“What decision? You approached him with logic and he agreedat the time, which I understand and accept. It’s the way these guys’ headswork. What I don’t get is why. Why would you try to steal a man who isobviously in a relationship? Is that the type of person you are? Do you evencare that it hurt someone? Wheaton and I are happy—hell, you know we arehappy—but that didn’t stop you from worming your way into our bed or trickinghim into kissing you.”
“I never—” Hannah started.
“Never what? Tried to break us up? You knew when you startedsleeping next to him it would be a problem. You knew that kissing him waswrong, and yet you fucking did it anyway,” Poppy said, on a roll.
Hannah took a sip of her coffee again and set the cup down.The way she avoided Poppy’s eyes showed how uncomfortable she was. Had she notexpected Wheaton to be honest with Poppy, or even get called out about it? Toodamn bad for her then. Poppy was not the type of person to roll over and takeshit from anyone. Especially when the fight was for her future.
“My intention was not to get in the way of yourrelationship…if that is what you truly have. Councilor Demascus had mentionedthat Wheaton might have been starved for attention and acted too quickly onmeeting you without knowing he had options,” Hannah blurted out.
“Well, that was your first mistake. Fuck that asshole.Listening to Demascus is going to be nothing but trouble for you. That guy is atool,” Poppy said plainly. “And yes, we truly have a relationship. What I havewith Wheaton may have happened quickly but it’s real. As real as it can get.”
Hannah seemed as if she could cry, which surprised the hellout of Poppy. She had not expected the well-put-together woman to haveemotions, much less show them to someone. If Poppy didn’t know better, she’d haveassumed she was a fem-bot considering how perfect she seemed.
“Listen, Hannah. I was really fucking pissed last night whenI found out what had happened,” Poppy explained. “Wheaton and I have talked andworked out the situation but I am letting you know right now that shit stopsnow.”
“Okay…if Wheaton really is sure,” Hannah said in a tearfulvoice, as if Poppy had just kicked her puppy.
“I am very sure, Hannah.”
At the voice coming from the door, both women turned towardthe bedroom. A refreshed Wheaton stood in the opening with his arms foldedacross his chest. He apparently had been listening for a bit so he knew wherethey all stood.
“I am sorry, Wheaton. I really did want you to make aninformed decision,” Hannah explained.
“My decision is final. It was final before you even showedup in my quarters,” Wheaton said while keeping his gaze on Poppy’s face.
“Yeah, I get that now,” Hannah admitted, shooting glancesbetween Poppy and Wheaton with what seemed more like understanding than themanipulation it had been previously.
“So, are you ready for the meetings today? We have quite abit to go over before they start,” Hannah said, obviously deciding thesituation said and done.
“I am going to escort Poppy to the medical unit this morningbut should be able to join you in Council meetings before lunch,” he said nowfrom Poppy’s side while he rubbed his hand up and down her back.
“But we—” Hannah interrupted.
“I will escort her. Missing the first meeting willbring no harm and I am not yet ready to let Poppy go. You understand, correct?”His tone brooked no argument.
“Of course.” Hannah backed down with that kicked-puppy lookagain.
Poppy had an idea. One that would take care of her problemwith Hannah and allow her and Wheaton to spend more time together.
“Hannah?” Poppy’s voice stopped Hannah as she was walking tothe bedroom to get dressed for the day.
“Yes?” she said without turning around.
“How about when it’s lunchtime we all get together? I’m surethe other warriors on the Council are pretty dry and I’ve met some great guyswhile I’ve been working in the medical unit. It would be a good thing to meetsome new people and make friends.”
It would give Hannah someone else to set her sights on,although Poppy didn’t say that out loud. Waiting for Hannah to think for amoment, Poppy was surprised when she was witness to what she assumed was a“real” smile from her.
“That would be wonderful, Poppy,” she answered, showing allher perfect teeth in their gleaming glory.
“All right, big guy. Let’s leave so she can get ready andthen you can escort her to lunch later this afternoon,” Poppy told Wheaton.
Wheaton stopped Poppy with a hand on her arm.
“Who are these ‘great guys’ you were referring to?” he askedwith a huffy expression on his face.
“Seriously, Wheaton, you leave me alone for two weeks, andnow you get pissed because I made friends? Tone it down, Tarzan, or we’re goingto have our second fight in twenty-four hours. You should be happy I didn’tknock Hannah the Horror flat on her ass. Not asking me stupid questions.” Sheemphasized her words with a finger point.
“Okay, okay…no fighting. Just remember we agreed on nokissing these other warriors. No matter how great you think they may be.”
Bumping sides while they walked, Poppy couldn’t help butthink that her discussion with Hannah had gone better than expected. Now tojust make sure that she found someone new and stopped eyeing Wheaton as if hewere a juicy steak and problem solved. Feeling much better, Poppy threaded herfingers through Wheaton’s and his hand tightened on her shoulder.
As they reached the medical unit, Wheaton slowed.
Concerned, Poppy asked, “What’s up, babe?”
Wheaton glanced up at the shiny ceiling in the hallway,confusion on his face.
“Not up, up… I meant what’s wrong?” she asked,smiling.
“Oh, I find I am nervous to see you have a scan today,” headmitted.
“Why?”
“What if there is something wrong with the baby? I am stillfeeling that we have been too lucky in our match.”
“Lucky? What about our situation has been lucky lately?” sheasked.
“We were matched together. It is a perfect match. We enjoysexual intercourse. Quite a bit, I might add.” His grin was infectious, and shecouldn’t stop herself from mirroring it.
“And now we have made a
