When the final echoes died away, he withdrew, lifting Gina in his arms and laying her on her back on the bed. She was between him and the alien warrior. As it should be. They would surround her. Walk on either side of her through life. Protecting her from all who would try to harm her.
He didn’t know how it would all work out yet, but that was the goal. It was a worthy one and one he’d do his best to achieve it. There were some things to work out between his duty to his people, her allegiance to the alien brotherhood and Grady’s ongoing participation in the alien experiment, but God willing, they’d figure a way to keep this bliss, this nirvana, between the three of them.
Jim collapsed at her side, barely noticing when Grady tossed the covers over all three of them. He faded into a satisfied sleep with his woman at his side.
Dawn underground was more a matter of timekeeping than actual sunlight. The base’s artificial intelligence simulated sunlight in most areas of the complex, including the barracks—for those on the day shift, which included guests.
The lights came up gradually but by nine o’clock in the morning, Jim couldn’t ignore the glare anymore. He stretched and yawned, puzzled to find himself alone in the big bed.
“Where the heck is everybody?” he ventured telepathically, hoping Gina was in range.
A mental giggle came back in Gina’s distinctive tones. “You looked so peaceful, I didn’t have the heart to wake you.”
They kept up a teasing telepathic dialog while he dressed, made his way to his quarters, showered and dressed again, this time in fresh clothes. By the time he found her lingering over coffee in the cafeteria, breakfast was almost over. He managed to snag a tray and some food before the kitchen shut down and sat with a beaming Gina until Mike found them about a half hour later.
Grady was off with Bill somewhere, and Gina had promised to teach self-defense moves to some of the women in the gym. When Mike asked Jim to spend the day with the cousins going over plans for potential cooperation between the two bases, he agreed readily.
Jim had lunch with the cousins, reaching out to Gina telepathically from time to time. She was making friends in the gym and had been invited to share lunch with some of the women. Grady was still out, but Mike and Dave told Jim that the Alvian contingent had decided to spend the day together, comparing notes on doings in the Alvian cities and installations.
It was dinner before Jim saw Gina again. Grady was sitting with her at the cousins’ table as on the first night, but this time Jim didn’t feel that same jealousy he’d felt before. This time, he was able to take his seat with calm satisfaction, knowing the three of them had come to at least the beginnings of an understanding. Gina greeted him with a kiss, and he could feel how happy she was to have him—and Grady—by her side.
After dinner, they joined the group in the main hall, where a few couples were dancing. Grady went after drinks while Jim took Gina on a spin around the dance floor.
“I haven’t danced like this in too long,” Gina said wistfully as she rested her cheek against Jim’s shoulder.
“Me neither. I think we’ll have to implement something like this back home, if possible. It’s good for everyone to socialize at the end of the day.”
The music picked up and strains of Glenn Miller’s “In The Mood” came over the speakers. Gina shot him a daring look, and he spun her into a modified Lindy step. In a matter of minutes, they were putting on a show. Both of them were athletic and great dancers. By the time the song ended, they had a small circle around them and several other couples.
The classic music ended to a raucous round of applause, and Jim reeled Gina in close to his side as they made their way off the dance floor. Grady waited for them, on the edge of the crowd, a strange expression on his face. Gina’s laughter died as she went to him, hugging him close.
“What’s wrong with him?” Jim asked her telepathically. They’d promised not to use telepathy around Grady, but this conversation was for his own good. Jim felt justified.
“He feels left out. I guess Alvians don’t dance.”
“So teach him.” A gentle waltz had started playing over the speakers.
“You don’t mind?” Gina’s gaze beseeched him.
Jim walked up to them. “Why don’t you give it a try, Grady? Gina can show you how to waltz.”
“We don’t have anything like this among my people,” Grady hedged, looking uncertain. “I’m not sure—”
“You’ll do fine. Anyone as athletic as you are can pick up a waltz in no time. Trust me.” Gina tugged on his arm, leading him toward the dance floor. She sent Jim a parting look and a private message. “You’re a sweet, sweet man, Jim.”
“Don’t let that get around. You’ll ruin my image,” he joked back as they took the floor.
Jim watched as Gina showed Grady the basic steps and after one false start, they were off, whirling around the floor with the other dancers. Gina was right. Grady was an athlete and well coordinated. It didn’t take long for him to pick up the basic idea and start improvising as he watched the other couples on the floor with them.
By the time the dance ended, Gina was wreathed in smiles and Grady looked triumphant. Such a small thing to inspire such happiness. Jim marveled at it as they came back to him. He felt happy for them both. A strange feeling, to be sure, but one he knew he could get used to. It was actually kind of cool to watch Grady learn how to be human—how to feel and react. And it was also a big responsibility to try to help him grow into the emotions that were so new to him.
In a way, Jim felt sorry for the big guy. He seemed so confused much of the time. But Grady was also a warrior—someone Jim could respect. They could probably learn a lot from each other, and Grady would be an asset when making plans for how to best utilize the resources at their disposal should it come to war with the Alvians. He had a reputation as a superior strategist.
But thoughts of war were for another time. Right now, Jim wanted to enjoy the time he had left with Gina before he had to return home. Talks with the cousins all day had helped firm up their plans. They’d be returning to Colorado in a group. He’d take the pod from his facility back and a team from here would follow in one of their own pods. The makeup of the team wasn’t decided yet, but it was a good plan and they’d leave in the next couple of days.
The idle time with Gina would be over soon. Jim hadn’t yet asked whether she’d be returning with him to Colorado. He was almost afraid to broach the subject because that would bring reality all too close. Grady had to be considered. He undoubtedly had a ship secreted somewhere nearby and at some point he’d have to make a choice.
He would either return to the Alvians or go AWOL. If there was some third possibility, Jim didn’t know what it was, but the cousins had counseled him to wait and see. The Oracle said Grady had a role to play, and Caleb O’Hara was seldom wrong. According to his vision, things would work out—somehow. Jim just didn’t know how yet.
“Penny for your thoughts.” Gina smiled at him as she touched his arm.
“Sorry. I was woolgathering.” He straightened from his slouch against the table and pulled her in for a quick hug. “What do you say we blow this popcorn stand?”
“What did you have in mind?” She blinked up at him, and he knew they were on the same page.
“What do you say, Grady? You in the mood?”