[Mercy Merchant]

Al listens and watches, fascinated by the juxtaposition of this self-proclaimed Kama Sutra expert sitting naked and reading these brilliantly crafted words that so enchantingly romanticized a much older and starkly contrasting view of love, sexuality and marriage. The sort of view he himself had been raised with, even if no one on the mountain spoke as beautifully as Mr. Darcy.

Eventually, too soon, she paused, and he ventured, “That there is some lovely readin’ of some lovely damned words. Hell, I’d like ta be able ta turn a phrase that fancifully myself. Real elegant. Gotta ask, though, when do we git to the zombie part?”

He was sure she was going to hit him, and held up his hands and laughed. “Sorry toots, couldn’t resist. Hell’s bells, I ain’t that ignorant. I ain’t read no Austen before, but my ma, she made sure we had some groundin’ in good books. Reckon I’d like ta read this one sometime - less’n o’ course ya finish it afore our little trip winds up.”

There was a knock at the door, and Al’s shotgun was in his hand. Quick as lightning, but somehow not rushed. He knew it was almost certainly just lunch. Almost certainly. Then their hostess’s husband’s tentative voice confirmed it.

Remembering the rule he’d made for Alyce (and half fearing she’d walk over and answer the door anyway), Al got up and fetched the food, keeping his right hand and the weapon out of sight behind the door.

[Mercy Merchant]

Alyce paused between chapters and Al makes the most outrageous statement, causing her to laugh out loud.  Hers is a pretty laugh; full of life and energy and it matches Al's own.  She closes the book and sets it on the table as she says, "Funny you should mention zombies, Al.  There was a version of this book titled "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies".  It was written in 2009 and was meant as a sort of spoof of the original.  I have read it several times, but it is not nearly as good as the original, unless you like zombies and killing zombies."

She is interrupted by a knock at the door and Al reached for his shotgun with a speed and ease that is certainly not natural.  Alyce again resolves to ask him about that someday.  It turns out to be lunch being delivered and Al opens the door enough to get the food tray and Alyce calls out a thank you.  Her ears pick up an indrawn breath before Al can get the door closed.  As Al places the tray on the table, she smiles and says, "I think I have exposed myself to our host.  At least the top half of me, anyway.  I hope he enjoyed the view."  As she reaches for some of the food she quietly adds, "I meant it when I said that I hope that you never tire of looking at me."

As they set to eating, Alyce asks, "So where do we go first after lunch?"

[Mercy Merchant]

Al was delighted to hear her laugh, even if he hadn’t gotten a rise from her with his provocation regarding the literary bastardization of her favorite book.

And the smile with which she reported being exposed to their host was not lost on him. Despite his efforts to be a gentleman, she’d managed to let herself be seen, even though he knew she was perfectly capable of avoiding it. He had that same restless sensation he’d experienced when she’d reported her flirtation with the miner in the shower. It wasn’t jealousy…he couldn’t put his finger on it.

The feeling had distracted him from answering her repetition of the thing about always wanting him looking at her. He was worrying that yes, he always would, and he had no words for that.

It was clear she needed a lot of reassurance, though, so he made sure to stare a lot as they ate - which he would have done anyway. And fearing she wouldn’t be able to perceive the way he was looking at her, he occasionally made wordless adjustments to her, nudging a knee to the side here, shifting the position of an arm there, letting her know she was being studied in detail. Like a very cherished piece of art - objectified and at the same time venerated.

The food was good, for local fare. Certainly better than the field crap they were likely to be down to in a week or so, though her promise to cook as long as supplies lasted had him looking forward to the trek.

Finally answering her question about post-lunch plans, he said, “Well, like I said, we at least got boats, billeting and boatman ta see to. Reckoned ya might wanna check on Sangha first. No matter ta me though, long as ya don’t leave my sight fer a second.” He hoped she’d perceived in his voice the personal desire as well as the professional directive in his last words.

[Mercy Merchant]

During lunch, Alyce is exceptionally pleased at how Al makes tiny adjustments to how she is sitting.  His breathing pattern tells her that he is indeed enjoying the view of her naked body, and every time he touched her he sent a jolt of electricity through her system.  She considers this phenomenon a bit; she is used to people looking at her for her looks and her strangeness and other men and some women have had a similar effect on her.  But this Al Guthrie chap is different.  His touch is still affecting her after a couple of days, which by itself is unique, and he has not shagged her yet, which is also rather unique.  It has been years since she even thought of spending more that a few days with anyone and here she was strongly considering............no, that is not right.................she knows that she wants to spend the rest of his life with him.  That is a scary thought, but she revels in it, and finds herself completely unafraid of the implications.

