Chapter 2 – The Final Outing

It was hard for me to keep going. I loved Amber and Alex, and both of them accepted me as their parent, but it was not the same without Missy. That first weekend alone, Amber and Alex wanted to go to the park. At first I wanted to refuse, but the hope and love in Amber's eyes softened my heart. I ended up mostly sitting on a bench watching Amber and Alex play in the sandbox of the playground. It was helpful though, and the happy shouts and cries of the children brought a smile to my face for the first time since Missy's death.

I continued this way for two more weeks, bringing the children to work and keeping my hours down. Eventually Heidi's boss Jacob came down to investigate, but after seeing the children quietly working on a puzzle I had purchased the night before merely inquired as to my progress on a report archive he had requested and returned to the executive offices on the second floor of the building.

There was one side effect of bringing the children to work. Several of the ladies in the office came by with little presents or candy for the kids during breaks. Heidi was there almost daily, but there were about seven who made their presence known during those three weeks. I think it was Susan who mentioned a children's movie that had come out the week after Missy's death first, but soon Amber was campaigning for me to take her brother and her to the movies. I really was not happy with the idea, but could not disappoint Amber and finally looked at the local theaters looking for where we could go. I found a new cinema to the south was showing the movie on one of its ten screens, and the next Saturday morning we were in line at ten to get tickets.

The movie was to start at eleven thirty, but there was another blockbuster opening and the lines for tickets quickly stretched around the building. I had led the children inside, and entertained them with stories and songs while waiting for the snack stand to open. Finally, the cinema staff opened the snack lines and I led an eager Amber to the lines so she could get some popcorn.

Amber was still excitedly telling me about the movie, as the night before she had visited with a neighbor's kid who had watched the movie the previous weekend. I was so entertained by her antics that at first I did not notice when the employee behind the counter froze, looking at something over my shoulder.

I turned slowly and noticed the gray blurred field stretching from floor to ceiling where the front doors of the cinema stood. I was reaching down to take the children's hands when a voice boomed throughout the cinema.

"Everyone, I'll make this simple. If you are inside the cinema, you are part of a pickup. We are going to leave from the lobby, so if you have the CAP to volunteer, come check- in and start selecting your concubines. If you want to present yourself as a candidate to become a concubine, you should come to the lobby as well. If you have weapons, I recommend leaving them where you are. We know the lobby is currently safe, so if you bring a weapon in, your next of kin can try to identify the body."

I smiled at the final comment, but nudged Amber and Alex over to a bench in the lobby. The employee behind the counter had been a young man and he was already scrambling over the counter looking for any female volunteers, obviously hoping to be picked. I just wanted to get the children out of the way as people started to boil out of some of the theaters.

Once we were sitting down I watched the people around me. It was clear that whoever was in charge of this pickup had events well organized. There was an armored marine standing at the entrance to each wing of the cinema. This marine was greeting people as they came out of the cinemas and checking CAP cards. Another pair of marines was working through the people who had been in the lobby when the announcement was made. It was clear by the steady flow of people to one side of the lobby, where the women started stripping that concubine hopefuls were being directed to one location while sponsors were being asked to wait for the flow of people to settle down. Finally, the flood of people from the cinemas stopped and the voice continued. "That's good, thank you for your patience and for not bringing weapons. Sponsors, you know how many concubines you can select. Please work quickly we'd like to leave before a full riot starts outside.

I turned away and concentrated on distracting Amber and Alex. I guess I could have wandered to the theater where the movie was going to show, but I wanted Amber to have popcorn, so I figured I would wait out the pickup before we left the lobby. Amber and Alex were confused, but enjoying my attention when I realized that someone had walked up to me.

I looked up to find a young woman of about twenty years with short blond hair looking at me. Standing behind her was a young lady who seemed to be one of those pretty, but shy studious girls everyone says makes a great wife. I was going to turn back to Amber when the blond spoke to me. "Do you have a CAP card?"

