Activated Pt. 12

"You know Mom will dote on you. Oh, you will be in town for Poppy's housewarming!" I see Michael finally break from the painting and to the arsenal over Sandy's bed.

"Are the swords real?"

"Are you going to tell the RA?"

"She's a sexy hacker ninja!" I say with a big smile, I suspect Michael has figured out she's not the usual girl.

Sandy turns on her computer and logs in, "You built this?"

"Yes, we had a week in October where we were picking up packages every day."

I think I'll give them some space and I'm kind of hungry, "Sandy, I'm going to head to Tally for a snack, can I get you guys anything?"

"I'm good, how about you Mike?"

"No, I'm good too."

"Okay, be good while I'm gone." I really hope they aren't really.

I get to the union and decide on a Chocolate Croissant and a Caramel Brulée Frappuccino. Jo and Karen catch my eye so I walk over.

"Jen, looking good!"

"Thanks Karen, it will go back to my normal brown soon enough I got a lot of sun last week."

"Well, you will still look amazing."

"Aw, thanks Jo. Are you girls around later, maybe we can catch up in the common room."

"I'd like that, you can tell us about your adventure."

"Maybe Sandy will be around, I bet she can get the pictures on to the TV, Poppy took about 4000 of the most amazing pictures."

"Your painter friend?"

"Artist, not like she does walls." We all share a little laugh at that one. "Yes, I think she just understands how light works better then anyone I know, same skills that allow her to paint amazing pictures works with a camera. She took a picture of me at sundown on the beach, I have been meaning to ask Sandy to set it as my wallpaper."

"How is Sandy doing, her tan also looks amazing?"

"She is so proud of it, I guess this may be the first time she didn't burn. I left her up in the room with one of her computer science team geeking out over her computer. I think she has a crush on him."

"New boyfriend?"

"Maybe, she is adorable when she talks about him."

"Good for her."

"I'll catch you later, I want to get a one more chapter today before I can relax."

The Chocolate Croissant doesn't survive the walk back to the dorm, I finish the Frappuccino on the elevator. The door opens and I see Michael, "Hey Michael, you and Sandy all done for today."

I think he heard me but it is like he's trying to figure out what the words mean. "Ah, yes", I take a good look at him.

"Hmmm... ok, see you soon." I'm going to have to see what happened with him and Sandy. I toss out the coffee cup and enter the room, since Michael is on his way out I don't need to worry about interrupting something. Wow, I was so wrong! Sandy is there, her sweatpants hanging off her left leg, jilling like there is no tomorrow.

Ever since the nanites we have been a little bit more open between us but she's always under the covers when she does that, before the nanites I don't think either of us caught the other. I make eye contact and there is a pleading look, I can help with this. I walk up and replace her hands with mine, and start to lick her. She's almost there, I have a little experience with how Sandy works, maybe a minute more. She climaxes and the echo knocks me off my feet, I slide down on the side of the bed, almost flat on the floor. Sandy isn't usually loud but I'm very happy that Jo and Karen are still at the union, there is no way they wouldn't have heard that.

"Are you okay Jen?"

"Holy crap, what the heck was that, the echo caused me to see stars?" I'm trying to get up, coordination seems scrambled.

"After you left Mike and I started making out, very tame, he didn't even put his hand up my shirt."

"His loss." She still has her sweatshirt on, too bad.

"I know right?! Well I was really worked up by the time he left and that was when you found me. I love you so much for helping me there, I just couldn't seem to finish."

"Sandy, you really have it bad for Michael, like I have it for Alex."

"You think? I mean he's cute, polite and smart."

"You are so good at reading people and acting on that information, unless he/she/it corrects me I bet Arcturus will confirm that is your missing gift next time we contact him. I don't have that skill but even I can see it."

She starts to collect herself, we're beyond being self-conscious around each other but spread out like that with her sweatpants hanging off one leg might be a bit too far. She gives me a solid kiss as she changes into one of her skin-tight running outfits.

"I love you Jennifer Ann, I am so lucky to have you in my life."

"Aww", I'm still a little shaky myself it was like an electric shock.

"I'm going to run off some energy, I'll be back in 8-10 miles."

"That is a lot of energy!"

"Probably would have run to South Carolina if you hadn't helped." She takes off making sure to swish her pony tail, I know her so well, she's trying to make that her signature exit.

