The Return Journey

[Sweetp4u]

Kaitlynn

"Thanks." I roamed around a little, locating a room that definately had been a woman's room. Feeling badly for the fallen scientist, I went to the dresser and located a pair of pants and t-shirt. Trying them on I was amazed to see we were the same size.
I spotted a few photographs on the desk and picked them up. Time and time again this woman was in the pictures. Smiling and cuddling with a guy, another she was holding up a water test tube or something similiar, shaking her fist as if in triumph. She was not the prettiest but she had something about her that was special, you could see it in her eyes.
Turning from the dresser, I felt the vehicle shake a little and sighed with relief. Adam got it started! Which in my mind was luck, pure and simple. Luck that no one had destroyed it, luck he could get it running after how many days sitting. Smiling, I sat on the bed wondering what valley he was talking about?

 

[Garras Agudas]

Adam

The lab was once again a MOBILE lab and I monitored the gauges and outside cameras for a short time. A push of a button and the guidance system engaged, an overgrown and complex version of cruise control, aware of the terrain it was moving over and able to move around on it's own judgement, or avoid.

Confident we were on our way to the valley I moved down the hall and saw the light under Karen's door, then knocked gently and asking.

"Getting settled in and finding what you need?" I opened the door as her voice sounded and poked my head in, seeing her eyes on the pictures on the stand beside the bed.

"Her name was Karen, she was our medical officer and counselor" I offered "You're both alike in a lot of ways"

I knew Kaitlynn was exhausted but hated to leave, something inside me admitting I had enjoyed her company the last days and didn't want to give that up.

"The on board computer will let us know if it finds any other human life near us, or threats and will let us decide if we want to deal with them or let it."

The lab was quite capable of taking care of itself and it's passengers, if we only stayed inside it, a mistake I wouldn't commit twice.

"Goodnight Kate" I supplied for lack of more to say and not sound like I was babbling, which I already was.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Kaitlynn

"Good night Kate." I heard him say, I smiled a little at that. I hadn't been called Kate in a long time, not since..... Well I didn't want to think about it.
Karen was a beautiful woman, it was horrible how things turned out for her and the crew, I only hoped we didn't run into something like that ourselves.
Moving across the room before he could leave, I stopped before him and smiled tentively.
"Thank you Adam, for everything!" I stepped forward and hugged him. It had been awhile since I felt human contact and it was more than pleasant, it reminded me I was alive!
Kissing his cheek I stepped back from him with a flushed smile, "Sorry I just thought a hug would make us both feel better is all."

 

[Garras Agudas]

Adam

I touched my cheek where her lips had touched and blushed, not from the chaste kiss she had given me but from the thoughts and reaction of myself to it.

I much preffered her closeness of the previous night and the intimacy it had given two strangers.

"Don't be sorry Kate it was sweet"

I stood not knowing what else to say and felt awkward around her for the first time since meeting.

"I'll be in the cockpit, Kate, Sleep well." I wished her and moved from the room.

 

[Sweetp4u]

kaitlyn

"Thank you Adam, I will." I smiled tentively and watched him go. Shutting the door behind him, I turned back towards the bed and sighed in pleasure. This was a welcomed sight after all those nights walking and sleeping on the ground.
Slipping off my shoes, I laid down ontop of the blankets and closed my eyes. Behind the tightly held lids again the nightmarish things I had seen came back to haunt me. The bodies, the land, all of it.... Just a waste, and utter waste and stupidity led to all of this...
Snorting I rolled over to face the wall, I had to stop thinking and stop hurting and start sleeping! I would have to learn how to help Adam with this machine so he too would be able to rest...
The idea of adam and eve came to my mind and as much as it was an interesting idea, I hoped it was not true..... I hoped we were not the last two alive on this planet uneffected by the war.

 

[Garras Agudas]

Adam

The lab moved smoothly along, it's six giant wheels easily absorbing the rough terrain and giving the occupants inside a rocking chair ride. It was much like being on a ship on smoother water and could lull a person to sleep if you let it.

I was hardly ready for sleep though as I took reading after reading tried in vain to scan for signs of life, ANY life. It was as I feared. There were no brave souls left to join us that could be considered as human. The spores dropped had done thier damage as much or worse as the fire bombs or nuclear warheads had.

I triggered each outside camera and watched it's monitor, constantly moving my eyes frome one to another in hope. then disspirited triggered the inside cameras and flicked across each as well.