I looked back in shock, but managed to pull my wallet out of my pocket. "Yes, at least I did," I said as I fought to remove it from the compartment where he had rested for years. It had become wedged in, but I finally tore it free and handed it to the lady.

"Daddy?" Amber said putting a hand on my arm. "What's happening?"

I looked down at Amber who seemed to have realized that the lobby was now filled with people shouting sexual commands and others enacting the commands. Alex was playing with a light stick I had given him in the morning and I sighed. "Don't worry Amber, nothing will happen to you. I promise."

The girl thrust the card back at me and then looked at Amber and Alex. She seemed puzzled and turned back to whisper something to the girl following her who shook her head. I was about to leave when the blond looked at me again. "These two can't be your children."

I shrugged. "True. Their real father died over a year ago. Three weeks ago their mother, a woman I loved more than anything, died in that stupid pickup related riot at the mall. They are all I have of her, and I'm all they have."

I was putting my CAP card back when the blond ripped it out of my hand, putting it under some scanner. She looked at it in increasing disbelief and then handed the card and scanner to her friend who appeared puzzled.

"This can't…." the dark haired girl whispered.

"Should we?" I heard the blond say.

At this point I turned back to the children and started to stand up. The sounds of the orgy were beginning to remind me uncomfortably of how Janice left me and I wanted to leave the area. I had picked up Alex when the blond shouted. "Wait! Please!"

I stopped and turned to see the blond looking uncertain. I waited as she fidgeted and was about to turn again when she took a deep breath and spoke. "I'm sorry, I did not begin this well. I'm a sponsor. I have a six point eight CAP score, and need two concubines."

I nodded, but said nothing more. The girl looked over at her friend and there was another whispered exchange before the dark haired one sighed and spoke. "Theresa, you know what you want, and you know I agree with you. Just ask him."

Theresa did not look happy, but turned to me. "Sir, I don't know how to ask this. You see Traci and I are well…" she blushed.

I could see a matching blush on Traci's cheeks and tried to hide a smile. "You wish to remain as just a couple. I understand, and will bother you no more."

I was about to turn when Theresa gasped. "No, that's not it. Well not exactly. Yes, Traci and I are lovers. She means the world to me and is my first choice as a concubine, but the Confederacy wants her to get pregnant, and will want me pregnant in the future as well."

At this point I was getting annoyed, but sat down and put Alex on my lap. "That's understandable. Once they evacuate people from Earth they want more children to help build the new colonies. Sounds rather simple."

Theresa squeaked and turned redder. I was puzzling over this when Traci spoke up. "God Theresa, I just can't get you. You are an incredible athlete, were valedictorian of your high school, and one of the most sexual women I know, but you can't speak to a man when he's making it easy." She turned to me and smiled. "What my mistress and lover is asking is if you'd want to be her concubine, and get me pregnant."

I thought I could not be shocked, but I just sat there silently. In one sentence this young lady had offered me an opportunity to save Amber and Alex, yet I could not believe that anyone would make an offer to me.

"But… I'm not a good choice," I protested. "I know my score."

Traci snorted. "The score on that card might have been true when you took that test, but there's no way its accurate now. The man who took that test was loyal to no one, but you have your lover's son sitting on your lap yet she is gone. The rest of the scores appear to be similar. Something happened to you, because that score is of another man, and Theresa and I think it's worth taking a chance on you."

I laughed. "You act like you have a good enough score to volunteer yourself."

Traci shook her head. "No, I'm only a six point one. I'm not all that smart. But I love Theresa, and we need a man who won't pressure us for sex."

I sighed. "So I'll be around just to get your pregnant, and then it's off to a lonely bed while you two enjoy each other." I could see Theresa about to say something, but she stopped as I raised my hand. "Amber and Alex get to come along, correct?"

Theresa paused looking at me. Her mouth opened and closed silently and then she nodded. "Yes, if the Confederacy agrees. But weren't you just upset because you'll only get sex until Traci is pregnant."

