Friends, Comforters, & Companions

Author's note: The Kodiak lineage used in Medea's poem is borrowed from 'The Ancestor's Breath' located on Keith Hamilton Cobb's official website. www.keithhamiltoncobb.com.

Spoilers:Double Helix, A Heart For Falsehood Framed, & And Your Heart Will Fly Away

Part 4: Threats and Decisions

Harper slicks his wet hair back as he rises from the ocean. He smiles at the starry sky overhead as his feet sink into the wet sand and the water sloshes softly around his waist. He stretches luxuriously and walks toward the beach. The lights on Tyr's house glow in welcome and he can see the inviting way that the sliding door leading to Tyr's bedroom is open. His eyes narrow as he sees the shadowy form of someone waiting at the water's edge. Who is it? Too slim and short to be that weird woman who'd yelled at him earlier. Definately too short for Tyr. Could it be the infamous Edward, the one that the weirdo was so upset about? It is. It's the dark guy that he'd seen on his first day here, all cuddled up with the big redhead. Harper looks quickly around, but the redhead is nowhere in sight. Good. Maybe Edward would be more inclined to talk freely.

"Hello." The dark man stands just out of the water's reach. His hands are shoved into the pockets of his loose pants and his unfastened shirt falls open over his chest.

Harper walks up to him. "Hey, how ya doing? You're Edward, right?"

"Yes. And you are called Harper?"

Harper notices passion marks along the line of Edward's throat. Looks like someone had been busy. He grins. "Yep, that would be me alright."

"Aretha told us about you." Edward glances over his shoulder at the empty deck of his house.

"Who's Aretha?" Harper frowns. He doesn't like the idea of being a topic of conversation among strangers. Some people clearly didn't have enough to do. "And who's 'us'?"

"Forgive me, Harper. I thought you knew." Edward raises his eyebrow. "Aretha is Brutus' First Wife. She told the other wives and me about you."

"Oh, yeah? So...um..what'd she say?"

Edward shrugs. "Just that Medea and Freya had finally come to their senses and hired a comforter instead of settling for Josephine."

"Really? Is that it?" Harper asks doubtfully. That doesn't seem like much to discuss. More likely his humaness is what aroused comment.

"I don't understand."

"Is that it? I mean no one is pissed off by the fact that I'm human?" Harper frowns. That chick on the beach...Josephine...had been plenty pissed off by his presence.

"I'm human, Harper."

"Yeah. I kinda got that. It's just that. Is this sort of accepted here, or are most folks like that Josephine chick?"

"You've met her?" Edward laughs, showing off white teeth. A tongue piercing glints in his mouth.

"Yeah, I had the pleasure. I've never heard the word 'kludge' sound quite like that before." Harper shakes his head. In the city he rather expected to run into that sort of attitude, but he'd been taken off guard here, where the beach had been so beautiful and Tyr's wives had been so....well, friendly for Nietzscheans.

"Yes. I understand. I've met Josephine before. She can be most...unpleasant."

Sounds like ol' Edward's had a few days on the beach ruined by the bitch as well. What's she got against humans any way? Well, he isn't going to let one pest rain on his good mood. Harper snorts. "That's putting it mildly. I'd say she's a world class bitch."

"You've a quick wit, Harper."

"Thanks, I think." Harper looks at the other human for a moment. Edward clearly hadn't come out here for a late night swim. Is the other human just curious about him? Or is Edward lurking around for a reason? "So why are you here?"

Edward frowns, puzzled at the question. "I'm Brutus' comforter."

"No. no. Why are you out here talking to me right now?"

"The wives are curious about you." Edward nods toward his house. "They want to know about the human that Tyr Anasazi allows in his bed."

Harper raises an eyebrow. "Why don't they ask him, or better yet, why not ask Freya and Medea?"

"They trust me to tell them the truth about you."

Harper just nods, ignoring the curiosity gleaming in Edward's dark eyes. He's not about to mess up this cushy assignment by being so indiscreet as to talk about Tyr and the family behind their back. Either Edward's employer sent the man out to glean some juicy gossip or ...could Edward could be jockeying for another comforter position? Who wouldn't prefer Tyr to the redheaded guy or anyone else for that matter? Well, he's so not having another human sharing his Nietzschean's bed. Harper blinks. Whoa, where had that come from? He's never been possessive of his lovers before. "There's not really that much to tell."

Edward tilts his head with a considering air as his gaze sweeps over Harper's exposed skin. "I see he's marked you."

"That's none of your business." Harper tilts his chin at a defiant angle and narrows his eyes in silent warning. No way is he going to reveal anything personal that happens between him and Tyr. Those details are too intimate...too precious to share.

"You're wrong, Harper." Edward shakes his head. "It's everyone's business. Tyr is Second Alpha of Kodiak Pride. He's in line to rule after his father steps aside. Everyone is curious about anything having to do with either him or his family."

Harper digs his toes into the damp sand. "Yeah, so, what has that got to do with me?"

"Everything."

"Look, Eddie," Harper stomps up to Edward and scowls at him. "We can be friends or we can be enemies, okay? So let's stop with the intrigue and other Nietzschean crap and talk."

"As you wish. It's Edward, Harper," Edward corrects stiffly.

"Okay, sure." Harper hides a smirk. Old Eddie is a bit of a tight ass. Bet Brutus likes that.

"What is funny?" Edward asks sharply.

"Oh, Nothing. I was just thinking how I'm looking forward to having another human around."

"I, too, am glad you are here. There are not many in this community."