"You shouldn't be doing this, adam" I told myself as I panned the camera in Kate's room to where she lay in her bed. "But who will you tell you've been bad?"

I watched her form under the light blanket, watching her restless sleep and wondering what it would be like to hold her in my arms and let her fall asleep in them?

Kate rolled and her eyes fluttered, looking directly into the unseen camera as if she knew it was there, and I blushed from the shame of being a voyeur.

"Tell Kate you were peeping" I reminded myself and turned the cameras inside off. "If you dare?"

We had moved out of the infected area safely and I breathed a sigh of relief. In a few hours we would be at the valley and I would be forced to tell her the truth, then see how she reacted.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Kaitlyn

Rising from the bed, I stretched a little and glanced around. I could feel the 'lab' moving under me and wondered where we were? Not wanting to mess with anything I shouldn't be, I changed quickly and made my way back to the front of the lab.
"Where are we?" I asked as I came up behind Adam. watching out the front windows it was pretty hard to tell where we were. I hoped he knew where we were heading and how to get there because I was bad at this sort of thing.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Kaitlyn

Rising from the bed, I stretched a little and glanced around. I could feel the 'lab' moving under me and wondered where we were? Not wanting to mess with anything I shouldn't be, I changed quickly and made my way back to the front of the lab.
"Where are we?" I asked as I came up behind Adam. watching out the front windows it was pretty hard to tell where we were. I hoped he knew where we were heading and how to get there because I was bad at this sort of thing.

 

[Garras Agudas]

Adam

Kate's question jolted me from my reveries, her voice cutting into the wicked dream I was having of her and myself. and I sat quickly upright to hide the physical response I was feeling as well.

"Good Morning" I replied, wiping grains of sand from my eyes and checking our location.

"We're less than ten minutes away from the valley" I announced softly, not sure if it was good news or just news. "The lab will stop when it reaches the borders and wait for us to guide it in manually"

Lifting myself from the hard bed I had found for the night I stood, glad most of my reaction to the dream was gone and suggested.

"Lets make ourselves some breakfast while we wait to reach it?"

In order to move towards the kitchen area I had to slide between her and the seat I rose from and in doing so I used my hands to steady myself on her shoulders, finding myself closer than needed but not half as close as I wanted.

"I'm hungry, How about you?"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Kaitlynn

"The valley? Great!" I smiled, watching him move past me in the tiny confining area.
"Breakfast sounds good right about now.. Need some help?" I turned and followed quietly behind him the few feet to the mini kitchen.
"Is there anyone else in this valley yet Adam?" I did wonder if anyone else was out there alive?
I watched him, well his back, as he worked over breakfast. There wasn't much room to help so I sat and waited for instructions. HE seemed to be avoiding something, perhaps me? He hardly met my eyes when we did speak.. And where I came from that was a dead give away something was wrong... But what? Maybe I was over reacting, maybe he was just shy and quiet? Anything was possible.. We did come from two different worlds.. Even inside the usa there were many different cultures and places.. Each different in their own way.
Maybe? Well I wouldn't think about it right now, the food smelled good and I wanted to hear about this valley.

 

[Garras Agudas]

Adam

The meal consisted of rehydrated fruits and vegtables, a blend of nuts stored in a sealed container, and a porridge of boiled oats and wheat. To wash it down I offered a choice of again a blended juice mix from frozen stock and a herbal tea.

"Not like the old repast of bacon and eggs" I offered as she helped me move the bowls from counter to table top, brushing against me several times in the narrow aisle.

"But each will build stamina and our natural resistance to disease as well as keep our bellies full"

Kate bravely smiled and sat across from me, handing me utensils and a napkin as I dished portions out for us. Wa ate quietly, our thoughts mostly on an unsure future and what was to happen then the quality of the food. Halfway thru the meal the deck of the lad shuddered and what I dreaded was now here.

We finished the meal, consuming the meal entirely and mock fighting over the last of the nuts, myself "losing" to Kate as I made a face at her then smiled in defeat. I gathered the plastic dishes, moving them to a tiny basin to wash later. After I told Kate ALL the truth.

Hot tea subsituted itself for the coffee I lusted for and we I sat again, my face sober as I began.

"Kate, we've made it to the "valley". But before you look out at it through the veiw screens there are somethings you should know. Perhaps they won't matter at this point in history, perhaps it will change your perception of me when you've learned the role I've played in it, but you deserve to have all the facts."

The words made Kate's face worried, her eyes moving about the cabin and returning to my face and I could just imagine her thoughts of thinking she was riding with a madman, or criminal, or worse.

