M/f, f/f, M/ff , MF ==================================================== Castle In The Sand By Deana Johns. Copyright 1997 All rights reserved. Limited permission to post is granted providing this header remains intact. May not be posted to any pay sites. May be offered as part of a collection, also provided this header remains intact. Permission to archive is also granted. --------------------------------------------------------- This is an adult story, if you shouldn't be reading it, don't. I trust this is sufficient warning, given that I am posting this to a predominantly adult area to begin with. My most sincere thanks go to Jean Walker for the outstanding -and massive- task of editing this story. If there is something wrong, then it is my fault as I did some of my own editing afterward, adding back in sections I had once removed to make it tamer in hopes of publishing it. As always, comments are desired, welcome, and helpful. I especially like to hear from women. Please reply to: deanajohns at softcom dot net --------------------------------------------------------- Castle In the Sand That night Alice experienced the same depth of feeling with Sheila. Andrea the same with Cindy. Candice with Mae and Sally with Jean. Amy shared the bed with Theresa and John. Nobody was disappointed. Chapter 67 Time passed quickly. Sheila and Alice returned just in time for Theresa's birthday party. Very little work got done that day as they all celebrated it by attacking her. Various gifts seemed to come out of the woodwork. Sheila brought her a large collection of comfortable, high fashion shoes. Cindy presented her with a modified version of the toy John had made for her. With custom fit attachments for every other woman in the silo. They all tried it out, much to Theresa's demise. When she finally slipped into sleep, she was exhausted and literally bombed on endorphins. Surrounded with warm, firm bodies and snuggled to John's side. To John's amazement, the government agreed to his idea. Howdy made plans for a second, and last trip to the silo. He had to hand deliver many of the items he carried in the small, specialized briefcase. Should he be involved in any incident such as a crash or hijacking, the contents of the case would be turned to ash before anyone could even catch a glimpse of them. He also carried a long tube, similarly equipped. Seemingly on a whim he requested the same helicopter pilot as before. It was a good security practice as well, as it limited the number of people who got to see the silo or know of it's existence. Kevin greeted him when he landed at Hill AFB. He was grinning ear to ear at the prospect of seeing Theresa once more. This time he bypassed Dougway. He had no desire to get near the place ever again. Kevin hummed to himself quietly as he flew a few scant feet off the ground, just above fence line, scanning the sky for power lines. (Which he now had a map of anyway.) Theresa, warned by John of Kevin's visit, preened herself and made up a special outfit; A body suit with coloration resembling Camouflaged Combat fatigues. It hugged every hair on her body. "Damn girl, you could win wars all by yourself... or start them." Cindy chuckled when she saw her in it. Theresa nodded absently as she examined her backside in a double mirror. She even spun a set of mock combat boots to go with the outfit. The thump, thump of the helicopter sent her scurrying up to the entryway. Once again Howdy had Kevin shut down completely. Cindy and the triplets scrambled to tarp over the machine, again. Kevin wondering where Theresa was. When John came out to greet Howdy, Theresa was on his arm, wearing a field Jacket like Kevin's and a regular pair of fatigue pants. She looked very much like she was in the military, except the boots looked somehow wrong. Kevin wondered whether or not to salute her, as she wore no rank insignia. John greeted Howdy and they shook hands. Then he guided him off into the silo. Kevin and Theresa stood looking at each other. Each feeling a close feeling of love that was unexplained by their brief previous encounter. Kevin worried slightly about her uniform. Fraternization was against the rules. The military was quite strict about that. "Hello, Kevin." Theresa said. "Hello, Theresa." he stammered, "I didn't know you were in the military." "I'm... not really. I just put this on special for you." she chuckled. "For me? I think I prefer that last outfit you had on." he chuckled. "Oh, I think you might be surprised by this one.... aren't you going to kiss me?" she asked. He looked uncomfortable. She solved his inaction by moving into his arms. Their first kiss was warm and deep. Theresa quivering in his strong arms. "That's better." she said, flushing. He nodded. Theresa took his arm and led him inside. She took his Jacket and hung it up, then removed her own and Kevin's jaw dropped. She chuckled and stripped off the outer pants. Kevin's reaction was apparent inside his own. "I suppose that outfit keeps you warm too... although not too warm from... outward indications." he chuckled. "Oh, I'm toasty warm... I think those indications are caused by you." she demurred. He blushed. "Theresa, I don't know how to explain it... but I had sort of a dream.. about *us*." he said. "I think I shared that dream.. but come on. I've got you all to myself for a whole day. We can talk all about it." she said. "A whole day?" he questioned. "That's what John promised me, and I'm gonna hold him to it." she said, taking his arm and leading him to the elevator. John and Howdy moved to the Com room. Howdy worked the specialized combinations to open the cases. The briefcase held a sheaf of papers and what looked like a small calculator. He handed the papers to John. "Everything you asked for. Full tittle to the land and papers for all the girls. Also a presidential pardon for your previous actions *and* all actions related to project: *Shit for brains*. Additionally, there's an authorization for government funds... from an untraceable black budget, just to get you started on the housing project. I don't think you realized the cost of a water and sewer system to handle such a project. Or of the costs involved in electrical and phone utilities." Howdy explained. "A presidential pardon? That means he knows about all this?" John asked. "Oh... not officially. Uh.. you shut down the recorders?" Howdy asked. "As per your request. The top two floors are out of the circuit. The system is still tracking the lower portion...." John said. "Why not shut it all down?" Howdy asked. "History.... Theresa's first time with Kevin alone.... I'll shut it all down before we move downstairs." John replied. Howdy giggled. "Okay... good. Cause the other stuff I've brought you... I don't want recorded... ever." Howdy said. "Other stuff?" John asked. "Sign here. Your clearance has been reinstated... upgraded to Special projects, need to know class. You could probably walk into any defense contractor in America and gain access to anything they've got. But we'd grind your balls into powder if you tried." Howdy chuckled. "I have no desire to know the nations secrets." John said, reading the document and signing it. "You don't have much choice.. as you're one of the biggest. And I think you'll be very much interested in what I have to show you." Howdy said. Removing the silo plans from their tube. He laid them out on the table. John bent to study them. It only took him a moment to spot a discrepancy. "You sure you want me to see these? I don't have this hallway or any of this area over here." John said. Howdy chuckled. "That's what you think. If you'll just shut down the surveillance above four down, then I'll show you." He said. John moved to the intercom he had installed. "Theresa?" he asked, his voice echoing throughout the silo. "Yes, John?" he voice echoed back, only on the Com room unit. "Where are you?" he asked. His voice now only going to her area. "Showing Kevin the pool? Why?" she asked. "I need you girls to stay below four for a while. Do you know where the others are?" he asked. "In the gym, working out... want me to tell them?" she asked. "If it's not too much trouble." he said. "No... I think Kevin's heart can take it." Theresa said. "Heart?" he asked. "You know what they wear when they work out." she giggled. "Oh... Yeah. Thanks. I'll let you know when you can come up." he said. "Okay, bye." she said. "Good enough?" John asked Howdy. "Yeah... and the surveillance system?" he asked. John moved to his computer. "I installed a LAN system just last week." John explained, as he called up a program and entered a private code. A map of the silo came up. Not including the sections drawn on the plans. He clicked on a few sections. Leaving only the kitchen and library active above four. Howdy watched. "We could use that software and your tracking system in our other installations. Probably save us all that money we're going to be spending here." Howdy said. "You're welcome to them." John said. Howdy studied the drawing... the Com room and entry had indeed been turned off when he arrived. The only record of their presence, would be the recording of Kevin's appearance on the lower levels. He smiled, his trust in John's ethics verified. "Excellent, now if you'll just follow me." he said. He rolled up the plans and put them back in their container. John put the papers in his safe and locked the plans up in a large horizontal file. "That will do for now. I'll make more secure provisions for them later." he said. "Fine by me. They're yours. That paper you signed said we could castrate you if you if you revealed them to anybody who didn't need to know." Howdy said, chuckling. "Must have been in the small print. I think I'd prefer the fifteen years in Jail and seizure of all my assets the large print mentioned." John chuckled. Howdy retained the small calculator device, slipping it into his pocket. They rode in silence down to the fourth level. Theresa guided Kevin by the arm into the gym. The girls were all clad in the barest spandex shorts and tops. Kevin couldn't help noticing them all. But trying to look at nothing in particular whenever Theresa looked at him. She giggled: "It's okay. I don't mind a bit if you look.. I'll be doing my own share of that." He seemed uncomfortable, but let his eyes wander, none the less. "Ladies, our fearless leader has requested that we stay in the dungeon while he does some spook stuff with ... that fellow." she told Sheila, Cindy and the triplets. "What's he up to now?" Cindy asked, breathless from the tread mill. "Haven't got a clue... Don't think we're supposed to know." Theresa replied. "Welcome, Kevin. Has Theresa been treating you right?" Sheila asked from a weight machine. "No complaints. Some place you've got here.... what little I've seen of it." he said, eyeing her svelte form. "Sorry Hon, rules ya know." Cindy giggled, catching the direction of Kevin's eyes. "No need to apologize. I'm quite used to them, being in the military." he replied, eyeing the triplets on various machines. "Any grub in the kitchen here? We could use a snack." Theresa asked. "Just some crackers and cheese... and coffee and orange juice, of course." Cindy replied. "Keeps us in the dungeon and feeds us crackers." Theresa muttered, "Come on Hon, before you break your eyes trying to look five directions at once." She guided him into the small kitchen. Sitting him at the table. "What to drink?" she asked. "Coffee's fine." he said. She poured two mugs and set them on the table. Then she moved to sit in his lap. She pulled him into a deep kiss, quivering slightly from his touch. "So what do you think of our little harem?" she giggled. "They're incredible... you really didn't mind my looking?" he asked. She gave him *that* exasperated look she was famous for. "Not in the least... What about you, how do you feel about *my* looking?" she asked, sheepishly. "Fine by me.... as long as it doesn't interfere with.... *us*." he said. "So...... you want there to be an *Us?*" she asked, softly. "Very much so... I've never known a woman quite like you." he said, kissing her. She melted under his touch. John and Howdy stepped off the elevator. The stop looked just like every other one; a cement cubical with a hatch on either side leading into the circular maintenance tunnel, a small box room directly in front of them. A seemingly wasted space to one side of it, about six feet wide. Around the corner, what used to be the hatchway into the silo, now an open archway. "Like I said, no hallway." John said. Howdy chuckled. He walked into the wasted space area. Before him a blank cement wall. He punched something into the calculator and held it about three and a half feet off the floor, one foot from the wall. He pushed one last button, nothing happened. Howdy frowned. "What were you expecting?" John asked. "Have you got power to all the silo circuits?" he asked, ignoring John's question. "Not all of them. Only the ones I know the purpose of." he replied. Howdy pulled a notebook from his pocket and looked in it. "Circuit 4SB12?" he asked. John took out a key and opened the maintenance closet. He turned on the light and opened a panel. He found a separate breaker, isolated from the rest. Circuit 4SB12. He flipped the breaker on. They went back to the cement wall and Howdy repeated his previous actions. This time there was an audible click and a whoosh when he pushed the last button. The whole wall moved on the right side out about six inches. Howdy reached around the edge and found a hand indent, pulling on the massive slab. John stood speechless as Howdy swung the massive wall open. Beyond lay a long, dark hallway. Howdy looked in his notebook, punched a different code into the calculator and held it on the wall just inside the massive door. The hallway flickered into illumination. "My god, it must run back for another hundred feet." John said. "One hundred and twelve." Howdy chuckled, stepping into the corridor. John followed him. Ten seconds later, the door swung slowly shut behind them. It was chilly, the area isolated from John's solar heat system. John looked at it. It now appeared to be the same blank wall it had from the other side. "I imagine that could be a problem, if you were in here and that breaker was off." he said. "There's an emergency release in here." Howdy said, opening the first door on the right. It was an almost empty room, about twenty feet square. Howdy moved to the wall and opened a small access hatch, showing John the release lever. In the room was a large oak desk, a comfortable looking ergonomic chair and several large filing cabinets. Howdy opened all the drawers of the desk and the filing cabinets, checking that they were all empty. Not a scrap of paper or a pencil was left. He nodded in satisfaction. John queried his actions with a look. "One of the things I'm doing here, is to check that they didn't leave anything they shouldn't have when they packed up the place.... probably left the furniture because it would have seemed out of place when they hauled the other stuff out. ... nice desk." he said. "Certainly is.... I love Oak." John said. "Keep it. You can keep most anything we run across... furniture wise, that is." Howdy chuckled. They entered an inner office. It contained a slightly larger desk and a large impressive looking metal door. The door had no handle. Howdy looked in his book and punched another code into the calculator. The door clicked open. This room huge, only it contained an arsenal of weapons. "Good god!" John exclaimed. "Precisely... gonna have to remove some of this stuff. Don't think you'll have any need for LAWS rockets or grenade launchers. I don't know *why* they left this stuff here." he said. "Some of the stuff? Why not all?" John asked. "Oh... I think you might enjoy the match grade weapons... The C-4 might come in handy while your working on your housing project. You have any explosives training?" Howdy asked. "Enough.. in the army I was with the Engineers... but you knew that." John said. "Yeah, I just forgot. I've looked at a bunch of information since this thing started." Howdy chuckled. They moved on, the door clicking shut behind them. They left the offices. The next room contained rows of bunks, twenty of them. "God, this brings back memories I didn't ever hope to remember." John chuckled. "Yeah, for me too." Howdy said. They made a complete search of the room. Finding nothing in the lockers. The next room was a large recreation room. One area held several sofa's. There was a ping pong table, card tables, a pool table and shelves of books around the walls. Several cabinets were found to contain cards, poker chips and about every board game known to man. John took possession of a Monopoly game. Then studied the books. There was a large selection of classics, and then just about every popular book from the sixties in hard back. "Nice addition to my library." John commented. Howdy nodded and checked all the cabinets for classified material. Next came a large workshop. It contained a lathe and a horizontal milling machine. Scattered around elsewhere were sheet metal tools and worktables. On one end was a small foundry pot and welding equipment. Cabinets on the walls held a large selection of hand tools. There was even a spot welder for the sheet metal. "God, nice compliment for my other workshop. I've been lacking in metal working equipment." John commented. "Keep it all." Howdy said. Moving across the hall to the next one, They found a long storage room of some sort. It was stacked mostly full with cases of C-rations, stacked to the ceiling. "Good god, must be enough here to feed an army." John said. "Or twenty guys for two years, in case they got stuck down here from a war." Howdy replied, shivering. John looked at the dates on the C-rations; 1969. "Hell, still good for another century... " he chuckled. "Keep it. We've got better rations now." Howdy said. They walked down the narrow isle left by the cases. All they found were more C-rations. "Hell, pretty monotonous food for two years." John chuckled. "I thought maybe they had left some specialty rations... but I guess not." Howdy said, turning at the end of the row. A doorway led into a substantial sized kitchen. Complete with stoves and refrigerators. The refrigerators were now humming softly. John opened one. He was met by the aroma of old refrigerator, but they were all empty. A search of the cupboards yielded dishes, pans and canned goods. Nothing perishable. "Hell, wish I'd known about this place when I first moved in here. I could have used this kitchen when I was cooking my first meals on a camp stove before I got the gym apartment completed." John said. The next room was a large communal latrine and shower. "This should solve all your plumbing problems. It has separate systems from the silo. A large water tank that's fed from the second well. It automatically isolates itself in case the silo was hit by an attack." Howdy explained. "Jesus, two years water supply for twenty men? That's some reservoir. That explains the second leech field.. I never could find where it tied into the silo system." John said. Howdy nodded. "Attack? You mean this could take a direct nuclear hit?" John asked, incredulously. "No... not a direct hit. We're only sixty feet down here. I can't tell you how close a hit it would take, but close enough the silo and this bunker would remain intact, but the shock wave would turn all the personnel into jelly." Howdy said, shivering a bit. Moving on they came to another room that opened to Howdy's magic calculator. It contained many rack consoles full of obscure electronics equipment. "You can retain most of this...except this unit." Howdy said, twisting the retainers on an exotic looking piece of gear. He pulled it out of the rack and disconnected several Ampenol multi-connectors. "What is this stuff?" John asked. "Communications equipment, all bands...It's mostly out of date, but I wouldn't try selling it. Much of it is still classified. Don't know why. We don't use much tube equipment anymore." Howdy said, finishing his removal. "And that unit you're removing?" John asked. "I don't think you'll be needing to send launch codes to other silo's." Howdy said. John shivered. "No.. you