Harper looks inquiringly at Edward. "I would have thought that all Nietzschean families would have one for when the wives get pregnant and all."

"Oh, no." Edwards shakes his head. "Most of the comforters are Nietzschean Beta males."

"Really? Why not women?"

Edward turns to look back at his house and a radiant smile spreads over his face as he answers Harper in an absent tone, "Procreation is never allowed, so women are out."

Harper follows Edward's gaze to the deck. Under the soft glow of the lights, the big redheaded is watching them intently. Harper raises his eyebrow. Huh. Brutus doesn't look like he's happy to see Edward talking to someone else. He glances at his own deck. No one is waiting there. His shoulders droop slightly. "Your Nietzschean is looking for you."

"Yes, well, I've got to be going."

"Your Nietzschean needs comforting, does he?" Harper jokes as he glances again at his own house. No one is lurking in the shadows of the open bedroom door. Is it a sign of trust that Tyr isn't watching for him? Or a sign that he misread the look in the big man's eyes earlier and that Tyr doesn't care what he does?

"It's what I do," Edward says softly as he turns to walk away.

"Oh, um, Edward, Before you go." Harper takes a step forward. His feet slide in the soft depths of the loose sand.

"Yes?" Edward pauses, looking over his shoulder at Harper.

"How long have you been...with Brutus?"

"Two years."

"How do the contracts work?" Harper asks. Is his contract a typical one? His contract has been on his mind alot since last night. Will Tyr be likely to renew it? Can he suggest renewing it or a longer time frame? "I mean, can they be shorter, longer, on an 'as needed' basis?"

Edward nods toward his house. "Walk with me. I don't want to keep Brutus waiting, and I'd like to introduce you."

"Okay, fine." Harper falls into step beside the dark human. He glances impatiently at Edward. "So tell me."

"My first contract was for three months...just to see if we would work out." Edward confides softly in the darkness. "The next contract was for six months. A year's contract followed that."

Ahhh, so there isn't a set date. Just whatever the two parties agreed to sign up for. That's good to know. But is a year the maximum length? Harper asks, "So, you're due to leave soon?"

"Oh, no. I just signed my contract for four years."

"Four years?" Harper's eyes widen. Yep, he'd love to be Tyr's bed buddy for four more years. What are the chances of that happening? How can he make that happen? And is it too soon to suggest a longer contract? Actually, truth be told, he wouldn't mind being Tyr's bed buddy forever. Ahhh, if wishes were horses... "That's just because the wives are pregnant, right?"

"Not necessarily." Edward adds in a smug tone, "The Wives like me, I enjoy the children very much, and Brutus has grown accustomed to having me in his bed every night."

Whoa! Rapidly approaching the 'too much information' zone. The next thing Edward will tell him is how many times he climaxes during sex. Better head in another direction. Harper looks Brutus over as they get closer to the deck. Brutus is a good sized guy, but not nearly as big as his Tyr. Or as handsome.

Brutus hurries down the steps and pulls Edward close for a searing kiss. When he finally lifts his head, he slides his hands down to possessively cup Edward's ass. "Did you enjoy your walk, love?"

"I did." Edward melts into the embrace.

Brutus glares at Harper and growls low. His arms tighten around Edward. "Who is this human?"

"Just met the guy on the beach." Harper backs up a step under the glower. He glances nervously at the emptiness of his own deck. Now might be a good time for Tyr to put in an appearance. Any time now.

Edward strokes Brutus' chest soothingly. "This is Harper, the Anasazi comforter."

Brutus' gaze softens and he smiles at the other human. It's perfectly suitable for his Edward to associate with the stranger in that case. Might even be useful if his Edward picked up some gossip. In the deck's lights, he can see that the other human is a blonde. That figures. Everyone knows of the Kodiak Second Alpha's fascination with blonds. Personally, he didn't see the attraction. He much prefers the dark warmth of his Edward to the chilly paleness of Tyr's little human. The blond's a bit muscular for his taste as well. Edward's slender delicacy is much more appealling, but to each his own. If all the passion marks are any clue, Tyr is throughly enjoying the new comforter. "Oh, yes, You are Tyr's human."

Harper nods. "That's right."

"I see you and Edward have become acquainted. Good." Brutus turns an affectionate smile on his human. "Come along, Edward. Dinner is waiting."

"Of course, Brutus." Edward cuddles against the big Nietzschean and smiles politely at Harper. "It was a pleasure meeting you."

"Yeah, same here." Harper nods. He watches as Brutus protectively herds Edward inside. Apparently Brutus kept a close eye on his comforter. Harper turns slowly and walks toward the silent deck of his own home. No big, dark and studly hunk stands watching anxiously for his return. He kicks at the sand and frowns. What does that mean? Is he just a disposable piece of ass for Tyr?