"There is no "valley" Kate, not as the name hints at geographically. Where we are now was hit the worst by the bombing, then cleaned by huge modified napalm bombs in the second strike. But the valley is still intact. Not even a nuclear strike could destroy it because it rests physically a mile directly below us. It like the six other centers was designed to shelter hundreds of leaders, scientests and leading citizens of this once proud company and I was one of the chosen "hosts" that was to greet them, help them acclimate to thier new home and learn to live a new life."

I sipped at the hot, bitter brew and grimaced, then rose and opened a small cubicle and raided it, bringing out a plastic bottle of honey.

"It was Karen's" I offered, not meeting Kates eyes and knowing what it looked like to her. "I don't think she would mind knowing we used it"

The bitter brew was made drinakable with a dollop in each cup and I smiled, thinking of the retort I would have had if Karen was with us now.

"The center is enormous Kate, stocked and self providing to the hundreds that were planned to live in it for the next three years. But you and I are the only ones that will see it, make use of it and if you choose, live in it. Unless there are other survivors that have by some miracle lived this long and can make it to the valley, we'll be the only ones to take advantage of ten years of preparation and planning."

I slid the empty cup from me, glad the fluid was gone and the chore of drinking it finally over, then lifted my eyes from it to Kate.

"We're the only ones because the recovery crew died making a fatal mistake, that and because we followed orders knowing the strike was coming nearly 12 hours in advance and stayed quiet to the public about it. The ironic thing about the whole situation was the man that made the order died in transit to us, as did all the passengers aboard the plane as they tried to land, destroyed by the same bombs that killed the people they forbid us to warn"

The truth was out. I was a mass murderer and responsible for killing tens of countless thousands of strangers, as well as hundreds of my own family and friends. And Kates.

And now I had alienated the one person left that I knew of, and told her she had to live in the same center as I did or die from the after affects of an insane war.

"To say I'm sorry would be a gross understatement, Kate. But I am and will be for the rest of my life"

I turned slightly and turned on the outside monitors, the cameras outside showing the bleak wasteland, no trees, grass or signs of life, twisted metal and shredded wood frames the only proof that there had ever been any.

"Welcome to the "valley" Kate" I spoke ironically "The safe haven from the hell most thought never would come and died knowing we were wrong"

 

[Sweetp4u]

kaitlyn

I honestly did not know what to say or do here? I could blame him and rant and rave, but what would it get me? Relief? There would never be relief....
Not after all this happened..
And was he truly to blame for what transpired? "I need to think about this a little more.."

A shelter built a mile underground to house the best for rebuilding our society and not a single one was in there... As far as I could see so far, not a single living soul made it unharmed. I was waiting for something terrible to happen to myself as I sat here thinking.

What could I do or say? I could try and make it on my own, but that was sure stupidity. And I definately wasn't the violent type though at times I did feel like wringing someone's neck.. It didn't mean I was going to do it!

I looked at him, deep into his eyes and seen his guilt there. He was punishing himself enough for ten people. The horror was written there as well as the 'condemned soul' look.

"alright, no use splitting hairs now.. Is there? How do we get down there without leaving this vehicle and stepping into that nasty lookin' shit outside?" I did not want to leave the mobile lab.. Not after glancing over all the decay and death lingering out there...

 

[Garras Agudas]

Adam

Neither did I want to stay above this ground and I nodded then invited Kate.

"Come forward with me and sit in the second chair" I waited for her and followed, enjoying the sway of her body that was more and more on my mind and then sliding into the seat next to her after she sat.

"The lab is linked to a much larger computer inside the center" I began as sort of a mini-lesson "It's centered us over a platform used to lift and lower cargo and that is now used as an elevator. Security codes are used as well as a handprint throughout all the facilities services and this is no exception."

I placed my hand over a flat panel and watched it's green iridescent light glow for a few seconds, then lifted the hand and punched a series of numbers on the keypad next to it. A lurch and it was obvious we were sinking as the ground around us began to rise through the view screens.

"The actual center is located in the center of a huge natural cavern and consists of five levels shaped into a giant Y, we're going to stop in the center of that Y and can move from the highest level into the lower levels and each wing from there"

The monitors showed solid stone as I spoke and a claustrophobic feeling came over me as it always did and I fought it, knowing within a few minutes we would be in the roomier cavern below.

