Posted by Major General Charles Tenkiller (Vice-Commander, Colonial Customs and Defense Agency) in Safe Harbors

(snip)

The first to arrive were, as they were affectionately named, the nurses. Temple had picked them up and they all piled out. Yavia thought it looked like circus clowns with the number of people getting out of the car. Sharah heard the thought and started laughing. She quickly stifled it before anyone could ask why.

They arrived with all the noise and antics of a gaggle of geese. Jessie and Elaine were the first. Jessie looked around with open nosey curiosity and saw Sharah slip out of Charles arms where she had obviously just been kissing him. She elbowed Elaine hard, “It’s true!” Elaine rolled her eyes and shushed the younger woman.

Shrine and Temple glanced from Yavia to Sharah to Tenkiller and back. Temple giggled. “Don’t they make a pretty picture.” Shrine smiled, “MmmHmmm one happy little family.”

Ilena and Jal’na made their way over toward the drinks. Jal’na leaned down and lifted Yavia in a massive bear hug. “I knew he was the Warrior for you.” Yavia cackled. “Then why did you keep trying to steal him.” Jal’na gave her a smile - all fangs, “Sometimes the heart needs a challenge to know what it wants.” Ilena paused and looked at Jal’na, “No one had any doubt that Yavia knew what she wanted.” Jal’na shrugged, “Still makes the pursuit sweeter.”

Yavia and the nurses

Tenkiller waved them all around the house to the new porch. “Welcome y’all. Come on in and have a seat, grab a beer. We have some more folks comin’ in a bit and then I’ll start cookin’. Hope y’all are hungry.” He picked up a beer and walked back into the house, stopping long enough to tell V and Sharah he was going to make potato salad and baked beans.

Tenkiller

“Want some help?” No this was not Sharah being flirtatious. She genuinely wanted to help, learn to cook something new. She had never learned but always wanted to, and now, somehow in the massiveness of her responsibilities, there seemed to be enough time to do so. No she wasn’t avoiding socializing. She was comfortable with them and enjoyed their company. They were her friends (that was weird). She wanted to spend time with them too.

Sharah

Charles stopped in his tracks and turned, a grin on his face. Loud enough for all to hear he said “Hun, with tha way you were lookin’ at me earlier and the way you look in that outfit, you know damn well we’d never make it back out here if you did that.” He winked at her and turned and walked around the corner of the house before laughing. Not that he was wrong… they really wouldn’t have.

Tenkiller

The deck was silent for all of 7 seconds and then the surprised laughter started. Yavia walked over and slipped her arm around Sharah and turned her back towards the deck. Where everyone could see how true his statement was. “You know he’s right. Even if you really did want to help. But now I get you all to myself.” Sharah was going to burn a hole right through the floor of the deck.

“Ah she just wanted to show off. She’s got the best knife skills out of everyone here.” Then Ilena grinned, “But I don’t relish stitching you up when you get distracted and cut yourself.”

“Battle wounds! They are glorious! They can be tended later. He is a warrior, he will enjoy watching you handle a weapon better than him.” Jal’na grinned over the prune juice she found and roared with laughter as Sharah blushed.

Yavia taking some pity on Sharah tried to help. “I don’t think there is a weapon that man hasn’t mastered. You should see his arsenal.”

Elaine almost spit out her drink. Temple and Shrine grinned with glee at each other, “Now Yavia, I know you and Sharah and the general there are quite the family, but I didn’t think you would want to show his arsenal off to everyone else. Do tell…” They all leaned in expectantly as Yavia’s mind caught up with what she said. Sharah got up and walked up the stairs to the kitchen and came back, handing something shiny to Yavia. “Oh I don’t think so. You two old buddies get your mind outta the gutter. I warn you we are armed…with Spoons!” Yavia began to laugh as she and Sharah’s spoon brandished their spoons. The whole deck collapsed in fits of laughter.

Yavia