Kris, plus a side Andy had never dreamed of. Stepping onto the bridge, Kris was again the consummate captain who gave Andy the shivers and made her knees weak with desire. In the bedroom, on the beach, on the deck under the stars, Kris eagerly, creatively and completely extinguished the flames she fanned all day, just by being herself. Andy's brain spun out of control, making her totally unable for the first time in what seemed like forever, to make an objective decision.

On top of that, Andy suddenly found herself Kris’ business partner as well. First Mate, lover, executive vice president. Andy was afraid Kris would wake up someday and wonder how she had gotten them so inextricably involved with each other, and wish she hadn't. Andy tried not to moon around after Kris with a loopy expression on her face, but sometimes Kris caught her and, far from being annoyed, rewarded her with loving kisses and caresses that made her want to weep with joy. It was ironic that, after waiting so long to even see if they could be together, Andy and Kris might have to go into hiding indefinitely because of the national political and social situation.

Stop it! Andy told herself sternly. She loves you and she loves being free. If we have to run, we'll take the girls and run together. Whatever we have to do to survive, it will make our relationship even better.

Kris came up behind her. “Boo!” When Andy jumped, she laughed. “C'mon, let's go over to the beach. The water is fantastic, isn't it?"

“Wait,” Andy said. “I'll pay for this.” She went to the little nut-brown woman with the huge gold ring through her nose and held up her Santa.

“Three dollar,” the woman chirped. “Two for five dollar."

“I'll take two,” Andy said, selecting another. “Koko will get a huge kick out of this."

They rowed the Zodiac back the few yards to Athena and put away their purchases, then paddled around in the crystal water, snorkeling and enjoying the tiny beach which they had all to themselves. Half a dozen other boats were anchored around the tiny bay from which visitors could tour several of the islands with the natives in dugout canoes. They could also buy soda, water, candy and a few sundries from the tiny store, actually one of several huts with roofs of woven dried palm fronds, at hugely inflated prices.

“Just like Key West!” Kris joked as they sat in the sand under tall skinny palms waving in the gentle breeze. “We can go to the American base at Colon for supplies. We'll be there tomorrow and in fact we may have to hang around a day or two until we can transit."

“All at once?” Andy asked, “or are you gonna poke around inside the Canal?"

“Oh, let's poke,” Kris told her. “There's a yacht club and helicopter tours and goodness knows what else. Let's have fun."

“I second the motion, Madam President,” Andy sighed.

“You better,” Kris told her with a quick peck on the cheek. “I can hardly have fun without you."

* * * *

It was night, and they sat in the roads of Limon Bay about two miles off Colon with all their lights ablaze. “Geeze!” Andy gasped, wrenching the wheel hard starboard as a huge tanker barreled by to port. “I sure won't be sorry to get into the locks."

“We're gonna be up all night, lover, that's for sure,” Kris told her. “Or at least, I am. Being more maneuverable, we have to move if they don't see us."

“I know the rules,” Andy groused. “But I think the squall was less scary."

“Once we get started we'll be through the Gatun locks in just over an hour, and then we can anchor inside and recover. Now, get me some more coffee, Ms Mate. Hop to it!"

“Aye, Captain,” Andy replied with a grin and relinquished the wheel. No way she would let Kris stay up all night by herself.

The radio crackled while Andy was below and Kris responded crisply. “Acknowledged.” She pointed the bow toward the huge neon arrow that indicated the entrance to the locks and proceeded at five knots.

“Are we going in?” Andy asked as she handed Kris a mug.

“No, just moving up in line. Thanks. And now I need a head break."

“Go ahead,” Andy told her.

“Stop opposite that buoy. I'm already on the correct heading,” Kris ordered.

Andy eased into the big chair with a sigh, looking around at the running lights of a hundred ships, large and small, as they kept station beyond the breakwater outside the Caribbean locks. It was going to be a long night.

* * * *

Just as they eased into the lowest lock along with half a dozen other small pleasure craft, dawn broke behind them, revealing a steamy green jungle and the immensity of the canal's mechanisms all around them.

“Look, Andy!” Kris pointed. “This is gonna be great. Go get our cameras."

“All right, all right,” Andy was exhausted and it showed.

“Come on, honey. Hang in there for me. We'll be asleep in 90 minutes, I guarantee it. So let's not miss this."

“Sorry to be a grouch,” Andy apologized as she returned.

Kris grabbed her camera. “I never took [?] through the Canal before, so I really want some shots."

Andy had an idea. “I'm gonna signal that ketch over there,” she said.

“Why?"

“Shoo. Go take your pictures,” Andy said, taking the radio mike.