can take all that kind of stuff you want.... I shiver just thinking what my arc welder probably did when I first bought the place." John said. "Arc Welder?" Howdy asked. "When I was welding on the girders, hanging the floors. Just think what that looked like to a launch detector? I figure that's when the Russians started watching me." John said. "Makes sense... probably scared the piss out of them. A good thing it didn't happen during a world crisis.. Come to think of it, I'd better report that. We've sold other surplus silo's. I wouldn't want that sort of thing to start a war." Howdy said. John nodded. He was studying the electronics. "God, I sold better stuff than this to startup companies in Silicon Valley." he said. "The government equipment is usually a few generations behind... but remember, construction on this place probably began in the early sixties. This was hot shit then." Howdy said. John nodded. One last room opened to Howdy's magic key. It contained two cots, a sofa, a desk and a large double console. With key switches and guarded toggle switches. A second large console contained television monitors and an array of switches. Two safes sat in opposite walls. Howdy shivered. "I'm going to have to make a separate trip." he said. "What for?" John asked. "Because I can't transport this unit and the contents of those safes at the same time." he said. John shivered and nodded. "I take it that this was a secondary launch control?" John asked. Howdy nodded. "Yeah, we probably should disassemble those consoles. You wouldn't mind a specialized squad one time for that, would you?" Howdy asked. "No.. get this shit out of here. I'm glad to be rid of it." John said. "We'll leave you that second console." Howdy said, moving to it. He flipped a few switches and the monitors came up. He poked a few buttons and finally located the gym. The girls were moving towards the hot tub, stripping off their outfits. "Oops! Sorry!" Howdy said, punching up another view. This showed Theresa sitting on Kevin's lap. The two were quite involved in some very serious kissing. Howdy changed the view again. This time he got an underwater view of the pool. He punched up a switch from the top row. He got a failure alarm. "That's odd." he said. "My fault. Probably one of the circuits you said to disable. My circuit lays a virtual short on those lines I select to block." John said. "Oh... good work. Sorry about that little slip with the girls." Howdy said. "No problem... You're welcome to join them if you'd like." John said. Howdy looked at him. "You wouldn't mind?" he asked, surprised. "No.. I'd have to clear it with them first, as it's their decision. But no, I wouldn't mind." John said. "I'd be green with jealousy." Howdy said. "Over what? Theresa's well on her way to a new husband, as you saw. I don't think you could tempt Sheila or Cindy.. but you might. That would be okay, I guess. If that's what they wanted. The triplets have actually expressed an interest in you." John said. "They have!? Good god... ... how can you be so carefree?" Howdy asked. John reached over and punched up the circuit with Theresa and Kevin on it. "That's how! You take a look at Theresa. She's a happy woman. Kevin's a good man for her. I know you checked him out, or you wouldn't have returned with him, or allowed him to fly you here the first time. Anyway, Theresa's happiness is what I care most about. That applies to every one of them. Besides... I've got a spare available even if you were to seduce every one of them away from me." John chuckled. Howdy nodded, looking at the screen. Kevin was getting brave enough that his hands were starting to wander over Theresa's firm body. John punched up another circuit. This one was the kitchen. "I didn't want to eaves drop on them... just to give you an idea of what I meant. But to watch further would be an invasion of their privacy." John said. Howdy nodded. He shut down the console and they moved on. "You weren't supposed to know about this at all. I'm going to have to instigate an investigation into the other silo's we've sold. We can't have the kind of stuff I found here floating around in the world, uncontrolled. God, all we'd need would be a bunch of Arab terrorists getting their hands on launch codes, and encoder sending units. Let alone the LAWS rockets. I think I'd better stay here until I can muster a squad to disassemble that launch room and cart off the munitions." Howdy said. "You're very welcome to stay as long as you need. Interested in the triplets while you're here? I don't know your marital status." John said. "I'm divorced... a victim of my career. God, the triplets? Are they really interested in me?" he asked. "Yeah, sort of. I think they just want to see what other men are like. Theresa would probably skin them alive if they got near Kevin. You'd have to use protection though, none of the girls is on birth control. They haven't needed it because of my vasectomy. No sense fooling with their hormones unnecessarily." John said. "God, I don't have any. Maybe it's just as well. I don't know if I'd be up to performing with three." Howdy said. "There's only one way to find out. I have a theory about that. I think that men just lose their ability because they live with women who lose their interest after they pass their child bearing years. I regularly outperform what I was able to when I was in my twenties. And I've got plenty of condoms left over from when I had my vasectomy. I wanted to be very sure I was shooting blanks before I went unprotected." John said. "And you wouldn't mind?" Howdy asked. "Naw, I want them to get a little experience before they go out into the world. I figure that you're about as safe as anybody, a lot safer than most that they'll encounter. Besides, it makes the sleeping arrangements simpler. I figure that Theresa and Kevin can use the bed off the gym. If you take the guest room with the triplets, then I can spend a little quality time with Cindy and Sheila." John said. "God, it has been a long time." Howdy said. "Then why not... Just a few things to consider though; One, if they change their minds I expect you'll be honorable about it. No matter how horny you get. And second... You should know in advance that they're Bi inclinations extend to each other. I wouldn't want you to spoil that for them. If you don't feel comfortable with that, then we should make other sleeping arrangements for you.... Hell, what am I thinking. There's twenty beds just down the hall." John chuckled. "Sister incest? God, I don't know... " Howdy said. "Then maybe you'd better sleep in here. We just got them comfortable with enjoying sex. I don't want anybody spoiling that for them. ... Think about what you're objections are though. The taboo against incest is based upon the fact that blood relations mating reinforce recessive genes. It increases the likelihood of a birth defect to at least one out of eight. That taboo probably got extended to all family members because of the stigma over same sex relationships. But it doesn't really protect anybody from anybody. Society's just carried on the taboo. Removing the danger of a deformed child, most the actual damage arising from incest is probably the stigma that society places upon it. That's not a problem for the triplets. They can't impregnate each other. Personally, I can see no problem with them making love to each other. They probably have a relationship unique in the whole world..... Much more unique than you could even imagine... But that would be their business to share with you if the so desired. Anyway, they share something very special with each other. I don't want somebody messing that up. The most damage they could suffer from their relationship, is having somebody make them feel guilty over rules made up thousands of years ago to avoid birth defects and cater to homophobia." John said. Howdy nodded. "Makes sense.. I never thought of it in those terms before... " he said. "Few people ever do question *tribe taboo's*, they just accept them. I *had* to think about them in relation to the relationships I found myself involved in." John said. Again Howdy nodded. "Well, no need to decide now. I imagine that the others are getting hungry and muttering about life in the dungeon. But if you do decide to sleep with them, and they decide they actually want you too, then I expect you to honor their freedom to pick their own lifestyle. That's one of the few rules we have around here. We let others make their own decisions, without making judgments against them." John said, seriously. "I can promise you that much. I'll honor that rule.. I think that it's a good one. I guess I'm just not very comfortable yet about same sex relationships. For some reason, females don't bother me near as much as men." Howdy admitted. "I can understand that. I'm straight myself. I think it's because it makes us have to face up to our own selves. Few are comfortable when confronted with a question of their own sexuality. Myself, I can intellectually reason that a warm tongue probably feels as good no matter who's it is. But I have no desire to become involved with the life style that gay men seem to live. Besides, no man ever affected me like women do. I don't know how I'd feel if they did." John admitted. They walked back down the hallway, Howdy carrying the launch code encrypter. John, his monopoly game. Howdy triggered the door mechanism and they pushed the cement slab out of the way. Once they stepped clear of it, it slowly swung back into position. There was no evidence that a door had ever existed there. "Damn fine bit of engineering, that." John said, examining the area. He got down on his stomach by the elevator and looked at the floor, it tilted just enough to give the door clearance once it opened. He reasoned that the ceiling did the same. "Damn fine!" he repeated. Howdy chuckled. They rode up the elevator to the Com room. Howdy had John lock the encrypter in his safe. He asked if he could use a phone line. John pulled one out of the back of his computer. "I brought my own *secure encrypted* lap top this time." Howdy said. "Can I release the girls?" John asked. "Sure, I just didn't want them to see the bunker until it was checked out. I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't tell them about it till I can get a team in here. Not that I believe... them to be a threat, but I wasn't able to obtain the necessary level of clearance for them before I came here. It's in the works. Those who grant them don't deal well with people who've never been in *the system*. There's no record that the triplets or Candice even exist. That threw up all kinds of red flags. Protection against moles, I guess." Howdy explained. John nodded. He moved to the intercom. "All clear!" his voice echoed throughout the silo. "About damn time. The triplets have been eyeing Cindy hungrily." Sheila's voice sounded back. "They've been doing that since they arrived." John chuckled back, " They can go ahead and start dinner, you can tell them that we will be having two overnight guests." "Ooh! Does that mean that Cindy and I get you all to ourselves tonight?" she asked. "Possibly. We'll have to see how the chemistry works out." John replied. "Understood. Bye." Sheila said. Howdy had been typing on his laptop all the time. John didn't read over his shoulder. He moved to the bar and poured two scotch rocks. He set one next to Howdy and moved away to give him privacy. Howdy thanked him. John sat back on the triple chaise, thinking about what had been discussed and he had seen. "So you don't object to my revealing the bunker to the girls, once it's clear?" he asked. "No, I'd rather that the information of what it contained stayed within this group though. We have other active silo's which have similar facilities. The knowledge of their existence could, conceivably compromise national security, but the codes themselves are certainly out of date. It's the methodology and format I'm mainly concerned with protecting." Howdy said. "Then maybe you'd better not spend the night with the triplets. They might just extract national secrets out of you. If they tortured you with their tongues, you might just break. I doubt any man could stand up to them." John chuckled. Howdy grinned as he finished his report. He set it to transmit and turned to his scotch. The laptop emitted a series of beeps, squeals, boops and gongs while the secure modem negotiated connection. Transmission was painfully slow considering the amount of information sent and the state of the art of modems, but it was secure. First the data was scrambled using a 24 bit algorithm, much like PGP, only better. Then as it was transmitted, random characters were added at random intervals based upon a time synced look up table. The whole thing coordinated by a built in GPS receiver locking the laptop to a master clock. To decode, you had to be in exact sync, subtract which characters came by at whatever millisecond the table told you to, then unscramble the key code. This made the message virtually unbreakable. "Have to get you one of these modems." Howdy mused. "PGP is almost as good, especially if you double or triple encode." John mused. "You seem to know a lot about cipher technology." Howdy said, a bit suspicious. "No secrets there. There's been a running battle on the Internet between the NSA and the scrambler nerds for some time now. I just download whichever technology shows up as the latest." John said. "Yeah, it's a changing world. God it's damn near impossible to keep information in the country nowadays." Howdy said. "I'll bet. You could lay a message in an open book next to a nude woman on a high res. graphic file. Nobody'd notice shit. You could easily blow the image up enough to read the message in the book." John said. "Have to remember that one.... That is my job, you know. Stopping that sort of stuff from leaving the country." Howdy mused. "Not an easy thing to do, for sure... especially when the government leaves this kind of shit laying around. How the hell could they have overlooked this?" John asked. "It was probably caused because some order fell through the cracks at some military command." Howdy said, easily. "Fell through the cracks? Jesus, think about what you're saying. Right now, between the two of us, we could send launch codes to an active ICBM site! You and I could start a nuclear war!" John said. Howdy shook his head. "The launch codes are undoubtedly out of date, but I know neither you or I has the inclination to do so." he said. "Maybe not, but there are lots of people in the world who would love to do it. Myself, it makes me so nervous having that around, I'd feel better taking a chunk of that C-4 and blowing that little box into it's composite atoms. Or at least putting a bullet through it's circuit board." John said. "Can't do that. This has to be returned in a functional condition. That insures against a mutilated substitute being turned into the system while a real one gets out." Howdy said, soberly. John nodded. "That makes sense, I guess.... " he said. Cindy walked in, wearing a terry robe. She bent to John and kissed him. Howdy had to look away as the robe lifted. "About time for dinner. You guys through with your spook shit?" she asked. "Just about. Just some loose ends to tie up." John said, pulling her onto his lap. "You have something for this young *adult* to sign?" John asked Howdy. Howdy nodded and opened his case once more. He took out a smaller sheaf of paper and handed it to Cindy. "What's this?" she said. "Your freedom. You just aged a year." Howdy said. "Huh?" she said, looking at the papers. "Those papers establish that you're birth date, as listed on your birth certificate, was incorrectly stated by one year. They correct this error and establish that you are eighteen years of age. Holding the government faultless over the error. Then as an adult, the second section covers your *Top Secret* security clearance, so you can know what we've been talking about." Howdy said. Cindy read the pages, one by one in silence. Then she took a pen from John's pocket, which had been poking her anyway, and signed both sections. She handed the stack back to Howdy. "Thank you, and welcome to the world of adulthood. You are now free to travel anywhere you want and pretty much do anything you want to. Don't forget to register for the draft." Howdy said. "Draft?" she asked. "Yes, selective service. Currently not used, but it's the law that all eighteen year olds must register." Howdy said. "No shit. So what the fuck have you guys been up to? Now that I'm deemed honorable to know our nations secrets." Cindy asked. "Best you know as little as possible, really." John said. "I know zip now. How little can you get." she said, exasperated. "You know most of it, actually. Guess I'd better explain so that you'll know what you can't talk about." John mused. "If you don't tell me something, and soon, I'm going to bite your tongue off and you won't be able to tell me anything!" Cindy said in exasperation. "You wouldn't do that. I know for a fact that you're quite fond of that tongue." John chuckled. "Yes, I am." she said, proving it with a kiss. "Now what the fuck is going on?" "Okay, you know, dear heart, that little scheme you and I cooked up to tease the Russians?" he asked. She nodded. "Well, we're actually doing it. Only we're serious about it. We're going to do our best to convince them that this is an underground research lab." he told her. She looked at him. "That's all? ... I mean, I knew that." she said. "Most of it. Not all. Bill here has the job of.... " John stopped and looked to Howdy for permission to proceed. Howdy nodded. "Has the job of watching over the Russians, or whoever else might choose to spy on the United States. He thinks that our idea was a pip of a good one. You see, if they are watching us, then that ties up some of their assets, which they could be using to find out *real* secret stuff." John explained. Cindy nodded. "Makes sense... but what do you get out of it? I mean, if they really think that about this place, won't that expose us to all kinds of shit?" Cindy said. "Smart girl." Howdy smirked. "Smart woman!" Cindy smirked back. "Smart ass is more like it!" John chuckled, "Okay, smarty. First off, I'd do it anyway. As corny as it may sound to some people, I love this country. I've done damn little to prove it up to now. I feel I owe whatever I can do to insure that our freedom is secure. This lets me help protect that freedom. But, I'm not all that magnanimous. I do get something in return, which, by coincidence helps us with the ruse. Bill here has just made me a land baron. I have free title to 250 square miles of land in a strip starting at the road and running five miles wide past the silo out another twenty miles." John said. "No shit? Whatever for?" Cindy asked. "No shit! On which I will build a modern living community, using the assets your little company is going to supply me." John said. "Actually, it's bigger than that. To keep consistent with the way the government does things. The strip is six miles wide and extends to the ridge line on the mountains. Almost sixty miles.... So almost 360 square miles. And tax free. Which is something you forgot about that could have raped your budget royally." Bill interjected. John nodded his thanks. "But who's going to live in this modern community?" Cindy asked. "You remember what I said about wanting to help the homeless? Well, my little community will supply free housing while they study and receive job training." John said. "But that's wonderful! What kind of job training? Who will hire these folks?" she asked, enthusiastically. "I'm hoping that *you* will hire some of them." John chuckled. "Me? What for?" she asked. "To run your salons. You know, *Miss corporate mega- millionairess*." John chuckled. "Oh... sure. I guess." Cindy said. "Due to be even richer than you think. With John listing you girls as his heirs, when he passes on, the land will go to you, as he has free title to it. The tax free status lasts as long as the land isn't used for commercial enterprise.. and then only that portion which is so used will be taxed." Howdy added. Cindy sat back, flabbergasted. Tears trying