A Home That Far

Chapter 11 Breaking The Ice

Quickly Kale stuffed three changes of clothes, her nightclothes, hairbrush, and a sweater, into the shoulder bag Duncan had provided her, toiletries were available on the ship so she didn't need anything there, accept her toothbrush. Her packing complete, she checked the halls to be sure no one was around, then headed to the hanger, where Duncan was making arrangements for a larger ship and more supplies.

As she made her way across the stone floor, to where she'd seen her suitor, she admired the various other crafts, stored in the hanger. Some were half or totally covered with tarps to protect them from dust and debris, others were left alone, while a few were undergoing repairs or refueling.

"I'm sorry," Forge was saying quietly, his usually annoying way. "Its not my fault. You'll have to make due. I don't like it any more than you."

"What's wrong?" Kale asked, as Duncan put his hand over his face in exasperation.

"Scott, Jean, and Hank are going with me on this trip. On the return, we'll be flying over the village we're to live in. They want to see what needs to be done. Sorry. I heard you two wanted a chance to get away...but..."

"Where did you hear that?!" Duncan demanded.

"Your lunch waitress was also mine. She gave me the heads up. I think she's got a crush on me. I'd hate to burst her bubble, but I'm involved already."

"Oh wonderful," Kale sighed. "It'll be all over the palace by now."

"No, she said she wouldn't say anything."

"So I guess you told Jean or Hank?"

"Nope. Not a peep...they just showed up and told me that they were coming and that we needed a bigger ship. Look, what you two decide about your personal lives is your business, no mine. Areena and I have enough to worry about. We don't need to poke our noses into your private affairs as well."

"It's hardly and affair!" Duncan practically yelled.

"Duncan calm down. It'll be ok. With those three heading off on the trip, you and I can stay here."

"Its not that simple. When this ship goes out," and he pointed to a craft about as large as a two story house, "it requires two pilots trained to handle it. Normally there are several on staff, but..."

"There's only one...right?" she asked.

"No. There are two...but I'm the second one. So I have to go. You can stay here if you want..."

"Bite your tongue! I didn't pack this bag for nothing. I'm going."

"Ok. We'll make the best of it. I promise."

"I'll try and keep Scott & Jean out of your hair. Hank shouldn't be a problem."

"Thanks Forge."

"Ok. Get aboard if you're coming. We leave in an hour."

Duncan took Kale's bag and lead the way into the ship. Most of the lower space was open, cargo she surmised, with a few rows of seats on smaller levels above near the side windows. At the forward section, just before the flight control cabin, was a large conference table, with chairs tucked in on retracting sliders, and at the very back of the passenger section, were private cabins. Small, barely five feet in any direction, but they would suffice. It was in the farthest cabin that Duncan led her, stuffing her bag on a small shelf, just below his own.

"Cozy," she said with a smile, lacing her fingers with his as she entered to sit.

"It is that," he said. "Both the seat, and the upper compartment fold down into bunks. There's not enough room for a bigger bed."

She pulled herself to him, but not too intimate, just in case he spooked easily by forward women. "I think...no, never mind."

"What?" skedsked.

"No, forget it. Sometimes...it slips my mind that you're not from Earth."

"So?"

"You may not appreciate some of our humour."

"Oh reallry mry me. Tell me what you were about to say."

"Ok, but remember, you insisted. I thin," and she wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing him closer, "two people can fit into a smaller bed...if they're friendly."

He thought on that for a moment, then a broad grin spread across his face as wide as her own. Laughing he pressed his brow to hers. "You are something else."

"That's because I'm from somewhere else," she was about to kiss him, when she heard a familiar angry voice grow louder, as the person with that voice came closer to their quarters.

"I don't care if he's flying us to your mood! He is not sharing a room with her!" As Scott's face came into view of the open door, Kale hit the controls and the door slid shut. "KALE! Don't be a child! Open this door this minute!!"

