Jack felt energized for the rest of the day and sped through the bill he was reading. He didn't get much done though. His mind swirled around Alex and their child. His child. How could that be? His heart raced and his mind zipped. He had to figure out how to get her alone. This day had turned out better than it started. Instead of being sad for breaking up with Dyna he was exhilarated for the thrill of Alex. He could finally be with her, and what was more, she wanted him. Or at least he hoped she did. Otherwise, she wouldn't have come to see him, right? Maybe it was just because of the mission. Panic strangled him and he fought it. He needed to stay rational, no sense in freaking out about nothing. He had done so much assuming in the past. That was what got him in this mess. He ran his hand through his hair. He would ask her straight up. No more games, no more worrying about hurt feelings, no more running away. He would be direct this time.The clocked ticked seventeen and he stood
He found Lexi lazing on a couch in the living room and plopped down next to her. "I saw your mom today."Lexi looked over to him and whispered, "The fake one?""She's not fake. She told me everything.""Everything?"Jack nodded.Lexi scrunched up her nose. "This feels like a trick. I'm still not telling you anything."He shrugged. "That's fine."They sat and watched the movie. It was a very old one portraying a future that was long since passed. It had explosions and a love story, even some neat ideas that had never come to fruition. Lexi curled up next to him with her head on the side of his arm. For the first time in a very long time, he finally felt happy.The doorbell rang, making both of them jump. Jack went to the door and opened it. It had only ever been one of two people, Henry or Dyna. This time, it was Henry and to his surprise, Alex. She kept her face neutral but her eyes flashed with delight."Hey old pal, I heard you broke up with your girlfriend. I thought we cou
When Jack finally returned home, he found Lexi and Alex asleep on the media room sofa. He lay his jacket and tie across the back of the couch then came around the front. This scene filled him with so much joy that he could feel the heat and warmth fill in at the center of his core. Henry's human bombshell still worried him, but this moment outshone those worries completely.He pulled a blanket over Lexi then knelt down in front of Alex. Her delicate features looked strained in her sleep. He imagined all those secrets held behind that tension. And to leave their child? How hard must that have been? He was finding it hard to not run back to the Sanctuary this very moment.He trailed a finger over her forehead, trapping a bit of stray hair. He pulled it back from her face. Her reactions were lightning quick as she snatched up his hand. Her eyes focused and she smiled when she realized it was him. She didn't release his hand though, instead, she slid her fingers across his skin.That fa
He slid his tongue into her parted lips until they filled each other. He pressed her against the door to give him more leverage. His tongue brushed over, under, and around hers, the taste buds creating that smooth yet rough texture as he savored her kiss.Her hands moved from his face to his neck. They pulled him ever closer. He moved his hands to her sides then pressed her tightly to the door. He could feel every curve of her frame pushing against him. He was hers now. He would never be with another. He could never love another. From the first day he met her, there was no other choice but her.His hand followed the curve of her rounded hips. He stroked her hip bones with his thumbs. She made a little noise against his mouth. He pulled his kiss back and grinned. He kissed the gentle curve of her top lip, teasing her with his light touch. Her eyes sparkled in the light of the chandelier behind him. She was so beautiful. He couldn't believe anyone would ever pass her over.Alex became
Alex slipped away from Jack before the light of pseudo-dawn. She pressed a single kiss to his lips while he slept. She dressed quietly then left in her pod. She didn't want to go. She could sleep like that with him forever, but she had to finish this mission. It would fix everything. She focused on that and worked on pushing her desire to be with him to the back of her mind.When she arrived home, the guards gave her a nod as she entered the house from the lower garage. Henry's pod was home. She hoped he was too drunk to notice her arrival. She passed through the kitchen and walked by his room. She pressed her ear to his door and listened. It took some time to work out but eventually she heard two heartbeats. A breath of relief escaped her lips. She turned and walked down the hall towards her room.Footsteps ahead of her drew her eyes. Henry walked around the corner.His emerald eyes found hers. "You're just getting back now?"She nodded."Did you do what we discussed?"She nodde
Jack sat at his desk in his office reading the bill on his table screen. He flicked his fingers at the bill to close the loopholes before he presented it. With any luck, this one would get through and improve education for humans. A smile touched his lips as thoughts of Alex drifted through his mind. He wanted to see her again. Even just a few days away seemed like an eternity.One of the doors to his office cracked open. He didn't look up but he heard the click of heels across the floor. Instead of stopping in front of the desk, they came up to the side.He looked up to find Alex standing there as if his mind had summoned her. Her fingertips rested lightly on the desk. Her lips curved in a coy smile as he looked her over. Her lavender dress fit tightly beneath the matching business jacket."Is there something I can do for you?" He asked.Alex flicked and the screen fell back into the table. She sat on the edge of the big desk facing him. The muscles in her legs tensed as she cross
