NC-17, Modo/Staff
 
 

Modo sighed as he walked back into the lair, nodding at his niece as he flopped down in his usual chair.  "We still good?"

"We're fine, Uncle Modo.  Is Rimfire with you?"  He groaned and nodded.  "What happened?  All I know is that suddenly Dawn grabbed her head and rushed off to find him.  Is she like Wrench?"  He nodded, moaning a bit.  "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, Xander and Throttle found an old storehouse in the badlands."  He grimaced.  "It was housed in a former temple that the stinkfish built to one of their Gods.  That's where they went.  Just in case."  He gave her a long look.  "The rest of us had a normal trip."  She chuckled and hugged him around the neck.  "Thanks, love.  How are your kids?"

"Doing better since Momma Cell stepped in to whip tail on the twins.  The baby's doing all right," she said, glancing at him on the couch.  "The twins went home last night."

"I heard.  They jumped on me this morning," he said dryly, smirking at her.  "School, niece.  They need to be smarter and as capable as you and Momma."

She snorted, sitting down.  "I don't want my kids to turn into Rimfire.  I love my brother, Uncle Modo, but I don't want my daughters to turn into him."

"Oh, they won't," he assured her.  "The women in the family are just different, niece.  They'll probably be more like your momma."

"I'd rather have them want to be like grandmomma in her youth; that nice, womanly, motherly sort who just want to be married."

"That might happen," he offered.  "My grandmomma was like that.  Shot looks a lot like her according to Momma.  There's every chance, but the kids will still have to know how to ride and fight, even if they end up little and delicate.  All mice need to learn how to ride and fight."

She sighed and nodded.  "I know.  I've seen Anya on the kiddie course.  She's not too bad for being a princess."

"Anya's artistic, Primer.  She likes beautiful things to help her make the ugliness go faster."  She nodded at that.  "That's just how she is.  She's still Stoker's daughter.  She'll do something to bring some of the beauty back to Mars.  By the time she's grown hopefully someone will appreciate that and help her."

"Oh, I understand.  She told me that herself once.  It's just that she's got such a hard time with the other kids."

"Yeah, well, she's her own worst enemy sometimes," he admitted. "Though she proves she can fight very well each and every time."  They shared a smile at that.  "Momma and Cell were working on that with her over the last week.  Cell thinks she should be the one to reopen some of the old pools.  That way everyone could relax now and then."

"I can see that.  I know someone suggested her momma do it."  She shrugged and turned to pick up her son.  "Look who's here, lovey.  It's Uncle Modo."  She handed him over and Modo smiled down at his great-nephew.  "When are you having some?"

"When Staff's ready, darlin'.  I've got to wait for her.  I'm not rushing her any."  He looked at her.  "It might not happen.  We'll have to wait and see."  He heard a door slam and winced.  "Who's that?"

"Charley's been on a rip for the last two days," she said about the same time as Charley screamed.

"Vincent VanWham, get your tail here now!"

"Sounds like Vic's getting a sibling," he said happily, smiling down at the baby.  "Hi."  The baby blinked and grabbed his metal finger, holding onto it while he blinked.  "I know, I kinda want a real one for you to play with too, but you wouldn't want to lay on that one, darlin'.  It's cold and hard."  The baby cooed at him, kicking a bit.  "You're precious."  He looked at her.  "You might ask your Momma, she might be giving you a sibling.  Either that or she's got the flu.  Momma wasn't sure."

"Oh, I am," she said dryly.  "The commander wanted one of his own."  She looked at her son. "Fortunately my man thinks we've got enough."  Modo laughed and handed him back.  "Thanks, Uncle Modo.  Think about it, my sister or brother playing with my kids and your kids at the same time.  Plus Racer.  Three generations of kids together."

"And Vic," he offered, grinning at her.  "After all, someone's got to calm down that mouse."  Vinnie ran up the ramp and up to the roof, a white blur.  "Yup, she's with mouse."  They shared a grin.  "You should go home, niece.  Momma's waiting on you."

"Sure, Uncle Modo."  She kissed him on the cheek, then grabbed her backpack and the baby's bag, taking it with her. Her bike was already waiting with Rimfire.  "You coming home soon?"

"The holidays.  Another few months."  He kissed her on the cheek then patted the baby on the head.  "I heard you did great work, Primer.  Thank you for protecting my lady."

"She's a lot tougher than I expected with how fashionable she is."  She got on her bike, tying down the bags behind her.  "Come on, squirt.  Let's go see grandmomma.  We'll expect the bonding while you're up there, Rimfire."

"Yes, dear."  He waved as she disappeared.  Charley stormed in.  "He ran to hide somewhere upstairs or on the roof."

"He'd better hide!"  She glared at Xander as he came out of the transporter, then at Throttle since he was last. "Do you know what he did!"

"I just got home," Xander defended. "I haven't even had the chance to get into trouble!"

"Not you, your older brother," she said with a glare.

Xander squealed and hugged her, bouncing her around.  "I'm so happy!"