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Two months, eight weeks, sixty days. Has it really been that long? How could the time have gone by so fast? And no one has mentioned his contract. He'd hoped that they would bring it up first so he could get some idea of what Tyr feels...if Tyr wants him like he wants Tyr. His year is sliding by far too fast. It won't be long before Beka returns to check on him and get his answer about crewing for her again. Harper glances uneasily at the crowd of Nietzscheans standing at the foot of the steps sweeping up to the front of entrance to the grand and brand-new Anasazi Performing Arts Center. Colorful banners in Kodiak colors ruffle overhead against the bright blue sky. Harper glances from the clear sky to Freya's too-white face and inches protectively closer. If only Medea hadn't insisted on changing the ceremony's location to outdoors. Poor Freya would have been fine if the ceremony had stayed inside as it had been planned when she originally agreed to participate in it. Medea could be so self-absorbed and clueless at times. Harper glances around Freya at the director of the center who is making a speech with glowing references to Pride Kodiak in general and Tyr Anasazi in particular. Particularly the generousity of the Second Alpha. Medea is standing on the other side of the man and staring out over the crowd. Of course, it isn't all Medea's fault that she hasn't caught on to Freya's phobia of open spaces. He hadn't figured it out until after he'd been here for a week. Freya worked hard to keep Tyr and Medea in the dark about her problem. He didn't know why. He'd never tried to discuss it Freya. He'd just helped her unobrusively as much as he could. Harper shifts his weight from one foot to the other wriggling his toes inside the custom made leather boots Freya had given him. Like walking on clouds. He'd never owned boots that fit this good. Harper inches closer, frowning at Freya's quickened breathing. She's handling the whole being outside under the big blue sky thing very well. Only a really close observer would realize her problem. He places a gentle hand on the sleeve of her dark gold tunic and whispers, "You okay?"

"I'm fine." Freya smiles wanly at him. Her hand flutters nervously to the growing bulge of her stomach.

Harper eyes her nervously. He doesn't know much about pregnant women. Is the baby okay? "Need anything?"

Freya shakes her head slightly, but her big blue eyes settle on him with a pleading gleam. "No. Just..."

Harper smiles warmly at her, promising quietly, "I'm not going anywhere."

He scans the crowd. Quite a herd of Nietzscheans had shown up, but they would with this building going up. It's been the talk of the town for months. Medea had been very pleased at being associated with the project. She'd been the one who'd gotten Tyr involved in it. The voice of a gray-haired Matriarch catches his attention. She has a prime spot on the step, perching on the marble balustrade flanking the lower tier of steps. Her yellow robe makes a bright splash of color on the white marble. A blond with impressively full breasts thrusting against her aqua tunic is standing just to one side front of the Matriarch who is staring at Harper with an air of surprised approval. "He's being quite attentive, don't you think, Amelia?"

The blonde looks around with a puzzled frown. "Attentive? Who are you talking about, Candace?"

"The little kludge with the Anasazi wives. See how solicitous he's being to the Second Wife, Freya?"

Amelia narrows her brown eyes and stares thoughtfully at Harper. "I do believe you're right."

"It is a rare thing to find a kludge that does more than just what you tell it." Candace rearranges the folds over her long robes as she watches the newscrews moving around filming the crowd.

Amelia nods wisely. "Yes, I know. We had one to keep the children when they were younger. The silly thing couldn't keep more than two thoughts in it's head at a time. Really quite pathetic."

Candace glances over at Aretha and Bernice who are standing nearby. She sniffs disapprovingly. "Some people have made it fashionable to bring them into the household as companions. I never thought that would work, but this one..."

"What?" Amelia asks, leaning closer.

"Well, he's fairly intelligent, I understand, not like that little bed warmer Aretha got for Brutus."

"Intelligent? Really?" Amelia cranes her neck for a better look. The blond spikes do have a kind of charm to them, giving the small human a whimsical air. She had heard rumors that some kludges were almost as intelligent as real people.

"Yes, I understand he repairs equipment around the house, in addition to servicing the Second Alpha."

"And the wives tolerate it?" Amelia watches as Freya smiles warmly at the human and leans slightly against the man's wide shoulder. Perhaps she had simply had bad luck with her human. This one did seem very attentive, just as he should be with a pregnant woman.

"Oh, yes. They are quite fond of it." Candace chuckles. She glances slyly at the tall blond shoving past Aretha and raises her voice just slightly, "Although, truth be told, if I had to choose between that Josephine creature and a kludge...you know what my choice would be."

"The kludge!" Amelia and Candace chorus together and laugh.

"Excuse me!" Josephine stops in front of them and glares. "What did you say?"

"Josephine!" Amelia crows, her brown eyes wide with false surprise. "We had no idea..."

"How's that Third wife negotiation going with the Anasazi Second Alpha?" Candace purrs as she smooths a wrinkle from her yellow robe. "I was hoping to attend your Coupling weeks ago."

"I've...I've..." Josephine sputters. She tosses her long, loose hair back. "It's going according to plan."

"Yes." Candace smirks and looks pointedly at Harper. "So I understand."

"I've got better things to do than listen to you two insult me," Josephine snaps. She pushes through the crowd for a better view. That should be her up there. Would be her up there if that bitch Medea hadn't interferred. In fact, she should have been Tyr's first wife instead of that cow.

"Oh, dear," Aretha whispers to Bernice as they watch Josephine shove her way closer to the front. Really, some people had no sense. And speaking of the senseless...her gaze focuses on Medea. She doesn't trust that smug look on Medea's round face at all. Oh, dear. And what possessed the woman to wear some shade of purple all the time? She can understand having a preferred color, but really, to wear the same one always is just so silly.

Bernice turns her head and arches her dark brows in question. "What. What's the matter?"

"I know that look." Aretha raises a hand to massage her temple. She can already feel the beginnings of a headache coming on.

"What look?" Bernice asks, then looks more closely at Medea's beaming face. "Oh...oh no...surely she wouldn't read one of those dreadful poems. Not here."

Aretha sighs softly. "What better place? We can't just walk away and insult the Second Alpha."

Bernice glances hopefully at Aretha and whispers, "Maybe it's going to be a short one."

"Let us hope. Let us hope."

