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.
