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 7. Moira smiled. This house looked the best yet, she thought. She'd organised the family's travel home to Scotland in two days time, but until then she'd decided to keep scouting out houses for Dill and Ty. This one looked like it would really fit the bill. It backed onto the river, it had an indoor pool with a roll top roof, and five large bedrooms, according to the literature. And heaven knew just how many more children they'd produce, Moira thought. A large family-sized kitchen, a dining room, a large living room and a family room. Not to mention a study and four bathrooms. And - she glanced at the papers in her hand - space for two cars. She looked up at the house. The clincher, she knew, was the wrap around porch. Dill would love it. Moira glanced in the rear-view mirror. All three children were asleep. Despite the fact that they'd already visited four houses that day, they had been surprisingly well behaved. There'd been a bit of a fuss at the second house when Cameron had insisted that Cashus didn't like the house and wouldn't go in there. Even Hamish had been unable to change his mind. He'd sat in the car, tears rolling down his face, until they came back out, finally telling her that Cashus said it was a 'bad house where ouches happened lots'. Moira looked at him asleep now, his blonde curls longer than they had ever been, curling around his ears, but still short enough to know that he was a boy. She glanced at the others. Hamish's hair had been cut the day before. Gone were his curls, and now with the blonde cropped hair he resembled his father even more. And Izzy, with the big bouncy curls like her mother had. Brown, unlike the white blonde of her brothers, and chubby in a way the boys had never been. In fact, to Moira's dismay, Ty had taken to calling her his 'dumpling'. She jumped as a small silver sports car pulled up in a flurry of gravel, waking all three children. "Gamma?" Hamish asked sleepily. "More houses, Gamma?" "Last one darling," she smiled at him. "Are you ready to visit this one?" "Yes, Gamma," he yawned. "What about you, Cameron?" she asked, turning in her seat to look at him. "Are you ready darling?" "Yes, Gamma," he smiled tiredly. "Can I have a drink, please?" "Of course, my sweet," Moira smiled. "Let's get everyone out of the car, and I'll get the bag out of the boot." She was glad now that when they'd stopped for lunch she'd had the foresight to stock up on drinks and treats for the children. Opening the doors, she undid the boys' seatbelts and let them climb out themselves, smiling as they both stretched arms skyward and bent their backs in an unconscious imitation of their father. She turned, Isobel in her arms, to see Cameron staring at a tall, slim blonde woman. "Mrs. Mackenzie?" she asked. "What lovely children you have." Moira smiled back. "They're my grandchildren, actually. My daughter and her husband are having a well earned break, so we're busy checking out houses, aren't we, boys?" "Uh huh," Hamish agreed with his big, wide grin. "Mummy wants a new house for daddy." "Oh, I see," the real estate agent said knowingly. "A divorce in the offing, so you're looking for a house for when he has the children?" "I sincerely doubt a divorce is on the cards," Moira shook her head, smiling. "He's in the military. We need somewhere for him to live that's suitable for when the whole family come and visit. Home is too far away for him to commute." "Oh, sorry," the woman smiled. "Let's do this properly, shall we?" She held out her hand. "Amy Wilkinson." "Moira Mackenzie," Moira shook her hand. "And these are Hamish, Cameron and Isobel." "What charming names," Amy said brightly, instantly ignoring them as not important. "Now shall we get down to business? I believe this may well be exactly what you're looking for. Come along, let's go inside, shall we?" She turned to the boys, who both stood, thumbs in mouths, staring at her. "Don't touch anything." Moira followed her around the house with interest. Amy certainly knew her stuff, and Moira was convinced she could sell ice to the Eskimos. But she was getting annoyed at the way Amy kept telling the boys not to touch anything. Not that they had - Cameron hadn't even so much as touched a wall. By the end of the tour Moira was convinced that this was the house, and was prepared to make an offer on it. "I think, Ms. Wilkinson, that this might just be the place. I'd like to make an offer, but I think my daughter and her husband need to see it too. Can I make a provisional offer?" "Certainly you can. When do you think they'll be able to come by?" Amy asked. "Well, they left on their cruise yesterday. It's eight days, so they'll be back at the end of next week. Unfortunately I fly home with the children the day after tomorrow, so any arrangements need to be made now." "I'm sure we can accommodate you, Mrs. Mackenzie, and organise for your daughter and her husband to view it when they return. I can get the paperwork ready for you by tomorrow and perhaps drop in to see you with it. Would that be acceptable?" "Perfect," Moira said. "It means I don't have to drag the children out again, and I can get on with the packing. They seem to have accumulated so much