to form in her eyes. Her robe slipped open below her waist and Bill looked uncomfortably away, taking a pull on his scotch. John chuckled to himself and slid his hand over, closing the robe. "God, I had no idea." Cindy said. John chuckled to himself some more. "What's so funny?" Cindy asked. "Oh, I was just thinking; the hardest part for you, is that you can't tell anybody about this." he smirked. "Can't tell anybody? Not even the girls?" she asked. "Not yet." John said. "When?" she asked. John looked at Howdy. "Theresa and Sheila, after they sign their agreements. They've both been cleared. But not the triplets or Candice for a while yet." he said. Howdy's computer beeped and he turned to it. Punching in an authorization code. A message came up on the screen, which he read, and then deleted. "A team will be here tomorrow afternoon. I am instructed that with Kevin's assistance, I am to secure the silo and remain on the premise until that time. The information about the silo that I revealed to you, may not be revealed to the triplets until the team has left." Howdy informed them. "What information?" Cindy asked. "I can't tell you, yet." John said. "You're cleared enough to know that you just got a large addition to your residence. There was a secret bunker that John was unaware of." Howdy told her. "Secret bunker? How big?" Cindy asked. "Big enough to solve any space problems for a long time." John mused. "So what's the big secret?" Cindy asked. "That's what I can't tell you." John chuckled. Cindy looked exasperated. "The secret is that the government left some things it shouldn't have in it. I can't tell you what. The team coming in tomorrow will remove these things. That's all I can tell you. And more than I should. I'll have to ask you not to talk about this, even to Theresa and Sheila, for the time being." Howdy said. Cindy nodded. "Can I see it?" she asked. "No, not yet. But I can show you the plans." Howdy said, moving to the file. It was locked and John fished into his pocket for the key, handing it to Howdy. Howdy removed the plans and laid them out on the counter. Cindy came over and looked at them. "My god! It's huge!" she gasped as she looked over the plans. "What's huge?" Sheila asked, walking in. "My ego." John said, waylaying her while Howdy put the plans away. He wrapped her into his arms and gave her a giant kiss. "With good reason." Sheila mused when he released her. "Sign this." Howdy told her, handing her some pages. "What's this?" she asked, beginning to read. "Your security clearance agreement." Howdy answered. Sheila nodded and carefully read the pages before signing them. "Okay, mind telling me why *I* need a *Top Secret* clearance?" she asked, once she had signed. "We can't. It's a secret." Cindy chuckled. "Why don't we save all this until everybody is cleared. Then I'll brief you all on what you can know and what you can and can't say. That will save on explanations while keeping Bill's hair from getting gray." John said. "Thank you... it's getting there fast enough." Bill said. "The triplets think it's cute." Sheila giggled. Bill blushed. "Oh, my. I haven't seen a man blush for a long time. If that made you blush I can't wait for what they've got in mind for you. They're plotting as we speak." Sheila chuckled. "I blush." John objected. "Yeah, when you get that allergic reaction to vinegar." Cindy chuckled. "Actually, I just came to tell you that dinners ready." Sheila said. Howdy locked up the plans and handed the key back to John. "Keep it for tonight." John suggested. Howdy nodded. He put it in his briefcase and locked it. Then typed a lock code into his laptop. "Can I leave this connected.. I'm supposed to stay on line." he asked John. "No problem. Leave the dime on the counter if it's long distance." John chuckled. "We'll cover that. Budget item #1286." Howdy chuckled, "Now if we can check that the silo is secure?" John moved to his computer and called up the sensor control. He activated all road and personnel sensors and then they checked the dogs on the entry hatch. Howdy nodded in satisfaction. They adjourned to the kitchen. John whispered something in Cindy's ear. She giggled and detoured Sheila with her down to dress for dinner. The triplets all wore skintight body suits with tight, white terry shorts on the bottom. Howdy's mouth watered over them, while somehow feeling dry. They seated him across from where they were going to sit. John sat at the head of the table, as was tradition when company was in the silo. Cindy and Sheila returned, clothed, but sexier than ever. One sat to either side of John. Theresa came in leading a much ruffled Kevin. His lips looked red and his eyes were glazed. He looked ecstatically happy except for the bulge in his pants he was trying to hide. "Have you been fraternizing with the natives?" Howdy asked, harshly. Kevin straightened up, then catching the gleam in Howdy's eyes replied: "Yes SIR. Guilty as charged." Howdy chuckled. "Good. I'm glad I made a good choice. I wouldn't want my liaison officer not to get along with the people he's going to be interfacing with." Howdy chuckled. "Liaison *OFFICER?*" Kevin asked. "Congratulations, *Lieutenant*. You've been granted a field commission. As of this moment you are on permanent duty as my liaison with these people. That is if you don't object, John." Howdy said. "Not in the slightest. I think it's a great idea. I don't think Theresa will mind either. Congratulations, Lieutenant." John chuckled. Kevin was speechless. He stood there stuttering. Theresa jumped up and down and threw her arms around his neck and kissed him hard. When she finally let him breathe, he disengaged himself. Holding her slightly at bay. "Thank you Sir. May I ask, sir. What exactly my duties will be?" Kevin asked. "You will be briefed tomorrow. For tonight, your duty will be to sleep in the Com room and guard it against outside intruders. It contains Top Secret items relating to the defense of your country. You may only admit myself, John, Cindy, Sheila and when she signs her clearance, Theresa. I'm sorry, but the triplets clearances haven't been processed yet. Don't take it as an insult girls. The folks at the defense department are just slow dealing with people who have never officially existed. You don't have birth certificates or a drivers license or even a social security number. They don't believe... that you really exist. But I can certainly vouch for the fact that you *really* exist." Howdy chuckled. "Sir? I'm sorry, but I only have a Secret clearance myself. And my tour of duty is due to expire in three months." Kevin said. "That's been remedied. Your Top Secret is in my briefcase. As for your tour of duty, are you going to walk away from an officers commission? I also have your re-enlistment papers. But don't sweat it. You won't ever see a war zone. The terms state that you are only active as long as this project is active. Then you are released with full retirement benefits. Okay?" Howdy asked. "Yes Sir. I'm just puzzled. That's quite a lot to digest in a minute." Kevin said. Howdy chuckled. "Don't worry. You don't have to sign up until I brief you. Then I'm sure you'll be interested. I would have thought you'd jump at the chance to get to see Theresa regularly." Howdy chuckled. "Yes, sir. I'm thrilled about that part. It's just that... well, I don't really trust the military. I just know that if I sign anything that I'll end up in a hot zone." Kevin said. "I knew I was picking the right man. Lieutenant. And knowing what I do now, your objections are the best recommendation I could hear. But for now, we're celebrating your promotion. You are ordered to have a good time. Should you choose to have company tonight, from the list of those so cleared, that is within the bounds of your duty assignment. Understood?" Howdy chuckled. "Yes Sir." Kevin said, eyeing Theresa and grinning broadly. "If all this military mumbo jumbo is through, can we eat?" Cindy asked. "That we may." John said, "Girls, what have you made us?" The triplets served the food. Which was terrific. Chicken Malibu. John served Kevin non-alcoholic wine, as he was on duty. Theresa stayed at his side, they touched hands regularly. "How much does a Lieutenant make?" Theresa asked. "Much less than you will be. But his commission will be back dated to his first visit here, and he'll receive a nice bonus to boot." Howdy said, savoring his wine. "Pretty good catch, Theresa. An *officer* who gets paid to guard your body." Cindy chuckled. "Who's going to guard his? From the look in her eye, he's the one who needs protection." John chuckled. Kevin blushed bright red. "Leave the poor boy alone." Theresa said. "Yes, dear. Just trying to protect the innocent." John said. "For your information. Kevin has asked me to marry him... and I accepted." Theresa said. Howdy winced. The girls all jumped up and hugged and kissed Theresa and Kevin. He got brighter red as the girls all *really* kissed him. John was looking at Howdy. "A problem?" he queried. The girls all stopped what they were doing and looked at him. "A small one. Conflict of interest. Kevin can't be married to a civilian contractor he's assigned to interface with. And actually, he needs to get permission from his commanding officer to get married. That would be me, now." Howdy said. "No problem... Theresa, you're fired." John said. "Huh? Does that mean that I can get married?" Theresa asked. Howdy nodded. The girls were back to hugging and kissing. John looked at his wine, sipping at it. A tear forming in his eye. He was wishing for a fireplace to smash the glass in. Theresa, as a project was now complete. She was a free woman. Her life changed substantially from the night when John bumped her into the ditch. He reflected on the many moments they had shared together. Theresa caught his look and slid away from the girls. She came and sat on John's lap, kissing him deeply. "Happy for me?" she asked, with trepidation. "I'm ecstatically happy for you. Love. All I ever wanted was your happiness. I was just remembering the past year. God, just thirteen months, really. You've grown into a fine woman in that time. I'm so proud of you I could bust." he said, getting misty eyed. "I'll always be grateful to you. And you're not through with me yet. I've talked to Kevin about it and he doesn't object to my continuing relationship with you, or the girls. I'll always love you. More than I could ever begin to show you." she said, kissing him softly. Kevin didn't have a chance to get jealous. The girls were still kissing him. Howdy felt like a fifth wheel, until Andrea moved and plunked herself into his lap. "Hi." she said. "Hi." he blushed, crimson red. "I heard that you'll be staying the night." she said. He nodded. "So you'll be needing a place to sleep?" Andrea asked suggestively. He nodded, looking into her deep blue eyes. Andrea wasn't about to waste time. She bent and kissed him. She pushed it much farther than he felt comfortable with. When she was through, he knew he'd been kissed. "So... problem solved. You won't mind if my sisters join us?" she asked. He smiled and blushed again. Then shook his head. "Good.. you sure don't say much... but I hope you're not too tired." Andrea chuckled. Bill looked at her. "Do you know how old I am?" he asked. "Nope... younger than John, I think. Why?" she asked. He didn't have a reasonable answer for her, or himself. "And you really *want* me to sleep with you girls?" he asked her. She got *that* exasperated look, she had learned from Theresa. "Yes. *We* do. If *you* do." she replied. He nodded and pulled her back into a kiss. Theresa kissed John once more, hugging him fiercely. Then moved to save Kevin. Alice and Amy moved into line for their turn with Bill. Cindy and Sheila each moved onto one of John's legs. He hugged them and kissed each one. "I don't suppose any body's interested in a game of monopoly?" he chuckled. They all looked at him with *that* look. Howdy managed to disengage himself long enough to get Theresa's signature on her clearance and adjusted age papers. Explaining to her what it meant. The triplets wouldn't let him out of their sight. He shrugged and had them sign their adjusted age papers. Somehow he felt better that the were all now *legally* eighteen. John stopped by and handed Theresa a box. She looked at it and giggled. He handed Bill another one. He blushed and thanked him. They left Kevin and Theresa alone in the Com room. The triplets dragging Bill to the guest room and Cindy and Sheila taking John in tow to the master bedroom. John stripped off his clothes, used the bathroom and brushed his teeth. He stepped into the shower. A bit later Sheila and Cindy slipped in with him. They soaped each other and slid around together. John remained amazingly unresponsive, almost melancholy. The girls shared a look and led him out, drying him. He climbed into the bed and one slid up on either side of him. "So talk to us. Theresa?" Cindy asked. John nodded. "Having second thoughts about losing her?" Sheila asked. "No, just remembering the past year. I'm thrilled about her and Kevin. He's a good man. The triplets agree. They... *scanned* him that night when they... Whatever it was. He'll be good for her. Just what she always wanted." he said. "She always wanted you." Cindy said. He nodded. "So, if you're so happy with it, then how come you're so unresponsive when you have two adorable women here who are just dying to make love to you?" Sheila asked. He looked at their sleek, nude bodies, and suddenly grinned. They moved into his arms. Sharing a three way kiss to start things. He moved Sheila onto his hips and literally slapped at the spot in his mind that the triplets had shown him. Theresa lay Kevin back on the triple chaise. She moved blissfully into his arms. His fingers shook as he sought for the closures on her body suit. She giggled and showed him. He trembled as he peeled it down, revealing her magnificent body. Theresa was tugging at his uniform. Fighting the buttons on his shirt as his hands moved to her breasts and cupped them softly. She kissed him deeply and then giggled and moved to remove their combat boots. Hers came off easier. Then she stripped off his trousers and shirt. Leaving him in his boxer shorts. She giggled. She stepped back and slowly peeled the rest of her outfit off her like a banana peel. He groaned as she revealed her trimmed, blonde tuft of pubic hair. He slid his boxers down. Theresa smiled in satisfaction at his exposed manhood. She moved into his arms. Both reveling in the feel of the nude body next to theirs. "You sure?" he asked. "I've never been so sure in my life." she replied, "What about you? You sure you want to get involved with a bisexual woman?" she asked. He nodded and grinned. "It does seem to have some interesting side benefits... Those girls all checked my tonsils with their tongues. But I'm mostly interested in the main course." he chuckled. She melted into his kiss as she moved into his lap. She groaned and suddenly moved off his lap and grabbed the box John had given her. Later they caressed each other softly to sleep. Theresa blissfully content. The triplets stripped Bill's clothing off without mercy. They pushed him into the bathroom and handed him a new toothbrush and told him to shower. Then they left him alone. When they heard the shower running, They each slipped in one at a time and used the toilet and brushed their teeth. When he finally came out, wearing a Terry robe they had left for him, he found them laying on the bed, nude and smiling. Three of the loveliest women he had ever seen. He dropped the robe and crawled onto the bed. It wasn't a night he would soon forget. None of the girls was disappointed. He put a serious dent into the contents of the box John had given him. When he finally slipped into sleep, one of the girls was still atop him. One snuggled to either side. The worries of a nation temporarily forgotten. "Not a bad performance for an old man." Sheila panted, snuggled blissfully to John's side. "I'll say. Twice each. Not bad at all for an old fart." Cindy giggled from his other side. "Old man? I'll show you. I hope you don't have any plans of sleeping tonight, either of you." John said. He kissed Sheila hard and then rolled onto Cindy. He was inside her again before she realized he was serious. She gasped at the speed with which he grew to full hardness. He barely caught his breath before he rolled onto Sheila. She too was amazed, but delighted. Neither girl got much sleep that night. Neither was silly enough to complain. The last time John made slow and special with each of them. He suspected that he could have done each at least twice more using the trick that the triplets had shown him. They caressed each other to sleep as a gray light began to glow from the tracking mirror shaft. The girls couldn't have talked if they'd wanted to. Candice had found true love in the past few days. Mae seemed blissfully content with her new love. She'd asked Candice to stay on permanently. Candice had gladly accepted. Now they lay snuggled together, sleeping peacefully. Their hair still slightly damp from their perspiration. Sally awoke snuggled to Jean. She kissed her softly on the forehead. Jean lifted her head and they shared a brief, intimate kiss. They savored the feel of each other a moment longer before they rolled out of bed to shower together. Their passions flared in the shower and they left each other groggy with endorphins, but happy as they headed out the door for their respective jobs. The Russian team following Sally and Jean split and shadowed them to work. Waiting for their next contact. Recording every person that they met and talked to. The job was getting harder. Jean didn't make it easy, being a waitress. Sally wasn't much better as she met with a long line of customers, learning their needs and incorporating it into her software. The agents sighed and recorded it all. There was definitely *something* going on at the silo. They had orders to find out what. The triplets awoke almost simultaneously. They smiled at each other and stretched like cats. Then each slipped out and used the bathroom. Then they snuggled back against Bill. "So who's going to cook breakfast?" Alice whispered. "I don't think that there will be anybody to cook breakfast *for*, for a while." Amy giggled. "I'll go. He did me first and last. But one of you come spell me after he does you again." Andrea giggled. She kissed Bill gently on the forehead and then shared a deep kiss with each of her sisters before slipping out of bed and into some shorts and a T-shirt. She could feel her sisters watching her and she wiggled her butt as she left. Grinning broadly. She started the biscuits, now a tradition at the silo. They were almost done before Amy relieved her. Andrea scurried back down to the guest room. She found Bill and Alice locked together on the bed. She slipped off her clothes and joined them. Sharing a deep kiss with Bill, tasting of her sisters, before she moved to the other end to help with Alice. Theresa awoke snuggled to her man. She grinned and stretched luxuriating in the feel of him next to her. He stirred and she rolled into his arms. "Good morning, dear heart. Sleep well?" she asked. "Mmm. Pretty much. Some hot woman kept waking me up and demanding sex. I did my best to fend her off." he chuckled. "Mmm your best was pretty damn good. Five times! And if I recall, twice it was you who woke *me* up." she giggled, playing her fingers in his chest hair. "Mmm.. your right... So I guess we're evenly matched. Will you marry me?" he asked. "Yes! I'd be delighted. But I told you that last night." she giggled, but a tear forming in her eyes. He rolled her on top of him and kissed her deeply. This started things responding nicely. Theresa giggled and reached for the much depleted box. They finally showed up in the kitchen over an hour later. They found a much shell shocked, but pleasantly smiling Bill sitting at the table with a triplet in his lap. Feeding him bacon and biscuits alternated with sips of coffee. Theresa bent to kiss the girl and then turned to kiss Bill. Who accepted it as somehow natural. Kevin didn't seem to notice as the other two triplets were keeping him