2313-19

There was something missing. Jimmy felt it in his sleep, there was too much space around him. He had fallen asleep cocooned by Amanda and the armrest. Now there was a vast empty space at his side. The notion of change had him conscious before he was awake. A strange unreal sensation enveloped him as he found himself unable to move, his arms heavy, unresponding.

The moment he opened his eyes the heaviness subsided and he took in the situation in the room with all senses. His protor-role took over and he scanned the room instantly, taking in each and every one's position.

Only person missing was Amanda, and the dim light in the kitchen told him exactly where to find her.

He assembled his legs and rose to find out what was going on. The wind had again increased in force, but nevertheless it was far from the micidal strength it had exposed earlier. The windows didn't even rattle.

He had to take a long step over Teaspoon's legs, holding his breath not to stumble and wake the boss. Taking his time to toss more wood into the open fire he looked around the room once more as the growing flames lit it up. Smiling as his eyes fell on Kid and Lou, entangled into each other, or maybe Lou entangled into Kid? It was hard to tell where one ended and the other one started. It's been so long since I belonged, he thought to himself, so long since I longed to touch someone. And God how I miss it! There was no denying it, he may appear self-sufficient but he wanted someone. He too wanted to belong to somebody, but I can't go thinking like that, I'm stronger than that. I will survive, with or without. Without if I have any choice in the matter. Shaking his head he proceeded into the kitchen, drawn to the young woman he knew he'd find sitting there.

"Amanda?" His whisper was almost inaudible but the figure at the table turned to him. He more felt than saw her irritation. "What's up?" He kept his voice low as he approached in the dark, the tiny lantern illuminating only the surface of the table and her face.

He walked over to her and sat himself down at her side. So many things in Amanda were familiar, he knew how she would react. No mysteries, no guessing games. A directness that appealed to him. "Thinking, huh?"

"Shhh," Jimmy laid a hand over her lips, "don't wak'em up. If you and Lou had your peek yesterday, I have the right to hear your thoughts. God knows I've been thinking too."

Amanda giggled under his hand and he removed it, knowing the risk of a murdering quip was momentarily over.

She shook her head, the hair falling over her shoulders, shielding her face. "So? It was Lou watching Kid, Jimmy dear, you got it all wrong!"

The humor in her voice had Jimmy smile in the dark. "Oh, darn Amanda, here I was hopin'..."

"Oh shut up, Jimmy and tell me how the heck this happened instead. I have been going through the slots of their thought- surveillance and there's nothing, nothing that tells me it's not authentic. And still I know someone altered the thoughts, somehow. It's drivin' me crazy."

"Nope, there is no sign of where the signals were overridden, no indication at any stage. These signals come directly from their M-EA's."

Her eyes looked into his as the knowledge settled in on him. "Well, who was the physician that performed the installation?" He tried to find out a alternate source of betrayal.

"Four different ones Jimmy, and four different facilities. Thought of that." She smirked.

Jimmy stared at the vision, not wanting to believe it. "It can't be," he said, "that would mean..."

Jimmy threw an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into his side while looking at the face. If that was the man responsible for the mess, they truly were in big trouble. He held on to her, suddenly very aware of her body pressed to his. And the tension in it. Without reflecting he let his fingers gently massage the tense shoulders, his movements turning into tender strokes as she relaxed. "Amanda, we gotta do something about it."

She nodded and laid her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes. Weariness on her beautiful features, a weariness he wanted to take away.

They both remain silent. Pondering on the possible ramifications. Jimmy silently rubbing the tenseness out of her neck with his thumb.

She turned and threw him a grateful smile. "I know, but let's not tell the others yet, not until we know for sure." Her eyes looking into his, waiting for his consent.

