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January 30

0905hrs

USS Spruance

Course 310 degrees, Speed 30 knots

The Captain had turned the Spruance toward Galveston and assumed the lead in the task force formation. Moving now at 30 knots, the ship cut through the sea like a knife. Seth was pulled from his sleep by the vibrations of the Spruance's three gas-turbine engines. Grumbling to himself after barely clocking a three-hour nap. He groaned as he stretched, feeling groggy and sore., "It does feel like I was beat all over with a hickory stick," he said aloud.

"Dave, my neck is sore, my rib cage is throbbing, and my throat is dry as the Mojave. I need at least three Palomas, heavy on the 100-octane tequila, to feel human." Seth looked around and saw that Dave's bunk was empty. 'Nothing like talking to yourself,' he thought. A knock on the door gave him instant focus.

"Come on in," he announced.

The door opened. One of the ship's Marines entered.

"May I help you, Marine?" Seth asked.

"Yes, sir," the Marine responded. "Your team leader requested you meet her in the Captain's Mess as soon as possible."

Seth nodded as he rubbed the beard on his face. "ASAP means yesterday for my boss. Thank you, Marine. Please inform her I will be there after brushing my teeth and shaving. I need ten minutes."

The Marine answered, "I will relay that message immediately, sir," and closed the door.

At the Captain's mess, Dave had just received the latest update from Control and was leaving the room, carrying a coffee and breakfast egg and bacon sandwich on toast. The big Texan didn't forget his manners as he turned in the open doorway.

"I appreciate the chow and coffee, Commander Lewis. It was right kind of you," Dave said. The Captain nodded and smiled.

Control said, "Dave, stick close by. I don't know how Seth is going to react."

Dave nodded and closed the door, whispering, "I sure as hell do."

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January 30

0910hrs

Site-E

Ellie and Jared's Quarters

The Hansens stood together under the warm spray emanating from the government-issued showerhead.

"This shower leaves a lot to be desired," Ellie complained.

Jared ignored his wife's comment as he stood behind her, gently shampooing her hair. "Rinse," Jared prompted. Ellie turned to face him, her back to spray of water. She leaned backward, closing her eyes, and Jared steadied her hips.

Ellie was deep in thought, trying desperately to clear her mind of anguish, regret, and worry. She needed to focus on the challenges that she knew were coming. The water felt good. The sudden feeling of Jared's tongue on the soft folds between her legs sent tingles of excitement. Ellie felt a shiver of pleasure fire up from the base of her spine. She gasped, and Jared felt her squirm and press her mound tighter to his lips. Water cascaded over Ellie's breasts, rolling down her torso and flowing over Jared's mouth and chin. Ellie spread her legs, giving Jared full access to her womanhood.

"Mum," Jared hummed. The vibration passing from his lips to Ellie's clitoris yielded a response of pure delight in its intended recipient. Ellie could feel a warm wave of tingles. They built to a crescendo and erupted in her brain like skyrockets exploding on a summer night. Ellie's body tightened at the peak of her orgasm. She moved her hands to the sides of Jared's head and guided the movement of his lips like a maestro conducting an orchestra. This action intensified Ellie's pleasure as another wave began to build.

Ellie needed a volcanic eruption within. She craved it. Her hips began rocking, an urgent humping up against her husband's face, urging Jared onward. He could feel it building as he slid a finger between Ellie's soaking folds. Curling his fingertip, he searched out and found her G-Spot. With increasing intensity, he tapped out a Morse code message, 'Cum Now.'

Ellie read the message, both giggling and crying out in ecstasy as a tidal wave surged over her. "Ah, oh shit," she gasped, her breath becoming ragged. She then began to moan with increasing longing, extended duration, and growing in volume.

Jare knew it was time to push her over the top. He added a second finger and began to piston upward into Ellie hard and fast, all at a pace that drove her into wild spasms.

"Oh, fuck, oh damn, suck me, Jare," she cried out. "Harder, faster," Ellie urged.

Jared's hand moved in and out of Ellie in a blur, his mouth covering her most sensitive trigger. He felt Ellie balloon inside as more spasms of pleasure rippled through her. Jared opened his mouth and positioned it slightly lower, brushing against Ellie's bright pink butterfly. Ellie was thrown over the top, her legs clamped about Jared's head, and two streams of viscous female juices fired into Jared's waiting mouth.