extra in just four weeks. Of course a lot of it is daddy spoiling them, but he can't help it. He doesn't get to see a great deal of them." "No, I don't suppose so. That's one disadvantage of being in the military, especially with this damned war on," Amy smiled. "So if I can just take your address, I can get this sorted out for you as soon as possible." By the time Moira drove the children home she was feeling very pleased with herself. She knew that Dylan would love the house. It was bright and airy, it had the bedrooms and bathrooms she wanted, the pool that TC wanted, and a study that would make him a perfect office, overlooking the garden so he could watch the children playing while he was supposed to be working. Of course there was always the threat that they might choose to live there permanently, but she was sure that would never happen. Dylan loved her home in the Highlands so much that she was sure to find some way to persuade him to live with them there. ~~~~~~~~~~ The following day Amy arrived with the paperwork ready for Moira to sign. Having read it through thoroughly and reassured herself that Dill could back out if she hated the house, Moira invited Amy to stay for lunch. It started out a little awkwardly when Cameron sat Cashus on a chair of his own and climbed up to sit beside Hamish, snuggling with him as Hamish wrapped an arm around him protectively. Amy went to sit down on the chair, and picked Cashus up as though he was infectious, putting him on the table. "That's Cashus' chair!" Hamish told her sternly. "And just who is Cashus, dear?" Amy asked in a voice that showed she had little regular contact with children. "You put him on the table," Cameron whispered. "He wanted that chair." "He's a dolly, dear. He wouldn't want a chair," Amy said dismissively. She smiled at Moira. "The things children say. So the house - suitable, do you think?" "Oh, yes, I'd say so," Moira told her, putting Isobel in her highchair. "My daughter will have to view it when they get back from their trip, but I suspect she'll think it's okay." "She's a military wife, did you say?" Amy asked. "I used to be one of those. She has my sympathy, and there wasn't even a war on when I was married." "Oh, I don't think she needs sympathy. They're perfectly happy together," Moira told her as she began laying out the lunch. "I take it you're divorced then, are you?" "Oh, yes. I married a pilot, only to find he was married already… to his aircraft. Of course we had problems because he was away so much too, but at least we didn't have children. How does your daughter cope, three children and a husband in the military?" Amy smiled. "I really couldn't say, but they've been together for five years now, and very happy they are too. Of course when I say together, I mean when he gets leave. Which in my opinion is not often enough," Moira told her. "If he's anything like my ex-husband, he won't be taking all the leave he's entitled to either," Amy laughed. "Mind you, I didn't complain. He drove me mad when he was home, always out running or exercising. And to be honest, the most immature man I ever met - behaved like a child half the time." "Don't all men?" Moira reasoned. "Sounds a bit like my son-in-law though. He's a great one for early mornings. Of course when he's home he's too busy with the children, though he has been known to take Izzy here with him, in a backpack on his back. As to leave… well, as you said, there is a war on, and unfortunately he's been on the frontlines for most of it." "I expect mine thinks he's died and gone to heaven with this war," Amy smiled. "Although, saying that, he's remarried now so possibly not. But I'm sure the minute he heads back to his ship all thoughts of his family are wiped from his mind." "Gamma?" Hamish asked. "Do I gotta eat vegables?" "As you know full well, this is salad and yes, darling, you do," Moira smiled. "You too, Cameron." "Daddy doesn't make us eat vegables," Cameron told her with a grin. "Well, he's a naughty daddy then," Moira told them. "Now come on and eat up. As soon as you're finished, you can go and play. And when Izzy's finished, I want you to be quiet while I put her down for a nap. She's a very tired girl." "Okay, Gamma." Hamish sighed, then looked up, telling her," Daddy's naughty. Mummy got an ouchie." "But that ouchie was an accident, darling. He didn't mean it," Moira smiled. "Now eat your lunch like a good boy." Having eaten their lunch, the boys climbed down from the chair they had shared. Cameron reached across the table to grab Cashus. As he grabbed for the doll, the boy's eyes widened in shock as he brushed against Amy's arm, and he jumped back sharply. "You hurt my daddy," he whispered, all thoughts of Cashus gone from his mind as he glared at her. Hamish looked at his brother. "She hurt daddy?" he asked, turning to give Amy a glare of his own. "You're bad!" "I don't know your daddy," Amy said. She frowned - there was something familiar about the glares she was getting. Ignoring the boys, she turned to Moira. "So what does your son-in-law do then? My husband was a Captain in the Marines when I met him. Worst arm of the military there is - totally blinkered. You have no idea how relieved I was to finally divorce him. Of