Hondo I. Sackett
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Hondo was still going over documents in the basement and seething over the possibility that Chip might have sold them out, possibly sold Vesper (AKA Foxglove), and as a result of it all sold out Gadget and put Dale in harm’s way, when Monty’s contact called in the sighting on Dale. Though it was not earth-shattering news, it was the only plausible lead they had in days, leaving Hondo to feel they should focus on a possible lab in Nebraska for the time being. Hondo had barely slept in the last several days as he had not only been busy, but what these people were doing and worry for Gadget plagued his mind. His days were full with Autumn showing him how to help Vesper, pouring over the information he had, and evading Autumns advances, and from it all he was just plain worn out. He and Autumn had it out, big time, the third day she was there, though partly from him being exhausted, the tension between them had been building for a long time. He had put up with, ignored, and pushed back at her advances, for quite some time, but that day he finally had enough. After the fight, Autumn had gone home in tears and Vesper had gone almost completely silent on him, and that was almost three days ago. He hated that he had to yell at Autumn, but she would not stop and his power to resist was getting weaker by the day. He was not exactly sure why Vesper had gone quiet on him, though he worried he had scared her during the fight with Autumn somehow, but unfortunately it was the least of his worries at the moment. The day before had been her first counseling session with Preacher Grey, an old retired minister who got a degree in counseling and therapy to make money after he retired. Vesper said she felt talking to him helped, but that was about all she said. Hondo’s sister, Echo Rose, had to put off physical therapy for another week as she had won some award at the motor-cross rally and because of it she had another competition mid-week. Hondo didn’t pay a lot of attention to all that, though, as he was used to it all by now. He felt it was being reckless for recklessness’s sake, and was not worth the risk, but it was not his call to make. She was an adrenaline junky, like their brother, and there was no talking her out of doing something, no matter how fool-hardy he found it, especially once she set her mind to doing said thing. It’s not that he did not risk himself at times, but when he did it was to help or save someone. It was her life, though, so she could live it how she wanted, whether he liked it or not. Later that sixth day, Monty sat on Hondo’s desk, sipping on some whiskey, and looking at Hondo as he wrote some things down. He shook his head and muttered something under his breath after a moment, which made Hondo pause writing and looked up at him. “What did you say?” He queried “Nothin’, mate.” Monty replied flatly. “No, ya definitely said somethin’.” Hondo retorted. “I said ya look like runny dog shit, mate! Thet’s what I said. Ya ‘appy? Dog shit!” Monty replied a bit snappily, waiting to be smacked for saying that. Hondo glared at him for a moment before he sat back with a sigh. “I feel like shit. Haven’t been able to sleep lately.” Hondo replied quietly “An’ yur drinkin’ too much too!” Monty replied a bit more boldly Hondo scowled, “Now, I took the dog shit comment, but don’t mess with my whiskey!” “Alright, mate! Keep yur shirt on! No offense, jest … ya need ta take better care of yourself.” Monty replied seriously. “I’ll take care of myself when this is over.” He grumbled in reply. “Mate, come on. Gadget wouldn’t want ya to kill yourself on ‘er account!” Monty said. Hondo looked at the empty glass on the desk and refilled it. “Mate … don’t beat yourself up.” Monty said a bit more worried this time “Monty, I saw what he was an’ I let it go. If I had stepped on him or somethin’ …” Hondo replied, his voice trailing off. “No, mate, thet would only ‘ave made us ‘ate ya. We didn’t see it.” Monty replied, but sounded like he only half believed it. “Bullshit! You knew, you just couldn’t admit it. Even had y’all hated me, Gadget and Vesper wouldn’t be going through this!” Hondo half snarled “We don’t know ‘bout, Foxgl ..er, Vespah. She could ‘ave been taken on ‘olliday.” Monty replied. “Easier to think it was him.” Hondo replied in a low growl Monty looked a bit glum, “I know ‘e’s an arse-‘ole, mate, but even as evil as ‘e seems to ‘ave become, ‘e was a mate, once.” Hondo sighed, “Sorry, Monty. I guess I forget that. He and I have never gotten along. It’s easier for me to see the problems and despise him because of that, I reckon.” “It’s alright, mate. You really need ta get some rest though.” Monty replied. Hondo nodded, “I’ll try tonight.” Monty frowned, “Make sure ya do, mate. We need ya in top form. I can’t do this alone, ya know.” “So, when does your friend get here?” Hondo asked, changing the subject. “About an ‘our. ‘e think ‘e knows a dive where Dale might ‘ave gone. We’ll start there. Either ‘im or me-self will report every four ‘ours. Probably take a day ta git there, I reckon. We’ll let ya know when we get ta Lincoln.” Monty