Seattle
(Chapter 11)
“Why do I always have to dress like a man? It’s too dark outside Ben no one could tell if I’m a man or a woman. I don’t think anyone could even see all the way to the machine shop from the fence,” Kate complained.
“I could and I don’t want Richards or one of his spies to see you.” He smoothed some dark strands of hair under her red wig. “We are spending the day together away from the base. I thought you would be happier?”
“I am. Do you think I look good as a red head?”
“I’d like you better as a blonde.” He smiled knowing how much she hates blondes.
She narrowed her eyes at him. He chuckled.
“Let’s go before the sun comes up.” He took her hand and led the way out the door.
“What will the weather be like in Seattle today?”
“It will be nice all day, with a slight chance of rain this evening.” Ben checked his hand held computer and opened the door to the helicopter. He picked his wife up with both hands, kissed her on the lips and lifted her into the pilot’s seat.
“Thank you honey,” she said and kicked off her shoes. Ben got in on his side. She handed him her shoes and buckled her seat belt.
“I wonder what Richards would think if he saw you kissing me. Do you think he would figure out that I was still alive?”
“It was worth the risk.” Ben sat in the co-pilot’s seat and buckled in. They both put their headsets on, but spoke using the intercom.
Ben watched Kate as she started the engine. Then she raised the collective on her left side which was a bar by her seat and slowly pulled it up to increase lift until they were air borne. She pushed forward on the cyclic which was a long metal rod that curved and went between her legs. It had a grip handle on the end of it. The cyclic controlled the main rotor. With her bare feet on the foot pedals she controlled the anti-torque rotor in the back of the helicopter. They flew forward as they started their journey.
“Hebe, good take off,” Ben said, “You’re getting really good at this. Are you ready for your first major flight?”
“Yes I am General sir!” Kate joked and saluted.
Ben folded his arms. “At last I get the respect I deserve from you.” On his tablet he logged their departure time. “I heard that a couple of nights ago you cornered Zeb and made him look up places to eat in Seattle.”
“I hate the fact that everyone on base tells on me. Can’t I have any fun surprising you? We haven’t been on a date since we got married. I wanted to make it special as we are celebrating our freedom for the day.” She reached into her back pocket and pulled out a folded paper. “Since you like things planned ahead of time, this is what we’re doing today.” She handed him the paper. On the front she had written top secret mission. He studied it carefully. She wrote most of it in the Rage language.
“This would be written well if you were in grade school,” he teased. She tried to grab it back from him. “Hey, you’re flying! Pay attention!” He smirked as he held the paper out of her reach. “At least I can read it. Not bad for one month of studying. Who helped you?”
“Zeb, how come he didn’t tell you that, when he told you about me searching the internet?” She narrowed her eyes a little irritated with him.
“He did. I just wanted to give you a hard time.” He laughed at the scowl on her face.
“If we crash today, it will be your fault. Now be nice,” she scolded him.
“Okay let me see what our secret mission is.” He tried to look serious as he unfolded the paper. “We are spies. My name is Henry and yours is Martha.” He looked at Kate stretching his face trying not to laugh.
“Yes,” she said excited, “Didn’t you ever play games as a child?”
“Sure I did.” Ben wiped the corners of his mouth as he fought the urge to chuckle.
“Well today we are going to play a spy game. That way if Richards is watching us he won’t see us together very much and he probably will not recognize us if he does.”
“But the name Henry is the worst name I’ve ever heard. Why couldn’t we be Burt and Rose.” He was still stretching his face to hide his smirk.
“Why the name Rose?”
“That’s what you smell like so it will be easy to remember.” He started reading again. “First were going to separate at the airport and meet at a gas station. I’m leaving first by taxi while you rent a car. Then you’re going to pick me up and we are going to the Hana Sushi Restaurant for lunch.” He smiled at her list of items. “That’s good I like sushi. Then we are going to get our hair done.” He rolled his eyes at her. “That’s a waste of time. You know that as soon as I shape-shift my hair will be back to its normal length again.”