I looked at Theresa and heard her gasp as the pain of Missy's loss passed through my eyes. "The Sa'arm are coming, and if they arrive while Amber and Alex are still on Earth, these two children, who mean absolutely everything to me, will perish. I was holding Missy's hand as she died and I promised her that I would protect her children. If I were told that I could get off planet by becoming a eunuch of old, but that Amber and Alex would come with me, I'd hold the knife as it performed the surgery. You are offering me a wonderful gift, and I'll be your jester, your bard, your storyteller and your servant. I will keep the pod clean, all the children happy and entertained and allow you all the privacy you need. All I ask is that you never let me go. Amber and Alex are all I have left now. I loved their mother and if I cannot be with her, allow me to watch her children become adults."

Theresa had a hand over her mouth and I thought she was angry. Traci grabbed her and dragged her a short distance away where they engaged in a heated but whispered conversation. As they did Amber tugged on my sleeve.

"Daddy? What is happening?" Amber asked.

I put my free hand on her head. "Sorry, little one. Some people are getting an opportunity to go on a long trip, and travel far from here."

"Is that like Rachel?" Amber asked. I had to think for a while and remembered that Missy had told me that one of Amber's friends left with a pickup about four months ago. We had merely told her that Rachel had gone on a long trip, and over time Amber had accepted the absence of her playmate.

"Yes," I said. "This is similar to what happened when Rachel left on her trip."

Amber giggled and started teasing Alex. I expected another question, but she said nothing as Theresa and Traci continued their argument. I had just about convinced myself that they were going to look elsewhere when Theresa waved her hands in negation. "No, if you do it, I can as well," she growled.

Traci nodded and turned to me with a smile. She then waved to Theresa who sighed and spoke. "David, sorry about that. I guess I need to admit the truth. Yes, Traci and I are lesbians, but neither of us is turned off by the idea of sex with a man. It's more that we had bad experiences and found comfort in each other's arms. I was raped in high school by three different boyfriends, and decided to stop dating. I've never had a man who tried to make me enjoy sex, and I guess I saw being a sponsor as a way at getting back at men."

Theresa took a breath, but Traci put a hand on her arm. "No, I can tell my own story," she whispered. "David, I'm guessing you see me as a bit of a female nerd. The girl, who could be pretty, but wears plain clothing and glasses to hide. I am. And I blame that on my family, who kept me sheltered throughout my childhood. The only man I ever knew was my father, and he was a domineering man who abused his servants and maids. I grew up uncomfortable around men and when Theresa became my roommate last year at college, we found a connection. When it comes to men I'm really a virgin."

I shrugged. "Ladies, I agreed to come and make not demands beyond the one I already made."

Theresa sighed. "But we have one for you. David, I know I have a problem with men, but Traci convinced me that if I take you as a concubine it's not fair if it's only to get us pregnant. So, I make you a promise. Traci will always be first in my heart, she really is the light in my life, but you will never sleep alone. Even if we decide it's a night just for us, afterwards we will come and cuddle with you, and hopefully, we'll come to want to be with you."

I bowed my head. "Theresa, I accept. I would have accepted without that promise, but now I feel even more honored. Thank you. I'm sure Missy thanks you from the heavens."

Theresa smiled and gave me a hug before turning and starting to walk away. I realized that she was heading towards one of the marines and stood up, holding Alex and reaching down to grab Amber's hand.

"Are we going on a trip?" Amber asked.

"Yes," I hissed. "We need to follow the two ladies. They will guide us."

Amber giggled. "Does that mean I have two new mommies?"

I looked up at Traci who stumbled as Amber said that. "How about calling them Aunt for now," I suggested. "If they want you to call them mommy, they will tell you."

I could see Traci shaking her head as Theresa stood in front of a female marine. "I have my two," she said confidently.

The female marine looked at me. "Are those your children?"

