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by Alyse(alyse@unconsciousmind.co.uk)
and Teri (teri@unconsciousmind.co.uk)

Part 2

~*~

Summary: The Bridge is the first story in the Warchild series, based upon the characters in the TV Show, Space: Above and Beyond. When McQueen and Commodore Ross decide that Cooper Hawkes needs a teacher if he's ever to move through the ranks, they couldn't have anticipated the intrigue into which the young man would be plunged, the strange and often deadly characters he would meet on the way or the fact that he'd fall in love.

Rating: NC17, m/f interaction, Cooper Hawkes/f

Disclaimer

~*~

He lowered his head, and kissed her again, his hand moving behind her head to deepen the kiss. As he ran his fingers through that red gold tumble, she could swear she heard him purr.

His other hand began to move down her back, stroking gently, until it reached the small hollow above her buttocks. He pressed her against him, and she could feel how aroused he was. His mouth slipped from hers, as he sighed into her ear. For a moment, neither of them moved but just stood there, their arms wrapped around each other, their breathing ragged. He began to press small kisses along the side of her face, along her temple and hairline. She leant into his chest, enjoying the sensation of his lips against her skin, breathing in the scent of him. Suddenly the feel of his T-shirt beneath her hands was an irritant. She wanted to feel his warm skin sliding under her fingertips, not rough cotton.

She broke contact with him, and tipped her head back to look deep into his eyes. Capturing his gaze, she moved her small hands to the top off his trousers, and began to pull his T-shirt out. She ran her hands up underneath the material, her heart warming as she finally felt his smooth warm skin. His eyes closed to half mast as his breath caught in his throat. With a low guttural moan, he pulled her to him, pressing his lips hard against hers, slipping his tongue deep into her mouth to plunder her sweet depths. This time it was him who broke contact, stepping back slightly so that he could finish what she started.

She felt her heart lurch in her chest, as she let her gaze travel over that torso. He was so beautiful. She wondered if he had any idea how many women on this ship would give anything to be in her position at this moment. Or how many men for that matter. She knew that there was a great deal of interest in this handsome InVitro standing in front of her. She'd heard talk in the Tun, in the passageways and even on one occasion, the queue in the mess. But now, she was sure he had no idea. He was so innocent in that respect. Even now, he was looking at her uncertainly as she hesitated, as though he was afraid somehow that she was disappointed.

She looked back up into his face and smiled. A shy answering smile appeared on his own face. She ran her fingertips lightly over his chest.

"Cooper," she breathed.

"Hmmm?" He was lost in the sensations her stroking was causing.

"Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?" His eyes widened suddenly as her words sank in. He began to look suspicious again, as he wondered if she was teasing him. If she was, he didn't think that that was exactly fair. He hadn't been teasing when he'd told her how much he liked her hair. He'd never said anything like that to anyone before, not even Shane.

"Me?"

She laughed softly. "Do you see another Cooper Hawkes in this room?" she teased. "Cos I don't. Yes, you. You really don't do you? You've no idea what just the sight of you can do to me. I can't concentrate when you're around. I want to know what your arms feel like around me. I want to feel your kisses." Her voice dropped even lower as she moved closer towards him. "I want to feel you inside me."

She took hold of one his hands, and moved it towards her. "Do you want to know what you do to me, Cooper? Do you?" She placed his hand on her breast, moving the thumb so that it gently stroked against her erect nipple. He watched, mesmerised, his eyes moving between her face and his hand. Her eyes slid shut. "That's what you do to me, Cooper. That's what you do just by kissing my mouth."

She removed the hand which was holding his in position, and leaned into him. He left his hand there, and then brought the other one up to touch her other breast. She sighed.

"I do that?" His voice was awed. "Just by kissing you?"

"Mmmm....yes"

"What else do I do?" The question was an innocent one. She forced her eyes open to look into his delighted face.

"You make me feel hot and flushed," she smiled. "And like I'm wearing way too many clothes."

A cheeky smile shot across his face. "I think we can do something about that." His hand reached out to catch hold of the top button of her shirt. For a second he paused, searching for reassurance in her face. I've got to put a stop to this uncertainty, she thought.

"Cooper," she said firmly. His fingers relaxed on her button, but didn't let go, not yet. She brought her hand up to cover his. "I'm not going to change my mind about this. I'm certain that this is what I want. I'm certain that it's you I want. I don't play games like this, and I'm not going to lead you on, or tell you things that I don't feel. I'm sure.......So I guess the question is are you?"

He hesitated for a minute, and her heart sank. He refused to meet her gaze, his eyes dwelling on his fingers as they twisted the button he held.

"Cooper, what is it?" She tried to keep her voice gentle, tried not to let him know how wound up she was, how much she just wanted him to press himself hard against her. A sudden thought occurred to her. "Cooper, have you ever....been..with someone? Anyone?"

He still refused to meet her eyes. She released his hand, and placed her fingers under his chin, forcing his head up so that he had to look at her. He still fought for precious seconds, before giving in, less than gracefully.

"Have you?"

"Would it matter?"

"If it matters to you, then yes. Who was she?"

"I don't know if it did." She was confused. How could he not know? But he continued, "It was on the Bacchus. There was this girl.....this InVitro. We were both pretty out of it. One minute I was kissing her shoulder, and then......I guess we both passed out." He paused for a second. "I thought that she liked me."

She had to strain to hear that last sentence. "Didn't she?"

He muttered something which she forced him to repeat. "West paid her." His tragic blue eyes met hers voluntarily, as he poured out his woe. "I really thought she liked me. But she told me that she was only with me 'cos West paid her. I didn't know, I swear I didn't." He dropped his head again. "I hope nothing happened. I didn't want it to be like that, cos someone took pity on me and paid for it."

White hot anger shot through her. When she got her hands on Lieutenant Nathan West, well lets just say that they'd have to identify him by his dog tags. But right now, she had an upset, semi naked and very sexy marine to deal with.

"Cooper, I'm with you because I want to be. Because you make me go weak at the knees. Because I want to see the rest of that gorgeous body that you're hiding under those fatigues." That brought a smile to his face. "No-one paid me. To tell you the truth, I'd probably give anyone anything just for the chance to feel you kiss me again....and know you meant it. Okay?"

"'kay."

"Now, for God's sake Cooper, help me get undressed! Before I go crazy with lust here."

He laughed at that, his fingers now, finally, wrenching buttons out of button holes. One got caught, forcing her to gasp, "Coop, just rip it! Please!."

Finally, his hot chest was pressed against her, his mouth moving over her neck, and then downwards, lower and lower until his teeth grazed her nipple beneath the fabric of her bra. She thought that she would die from the pleasure of it. She strained against him, desperate to maintain this contact, wanting more. At last his searching hands found the fastening at the back, and her bra joined her shirt on the floor as his mouth fastened directly on aching flesh. A small, very small, part of her wondered where he picked up this trick, whether he'd just made this up.

Her hands fluttered downwards, across his chest, to stroke him through the fabric of his trousers, and felt a thrill of satisfaction as he jerked against her hand. His mouth broke contact with her breast, as he brought his face up to meet her mouth. He picked her up as lightly as if she weighed nothing at all, and she wrapped her legs around his waist as he carried her to the bed. Seating her upon it, he slid his hands down from her waist, over her legs to her feet. He undid her shoes, and removed both those and her socks.

Oh God, she thought, as he ran his hands back up her legs, this time on the inside of her thighs. Then she became incapable of even that much thought as he pressed his mouth against her, through the fabric of her jeans.

He almost ripped the buttons off her jeans as well, in his hurry to rid her of that garment. She sobbed in relief as he managed to pull her jeans and her knickers off together. Now she was completely naked, and more than eager to have him join her in that condition, but as she struggled to sit up, he pushed her firmly back onto the bed, and returned his mouth between her thighs. As his tongue flicked around her clitoris, she came virtually immediately, her hands twisting the sheets beneath her. He felt her twist beneath him and eventually he stopped, and she shuddered to a rest, her hand twisted in his hair.

As soon as she was capable of rational thought again, she looked down to where his head rested on her thigh. She sat up and pulled him to her, gratefully kissing him hard, tasting herself on him. It had been far too long.

Her voice was throaty as she finally spoke to him. "Don't tell me. You made that up too?"

He smiled that heartbreaking smile at her, "I just wanted to know what you tasted like. If it tasted as sweet as your mouth."

"Would you mind..." her voice trailed off, unsure of how to continue. "Would you mind if I tried?"

He paused considering it, and then shot her a devilish glance, as he ran his hand over her stomach. "I don't know, Madi, I think you might break your back."

"Cooper Hawkes!" she yelped, startled as he collapsed laughing at her feet. Reluctantly she started to laugh with him, unable to stay either shocked or stern with him for long. "That wasn't what I meant and you know it!"

He stood up and pulled her into his arms, rocking her slowly back and forth as he just luxuriated in the sensation of being held by a wonderful, warm human being who wanted to be with him. With him. Cooper Hawkes. Dumb, surly, ignorant tank.

Her hands felt wonderful as they slid over his skin, down over his chest and stomach, to once again caress him through his trousers. He liked it when she did that. It made his heart pound in his ears. He wondered whether she still wanted him 'inside her' as she said she did earlier. Just the thought of that made his knees go weak. He wondered is she'd make the same noise as she had when he was kissing her......he wasn't sure what to call it. He's heard other marines use words for that part of a woman's anatomy, but he thought perhaps Madi wouldn't like him calling it that. He had a feeling, from Shane and 'Phousse's reactions when they heard those terms, that they weren't nice. Like Tank. When he'd been kissing her ....there. Where she tasted even sweeter than her mouth.

Her fingers started to unfasten his trousers and then snuck inside to stroke him directly. He gasped and tightened his hold on her. Nothing in his short, sad life had felt so good as her fingers just then. Nothing made him feel so good as being here with her did.

He couldn't tell her that then, feeling suddenly shy, which was odd when you considered what she was doing. Instead, he caught her eyes with his, and then leaned in to kiss her, trying to tell her with his mouth what he couldn't put into words. She relaxed into his kiss, her tongue stroking his, while her hand still caressed him. Then she broke the kiss with a sigh, and smiling up at him, said simply, "I still think that you're wearing too many clothes, Cooper Hawkes."