“Think of it as a disguise for the day just like this red wig which I will not be wearing after my hair is done,” she spoke with enthusiasm, happy to spend the day with him.
“Did you bring your contacts I don’t want you wearing sunglasses all day.”
He pulled them out of his pocket and shook the container. Then he continued to read her list. “We’re going clothes shopping?” He frowned.
“I haven’t gone clothes shopping with you before and I want to get you some new clothes.”
“Then you made reservations for dinner at seven at the Preservation Kitchen.” He looked at her pleadingly. “I hate nice restaurants they over cook the food.” After he read the last two items on Kate’s list, he coughed to hide his laughter. “There is no way I’m doing the last thing on this list.”
“But you did so well on our wedding day. I thought we’d give it a try again tonight. Please!” She pouted pushing out her bottom lip and glanced over at him.
“Don’t you think this is a little too much for one day?” He shook the list at her trying to make his point. “I need ear plugs if you want to go dancing.”
From her back pocket she pulled a brand new pair of ear plugs and smiled brightly at him.
He snatched them from her outstretched hand, knowing that he had run out of excuses. “Where did you get these?”
“Izzy, he uses them in the Machine Shop all the time.”
“I’m still not going dancing,” he said sternly and stuffed the ear plugs in his pocket. For the rest of the trip he refused to talk about it and changed the subject every time Kate tried.
Kate wasn’t used to all the air traffic when they got to Seattle and it made her nervous so her landing was a little rough. The weather was nice just as Ben had predicted. Kate turn in her seat to grab her purse from the back of the helicopter as Ben hopped out and went to her door. He opened it for her and offered his hand to help her out of the cockpit. She paused to put her shoes on before she grabbed his hand. Ben rolled his eyes at her.
“What? You know I can’t feel the pedals when I wear shoes. I feel better when I fly barefooted,” she explained. He motioned for her to get out.
They walked separately into the airport without making any physical contact with each other and Ben kept his distance from her as she rented a car. Acting as if he was a spy following his target, he made sure that he was never in the same security camera as Kate. If Richards viewed the security tapes they would only see him getting out of the helicopter with her and for all Richards would know she was a fare that wanted to log some flight hours because Ben and Rueben had both flown passengers before. When she had the key to the rental car he hailed a taxi and got in.
“Drive me to the nearest gas station.” He tossed a twenty into the front seat. It didn’t take long before the taxi driver was dropping him off. “Hebe, I’m at the Chevron Station at 5940 E Marginal Way the road comes straight out of the airport. It should be easy to find.
“Are you standing on the street corner?”
“Yes, now hurry and pick me up.” An old man saw him talking to himself and shook his head. Ben smiled slightly at him, wishing he had a cell phone to use as a prop.
“Are you afraid I won’t be able to find you?”
Covertly, he covered his mouth. “I just don’t like to be separated from you in this big city it makes me nervous. I’d have to get the guys at home to locate you if you get lost and they would tease me for weeks about it.” Ben knew it was just an excuse to be near her.
Kate pulled up to the sidewalk when she found him and rolled down the window. “Hey good looking you need a ride?” She gave him an alluring smile.
He grinned and pulled his sunglasses down to look at her. “Why Yes I am,” he said confidently.
“Can you dance?” She made her voice soft and sexy.
“No,” he said, still not wanting to take her dancing.
“Wrong answer.” She curtly rolled up the window and drove off.
He got on the intercom. “Okay, okay, I’ll take you dancing.”
Her tires skidded as she turned around. When she got to him, he was walking down the sidewalk away from the gas station. She turned the car around again to pick him up.
“Do you promise you’ll dance at least two songs with me,” she said over the intercom.