Medea strolls over to the multicolored ribbon stretching from one marble column to the other. Two darkly beautiful women in orange robes wait, their slim hands on the handles, ready to pull the doors open as soon as she cuts the ribbon. Medea turns, posing in her deep purple robes. Her hand drops to touch her swollen belly. Her child will share this special moment with her. She smiles at the thought. This is going to be her finest moment. And with the newscrews elbowing each other for the best spot, everyone one in the city will share it with her. She smirks as she spots Josephine at the front row in one of those dreadful pink outfits. Really some blonds have no imagination. Josephine hasn't been flaunting her barely clothed body on the beach since the bitch discovered Tyr had abandoned jogging along the beach for ocean swims with Harper. How delicious that little confrontation had been. Josephine had been going around and telling anyone who would listen that she was going to be Tyr's third wife. Well, that was not going to happen. And now, to add savor to the moment, Josephine would get to see her moment of triumph. Medea beams at the crowd. She's just completed the first part of her eight part epic poem chronicling the lineage of Pride Kodiak. This group will adore it. Hadn't Tyr held her and told her he'd never heard anything quite like it? Hadn't Freya smiled and said she had almost been moved to tears? Even the human, Harper, had gotten misty eyed. Medea removes the flexi hidden in the sleeve of her robe and clears her throat. She is supposed to simply say a quiet "Thank you" and cut the ribbon with Freya's help. That's what she always does at these functions. Well, they are in for a treat today.

"Oh, no." Freya stares at the First Wife. "Oh, no."

"Oh, no?" Harper glances up at the tall blond and leans forward to see Medea posing in front of the ribbon, flexi in hand. "Oh, shit!"

Medea looks out over the crowd. "I would like to christen this glorious building by reading the first of my eight part epic poem Song of the Kodiak Pride."

She pauses dramatically. There is a moment of stunned silence and then a weak smattering of polite applause.

"Suleiman, The Sultan,
Fathered us all.
We are Nietzscheans
Nietzscheans…all!

Suleiman, The Sultan
Fathered us all
We honor him in all
We honor him above all
Above all…Save Drago.

Suleiman begat Temujin I
A leader of strength
A man of merit
Temujin I guides us on our way
We honor him in all
We honor him above all
Above all…Save Suleiman.

Temujin I begat Hadrian
An Alpha like no other
Sworn to protect that
Most sacred trust
Sworn to protect
The Progenitor
We honor him in all
We honor him above all.
Above all…Save Temujin I"

Medea smiles widely at the crowd. How silent they are, completely absorbed in her masterpiece. There is a hopeful sigh from the crowd that is quickly squashed as Medea resumes her reading.

Temujin I begat Raja
Raja the Triumphant
Raja the Prince
Raja who made us
Grow strong
Who forged the peace
That kept us safe.
We honor him in all
We honor him above all
Above all…Save Temujin I

Raja begat Temujin II
Wise Temujin II
Honorable Temujin II
Just Temujin II
We honor him in all
We honor him above all
Above all…Save Raja.

Temujin II begat Barbarossa
Barbarossa the Valiant
Barbarossa the Scholar
Barbarossa who molded
His children in the image
Of Drago.
We honor him in all
We honor him above all
Above all…Save Timujin II.

Barbarossa begat Tyr
Out of the beauteous Victoria
Tyr who will one day rule
Pride Kodiak justly,
Fairly
Tyr who will take up the
Mantle of Drago
And wisely lead his people
We honor him
We honor him in all
We honor him above all
Above all…save the forefathers."

Medea lowers her head and her wavy blond hair falls forward, veiling her face. She places her hand over her breast as the crowd applauds enthusiastically.

"Finally!" Aretha rubs her aching temples. She frowns as she spots those suck-ups, Candace and Amelia applauding wildly. Great. Those two would be certain to assure Medea that the poem was wonderful and encourage the woman to read more drivel.

"It was much, much worse than I thought." Bernice looks around at the cheering crowd and frowns in bewilderment. "They liked it?"

"Oh, of course not," Aretha murmurs. "They're just glad it's over."

"I certainly am." Bernice admits. Her dark eyes narrow as she watches a tall blond in a shocking pink bustier and pants move toward Medea. "Is that Josephine?"

"It is." Aretha cranes her neck. Oh, dear. This is sure to be interesting. Josephine has been bragging for months that she is destined to be Tyr's Third, but since little Harper's arrival, Josephine has been oddly quiet...well there was that outbrust on the beach when she confronted Tyr and his human just after their swim...and at dawn....some people had no respect for others. Josephine's shrieks of rage had brought the entire family crowding out onto the deck to see what was going on. "She's...she's headed for Medea."

"This can't be good." Bernice moves to the next step for a better view.

On the top step, Medea turns to Freya and smiles widely. "They loved it! I knew they would."

"Yes. It would appear so." Freya responds quietly as they clasp the giant scissors and cut the ribbon. Finally. All that just to cut a stupid ribbon. Can they go now? She can't take much more of the looming sky overhead. It makes her long for a nice space station or drift. She glances at Harper who's glaring out into the crowd. "What is it, Harper?"

"It's that Josephine chick." Harper stands protectively in front of Freya. He doesn't like Josephine's air of purpose as she moves forward. What does the bitch have planned?

"MEDEA!!" Josephine screeches as she reaches the top step. Her voice falls into the sudden silence of the fascinated crowd. "You have embarassed me for the last time!"

Medea turns to face Josephine. She draws herself up with a stern frown. How dare the creature try to steal her spotlight. "Josephine? What are you talking about?"