Jared pulled away from Ellie completely as he eased his hand gently from her. He closed his lips, rolled his tongue in Ellie's essence, and then swallowed before saying, "Woman, you exceed all my expectations every time we come together like this." He looked up, and his eyes found Ellie's. The two lovers just smiled at each other as Ellie stroked Jared's face.

"My loving man," she began. "Our two souls are so intertwined, so connected. I always want to be your loving wife. Thank you, sweetheart. I needed that gift you so lovingly gave me just now. I love what you do to my body."

Jared stood slowly, careful to gain a sound footing. Now standing, Jare gained his feet and slipped his arms under Ellie's as he turned the shower off. Ellie could feel Jare's hands cupping her shoulder blades as she was drawn in tight against her husband. Bending his head down his mouth found Ellie's, and each began a tango as their lips and tongues feasted upon the others, darting and nibbling playfully.

"You turned me into a pool of melted butter, Jare," Ellie confessed. "No one holds a candle to your kisses. I love you, baby," she beamed. The door beeped, indicating a visitor. Jared stepped out of the shower and handed a considerable beach-sized towel to Ellie before grabbing one for himself.

"I am glad I found these towels at the facility exchange," Jare noted. He was interrupted by the door beeping twice more. Jare was still somewhat turgid as he began wrapping the towel around his waist. He called out, "Enter." Jared realized his timing was off, as the door slid open and Andrea stepped into the quarters.

Andi was greeted by the sight of a substantial semi-firm penis disappearing behind the curtain created by Jare's towel. Instinctively, Andi's jaw dropped, and she gaped in a sort of combined surprise and shock at the glimpse of Jared in all his glory.

Jare saw Andi's jaw drop and noted, "Hey, I've been known to do that too." Andrea closed her mouth and giggled. She quickly changed the subject.

"No disrespect, but are you and Ellie planning on joining the rest of the team this morning?" she asked, with a hint of sarcasm for good measure.

"None taken, Andi," Ellie said as she appeared behind her husband. Ellie's towel was wrapped around her like a sarong, tucked tight and her up by her breasts, just a bit of cleavage showing.

"My fault, Andi," Jared began. "I let Ellie sleep in. You are right. We have some serious brainstorming to do."

Andi nodded and produced a folded sheet of paper from her pocket. She held it out for Jared to take. He accepted and unfolded it, reading aloud in the process,

"Message is from Colonel Reardon. It's an update on the team. They are all safe. Bunty received a significant but non-life-threatening wound that was treated. Control received a superficial wound and is available for duty." Jare paused as he read down. The Royal Navy sank the ship. The team is aboard the Spruance, which is headed back to Galveston."

Jared handed the message to Ellie. She grasped it and read it. Her arm with the note dropped to her side as she walked up to Andrea and kissed her full on the lips, topped by a hug of gratitude. Andrea returned this kiss, noting a flick of Ellie's tongue flirting with her own. She stepped back as Jared warned, "Tone it down El, don't ruin a good moment."

Ellie spun around to face him. Her eyes were bright, and her smile infectious, "Oh, Jare. They are safe. Our Annie is safe!" Ellie danced a little jig and squealed in delight.

Andi laughed, "This news has me juiced for the both of you."

Jared hugged Ellie tightly as he spoke over her shoulder, "My friend, you just brought us the best news we could hope for. Thank you, Andi."

Ellie's number one team leader nodded, "Then I will see you both in the control center." She made a hasty exit, the door sliding open and closed, leaving Jared and Ellie wrapped in each other's arms.

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January 30

0925hrs

USS Spruance

Captain's Mess

Dave and the duty Marine assigned to the Captain stood outside the door to the mess. The Marine was stoic, and his face revealed no emotion. On the other hand, Dave continued cringing as he heard a furious Seth unleash a barrage of invective at his boss. Just inside of the door, Seth roared.

"In all the twelve years we have worked together, Control, you have never let me down. This transgression, the first I choose to acknowledge you ever committed, was blatantly despicable. You should have told me as soon as you knew it, God damnit.

Inside the Captain's mess, Commander Lewis sat impassive, uninterested in getting between a superior and her subordinate. Carla Jo Spangler was nearly reduced to tears. She looked like a heavyweight fighter about to go down for the count.

She implored, "Seth, I had no choice, protocol."