"The computer automatically ranks the members that are left and the highest surviving person assigns clearances to those below them. Once we're "situated" below I'll indoctrinate you to each system the facility has to offer and give you clearance for them. In a few weeks you'll be able to operate almost every system and have access throughout the center and when I'm gone occupy yourself"

The monitors began to glow an eerie blue-green and I sighed, enjoying the sight of the natural luminescence coming from the cavern walls.

"We found a natural hot spring within the cavern and even some evidence that there had been life thousands of years ago in it. The water is holding the caverns temperature at 70 degrees and is more than comfortable at the pools. It was the main reason this place was chosen and supports the aquariums, green houses and exercise centers."

I focused the outside cameras towards the floor below us and the image of a giant white three-wing building began to grow below us as we continued our descent towards it.

"Imagine the best equipped Holiday Inn you can, then add a bit of NASA technology and you'll still be surprised at what you see." I spoke of what we were about to lower into, my voice bitter. "It was to be our proudest achievement"

I stayed silent the last few minutes of the descent, noting the greenhouse on the third wing was still looked like it was doing well and verifying it on the mobile labs screens as well, and noting the security measures were still functioning as well. Again it seemed the walls of the center were rising over us and another shudder went thru the lab telling us we had arrived.

"Environmental Level One Adam Tribor reporting in" I spoke to the console in front of me and once again placing my hand on the screen and watching it glow.


"Sensors indicate all other members life signs are non existent or out of sensor range. Please confirm?" Came the tinny, metallic voice from the consoles speaker.

"Confirmed" I spoke with bitterness "I am the sole "existing" member as of today"

"Commander Adam Tribor, Welcome back to the Valley Life Support Center" The monotone voice continued and ranked me automatically. "Do you wish to verify your companions identity now or incarcerate her?"

The question made me smirk and I turned to look at Kate, her own face serious and questioning.

"What do you think Kate? Should you be my guest or my prisoner?"

Kate's eyes became dark, her face sober as she pondered my question and me and I lifted my left hand to take her right and place it on the screen before her, imitating my own right hand.

"This is Kaitlynn and she is my GUEST. I want her to have access to all necessary facilities and it to be recorded in case of emergency protocol she be granted functioning status within the facility"

"Confirmed. Welcome Guest Kaitlynn" The voice replied and lit her own screen up, then went blank.

"You'll have to deal with that blamed voice and personality with each room, each facility and every waking minute" I warned "It can track your body heat and follow you through the center and outside of it, but won't interfere with about half of what you need or want to do"

I rose and slid from the chair, motioning for Kate to follow as I triggered the side exit and watched it hiss open. The smell of fresh air wafted in and for a second I smiled, then stepped out of the lab and waited.

"Welcome Home Guest Kaitlynn" I mimicked the computers voice. "My home is your home"

Kate stepped off the deck of the lab and the door slid smoothly closed with another hiss of air and I offered her my hand, then moved towards a small door located on the far side of the cargo room.

"When you're near me the computer and security system will automatically track and open each door and activate the lights ahead of us. But move away from me or remain in an area where you're not "cleared" and it will "lock down" on you, holding you until I return. The hallways will let you move thru them without stopping you and eventually as you gain clearance the areas will as well. Till then you need to stay close"

The door slid open and a gleaming white room was seen thru it, rows of consoles tucked into each corner, large versions of the view screens onboard the lab covering each wall and a lighted table in the center of it.

"Holographic capabilities" I indicated "Like the labs only greater detail and capabilities, we can control the systems from here or each of them placed throughout each level.

The table glowed and a pattern of 3D lines formed, two small green dots indicating where we were, and I pointed several things out.

"Body heat tracking. Each level knows where we're at in order to aid us, not hinder. The violet areas are where you can't move, the blue indicate unrestricted. We'll be busy getting you use to the systems and changing all those lights to blue for you"

I had to laugh at the dazed expression on Kate's face, knowing she was trying to take it all in and losing as it overloaded her.

"What do you desire first, Kate? Bath, shower, food. Clothes, to watch a movie or listen to your favorite music, read a real book or take a swim? It's all here and at your fingertips and yours if you want or need it."

This time I did grin and leaned against the table, watching my one and only guest as she made her decision.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Kaitlyn

ooc: wow! That's some post there lol....

