Epilogue

Anchor

She makes me smile with her pout. "We can make it as good as the shower sex."

"It's not possible. You woke me up to make love. I'll find out a good position and we can do it tonight after the psychics." She stands like that's not an odd thing to say.

Hooking my fingers into her waistband, I pull her back. "Psychics?"

"Firefly got us Security. We'll be home by ten or so."

When did this happen? "Explain psychics and why I'm waiting again."

"I'll get the good positions for me with a cast. It's not the shower and bath doesn't sound like fun. I gotta pee. I'll tell you about psychics later." Bath doesn't sound like fun?

I let her batshit crazy ass go. She had no problem with the bed like three hours ago. Bath sounds like fun to me. Why isn't it an option now? I've got a Lead meet I need to make and it's an early one. I need explain time added into my breakfast now. Jesus. I laugh and get up.

Showering in the spare bath sucks but it did the job. When I get in the room I smile. She's in utilities putting her boots on. "You're faster than yesterday."

"I'm meeting the Alpha-Bits and elders for breakfast. The dogs want rugs for their beds in the winter and the elders have all kinds of yarn, so the Bits were coming up with a way to cut it the right length. Locke has Mario coming to make a printer for making the rugs and one for making kits. I don't know what all that means."

My feet stop. Dogs, rugs and printers. I don't ask. "After breakfast where are you?"

"I'm meeting Alder at the portico. He's dropping me at the ABSZ medical compound for an eye exam with Allen then I'm getting lunch and meeting Chenoa Knight for a physical. I'll get a shot for birth control while I'm there, then I can go with Firefly and Aurora to the girl doctor once a year. The doc here can give us the shot. After that Alder is picking me up for a meet in Phoenix and bringing me back for the meet with Pres at 3:30." Birth control makes her smile but she's got a full day planned.

"When do I hear about the psychics?" We've been busy so chances are I'm not going to be here today.

"It's a little village and Aurora says most are frauds so the elders are going to mess with them. We have Security and Bret and Firefly are going. Are you okay? Bret said she's going to run a Team."

I smile. "Yeah, she's not leaving just moving to her own Team. She's ready and Racks will take second for me. The freaky said it would be a mistake to separate us."

She nods walking out, so I follow with my boots in my hand. I need the psychic info so I can start a plan.

"Racks told me. I need to talk to you about all that trust stuff. Wait, Racks is going to be with you, he can tell you. I don't understand it but I don't need all that crap. Where would we put all that stuff? I don't know the people and we don't have a vault. I never even heard of them and don't want a vault. What good is stuff if you have to hide it? I have to go." She turns with two travel cups. "I'll miss you today but I'll get positions before I see you later. Love you, your amazing brain and the sexy gravelly voice. Be safe and come home." With a kiss to my lips, she jogs to the door as if she's late.

"Always." I shake my head because she's already out the door. That had to be a batshit hit-and-run. That definitely wasn't my Dainty Drew. My boots go on while I think about all she said. She threw a lot of information out in six minutes. I did get a compliment, kiss and love with my coffee. Checking my gun, I walk out chuckling about sex positions, psychics, a vault, dogs, rugs, new business for the Bits and my batshit crazy ol' lady.

Level comes out his door and turns my way, then smiles. "Brothers. I love the new hood."

I look back and see Racks closing his door and smile. "Me too. I need you to explain the newest crazy of the day."

"I need coffee." Racks is going to make me wait on answers.

Walking toward him, I hand him the coffee. "She just handed it to me. Make sure I get my cup back."

Level laughs. "It's got your name on it."

I nod, walking for my own cup of coffee and hopefully some answers. "He dumped popcorn over the edge of a cliff because I didn't ask permission to claim his sister. She's going to get a physical and birth control today. Who knows what he'll do to my cup if he's not an uncle soon."

What has to be coffee sprinkles the air in front of Racks on the side of me as Level barks out a laugh. I keep walking.

"You don't want kids right now?"Level asks

"I don't care either way. The when is her choice since she'd be carrying a kid around for nine months. She said she's getting a shot, so I guess she doesn't want to do that right now or for the next nine months." I wouldn't want to do it ever but if she wants kids, I want kids. I can picture a baby with white hair and blue-pink eyes.

"You're not afraid of bringing kids up in the world today?"

I'm surprised it's Level that asks that. "Nope. If I was still in the military that would be a yes. Here, everything is possible." I pull the door open and know right away that tension is high.

There are no women at the Officers table so that could be a reason. Putam is smiling but the Commander, Wolf and Pres are not happy.

"Pres, VP, Brothers." I acknowledge and sit.

"What's up?" Level asks like I knew he would.

"The ol' ladies and elders are going to a psychic village tonight. The women to watch the elders fuck with psychics. The moms are even going." Pres is disgusted and I bet trying to find a way to stop that.

My eyes go to Putam. "Stopping that is not an option?" Someone would have asked him before we showed.