A few more days passed. Jack pushed open the tall black doors to Henry's office."You asked to see me?" Jack said, standing in the doorway of Henry's office.Henry was flicking wildly at his screen. Zeven sat to the side of him reviewing them."Yes, James. Please. We're dealing with another crisis. I really can't miss another board meeting. Can you go to the Truex Combouya and meet with them on my behalf?""Sir, are you sure you want me to do that? Maybe someone else is more qualified."Henry shook his head and tore his eyes away from the screen. "No, you are the only one I trust right now to handle this. Please hurry. It has to be in-person to instill confidence in them."Jack nodded and hurried out of the room. He hopped in his pod and rushed to the combouya. After a brisk walk, he burst through the door, drawing the secretary's eyes."The meeting is already in session," she said.Jack nodded. He walked up to the door and swiped his hand in front of it. It opened. All eyes tu
Alex exited the board room and jumped in surprise."What are you doing here?" Henry asked.She flicked her fingers quickly behind her back to tell Jack that Henry was out here. She put on a shy smile. "I was visiting James. Is that a problem?"He cocked his head, looking at her. "No.""Are you here for the board meeting? It just got out," she said.He crossed his arms. "I was going to talk to James about how it went."Jack strode out at the mention of his name. "Ah, Henry. You missed it. The board meeting went great."Henry smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. "Good. Anything I should know about?"Jack shrugged. "Sounds like business is doing well and sales are up one percent. They are doing some small tweaking to the budget to increase its sales and changing some marketing ideas to get more humans interested in upgrading.""Sounds like you learned a lot in that meeting."Jack nodded. "Were you able to take care of things on your end?"Henry's eyes shifted to Alex and then b
Jack woke with a splitting headache. The white tile ceiling above him looked like that of a hospital room. He gave an inward sigh. The last time had been three months. He wondered how long it had been this time.His fingers felt tight and his hand cramped. He looked over to see they were taped together with someone else's hand. He blinked the sleep from his eyes. As his vision cleared, he saw Alex lying on the cot next to him. Their tactical suits had been removed but the tech suit remained. Both of them were layered in blankets strapped to wires. He racked his brain and remembered the nova they had set off. The third one in a row must have taken its toll.He sent heat into Alex's hand. Her eyes blinked opened. She pulled at her taped hand and then used her free hand to rub her eyes. She looked around. "What's going on?""Wish I knew," Jack answered.She quirked a smile, then pushed the covers back. "It's kind of hot in here, isn't it?""Is it? I can't really tell." Jack sat up, l
The rumbling throughout the Sanctuary stilled as the battle above drew silent. Tom turned to Jimmy. Jimmy nodded and the team climbed to the Surface.After the light, the tunnel, and the door, they emptied out onto the street. Their men looked tired but had smiles on their faces. The team leaders directed them on searches to find any survivors, whether they were friend or foe."Has anyone seen Alex?" Jimmy shouted.Several people shook their heads.Jimmy turned to his team. "Let's spread out. Knowing them, they'll be up somewhere high."The team diverged. Tom searched on his own, always keeping at least his pistol at the ready. The sun slipped over the horizon casting the buildings in a deep twilight glow. Tom climbed the stairs on several buildings to the top but didn't find anything except dead bodies and empty bullet casings. After five buildings, the night settled in. The tanks disappeared back down into the tunnel. Jimmy recruited more people to help search. Armor-clad bodies
Someone was calling his name. At least he thought. There it was again. Tom blinked. The room was black and hazy."Tom?" Jimmy's face loomed above him."What happened?""A fireman got to you. Are you alright?"Tom wiggled his fingers. He could feel the skin pulling across his arm as he moved. "I'll be okay, just a few blisters." He pushed back to his feet, climbing up over the top of the dead Alphas.Their power suit clad soldiers surrounded the room with guns drawn. Bullets covered the floor along with bodies of the Alphas and a few of his team members. His stomach twisted at the loss of good men.Jimmy put a hand on the shoulder of his power armor. "They died saving us. We need to get moving. We've gotten ten so far. We'll finish a sweep and then start clearing the level below."Tom nodded. "Let's go."Jimmy led the way. His team fell in behind him as they jogged down the streets checking building to building. The battle had tightened in around the Sanctuary. The noise of it s