occupied. Amy moved to change places with Andrea on Bill's lap, Andrea moved to greet Kevin good morning. "So, Report, Lieutenant." Howdy chuckled. Kevin snapped to attention. "Sir. No unknown persons entered the Com room as of five minutes ago. This officer was awake a good portion of the night and can vouch for this." he said. "At ease, Lieutenant. Sit down and have some breakfast. You checked the hatch dogs?" Bill asked. Kevin nodded: "Yes, Sir. All Secure." He sat down and Alice placed a cup of coffee before him. Theresa followed with a plate of biscuits, and bacon. "How do you like your eggs, love?" she asked, kissing his cheek. "Over easy, please." he said. "Coming right up." she said, drawing her fingers through his hair. "Young lady. How was the Lieutenant's performance last night. Did he serve well?" Bill asked Theresa. "Exceptionally well. He should get a medal for his performance." Theresa chuckled. Kevin blushed brightly. "I don't think they give medals for that, but I'll see if I can swing a commendation. I'm glad you were pleased. Well done, Lieutenant." Bill chuckled. "And how about you? Did he perform well last night, girls?" Theresa asked. "Quite well, this morning too." Andrea answered. "Couldn't be happier." Alice said. "Ditto." Amy added. "I'm impressed. I *know* how hungry those three are." Theresa chuckled. Now it was Bill's turn to blush. Amy solved this by sharing a piece of bacon between her teeth. "Sir, Can we get court marshaled for this?" Kevin asked. "I doubt it. I have presidential pardons for all involved." Bill answered. "Pre-pardons! ... Sir, may I speak with you alone?" Kevin asked. "What about?" Bill asked. "Sir, I think you'd better brief me on what this is about. The presence of non-cleared personnel prohibits that here." Kevin said, seriously. "After breakfast." Bill replied. Kevin nodded, in a gray mood. Bill looked at him. "Theresa, can you keep his breakfast warm. I think I'd better go set your man's mind at ease. Or he won't enjoy it. Sorry girls, in private." Bill said. He eased Amy off his lap, kissing her in the process. "Come on, Lieutenant." Bill said, heading for the Com room. Kevin followed. "Okay, Lieutenant. Speak your mind." Bill told him. "Sir, I feel I must notify you of my feelings in this matter. As they may affect my performance." Kevin said. "Continue." Bill said. "Sir, I have reason to believe... that there is biological or chemical warfare research being conducted here. Specifically; The case you transferred from Dougway Proving grounds, a known repository of such items, to this location on our last visit. This is partially verified by Top Secret Clearances, Presidential Pre- pardons and out of chain rapid promotions. Not to mention the reference to items related to the national defense." Kevin said. "And if that were true?" Bill asked. "Then Sir, I must respectfully decline my promotion and duty assignment. As much as I love Theresa, I cannot in good conscience allow myself to participate in actions now deemed illegal under international law." Kevin said, standing at attention. "At ease, Lieutenant. That's what you were supposed to think. I'd be disappointed in you if you didn't feel that way. I can put your mind at rest. There is *no* biological or chemical warfare research being conducted here. That information is *above* Top Secret, need to know. And if you ever whisper a word of it I'll have you in the darkest shithole on the planet for the rest of your life." Howdy told him. "So what is going on here?" Kevin asked. "What is going on here. Is a golden opportunity. If you will just sit back there, I will explain it to you." Bill said. Kevin sat back and listened while Bill explained the whole thing. His grin grew ear to ear. Then he carefully read over his re-enlistment papers. They did indeed state that his only duty would be in direct connection to this project. In triplicate! He signed happily. Bill also explained what all the security precautions were about the previous evening. "They just left it here?" Kevin asked, astonished. Howdy nodded. Kevin shivered and nodded in understanding. They moved back to the kitchen, Kevin much relieved. Theresa smiled that her man was relieved, but wished that somebody would tell her what the hell was going on. "So you'll be staying then?" she asked Kevin. "Yup, Mr. Howdy has me for as long as you want me around." Kevin said, suddenly puzzled. "Then he's got you for a long, long time. Cause I intend to keep you forever." Theresa said, wrapping her arms around his neck after setting his eggs down. "I'm sorry, Sir. It just occurred to me that I don't know your rank." Kevin said. "Technically, I'm a civilian. But my GS rating would put me equivalent to.. Oh, I guess at least an Admiral. I answer directly to the White House." Howdy told him. "So it's proper to call you *Mr*. Howdy?" Kevin asked. "Bill.. Unless there's other military personnel around. Then address me as Sir." Bill said. "Yes Sir.... Uh, Bill." Kevin said, awkwardly. "You're an Admiral?" Andrea exclaimed. "You answer to the White House.. That means the President?" Amy gasped. "Have you met him?" Alice asked. Bill chuckled as they mobbed around him. Kissing and hugging him. "No, I'm not exactly an Admiral. If I was in the military, that's what I would be. Yes, I answer to the Presidents staff, and Yes, I have met him. The last time just two days ago." Howdy answered their questions as best her could. "You met with the President?" Theresa asked. Bill nodded. "Will somebody please tell *me* what the fuck is going on?" Theresa asked in exasperation. "I think that Kevin should brief you. Kevin, you are authorized to brief her on the operation, only. Not the other stuff. Understood? And Theresa, I think after breakfast you should give Kevin a *complete* tour of the silo, including your *lab*. It's about time he learned what you're really doing here." Howdy said. Kevin nodded his understanding, Theresa, her assignment. Somehow she didn't feel comfortable knowing that her man could be ordered about by Bill, or how he seemed comfortable ordering her about. She didn't say anything. After breakfast, she guided Kevin around the areas of the silo he hadn't seen, ending with the lab. Kevin was shocked when he first stepped in the room. At first glance it looked like a row of bodies hung from a beam across the room. Then he noticed that two of them looked identical to Theresa, who was standing at his side, smirking. "Alright. What we do here, is make clothes. We start by making duplicates of people. It's about time you got some decent clothes, so alley oop yourself onto that table after you get those clothes off." she chuckled. Reluctantly he stripped off his clothes and let Theresa strap him down. "Okay, dear. Don't fight it, no matter how personal it gets. I wouldn't want it to rip off that lovely, wonderful goodie you've got. I've got plans for it." she said. She started the scan. He looked nervous. He took it like a man. Theresa's eyes glowed with pride. She was tempted to subject him to the advanced scanning, but that could wait. Cindy and Sheila stirred within moments of each other. They grinned broadly at each other and stretched, almost purring. Then shared a kiss over John's chest. He opened his eyes to the sight. "My, that's a pretty sight." he mused. "Keep him away from me. He tried to kill me with that *thing* of his last night." Cindy cried in mock fear. Sheila giggled. "Hey, you were the one who once told me she wanted her own marathon." John chuckled, pulling her up into a kiss. Next in line was Sheila. Whom he greeted equally. "I tell you, he was bewitched." Cindy chuckled. "Bothered and bewildered...." John sang, "Yup, that's me." "Darling. When I signed up for this, I was looking forward to, at best, once a week and lots of make up love with the girls. They told me you were an *old man*. Now I want to know where that lovable old man is? You've stolen his body, but I know that you're really a horny teenager in disguise. Nobody else could have acted like that." Sheila giggled. "Old man? Horny Teenager? Which is it? Make up your mind. Did I act like either last night?" John asked. "Nope. Too skilled for a teenager... too much for an old man. I'm not sure what you are, but I know I love you." Cindy said, melting in his arms. John tagged the spot the triplets had shown him. He began to grow immediately. "Look at that!" Sheila gasped, "Oh, god. Have mercy on my sore pussy." "Look, you don't have to use it." John said. "Yeah, right." Cindy chuckled, climbing on top of him. Sheila kissed him deeply as Cindy began to move her hips. She sighed to her fate as John guided her hips over his head. He didn't let either of them loose for another hour. "Oh, god. Where's Candice when we need her?" Cindy moaned. "I think, that we might not get to see her very much. It looked to me like serious chemistry between her and Mae when I last saw her." Sheila moaned. "Then get that Trollop in New York on the phone. We need reinforcements!" Cindy chuckled. "Maybe the triplets are through with Bill and will lend a hand." Sheila giggled. "If Theresa can walk, send her down too." Cindy giggled. "Bring them on. I'll take all comers." John giggled. Himself hardly able to talk. "Yeah, and leave them cumming." Sheila giggled. "Come on, love stud. Time to get up." Cindy said. "See if the trap is clear." John said, "I need reviving." "*You* need reviving? God." Cindy said, rolling her eyes. She rolled off the bed and opened the trap. The pool was empty for the moment. "All clear." she slurred. "If I can make it to the bathroom first." John said. "We'd better help him, Sheila." Cindy said. "Who's going to help us?" Sheila giggled, making her way to her feet. The girls reached back and puled John up. All leaning on each other for support. They made their way to the bathroom and deposited John on the toilet. Cindy started the shower and Sheila joined her. A bit later, John stepped in. "Stay away from me, you beast." Cindy mocked, pulling him into a kiss. John began to grow again. "No, I refuse. I've had enough and I *never* thought I'd hear myself say *that*." Sheila said, stepping out of the shower. "Well, I'm game." Cindy said, pulling him between her legs. The triplets guided Bill to the pool. They stripped off their clothes and then his. They were just about to jump in when there was a splash in the middle of the pool. Sheila surfaced and swam to the side. Bill tried to cover up, but the girls had hold of his arms. They giggled and pushed him in, jumping in beside him. When they surfaced, Sheila waved at them from the submerged seat she sat on. Her breasts hanging pendulously before her. Bill did his best not to look. The triplets all swam to her and kissed her deeply, then waved Bill over to them. "I'd stay away from the middle. When that *beast* John is through with Cindy, I expect them to drop in. I wouldn't want you to get landed on." Sheila giggled. "Beast?" Bill asked. "Beast." Sheila replied, "Five times each last night and twice this morning. Hell, he's working on his eighth time with Cindy right now." Bill looked at her disbelieving. "Fifteen times in one day? That's impossible." he said. "Not for our John. Hell, his record is ... oh, god, what was it. Thirty times in thirty-four hours. Worse than that, he made it forty-eight times in as many hours." Sheila said. The triplets sat giggling amongst themselves. They weren't about to spoil John's fun. A mighty splash announced John and Cindy's arrival into the pool. They were surprised when they surface to find the triplets and Bill in the water. They didn't mind. John helped Cindy into a floating chair and then swam towards the crowd. "Keep him away from me. He's possessed!" Sheila giggled. "Uh... " Cindy said profoundly from her chair. "Morning folks. Sleep well?" John asked. "Not much. Every time you made one of these women cry out, one of the triplets would start feeling amorous again." Bill said. "So you had an enjoyable evening then?" John chuckled. "Probably the most enjoyable evening I ever had. Wish I didn't have to leave." Howdy said. The girls swam to meet John and each kissed him deeply. "Careful girls. That things loaded." Sheila called to them. "Reinforcements!" Cindy called from her chair, then slumped back. John shared a special look between the triplets and they all giggled. "I'll say this for you Stevens. You certainly seem to keep your women happy." Bill said. "Uh..." Cindy said. "I think you broke her John." Sheila giggled. "She looks fine to me." Bill said, blushing. "That she does." Sheila mused. Kevin's reaction to the scanning was not unlike the women's. Theresa guided him to the sofa. Later they lay panting in each others arms. Their sweat mingling and running onto the sofa. "Care for a swim?" Theresa asked. Kevin nodded. Theresa handed him a robe. She donned one herself. They left their clothes and helped each other to the elevator. They found the pool crowded. Theresa shrugged. She tossed her robe aside and dove in. Kevin noticed everybody was nude, so he did the same. "Theresa! Save us from this beast!" Sheila cried. "Reinforcements!" Cindy cried again from her chair, then slumping back. "What's wrong with her?" Theresa asked. "I think John broke her. If New York was the gold medal, he did the silver last night." Sheila chuckled. She bent to kiss Theresa as she swam up. Bill and Kevin watching, still a bit unsure of themselves. Bill less so after his night with the triplets. Bill caught Kevin's eye. "Consider yourself honored. You're in the presence of a champion stud. If what Sheila says is true... and Cindy's condition seems to confirm.. Fifteen times since last night." Bill said. Kevin looked at John dubiously. "They forced me into it. They called me an *old man*." John said. "Will you help us Theresa? He's possessed I tell you." Sheila giggled. "Sorry, I have my own beast to deal with. I'm dead even with whichever of you got shorted." Theresa giggled. "That would be me. That's the only reason I can still talk." Sheila said. Bill made a gesture of tipping his non-existent hat to Kevin. The triplets caught it. "Hey, Bill was no slouch himself. He got all three of us twice last night and again this morning." Andrea giggled. Kevin returned the gesture to Bill. "So we're all agreed, everybody had a good time last night and again this morning." John said. Everybody nodded. "Okay, then I don't have to worry about the safety of that team coming in this afternoon." he chuckled. "Only because you're straight." Sheila giggled. "Uh... " said Cindy. The triplets swam to her and did their best to revive her. It didn't work. They unhitched the chair and towed it to the side. Then helped Cindy out and onto a chaise. "Feed me." she slurred. "Good idea, any food left?" John asked. "Biscuits still warm in the oven. We ate all the cooked bacon." Amy giggled. "Oh... and I fired my head cook last night. Her assistant is incapacitated and her substitute is on paid vacation with some oriental vixen. Guess I'll have to cook myself." John said. "I'll be glad to cook for you." Alice volunteered. "Careful, I tell you he's possessed." Sheila warned. "That's just fine by me." Alice said. "Uh... " Cindy said. "I'd better help. This woman needs nourishment." Amy volunteered. "Okay, just stay out of range." Sheila warned. Andrea jumped back in and swam over to Bill, guiding him into the floating chair Cindy had vacated. She towed it back and tethered it, then climbed up into his lap. "How come the rope?" Bill asked, Andrea snuggled to his chest. "So we don't land on them when we use the trap door." Sheila replied. Theresa motioned Kevin to the second floating chair and then climbed into his lap. The girls each kissed their respective partners. "Not bad duty. I must admit." Kevin said to Bill. Sheila climbed out and all eyes watched her ascend the ladder. Theresa caught Kevin's eyes. "I swear, you men are as bad as us women. Everyone of us is bombed on endorphins and we still find the need to watch a lovely blonde climb out of the pool." she chuckled. "Human nature, I guess. I must say I like it. This is the first time I've felt comfortable even looking at another woman while I'm with one." Kevin admitted to her. "Only because I was looking myself." Theresa giggled. "Want me to ask her if she's interested?" she whispered in his ear. He looked at her, to see if she was serious. She was. He shook his head. "Not yet. Give me a little time to get used to the idea first. It's all pretty new to me." he said. "You don't have to do anything. I just wanted you to know that it was okay if you wanted to." she said, softly. "I appreciate that. I must be the luckiest man on earth. My new fiancée's trying to line me up with her girlfriend." he mused. Bill and Andrea were having their own conversation. "God... fifteen times? How does he do it?" Bill mused. "I wouldn't let it bother you, You did just fine for an un-augmented man. Nine times is outstanding." "Augmented?" Bill asked. Andrea sighed and snuggled to him. "Yes. Us girls.. the three of us. Had an interesting experience one night. We sort of merged personality's. You know what a Gestalt is?" she asked. He nodded: "I know what the word means. I don't know if any body's actually ever done it." "Well, we did. Even with Alice being in San Francisco. We were *one*... and well, we gave John a little present. A spot he could mentally touch to trigger an erection." she told him. He looked at her dubiously. "Seriously? John said you girls were psychic. I wasn't sure I believed him." he said. "It's true, only we can't do that anymore. I sort of wished we could... for you." Andrea said. "Oh, that's okay. I think I did alright." he said. "That you did. But you couldn't do that every night. John probably could.. maybe not fifteen times... but at least five... every night. After that the body's limits would kick in. But if we ever get to do it again, we'll do the same for you. Cause... well, we like you. We'd like to see more of you. And well, I know that there are three of us.... so if we don't ever get to do that again... well, anyway, we'll be happy with whatever you're able to give us." Andrea told him. "Thank you, Andrea. I'm not sure what you're talking about. But I can assure you I had a wonderful time last night. I was probably able to do it that much because it has been a long time for me since I did it last. That and the fact that you three excited the hell out of me. I'd love to be able to do that with you every time I come here.. but I don't know if I can." he said. "You remembered my name." Andrea giggled and hugged him. "Anyway... That's just what I was talking about. See, we didn't really give John anything. Just the thought that he could do it... and the excuse that if he couldn't, that it was the bodies natural limit that was stopping him. I think that any man could do it at least four or five times a day, if he only believed he could. "You didn't have any of that help last night and this morning, but you were able to do it nine times. But the simple fact is, that we'd be thrilled if you could only do it once with each of us, whenever you came here." she said. "I can't promise anything... but it might be seldom enough that I get back here that I could probably do that." Bill said. "Well, that's fine with us... except the seldom enough part." Andrea giggled. Sheila cradled Cindy in her arms. She was still groggy, but getting better. "I don't know how the hell he does it... but I'm ready to call Sally if he's going to make this a habit." Cindy murmured. "I think you just want to get your hands on her." Sheila giggled. "Can't deny that.... Did you see her picture?" Cindy asked. "No, but if she inspired John to those lengths, I'll believe she's beautiful." Sheila said. "I'll show you her picture, if they ever let us out of the dungeon." Cindy said. "What is going on?" Sheila asked. "Oh, that's right. John didn't tell you. Listen.. help me up. Lets go shower and I'll tell you all about it." Cindy said. Sheila nodded and helped Cindy to her feet. "The dead live!" Theresa called from Kevin's lap. "Barely. I'm going to hold her up in a cold shower and then get her some food." Sheila called back. All eyes watched the two women depart. Theresa