"Not a chance one eye," she shouted back. "Get lost, leave me alone! I'm not your wife, girlfriend, sister, or, heaven forbid, daughter! You don't own me, you have no say! Get it through your head!!"

"KALE!...Jean talk to her!" The heard the woman's muffled voice from the other side of the door. "What!! You're taking her side!"

"Grow up!" Jean shouted.

"OWE!! Jean! Let go!"

Duncan chuckled as he could just picture what part of the man's anatomy was being squeezed. 'Alone at last..." he said.

"Yeah..." she smiled, moving to kiss him. "Till they call for pre-flight checks..."

Duncan sighed, casting his eyes to the ceiling. "Why me!?" he said, pressing the door controls. "Pre-flight checks take an hour, and are required to be completed by both pilots."

As he headed out the door, Kale quickly followed, limping madly on her crutch to keep up with him. "You're not getting away that easy!" she laughed, and got a bizarre sense of satisfaction as she jammed the end of her crutch into the top of Scott's foot, as he stepped out of his shared quarters with Jean.

It was three days into the trip along the Avion border. It had turned out to be more work, than relaxing for Kale and Duncan. And the trip would have to be extended another two days if they were to get back on schedule. With careful observation by McCoy, Kale used her shape shifting abilities to help carry equipment to the mountain sensor sited, and assisted in clearing away fallen rocks and trees from the tiny structures.

Finally, the mountainous region behind them, and the sea coast only a few meters away, the group sat huddled around the fire, going over maps, repair details, and assigning duties for the next day or so.

The work details done, and dinner eaten, each of the members quietly slipped away for their own quiet time, weather alone, or with their suitors. Kale was the first to leave the group, leading Jean to a near by hot spring.

Jean was still a bit shaken from earlier on. One of the young Eternian assistants was telling her about some of the eatable winter plants they happen to find, but never told her of the dangers and poisonous toxins produced, when two of the plants were mixed. It was only by chance that Duncan got the first sandwich, and discovered the error. Jean was beside herself, thinking she'd nearly killed everyone, including herself.

"Didn't I tell you it looked great?" she asked Jean, trying to cheer her up. She just nodded. "Duncan pointed it out from the air. He said its like a bit of summer all winter long."

"Yes," she said finally, admiring a bright red plant, almost as red as her hair. "The hot springs source must be very close to the surface. It keeps the ground from freezing, and continually produces warmer temperatures for the air, which keeps the plants that grow here from succumbing to frost bite. It's lovely here."

"Do you think we can grow these plants in the village? I love this one that looks like feathers." As Kale ran her hand down the soft white leaves, they suddenly moved, and several birds took flight. Startled, Kale jumped back, tripping on a loose stone, and fell back into the water.

When she came up for air, Jean was laughing, and Duncan stepped from the trees, towels in hand. "I figured you ladies would take a dip," he said, discarding the towels. "But the least you could do was remove your heavy clothes."

Kale struggled out of the water, giving her arms and dress hem a good shake to get rid of some of the water. Duncan took one of the towels and dabbed the water off the end of her nose, then burst out laughing himself. "Very funny!" she said, laughing as well.

"I wasn't planning on swimming," Jean stated, through strangled fits of giggles. "Do you have another set of clothes Kale?"

"Yeah, but not a coat. I'm gona freeze!"

"There are emergency cloaks on the ship. A couple of those and you'll be fine," Duncan said, as he directed the ladies towards camp. "If you're not going to use the spring, then the crew would like to take their turn now. But you might want to look the other way for a moment."

"Skinny dippers?" Kale asked, drying her face more, and giving Duncan a playful push. But when his expression turned curious, she explained. "Swimming with no clothes on?"

"Oh, yes. Please, this way." No sooner were they out of sight of the spring, than they could hear splashing and carrying on o young men. Maybe Scott was with them for a change. But that was not to be, as they entered the camp to see Scott & Hank pouring cups of coffee.