said. About then the doorbell rang. Hondo rubbed his eyes, stretched and swore. “What the #$@! now? Damn!” He groused as he stood up He went upstairs and Monty followed, trailing behind a bit as the stairs were more of a workout for him than they were for Hondo. Hondo opened the door and found Autumn standing there, looking at the ground. She was looking more pregnant every day, he swore, as her stomach bulged almost like a beach-ball now. Normally she had a glow about her, but today she looked very down indeed. Hondo gave her a stern look and stared at her for several long uncomfortable seconds before speaking. They had not talked since she had gone away crying three days before, and he was not sure he was ready to talk to her still. Hondo raised an eyebrow at her and spoke coldly, “What ya want?” She shuffled her feet and stared at the ground, refusing to make eye contact. “I .. I brought you some groceries… Figured you might not have time to go to the store.” She replied timidly. Monty looked at them both, “Think I’ll jest wait outside for me mate. I’ll see both of yous latah.” Hondo watched Monty leave before turning back to Autumn. “That it?” Hondo asked coldly. She shook her head, “No… can.. can I come in?” Hondo just grunted, grabbed the bags from her, and walked to the kitchen, letting her decide to follow or not. She hesitated a bit before coming in, but soon trailed behind. He had already started to put the food in the fridge by the time she entered the kitchen and sat down as she stared at him sadly. Hondo didn’t speak for a while, though he could feel her sad eyes on his back, and it bothered him. Had he not been so mad at her still and so tired, his heart might have hurt for her, but right now he could not feel much of anything. “I.. I have more in the car for you … and Vesper.” She said quietly He started to walk out past her to get the other bags but she grabbed his hand and tried to hold him back from passing her by. “Wait! Please! … please?” She begged He stopped and turned to her with an exasperated sigh, “Doc, what do you want from me?” She shrugged, “I … I don’t know. Forgiveness maybe?” He shook his head, “Doc, this keeps happenin’. Is it really forgiveness ya want or another opportunity to pull more of your shit?!” She looked at him with pleading eyes, “Hondo, please. I’m sorry, truly. I just … it’s just …” Hondo held up a finger to stop her, “Whoa! No excuses. We have talked about this all several times and there’s just nothing new to say! We can’t be a couple. I love you, as a friend and as my sister-in-law, that’s it! But you keep pushin’ and pushin’! I’m exhausted and I just don’t have it in me to keep sayin’ no.” She looked at him a bit quizzically, “So … you’re saying yes?” “No!” Hondo snarled as he slammed his fist into the wall, leaving a sizable dent. It would hurt later, but he did not register the pain at the moment. She sat back quickly, a look of shock and fear ran across her face as she stared up at him. The noise caught Vespers attention, and she got up from the couch, using her crutches to see what was up, and hobbled towards the kitchen. Autumn recoiled a bit and looked at Hondo fear as he stood, growling, over her. She had never been afraid of him before, but she had never seen him this angry either. “I.. I don’t understand.” She replied timidly. “Damn it, Doc! I’m a man! I don’t have a girlfriend these days. Even pregnant you are a good lookin’ woman. So, you expect me to keep resistin’? Or do ya want me to give in?! You tease me enough and I’ll #$@! ya, want it or not it will happen. Then I’m the asshole! My brother will hate me for #$@!in’ his wife, you will hate me as there will be no love in it, and I’ll hate myself for givin’ in! My family won’t understand, your family won’t understand, our friends won’t understand, and because I’m the man I’m expected to just turn a blind eye! Then when I cave, I’m blamed because, ‘oh, that’s just like all men! Can’t keep it in his pants!’ You really want this??” She started crying again, “But you don’t understand! … I’m.. I’m lonely and I’m going to have another child… again… alone!” “So, I have to let you keep temptin’ me or I have to cave and keep it ‘our little secret’ so that neither of us can look my brother in the eye again?? I can’t do that! He’s not right to leave you on your own so much, but this? This is not right!!” He snarled. “Please! I ... I promise I won’t tempt you anymore! I can’t be alone. I.. I can’t do this without your friendship!” She sobbed. Hondo sighed and shook his head, “I have tried to give you my friendship. I can’t give you any more than that. I’ve tried to talk to my brother, I can’t convince him to give up his exciting life. You chose him over me. That’s something we all have to live with. If you can’t understand that then I can’t have you here unless my brother is here.” She continued to cry so Hondo put a hand on her shoulder and tried to calm her. “Doc, … Autumn … I want to be there for ya, but I can’t be there physically for ya. It’s not to be, ever. Do you understand?” He said firmly She nodded, “ I.. I understand. But, please … please give me another chance. Don’t make