Watched

Listen, or I Might Have to Slap You

Chapter 19: Pandora

Sleeping in helps me, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was someone in my room. Looking around, I saw a strange bulge in my covers, one that my feet didn’t make. And of course, the bundle kept giggling.

“So, I have an invader in my room?” I laugh, still gruff from waking up, and pick the small bundle up. “Well good morning starshine, the Earth says hello!” I yell as soon as Cass’s head pokes out from the pile of blankets.

She giggles in high-pitch, “I want to thank you for not telling my mom that I feel asleep here.”

“Well I couldn’t really, I don’t know who your mom is. But of course, you’re welcome, although I am still puzzled as to how you got in here…”

“I hacked the door of course,” she laughs and rolls around the bed, “but don’t tell daddy.”

“Now who’s your daddy?” Curiosity slowly ate at me; I simply had to know who the parents were of this adorable little creature.

“Jarek, but he likes to be called the Captain.” Wow, I didn’t know Jarek had a kid, or a wife for that matter. “Why so shock-shelled, haven’t you heard o’ me.”

“No, although I am overjoyed you woke me up early, I have to get ready. After I do, you’re welcome to spend the day with me. Perhaps, if you’re really good, I can tell you a story.” She squeals and jumps down the room, skipping out the door.

Smiling to myself, I get ready quickly. Maybe I will make a good mother, I certainly like kids enough. Even if they can be annoying. Gingerly, I pull on a shirt a stretchy shirt of aquamarine and try not to wince. I’m not sure if it’s this pregnancy thing, but my boobs are always so sensitive and sore. It can actually be extremely tiresome, especially since I like to sleep on my face. Although I can’t really do that with the Mt. Everest belly, so sleeping on my side had been it. No sleeping on my back, because Zane kept telling me I might crack a rib or something.

I didn’t feel like wearing pants, but I already had a shirt on and pulled some of my loose fitting pants that now feel like skinny jeans. Just my luck, I’m a complete fatso. Ignoring my soreness everywhere, I knock on Jade’s door twice, my signal to meet her, and try to keep up with the extremely hyper child ahead of me. Why did this feel like the show ‘Teen Mom’ all over again? Sure, I’m not really a teenager, but chasing after a hyper-active kid while pregnant with two more really reminds me of all that. Not that I’m complaining, I at least try not to be a complete whiner.

“C’mon Panda! I wanna go play!” Cass yells, getting several strange and sympathetic looks from the Corillian’s nearby, and laughter from their women.

Great, I have to officially catch up or their Captain will wring my neck. So, gathering up my strength I scoop her up as I pass by and whoosh her in the air like a plane. Complete with airplane noises (batteries not included). I think everyone who was told stories about me (you know the ones that keep them slightly afraid of me) was watching me play with Jarek’s kid, and I think I so lost track off where I was because suddenly someone taps my shoulder.

I spin around, still holding Cass, and see the Captain. “So I see you have become friends with my daughter.” Cass wriggles and I set her down.

“She’s so cute I just want to pinch her ‘wittle’ cheeks!” I say, and this comment makes her hide behind her father’s legs.

“Um, okay. Shall we go someplace more private, I need to talk to you on some things.” You know, if he weren’t my sort-of-friend, I would have found that slightly perverted. Mind out of the gutter, Panda, we have a kid in our presence!

“Of course,” and I couldn’t help the smirk lighting my face when many of the guards stared at me with awe. Oh yeah, that’s what you should feel in my presence, awe!

“Cass, go play in your room.” He orders, and presses down on the door to open it. His new office didn’t look too different, maybe more high-tech, but it was still so unemotional and personal. Perhaps for his birthday I’ll get him a potted plant or something, maybe even a paperweight if he’s nice.

“What did you want to talk to me about?” I ask, eyeing his face for any emotions, or the coloring of his marking and eyes to give away his intentions.

“About that Connection, you had with your Zane. Can you tell me more about it?”

“Of course. Firstly, he sent that him and Tallick were alive, but need help. Then he said something about the Volddin taking them,” I say, not wanting to share the last part.

“He said something else didn’t he?” Suspicion, crap, now I have to tell him.

“He told me not to do anything ‘illogical’ or ‘dangerous on his behalf’. But that does not mean that I will stand by and let those two morons stay there without helping in some way.” He flinches at the word moron, and chuckles before composing himself. I wonder what he’s like when he doesn’t compose himself into this uptight man.

“I appreciate your wanting to help, but it is unneeded at the moment. And, with your condition y-,” I cut him off, and he looks at me shocked. I guess people don’t interrupt him.

“Now listen here, Jarek,” I say, putting ice into my voice and stare, “being pregnant doesn’t mean disabled! What I want you to do, is let us women, help you out. We have several good ideas, and I’m not just talking about a rescue plan. From now on, you should treat us as your equal, and if you don’t, you will be hearing from me! So, good day,” and I tip an invisible hat to him.

“I-I’m sorry if we have not been treating you as e-equals, but we w-worry. We want all of you to be safe and happy, so I will make sure that your ideas are heard. P-Pandora, miss.” Feeling kind of bad, I let my gaze soften, and he visibly relaxes.

“Boys outside, you can stop listening in and try to help your Captain come up with ideas with me,” I yell, and I hear a lot of suspicious scuffling.

The door slides open, and Ter’al and Jae’tel stumble through. No matter what, they are by far, my favorite of the guards. I even taught them how to play soccer! “Sir,” they say way too formally in unison, trying to control their laughter. Obviously the Caption was not amused, although I did wonder what his amused face would look like.

“I would expect better of you than that, if you are going to eavesdrop, make sure you are more stealthy.” I don’t care how serious he sounded, it’s his first attempt at a joke and I couldn’t help but laugh until my sides hurt.

“So boys, who wants to here my plan?” They all raise their hands nervously, anyone who didn’t would be victim to my ferocious ‘slaps of fury’.