IC:

"Ummmm Adam? Look I am not the smartest nor the dumbest person around.. " I flushed a little, confused by all of this.. "But I lived and ran a ranch most of my life.. I didn't have a computer or any of this sort of thing.. Our console TV was still on local stations..." I sat down in a chair near by and just stared at everything in complete awe and consfusion.
"How about showing me to some kind of bedroom? Clothes and a shower sound real good.. And a tour or perhaps a 'you are here' map?" I chuckled a little, shaking my head and wondering how many levels of this there were again? And how often would I get lost?
"Got any of those homing devices I seen on a james bond movie?? That might help.." I laughed at his expression.
"I am up to anything Adam.. I am rested, fed and though confused very curious as well.." I twirled in the chair and came back around smiling at him.

 

[Garras Agudas]

Adam

OOC: LOL, a "tad" longwinded yes? I'll try to do less and better

IC:Again I laughed, aware Kate being here alone with me had me somehow uneasy, and I apologized for the speech I had given to cover it up.

"I'll show you to a room, in fact there is several hundred never used for you to choose from, and as far as anything else you might need including directions to anywhere or anything?"

I grinned knowing it was summed up in one short sentence.

"Just ask and that annoying voice of the computer will tell you"

A few steps out of the control room and we looked at a long hallway and again I grinned.

"Computer open all unused rooms" I spoke out loud.

The sound of 60 doors hissing open came to us and I looked at my companion.

"You are my guest Kate the computer will know where I am when you're settled"

I left her peeking into each room and moved towards the greenhouses and a tradition I hoped I never had to repeat, there was no one else to wish them goodbye.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Kaitlyn

Peeking into room after room, I realized they were all identical!

Turning I went to tease Adam about this but he had vanished once again?

Sighing, I walked into the first room I seen and the one CLOSEST! to the entry way, so I couldn't get lost! Unpacking wouldn't be too bad at all, infact it sounded like a 'normal' thing to do and would be best.

"Ok....." I couldn't unpack, my bags were still on the lab and there wasn't anything in them but what was taken from the outdoor outlet store..

Peeking into closets, I realized there were clothes in this one. A size bigger than I was.. I was going to settle for those but then thought about the other rooms.. "Perhaps?" It was worth a chance to go peeking and see what each room held. I was betting there was a storage somewhere with clothing as well in all sizes and colors if it was going to house so many people.. Might be outdated but if it fit or could be made to fit then I was fine with it.

...Sometime later.....

Finding bits and pieces I had actually accumilated a few days wear worth of clothing. Everything I could need, from towels to socks and shoes.
Moving the things that didn't fit into the room across from my own, I set about straightening things up. After awhile and with depression kicking in again, I laid down and slept until Either Adam woke me or the computer .. I wondered if it had alarms or alerts or anything for specific things but did not think about actually "speaking' aloud to a machine!

 

[Garras Agudas]

Adam

Time passed as I created the markers on solid and permanent slabs of plastic, knowing I would hear the others chastise me if they were here for the "waste" of such a valuable resource. But they weren't and I remained behind, creating the only remebrance of them that I could. Seven pitiful markers in a neat row was all that remained of my friends and perhaps the last hope for mankind.

Straightening I brushed off my hands and took in the same veiw I had given them, over the natural lake that lapped quietly at the shore of once molten lave, now a shimmering obsidian color beneath the heated water.

"Computer, Identify location and status of our Guest" I asked as I walked along the natural path and towards the center, noting the good condition of the plants and trees around it.

"Our "guest" has remained in a motionless state for the duration of four hours, sixteen minutes and thirt.."

"Give me the ABBREVIATED explanation" I cut it off and clarified, stopping and triggering the valves that would gently irrigate the neat rows of crops next to the lake.

"Our guest is sleeping in cabin 503" Came the second response and I grinned, thinking to myself. Did I hear annoyance in it's mechanical tone or was I losing my sanity?

"Please wake her and tell her I'd like to see her in Control Room A, first floor"

"Our guest does NOT have required clearances as you specified earlier" Came the reply and I was SURE it was indeed a smug one.

"Then wake her and inform her I'll be up shortly to see her. I have things to discuss with her about our future together"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Kaitlyn

Sleeping soundly I was startled from a dead sleep by some annoying voice on the intercom.

"It is time to wake up. The Commander will be here in five minutes to speak with you Guest."

Sitting upright, I glanced around to get my bearings. Sighing, I fell back on the bed and closed my eyes, I hated that machine already!

Sitting on the edge of the bed, I brushed my fingers through my hair and rubbed my hands over my face a moment to wake myself up.
Rising from the bed I found a pair of jeans and pulled them on, I was in the process of putting on a shirt when Adam came to the door and the computer automaticly opened it up. Freezing a moment as our eyes met I blushed brightly a second and hurried to pull my shirt on.
"I don't think I like this computer..." I grumbled before sitting back on the bed.

