Unity and Destiny Pt. 06

This place was hardly fit to inhabit, but they couldn't impose on Jacob another day. With tempers rising, Selena had disappeared to reclaim her plane and check on a few things back in Los Angeles. Then Raj had gone as well, to stay with his sister in Atlanta for a while.

"What if the FBI finds you?" Esther had asked.

Raj had shaken his head in reply. "Then they find me, and I'll tell them I used to be close to Lukas, as they no doubt already know. Then I'll say he's a totally different person now, and I don't know him at all, which is also true. Anything else and I'll just act ignorant. It'll be fine, Esther, and I'll be back. I'm still thinking about that clever line of research you suggested."

Now Javier showed Kat around what he insisted on calling the Shack. There wasn't much to see. They'd cleared out some mouldering furniture on the ground floor, leaving behind a somewhat cavernous living room, a kitchen where nothing worked, and two cramped bedrooms. Also a bathroom with sink, clawfoot tub, and no running water.

The upstairs had more bedrooms, but the others only knew about it from Esther and Nicola's descriptions. Nicola had bought a ladder on their way in yesterday and gotten a tarp over the broken window, but years of water damage had rotted the wooden staircase in that corner, along with a section of the second floor support beams. No one would be going up there for a while. To everyone's surprise, Nicola judged the Shack otherwise structurally sound, aside from a few rotten exterior logs that they could replace given time.

Kat sighed. "I suppose we get last pick for sleeping spot."

"We left open the living room," said Javier. "Less privacy, but that's where the wood stove will be, when we replace the old one. The bedrooms only had these ancient jury-rigged gas heaters, and Nicola dragged them out to bury where no one can find them."

"Well, you chose the right spot for us," Kat said with resignation. She turned as Grace climbed the cinder block steps up to the door. "Look, sweetie! Our romantic vacation after all! How was the bathroom experience?"

Grace gave her a kiss. "It needs toilet paper," she said. "But it was a hole. It functioned. Except somehow the seat was even colder than the one at the other camp."

"Poor Grace," Kat said. "That's when you hover, sweetie."

"And that's why I make you clean, dear." Grace tweaked her nose. "So, we've got another try at our romantic getaway. Definitely more romantic than camping in your apartment, all while worrying about the FBI. They said easily a couple more weeks before power's restored. Probably no running water there yet either."

"We're good," Kat said. "I'm a big fan of camping now. I hadn't really thought about how much sex we could have when there's nothing else to do."

Grace kissed her. "We're going to put in our work, too. Let's help unload the ATVs and go get the rest of the stuff."

Esther smiled as they left. "They're in better spirits."

"They were practically mauling each other in the back seat on the way here," said Javier. "Even Nicola was rolling her eyes a little, though I can't say it bothered me. How are things in otherspace?"

"Calmer," Esther said. "The vision is fading fast now. This is a good place, Javier. I had a very productive evening, and morning too. And I missed you. I agree with Kat. We should have a lot of sex here."

Javier laughed, picking her up easily and whirling as he kissed her. "Well, no argument from me. But I should at least see what Nicola wants help with."

* * *

Nicola handed him the chainsaw. "Nothing bigger than five inches. And still do the three cuts, the way I showed you. Don't rush. I'll start down at the bottom and get the bigger ones on my way up."

It was a better way to spend the afternoon than he'd expected. Nicola's new truck was improved in most ways over the old one, but it still couldn't drive through trees. She'd hated to get rid of the old one, after all the work she'd put in. Javier had paid the casino parking fee like a good citizen, and then left it in a carefully chosen neighborhood in Reno, window half open and keys on the seat. Esther reported it gone by the morning, and already displaying another set of plates.

By dinner he was exhausted, and there were stumps littering the road. Mark had come down to help move aside the remaining tree sections, and Nicola judged it safe enough to drive. She got the truck parked below the Shack by the time they ate their cold dinner by candlelight. Things would quickly get more civilized now that they had access sorted out.

"You sure we can't fire up the old stove tonight?" Kat said. "Plenty of wood, after all."

"Chimney needs clearing," said Nicola. "If you didn't start a big fire you'd just kill us with smoke and carbon monoxide. And the freshly cut wood's no good yet. We'll need to haul wood up for a while, or at least start with that broken furniture."

"At least we'd die warm," said Kat.