I clutched Alex a bit tighter. "No," I admitted. "But I'm all they have. Their father died in an accident over a year ago, and their mother died three weeks ago in that riot around the pickup at the mall. I'm all they have, and if I can't take them with me, I'll stay here."

The marine's eyes unfocused for a moment, and I could hear her mutter something quietly. The conversation seemed to last for several moments before she looked at me again. "Do you have names for them?"

I nodded. "Amber Jennifer Scott and Alex Michael Scott, Junior. Their parents were Alex Michael Scott, Senior and Melissa Jean Scott."

There was another period of one-sided conversation and then the marine smiled. "And you must be David Tolvin. There are records showing you are the children's authorized guardian now. They will stay with you."

I released the breath I had not realized I was holding and then blushed deeply as Traci wrapped her arms around me in a hug. She let go with her own blush, but Amber merely giggled.

The marine also laughed and pointed towards the teleport pad. "Take your concubines through, and you can start the check-in," she told Theresa. "It will save time since some of the men are probably going to take another twenty minutes or so to decide."

Theresa laughed and led us to the teleport pad. Moments later we found ourselves in a small hold looking at a mountain of a man who seemed surprised to see us. "What are you doing here?" he asked.

Theresa seemed suddenly confident. "Theresa Johnston, new sponsor, following instructions to teleport to the ship, sir. I was told it might expedite our check-in."

The man shrugged. "CAP cards then? We always start with that."

Theresa immediately handed over hers and Traci's and retrieved mine from me to hand over. The man looked them over and the paused for a moment before cursing. "Damn, this isn't the right ship for you."

"What?" Theresa asked.

"This ship isn't going to stop at the planet you are designated for," the man said. "You're Navy, and slotted for Borneo, where they need officers with your math skills. I need to transfer you to Foxfire before the ship leaves the system."

We stood there silently until Alex started to fidget. I sat down and set him on my lap, trying to distract the boy while the man carried on a short discussion with a voice from the air. Finally he smiled and turned to Theresa. "There, Foxfire is ready to receive your party, although they are already boosting for the jump point. You'll need to step onto the transport pad now, and they'll give you an abbreviated briefing."

He pointed back at the pad, and I stood in a hurry. Traci gathered up Alex and we dashed onto the pad. A moment later we found ourselves in a different hold, this one completely empty.

A voice rang out in the empty hold. "Sorry, we're about to enter jump, so we have no one to meet you. If you look down you'll see a blue line glowing on the floor, follow it and it will lead to your pod."

We followed the line as it led us down the spine of the ship and to a closed door. Once we arrived an emotionless voice rang out. "What is your business?"

Traci looked confused, but Theresa smiled. "Enlistee Theresa Johnston reporting as directed. We were instructed to follow the line and it led to this door."

There was a pause and the door opened. "Enter your new pod," the voice said. "Due to the ship being underway it's not possible to give you the full briefing. Inside the pod the sponsor is the law. Concubines are to follow all orders given to them by their sponsor. Children under fourteen are exempt from this and protected. There is to be no sexual contact with a child under age thirteen and only oral or manual sex if the child is under fourteen. You will be provided with a training schedule by communicator within twenty- four hours. If you have questions, you can voice them out loud and if possible I shall answer. Please note that all adults in the pod will need to visit the medical bay as soon as possible. You will be notified when there is free space in the medical pods."

I looked around the room and noticed that the pod had two levels and at least three additional chambers on this floor. Amber started to complain about missing the movie and I looked over at Theresa. "Mistress? I know we just arrived, but can you find out if there is a way to show movies in one of the rooms. If we could show a few children's features it should keep Amber and Alex calm while we figure out what to do."

Theresa gave me a puzzled look and then shrugged. "Why don't you do it?"

Traci giggled. "Because we just got told that you run the pod. David is right, you need to be the one to ask for now."

