Disclaimer: The characters and situations of the TV program "SPACE: Above and Beyond" are the creations of Glen Morgan and James Wong, Fox Broadcasting and Hard Eight Productions, and have been used without permission. No copyright infringement is intended. Dylan Mackenzie belongs to me. Rating: NC-17

Chapter 6. Moira smiled, watching the grin on her daughter's face as she climbed out of the car and ran around to help her husband out. Looking up, Dill saw her mother watching, and waved. "Despite all the running around without crutches he did, the leg is healing up beautifully! In fact, Mr. Ashbourne said he could use just a walking stick! Isn't that great?" Dill chattered excitedly, delighted that at last she could stop hassling Ty about the crutches. "And he doesn't have to go back for another six weeks, so we can all go home!" Moira looked at McQueen as he smiled at Dill's excitement. "Your therapist is happy with this?" "She says we can have our sessions over the net. She has a secure line for business purposes," he told her as he walked towards the house. "Though how well that'll work, I don't know." Ty looked about him. "Where're the children?" "Asleep, all three of them. It's been blissful for the past hour," Moira laughed. "And you got another message from the 58th." McQueen grinned. "Another one?" Coming up behind him, Dill smiled. "They care about you, Ty. They were really worried you'd lose your leg for good, and they want to keep you updated on how Nathan's been doing." "But we get at least one mail a week from them!" he chuckled. "And you reply to each one, you old softy," Dill smiled, her hand wandering to give his bottom a squeeze. "Come on, I have lunch saved for you." Moira shook her head, chuckling as she turned and headed towards the garden. "I thought we could eat out here." Moira smiled to herself, watching as Dill fussed around Ty, making sure he was settled before fetching him a cold beer to have with his lunch. She sat as close to him as she could without crowding him, and touched him almost constantly. The counsellor that Ty was seeing had turned out to be someone he felt he could talk to, despite his initial reservations, and Dill had become jealous. Ty had been desperately trying to reassure his wife that she had nothing to worry about; just because he could talk to Hilary and not Dill, didn't mean he didn't love her. Consequently the past week or two had been rather strained - there had definitely been a distinct lack of the headboard banging against the wall. It seemed, however, that the prospect of going home to Scotland had brightened Dill's mood. Moira waited until the couple had finished lunch and were sitting relaxed enjoying the sunshine before she told them of the plans she'd made. "Dylan, I know you're looking forward to the idea of going home as soon as possible," she started. "Tomorrow. I want to go home tomorrow," Dill told her. "I can barely wait. Home," she sighed. "Home in my own house, with my husband and my children." She reached to squeeze Ty's arm. "I'm sorry I've been a cow over Hilary. I'll make it up to you, I promise." McQueen just smiled at her. "It's okay. It's kinda nice knowing you got so jealous." "For goodness sake, will you please just listen to me?" Moira cried in frustration. "Sorry, mother," Dill grinned. "What's up?" "I know the past few weeks have been a little… difficult, shall we say, for the two of you. So I booked you a break, without the children. Before you start, Dylan, you know full well they'll be fine without you and it's just a week," Moira said. "A break?" Ty asked, his eyebrows rising. "Yes. I saw it advertised when I was in town last week and I booked it on the spur of the moment. I hope you like it. It occurred to me afterwards that the crutches would have made it difficult for you, but now you just have the cane," Moira smiled. "A cruise around the Gulf of Mexico." "A cruise?" Dill asked warily. "What sort of a cruise?" "A small one, a crewed boat. And I think the agent said only about six couples at a time. It's a honeymoon type of thing." Moira was now grinning at the look on McQueen's face. "You booked us on a honeymoon cruise?" he asked, aghast. "Oh come on, TC - it won't be that bad!" she chuckled. "The way you two usually act, who's to know you've been married for over two years?" "I think he's worried that it might be a bit sappy, mother," Dill laughed. "It'll be fun, Ty. You, me, and nothing to do all day except sunbathe, swim and have ourselves a little fun." "You know, it sounds better already." Ty's eyes darkened with desire for her. Turning to Moira, he asked, "So when do we go?" "Tomorrow. I have to get you to the coast to pick up the boat by ten, so it's an early morning for all of us." "So it'll be like normal then," Dill chuckled. "I'd better go start packing!" She got up from her recliner, and with a quick kiss to McQueen, headed indoors. He watched her go indoors, admiring the way her whole body bounced with her obvious happiness. He almost missed Moira's next words. "It's been harder for her than you realise, TC." "What has?" he asked absently, his mind following Dill indoors and filling with images of what he'd like to be doing to her. "This past month. Oh, it started out well enough, with your promotion and everything, but the whole leg issue… Cameron turning into the child from hell," Moira sighed. "And then Hilary. Dill doesn't mean to be jealous, TC; she's tried so hard not to be. But the fact that you go off smiling to see another woman grates on her." "I know," Ty sighed, "and the really stupid thing is, she knows I'd never look at another woman. But she's been totally unresponsive this past week. It's worried the hell out of me; made me realise just how upset about it she really is." "I noticed," Moira laughed. "I've actually managed to get some sleep at night!" Ty grinned at her. "Sorry, but she's just a damn sexy woman." "Well, you can keep everyone else awake on this boat for the next week," Moira laughed. "If it's a honeymoon cruise, maybe they'll have soundproofed the cabins," he snickered. "I