Definitely Siblings

Month 7 Day 18

1651 Hours

Tall Bear

Their small talk ended. Tall Bear placed his dirty silverware on his egg-smeared dish. This is my first time joining this group for a meal, but they’re as uncertain as I am. He glanced at the empty chairs. “They’re not normally late, are they?” Tall Bear asked.

“No,” Della answered.

“Bugalu said to meet them here,” Abdulla stated, pulling her dessert closer. “He never said-”

“Here they are,” Capac interrupted.

Mac sat down heavily and peered through damp, uncombed hair at Capac. She stood up. “Swap with me, Bugs.”

“What did I do?” Capac asked.

Bugalu got up to exchange seats. “She still remembers that card game, Capac.”

“Ancient history!”

“She doesn’t forget that easily. And neither do I.”

“I’d feel the same way, if you invited me to a card game without telling me it was strip poker,” Abdulla told him. “I had serious reservations about including you tonight.”

“I’ve learned my lesson!” Capac stated.

“You better have,” Beth told him coldly. “That lack of respect will keep you from dating for a long time.”

Bugalu turned to study the redhead he called his sister. Her face was pale, with dusky smudges under her eyes. “Speaking of lessons I thought had been learned...”

Mac swallowed her bite of oatmeal as a hint of pink came to her cheeks. “Yes, I had trouble sleeping today. But it wasn’t my fault!”

“You probably stayed up all day to work on your projects,” Bugalu accused.

“No, she didn’t,” Harris refuted. “She was already asleep when we got there.”

“I still can’t grasp why you were there,” Mac told her. “Usually when you go to work, you stay at work. Not bring home some intrusive lieutenant. I think I got 3 minutes of sleep before you guys arrived. Or at least, before I got woke up.”

“What lieutenant?” Abdulla asked.

“Negron,” Beth answered. “Insisted Della had left her computer on.”

“I didn’t. Not this time. But I did neglect to inform Nagging Negron that I had switched computer and desk, way back when. As soon as we walked in, he punched keys on Mac’s computer, which set off this awful noise!”

“Noise?” Bugs grimaced. “I remember the alarms Mac set on Matt’s workpad at the Academy.”

“Same thing,” Mac told him. “Only louder, because I’d be in the next room, asleep.”

Bugs stared at her in shock. “That alarm went off during the night once, and woke up half the dormitory!”

“Good. Then Matt was home.”

“No, he wasn’t. Took me at least 10 minutes to shut it off. And having everybody pounding on my door didn’t help. I thought my head would split.”

The redhead frowned. “You should have kept him home.”

“If it makes you feel better,” Beth stated, “Mac’s head did split. She banged it against her nightstand.”

“Again?” Bugalu asked the redhead.

Mac grimaced. “It’s not a big deal.”

“It’s getting to be. You did it last week, too.”

“And a couple days ago,” Beth inserted. “Della told me Mac was hurt, so I checked on her. Found a gash from this morning, and a smaller one still vividly bruised. Plus a yellow bruise, from last week, I guess.”

“This is out of hand, Mac,” Bugalu stated.

“Today isn’t her fault,” Della stated. “Negron set off her alarm.”

Abdulla gave a frustrated sigh. “Negron. I bet he read her the riot act for leaving her computer on.”

“He tried to. When that didn’t fly, he said she shouldn’t use her computer for ‘personal projects’! Smythe wouldn’t have any of that, either.”

“Smythe was there?” Abdulla asked.

Mac smiled. “He wanted to make sure they didn’t wake me! Didn’t work.” She turned to Bugs. “If he didn’t bawl me out, then you shouldn’t either!”

“Okay, it wasn’t your fault. Negron probably woke your temper, too. It might have taken time to get back to sleep.”

“And then I woke her again,” Temple added.

“At least I didn’t hit my head when you came in,” Mac stated.

“Maybe you should put your head where your feet usually are,” Della suggested. “In case you do fall out of bed again. Or sleep on the sofa. Nothing to bang against in the living room.”

“Couldn’t have done that on a tug.”