I get back on the bed and pick back up my book, going to take me a few minutes to get my mind off that. I may have to take up running too.

Sandy PoV

I get back to the dorm and check my phone, I have been gone 2 hours I ran about 12 miles. I should be exhausted, but I'm not. I do some stretches I picked up by googling it, I never trained, I just run.

Mike texted me, "I had fun this afternoon. Your system is killer, I'm envious. I still owe you a dinner and movie, let me know a good time."

Jen is so right.

"I just am getting back from a long run, let me check and get back to you tonight."

I head up and run into the girls in the common area on our floor. "Hey ladies, how is everyone tonight?"

"There you are, good run?"

"Yes, about 12 miles."

"Holy crap, I thought you were kidding?"

"Was a good run, around 9 minute miles."

"Are you tired? I was hoping you could cast the pictures from the vacation to the TV."

"Let me change first. Getting the pictures on the TV is super easy, barely an inconvenience. I want to see if my project group wants to see the pictures, any problem?"

"No, more the merrier."

I text my project group, "I'm going to put the vacation pictures up on the TV in the common area on the fifth floor of Caroll hall, if you are not sick of me, you are welcome to swing by."

"Oh, security is weak, consider a little social engineering test to get in but if there isn't a chance to draft someone in text me and I'll have someone come down to let you in."

I go into the room and pick out a nice skirt and shirt combo and put the running outfit in the hamper. I grab Jen's old laptop which we traveled with, it has a full set of pictures and head into the common room. My phone goes off, Tina is on her way, and then Joe also responds he's walking over. I didn't realize it at the time but Jen said I was drilling holes in the phone with my eyes, when Mike responded he was on the way too I relaxed a little. I setup the laptop and connect it to the TV, it really is easy to setup, just need to pick the right menu options. I queue up the first picture and wait for them to arrive, the three of us taken by a random stranger in the Athens airport, all smiles and arms waving. This picture is up there in my favorites even if it doesn't have the perfection that Calliope's pictures do. The three of us at the start of the adventure.

My team arrives, none of them had to be let in, easier for us but the card access isn't stopping anyone, look like a student and you get in.

"We have 4156 pictures, restraint is not Calliope's middle name," actually it is Athena, "Let's cut things off at 8:30?" No arguments so I begin, and we skip through them with added comments from Jen and myself, mostly Jen. The first batch is the villa, it was amazing. Then apparently, she caught Jen and myself out by the pool, getting sun on the first day. Thankfully she didn't catch us without the bathing suits although barely, we both had micro-bikinis at first, then we decided those tan lines would be too much. Mike, Joe and Alex who showed up at some point were actually quiet, it was my female friends who were making catcalls. I try to catch Mike's reaction to me wearing next to nothing but I guess I missed it. I have a concern that we might have pictures with us wearing even less further on, I don't think so but we did spend some time naked that week. I think I need to look through all of these just in case.

We keep scrolling and get to one of my favorites, me running at dawn on the beach, this picture is amazing. We then have maybe 400 more pictures before my other favorite of Jen relaxing at sunset. "I have to sprint on the beach, she gets to laydown and sip a... what was that Jen."

"One of those virgin mango daiquiri's you got me earlier that day, they were delicious."

I told her the story how I got Toby to buy her first one, I'm certain she is laughing quietly about the drink.

"Well, this is a good stopping point, if anyone is interested we can see about finishing it maybe tomorrow night?"

We hear some interest so it looks like 7pm tomorrow we'll see if we can get another chunk done. I am disconnecting the computer when Mike comes up to me, "I really enjoyed hanging out with you earlier."

Confidence Sandy, you are a ninja remember. I'm about to respond and he takes my hand. "I did also, let's make plans to hang out in the next few days." I think he was going to give me a nice kiss on the cheek, I am having none of that and turn my head to kiss him on the lips, I drop the computer cable in the hand not holding his and pull him in. I wanted to keep going, maybe drag him into the room but we break away and he says good night.

Jo, Jen and Alex are were the only ones still in the room to see us say good night, I brace myself for the comments.

"Well, Michael seems nice."

"Thanks Jo."

I'm certain that Jen is waiting till I go in the room and it would shock me if Alex had any comment, he is such a sweety.

The laptop disconnected I wish Jo good night, and head in to the room with Jen and Alex. Jen barely waited till I closed the door.