“I promise.” He gave her a reluctant look. “Now may I get in the car?” The door clicked. “You’re making me sorry I offered to spend the day with you.” He looked sternly at her as he sat in his seat. “What’s next on your spy schedule?” He pulled her paper from his back pocket. “Aw, the sushi restaurant at least I will enjoy that.” He felt better now that he was in the car next to her.
“I knew you would.” She beamed and said, “Ha-shaw.”
He smiled and kissed her on the cheek. “I swear those are your favorite Rage words.”
“There not my favorite you know the ones that are. I like to say ha-shaw because you kiss me every time I say it.” She puckered her lips at him so he could kiss her again. He quickly complied with a short Charley kiss. “I am so happy that I get to spend the day away from base and you’re going dancing with me.” Kate bounced excitedly in her seat as she drove to the Hana Sushi restaurant using the GPS system the rental car came with. Ben fiddled with it. It gave him something to do while Kate drove.
When they pulled up to the restaurant Ben said, “It’s my turn to drive next.”
“You can’t drive. Remember you didn’t want your name on any of the paperwork. That means you’re going to have to put up with my driving for the day.” They walked into the restaurant holding hands.
The hostess took them to a booth. They sat next to each other with Kate on the outside. Ben ordered two Sushi Combination plates and Kate ordered the Chicken Teriyaki. As if his sushi was candy, Ben quickly ate his lunch and then he looked at Kate’s.
“Are you going to eat all of that?” He eyed her plate still hungry.
“What? Eat your salad,” she said not wanting to share with him.
“I want to try your chicken.” He gave her a pleading look.
“It’s burnt you won’t like it,” she whispered not wanting to offend the cook. He tried to distract her and stabbed a piece of chicken with his fork. Kate knocked it off with her chop sticks and it landed back in her plate. It didn’t matter now if it was burnt or even if it tasted nasty to him. He was determined to get a piece of that chicken just because she wouldn’t let him have it. She shoved him away as he kissed her neck.
“Hey I’m your husband you’re supposed to share everything with me,” he complained. She popped some chicken into her mouth and acted as if it was the best tasting chicken she had ever had.
“Ha-shaw,” he said and she quickly kissed him. He licked his lips afterwards. “Yum!”
“Why don’t you order some for yourself,” Kate suggested.
“Where’s the fun in that?” He looked at her over the top of his sunglasses so she could see his green eyes. He knew her weaknesses and he was going to try them all until he got what he wanted. She closed her eyes tight when she saw his eyes and he made his move on her chicken. Grabbing his hand with both of hers, she tried to restrain him, but he was too strong. He slowly lifted the fork with the chicken to his mouth and she moved her head to bite it before he could. In the struggle, it fell off his fork, bounced once off the table, and onto the floor.
“Okay honey you can have that one. I don’t want it anymore.” Kate laughed.
He made a face. “I don’t eat off the floor.”
Kate started to take another bite of chicken. Sensually, he leaned into her and growled softly into her ear. It was the growl she loved and it sent tingles up her spine. She closed her eyes.
“There is no use fighting you when you cheat like that.” She held up her chopsticks with a piece of chicken. He smiled victoriously as he accepted his reward. Since he felt the same tingling up his spine as she did, he was purring softly.
“You better not do that again or we’ll be looking for a hotel instead of following my carefully planned schedule,” she chided him. Aroused, he smiled at the thought. At his reaction she picked up her plate and placed it across from her. Then she scooted out of the booth and sat on the opposite side making it impossible for him to growl in her ear again.
“If you’re good and stay on that side of the table, I’ll share the rest of my chicken with you,” she offered. Looking at her longingly, he took a big breath before he picked up his fork and ate more of her chicken. The purring faded and he was able to talk again without anyone hearing it in his voice.
“I like the hotel detour better,” he grumbled.
“Why don’t you want to go get your hair styled?”
“I’ll want to shake as soon as my pores fill with water. It will drive me crazy,” he finally admitted.
“As soon as they get done washing your hair, tell the Stylist that you have to use the restroom and go shake the water off in there,” Kate suggested.
