[Stuttrboy]

Well see that's something else I don't know about you.  Other than working on your drones and sex I don't know what you like to do unwind.  If you want to decompress by screwing our brains out that's cool but if you want to get into a fight or scream and beat your chest or go get shitfaced, I've got your back regardless.  I think I've made it clear but I'm not just in this for the sex.

[Mercy Merchant]

An odd sort of look passes across Steve's face.  "Yes, you have said that.  I guess I am still finding it hard to believe that I have found a guy that really means it.  I think the usual sort of thing is to have a fellow say that while he groping at my tits.  But, really, you have seen just about everything I do.  I have never really been much about social groups and try to stay away from bars where people get drunk to cope.  Goodness knows there is enough to cope with, especially out where I live, but I can almost always be found spending my free time working on my babies.  It might seem odd to a guy like you, but that is me.  Pretty boring, huh?"

[Stuttrboy]

Spokane puts his hands on either side of her face and looks her in the eyes.  No Steve, you are fascinating.

Spokane enfolds her in his arms and whispers into her hair I don't know if you insult yourself because you think I feel that way or if you don't like yourself, but either way that makes me sad.  I don't think of you like that and if you don't like yourself then change.  I'm here because of you Stephanie Spears.  I told myself I would never bring her up with you again but you saved me from drowning in my feelings for Lucy.  When I'm with you it's the easiest thing to do.  Before I met you I was looking for any reason not to think about her.  Working, fighting, I would have done it till I died, but when I met you...I just didn't need to anymore.

So we can go play with your babies for a while, we can make love, or frankly I'm happy just standing here holding you like this.

[Mercy Merchant]

You might be saying that, but your body is reacting quite normally to being so close to her.  Steve sighs and leans in closer to let you hold her tighter.  "God, you say all the right things.  How did I get so lucky?  I could let you stand here for a bit, but I think there is a part of you that is interested in something else.  And I have to say that my body is reacting to your closeness.  I want you."

[Stuttrboy]

Spokane holds her for a moment longer then chuckles.  I am a man after all, the wind blows and he gets interested.  I wouldn't consider him to be too good of a judge of character honestly.

Want to go to your place or should I find something close by.  He adds with a wink.

[Mercy Merchant]

"Going back to my place and then out to where Phil and Al are on watch would take a while.  My scan of the nearby AROs indicates that there is a small motel not far from here.  Here are the coordinates and I am sending an inquiry to see if there are any rooms available.  Interested?"

[Stuttrboy]

Okay then.  Send me the address and let's go.  Spokane and Steve head to the nearest vacancy with an actual bed.

[Mercy Merchant]

The two of you head off to the address Steve sends you.  Halfway there, she lets you know that she has booked room 39 and transferred the credits to cover the charges.  The clerk is so busy watching reruns of the weekend's Blood Bowl matches that he does not even look up when he hands you the key to the room.  Steve's clothes are history almost as soon as the door is shut behind you and she lets you know in the best possible way that she is ready for you.  Afterwards, Steve sighs and tells you that the sex is amazing before she curls up to you and drifts off to sleep, leaving you to look down at this woman who has sprung into your life like a force of nature.

[Stuttrboy]

Spokane holds her, feeling her warmth and listening to her soft breathing. 
Do I love this woman, he thinks to himself.  There's something here but I don't know if it is love.  Could it just be the desire not to have to think about Lucy that I'm drawn to?  She makes me forget my emotional pain, she's nice to be around and we clearly have chemistry...Is that enough?  Could it be love or something that will grow into love? 

Don't torture yourself Jeremiah, you've meant everything you said to her.  Let this happen and don't overthink it. 

But is that selfish?  Jeremiah pinches the bridge of his nose as he starts feeling the tingling of the onset of his phantom pains.  He knows the burning sensation will begin soon if he keeps this up.  He adjusts his position in bed and holds Stephanie closer, feeling her heartbeat next to his and kissed the top of her head.  I'll do my best, he whispers to her and leaves it at that  He sets his com to wake him in an hour and dozes for a while.

[Mercy Merchant]

Steve is still asleep when your alarm goes off an hour later.

[Stuttrboy]

Spokane gently shakes Stephanie to wake her.

Time to go relieve Phil and Al, Stephanie.  I'll start a shower for us, or you can sleep a bit more while I take one.

Once washed and refreshed Spokane and Steve head to the safe house grabbing some chow on the way.

[Mercy Merchant]

When you arrive, you find that Al and Phil are ready to be relieved.  They give you a debrief, telling you that there have no issues here.  The doctor and her father are doing well and the father is healing. 

[Stuttrboy]

Spokane fills them in on the doctor and the questioning by KE.  Makes me wonder if they are really this incompetent and seriously have no idea what's going on.  Maybe they have a mole problem.

How about you doc?  You reached out to any of your people yet?  I can go grab some burner coms if you aren't comfortable using one of us to leave a message for you.

[Mercy Merchant]

Phil laughs.  "There are always rumors of moles and high ranking KE officials on someone else's payroll.  I thing the big trick is trying to figure out who owns who up there."

The doctor looks a bit wan but smiles a bit at the humor.  "I think a couple of burners would be best, Spokane.  I don't want to risk you and your friends getting into more trouble over this, but I do have a few people I can reach out to.  I.....I am still looking after my dad; could one of you go get a couple from the nearest 'Shack?

[Stuttrboy]

Sure, I'll go grab some.  Other than that we are probably going to do a lot of waiting.

Spokane steps out to grab a couple of cheap coms and brings them back to the safe-house and hands them off.

So what are you guys doing to entertain yourself?  At this point we are waiting for a contact from any of the feelers i have out.  Hopefully Feather will find us some more info on these guys or Sasha can wring some actionable intel from the goons who had your father.