"Let me go!"  She got free and punched him on the arm. "Don't be so happy."  She looked at Throttle.  "I don't know how."

"I do.  That thing fell out," Dawn called from the library.  She came down the stairs, holding up the baggie she had found.  "He was worrying about it falling out and telling you."

"How?"

"Not a clue," she admitted, then she grinned and patted her tummy.  "Hi, there, future hellion.  You grow big and strong.  We'll make you a normal mouse."  Vic spit at her.  "You are in such trouble."

"What did he do?" Charley sighed.

"He decided to shave Detail last night."  Charley blinked at that.  She nodded, smirking at her.  "Momma had some clippers out to trim Racer's fur.  Vic saw them when he was up and wandering that night.  Detail woke up to the sound of the clippers and one bare leg.  Apparently he was helping her be like his own mommy."

Charley moaned, holding her head.  She felt arms go around her and looked back at her husband, turning to hit him but he caught her hand and kissed her.  "You couldn't tell me?"

"I thought it'd be okay and I told Enamel while we were on Mars.  He said he'd put another one in."  He gave her a sheepish look. "I'm sorry, sweetheart."

"You're going to be."

He kissed her deeply, making her moan. "I love you.  The newly returned cousins all want to meet you, sweetheart.  They all think Vic is adorable."  Chassis came off the transporter with Enamel and Shell.  "Back again?"

"Yup," she said smugly.  "After all, someone has to teach Xander how to fly."   Charley looked horrified.  "He passed his field tests.  Broke two records of Vinnie's."  Charley moaned, holding her head again.  She beamed at her.  "I've only got a simulator and I'm to get Rimfire on it too since he can't do more than aim and crash."  Rimfire snorted. "Plus I'm to teach you and Dawn as well if you want.  Stoker wants you up to date on the playbook by the end of next year."

"Why?" she asked.

"Because Xander pointed out that we're treated like helpless bimbos and if I train you get to train if you want," Dawn told her.

"Okay."  She nodded.  "Sure, I could use it."  She looked at Vinnie.  "Not one word."

"Training is fine, sweetheart, it means you'll be safer when we've got to go roast stinkfish."  He grinned at her. "Besides it's a momma's job to make sure her baby boy can ride and shoot at least as well as she can."

"Otherwise I get to," Xander said cheerfully, waving as Throttle pulled him off.  "But, babe....."

"You wanted a reward for breaking those two records."

"Oooh."  Xander picked up Throttle and carried him to their bedroom, then kicked the door shut and locked it.

"He really did?" Charley asked.  Vinnie let out a little sigh and nodded.  "I guess that's pretty good then.  Come on, hot shot, we've got to talk."

"Yes, dear."  He followed her over to the garage and their room, leaving Vic there.  He could find someone to play with him or play with the cats.  He also locked up the garage before heading up there.  He wanted no interruptions during his celebration.

Shell looked at her mate.  "I could use a nap."

"Me too," Enamel offered.  "Chassis, can you handle Vic?"

"I'll be up," Dawn assured him.  "I've got homework to get done."  That got a grin and that couple headed for their room.  "Chassis, I called, Stan's off tonight."  Chassis let out a wicked smirk.  "He's at home.  Address is up on the counter in the kitchen."  She raced that way then back down to her bike, hopping off to head over there.  She smirked at Rimfire.  "English?"

"Must I?"  She nodded.  "Fine."  He walked off with her, taking the baby with them.  "So, anything come up?"

She pinched him. "I'm staying the next time."

"Just as soon as you're fully trained, Dawn. You know that."  He kissed her.  "The same as Xander can't fight while injured."

"They got him to stop that?"  He smirked and nodded.  "How?"

"The surgery.  Throttle went back into his head and helped him see that he was good and all that but they made it part of their vows."  He kissed her again.  "Where's the textbook?  I did the assignments I knew about."

"I printed them off for you," she sighed, finding the graded papers for him.  "She thinks you had chicken pox."

"That's fine.  Thanks, babe."  He settled in to do the homework with her, pulling Vic into his lap to help him.  It was good enough to teach him so he could use it to teach the baby. "This is a haiku," he said gently.  "It's got three lines...."

***

Modo woke up from his nap to a soft and gentle touch below his belt.  He moaned and pulled his girl up to kiss her.  "Don't do that, Staff.  You don't have to."

"What if I want to?" she asked, smiling down at him.  "Can't I try it, just once, Modo?"  He shivered and she nipped his nose, making him moan.  "It's not going to make me a bad girl or anywhere close to the white menaces.  After all, bad girls charge, I'm doing it because I want to and because I love you.  Just the once?"  He whimpered so she kissed him gently.  "I just wanna know, dear.  Please?"

"Sure," he agreed, kissing her again.  "Go ahead and do whatever you want."

She smiled.  "Then you get up and strip.  I couldn't get your pants off you without waking you."  He smiled and blushed but got up and stripped off his jeans and socks, laying down for her.  He even spread out a bit.  She stared, making his blush move down his chest.  She giggled and kissed the edge of it, then looked up at him.  "You're so handsome."