"Wow, that was some kiss."

"Um, he's a good kisser."

"The scene earlier makes a little more sense."

"What scene Jen?"

"I'll tell you later Alex."

"Do you think going for another 5 mile run tonight is pushing it?"

"Yes, get some rest or you won't have enough energy to kiss him."

I doubt that.

I spent the rest of the night going through pictures, the only other ones that could be even marginally considered racy were the ones with Jen and I showing off our tans. I wore a modest suit while Jen wore a very small 2-piece because her audience was just Alex.

A text comes through from Poppy, "Hey Jen, Poppy is back from checking out the house, she wants to meet up on Monday if you are clear?"

"Should be clear." I text that. What Jen doesn't know is I just remembered her birthday is coming up next weekend, we need to do something special. "Jen's birthday is next Saturday, we need to do something special for her."

"Foursome?"

"90% of the time I think you are too serious, then I get something like that!"

Darn it, going to be thinking about that all night.

"I have a surprise for you two, you will see."

Michael PoV

I enter my room, Greg is actually studying.

"Mikeasaurs Rex, where did you go?"

That's a new one, "Jen and Sandy were showing pictures from their vacation."

"Oh, where did they go?"

"One of the Greek isles, that's where Sandy got the tan."

"And how is Sandy."

"Perfect."

"Yea?"

"There was a picture of her and Jen in very small bikinis, I might have lost feeling in my face, what are the symptoms of a stroke?"

"Tell me about this Jen?"

"Jen Brown, she has been dating Alex McGuire since the fall."

"Oh that Jen, how did the two hottest Juniors end up rooming?"

"Well Jen was really shy when I had her in Freshman English, nothing like now."

"So are you going to see Sandy again?"

"Tomorrow night, they are showing more pictures, it should be fine for you to tag along. In theory you are going to meet them eventually."

"Sure, I'd just be playing PS4 otherwise. Anything else to report about tonight."

"When she kissed me goodnight, I couldn't form words for a few seconds."

"Runs, shoots bows, knows computers better than you, is a really good kisser, do I have that right?"

"That about covers it. Oh she smells really nice."

"Does she have any cute friends?"

"There were other girls there all of them are cute, not sure if they are dating anyone."

"You should have led with that."

Sandy PoV

6am I snapped awake, I was careful not to wake up Alex and Jen, well mostly Alex, Jen sleeps like the dead.

I put on my running gear, I didn't catch it at the time but fitness clothes are very comfortable and have legs, I just can't bring myself to wear anything but skirts and dresses in a social setting. I put in around 15 miles yesterday, I'm going to take it easy today if possible.

I still can't explain what happened to me yesterday. Well, I guess I can, I have fallen really hard for Mike. Taking it slow is the right thing to do but I am so reved up it is going to cause problems.

One thing is certain, we make out again and I am going to shove his hand up my shirt at the very least.

If I don't stop thinking about that I may never finish the run. I think the dining hall has pancakes today, need to focus on that!

I made sure to circle back to get the pancakes, this brings to mind French toast and that of course leads me to thinking about home. Mid-May and I get there and I will get home. Jen is going out to Arizona with Alex before heading to my house for the summer and her internship. Poppy will be around for the house and her June Gallery which will feature some pictures from the isles of Greece.

Oh, if we go somewhere next year we can expense it as a business expense! I'm security and Jen is the translator!! We are so going to Asia, probably Korea and Japan, Poppy is going to want to paint Mt. Fuji for sure.

I enter the room I burnt off one type of energy and replaced it with pancakes, few better ways to start the day. Alex stirs when I come in but Jen doesn't.

"Sandy, I need to go to the bathroom."

"Okay?"

"I'm naked here, my clothes are over there."

"Alex, I might point out you have fucked me three times, once being in the ass while your darling girlfriend cheered us on."

"I know, can you at least hand me my boxers?"

I reach over to hand them but snatch them back at the last minute, "If Michael talks to you, will you let mt know?"

"Of course, we're friends," a small pause, "and I'm scared to cross you."

"Smart boy." and I hand him the boxers.

He struggles to get them on getting a little tangled in the covers.

"Oh, I'll look away already." With less pressure he gets them on and retrieves the robe he stored over here. Not prefect but he can probably get to the bathroom and back without trouble.

He gets back and I stop him before is get back under the covers with Jen.