He laughs. Pres growls and Putam gets a serious look on his face quick. "No. It plays out. I thought it was funny that you knew before you heard any details."

Pres relaxes and Racks laughs. "So we're going to a psychic village if we're not called in. This sounds like fun."

I elbow him as the Commander puts his hand on Pres' arm. Fuckin' Brother. "What? I've never seen a psychic village."

I turn for the Prospect. There's no point trying to shut Racks up. Wolf wants the plan.

KC comes in and watches us. When he sits, he asks Racks. "What's going on?"

"Ol' ladies and moms are going to a psychic village to see elders fuck with them. Andro and Drew are waiting to have kids. The Lead glasses are in and we're training on them today. Cort is using Flight Guard to deal with little shit so we have time to regroup and train. There's a play out order we didn't get details for."

Pres perks up. "Cort is using Flight Guard for our jobs?"

Racks nods. "Raid called me about the glasses and said it. I didn't ask. Brothers are meeting today and Raid said Cort needed a day of no dickass contacts. He didn't explain the meet either."

"Drew will be there with Alder," I tell them.

"We have a virtual meet with Phoenix. I got the chat first thing this morning." Pres being calm is good.

The Commander relaxes. "I could use a day. The Lead glasses need to be tested with the team in the big simulator. We can all use an easy day after yesterday."

Level agrees. He was at a tornado site last night. The feel of hopelessness at sites like that always has me trying to do more for the survivors.

"What do you do that's different than other sites?"

I shake my head at Putam reading me. "Most of our jobs are like that. Finding a better or easier way for them. It's usually nothing they can use for the immediate future but hope is funny. When you lose or almost lose everything in your world, you grasp at anything to believe you'll make it through and see new anything working. For floods it could be the pipes generating electric. For mudslides, progress and a plan already working before Rescue is gone. When the fire is out and a plan for better preventative measures is already started…it's just hope we leave behind."

He nods. "I never saw that, thanks."

"Drew would say that's for everything. Someone showing a plan to move on would cause the people to believe moving on is not only possible but achievable."

Everyone looks at Racks, my hand goes to his arm. "It is, Brother. It's what you told me about the orphans. The connection is planted like a seed."

Wolf laughs. "Where did all this come from? You've never talked much but lately we get information that shows us just how fuckin' smart you are."

I smile at Keylan. "The Commander told me to stop and talk to my Brothers, see who you are. I took the order and have been doing that. I have time now so I don't always have to rush to what's next." I shrug. "Life is easier, or slower paced, or something here."

Pres laughs. "It is. I love that the jobs are familiar and sometimes intense but home is calm, comfortable and we have time to breathe. Especially when there are parties like last night. Flame told me to just relax and enjoy myself. Cort is a smart and funny Brother, last night I saw that."

I smile. It was calm and fun.

"Alder is amazing. After that spectacular drone show and K9s hovering, he showed all he's been doing. While he's been here, he made our life easier but did you see all the other shit he made?" KC asks.

"Yeah, we were all at the tables looking at it. Cort hugged him for all of BSC. You finally hung with Joe so I wasn't pulling you away to get explanations for all that shit." The Commander has us all smiling.

"I thought the same thing and took a video of it for you, check your email, Brother."

KC smiles. "Thanks, Racks. There had to be thirty things on the tables and the other hover crafts. Joe said nothing is gas or electric."

I shake my head. "His point was using what's here. He said making trash valuable will stop so much of it being dumped in water and on land. He was pissed about all the trash at a flood Pres was on."

Racks nods and hits my arm. "The money from the parts you send him is going to Vets, he said it's not much because it's making jobs affordable but Raid said Alder's not much is usually millions."

I'm shocked. "Vets, like medical?"

He smiles. "You've never talked to Raid on the phone. He tells you information and hangs up. All I did was listen, Brother. He runs all kinds of businesses and keeps up with Cort. Apparently, chit chat only happens in Ops."

We all laugh. I bump his shoulder with my arm. "Thanks. I like that he's putting something toward them. Anything is better than what they're getting."

He nods. "It is. What answers do you need?"

"Drew said you can tell me about the trust while she's out today. I'm not sure if you know about the dogs, printers, Alpha-Bits and rugs but I don't think I need to know more on that so just the trust shit and why she's getting a physical at the ABSZ. We have a shit load of doctors and they're not all men."

His eyes close for a second too long. "Since my mom died, she's never been to a doctor. An EMT checked her after the fire but yesterday is the first time. My aunt took me when my mom died and they said I was anemic. I ate the food from the doctor's list, planted food and trees so we'd have it regularly and made sure Drew ate right. When I left, I ordered her meals, sunscreen and sunglasses sent through my aunt. Every two weeks she got meals and she said she always ate them. I didn't think of the vitamins. She's pale but we're albinos so it's normal. The military said I'm not anemic, everything was good. Alder said it's not common for albinos so I didn't need to worry. He looked me up and said I'm fine. He'll take my blood when I go for the tour."