"If you say so."

She stroked his metal arm.  "This does nothing to make you any less, my biker stud.  It really doesn't."  She moved down to his chest to feel it up, running her fingers through the soft fur. She had done this before and he loved it.  She found a nipple and licked it gently before nipping it, making him arch up with a new moan.  "Shh.  Let me play, Modo.  I want to make you lose your mind."

"Too late," he moaned.  She giggled and he looked at her.  "I did.  I lost my mind the first time I saw you.  You were polite enough to hand it back though."

"You say some of the sweetest things."  She moved down further, teasing his stomach, making him wiggle a bit.  She licked that spot and he wiggled for different reasons.  She moved backward to kneel between his legs, looking at him. "You're bigger than I thought," she offered, stroking him on the side showing.  He was already hard and the furry back of her hand just made him shiver.  Her palm made him arch up his hips a bit.  She looked up at him.  "Deep breath."  Then she leaned down to taste him. Just a gentle, soft, kitten lick across the edge of the bulb.

"Oh, momma!  Staff!"

"Shh," she ordered.  "Let me, Modo.  I want this."  She leaned down to lick him again, this time tasting something different.  She pulled back to taste it, then went back there to lick it again.  She ended up licking him all over, moving it into her hand to get the side laying against his stomach.  She sniffed his balls and gave them a small lick, which made him twitch.  She went back to the first thing she had tasted.  "Can...can I go on?" she asked, nearly pleading.

"If you want.  I don't need it, just touching your hair is enough for me most days."  She blushed and ducked her head so he pulled her up to kiss her.  "What gave you this naughty idea?" he teased, kissing her again.

"I saw an article about it in some magazine of Dawn's.  It said men like that sort of thing."

"We do, darlin', but it's not necessary for this mouse. Not that I don't like it," he offered at her gaze into his eye.  "I did.  You're very gentle with me.  I just don't need it.  You don't have to turn naughty to please me."

"But I wanted to find out if I could and if you liked it," she offered, teasing his chest fur with her fingers.  She ran her hand up through the fur, ending up on his cheek.  "Maybe for special things, like anniversaries?" she asked hopefully.

"You're one special lady," he said, his voice deeper than normal before kissing her.  "You do whatever you want, Staff.  I'll lay here and take it all.  I'd never stop you from pleasing me any way you wanted."  She smiled.  "But then I get to do the same to you."  She blushed dark red and he smiled, nuzzling her under the chin.  "I did learn some things back when I was dating the wrong women."

"You don't...." she squeaked.  He kissed her and she calmed down. "For special stuff?"

"For special stuff," he promised, smiling at her. He flipped back onto his back and put her hands back on his chest.  "Do whatever you want, Staff.  I'm all yours."

She blushed darker and went back to what she had been doing, finding him still really hard.  She gently stroked him, slowly encircling him with her hand.  He let out a moan and grabbed the headboard, making her smile.  She leaned back down to taste him, taking the head into her mouth.  His breath hitched and he shivered, so she teased it, pulling back to breathe.  Now she understood what Xander had said.  She moved lower, sucking on that spot where he had thrust when she had licked, putting a sucking kiss there. He pushed up again, letting out this deep, manly moan that made her ache inside for him to touch her.  She moved back up to lick the head again, letting it slide back into her mouth while she did that.  She looked up, he had his eye closed tightly and he was bitting himself to keep from interrupting her.  "Not good enough?" she asked.

"Staff, I love you, darlin', but you're driving me insane," he panted.  "Please."  She did it again and he let out another moan, involuntarily thrusting.  He forced his hips back onto the bed and she followed it down, going deeper on him.  "Staff, momma, please," he pleaded.  "Oh, please!"  She teased him with her hand while she worked him over.  He had to let go of the headboard before he broke it, trying to grab the wall.  He found a bar above it, looking up.  It held up the lamps hanging on the wall, but it was sturdy and probably wouldn't break.  He reached up and grabbed it with both hands.  He didn't want to hurt her.  She went farther down this time, then slowly moved back up while using her tongue and he squeezed the bar.  He felt it dent but that was fine.  The lights were still on, it was all good.  She moved lower and he couldn't help himself, he had to thrust.  He felt her swallow, the suction coming, and he whimpered.  She pulled back and he shook, the breeze from her breathe teasing him.  "Staff," he whimpered. "Please."  He didn't get to see her grin before going back down.  Not as deeply this time but she did go down and she was stroking the rest of him and he didn't want to hurt her, but he wasn't finding his control at all.  He was going to come and all he could do was let out another moan of her name.  He felt her pull up to taste it and shivered, letting her have it all. He was left limp, shaking, totally destroyed by the love she had shown.  She came up and kissed him and he tasted himself, but he didn't care.  He pulled her into his arms, kissing her deeply.  "Love you," he whispered.

She smiled.  "I'm glad. It was okay?"