But Javier knew she was happier than she let on. She was already talking about how to get Internet up there.

"We've got to get the well working," Javier said when he collapsed on his sleeping bag next to Esther. "I'm utterly filthy and probably stink."

"You smell fine," Esther said, giving him a kiss. "I feel guilty, sitting in here all day while the rest of you do the manual labor."

"This is what you need," said Javier. "Time to do the work you've wanted to. It's more important than anything else."

Esther nodded reluctantly. "But I can't do it all day," she said. "I don't have the stamina, and I'm kind of glad. Because it means I don't feel guilty doing other things."

"Physical exercise is important," Javier said, slipping his hand under her pajamas, stroking her chest.

"Very," Esther agreed. "I've been meaning to get more. And I'm so horny from listening to Mark and Nicola for the last twenty minutes."

"Oh," Javier said. "I thought it was the other pair."

"Them too," said Esther, rolling on top of him. And soon his tongue was too busy to talk.

* * *

Javier watched the slow rise and fall of Esther's chest, her body partly exposed despite the chill. She liked being cold near bedtime, she'd told him. Made it less likely she'd fall asleep in the middle of something.

He thought again about the message that Kat had copied that afternoon, when she checked e-mail at Jacob's place. Javier had suggested contacting Myra Jackson with a single question: "Why?". And Jackson had replied.

Dear Javier and Selena,

I am sorry about Mark. I won't insult your intelligence by pretending I didn't know what was coming. In truth, the task force would have taken you in your homes had I not intervened. But Mark was their priority, not Lukas. And they would have found Mark eventually, have no doubt. Surely you understand that someone as dangerous as Mark will be watched and questioned closely, given the emergency. If he had no knowledge of the attacks, I expect he will be released in time, unless the political winds change dramatically.

I held some hope that the rest of you would escape, and it appears you did. I still believe your group more useful outside of custody, and indeed the rest of you are now low priority for the FBI. My position in these policy decisions was peripheral, but as a result of my advice, I have gained influence. This is no comfort to you, of course, but I was also not lying about my patriotism. I have already succeeded in moderating policy about the Changed. Our best chance remains finding those individuals responsible for coordinating and carrying out the attacks, as fast as possible. You have little reason to trust me, but I still believe you want the same thing. I will take seriously any information you provide.

Jackson admitted she'd sacrificed Mark for her own bureaucratic maneuvering. That sounded utterly plausible. But they weren't about to trust anything she said, including the idea they were low-priority targets now. They were done with Myra Jackson, and at least they had the satisfaction of knowing that even she believed the story about Mark being taken. Unless she was playing along for reasons they couldn't understand. It hurt Javier's head to think too much along those lines, so he focused on Esther again. She'd been exploring otherspace quite a while, but lately she didn't seem to have worries about finding her way back. It still unnerved him.

Their new queen bed was comfortable, but it was a frigid night, and the window was still drafty. Still, Javier felt cozy enough as he watched the quick twitches of her mouth, the faintest signs that she was still exploring deep in otherspace. She had her bra on, but he imagined taking her right nipple in his mouth, the more sensitive one. Sucking on it, gently enough not to disturb her, but still something she could dimly sense back in her body.

She'd warned him she'd be gone a long time. But he'd still been hopeful, and the muffled sounds from Nicola were mixing with his drowsiness. He was horny as hell. He'd had that horrible headache after getting dehydrated yesterday, and then the day before Esther had been too exhausted. He'd had hopes, but earlier this evening the last of the flaming vision had abruptly disappeared, and she'd known she had to stretch out to listen.

Nicola eventually quieted down, and still he watched Esther. When she finally opened her eyes, the half moon had slid into view, lighting a swath of the wall.

"My beautiful explorer," he whispered. "What news from the world?"

She smiled and stroked his cheek. "I can't find the one who sent the vision. But I'm pretty sure I found where it was sent from. An ancient place, on a remote island of Japan. And I heard so much more. My sensitivity has grown, Javier. With the noise of the vision still distracting me, I hadn't realized. I visited more people and places than ever. I even heard people in England. It's as we feared, or worse. Their government has imprisoned whole groups of Changed, even families. And there's so much more to sort through, just in this country. I have to try to make sense of it."