He watched her with hooded eyes, as she undid his trousers completely, pulling them over his hips and then gently pushed him down onto the bed so that she could remove them completely. His green marine issue boxers also joined the pile of clothes in the corner. She pushed him flat on the bed, as she started to kiss her way down his body, beginning with his face. Light butterfly kisses were placed over his cheeks and lips and eyelids, then harder kisses on his neck. Sometimes her teeth caught hold of his skin in a sharp nip which made him catch his breath in his throat, before kissing the brief pain away. By the time she'd reached her ultimate goal, he was thoroughly aroused.

This time it was his turn to grasp the sheets, as her tongue flicked up and down his engorged member. He thought that he would go out of his mind as she slid his length inside her mouth. Dimly, he realised that he was saying her name over and over again. He was close to climax, as he finally summoned the strength to break free. She looked disappointed, until he grabbed her and almost threw her down on the bed beneath him. He hugged her tight and muttered in her ear, "I want to be inside you too Madi. Please?"

The sound of that request aroused her afresh, as he pressed her into the mattress, and sank his mouth back onto hers. He was poised to enter her, when rationality reasserted itself.

"Cooper, wait!"

He froze, as she gasped, "Condom."

"Wha?" was his incoherent reply, still lost in the sensations she caused.

"Unless you want to hear the patter of tiny feet in about nine months, my darling, we'd better be careful."

Darling. He felt a shiver of pleasure pass through him that had nothing to do with sex. No one had ever called him darling before. And he liked the thought of kids just like Madi, but for the moment he let her roll the sheath over him, her fingers arousing him further, if that was possible, as she did so.

Sinking into her was like coming home. There was a sense of completion there that he'd never felt before. He looked deep into her eyes, watching as they changed colour from deep blue to green as he moved deep inside her. He felt her tense again, as he thrust deeper and deeper, and then it was her turn to call his name as she shuddered violently, her nails digging deep into his back.

He felt her convulse around him, and that was enough to trigger his own climax, gripping her tightly as he felt himself explode with pleasure.

He lay with his arms wrapped tightly around her, unable and unwilling to move. For the first time in his life he felt ....safe, that was the word. He could feel her heart beating underneath his ear, a comforting sound. 'I did that,' he thought. 'I made her heart beat that fast.'

"Well, lover," she panted out of breath. "Would you object to having that as your first time?"

He smiled sleepily up at her. "Lover? Is that what we are?"

She raised herself up on her elbows and took a long look down the length of their naked bodies, still entwined, then fell exhausted back onto the bed.

"After careful consideration, I think that we can safely say without any fear of contradiction, that we are indeed, without a doubt, lovers," she giggled.

"Lovers," he sighed, as he snuggled deeper into her embrace. "I like the sound of that."

"You didn't answer my question?" she smiled.

"Hmmm?"

She laughed. "Whether you'd be happy to have that as your first official time?" Please let him say yes. Please.

He raised his head from her chest and grinned at her. "I liked it. It was fun. Can we do it again?"

She howled with laughter. "You are insatiable. You want to try again so soon? I think I've created a monster!"

He rolled on his back, pulling her with him. She nestled up against his chest, wrapping her free arm around him.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it sweetheart. And yes, I'm sure we can do it again. Just give me a little time to recover."

Sweetheart. He liked that too. He wrapped both arms even tighter around her and pulled her up so she was lying on top of him. As he kissed her, she could feel him stirring against her thigh. He ran his hands down her back, before bringing them to a rest on her buttocks to give her the full benefit of his erection. She laughed against his throat.'

"You weren't kidding, were you lover? I'm afraid I'm going to have to have a bit of a breather. I'm a little sore right now."

He let go of her abruptly, his face concerned. "Did I hurt you?" She hastened to reassure him.

"No honey. I'm just a little out of practice, that's all. It's just .... using muscles you haven't for a while. I just need a few minutes is all. Then I'm all yours. You didn't do anything wrong. On the contrary," she stretched luxuriously. "You're just a little .... bigger than I expected, than I'm used to."

"Is that a bad thing? Does that mean you don't want to do it again?" She had to laugh again. God, she thought looking into that anxious face, I love this man so much. The thought startled her anew.

"Coop, you must be the only man ever to worry about being too big." She pressed herself against him again. "I think that you're just the right size." A wicked voice inside of her added 'And you know how to use it. Now where did you learn that, my luscious six year old.'

She kissed him deeply, suddenly aroused, not wanting to was any longer, conscious that they only had two weeks, and that every second counted.

"Oh God, Coop. Do you have any idea how you make me feel? You reach places in me, no-one else has." She rolled off him, and lay by his side, running her fingers lightly around his nipples. "I think I'm in love with you."

He watched her hands intently. Then reached out to gently stroke her breast. "Mad?" His voice was hesitant. "What does it feel like? Love I mean?" Once again he seemed unwilling or unable to meet her eyes. "Is it confusing? Does it make you feel happy one minute and miserable the next? Do you feel that you'll burst? When someone smiles at you....and you feel kinda...real good, like nothing but 'em smiling at you matters....is that love?"

"It could be. Have you felt like that?" Again, a voice in her head went 'Please, please.'

"I kinda felt like that about Shane...once." Her heart sank. "But I don't anymore. I mean, she's real important to me....but not in the same way." Please don't let me cry. It's only been two weeks. It's too early. He's too young. There's time. There's plenty of time.

But in her heart she knew there wasn't. This war could take him from her at any time. Tomorrow. And then it would be too late. His finger continued to make swirling patterns on her breast, like a child doodling. He glanced up at her, nervously, then refocused his attention on his finger. His voice dropped down to a whisper. "I don't feel that way about Shane anymore. I haven't for a while. But.......I think, I guess...... I feel that way about you."

A tear escaped and ran down her cheek. He traced it with his finger, fascinated. "Madi, did I do something wrong?"

"Cooper, make love to me please. Now? I love you so much. I want you to feel how much. I want to feel how much you love me." Those last words broke on a sob. He moved on top of her, pausing for a moment to reach for a condom, smiling at her while he did so. He learnt quickly.

She sighed as he gently entered her, so carefully this time, determined not to hurt her again. Never again. His movements were slow and steady, gradually bringing her closer to orgasm. She could feel his lips on her face, kissing her tears away, and then heard him whispering in her ear, "I love you, Madi, I love you so much." over and over. His dog tags were brushing against her nipples, arousing her further and she felt her orgasm creep up on her, the warmth in her belly growing second by second and she finally climaxed to the sound of his love.

When she came back down to earth, she realised that he was still hard inside her. He stared deep into her eyes, smiling that so sweet smile, the one that made her heart ache and made her wet.

"Cooper," she whispered.

"We can stop if you want."

"Oh no, Coop. Don't stop. Don't ever stop. I love the feel of you inside me."

He began to move again, harder this time, more urgent. She dragged her nails down his back, meeting his thrusts with thrusts of her own, driving him on. This time she whispered in his ear, telling him how much she loved him, telling him exactly how he was making her feel, what he was doing to her. She could feel that he was getting harder, could feel that he was close, and the thought of that, the thought of feeling him come inside her again, was enough to cause a fourth orgasm, the most powerful yet. She screamed his name, not even aware that she had done so. She dug her nails deep into his back, as her body twisted and writhed as the convulsions within her grew in strength. Dimly, she was aware of him tensing and calling her name as he joined her in ecstasy.

He pressed kisses all over her face, whispering her name over and over. She became aware of a wetness on her cheeks not of her own making and realised that he was crying too, all of those years of loneliness finally being released. Oddly, he didn't make a sound. She kissed his tears away, and told him she loved him again. Finally, they fell into an exhausted sleep, still wrapped in each others arms.

~*~

Cooper sat on the edge of the bed and smiled down at Madi's sheet-swaddled form. He was learning that his new lover liked to hog the covers. She looked like a mummy except for the mop of red-gold hair sticking out in a messy, curly tangle. His smile deepened at the thought of the night before. Not even his banged-up head had slowed them down. He rubbed his hand over her rounded bottom and leaned down where he thought her ear might be. "Madi, I have to go." Cooper inhaled her warm, sleepy, morning smell like it was perfume and wanted nothing so much as to crawl back into bed and spend the day holding her. He was fascinated with the satiny texture of her skin. He pressed a kiss to her hair, feeling a thrill at being able to touch her so freely. He had never before been afforded such a luxury.

Madi was dreaming she was home in her own bedroom. When Cooper spoke she lifted her face out of the pillow and looked around in confusion. Propping up on her elbows she tried to lift both eyelids at the same time but only succeeded in getting one halfway open. Squinting at Cooper's bright-eyed and bushy-tailed look, Madi groaned "Oh my stars" and dropped her head back down. Just her luck, he was one of those revolting morning people. Cooper smiled and shook his head. He knew about this, Paul Wang woke in the same manner. Madi would find out soon enough that he always ran in high gear, probably because of something they'd done to him at the facility. He only needed about four hours of sleep a night, though the endless sorties could even wear him down.

"I should be back around 10:00 hours, Mad. We're running a short sentry this morning and then we fly again this afternoon. Don't forget our lesson."

He heard her mumble, "Wha time is it?"

"It's 0400. I've got thirty mikes to shower and get suited up." He was on his way out the door when he was stopped by her soft voice. "Cooper." She was smiling slightly but he could see the worry in her sleepy eyes. "Be careful. I love you." He strode over to the bed and gave her a hard, quick kiss and then he was gone.

Madi took a second to switch her pillow for the one Cooper had slept on. Snuggling into the fabric that held his scent, she put her fingers to her tingling lips and went out like a light.

Cooper left Madi's part of the ship at a dead run. If he was late getting to the mission briefing McQueen would tear strips off his hide. In his hurry he never noticed the figure who stood in the shadows opposite end of the passageway. As Jenkins watched Hawkes run out of Madi's room his entire body shook with rage at the thought of his Madison with that filthy tank. They would both pay for this. He would see to it.