"There's no words to describe it, Staff."  He pulled away to look at her. "Love, I'm a weak man," he moaned, kissing her again.  "Anytime you want to do that, you may.  I don't have the words.  Rimfire's got the smooth tongue in the family, but momma, Staff, I loved it and I love you."

She kissed him again, laying a finger over his mouth.  She smiled at him.  "You're babbling," she said with a delighted grin.  "That was all me?"  He nodded, pulling her in for a deep kiss again. "Wow."  He chuckled at that and pushed her onto her back, moving down to kiss her breasts.  "What are you doing?"

"I told you I'd do the same thing for you and I'm a mouse of my word," he offered with a shy grin.  He moved down to play and tease her.  She had very sensitive breasts and he loved that about her.  "So pretty."  He saw the blush come creeping back and kissed that spot. Then he moved lower to tease her stomach, listening to her gasp in shock.  He'd never done more than tease her stomach before, now he was nipping and licking all those spots.  He saw the blush come down further.  "Calm down."  He moved backward, diving in to taste her.  Any teasing here, any hesitation, and he was going to drive himself insane.  He was already hard again and she had driven him to this desperation.  All he wanted was her.  She was making these shocked little noises that he loved from their first night together.  She had told him she'd had one boyfriend before him and he had touched her but nothing further. Apparently he didn't do enough touching.  He went deeper with his tongue, making her shiver around him and arch up to meet his tongue.  He chuckled and moved to tease her a bit now that she was ready to explode.  She whimpered and shifted her legs outward, giving him more room.  He pushed her feet down onto the bed, bending her knees up.  She blushed even further but he was already diving back in, one finger teasing and touching her while he licked and played.  Just like she had done to him.

He felt the tremor start and continued to play until he felt her go across, using his fingers to stroke in and out of her to ease her back down.  Then he pulled her up to kiss her, making her moan because he was pulling her into his lap and letting her slide down him.  She wrapped her legs around him, letting him do whatever he wanted.  "My lady," he moaned.   She nodded, gasping his name as he stroked in and out of her.  "This is how it's supposed to be."  He laid her back onto her back and did everything he could to drive her mad.  He felt her come around him and released, then laid down, pulling her into his arms to let her cuddle.  "This doesn't make you naughty, Staff.  No more than liking what I did to you does.  It's natural for two people in love like we are to give each other pleasure.  You give me the greatest pleasure and the greatest joys."

She smiled up at him, kissing him again.  "That's good.  I, um, liked doing that."

He smiled.  "You made me lose control, sweetheart.  No one's ever made me do that.  Some made me lose my temper," he offered when someone knocked on the door.  "Go away!"

"Sure, ordering dinner," Vinnie called.  "Chinese, the usual?"

"Please."  He grinned at her.  "Forgive my bros, they're trying to take care of us."  She smiled and snuggled into his chest, wrapping herself around him.  He felt that urge hit him again and felt himself get hard.  "Oh, momma, again?" he moaned.  He slid back into her, working himself gently.  He knew he was a big guy and that he could hurt her, but he wanted so much to claim her.  That urge to do naughty things was back and he wanted so bad to flip her over and claim her properly.  She moaned and gripped his arms, her lips moving up until she found his mouth. He pulled back to pant, speeding up some.  She latched back on and he felt his head swell, like the universe was coming in to watch, and then he felt it explode.  Her fingers were teasing his fur when he woke up, and he blinked at her.  "Are you all right?  Did I pass out?"  She blushed and nodded, smiling shyly at him.  He hummed as he pulled her closer, just holding her.  "We should clean up and go eat.  I want to take you out for a moonlight ride tonight."

She smiled.  "Vinnie made us a picnic of the chinese food."  He grinned at that.  "They decided we need some time alone."  She kissed him.  "No headache?"  He shook his head, pulling her closer to hold and cuddle.  "I love this part," she sighed, sinking against his chest.

"It's my favorite too," he promised, holding her as tightly as he dared.  She gave him a squeeze so he tried a bit harder.  She moaned but in a good way.  They stayed cuddled together for a bit, needing this time alone.  His momma had a room alone for them but there were others around.  He heard something hit the floor outside their room and groaned.  "We need to go for a ride."

"Sure," she agreed, grinning at him.  "Whenever you're ready to let me go."  He chuckled and let her go, giving her a kiss as she crawled over him to put on some clothes.  He forced himself to get up and put back on his jeans, socks, and boots, but left the armor there.  She smiled as she did up her sneakers, then grabbed her helmet and opened the door, nearly tripping over the basket lying there.  She picked it up and winked at him, leading him down to his bike.  "Lil' Hoss, can we go for a moonlight ride on you, darling?" she asked, stroking her gently.  The bike beeped happily.  "Thanks, love."  She tied down the basket, then got on, letting him slide on in front of her. "We'll need gas if we're going farther than the park."

