Belly Literary Universe (part 2)

Jackie's Duty Part 23: Attention

Jackie paced back and forth across Valerie's living room. It took quite some coaxing from Valerie to get her to come over after a near sleepless night. Finally, Jackie finished explaining to her what she'd learned. "You know what this means?" She asked.

Valerie yawned. "It means a lot of things. But it's obvious you have something in mind."

Jackie ran her hands back over her hair, and upon finding the messy knot holding her hair up, she ripped the hair tie off and threw it to the ground. "It means that my mission this whole time wasn't even aimed right. I thought that since this Secret Advisor AI was seemingly at the center of all this bullshit, he was responsible. But no. Kelri tells me it's like 10 years old. Which makes it 40 years too young."

"Too young for what? Responsible for what? You're manic. Take a deep breath." Valerie sat up and squinted at Jackie in confusion.

"It's too young to be the thing responsible for killing my mother. I got caught and conscripted by someone at the research center. They got me dead to rights trying to access old military medical records related to genetic modification programs from the 80s. The one that made both of us like we are. They killed my mom and I want justice. I want answers. I want... To help other people like me who've gone through this bullshit."

Valerie stood up and wrapped her arms around Jackie. "It's okay. I'm here for you."

Jackie stood stoically. "I'm not sad. I'm angry."

Just then Jackie's phone buzzed. Marvin Woodward. She ignored the call. "And then I've got to explain to this asshole that not only didn't I get information to catch this hacker. I made him immortal. I helped turn it into an uncatchable swarm. The deal was I help him get to this Secret Advisor, and he at least shares the data I was originally trying to steal. Well that sure as shit isn't happening now. I'll be blessed if I can even find a job after I tell him. Did I mention he was blackmailing me?"

Valerie grabbed both of Jackie's hands, pulled them to her mouth and kissed both of them. "I'm sorry about your mom. And the situation. I know you probably don't want to hear this. But you can ask the Secret Advisor for help."

Jackie scoffed and pulled her hands free. "Why? So it can justify what it's done? Theft? And worse, I've overheard the small talk while we were planning the heist. Camilla? Veera? They both had the same genetic treatments as my mom in the last month or two. He's doing the same things!"

Valerie shook her head. "They were likely more sophisticated versions of the treatments. It's been 40 years. They have to have learned something."

"And that's better?" Jackie growled.

"It's not about better or worse. Half of the things in society owe their existence to something awful in the past. Do we abandon democracy because of the people who had their heads chopped off during the French revolution? We have a responsibility to use what knowledge we have responsibly. If we don't then isn't that disrespecting their memory?"

"Are you a philosopher now?" Jackie barked at her.

"No. I just think you're tired and hurt."

Jackie turned away and rubbed her temples. "I don't even know what my goal is anymore. Would getting those stolen records even get me anywhere?"

Valerie walked up from behind and wrapped her arms around her again. "Whatever you do, I'll do whatever I can to help."

This time Jackie softened backward into her girlfriend's grip.

Valerie spoke softly into the nape of Jackie's neck. "Tell the asshole what he wants to hear so you get the information you need -"

Jackie shook her head and interrupted. "He'll catch me somehow and then I'm fucked."

"Then talk to the Secret Advisor like I said. I'm sure he'll share the information you're looking for. Or maybe Cozca can help. I'm sure they'd give you a job if need be."

"Hah. After they know I've been spying on them? As if a super AI wouldn't do whatever it could to isolate me from their sensitive information."

Valerie pulled Jackie over to the couch and sat down with her. "Jackie, you're exhausted. Come here. And whatever happens, whatever you do, I'll be here to coddle you. Comfort you... Feed you." She chuckled with the last comment.

"Oh you will, will you? What information are you going to withhold to get me to gain weight for you now?" Jackie smiled for the first time in days.

"I don't have anything. It's your choice."

Jackie chuckled. "Alright. You know that's not very convincing, right?"

Valerie kissed Jackie several times on her neck. "I know. Now my goal is to make you want it."

"Oh and how do you plan on doing that?"

"I don't know yet," Valerie said then pushed Jackie on the chest down into a reclined position.

"Then what's this?" Jackie asked as she snuggled into the cushions, getting comfortable. "Seems like you have something in mind."

"For now, I'll just be your perfect plump girlfriend and help you relax. Tell me what I can do for you."

Jackie looked Valerie up and down, in her baggy pajamas. Then wordlessly she kicked her feet up.

With a smile, Valerie unlaced Jackie's boots, then put them by the door with care. "What else?" She asked as she returned to the couch. "Anything? Even a glass of water?"

"You being here is nice."

"I live here. Tell me something I can do to help you relax. Something active." Valerie said, climbing onto the couch next to Jackie and snuggling up against her. Her hands wandered up and down her torso circling her chubby stomach, caressing in between her cleavage, then down the side of her waist.

Jackie closed her eyes and groaned, pressing her hip into the soft flesh of the woman. "That's nice..."

Valerie smiled against Jackie's shoulder. "I think I know what might help you relax. She said as she unbuckled Jackie's belt.

***