“Not with 5 roommates,” Della agreed. “But it’s just 2 of us here, and I don’t object.”

“You had trouble sleeping on the tugs?” Bugalu asked.

“No. I mean... If... someone was unhappy with me, I might work double or triple shifts. But that was a matter of being allowed to sleep, not having difficulty staying asleep.”

“Yeah, I see the difference,” Bugalu agreed. “Thought there might be a clue about your trouble sleeping.”

“I get startled and fall from time to time. Today was particularly bad, getting woke twice, and then I worried somebody would make me shut off my computer when I’m not actively watching it. That would really slow things down, and I’m already impatient.”

“I understand today,” Bugs stated. “But what startled you the other times you fell out of bed?” She hurriedly stuck more oatmeal in her mouth. “Mac?” he asked impatiently.

She swallowed. “Well... unsettling dreams. I know what you think, but these aren’t nightmares! I don’t remember them, but they leave me startled. Or, unsettled. Not scared. Whatever is in the back of my mind, it will pass.”

“You aren’t worried about cross-training, are you?” Bugs asked. “Because whenever Smythe gets around to it, you’re going to ace it.”

“He got around to it today,” Della said. “Told Negron to test her on computers and train her until she passes.”

“He’s starting her cross-training with computers?” Abdulla asked in surprise.

“Negron had such a tizzy about Mac merging 2 programs.”

“They use the same language,” Mac muttered as she buttered her toast.

Della turned to Abdulla. “Get this. The only involvement Smythe wants is to be informed how she does.”

Abdulla’s dusky face froze. “I... don’t know what to think of that.”

“Me, neither,” Della agreed. “It’s very strange.” She finished her iced tea and stood. “See ya. Gotta get ready for my date.”

“I thought we were all hanging out together,” TB stated.

“I told Bugs I’d give you as much time as I could. But I couldn’t promise any more than supper.”

“Have fun,” Beth told her. “It’s been nice chatting. We should do this more often.”

“Just let me know when.” Della picked up her tray and headed out.

“Bugs, you said an evening,” Abdulla stated. “I assume the rest of us agreed without even knowing what was planned. So, what now?”

“I thought we’d spend some together,” he answered. “Mac and I have already seen tonight’s movie.”

“Wasn’t very good,” Mac muttered around a bite of toast.

“I have a couple ideas, and I’m open for suggestions,” Bugs went on. “One, there’s always pool.”

“Swimming,” Capac voted. “Lots of fun.”

“Not swimming,” Bugs told his friend. “I meant pool, billiards. In the rec room.” Mac breathed in relief.

“You won’t catch Mac in the swimming pool, Capac,” TB stated. “She’s a heavy worlder. Gets dizzy in no-g. Apparently, 1g is enough to prevent that.”

“Most the time.” Mac confirmed, and smiled.

“What was your other idea?” Abdulla asked.

“We go to the library and research things to do on Ulseess. Maybe we can avoid spending half our time there finding things to do, and pack more fun into our shoreleave.”

“You haven’t done that yet?” Beth asked. “There’s so many things to choose from, I’m having trouble deciding. Mac, I understand why you avoid the ship’s ‘pool’, but do you swim?”

“I have. As a kid. But I don’t have a suit.”

Abdulla grinned. “Sounds like we need some shopping in our plans. I could use a new suit.”

“Easy to do,” Beth revealed. “Star Port City includes the planet’s largest shopping mall. And the basement of the mall is the planet’s largest water park.”

“What’s the gravity on Ulseess?” Mac asked.

“.985 g,” Beth answered. “Can you handle that?”

“Probably. It’s practically 1 g. So, under the mall is a giant swimming pool?”

“Not a pool, a water park. All sorts of water activities. The travel magazines can give you an idea what it’s like. And if you can’t handle the reduced gravity and the water’s buoyancy combined, you could just sit in a deck chair and enjoy a cold drink and a snack. Great way to relax. Even if no one else goes, I will spend at least 1 afternoon there.”

“I’ll go,” Abdulla stated.