~*~

She was jealous. There was no doubt about it. For months he'd been following her around, like a little puppy, eager for anything she threw in his direction, and now he wasn't anymore. He'd bounced into the ward room this morning, eyes shining, grinning all over that handsome face. It wasn't difficult to guess where he'd been, why he hadn't returned to the Tun last night to join the rest of them. Even her snapping at him for leaving the towel on the floor after his shower hadn't dimmed his enthusiasm for life. And seeing him towelling himself down, seeing the scratch marks on his back, hadn't helped improve her temper. She was almost certain he hadn't got those during yesterday's furball. Head injury yes, scratch marks no.

What was making it worse were the amused looks that Wang and West were shooting in her direction, or the sympathetic looks Vanessa was giving her. They'd already guessed what was causing her foul mood, although Cooper was still so high after last night he didn't even seem to notice. That was also pissing her off. He'd always been sensitive to her moods. Hell, he usually caused them. And even though they didn't stop him doing exactly what he wanted to do most of the time, he noticed. Right now, he didn't seem to be noticing anything.

He sat there, in the briefing room, staring into space, smiling slightly. Didn't he realise how goofy he looked! She snorted, glaring at him again but he remained oblivious. She caught sight of West and Wang exchanging looks out of the corner of her eye and turned her glare on them. They quickly avoided her look, although she could swear that West was grinning.

They jumped to attention, even Cooper, as McQueen entered the room to give them details of the mission. Surprisingly, it was her who was reprimanded for not paying attention. She was too busy glaring at Cooper. He seemed to be oblivious of the attention he was getting, and not just from Shane. The others were shooting glances at him every now and then, even McQueen. She could swear that he was glowing.

She snapped at him on the way out of the Briefing Room, admonishing him to keep his mind on what was going on out there. Unfair, she knew. Once he was in that cockpit, nothing else mattered. She ignored the hurt look he shot her, and pretended not to hear him whisper to West, wondering what the hell he'd done to piss her off now.

West caught her up just outside the hanger bay, having to run to keep up. The others trailed behind.

"You know, that wasn't fair," he said. She refused to look him in the face.

"Keep out of it West," she snapped, heading towards her cockpit. He grabbed hold of her arm, preventing her from moving away from him. She almost decked him for that. He ignored the furious glare she directed at him and continued.

"This isn't fair, to him or to Madi." The others had entered the loading bay, shooting the pair of them curious glances as they whispered in the corner, but avoiding being in the firing line. Cooper looked worried as his eyes moved back and forth between them.

"Oh, so you're on her side now?" she sneered. "Well that didn't take long."

"I'm on nobody's side," he reasoned. "Except maybe for Coop's." His voice softened slightly. "I don't want to see him hurt anymore than you do, Shane."

"I'm not worried about that!" she lied. "I just want a wingman who's going to concentrate on covering my six and not mooning about over his teacher." The last word was a snarl. He shook her arm again.

"That's not fair," he argued, his voice low and serious. "Coop's never let you down, ever. God knows the rest of us have. Me taking that joyride on Tellus, looking for Kylen. 'Phousse unable to function when the Chigs used that fear weapon. Wang when the AI's got him, and when we were riding Pearly. Coop's never let you, us, down. Hell, even when he was on Meanies he managed to cover my six. He sacrificed his sister for us for God's sake. He even went down that tunnel for you, although you know he's claustrophobic. He's not going to let Madi distract him when we need him." She relaxed against him.

"Oh, Nathan. What if she hurts him. She could do it too. Without even thinking. He's so vulnerable."

He shook his head. "She won't. You heard what Paul said. She's cool. And even if she does, we'll be there to pick up the pieces. Besides, he's a lot tougher than you think. He'd have to be, going through what he's been through. He'll cope."

She gave him a little self mocking smile. "You know that's not the only reason I'm pissed." He smiled back.

"I know, but I think you were right not to do anything about it. You may not realise it Shane, but you have much more power to hurt him than she does. If you'd have hurt him, he may never have recovered. I think he loves her, you know." She nodded miserably. "But you, you're his family Shane." He smiled at her again. "Now, Captain, we got a mission to fly." She gave him a faint smile and they moved towards their planes. She caught Cooper shooting her worried looks, and she gave him a reassuring smile, seeing him relax and smile back. He was really beginning to think that she was mad about him and Madi, but perhaps she was just in one of her moods after all. She got like that sometimes. Mind you, so did he.

Several hours later Madi woke and glanced at the clock by the bed. She yelped and jumped up to get ready to meet Cooper. Then she moaned all the way to the shower as those unused muscles protested their abuse from the night before. Madi appeased the muscles with a steaming hot shower and her stomach with a cup of steaming hot tea.

She jerked out the first thing she came to in the tiny closet which happened to be a skirt, and giving it a look of consideration, put it on with a clean t-shirt and the vest she'd worn the day before. So much for wowing Cooper with a stunning wardrobe. She was going to have to find the laundry on this boat. Besides, he might as well learn now that she was a very low-maintenance woman. She ran a brush through her hair and thought, as she did every morning, how much she hated the curly mop and wished longingly for dark, straight hair like Shane Vansen's. A touch of makeup and some flats and Madi was ready.

She knelt before the entertainment box she considered vital to any trip and pawed her collection of CDs, laser discs, paperbacks, and crossword puzzles aside in an effort to get to the old, beloved books on the bottom. She hugged their tattered covers to her chest as she left the cabin with fifteen minutes to spare.

She was humming and smiling to herself as she rounded the corner of the passageway and bumped straight into the last person she ever wanted to see. Jenkins. The weasel. Madi jumped back as if she'd been scalded and hurried to pick up her fallen books before Jenkins could put his greasy hands on them. "What are you doing in this part of the ship?" she demanded. For once her father's associate wasn't smiling ingratiatingly at her. Instead he was staring at her with a completely blank expression. Meeting his eyes, Madi felt the skin on the back of her neck start to crawl.

"I wonder if your father knows what you're up to Madison." Madi resisted the urge to slug him for calling her that. Besides she was hoping that maybe Jenkins would show his hand and she could wrap this assignment up and concentrate on Cooper for the rest of her stay.

"What are you talking about, Jenkins?" Madi asked, wracking her brain for some idea as to how he'd found out about the tutoring, not that it mattered now. She was going to enjoy mashing this worm.

"Just a certain marine who lost his way last night. I'm trying to forgive you Madi. Don't give me cause to regret that forgiveness." Jenkins said with great melodrama.

Madi almost laughed in his face with relief. She was used to his cryptic and jealous messages from the time they'd spent together on the science station. Man, this guy was one odd bird. She nodded to him and rushed by. "Sorry to run off, Jenkins, but I'm meeting some new friends. Later." She hurried down the passageway and finally burst out laughing when she thought of his words. In her opinion Cooper Hawkes had found his way very well indeed. Keeping an eye out to make sure he wasn't following, Madi made her way up to see her favorite student.

~*~

He was pissed. She could tell. He was currently lying there on the sleeping bag he'd used to line one of his hidey holes, his head propped up on one of his hands, glaring at her. She sighed.

He couldn't believe that she wanted to read that mouldy book. Things had started off so well, as well. The second she'd walked in, he'd had her pressed back against his sleeping bag and had been kissing her. She'd wrapped her arms around his neck, her thumb stroking his navel. Didn't she know what that did to him? Didn't she know that that sent shivers down his spine and electric currents straight to his groin? And she'd kissed him back, hard, and made those little gasping sounds that he was beginning to realise meant that she was as excited as he was. And then she'd pushed him out of the way, and said something about that not being why she was here. And then she got out that book. That book written by some guy hundreds of years dead. And expected him to be able to concentrate on it, when the closeness of the space meant that she was pressed up against him, wearing those glasses and smelling so good. And every time he tried to touch her, she slapped his hand away and told him to concentrate. Likehe could! It was all he could do to concentrate on breathing.

And she kept wriggling against him. She pretended nothing was happening, but he could tell she was doing it deliberately. Every time he got close to being able to concentrate on this dumb story, hoping that if he at least showed willing, she'd be amenable to teaching him something else in the time they had, she'd wriggle her hips against him. It wasn't obvious, except that every time she moved like that it sent fresh waves of desire through him. She knew what she was doing. It wasn't fair. It just wasn't fair.

So he lay there and glared at her. She knew that it was her own fault. She was determined to make him concentrate on Dickens, but God, it was difficult to concentrate when he was raking those hot eyes up and down her body. The undisguised lust in those eyes made her shiver, made her wet. She wasn't helping matters either. She couldn't resist moving her hips against his side every so often, just to hear him gasp. It wasn't fair she knew that. Like it wasn't fair the way she'd run her fingers over his navel earlier, although to give herself credit, she hadn't known how erotic that was for an InVitro, until she'd heard him gasp, and felt him tense against her. She wondered idly what would happen if she ran her tongue over it, or suckled on it, the way he did on her breasts. She filed that thought away for future consideration.

He was still glaring at her. She gave him a sweet smile, and his eyes narrowed even further. She sighed again. "Cooper, you're not concentrating," she admonished.

"How can I concentrate when you smell so good?" His voice was sulky. "And when you keep doing that?"

"What?" she asked innocently, fully aware of what he meant. She rubbed her hips against him again, trying to suppress a grin and failing miserably. His eyes narrowed even further.

"That!" he almost spat. Boy, but he was adorable when he sulked. She resisted the urge to grasp that pouting bottom lip, and draw it into her mouth. But, then again, what the hell? So she did it anyway.

When she drew back, he'd stopped glaring at her. His eyes where half closed, and the looks he directed at her now were smouldering.

"I'm doing that," she emphasised the words with another rub, watching him catch his lip between his teeth, "to help you develop your concentration." That got him glaring again. She'd make it up to him later, she promised herself. Right now, she compromised on pressing another hot kiss against his mouth. "You'll never get anywhere if you can't focus on the matter in hand," she teased. "Book now, sex later."

"I've only got twenty mikes until the mission briefing," he groused.

"Then book now, sex much later," she teased again. That brought a fresh scowl to his face, and then a sly grin appeared. Nervously she wondered what he was plotting now.

"Promise?" he asked. At her nod he looked more satisfied. "Can we at least have the other book? The one about the revolution, and that Carton guy?" Well, she thought, at least it was still Dickens. She turned her back to him, reaching for the book behind her. Too late she realised that this was a mistake.