hope for their sakes they have." Moira shook her head, chuckling. "Who would have guessed that one day we'd be laughing about how much noise Dill makes during sex?" Ty asked softly. "Remember the first time we met?" "Yes, I do," she said quietly. "I'm sorry, TC. I've said some hateful things to you in the past. I hope you can forgive me?" "Of course," he smiled. "After all, aren't mother-in-laws supposed to be like that?" "I guess they are," Moira smiled. "But anyway, who said it's Dylan that makes all the noise?" "I think that's my cue to leave," McQueen chuckled. "I wonder if Dill needs a hand packing?" Moira laughed as he got up and headed indoors, his desire for Dill evident not just on his face. "Don't wake the children!" she called after him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ty found Dill lying on their bed. "I was hoping you'd come and help me pack," she said as he closed the door behind him and approached the bed. "I'm sorry. I've not been very nice to you just lately." He sat on the edge of the bed, gently stroking her bare feet. "You did seem to have had rather a lot of headaches this last week. And I know I'm ignorant about some things, but I know you didn't have your period." He looked at her sadly. "You wouldn't even let me hold you, Dill." "I know," Dill sighed. "I've been horrible to you, and you don't deserve it. I pushed you into seeing Hilary, and then couldn't cope with it when you found that she could help you. I was jealous that you could talk to her, a complete stranger, but not to me." She sat up and reached for him. "Let me show you how much I love you, Ty." Ty smiled as her hand slid up under his shirt, rubbing a nipple as she pulled him down onto the bed next to her. Dill straddled his hips and began to slowly unbutton his shirt, kissing each section of his abdomen and chest as it was revealed. Finally pushing the shirt down around his sides and off his shoulders, she began to lick and kiss her away across each nipple, bringing them to hardened nubs, before using soft gentle nibbles to work her way up his throat and along his collarbone and back again, nibbling, kissing and licking as she felt his skin heating underneath her. Using her tongue, she leant to trace the scars on his chest. Each one was thoroughly explored before receiving a gentle kiss and a lick as she moved on to the next. Each movement of her body exerted pressure on his groin, and he moaned softly as she shifted her weight down his thighs, kissing her way down his abdomen and into the fine trail of hair leading into his jeans. Her hands gently stroked his chest, fingers dancing lightly around his nipples keeping them hardened, until one slipped around his neck and softly stroked his navel, causing him to cry out. Lifting her head, she looked up at him. His eyes opened as she moved to slip a finger into his mouth. McQueen eagerly sucked on it, swirling his tongue around it as his eyes, now a deep passion-fuelled sapphire blue, stared straight into hers. Dill smiled and once again moved up his body to kiss him, kissing and licking at his throat and his neck, ignoring his navel even as he turned his head to offer it. She returned her attentions to his nipples. Her tongue washed over them, her teeth gently nipping them, before she began to suckle. She watched Ty, as with eyes closed, he began to writhe underneath her, trying to push his hips upwards, grinding himself against her hot centre, softly moaning as his desire overtook him. With a smile, she gently stroked his abdomen, letting her fingers slowly ease their way closer to the waistband of his jeans. Feeling the muscles there quivering as she touched him, she heard his soft groans as her fingers slid just under to play with the fine hairs trailing lower. He tried to move himself, to force her hand lower, and she finally unbuttoned and unzipped him, bending to trace the trail of hairs under the waist band of his boxers with her tongue, easing it under the band, teasing him with soft licks to his hardened cock. Ty's hands, all this time gripping the sheets, grabbed her head and pushed her into his crotch as he thrust upwards, desperate to feel the hot depths of her mouth engulfing him. "Please," Ty groaned, releasing Dill and pulling at his jeans, trying to rid himself of them, determined to free his ample erection from its constraints. With a soft sigh, she pulled his jeans off him. Sliding from the bed, Dill kissed Ty's knees and inner thighs as she worked her way back up his body. Her hands gently stroked his legs, softly tickling his thighs as she buried her face in his crotch, sucking him through the fabric of his boxers before slowly pulling them down to suck him into her mouth. Ty bucked off the bed, crying out, as she did, his hips thrusting upwards to bury himself fully in her throat. She waited for him to calm before she began to suck, slowly at first, but soon building to a hard, fast rhythm as his hips thrust upwards. Holding him down, she began to lick him, up his length and round and round the soft sensitive tip, dipping her tongue into the slit and making him squirm as she sucked furiously at just the very tip. McQueen came quickly, bucking his hips and thrusting wildly into her mouth, filling her throat as she tried vainly to swallow. Dill continued to suck as he slumped back into the bed, his breath ragged and shallow. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "What for?" she asked, still nuzzled into his crotch, rubbing her face against the soft curls of his pubic hair. "Coming so quickly." Ty reached a hand down to stroke Dill's hair. "Ty, we haven't made love in over a week. I didn't expect you to last long. But it's not about how long you last - I wanted you to enjoy it. Did you?" She smiled up at him. Feeling semen still in the corners of her mouth, she flicked her tongue out to lick at it. "You taste so good. No one ever tasted as good as you." "And you know this because…?" he chuckled, his hand still gently stroking her hair. Dill moved up the bed to lie next to him, snuggling close as he wrapped an arm around her. "You know full well, Tyrus McQueen, that you weren't my first lover. Just as I know I wasn't your first. But I never really enjoyed doing that until I met you. You taste good, like no one I ever tasted before." "I'm glad to hear it," he smiled. "More proof that we were meant to be together. No one ever complimented me on the taste of my come before. You're so funny, Dill. Even now you still surprise the hell out of me." "I do?" she asked, wriggling as his hand stroked her breast gently. "Every day," he nodded. "Now lie back and let me make love to you." "Fuck me," she whispered. "Don't be gentle, Ty. Fuck me hard and fast. Show me what it's like to be fucked by Colonel McQueen, the best damn Marine ever born." He looked at her, unsure whether she was teasing him or not. Seeing the look in her eye, he knew she wasn't. She needed him, and needed him badly. Rolling her onto her back, Ty kicked his boxers off and knelt to undo her shorts, pulling them and her panties down her thighs in one swift motion. Knowing what she wanted, he thrust inside her, feeling her wetness and knowing she was more than ready for him. Slipping his hands under her shoulders to hold her, he began to build to a fast and furious pace, slamming his body against hers as her legs wrapped around his waist. Feeling her legs gripping him, he stopped for a brief moment to reposition them, moving them to his shoulders, enabling him to thrust deeper into her. Soon he was pumping into her for all he was worth. A smile lit his face as he remembered Hawkes asking him if he ever held back while making love to Dill. *Well, Hawkes - I'm certainly not holding back now*, he thought. Ty dipped his head and thrust faster, as he felt her body begin to tense. He heard Dill's moans and pleas for him to be faster… harder. Just as he thought he would collapse from exhaustion, Ty felt Dill shudder underneath him, her hips bucking to meet his thrusts as her orgasm hit her. She stiffened and cried out, her body going rigid briefly before she slumped back, her body spent. Dill's muscles, clenching around his pumping cock, squeezed him, bringing him over the edge shortly afterwards, and he collapsed on top of her, gasping for breath feeling as though he'd never worked so hard in all his life. They lay like that, McQueen wrapped in her arms, until both had regained the strength to move. "Thank you," she whispered softly, kissing his jaw. "That was exactly what I needed." "Why?" he asked, confused. "I never know with you. Sometimes you like to take it long and slow, with lot's of foreplay. And then sometimes you just grab me the moment I get into bed and tell me to fuck you." "I don't know," Dill giggled. "Sometimes I lie there watching you getting undressed and I just think...my, I want that body… I need him right now." "I've missed you this past week, Dill." At her confused glance, Ty shook his head. "You've been so distant. I felt lonely, even with you in the bed next to me. It felt awful. I don't want to ever feel like that again, knowing you didn't even want me holding you. I'm sorry that I can talk to Hilary about it, but not you." He sighed, squeezing her to him. "I asked her about it. She said it was because I was still scared that if you knew everything about me you'd be so disgusted that you'd leave me. Maybe she's right. I don't know, but I do know I never want to lose you, Dill. Seeing your face light up today when Ashbourne said I could use the cane instead, and we could go home, it made me realise how much you were hurting. I'm sorry Dill. I love you so much. I would never deliberately hurt you." "It was my fault," Dill whispered. "I let it get to me. I knew in my heart that it didn't matter, that you'd be more comfortable talking to her than to me. But I let the jealousy in, and then I took it out on you. I'm sorry." "We can lie here saying sorry to each other forever. Let's put it behind us. Tomorrow we're honeymooning again," Ty laughed. "What do you mean again?" Dill grinned. "As I recall our honeymoon was spent in your quarters on the Saratoga." "With two crying babies who took priority over me" he sighed. "That was a shock too… the way they took up all your time and attention. And you were too tired to love me. Even though I loved them so much, I was a bit jealous too. " "That's normal, Ty. I expect every new father has the same feelings when his child is born. He loves them, but resents that now he's not getting the hot sex so often any more," Dill laughed. "That's the one," Ty smiled, his smile turning to a yawn as he found he couldn't keep his eyes open. "Sleepyhead," Dill grinned. "Have a sleep. Go on - I'll stay with you. Mother can see to the boys and Izzy." She snuggled up close to her husband, pulling the sheet up over them, in case one of the boys should pay them a visit. Soon they were both asleep, snoring softly. ~~~~~~~~~~ When Moira, having knocked and got no response, poked her head around the door an hour later, the sight that greeted her both warmed her heart and made her smile. She hated to wake them; they looked so peaceful. Both of them were clad only in their shirts from the clothing she could see strewn around the floor, and she was grateful that one of them had had the foresight to pull a sheet over them. Despite the fact that she had been furious with Dill for getting involved with, and then marrying, McQueen - a 'damn tank' as she'd so often called him - he had over the intervening years grown on her. Moira couldn't deny that he made Dill happy, and that he obviously loved her and their children very much. She felt strangely proud that he was finally, after what had shocked her to learn was a very long time, seeking the help he so desperately needed, to deal with and recover from the traumatic events of his early life and his experiences with the AI's. Looking at him laying on the bed, lying, in fact, almost on top of Dill, one hand firmly grasping her breast, his mouth inches from her nipple, as Dill lay, one arm and a leg wrapped firmly around him, Moira smiled sadly. It was obvious to those who really knew