Seth stalled her sentence as he slammed his fist on the door to the mess, "Fuck protocol. My wife was critically wounded and almost died. You know me. You should have trusted that I would handle the news and execute the mission without becoming emotionally compromised."

The door began to open. Seth stood clear as it swung inward, and a Marine stepped into the room, addressing the Captain, "Sir, is there anything you require?"

Ted Sullivan shook his head no and said, "Not at this time, Sergeant."

As quick as he appeared, the Marine disappeared, closing the door behind him. Control sighed as she raised her hands and extended her open palms. "Seth, please try to understand the position I was in."

Seth drew a breath and regained self-control. He pushed his anger down as he shook his head in frustration. "This is not over between us." Opening the door, Seth turned to the Captain and said, "Sir, I sincerely apologize for the intrusion." He left the room, door open, walking quickly past Dave. As the Marine closed the door, Seth shouted back over his shoulder, "Don't follow me, Dave."

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January 30

1050hrs CST

Site-E

Intensive Care Unit

Ellie sat on the edge of the bed, brushing Heather's hair. There were no words between the women since Ellie began her task. It was a relaxing, soothing repetition that made Heather's discomfort fade into the background. Ellie was glad she could do something for Heather.

"When the nurses finish sponge bathing you and washing your hair, I will return and do a lovely French braid for you. Would that be okay?" she asked.

Heather was much more alert despite tapping her morphine drip like clockwork every hour or so. "I am good, El. Can we talk a bit?"

Ellie stopped brushing and pulled strands of hair behind Heather's ears. She saw that Heather's lips were dry, so she pulled a chapstick from her pocket and smoothed it in. Then she bent down and kissed Heather very tenderly. Heather responded, opening her mouth and indulging in a brief, passionate exchange.

Ellie pulled back, "Don't put yourself in harm's way ever again."

Heather laughed, "I wasn't exactly trying to this time. The situation just went south and got ugly fast. My heart feels for the airman who lost his life shielding me. But that is not what I want to talk about."

"What then?" Ellie asked.

"First, I need to thank you for looking after the kids. My near-death experience has been harrowing for Sorsha. I suspect Seth will need to sit down with our son. He has retreated to quarters and is reading up on kidney transplant surgery. Dear God. That is the last thing I want to think about right now. Besides, the Doctor said I could live a full life on one kidney. I have to stay hydrated all the time."

Ellie slid into the bed carefully and protectively curled around Heather. "What do you want to talk about?"

Heather sipped some water and said, "Tell me everything about Evangeline."

For the next twenty minutes, Ellie conveyed what she knew about Evangeline's actions to save the team. Bunty's communique with MI-6 was shared with the CIA and immediately passed to Site-E. Ellie broke down and cried at times, expressing her deep despair at losing Evangeline. Heather clasped Ellie's hand tightly.

"Ellie, I hate to be a bitch, but you need to buck up sissy pants. From what you described, Evangeline is waiting, like Sleeping Beauty, for the kiss to awaken her. You can't let her down. Somewhere in that marvelous mind is her creator. You are the only person who understands her and can only be her tutor." Heather said.

Ellie sat straight up in the bed, throwing one leg over the side, "What did you say?"

Heather reacted in surprise, fearful she had offended her bestie. "We all know now that she is you, Ellie. She needs you to be her tutor."

Ellie looked at the walls, her lips moving in silence. Heather watched, gently rubbing the base of Ellie's back. Then Ellie exclaimed, "No fucking way. It can't be that simple. It's something SAL said to Dr. Chandra."

"What are you talking about?" Heather asked.

Ellie collected her thoughts and answered, "In 2010, HAL's creator, Dr. Chandra, spoke with HAL's sister, the SAL 9000. He opens a file and asks SAL to search for the meaning behind the file name he typed. SAL explains that it is 'the tutor of Achilles.' Dr. Chandra asks her to try again. She answers, 'A fabulous bird reborn from the ashes of its earlier life.' By describing me as Evangeline's tutor, you just gave me the answer, Heather."

Heather exhaled a robust "Oh!" Then she cringed from the exertion. "Do you mean like Dumbledore's Phoenix?"

Ellie nodded, "Yup, I owe you a thousand orgasms. Once you are well enough."

"Glad to help, and I certainly will accept those orgasms, just not all at once. I need to get my strength back first," Heather laughed. "Now get your ass off this bed and go wake up Evangeline."

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