He pressed even closer to her, where she knelt on her hands and knees with the book in front of her. One of his hands disappeared up her skirt to lightly stroke her through her underwear. The other opened the book at the page they'd reached earlier.

"Cooper," she growled warningly. He gave her an innocent look.

"I think we'd got to this page," he said. His index finger was now stroking her steadily through the fabric, increasing the pressure every now and then, making her jump. "Is something wrong Madi? You seem to be finding it difficult to concentrate." His other hand moved down her back, and began to inch her skirt up until it was bunched up around her waist, allowing him easier access. When it was arranged to his satisfaction, he lay back down on his elbow, and gazed up at her innocently. I've got to wear trousers next time, she thought. On the other hand he'd probably find a way around those too. He can be awfully inventive when he needs to be.

He was watching her expectantly. Now it was her turn to glare at him. She was determined not to be beaten by a six year old. She forced her attention back onto the book, a Herculean effort by anyone's standards, and began to read.

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom..."

"Madi," he said patiently, "we've already read that bit." She turned to glare at him again.

"So we have," she spat out through gritted teeth. "I don't know where my head is today." He grinned up at her, and used his free hand to relocate the page he'd found, his other hand not ceasing in its rhythm, driving her slowly out of her mind.

"Chapter four," she ground out. "The Shoemaker. 'Good day' said Monsieur Defarge looking down at the white head that bent low over the shoemaking. It was raised for a moment.....Cooper! what are you doing?"

He'd disappeared from view, and the next thing she felt was her underwear being pulled down to her knees. His hands gently forced her thighs apart, and his finger resumed its stroking. His head reappeared.

"Don't worry, I'm listening." She stared at him, glazed, lost in the sensations his hands were causing. "It was raised for a moment..." he prompted.

"Wha?" She was barely able to get that much out.

"It was raised for a moment.....That's where you'd got to."

"Oh. It was raised for a moment," her voice was unsteady, "and a very faint voice
responded to the salutation, as if it were at a distance......Oh God Cooper, what are you doing to me!"

He examined the book critically, his finger continuing to move in and out of her now, in a steady rhythm. "You know, it says 'Good day' here. No mention of me at all. You've really got to concentrate, Madi. You'll never get anywhere if you don't concentrate on the matter in hand."

She glared at him, while he grinned back. "That's the problem, Hawkes. I'm concentrating on the hand and not the matter." She focused her attention back onto the book. " 'You're still hard at work, I see.'"

"Mm- hum," he breathed. "Definitely still hard at work." A second finger joined the first, sliding in and out of her, harder now. His thumb began to caress her clitoris, in a circular motion. Every now and then, his fingers would plunge hard and deep into her and his thumb press hard against her clit, causing a sudden surge of pleasure. Her knees began to go weak. He was concentrating on her face, now, the book forgotten. "Come on teach," he growled. "Teach me!" She struggled onwards.

"After a long silence the head was lifted for another moment and the voice replied......and the voice replied... Oh God! Coop! Just fuck me please. Please I can't take this anymore, you win, just... please." The words were forced out of her.

"I can't Madi," he sighed regretfully. "I've got a briefing in ten mikes now. But I want to see you come. I want to see your face when you come. Open your eyes, Madi," he pleaded. "Look at me."

She forced her eyes open and looked deep into his eyes. They were darkened with desire. His fingers continued to plunge in and out of her, and his thumb continued to rub against her. She felt that familiar tension building. Her whole body tensed, and then exploded with release. She collapsed, sobbing with relief into his arms. His fingers continued their motion, much gentler now, as the final shudders of her orgasm shook her. Then he removed them, and wiped them over her lips. She sucked them gently, thrilling at her taste on him. He rocked her to and fro in his arms gently, while she came back down to earth.

"Madi," he whispered gently into her ear. "I think you'd better pull your panties up. McQueen is coming." He pressed one last kiss onto her lips, and then released her, still dazed.

"I'm going to get you for this, Cooper Hawkes!" she promised, straightening herself up. By the time that McQueen appeared to remind Cooper that the briefing was in five minutes, Madi, although still a little flushed, was reading from Tale of Two Cities as though nothing had happened.

~*~

Nathan West pulled the pin and sent a smart grenade toward a group of five Chigs that was bearing down on them from ten o'clock. To his right Cooper was picking off any Chigs who had the misfortune to peep around the huge stone batholiths that covered the planet's surface. Nathan reloaded and putting his back to Cooper added his firepower to the cause. "Damn Chig bastards," Nathan muttered. He couldn't believe how screwed up the military intelligence info actually was. The Wildcards had landed an hour ago to escort a first-aid ISSTV out and all reports indicated that the Chig presence was nominal. Now here they were outnumbered and outgunned and there wasn't a medivac to be seen.

Cooper was talking to Vansen on his headset, West's had gone out when he'd been thrown to the ground by a percussion wave from a chig shell. "Captain, we're almost out of ammo and Chiggie just keeps coming. No sign of any friendly craft. We're changing position now before we get surrounded. Please advise. Over." Nathan fired off a final round, then followed Hawkes, amazed as usual by how much Cooper enjoyed combat. He was grinning like an idiot. Nathan was hot and tired and numb; Cooper was locked, loaded and ready to go. GI Geequed.

"Coop, what'd Vansen say?"

"Get back to them, we're pulling out. Phousse can't find any trace of a medivac. Some kind of error. Fuckin' brainwipes." Coop's pet name for the brass made Nathan grin as well. He took point and headed back in the direction of the Hammerheads and the Cards. He had to keep checking over his shoulder to see if Cooper was behind him. The big lug was so quiet you could never be sure where he was. The going was slower through the slump and debris that littered the rocky surface but at least it seemed as if they'd left the Chigs behind. Then they rounded the next stone wall and came face to face with three more. Cooper got of a round into the Chig farthest to the left, then it went hand to hand. Both marines jerked out their Kabars and took out the two Chigs with swift, economical movements. McQueen's deadly children.

"Don't forget to be at the Tun tonight at 19:00 hours Coop," Nathan reminded him as he wiped green blood off his knife blade. "Why don't you ask that cute Ms. Gibson to come with you?"

Cooper suddenly faltered in resheathing his knife and nicked his hand. Nathan had to bite his lip to keep from laughing out loud. Hawkes trying to keep a poker face always amused him.

"Now why would I want to do that?"

Nathan started down through the last of the stone corridors before the planes, still cautious. He spoke quietly over his shoulder. "Well she might get lonely all by herself in that cabin. You should bring her down and introduce her properly to your friends. Let us get to know her. Buy her a beer or something, you know like a date." By Cooper's stony expression, Nathan knew he'd hit a nerve. "What's the matter, Coop, you afraid she'll like us better than you?" He knew Hawkes wouldn't back down from such a challenge.

"No, West, I'm not afraid of that ever happening. Madi's got good taste. But Shane's in one of her weird moods and I don't know about throwing those two together. You know more about this women stuff than I do, but I get this feeling that they're not going to be like bestest buddies."

Nathan hadn't thought of that but now that Hawkes mentioned it getting Shane revved up sounded like fun. "It'll be okay, Coop. Bring her. It'll be nice to have someone new to dance with," he needled again. This time he did laugh at the look on Cooper's face as they broke onto the flat plane where they'd landed their Hammerheads. Shane, Phousse, and Wang were already in their cockpits and providing cover. Nathan forgot all about Madi in his rush to get strapped in and find out what went wrong with this mission. Cooper wanted to know as well, but he was also thinking of West's remark about dancing and natural-borns dancing with Madi and that didn't seem funny at all.

~*~

Madi was bored and restless by the time Cooper knocked on the hatch at 6:30 that night. She'd spent the long afternoon with her father and had even made a short visit to see Commodore Ross. She enjoyed talking with him and they chatted a while about people and places back on Earth. Madi caught him up on Cooper's progress and he seemed pleased. When he asked if she was comfortable she assured him she was but mentioned that she was running out of clean clothes. He politely offered to have her laundry done and delivered to her cabin. Madi considered it a very fruitful afternoon but she missed Cooper dreadfully.

Cooper knocked once then jumped as the door was flung open and a small hand grabbed his wrist and jerked him into the cabin. As soon as he cleared the opening Madi launched herself at him and flung both arms around his neck to bring his mouth to hers for a long, hot, wet kiss. He caught her and wrapped his arms tightly around her, burying his hands in her hair, loving the warmth and feel of her pressed against him. Madi ran her hands lightly up and down his neck, barely touching his navel and enjoying the shivers she could feel coursing on his skin from the contact. She pulled her mouth off his and looked into his hot eyes. "Hey Cowboy. How was everything down on the ranch today?"

Cooper shook his head and grinned. Cowboy. Madi was weird, but Nathan was right, she was cute. And he could get used to this he thought as he absently played with a bright curl. "Je t'aime. J'ai pense'a toi toute la journ'ee." (I love you. I thought about you all day.) Madi's breath caught in her throat at the sound of the beautiful language. "Cooper, what did you say to me?" Cooper smiled innocently. "I said, 'Want to come to the Tun with me tonight?' Maybe get to know my friends a little better?"

Madi was thrilled the he'd asked her to go out with him. Their courtship had started out a little backwards compared to most. She thought that something seemed to be worrying him a little but decided if it was important he'd mention it to her.

"When?"

" 'Bout 19:00 hours."

She tapped him on the nose with her index finger. "Speak in real-people time."

He grinned and translated, "7:00 p.m. or so."

Madi glanced at her watch and gasped. "Cooper that's only twenty minutes from now!"

"Madi, it only takes five mikes to walk down there so what's the problem?"

Men. Madi glanced at her wrinkled skirt and t-shirt with a grimace. Rushing to her closet she pulled out her last clean pair of jeans and a black tank top. Fifteen flurried minutes later with a little silver jewelry, her lipstick touched up, and a spray of perfume, Madi was as ready as she was going to be. Cooper was lying on the bed, grinning and enjoying the show. He thought Madi looked great. Madi was thinking about Shane who probably had a whole closet full of clean clothes to go with her long, dark hair.

The walk to the Tun took slightly longer than five mikes since Cooper insisted on pulling her into every dark access along the way for long, slow kisses. By the time they made it there Madi was ready to turn around and go back to the room.