Alyce nods at his comments and says, "Yes, may we please go to the clinic first?  I would like to check on Sangha's progress and look at his burns again.  Then we can go off to the boatmen and then take a look at the space you have arranged for the team.  And I promise to not leave your sight, except perhaps to use the loo.  And if you are really interested in listening, I can read some more after we return.  Perhaps an evening on the lanai.  I am sure that the view is amazing.  And I can even adlib a few zombies into the story if you want."

Finishing lunch, she moves to her pack, where she replaces the book and picks up her clothes.  Positioning herself  so he has a good view, she bends over to step into a set of light pink lacy boyscut panties and then her trousers.  Standing, she shrugs her shirt on, feeling the way the thin material rubs against her hardened nipples, which she has come to realize will probably be a constant when she is near this man.  She buttons her shirt, leaving the top three buttons undone to expose a good bit of her cleavage to his eyes and turns to him.  "Ready?"

[Mercy Merchant]

“Well, reckon I’d better be, or you’d be in a world o’ pain an’ suffering’ fer putting them clothes on,” he smiled. His boots and jacket were indeed on, shotgun in hand.

“An’ no need fer no zombies…They ain’t half so romantic as the chips make ‘em out ta be.” He said it with a certainty clearly born of knowledge. “Reckon the original be jist fine with me.”

Once she’d retasked her drones to account for them being on the move, he led the way out over the lanai to avoid having to make small talk with their hosts. Things were mainly back to normal in the village, although he noticed the police making themselves more visible than before, and where they had previously only carried outdated stun batons, they had apparently raided their weapons locker and were now carrying outdated AKs.

Al walked casually, but he was on alert. He believed her assessment that the Azzies wouldn’t try anything overt, but there was no telling what this shaman with their book might get up to. He still spared plenty of glances her way - he could see that her clothes were bespoke, the way they fit her perfectly while leaving her free to move, the way all the pockets were in weird spots that made a lot more sense then they did on off-the-rack apparel. And her shirt was already shifting color as they moved from the room into the sunlight.

As they walked through the quiet, muddy streets toward the clinic at the other end of town, he spoke. “Okay, here’s what I wanted ta say before. Somethin’ separate from…everything else. Don’t want ‘em mixin’, cuz this other thing we got, that’s right now inna state like mercury, all shiny an’ bright, but fluid too, an’ deadly poison if’n ya ain’t careful. The thing I wanna say, it’s gotta be like steel - don’t look like much, hard an’ cold. But it don’t break an’ it don’t bend.” He stopped talking for a moment as a gaggle of giggling girls glided by with laundry baskets. "Now I know yer a pro. An’ I know ya trust Yao. An’ that’s all well an’ good. Me, I took they money, an’ that means I’m in too. Reckon I’ll do all I can ta help ‘em get they dingus. But I don’t trust this Ling feller far as you can throw ‘im. Things could go south with a feller like that, south in ways they shouldn’t. An’ any job, there can come a point where people make hard choices, cut losses, start thinking’ about greater goods an’ ends justifyin’ means.”  He stopped and turned to face her. “So what I’m proposin’ is a pact. Things go ta shit, I’ll do what I can fer the job an’ fer the others too. But I will always put you an’ your safety first. Ever’ time.No matter what. If’n you’ll swear ta do the same fer me."

[Mercy Merchant]

Alyce parks Misha at the room, but sends the other two drones out to patrol the village, one down to the boat dock and the other just generally around the village, looking for people that stand out as different.  She senses when Al's mood changes a bit and listens to his words, carefully considering her response.  "Al, I agree entirely with your assessment of Ling Tse Tau.  In my opinion he is a loose cannon that could ruin the expedition with a single stupid act.  He has a rep for being wild and obsessed with rough, brutal sex and some of the stories imply that he has left quite a few lovers as cripples or even dead.  I do not trust him one bit.  And I think Yao is intelligent enough to think the same way.  Unfortunately, he is Wuxing's man and as such has to obey Ling.  Hopefully things will not collapse before we get started, but they might even out after we get into the jungle."

She stops walking and puts an arm on Al's sleeve.  "As to the other thing, I am bought and paid for by Wuxing and will do my very best to see this expedition through to a successful end, but there may indeed come a point where I need to make a loyalty call.  And there will never be a dilemma where you are concerned.  I will help others, but you will always be my first concern."