Jesus. I at least had Medicaid and regular checkups. "I'm glad you're okay and Drew is getting checked."

"She needs shots but had the baby vaccines. Chenoa Knight will get her what she needs. After that the doc here will take care of everything but GYN."

I nod. That works with what she told me about seeing a different doctor with the women. "Okay. The trust? She doesn't want a vault and didn't know the people who were hiding shit or something."

He laughs. "I thought you'd be pissed I forgot the vitamins."

"You were a kid, got her clean air, water and food. I didn't live your life and can only hope I'd know all the shit you did. You're both here and healthy. You did that. I never ate a vitamin in my life so I'd forget them too."

The Officers around us laugh.

Racks leans in, bumping my shoulder. "Thanks. The land trust is done. The money is split between us. She isn't going to want it but she's a McClane and deserves the same as I get. The McClane Trust is different. I emptied the vault when I was like thirteen. It took forever because I had to loop cameras and shit, then get a security company to move it. My aunt wasn't allowed on the land but we got her in and she stayed with them and the pallets. It's funny but I used 3 mm to wrap them like the crates here get net." He shakes his head smiling. "We did it and she had it stored. When I went back, I stopped in Utah and saw it's all still wrapped on the pallets. I want some of the books and journals but I'm like Drew, it's meaningless without a reference. It was hidden our whole lives. We never met the people and my dad didn't know or never told us about our family. Meaningless doesn't mean worthless. I sent Banks the inventory and he said Cort has a place for gold, the pictures and antiques are big. The thing is, we live making enough for what we need. All that going to kids would mean they'd never learn to work. I learned and got into school and the Marines. Drew worked and got a job with Cort and Alder. You've got a say here…"

"No. It's not mine. Drew and you have the say and she only got one because you gave her that. Don't take it away by making this anyone else's decision. It's yours and hers. You're the only two McClane's right now. You decide and deal based on now."

The Commander laughing has me looking up. He shrugs. "I think you're right. You're not planning the next hundred years, Racks. You're planning for today and tomorrow. You both work and you're happy here with family around you."

Racks nods looking intense then he relaxes. "You're right. I'll make the call. Drew doesn't get it and doesn't want it, but I'm keeping the books from my mom. I will need that name, Commander. Mine is like the treasure hunter guy, I'll never be free with it and Drew will never be safe." He's got the whole table quiet and turning toward the Commander.

The Commander breathes deep. "I'm honored, Brother. Try out Keylan."

I smile. I love my fuckin' Brother. "I'll make you a cuff, Racks."

Everyone chimes in.

"I'll make another journal, it's almost the same as Anchors." Wolf has me shaking my head.

"I got the jersey," Level says.

"Another slate," KC says swallowing a bite of his massive burrito.

"I'll get with Web for the name change and papers for you. Ma will have everything else."

Racks laughs, "I want a cup."

I elbow him laughing.

Pres jumps in here. "I'll get the cup."

We all nod. He's our honorary team member. "Sweet, Pres. You gotta jump on that before they're moving on." The Commander has me checking time.

He's right. I tell them, "Lead meet is in fifteen."

They laugh but eat faster.

My eyes go to Putam. He's looking at his plate but I feel he's tense. "You know, you're here and part of us now, Officer, Inner Circle and all that. You gotta get him something too. He's getting a new name. It's a milestone but don't even think about inviting the BSC. We have a job tonight."

He looks up fast and smiles. "I was ordering his new cut and I'm a Protector, we'd never invite BSC to anything, they're as crazy as the Princes."

I nod once. "Good job. We need you to plan parties for us."

Racks laughs. "No one but us will come."

I roll my eyes at him. "That's the point."

They all laugh at me. I have a meet so I eat not caring.

I think of the box Racks got from the Homestead but with his new name on it. I'll make it big enough to fit his old box in it. I'll get him copies of the pictures of him and Drew too. I can just leave the box for him to find and hang the pictures so they're up. I like the plan.

***

Putam is at my house when I get there. "Brother."

He smiles up at me. "I started the box but was waiting for you. It took me all afternoon to figure out how to make the frames. Mario was here and helped me out. It's not the same but Racks' house is a little more modern than yours."

I laugh at the sleek black frames. "He's going to like that. Do you ever not read me?"

"Mucimi has been close. I don't mean to but you're easier than other Brothers. You say what you mean and aren't thinking about personal shit all the time." Readers don't have it easy.

I wave a hand by my head. "Not usually, but I'll be glad when he's not close. My girl is crazy and trying to figure out the shit she says is happening a lot." Like she stayed at the ABSZ because Pres changed the meeting and Chenoa is introducing her to an Indian chief for something about integrated society.

He nods. "I find new to focus on if that happens but it was only once so far."

I nod, not wanting to know. "I'm glad you made it look wooden."

"It's wood. The frames took all my patience for the fuckin' printers. There was an old desk by the dumpster at Sentinel. Nash brought it over." He points to pieces of wood in a pile.

I smile. "Thanks. I like recycling. Racks used to use anything he could find so he'll love it."