course I knew not long after we married that I'd made the biggest mistake of my life." Moira just stared at her. Shaking her head, she spoke to the boys, "Amy here didn't hurt your daddy. How can she, when she's never met him? Come and say sorry for being so mean to her." Cameron shook his head. "No!" he yelled. "I want Cashus! " Hamish took his lead from Cameron and dashed to the table, grabbing Cashus and giving him to Cameron. "No, Gamma. She's bad!" Moira sighed. "I know two boys who will get no treats unless they say sorry right now!" Cameron turned his back and walked away. After a second's hesitancy, Hamish followed, taking Cameron's hand. "Stubborn as mules, just like their father," Moira smiled. "I'm so sorry. I do apologise for their behaviour." It might have ended there if Hamish hadn't turned, and seeing that Moira was busy with Isobel, poked his tongue out at Amy. Cameron, seeing him do, it followed suit. "Well, obviously you have no discipline" Amy told them sternly. "I can't remember when I've met two more naughty children!" "Well, as you have none of your own, I really don't think you can make that accusation," Moira told her sharply, looking at the boys to see what they'd done now. "I think, young men, that if you can't be nice you'd better say sorry and go play in the garden." "Thank god I had none," Amy snapped. "My stupid husband wanted to, but fortunately for me he wasn't able to. He has some now though. Goodness knows what he put the mouse he married through to get them! He married the tiniest mouse he could find, I'm sure. I expect she does exactly as she's told at all times. I'd love to be a fly on the wall in that household. I'll bet he makes her address him using his rank!" "Surely not?" Moira asked, getting fed up with this dreadful woman. She took Isobel out of her chair, getting ready to take her for a nap. "Oh, yes. They have children too. I expect they have to do exactly what they're told, and I'll bet they all have schedules he's drawn up. The man was so tight arsed you'd never believe it!" Amy laughed. Cameron appeared at Moira's side. "Gamma, can we go play now? Cashus wants to go play." "Yes, darling, you can take Cashus out to play now." "Thank you, Gamma. Cashus says thank you, too," he smiled. "Why do you indulge him with that doll?" Amy asked, confused. "It's a long story," Moira smiled. "I'll be right back. This young lady is dropping off in my arms." She took Isobel off to put her in her cot. Once Moira had left the room, Cameron spoke. "Cashus doesn't like you. He says you're a bad, bad lady." "That's okay, because I don't like Cashus either. He's nasty and rude," Amy said crossly. "Cashus says you hurt my daddy," Cameron accused her, his eyes shining with unshed tears. Turning to him, she grabbed his doll. "This is a dolly! It can't talk to you!" "Give back Cashus!" Hamish was there instantly, defending his brother. "Here," she said, holding it out. "It's a dirty, smelly thing anyway. And you really ought to wash it occasionally. Stop telling lies about it talking. Lies are wrong no matter how old you are!" "McQueens don't tell lies!" Hamish bridled, snatching Cashus from her and giving it to Cameron. "McQueens?" Amy said, horrified. "Is that who you are? Oh my god - you're his brats, aren't you?" "What's brats?" Cameron asked, anxious at this exchange between his beloved brother and this bad woman. "You are you, and this horrible brother of yours! I should have recognised you. I thought there was something familiar. My god, the two of you look just like him!" she snapped at the boy. Moira hurried in, having heard Amy's raised voice, and stared at her. "You're Amy… the Amy?" "What if I am?" she challenged. "Well," Moira drew in a breath. "That 'tiny mouse' he married is my daughter, and I believe when the two of you met, you came off worst in the encounter! I can assure you that TC does not demand any special treatment. Though, God bless him, he certainly needs it, and some of that I put down to you." She turned to the boys. "Go and play in your bedroom please, boys." Seeing Cameron's reluctance to go, she spoke to Hamish. "Hamish, take your brother and Cashus, and go to your room right now." "Yes, Gamma," he whispered, grabbing Cameron's arm and dragging him away. "Me?" Amy practically yelled. "You put what down to me?" "Yes, you. Do you have any idea how much damage you did to him? You led him a merry dance until you got bored, and then you dropped him like yesterdays newspaper! And my daughter had to deal with the repercussions of that," Moira snapped at her. "Fortunately Dylan is made of sterner stuff. She's spent the time picking up the pieces and putting in the work, and now she has a husband to be proud of." "Oh, yes, I'll bet. And three tank brats too. How much did it cost to get them? How much pressure did he put her under?" Amy sneered. "It cost nothing but some honest to goodness love making!" Moira snapped back. "And don't you speak to my boys like that. They are two and a half years old, for goodness sake. Mere babies! Thank goodness I'm taking them home." "Home? Tanks call nowhere home!" "It sounds to me like TC is not the only one who needs therapy. But at least he's doing something about it!" Moira told her. "It won't