Thinking about it for a minute he decided that it could work. The waitress brought them the bill. “This whole day is my treat,” Kate said smartly and she held the bill away from him and out of his reach. She handed the money and the bill back to the waitress and told her to keep the change. The waitress smiled at Ben as he tried to pay the bill with two twenties. Kate had given her a fifty dollar bill.
They walked out to the car and Ben argued with her about paying for everything.
“I’m picking out your hair style for tonight and I don’t want you to argue with me about it since I’m paying for it. I know that it will be gone by the end of the night.”
He clicked his teeth in agreement, but he still didn’t like her paying for everything. “We have an appointment at Studio 229 at three,” she reminded him.
Ben looked at the clock on the dashboard and tapped it. “Well, we have thirty minutes to find it.” It wasn’t far from where they had eaten lunch and the traffic was pretty good. Kate saw a clothing store on the way. “Let’s go there next. I’ve never gone clothes shopping with you.” Before they got out of the car Ben put his contacts in making his eyes look almost black.
“Those contacts don’t look good on you. If it’s dark enough do you think you could take them off when we go dancing? I want to see your real eyes.” She sadly touched his face.
“We’ll see.” He took one of her hands and moved it to his lips and kissed it. Then they both got out of the car and headed up the stairs to the Studio.
Since Kate made the appointments under the fake names of Henry and Martha so they had to use those them when they went in. Ben cringed every time they called him Henry.
Kate talked to Ben’s stylist. “I want him to have the sides short and then pull the hair up in the middle. I don’t want too much cut off of the top. His hair is very stubborn just like him.” Kate smiled at the unhappy expression on her husband’s face as she played with his hair. “Do you think he would look good with some highlights?”
“Yes we could do a few just in the front,” the stylist said.
Before Kate left him she whispered into his ear. “No purring. Keep it under control.”
He smiled slightly at her and breathed, “I’ll try.”
Kate sat in the next booth. “I would like my hair styled and layered with highlights on the top and then put into a messy bun. After that Kate didn’t say much as she kept her thoughts on Richards. Her loathing for him would keep Ben from purring.
The first thing they did was to put the highlights in Ben and Kate’s hair. I can’t stand the smell in here. Ben’s eyes were watering. He held his nose even after the hair stylist took him to the sink to wash. I can feel my pores filling with water. His back twitched like he had an itch he couldn’t scratch. I can’t stand it, I need to shake.
When she wrapped his hair with a towel he quickly said, “I need to use your restroom.”
With a black tipped finger she pointed at the door. “Just walk straight ahead. You can’t miss it.”
“Thank you,” he said and ran to it. “This room is tiny.” He looked up at the ceiling. “The things I do for my wife.” Then he quickly took off his clothes and shape-shifted with his paws on the back of the toilet. The lid to the tank rattled as he shook and he let out a loud sigh that everyone near the restroom could hear.
When he finished he quickly shifted back to his human form and got dressed. “I shook water everywhere.” Using the towel from his head, he cleaned the walls and ceiling. When he was finished he returned to his stylist.
I feel like Kate is mad at me, but she smiled when I sat down. I’m confused. He kept looking over at her. It’s impossible to tell who her anger is directed at. He almost growled.
His hair was finished before Kate’s so he ended up reading about five magazines while he waited. He stood when he saw her.
“Your hair looks really good.” he said and put his arm across her shoulders. He was losing control of his purring again and they quickly left. When they were outside Ben said, “When did you pay the stylist?”
“When you were in the restroom.” She laughed as they got into the car. “Everyone could hear you sigh. I didn’t know that you had to go that bad.”
“The restroom was so small I barely had enough room to shape-shift, but it did feel so good to shake the water off.” He closed his eyes as he remembered it, not the slightest bit embarrassed.
“Your hair looks great. Do you like it?” Kate was still smiling.
