Neutral Space(46)

“Damn, I hate it when you’re right. The little weasel had me cooking.”

“Why, Jeannie?” I was genuinely baffled.

“I missed you, Jackson. I lost my lover and my best friend when you disappeared.”

“Well, now you have your best friend back. Either straighten out your new lover or kick him out.” She nodded “His house?” She laughed finally. “Now that you’re not trying to hit me, can I have a hug?” She hugged me then and wiped her nose on my shirt. “I hate it when you do that.”

“How’d the Kelsairan vixen steal you away anyhow?”

“It’s a long story. Did you watch her trial?”

“I knew that was you, but I didn’t think it was enough for you to marry her. Not to mention the tape was obviously forged.”

“Well, she left parts of it out. And then there was Kras. Well, we’ve been through a lot.”

“And I’m sure the sex helped convince you.”

“Jeannie, she was a virgin until we got married.”

She glanced back through the door. “You didn’t? God, you really love her.”

“That’s why I’m telling you this. I want you to know I’m not doing this to hurt you. If I had someone else I could trust, then I would have gone there.”

“I know, Jackson. you're making too much out of what we had.” I knew I wasn’t. It was always harder for her to keep it separate, but she’d never let me end it. She always insisted she was fine with the arrangement. Maybe deep down inside she was. Jeannie was a complicated person, and I know she had romantic interests while she and I were lovers. “Come on, or that wife of yours will get worried.”

Jeannie went into the other room her old self. Stephen noticed the change. She was confident and playful. The radiant Jeannie I always knew. “Sorry, Stephen, lovers spat. Well, I guess ex-lovers anyway. It looks like Jackson stays, and so do you.”

“Did you say, lovers?” I sat down on the arm of the chair beside Kheda, and she leaned against me.

“He’s quite handsome isn’t he?” Jeannie asked.

“I like her,” Kheda said in Kelsairan.

“But you see I had to let him go another woman snatched him away. He said it’s because he loves her, but I think its because she outranks him.” Jeannie looked at us and smiled.

“Jeannie,” I scolded her. She winked at me.

“And you’re just going to let him and his new lover stay?” Stephen sneered.

Kheda moved to get out of her seat. He’d just unwittingly insulted her. I held her back. “That’s Jackson’s wife. I wouldn’t forget it if I were you. To call a female Kelsairan a man’s lover is a huge insult.”

“How do you know all this?” Stephen stared at her.

“I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you.” Stephen gulped. “You may have free roam of my house as long as you promise to behave. Don’t try anything or you’ll be sorry I swear it.” Jeannie put the house on lockdown and transferred all functions to her command only. Stephen wouldn’t be able to escape or make any calls to anyone.

“Why don’t you make us some coffee.” She said as she led us into her workroom.

We searched through records all morning first for the humans that attended the meeting. Then, she cross-referenced them with anyone else they had political affiliations with. Stephen brought us coffee and even Kheda some tea, but we never let him in the room. We didn’t stop for lunch either. Kheda wasn’t feeling helpful, so she made us lunch and brought it back.

We worked for another hour or so before Kheda insisted Jeannie needed a break. I looked to Kheda. However, she wasn’t saying anything. Jeannie relented, and I sat down at the computer to read through some of the files she pulled. Kheda rubbed my shoulders as I worked. I looked up at Kheda when Jeannie was out of the room.

“What was that all about?”

“It seems Stephen likes the real Jeannie. Maybe things will work out for her after all.” Kheda told me. I nodded and went back to work. Jeannie came back an hour or so later. She was unreadable even though seemed her usual self. It was just as well Jeannie returned Kheda was beginning to distract me. She got off my lap so Jeannie could have her chair.

“Stephen is making dinner.” Her voice was a little shaky. I looked at her “Lover’s quarrel.” She shrugged and went right to work. I went out onto the balcony behind the kitchen before dinner. It wasn’t a place for anyone scared of heights. The door opened, and I was surprised to see Stephen. “So, you’re Jackson Peterson, and she’s Major Trekes?”

“Just like Bonnie and Clyde,”I replied. He looked at me confused. “Don’t you read?”

“How long have you known Jeannie?”

“We went through basic together eight years ago.”

“And you two…” He trailed off. Stephen was asking about Jeannie and my relationship.

“Just ask what you want. She and I never hid our relationship. I told my wife. I was surprised to hear Jeannie hadn’t already told you.” I stood at parade rest a habit I picked up in the military.

“How long were you a couple?”

“We weren’t. Jeannie is my best friend. We needed the comfort of another person from time to time to balance out what we had to do on the battlefield. So, instead of looking for people here and there, and risking who knows what diseases, we found each other.”