The three of them sat dressed in black tactical gear layered over Alpha tech suits. Alex's dirty face watched Jack as he tightened down the straps on her suit."We stick together, okay. No running off and playing hero on your own," Jack warned. He looked at Lexi while he said it."I thought you were going to make me stay in the pod," Lexi said."I would but it won't be safe there.""I don't think it will be any safer with us," Alex said in a low tone.Jack turned to Alex. "At least we will be able to keep an eye on her. She tends to always find trouble when I tell her to stay put."Alex's eyes flashed to Lexi. "Don't I know it."Lexi rolled her eyes. "If it weren't for me, you guys wouldn't be together, or maybe you'd even be dead.""Watch your tone young lady," Alex warned.Lexi grinned. "I know you're trying to be all tough, but it's really good to hear you say that." She stepped forward and gave Alex a hug.Alex melted. She laid her head against Lexi's cheek. "You're so ta
Jack reached over and touched Alex's shoulder. "Wake up, love."Alex squeezed her eyes shut and rubbed at them with the back of her hands smearing the soot across her face. "How long has it been?" She looked over at Lexi sleeping in a reclined chair.He reached his hand out and wiped at a smudge with his thumb. It only made it worse but she smiled at the touch. "About six hours," he said."You shouldn't have let me sleep so long. You need rest, too.""I got a few hours. Don't worry so much."Alex looked out the pod screen. "I can't help it. I'm finally free of Henry's terror, but now I feel like we're on the verge of losing it all."Jack's mouth drew down in a frown. "It's not going to be pretty. Ellie messaged me before we left her range. Looks like the Alphas are ahead of us by a few hours. When we get there, we will have to fight through them to get to the base."Alex nodded. "Did you see much of it when you visited? It's huge.""No, I only really had one thing on my mind at
Tom sat at the table drumming his fingers. "Does anyone actually know how to work these computers other than Ellie?"The five people working the screen didn't look up.Jimmy crossed his arms over his chest. "Just give them time.""General, the ships are in place.""Good," Janice said, leaning over the tech's workstation. "Anyone have a status on the Alphas?""They're closing in. The ships are taking them out now.""It looks like they are floating topside. Orders?""There's nothing the ships can do up there. Tell them to concentrate on as many darts as they can. Send runners topside and tell them to prepare." Janice turned to Jimmy and Tom. "That's your cue. Do your best."Tom saluted and Jimmy nodded. They turned out into the hall. Their teams waited for them, strapped with weapons and power armor. Tom donned the power armor helmet, gave a nod to Jimmy, and led his team away.As they walked down the halls, they passed locked doors to apartments. Their people, the ones that wer
He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly to him as the gunfire continued to rain down on them. She lifted her chin up. Her eyes connected with his and she smiled.He smiled back. They were going to make it. Somehow, they were going to make it. He tilted his face down and pressed his lips to hers. The liquid electricity filled him. He could feel the energy building in them. He held on to it as he kissed her. She parted her soft lips and he slid his tongue inside. Her tongue moved along his, soft, slow, and passionate. He pressed her against him, gathering the energy they created. He could feel the energy sparkling on his fingertips, asking to be released. He held it back until they vibrated. Finally, he let it go.The white-hot fire burst from them. In his mind, he could feel it like an extra sense. He coated the stadium with it. He could tell it what to touch and what not to. Screams of Alphas pierced the gunshots as the white fire flashed into a nova. He could feel the en
Jack turned to Lexi. "You have to stay here. Got it?""But, Dad-""No. Stay. Promise me that you will stay?""Please let me help."Jack shook his head. "There is nothing you can do, muffin. Please. I don't want to worry about you. I have to get your mother and I need you to be safe. So take the pod and go. I will catch up as soon as I can." Jack flicked at the controls, locking them in place.He held his arms out for a hug. She stepped into it, burying her face in his shoulder. He held her tightly."I love you," he whispered. "You've grown into a fine young lady. I couldn't be more proud of you.""Please don't leave me again," she whispered.His heart sank and he hugged her even tighter. "It will be the last time. When this is all over, I will always be at your side. I promise.""You better."He stroked the back of her head. "Please be safe." He stepped back to look at her."Wait." She pulled the sapphire ring off her finger and stuffed it in his shoulder pocket."What's th
Alex stood locked in a small empty room the size of a utility closet. The walls lay bare except for the light switch. She flicked at the walls, but the screens were disabled and didn't respond.She paced back and forth, rubbing the Vice at her neck. Her bare feet didn't make a sound as they worked the white tile of the floor. She had to figure a way out of here. She needed to find Brooke and Tom. They had to be free. They were only here because of her. This was her problem, her world, not theirs. She flicked her palm open and drew a fireball. Her insides were still hot, but the pull of energy from just one fireball was tremendous. The amount of focus it took to wield it was much harder than it had been when she was pregnant.Alex pressed her ear to the door. Two heartbeats from the other side. She had no weapons other than the fire. She may be able to take out one Alpha, but not two. She sighed, then moved to another wall. There was no sound coming from that side. She tapped on it. S