Kris shrugged and Andy started talking. Then she picked up her digital camera and took a couple of shots of the neighboring boats as the lower gates swung shut behind them. The lines of mule engines stood idle as the boats, tiny by Canal standards, could maintain their own positions easily within the massive lock walls.

Looking forward, she could see other ships coming down the opposite locks toward the Atlantic. “Kris! Shoot that!"

Kris looked up at an enormous Panamax container ship several stories over their heads in the top lock 1000 feet ahead. She had the feeling that the oncoming ships could easily break through the locks, crash down and obliterate them, but of course nothing like that ever happened, as she well knew.

Their little flotilla began to rise as the middle lock emptied into the bottom one. It happened twice more as they climbed the locks to Gatun Lake, and finally they received radio permission to proceed at their own rate toward the Pacific. As pleasure craft there was no practical limit on their time inside the waterway, and Kris immediately steered for the Yacht Club where she had a reservation.

“Time to crash, pardner,” Kris slapped Andy on the back after they called in and anchored. “Whatcha doin'?” she asked, yawning and stretching.

“Take a look,” Andy grinned, moving to one side of the computer monitor. There was [?], sleek and shiny, in the upper Gatun lock.

“How did you do that?” Kris cried, delighted.

“Swapped digital shots with the other skippers, and we've just now sent them all around to each other. Neat, huh?” Andy was pleased with herself.

“You are so clever! Thank you, honey,” Kris purred, pulling Andy to her. “After we get some sleep I'll reward you lavishly."

“I was hoping you would,” Andy purred back.

* * * *

When Kris woke up, she thought she smelled fish frying and followed her nose to the galley. “Hey, Sugar! What's up?” she asked Andy, kissing the back of her neck.

“I thought I'd get some of this cooked while it was still fresh,” Andy said, flipping a filet. “Hope I didn't wake you."

“No, no, not at all. I just finally woke up. When you get done there, ready the Captain's gig, Ms. Mate. I'm going ashore."

“Yeah? What for?"

“Never you mind. Just do as you're told, sailor,” Kris said, giving Andy's tight buns a swat.

“Humph!” Andy sniffed. “And what am I supposed to do while you're gone?” she demanded.

“Anything but play with yourself."

Kris wasn't gone long but she chased Andy up to the bridge before climbing out of the Zodiac and securing it. When she came on deck a few moments later, she gave Andy a sheet of paper. “A little surprise,” she said shyly.

Andy took the paper and looked. It was a receipt for a helicopter tour of the canal, and attached were two tickets to the Visitor Center, all for the next day. “This is what you were hiding?” she asked, a little confused.

“No, that's something else, for later. You'll just have to be patient. Swim?"

“Yes, and then lunch and a nap, or whatever you want,” Andy said, batting her eyelashes.

“I want you,” Kris said, quietly demanding.

“Then you shall have me, my Captain,” Andy breathed, getting up to kiss her lover.

It was a long kiss, and then Kris held Andy away. “Later,” she said, “and maybe more than once."

* * * *

They enjoyed their lazy day off and eventually Kris got around to catching up on her correspondence. “Uh-oh, check this out,” she called to Andy. “I just downloaded my e-mail real quick. Look,” and she pointed to her screen.

Andy read over her shoulder, “'We are still awaiting transfer of control of the girls’ educational trust funds. Please send contact names, phone numbers and account numbers.’ Friendly pair, your brother and sister-in-law,” she observed.

“Now I have to consider that whether I tell them the truth now, ignore them or put them off, they'll use this to cut me off from Dani and Ky,” Kris surmised.

“You have the mechanisms in place,” Andy reminded her.

“Yes, but the girls will be depressed and forced to act like they really are cut off. That will be hard on them especially with all the other nonsense in their lives."

“There is an up side,” Andy said slowly.

“Tell me."

“Well, once they think they've cut you off, they'll put you on a back burner and that will kind of free the girls from them overseeing your correspondence and trying to monitor your influence."

“Yes, I see your point. They'll think we're isolated and ignore the possibility of another connection. I just hope Dani and Ky can pull it off. It's a very hard thing at their age, to carry on a deception for months and months. I mean, they have no support system but me,” Kris tried to control it but her voice began to crack.

Andy wrapped her arms around Kris and held her tight. “Wish I could do more,” she murmured into the thick, dark red hair.

Kris got hold of herself. “Maybe you can."

“How?” Andy asked eagerly.

“E-mail Nicole Gervais and ask if she would be willing to be another contact for them, or let me do it. Explain they're isolated and lonely and need more support."

Andy's expression brightened. “Let's do it!"

