After the Second Fall

"Do I get a choice?" asked Pip without much hope.

"Sure," responded the director, "you can choose to do it on your own, or I can choose for you to do it."

"Yes, ma'am -- you can count me in."

"Excellent. Welcome aboard. John?"

"Alright, Pip -- more good news."

Pip groaned and fell back on his bed. "What now?"

"Gather your crap. Now that you've hit the big time, you get your own room."

A quarter bell later they were standing outside Pip's new room. "Ready?" John asked.

"It's just a room, right?" asked Pip.

"Sorta," John replied with an evil grin.

Pip narrowed his eyes, deciding that his handler was definitely up to something. For her part, Director Collins was standing next to John, looking like a kid waiting to open a gift; this only made Pip more nervous. John tilted his head to the door.

Sensing a trap, maybe some sort of initiation ritual, Pip turned the handle and slowly opened the door.

At the same moment, having seen the handle turn, Rosie jumped to her feet; she was almost hyperventilating, trying to fight off panic.

When she saw the young Adam enter the room, her eyes opened wide and her hand went to her mouth of its own volition. Like the other Adams, he was huge, but maybe not quite as much; most everything else about his appearance was different. Rather than the shaved head that most of them favored, this one had dark, curly hair and a beautiful light to medium skin tone that was largely unmarked by scars; his eyes were so dark as to look black, even in the well-lit room. He was dressed in shorts with an athletic cut and a shirt without sleeves; his well-defined musculature was on full display and Rosie's fear and surprise started to turn to something else.

For Pip, the experience was equally dramatic. When their eyes met, he inadvertently dropped the box he was carrying, its contents spilling over the floor. "Oh, shit..." he mouthed, not even noticing, only having eyes for the beautiful young woman in front of the bed. Frozen to the spot, his heart beating loudly in his ears, he took her in.

She was medium height for a woman, with pale skin and dark hair, which she had pulled back in a half ponytail. Her face was thin with a short, sharpish nose and high cheekbones; he couldn't see her mouth because it was hidden behind a hand with long, slender fingers. Most striking, however, were her slightly oversized, outrageously blue eyes, which were further accentuated by extremely long lashes. Set off by her blue shirt, her irises seemed to give off their own light, leaving Pip in a state of near hypnosis.

Her uniform's color, long the symbol of adolescent Adams' fantasies, finally sank into Pip's addled mind and snapped him out of his trance. How long had he been staring at the poor girl? She probably already thought he was out of his mind, or a total creep -- maybe both.

But no, something else was going on, because she hadn't stopped staring either. In fact, she wasn't even breathing. Then Pip noticed a coin, balanced on its edge, slowly rolling away from the discarded box. Except that the coin was barely moving -- how was that even possible?

Then Pip understood. He was so excited that he tried to give a celebratory whoop, but only managed to begin raising his hand when he realized that he was also moving slowly; instead, he aborted the celebration and focused on the Effect.

Through trial and error, Pip learned that he could change the speed to some extent. Controlling the passage of time felt a bit like trying to hold a fistful of sand: by squeezing tighter -- harder? -- he could slow, but not stop, the sand. Conversely, it was quite easy to let time slip through his -- fingers wasn't quite right -- his whatever-it-is-that-holds-back-time. With this realization came additional clarity, because Pip was able to isolate the feeling that he was semi-consciously using. It was like using a muscle that he didn't know he had, but only in concept. The process wasn't quite a mental thing, and certainly wasn't physical, but might have been somewhere in between. Details aside, Pip found that he could flex it at will, although his control felt relatively weak. What's more, Pip found himself tiring -- which wasn't really the right word, but was again the right concept -- as he got his feelings back under control.

"Oh," he said as time returned to normal. "So it's an emotional response. That makes sense."

John, who had started to enter the room when he heard the box hit, stopped and looked at Pip expectantly. "It worked?"

Pip turned to look at him. "Yeah, it did. This was your plan?"

John gave him a shrug that almost looked embarrassed.

"Good idea, John. I didn't think about losing control of my emotions being the trigger."

"I'm not sure that's what it was, Pip -- I think it was fear."

"Fear?"

John nodded toward Rosie, who had lowered her hand and was obviously very confused by the brief exchange. Pip's head snapped around and he regarded the young woman again. "Oh, uh, hey." At least he got words out, sort of.

"Hi," she said back with a little wave. "I'm Rosie."

