This story may not make much sense if you have not read the previous chapters. I hope you enjoy it.
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Part 12
Time to put things right.
It was late on Sunday morning as I looked out of my window at the dark clouds that covered our island. The wind battered the trees and made a noise like thunder. We didn't suffer many storms but when they did come, they could be quite extreme. In some ways, that reminded me of Jo.
It had been four days since the Scarletta breeding had taken place and, afterwards, the situation between Martha and Jo had escalated. Martha and I had spent the following day together, allowing our bodies to recover and Martha confided in me about Jo as we talked. It turned out that Jo and Martha had once been friends, and in fact, came to this island together over ten years ago. Martha described Jo as kind and sexy with a determination to succeed. It was this need for success that ended the friendship. Martha was selected to run the island over Jo.
Jo was furious and almost immediately left the island but was moved to another location by Interstar. During the intervening years, Jo had worked her way up to facility inspector and now was senior to Martha. Jo had clearly become bitter and it was this desire to get revenge on Martha that had led to the devastation of our island life.
I was beginning to understand clearly what happened. On Thursday, Martha contacted Interstar to make a formal complain about the antics of the inspection team and the result was that Erica and Marleka were immediately summoned back to Interstar Base One. Jo, however, was ordered to stay on our island for another week. The reason? To make peace with Martha. I was impressed with Interstar's decision but it was in their interests that Martha and Jo could work together well.
From my perspective, it also seemed that Jo had lost sight of why women would chose this life. It wasn't for money or career but to live in safety and love while offering something for the betterment of the universe. Jo's method of bullying and demanding would never work for her.
On Friday night, Martha and I ate dinner together and shared a bit too much wine. Playing music until the early hours of the morning and dancing around my hut. It was good to be doing normal things and this was fun. We had just about recovered from the pounding that our bodies had taken on Wednesday. In our drunken stake, we hatched a plan to help Jo find a better way of understanding us.
Martha was due to spend Saturday with Jo to talk and try to work things out. Martha had spent the night but left early in the morning to get ready for her meeting, I pulled on a pair of baggy training pants and a red top and took my coffee out onto my porch. As I opened my door, I glanced down to see a wrapped present on the step. I stepped over it, put my coffee down on the table and bent over, picking up the mystery, gift wrapped box. It was bright red, with a pink ribbon and a sealed card taped to the front.
I sat down and put the box to one side after I pulled the card off. Intrigued, I opened the envelope and pulled out the plain pink folded note and began to read it...
Dear Lisa.
I'm so sorry that I treated you so badly this week. I have no excuse.
I used to be like you, happy and loving but I have lived through hard times and I don't work well under stress.
You are clearly excellent at your work here and how much everyone loves you is a testament to your nature.
I hope you can accept my apology and I hope you enjoy your gift.
With my love.
Jo
I stared at the note for a while. I think after everything that had happened, she felt bad. I felt that I could accept her apology. Picking up the box, I lifted the lid and unwrapped the tissue paper inside to reveal a deep red, silk thong and bra set with matching hold up stockings. I smiled as I lifted them out. She must have found some of my clothes at the lab and worked out my size. I really loved them and decided to keep them for a special occasion. I was feeling happier already.
Saturday passed uneventfully and late that evening Martha arrived back. I was looking forward to hearing how her day with Jo had gone. Martha smiled warmly as I showed her the gift from Jo.
"I think our plan may just work!" Martha giggled.
Martha explained that Jo was feeling bad about what happened and had been reprimanded by Interstar. She also told Martha that she missed her time on the island and even though she had gotten her wish to hold a senior position, it had not been as fulfilling as she had hoped for. By all accounts, the day had been fairly emotional for both of them but Jo had agreed to respect Martha as being the person in charge of this commune.
Martha had been sleeping in my hut for the last few nights and, we agreed that tomorrow, we'd help Jo find some balance. It felt like we would be helping her from a place of love rather than revenge which felt right to me.