* * * *

Dear Nik,

Kris’ nieces, Dani and Ky, are feeling pretty isolated and alone out there in Ohio where the Oafs rule unopposed. Would you be willing to join their support network, which so far consists of just the two of us?

We just started through the Panama Canal and are looking forward to meeting you in a few weeks.

Best wishes,

Andy Santiago and Kris Nordstrom

* * * *

“She told me she was pretty anal,” Andy remarked as Kris flashed her messages out. “We should hear from her pretty soon."

* * * *

“Enough work,” Kris decreed when they had cleaned up after dinner. “Report to the Captain's Quarters for recreation, sailor,” Kris told Andy with a deep, loving kiss.

“You did say more than once,” Andy sighed against her lover's big frame. “I'm glad you weren't kidding."

“Not for a minute, sweetheart. Come on."

Kris pushed Andy onto the bed, straddled her and tickled her until she squealed, undressing her with hands and eyes. “Mmm, you are so beautiful, darling,” she murmured. “Put this on for me."

“Bug repellent?” Andy made a face. “Eww."

“Do you want your surprise?” Kris wheedled.

“Yes, but..."

“Put it on, swabbie, or you'll walk the plank. Come to think of it, you will anyhow,” Kris said as she stripped. “And give me some of that. Get your head and shoulders real good, too."

“Kris, what in the world are we doing?” Andy pleaded, even as she complied. “Let me do your back."

“Good, and I'll do yours. Now, over the stern, and be quick about it,” Kris ordered, grabbing Andy by her backside and pushing her out the door.

“Down the ladder,” Kris insisted.

Looking into the blackness, Andy saw a couple of life preservers tethered to the stern ladder. “You'll be gentle with me, won't you?” she half-joked.

“And mercifully quick, too,” Kris leered. “Down you go."

Andy was already wetting herself, turned on by Kris’ demanding behavior. She went.

“Sit your ass over that life preserver, Mate,” Kris directed, sliding into the water. When Andy was situated, Kris pulled the ring against herself and slid under it, popping her head up through the hole and between Andy's legs.

Andy shrieked! “Kris!” she whooped with laughter.

“Lean back, grab the ladder and relax. Better come quick, before the fish eat you."

“You are incredible. I can't believe this,” Andy laughed, even as a nimble tongue danced inside her. “Oh, that's good ... so good."

It wasn't long before Andy and the ring were jerking and sloshing in the water. She bit her lip to keep from moaning aloud. Other boats were anchored nearby. Kris judged Andy's level of arousal by her panting and homed in on the bundle of nerves that guaranteed ecstasy.

“Unnngghhh,” Andy gurgled. “Ohgodohgodohgod!” She hissed and bounced and came with a little yelp, thrashing to keep her balance.

She almost succeeded. “Yi!” she squealed, and slid all the way off into the water.

Kris was laughing silently, alone inside the ring of the life preserver. “How was that?"

“Idiot! Lunatic!” Andy sputtered.

“Touch me, darling,” Kris urged, grabbing Andy's hand. She moved to the ladder and reached back with both hands so that her body floated free. “Just do me here like this, and kiss me."

Still laughing, Andy eagerly complied, one hand inside of Kris’ wildly spasming pussy, the other holding her shoulders in an embrace as they kissed.

“Oh, God, yes, I am so ready for you,” Kris moaned softly.

“Mmmm, you sure are. Oh, baby, I love you. What's the surprise?"

“Finish me off,” Kris gasped, “and I'll show you."

“I think that's blackmail,” Andy told her, stroking slowly.

“Mmmmore, harder,” Kris demanded. “I need it. Please ... please ... now! Now! Oh Andy! Now! Yes! Now!” She bent almost double, then arched out hard with the force of her climax. “Ahhhhhhhh!” her mouth opened in a nearly silent scream of pleasure. “God damn! You're the best!” she whispered, her voice ragged with effort.

“Nice to be appreciated, but I think I'm getting bit. Can we cuddle inside?” Andy begged.

“Of course, sorry. Up you go. I'll haul the preservers in. Hurry, love."

They collapsed, dripping, on the floor of the lounge, then Kris got up and went for towels and her surprise, a chilled bottle of champagne. As Andy toweled both of them, Kris popped the cork and poured.

“Here, my love. To us. May we be together forever,” Kris toasted.

“Oh, Kris, I thought you were going to wait and see,” Andy protested, but mildly. She wanted to be together forever, too.

“I'm a woman who knows what she wants,” Kris said, “and I want you."

“In that case, I second the motion; aye, Captain; and yes, darling,” Andy agreed, drawing Kris close.

They sealed it with a kiss.

THE END

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