"Hi, Rosie. I'm Adam -- I mean, I'm Pip, an Adam."

"See, Pip: fear."

"Not helping, John," he said without turning around. "Just ignore him, Miss Rosie. He's always a pain, and he's just enjoying embarrassing me."

"No problem, Pip. He gives me a hard time, too."

"Oh, yeah? How do you know John?"

Rosie looked at her feet. "I guess you could say he saved my life: got me off the street."

"You know..." Pip paused and Rosie raised her head just enough to make eye contact, "that doesn't really surprise me. I mean, none of the other handlers would take me on as a charge -- maybe he just likes reclamation projects," he finished with a grin, which Rosie happily returned.

"You may have something there," added Lilith, stepping into the room. "So tell me, Rosie," Lilith said with a wicked gleam in her eye, "what do you think of Pip here?"

Rosie's eyes dropped to the floor again and her cheeks reddened. "I don't know, ma'am, we just met," she said, even as her lips curled into a smile.

"Uh huh. So, Pip," she said looking to him, "what worked?"

Pip looked from Lilith to John and back again, not sure how to respond. While Pip was caught in the director's stare, John quickly contemplated the best path forward. He had told her that he would tell her the full story -- no time like the present, or something like that.

"Go ahead, Pip, she already knows most of it."

Pip was surprised. "Oh, okay. So... what about Rosie? Can she stay, too?"

John and Lilith spoke simultaneously, contradicting each other, then turned to look at one another.

"Look, Lilith, I really like Rosie, which is why I asked her to be here today, but this is a big deal. It's not... typical," John said, struggling to find the right word.

"That may be, but you can see the way they look at each other. As soon as this fight is over--"

"What fight?" interrupted Pip.

"--he is going to be mine. Rosie, Honey, it's not quite like it sounds -- I'll explain later. So don't fight me on this, John. He'll need to have a confidant for whatever this is, and she can be it. It's what the PET ladies are best at."

John grumbled, but didn't make further objection.

"So, Pip, what did you learn?"

"John and I have been calling it the Effect, ma'am. It's going to sound crazy, but I can sorta... slow down time?"

Lilith didn't say anything for a moment. "Alright, I'll admit it, that's not what I was expecting. How does it work?"

"No idea, but I think I figured out how to control it."

"Can you do it again right now?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Pip stood still, looking at her. After the silence became awkward, Lilith ask, "Did it work?"

"Yes, ma'am. There just wasn't much going on."

Lilith gave the young Adam her best annoyed teacher look, then looked at John, as if it was his fault. John held up his hands, trying to ward off her ire.

"Excuse me, Pip?" asked Rosie. "Can you still move when time slows down? If so, that should be easy to see."

"Good idea, Rosie. See, John, I told you she should stay. Pip?"

"Yes, I can move, but I move slowly like everything else."

"Is it worth trying anyway?"

"Sure, Rosie, let's give it a shot. What should we do?"

"I'm not sure. Jump?"

"Yeah," replied Pip, "that should be a good test. Let me clean up my stuff, then it's a good idea for you all to stand back."

As they stepped back, John had an idea. "Hey, Pip -- let's have you try a normal jump to see what that looks like, to act as a control."

Pip nodded, then took a deep breath, crouched, and jumped straight up. The athleticism on display was remarkable: Pip's head came within two fingers of the high ceiling, and yet he landed as gracefully as a cat.

When Pip looked at Rosie, for it was to her that he looked first, her eyes were wide with awe. Turning, he saw the wicked gleam had returned to Lilith's eyes as she plotted all the things she could do to showcase him to the public. John just shrugged.

Pip reset himself. "Ready?"

Crouching, he exerted his newly found ability and time slowed. Pip pushed on the ground, propelling himself upward with his full strength. It was odd to be able to pay attention to the various muscle groups as his legs straightened, and odder still as he left the ground, but these were nothing compared to the realization that he was about to hit the ceiling. Pip squeezed the Effect as hard as he could and time slowed just a little further, giving him time to slowly throw back his head and raise his arms, absorbing the impact rather than crashing into the top of the room. As he started his descent, Pip pushed off with his right arm to start a spin so that he landed facing Rosie; none of the observers heard his feet hit the floor.

"Holy shit," breathed Lilith, still trying to process what she just saw. "That was absolutely unbelievable. How is what he did even possible?" she asked the room, not really expecting an answer.