me be alone.” He sighed, “Damn it, Doc… Listen, you’re my sister-in-law. We can be closer than most are but it has to stay what it is. I’ll let you come and go as ya please, and we can try to be friends but ya push me again, or make advances at me again, there is no more chances. You savvy?” She nodded and wiped the tears from her cheek, “I understand.” “Alright, then. Oh, and next time you talk to my brother, tell him you need him here, Dammit! He thinks I’m batty as I’m the only one who says it to his damn face!” He growled slightly. She nodded, “You’re right. I need to.” “Needed to a long time ago! Now, I’ll go grab the rest of the groceries. Then I’m goin’ to bed. I’ve not slept either hours total in the last week.” Hondo said over his shoulder as he went out to her car. As he went out Vesper hobbled in on her crutches and leaned on them as she looked down at Autumn with a worried expression. Autumn looked up at her with a slightly embarrassed look on her face, as she hated that she was caught up in her and Hondo’s drama, as she had enough of her own to worry about. “Sorry you had to hear all that.” She said quietly. “It’s okay. You.. you care about him a lot, don’t you?” Vesper asked. “Yes, yes I do.” She replied hesitantly. “Why don’t you fight for him, then?” Vesper asked. “Because he’s right. I made my choice. It hurt us both but … what I am wanting will only hurt him more and hurt others. I.. I want him, but … like he said, I’d hate him, and I’d hate myself too.” Autumn replied sadly. “So … he doesn’t have a girlfriend?” she asked cautiously Autumn shook her head, “No girlfriend.” “But … He likes girls… right?” Vesper asked. Autumn snorted and tried not to laugh. “Hondo? Gay??” Vesper stammered, “I didn’t mean.. I mean, he doesn’t seem … I just ..” Autumn chuckled, “I’m sorry. That’s funny though. I needed that. No, he definitely likes women.” Vesper looked at her feet a bit embarrassed, “I just meant he’s so nice and I think he’s handsome too. Just can’t understand why he’s not with someone.” Autumn stood up and put and hand on her should. She was about to speak but Hondo came back in with his hands full of grocery bags. They both started at him at first, but Autumn lost it and snickered, and Vesper blushed. Hondo looked back and forth between them and then shook his head and went into the kitchen. “Whatever it is, I don’t want ta know.” Hondo said flatly. As he put the bags on the counter and Autumn walked over and put a hand lightly on his arm. “I can put them away.” She offered “I got it.” He replied flatly. “No, please. Let me… I’ve.. I’ve been a pain and I owe you. Let me help.” She begged He grunted, “Hmm, alright.” She stretched up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek lightly, “Thank you. And I am sorry.” He gave her an annoyed look but the look on her face said she actually meant it, and for once it was not meant as a prelude to getting into his bed. “I need some sleep. Help yourself to anythin’.” He said to her as he started towards the stairs. He paused half way there and turned to Vesper, “You need any help before I turn in?” “I can help her before I go. I’ll cook us some supper first, if you don’t mind.” Autumn offered. He nodded, “That’s fine. Don’t make anythin’ for me.” He didn’t wait for them to say anything else; he just turned and headed upstairs. Once he was gone Autumn went about putting things away and starting supper, while Vesper sat at the kitchen table. “So, why isn’t he with anyone?” Vesper asked innocently. Autumn shrugged, “Not sure, really. He says he’s just not found the right one. He’s been hurt a few times too. I was not the first to hurt him, but I probably hurt him the worst… I never meant to.” “What happened?” Vesper asked. Autumn frowned, “We were dating. I’d met most of his family already and he mine. I found out later from his sister, the one you will meet soon, that he had a ring bought for me already when this happened too. His brother came home one day, and I was introduced to him. He was a kempo black-belt, was working black ops for a private security company overseas, and was just a bad ass. He was a bit of a showoff too, but I liked it at the time. He swept me into his arms and told me he could offer me so many more adventures and so much more fun than Hondo could. He was wilder, and ripped, and promised me all these exciting things… and I believed it all. He’s not a bad man, and I do love him, but… He’s just a bit of adrenaline junkie and …” “He’s never around, is he?” Vesper asked Autumn shook her head, sadly, “No, he’s not. Sometimes I feel like I was just a prize, an object for him to win. He won me and his brother lost me, so now he’s not as interested.” “So … what about Hondo now?” She asked “What do you mean?” Autumn asked back “I mean, … is he free?” Vesper asked timidly “When you say free, do you mean ..” Autumn started to ask but was cut off. “You’ve done so much to help me, if he’s not free I’ll stay away but …” Vesper spoke quickly but was cut off by Autumn. “Slow down! You heard him earlier. Besides, I care about him too much to try anything again and risk losing him. He’s family and he’s right about us. I