"You know that Tyr was ready to choose me for his Third Wife, but you couldn't stand it could you? You just had to get a damned kludge to warm Tyr's bed, didn't you?" Josephine stalks closer. Her breasts push against the pink bustier, threatening to spill over.

Medea stares disdainfully at the other woman. Her full lips curl back in a sneer. "What are you talking about? Tyr never wanted you."

"Yes, he did! You know he did!" Josephine looks around in appeal at the expectant crowd watching her. "I deserve to be his Third Wife."

Medea gestures dismissively. How tiresome of silly Josephine to make such a fuss. Doesn't the woman know when she's been soundly defeated? "Go away, Josephine. There are others who will have you. There are some very capable Betas in Pride Kodiak..."

"Betas! How dare you!" Josephine stalks closer. Her face is red with anger. "I should challenge you right here."

"I won't dignify your silly threat with a response." Medea sneers and turns her back. This simpering cow as Third...the very idea is ridiculous.

Josephine growls and grab Medea's arm, yanking the other woman around. Her bone blades flare out. "Don't turn your back on me!"

"Hey, hey, hey...enough with the grabbing." Harper steps up to the two woman, grabbing Josephine's hand and twisting it, breaking Josephine's grip. He's distracted as Freya moves up beside him. What's she doing? She doesn't need to get involved in this. She might get hurt.

"Don't you dare touch me, you filthy kludge!" Josephine hisses at the human. How dare the disgusting creature actually touch her. She backhands the kludge hard enough to rock his head back. She pulls away from him and turns back to her target but the Second Wife is moving in front of Medea. Josephine growls viciously and shoves Freya into the kludge as the creature lunges toward her again. She swipes her bone blades at Medea, laughing wildly as she sees the alarm on Medea's round face. Yes. Yes. Let Medea fear her. Yesssss! She swings again, her bone blades slashing across Medea's breasts.

Medea hops awkwardly back, flaring out her own bone blades. Shallow scratches sting on her chest. "You're hurting me."

Harper eases Freya behind him and gives her a stern look, warning her to stay out of it this time. Where the hell have those morons of guards gotten too? He glances quickly around and spots them shoving through the crowd. It's up to him then. Harper slides between Josephine and Medea. At the edge of his vision, he can see Freya easing around to put her arms around Medea and guide Medea back toward the open doors of the arts' center. He glares at Josephine, planting himself solidly between her and the two wives. "You coulda hurt her...and her baby, are you crazy?"

"I don't care about her spawn. That child should have been mine. I was supposed to be Tyr's First Wife, not her!" Josephine snarls and attempt to lunge around him and get to Medea again.

"Stay away from her." Harper warns, moving with her. "I don't want to hurt you."

"Like you could hurt me, you pathetic little kludge!" Josephine slashes wildly at him with her bone blades. Yes. This will teach the horrid kludge. She'll rip his face off. See how much pleasure Tyr finds with the disgusting thing then.

"Are you nuts, or what?" Harper ducks as she swings one arm at his face, but the other arm rakes painfully across his chest, shredding the fabric of his green shirt. Harper gasps as he keeps moving, grabbing Josephine's wrist and twisting her arm up behind her back. She hisses loudly and attempts to lunge at Medea. Harper tightens his grip and twists Josephine's arm higher. "Stay away from her."

"About damn time!" Harper glares at the guards as they stride up to him. He shoves Josephine into their arms and hurries over to Medea and Freya. "Are you two alright?"

"Yes." Freya nods with a faint smile. "We're fine, Harper. Let's go home now."

"Thank the Progenitor! My poem's safe. Just imagine, this is my only copy of the entire work so far." Medea clutches her flexi protectively in one hand, completely ignoring her tattered purple bodice. She smiles brilliantly at him. "Oh, Harper, you were wonderful. You saved my poem."

"Are you...are they okay?" Harper gestures tentatively toward Medea's mostly exposed breasts. He can see blood on the creamy skin through the shreds of purple fabric. That's gotta hurt. His own chest is stinging and he can feel the warm, wet slide of blood over his skin.

"What? Oh, that's nothing." Medea glances down at her breasts. Her hand drops to her swollen stomach. "But my child and my poem, those are everything."

"Are you alright, Harper?" Freya asks with concern. "How badly did she cut you?"

"It's nothing." Harper shrugs then winces as the motion pulls on his scratches. He glances around at the animated crowd and his eyes widen as he spots the newscrews busily filming, commenting, and interviewing. Oh, shit. They have to get home and contact Tyr. Can't let Tyr see this on the news first. "We'd better leave. We need to contact Tyr and tell him about this little incident."


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"My apologies, Second Alpha..." Diego pauses uncertainly in the doorway of the conference room. He glances at the Than, who have taken advantage of his interruption to exchange rapid comments among themselves, and takes another step inside the room.

"What is it?" Tyr pushes his chair back from his conference table of glossy black wood. He frowns impatiently at his aide as he tries to easedrop on the Than. He isn't as fluent yet in Than as he wants to be, but he can pick up that they are in an uproar about some artifact, a heart of something. He's spent the entire morning attempting to negotiate a trade route through Than space for the Kodiak, but the Than haven't been very open to the idea. Perhaps if he can get hold of this heart thing of their's, the Than will be more amenable to the idea of a Kodiak trade agreement.

Diego lowers his voice, "There's something that requires your immediate attention...sir."

"Well, what is the problem?" Tyr growls with mock impatience. Finally, a chance to escape the damned conference room and the Than for awhile.

"It's something you need to see." Diego's dark eyes are full of warning as he opens the door wider and steps back.