“I’ve never seen my hair like this and I’m not sure if the highlights will stay. My mother used to do my hair every day and it would be a mess within an hour or so, we’ll see how well this holds up.”
As they pulled up to the clothing store, he stopped talking. Kate turned off the car and looked at him. He leaned towards her and took her face in his hands. “You really look beautiful.” Then he kissed her until he was purring. “Are you having fun? I thought you were mad at me. You weren’t were you?” He squinted his eyes.
“I was mad at you. I saw you looking at your stylist’s butt.” Kate teased and narrowed her eyes at him. He looked at her worried again. “You were looking at her butt?” She shoved him.
“She had a nice butt.” He teased back.
“You’re onto me aren’t you?”
“I’m learning to tell when you’re teasing. It takes me awhile sometimes.”
“Really, I was thinking of Richards to make me mad so you wouldn’t purr. Did it work?”
“Yes it did, but it made me anxious. I made sure I watched where I looked. So when you said I looked at her butt, I knew you were baiting me.”
“Are you ready to go clothes shopping with me or do you want to stay in the car and talk?”
“I would rather take the hotel detour.” He waggled his eyebrows. This usually worked for him, but with his contacts on it didn’t have the same effect.
“Nice try, lover boy.” Kate got out of the car. With a resigned look on his face, he got out and followed her into the store. Kate soon found that Ben was very picky about his clothes, but he did have good taste. She found a nice black jacket for him, but the sales clerk couldn’t find a size to fit him. His shoulders and chest were too large. It was hard to find anything to fit his upper body. Searching the slacks she found a nice black pair. Then a red silk shirt that fit him. Ben found a leather jacket and he smiled at Kate when he brought it to her.
“Oh, yes, I like this.” She looked over the construction. “Try it on.”
While Ben was trying on clothes Kate picked out three nice black dresses and one red one. Ben came out and modeled the black shirt and slacks for Kate. Later, he tried on the red shirt too. Then he tried on some other shirts Kate picked out. She liked them all, but Ben only liked the red and black one.
“Wear the black shirt tonight. I like it the best.”
“You go and try on your dresses it’s my turn to pick.” Ben sat in a chair near the mirrors and acted like he was about to be treated to something special.
Kate walked into the changing room with the dresses and quickly put on her makeup and looked at her face. “I look good tonight,” she said to herself. I’m going to wear the sexy skintight black dress first. He’ll love this one. She scrutinized herself in the mirror. Then sensually sauntered out to model it.
“It’s too tight,” he said immediately. She frowned disappointed at him. “Do you want me to get in a fight? I can guarantee that is exactly what will happen if you wear that dress in public.”
She smiled at him and walked back into the dressing rooms. He’ll like this one. It makes my chest look good. The hem of the dress flowed nicely as she walked out to get his approval.
Instantly, he stood and turned her around. “Change it,” was all he said with a slight whisper of purring in his voice.
He has to like this one, she thought as she put on the last black dress. It has a high neck and fits perfectly. She studied his face as she walked out and stood before him.
He smiled with approval at her. “Turn around I want to see the back?” She twirled. He shook his head no.
“What is wrong with this one,” Kate complained.
He stood and pulled her up to him. Gently, he ran his hands down her bare back. “I don’t want other males to see what is mine,” he whispered in her ear. “I don’t want them to have thoughts about you, like I do,” he purred. “If you change your mind about the hotel option you can buy it otherwise please try on something else.”
Kate went back to the dressing rooms and sighed as she looked at the red dress. “He can’t say anything bad about this dress its sleeveless with a ruffled V-neckline and the hem rests just above my knees. I like the way the skirt twirls when I move. It’s perfect for dancing.” Again she walked out and stood in front of him. It was obvious he liked it. May be because of the drool dripping from his mouth or that his mouth was wide open. He couldn’t say anything when he saw her in it. Kate walked up to him and with one finger push his mouth closed.
“I guess you like this one.”