can’t push it with him again, and as much as I wish I had been wiser back then, I want him happy and with someone.” She replied sincerely “So… is it okay if he and I were to, … you know.” Vesper said quietly, as she stared at the floor, her cheeks bright red from embarrassment at the thoughts that went through her head. Autumn shrugged, “I have no problems with it. You’re a sweet girl and If you make him happy, that’s all I want for him. … but …” “But what?” Vesper asked hesitantly. “But … don’t you have a boyfriend? Hondo said you did.” Autumn asked. Vesper shrugged, “I did but … it can’t be now.” Autumn raised an eyebrow at her. She looked so sad, and it did not click for Autumn right away. “He dump you or something?” She asked “He … He’s a chipmunk.” She almost whispered. “Oh .. OH! I nearly forgot you were a sentient bat once. … How does a bat and a chipmunk .. you know?” Autumn asked, but was unsure how to word the question. Vesper blushed a bit again, “Many sentient creatures are anthropomorphic.” “Athro-po .. what?” Autumn asked “It means we have human like characteristics. That with the genes splicing that made our kind originally, we can have relations, physical ones, that is. Not all of us can reproduce, but we can still love each other. There are some groups that demand you keep the bloodlines pure. There’s even a weird group that believes we should breed with ferals to try to strip the genes from us that makes us sentient. Their offspring, if they survive, are often really dangerous.” Vesper replied. Autumn shook her head, “I might be a doctor but some of this gene-splicing stuff is way above my head. I heal and put people back together, but that stuff. It’s meddling with the work of The Almighty, I tell you!” Vesper nodded, “I don’t disagree. That’s why the sentient stay hidden. There are groups of humans that would murder all us sentients if they knew about us because of that.” “That’s terrible! Just because I believe it was and is wrong to meddle in such things doesn’t mean that those who were made are evil and should be killed!” Autumn exclaimed. Vesper shrugged, “Some people see only black and white. Evil created us so we must be evil.” Autumn shook her head, “You definitely are not evil. I’m not sure whoever made you was evil either. The reason might have been sinister but sounds more like an act of hubris.” Vesper shrugged again, “It’s all semantics to some.” Autumn smiled, “You know you are quite smart. You been thinking about what you want to do now that you are human?” Vesper blushed, “Thanks. Chip says I’m just an airhead. But, no, I’ve not thought about what’s next yet too much. Just trying to accept what is at present, still.” Autumn nodded, “That’s understandable. You’ve had it rough for a bit and all that’s happened, that would be a lot to digest for anyone. Now I have supper ready. Let’s eat.” Autumn set some grilled chicken, stir fried veggies, and garlic bread in front of Vesper and sat down with her own plate. They chatted while they ate, mainly about Hondo, but Autumn got Vesper to talk a little more about her life as Foxglove. Autumn did not know this Chip character, but he had come up in Vespers stories a few times and Autumn did not find she was liking what she heard about him at all. After they ate Autumn cleaned up and did dishes quickly. After she was done, she looked at her watch. “I have to leave her in about thirty minutes to pick up my son from my mother’s. You need help with a shower or anything before I go?” she asked. “A shower would be nice.” Vesper said as she gingerly got to her feet and got the crutches under her arms. “What do you want for clothes?” Autumn asked. “Just that purple robe you brought me will be fine.” She replied. “No panties or anything?” Autumn asked. Vesper blushed a bit and shook her head. Autumn shrugged, “Alright.” Autumn helped her undress and helped her into the shower then remove her soft splints. Once she was washed up and dried, Autumn helped her back into the splints and her robe. Once they got Vesper back to her room, Autumn checked her watch again. “Shoot, I’m running late. You good to go?” she asked quickly. Vesper nodded, “I’m fine until Hondo gets up.” Autumn gave her a quick hug and quickly left. Vesper waited until she was out of sight before getting up off the bed and creeping upstairs, well creeping as much as a woman with two soft boot casts and a set of crutches can on a flight of stairs. Hondo had gone upstairs earlier, stripped down to his boxers, and fell asleep on top of the covers. Normally he did not sleep so hard, but the last several days of little to no sleep made him pass right out. Vesper stared at him for a moment before leaning her crutches against the bed and carefully climbing in beside him. She sighed with relief as he did not stir as she curled up against him. The nightmares had kept her from sleeping well since she had been changed, and they had been worse the last few nights since Autumn and Hondo had fought. She could not understand why that affected her like that, but it did somehow, and she dearly wanted a good night’s rest. Now that they made up, she felt more at ease, but curling up