“Why don’t we start with the library?” Mac asked. “Later, we can play pool. Ladies, should we let the men win?”

“Let them?” Beth repeated in surprise and smiled slyly. “You may have something there, Mac. Maybe we should.”

“Do you really want to make it a contest?” Bugs asked the redhead.

“You aren’t any good at arm wrestling, like Matt and I did.” She grinned. “Besides, what do you think I did the last 2 years at the Academy?”

Yeah. They act more like siblings than lovers. As long as things stay that way, maybe I have a chance.

Surprise Success

Month 6 Day 30

1743 Hours

Bugalu

“I had a strange dream this evening,” Mac said as they walked down the corridor.

“You finally remember what’s waking you up?”

“No, not my nightmare. A strange dream.”

“You want to talk about it?”

She hesitated. “Only if you don’t mind.”

I don’t remember us ever discussing dreams before. “Go ahead.”

“Della was getting ready for a date. And somebody asked her who she was seeing.”

“That would be me,” Bugalu stated.

“How could she have a date with you when you were helping me?”

“I meant I’m the one who asked her. That isn’t a dream, Mac. You heard us talking, that’s all.”

“Did I? I thought... That was definitely not my usual type of dream.”

“What is your usual type of dream?”

“I build things. But in another language.”

As they approached the theater, Bugalu absorbed what she’d said. “I’m not surprised,” he decided, and held the door open for her.

She selected a seat fairly near the screen. When Bugalu sat down, she asked, “What’s the movie?”

It matters? “I don’t remember the title. It’s a comedy.”

“Any monsters?”

“I don’t think so. Do you not feel like watching a comedy?”

“No. Comedy is fine. It’s just-” She glanced his way and lowered her voice. “I miss Matt.”

Bugalu raised the armrest from between them, placed his arm around her and leaned over to whisper. “Pretend he went to the bathroom.”

She scooted closer. “Suits me.”

“You finally on a date, MacDowell?” someone asked from behind them.

“Shut up, Adams,” Mac hissed. “I hear enough of your nonsense on duty.”

“I don’t take orders from you.”

Bugalu could feel how tense Mac was. He placed his hand over hers, which were already balled into fists, and turned to look at the intruder. “I believe the ‘senior’ on my rank predates yours,” he told Adams coldly. “Mac, how do you hear his nonsense on duty? You’re assigned to the bridge, and he’s... engineering.”

Still staring at the blank screen, she said, “He spends most of the shift on the bridge.”

The girl next to Adams suddenly sat forward. “Are you going to spend the entire evening flirting with another woman? I didn’t like it last time, and I won’t put up with it! Enjoy the movie.” She stood and started moving for the side aisle.

Adams moved after her. “Come on, Ondrea, don’t be like that. She’s a co-worker. We joke around like that.”

The lights snapped off and the screen suddenly showed a vividly colored title as music emerged from the speakers, drowning the voices of Adams and his date. Mac relaxed against Bugalu. Why does Adams spend so much time on the bridge? Something to talk about later. At least she hasn’t hit him yet. Pretty sure I would have heard about it if she had.

At the Academy, watching a movie was done in the dorm room that Matt and Bugalu shared, and it had always been some D-rated horror movie. Matt had finally realized that his father’s super protectiveness of Mac had warped her thinking. She’d almost bolted the first time Matt put an arm around her, and they had an intense whispered conversation. But she eventually relaxed and even occasionally hid her eyes against Matt.

A comedy didn’t offer moments for hiding her eyes, but she didn’t mind. The movie was so ridiculous, everybody was laughing. Bugalu hadn’t seen Mac this relaxed since she’d come aboard. Deep into the movie, he thought he heard someone call her name. But she didn’t react, so apparently he was wrong.

The movie abruptly stopped. The soundtrack ended in mid-sentence. The room lights brightened into twilight from utter darkness. He definitely heard Mr Smythe’s voice: “Lt MacDowell!”

Mac stiffened in shock, uttered several phrases under her breath and forced herself to stand up and face the door. “Yes, sir?”