him that, however hard he denied it, beneath the hard-nosed, tough marine colonel exterior lay a scared and vulnerable young boy, desperately seeking reassurance that he was loved. She sighed. Sadly, it seemed, there were so few who did really know him… that he'd let in. It pleased her to know that it was her daughter who'd taken on the task of showing him that he really was worth loving. A challenge, she knew. But she also knew it was one that Dill was truly capable of. Moira stepped towards the bed, her foot kicking against a squeaky toy of Isobel's on the floor. McQueen sat up, instantly awake, his eyes wide with fear for a second, before he relaxed and turned to look at her. "Sorry," she smiled. "But you have a visitor." "A visitor?" he asked, looking around to see where his clothes were. "Dwyer, he says his name is. Something to do with your leg?" "Dwyer!" he practically yelled, almost leaping from the bed, but remembering at the last minute that he was naked from the waist down. "I'm sorry, Moira, but I need to get dressed and I'll be straight down to throw that scum-sucking pig out of the door! How the hell did he find me?" Moira's eyebrows raised. "I'll ask him to leave then, shall I?" McQueen almost growled at her. "I'll get rid of him. But don't let him near my children." "Too late - the boys came to investigate who the visitor was. They're talking to him downstairs." "He's Aerotech, Moira," was all Ty said as he tried to reach his underwear. "Hamish!" she squawked as she flew out of the door. As soon as she'd gone, McQueen dived out of bed and hurriedly dressed before following her. He glanced back at Dill, who still slept soundly, glad she was going to miss this. Ty reached the living room just behind Moira. Dwyer was sat watching as Hamish demonstrated his prowess at leaping from the furniture. "Hamish can jump from the climbing frame!" Cameron was proudly announcing. "He's a fast runner too. He can run fast as Sparky." "Who's Sparky?" Dwyer asked, his eyes following Hamish's every move. "Sparky is none of your goddamn business!" McQueen growled from the doorway. "Hamish, Cameron - Gamma needs you in the kitchen. She needs you now!" The two boys looked at him, recognising the dangerous tone of his voice. They looked to Moira, who nodded. "Come on chaps - shall we make some cakes?" With a beaming grin, Hamish asked, "Chocolate cakes, Gamma?" "Brownies?" Cameron asked. "Definitely brownies," Moira told them as they ran for the kitchen. Waiting until he was sure they'd gone, McQueen said coldly, "Get out of my house, Dwyer. You have no business here." "Interesting children you have, McQueen," Dwyer grinned. "I'd never have guessed they were twins if I hadn't known it already. The big one… Hamish, is it? I'd have thought he was about four at least. Strong looking boy." "He's of no interest to you or Aerotech. Now get out before I throw you out!" McQueen growled at him. "I came to deliver to you these papers," Dwyer told him as he stood up. "We at Aerotech feel you should know that we will be suing Ashbourne for the wilful destruction of Aerotech property, and you will be subpoenaed as a willing accomplice." "You were told that you should go through Ashbourne's lawyers. I suggest in future that you do that. Don't you ever come to my home again!" "Your home, McQueen? This isn't your home. Do tanks really have a home? Do you?" "Yes, he does," came Dill's voice from the doorway. "But you're quite right - this isn't his home. Should you ever show up there, you'll get a welcome that you won't forget in a hurry." Dwyer looked at her. "Are you making threats?" "Threats? No, Mr Dwyer, I'm making you a promise. Now get out before I let Ty throw you out bodily." Throwing the papers onto a small side table, he stalked to the door. "Don't think this is the last you'll be hearing from us." "It had better be," Dill told him firmly. "There's the door. Close it on your way out." As the door closed behind him, Dill turned to McQueen. "Oh, Ty! They're after Hamish. I know it! " "Calm down Dill," Ty whispered, taking her in his arms. "We don't know that, but I think that we should take the children home. Let's start packing up and leave as soon as we can." "No," Moira said from the kitchen door. "I'll take the children home, but you two are definitely taking that cruise tomorrow. " "How the hell can I do that, knowing that vulture is after my baby?" Dill cried. "We don't know any such thing," McQueen told her, giving her a squeeze. "Let your mother take them home. Aerotech won't get past the gatehouse. Almost everyone there has a reason to hate them - they wouldn't get any information from anyone there, and you know this." "What if they snatch him?" she whispered, her mind filling with terrible images. "Stop it, Dill. No one will get near your children, I promise you. We'll put a full lockdown on. I'll warn everyone that we may get unwelcome visitors who are a threat to the boys, and security will be as tight as a ..." Moira grinned, "I was going to say a nun's arse, but that's rather unladylike." McQueen laughed out loud, bringing the boys to the kitchen door. "Is mummy making you happy again, daddy?" Cameron asked. "Mommy always makes me happy," he smiled. "How're those brownies coming?" Cameron sighed. "Hamish was stirring them, but he stirs too fast and the flour gets in my eyes." "I'm sure they'll be delicious," McQueen told him. "Better let grandma put them in the oven." "Not yet daddy," Cameron told him, as though he were an idiot. "We need to stir them some more. Come on, Hamish," he said, tugging on Hamish's arm. Moira grinned at Dill and Ty. "Maybe Cameron will be a chef like grandpa." She followed the boys, and they heard her talking to Isobel, who was sat in her highchair, sucking a wooden spoon. "I don't care what happens - neither of my boys is joining the military," Dill whispered, looking up at McQueen. "That's fine by me. Now come on - let's get you a drink and we can start packing. For us and the children." Ty bent and kissed her gently. "Dill, you know I won't let anyone hurt Hamish. If he