Out of an impulse Jimmy leaned in to kiss her. Half expecting to get whacked over the head. Surprised at the eager answer he buried his fingers in her hair, she was probably joshing him, no, using him. Like they both needed this right now, needed the closeness. He knew a woman like Amanda would trample all over him if she wanted to. She was dangerous, she took if she wanted to and never looked back afterwards. Reminding him of another girl he loved and thought he knew. It was dangerous all right, he would have to be on his guard not to fall too fast and too deep. He'd have to remind himself that it was only a game, albeit a dangerous game. But right now he didn't care.

A small line of yellow appeared on the horizon, spreading over the sky. Pushing away the darkness.

"Com'on Jimmy," Amanda whispered with a low chuckle, "this is not the time or the place."

He smiled down at her, wondering if she realized how much he wanted her. "You're telling me there will be a time and a place?"

"Only if you behave," Amanda chuckled, "but I know you will. Go wake the others up, it's time to start getting this place back to order."

"I'll hold you to it," Jimmy promised before he rose to get the lazy ones on their feet.

One by one the stumbled into the kitchen area, rubbing the sleep out of their eyes. Moaning as they seated themselves and found out that their bodies were protesting from the lack of sleep and the night's contorted positions.

"Okay," Noah mumbled, "now it's official, we have sleep deprivation, we have slept around five hours the last night. Of course that's the ones without sore rumps." He smirked in Kid's direction, "and the ones trying to sleep in the same room as the latter."

"Oh yeah," Kid mumbled with a grimace as he too seated himself. "I heard distinct snores from the left lateral and I don't believe it was Rachel."

"The only one snoring is you Kid," Lou patted his shoulder as she walked by, "in fact the snores keep following me, every where I go there's snoring!"

"Somebody kept trying to push me out of the sofa, and made these funny little noises," Kid leered back, "wonder who?"

"Oh God yeas, please!" Cody moaned, "I dreamed about food last night, skillets full of bacon and the oven sighed in content when I opened it and found an apple-pie in it. I tell you it was heaven, until I tried to sink my teeth into it and woke up."

"So it was you nibbling on the blanket?" Buck let out, "you're gettin' very goat-like Cody."

Emma chuckled happily from the counter, "boys, quit giving Billy a hard time. Sam, the fridge seems all right, I guess the solarcells are functioning all right, but we still gotta check the cold fusion. And get some eggs!"

"Who goes first and tells us, very delicately, how bad it is?" Teaspoon wondered out loud, letting his eyes wander over the group. He smiled as both Jimmy and Amanda rose to their feet.

"Oh-oh." Amanda let out with a low voice. Jimmy at her side, chewing pensively on his lower lip, a forlorn sigh escaping him at the sight.

The rest of the group gathered around them, watching their front yard. The formerly neat surroundings were completely transformed. There were branches all over the lawn, with the green leaves intact it looked like miniature trees had started to grow during the night. Handled by some mad gardener having them framed with pieces of wood tangled into them. Like an installation of postmodern art. Even the sand of the platform had taken on a new dimension, it looked like it had been swept up and scattered all over the place.

The fencing was gone and the trees on the forest looked like someone had played scrabble with them.

"We need to get some fencing up," Kid spoke up, "the horses need..." He looked down on his shoes as Lou rolled her eyes in Buck's direction.

Buck laughed as Kid inched closer to Lou and nudged her with his elbow, muttering something. Obviously an apology. Lou grinned happily back at him. Managing to constantly push his buttons.

Teaspoon hid a crooked grin, stepping down off the porch he turned and looked over the headquarters. Cody coming to stand at his side, the young man's mouth slightly open at the revelation of the damage in the morning light. They surely would have a full week ahead before Blue Creek. Eyeing Cody pensively Teaspoon wondered how he best would get the young man into action.

Cody looked calmly back at him. "I promise to clean the front yard if I get some fresh eggs for breakfast, that's all I ask."

"I'll take care of it all, you'll see. But first I need some motivation in form of a big juicy omelet that only Emma can provide." Flashing a smile to the woman looking just as surprised as Teaspoon he bobbed his head in a sign that he was serious.