beside him brought a new wave of peace over her, that she did not realize she would find. She found herself drifting off to sleep in no time, as she lay staring at the sleeping man who had saved her. She did not know if she loved him or not, but she knew she wanted to and wanted him to love her back. Hondo awoke early the next morning, as the grey light of dawn started to fill the sky. He was not in a hurry to get up though, so he laid still, savoring the feeling of being in a cozy bed and the soft, warm skin of the woman curled up against him. His eyes shot open after a moment as he realized he went to bed alone and knew he still should have been alone, but he was definitely not. The first thought that ran through his head was that Autumn had already broken her word and he instantly started to get angry, but upon looking at his side he went from angry to slightly confused almost immediately. The woman there was definitely not Autumn, but was Vesper, a mostly naked Vesper at that. It’s not that he had not seen her nude before, but this was different. She was barely clothed when he found her, he had helped her in the bathroom with getting situated on the toilet a couple times, had helped her dress, undress, and get in and out of the shower a few times after Autumn had stormed out crying that night. That whole fight had started because Autumn was showing him how best to help Vesper in and out of the shower then she rubbed against him and suggested that he help her shower next, all in front of Vesper, who was already embarrassed enough as it was. Hopefully Autumn would stop all that now, but it looked like he would be losing one cling-on just to gain another. He sighed as he looked down at her. The thin purple robe covered little as it was but was wide open now, leaving no barriers between his side and her bare body. The realization of that made his morning-wood overactive, and though he tried to think about something else, it stood tall, hard, and proud still. It had been a while since he had a woman like this in his bed, and that made things harder on him, literally. It was a welcomed sensation, he knew taking it to its natural course was not what Vesper needed right now, though he could have benefited from it greatly. He shook his head lightly after a moment and sighed again as he laid his head back into the pillow and stared at the ceiling. She was pretty, and he was sure she could be his, all too easily. That was part of the problem; it was too easy. She lay there on him, lovely but injured of body and mind, and to take her would be wrong. She needed his help, his friendship, his support. What she did not need was to think that she could use her body to pay him back or that sex would heal her. There was also Dale to think about. He knew deep down that she still loved Dale, though at the moment it seemed like an impossible relationship. If they could save Dale before being transformed, then she might would have to look at other options. Maybe he could think about here like that after this was all done, and she had healed some, if Gadget and Dale were both rescued before being transformed. One thought overshadowed that, though, and made it all leave a bad taste in his mouth. The simple fact was that he was attracted to Vesper, but he did not love her like that. Maybe he would learn to, maybe he would grow to, but she was not the one on his heart and mind right now, though he tried to keep both clear and was afraid or ashamed to admit it even to himself what lie there presently. The one they had yet to find was the one he wanted, though he felt ashamed for even thinking of Gadget like that and for half wishing she did become human. Having Vesper in bed like this too made him feel ashamed too, as for some reason his mind asked, ‘what would Gadget think?’. Vesper started to stir as all this raced through his mind, which made his mind turn back to her. She yawned, stretched, and nuzzled into him as she slowly woke up. It had been a long time since a woman had been with him like this, and even this felt amazing, but it was not helping things any. Slowly her eyes fluttered open and she looked up at him, smiling softly as she looked at his face “Morning, Hondo.” She whispered sleepily. “Mornin’ … Dare I ask how this came about?” He asked hesitantly. She shrugged, “Not been sleeping well. Thought I’d sleep better with you.” “That’s all fine and dandy, but you’re … practically bare.” He replied hesitantly again. She shrugged, “You’ve seen me like this several times, so why does it matter?” Her hand slowly moved from his chest, down his stomach, and to his crotch where she found him hard rock hard and seeming to get harder and bigger at her touch. “Seems like you are not minding it too much, anyway.” She said with an impish grin on her face. He picked her hand up off him and quickly got up out of bed. She lay on her side but propped herself up on her elbow to show off what she had better. He tossed a blanket at her and shook his head. “Here, cover up with this.” He said flatly. “You … you don’t like my body?” She asked in a hurt, quavering voice. “Vesper, that’s not it!” He replied, seeming a bit