He didn’t say anything because he was trying to control his purring. Instead he gently took her hand and pulled her over to the jewelry counter. After waving the gal behind it to him, he pointed at a pair of sparkling earrings and a necklace that went perfectly with the dress. “You look very beautiful,” he purred in her ear as he put the necklace on her.
With all of her purchases in hand, Kate went up to the counter to pay.
“Your husband already paid,” the cashier said.
Kate scowled at Ben. As they walked out to the car she complained. “I told you I was paying for everything tonight.”
“I’m your husband. I should pay for everything,” he sighed still purring and opened the door for her. “I’d let you pay for a hotel room, all you have to do is decide which one.” She gave him a look and got into the car.
It was starting to get dark and they had a dinner reservation at seven o’clock so they hurried on their way. The Preservation Kitchen was a very nice restaurant. Ben ordered steak as rare as he could get it and Kate ordered hers well done. From there they went to the Space Needle and road the elevator to the top. Ben held her in his arms to keep her warm as the wind was cold. They stood outside at the top of the Space Needle and watched the boats in the water.
“It’s beautiful up here,” Kate said
“Yes, but not as beautiful as Alaska.”
“Well was the day with me as bad as you thought?”
“The worst is still yet to come,” he said with a grimace on his face. She elbowed him and he backed away from her just catching the last part of the jab. “Why are you always trying to hurt me?” he teased. She turned towards him and looked right into his eyes.
“Saying that the worst part of our date would be dancing with me deserves a jab in the ribs. Will you please take me dancing?” She looked at him in full pout mode giving him a chance to get out of dancing with her, but could he resist her pouting lips?
“How can I say no to you?” He closed his eyes. “If we were alone, I would have you now.” he whispered, looking longingly at her lips. “And you would be begging me not to go dancing.” his purr mingled with his words.
“Are you sure?”
His eyes were half closed as he slowly took a deep breath and let it out. “Yes, without a doubt,” he softly purred.
She moved closer to him. “Please,” she whispered her lips moving against his as she spoke. Unable to resist her any longer, he quickly grabbed her and kissed her. Without caring if anyone could hear him purring. Kate pulled away from him and held his face with her hands. “Please take me dancing,” she pleaded again.
He closed his eyes. “You’re tormenting me,” he whispered his purring louder than before. Then he resigned himself to her will and softly growled his surrender. With her hand in his, he pulled her to the elevator. When the doors closed they were alone so he tried repeatedly to kiss her and get her to agree to the hotel option.
“You stay on your side of the elevator.” She pushed him away. When they got to the car, Ben opened the passenger’s door for her. Kate didn’t say anything this time. He drove them to the Century Ballroom and Café. When the car was parked, Ben looked at his wife waiting for her instructions.
“I’m going to go in first. Wait out here for a few minutes. Then come and find me. I want to pretend that you don’t know me. If I’m already dancing ask someone else to dance.” She quickly put lipstick on.
“I don’t want to dance with someone else.”
“I want it to appear as though we’re not together.”
He sighed, “Okay get going. The sooner you get your two dances the sooner we can go home.”
“Oh, if it’s dark enough inside take your contacts off. I want to see your beautiful green eyes while I’m dancing with you.” She got out of the car and walked around to his side and straightened her dress as she waited for him to roll down the window. “Ha-shaw,” she said and bent down to kiss him.
“Do you want me to be purring when I walk in?” His face wrinkled with confusion by her actions.
“No, I just don’t want you to be mad at me for making you do this.”
He gave her a quick kiss. “I’m not mad at you. I just don’t want to dance, but for you I would do anything once.” She wiped her lipstick off his lips.
From inside the building, they could hear the music playing. Ben grabbed the ear plugs out of his pocket and stuck them in his ears as he watched her walk into the building. “I have a fine looking female,” he whispered. Then he pulled out his sunglasses and put them in his leather jacket. From his other pocket he pulled out his contact container and took his contacts out and slipped them into it. He checked his teeth and hair after he put his contacts away. “I can’t believe my hair still looks good.” He opened the car door. She doesn’t realize how beautiful she is. All the males will want her as soon as she walks in the room, he thought and grew anxious.