"If I had to guess," said John, "I would say it's just basic physics. No, really," he said after seeing Lilith's incredulous look. "Force is the product of mass and acceleration. He accelerated faster so he went higher."

"That's not what I meant, John, but never mind. Pip, are you okay? Pip!"

"Huh? Sorry, ma'am, I... got distracted," he replied, turning away from Rosie again, who was staring up at the much larger man in front of her, looking like she was completely star struck.

"It's okay, Pip. Did you hurt yourself with that second jump?"

"No, ma'am. It was a little sketchy there for a moment, but I was able to correct in real time. Or in slow time. However. I didn't really expect the change to be so dramatic, but I should have -- it's just physics."

"So I've been told," Lilith responded while folding her arms. "Now what?"

"Now," interjected John, "you and I, Madame Director, give these two some privacy. Pip, I'll be back in a couple bells and we can put together a training plan. Sound good?"

"Yeah, sure, John," said Pip, already turning back to Rosie.

Chapter 6

Rosie walked into the Lounge, absentmindedly swinging her arms and humming to herself. She smiled at some of the ladies on the couches, and then spotted Maggie and Ruth discussing something animatedly across the room. Neither looked particularly pleased, and seeing as how the two women were her closest -- really only -- friends in the Complex, she decided to investigate.

Rosie approached so that they could both see her, having learned when she was little that sneaking up on someone doesn't always lead to good results. Ruth spotted Rosie first and immediately stopped talking; Maggie, seeing an opening, took a breath to argue some point, but left it unsaid when she also saw Rosie approaching.

"I get a strong feeling that you were talking about me," said Rosie, folding her arms. "Am I right?"

"Maggie, you need to work this out with Rosie; I won't be in the middle of it. I've seen this kind of thing tear down long established friendships, and yours is only getting started." With a final stern look, Ruth pivoted and walked toward the couches, squeezing Rosie's shoulder as she went by.

"Alright, Roomie, what's up? I know we haven't know each other that long, but you don't look like yourself."

Maggie put her elbows on the table, her face in her hands, and let long curly brown hair shield her from the pending inquisition. Not knowing what else to do, Rosie moved to stand beside Maggie, putting a hand on her friend's shoulder and the other on her lower back, rubbing in slow circles. Eventually, Maggie raised her head and wiped her eyes on a cloth she pulled from a pocket.

"Thanks, Rosie. I'm a mess today."

"Want to tell me about it?"

"Definitely not." She frowned, "But Ruth is right that I need to anyway."

"Oh, okay," replied Rosie, not sure what could have shaken her friend so badly. She couldn't think of anything she had done to hurt or offend Maggie, so she stayed silent.

"Rosie, I know it's not your fault..." she started.

"I sense a 'but' coming," said Rosie, feeling very apprehensive about what would follow.

Maggie smiled, just a bit, in spite of herself. "But..." Maggie took a deep breath, "Pip was supposed to be mine."

Rosie took a startled half step back, accompanied by an unintentional gasp. "What?"

Maggie took another steadying breath. "All the ladies know that I've been in love with Pip for more than an entire year. It's gotten to the point that they all tease me about it. Ruth said that whenever he enters the pool, I'll be the first one assigned to him."

"You and Pip are in love?" asked Rosie, stricken by what she was hearing; she had to fight to keep her knees from buckling.

"Yes... and no," said Maggie sadly. "We've never really... so listen, this will make more sense. There was this fight between the trainees last year that we all went to watch -- like, all of us. Ruth thought it would be good bonding, or something. Anyway, Pip had a fight, and he was so... so... handsome. And graceful. And... brave? I mean, he lost. He got beat up badly, but he never backed down. And he hurt the other one, pretty badly I think, before they finally stopped it. It was amazing."

"So you took care of him after the fight?"

"What? No, of course not," Maggie snapped, causing Rosie to flinch. "Oh, Rosie, I'm so sorry. I forgot that you're still learning. We only help the pool Adams. The less experienced ones go to medical for treatment and that's it. The handlers don't worry about their comfort. I guess it makes them tougher, or meaner, or something like that.

"No, I just saw him, and I fell in love."

Rosie took this in, turned it around, and considered it from different angles, but still wasn't understanding. "So, you were with him another time?"

"Not exactly," replied Maggie, now embarrassed. "I've seen him around a lot, and I said 'hi' twice, but I think he only heard me once. But there was this one time where he looked at me across the courtyard, and he smiled..."