caught Kevin looking again and kissed him deeply, giggling. A while later the trap door to the master bedroom closed. Mostly so one of them wouldn't absently walk into it. "Well, Lieutenant. I think we'd better get dressed before the marines arrive." Howdy said. "Yes Sir.... Bill." Kevin said. The girls wouldn't let either of them out of their chairs until they'd been properly kissed once more. Bill retrieved his clothes from the chaise where the triplets had thrown them. Kevin put on the terry robe while he headed back up stairs to get his out of the lab. The girls waited until they were both gone, then swam together and kissed deeply. They each had shared the experience of another man the night before. The camaraderie of the experience made them somehow hot for each other. Theresa led them out of the pool and onto a chase. There, they made love. "You know, you shouldn't be so cruel to Cindy and Sheila, that's not what we gave you that for." Amy teased. "Cruel? They will tell their grandkids about it. They're both hams. They both loved it." John chuckled. "What grandkids?" Alice asked, from the stove. "Oh... Guess they won't have any as long as they're with me." he said. "Well, the next time you feel like being cruel... just look us up." Amy said, kissing him. Alice finished cooking his eggs while the bacon drained on a paper towel. She'd prepared a whole pound of bacon in preparation for Cindy and Sheila. Suddenly, both girls closed their eyes and groaned slightly, shivering a bit. "What...or who was that?" John asked. "Andrea and Theresa." Amy answered from his lap. "That's my girls." John mused. Sheila and Cindy soaped up and rubbed together while Cindy related the whole story to Sheila. She was flabbergasted. She didn't understand the housing part until Cindy told her about her early morning conversation with John when he'd got back from New York. "You know. He really is one *stellar* human being." Sheila mused. "My *hero*, for certain." Cindy said. "Mine too. You know, this whole thing is really amazing. Russian spy's, high fashion, gun fights, Olympic love fests... quite the star we've hitched our wagon to. It's like a real live James Bond. I wouldn't believe it if it were a story in a book." Sheila said. "I probably wouldn't either," Cindy said, "but he's definitely spoiled me for other men." "Speaking of which, Theresa didn't do so badly." Sheila mused. "Like him?" Cindy asked. "Not like John... but yeah, he's kind of cute." Sheila giggled. "I'm just tickled that Theresa's happy." Cindy said. "So, where are you girls going first?" Sheila asked. "Huh? Going?" Cindy asked. "Yes, going. You said that Bill had given you your freedom, in the form of altered ID's. You are free to go anywhere. So where do you want to go first?" Sheila said. "Actually, I didn't intend to go anywhere... Maybe to town to take my GED test and get my drivers license." Cindy mused. "Well, I think Theresa will be going places soon. I expect her to be racing off to college first chance she gets." Sheila said. "Wouldn't surprise me a bit.... I'm gonna miss her." Cindy said. "Don't forget to tell her that." Sheila said, hugging Cindy to her. They hugged for a long time under the hot water. Then they shared a gentle kiss before they stepped out to dry. They found John in the kitchen, Alice on his lap as Amy finished up the cooking. She'd prepared their eggs already, keeping them warm in the oven with the biscuits. "Thought you two decided to take a nap." John chuckled. "Don't you dare tease us about being slow today. You did it to us." Cindy chuckled. She stopped and kissed him nonetheless. Hugging him with what little strength she had. She turned her head to give Alice a kiss and the girl winked at her. Cindy winked back when she pulled away. They sat and ate, Cindy eating like she had never seen food before. She polished off three biscuits besides her eggs and five strips of bacon. John watched in amusement. Cindy caught his smirk. "What?" she asked. "Oh.. I was just thinking what your figure would look like if I didn't give you all this loving." he chuckled. "I'd probably look like an ox and be as grumpy as a badger." she chuckled. Sheila grinned ear to ear as she ate, slower. "And what about you, dear heart. The girls thought I was being cruel to you two last night. You ready for me to let up on you." he asked her. "Nope.. I seem to recall telling you 'don't you dare!', when you asked me that before." she giggled. "Well, there you go girls. Two happy women. I wasn't being cruel. So it's back to bed for all of you after breakfast." John chuckled. Cindy stopped eating, Sheila looked up sharply. "He is joking, isn't he. Tell me he's joking." Sheila said. "I don't have a clue anymore." Cindy said, studying him. "Yes, loves. I'm joking." John said softly. "Phew! Scared me." Sheila said. "I wasn't ascared. I was twitterpated." Cindy chuckled. "I was joking... we can wait till the troops arrive this afternoon. I can keep you all out of their way." John said. "What's twitterpated?" Alice asked. "You've got to get some more video's in here." Sheila teased. "It means *in love*." Cindy told Alice. "I guess we're all twitterpated, then." Alice said, turning to kiss John again. "That we are, doll, that we are." Sheila said. Bill and Kevin showed up, now fully dressed. They looked a bit dazed though. That was understandable. "Okay, folks. When the troops arrive, could I ask you all but John to stay below the fourth level. I'm afraid we'll tie the elevator up for quite a while too." Bill said. "I have a better idea. Why not open the traps and use the winch to haul the stuff up. Save a bunch of time. You can lift it all the way to the first level and then jig pole it to the surface." John said. "Terrific idea." Bill said. "I thought you were going to keep us occupied while they were here." Amy said. Cindy and Sheila rolled their eyes. "I intend to. I'll just get them started. Really, all I have to do is show them where things are. Then they're on their own." John said. "That would probably be best." Bill admitted. "Girls, why don't you take some study materials down with you now. That way we won't have to worry who's where when they arrive." John suggested. "I think Sheila and I are going to do some work in the lab. Theresa too, if I can find her." Cindy said. "Yeah, we really need to have a planning session, too." Sheila suggested. "How's the redesign coming?" she asked John. "Well. I need to test a few things and make a trip to town. I need some ultrasound transducers." John said. "What redesign is that? May I ask?" Bill asked. "Sure, The scanner table. The girls thought it a bit too personal for commercial usage. I'm going to try to substitute ultra-sound for the fine scan resolvers. I expect to lose some resolution, but what I had was really overkill anyway. Way beyond the tolerance I can hold in the spinning." John said. "I don't know exactly what you're talking about." Bill said. "I do. That scan *is* a bit too personal." Kevin moaned. "Theresa did that to you? Good god. No wonder she looked dazed." Sheila giggled. "The clothing scanner." John explained for Bill. "Oh... All you told me was that you could spin dynamite outfits... cheap. You never told me how you did it." Bill said. "How much time before the troops arrive?" Cindy asked. Bill checked his watch. "Three and a half hours, at least." he replied. "Lets see, figuring recovery time... " Cindy said. "That cuts it close, but I think he'll live. Come on girls. Get your study material. I think Bill is going to need you later." Sheila giggled. "What?" Bill asked. "I think you'll find out. It's time to pay your dues for last night. I think the triplets would appreciate a stand in if you're not going to be around." John chuckled. Amy and Alice nodded. Bill allowed himself to be led, like a lamb to the slaughter. "Come on, Kevin. I'll show you all about the winch and the Jig pole." John said. "Probably won't need the Jig pole. If you have an open shot to the surface from the utility room and they send a big enough chopper, then they can lift right out of the utility area." Kevin said. "Won't that be dangerous? For the chopper crew, I mean." John asked. "Depends on the wind. I'm going to have to move mine anyway so they can set down. How deep is the snow off the side?" Kevin asked. "Two and a half feet, give or take six inches." John replied. "How heavy is it?" Kevin asked. "Oh, I don't think very heavy. It's got a crust on it though." John said. "If we can bust up the crust, Maybe I can blow enough away to set down." Kevin replied. "Good idea. We'd better get to it." John said. They found an area off to the side that wasn't too deep and fairly flat. They trounced around breaking the crust up into pieces in a grid pattern. Then John helped Kevin untarp the helicopter. "I'd better go tell Bill what we're doing so he doesn't try sitting up on the scanner when you start up." John said. "Good Idea. I'll wait a bit before I spin up." Kevin said. Theresa came out wearing a snowmobile suit. "Keep him company till I get back?" John asked. "Gladly." she said. "Come see my bird." Kevin invited. Theresa kissed him and let him show off his machine. Her eyes dazzled with love. John informed Bill what they were doing. He was in no position to argue. Feeling quite uncomfortable as the machine probed his nude body while five women looked on. "I hadn't thought about that..." He managed between his teeth. "We'll take care of it, you just have fun." John chuckled. Bill shot daggers into the back of John's head as he left. John suited up completely before going out, including his visored helmet. The helicopter was just starting to spin up when he walked out. Theresa was strapped into the passenger seat, grinning ear to ear. "Can you tune.... 49.850 MHz?" John called into Kevin. Kevin nodded and tuned his radio. "Can you hear me?" John's voice sounded in Kevin's headphones. "Loud and clear." Kevin's voice boomed back. "Can you cut your transmit power back to a half-watt or so?" John asked. Kevin made an adjustment, and cut back his microphone gain. "How's that.. 1,2,3" Kevin asked. "Better, thanks. I'll stay on the ground and see how you do." John said. He climbed off the pad and moved to the side while the rotor gained speed. When it was fast enough, Kevin checked the wind sock and lightly lifted off. He rose up a good fifty feet and let the machine drift towards the area they had broken up. A virtual blizzard erupted from the area. Kevin hovered over the spot until it started to clear and then moved off to circle around. John moved in to check the area. It was virtually barren, except where they had walked to bust up the crust. "Just about. Let me grab a rake and bust up the part where we walked." John transmitted. "Take your time. I'm going to give Theresa a little tour of your property." Kevin replied. "About four miles back up the road there's a buried snowmobile. See if you can clear it a bit for me." John requested. "Ten-four, can do." Kevin replied. The helicopter angled off. John got the rake and broke up the lines. He could see the helicopter hovering over the area, four miles away. Then it moved off towards the main road. It came back over and Kevin stopped to hover over the area again. This time it blew virtually clean. Then he angled off and flew towards the mountain. About twenty minutes later he flew back. This time he settled easily onto the cleaned off area. A blizzard of snow still swirled around the machine until it wound down. Finally Kevin and Theresa climbed out. The blade barely turning. About an inch of snow had swirled in and carpeted the area when it settled. "Nice job. Did you have a nice tour?" John asked. "Quite nice. There's a nice little spot up against the foot hills I wouldn't mind owning myself." Kevin said. "Oh, John. It's beautiful!" Theresa bubbled. John bit his tongue to keep from giving it to him right then. They would need a wedding present. "Have to get you to fly me around and show me my new estate." John said. "Sure, anytime. I don't know if they'll let me keep the helicopter or how it will work." Kevin said. "Come on. we'd better get set up." John said. They unsuited and moved to the Utility room. John showed Kevin the controls on the winch and how to start it up. Next they moved down, opening the hatchways. They left the kitchen closed for the time being. No sense someone stumbling into the gapping hole by accident. "Theresa, could you rustle us up some soup and sandwiches for lunch. I'll see if I can send you up some help." John asked. "I'll help. Gladly." Kevin volunteered. "Thanks. That would be nice." John said. "What kind of each?" Theresa asked. "Oh, how about cream of mushroom and roast beef?" John asked. "Sure, sounds good." she said. "Thanks love." he said. John kissed her and moved off. Kevin moved in and she turned into his arms. They shared a deep kiss. "If you'll open two of the large cans and get them going, I'll do the sandwiches." she finally said. He nodded. She directed him up the stairs to the pantry. He almost stepped through the hole back into the kitchen. "Grab another loaf of wheat bread out of the freezer while your up there." Theresa called up through the hole. A minute later a kind of shaken Kevin came down the stairs carrying two large cans an a loaf of bread. Kevin looked up through the hole and shuddered. Then down at the hatch he was standing on. "You know. That John's one smart fellow." he said. "Yeah, I know." Theresa mused, taking the loaf and putting it into the microwave to thaw. Kevin opened the soup and found a large pan. He set it on the stove and mixed in the water. Then turned on the heat. Theresa moved down the counter flipping bread out like cards on a 21 table. "That's a lot of sandwiches." Kevin mused. "Three girls, me, Cindy, Sheila, John, Bill and you. I count nine. I figure two a piece. That's eighteen sandwiches." Theresa giggled. "You know. I've been thinking." Kevin said. "About what?" Theresa asked. "About you and John... " "Oh." Theresa said, stopping her work and turning to him. "Yeah... I've decided I don't mind." "Mind what?" "That you want to keep making love with him." "You sure?" "Yup." "And what about the girls?" "I don't think I ever did mind that." She moved to him and kissed him deeply. "Okay," she said, "Just remember you said that over the next twenty years or so." "I will." "Just one thing." "What's that?" he asked. "Just that while I'm making love with John... I expect you'll be making the girls happy." she giggled. He looked at her a moment. "You sure?" he asked. "Yup!" she replied giggling. "God, it's going to be an interesting twenty years." he said. "That's just the minimum I expect to be making love to John. I expect a good fifty or sixty out of you." she said. "God, I'll be eighty-six" he said. "Just about the time I expect you to start slowing down some." she said, pulling him back into a deep kiss. John found Cindy and Sheila in the lab. "Where's Bill?" he asked. "Coward wanted some privacy. Took the triplets to the guest room." Cindy chuckled. "You know, you could cut him a little slack. This *is* all new to him. Before yesterday he was a frustrated divorced man. A man's prone to stage fright. Especially in front of two gorgeous women he hasn't bedded yet." John chuckled. Cindy was quiet for a moment. "Yet? You expect us to?" she asked. "No, I don't expect anything." he replied. "Would you mind?" she asked. "Nope. No more than you did when I bedded Sally." John replied. "So you'd hate it then." Cindy chuckled. "No, dear heart. I wouldn't. I asked myself *that* question every time a new woman came into my life. Including you. You don't see me upset over Theresa, do you." he asked. "Not much." she replied. "What about me?" Sheila asked. "Same thing." John replied. "So you wouldn't mind any of us making love to another man?" Sheila asked. "Guess it really boils down to who the man is. Same as it was with you girls. I think that Theresa will want you girls to keep Kevin company whenever she comes back to visit. As long as you practice birth control and don't expose us to disease then I figure who you girls bed is your business." John said. "I wondered about that... because of the triplets and Bill." Cindy said. "Oh, in some ways, maybe that was a little easier, because they haven't been here long. But they're such little sweethearts that in many ways I feel the same level of affection for them that I do for you." John replied. "And me?" Sheila asked. "I was referring to a collective 'you'. Yes, of course you. Look, each of you touches a different part of me. Some things we all have in common, some things are totally different between you all. I like it that way. I know you do too. The questions you're asking me now, I've asked myself many times. Beginning when I discovered Theresa's and Cindy's relationship. If the question is; how do I feel about you making love with someone you care for? then I think I've answered that thousands of times before. I answer it every time one of you makes love with someone else besides me. Sheila, you have two lovers in San Francisco. You had them when I met you. I didn't expect you to give them up when you became involved with us. Theresa has stated her intention all along that she expects to make love to me after she's married. It wouldn't be right of me to not give the same freedom her husband gives to her, to the women in my life. Not while I expected them to give me the freedom to accept that relationship from her. I do care about pregnancy. I don't want to be a father again. My live is full enough. I don't feel the need to raise children anymore. And to have them around me now, I would have to worry about a whole bunch of things I'm not set up to worry about, either emotionally, or physically. Like the fact that right now there's a good sixty foot drop open to anybody who happened to step through the open hatch on the first floor. It would be farther, but I left the kitchen hatch closed until we've finished lunch. Anyway, I really don't want kids around. Or not very often. Certainly not to live with me. The other thing I care about is disease. I wouldn't want any of you to go out and indulge in a bunch of casual sex. As I expect you wouldn't want me to do either. As a close group, we're fairly well protected against disease. But AIDS is a fact of life out there. Other than that, you are all free to indulge yourselves anyway you wish. With Bill's fancy paperwork, all you girls are now officially legal. That basically makes *me* a free man too. That means that whatever relationship we have, we do so by free choice, as adults. There *is* no rule book. Only the rules that we make up to apply to ourselves. That's just exactly how I wanted to live all along." John said. "I love you, John Stevens." Cindy said, moving into his arms. "Ditto." Sheila said, moving next in line. "Lunch is ready." Theresa's voice sounded throughout the silo. "Damn handy that." John told Sheila. They moved off to the kitchen. A little while later, a much more dazed Bill and three blissfully giggly girls entered the kitchen. Cindy giggled as she set a mug of coffee before him. He looked at it. "I've been through this before. Just tell your arm that you'd like a sip. Try it, it works." Sheila giggled. Bill's arm slowly lifted and grasped the cup. "That's it. Now tell it to raise it to your lips. Carefully, it's hot." Sheila instructed. Bill raised the cup and took a sip. He looked at her gratefully. "Very good. Now don't start searching for food. Someone will place it before you." Sheila giggled. Theresa did. He looked at her gratefully too. "Wish I had video of this. It might make great blackmail material should the government decide to send me to a war zone later." Kevin chuckled. "Works both ways. You didn't look much different a few hours ago." John chuckled. Bill managed to get hold of a sandwich half and take a bite. He had to remind himself to chew. Everyone else dug in. The triplets had gained a penchant for Cream of Mushroom, once Cindy had convinced them that they always used safe mushrooms to make it. They did their best not to slurp. Eventually, Bill got most of a sandwich down and talked his arm into another sip of coffee. He took a