Theresa grumbled, but spoke. "Ok, I guess that makes sense. AI? Can we have movies shown on the wall of one of the smaller rooms on this floor? And just to make it a bit easier allow Traci and David to select movies themselves rather than ask me every time they want to see one."

"Directive accepted," the AI replied. I looked into the rooms and found one where the wall was a sea of static and smiled. I led Amber and Alex into the room and asked the AI to start showing the recent animated movie about the waste disposal robot left behind as humanity left Earth. The colors and sound calmed Amber and Alex quickly and I crept out of the room to find Traci shivering in Theresa's arms.

"Oh god!" Traci whimpered. "I've left my family. I've left everything."

Theresa was trying to comfort her friend, but not having much success when I put my arms around both girls. "Traci, you haven't left your family. Theresa and I are your family. You even got two children ready to be part of your family. Smile Sweetheart!"

Traci sniffled some more, and I could see Theresa's eyes widen. I just held them and suddenly Traci released Theresa and spun into my arms with anguished wails. I held her as she continued to sob. Theresa looked panicked, but relaxed as Traci's sobs slowly became quieter.

"I knew she loved her mother and sister," Theresa said. "But I didn't know they were this close?"

"Sister?" I asked. "How old is the sister?"

Traci sniffled once more. "Sophie is twelve. We have a brother, but I don't talk to him much."

A thought came into my mind. "Theresa, we probably are too late, but ask the AI if we can declare Sophie a dependant and grab her. We might have time if we haven't reached the jump point."

Theresa gasped and looked up as Traci's arms squeezed the air from me. "Oh god! Is that even allowed? Sophie is a sister not daughter. Although I understand that Traci's parents divorced a month ago. AI, can we do that? Do we have time?"

There was a long silence and then the AI spoke. "Subject Sophie Reynolds is officially a dependant of her mother, Angela. The ship will be outside teleport range in one hour, if you can convince her mother to accept the transfer, she will be allowed to come as a dependant."

Theresa smiled as Traci gasped. Before Traci could speak Theresa was speaking to the air. "Please, can you contact Angela? Its important to me."

There was a silence that seemed to extend forever then a rather testy female voice spoke. "What is this about? I have already dealt with my lawyers about Roger and his games."

Theresa sighed. "Mrs. Reynolds…"

"Its Grayson! I took my maiden name back when I divorced that pig. What is this about?" the voice snapped.

"Sorry, I didn't know. Look, you might remember me. I'm Theresa, I was your daughter's roommate at the university last year."

"I remember you, you helped her pass calculus her first semester," the voice growled. "That still doesn't explain what you want."

Theresa looked at Traci and shrugged. "I guess we never told you. I have a CAP high enough to volunteer. I was picked up about two hours ago, and Traci came with me. She is sobbing in my arms and missing her sister, Sophie. Look we don't have a lot of time, but the Confederacy will let us take Sophie along, but we have to pick her up in the next hour. She'd be declared Traci's dependant."

There was a gasp. "You tell me you just kidnapped my eldest daughter from Earth and want to take my only other child with her? You're going to leave only that monster Roger Junior to inherit when I pass on?"

Traci turned in my arms. "Please mother. Give Sophie a chance to be happy. Father's affairs and antics are legend in your social circles. She'll have no friends."

The woman sniffed. "She's at the Kittridge School for Girls in New Hampshire. Take her away if you must. You're right, she already hates me for not getting rid of Roger years ago."

Traci squealed with joy and turned to kiss Theresa. Theresa accepted the kiss, but quickly separated to speak. "AI, how do we do this pickup?"

The AI spoke. "A Fleet Auxiliary officer is being dispatched to the teleport room. Send Traci there and we will try to establish contact."

Traci stood up and rushed to the door, which stayed closed until Theresa acknowledged the order. As we watched Traci ran from the room, shedding tears of joy.

Theresa turned to me. "Another sign you aren't the man who took that test," she said. "Now, we need to get to the medical bay soon."