When she saw all Cooper's friends gathered around a table in the corner Madi was suddenly struck by shyness. They seemed a lot more intimidating as a group or maybe pack was the word. She tried to hang back but Cooper just caught her hand and drug her along like his pet poodle. The Cards looked up at Wang's nod and turned toward the couple headed their way. "Play nice, Shane" Nathan whispered. Shane was wishing she'd worn her black T-shirt instead of the olive green one. She couldn't help but notice how black set off Madi's hair. Cooper hooked an arm around Madi and pulled her up to his side. Shane's eyes narrowed a little at the possessive gesture but she didn't say anything.

"Guys this is Madi Gibson, Madi these are my friends." And so it went, slow and stilted until Nathan asked her to dance. She automatically accepted and had risen to her feet when Cooper suddenly wrapped his hand around her arm right below her elbow. Surprised, she looked at him questioningly and it suddenly came to her why he had been so worried earlier. She turned her own hand and grasped his arm in the same manner so that their inner forearms rested against each other. Vanessa thought the action resembled nothing so much as a primal ceremony. Madi simply stared into Cooper's eyes and smiled slightly until he seemed to find what he was looking for in her eyes. Reassurance and love. Then he slid his hand down her arm and drew her fingers to his lips for a kiss. The whole scene took less than a minute but nearly reduced Madi to tears. She swallowed the lump in her throat and went to dance with Nathan. She had a few things to say to him about the Bacchus.

Cooper talked and laughed with Shane, Phousse, and Paul but his eyes wandered constantly to Madi. Nathan brought her back and Paul left with her. When she finally sat down again Phousse had suggested they play poker and the cards were out. Madi felt like a fool when she had to tell them she'd never played cards in her life but instead of rolling their eyes as she expected, the news seemed to delight the whole group. Cooper started to warn Madi but Shane kicked his shin under the table. He looked at Madi then Shane and decided the cherry was on her own. The evening took a definite turn for the better from that moment. By the time the noise level drew McQueen over to see what the hoopla was all about Madi had lost all her money and most of her jewelry. Shane had her new pair of flats, Phousse had her lipstick, Cooper was playing with her earrings that he'd won back from Paul and clutching a hastily scribbled IOU for two of her compact disks of his choice, and Nathan was calling for her to anti-up. McQueen hid a smile at the fleecing. Though it was hard for him to believe, Gibson seemed to be worse at poker than Hawkes. Generally accepted as the worst player on the Saratoga, Cooper couldn't hold a candle to Madi. It finally got so bad that McQueen took pity on her and slid his chair over to help. Things settled down until it was her turn to deal and shuffle. Madi approached the task like a physicist assembling an atom bomb but she'd never held a deck of cards before. They all made it look so easy. How was she supposed to know they would be so slippery and that she and McQueen would like characters in snow dome when the cards came floating down. She looked so dismayed that she cracked the group up again, even McQueen laughed.

"I'm not playing anymore, you people are sharks," Madi complained good-naturedly. Shane nodded her agreement as she drew in the last take and slipped Madi's bracelet on her arm with a very shark-like grin. Madi felt so good about being accepted by Cooper's friends that she would have given up ten bracelets. Well, all of them but Vansen, but she had at least bent a little during the night.

As the group broke up momentarily for fresh drinks and breaks, Madi felt a touch on her shoulder and turned to see Cooper looking solemn and holding his hand out. "Dance?" Hearing an old ballad start, she just as solemnly placed her hand in his and allowed him to lead her in her sock feet over to the dance floor. Cooper pulled her into his arms and tucked her head under his chin. Madi clasped her hands around his neck and he folded his arms around her waist. While other couples danced and chatted, Cooper just held Madi and swayed, letting the notes of the music wash over him and trying to burn the memory of this into his mind so he would have it when she left. Madi occasionally pressed slow kisses to the underside of his jaw and snuggled closer. Cooper pressed his face into her hair. One song became eight and they still swayed together, not talking, just holding each other. The remaining Wildcards and McQueen finally gave up on them and started a new game, glancing at them occasionally, a different look on each face. Those looks were lost on Madi and Cooper, they couldn't see past each other's eyes.

~*~

Madi was still smiling and only slightly tipsy as Cooper slid the keycard through the scanner on her cabin door. "Cooper that was such fun. Thank you for inviting me. I like your friends."

Cooper was incredulous. "Madi, they scalped you. You even lost your shoes."

"Oh I don't care about those things Cooper. The way trading works on a ship this size I'm sure everyone will make good use of my junk. I can always get more of that stuff when I get ….later. I can get some new stuff later." Their time was going by so fast. Madi forced the thought to the back of her mind and gave Cooper a warm kiss. "I have to shower. Nose around but remember you only won two discs and you can't have the other Pink Floyd. I'm saving it for something special." She smoothed her hand along his jaw and let her fingers play in his hair; it was getting longer. "Can you stay tonight?"

"Yeah, we don't fly tomorrow. I need to get some paperwork done but I can finish it later." He was pleased to see that he brought a smile back to her face.

"Be right back." Madi called over her shoulder.

Cooper's fingers were playing with masses of tiny silver circles that made up the earrings he'd won and stuck in his pocket. He started to hand them back, then he too thought of their time and his fist closed over them. He needed these for his box that held all the things he wanted to remember. When he went through it and found these he'd remember Madi in the Tun, shoeless, with her nose wrinkled up and frowning as she stubbornly tried to figure out the intricacies of poker. He wouldn't need a trinket to remember holding her as they'd danced. Cooper sighed and went to pilfer through her compact disks.

When Madi finally emerged from the shower snuggled in her bath robe she found Cooper stretched out of his stomach on her bunk, stripped down to his underwear. "What have you got there?" She walked over to see what he was so engrossed in. When she saw it was her photodisk player she was swamped with homesickness.

"Who are all these kids, Madi, and why don't they have any teeth?" Cooper sounded so worried about their lack of teeth that Madi laughed out loud. Never a boring moment. She crawled in beside him, pressed a kiss to his bare arm and looked at the photo in the small hand-held display screen.

"Those are my children from the orphanage back home. I've known them for several years now. They've grown so fast…the oldest will be in the third grade this year. She affectionately ran her finger over the child pictured. "This is Matthew. He's our resident pyromaniac. He tries to burn the building down every day at 2:00 on his bathroom break. If he wasn't such a stickler for scheduling we'd all be toast by now." She hit the forward button. "And there's the twins, Avery and Kelsey. They're such sweethearts. They need a mother so badly though."

"Cute. Which is which?" Cooper was fascinated with the twin girls; he thought they looked like tiny dolls. He'd never seen two identical people before. "How come they don't have teeth either?"

"I have no idea by looking at the photo. You have to be with them to tell, they have completely different personalities. As for the teeth, natural-born children lose their baby teeth in front around six or seven. The girls are five. We don't have a kid in the group who can eat corn-on-the-cob right now," Madi absently pressed another kiss to Cooper's shoulder as he flipped through classroom scenes then stopped and reversed to a photo of a beautiful black-haired child who stood with crossed arms in an angry, rebellious stance and glared into the camera.

"Who's this and why does he look so pissed off?"

Madi's smile deepened as she looked at her most troubled child and her "son." "Reece. Reece has been pissed off since his parents walked away and left him in his crib when he was three months old. He's the only child at the Home whose parents are both InVitros. A neighbor kept him until he started running away. Last year I found him sleeping in a box on the street. I took him to that woman's house and she gave him to me…like he was a puppy or something." Madi squashed the old anger and continued.

"Reece is eight going on forty-five. He's intelligent, quick as lightning, he has a wicked sense of humor, and he's very territorial of the twins; but other than them he's totally closed himself off from the other children. I wish I could get closer to him. He doesn't talk much, usually only to tell me when he doesn't like the way things are being run at the Home. He's very orderly and militant and I have to watch him like a hawk. In my absence he's no doubt organized the children and seized control of the orphanage. Wonder if he'll let me back in?" Madi mused to herself. "Hopefully, he'll do something about the cafeteria food…"

"I plan to adopt him but it's so hard to do that and not take the girls. He insists on staying at the orphanage because he won't leave the twins. I let him because I think the socialization is good for him and when I'm away on a job I know he's being taken care of." Madi nearly bit her tongue off when she realized what she'd said. She glanced at Cooper to see if he noticed the slip but he seemed miles away. Intently inspecting each photo from all angles.

Cooper was feeling something he thought might be jealousy curl in his stomach when he heard the warm love in Madi's voice as she spoke of these kids nobody else wanted. He still struggled with the concept of love being encompassing and he wondered if Madi would stop loving him when she got back to these orphans and cast-off children she seemed so crazy about. Cooper frowned and looked at Reece again. He recognized the attitude. He could almost feel what the kid was thinking. "Do you …hug him like you do the others?"

Madi was surprised by the question but answered honestly. "Well I try to Cooper but he gets so stiff. I'm always afraid I'm invading his personal space or something. I don't think he's the hugging kind. And of course I'm always wondering if he's got a knife he's trying to stick between my ribs too."

Though she said it with a teasing smile Cooper realized she was serious. He understood this as well. He'd lived on the streets. You learned to protect yourself or you died. End of story. No one could be trusted. The facility hadn't been worse than the streets. You learned to fight for your territory and you were lucky if you had a knife. Though he'd had the advantage of physical strength and an adult body, he could vividly remember the terror of the city and the lonely, cold hopelessness.

"You should hug him longer. Sometimes it takes a while to soak in…sort of like…the warmth has to thaw a place out, ya know? When you've been…cold for so long inside it takes longer to melt a spot."

Madi had to swallow twice before she nodded to Cooper's matter-of-fact statement which told her so much. "I'll try that." Madi suddenly realized what his insight could mean to Reece and other children like him. "What are you doing after this war's over, Cowboy?"

Cooper looked uneasy at the question. "If McQueen has anything to do with it I guess I'm headed for some sort of officer's training school then back to the Marines. He's says it's the best place for InVitros."