detour on the way back to the sandwich and took a spoonful of soup. This turned into a habit and it was halfway gone before he remembered his sandwich again. He was saved much of his dilemma when he noticed the triplets dipping their sandwiches into their soup. While messy, this got everything into his mouth he desired... except the coffee, which still required a detour. After a time Amy moved around the table and dabbed his lip with a napkin for him. He nodded his thanks and went back to directing his arms. "Gosh, I'm not sure even *I* was that bad." Sheila giggled. "Yes you were. You thought I was a mannequin, come to life, trying to trade food for sex.... You told me you had nothing left to give." Theresa chuckled. "I didn't have." Sheila said. "Theresa, have you and Kevin set a date, or thought about it?" John asked. "Sort of. Right after I graduate college." she said. John nodded and smiled. "Have you thought about where you want to go for that?" he asked. "Not really. I was just thinking on going to the nearest one." she said. "The best way to pick one, is to decide what you want to study, then pick one based on that. So what do you want to study?" John asked. "Well, if I'm gonna be so flipping rich, I guess I'd better take business." she chuckled. "That wouldn't be such a bad idea. And the local college has a fair business program. I think you can get credit for work, too. So you've already got a head start on that." John said. "As a cook?" she asked. "No, as an investment analyst. I'll give you references for that. Several of your picks did quite well for me. I'm sure you'll get extra credit for being an officer of Second Skin, too." John said. "But I'm not an officer." she said. ("I am." Kevin chuckled to himself.) "Weren't, until your eighteenth birthday... which seems to have miraculously come and gone." John chuckled. "You mean that we're in business?" Cindy asked. "Yup! Just as soon as I transmit the changes to the lawyers, your cute little fannies are just in front of the grinder. We're burning money as we speak. So get the lead out." he said. "Hey! I just realized, you fired me last night! And then I made the lunch today.. with Kevin's help of course.. " Theresa said. "Oh.. I meant to say: You're fired, the instant you get married. That should cover the conflict of interest thing. Right Bill?" John asked. "Uh..." Bill said. "I'll take that as an affirmative." John said. The triplets finished their lunch and Amy took pity on Bill, moving around she pulled a chair up next to him and began to feed him. He seemed eternally grateful, but eyed her warily. Fearful of any sign the girls weren't yet pleased enough. "Actually, I guess I'd better make a trip into town and get you some course and registration material, Theresa. Hey, you girls can take your GED's and driving tests, now. Guess I'm going to need another two Landcruisers for myself." John mused. "So what's the status of Second Skin, anyway?" he asked Sheila. "Mae's lined up, dying to be your first outlet. The girls have been whipping outfits out left and right for the triplets and Candice. I guess the biggest hold up is you." She replied. "Me?" John asked. "Your redesign of the scanner. Testing and then the logistics of getting lots of unit's made." Sheila told him. "The redesign... I was going to go into town anyway to get some parts for that... Damn, I wish we had another engineer around. Too damn much to do for one person. Especially with seven hungry sets of lips around to be kissed." John said. "Six, Candice will likely be staying with Mae for a while." Sheila corrected him. "Six, Seven. What's the difference... time wise." John said. "I could maybe help you, John." Kevin said. "How's that?" John asked. "With the kissing?" Theresa giggled. "I have a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in electronics." he said, ignoring Theresa's dig. "That would do. College man huh? Well, I won't hold that against you." John chuckled. "Hold it against him? After all you told us about wanting us to go to college?" Cindy asked. "Not the same in engineering.... *Studying* isn't the same as *doing*." John said. "Isn't that kind of a bigoted attitude?" Theresa asked, indignantly. (Coming to her man's defense.) "He's right. I've been around both. On the job training wins every time." Kevin said. "Not always. Best is book learning coupled with experience." John said. "Anyway, I'd love to help. I assume, as Liaison Officer, that I'll be stationed here, or at least be here often." Kevin said. Bill managed to nod. "As delightful as making love to Theresa is, man does not live on love alone. I'd rather be doing something useful... when I'm not making love that is." Kevin concluded. (The last, just in time to save his butt.) "As long as there isn't a problem with conflict of interest?" John asked Bill. Bill managed to shake his head. "Then I'd be grateful for the help." John said. "Great. Just as soon as I get my official assignment. I guess I have to fly Bill back and then I don't know." "Swas....is... can.. start when get back.. Orders in case." Bill mumbled. "I think he means that your orders are in his briefcase, and that you can return here and start after you drop him off." John said. Bill nodded. "But what about the helicopter? The military's kind of partial to keeping track of them." Kevin asked. "Abscond...approppp... isport o deal." Bill mumbled. "You got a helicopter permanently assigned here.. or to me!?" Kevin asked. Bill smiled and nodded. "Big strings...pull." he mumbled. "Good god... what about fuel?" Kevin asked. "Hill fill, charge proj." Bill said... sort of. "I fill up at Hill and charge it to... the project.. Same name as last trip?" Kevin asked. Bill nodded. "How much is allotted?" Kevin asked. "cat blink." "Huh?" "Cart blink" "I think he means: Carte Blanche." Sheila said. Bill nodded. "What the hell for?" Kevin asked. Bill took his index finger and flipped it around, back and forth and then sort of pointed to Sheila, John, the girls and himself. "You mean you've authorized military transport for our use, to fly to civilian airports or where ever?" John asked. Bill nodded. "Is that a good idea?" John asked. Bill just looked at him. Then John got it. "Oh... I see." he nodded. "I don't." Cindy said. "I'll explain it all later." John said, "Girls, you'd better start force feeding that coffee into Bill. The troops will be here any time." Bill nodded. Most of his lunch was consumed, much by Amy's darling hand. Now she worked on getting coffee into him. "Pour him another cup and toss an ice cube in it." John suggested. Alice moved to comply. Cindy and Sheila helped clean up and then came by and kissed John. They headed back to the lab. Chapter 68 Amy managed to get several cups of coffee into Bill before the beating sound of a rotor was heard. "If you'll just get them started.. I'll be along shortly." Bill now managed to say to Kevin. "Springs back real quick. We might have a real trooper here." Theresa chuckled. "Okay, Amy, Alice and Andrea. Grab your study stuff and head on down. I'll be down shortly. Ah... You too Theresa." John said. They nodded. Theresa waylaid Kevin long enough to let him know he'd be missed, then herded the girls downstairs. "Quite an interesting 24 hours." Bill mused, looking at his last half cup of coffee. "How do you think I feel. I've been at this sort of thing for a year now." John chuckled. "You're a credit to the human race... males in particular." Bill toasted him with his coffee. He downed it and then managed to stand up. "You ain't so bad yourself." John toasted back. John opened the kitchen hatch and they made their way to the surface. Bill was all business now. It appeared Kevin had them deployed. One armed solder in each corner of the compound. The others he had split into work teams. He was directing one team to the winch when Bill and John showed up. Bill showed his credentials. And the officer showed him his. Bill checked them closely. "Who is this man?" an officer asked of John. Bill retrieved John's and Kevin's clearance papers from his briefcase. The officer nodded and then asked for orders. Two *armed* men were placed on station at the entry to the Com room. Bill directed a squad to the elevator, with directions for a second to follow them down to the fourth level. None of the men missed the halter tops and shorts hanging in the entryway as they passed by. Bill had the squad wait while he opened the access. Then he directed the first squad back to the launch room. Having them wait in the corridor while he worked the lock. Then they were all business as they began to disconnect the double launch console. Bill led the second squad by the armory. He entered and directed them what, and what not to take. Assigning a squad leader to keep an inventory of each. For the next two hours, the squads were all business. A furniture dolly John retrieved made the task of moving the consoles intact much easier. One armed solder stood keeping the large cement door open. Sensors read his presence. The winch served well, but one solder had to stand on each level and guide the consoles through. The Pantry, kitchen and Library were quite an enigma. The workshop, every man's dream. When the first unit was hoisted to the Utility area, boards were placed under it and it was tarped tightly. The munitions were already loaded. The helicopter lifted and dropped a cable through the open launch door. Kevin guided topside operations. Keeping an eye on the windsock and a dozen other things. It was winched up to cargo height, and then the bird tipped and departed. A few minutes latter, a second one set down on the open launch roof after lowering a crate into the Utility area. Several solders set about opening the crate and moving the contents to the Com room. The second console was removed and lifted, then tarped as the first and hoisted by the second helicopter. It also tipped and departed. A third machine set down a short time later. Bill's aid stepped out and was met by Kevin. He inquired about Bill's whereabouts. Kevin directed him to wait just inside the entryway as Bill was about through. The aid flushed, but waited. He stood looking at the halter tops and shorts. Bill came up, herding the solders out. He carried One lock box from a safe. The officer, keeping distant, carried the second. Armed solders separated them. Bill's aid saluted. Bill returned it and his aid handed him a sealed envelope and a box. Bill signed for receipt. Bill stepped well aside and the officer directed the squads out into the first helicopter. "We need two more *secure* independent carriers." Bill called to him. The officer nodded. The troops boarded the third chopper along with the officer, keeping his lock box close to him. It lifted and was gone, save ten armed guards. Four outer perimeter, four inner and two on Bill, who casually waited. Ten minutes passed an another helicopter came in to set down. Another officer stepped out. Bill met him and they each checked each others credentials. Then Bill passed the lock box to his custody. He accepted it and immediately boarded and lifted off. Five minutes later another chopper set down. Another officer stepped out. He carried an aluminum case. Credentials were exchanged once more. Bill moved with John to the Com room and John opened his safe, handing the encrypter to Bill, who transferred custody to the officer, who locked it in the case and set the safety's. Then he moved back to the bird. The two guards keeping station around him. Howdy conversed with his aid and dismissed him. He boarded the helicopter. The two guards held close perimeter while he boarded, then stayed on station while first the outer perimeter boarded and then the inner. The two then backed into the helicopter and it lifted, turned and left. A deafening silence settled over the silo. "Fuck! I'm glad that's over with." John said. "I'll be glad when I receive notice that they're all separately secure." Howdy said, soberly. The soldiers had been nice enough to close the hatches after the second console was lifted. John checked them all just in case. Kevin tagged along. "Incredible efficiency for military.... god did you see their insignia?" he asked John. "Special forces. Nice deploy job you did." John said, simply. "Fuck. It wasn't me. Those four were out of the bird and into the corners before I could blink. Then I was basically guarded until you and Bill showed up." Kevin said. "Well, if you think about what they were transporting. It was done almost correctly. I wouldn't be surprised if they had fully armed air cover we weren't aware of." John said. "Almost?" Kevin asked. "I'm surprised that they didn't secure the entire silo, scaring the piss out of our little lovelies in the process." John chuckled. "They were told that below four was off limits. The soldiers on each floor served double duty, guiding the consoles up and making sure nobody came up the elevator or stairs. I heard Bill tell the first Captain." Kevin said. "Oh.. then it was all done correctly." John said. "You seem to know a lot about the military." Kevin said. "Just how many days it took me to get out." John said. "Don't go making me sorry I re-upped." Kevin chuckled. They rejoined Howdy in the Com room. John eyed the new addition to his Com room. "A real *secure* safe for your plans and papers." Howdy said from his laptop. John noticed his surveillance program on the screen of his computer. Howdy glanced at him. "Couldn't resist, could you?" he chuckled. "A bit of silo history." John admitted. "I trust the tape will be secured along with the plans?" Howdy asked. John nodded. "I shouldn't let you keep it. But... I never saw this." Howdy said, nodding to John's computer. "What's that?" Kevin asked. "Proof of our performance." Howdy chuckled. "I don't understand." Kevin admitted. "You know when you mused earlier, about having a video of my dazed state? John could probably supply you with one." Howdy said, still chuckling. "We're under surveillance?" Kevin asked. "The silo is. I've never watched them. Invasion of privacy. But a hell of a legacy for the girls when I'm gone." John said. "I guess I don't mind.. if you've never watched them." Kevin said. "Kevin. Theresa's lived with me for over a year. Whatever you did, I have no interest in. My only concern is her happiness. If you were stupid enough to mess that up, then you would discover a *very* unpleasant side to me." John said. "I can understand that." Kevin said. "Good." John said, "Enough said then." "John, would you call the triplets up? Their clearances finally came through." Howdy said. "Jesus, you're kidding. My first one took almost a year." John said. "Rank hath it's privilege. Besides, an order coming down gets processed a whole shit load faster than a request coming up." Howdy said, "Add to that the fact that they were already resident on the project. and well... you get the idea." "Yeah." John nodded. He called the triplets up. "May as well call them all up and brief them, and show them your new addition." Howdy said. John returned to the intercom and called a general meeting in the Com room. The girls straggled in. "I thought you were going to keep us company." Alice moped. "I was having too much fun watching." John chuckled, hugging her. She snuggled to him. He moved back onto the triple chaise and the other two triplets joined him. "Sounded like a regular war up here." Cindy said. "Well now you all get to know what all the fuss was about. Just as soon as the triplets sign these." Howdy said, handing the girls a sheaf of papers. "What's this?" Andrea asked. "Your Top Secret clearance." John told her. "Top Secret!?" the girls cried in unison. "Yes dears, read the pages and then sign them." John said. The girls sat back and tried to fathom the wording. John helped them. "What this says, is that if you tell anybody you shouldn't -which is just about everybody not here now- anything about what were going to tell you, then the government can put you in jail for a long, long time." John explained. "We wouldn't tell!" they said, again in unison. "I know you wouldn't. Just go ahead and sign them. I did and so did the other women." John said. The three of them signed. They handed them back to Howdy. "Okay folks. All the hubbub that just occurred, was because the government left a few things it shouldn't have when it sold the silo. John was unaware of this fact. He was also unaware of the place where they were, which was a hidden bunker off the silo on level four. Now that those things are gone, he can use the bunker any way he sees fit. Except giving public tours through it. We'd appreciate...you're *not* revealing the bunker to outside parties. That translates to *It's a National Security Secret!!* We have other silo's which are still active that have similar facilities. That's why we don't want anybody else to know about it. But the reason for your security clearances, is mainly because of a wonderful idea John had. He figured, with some of you peoples help, that the Russians were spying on the silo. They probably think that it is a secret underground research lab. We'd like them to keep thinking that. The main reason is that it makes the Russians... and any other foreign nation who takes an interest, use manpower to keep track or your comings and goings. This manpower otherwise could be directed at area's that we really *don't* want them to know about. In exchange, the government has granted John title to a large area of land around the silo. He's going to use his own funds to build a housing community on this land that will be directed at helping the homeless. That's his business. Ours, is keeping national security. Kevin is assigned as your Liaison officer. That means, that anything having to do with the silo and the community John builds, will be reported to me by him. John, you asked that there be no government interference in your lives. Kevin was the best I could think of that would give us a communications channel, while being as inoffensive as possible. If you can find him a cot -I know where twenty are- then he will try to stay out of everybody's way. He's not here to spy. In fact his presence will help considerably with the deception. That's why you've had a government helicopter assigned to you as well. If you use it to transport yourselves to the airport, then the Russians will stay interested in whoever is flying. This means a little loss of freedom on your parts. Whenever you go to another city, or even just into town. You will undoubtedly be tailed. Don't worry about it. Those folks are there to watch you, not harm you. In fact they will probably make it safer for you at times. Russian agents have been known to come to the aid of diplomats they were tailing, being mugged in New York. This should especially be of interest to you, John. With Sally being tailed now in New York, and Sheila and now Mae and Candice in San Francisco. This is a great service you are performing for your country. You will save the government millions of dollars. And you just might save a few real secrets that could conceivably affect the whole worlds security and the lives of millions of people. None of you is being forced to participate in this project. With the papers I have brought with me, You are all certified free *adults*. If you do not wish to participate in this project, then the government will gladly help any of you establish yourselves elsewhere. John has chosen to participate in this project. I hope you all will. But you should know, just by being here, you will essentially participate. The Russians will take an interest in you wherever you go, or what ever you do. In some ways this will be a direct invasion of your privacy. If you sunbathe nude in the solarium, then it's quite possible.. and even likely that you're going to be observed by a spy satellite. If you kiss each other on the surface, or in an airport, you will be observed. Your privacy inside the silo should be secure enough. It's doubtful that an agent would try to approach the silo. However, you may be approached for information outside the silo. If you are, tell Kevin or John. If you meet someone who is overly curious about what you do, tell John or Kevin. What you *can* answer to these people, is