I nodded. "But we can't all go at once, unless Sophie is willing to watch Amber and Alex. I'm sure the Confederacy does what it can to make these room safe, but I don't want to worry about the trouble those two might get into without someone watching them."

Theresa frowned. "David. I hope you don't expect a lot of help from Traci with the children. I am betraying a confidence a little, but she has no maternal instincts. At least that's what her CAP testing proves. I have a little, but I expect I'll be busy, and once we reach this Borneo, I'm going to be gone with the Navy often."

I shrugged. "Well perhaps Sophie can help out. But I don't mind. I promised to take care of the children. I just hope Traci can get to Sophie in time."

Theresa smiled. "I do too, although I've never met the girl. Traci's parents were fighting so much that they never came out."

I nodded. "What about your family? You seem to be taking this well."

Theresa giggled. "Oh god, you had to ask that."

I was confused, and Theresa surprised me by pushing me down and giving me a kiss. "Let's see. My father is some kind of traveling engineer, and always off in some exotic location. He's also decided that while he doesn't want to divorce my mother, he's interested in young men, something that annoys my mother. My mother pretty much left me alone and didn't even comfort me after the rapes. I don't miss them much. In fact I chose a university across the country to help drain their bank account and keep me far away from them."

I sighed, but looked Theresa in the eyes. "Did you just kiss me?"

Theresa giggled. "Yes, and it wasn't as bad as I've always feared. Perhaps its because you are so gentle and caring. But don't try to force me to go faster. Right now just let me hold you."

Theresa shivered and I could feel a couple sobs choked off before she relaxed in my arms. I just sat there quietly and held her waiting for to recover. She just held on for what seemed like forever when the AI chimed. "Concubine Traci and a companion are waiting outside."

Theresa smiled and stood up. "Let them in."

The door opened and Traci entered leading a small girl who looked so much like a younger version of Traci that it was easy to tell the two were sisters. The girl seemed extremely shy and hid behind Traci who giggled to see me kneeling on the floor.

"Oh don't worry, Sophie," Traci said. "These are the other adults in the family. The stunning blond is Theresa. She's in charge. The relic over there on his knees is her devoted slave."

Sophie was gazing out dubiously and I decided to be flippant. "Hey! I resemble that remark!" I said.

Theresa burst out laughing and looked at me. "You goof."

I winked. "I believe I promised to be your jester, my lady. Which means I have to have comic repartee ready at a moments notice."

Theresa laughed again. She was about to say more when giggles from the movie room reminded Traci to the presence of the children. "Are they okay?" she asked.

I stood up and walked over to the movie room and peeked in. Alex had fallen asleep curled up on some pillow he had found in the room. Amber was lying on the floor gazing raptly at the screen. I smiled and turned back to Theresa and Traci.

"Alex seems to have fallen asleep, but Amber is enthralled by the movie. They are fine for now," I said.

Sophie looked up confused and walked over to the door and peeked in. She immediately turned back to look at me. For a moment she gazed as me and then growled. "Whose kids are those? There's no way they are yours, they look nothing like you."

I sighed and looked down. "I met their mother six months ago, and for six months was deliriously happy and in love. But their mother was killed in a riot three weeks ago. Some people tried to rush one of the interdiction fields and she was trampled." I heard a gasp from Theresa, but continued. "I'm all those two children have, and I promised their mother that I'd protect them."

Sophie looked scornful. "So you are going to be master to Traci and that other girl? You're going to dominate them and cheat on them like my father did everyone around him."

I looked over at Traci who frowned. "I told you that Theresa was the sponsor," Traci hissed.

I smiled. "And unless I had really sadistic parents I don't think my name is Theresa. That would be worse than being a boy named Sue, and they wrote a song about that."