Madi propped her head in her hand and ran a finger down the back of his head, over his navel, down his back to his hips, and then back up. Cooper continued to look through the photoplayer but she could see the goose bumps raised on his back and smiled. "There's a college near me you could attend. In your spare time you could help out at the Home. We're in desperate need for male role models and it wouldn't hurt if you can swing a hammer either; something's always needing repair."

"You would let me near your kids?" Cooper seemed amazed.

"Of course I would Cooper, what makes you think I wouldn't?"

"I can tell how much you love 'em. Why would you want some tank grunt hanging around? They're so new and clean…I'd be afraid I'd sort of …get 'em dirty, you know? All the killing and everything that I've done."

Madi quickly swiped a tear from the corner of her eye and resorted to humor to cover her real emotions. "I think you've seen too many laundry-soap commercials, hon. These kids would have you down wrestling in the dirt or playing army in about five minutes and they would want pony rides til you dropped. Then it would be on to the tea party where you'd be served Kool-aid and peanut-butter crackers and jam. Not neat treats."

And Madi could picture Cooper doing it as clearly as day, from the wrestling in the back yard to him sitting at the girls' little table and chairs holding a tiny porcelain teacup of tropical blue liquid in his huge hands.

McQueen wasn't getting him back. Ever.

"Marines, Madi." Cooper was saying as if he was talking to someone not very bright.

"What?"

"Marines. We're not going to play army. What are you teaching those kids? We'll play marines."

"You come down there, Cooper, and you can play anything you want," Madi promised. "Where ever I am, anywhere on Earth, there'll be a place for you there. These kids need someone like you."

Cooper changed the subject before Madi could see how those words affected him. Did she realize that he'd never had a place where he was wanted or needed before? Thinking about McQueen's plans for him, Cooper felt strangely torn about sharing his news. He had a feeling the Colonel wouldn't be as thrilled.

"What is that?"

Madi took her attention off his face to glance at the player. He must have found the picture of their resident pint-jar sized, praying mantis, Charlie. "Oh that was the ice cream party. What at mess that was! We were cleaning ice cream out of their ears for days. That is Lisbeth wearing most of her ice cream on her face."

"So what's ice cream?"

Madi thought he was joking until she saw his eyes. "Cooper, you're bound to have had ice cream," she asked questioningly. At his blank look she tried to qualify.

"So what you're telling me," she asked in shock, "is that you've never had ice cream before. Never, ever, in your entire life."

"Uh huh. Never. Not once in six years. I can't see why you're making such a big deal of this, Mad. There's lots of things I haven't done yet."

"Yes, but ice cream isn't just a thing. It's... it's... it's an essential food group."

"Well, I've managed to grow up big and strong without it, so it can't be that essential," he reasoned. Her eyes racked the length of his body, and privately she had to agree with that statement. He had grown up big and strong, very big and very strong. Her fingers itched with the desire to touch him, to run over those perfect pecs. She forced her attention back to the matter in hand.

"Yes, but I can't believe that you've never had ice cream. Coop, you don't know what you're missing. Ice cream is, well... it's..."

"Is it better than sex?" he asked, moving closer to her. This boy had a one track mind.

"Noooo...."

"Well, then I can't be missing much." He reached out and started to undo the tie on her robe. Definitely a one track mind. Not that she was complaining. Having a one track mind meant that he concentrated on what he was doing. And Madi was beginning to discover that when Cooper Hawkes concentrated on something, he usually mastered it quite quickly. And in this case, very quickly.

She started to lose track of what she was thinking, as his lips began to move down her throat, gently nipping and kissing. Make that very quickly indeed. Before she could lose herself entirely, she pulled herself away from him, ignoring his disappointed look. There'd be plenty of time for that later. Right now it was time to continue his education. And she'd already decided what the next lesson was going to be.

"Wait here," she told him firmly, trying not to lose herself in those beautiful blue eyes, and trying to ignore the urge to nibble her way along those lips, now looking adorably pouty. "There'll be plenty of time for that later." His eyes brightened at that.

"Mad," he wheedled, twisting his index finger in the knot of her robe. "Couldn't we do it now and later?" Oh God. She mastered her resolve, determined not to give into him. If she did they'd be in bed all night and all day, or at least until the next mission. And much as she'd like that... Madison Gibson, she told herself firmly, give in now and you'll never get him to learn anything beyond what you like to do in bed. Which is basically anything involving a naked Cooper Hawkes.

She moved away from him, ignoring his grumpy sigh, and started to pull on some clothes. His hungry eyes watched her from where he reclined on the bed, wearing nothing but his green issue boxers.

"Do you still have that pass to the mess?" she asked. His eyes narrowed.

"How did you know about that?"

"I'm beginning to know a great deal about you, Cooper. So my guess was right, you do have a pass?"

He was cornered and he knew it. She could see him wavering between being angry or laughing. Laughter won.

"Yes, I have a pass. You really do know me don't you? I'm beginning to think you night know me even better than the other 'Cards." There was a note of wonderment in his voice Taking care to avoid his hands, if he caught hold of her she would spend all day in bed, she leaned in and pressed a hard kiss against his lips.

"I should hope," she whispered against his mouth, "that none of the 'Cards do know you as well as I do." She pulled back to direct a hard look at him. "Unless of course there's something I should know."

He felt a thrill at her words. She's jealous, he thought. She's actually jealous. She was still glaring at him, wondering why he was suddenly grinning at her. "You know that there isn't," he said shyly. Mollified she kissed him again, feeling a little ashamed at her question. It really wasn't any of her business. The hell it wasn't!

"Where's the pass?"

"In one of......somewhere," he answered evasively. She sighed. He obviously didn't want to share his hidey holes with her just yet. Although he'd probably be even more suspicious if he guessed she already knew about them.

"Okay, go get it and meet me at the mess in five minutes. Dressed."

He smiled at that. "Okay, five mikes."

Five minutes later, he was standing outside of the mess, looking nervous. How had he got here so fast? She filed the question in the back of her mind, more important things to deal with first. Like how to stage a commando raid on the Commodore's secret ice cream stash in the middle of the night on a ship in the middle of a war zone. How do I get into these situations, she wondered. She fought the urge to giggle, as he tripped the lock with his purloined pass and they sneaked inside.

Five minutes after that they were safely ensconced in her ward room, booty clutched in Cooper's hands.

"It's cold," he gasped.

"Cooper, what do you expect," she giggled. "That's why they call it ice cream." He looked worried. "What is it, baby?"

"What if the Commodore finds out we stole his ice cream. They'll throw me in the brig. They might throw you in too."

"Honey, if they lock us in the same cell, I'll be happy." He smiled at that. "But I don't think we'll get caught. For a start, we're going to eat the evidence. There are also several hundred people on this ship, a lot of them considerably more shady characters than we two, and thirdly if they do narrow it down to us, I'll take the rap and say I took it on my own. Not being familiar with the running of the ship, I'll say I thought it was for general consumption. Now come here."

Grinning at the tone of command in her voice, he joined her on the bed, pulling his T-shirt off as he did so.

"Now why did you do that?" she giggled, already knowing the answer. He grinned back at her.

"I thought it would save time later."

"Definitely a one track mind," she muttered.

"What?"

"Nothing. Here." She fed him a spoonful of ice cream, watching his eyes close in pleasure as it melted on his tongue. "It's Cookies and Cream," she added. "My favourite."

His eyes were still closed, as the last traces of this wonderful new taste evaporated from his mouth. He looked so adorable, so sexy as he relished this new experience. She couldn't resist.

"Cooper?" Her voice was a throaty whisper.

"Mmmm?"

"Do you know when ice cream tastes best?"

"No."

"When it's melting."

His eyes opened in shock as she flicked a spoonful of ice cream onto his bare chest. He watched, still surprised, as she leant in and her small pink and warm tongue began to lap it up. As lightning bolts shot down his body to his groin, he wondered how something so cold could cause him to feel so flushed and hot.

She pulled back, her tongue licking the last drops of ice cream from her lips. He watched, fascinated, unconsciously mimicking her, licking his own lips which seems to have become inexplicably dry all of a sudden. "Mmmmm," she said, wickedly. "I think that I have a new favourite flavour. Cooper and cream."

A vague thought wandered across the portion of his brain still working, something about wondering if ice cream tasted even better if eaten from a Madi. The rest of his brain was currently focused on his groin, where his fatigues were suddenly far too tight. He reached in and kissed her hard, his tongue in her mouth tasting the last lingering remains of the ice cream. Suddenly he wanted more.

"More?" Her voice startled him. He hadn't realised that he'd spoken out loud. He raised his head slightly to meet her eyes, wondering if she meant ice cream or something else. She recognised the hunger in his eyes. It was mirrored in her own.

"Do you want some more ice cream, Cooper," she breathed into his ear, enunciating each word clearly. He shivered. Her voice, when it took that tone, it always did...stuff to him. He nodded, unable to speak, fixing his eyes on her face like a drowning man fixes his eyes on the sight of land.

Once again, there was a sweet explosion in his mouth as the ice cream melted on his tongue. He had his eyes closed, when he felt her warm tongue gently slid up his chin and into his mouth before withdrawing. "Missed a bit," she breathed. Damn it didn't she know what this was doing to him. Opening his eyes, he caught sight of the sparkling laughter in hers, and knew that she knew exactly what she was doing. It was time to turn the tables.

"Your turn," he growled, removing the spoon from her hand, and digging deep into the ice cream. Lifting the spoon to her mouth, he accidentally on purpose tipped it over.

"Cooper!" she yelped, as cold ice cream slid down the front of her blouse. He grinned devilishly at her.

"Don't worry, Kitty, I'll get it." Before she knew what was happening, her blouse was undone and a warm tongue was lapping up the rapidly melting ice cream. Damn but that boy could move fast when he needed to. His warm tongue sent even more shivers down her spine than the ice cream had. With a shudder, she realised that his tongue had moved, and was now outlining the shape of her hard nipple through the fabric of her bra.

"Cooper," her voice was rough with desire. "I don't think that there was any ice cream there."

Once again she was struck by how mischievous this moody marine could look, as he raised his head to shoot her a grin.

"Don't worry, Kitty. I'm sure we can fix that."

The strength seemed to leave her body in a rush, as in a flash her bra joined her blouse on the floor. He reached a finger into the ice cream, scooping some up and planting it right on her breast. He examined it critically for a second. The cold of the ice cream caused her nipple to stand out even more than her state of arousal had.