"Seriously? How can you possibly be in love with someone you've never even talked with?" asked Rosie, dumbfounded.

"Don't you dare judge me, Rosie," barked Maggie. "You don't know what it's like here yet. We're around people all the time -- the ladies, the Adams -- but it's so lonely. I saw him and I knew -- I know -- that he could be the one for me. So I was going to get first shot at him, to at least find out, and if I'm wrong, then I'm wrong. Rosie, I want a shot at what Ruth has: I want somebody who cherishes me.

"But then his handler shows up and demands you go to his room right away..."

Rosie nodded. "I understand, or at least I'm beginning to. What can I do?"

"I'm not sure. The Adams choose who sees them, which is why I wanted to be first. When are you going back to see him?"

"Tomorrow, midday. He and John are working on the... a new training plan. It's going to be taking up most of his time leading up to the fight."

"He's fighting? Like a real fight?"

"Yeah, I guess. One of the pool Adams, but I don't know who."

Maggie's eyes went wide and her hand covered her mouth. "My Lord, he'll be killed."

"It's okay, Maggie," said Rosie with what she hoped was a reassuring smile, "there's --"

"No! It's not okay, Rosie. You don't know what those fights are like. He's so much smaller than the other Adams. It's not fair! It's not fair..." Whatever else Maggie said was lost into Rosie's shoulder as the young woman gathered her friend in a tight embrace, ignoring the stares that resulted from Maggie's outburst.

Rosie whispered soothing words while Maggie sobbed. When Maggie was mostly under control, Rosie raised her lips to her friend's ear and whispered, "There's more to Pip than you know. He'll be fine -- no doubt in my mind."

"Really?" asked Maggie, leaning back to look into Rosie's eyes. "You're not just trying to make me feel better."

"Well, I am trying to make you feel better, but I'm also being honest. Pip will be fine."

Maggie sniffed, wiped her eyes again, and calmed her breathing. "Can you tell me about him?"

Rosie smiled, and recounted her unexpected visit with Pip, leaving out everything about the Effect, but otherwise giving a complete account.

"So you were with him for more than two bells, and all you did was kiss?" asked a stunned Maggie.

"No, he touched me all over," said Rosie defensively.

"With or without clothes?" asked Maggie skeptically.

"With, but it was still great. I would have gone further, but he was so sweet, and... innocent. And honestly, I got distracted myself just touching him back. Then John came back and it was over."

Maggie still didn't look convinced, but let it go. "So do you love him?"

"Come on, Maggie. How am I supposed to answer that after meeting him one time?"

"Fine, but you obviously like him a lot."

Rosie shrugged and smiled.

"And you're not going to let me go instead of you next time..."

Rosie shook her head immediately.

Maggie paused, unsure how to proceed. "Could I come with you?"

Rosie's eyes widened. "With me?"

"Yeah," replied Maggie, but her eyes dropped to the floor, afraid to look her friend in the eyes. Working up her courage, she raised her gaze. "Rosie, I know I'm putting you in a terrible position, because I can tell how much you like him, but I have to know if he's the one for me."

Before Rosie could interrupt, Maggie hurried on, "I can be your Second, if that's what you both want. I wouldn't mind at all."

Rosie was having trouble processing the request. If she was honest with herself, she could come to love Pip, but they'd just met. What if Maggie was better for him? The thought caused her chest to tighten, but what if it were true? Pip was special and he deserved the best, even if it wasn't her.

"Okay," said Rosie weakly. "We can go together."

"Really?" whispered Maggie, who had been holding her breath. Rosie nodded and gave her best attempt at a smile.

"Thank you, Rosie!" Maggie almost shouted, wrapping the smaller girl in a heartfelt hug. Rosie squeezed her back, but had tears forming in her eyes. When Maggie ended the hug and pulled back, she saw the conflict. "Oh, Rosie -- it'll be okay -- you'll see," she said, wiping an errant tear with her thumb.

Maggie gave Rosie her most convincing smile, placed her hands on Rosie's cheeks, and gave her a kiss directly on the lips, catching the younger woman by surprise. "Trust me, Honey, it will work out. We'll take really good care of him together." Maggie gave her another smile, a parting squeeze on the shoulder, and walked out of the room.

A short time later, Ruth reappeared at Rosie's side. "Are you alright, Honey?"

"Honestly, Ruth, I'm not sure. But can you tell me something?"