"Cody, you sure you're ok?" Jimmy asked. "I mean, clearing the yard means ...work, you know. Actual physical work!"

"Well if he is, let's take advantage of it," Rachel put in, "go get them eggs and fast! I'll fire up the stove!"

Noah bowed to pick a twig from the ground, watching it for a while before turning to Rachel. "Well you won't have any troubles starting fires around here with all this."

Lou chuckled happily, "you talking 'bout the wood or something else Noah? I've seen Rach lit a lotta fires, and without twigs too."

Noah was momentarily speechless, then his eyes twinkled and he leaned in to Lou. "You should know Lou, shouldn't you? My question is, what are you gonna do with the powderkeg you're sitting on? 'Coz the explosion that is likely if the fuse ain't tended to will take the whole house down ."

He was smiling broadly as she looked at him, his eyes twinkling too. Shyly he tugged at her arm, looking away. "Please," he asked softly.

He slid his hand down her arm and took her hand, causing her knees to wobble. Muttering she followed him to the barn, jumping over the branches. Vividly aware of his hand she followed, and would do so to the end of the world if asked to. Oh God, she thought in a sudden flash of repent, I'm doing what I promised myself never to do. I'm losing myself completely! I'm becoming just like my mother, hung up on a man, begging for the smallest of things. But why the hell does it feel so right?

"Noah, Noah, quit teasing 'em," Rachel chuckled as she pushed him back inside. "It's hard enough for 'em as it is."

He laughed and shook his head, "but Rach that's just it. I can't understand why they make it so difficult? Despite the rules and all. I mean they're probably broken all the rules of no fraternization already so why not take it ...where they wanna take it? It's killing 'em, can't you tell?"

Rachel opened the kitchen drawer and placed an oldfashion steelwire whip in his hand.

"As a matter of fact," Noah continued while getting a bowl. "I'm starting to think Lou's right. There's a love-bug on the loose. I mean look at Jimmy and Amanda. It's eerie really."

"Nah," Rachel retorted, crouching to lit the stove, smiling relieved as it actually worked. "It's just infatuation Noah, happens in new surroundings all the time. You know that people are more likely to fall in love under extreme situations like this. All the epinephrine and all."

"So cynical Rach," he smiled at her, "you saying it's just a chemical reaction? No poetry whatsoever?"

He leaned in over her shoulder, her hair brushing against his cheek. "I love it when you talk shop," he murmured to her. "And I have what it takes."

"Go away." She laughed and pushed him aside, "concentrate on the breakfast instead of chemical reactions."

"You sayin' I ain't got what it takes?" he asked. Standing close to her, blocking her way.

"Noah, we just can't....you know. We're monitoring the lot of them, let's keep focused on out task shall we?"

"But their PEA levels are starting to affect me," he teased, "can't seem to keep my thoughts straight any longer, they keep wandering, you know."

"I know you got what I need but a pill ain't it," he whispered to her while inching to the cupboard to get the breadbasket.

"You are bad Noah," Rachel shook her head, "I'm starting to understand Lou, you sure rub it in. Watch out so it won't backfire."

"I just love teasing you all," he laughed, knowing he was the one making her blush, loving her for it. "But I'm serious, Rach, I really like..."

Noah sighed, to his dismay Rachel looked relieved. She reached for the basket of eggs in a hurry.

"So," Cody started, watching the two scurry around in the kitchen, preparing the meal while he was put to whip the eggs for the omelet. "How do we get Lou and Kid to ...you know. It's starting to get to all of us it seems." He smiled wickedly at Rachel's glare. "I mean, she'll get mad if we tell her right out that we're leaving them back here on purpose. We gotta fool'em both. Make it seem perfectly innocent."

"I know," Noah chuckled, "if we force them into something they'll both probably be too self-conscious to get anything cleared up." He walked purposefully close to Rachel on his way to get the skillet. "Just like someone else I know."