Smythe stood just inside the door, and looked as stiff as Mac. “You’ve passed probation,” he stated.

A couple people offered congratulations, but most were stunned. Superior officers did not normally track down a subordinate on the eve of her last day of probation to tell her she had passed. Mac’s mouth hung open, her eyes were round and staring. Eventually, Bugalu stood up, wondering how to snap her out of her disbelief. “Mac?”

Smythe stared at him, started to turn away. “I’ll let you get back to the movie.”

“How?” Mac demanded loudly, probably more loudly than she intended, because of her shock.

Smythe stopped and looked at her in surprise. “When I leave, the movie will start again.”

“No, not that!” She squeezed out of the row of seats to hurry up the middle aisle to face him. “How did I pass probation? You haven’t tested me yet this month!”

“You were tested far more than I would have done,” Smythe answered.

“By whom?”

Smythe took a deep breath, as if he was losing his patience with he. “By the situation you had with Kolla.”

Mac frowned. “You can’t use that! That wasn’t a test! That was a joint effort! And sheer desperation!”

If possible, Smythe stiffened even more, and Bugalu started up the aisle to pull Mac away, if need be. “I can use whatever test I feel does the job,” Smythe told her. “You’ve passed probation.”

Mac’s hands were again fists, and her body quivered with anger. Hyper-alert, Bugalu stood behind her, ready to do whatever he could to keep her from throwing a punch. “No!” she declared.

Smythe developed pink patches on his cheeks, and placed his hands behind his body. Bugalu wasn’t sure if the engineer was embarrassed or angry. “What do you mean, ‘no’?”

“That’s not the way to pass probation! I have to prove I know everything I’m supposed to know. To you! You weren’t there! You don’t know what Kolla did, or what I might have done! For all you know, Kolla had complete control of my body and did everything herself!”

Smythe shook his head. “No, you had some control. I know because you didn’t hit me.”

“Hit you!” Mac took a step back, right into Bugalu.

The helmsman wrapped his arms around her and lowered his head to whisper in her ear. “Don’t hit him now, or you’ll land in the brig. Winthrop’s territory.” She stood statue still as she absorbed that thought. Too still. “Breathe,” he told her, and she obeyed. “He says you’ve passed. That means you get to stay. Isn’t that what you wanted?” She gave a squeak of frustration, but relaxed a bit. “We’ll talk about this later, when half the ship isn’t listening. Right now, let’s finish watching the movie.” After a moment, Mac gave a stiff nod of her head. Bugalu loosened his grip and followed as she returned to their seats. Behind them, the theater door closed.

“It isn’t the way I wanted it to happen!” she whispered as the room darkened again. “I wanted to show him-“

“Then show him,” Bugalu returned. “The pressure is off. But he already thinks you’re capable, or he wouldn’t have passed you.”

She took a deep, shuddering breath and leaned her head against his shoulder as the movie started again. He could tell she was still upset, so he wrapped both arms around her and lay his head on top of hers. After a moment, he felt her arms reach around his torso. That’s a first. Even for movie night.

Across the Room

Month 4, Day 30

Ivy Wilson

0810 Hrs

Ivy glanced across the room at MacGregor and Smythe. How long are they going to be here? I hope they don’t distract Mac. She knows her stuff, but if they break her concentration, she could lose her confidence. And she doesn’t need that today!

“I could almost think he’s here to spy on her,” Abdulla mumbled.

Startled, Ivy sent another glance their way, saw the 2 men move to the Attakke game table. Good. Off to the side, so maybe she won’t realize they’re here. Mac has a touch of tunnel vision, sometimes.

Mac entered, still in uniform, growling in her native tongue. “Watch your language!” Ivy automatically called across the room.

The redhead stopped short. “You speak Gaelund?” She continued walking.

Ivy grinned. Silly girl. The tone gave it away. “No, but from the tone of your voice, you obviously weren’t saying what a great day it is.” Looking thoughtful, Mac sat down, started growling again, then laughed. “Mac, really!” Ivy chided.