was snatched from us, the whole 58th would be out there looking for him, and not just because I ordered them to." He led her back into the living room and sat her down, holding her close and kissing her again. "I love you so much," she sighed as he broke the kiss. "It frightens me sometimes." "It frightens me too," Ty told her. "After my marriage to Amy failed, I swore I'd never open myself to that sort of risk again - the risk of being hurt. Then I met the 58th, and I told myself that the feelings I had for them were just because I was their CO. It worked fine until I met you. Then I had to confess to Glen that I loved those damn kids. I knew it was love I felt, because I felt it for you too. A different kind, but the same feeling." "Blimey!" she smiled. "Those therapy sessions are working, aren't they? Normally nothing like that would come out of your mouth unless we were snuggled up in bed." Ty shrugged. "So far we haven't really touched on anything bad. She seems to want me to talk about us. I guess she wants to see just how strong our marriage is." He looked at her, fear in his eyes. "Our marriage is strong, isn't it?" "Yes, my lover, it most assuredly is. Even when I'm acting like a jealous idiot and you're doing your 'stupid tank' impersonation. I told you when you asked, you can keep me forever and ever. The comments I get don't bother me anymore, and when you're home with us I hardly worry at all that you'll come back from Inverness safely," she told him, reaching to gently stroke his jaw line. "People say things to you?" he asked in a low voice, his hand reaching to hold hers against his face, nuzzling his cheek into her palm. "Sometimes. Usually in Inverness, because in Fort Augustus you're pretty well known. It's a small place and most people like you. They got used to seeing you out and about with the boys." Dill grinned impishly at him. "I think they consider you Fort Augustus's official tank!" "You worry about my safety?" "Of course I do," Dill sighed. "When you're up there," she pointed skyward, "and when you're home. At home I worry that some ignorant swine will take exception to you and decide that you're fair game for a fight. But I'm coping with it. I know you can handle yourself in a knife fight. And I know that up there you have a whole bunch of friends watching your six." "I'm sorry Dill," he whispered, letting go of her hand and hugging her. "Don't be sorry. You told me what it would be like. I still married you, didn't I? Like I'm gonna let a bunch of ignorant buggers ruin the best thing that ever happened to me!" Dill glared at him. "So don't you ever doubt that our marriage is a good, solid one, because it is." "Thank you," Ty whispered softly into her neck. "Thank you for loving me, Dill. Thank you for making me a father, and thank you for not pushing me until you knew I was ready. Thank you for taking the risk." "You silly," Dill giggled. "You just don't realise, do you? You're so easy to love, Tyrus Cassius McQueen, but you need to let people love you. It's okay to be loved." She stood up and reached for his hand. "Come on, sexy - let's do some real packing now, shall we? I'm looking forward to spending some time with just you and me together - no distractions, and no children. Just sunshine, sea, and lots and lots of fantastic sex." Taking Dill's hand and allowing her to pull him up, Ty grinned. "Do we really need to get away for that? I thought we had fantastic sex anyway." "Oh, we do," she snickered. "But you know how those 'little soldiers' like the sea air. Maybe we'll get lucky again." "What is it with you?" he smiled as they made their way out of the room and up the stairs. "You're obsessed with babies, aren't you?" Dill just smiled at him and laughed as Ty sighed loudly. ~~~~~~~~~~ The next morning, Moira having dropped them off, they stood on the quayside watching as the steward collected their luggage and prepared to show them to their cabin. "This way if you please, Mr. and Mrs. McQueen," he said, hurriedly hustling them onto the yacht. "We're running a bit late, so I'm afraid I have to get you settled and dash off for the next arrivals." They followed him down a corridor or two until he stopped at a polished mahogany door. "You have what I think is the nicest cabin - wonderful views from the stateroom and the bathroom. I'll just place your luggage here, sir, and I'll be along in an hour to make sure you've settled in and found all the remotes and such. Try the bed. The ladies love it, and we have a full range of…," he winked at McQueen, "enjoyable items in the bedside cabinet. Why, thank you, sir!" he smiled as McQueen tipped him. Turning, McQueen could see that Dill was stretched out full length on the bed. "This bed vibrates," she giggled. "Mind you, I should think a vibrating bed and the sea would make you seasick." "Apparently there are 'enjoyable items' in the cabinet there," Ty told her, shaking his head as she immediately opened the door. "Oh my," she whispered. "I think most of these will be staying in here." "Why?" he asked, going to see. His eyes widened as she brought out a large black dildo, and something that looked like a spike with nodules on the end. "I don't even want to think about where that goes." Dill's head bent to her task as she slowly laid several more items on the bed for him to see. "These, I think, are nipple clamps." "Ouch!" Ty winced, his hand automatically reaching to his chest. "What else?" he asked. "These, but I don't know what they are," she said, placing in his hand a small silver loop with four small chains hanging from it. At the end of each chain was a tiny polished gem. "Well, it's no bigger than a dangly earring, but it's obviously not that." They both sat and examined it, trying to work out what it could be, until Dill finally said, "Shall I ask him, when he comes back? Or do you think that'd be too embarrassing?" McQueen shrugged his shoulders, putting the tiny jewellery down on top of the cabinet. "Who knows? " Dill was rummaging again. Chuckling, she held out for him to see a pair of handcuffs and a whip. She placed