"There." There was a note of satisfaction in his voice as he settled his mouth firmly on her breast. White hot bolts of electricity shot straight to her groin as he began to lick and nip at her teat, rolling it around his mouth and sucking on it hard. Dimly, she realised that her hips were making a mindless thrusting motion, as she fastened her hands on the back of his head to hold him there.

His fingers scooped up yet more ice cream, this time dropping it on her other breast. His mouth followed the trail the melting dessert made, down over the curve of her breast towards the hollow of her stomach.

She gasped as his tongue flicked in and out of her belly button. More ice cream followed, causing her to shudder as she felt its cold against her stomach. His hands spread the sticky cream over her stomach and then proceeded up her body to caress her breasts, while his tongue continued to lap up the ice cream pool on her stomach. By now, she was beyond thought as she made mindless noises of pleasure. His hands moved down to the buttons of her jeans, and she raised her hips to help him pull them off her completely, together with her underwear, now damp with the need for him.

She was now completely naked, wearing nothing but ice cream. And that was being slowly licked away. Her head thrashed from side to side, as he nibbled his way up the inside of her thighs. She moaned in frustration as he avoided the place she most wanted him to kiss. He slid his way up her body, kissing her lips and grinning into her face, as once more he reached for the ice cream. He disappeared from sight, and she raised herself up onto her elbows to look down at him.

"Cooper, what.............Ooooh" That last sound was wrenched out of her, as she felt a very cold finger slip into her. Her hips left the bed completely, as she felt his tongue follow. She moaned, her head tossing from side to side, as his tongue stroked around her clitoris and then plunged deeply into her. Her climax was earth shattering, her body twisting and her heart pounding.

He move back up her body to kiss her deeply. She could taste ice cream on his tongue. Ice cream and her. The thought brought flesh waves of pleasure to her body.

He lay beside her, staring into the ice cream tub. "Ice cream's melting," he commented matter-of-factly. She stared at him, amazed. How can he be so calm, after what he's just done to me? she wondered. How can he be so calm, after he's just heard me screaming his name over and over?

He tipped the tub over so that she could see, as though the reason she was so quiet was that she doubted it. It was definitely time to turn the tables.

She took the tub off him, and rolled him underneath her. "I guess we'll just have to finish it then," she teased. She dipped her finger in the tub, and began to write on his chest. He raised himself up on his elbows, twisting his head from side to side as he tried to read what she was writing.

"What is it? What are you doing?"

"Writing."

"I can see that! What are you writing?"

"I'm writing some words. Three in fact." She smiled at him. The curiosity was driving him crazy.

"I don't care how many words there are, WHAT ARE YOU WRITING!"

She laughed at him, and leant over to kiss him. "I am writing, my dear, gorgeous and sexy tank," she teased, "three little words. I.......love......you." She finished the last word with a flourish, smiling at him while she did so. His insides felt as gooey as the ice cream. No matter how many times she said it, he still felt a thrill, as though he was afraid that the last time had been a dream. He didn't even mind when she called him a tank. Not when she said it in that tone of voice.

He gasped as her tongue began to trace the outline of the words, then proceeded downwards. It was her turn to undo the buttons on his trousers. Her hands pulled them down over his knees, and then outlined the shape of the bulge in his boxers. They soon joined the pile of clothes on the floor. She dipped her fingers in the ice cream, now fully melted, and let it drip off her fingers onto his bare flesh. Wherever a drop felt, her warm tongue licked it off. Soon he was thoroughly aroused, watching her with lust darkened eyes as she took hold off the ice cream tub, and with a knowing smile, emptied the few remaining drops over his erection.

Now it was his turn to gasp, as he felt her warm tongue lap up and down his cock, before she closed her mouth over it completely. Her hand moved up and down the base, while her tongue encircled the tip, round and round, slowly driving him out of his fucking mind.

She felt him tense, and knew he was close. When she felt that he could hold out no more, she stopped, rocking back onto her heels and watching him as it slowly dawned on him that she was going to leave him high and dry.

"Madi..." he growled warningly. She grinned at him.

"Turnabout's fair play, lover," she gloated. "You drove me crazy, and now it's my turn." She leant closer to him and whispered seductively, "When you come, I want it to be inside me."

The thought made him shiver, and he reached for her. She darted back. "Not so fast, lover."

"You started it."

"True," she agreed. "And I'm going to finish it."

He wondered what she had in mind. He didn't have to wait long. She unwrapped the condom she'd retrieved, and slowly rolled it down the length of him, placing one last kiss on the tip as she did so. Positioning herself above him, she lowered herself onto him, sighing happily as she felt him fill her.

He decided that he liked this position. He could see her face clearly, and it meant that his hands were free to caress her breasts, something he was unable to do when he was on top. He took full advantage of the situation, his hands full of her breasts and his thumbs caressing her nipples. She sighed again, and began to rock backwards and forwards, setting up a steady rhythm that slowly drove both of them insane.

His hands moved down her back, to grasp her buttocks, holding her steady while he thrust up into her. She matched him thrust for thrust, her orgasm building as he grew harder, closer to his own climax. Eventually he could stand it no longer, and grabbing hold of her waist firmly, he dug his heel into the bed and rolled them both over, so that now he was on top. He could thrust more deeply into her from this position.

From this angle, the pressure on her clitoris was even more intense, and it wasn't long before she reached her second climax. He wasn't far behind.

As they lay there, entwined, their breathing slower, he raised his head to look her straight in the eye.

"Madi," he said shyly. "I think I like ice cream."

~*~

June glanced at the Do Not Disturb notation by the door and went directly in to Diane's office. Hearing the door, Diane looked up and prepared to blast the receptionist again.

"It's me."

"I'm working, June, didn't that idiot put the sign on?"

"The idiot did what you told her, Diane, but I'm going to be away a few days and I need to talk to you now." Her excitement came through and Diane stopped reading the Braille letter and gave June her complete attention. Very little excited June Maddox.

"What's up?"

"We got him. The blackmailer." June sat down and smacked the folder she held on the edge of the desk. "He was an amateur working out of the basement of an IVA facility. The fool had everything there, including the records and photographs." June paused, trying to find the best approach to reach her friend. "Diane, I think now that we've gotten the perp we should discuss the other. I received this file yesterday and I've read it at least ten times. I keep thinking this one might prove useful to us in the future. The InVitro rights movements is escalating at an enormous rate. I want you to reconsider your earlier decision."

Diane was getting bored with the conversation. "June, I've made my position clear. The only way I'll ever be free of this is if I know they're dead. Otherwise, it could go on for years."

June opened the file and began to read as if she hadn't heard a word. Diane rolled her eyes. June had always gotten her way, ever since they were children. "Just listen, Diane. The one in the photo? I've got his service record. Lieutenant, 58th Squadron of the United States Marine Corps Space Cavalry. Decorated for the Battle of the Belt. Top-notch fighter pilot and an excellent natural shooter. Trained in operative skills and has participated successfully in covert surgical extraction maneuvers. 'Lt. Hawkes is an integral part of the Wildcards and is highly valued within his squadron. I have seen remarkable progress and development on the part of this Marine. I expect great things from him in the future.' Col. T.C. McQueen.

Diane caught her breath. "Did you say Hawkes??"

"Yes, um Cooper. Cooper Hawkes. He's the spitting image of Richard, Diane. It gives me the heebie-jeebies to look at him."

"June, I've met that Marine and now I know we've got to get rid of him."

"You've met him?"

"Yes, of course I had no idea who he was." Diane felt an odd sensation in her chest as she remembered that time on the Saratoga and thought of being so close to that particular InVitro. She shuddered and turned her attention back to June.

"So why the increased hurry to get rid of him."

"It's confidential, I can't even tell you. Just trust me."

June blew out her breath. Diane was so unreasonable at times. 'Okay, Diane, but down the road when we need an InVitro we can use, don't blame me for your impulsive actions."

"I won't. Just promise me you'll get rid of him."

"Consider it done. I'll call my contact on board the Saratoga and get it done today.

"What about the others?"

"Nothing's turned up yet. If it hadn't been for the photo I'd never have found this one. His IVA records have been completely wiped."

"How odd. McQueen. Is he still serving aboard the Saratoga?"

"Yes, with honors as usual."

"Thanks June. Now I hate to push you away but I've got to finish this. Let's have dinner when you get back, shall we? Diane smiled and held out her hand to her best friend. June grasped it and leaned down to hug her slightly.

"Take care of yourself, Diane. I'll be back in three days."

"Goodbye. And we are making the right decision, June," but Diane was talking to air.

~*~

Something was about to happen. Cooper's skin had been tingling all day as if ants were crawling on him. He couldn't believe his friends hadn't commented on it….the tension, the anticipation. It never occurred to him that they couldn't feel what he did. He'd been spooked for the past few days. Now as he strode down the passageway to the hangar bay the hair on his neck stood up and chills raced down his spine. Cooper hadn't lived as long as he had by ignoring such sensations. Someone was following him. He felt his body gearing into fight mode and increased his speed slightly. Getting help or a weapon never crossed his mind. During his five years of survival in Philadelphia he'd never had the luxury of backup and thanks to the InVitro facility he was his own weapon.

Something was about to happen. Madi knew because she had received the communiqué just minutes ago on the personal note pad her employer had so thoughtfully provided. The message was purposefully short and vague. "Sources indicate the subject will move today. Maintain observer status unless needed. Exercise extreme caution." It was her signal. What she'd been waiting for these past weeks on the Saratoga. She was relieved the call had finally come so she could get this over with and enjoy her last days with Cooper.

She scratched out a note to herself to check with him about planning a trip on his next leave. Maybe Paris. Smiling at the thought, she forced her mind back to the matter at hand. Out came her huge black suitcase that held everything she traveled with except for the entertainment box of junk. She chose loose, comfortable clothes and slipped them on over the thin body armor she kept in the lining of the case. She slipped on soft-soled shoes and dug out the entertainment box. Dumping it contents out on the bed, she pulled a small silken tab and the false bottom popped out. Madi smiled again as she thought of all the traveling and all the years of field work that she'd put in with no one ever finding her treasures because they were too squeamish to go through the mess.