A red curl bounced out of the topknot as Mac shook her head. “That was a comment about it being a beautiful day. And you’re right, it sounded ridiculous!”

"Of course," Abdulla stated. "Don't you remember Tones and Inflections class from freshman year?"

"I guess I never thought of applying it off the job."

"For me, it’s become second nature. Before we get started, obviously something is upsetting you. Want to tell us about it so you won't be distracted? Evans and Adams again?”

“They were their usual obnoxious selves,” Mac stated. “But the reason for this bad mood is the letter I just got from ma.”

“Bad news?”

“Depends who you ask, I guess. My sister-in-law is in the family way. Again.”

That’s bad news? My family would rejoice.

“I thought they told you that 2 months ago,” Abdulla stated.

“Three months,” Mac corrected. “That was Sally, Kevin’s wife. This time, it’s Elizabeth, Derrick’s wife.” She shook her head in disbelief. “Their youngest is practically 5! I was sure they were done making babies!”

“Because they waited 5 years?” Wilson asked.

“I doubt it’s that simple,” Abdulla muttered.

“MacDowells don’t wait between babies,” Mac stated. “When their latest is about a year old, you start expecting the announcement for the next one. Their youngest is rarely as old as 3 before the next is on the way. But Derrick’s my oldest brother. They’ve already got a good-sized brood, and at their age, I thought they were done.”

“So it’s a surprise, but why be upset?”

“Because she’s expected to produce a hand-crafted baby outfit for each mother-to-be in her family, and get it to her before the baby arrives,” Abdulla explained. “Mac, I thought you had that under control, that you had a couple in storage with your mother.”

Mac nodded. “That was the plan. She’s got 2 of mine in storage, but that only gives me a short breather before I’ve got to do more, with so many sisters-in-law. I started one as soon as I heard about Sally. Unfortunately, I’ve lost it. Haven’t had time to figure out where or when. Now Lizzie, which leaves me no buffer. At a time when I was expecting to hear that Katie needed one!”

“Katie,” Ivy repeated. I knew she had a large family, but I’ve never heard her sling names around before. Just Matt, and he’s dead.

“Michael’s wife. If she follows schedule, I’ll be notified of her impending motherhood in the next-“ she did some calculations on her fingers “-2 to 3 weeks.”

“Schedule?”

“Oh, it’s a complicated thing I’ve concocted over the years.” Mac stood up and headed for the dispenser. “Surprisingly accurate,” she added as she punched in her request. “I may not be the brightest apple on the tree, but I know how to figure out a woman’s breeding schedule. Especially my own... sisters’.” Her drink in hand, she came back and sat down again. “What are we studying today? Want to start with Podidas?”

“Wait, what are you going to do about the baby outfits?” Abdulla asked.

“Nothing, right now. I’ve got at least 9 months. Well, 3, because shipping will probably take 6. And if I’m a little late, what’s Pa going to do, send me to my room?” She smiled at the thought. “Anyway, I’ll pass the test tonight, and then get started on that problem.”

“I like your confidence,” Abdulla told her. “But not Podidas. Tell me what Kodalis receivers do.”

A Bird in the Bush / Revelations

A Bird in the Bush

Shore Leave Day 3

Smitty

1948 Hours

     Smitty opened his menu, but stared at the woman at his table. Her features were oriental, with sleek black hair and almond eyes, but she was almost as tall as he was. She's beautiful. I couldn't have found anyone more gorgeous, though there were plenty of beautiful companions to choose from. Including Bridget. No, I couldn't hire her. That would have been too- Sunshine Chang will do the trick. I almost wish I hadn't said dinner would be included. We could go to my room and... get started.

     "Do you know what you want?" Her voice was soft and musical.

     "I certainly do."

      Her smile said she appreciated the compliment, but otherwise, she didn't react. "I'd like the sirloin tips," she stated, closing her menu. "And white wine."