Javier retrieved her pencil and sketchpad, and she gratefully took it, drawing precise lines and curves without looking. It was her old memory aid, still useful when she absorbed information too quickly. Ten minutes later, the lines had combined into a dense, unsettling knot, and Esther sighed, turning to put the pad away. She stroked his back, fingers warm under his pajamas.

"You're pretty horny, aren't you?" she said. "Want me to help you out?"

"It's OK," Javier said, but her hand was already slipping down to his ass. And then her other hand found his half-erect cock.

"I love you," he whispered, kissing her, and her hand had him erect, her touch light and practiced.

But a few minutes later she stopped, and he realized she'd fallen asleep. He felt guilty. He should have made her eat something first, after such an intense use of her abilities. She'd sleep well enough, but she'd be starving when she woke up in the morning.

He shifted her hands carefully, rolling to lie on his back. It was late, but he wasn't particularly sleepy, and he started rubbing his dick gently. The bed frame was wiggly, though. They'd probably been in too big a hurry to put it together. Masturbating enough to give him satisfaction would probably wake Esther. Anyway, he had to piss.

He slipped out of bed carefully, squeezing around towards the door. They'd insisted Nicola and Mark take the bigger room. Their own room hardly had space for anything apart from the bed.

The floor squeaked, but he didn't hear any sound from Kat and Grace as he got his shoes on by the door. They must be freezing in here. He hadn't realized how much colder the large living room was. To everyone's annoyance, the new wood stove hadn't been ready when they went to pick it up yesterday. But at least Kat and Grace were off the floor now, snug in their own small bed.

The outhouse was frigid. But when he finished peeing, it still seemed like the best place to relieve his lingering horniness. They'd replaced the pump and gotten the water running yesterday, to everyone's relief. But there was no water heater yet, and no reason to loiter in the indoor bathroom aside from the all-too-obvious. Outhouse it was.

It took a while, but he finally started to get into it, deep in a fantasy about Nicola. Burying his cock between her fat pussy lips, while she vibrated with pleasure, her skin steaming in the warm sunlight—

The door rattled, and he almost fell off the seat.

"Oh! Sorry," Grace said nervously.

"Out in a sec," Javier said, hurriedly pulling his pants on.

"Take your time," Grace said. "I'll come back."

"Kind of cold for that," he joked weakly. He opened the door, and Grace smiled, scooting in after him.

Javier had the weird urge to stand there and listen. He quashed that and hurried back to the Shack. Compared to the bright moonlight outside, it was practically impossible to see once he got in.

"That was record time," said Kat softly. "Get in before my pussy freezes. I've been keeping my hands warm, at least."

"Hey, Kat," said Javier.

Kat snorted loudly. "Well, you can get in too. I'm not particular right now. Jeez, at least come sit for a sec. I hardly even talked to you today."

He sat at the foot of their bed. Barely a double, but they hadn't complained. "Miss me?" he joked.

"Well, I could use a cock. My biggest toy is out of order. Is it as cold in your room as here?"

Javier tried to ignore Kat's usual banter. "No, it's a little better. I feel bad leaving you guys out here. We thought the heat would be working by now."

The door opened and closed quickly, and Grace hurried over.

"Did you remember to hover?" Kat said.

"No, Javier warmed the seat for me," she whispered, giggling slightly. Then she noticed him sitting there. "Oh. Uh, hi Javier."

"Good night, guys," he said, standing up. "Sorry about the cold. I'd invite you in our room—"

"Oh, God, thank you," said Kat, swinging her legs out from under the covers.

"Kat!"

"C'mon, Grace," she said, giving her partner a kiss. "It'll be warm. And Javier, what would Esther say tomorrow if I told her how freezing we are, and how mean her boyfriend was not to invite us the way she would have? Because you know she would."

Javier shook his head. He'd been outmaneuvered.

"She's exhausted," he said. "She needs her sleep."

"And she'll get it," Kat said. "Probably sleep better for the extra warmth. That's all, Javier. I promise Grace and I aren't going to have wild lesbian sex, unless you want us to. Uh, and Grace is up for it."

"I can't believe you, sweetie," said Grace, shaking her head. "Every time I think—"

"OK," Javier said. "If you want. But I'm getting in bed now. Next to Esther. And if you guys try to hog the bed I promise I will win that battle."

He walked back to his room, wondering what he was thinking. But when he slipped under the covers, he found Esther had rolled to the edge of the bed.