A loud gust of wind shook my little hut and brought me back to the present. I had to meet Martha and Jo in two hours at the Spa. Martha had arranged for me to spend some time with Jo. I needed to be prepared and I took a long bath and did my hair and make up before dressing in the clothes that Martha had left for me. White panties, a white bra, white shorts and, yes, you guessed it, a white top. Martha would be wearing the same. I felt sexy but I had to put on a rain hat and my long coat before I ventured out into the storm.
It was hard to walk through the driving rain and strong wind but eventually, I made it to the lab and let myself in. Taking off my dripping hat and coat, I hung them near the door and walked through to the Spa. Jo and Martha were sitting and chatting. Martha winked at me as I approached and Jo stood up. She no longer seemed so intimidating, her hair was down over her shoulders and she was dressed in a bright green top and black jogging pants.
Jo started to speak and seemed to be awkwardly trying to apologise. I stepped closer and put my arms around her. I immediately felt her relax in my arms and her hands ran up my back. It's OK now, I whispered.
As I pulled away, Martha said, "I'm going to leave you two alone for a while."
It was time for our plan!
Martha kissed me on my cheek as she left and turned left into the main lab corridor.
I looked back at Jo. "Thank you for the lovely gift. I'm saving that for a special occasion!"
Jo smiled, she seemed so awkward, I sensed she felt ashamed.
I looked at her. "Jo, we need to move past this last week. We're not angry with you and as part of your job, you will need to come back here regularly. We want you to feel part of our family and be welcome."
I stood up and put my hand out to her, Jo took my hand and stood up.
"Let me help you relax, Jo, come with me."
Still holding her hand, I led her through the door to the large spa room. I felt a hint of sadness as this was usually Helena's working space and it would be some time before Helena came back.
Jo looked around and let go of my hand.
"You seem tense, hop up here and let me give your shoulders a rub." I said with a smile as I patted the massage table.
"Urrm, OK." said Jo and she sat up on the table and lay face down.
I began to massage her shoulders through her clothes, I could feel how tense she was. I let my hands work on her for a while until I felt her begin to relax.
"That feels nice, I can't remember the last time I had a massage." Jo said.
"I love giving massages, and I am going to help you relax, today is all about you Jo."
We talked some more as I stroked her back. And then down her firm legs one at a time. The conversation was getting easier and we talked about her partner, Lucy who worked at the main base. They had an open relationship but hadn't seen each other in a long time. Jo had been so busy that she hadn't been with anyone in a few months. I felt sad for her.
I slowed down my rubbing on her back and said, "Jo, do you want t take some of these clothes off so that I an rub some oil into your skin?"
"Hmm Hmmm," Jo replied lazily and she sat up. I watched as she slid her top up and over her head to reveal her muscular body and small, pert breasts which were on full view as she wasn't wearing a bra. Jo stood up and slid her jogging pants down which allowed me to see her strong legs. She was only wearing almost see through red lace panties.
Jo looked down at herself and giggled a little as I smiled, I'm not sure if she felt embarrassed or not but it was the first time I had heard her genuinely laugh.
Jo sat back up on the table and laid herself face down again. I took some warm oil in my hand and spread it on her skin. Jo made a little purring noise as I began to massage her back and sides.
As I carried on talking, I asked Jo about her experience with alien species. "So, do you take part in breeding?"
"No, I'm not allowed to in my role, it's been 10 years since my last time and I did love it but I can't do it any more. I kinda regret taking the management job but hey, it's too late." Jo continued. "Would you ever stop? You seemed so into it, its rare to see that."
"No, Jo, I don't think I could ever stop but nearly all the women here are into it as much as me."
"What's so different here then?" Jo asked me.
"We make it loving and erotic, our ethos here is to give love to each other and every creature that we're with. As a result, we enjoy it deeply, even if sometimes you're a bit nervous to try in the first place."
Jo sighed, "I'd love to think I could feel that again one day."
I smiled to myself. "Why don't you turn over?"
As I took my hands away, Jo flipped herself over and lay on her back. She settled into the pillow and I began to rub her shoulders and down her sides.
"You feel so good, Lisa, I can't believe that I'm here and you're massaging me after all that happened this week."
"All that's past Jo, this is about the future, we thrive on love here and we see you need us to love you."
Jo opened her eyes and looked at me, I stared right back. A smile spread over Jo's face.