exactly what you *are* doing. Not about the project, of course. But about your actual business. If you girls are out opening a new fashion salon, say so, if you want. I also have Security clearances for Mae, Judy, Sally, Candice and Jean, Sally's girlfriend. We'd appreciate it if Sheila goes to San Francisco to get them to sign them, and then brief them. Let us know if they don't want to be involved. The same goes for Sally and Jean. It would help if John could go to New York and do the same with them. Otherwise, I'll go myself. But the less I have to do with this project, the better. The Russians aren't stupid. They know my job is counter- espionage. My presence here now, is okay. It lends credence to the project. Too much of my presence will arouse their suspicion that it's a ruse. Sorry, girls. I truly wish I could see more of you. But I might live longer if I don't. Well, that's about it. Questions?" Howdy concluded. With this briefing the magnitude of what they were doing settled on everybody. "So if we want to leave here, you'll help us get set up elsewhere, but if we stay we can go on living the way we do?" Andrea asked. "That's correct." Howdy replied. "Then I'm staying." Andrea said. "Me too." Alice said. "Ditto." Amy said. "Count me in. I'm here for the duration." Cindy said. "This is my home *and my country*." Sheila said. "I'll be going off to school, but you best believe I'll be here often enough to keep them interested in me.... The Russians and the people here." Theresa said. "Kevin?" Howdy asked. "You've got my re-enlistment... If John will have me?" Kevin asked. "You are *very* welcome here. I guess that makes it unanimous. We're all secret agents. I'll be glad to go to New York... If Cindy will go with me." John chuckled. "Wouldn't miss it." Cindy said, beaming at him. "Right away? I've got a redesign to do." John asked. "As soon as possible." Howdy asked. "I can do some of it on my laptop.. If I live." John said. "I can get started on part of it, if you'll tell me what you want to do." Kevin offered. "Thanks, Kevin. That would be great." John said. "He really is a first rate engineer. Graduated with honors. He joined the military because Détente dried up the market." Howdy said. John nodded. Kevin looked at Howdy and then shrugged. Howdy handed John his trick calculator, which would actually work as a calculator, and a list of notes. Then he put a sheaf of papers pertaining to the security into John's new safe and then handed John the combination. He gave him the identification papers to put into his other safe. John did. "Okay, who wants to see our new addition?" John asked. They all raised their hands. The girls giggled ecstatically when the wall opened up. John bypassed the armory, but told them what was in it. The girls marveled at all the food. The guys cringed. Then all the girls were exploring the new kitchen. John and Howdy indulged in a game of pool. It was a nice table. Theresa and Kevin played Ping-Pong. Cindy and Sheila went back to their fashion planning. "Can we sleep here tonight?" The triplets asked. "I need to work on keeping that door open first." John said. "You'll find the circuitry in your plans." Howdy said. After the pool game, John actually talked a bunch of them into playing monopoly. The game lasted hours. Theresa was the big winner. "I didn't think you were paying attention when I was teaching you that financial stuff." John teased. "I really have to get going. I've got a briefing at the White House tomorrow morning at Seven-eastern." Howdy said. John shook his hand firmly. They shared a look of mutual respect. "Am I just turning around and coming back here?" Kevin asked. "Yup, fast as you can re-fuel." Howdy told him. "Your orders are in John's safe." "Any objection to a passenger?" Kevin asked. "None." Howdy said, "She'll need her government ID with her." John showed the girls how to get out, then headed up with Kevin, Howdy and Theresa to the Com room. He handed Theresa her official looking Photo ID. "Yuk! Where'd they get that photo?" Theresa asked. "I supplied it. It's a basic rule. ID photo's must be horrible." John chuckled. "What's SFB?" Theresa asked. "Shit for Brains. But don't take it personal. That's the project name. John's idea again." Howdy chuckled. "I kind of like it." Kevin chuckled, examining his new ID. "Oh, while refueling you are ordered to go to the PX and pick up a proper set of uniforms and insignia for your new rank, Lieutenant. Charge to SFB. You are not required to wear them except when away from the silo. Local dress code... or undress code applies here." Howdy told him. "John, your new *secure* laptop. Here's the codes. Kevin will have to pick up a new disk every month. There's an auto dial directory to me and our friendly Admiral, should you care to drop him a line. The modem will automatically adapt to ISDN or whatever line you plug it into. Take it with you to New York and you can send me scans of Sally's and Jean's papers. I've got one for Sheila coming in too. Kevin can bring it back with him. When Cindy and Theresa need one, let me know and I'll have them waiting for Kevin to pick up as well." Howdy said. "Well, that's about it." he said. "Almost." John said. He moved to the intercom and announced: "To whom it may concern, Mr. Howdy will be leaving shortly. Those wishing to kiss him good-bye, should get their butts up here, *pronto*. Absentees will be noted and subjected to undue punishment of my choosing." It took hardly any time at all for *everybody* to show up. The triplets all tongue wrestled him for a long time each, and then got in line again behind Cindy and Sheila. Howdy was surprised when Cindy and Sheila gave him the same treatment. John chuckled his okay. The triplets walked him out. Again letting him know he was *very* welcome anytime he chose to come back. Theresa suited up for the ride. Military helicopters could be cold. But this one wasn't. Howdy rode in the back so Theresa could be with her man. She beamed at Kevin as he went through his checkout procedure. Checking the girls were clear of the main and tail rotor before spinning up. "Have to get you a portable hanger out here." Howdy yelled to John. John nodded and shook his hand once more. Then moved back away. When the rotor was up to speed and the engine stable, Kevin lifted as gently as a butterfly and then tipped and was off. The girls all waving. "Two hundred feet till due west of Hill, then gain altitude and Identify yourself. Your new call sign... is STUD." Howdy chuckled into his headset. "You will follow this flight path every time you fly into Hill AFB. Follow the reverse course out each time. When you take passengers out from the silo, stay close to the deck till fifty miles out and then gain altitude and report to air traffic. Reverse procedure on the way in." he continued. "Aye, Sir." Kevin answered. He followed the procedure. No questions were asked when he identified himself and his destination. Over the next few years air traffic got quite used to him popping up suddenly from the middle of nowhere. The flight in was nice. The flight out was nicer. Theresa enjoying the sunset over the Great Salt Lake. Her man in his new uniform, confident at the controls. She fingered the new bar on his collar. "Wish the hell this thing had an Auto pilot." Kevin chuckled in her headset. "I'm content to wait... *STUD*." she chuckled back. "Kind of pushy, weren't you?" Cindy asked John. "In what way?" "Telling everybody to kiss Bill good-bye." she said. John looked at her genuinely baffled. "You know. I don't desire to sleep with or even kiss every man." she explained. "Nor do I." Sheila said. "I'm sorry. I assumed you would want to. Perhaps that was an error on my part. But I never told anybody to check his tonsils. You did that on your own." He said. "Like I should give him a peck on the cheek right after the triplets tongue raped him?" Cindy asked. "Why not? If that's what you felt." John asked. "Because he may have interpreted it as a shun." Cindy said. "Cindy, I don't understand. I would have no compunction about standing in line to kiss someone I liked very much, as a person, but not sexually and giving them a peck on the lips or cheek. In fact, I think Bill was taken quite by surprise, by both you women. He gave me a look of genuine distress. That's *why* I chuckled. To let him know that I felt no animosity over your actions." John explained. "You are the most exasperating man on the planet." Cindy said. "Ditto." Sheila said. "Why thank you." John said. "Why do you say that?" Sheila asked. "I love it when I puzzle a woman, cause they do it to me all the time." he chuckled. "I said exasperating, not puzzling." Cindy said. "Same deal." John said. "So what are you going to do with all that extra room?" Sheila asked, changing the subject. "Haven't thought much about it." John said. "You could use the opportunity to rearrange a bit." Sheila suggested. "In what way?" he asked "Oh, like maybe separating all the business and hobby stuff from the living quarters." she replied. "Not a bad idea.... I have been thinking that Theresa and Kevin could use their own room. I was thinking about moving the gym stuff up into the new section, then giving them the old apartment cause it's pretty much livable now. That would give them essentially their own place along with a kitchen." John said. "What about the kitchen in the new section. It's pretty big and set up?" Cindy asked. "A bit too big." John said. "What are you going to do with all those toilets in the latrine?" Cindy chuckled. "I was thinking of getting a larger hot tub to put in there, then building a steam room to go with it. Maybe even a dry sauna." he said. "Great idea. I like both a wet and dry sauna at different times." Sheila said. "Never had one." Cindy said. "Then you are in for a treat, my dear. A new way to make you hot." John chuckled. "As if you need that." Cindy replied, rolling her eyes. "Your lack of enthusiasm is disturbing." John said. "Aww, poor baby. Haven't you been getting enough loving." she teased. "I'm not sure there is such a thing as enough." Sheila said. "You thought so this morning." John chuckled. "That, was this morning. It is *now* evening." she said, coyly, wrapping her arms around him. "You two play. I'll make dinner." Cindy said. "Your lack of enthusiasm is noted." John chuckled, meeting Sheila's lips. Cindy rolled her eyes and departed. John shared a deep, sensual kiss with Sheila. "You really want to make love?" he asked. "Mmm, not really. I'm still glowing quite well from this morning. I just like being close to you." she said. "Then how about we test drive your new security clearance and go over the plans for the new sections. I think the silo's about ready for a rearrange. I could use some input." he said. "Sounds like fun." she said. They retired to the Com room and John got out the plans. He called up his own drawings of the silo on the computer. For the next hour they poured over the plans, exchanging ideas. Stopping every so often to kiss or fondle each other, of course. "Dinner's up." Cindy's voice echoed through the silo. John didn't bother putting the plans away. Despite what Howdy had told him, he didn't expect any outside intruders. The girls followed them into the kitchen a minute after they entered. "Wish you had another elevator around here." Alice mused. "That would be a major task. But I might redesign around the inside elevators to make them more usable." John said. "Why did you set them up that way, in the first place?" Sheila asked. "Mainly I wanted to preserve privacy in the various rooms." John said. "Those trap doors are such a pain, we hardly use the smaller ones." Cindy said. "I agree, I think it's time I re-evaluated the layout of the whole silo." he said. "Just get your mansion how you like it, then you don't like it?" Cindy chuckled. "Different living conditions. When it was just you, me and Theresa, one elevator wasn't a problem. With nine of us running around, it is. Sheila and I have been going over the plans. I think we came up with a pretty good layout." he said. "I thought you two were too composed to have been playing." Cindy chuckled. "We *were* playing, just a different sort of playing." John said. "Well, when you're ready again for the first sort. Just let us know." Amy giggled. They all looked at her and the other two. "Didn't *you* get enough loving last night and this morning?" Cindy asked. "Sure, it was nice.... but it wasn't John .... or you ladies." Andrea giggled. "Funny, the more I get, the more I want." Alice mused. "Besides, Bill had to use those... things." Amy said. "We don't like them. They don't feel as nice." Andrea added. "I assume you're talking about prophylactics.. the rubbers?" John asked. The triplets nodded. "Well, the option is pregnancy... which I'd like to avoid." John said. "Us too.. but Cindy said that we could get some pills that would protect us." Amy said. "Might not be such a bad idea.. with an unprotected male around." Sheila mused. "I thought they sort of messed up a woman's body chemistry." John said. "Oh, they affect some women worse than others. The only way to tell, is to try them. We never got around to the gynecologist while we were in San Francisco. I guess we could find one locally, though." Sheila said. "So that's another bunch to go to town. Maybe I should buy a bus." John mused. "Why not use the helicopter?" Cindy asked. "I'm just getting used to the idea were going to have one around." John said. "Gosh... I promised the pilot of the helicopter service a bunch of business too." Sheila said. "That, we may still do. I get the idea that the comings and goings around here are going to get hectic, pretty soon." John said. "So what plans did you and Sheila come up with for the silo?" Cindy asked. "Well, I'd like to move my office into the launch and communications rooms in the new section. We move the hydroponics up above the pantry and make access to it easier from here in the kitchen. Makes sense to have easy access to fresh vegetables when they're available. Besides that, all the wiring taps for communications are already there. Save me a bunch of wiring compared to what *was* to be the new Com room. Then we redesign the latrine into a spa, with wet and dry sauna's and a bigger hot tub that can hold us all. We keep the large communal showers. Might be fun squirming around with all of you at once." John giggled. "That sounds fun." Alice agreed. The other triplets giggled. John continued: "Anyway, we convert the new kitchen into a bigger gym than we have now. That puts it right next to the spa. Then we move the rec room into the bunk room and expand the present workshop to encompass the current rec room. I move all my stuff from the silo workshop into it. That gives me a real, complete workshop with everything from electronics, to wood working, metal work and foundry in the current new section workshop. We move the library into the office sections in the new area. Then the lab into the old Com room. That opens up six floors. I thought maybe we could make the fourth elevator level into a sort of communal living area, with a little kitchenette. Making that whole floor in the silo into a large family room area with the big screen television in it. Sort a little theater. The current Com room was never right for surround sound and all that stuff. The other floors we convert into bedrooms. Maybe split one or two into doubles. We could use a second laundry room. That basically gives everyone their own bedroom. Their own space. I think that instead of how the master bedroom is set up, we set up a study & work area in each new bedroom. That way if anybody needs a quiet place to study, they can just go to their own room." John concluded. "That sounds like one hell of a lot of work." Cindy said. "Not too much. Mainly moving stuff around. We already had five unfinished floors to do. This gives us two partially finished floors right away from where the library and new Com room were. Besides, we don't have to do it all at once. Doing it that way gives us a head start on bedrooms we need now, for the triplets and Theresa and Kevin." John said. "The triplets have sort of adopted the guest room as theirs now." Cindy said. "It's not big enough for three. No elbow room. The master is set up for three. You know how much nicer that is." John said. They all nodded. "Anyway. If we all pitched in, we could move most the stuff around in a week. I need building materials for the custom work, but having the workshop set up all together will make the rest of the work much easier." he concluded. "Sounds like we're all going to be busy little bee's for the next little while." Sheila said. "Between the silo and the projects we have going, yes. Very busy. I want to get the workshop moved first, so that Kevin and I can get going on the scanner redesign. Basically. This makes the silo a complete living, working and playing space, with area's set up for each. Once we get furniture and equipment moved, then Kevin and I can concentrate on the redesign while you girls move books and stuff." John said. "I like the plan. It addresses a whole bunch of growing pains that have been building up lately." Cindy said. "We'd get our own room?" Andrea asked. "Yup. As big as the master... unless you girls would rather have your own private room each?" John asked. "Oh, we almost always sleep together." Alice said... but a little hesitant. "But... How about instead, we move the guest room above the new family room. Then take stop three as a communal floor for you girls with the floor above it split into three private rooms for you." John offered. They all liked that idea. "That would still give us four more huge bedrooms. Figuring one shared for Theresa and Kevin... " John said, thinking. "You mentioned moving the laundry room into the old gym." Sheila reminded him. "Yeah, get those noisy machines away from the sleeping areas. That way we can expand it and convert the present laundry room into a second guest room." John said. "I think that we should move the stuff out of the new section pantry down to where the gym is now and split it between laundry and storage. Then make a second laundry room where the pantry is now." Cindy suggested. "That makes sense, yeah, and easy to plumb. Good idea. It also gives us a laundry room on each of the plumbing systems. If one system breaks down, then we still have washing facilities. It splits the load on the leach fields too." John mused. "Ugh, please not at dinner." Cindy chided. "You know, that faux pas aside, this is turning into a first rate hotel." Sheila giggled. "Without room service." John said. "So make one of the silo elevators into a real usable dumb waiter. Programmable to stop at any floor." Cindy suggested. "That's a great idea." John said. "Well, it sounds like you two have it pretty well in hand. Who's for hot tub?" Cindy asked. The triplets raised their hands. "I think I'm gonna go take a look at the stars... and maybe a look back at our friends." John said. "I think I'll join you." Sheila said. Everybody helped with the clean up first. Chapter 69 John and Sheila lay together looking at the glorious night sky of the desert. "It really is turning into quite a mansion. I didn't think it would be anywhere near this nice, even when you showed me the pictures of it." Sheila said. "Yes, I'm quite pleased, all in all. I think that the extra space will actually give back a degree of intimacy." John said, caressing her thigh lightly. "How so?" "Oh, easier to find a place that's quiet and private for little *one on one* get togethers." he replied. She nodded against his chest. "Yeah, while still retaining areas for group frau- licking." she chuckled. "Frau-licking? That's good, I like it." John chuckled. "I know you do, and your quite good at it." she said. "You ain't so bad yourself." he said. "You know... Now that I basically have all the lovemaking that I could possibly want... I've come to realize that what's the most important to me, is doing it with someone I love. The sex of the other person seems insignificant to the act." she said. "Not to me." John chuckled. "I know... and if you're most comfortable with that, then that's the way you should be. But at