Hoping that she has made herself clear, she continues with him to the clinic, where she is welcomed with good news on two fronts.  The doctor tells her, "Both patients are doing much better after a night's sleep.  The girl had some nightmares, which is completely normal, and the night nurse had needed to sedate her.  However, she seems much improved in the light of day, although I feel that the nightmares will return for a while.  Such trauma is hard to just forget."  Alyce is instantly transferred back to a night in '33 and the horrors of watching her family and her fiancé gunned down in front of her.  The rape by the Yak assassin figures into those memories and she can understand how the nightmares can last a while.

The doctor goes on to tell her that Sangha is also much improved.  He is very careful to tell her that the man would have died if not for her quick thinking and skill.  She and Al are invited to go back and visit, but not for too long.  Alyce nods and tells the doctor that she is making arrangements for Gem to be taken to Phnom Penh and then London until her family can be contacted.  The man raises an eyebrow, but does not comment, only asking when the move will take place and offering to prescribe some meds for her to take with her.  Alyce thanks him and says that she believes someone will come get the girl on the following day.  The visit with Sangha is short but satisfying.  His wife has just left, but one of her brothers is in the room with him.  He is introduced as Kae and in broken Khmer he says, "Family thankful for presence of man and doctor on river.  We do anything.  Just ask.  Sangha now gets to see children and new child born.  Just ask.  Sangha say need boats for trip.  Talk with Daelong on river.  Is brother.  Help with family boats.  Take back to Chi Pat when want to go.  Much cheap."

Alyce thanks him and talks to Sangha for a bit before bidding both men farewell and going in to see Gem.  The girl is awake and playing with some kind of doll that one of the villagers must have given her.  She looks up and smiles at Al and Alyce as they enter the room, placing the obviously hand-made doll on the bed and running to greet both, hugging first Alyce then Al.  "I am so glad to see you.  I did not thank you enough for saving my life yesterday."  She looks up at Alyce after taking a seat, "Were you able to find any family?  I am pretty sure there is no one.  And did you mean it when you said you would take me home with you?"

Alyce sits in the other chair, surrounded by antiquated medical equipment, some of it unplugged and turned off with an attached note indicating it is inoperative.  Looking the girl in the eye, she says, "No.  So far I have not been able to locate any family for you to go back to.  But it is still early days.  It could happen tomorrow and you could be home with a relative you did not know you had before you know it.  have hope, Gem.  And yes, I am making arrangements for you to go to London and stay at my home while we look for that relative.  But I will be staying here until I have finished what I came to do.  A couple of nice men will be here tomorrow to escort you there and my assistant will see to your needs.  I will check on you every day I can."

The girl looks sad at the thought of leaving alone, but brightens at the last comment.  The day nurse arrives to chase the visitors out so that she can give Gem her meds and let her sleep a bit.  They leave after a farewell that has the girl trying to hold back some tears.  As they leave the clinic, Al notices that Alyce quickly moves a hand across her cheeks before she says, "Okay.  Down to the river."

[Mercy Merchant]

Al is glad they are on the same page professionally. He knew they were personally, and he felt like she was something he wanted for the longer term. But he’d been around the block and couldn’t deny that no matter how strongly one felt, things like this had a habit not only of burning bright but burning themselves out. So he was glad to have a working agreement outside of that with the expedition’s doctor.

And then he felt guilty for such cynical thinking when he saw how she was with the girl. A lot of people would have left Sangha to die, and she’d saved him. Okay, maybe not a big deal. And a lot of people might have saved the girl, then washed their hands of it. But Alyce? Hell, he’d had no idea she was going to go to such personal expense to get the girl a home in London. It made him admire her, although it also made him wonder again what a woman of those means was doing out in a bug-infested jungle. Well, she seemed to be the thrill seeker type in lots of other ways…maybe it fit.

But impressed as Al was with Alyce’s treatment of the girl, he was clearly out of sorts seeing her. The hug nearly paralyzed him with discomfort. The ten minutes they spent with her was ten-and-a-half too long. It was obvious he’d have been out the door if not for his own security rules.

But finally they were back outside, and he was smoking again and feeling a hell of a lot better. And why, when he’d just spent all morning with her naked, was he still trying to catch glimpses down her shirt? He shook his head at his infatuation.

“Yup, river it is. Guess it was a good thing stoppin’ here first - good karma, gettin’ that name. But we gotta touch base with the boats we already hired first, then we’ll find out of we need the back-up plan.”

It turned out they did. They were all scared, because who wouldn’t be, if they had any sense? But they were acting a lot more scared than they really were, because it wasn’t like they were quitting - they just wanted triple their fee. Al would have been happy to double it, considering the new hazard, but he knew he was being taken. He didn’t really care about the money, since it was Wuxing’s, but getting ripped off wouldn’t be a good way to win Yao’s trust. And he’d need that.