He goes back to his box. "You learned it from him?"

"They all taught me shit but Racks taught me that anything is possible. He was good at repurposing but it was the metal he'd melt that had me seeing more. With what we knew, pairing it together with Racks know-how became normal for me. Any material turned into possibilities and being in devastated areas meant we had to make what we could do go further. I did that."

The Commander's laugh has us turning. "You saw it and your brain blew up. It was like seeing Alder learn new shit. When I realized what you could do, I had everyone teaching you what they know. You're like a sponge. We all are but in different ways. I needed to keep you all alive, Wolf healthy, KC military technical shit I never paid attention to, Level planning and Racks, the computer. The kid was like you but focused on getting information. He knew a lot of shit about a lot of shit."

I nod. "He was good with his hands and figuring out how to do things easier. I laughed on the chopper with the drones. He had the hygiene kits so we could make molds for the silverware." The needle thing was a good mold to make small shit we needed. It's thin enough that we could roll the diamond shape into a straw, nail or like for the dish, a frame.

He laughs. Putam shakes his head. "You two together are unbelievable. One of my dads is like you but he's got more shit in his head." That doesn't look like a happy thought.

He shakes his head. "He needs ten brains to be a normal adjusted Brother. He doesn't talk because he can't slow enough to get words out. You and Racks get in a zone but he's building and you're planning for next. It's not everything for every second of your life and he's got vision so that's everyone else's life too."

"Fuck, Brother. I'm glad he has you and your sister. Any happy in a life like that is good."

Putam smiles. "Thanks, Commander. He tries and we don't know him any other way. He's always been there for us but we understood young what he sees and does because of it. We're readers too. What he gives to Badass is more than I'll ever have. It's an honor saying he's mine. Really my whole family but they're all different."

I smile and crook my arm around his neck pulling him closer for a hug. "Like us. We're honored to share you with your Blackhawks."

He laughs at me.

"What are you making?" The Commander asks.

"A box for his Porter McClane box. It's a keepsake." I shrug.

He laughs and starts helping. Pres comes over and gets into the project with the team. He said ‘the team' twice showing he's feeling it. Wolf comes and makes the leather-like stuff for his journal. I'm glad the Commander gave me a printer when he finished his furniture. He still has two but he makes stuff at his house so they aren't sitting collecting dust.

Level shows and we're on him for the lipstick on his neck that's not lipstick but a hickey. KC comes around the corner pissed and we all notice him or his vibes right away.

"You forgot to call?"

I smile at him. "I didn't call anyone. They all showed just like you. Drew stayed at the ABSZ because her meet here was changed."

Wolf looks up. "We did the training and watched Bret's new team, then she went to meet Freedom for Lead pointers."

The Commander smiles. "Firefly is with the moms getting shit for Racks before Drew gets home because she almost passed out in the hobby store."

I laugh. I love my batshit crazy ol' lady. She's adorable.

Pres shakes his head. "Raiden is with the Bits making pictures for dogs and Flame is with moms and Firefly."

KC smiles. "Where's Racks?"

"We did the training and he's free so he went to meet Banks about the trust. I didn't ask."

"Where's Joe?" The Commander asks.

KC is back to pissed. "At his house. He was going to call for work somewhere."

I shake my head. "Claim the Brother already."

He's shocked. "You don't claim a Brother."

I roll my eyes. "Why the fuck not? He's yours, you're all in even if you're an ass about it and he needs more than a one day guarantee you're not walking on him. What the fuck are you afraid of? Everyone here already knows."

"Cort…"

Pres jumps in. "Told me he'll fly you to get married and Joe would get spouse benefits like everyone else that gets married. He asked about you adopting kids."

I look down at the shock on KC's face but look up when the Commander laughs. "Go claim the Brother already before he decides you're not worth it."

KC runs taking that order. They all laugh.

I look at Putam. He smiles. "Joe was giving you time to talk some sense into him. He's waiting for him at his house."

Now I laugh. "I love Joe. He's a smart Brother and needs to be with a stubborn ass like KC."

Everyone agrees and gets back to work. "Anyone find the Lead glasses hard?"

"Nope. I like the objective being on the side. I see how'd they focus in chaos but I kept my lists right along with the scrolling order acknowledgments," I tell him.

"I love them." Level is a fan.

"I did the same as Anchor but like that Ops shows if I swipe," Pres says getting a nod from the Commander.

"I like them. I never noticed all the orders and answers peppered with the songs but the glasses record everything. Seeing the typed song words in italic helped."

"How did Bret do?" I ask Wolf or the Commander.

"She's good with them and likes the list on the side. She said it's a guarantee nothing will be missed." Wolf answers.

"She doesn't miss much. She pushes when she's tired but as Lead her brain will be engaged even when she's hanging around waiting, the wait drains the members."

Level turns from the board he's sanding. "You throw out the move to the next to keep them engaged?"