Cody decided to ignore them. "I really mean it folks, if we tell them to stay here Lou'll get mad and our plan will fall flat on its face. And we will have to endure more of the tension and it'll kill us all. I promise."

"Now listen up, both of you. You wanna go, I wanna go and we all wanna get Lou and Kid where they're dying to go. So here's what we do. We rig the draw, I'll keep Kid away coz' we can't control two of them at the same time. Rachel you draw for Kid and Noah you let Lou draw last, assuring she get the short one."

"Because sparks are gonna fly," Cody grinned. "And we won't be so obvious, she won't be able to get mad at us, coz' she truly lost."

"You're enjoying this ain't ya Billy?" Rachel said, shaking her head at his exuberance. "Didn't know you were so melodramatic."

"Just think about it, it's gonna be hilarious. Spread the words, the middle stick is for Lou, just remember."

"If all the work we have to do won't kill 'im fist," Rachel pointed out. "Cody instead of making all these grandiose plans to get Lou and Kid fooled how about making plans for clearing the yard?"

"Ever heard of escapism?" Cody moaned, "just let me have my fun while working my butt off."

Lou muttered all the way out to the barn, she didn't like the faces they made when she declined to draw sticks and volunteered to stay. Something about them told her they knew all along she was gonna lose and be stuck here while the rest of them had their fun in Blue Creek. She wasn't going to give them that laugh.

Passing the corral she watched Kid shoeing the mare, a shudder ran through her at the sight of him. He was standing bent over, the hoof between his legs, the mare nibbling contendedly at some grass. The foal curious, watching Kid's every move. His voice low and comforting as he spoke to it, calming it. Humor in his eyes as he watched the young colt. His hands moving with expertise. Lou! she admonished herself, you're here to work not to ogle bare chests!

"Cody!" Lou hollered in the barn door. Not a sign of the man, "C'mon Billy, you can stop hidin', it's been decided."

There was a slight rumble from the empty stall furthest away. Lou steered her steps in that direction.

"Billy!" She had to giggle at his persistence. "Don't worry, me an' Kid's resting. You can go!"

"I'm not kiddin' ya, really. You can go! Jimmy'll stay in town with Amanda. Me and Kid'll stay on the station. Go paint Blue Creek red. Get yourself ready, you're leaving in an hour."

Cody's face split into a wide grin. Lou expected him to come whopping and hoeing out of the stall. Instead he straightened his back and looked at her.

He opened the stall and stepped out. Laying an arm on her shoulders he shook his head. "No, Lou. I think you should go. I mean, I don't think you should have to stay. I know you wanted to go. I mean; finally have a chance to not be mucking out stalls and feeding hen, sweeping floors and doing all those things you do so well. Just be a perfectly normal woman, get dressed up and brake a heart or two." He was slowly walking her towards the door. "It's been such a long time since any of us had the chance to have a good time, you deserve it."

"No Lou, you go! I'll stay with Kid and hold the forth. Coz' I know you've been dreading being left alone here with him!"

"I'd really go if it was somebody else staying with you. But the Kid, oh lord! I mean, who knows what can happen! I mean you and him, all alone on a hot - yey!"

Cody took a leap forward as Lou stuck a finger into his side. "Cody," she warned.

He turned to watch her, smiling mischievously, blinking his left eye in an exaggerated flirting motion. "You sure Lou? I mean, can I be sure you log everything that happens? I mean everything! With pics and all!" Chuckling he backed away from her as she crossed the arms over her chest and stared him down.

"I'll tell Teaspoon Kid can go instead of me, Lou." Smiling broadly at her he leaned forward to catch her eyes as she looked down to the ground. "Oh I know all the poor girls in Blue Creek will be missing out badly, but I'd stay so he can go. You'd love that, wouldn't ya Lou?"