So they went and found Daelong - he was in the middle of the wide river fishing, so they had to take another boat out to him. He was grateful and offered himself and his friends for the normal rate, which Al insisted on doubling for the danger. And they only had the skiffs, so they ended up shopping further with another group, because Al wanted at least one real speedboat along for security.

It was mid-afternoon by the time they were done, and he led the way to the quarters he’d arranged for the team. It was a long structure that had once been a rice storehouse. He’d paid the owner to get it ready, and it the deal was for it to have been done today, so it was already. Al supposed Ling didn’t mind wasting a day’s rent on it. The place had been cleaned out, the one toilet-shower unit had been scrubbed and repaired, and an office space - the one private room - had been converted to a serviceable room for Ling. The rest of the space had two lines of six beds each - some scavenged, some hastily built just for this occasion, all with simple sleeping pads and mosquito nets. A curtain partition had been set up enclosing four of the twelve beds, to give the female expedition members some privacy. In another corner a rudimentary cooking area had been set up and stocked with a small supply of basics.

It was bare-bones, but would have to do. Just for one night. And it’d still be better than camping in the bush.

There was no one around. After inspecting the place, Al plopped down on one of the beds. “Whaddaya think? Home sweet home tomorrow night, with you in the palatial ‘curtain suite’ with any lady missionaries that might show up."

[Mercy Merchant]

Alyce agrees with the good karma bit and nods her head.  She had caught Al's reaction to the little girl and wonders at it, but not yet willing to ask questions.  The visit with the boatmen is illuminating for as much as is not said as is.  It is obvious to her that the boatmen are afraid, but the increase in rates is certainly an attempt to gouge them.  Daelong's treatment of the pair is much welcomed and Alyce silently applauds Al for not compromising on paying an extra amount for the service.  She also appreciates the hiring of the speedboat, although the cost is a bit high due to its being only one of three on the entire river and the owner is well aware of that fact since he can claim all three.  His entire bluster about the risks is probably more to hide the fact that the boats are used for sending black market goods to Chi Pat and he does not want to miss out on that income.

At the barracks, Alyce is impressed by the preparations.  "You did right well for us, Al.  Even to having some food stocks laid by.  I am impressed.  And my information from Yao is that there will be two female and one male missionary, so your preparations are spot on."

[Mercy Merchant]

He could barely breathe due to her closeness, even with her clothes on.  It was an act of conscious will just to stop himself from grabbing her, as if doing so would be as autonomic as his heart beating, and how do you stop that from happening?

But here in this makeshift barracks was definitely not the moment they were waiting for. She knew it, and he knew it.  It had to be that way.

[Mercy Merchant]

Alyce walks over to the makeshift kitchen and gets the feel of the place, touching the stove and feeling for the various cooking implements and pans.  "Only one night and you did this for me?  Thank you, Al.  I was just going to tell everyone to eat at the bar.  I imagine that Ling and the guards might just do that anyway, but the missionaries might approve of a meal in.  Will you be riding herd on the bar boys or eating in?  No steaks, but I think I can offer you a decent meal."

She turns to face him and walks closer.  "I can even think of a good desert, if you are into eating pie."

[Mercy Merchant]

“Hell yes I’m partial ta pie - dependin’ onna flavor. But keep in mind you’ll be servin’ that dessert to a fair number o’ souls tomorrow…” He let the thought trail off, wondering if she could perceive his mischievous grin.

He looked around - “Gon’ be hard, bein’ here tomorrow night. With you. An’ all o’ them. Oh, don’t misunderstand - I’ll somehow survive ya havin’ some clothes on. Hell, probably sleep a sight better. But I’ve grown accustomed ta havin’ yer thoughts an’ conversation all ta myself, an’ that won’t be the case tomorrow, or maybe any night after that fer a while. Or ever, given our respective lives. Reckon I’m fixin’ ta keep ya up late talkin’, or readin’, or jist sittin’, all night tonight, if I let ya sleep at all.” Of course, he had no intention of letting the room he’d reserved in Chi Pat go to waste, but she didn’t need to know that for sure yet. "Anyhoo, one’ll git ya ten I’m not tradin’ a meal cooked by you fer another round o’ that crappy bar food with a bunch o’ Wuxing boys.” 

He snorted at the prospect, and realized that all the time he’d been sitting on the cot and rambling away she’d stayed standing, and it helped melt his heart.

“Come over here, stand right in front o’ me.”