"What happened to you?" Hank asked, noticing Kale's nearly frozen clothes.

"I fell in the water," she said. "What were those birds, Duncan?"

"Kalavarie. They're very tame considering they've never been domesticated. They're summer birds, but some spend their winters a the hot springs, the rest fly south."
TheyThey remind me of Peacocks on Earth. Only yours fly."

"Well, you better fly, inside and change, before you catch a cold."

"I know. Excuse me fellas."

Kale found her way to her shared quarters, and with difficulty, caused by the confined space, she shed her frozen clothes, and struggled into her dry ones. She'd discovered that no one noticed a difference between the pants that Teela had given her, and her pyjama pants. So, her nightclothes being the warmest, she kly kly scrambled into them, pulled on two pairs of socks, her stiff soled slippers, grabbed a blanket and headed back out to the fire.

Duncan handed her a cup and sat down with her, Kale draped her blanket over him, more to keep herself warm, than him, and felt his heat spread under the cover. Perhaps this would be as close as they could get on this trip. They were just too busy to try in the daylight hours, and too tired to even think about it at the end of the day. Though moments like this were often and well enjoyed, they were often too short lived. And this was no exception.

"Kale! He's not your type! Now cut it out!"

Duncan stared at Scott, as though to burn him alive, but Kale spoke before he could. "Scott, unless you and I had dated, which we haven't, and you've suddenly become a mind reader and match maker over night, which I'm sure you haven't, how could you possibly know what my type is?"

"He's not one of us!" he continued, Jean jabbing him in the ribs.

"Last time I checked, it was kind blood donors of this world that saved my life. If they weren't like us, then how would that be possible?" Kale wrapped her arm around Duncan's, lacing her fingers with his.

"Kale..."

"Would you please let her decide?!" Duncan warned. "She's the one who's living her life."

"What she does affects us! She's parading around like a common whore!"

"Hey!"

"That's not called for!" Duncan defended.

"Its true! She'll entertain your advances, she'll give in to your phoney charm, and when you thr threw with your toy, you'll pass her on to your men. She's OWNED by you, that's just what you'll do."

"You arrogant disgusting..."

"I've seen it! I've put a stop to it! And come hell or high water I will NOT let her be your slut!"

"ENOUGH!!!!!" Kale shouted, jumping between the two before either of them could throw a punc"Dun"Duncan, please don't listen to him. I know you. I know you wouldn't do those things. Please, just calm down.

"Scott, what I choose to do with my life is my business. Who I sleep with is most definitely NONE of your business. Duncan is a sweet, caring, honourable man. I know he'll treat me well. If you and everyone else will just get off our case and let us be!"

"Kale! You choose him, over your own people, you wont be welcomed back. You will be alone, no support, no family! When things don't work out, and believe me they wont, you will be a whore to whoever comes along. You'll be barely surviving, lying on your back for these people, passed along like the property he's made you out to be!"

"NO!!!!!" If she had claws when she slapped him, she would have torn his face off. But her powers didn't work that way.

"Truth hurts, doesn't it. Trust me, Kale, inside of six months, you'll hate him enough to kill him."

"You bastard...!" she whispered and walked off into the trees.

"You happy now?!" Duncan accused, tossing out the contents of his and Kale's cups.

"She's not for you. Not now, not ever!"

"That is a choice that she must make! Not you. For you to abandon her for her decisions, just proves what you've said, only about yourself rather than us!"

"Don't go turning this around! I'm trying to save her..."

"From what!? A chance to be happy? Isn't that what you wanted for your people? A place to live in peace to be happy?"

"Without humans!"

"Here we go again! Isn't' that just too bad. We could care less what you are. We have more important issues to worry about! Why should you care about what we are...you've never met us before, you've no experience with us..."

"I have plenty of experience with humans! You'll slaughter us...!"