      "I'll have a filet mignon," he told the waiter, handing the menus back. "And a gin and--" His gaze fell on a woman emerging from the restroom across the room. Bright red curls cascaded down one side of her face, balanced b y a white flower behind the other ear. Her yellow pantsuit emphasized her astounding shape, while her gold and mahogany necklace decorated her cleavage. With each step, her hips swayed and her breasts gently bounced.

Bridget has a job tonight. Can't be MacGreg; he's back on the ship. Probably not any Fireball crewmember this time. She looks almost as good as--

     "I'm sorry, sir." The waiter broke into his thoughts. "I didn't quite understand. Did you wish both gin and whiskey? Perhaps you want them mixed?"

     Smitty gave him an irritated look. "Forget the gin. Whiskey. Irish whiskey. Neat." Once the man had left, he glanced back across the room. The redhead's gone. Just as well. I've got a companion for the night.

Revelations

Shore Leave Day 3

Bugalu

2002 Hours

     When Mac returned, Bugalu held her chair for her. "How're you doing?"

     "I'm fine. You know I'm just getting started. Don't worry."

     He glanced at the bottle on the table; her second and nearly empty. He stumbled slightly as he returned to his own chair. "I'd forgotten how much you can put away. Not used to anyone drinking that much, anymore."

     "It's starting to hit you, isn't it?" she asked.

     "Yes."

      "We'll switch your drinks to tonic water. And order dinner. I'll have filet mignon."

     "Sirloin tips," he decided. Mac gathered the cards and set them aside. They talked of various crewmembers while they ate. He knew they were repeating things he'd already told her, but didn't mind. It might give him an opportunity to return to a subject they had not thoroughly explored earlier.

     "So, to recap," he stated at the end of the meal, "the captain doesn't date aboard ship. Takor doesn't have any gender without another of its kind at hand, so it doesn't date aboard ship. Most of the other senior officers either don't date, are married and/or are extremely discreet. I mean, when I heard Doc with a woman in his bed, I was shocked."

     "I thought you said he was as popular as you," she returned.

      "I said he could be," he corrected. "I've overheard women talking. I've seen them with him. He loves to flirt. I hadn't realized he did more than that on board."

     "So... you think I'm safe from the senior officers?" she asked.

     "Except Winthrop," he qualified.

     She nodded. "I've been warned about him."

     "Who warned you?"

     "Abdullah. Beth. Maybe others. I haven't run across him. What's his field?"

     "Head of security. He's supposed to be on duty days, but we hardly ever see him. He's probably avoided you because you've been working with Smythe. They don't like each other. Nobody likes Winthrop. His own second works midnights to avoid him as much as possible."

     "And who is his second?"

     "Tall Bear. You've met him. He and I share a bathroom."

     "I have met him." She turned intense green eyes his way. "Several ladies say Tall Bear can be wonderful."

     Bugalu nodded. "That's his rep."

     "But what do they mean, Bugsy?"

     "That he's a fun date. Particularly in bed." Does she really need me to explain that? Or is this a chance to get back to a taboo subject?

     Her cheeks went pink. "I thought so." She toyed with the food on her plate, and he knew she was uncomfortable.

     "What were you going to do, if you hadn't joined the Fleet?" he asked, suddenly choosing a different subject. "If you'd stayed on Gaelund, what would you be doing at this point?"

     She grimaced. "Well, I see two possibilities. In the first, I would be a prisoner in my father's house, unable to step outside without heavy escort. In the other, Pa would have married me off, and I'd have 3 or 4 babies, with another on the way."

     That last thought caught him by surprise. "Wow. I was looking for what career opportunities you would've had."

     "Those are the career opportunities I would have had," she returned sourly.

     "No wonder you ran away." He paused for a moment. "So, when you joined the Fleet, what career did you want?"

     "Away. I was escaping, remember?"

     "Mac," he protested.

     "Really, Bugsy. I was just getting away. I would have taken anything. I signed up for security because that's what Matt was doing, but I didn't really care. Pa insisted I change to food prep or laundry. He knew I hated those, figured if he could get me switched, I'd change my mind. But I was so desperate, I would have even taken one of those, if I had to. Luckily, I didn't."