"Sure."  He checked, he had his wallet.  He backed out of the garage and then pulled out of the alley, heading down the smoother roads toward one of his favorite places, with a stop for gas since it was nearly sixty miles away.  When they finally stopped, he got off and grabbed the basket, then her hand, walking her toward the small hill overlooking the small field.  Xander had shown him this spot and he pulled her out there to let her look at the cows.  He looked in the basket, smiling at his bro's touch.  Vinnie must have packed it.  He pulled out the small tent and put it up, then put the warm fleece blanket down as the floor.  He put the lantern down.  He helped her sit down and then grabbed the food, handing everything to her so he could join her.  He wiggled in beside her, lighting the lamp with a single knob turn and a push of a button.  Warm light glowed from it and he smiled, kissing her.  "This is one of Xander's thinking spots.  He told me about it and it's pretty here.  Nearly as pretty as you are."  She giggled and kissed him.  "Staff, you know what I meant earlier, right?  That I don't need fancy stuff to stay with you.  I'm satisfied with the cuddling if that's all I could have."

She stopped him from babbling by kissing him again. "I know.  I wanted to do it for you anyway.  I know you don't need anything fancy or anything like that.  But I wanted to do it for you, just to see what it was like.  Sometimes I'm a curious mouse."

He smiled at her renewed blush.  "I know you are, love."  He heard a footstep and looked at the older man walking their way.  "Xander said this was one of his thinking spots.  I don't mean to intrude, citizen."

"You're not, son.  I heard the bike and figured it'd be him."  He grinned at the obvious couple.  "Pretty night for a picnic.  I'll be back around dawn to move the cows out into the pasture.  There's no wild animals around here but a demon dog now and then.  Just shoot at it and it'll yip off like the cur it is."  He winked at Modo.  "It's due to get a might chilly tonight too, son.  So be careful."  He headed back to the barn, going to check on his herd.

Modo checked the basket, there was another blanket in there on the bottom.  He blushed.  "He's a nice older man."

She kissed him, making him forget everything but her and earlier. "Modo, I want a baby," she whispered.  "Tonight?"  He repacked the basket to get the food out of the way and then moved the lantern, getting the second blanket.  If she wanted one, he was ready for that too.  He covered them up and she smiled. "We can eat if you want."

"My momma told me to never mix food and sex.  Food was for before and after," he joked, kissing her.  She moaned and wrapped her arms around his neck, letting him do whatever he wanted.  He did his best time and again, as long as he could.  Then they settled in to eat some dinner and go again a few times.  He hoped it was from tonight.  It'd make it very special for her.  He loved doing special things for her.

***

Enamel was woken up by his lady, getting a kiss for opening his eyes.  "What time is it?" he asked tiredly.

"Three.  Vinnie wanted to borrow your disc and scanner."

"He can wait until tomorrow."

"She's cramping, honey.  They had sex and he's paranoid because she did what I did earlier."

"Sure."   He sat up and she helped him into a pair of pajama bottoms, then grabbed things for him.  He walked over there with her, finding Heat listening to her stomach. "Can you hear the heartbeat?"  He smiled and nodded.  "Good."  He sat beside her, letting Shell set up things for him. "Lower, babe.  They carry lower."

"I heard the heartbeat here," Heat said, pointing at a spot.  He moved the disc and looked over his teacher's shoulder. "So that's what a baby human looks like."

Enamel nodded, smirking at him.  "You can look at my son tomorrow, kid.  Run a new scan.  Select it as 'new patient'."  He did that for him and he looked, then smirked at Vinnie.  "Not an issue, kid.  Looks like the baby kicked because she liked it a bit.  Just some expansion pains."  Vinnie relaxed against the wall, coming over to kiss his wife.  He grinned at him.

It only took Vinnie a minute to pull back and look at him. "Girl?  You're sure?"  He took the screen.  "Where's it say that?"  Heat got up to point to that spot.  "Whoa.  That's amazing."  He sat down beside her, letting her see it.  "See, our daughter."

"Who will be the most spoiled princess on earth," she said dryly.  She patted him on the head.  "I love you.  Let the nice doctors go back to bed now, dear."

Enamel looked at her.  "Repeat after me, daily vitamins, eat better, try to keep it down, and no violence if you can help it for the next two months."

She muttered, "Nasty vitamins, eat like Xander, watch out for morning sickness, and being the helpless bimbo," making him smile and nod.  "We're sure it's a girl?"

"I'm quite sure."  He nodded for Heat to take it back.  "Give it a week, Vincent, we'll do a full scan then.  It looks like she'll be about three months then.   Remember how she carried Vic, nothing too hard or too drastic.  No more hot pools for now.  Gentle and cuddling for the next six months."

"What about oral sex?" he asked.

"Sure.  It won't hurt the kid.  Practice that all she wants, Vincent."  Charley snickered at that.  "Just no violently whipping orgasms that would normally make her throw out her back.  Gentle releases only."

"Yes, sir."  He kissed his wife, moving to touch her.

"At least let us leave first," Heat said, packing everything away again and hurrying out.

