T. A. Chase

Firebird- Part Thirty-Three

Firebird copyright (c) 2007 TA Chase

Part Thirty-Three:

A few hours later—

Rue shifted, slowly coming awake. His eyes took in the stone above him. He turned his head and saw he was in Vlatko’s bedroom underground. How did he get down here? The last thing he remembered was lying on top of Vlatko up in the hut. Vlatko must have brought him here when the big guy woke up.

A jolt of surprise raced through him when he remembered what Vlatko had said to him. Shit. He sat up and turned, dangling his legs over the edge of the bed. Did Vlatko mean it or was it just the sex talking? Damn. When had he become such a girl? It didn’t matter at the moment whether he meant it or not, he had said those words and that was enough for now. Even if Vlatko didn’t love him, it wouldn’t change his decision. He was going to Mitcov. He got up, cleaned up and headed out to the main room.

Vlatko was talking on the communicator. “Thanks, Stargazer. I’ll see you day after tomorrow.”

“What were you talking to him for?” Rue still felt guilty for having sex with Stargazer, even though before Vlatko, he’d had done whatever he had to do to successfully complete a job.

Vlatko stood and went to the kitchen, pulling out two beers. Rue caught the one thrown at him.
“He’s dropping off a transport we can use to make a run to Mitcov.” Vlatko popped the top off the bottle and took a swig.

“You’re going with me?” Rue admitted he was a little surprised.

“Yeah. Don’t you want me?”

“Sure. I just thought you’d want to stay here. There’s no guarantee what I’m going to try will even work.” He fiddled with the label on his bottle.

“I don’t know what your plan is, Rue, but I see it this way. I can stay here, pound my head against this formula and die or I can go with you and have a great adventure-not to mention incredible sex-and die. Either way I’m dead. I decided I want to have fun before this stuff takes me out.”

Rue blinked back the sudden moisture in his eyes and coughed. “Okay. I could always use back-up.”

“I’m good at that.” Vlatko grabbed his hand and dragged him over to the couch. “So tell me what your plan is?”

“I’m going to negotiate with the Mitcovians. I’ll give them back their stone if they give me the scientist who invented the liquid body armor. I figure we could bring him back here and get him to find a cure for you.”

“You think that’s going to work? We don’t even know if the Mitcovian is still alive.”

Vlakto hadn’t shot his idea down, so it might be a good one.

“Well, Mitcovians live a long time. It’s possible he’s alive. Why wouldn’t they do it? If the fire opal keeps them strong and safe from the I.U.M., why wouldn’t they give up one puny scientist? It’s not like we’re going to kill him. We’re just borrowing him for a few months.”

Vlatko chuckled, urging Rue to sit closer to him. “You wouldn’t object to being sent to some strange planet with a thief and an assassin?”

Rue nodded. “You’ve got a point. We could kidnap him. I mean I’m good at stealing things. Usually inanimate objects, but still how hard could it be?” At Vlatko’s skeptical snort, he grimaced. “You’re right. It’s a bad idea, but it was the only one I could think of.”

“Hush, love. I didn’t say it was a bad idea. We’ll give it a go. If it doesn’t work out, we’ll think of something else. Maybe we should just fly off together, sell the stone and make a shit load of credits. We can live the good life while dodging the I.U.M.” Vlatko playfully pinched Rue’s cheek. “I always thought I deserved the best.”

“I don’t want you to die, Vlatko. I hate the idea of your life being snuffed out.” He felt his bottom lip tremble. “Aren’t you afraid to die?”

“No. I never was. If I had never met you and died, it wouldn’t have been a terrible hardship. I didn’t have a life. Now since I’ve met you, the thought of dying makes me angry. I don’t want to give you up.”

Rue nestled close to his lover’s warm body. He traced his hand over Vlatko’s thigh. His skin began o tingle and Vlatko gasped.

“Can you feel that?”

Rue shook his head. “All I feel is a tingle. What are you feeling?”

“It’s almost like my leg in on fire.”

He started to pull his hand away. “I’m sorry.”

“No. Keep it there. My leg’s been bothering me for a couple days now. Your touch is making it feel better.” Vlatko brushed a kiss over Rue’s forehead. “Guess I’ll keep you around after all.”

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