     "You wanted security?"

     "I wanted to escape. And I did."

     "But at what a cost, breaking off all contact with your family." He tried to imagine what it would take to make him that desperate to escape. I don't have enough imagination.

     "I had Matt. Anyway, it was their fault. Pa started it, but not a single brother stood up for me. I suppose they couldn't, really, but at least Matt sometimes chaffed at Pa's restrictions on me." She paused, a far-away look in her eyes. "Matt was a good brother. Once we got away, he took care of all my needs."

     "Except for a normal life," Bugalu stated. "Teenagers... young people... need contact with the opposite gender. You never got that. Not entirely Matt's fault, but he was hard to convince you could not live by Pa's dictates in the real world."

     "Don't say bad things about Matt," she told him. "He was only twelve when Pa discovered I was female. He was brainwashed, too. Half my brothers were out of the house, married, making their own babies, and they fell right in line with Pa. Even brainwashed, Matt tried to do what was good for me."

     He shrugged in reluctant acceptance. "I suppose."

     She suddenly smiled. "Do you remember when I'd get depressed and upset? I couldn't leave Matt alone, but all we did was fight. Remember? Eventually, he figured out what I needed."

     "Yeah, that got bad," he admitted. "What did you need?"

     "A man."

     He stared at her in shock as nasty thoughts chased through his mind. "You-! Matt- Mac, that would be-" He couldn't finish.

     She gave him a funny look. "Matt figured out that if he held me long enough... like through a couple movies on the tube... I'd settle down. For a week or so."

     He cleared his throat. "Just holding? He didn't... touch you?"

     She picked up her glass of whiskey. "Of course he did. I just said that."

     "I meant... in a non-brotherly way."

     She drained her glass. "That's even worse than Pa, Bugsy. Or maybe I don't know what you're talking about, so you decide. You were there most of the time. Even took over for him a couple times."

     Bugalu entered his dorm room with a pizza, to see Matt and Mac on the couch, a familiar horror movie on the tube. "Not Horror From Mars again!" he protested. "It always scares Mac to death."

     "She's fine," Matt returned. "What flavor did you get?"

     "Ham and pineapple. What else?"

     "Thank you, Bugsy." He could hear the grin in Mac's voice. She'd never had pineapple before coming to the Academy. She had loved it immediately.

     They ate the pizza sitting on the couch, the movie still playing. Even eating, Matt kept one arm around his sister, and she stayed pressed against him. Bugalu couldn't understand why his roommate periodically, perversely tortured his sister by making her watch horror films like Horror From Mars, Blood Death or Hell's Revenge. Strangely, Mac never complained. Sometimes, he wondered whose idea it was.

     That movie ended, and the next began while Bugalu finished his studies. Matt glanced around. "Bugalu, come give me a break, will you? I need the bathroom."

     "Turn the stupid movie off," he suggested, walking over. "Give her a break. This can't be any fun for her."

     "You'd be surprised," Matt stated softly, which seemed to imply that maybe she was the instigator, not him. "Come on, she just needs a little... support during the nasty bits."

      "I have a date to get ready for," Bugalu said, but sat down next to her.

     "So do I," Matt returned. "That's why I won't hit pause. Mac, switch brothers. He'll do just as well as me."

      "There's nothing to keep her safe from," Bugalu protested, but found himself receiving a bear hug. "It's just a movie," he finished.

     "Yes, we've been through all that," Matt agreed, standing up. He wrapped Bugalu's arms around her, headed for the bathroom.

     Mac was trembling, her fists pressed against his spine. He didn't look at her - he was already going to be more than ready for his date, after this - but he told her again, "It's just a movie. There's nothing to be afraid of." Maybe her arms would loosen if he distracted her. "Where are you at in your studies? Anything you need help with? I'm free tomorrow afternoon."

     She relaxed against him. "Maybe... math?"

     He grimaced. "Not my strong suit. But we can try." He almost stroked her hair, instead settled into the cushions to watch the tube until Matt returned.