Shell smiled at Charley.  "You're so lucky."  She took the bag and her mate's hand, walking him back to their room.  "He loves her so much."

"He does," he agreed.  "He and Xander are going to drive her insane protecting her."  He kissed her. "You know, you're lucky too, even if I can't use my hands.  I can take his advice," he offered smoothly.

She smiled and knocked him onto the bed, leaning down to kiss him.  "So can I, dear.  Just you wait.  Remember, you can't grab me and flip me over this time."  He groaned and let her do whatever she wanted, though he did prove her wrong.  He did manage to flip her over without his arms and have her that way too.

***

Xander tapped on Boris' door, smiling at the man as he answered it.  "Hey."

"You're back?"

"Yeah, and fully healed," he said, holding up his hand and the folder it was carrying.  "I made notes and never got them back to you."

Boris looked at him.  "Okay.   The designers made some too.  Let's go compare."

"One of your designers has a problem with circuits running properly."

"I just hired an electrical engineer to work with him," he admitted, letting him into the study.  He took the folder.  "You look good, Xander."

"Thanks, Boris.  I feel pretty good too.  The day after I got back from healing I got to take my Freedom Fighter test and passed, breaking two of Vinnie's records."  He grinned at the smile he got.  "Those were just preliminary.  I couldn't draw worth a damn with that burn."

"I can see that."  He looked it over, then nodded, putting a few aside.  "Those are interesting but what my guys did basically."  He looked at him.  "Are you ready to go back to work?"

"Next week.  I've got to hit an educational bookstore for some serious time researching.  Vic's about to start hitting that baby genius-making phase.  Vinnie and I need to go pick up the starter sets and decide on what we're teaching him."  Boris blinked at that.  "It's not like we can send him to Mars for daycare."

"True," he admitted.  He looked at the building in there.  "What's this one?"  Xander looked and shrugged.  "Yours?"

"Yeah, but I was just fooling around," he admitted. He leaned back again.  "I do that to relieve stress and my hand was driving me insane.  They also took the time to fix the heart defect I had while I was healing from it."

"What heart defect?"

"Martian hearts are on the other side of the chest," he said dryly.  "I was starting to get lack of circulation in one hand."  Boris shuddered at that.  He shrugged.  "Throttle knocked me out after a rescue mission to find Modo's sister and carried me into the ER.  They found it there and kept me sedated for two weeks.  I woke up with my hand nearly healed and my chest healing from the surgery.  I was told it was severe enough that they hadn't needed permission."

Boris shuddered, gripping his own chest.  "Eww."  He shook his head. "Are you sure you're healed?"

"Willow did a healing spell to take away the rest of the incision.  My hand was nearly healed already."  He let him see it.  "See?"

"I do."  He stroked the tougher flesh, watching him shiver.  "Sensitive?"

"Very.  I'll be wearing gloves to work in for a while."

"That's fine."  He pulled over the folder for the construction company, flipping through it.  "All the jobs are filled.  This is our down season," he reminded him. "What about your other buildings?"

"I've got to finish destroying things inside," he admitted. "Of course, that takes money."

"You bankrupted yourself helping Mars?"

"Nearly," Xander admitted.  "I'm down to just under two now."  Boris gaped at him.  "They needed it, boss.  They're to the point where they're back on their feet most of the time.  The last big thing was an influx of refugees."

"Wow.  How many?"

"You were there for that."

"Oh, that one."  He nodded.  "I remember.  I didn't realize Victor was that old."

"He's starting to speak in sentences and he's a few months away from where he'd start daycare on Mars.  They usually work on their agility and flexibility and stuff like that at his age, but I figure showing him some things now isn't a bad thing.  Working on his colors, his shapes.  I don't expect him to *realize* what they are, but it can only make him smarter."

"It can," he agreed.  "I want to know how he's done.  I might be following you when my one is born," he admitted, smiling at him.  Xander beamed at him.  "She's fine by the way."

"I know.  Willow told me."  Boris chuckled at that.   "So, nothing?"

"Not at the moment," he sighed.  "If it were a week ago, definitely.  She staked me again."  Xander shuddered.  "But I'm back now and everything's fine.  The next job that comes up that's not a direct request, I'll put you on it."

"I don't want to take anyone's place.  Who's running my last crew?"

"Your second. You're right, Brad did a good job on that mess up and he's doing a great job as your second."  He leaned on the desk, looking at him.  "Do you think you'd like to continue to design over the winter?  That's usually a bit more profitable."

"I can.  It's not that hard for me to do.  Did you need something specifically?  Oh."  He pulled something out of his vest and handed it over.  "From Vinnie's cousin Wrench, who's basically a Martian Watcher over their Chosen One.  That's what she's been using."

"Is it modifiable?" he asked, undoing the plans.  He drooled.  "Oh, that's like your toothpick system."  Xander just beamed.  "Did you get it off them?"

"Nope.  Not in the least.  I thought she was just using a stake and a crossbow, like we do down here."  He pulled something else out and tossed it over.  "I was fantasizing while on Mars."