 

[Garras Agudas]

Adam

"Oh GOD! Excuse ME!" I apologized and tried to back out, running straight into the door as it had slid shut.

"Computer, Open the DOOR!" I mumbled and stepped thru as it hissed open.

"I'll be waiting at the hothouse when you're ready" I excused myself and turned, getting another look at a still bare....breast.

Red faced and red nosed I hurried back down the hall and towards the natural hot spring. It would take her time to dress and find her way to the hothouses I figured, enough time for me to get a quick swim in the cooler end of the pool and get cleaned up.

Two minutes later I slid out of my clothes and into the warm water, the mist rising off the surface of it's heated surface as I breast stroked thru it with my overcharged body.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Kaitlyn

I didnt know whether to laugh scream or hug the poor guy!? He seemed to be so embarassed by coming in like that. I felt for him and his nose.
Chuckling a little, I pulled on my shirt and walked out.
"Hothouse location?" The computer came up instantly and began telling me step by step how to get there...

When I arrived I seen Adam in the pool swimming back and forth.

"hi there.." I called out, watching him swim.

 

[Garras Agudas]

Adam

"Oh God!" I snorted and swallowed the tepid water, than plunged back into the deepest part. "I didn't think you'd find the hothouse so fast, I'm sorry"

Treading water I looked toward the shore and Kate AND my clothes, all of them.

"Could you do me a favor and toss me my pants please?"

I could pull them on in the water and they would quickly dry once I was out of it, or so the plan was.

But why was she looking so happy all of a sudden?

 

[Sweetp4u]

Kaitlyn

I leaned against the pillar and smiled, "Why do you need your pants to swim Adam?" I asked nonchalantly. Pushing away from the edge of the pilar, I could make out his form in the water. The lights shining showed a rather nice portion of his body to me.
Admiring the sight, I wondered why he was flushing so red? I had never seen a shy male before? This was rather new and quite interesting turn out.
"Is there any extra swimming suits around? I think I'd like to join you.. After all there is no one else around and I am bored... You dont mind occupying me do you Adam?" I pouted prettily a moment before smiling sweetly.
"pleeeeeease?" I urged, I did love to swim.

 

[Garras Agudas]

Adam

Swim with me?

And no pants on?

The thought made my red face even redder and a different reaction under the water.

"Kate? Please?" I asked, completely at her mercy now as I treaded in the center and HOTTEST part of the water.

"I have a couple of things to show you AFTER I get dressed?"

Hopefully she would turn her back as I walked out of the water, IF she made me?

And the water was really beginning to warm things up below!

 

[Sweetp4u]

Kaitlyn

"Oh phooey!" Sighing heavily, overly sighing actually, I stood by the edge of the pool and squatted down.
"Why don't you wish to swim now?" I asked softly, watching him tread the water.
"Oh! Alright, swim over here and get your pants.. but I thought it would be fun.." Picking up his pants, I held them rather close to my body and waited for him to come and fetch them.
"I am really lousey at throwing things.. It would be easier to come get them.. Or I can get you a towel?" I paused, moving back from the pool.
"That would be better! Then your clothes aren't all wet!" I smiled brightly as if I had a wonderful idea. Standing i walked to the lounge chair and picked up a large bath towel.
"Here we are!" Moving back towards the edge of the pool, I teetered on the edge, holding it out for him.

 

[Garras Agudas]

Adam

I stood in the waist deep water and listened to her, trying to figure out what to do next and just how to do it. Kate dangled my pants at almost arms reach and I KNEW if I could just grab them and pull they would be mine and the problem was gone.

"Kate, Please?" I asked softly watching as she took one step, then another, her face alight with mischief.

"What's wrong Adam?" She spoke gently, her face smiling at me innocently as her eyes shined otherwise.

I leapt! My hand seizing the beltline of the pants and pulling back with all my might, expecting Kate to let loose and for me to be the victor and proud owner of my pants and what dignity I had left.

The pants slid thru her fingers as her surprised eyes went from my face to my body and then back, and with a grin she grabbed the end of one pants leg as I yanked again. This time it was my turn to be surprised as Kate flew thru the air and towards me, my final tug lending her wings and pulling her in the direction I didn't want!

"Kaaaaaate!" I warned trying to duck too late as she landed on me and forced me under the warm surface...