them on the bed, and grinning, reached into the cupboard again, this time bringing out a selection of bottles. "We have," she announced, "Pleasure Gel, Cock Rub, Slide and Ride, and a selection of massage oils. Oh, and some body paints." Ty grinned at her. "Nothing else?" Dill checked again. "Yes, some condoms, flavoured and glow-in-the-dark. And this round thing, but I'm not sure what it is." She held it up for him to see. "I know what it is," McQueen grinned wickedly. "Want me to show you?" He began to undo his pants. "Oh, my god - do I really want to know?" she laughed. "You wanna put it on me, or shall I?" he asked, his voice low and husky. "You mean this fits on your….." Dill tailed off before bursting out laughing. "What the hell is it for?" "It's supposed to help me keep it up," he chuckled. "It's a cock ring." "I gathered that by the way you were so eager to demonstrate," she laughed. "But why? You never have trouble getting it up. Or keeping it up, for that matter." "It feels good though," he told her. "Sure you don't wanna see?" "I think later… maybe," Dill told him, beginning to put everything back. "I'm still intrigued as to what this is though." She picked up the small bejewelled loop. "It doesn't look like it's supposed to hook around a nipple, and if that was it, there'd be two surely? It's way too small to fit around you, so what the hell is it?" "I'm sure we'll find out," Ty told her, coming to lie on the bed next to her. "I'm going to have a shower and get changed into some shorts," she told him. "I'll be back in a minute. Behave yourself." "Of course," he said absently, holding the small silver loop up to the light. Whatever it was for, it was very pretty. There was a tap on the door. Getting up, McQueen still held the strange item in his hand. The steward stood there, a grin on his face. "I see you found the fun items, sir. Very pretty, don't you think?" "Just what exactly is it?" McQueen asked. "Clitoral jewels, sir. They fit over the lady's clitoris and make her look pretty for you. Very popular with the gentlemen, we find. Now is there anything else I can help you with?" "Err, no thank you." McQueen just wanted him gone, mortified at the answer he'd been given and flushing beetroot red. Once the steward had left, he smiled wickedly and headed for the bathroom. "Dill, I found out what this is. Let me show you!" he called. ~~~~~~~~~~ They were late for lunch. As they entered the dining room, they could see three other couples seated already around a large oval table. Two of the couples were young, obviously newlyweds. But the third couple seemed older and more settled. It was next to this couple that Dill and McQueen found themselves seated. Introducing themselves as Floyd and Thelma, they chatted away constantly, to the utter bemusement of McQueen. He found himself being asked all manner of odd questions by Thelma until, towards the end of the meal, he turned his head to speak to Dill, who was seated across the table to his right, and heard a sharply indrawn breath. "A tank! We came all this way and we have to spend our vacation with a goddamn tank and his whore," Thelma spat. Slowly he turned his head to look at her. "And I came all this way to spend my vacation with a bigot." Across the table, Dill couldn't believe her ears. Was this really Ty challenging Thelma like that? After all he'd said to her! An explosive laugh rang out. "Go on, man. You tell her!" It was Floyd, her husband. "Don't take no notice of her. She don't mean nothing by it. I guess it was a shock, is all. Don't get many tanks around where we come from." "First of all," Dill spoke softly, but with a tone of pure steel, "my husband is not a tank. He is an invitro. He also just happens to be a decorated war hero, and if it were not for him and the people he fights with, you'd probably have been dead several times over by now." She stood up, throwing her napkin onto the table. "If you'll excuse me, I lost my appetite!" McQueen watched Dill as she stomped out, her back straight and her head held high. He was tempted to follow her, but his sheer stubborn pride kept him at the table, knowing that all six people seated at the table were looking at him. A hand appeared in front of him, ready to clear his plate. "Are you finished, sir?" a soft female voice spoke in his ear. At his nod, the plate disappeared, and again the voice spoke. "Is there anything I can get you, sir? Anything at all?" He looked up into a pair of deep, dark brown eyes that twinkled at him, and a wide easy smile. "No. No, thank you," he told her. "Some fruit, sir? Cheese perhaps? A drink? " "No," McQueen told her. "Nothing, thanks." The others at the table watched him, openly staring. He sighed. "What's the matter? Have none of you seen an invitro before? Don't worry, I won't be disgracing myself at the table. Nor will I be chasing your wives!" he added, getting up from his seat, suddenly furious with the lot of them. "I didn't imagine you'd be chasing mine," a young British voice said from further down the table. "After all, you have a perfectly good one of your own." McQueen turned and glared at the speaker. The young man grinned back good humouredly and held out a hand. "Valentine," he said. "Valentine Bertorelli." He grinned at McQueen's raised eyebrows. "A mouthful, I know. My grandparents are Italian, and I expect you can guess my birthday." "McQueen. TC McQueen." He shook the outstretched hand. "And that was Dylan, my wife." "This is Isabella. She's my wife." Ty reached a hand towards the tall red head facing him. "She's not Italian. My parents hate her, and she hates pasta. What more could a man ask?" McQueen smiled. "What more indeed?" For some reason he found himself liking this relaxed young man. "I recognise that name," the mousey haired woman opposite him piped up. "And the face. You're the man who beat that Richthofen person, aren't you? You were in all the news stories that day." She suddenly stopped and flamed bright red. Her husband smiled. "You'll have to forgive Emily. She's a hopeless romantic and thought you were the most marvellous