I nod. "Nap and keep moving for long waits. Anyone taking sleep time is guarded by those not. It's a military procedure."

The Commander laughs. "It is. Picking up trash, restocking one thing so you have shit for the rest to do."

I nod. I use it.

Pres is surprised. "I didn't get that."

He's looking at me. I shrug. "It was with the Commander procedures. Racks keeps everything so he'd have it. He got me everything broken down so I'd understand it. The Commander was teaching me to drive so he'd answer my questions."

"You were learning how to drive?" Putam chimes in surprising me.

"I'm glad you don't read my every memory. Mucimi said you can."

He shakes his head so I answer him. "I was supposed to learn on base but they sent me to the Army for training, then to the Commander. I didn't ask and no one explained anything. The team was always busy but the Commander trained what I missed and answered my questions. He didn't know why I was pushed through but said Racks was too so he wasn't surprised."

Putam turns to the Commander. "You trained them all to fly."

The Commander nods. "My job was carrying out objectives and keeping the men alive. If I went down, they needed to get back to base. We did a lot of classified jobs."

Putam freezes then nods. "I see you all here. We were meant to be here."

His eyes lock on me. "You and Racks were meant to stay with him."

"What about me?" Wolf sounds annoyed.

The serious look on Putam's face has us all watching him. "You, Level, KC, Pres, even I'm here. We were meant to be here. Something changed. A push from somewhere so the kids learn from you but Anchor and Racks show them how to find ways out. They need that." His voice sends a chill down my back.

"Okay then. Brother, jump out of where you're at and let's get this done. I don't think we need more." I don't think I want more. His voice is weird.

His body shakes, then his head does. "Yeah, Justice said it isn't needed. You know."

My eyes whip to the Commander. He gave us both his name. "Your father was Indian?"

He shrugs. "Mom said about a pinky finger. I asked when she got here. I didn't know he was Badass before that."

I get back to work but notice Pres take all this in.

We get everything done and sit for a beer when Racks comes around the corner with a big smile. "Brothers. I…" he stops, seeing the shit we made on a chair. "For me?"

I laugh. "Yeah, the box needs your name but I thought you'd want to do it like the other. It was going to be a birthday present but today is sort of a birthday. Did you get papers at Alpha?"

His smile is megawatt. "Yeah, Banks gave them to me. Alder gave me a name too. Ewan Keylan Stone. He said it's a warrior fighter name too. You have David Stone and I have Keylan Stone. I thought it was weird but Mucimi said it's because the two weren't meant to be separated and we bring them together. I didn't ask how because his voice was fuckin' weird."

I nod slowly, taking the paper from him. Like Putam's voice. We were meant to be right here.

The Commander hugs him while my eyes find Putam. He smiles. I'm up and moving trying to shake that right out of my head. "Ewan Keylan Stone. The ancestors are fuckin' with me and will have everyone using the Commander's name now."

They all laugh at me.

***

Two choppers are needed to get us to a psychic village. Badass is crazy. The women and elders are on one and we're on the other with Security. I don't get that because we're all Protectors. Nash, Putam, Nance, Lewis, Lopez and the new doc were all waiting at the chopper when we got there. I didn't ask and just climbed in.

The two minutes I got to see my Dainty Drew was long enough for a kiss that showed I'm ready for her new position knowledge and another quick batshit hit-and-run.

Aurora pulled her away before I got to say a word. Apparently, Drew is part of the elders and is needed to keep everyone following the ‘stump the psychic' strategy so the elders don't lose their shirts. Why this is seen as entertainment for the night is lost on me.

"How is this an elder activity? Shouldn't they be knitting and bowling or something?" It's lost on Pres too.

Lewis shakes his head. "EROP has bowling teams. The Crusties and Poops are the elderly, they kept it fun."

We all look at him, I bet deciding if it's worth asking about Crusties and Poops.

"Movies would have been a good option." KC agrees with Pres without asking Lewis anything. I don't want to know so I nod.

"We wouldn't be Security at the movies," Wolf is not happy Bret jumped into the elder activity night.

Nash finds them funny. "It's a psychic village. I've never heard of one and wanted to see it. Axe said it's going to be interesting."

Putam's eyes go wide at that.

I shake my head. "Putam doesn't look like he agrees but if he could say, we'd have heard why by now."

Putam looks down.

Nash rolls his eyes. "He's a calm Blackhawk, thank the ancestors there aren't many. The rest of us are the fun Brothers. Mase and Justice said they'd show if they're needed and I feel Mucimi close again." He says that like it's a sign that this is just going to be fun, but Putam's whole body stopped moving.

I reach over and touch his arm.

He breathes, then moves his arm. "Thanks." He looks out the window he's standing in front of. My head turns toward the Commander.

He's watching but not adding anything. I look out the window thinking of Racks and his cup. Pres got Oliver to bring a machine that twirls the cup around while you decorate it. Pres did black with gold leaf letters. Racks goes across and Stone goes down the side. Racks loves it but can't touch it until the resin dries. I smile. I printed his cuff and he's wearing it. He loves his new name too.