Theresa burst out laughing, but this twelve-year-old girl stalked up to me and screamed in my face. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means that the beautiful blond woman behind you is the mistress of this pod," I replied softly. "I'm a concubine, and content to be one. I've failed two women in my life. One swallowed her pride and dignity and crawled across the floor of a fast-food restaurant to get picked up, along with our three children. I just sat and watched as a woman I had promised to love and honor showed more courage than any man I've ever met. Then I failed to protect Missy and was helpless when a flood of humanity crushed her. I don't need to be master. I just want to protect and raise those two children in there, to keep a promise that I made."

Sophie just glared at me, but finally turned and walked into the movie room, sitting down next to Amber with a growl. Amber just giggled once, not even turning away from the screen.

Traci ran over and peeked in. Seeing that Sophie was sulking she looked back at me. "I'm sorry. While I was walking back here with Sophie I found out that she's not had a good year at home."

I nodded. "I guess the question is if she can watch the young ones when the medical pods open. That would allow all three of us to go at once, unless Theresa has another idea."

Theresa frowned. "I'm not sure I want to be alone with those kids yet. Sorry, David, but I'm not comfortable with kids. I'm sure yours are wonderful, but…"

I laughed. "Oh this is a classic. Here I am with two beautiful ladies and I'm the one who is good with children. I can just picture the reactions of any of the other male concubines on this ship."

Traci gasped, but Theresa burst out laughing herself. "Goof! You are just a goof! How can you be so crazy at a time like this?"

I sighed. "I remember a tragic moment in my past. My grandfather had passed away and the family gathered in remembrance. Most of the family had tears in their eyes, but one of my aunts started telling funny tales about growing up with my grandfather. In moments she had half the room in stitches from the laughter and when the family started to file out of the reception hall I stopped to ask her if she thought it was wrong to laugh. I still remember her reply.

"David," she said. "It's rather simple. In moments like this people can allow the stress to build up until they are in tears, or they can try to find something happy to think about. Those tales about your grandfather were true, and remind us all that we'll miss him, but in a happy way. Now instead of mourning our loss, we are remembering the joy."

I shrugged. "It doesn't translate perfectly, but I can see the stress. We've just left all we knew and are heading into the unknown. Wouldn't a bit of laughter make the trip seem a bit shorter?"

Traci was nodding. Theresa seemed about to say something when the AI spoke up. "Theresa, there is space in the pods for your concubines and yourself available in thirty minutes. This is primarily for medical checks, but if you want cosmetic work done, you can plan it now."

Theresa sighed. "I know that I'm going into the navy, so I don't need the super-muscled body of a marine. I really don't know what to do."

I smiled. "Theresa, do you find Traci beautiful now."

Theresa blushed. "Yes," she said quietly. "She's perfect now."

I smiled and looked over at Traci. "Well, then its simple. You don't have to make changes. Perhaps have Traci's sight fixed, so she does not have to wear glasses, although they do make her look cute." Traci was blushing, but I continued. "The other thing you can do is firm everything up. You can make it so that Traci keeps that figure you love so much except when she's pregnant."

Theresa was staring at me. "What? You not suggesting that I make her look like a porn star? And what about yourself? Don't you want to look like some soap opera hunk?"

Traci laughed and I pulled off my shirt to mock up a few muscle poses, causing Traci to fall on the floor with laughter. "What? I won't win a contest for Concubine Mister Mom now?" I quipped. "Look at this body, perfectly honed by hours spent jockeying a desk."

Traci was howling now and Theresa giggled herself. "God, for a man claiming to be full of angst you have taken a comic turn. But don't you want to be a hunk?"

I paused in my posing and knelt down in front of Theresa. "My lady, I was not kidding about seeing a need for laughter. I also promise not to lie to you. I'm making you laugh partly to keep myself from crying. I had hoped to retest and get a score to take Missy away, but never got that chance. Inside, I'm hurting and I probably will never fully heal the wound to my heart that her death created. But if I allow myself to retreat into that shell, I would fail you. I probably will cry in my room, alone at night, but right now you need this. And I don't need to be a hunk. You can change me as you want and I'll understand. But from what both you and Traci have said, I think you'll be happier if I was mostly unchanged. You don't need a hunk, you need a friend, and that is what I want to be."