flustered “You think I’m ugly or find me repulsive because of what I was, then?” She asked quietly as she stared at him with those sad doe eyes of hers. He shook his head, “Not in the slightest!” “Then what is it?! I’m making myself available! I don’t know what else to do to make you see I want you! Please.. please, take me. I owe you so much and I … I want this.” She begged. He shook his head. “You don’t know what you’re talkin’ ‘bout.” He grabbed some clothes off the shelf and marched quickly towards the bathroom. “Get dressed and we’ll talk after my shower. I’m not awake enough to deal with this right now.” He muttered as he walked away. She laid down on the bed and said nothing as he walked away. He shut the bathroom door, stripped down, and climbed into the shower, sighing a frustrated sigh as he stood under the water. He tried to get the images and feelings out of his mind, but they would not leave. He knew she was confused and would regret this later if he took her like she asked, but knowing it and getting his sex drive to understand that were two different things. Once he washed up, he turned on the cold water and let it flow down his body and over his still swollen manhood. That only made him cold but the swelling did not dwindle nor the desire recede. As he leaned against the wall in the cold water, he heard something and turned to see Vesper standing there looking at him. He shut the water off and swore. “What the #$@!?!” He exclaimed “You don’t have to try to get that down with cold water. I’m more than willing to take care of that for you.” She said as she reached for his member. He grabbed her wrist to stop her. “Damn it, Vesper! No!” He barked as he pushed her arm back to her side and grabbed his towel. He wrapped the towel around him and climbed out of the shower past her, before turning back to her. “What in the hell has gotten into you?” He asked angrily. “I.. I just wanted to please the one who saved me.” She replied, her lip starting to quiver slightly. “Please me by getting well and livin’ your life!” He said still angry “But .. I owe you my body!” She retorted “No! You owe no man your body! It is your body, only to be given to someone special, whom you love and gives his back to you!” He replied sternly. “But … but …” She stammered as she started to cry, “But.. you are specials and.. and I have no one else… and.. and … I want to feel pleasure again … to feel good again! I’ve.. I’ve never felt pleasure in this body, but I want.. I want to with you… I want you to be my first… please?” Hondo rubbed his eyes for a moment, with his thumb and index finger. When Autumn said Vesper seemed interested in him, he worried she would try something, but he did not expect this. “Please? … please take me? Make me feel like a woman should!” She begged. “Damn it all, Vesper … It would be too easy to bend you over that bed and take you, but it’s not right!” He replied. “But … you find me attractive, right?” She asked softly “I’d be lyin’ if I said no.” He replied almost sourly “Then, why not?? What’s wrong with me, that makes you not want me?!” She asked in desperation. “The only thing wrong with you is that you need time to heal and figure out yourself. What is wrong with this, is that I’d be doing us both a disservice by taking you!” He replied firmly. “How? I want you to take me. You don’t have a girlfriend, I asked Autumn. She also said you’re not gay and I see you’re hard because of me. We are alone so we are not bothering …” she rambled before he cut her off. “Whoa there! Trot that horse by me again! You asked if I was gay?” He asked almost indignantly. She shrugged, “Well, you were pushing off Autumn’s advances, but she explained why last night. And I find you attractive so I did not understand why a man such as you would be alone and push off the advances of a pretty woman. She explained it all though. But, I’m here and willing give myself to you.” Hondo sighed, “But do you love me? You don’t even know me that well.” She shrugged, “I trust you and I’ll learn more about you over time. I think I love you. I would like to figure that out … together.” Hondo shook his head, “So, you don’t love me. Save yourself for someone you love.” She looked down at the floor and spoke sadly, “The one I loved I cannot be with anymore, but I can be with you.” “Don’t get me wrong as I like you, so far, as a friend, but I don’t love you either.” He replied “You don’t have to! Just let me pleasure you. I just want to be with someone I trust, to be held again. If you don’t love me at least let me try to love you.” She pleaded. “No, you need to save that for someone you already love! You will find that someone again, but it isn’t me, at least not now. I don’t even want to give you hope for someday, but maybe. If we fall in love after you have healed, and I don’t think you are just sayin’ that because you think you owe me, then and only then, we can talk about a physical relationship.” Hondo replied. She looked at the floor, “I don’t understand. If I’m pretty you would take me, wouldn’t you?” “You are pretty, and you don’t know how hard it is for me to say no. I want to take you so bad right now it hurts! Taking