"Alex, we need to talk about Jen's birthday coming up this coming Saturday." He glances at her, "I've been her roommate for almost 3 years, there are coma patients more aware of their surroundings."

"I have a really good gift for her, what else do you have in mind?"

"I don't know yet, I asked Poppy and she only came up with one thing so far."

"What's that?"

"A foursome."

"Well, she'd like it but I'm not so sure about it for me."

"I'm mostly sure she was joking", a little pause, "mostly."

I get a text from Mike saying he's looking forward to tonight. Strangely he asked what perfume I wear.

"I'm confused, I don't wear perfume, haven't for years."

"Nm, maybe I am thinking of something else."

I create a text group called 'Friends of Jen' composed of Poppy, Alex and myself, "Any chance we're clear this afternoon to get planning? Alex, maybe we could Uber over to Calliope's apartment?"

"I'm clear today" Alex comes back with.

"Perfect, this fits in with my plans, want to come over about 1?", what are you up to Calliope?

"Alex, be ready around 12:30"

A little after noon I had a running outfit on and head down to Alex's floor. I haven't met his roommate yet and it seems I won't since he isn't there at the moment. "Jen went to the gym about 15 minutes ago, I think she is trying to figure out her thing like running seems to be mine."

I start the process of getting a ride as we take the elevator down. Calliope is actually in my running range, Yesterday I was just in a fugue-state or I suppose I might have swung by. We pull up and head into her loft, Jen and I have keys to get in. I can see quickly that she has been in one of her frenzied states, I can see a picture of one of the monasteries on the TV and Poppy is in her creative trance.

"Alex, we need to let her finish, she tunes out the world when she is painting usually."

"I heard you come in, I'm almost done."

"You are not fooling us, you were in the trance, I saw you come out of it."

"Darn you ninja, no fooling you. I'm almost done, just a few more touches and the signature." She looks back at us, "Oh, glad you are here Alex."

She finishes the painting, and starts to put away the paints.

"Alex dear, what are you giving Jen for her birthday?"

He has a look like we caught him at something, "Um..."

"I think you guessed it Sandy. Alex, use your words dear, what are you getting her?" I think I'll let Poppy get it out of him, it seems important to her.

He reaches into his pack and brings out a small box. Poppy draws a sharp breath, I can't help myself and let out a little squeal.

"Well, Sandy, you guessed it."

"You can hide nothing from the Ninja"

The ring is very nice, modest.

"Alex, is it a family heirloom?"

"Yep, my grandmother's"

Poppy takes charge, "I need to know a few things." Alex is a little startled by the change in tone. "Where are you planning on giving this to her and what will you be wearing?"

"Um... wha?"

"Alex, she's going to paint you proposing."

"Holy, what would be awesome!"

"Yes, but I have to imagine out how we think it might go down. Can I suggest a place? There is a place in the park that would be prefect."

"Wow, I hadn't thought that far ahead. I was going to wear kakis and a nice shirt."

"Sandy, we need to help Alex with operation 'Make Jenny a Mrs.'. Can you check on his outfit and take a picture of him in it?" I am very familiar with the area but we'll do a rehearsal later this week. I will tell you where to stand Alex."

"You know you two are ruining it for the rest of us, I was going to get her a cute outfit I saw at the store, it is going to look like nothing compared to an engagement ring or an Euterpe capturing the moment."

"Maybe you can write her a program."

"This is what I have to put up with Alex, I don't intimidate them anymore."

Alex ignores this banter, "I can meet you at the park to rehearse, maybe Wednesday after class?"

"Ah... can we do Thursday? The weather that day will not give me the lighting I need."

"You are the boss, my class is done at noon, I'm clear the rest of the day."

"I'm good Thursday, I have Advanced Algorithms and Complexity at one-thirty but missing that class, I could probably teach it, won't hurt my future A+"

"Okay, it is a date. Oh wait, where is Jen then? We don't want her to catch us."

"Student teaching, we'll be fine. She gets a sort of high from being around the kids, she is extra adorable on those days."

Alex's smile confirms that.

"Now that is done with, let's talk foursome."

"Poppy!"

"Calliope!"

"Hear me out, she is going to be so worked up that sex with you Alex is pretty much a given. Sandy and I as her best friends want to get in on that. Also the echo from it will be epic."

"I'm game, it is up to you Alex."

"Let me think about it."