Tyr stands up, making a quick apology to the Than representatives. They will probably be just as pleased as he is with the idea of a break. He walks briskly into his adjoining office. He settles into the maroon leather chair behind the black desk. Tyr hits the massage switch hidden in the arm of his chair and relaxes back into the soothing vibrations. Ahhh. Just a moment of this should revive him nicely for the rest of the negotiations. He turns a snarl on his aide. "What is so important?"

Diego uses a remote to turn on the vid screen hanging on the wall across from Tyr's desk. "That is, sir."

Why is Deigo showing him this? Tyr folds his arms over his chest as he watches the news broadcast. Yes, yes, yes. So his wives are opening the new arts center...so...his eyes widen as Medea pulls out a poem and begins reading. He flexes his shoulder muscles and looks sidelong at his aide. If Diego dared comment...Tyr looks back at the screen as the other man carefully avoids his gaze. Very well, he will concede, privately, that Medea's poetry could be...disconcerting for the uninitiated, but that's hardly reason to call him out of an important meeting. His eyes round and widen as the vid image of Medea reading poetry is replaced with Josephine's attack. He growls as the melee erupts across the screen. That...to think that waste of genetic material is related to his Medea...hmmm...that might explain Medea's poetry, but the nerve of the creature...that she dared assault his wives and companion. The mere idea of challenging a pregnant woman...he can only be grateful that his wives have Harper with them. "When did this happen?"

"Just a few minutes ago."

"My family?" Tyr asks quietly as he stares intently at the images flashing across the screen. Freya looks pale and shaken, but otherwise appears well. Medea is flushed with excitement. The newscrew seems quite fascinated with the way her creamy breasts thrust against the tattered purple bodice. He can see blood but the injuries seem superficial. It's harder to tell with Harper. The human is pale and his mouth is set in hard lines while the beautiful blue eyes blaze with temper as the newscrews pace along side him. Tyr frowns. The human's green shirt is too dark for him to be able to tell how much his companion is bleeding. How deep had Josephine's cuts gone?

Diego nods. "They are on their way back to the compound as we speak."

"Good. See that they receive medical attention immediately." Tyr narrows his eyes as the inital shoving match between Josephine and Medea is replayed again. Where were the guards? He doesn't see them anywhere...wait...there they are pushing through the crowd. What were the useless creatures doing so far from his family? His wives and unborn children could have been seriously injured if not for the swift actions of his Harper. He had no idea that Harper knew how to fight...ah, that deft twist that forced Josephine's hand off Medea, the lithe way that Harper had mirrored Jospehine's moves...and then, the masterful way that Harper had put her in that joint lock...Tyr bites his lower lip and swallows hard as the image of his companion, all tousled and fresh from the fray flashes on the screen. He shifts restlessly in his chair as his breathing deepens. Perhaps he should go home. Make certain everyone is well. Offer reassurance and...consolation as needed. Tyr frowns. Harper is most worthy of remaining in his household, but will the human be willing to do so in light of what happened today? Will his companion attempt to break the contract or be unwilling to renew it? He'd been intending to broach the subject with the human soon. Perhaps his wives might have some idea of what length of time might strike Harper as suitable.

The com unit chirps, breaking into Tyr's thoughts. Is it his wives? He watches as Diego quietly answers.

"Yes...yes he is...one moment." Deigo looks at Tyr and raises an eyebrow in question. "Sir, it's the human."

"Put it through," Tyr orders. He watches eagerly as the newscast is replaced by Harper's face. His eyes narrow in anger as he sees the beginnngs of a bruise shadowing his companion's cheek. If Josephine were a man...he can at least demand that her family punish her severely. They wouldn't care about her attack on human, but her attack on his wives and the reckless endangerment of his children, her family can hardly deny those matters demand retribution. "Yes?"

"Tyr...um...I don't know if you've heard, but there was a little drama at the opening today. I told Freya, I would let you know that everyone is doing okay. We're on our way home."

"I am aware. I just saw the vid." Tyr stares at the image of Harper's face filling the screen. He can just see the lines of the human's pale throat. The dark green collar of Harper's shirt is all loose and askew as if his companion's shirt has been yanked open. No doubt Freya had made certain of the extent of Harper's injuries. When he gets home, he will have to check the human's injuries for himself.

"You did?" Harper moves in his chair and winces. "Damn they must have had a live feed."

Tyr leans foward. "You are injured."

"It's nothing." Harper grins, flashing his dimples. "I'm okay."

"Good. I'm sending a healer to meet you all that the compound. See that Medea and Freya relax. I'll see you all shortly."

"Sure thing. Harper out."

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Harper kicks at the damp sand at the edge of the surf. Too bad he can't swim. That'd be just the thing to relax him after all the excitement. The warm, salty water rolls over his bare feet, dampening the hem of his black cargo pants. One of his prized Hawaiian shirts -- fushia and teal -- hangs open over the white bandages taped neatly over his chest. Harper touches the bandages lightly and winces. The cuts had been deeper than he'd first thought and now he has three neat rows of tiny black stitches marching over his torso under a squishy layer of green quick healing gel. Tomorrow he can peel the bandages off, and wash off the gel and the bio-degradable stitches. He'll have some thin white scars to remember Josephine by, but those will fade with time. Odd how concerned the healer had been over the prospect of such minor scars. The woman had been so grave in talking about it that at first, he'd thought that he had something really wrong with him instead of a piddling scar or two looming on his horizon. Harper snorts. His chest doesn't hurt nearly as much as Tyr's reaction. He hadn't expected Tyr to break down or anything, but some emotion would have been nice. True, Tyr had looked all grave and concerned, but hell, the frigging healer had looked grave and concerned. Is it too much to expect, to hope for a stronger reaction? Something that would tell him where he stands, but, noooo, he gets banged up defending Tyr's wives and what does the Nietzschean have to say, "I am aware. You are injured. I'll see you shortly. Shortly, my ass. It's been hours, you rat bastard."