Lou silently inched towards the wall. Cody laughed out loud as he caught the flush on her cheeks. "Oh Lou, you saw to it this happened didn't ya? You're just as crafty as Rachel. Gosh you women....oooh!.... Lou!"

Lou smiled wholeheartedly at him as he remain staring at her with an open mouth. The water dripping off him, making puddles around his feet. To be sure she had made her point she threw the last of the water in the sink on him.

Smiling seductively at him she turned and walked out, trying to get out of there before she'd die of laughter.

Cody came clamping behind her through the door. "Uh Lou, tell you what, after I come back...prepare yourself for war. Just don't wear yourself out with the Kid...."

Dirt landed on his head. He ducked and started running as grovel hailed over him. Laughing he took for the house in long strides. Spotting Jimmy on the verandah he flapped his arms while running. "Jimmy help! She's after me!"

"All of you's got a foul mouth and a dirty imagination," Lou wheezed. "And to think I declined going for the lot of you! Yeah being nice to you guys really pays off splendidly!"

"Oh Jimmy!" Lou tilted her head and smiled angelically at him. "And why is it you suddenly have all this work back in Sweetwater?"

"Becoz' I'm the protor and Amanda is the head of civil protection in the burgh," Jimmy winked. "See, at least I have a plausible reason." Seeing Lou blush slightly he chuckled. "I'll be riding out now Lou, and I won't be back until late tomorrow. Just in case you wanted to know. But if the two of you need help....just call me!"

Circling her he threw her a knowing smile, stopping as her brown eyes looked pleadingly at him. "What Lou?"

"It's just not funny!" Her stance had changed and she walked right past him, suddenly seeming tense and irritated.

Jimmy took two longs steps to reach her side. "Lou wait! I didn't mean anything by it. It's just...well it's so evident and still...." He fell silent and watched her cautiously, not knowing exactly how to put it. "I mean, it's just like Buck said, you outta get it outta your systems."

"Jimmy, just leave us alone, please. I'll saddle Sundancer for ya, just please - let it go."

"It's hard enough as it is Jimmy. Hearing you all talkin' an joshin' about us. I don't think Kid enjoys it and I certainly don't."

"Lou," Jimmy stepped up to her side, taking a hold of her wrist and slowing her pace. "He's never gonna make the first move, Lou. Believe me, I know him. And it's not because of you, Lou, if you weren't that important to him he might have made a move. The longer he fights you, the deeper....just so you know."

Lou turned to him, anger flaring in her eyes. "Jimmy, listen. You all make this out to be some big circus event, with me and Kid as the clowns. We're both here to do our jobs. It's that simple. Whether Kid is here or not is the same for me. I really don't care. I don't need any of you messin' up my life! Go saddle your own damned horse!"

She turned on her heels as she spit the last words out. Jimmy shook his head, watching her until she disappeared inside. They'd both probably burst if they kept on like this, making everything so damned difficult. "Just get it done, you two!" he groaned, knowing she was well out of hearing range.

They stood in a ring around the stationmanager, feigning to listen to him. Teaspoon was in a talkative mood today and had been going on his lectures for about half an hour already. The ASA humming, waiting for them to board. But Teaspoon just wasn't ready yet, he just had to torment them all with a last minute speech.

Lou looked over the plain, wishing they would all be off already, she longed for some peace and quiet. Some time to think. Teaspoon's voice broke through her thoughts.

"Of course," Teaspoon chuckled, "I was just telling the two of you I'll be leaving this place in your tender care and please let me find it still standing when we return."

"Well son," Teaspoon admonished, "it's not like I don't trust you or anything..it's just that...well ..." The man let his eyes wander between the two of them, pensively. "Just don't forget to feed the animals in between."

Teaspoon threw her a crooked grin. "Well I guess you'll be just fine. And don't forget to shoe them horses Kid, shoulda been done yesterday! Come to think of it, a lotta things shoulda been done yesterday, huh?" He locked gaze with the man he was addressing. Kid just nodded, looking like he wanted to slide under the ground. Lou peered at him, very conscious of the subtle innuendoes. Moaning inwardly at the discussion and at her stupid decision to remain.