last. Wait until he comes home permanently, then you'll see what an aggravating, sulky bastard he really is!" Moira had had enough. Closing the kitchen door on the children, she turned. "What he ever saw in you, I have no idea. But did it ever just once cross your tiny mind that he's not as old as he looks? Even now he's learning everyday. He must have been like a child when he met you. Did you ever consider that? You said he was immature? Well, of course he was! He was no doubt nothing more than a scared, sulky teenager in the body of a man. His hormones running wild, his body reacting one way while his emotions tried desperately catch up. Did you ever think about what life was like for him in those bloody mines? What he must have gone through? Did it ever cross your mind that he needed reassurance that his whole damn life wasn't going to be like that? Did you ever think to comfort him? To just hold him in your arms and let him know you loved him? Or was that the problem? You didn't love him." "And I suppose your precious daughter does?" Amy sneered. "Take a look around. What did you see over lunch? Three children who have a daddy they adore, despite the fact that they hardly see him. Does that tell you anything? Look at the way the boys reacted to the idea that you'd hurt their daddy. And Cashus was right, wasn't he?" Moira glowered. "Dylan works incredibly hard to keep their family together. I'd guess she's dealt with things you never had to, but one thing's for sure - she never walked away from the man she loves! Now excuse me, but I think you had better be going now." "Things I never had to deal with? You mean his nightmares? Oh, I dealt with those. After the first one I refused to let him in my bed. There was no way he was hitting me again! I refused to allow my husband to abuse me!" Amy sneered again, standing up and heading for the door. "Did you ever try to find out what those nightmares were about? Did you ever think that maybe he couldn't help himself while he was having a nightmare? Did you ever try to understand?" Moira followed her to the car and watched her as she drove away, before turning and going back inside. She headed to the boys room, and standing in the doorway, sighed as she watched Hamish hugging his brother, telling him it was going to be alright - that daddy would make it better when he came home. "But I want daddy now!" Cameron sobbed. "Daddy's not here," Hamish told him. "He's with mummy onna boat." "I don't want daddy onna boat. I wan' him here," Cameron cried. "I's here," Hamish hugged him closer. "Izzy's here. Cashus here, and gamma too." "B… bu…but I need daddy," Cameron sobbed. "Cashus needs you. He tole me," Hamish whispered to him. "Cashus says daddy's not happy onna boat," Cameron sobbed. Frowning, Moira stepped into the room. Taking Cameron in her arms, she smiled at Hamish. "Good boy, Hamish. You're making him feel better." "He's crying," Hamish shrugged, throwing himself on a bed. "Gamma, Cashus says daddy not happy onna boat. Is daddy happy?" "Of course he is. He's got mummy with him," Moira smiled. "And he loves mummy very much, doesn't he?" Hamish nodded, happy now that Moira was here. "Mummy knows how to make daddy happy," Cameron sobbed into Moira's shoulder. "Yes, darling, I'm sure she does," she smiled. "Now why don't both you boys have a nap? I think all this crying must have made you very tired." "Mummy sucks his penis and that makes him happy." Cameron yawned as Moira laid him down onto the bed. "I'm sure it does," Moira chuckled. "And how do you know that, young man? Been peeping in doors again?" "I saw her. I thought daddy had a snake bite, but mummy said no, she was making him happy," he mumbled, his eyes drooping as he snuggled in the bed. Shaking her head laughing, Moira kissed both boys, and closing the door, headed towards the kitchen. *snake bite*, she chuckled. Reaching the kitchen, she saw the house papers on the counter. Sighing, she picked them up. It was a lovely house, and she knew that Dill would love it, but there was no way that Amy could show them around it. Moira was angry with Amy for ruining the house for them, and threw the papers down while she made herself a cup of tea. Whilst sitting drinking her tea a few minutes later it occurred to Moira that she should just go ahead and buy the house now. If they didn't like it they could sell it again. But it would give them a base to look from. She picked up the phone and asking to speak to the person in charge, and explained her predicament. Half an hour later she hung up. The house had no chain, and therefore as her offer was the best they had had, the sellers had agreed and the house was hers. She had also insisted that someone other than Amy Wilkinson show Dill and Ty around it, on the understanding that if they arrived and she was there the sale would be cancelled. Of course it meant she now had to cancel hers and the children's flights home, as she was going to have to be there to see the sale finalised and sort out the details. But that would be a small price to pay, to see Dylan's face when she saw the house. Picking up her now cold tea, Moira smiled. Dylan was going to love it. She knew it. ~~~~~~~~~ Previous : Part Six Next : Part Eight Geek © 2005