Theresa looked down at me for a moment. "Strip!" she barked. I stared at her for a moment, but then removed my clothing, blushing furiously as I tried to hold my hands at my side. Theresa looked me over slowly and smiled. "Well, I can see two changes to make."

"Two?" I asked.

"Yes. First, much as I don't mind you not being a hunk, I definitely need to have the system tone you up a bit. That desk job you had left you a bit out of shape."

I looked down, and could see the spare tire that had grown during my ten years of office work. It had gone down some after Missy entered my life, but no one would call me athletic. "Hey!" I protested. "Round is a shape."

Traci burst out laughing. "Oh, Tee, he got you on that one," she said between giggles.

I shrugged. "You said two?"

Theresa started blushing. "Well, I'm sure you've heard that most lesbians use toys with their partners and Traci and I do have a favorite strap-on. You just don't measure up to it right now."

It was my turn to blush. Traci came over and put her hand on my cock, stroking it until it hardened and giggled again. "You're right. It needs a couple inches."

By now I was staring at the floor, but Traci then gave me a gentle hug. "Oh, don't feel bad. So far you've been perfect for me, and I don't hear Theresa complaining."

Theresa growled. "When my lover is hugging my jester and slave, I guess I should complain, if only that I want her to hug me first."

Traci stood up and ran over to give Theresa a long kiss. Theresa laughed and directed the AI to show a hologram of me. As I watched she directed it to show how the changes she proposed would look, quickly coming up with a look that left my face intact, but removed much of the decay I had allowed to set in. In the end, she was left with a picture of a handsome man with graying hair. There was a final whispered conversation between the two girls and Theresa locked in the changes for our trip to the medical bay.

I wanted to see what would be proposed for Traci, but Theresa then asked me to check on Sophie and the children and alert Sophie to the fact that we would be heading to the medical bay soon. I left with a nod, and ended up spending the next twenty minutes trying to get Sophie to listen to me. The girl clearly was unhappy around adult men, but once she understood that I was not in charge she was willing to sit down and learn the basics of babysitting. Fortunately, Amber was thrilled by the movie and after I got the AI set up to show two more movies once the current one ended, Sophie relaxed about having to watch the children.

I was finally hopeful that Sophie could handle the children when Theresa shouted from the other room and I walked out. Traci giggled to see that I was still naked, but I shrugged. "A loincloth would be nice, or a toga for formal events, but its not like it's cold enough to require clothing."

Theresa looked surprised. "You really wouldn't mind that?"

We were exiting the room and I shrugged. "I'm supposed to be your concubine and servant in all things. If you don't get upset that your friends are seeing all of me, I can't exactly protest. Besides, I've seen both of you jump a bit around me and I think its because you still expect me to turn into some screaming ogre. If I'm dressed down, as it were, you should be able to relax easier."

Traci giggled again and gave Theresa a hug. "I told you that the Fleet guy was saying that most concubines don't wear much clothing. I don't know about the shifts they talk about, but it does make sense. Besides, think of the fun of lounging in bed while David stands over you in a loincloth and feeds you grapes. It sounds heavenly in a decadent kind of way."

Theresa just smiled. We were following her, and it was clear that while I was talking with Sophie she had received instructions on how to reach the medical bay, because we found the room without much trouble. A single man wearing some kind of ship's uniform met us. He directed us into the medical pods and told us that everything was ready.

It could have been one hour or twenty when the pod finally opened back up. I found my body strangely light as I struggled out of the pod. My eyesight seemed a bit clearer as I looked around to find the other pods still closed up.

The man was there and looked at me. "Both of them have more extensive work to be done. You could wait, but it might be best to return to the pod for that. Just follow the blue line, its set up to return you to the pod."

I nodded and with one last look at the med-pods, left to follow the path back to our living quarters.