He scowls at the setting sun. Wow. The level of concern that Tyr had expressed was just sooooo underwhelming. Freya had practically wrestled his shirt off as soon as they got to the transport and checked his injuries, despite all his protests. Had him all bandaged up like a mummy before he'd even made that call to Tyr. Medea hadn't been any pratical use, but even she had expressed a gratifying level of concern for his well being. Even the healer had praised him, but Tyr...well, to be fair, Tyr had looked concerned, but he damn it, all he could think about was the night when Brutus had come looking for Edward and all he'd found waiting for him was an empty deck. Tyr was always happy enough to fuck him, but does he mean anything at all to the Nietzschean? Harper shoves his fists into his pockets. Maybe he should just cut his losses and go. His contract doesn't run for much longer, but the idea only increases the ache in his chest. Does Tyr love him at all? Even a little bit? Harper's lips thin as he stares out over the ocean. The view brings him none of the comfort and joy that it had when he first came. Then he'd been so light-heartedly certain of himself, delighting in the opportunity to fuck such a beautiful man, but he'd ruined it by going and falling in love. And with a Nietzschean of all creatures. A year ago, he'd believed himself more likely to get turned on by a Than first. Harper turns his head as he spot's Tyr's transport landing. He turns away and continues walking down the beach.

"Hello, there."

Harper turns at the sound of a rich tenor voice to see a muscular olive skinned man standing on the beach. The open admiration in the black eyes skimming over him is soothing balm to his ego. Ah-ha, the Harper hasn't lost his touch. He smiles back. "Hello."

"You are Harper, yes?"

He frowns. eyeing the stranger with suspicion. He hasn't seen this guy around before. And who wears leather on the beach, for crying out loud. Harper backs away, involuntarly glancing at the man's thick bone blades. They were much bigger than Josephine's and could probably do more damage. "How do you know my name?"

"I live up there." The stranger points vaguely toward one of the big houses. "I saw you on the news."

"So?" Harper pulls his shirt closed without buttoning it, feeling oddly bare under the avid curiosity in the Nietzschean's face. He glances down the beach, suddenly uneasy. His house is further away than he realized. "What's your name?"

"Me? I'm Arturo." A frown flickers across the handsome face. "You haven't heard of me, have you?"

"No. Some reason I should?"

Arturo smiles brightly. "No. No reason, at all."

Then why does the guy think he might recognize the name? Harper takes a step back. "Well, then, Arturo, nice meeting you. I gotta be going. Wouldn't wanta get folks upset by being late for dinner."

Arturo raises his black eyebrows. "They actually let you eat with them - at the same table? I mean, you dine with the Anasazi family? Regularly?"

Harper glowers. He doesn't like that guy's amazed tone at all. "Of course, I eat with them. What the hell do you think they do, throw bones to me in the backyard?"

"Why, no, of course not." Arturo takes step closer, "So, tell me, Harper, what else do you do with the Anasazi family?"

What the -- Harper narrows his eyes. There's a tiny spy camera attached to Arturo's fancy belt. The bastard is part of one of those roaming newcrews. No wonder Arturo was concerned that the name might be familiar. He has put up with quite enough crap today. No more. "Look - Arturo - I'm not even gonna ask, how stupid you think I am, because it's as obvious as that camera hanging on your belt. I'm walking home and you are walking away. Comprende?"

"I only wanted to ask a few questions."

"Don't you get it?" Harper turns and walks briskly away. "I'm not going to answer any of your damned questions."

"Where do they allow you to sleep?" Arturo catches up in a few strides. "Do you have a bed, or do you sleep in some sort of kludge nest?"

"WHAT?!" Harper halts abruptly and stares in disbelief. A kludge nest? Does this guy really think that he sleeps in a pile of shredded paper like a pet mouse?

Arturo asks quickly, "Do kludges even sleep in beds?"

"Get the fuck away from me."

"I would have thought that you'd want to tell your side of the story." Arturo smiles winsomely.

Harper eyes the Nietzschean with suspicion. And why would he want to do that? "What do you mean?"

"Just that you're news after that incident today. The public wants to know more about you...about all kludges."

"Listen...no, better yet, watch." Harper turns on his heel, and stomps off in the direction of his house. He is so not playing the Ambassador of Kludge today.

"Just a moment," Arturo pleads as he jogs along behind, grabbing Harper's arm. "I only wanted to speak with you for a moment longer."

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Damn the Than for delaying him. Arrangement for sending a team out to steal that damned religious artifact of thiers had taken longer than he'd anticipated. Tyr hurries into the living area of his home sighing with relief as he sees his wives, whole and safe. Medea is placidly sitting in her chair, absorbed in her flexi. Freya is straightening a impressionistic painting of a starfield over the fireplace.

Tyr rushes to his First Wife and kneels beside her chair. He strokes back her hair and searches her face. "My love, are you alright?"

Medea drops her flexi in her lap and smiles. "I'm fine."

Tyr touches the bandage peeking over the top of her violet robe. He gently kisses the exposed tops of her breasts. "Scaring?"

"No." Medea beams. "I'm as perfect as ever."