Sure enough Kate was dancing with an older gentleman who was gracefully waltzing her around the dance floor when Ben walked in. The room was dark and tiny twinkle lights hung across the ceiling for lights. There were several girls lined up against the wall, waiting for someone to ask them to dance. Kate pointed at the girls when Ben met her gaze.
Without looking them over, he walked up to the girls. “Would you like to dance?” He asked the young girl before him.
She had light brown hair styled in ringlets and a heart shaped face with a high forehead; her bangs were curled under to hide it. Her tiny mouth answered his question shyly. “Yes.” He offered her his arm. She looked down timidly as he put his hands in the proper place and he noticed her sparkling eye shadow. Kate went passed them and beamed at him pleased at his willingness.
Ben could dance better than he had alluded to during their wedding. Betty was a fan of ballroom dancing and had made them all learn when Naph got married too. He actually knew how to salsa, waltz, and cha-cha. Now Kate would know and there would be no way he was going to get out of dancing again. They began to waltz. Although, he wasn’t a terrific dancer he was good enough that he didn’t step on the girl’s toes and he could keep up with the other men on the dance floor. When the song was over Kate was escorted to a seat and sat down. Watching his favorite part of her body as she walked, Ben followed close behind with the girl and took her back to her seat. The next song started to play. It was a salsa dance Kate’s favorite.
“Hello my name is Burt would you like to dance,” he asked his wife politely.
She smiled as she looked into his big green eyes and her heart fluttered. “Sure,” She took his hand and sighed. “Why does my heart still go wild when I look into your eyes?”
“It’s my animal magnetism.” He kissed her hand and led her to the dance floor. “You’re going to be mad at me,” he whispered into her ear before they began to dance. Then he spun her out on the dance floor. The shocked look on Kate’s face was priceless as he stood before her. He smiled at her expression and placed his hand on her back over the shoulder blade and began dancing.
“Why didn’t you want to go dancing when you clearly know how?” she chided him.
“I didn’t want you to know that I could dance because you’ll make me do it again.” He wasn’t as good as Charley, but he was good enough. Before the dance was over Kate showed him a couple of moves and they incorporated them into their dance. When the song was over he took her back to her seat.
Knowing what it felt like to be a wall-flower, Kate asked, “Ben will you please go dance with one of those girls again,” she gestured to them, “since there are more ladies than men.” He just nodded and walked over to where they were all sitting. Kate watched him proudly as he led the girl to the floor and began to dance with her. It was obvious that the girl was at a beginning level. Kate laughed quietly to herself as Ben patiently forgave the girl for stepping on his foot. The young woman smiled the whole time. It made Kate happy to watch.
A tall good looking gentleman asked Kate to dance. He was good and Ben was distracted by them. Kate enjoyed dancing with him because he knew how to do some challenging twists and turns. She had to concentrate to keep up with him. As soon as she was seated again Ben took her hand and walked slowly with her on to the dance floor.
“I can’t help, but feel jealous when you’re dancing with another male even though I know you don’t want him. I don’t like it,” he growled at her. She placed both of her hands on his face.
“I love you,” she said. He spun her and held her to him possessively. They danced the next two dances together. Then they both sat on the chairs that lined the room.
“I gave you three dances instead of the two you asked for so are you ready to go home?”
“No,” she pouted, “but you did fulfill your end of the bargain. I guess I have to go.” He stood and held out his hand to her. She sadly took it. They walked out the door to the car. He opened the driver’s side door for her. Before she got into it she turned to her husband and put her arms around his neck.
“Thank you for taking me dancing,” she said looking up at him. Then she kissed him until he was purring.