He reached out and his fingertips were just brushing the sides of her hips when - like a prophecy fulfilled - the general sounds of passersby outside clarified into rough men’s voices and footsteps coming closer. Al reached toward his weapon, but soon recognized the voices of the men he’d hired. They were complaining about something’s weight and he looked at the kitchen and it dawned on him that the fully stocked refrigerator he’d ordered to complete his surprise for Alyce wasn’t there yet.

[Mercy Merchant]

Alyce smiles.  "Al, a number of people have eaten of this pie and none have complained.  But this is all for you unless you want to share.  But I rather imagine the missionaries will not be too interested.  Although I have on occasion had cause to experience that all priests do not take their vows of celibacy seriously."

Alyce moves to stand just in front of Al, her body humming to the anticipation of his touch.  Then, just as he reaches out for her hips, they hear voices approaching.  She looks down at Al and smiles.  "Saved in the nick of time, I guess."

[Mercy Merchant]

Al stood, looked up into her blank eyes, fingertips dragging up to her ribs.

“You git yerself inta that office, shut the door, an’ do not be seen or heard. Do it.”

The door to Ling’s room shuts behind her just as the outside door opened, one man coming in backwards, shuffling his feet uncertainly under the weight of a large appliance.

Al trotted over to lend a hand, speaking in easy Khmer to the three men: “Hey, thanks. Right over here.”

They called out greetings, and there were grunts and scraping sounds. Then boisterous chatting that went on forever - everything okay? anything else you need? - it sounded as though they were going to all take a cigarette break but Al managed to backslap them back out, thanking them profusely.

Then he opened the door to the office and she was there, half sitting on a rickety bureau the workers had scrounged from somewhere. Al walked straight up to her, put his hands on the side of her face, and started talking so she could feel his breath.

“Alyce…Alyce…when ya say things like that…”

He lost his words, and his nose touched hers, stayed there.

“They’s so very many things I am comin’ to adore about you. An’ though I can’t rightly say why, the way you say things like that, that’s one o’ those very many things castin’ a spell on me. Maybe a big one."  He touched her cheek. “I ain’t mad. Explainin’ all that, well, that’s jist my way o’ sayin’ sorry fer chasin’ ya in here. An’ I’ll allow as I’m a bit riled, on account ya got me so confused.”

Then he closed the distance between them again, wrapped his arms around her so the cracked leather of his jacket pressed against her shirt, one hand stroking her pony tail, the other caressing the small of her back. His head was beside hers. “But don’t you stop confusing’ me girl, cuz these past few days I’m feelin’ alive in ways I ain’t never felt nor imagined ever feelin'. Ya go changin’ a damned detail an’ I swear I’ll have yer hide."

[Mercy Merchant]

Alyce's pulse goes up a bit at Al's words and the touch of his hand on her ribs.  She is disappointed by the decision to have her hide in the office, but moves there quickly enough to be inside before the workmen entered the building.  Taking a seat on a rickety bureau, she obeys Al's command and makes no noise during the exchange in the main room.

She waits for Al to come get her and her heart sings at his words.  She shivers as he embraces her and just his touch excites her more than she had thought it would.  "As you wish, Al.  See if this confuses you a bit more."  She turns her lips to him, twists his head a bit, and kisses him.  The passion of a lifetime is in the kiss and her lips feel like fire upon his.  She is not able to tell him how much she loves him, but the kiss is enough that he should at least be able to guess.  The passage of time slows to a crawl for the duration of the kiss and does not return to normal until she breaks it.  The kiss was everything she has thought it would be and more, so much more. 

[adamu]

Al had never been kissed before.

This was the first and only kiss he had ever had.

He had wanted this so much - more than any of the other physical acts he craved with her - and though a bit chagrined he had forced her to make the first move, he responded with everything he had, trying to somehow drink her soul from her. The end result left him dizzy with desire to own her in every way. A determination to own her in every way.

"Shee-it, darlin', reckon yer confusin' me real good." He pulled his body free of her embrace, letting his rough fingertips graze her back and the sides of her breasts through the thin fabric of her shirt as they departed. "I'd be lyin' if I said that din't right tempt me ta throw all caution to the four winds and have ya right here. But it was you first said the thing I'd already been thinkin' - lovers come an' go, but maybe I, an' maybe you, want somethin' more this time. More than the sorta thing one does on a whim when they blood is up." Every word was a new test of his will as he gazed at her fevered body, her chest heaving like a spent thoroughbred, but he continued, thinking of Chi Pat, and thinking of the days beyond that. "The way I'm feelin' about you, way I'm lookin' years down the horizon, I reckon that's a chance worth takin', and an investment worth makin'."

He reached for his cigarettes, saying, "Got no doubt we gon' be back ta torturin' each other tonight, so we'd best git some air first. More ta do today."