thing she'd ever seen." He paused. "That didn't come out right. I don't mean you're a thing. I mean…," he stopped, flustered, as McQueen simply stared at him. "And you are?" he asked. "Joseph Mills. And you already know she's Emily." He gingerly stretched out a hand. "I'm pleased to meet you, sir." "And me, you," he sighed. This was awful. He was going to spend the week being talked at by these people, when all he really wanted to do was spend the time with Dill. He hated the idea of enforced jollity, and prayed that no one was going to suggest they played any kind of parlour games. If they did that, he was jumping overboard. "Well, I guess you already met me and Thelma," Floyd grinned. "So you're the famous Colonel McQueen, eh? Not much to look at, are you, sonny?" Down the table came the sound of someone gasping. McQueen glanced over - it was Emily Mills, her hand clasped firmly over her mouth, her eyes wide. "My wife has never complained," Ty growled. "If you'll excuse me, I think I'll go find her." Reaching for his cane, he left the table. He flew down the hallway at such a pace that he almost fell when he reached a flight of steps. A hand grabbed him and he looked into the brown eyes of the woman who'd served them dinner. "Do you need a hand, sir?" she asked, her voice low and husky. "No, thank you, I can manage," Ty told her, ignoring the look in her eye. He'd seen it before many times, the look of someone who wanted to find out if everything they'd heard about tanks was true. "Are you sure, sir?" she whispered, her hand still holding his arm where she'd grabbed him. "Yes, I'm sure!" he snapped. He'd had enough. What he wanted was to see Dill, and to have her hug him and tell him that this week wasn't the disaster he was sure it would be. "Well, if you insist, sir," she sighed, her hand wandering along his arm until he shrugged her off and moved away. "If you change your mind!" she called after his retreating back. "Not bloody likely!" he muttered to himself. ~ ~~~~~~~~~~ Reaching their cabin, Ty was so pleased to see her that Dill immediately knew something more was wrong. "Sit down and tell me," she told him, pushing him onto the bed and cuddling up behind him. "That woman," he sighed. "Thelma?" she asked, stroking his back. "No, the girl who served us lunch. She's coming on to me," Ty said quietly. "Good grief," Dill exclaimed. "We've been here what, four hours? And already women are throwing themselves at you." "Women?" "I saw the way that mousey woman was ogling you," she laughed. "Emily? Apparently I'm the most marvellous thing she's ever seen," Ty sighed. "So you know her name, do you? Should I take that as an omen?" "An omen? What the hell are you talking about? After you left it turned into a 'let's all introduce ourselves to the tank' session." He leaned back into Dill's arms, revelling in the feeling as she slipped them around his waist, her chin resting on his shoulder. "We've only been here a few hours and already you're unhappy," she whispered. "This is supposed to be a nice, relaxing week." "I'm not unhappy, " he said quietly. "But do you think we could eat dinner in here?" "Of course, my lover. I've been looking at the literature in here. They do room service, so that's not a problem. We can watch a movie too, if you'd like," Dill told him, kissing his cheek. "It's not so bad. We have a lovely cabin to hide out in if you need to." "A movie? Anything good?" Ty asked eagerly. "If by that you mean those dreadful old W.C. Fields or Marx brothers movies, then no there's not. Oddly enough, my lover, not everyone likes them. And they're not exactly honeymoon material, are they?" she chuckled, reaching for the large leather bound book on the bedside table. "Here - take a look through this. See if there's anything you fancy." Ty took the book and began idly flipping through the pages. His eyebrows rising as he did so. "Honeymoon material, eh?" He stared at her. "Is that what they call it now? So, how about 'Bouncing Babes in Mud' or 'Lick Me, Bite Me, Beat Me'. Or here's one you might like, Dill." He was beginning to chuckle now. "'Big Boys Ride Out'." "You're making those up!" Dill giggled. "Anyway, I have my very own big boy to ride." Her hands stroking up his sides, gently tickling him. "And a very good ride you are, too." "I found it!" McQueen laughed, twisting to get away from Dill's tickling. "This is the one for us - 'Hot Jocks in Space: the adventures of five young, nubile recruits and their sexy Commanding Officer." "Now I know you're making it up!" Dill laughed, pulling him backwards onto the bed and tickling him harder. "After all - who's ever met a sexy CO?" Dropping the book, Ty fought against her, laughing as she squirmed away from him as he began to tickle her. "You hate to be tickled, don't you, Dill? Your feet especially." "Touch my feet and you're a dead man, McQueen!" she squealed. Clamping a foot firmly under his arm, he began very gently running a finger up and down the sole as she wriggled against him, her other foot pressing into his back. "How about that?" he chuckled. "Too much for you?" He increased the pressure as he began to tickle her foot properly. "I mean it Ty," Dill warned him. "I'm not laughing any more. I'm serious here - leave my feet alone. You know I hate it." Dropping her foot, he scooted up the bed next to her. "You don't object to me touching them when we're making love," he said. "That's different," she smiled. "Anyway, did you find a movie you wanted to watch?" "I told you, 'Hot Jocks in Space'," he grinned. "You're not making it up?" Dill asked, stunned. "Nope. The only movies in that book are blue movies," Ty told her. "Are you sure? When I looked at it earlier it was all sappy romantic stuff that I knew you'd hate." "When did you look at it?" he asked. "Before or after lunch?" "Before, while you were showering." Dill looked at him. "So someone thinks it's funny to change the movie selection for the tank and his whore!" McQueen's face turned to stone. "How do we contact that bloody steward!" he almost yelled. "Phone," Dill said simply. "But