She watched as they were shown the procedure for the next day. They had their assigned times and were all going to be attached to a team when they entered and were given a briefing. They would get a specific task to accomplish, and they had to complete the scenario within the estimated time. Once the scenario was completed, they were free to go.
Susa-Zera had a lot to think about when she finished. Naima helped her up, and they slowly walked out of the building and across the way.
“So, Susa, what do you think?”
“I think it is going to be tight, but I can make it.”
Naima whispered, “That is what I thought the first time I saw you.”
Zera laughed, and it wasn’t Susa’s giggle.
“So, can you tell me anything about the actual test?” Zera asked it without being coy.
“Sure. Everything they just said was a lie. They are going to get you up and out an hour before or after your exam time, and you are going to be paired with some low-grade teams who don’t want to be there or foreign ones who have a different way of doing things.”
“Aw, shit.”
“Yeah.” Naima sighed. “I hope you make it to both calls.”
“So do I.”
They put in their orders and took a seat in the corner of the coffee shop.
“It feels so surreal. Here I am with both of you, but one of you isn’t here.”
“Yeah. Sorry. I know you liked her.”
Their coffee showed up, and they sat together, thighs and shoulders touching.
“So, the body is dying?”
Zera nodded. “The announcement will be soon.” Her voice broke.
Naima took her hand and held it.
“I am sorry I am wrecking our date.”
“It’s fine. It is nice to be able to be here for someone I care for, for a change. You have always been there when I needed you, and you gave me precisely what I wanted. It’s good that you don’t have the upper hand right now.” Naima chuckled. “It gives me something to do.”
“I am glad I could make myself useful.” She smiled with watery eyes, and Naima kissed her. Kissed Susa. Someone got kissed.
When Naima leaned back, she smiled. “Your coffee has caramel in it.”
“Yeah. You take yours black.”
Susa-Zera blinked. “Are we on a normal date right now?”
Naima chuckled. “Of course not. That would be against the rules. We are here because your life is in danger. I kissed you because you needed it to remain balanced. And because you taste like candy.”
Zera blushed. “That is Susa.”
“No, it really isn’t.”
“People are staring.”
“Well, you were nearly dead a few days ago.”
“Oh, right.”
“Have you ever been in me?” Naima ran her thumb along her knuckles.
“You mean like aside from sex?” She chuckled. “No. You would know, and I would have asked. I have only ever accidentally jumped in once, and it was only that first time. Incidentally, my body weight is added to yours, so you would really notice.”
“Oh. So that is why you are having so much trouble walking.”
“That and you are just so much fun to hold onto while I am short.”
Naima laughed. “You are adorable and fun-sized right now.”
Susa-Zera sighed forlornly. “I know.”
Naima giggled. “You and your sister are very much alike.”
“Yeah, we get that once people know us.” Zera sighed. “Knew us.”
“Did you want to get something to eat?”
“Sure. I have a date tonight, so I need to keep my strength up. Since Torun’s little exposure of the corporation and myself, things have gotten busy. I only allow the bookings for the time I am not working, but since the incident the other day, all of my movie nights and dinners at home have been cancelled. My calendar automatically updated, and the bookings started.”
“How does that work? I know with some others, it takes a day or two to get the confirmations, but you send it the same day.”
“It is my project and my responsibility. Other escorts have jobs, nosy roommates, friends they have to attend to, and studying. Acknowledging that they have lives is why I have more signing up every day.” She sighed. “For most, being with another activated person is a dream. To find one that matches them is heaven. I have wanted to set up a matchmaking spinoff, but since most of those matches are team members, it makes things awkward. We need a legal window so that they can have those matches with waivers for the municipal system in case the spouse, not on the team, is attacked. There has to be a rider or some kind of financial coverage for the neighborhoods. That is what the cities are afraid of. If the spouse becomes a target, who will be to blame. The teams worry that the spouses will be leverage, so they banned relationships, and other areas that employ activated personnel followed suit.”
“You know a lot about it.”
“It is literally a part-time job.” She laughed.
“Well, let’s go. There is a good place a few blocks away, and I can finally take you for a ride on my cycle.”
They got up, and Naima helped her to the door and out to the sidewalk.
“I have to be downtown by six-thirty. Astel isn’t tricky, but he is specific.”
“Well, since I have to work with him, I guess keeping him happy is on the up and up.”
The cycle came up and waited for Naima. She handed Susa-Zera a helmet and got on. Zera hadn’t ridden behind someone in ages. She put her arms around Naima and held tight. In her helmet speaker, she heard, “This is a great date.”
She laughed as Naima powered up, and they were off.
Naima took a number of sharp corners and accelerated quickly; it was obvious she enjoyed the grip around her. Zera slumped a little, and the fun was over. “Time to eat. I have had my fun.”
They pulled up in front of a restaurant that specialized in noodles and spices. They were seated, and the food was out in under five minutes.