"Brother, your name changed. Congratulations. Putam wanted an old desk for you. Did he finish it?" Nash isn't a vision kid, I guess.

Putam turns. "He sees closer quickly but doesn't look for more. It was for the wood, Nash, we made a box for him."

Nash nods. "I see it now. Glad it worked for you. What's Ewan?"

Racks eyes light up. I look down knowing that feeling well.

"Ewan Keylan Stone is my new name. Ewan is a warrior fighter. Alder gave it to me." The pride in that can be felt.

Nash looks at the Commander. "It's a good name, Brother. All three are warrior or fighter. It fits."

Putam nods. "Justice said they know."

Nash's eyes snap to Putam, then he turns toward Racks asking about the cuff. Thank God we're lowering. So far, it's been a boring night.

Putam opens the doors while we're still lowering. "That won't last, Brother."

I'm by his side, lowering to earth without moving a muscle. When my feet are on the ground, I hit his arm. "Don't do that again."

He nods and points. A woman is close and another running as if to catch up. "We need to give them a heads-up or this will draw more Badass here."

I nod. "Then I like the plan."

He smiles.

"Dark energy is coming off you. I can get rid of that…"

I'm impressed. Putam's hand stops the woman. "Putam Blackhawk. The elders came for a reading and no Brother here wants to hear anything you have to say so you aren't making money off them."

The woman walks past us and waits away from the second chopper that's landing. I turn in time to see the second woman.

"She's the biggest scam artist here. I read people. You're disciplined and self-controlled outside but tend to be insecure inside and worry over everything."

I laugh in her face. "You might want to work on that reading."

Putam's hand on my arm stops me from saying more. "The elders are here for a reading. The Brothers aren't paying you so don't bother."

The woman walks away. There's something to the elders being read that needs to happen. He nods but doesn't say anything. I think about what makes this important.

"Why'd you jump out? The Flight Lead says it's a habit like closing the doors." The Commander is smiling.

I shrug watching Security double time it over to the other chopper. "I didn't jump and was told they needed a heads-up to stay away from the Brothers." I point at the two women with a guy beside them now.

Racks laughs and follows Security. "This will be fun."

"It will be something but I'm not sure fun is how we'll describe it at the pit," I say softly to the Commander, watching Putam walk to Axe who got out of the other chopper.

Walking to the little village that's two houses in the midst of a small trailer park with a general store and empty swimming pool, I still don't find any fascination with the psychic village.

I smile finding fascination with my girl and her incredible nose that she informs me smells popcorn.

Racks stops and digs in his pocket. "Here, a Bit made lip gloss. You'll be able to wear it. They're making apple and melon for Ma Stone but got me this one."

All I can do is laugh. She hugs him like it's Christmas and I stop laughing. She needs more presents too. She didn't get anything like we did. I need to make her the same as we got. I can do that. I'm back to smiling and listen to the plan. The elders are staying in three groups, waiting for their turn, or just to hear what happened. Each group has a Security Brother but they're staying close enough that they're seen by the others. The Officers and Protectors are spectators.

Racks offers advice, "If they're chasing you, they're definitely scamming you."

Drew looks up at him with unabashed hero worship showing. She's adorable.

"Most Brothers would be pissed."

I take a quick look over my shoulder. "Hey, Axe. I might be but he took care of her while she was growing up. When he ran away, he made sure she ate right and even now he's taking care of her with legal shit. She's got reason and missed too many years of him away from her."

He nods, stepping closer.

Racks heard and smiles back at me. "That's why I love you with her. You know shit everyone else misses."

I throw him chin. "What did we miss?" KC makes me smile.

"He took care of her, she missed it and he's showing how important she is to him without me bitching about that time. She needs it, I see it and her happy is all that matters to me."

His face scrunches up. "He said like one sentence."

The Commander swipes KC's head over mine. "It was in the answer Anchor gave Axe."

Level laughs. "That's why he didn't give you his name."

KC pushes Level. "I've got a name. Theirs could get them killed or was stupid."

I shake my head knowing mine was the stupid one. It's not anymore so I don't care.

We stop behind the elders as two go into carport curtained off areas. They're side by side so it works. "Where's Joe?"

He rolls his eyes. "He had to talk to Troy then his family."

I turn seeing Aurora bring Mabel around the next house. Nash follows with a Security Brother so I relax.

"Did you call your family?" Pres asks and we all stop breathing hoping it doesn't hit KC like it did when we were in.

He smiles and I breathe scanning the team seeing the same breath being pulled by the rest. "No. I stopped writing to them a year in. They'd ask if I had the pic of the litter or my team did. They were asses. I went home and right to the Club. They were don't ask don't tell so I fit in. My family had a party for me then wanted me to pay for it and the repairs on their houses. The houses of course were to be fixed by me for free."

I shake my head.

"Family discount there is free material and labor. You didn't jump on that?" Axe asks KC.