“I love you,” he said in his language as he held her close to him and the purring intermingled with it. Her heart raced as she closed her eyes and felt the rattling clicks.
“I’m ready to go home.”
“Me too.” He purred and let out a big breath of air. She got into the car and drove back to the gas station where he was dropped off. “Zeb,” Ben contacted him on the intercom, “call a taxi for me.” He gave him the address. While they were waiting for it to arrive it started to rain. Kate grabbed the bags from the back and handed them to Ben.
“Will you take these please? The taxi will drop you off right at the door. I have to walk to get there.” She sat there looking at him for a minute. “Did you have a good time?” The taxi pulled up to the gas station. “You let me have my way today and I’m grateful, but I wanted you to have fun too.”
He looked at her adoringly. “I always have fun when I’m with you.”
“Will you take me dancing again?”
“I’m sure that we will have many weddings to dance at in the future.” He leaned over and kissed her good-bye. The taxi driver was looking around so Ben waved at him. “I think I better fly us home. The weather is making me nervous.”
“That’s fine with me. I’m tired anyway.”
He ran to the taxi and got in.
Kate followed it back to the airport and then dropped off the rental car. She walked alone through security then to the helicopter. Ben was there waiting for her inside it. He got out in the rain and helped her into the cockpit.
After they had been flying in silence for a while Kate asked, “Why are you so quiet? Are you tired too?”
“No, I was just thinking,” he rubbed the back of his neck, “about retiring from doing missions. I need to start training someone to take over as General. I was thinking Simeon, but he is younger than everyone else. Maybe Zeb, he is older and he is a good leader.”
“I’m surprised. You never have trouble choosing. Usually it’s handed to you in a dream.”
“Well I’m wondering if maybe the reason I haven’t received confirmation is because I’m not supposed to retire. Would you be very upset if I didn’t?”
“I never expected you to.” She looked at him in disbelief.
“Rage Warriors retire when they get married. It’s customary. The bonding between us would make it difficult for me if I was away from you for very long.”
“But you don’t live in that world anymore Ben. I would feel guilty if you quit doing what you love to be with me.”
“Really, so you’d be okay with me going on assignments no matter how dangerous,” he questioned raising his eyebrows.
“You know that I would hate it unless I got to go with you. I could stay on the Whale if it was too dangerous.”
“What if you’re pregnant or we have children? Are we going to take them with us or leave them with David and Peggy to raise while we go to war?” He looked at her concerned.
“When I get pregnant or have children I won’t leave them unless I have to. It would be nice if you didn’t have to leave either, but right now we don’t have any children and I’m not pregnant so I think we’re safe for the time being.” She watched his face to see how serious he was. He looked as if he were torn as to what to do. On the one hand he loved the fight and on the other he loved her.
“Yes, but we’re not doing anything to stop you from getting pregnant.”
“Maybe we’re not compatible and we won’t ever have kids,” she teased.
“I know without a doubt that we will have children and I want to be prepared when we do.” He took her hand. “I want a family with you more than anything. You are my center, not the fight. There isn’t a need for me to go on missions anymore unless I’m called by the Master to go.”
“Is it just your nature or does it have something to do with you being a Pashur that you always like to have everything planned out?”
“I don’t know why I’m like this, but it has never hurt me to be prepared.”
“I think you should choose Simeon instead of Zeb. Not that Zeb is a bad choice. It’s just that he will get married and retire. Then you’ll be back in the same situation again in ten years. There may be some young new Rages to take over in twenty-five years when Simeon decides to retire. Besides Simeon and Ash have been trained mostly by you, you’re like a father to them. It just makes sense that one of them should take your place.”
“I knew I would have to decide this once I got married.” He paused for a moment looking down at the ocean before he spoke again. “It has been on my mind ever since.” He kissed her hand and let go of it. “What did you think of our day together?” He changed the subject.
“It was a wonderful day. Thank you.” Kate yawned and closed her eyes.