"Why just one," a particular pair of fuzzy cuties with big eyes said to me. "You can have three for more fun."
"We will not be needing your services," Portia repeated several times until the girls finally lost interest in us. Once I spotted our ship I felt an extra level of relief. I was ready to put this episode behind me.
Unfortunately, I couldn't do that just yet. I still had the Alora issue to deal with, and then the changes in my body that were affecting my love life. Reuniting with my crew was only the first step in resolving my issues.
"Damn you, Joah!" Nancy yelled as she saw us approaching. "Don't do this shit to me!"
"Since when do you worry about my ability to take care of myself?" I attempted to downplay the trauma I caused her.
By that time, Nancy caught site of the bundle of short hair on my back. Her expression changed dramatically. I could feel Alora lift her head from my shoulder to see who was talking. Lin was on her rear and hadn't noticed yet.
"Since you stormed off upset with us," Lin answered my question. Then she too came to an abrupt stop and stared.
"This is Alora," I said as I lowered my shoulder to signal that it was time for her to walk on her own. "I saved her from..."
"Is that what you have been doing while you had us worried sick?" Nancy demanded to know. "Fucking this little Peggy girl?"
"No, it is not like that..."
"This shit has got to stop," Nancy said angrily while poking her finger in my chest. "You need to start respecting your wives!"
"If I may," Portia attempted to interject.
"You stay the fuck out of this!" my first wife screamed at the android.
"Nancy," Lin said while placing her hand on her shoulder. It was half-hearted. I could clearly tell that Lin was thinking the same thing as her.
Nancy shrugged off her friend's touch and then took a swing at me. She actually tried to punch me in the face. I easily dodged the blow by jerking my head back.
A split second later Nancy was pulled away from me with her arms behind her back. Portia had jumped into action to protect her captain. This was one of those things that she still needed to learn. I was in no danger, and never would be from these two women.
"Let go of me bitch!"
"Hold up," Lin said raising a hand in each direction. One toward Nancy where she was contained and the other toward me. "Explain this Joah."
"I'm happy to do that, Lin. Once we are inside the ship."
"No," she responded looking almost as angry as her friend. She was making one of those stands that couldn’t be ignored. "Do it now!"
Alora had dropped down and taken several steps backward looking like she was about to flee. I gestured for her to relax as I released a deep breath and prepared my opening statement.
"I have not had sex with this Peggy female. I do not intend to either. I saved her from a wild animal first, then from a gang intent on selling her as a sex slave. She can't go home just yet so I brought her here until we figure out how best to help her."
The anger faded on the faces of both wives, but did not disappear completely. They were upset before they even saw the girl so that was understandable. In my experience women remembered most how you made them feel, even if it was a misunderstanding. No amount of words could wipe a slate completely clean.
I continued, "I'm sorry for making you worry about me. I was out of range and hiding out hoping to avoid the dangers of the night. I'm back now and I'm tired. I killed several Peggies to get back to you. So, if you don't mind, I'd like to finish this discussion inside."
"Of course," Lin finally replied. Then she stepped up to give me a hug and kiss. Her body remained rigid like a woman holding a grudge. Still, the embrace meant progress. "I'm sorry for overreacting."
"I'm not," Nancy said through tears. She was clearly in emotional turmoil, mostly from missing me. This was just an unfortunate first reaction to seeing me with Alora. "Can you please tell this metal bitch to let me go?"
I waved off Portia and welcomed Nancy into my arms. I apologized to each of them again before continuing with the introductions.
"I'm sorry that we scared you," Lin said to Alora, adjusting her tone like she was speaking to a youngster. It instantly brought back that feeling that maybe I should have a child. Perhaps Lin would be the perfect mother of my baby. Then she reached for the girl's hand. "Let's get you inside, shall we? Are you hungry?"
Alora nodded vigorously and accepted Lin's hand. Then we all entered the ship with Portia bringing up the rear. She would observe and record any reactions of people nearby. I noticed that several crew members of the next ship over were watching our personal drama out on display. I had hoped to avoid that. I gave them an apologetic wave before darting between the two engines to reach the entrance of our spacecraft.
I was happy to be home.
Chapter Eighteen
I sat in the galley with Nancy by my side holding my hand. She had that angry pouting look still but I didn't have the energy to deal with it at the moment. I was confident that once the full story sank in past her anger barrier, she would be fine. That was until she wanted to discuss what happened right before I walked out.
Lin was
