Free Children of Steel by John Van Stry

pretty happy, didn't he?" I
said.
    "Well, now that she's discovered sex, I bet
she keeps him real busy. Speaking of which ..." and she dragged me
into her room.
    I was late for duty that day, but it was
worth the fine.
    The next day I didn't get much sleep either
as Mist wanted to make up for lost time as well. So it was that on
the day before breakout, I was headed back to my room determined to
lock the door and get some sleep. I walked into my room and to my
surprise, found Terease of all people waiting for me.
    "What are you doing here?" I asked quite
surprised.
    "Well actually, I kind of enjoy spending time
with you, and was planning to spend the night."
    "Oh? What about Banner, I thought you two
were pretty well an item now." I asked suspiciously.
    "I gave him the night off. Actually he's
pretty busy tonight with breakout coming up, and he's pulling a
late shift."
    "It just seems kind of strange, your being
here without my having to twist your arm. You're not thinking of
doing anything other than sleep are you?"
    "Don't get your hopes up…"
    "That's about all I could, I'm dead tired." I
interjected.
    "You did look pretty beat at practice today,"
she continued. "But the reason I came is that you're kind of like a
brother now. You're safe; I don't have to worry about anything from
you."
    "I think that was a compliment," I said
collapsing on the bed. "At least I hope it was. So how about giving
your brother a neck rub?"
    She got down on the bed next to me and
started to work on my neck and shoulders, and I began to drowse off
almost immediately.
    "Oh, by the way, I'm on alert tomorrow, so no
dirty tricks tonight hmm?" I told her sleepily.
    "That wasn't why I came, so don't worry. I
hope you don't mind but I chased off a couple of your girlfriends
tonight."
    "Thanks," I mumbled.
    "I just think you may have bitten off a
little more than you can chew, if you know what I mean. And it's
nice to look after you for a change."
    "It's a dirty job, but somebody's got to do
it." I replied softly. The kneading of my neck and shoulders was
beginning to put me out, and little involuntary sighs were starting
to rumble deep inside.
    "What? Looking after you, or your multiple
girlfriends?" she asked laughing.
    "Both." Single words were about all I could
manage at this point.
    "So were you surprised about me and
Banner?"
    "Yes," I was definitely falling asleep
now.
    "Are you jealous or upset?"
    "Happy," I managed, and couldn't make out her
response to that as I fell into a deep sleep.

 
5
     
     
    I awoke the next morning with Terease curled
up in my arms feeling refreshed. I looked at the wall clock and saw
that it was three hours to breakout. That meant I had to report in
one.
    "Wake up sleepy head." I said to Terease
while gently shaking her.
    "Hmm? Look who's talking, you didn't even
wake up when I undressed you."
    "Don't tell anybody, they might get the wrong
idea."
    "What that I undressed you?"
    "No, that I slept through it." I smiled,
"With someone as pretty as you, it would really ruin my
reputation."
    "Well that's a change of tune."
    "Hey, I never said you were ugly, just in bad
shape. Now that you've put on a few pounds and your coat is better,
you're very attractive."
    "So," she said, giving me a sidelong glance,
"are you trying for three now?"
    "Nope, just giving credit where credit is
due. If you hadn't so obviously taken up with Banner, you'd be
getting offers from all over."
    She laughed. "That hasn't stopped Gabe at
all."
    "I told you he would." I laughed with
her.
    "Well, I told him he was wasting his time,
but he seems to feel he has a lot to waste."
    "He claims there aren't enough female foxes
on this ship. Anyway let's get some breakfast I'm starved."
    "Me too."
    We got dressed and walked down to the mess,
arm in arm. I was really beginning to enjoy Terease's company. I
had become accustomed to her presence from the previous weeks and
had thought that it had ended when she took up with Banner. I was
quite happy to find