"Of course, you are always beautiful, and desirable in my eyes, my First." Tyr leans forward and kisses her slowly and deeply. He raises his head, staring down into her blue eyes. allowing her to read the desire heating his.

"Is that what you really think?" Medea touches her bandages uncertainly.

"Yes. I've been so worried." Tyr kisses her again as he lightly cups her breasts, caressing delicately.

"There was no need."

Tyr drops his hands to cup his wife's swollen abdomen. He tenderly kisses her stomach. "The child..."

"Our child is fine, Tyr." Medea kisses his forehead as he looks at her. She strokes his braids back and smiles reassuringly. "We are fine."

"You were so magnificent in your struggle with Josephine." Tyr takes her hand and press a kiss into the palm. He will give her no reason to doubt that she is as desirable as ever to him. He looks deeply into her eyes and presses her hand against the heat of his swollen cock. "I am aroused each time I think of it."

Medea giggles happily and squeezes his cock, molding her palm against the leather of his pants. "You are incorrigible, Husband!"

Tyr searches her face. Does she need more proof of his feelings for her? He has not changed. He still loves her. Still desires her. Even if her beautiful skin had been marred by scars, he would still want her. She is his First Wife and will have whatever proof she requires of her desirablity and as much of it as she needs. He kisses her again and whispers huskily, "Come...lie with me."

Behave, Tyr."

Freya stands with her back to the room, staring at the painting and ignoring the sound of kisses being exchanged. It's only fitting that Medea receive Tyr's reassurances and attentions first. Medea is the First Wife and she is the one who is injured. Her turn will come soon enough. For now, it is enough to be free of that overwhelming blueness spreading over her. If Harper had not been there to distract her...Freya sighs with pleasure as her husband's strong arms circle her waist. His big hands stroke over the silk fabric of her peach robe, cupping her belly.

"And you, my Second, how are you faring?" Tyr kisses her throat as his hands slide up to caress her breasts.

"I am fine. Our child is fine." Freya snuggles back into Tyr's embrace. Her small hands slide over his dark ones as he gently kneads her breasts. She tilts her head back and kisses his chin. She wiggles her hips against the reassurance of his swollen cock. Even though she has not been injuried at all, it's nice to have him offer her comfort and proof of his desire for her. Freya smiles softly. Yes. She had known from the first day that she saw him that he would make a good husband.

"I saw the newscast. I want to lie with you." Tyr glances back at Medea and smiles senusally. "With both of you."

Freya blinks. She'd been looking foward to a nice soak in a scented bath and then spreading out in the wonderful emptiness of her bed. She really doesn't need more comforting that Tyr has just provided. She slips out of his arms and looks at the First Wife. To judge from Medea's wide eyes, the First Wife feels the same way. They don't need that much comforting. A few kisses, the reassuring hardness of Tyr's cock...that's proof enough that all is as it should be. How to deflect Tyr without wounding her husband's feelings?

"Harper was wonderful today, wasn't he?" Medea asks as she reaches for her flexi. "He saved my poem and the baby."

Tyr turns to face his wives. He'd been pleasantly surprised to discover that his Harper knew how to fight. Not that the human should ever be in a position where Harper had to fight. His companion deserved better than that. "He was quite capable."

Freya frowns at him. "No, Tyr. Harper put himself in harm's way to defend us. That is no small thing."

Tyr raises an eyebrow. Does she think that he does not suffiecently value his companion's skill? "I know it is not."

"His injuries were much worse than he let on." Freya stares at him, her blue eyes wide and troubled.

Tyr steps closer, dread chilling his stomach. Has his Harper's beauty been damaged? Josephine's family owes his companion the best cometic surgeons on the planet if so. He will see to it that his companion's beauty is fully restored. He owes Harper that and much else. Whatever the human needs, Harper shall have. "How much worse?"

Medea leans forward, whispering,"He will have scars."

Oh, no. Tyr closes his eyes. Poor Harper. He must console his companion immediately. Prove to the human that he still desires Harper just as hotly as before. He opens his eyes and looks at his wives' concerned faces. He owes Harper the same proof of caring and desire that he has just offered his wives. "Where is he?"

"On the beach." Freya nods toward the deck.

"I'll go to him." Tyr pauses as Freya grasps his arm. He lifts an eyebrow in question. Does she need more from him before he goes to Harper? "What is it?"

"Husband." Freya looks at Medea who has put down her flexi and is watching them. "Medea and I have spoken. We do not want to lose Harper. We do not want him to leave."

Tyr frowns. He's glad to hear this. He doesn't want Harper to leave either, but what put the idea in his wives' minds? Has Harper said something about leaving? Has the prospect of being scarred upset him that much? His companion need not be scarred for long. There is no shortage of cosmetic surgeons who specialized in restoring damaged beauty to its original, flawless state. "What makes you think he would want to leave?'

"He just seems so..." Freya glances at Medea.

"Melancholy." Medea finishes.

"What?" Tyr looks from one to the other. Is there something more that the scars troubling his companion? Something worse than being scarred? "Why?"

"I'm not sure." Freya frowns. Her blue eyes narrow in suspicion as she stares at Tyr. "He was fine until after he spoke to you."

"What did you say to him?" Medea stares sternly at her husband.

"Nothing." Tyr shrugs, spreading his hands in bewilderment. Him? He'd said nothing to upset Harper. How could they think that he would? "I told him I was aware of the altercation and that I'd see you all shortly."

"Ahhhhh..." Medea and Freya chorus. They trade exasperated looks.

Tyr frowns at them. "What? What?!"

Freya kisses his cheek and murmurs, "Go. He's on the beach."

TBC