"Nope. I stopped taking their calls when I was at the Club, moving here meant I'd have a number they can't get," he says it with a smile.

I laugh. "Glad that's over. A world of equal is a better place for you. We'll jump on the free labor and provide material when you and Joe adopt your first kid." I smile at him. "Then we'll spoil the shit out of them."

Everyone laughs but KC hugs me. "I see it, Andro. Today, you and the Commander hit it home."

"It's about time." The Commander hugs him.

We talk while elders are in the weird curtain booths and laugh listening to how they stumped the psychics. Most use the fire or their houses being stolen from them. Old people are smart. They agree to the devastating life change or past fear without giving anything away, then the psychic takes a wrong turn giving a reading that has nothing to do with their fear or devastating life change. Aurora seems to be able to get her elders their money back before they leave the booth.

Nash and Racks find them funny. I do too but they don't have me doubled over laughing. The Commander shrugs at me.

"What? Aurora is able to get them their money back. The scammers got scammed," Nash says and Racks is up with his eyes locked on Drew.

Racks walks our way, so I let her go and he hugs her. "They needed this and it's not entertainment for you. I'll pay better attention."

Drew doesn't let him go so I step back. The Commander nods to me. "I see it more as therapy for the ones hurt most." He got to what I thought with Putam's warning.

Wolf laughs but he's watching Firefly and Bret. "You'd make a good therapist, Commander."

"Wouldn't we all?" The Commander makes me smile.

Not a minute later a yell, curtain falling and guy on his back still sitting in his chair has my attention. Nash is hovering in the air behind Malcolm and Scott who are laughing hysterically at what I presume is the reader.

KC lifts the guy up.

The guy points a shaky finger at Nash. "He knows my name. He said my mom told him." The guy looks ready to stroke out. Lopez leads him to the deck steps and starts a medic check.

Nash lowers. "Do you want your money back?"

Malcolm shakes his head with a smile on. "He did know we recently moved and are happy. I have a woman in my future and Scott's kid moves closer. He deserves the money."

We all move on to the next two houses. One has a setup on the enclosed porch. The team with Aurora comes back laughing. Axe shows in front of them smiling.

Putam shakes his head. A blank look slides down Axe's face. "I only gave her a little. She gets a real job and does meet a man."

Putam shakes his head and follows the first team. Nash stays with us and Axe gets his smile back before he follows his elder crew.

Pres asks Nash. "What wasn't said?"

"The man she meets and works for is her father." Nash is gone.

I shake my head."They're crazy."

Level laughs. "They're better than the psychics."

I nod. "The elders seem to be having fun."

My girl squeezes my hand. "They are. I'm glad Malcom left the guy money. Aurora said the elders are laughing and don't mind paying for the entertainment."

This has me smiling. They're not hurting anyone and are fair. "Where's Racks?"

"Axe said he has to see the next one." She points to a small house that looks well taken care of. There's a small greenhouse beside what looks like a shed with big windows. The sign on the door says welcome. I head that way with Drew noticing the Commander and Firefly moving toward us.

"What's up?" He asks.

"Axe said Racks needs to see this one." We're close enough that I can see Racks with Lola sitting across from a dark-haired woman. I don't see Axe.

"Hey! I want my money back. I gave a reading and earned it."

We turn toward the woman running our way.

Drew steps over and Ma Stone makes it to Drew moving fast. "You said if I paid another fee you'd tell me about my husband's infidelity. That's not a reading, that's you profiting from another's pain. The ring on my finger is from my son. My husband died years ago. You handed me back my money and it was the right thing to do."

The woman stops fast. "He died in his mistresses' arms." The woman tries.

I look at the Commander wondering why I'm not feeling him pissed.

He shakes his head. "He died in the military, got a medal of Valor and a posthumous Purple Heart. Get the fuck away from us. You handed her money back because you know you're in the wrong. This stand you're making taints that one good you did tonight."

The woman is pissed but doesn't say more. I smile at the Commander. "You gave that with no anger rolling off you."

He smiles. "Cort told me about focusing it. It's working."

I laugh.

He points. Racks is walking toward the general store with the woman. Lola goes right to Ma Stone and Drew with happy girly noises. I shake my head. This is such a weird night.

Nash punches out a reader who told Dorothy her husband is happy she'll be joining him soon. Axe appears as a spirit for two readings and the elders leave a tip because their sessions run over. Apparently, Axe adds entertainment causing the readers shit by throwing a word here and there that only the reader understands. One of those readers is packing her shit in her car before we hear the details.

Walking back, we listen to Lopez's questions to Wolf about three mental breakdowns he thinks we need to call help in for.

Pres and Flame are laughing. I notice the moms smiling. Everyone is having fun tonight even if it is weird.

"Boss! Fire!" I run toward the voice that has to be where Mabel and Aurora are.

"KC Wolf, stay!"

"Stop! What the fuck are you doing? They'll all go up!" Security is yelling at a guy dumping a small gas can on his deck that's got to be six feet from the trailer right beside him.