     Who did initiate those marathons? And why include me?

     "I really miss those hugs," Mac stated. "Since you guys graduated, I've been... hugless."

     "You need a boy friend," he suggested.

     "Probably," she agreed, and he caught his breath in surprise. "But it's not that easy. Not for me."

     "That depends on how weak Pa's getting."

     She rubbed her finger around the rim of her glass. "Not that weak. I think." The band started a new song, and she watched the couples on the dance floor. "That looks like hugging. Except they're moving."

     "You want to try it?" he asked.

     She gave him a glance. "It doesn't look difficult."

     "Come on." He led her onto the dance floor. Slipping one arm around her waist and gently taking her injured hand in his, he soon had a place for them among the other dancers. "You're doing great," he told her after a few minutes.

     "I was going to ask you to be patient," she returned. "I've never done this before."

     "Never? Not even with brothers or cousins?"

     "Would have had to be a brother, and they couldn't be bothered."

     "You must have had a terrible childhood," he observed.

     "No, childhood was fine," she denied. "Pretty much the same as all my friends' lives. Dolls, toys, games, ballet lessons, coo--"

     "Ballet!" he exclaimed. "You took ballet lessons?"

     "Doesn't every little girl?" she replied. "I think it's supposed to teach us balance and poise, or something."

     "I'm surprised Pa let you. You did so little that most girls get to do."

     "Ma got me into ballet long before Pa discovered I was a girl. The lessons were entrenched by then."

     She hardly ever mentions her ma. I wasn't sure she had one. "Were you any good? I've never heard you mention ballet before."

     "I thought so," she answered. "I don't talk about it because it hurt, having to give it up."

     He frowned. "Pa?"

     "No." She sighed.

     "Well, I'm confused. If you liked it, were good at it, and Pa didn't make you give it up, why did you? Give it up?"

     "You're staring at them," she replied quietly. With a guilty start, he realized his gaze had been on her cleavage for a long time. He raised his eyes to her face, which was almost as fascinating. "Puberty hit," she went on. "I not only did not grow tall, I developed the kind of figure that does not lend itself to ballet. I tried, but I couldn't overcome my own body."

     "That's too bad," he told her gently.

     "It's over," she muttered, then flexed her shoulders in mild irritation. "This doesn't feel right." She glanced around at other dancers.

     "Do you want to stop?" It would be a crying shame. Holding her feels good. I have to stop thinking like that! She's my sist-- Her body pressed against him, her arms wrapped around his torso, and their feet did little more than shuffle.

     "Much better," she sighed, and lay her head on his shoulder.

     Her head's on my shoulder, not my chest. "You're too tall."

     "Heels," she answered.

     "Your uniform boots have heels."

     "Not like the ones I have on."

     They fell quiet, which unfortunately left his thoughts free to wander. None of my real sisters feel like this! "Mac." He cleared his throat. "I'm out of practice."

     "You're doing fine."

     No, I'm not. Sweat had broken out on his forehead by the time the song ended. "We need to stop," he said, breathing faster than normal.

     "But-" she protested, a dot of color in each cheek. The next song started, and he saw tears in her eyes. "Please, Bugs. It's been so long," she whispered.

     "I'm rusty," he answered. "I don't want to get hit."

     "Pa's very weak," she answered. "I won't hit you." She stepped closer, and he could not make himself move away again.

     "I don't want to... jeopardize our friendship," he growled.

     "Just a little while?" she begged.

     I can't resist her. This is a dangerous precedent to set. They resumed their former embrace, began swaying again. I can't change from brother to lover, I can't! Think about something else! Math. Volume equations. Do I remember any? The volume of a cone is- Her breasts are like cones. Full and firm-No! He lowered his chin to say something - anything - and found her mouth within kissing distance. Instinct took over.

     Eventually, the kiss ended, and he found one of his hands had drifted to her rear. She showed no inclination to deck him, merely stared at him with smoke in her eyes, her lipstick slightly smeared. "We need to get out of here," he stated, and led her back to the table to claim their belongings and pay their bill.