"Have a nice time y'all!" She had to stop it here and now and divert their thoughts and dirty minds. "Rachel please, keep an eye on the males, ya know how they get when let loose. Just get going!"

Noah peered at her and smiled, opening his mouth to say something but Rachel intervened.

"Yeah Lou, we'll be going and leaving the playground for the two of you. Just play nice." Dragging Noah behind her she proceeded to the vessel, her shoulders shaking of withheld laughter.

Ike started whistling a tune and Lou was about to explode. "Get going you fools!"

Teaspoon shut the door behind the last to enter, casting a last wink in their direction.

"I'll kill them," Lou grunted. "I'll feather and tar them! I'll tie them behind Lightning and drag them around Sweetwater. I'll pull their teeth one by one, very slowly, I'll...."

His hand on the small of her back made her swirl around to watch him. Still angry at him for shutting up when she needed his help in defending their virtue.

"I'm not complaining," he murmured close to her ear. "I'll enjoy the peace and quiet."

The peace and quiet, the peace and quiet? She glared at him, not believing her ears. He was probably planning on just that, a couple of leisurely days. Spent tending to the horses probably. The ASA hummed and rose behind her. She looked unbelievingly at him, his smile as he stood before her, obviously not understanding anything. Not knowing she had watched him before, while he was shoeing the mare. The shirt tied around his hips, the muscles flexing, the tanned skin driving her out of her mind. Somehow she had kept drifting to the same place, over and over again. Watching him. To then make her storm inside to try and get the calculations done. Not succeeding, driving her back outside pacing the yard. Doing odd stuff here and there, her mind on one thing alone, him. And he calmly went on doing his things, tending to the horses. Checking the feed, she actually heard him talk to the hen too. He was friendly to everyone, to her too. And it just wasn't enough for her. She needed more than that. She needed it all and she hated herself for that need. He deemed totally unmoved by anything. Calm and confident, callous, not minding that she was going out of her mind. It drove her beyond mad.

His hand came to rest on the small of her back again, making her toes curl and her heart to gallop.

His voice near her ear, so close she had to bite down on her lip not to tun and slide her arms around his waist. Beg him to touch her. The anger in her grew, she was mad at herself for letting him get to her like this.

He laughed and she felt mortified. Wondering if he knew the reasons for her words.

He walked her to the house, his hand hot on her back, sliding innocently to lay around her waist. She could have screamed. Hot and tingly she walked at his side, doing her damnedest to stay cool and not let him know she was at the point of falling to her knees and begging him. No that's not right, I'm on the point of ripping his clothes off and attacking him. I'm out of my mind. I'm a sick person!

Lou rested her burning forehead on the doorframe and tried to regulate her breathing. "Promises , promises," she muttered angrily. "I don't need your damned promises you thickheaded fool, I need you!"

Angrily she made her way to take a cold shower. The heat was making her think all kind of funny things. Seemed like a thunderstorm was appraching, the hotness damp and sticky. Adding to her irritation. Her thoughts swirled back to the faces of them all as she volunteered to stay. The twinkle in Noah's eyes and Rachel's surprise. Ike and Buck's snickers and Jimmy's smile. Amanda's coy look. Are they all in on it? Is this all intentional. Is it some kind of test? Wouldn't put HuRec below that, torment Lou till she goes nuts? How much can a woman survive?

|Prologue||Chapter 1||Chapter 2||Chapter 3||Chapter 4||Chapter 5||Chapter 6||Chapter 7||Chapter 8||Chapter 9||Chapter 10|
|Chapter11||Chapter 12||Chapter 13||Chapter 14||Chapter 15||Chapter 16||Chapter 17||Chapter 18||Chapter 19||Chapter 20*||Chapter 21|

* is R-rated for US readers. .