"Get hoses." Pres orders. Security moves but the trailer isn't getting put out by a garden hose. I look around thinking of options, the pool was empty. Hydrants.

I snag a Security guy. "Get to the chopper, I need adjustable wrenches big enough for the hydrants. Go fast!"

"Here!" Axe throws me a wrench and is gone.

"Get everyone to grab what they can and get out now," I tell my confused Security Brother.

I hear the Commander say basically the same thing in a yell. I'm glad he sees what I do. We aren't saving everything here but we can stop another forest fire.

A chopper goes up and I hope it's for water. No coms sucks.

Racks and the woman are at my next hydrant. "There are only the three. Fire is a good twenty minutes away."

"Fuckin' great." I get the wrench on and stand on it.

He runs toward the fire with the woman following.

Twenty minutes isn't going to help here. "Nash!"

Mucimi shows in front of me. "Tell me what to do."

"Use the water, make it rain hard." It's the first thing that hit me.

Water rises into a funnel and he watches it. That works too. "Can you hit the houses on fire with that?"

"Yeah."

Nash shows and watches.

"Can you use the other hydrant and do that?"

He's gone so I take it as a yes.

Yelling draws my eyes. The nut is still holding his little can that has to be empty and yelling at the water. Maybe Lopez was right.

I get to the Commander and notice the elders and women aren't here. Everyone is watching smaller water tornadoes hitting the houses. One house caves in making me wince. Shit. It's right by the nicest looking house here, the one the woman with Racks was at.

I look for him. "Where's Racks?"

"With Axe and the woman. Axe is covering the house so she can get her shit out." Why?

I look at where the fire was, at Wolf and Lopez talking to the cuffed nut, across the road at the chopper that's left here, then to the Commander. "He just met her but he thinks she's his?"

"She's Aurora's cousin. That's how she knew about the village. Firefly said they'll get rid of the scammers now and more real readers move in."

I don't ask about that. "Racks?"

He shrugs. "I guess we'll see."

Putam, Nash and Mucimi show in front of Pres so we walk over. "The fire is out, ground is flooded and people are safe. It works better for them that the fakes are leaving," Mucimi says.

Pres nods. "Did we cause this?"

Putam answers. "No, the guy would have killed almost half of them next month."

Pres's eyes go wide. "He was planning it?"

"No, he snapped, Pres. He just snapped while we were here to save the people. Justice was aware and said it happened as it should."

Mucimi nods.

A slap on my back has me jumping and the big ass wrench falling out of my hand. "Fuck!"

Everyone is quiet when I pick up the wrench and lift my foot up. I shrug. "It's a heavy wrench."

KC laughs then everyone does. I look back at Racks.

He's happier than I've seen him in a while. "Andro David Stone, this is Ariella. She's a reader and cousin to Aurora. She asked about you and said Drew is fun and we'll grow old in a crazy world we don't think of as crazy. Commander, you're stuck with all of us and we spoil your kids rotten with shit we make."

Jesus. I laugh at the look on the Commander's face. When it changes to a smile I laugh more. He hugs Ariella then Racks. I stop laughing when he hugs me.

"I'm so fuckin' honored. Thank you, Brothers, Ariella. I thought Aurora would be in the family."

"No!" Mucimi yells and Putam pulls him back.

Ariella laughs. "She is, she's my cousin."

I look at Mucimi then back to Ariella. "Oh fuck."

Axe laughs. "He's crazy, now he thinks Aurora needs time with her cousin."

Pres shakes his head. "We came here for entertainment, to stop a dumbass from killing half the residents, Racks to find his ol' lady, who is Aurora's cousin and now know Aurora is…"

Nash stops Pres's next three words with a hand covering his mouth. "Do not say it. Unsaid, not spoken, whatever the fuck you need, but don't say it."

Nash doesn't look like a fun Blackhawk right now. When I look past him, Mucimi is gone. Okay then.

Putam smiles at me. "The bet is almost seventy grand now. Princes are crazy."

Lewis laughs. "Mucimi…" he's on the ground holding his head. I bet that's a blast.

Fuck. I glare at Nance to keep his mouth shut. "I think I broke my toes." I throw out to refocus everyone.

It takes them a couple of seconds then they all laugh at me.

Nash relaxes so I do. Holy shit, it's not just Princes, all of Badass is crazy.I smile and hobble toward the chopper. I need to see my girl with her harmless batshit crazy, maybe new positions and a taste of her popcorn lip gloss.

The female laugh behind me has me shaking my head. This will be fun, Racks and his new reader ol' lady will keep it fun. We're so fucked.

Thanks for reading Anchor and Drew's story. Almost a hundred thousand words tells you they had a lot to say. I found some of this intense but hard subjects usually are and knowledge of how they got there is easy enough to record. Their story, their way worked for me. I hope it works for you too. I love Anchor. I wonder who is next.

Until the next one, faithful readers…

Please leave a review or hit the stars on your way out,

Thanks,

L.