you would be so easy right now.. so easy, but I care about you and have respect for you, so I won’t! I also know myself well enough to know I would feel extremely guilty if I took advantage of your current state. Now, please go downstairs and get dressed. If you need help getting dressed, I’ll help. Just please, never do this again and don’t ask me for sex.” He said as he tried not to waver from what he knew was right. “What if I keep having nightmares? Can.. can I sleep with you then, at least?” She asked timidly. He sighed, “I reckon, but you’d better have a shirt and panties on at least. Also, it better not become a habit, and if you ask for sex again or grab me, I’ll spank that ass of yours in a not at all fun way and ban you from my room for good!” She nodded and frowned, as she pulled her robe around herself and grabbed her crutches. She found she could not keep the robe closed and use the crutches at the same time. She tried to keep it closed and leave, as she was feeling embarrassed and self-conscious. She stumbled and almost fell as she tried to wrangle everything, but Hondo stepped forward and caught her. “You alright?” He asked with a look of concern. She nodded, “Just embarrassed. Thought you’d like my body and all.” Hondo sighed, “How do I make you understand that while I do like your body and I find you very attractive, that I want what’s best for you? What’s best is definitely not for me to #$@! you, nor enjoy your body for my own pleasure, nor to do so for you to escape reality. I’m here to help you. I don’t want you to be ashamed of your body, I don’t care if you are half uncovered, either. You want to sit around in that robe and panties, you can as long as it’s just us here. Just respect your body and treat it as sacred. Also, don’t try to tempt me with it as you cannot understand how hard it is to do the right thing when someone as beautiful as you is being so inviting. Also, please cover up appropriately if I have others here. For now, this is your home. You need to help keep it clean, respect that I own it, and understand I need my privacy at times. I will respect your privacy needs as well and do what I can to see that you find a way to have your own life. Just understand, you need to love and accept yourself before you can have a relationship like you proposed to me. Otherwise, it will always be hollow, and you will end up more hurt than you are now.” She nodded, “I’m sorry. I’m.. I’m just so confused and scared. I don’t know what to do… I thought maybe.. you know.. if you and I.. you know.. did it, that maybe I’d feel less afraid and like my body better.” Hondo shook his head and picked her up, “That’s not the way to go about it. Sex is not something to hide behind, nor a way to love yourself. It’s meant to show love to the one you love and strengthen the bond between two individuals that love each other. It’s special, intimate, and worth waitin’ to find the right person to give it too. Now, let’s get you downstairs and dressed. Then I’ll get dressed and cook us some breakfast.” She nodded, “Thank you. You’re so kind to me. I.. I wished we did love each other like that as you’re definitely a nice guy.” “Dale is a nice guy too. I know you have a lot to work through and as a relationship with a sentient chipmunk are impossible for you now, but you owe it to both of you to talk before even thinkin’ about me or anyone else.” He replied as he carried her down the stairs. “Maybe so, but he disappeared... I guess he couldn’t take me being human.” She said sadly. “No, he loves you no matter what you are. He should not have taken off, but he thinks he’s helpin’ you. He’s not out there because of Gadget. He’s out there for you.” He replied. “Really? I.. I didn’t think ….” She paused. “Just work on getting better. Monty and I will find Dale and Gadget.” He said as he sat her on the bed and started to remove her soft boot casts. “And Chip too? He.. he’s helping, right?” She asked hesitantly Hondo’s face looked a bit grim as he searched for an answer. She sighed at his lack of response. “He’s not helping, is he?” She asked sadly. “Chip feels it’s hopeless and a waste of time.” He replied flatly “You mean he doesn’t want to get them back unless it makes him look good.” She replied. “Maybe.” Hondo said as he helped her get her panties on. “You’re not telling me something.” She said. “It’s all speculation but … Maybe he wants them gone or doesn’t want somethin’ they know to get out.” He replied. Vespers eyes got wide, “You think … you think he sold them out?” Hondo shook his head, “No … I think he sold you and me out. I think the others he just can’t control anymore and doesn’t want what he’s maybe done in the past to them and others to get out.” “Wait … he.. he sold out me?” She replied in a whisper as a surprised look took over her face. “Maybe. I am sure he sold me out. You, I’m not completely sure about yet.” He replied as he slipped a shirt over her head. He started to grab some shorts and she shook her head, “If it’s alright like you said, I’ll just wear panties. I can manage going to the bathroom myself easier like this.” He nodded, “That’s fine. Just if you’re in the