He looked at the crossbow gun hybrid and laughed.  "Well, it's a nice clip idea," he offered, grinning at him.  "Totally impractical."

"Yeah, but there's people who like things like that."

"True, I know a vampire who loves odd things like this.  I'll ask him if he wants to buy the plans."  Xander smirked at him.  "Did you build it?"

"I don't have the shop to do that, boss.  I can't manufacture and cut barrels or anything."

"Good point," he admitted. He put that one aside, smiling at him.  "I wish I had something for you to do, Xander.  Did you wear the leathers for me?"

"No, I didn't get a chance to change.  I was wearing them earlier.  Actually for the last two days," he offered dryly.  "I put them back on after sex with Throttle earlier."

"Oh, well, I enjoy the view anyway."  He grinned at him.  "How is everything up there?"

"Going well, boss.  They're still actively looking for wells and filtration systems but I don't know enough about them to work on anything.  They've got the engineers on that right now."

"Wonderful."  He leaned back.  "Let me look at the weapons and the electronics companies, Xander.   I may have something that can be worked on by you, but you've got to get it back to me faster."

"I know," he sighed.  "I'm sorry."

"I know, it was unavoidable this time, but that's a higher turnover business. What about Micah?"

"I called to report I'm healed and ready and he said they're bored. Even Cleveland's bored, which I'm assuming means that something major is coming."  Boris nodded.  "Any ideas what?"

"Not a clue, but we're getting the apocalypse shudders through the communities."

"Wonderful," he said dryly, standing up.  "I can definitely live through the winter if you'll have a spot for me this spring."

"Oh, I'm sure I will," he promised.  "Unless the total destruction of the company happens.  Oh, Wolfram and Hart has switched leadership in town.  They hate you even more."

"Any idea if it was them who paid the paternal unit or Limburger?"  He shook his head.  "That's fine.  I told you he's back, right?"  Boris sighed and nodded.  "Okay, so I'm going to be bouncing around the house.  Charley's with mouse again," he offered with a grin.  "Then I'll be working with Vic and taking out some of the unnecessary stuff in those wrecks behind the house.  I'm hoping I remembered to pay the taxes this year."  He shook his head.  "I can check on that tomorrow," he muttered.  "Okay, need anything else from me?"

"No, go home, Xander."  He smiled at him, watching him walk out.  Those pants were *very* form fitting. He could almost tell individual muscles.  The two vampires out there squealed and pounced him and he heard him hug them back and tell them what had happened, in brief, then he heard the door shut.  He got up and walked out there.  He saw Willow leaning against a wall fanning herself.  "No one can split him and Throttle apart," he reminded her.

"I don't want to, I want to be the creamy filling," she moaned.

The Xander vampire tugged on her arm, pulling her away from the wall to spank her.  "Go wait in our room, do not touch yourself until I get there."  She moaned and headed off.  He looked at Boris.  "Is he still employed?"

"More or less.  There's nothing on the construction side.  I was thinking about letting him look at some of the more odd ideas to see if he could work on them."  He shrugged. "It'll get him a small paycheck since he's short on money."

"How?  I heard he was loaded."

"Mars needed it," he said simply.

Xander took a deep breath, then nodded.  "Yeah, the human me was like that.  Does he have any left?"

"Some," he admitted.  "Nothing too drastic.  A couple mil at the most."  Xander moaned and shook his head.  "So he's back to working.  He was a good worker before, got everything in on time.  We only had problems when he had to go fight."  He shrugged.  "It's nothing that I haven't put up with in the other workers now and then."  He headed up to check on Faith, finding her napping.  He laid down beside her, stroking her arm.  "You missed Xander," he whispered when she woke up.

"He still here?"

"No, he just got home today and dropped off the things I had him working on."  He kissed her on the cheek.  "He's all better."

"Willow said she healed him about three days ago."  She flipped over to cuddle him.  "Then he had to ride home, take his tests, and then came back today."

"It doesn't sound like a very restful vacation."  She snorted and shook her head.  "Do you want him there when the babies are born?"  She shook her head, looking up at him. "Are you sure, Faith?"  She nodded, staring at him.  "That's fine.  I'll be putting guards around the house and the room in case something is tried."  He kissed her gently, then stroked her stomach.  "I don't want anything to happen to you or them.  They're precious to many but you're precious to me."  She smiled at that.  "You should try to rest some more.  They've got to be sapping your strength."  She nodded, curling up on his chest.  While she napped he stroked her back and thought about what he could toss Xander's way.   Then again, he really wanted a good look at the boy's bike.  He knew he had some modifications on it.  He had seen a plan for one in the office that night.