"You're already trying to kill your people! Or didn't you listen to Kale? Your gene pool isn't divers enough to support your community alone! You'll die out in a few generations. Inbreeding is the biggest danger you're facing, or are you so blind over your hatred & mistrust of humans, that you can't see it?!"

"If anything is to kill us, its you. The self-righteous, egocentric, humans! I don't care if you're from Earth, or another galaxy! You humans are all alike. Cold, heartless, killers, and I'll tear out your lungs first before I let you layand and on us!" Before Scott could make a move, a pair of strong arms grabbed him, and Jean levitated them into the air. "Forge! Let me go!!"

"Not a chance! Go Duncan. Kale needs you!"

"Thanks. I'll deal with him later."

"No. We'll handle this. Kale is your business. Now go."

Duncan nodded and headed off to the woods. "Now Scott," Forge began. "Seems you won't listen to reason, lets see if you'll listen to my fist.!"

"You wouldn't dare!"

"Try me..."

Duncan didn't have to look for long. He found Kale sitting n the beach, hugging her knees, trying not to cry. Slowly he sat down next to her, gently kissing her brow. He'd made his move. He'd wait for her to make hers.

She sat closer to him, her eyes gleaming in the light of the moons. She'd been sitting here for some time now, but she'd yet to speak to him. He knew she was upset, Summers had made such wild and unfounded accusations. The whole discussion upset her so much, she'd left the camp in tears. Logan was nowhere to be found, and the rest of the group were trying to keep Scott from killing Duncan, while he went off to look for Kale.

It was dangerous to be out at night when you were unfamiliar with the terrain. Jean had already made a near fatal mistake with some pl, he, he didn't want anything to happen with Kale. It terrified him just thinking about what could happen to her.

"I wont believe him," she said with restrained tears. "I wont. I wont hate you. I know you."

"Don't listen to him about Eternians, Kale," he offered, drawing her closer in his embrace. "Only you can make that choice. As for you and I..." gently he kissed her lips. As he let her go he half expected her to pull away. "...only we can make that choice, and I've made mine." Every fibber in his body screamed for her. He couldn't remember when last he'd felt so strongly toward a woman. His duties as a master took precedent. His position to his King was demanding, and with raising his daughter, he simply didn't have the time.

But now...it was different. The battles were over, what villains were still out there were quiet, or were being handled by their solders. Teela was grown, a capable warrior, and she had her post as captain of the guard, and she had begun her own relationship with T'near. Now it was his chance to pursue a life outside his duties. "I wont pressure you to choose."

He went to get up to leave, but found her unwilling to let him go. Gently he wiped a stray tear from her eye. She took a deep shuttering breath, and kissed him. If Scott found out he'd probably kill her, but at this point, she didn't care. He'd pushed her far enough. She let his lips go, gently brushing his moustache with the end of her nose. "If that isn't a choice made clear, I don't..."

Duncan pulled her to him, seeking her lips once more. Afraid he'd never get the chance again, he kept focused on her, committing to memory the feel of her lips against his, their soft surface resting so perfectly within his own, how her hair of satin strands still felt, even through his gloved hands, how her scent was soft and gentle, and how her taste was sweet and warm.

Together they lay on the sand, the waves of the incoming tide tickling the tips of their toes. His hands slowly moved down her shoulders and as his tongue explored the curves of each of her teeth it seemed, his fingers traced her collarbone, and the curve of her breasts as they passed beneath his exploring touch.

Suddenly he let her go, rising to sit once more on the cool sand. He'd gone too far. It was one thing to kiss, but he'd crossed the line from excited suitor, to desperate letch. He wouldn't do that to her, she was too important to him to ruin what they could have. "No," he said gently, "I wont do that."

"What do you mean?" she asked, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I won't act like a hormone driven adolescent. I can't do that to you...you mean too much to me."

"Oh Duncan...that's so sweet," again she kissed him, gently forcing him back to the sand and straddling his hips. "But at this point..." she said between breaths, "I don't really care."