living room or kitchen sitting down, keep a lap blanket close so you can cover up if someone comes to the house. If it wasn’t that I’d seen all of you several times by now and didn’t need to help you out, then I’d be firmer about it. But, I want you to feel comfortable with my help and comfortable in this house. You do need to learn to be modest, as I know those things are more lax in the sentient creature world as most of you have fur, but you don’t have fur now.” She blushed a bit, “Well, not all over. It’s weird having it, you know, down there and under your arms only.” Hondo chuckled, “Well most human women shave their underarms. And as far as down there, some shave that too. Others trim it up at least. I think I’ll leave that discussion between you and the Doc, though.” “Do you like women shaved or just trimmed down there?” She asked innocently. “Not somethin’ I plan to answer at this time… Now, I’d better go get dressed. This towel doesn’t like to stay on well and I’m not givin’ you any more peep shows.” he said flatly. After he dressed and they had breakfast, Hondo showed Vesper how to use the spare laptop he had and got her started on some GED prep reading. She was smart and the sentient generally educated their young, except a few of the ‘back to nature’ cults, so she was picking it all up fast. It was not that she needed to learn so much as she needed to prove she knew this stuff already. Vesper was excited as he explained it all to her. Getting her GED was her first true goal to start her life in human society. Later that afternoon as Hondo went over some files again he got a call from Monty. “Hondo, Mate, we made it. Spotted the Ranger plane already. Looks like shit. Damn Pi-rats made it look like their junk. We will be tryin’ to fit in with the locals an’ make contact with one of me other contacts. Will call again in four hours.” Monty said. “Sounds good. Keep me informed.” Hondo replied. Nothing much came in that day or the next. Some info was good, but nothing pinpointed what was going on. It was not until the following day that things started to happen. The phone rang that morning and woke Hondo up. Vesper was in his bed again as she had another nightmare, but she had been behaving herself, dressing in at least a camisole and panties when sleeping with him. Hondo groaned as he rolled over to answer the phone as it would not quit ringing. “Ya’llow” Hondo grunted. “Mate, they went to Silvercreek Nebraska!” Monty said excitedly over the phone. “Silvercreek? That’s a little nowhere, podunk town. Ate fish at a fish fry there before. Tasted like beans and breading so I liked it… What makes you think there?” He mumbled half asleep still. “She’s there, Mate I’m sure. I’ve overheard there’s an old underground military bunker there.” Monty said. “She? Just Gadget?” Hondo asked. “ ‘Fraid so, mate. Followed Dale’s tracks for a bit. He left us a note sayin’ she was there. Looks like they took him somewhere else, back east maybe. ‘E said there is more than one lab. Said we’d find all the info we need at this one to shut ‘um all down!” Monty exclaimed. “Alright. I’m twelve hours away, it’s 5 am now. I have to grab some gear and get someone here to help Vesper, but I should be there tonight.” He replied. “Alright, I’ll call ya in four hours ta tell ya where ta meet.” Monty said. With that Monty hung up. Vesper stretched and yawned, before rolling over and looking at Hondo. “Monty found Gadget?” She asked sleepily “Sorry. Didn’t mean to wake ya… Yeah, sounds like.” He replied with a groan as he sat up. “It’s ok… any word on Dale?” She asked quietly “I’m afraid not. He left them some information, but Monty believes he’s gone to another location.” Hondo said as he stood up and tried to rub the sleep from his eyes. “Oh..” She replied sadly. “We’ll find him, believe you me.” He said softly. “You want me to go with you?” She asked. “No. I’ll get Autumn to come stay with you, and see if Echo Rose can come when Autumn can’t. You have counseling with Preacher Grey today and physical therapy with Echo starts tomorrow.” He replied. “Alright. Can I cook you some breakfast?” she asked. “You did pretty well on supper last night. As long as you don’t stand too long and it doesn’t hurt your legs and wrist, then alright. Just eggs and bacon. We have left over biscuits from yesterday that need used and my coffee should be ready already.” He said. He headed to the shower while she carefully slid off the bed, put on her robe, and headed downstairs. He waited to get in the shower until he could hear her crutches on the stairs, just to be on the safe side. After his shower he threw some gear in the bronco, putting the truck in the shop for now, and sent Agent G. a quick message about suspicions and where they would be checking. No answer was received from the message, but that was normal. After a quick breakfast, and a call to Autumn and Echo to get things set, Hondo hit the road. Vesper watched as he drove away. She felt a little sad and a bit scared. It was the first time she had been alone since he had found her that night. It was not a feeling that she liked.
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