Though she tried to mash it down the adrenaline started to flow. It had been so long. She lifted the small, compact firearm up the to her nose and sniffed. She loved the smell of gun oil. She rubbed it fondly, softly slid in a loaded clip and slipped a round into the chamber. She tucked it into the holster in the small of her back. The gun was a precaution only. Every operative had their own weapon of choice and for Madi it was knives. Guns were loud and messy. Knives were silent and smooth. In. Out. Over.

She balanced her throwing knife on the end of her finger, appreciating its perfectly balanced weight in her hand before slipping it back into its hidden scabbard. Since she wasn't sure what she might be up against, or how many, she also produced a smaller antique version of the marine's Kabar. Hers was much more streamlined but still had the strong blade needed to cut through muscle and bone if you had the strength to push it. Madi did. She added some extra clips and a few miscellaneous items to her various pockets then slipped on a loose jacket.

The agitation was getting worse and suddenly she let it take her. The rush was like a wave. It was wonderful, almost sexual, and it was the reason she'd resigned her post before. Not because she'd burned out but because she'd become addicted to the excitement. Nothing mattered but the next job. The next rush. Recruited in her senior year of high school Madi had traveled the world. Her father thought she was at college and she was; when she wasn't on a job. After six years her supervisor had requested her resignation because she wanted Madi to live. No one could keep up the risks she was taking and not get killed.

The downtime almost killed her before her roommate suggested Madi donate some of her free time to the InVitro shelters in an effort to get her out of her hair. There she found the other thing she loved in life. Children. Anybody's children. Madi didn't care what color or what race. Human, InVitro, whatever. Kids were fun and more than anything they always told you the truth. After so many years in the other world, Madi found that she suddenly craved the truth. And most importantly children were never boring.

It was for the kids that she occasionally took work that wasn't sanctioned by her government. Odd jobs here and there for a special friend and employer. She needed this job successfully completed and she'd have the money for the three she planned to adopt. She grinned thinking of the director of the orphanage seeing her now. Moonlighting was severely frowned on in the Home. Chuckling at that thought and buzzing with sensation, Madi went on a weasel hunt.

Madi checked his quarters first. No one. She systematically began a search of the main level. Her coming up on the target was a complete accident. She'd just stepped out of the PX when she saw him headed away from her. She casually changed course to follow. Her suspicions only grew as she watched the furtive manner in which he moved and the direction; straight for the hangar bay. Madi hurried quietly down the passageway in pursuit. He was gaining speed and she lost sight of him around a corner. She turned the corner and …nothing. He'd disappeared. There were several cubbyholes and access panels lining the way. She pulled her gun and switched off the safety then put it back in the holster. Putting her back to the wall she edged down the corridor looking behind and forward as she came to the next bend.

She never knew where he came from. One minute there was nothing there, then she was grabbed from behind; a burly arm around her neck and one around her waist pinning her arms. Madi burst into movement without conscious thought, stomping her attacker's foot with her right heel, she felt his arm loosen a fraction in surprise. She shifted to the left and swung her right fist back into his groin with all her might. That definitely eased the hold. She jumped away and brought both straightened arms down hard on the back of her assailant's neck as he hunched over in pain. When her vision cleared her knee was on his chest and her Kabar against his Adam's apple. Madi looked down into the shocked and pain filled eyes of….Cooper Hawkes.

"Madi?? What the fuck are you doin'?!" he ground out between clenched teeth. The knife at his throat didn't worry him half as much as the screaming pain in his groin. Cooper thought he was going to puke and Madi's weight on his chest wasn't helping matters.

Madi's head was whirling. Where was Jenkins?! Then she knew as she felt the cold barrel of his gun at her temple. "Lover's spat, dear?" he crooned coldly from her side. Her eyes met Cooper's and she saw the fear in them; not for himself but for her.

"Don't blink an eyelid, tank, or I'll blow her brains all over this wall." He grabbed Madi by her hair and jerked her to her feet with the gun pressed painfully into her skull. "On your feet and get in there." Jenkins indicated the open access door leading to a supply room. Cooper managed to get up, thinking furiously of the best way to get to the dead man who was holding a gun to Madi's head. Madi was thinking the same thing. They stopped inside with Cooper facing Jenkins and Madi. "Shame on you, Madison. Trying to spoil my fun. I would have been so disappointed if you'd killed him instead of letting me do it."

"Jenkins? What in the world are you doing? What's the matter with you? " Madi demanded trying to sound confused, anything to buy some time. "My father will kill you for this!"

He laughed near her head then, such a weird sound Madi thought, considering the circumstances. "Don't play stupid Madison, you know why I'm doing this, you've known all along."

Jenkins leaned near to her and slowly licked her ear, watching Cooper's face go black with rage. He grinned maliciously. Now it was Madi's turn to feel nauseous. Jenkins continued to watch Cooper with a gloating smile, his body pressed up against Madi's, his mouth touching the soft shell of her ear, his hand fisted in her hair.. He was enjoying his feeling of power. "Your father will be devastated of course, to find that one of those poor misunderstood tanks that he trusted so much stabbed his daughter to death before I managed to kill him. By the way, thanks for the knife, love." Jenkins wiggled the handle from where it hung in his belt. "Bet Daddy doesn't know his little girl likes to cut people, hmm? And won't he be surprised to learn that his Madi, who looked as if butter wouldn't melt in her mouth, was screwing that same tank?" Madi's eyes locked with Cooper's.

Jenkins suddenly jerked her hair viciously, causing Madi's eyes to fill with involuntary tears and he laughed again. "That's right. Cry, you little whore. Cry and beg me not to kill your precious, tank, lover! Did you really think I was so blind I wouldn't know what you were up to?" He pulled her hair again and Cooper stepped toward him. Jenkins immediately turned the gun on Cooper. He laughed at Madi's indrawn breath. "I heard you screaming one night , Madison, from out in the hall. These ships certainly aren't very sound proof. Silly me, I thought he might be hurting you. Then I realized you were screaming his name as he fucked you. You slut!" He shook her by her hair like a rag doll.

"I would have been good to you, Madison. I've even mentioned the possibility of our marrying to your father. I found you quite attractive. To think you'd let a filthy tank crawl between your thighs…. Now look, picturing that has upset me so that I can't decide whether to get rid of you first or him…. It's probably a good thing I'm killing you Madison, you'd be such a distraction to my work."

He looked down the sights pointing to Cooper's heart. "I guess it'll be you first, tank. I'm sorry we don't have time for you to watch me cut her into ribbons but you know how it is. When the voices speak I have to work quickly." Hawkes stared back belligerently. Jenkins might shoot him but he was going to die before Cooper gave up his last breath.

"Please, don't!." Madi burst out. She'd die before she begged for her own life but she would plead for Cooper's. "Let him go Jenkins. This is crazy! I don't know why you're doing this," Madi lied, "but if you let us go, we won't say anything." Real tears of pain and rage ran down Madi's face as she wheedled with Jenkins, while frantically accessing the situation for a way out without getting them killed.

Jenkins was so close to Cooper. If she tried to knock the gun away there was little hope it wouldn't go off. Same with the knife, even if she managed to kick Cooper backwards her movements might cause Jenkins to fire. If she could get his hands to loosen she could distract him and she knew Cooper would do the rest. "They'll see through this and you'll be in prison. Think what you're doing. If you'll let him go, I'll go with you. I'll never see him again."

She sensed her words had some effect on Jenkins. He turned her head towards him more, still keeping the gun trained on Hawkes. His eyes sparkled with insanity and hatred. "It could have been fun, Madison, but I don't want his leftovers. If only you hadn't been such a bad girl. Your father and I will miss you for a while, but who do you think will care about this piece of genetic trash? I could never understand how you could bear to be around them. They're not human you know. If you had been nicer to me I might have made you another. Hell, they're a dime a dozen. If nothing else, I'd kill him just to punish you."

Madi saw it then in those crazed eyes; he was going to do it. Their time was up. She stiffened her left arm and hit Jenkin's gun up just as it fired. He loosened his hold on Madi, snarled and tried to get the muzzle pointed back at Cooper. Hawkes sprang onto Jenkins, desperately struggling for the firearm. Jenkins possessed the almost inhuman strength of the insane and he brought his other hand up and gripped Cooper's face, trying to push his fingers into Hawkes' eyes as they fought for possession of the gun. Jenkins squeezed the trigger and the gun discharged, the bullet ricocheting off the metal floor and walls. Madi saw Jenkins raising the gun slowly toward Cooper despite the resistance on his wrist. The gun went off again, this time though the bullet went into Jenkin's leg. He didn't even appear to notice, just continued to try to wrestle the weapon from Cooper. He was going to kill them all if he wasn't stopped.

Madi reached for the Kabar that had fallen from Jenkins belt onto the floor. Stepping into him and effectively sandwiching him in, she used it with all the skill and training she'd received; sliding it just between his ribs and giving it a twist for good measure. The gun dropped from Jenkin's suddenly limp hand and he fell toward Madi, his eyes showing only surprise. She grabbed his collar and held him up with both hands long enough to whisper in his ear, "You Aerotech bastard, he's worth a thousand of you." before she dropped him to the floor with a thud.

"Cooper…" Madi held her blood-soaked hand out to him, just needing to touch him, needing to feel he was safe. Cooper reached for her and drug her to him by her upper arms, her feet sliding over Jenkin's body. He wrapped his arms so tightly about her, that Madi had to pry them loose a little to breath. She saw he was shaking almost as badly as she. Through her carelessness she'd almost lost him.

"We have to get McQueen, Madi." She nodded weakly, pressing herself closer to him, trying to absorb some of his strength. Apparently her adrenaline rush was over and she felt lightheaded and sick to her stomach.

The shots had brought people running to the door and more were streaming down the passageway. Cooper pulled the door closed to block the view behind him before turning to an enlisted man on his left. "Get Colonel McQueen and keep these people out of here."

"Yes, sir." Cooper shut the door in his face, not even waiting to see if his orders were carried out before he pulled Madi back into his arms. If he hadn't been thinking about her all day, he might have paid more attention to Jenkins. He'd almost lost her through his carelessness.

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