He felt her press against him, and with all he could muster he forced his body not to respond. Finally he was able to right himself, pushing her up with him. "No!" he muttered, slightly tinted with force. "Not here. Not now...Kale, its too soon." Beneath his fingers he could feel her pulse, racing faster than he'd ever felt a pulse run before, even hers. "Kale? Are you alright?"

"Of course I am, I'm just...a little warm." She tried to kiss him, only to find he'd turned his head. It was all right, she could trace his ear and kiss his neck, as long as he let her.

"Kale, your pulse is racing, you're flushed, and...whoa!" He pulled away as he felt her tongue glide along the ridges of his ear. It wasn't' that he didn't like the sensation, on the contrary, he just would have liked it too much. "...Kale... you're not yourself. Now tell me, and be honest. Are you doing this because of what Summers said?"

She scoffed, returning to sit on the ground beside him. "Did you have to mention him?"

"I'm sorry, but if we're going to do this, I want it to be for our reasons, not to prove someone wrong. Now be honest..."

"No...I'm no...I just..."

"I know. Its been...quite some time for med atd at this point, I can't tell you how much I want to...But I wont. I want to wait. Just for a little longer."

"Ok. I'll wait...but I can't promise..." she kissed his cheek, working her way back to his lips. "...that...I'll be fair...about it."

"Yeah," he said, kissing her once more, feeling the intensity of her lips grow with each second, finally he was able to let her go, not that he really wanted to. "I can tell. Come on, before they send a search party." He pulled her to her feet, holding her to him, one last embrace before they returned to camp. He smoothed loose strands of her silk tresses before stepping away.

As he held she she could feel the pounding of his heart threw his chest. She took a deep breath to press her breasts closer to him, and felt a delightful, but all too familiar twinge in the pit of her stomach. "Oh no," she whispered, as he took a step from her.

"Something wrong?" he asked. He could tell something was bothering her suddenly. "Be honest, Kale. I won't run."

"If I tell you, you will. Believe me, you will."

He kissed her cheek, then whispered, "Skelator himself, would have to rise from the abyss, on angel's wings, singing the Elder's praises on an Avion harp, to make me run."

The humour in his voice made her laugh. Whoever this Skelator was, must not be the kind of person to do that. "Are you sure?" she asked, unable to suppress a laugh of her own. Duncan stepped back, and nodded. "Ok..."

"There you are," Logan stated, emerging form the tree line, and slid through the dirt of the eroding hillside. Kale took a relieving sigh, as Duncan stepped further away. "Sorry to interrupt."

"I'm sure you are," Duncan muttered.

"Listen bub, and I mean that in a nice way, I like you. What's more, Kale likes you. Human or not, you're nothing like the humans where we come from. And I for one believe you when you say you don't care what we are. Now because I like you, I wont stand between you," and he pushed him bao Kao Kale, "and her." Duncan just looked at him. All her people had thus far tried to convince him that Earth mutants and Eternian humans didn't' mix, some even tried to force them apart. Now Logan, perhaps the most unpredictable of all the mutants, was putting in his blessing. That was Logan...doing what was unpredicted. Up till now he'd never had an opinion one-way or the other.

"Thank you, Logan," Kale said, "but there's a problem."

"Don't worry about Summers. I'll handle him."

Kale shook her head. "No, it isn't that."

"Oh?"

"No...its...that problem...again."

Logan just stared at her, then as realization dawned, he nodded. "And you're..."

"Not ready. But could you explain it to him please. I can't...I just..."

"Sure, kid. You go on. McCoy had Jean take Scott to the river to cool off. Said he'd figured you were here."

"Thanks Logan. I'll see you at camp." She quickly kissed Duncan again, wanting to keep him with her, but Logan pushed her on her way.

"We gotta talk," Logan said.

"Former suitor?"

"No. But I am the one she turned to when this happened before."

"What do you mean?"

"You better sit down."