"Thanks for inviting them," she muttered sleepily. "It'll be cozy. Kat's right. I'm already asleep again."

"No you're not," he said, kissing her, and she sighed happily, turning her back to rub gently against his dick.

"Tomorrow," she mumbled. "I promise."

To Javier's surprise, the other women came in a few seconds later. He was sure Grace would've talked sense into Kat. Maybe they really were freezing in there. Kat slipped in, bumping against him lightly.

"Sorry," whispered Grace.

Oh. He'd just assumed it would be Kat. Kat and Javier had slept together plenty of times, after all. Semi-platonically. Before she met Grace.

His dick was hardening uncomfortably, and Esther's little sighs and rubbing with her back weren't helping a bit. Luckily she seemed to be falling asleep quickly.

Grace wriggled around a bit as Kat got in. Facing away from him, of course. In the end her butt rested lightly against his.

"Enough room?" she whispered.

"No," said Kat's muffled voice.

"I meant Javier."

"I'm fine," he said. There was more wriggling, and in the end there was rather more of Grace touching him than he expected. She was warm, and of course Esther was even warmer. He was starting to wonder why he'd been so nervous about this.

"Goodnight, John-boy," Kat said, and Grace giggled. Her butt shook slightly when she did that.

"Thank you so much," Grace finally said. "This is heavenly. Good night, everyone."

* * *

Javier shifted slightly, trying to figure out why Esther was on the wrong side of the bed. Her arm felt heavy on his side, and something was—

Oh. Grace had rolled and put her arm over him. Esther was still there, and he had an arm over her, but he'd shifted back slightly towards Grace. She was really squeezed tight against him. He was suddenly very aware of her breasts, pressed hard against his back. No doubt bare under her pajama tops.

Kat was snoring softly, and Grace was surely asleep as well. But Esther moved a bit, and then her hand found his half-hard cock.

He stiffened, shaking his head ever so slightly.

Just a little, Esther said in his head. She sounded sleepy, even while sending her voice this way. But at such a short distance, it was clear enough. They're asleep, sweetie.

He was fully erect now, his excitement growing. It was more than his frustration from earlier, more even than having Grace holding him like this. He was excited because this reminded him of how Nicola had talked to him, during those desperate nights of pleasure. Normally Esther never bothered hiding her voice like this, since she could mask sounds well enough from eavesdroppers. But Grace was right there.

Esther took his hand, and he let her slip it under her pajamas. She was slightly moist, and he began circling her opening with his fingertips.

Falling asleep again, Esther said in his head after a time. But this is really nice. Sweet dreams, love.

He drifted into half-sleep, shifting slightly against Esther's warm hand. He sleepily wondered if Grace had ever touched a cock. He was pretty sure the answer was no. This was already closer to her than he'd ever really expected to be. It was like one of his forbidden fantasies: Grace and Esther, sandwiched around him.

Grace twitched slightly, and she shifted her hand lower, right onto Esther's forearm. Esther didn't react, but Grace was squirming more now.

"Sweetie," she mumbled, burying her head against his back. But then she took a quick breath, awkwardly pulling her arm back, shifting her breasts away from him.

"Javier?" she said, so quietly that he almost couldn't hear.

"It's OK," he whispered sleepily. She froze, and he suddenly realized he should have pretended to be asleep.

"Sorry," she muttered, turning over carefully. Kat grunted but resumed snoring. And Javier gently pulled Esther's hand off of his slowly softening dick. Tomorrow, she'd said. Well, he'd better get to sleep then.

* * *

"Kat," he heard. "Get up, you beautiful oaf."

He opened his eyes. It was morning, and Esther was gone, awake early as she often was. He'd shifted into her space in the meantime.

"I was having the nicest dream," Kat said. "You and me, and Esther and Javier. Just sleeping. It was so nice. Why don't we keep doing that."

Grace started to laugh. "Get out or I'll push you."

"Fine, fine," Kat said, rolling sideways. She stretched, showing a some considerable cleavage where her pajama top was unbuttoned. Then she found her slippers and hopped up with surprising speed. Javier suspected she'd been awake a while already.

By the time he'd sat up, Kat was out, closing the door behind her.

"Hey," Grace said. "Good morning. And thanks so much. Honestly, I slept a lot better than I did last night. I hope we get that stove set up soon."