***

Xander sat down on the couch, looking at the phone.  He looked at Tara, who meowed and nudged his hand so he petted her.  She moved and nudged his hand again.  He nodded, dialing Cleveland.  "Fred, me.  We're getting apocalypse shivers through the locals here," he reported.  "No idea why.  Do you?"  He listened, holding his head. "Okay, then what abut the obvious.  Faith's about due to pop."  He listened to her checking it.  "Fine. No, let me know if you hear anything.  I'll be floating around to help Faith since I won't have too much to do for a while.  No, fine," he admitted, leaning back and running into Joyce.  He smiled and petted her.  She meowed quietly.  "Tell Buffy her mom says hi."  She squealed and told Buffy that, getting a question.  "She's like the Andrew and the Tara cats.  She's been nagging Dawn now for a while."  He grinned.  "Sure, sorry I brought things too weird to your doorstep.  I don't know if Spike would like a cat.  Why?"  He listened to the story of this one cat who would lay there and stare at Spike's portrait.  "Huh.  I can ask.  You might to warn it, he's got two dogs."  He smirked.  "Sure."  He put the phone next to Joyce's ear.  "Your other daughter."  She meowed and then let out a kitty snort when her daughter said something, chatting with her for a moment.  Finally she nudged the phone back.  "I'm back."  He grinned.  "No, she's one of the top females in the house, Buffy.  She's loved and well taken care of by Dawn.  No, I'm good."

He raised an eyebrow at Wes's question.  "Why would it matter how much I have left?  Some of it is."  He rolled his eyes.  "Buffy, I had to help them.  Thousands of people were going to die if I didn't.  Besides, I did use some of it to up the house's defenses, the computer system here, and my bike's defenses.  Yeah, I've been working on designing weapons. Because a bored white mouse is a horrible thing on society," he joked.  "Just like a bored Xander was."  He smirked.  "True.  Very true.  But even he's got to sleep sometimes, dear. No, we've got some spare buildings and I can tear the inside out of those.  We're working on getting Vic ready to read and stuff too.  Helping Dawnie in college when I can.  It's the little things that don't take enough time.  Tell him to quit worrying about it.  Why does he want to know?"  He listened to the complaint about his spending habits.  "Wesley, they had a flood of incoming refugees, mostly starved and broken.  Yes, I bought some supplies.  It's the sort of man I am."  Wesley complained.  "They're my people now, Wesley.  They needed it.  End of discussion.  Yes it is, Wesley.  I don't care.  They needed it."  He rubbed his forehead.  "Buffy, hit him."  She heard the hit and her tell him to leave him alone.  That Xanders were nice like that.  "I did save enough for the family to live off of, Wesley.  Yay."  He looked at the phone.  Then he put it back to his ear.  "Are you sure you're not Giles in disguise?"  That end got really quiet.

"Oh, wonderful.  Where is he?"  He nodded at that information.  "Thanks ever so muchly.  Good.  He deserves worse, Fred.  Really?  I don't care if he's gone straight.  Like I said, he could have found God and Jesus up his ass and be doing them in the backseat of Meg's Civic.  He turned on me, Fred. He turned on me and Dawn.  He hurt Dawn.  No, no, Buffy.  Because Martians go through even the Pill, honey.  He made her miscarry before she knew she was pregnant."  He sighed.  "Yeah, with that.  Did you get those?"  He smirked.  "I didn't think so.  No, nor am I forgiving him.  I don't care, Buffy.  He turned on me.  He decided I'm a traitor because I've got fur.  He can kiss my ass.  I'd rather go peddle my ass on a streetcorner than deal with Rupert Giles as a human being.  Do we understand each other?"  He nodded.  "That's fine, that's your option.  If he's in Chicago, he's gonna feel mine and Dawn's wrath.  Really?  Do you think I'm a traitor because I've got fur too, Buffy?  And don't lie."  He listened to her rationalize it.   "No, that's not why.  Willow did.  Ask her then.  We see her all the time."  He looked up.

"Willow, go see Buffy.  She believes the Powers granted my change for a plan of theirs."  He listened as Buffy squealed and then Willow told her off.  Or maybe the Seal.  Willow wasn't usually that aggressive.   He smirked as Fred hung up, hanging up his end.  He looked at Joyce.  "Your daughter's still the same," he told her.  She meowed sadly.  "I know.  I wish she'd grow up too."  He put the phone down and settled in to pet them.  "Did anyone call to say that the machining of the new part was ready?"  Tara meowed and nodded at the answering machine. "Thanks, ladies.  I wish you were still human."  He walked over there and hit the button, listening to the messages.  A few he wrote down.  Someone had sent him money via Western Union.  He could have it deposited directly into his account.  Since it was Meg he wasn't sure where it was coming from.  He settled in to email her, then noticed the extra wire behind his computer.  He traced it to the phone jack and sneered.  He called ECHO directly, getting the night duty officer.  "This is Xander Harris.  Did Micah bug our place?  Yeah, I need to know.  There's an extra wire coming out of my system.  Thanks, man.  First thing.  I'll be up."  He hung up and went to find his bug detector.  He found all of Micah's by easy familiarity and then a few more.  "Huh," he said dryly.  "Interesting."  He put them into a baggie and in the freezer for now.

TBC...



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