calm down a bit first, please." Glaring at her, Ty picked up the phone. "This is Colonel McQueen in cabin…," he looked at Dill. "What cabin are we?" He turned back to the phone. "Oh, ok, you know what cabin. Why did you change our movie selection when we went for lunch? Is this someone's idea of a joke?" McQueen stood listening for a moment and Dill thought she could see steam emerging from his ears. "Oh, you did, did you?" he snarled into the phone. "Well, you can just change it back again! The fact that I'm an invitro does not affect my taste in movies, and if you ever assume anything like that again, mister I'll throw you over the side of this damned boat!" He slammed the phone down and slumped onto the bed with a growl. "So?" Dill reached to stroke his hair, rubbing his temples where she could see a vein throbbing. "When they found out at lunch that I'm a tank, they realised the films were wrong for me, because it's a well known fact that tanks are into sex big-time. Anyplace, anytime, anyone. So they kindly changed the movies to something that would be more suitable for me" he groaned. "They've also added a few things to the 'pleasure cabinet', I believe he called it." Unable to help herself, Dill checked. "Oh my!" she gasped. "What?" Ty demanded, sitting up. "Well…," Dill started, then looking at his face, she brought out an arrangement of straps and scarves. "It would seem we have a full range of bondage gear, including a gag. And this thing, which I suspect is a strap on." She held up what looked like a leather harness with a dildo attached. "My god, do they really think that simply because you're an invitro you want me to put this on and fuck your brains out?" "They assumed that I like it hard core," he whispered. Dill could see tears welling in his eyes. "Oh, baby" she cooed. "Come here to me." Ty wriggled until he was lying in her arms, and she was stroking his hair. "You know I'd never do that to you, don't you?" "Yes," he nodded, his voice low and barely audible. "I hate that, Dill. I truly do. It was done so much to me in the mines that I associate it only with pain." "What about my pokey finger? Want me to stop with that?" she whispered gently in his ear. "No," he smiled. "That's fine. But I don't want you putting anything other than that inside me." "Not without you wanting it, Ty. Not ever," Dill told him. "Good," he whispered as a knock sounded on the door. "I'll get it," Dill told him. "You stay right there, mister!" "Yes, Dill," he smiled. Getting off the bed, Dill grabbed the book and opened the door. The steward stood there, looking slightly afraid. "I brought you the correct movie schedule, Mrs. McQueen. I'm terribly sorry for the mix up. It was an honest mistake, I assure you!" Dill handed over her book and took the other in exchange. "If anything like this happens again, rest assured we will be making a serious complaint." "Yes, ma'am," he said. "But I assure you it won't." "It had better not!" Dill told him, before slamming the door in his face. "Here you go, lover. Take a peek at that. Choose us a movie, and we'll order some popcorn and drinks and snug up for the afternoon," she smiled, handing the book to McQueen. "No kids," he sighed. "I love our children, Dill. I really do. But no diapers, no changing wet pants, no temper tantrums, no arguing with them to get them to eat their vegetables. Heaven!" "Excuse me?" Dill laughed. "You side with them on the vegetable issue. I heard you telling Hamish that you never ate vegetables when you were his age, and that he didn't have to eat his carrots if he didn't want to. You neglected to tell him that at his age you were still in a growth tank and didn't eat anything." Ty looked up from the book. "What are we going to tell them about that? One day they'll ask, and what will we say?" "We'll tell them the truth - that daddy doesn't have a mummy or daddy like they do. That he didn't grow in his mummy's tummy like Izzy did. And that he was never a little boy like they are. I already have some suitable stuff downloaded from the net for them, specifically aimed at their age group," Dill smiled. "It occurred to me when I was carrying Izzy." "See, that's why I married you," he grinned. "You think of everything." "You flatterer, you!" she laughed. "I hope you married me for better reasons than that. Now come on, have you picked a movie yet?" "It's all sappy stuff," he said, "or those old action movies. You know - Schwarzenegger and Stallone. You don't wanna watch that, do you?" "Oh, I don't know. Is it that one with the AI? I haven't seen that one, but Iona says it's a classic," she asked, stretching herself out on the bed. "We can plump up these cushions and get really snuggled. And I opened those windows, so we get a nice breeze too." "I think it's that one," he said reading carefully through the review. "Terminator. Oh, and they have the second and third ones, too." He looked up at her and grinned. "Can you take a whole day of staring at movies?" "So long as I'm with you, and you hold me during any scary bits, I'm happy," Dill smiled. "We can get dinner delivered here and be really lazy." "Okay then." Ty reached for the phone. "Are you really sure?" he asked again. "Give me that phone!" she snapped. "Of course I'm bloody sure!" Grinning, he booked the movies and ordered a bowl of popcorn and some drinks. By the time the popcorn had arrived, they were stretched out on the bed. Dill lay with her head in Ty's lap watching the first movie, laughing as McQueen groaned about how unbelievable the storyline was. They spent the afternoon watching the films, bickering about whether or not it was actually credible, and trying to work out the logistics of time travel. An awful lot of popcorn got eaten, followed by ice cream and then pizza, before finally Ty undressed Dill where she lay asleep on the bed and slipped her under the covers, climbing in beside her and holding her close as she softly snored in his arms. With a soft kiss to the back of her head, he closed his eyes, ready for sleep himself. Previous : Part Five Next : Part Seven Geek © 2005