the same time, you understand that I like *frau-licking*. You don't think less of me because of it. I think that's what first attracted me to you that first night. Angie didn't see it, but when you walked in, you had already accepted the fact that there would be women making-out in there. But you didn't come to gawk. You didn't gawk at all. You just casually observed. Like it didn't matter to you one way or the other." Sheila said. "It didn't, but the reason I walked in there, was to meet you." John said. "I know that. But why did you want to meet me there? Why didn't you just call me up for an appointment?" she asked. "Oh, I guess I was a little intrigued. Your dossier presented you as a very together person, business wise. I already knew that from what it said. But I wanted to find out what *you* were like... away from the office. The dossier said little about that. It just indicated the shock factor a typical male investigator would see. Not what your personality was like while involved in that world.... You know. It's funny. As open a town as San Francisco is about that sort of thing. I saw very little intimacy between the gay couples. They didn't seem to be as interested in each other, as they were in the shock value they presented to the world. It seemed they were mostly trying to shock the world.. and that included each other." John said. "It was that way, mostly. I just went to that place out of habit, usually. It was a place where people knew my name, and what my sexual preferences were. I didn't have to explain myself or feel uncomfortable. I guess I was going there to avoid that shock factor you were just talking about... But I seldom met anybody there that I would consider a relationship with. Much like a typical straight bar. Most the regulars are friendly, but usually they don't get involved with each other. I mean the men and women. If they were available. Mostly they would take an interest in *outsiders* who came into the bar." she said. A distant thump, thump was heard and suddenly some red lights came on at the edge of the silo roof. John had told Kevin a phone number he could reach by cellular phone. When he called it he punched in a code and it would turn on the landing lights. "Our wayward lovers returning." John said. "Should we roll the roof shut?" Sheila asked. "No, it won't make any difference. I designed this canopy with down draft in mind. The roof is solid enough in any position. They listened as the thump, thump became louder and drowned out the spacey new age music John liked to listen to when he looked at the stars. The noise became quite loud and suddenly there was a flash of lights as Kevin came in quickly, but set down as gentle as a snowflake. He almost instantly killed power and the sound began to slowly fade. Much to John and Sheila's relief. Theresa came to the edge of the roof and leaned over it, waving down at them. They waved back and then she was gone again. A little while later, Theresa and Kevin had the helicopter tarped over and stopped into the solarium. "Are we intruding?" Theresa asked from the doorway. "No, of course not. How was the flight?" John asked, lightly. "Oh John. It was wonderful!" Theresa bubbled, running to him and lip locking him while she threw her arms around him and Sheila. Her tongue pushed warmly into his mouth and she explored it fully before moving onto Sheila, whom she greeted the same way. Her fingers sliding over her body and between her legs. Kevin stood by, a bit uncomfortably and then gave a minor shrug as he plunked onto a nearby chaise. Theresa moved to join him. "So what was so wonderful about it?" Sheila giggled when she got her breath back. "The sunset over the Great Salt Lake." Theresa enthused, "I've never seen anything so lovely." "I must admit I saw it from a different perspective myself. Usually I hate flying into the sunset." Kevin chuckled. "I'll bet. Hard on the eyes." John said. "I brought you some things." Kevin said. "More toys?" Sheila giggled. "Yup. The laptop Bill had flown in, and a new digital phased array transponder for the roof." Kevin said. "Digital phased array transponder? What a locator?" John asked. Kevin nodded. "A very fancy locator. It has five flat disk antenna's. One mounts in the middle and the other four go in the corners. When I query it from the equipment in the helicopter, I could land perfectly safe in a total fog condition." Kevin said. "Neat. Gives you orientation as well as distance?" John asked. "Yup. Azimuth, orientation, altitude and local wind speed and direction patched in from a weather sensor. The whole thing frequency hops too. It would appear to any other direction finder to be a bunch of random noise." Kevin said. "Makes sense. No need telling your enemy where you're going to land." John said. "Enemy?' Sheila asked. "Not for us. The system was obviously designed for the military. One man could locate a landing area and stake it out. Then a helicopter could make a safe landing in pitch blackness. Probably with IR smoke added." John explained. Kevin nodded. "IR smoke?" Theresa asked. "Smoke that obscures the heat from the engine from any heat seeking missiles." Kevin explained. "You two should get along great. But are you going to keep up this techno talk. While you have two lovely ladies laying next to you?" Sheila asked. "No dear, but you two did ask." John said. "Where are the others?" Theresa asked. "In the hot tub, last I heard." John replied. "I kind of wanted to talk to John." Kevin said. "Me too." Theresa said. "I gather that you both mean in private, so I'll tell you what. Why don't you ladies keep each other company while I go talk to Kevin. Then I'll talk to Theresa when I get back?" John offered. "Okay, Theresa and I haven't had a good snuggle for a while. But don't be too long." Sheila said. "It shouldn't take long." Kevin said. Theresa wouldn't let him loose until he properly kissed her. Sheila did the same with John. Making certain he knew she was interested for later so he wouldn't be too long. The two men moved off to the Com room and Theresa moved into John's spot. "It *has* been too long." Theresa said as her hands slipped under Sheila's top. "So, what's on your mind?" John asked Kevin. "Bill sent these." Kevin said, picking up two packages from where he had set them before they came into the solarium. He handed them to John. One was the second laptop, for Sheila. The second gave no outside indication of what it was. John opened it. Inside were several stacks of money. "Jesus, there must be a hundred thousand here!" John exclaimed. "Two and a half times that, actually." Kevin said, "Bill thought that you might be able to find a use for it. Since your cash flow has been a little tight lately." "A quarter million dollars! What the fuck for?" John asked. "He said it was part of the government mentality. If he wasn't spending enough money, then they wouldn't think the project was important.... There's more available. Bill reasoned that you could use it to get a head start on things till your own cash flow builds from the fashion deal. And maybe continue the project for a few more years even if funding for it got cut later." Kevin said. John sat looking at the money in the box. "A quarter million dollars........ And more, did you say?" John asked. Kevin nodded: "Four times that, at least; per year." "A million dollars a year? ... I guess construction costs could run that high." John mused. "That doesn't include construction costs. Crews will be out laying perimeter fencing as soon as the snow melts. The project is budgeted for around twenty million a year." Kevin explained. "So what am I supposed to do with the cash?" John asked. "I don't know. But Bill suggested a snow cat and a Hummer to start with. Something to tour your estate with." Kevin chuckled. "I have the Landcruisers and snowmobiles." John said. "*Had* the Landcruisers. Theresa's about to claim hers. She say's Cindy probably will too. Bill wants you to equip all the vehicles with *secure* radio's too." Kevin said. John opened his safe and put the money inside. Then he put his new laptops into the secure safe, putting the silo plans away at the same time. "Shouldn't leave them out like that." Kevin said. "Gonna report me?" John asked sarcastically. "No, of course not. John, I'm not here to spy on you. If you think I am, then I'll gladly leave. Bill explained to me that he has to show somebody on the payroll for the project. It's easier to hide the fact that I'm not doing anything if I'm not assigned to a military base. In fact, he told me *not* to spy on you. That I was to respect the privacy of all of you. It was the only condition under which I would have accepted the position. "But my real reason for being here, personally, is Theresa, which is the other thing I wanted to talk to you about." Kevin said. "What about her?" John asked. "I love her." Kevin said. "And?" John asked. "And I wanted you to know that I don't object to her continuing her relationship with you." Kevin said. "That's pretty generous of you." John said. "Not really. I figure I want pretty much what you want; Theresa's happiness. She want's both of us... and the girls. I'm just really thrilled that she wants me at all." Kevin said. "And how do you feel about her and the girls?" John asked. "John, I love *Theresa*. I love what she *is*, not what I want her to become. She loves all of you. Each of you is a part of her happiness. She wouldn't be the same person without any of you. So if I tried to change that, I'd be cheating myself, because it would be making her into something different than what I love. Do you understand what I'm saying?" Kevin asked. "Probably better than you'd guess. Yes, I feel the same way. That's why I was able to let *you* into her life, despite the fact that I love her dearly. Because she wanted you. And the more I get to talk to you. The better I feel about that." John said. "I'm glad. Because I think we both realize that Theresa is going to do whatever she wants to do. And the only way it would work for us, is if we don't have any jealousy over each other." Kevin said. John chuckled. "Don't I know it.... So how do you feel about the other women here?" John asked. "What about them?" Kevin asked. "What are you going to do if, or probably when, they want to bed you?" John asked. "I didn't know how you would feel about that. Theresa's been hinting at it already, but I don't want to offend you... Besides the fact that my main interest is in Theresa." Kevin said. John looked at him a moment before replying. "As to how I feel about it; Mainly that's an issue between you and the girls. How they feel about it is very important to me. If they want to bed you, that's okay with me. That's not the same as my permission. I don't own them. It's not my permission you need. It's theirs and Theresa's. "But, I do have concerns over pregnancy.... and the introduction of outside diseases. I don't mind you making love with my pretties, but I would mind *very much* if you knocked-up one of them or gave them something. I'm not saying you are a bad person. AIDS doesn't work that way. It doesn't care if you're a good or a bad person." John said. "I know it. I don't take offense of your cautious attitude either. But the fact is that Bill made me get tested just last week. I'm clear of HIV or any other STD. And I agree with you about the pregnancy. Theresa wants to go on the pill so that we can have skin to skin intercourse. But if I bedded anybody else, I'd use a condom, every time." Kevin said. "That's all I ask. After that, it's between you and Theresa and the girls." John said. "Are you trying to tell me that you are disinterested? Cause I don't believe it." Kevin said. "No, not disinterested. Of course I'm interested. But I'm not fool enough to object to the exact same behavior I've been preaching all this time. It might bother me a little bit with Cindy or Sheila... that's just the way I feel. But I'm not about to lose either of them over it, if they want to do it with you." John said. "I understand... just like it *bothers* me a little bit when Theresa wants to do it with you. But we love the women we do. I'm not about to stand in Theresa's way of what she wants." Kevin said. "Nor am I with any of them. But for what it's worth; I don't think Cindy would feel too comfortable with making love with you. I think she would do it if Theresa wanted her to, but I don't think she's really interested. I think Sheila's a little bit curious about you, though. I don't mind that so much. It's only natural. She sees in you, the same thing she sees in me. Your understanding of her needing women too. She'd naturally be attracted to anybody who reflected that." John said. Kevin nodded. "I'm glad we had this talk. For one thing, I didn't want you to think that Bill was forcing me upon you. As far as I'm concerned, I'm here mainly for Theresa. I think I can be of some assistance to you engineering wise too. ... but I want us to be friends as well.... In the short time I've known you, I've developed a great deal of respect for you. I'd be very honored to be your friend." Kevin said. "Thank you. I'd like that too. I've developed quite a respect for you as well. Yes, I'm glad we had this talk too. Shall we join the girls?" John said. "Yes... I think Theresa wants to talk to you about something." Kevin said. "Probably about just what we've been talking about... and I suspect that she wants to make love to both of us at the same time." John chuckled. "How did you know?" Kevin asked. "I know my little darling well. Don't worry. I'll be surprised by the question when she asks it." John chuckled. "You wouldn't object?" Kevin asked. "I'll let her talk me into it." John chuckled. The girls lay together caressing each other. Their bodies moist with perspiration. Sheila softly kissed Theresa and their tongues swirled around each other once more. Their breath a mixture of each others aroma. John and Kevin returned. "Now that's a pretty sight." John chuckled. "That, it is." Kevin agreed. "It's all your fault. You two were gone a long time. You leave me here alone with a gorgeous woman, what do you expect me to do?" Theresa giggled. "Just what you did." John chuckled. Theresa stood up and moved to them. She kissed John first, then Kevin. Both sharing Sheila's juices on her tongue. Sheila sat up and pulled on her top and shorts. "Did you two get any dinner?" she asked. "No, I'm starving." Theresa said. "Well, why don't I take Kevin down and help him rustle you up some grub while you and John have your talk." Sheila suggested. "That's nice of you. Thanks." Theresa said. Sheila stood and John pulled her to him and kissed her deeply, sharing Theresa's flavor on their tongues. Sheila seemed to flush a bit over Kevin's presence. She didn't fight it however when Theresa did the same with her. Then she led Kevin down to the kitchen. A tensioned silence between them in the elevator. She shared a look of desire with him. "So did John give you his okay... about *us*." Sheila asked, hoarsely. "No." Kevin said. "No?' Sheila asked, half angered, half disappointed. "No, he said it was your choice, not his. He said he wouldn't mind.... *much*. I believe him." Kevin said. Sheila nodded, thoughtfully. "And how about Theresa?" she asked. "Theresa wants us to. I think she expects us to, really. I kind of think she wants me to understand what she sees in you and the girls. Which I do anyway." Kevin said. "You do understand?" Sheila asked. Kevin nodded. "And what do you think about it?" she asked. "About her and you? I think it's just fine. I admire her taste in women." Kevin said. "And what do you think about *us*? You and me?" she asked, softly. "I think what John thinks. That it's your choice. How I'd feel about it would depend entirely on what you felt about it." Kevin said. "And if I want to?" she asked. Kevin looked at her. She was trembling a bit. He could tell she was *very* interested. He answered her by pulling her into his arms. Their mouths met and they shared his woman's flavor on their tongues. Theresa pushed John back onto a chaise and pulled his clothes off. Then she climbed atop him and kissed him passionately. Her hand moved to his manhood, which was swelling rapidly. She guided it into herself as she descended to kiss him once more. She was wet from her session with Sheila earlier. He easily slipped into her although he wasn't quite hard yet. Her eye's rolled with delight as she felt him continue to grow within her. "An interesting method of discussion you have." John chuckled. "I haven't been with you for a long time. I missed it." she said. "I've missed it too, kitten. But I didn't know if you'd change your mind about me now you've got Kevin." John said. She gave him *that* look of exasperation. "John, I love you. I always will." she said, beginning to move her hips to prove it. "I love you too, kitten. So how is your new love?" he asked, half moaning from the feeling of her surrounding him. She didn't answer as she abandon herself to her mounting passion. Afterwards, as they lay caressing one another she said: "The answer is, my new love is terrific. You certainly picked a peculiar time to ask." "Oh, I don't think so. Wasn't he on your mind about then?" John asked. Theresa was quiet for a moment. "I won't lie to you. Yes, he was." she said. "So it wasn't such a peculiar time then, was it?" John chuckled. "What are you getting at?" Theresa asked. "What are you? You said you wanted to talk to me. Instead you do your best to cripple me with sex. Now this strikes me as odd behavior coming from a woman who's just gotten engaged to another man." John chuckled. "Odd?" she asked, "For us?" "No, for you. Theresa, I've known you over a year. You were the first woman here. In a sense you started all this when you brought Cindy in. Now as open minded as you proclaim yourself to be, you *are* still you. "I know you care a great deal about Kevin. I think it would have been nice if you'd told me how you felt about him before you went and got engaged to him, but I really don't mind that. I want your happiness above all else. I always have. "So, if you have something to ask. Why don't you just spit it out." he concluded. "I don't understand you sometimes." she said. "It's not important. Just ask what's on your mind." John said. Theresa dropped her eyes for a moment. "I want to make love to both of you." she said. "I know that." he said. "At the same time, I mean." she said, almost in a whisper. "I know that too." he said. She looked up at him sharply: "You do?" she asked. He nodded. "Just how did you know that?" she asked. "Because I know you." he said. She looked at him, waiting. He said nothing. "Well?" she asked. "Well what?" he asked. She gave him *that* look again and said: "Well, what do you think about it. Would you do it?" Now he looked at her a moment before he answered: "That depends on why you want that. I think that maybe you are trying to replay the situation where you and Cindy and I got together the first time. But it isn't the same thing. I have no desire to make love with Kevin. I don't *think* he has any desire for me. I'm not opposed to making love to you at the same time that he does. But don't go fooling yourself as to the reason. I'd do it, and I think that he'd do it, because it is what *you* want. Not because we have any desire to do so ourselves." Theresa looked at him. "I just want us all to get along." she said. "We do. I think quite highly of your new beaux. I think that he and I will be quite good friends." John said. "You do?" she asked in amazement. "Yes. I do. Now the question is: Do you still want us both to make love to you? At the same time, I mean?" he asked. She looked at him and slowly nodded. "Okay, if he agrees, then I'll be happy to do it." John said. Theresa hugged him fiercely. After they had kissed in the elevator, Sheila had expected Kevin to rip her clothes off and take her on the table. Instead he had pulled back. "I won't do anything behind Theresa's or John's back. If we make love, the first time has to be with them there. That was just to let you know how I felt about it. Okay?" he asked. Sheila had nodded breathlessly. Then they set about making dinner. Now they sat together at the table drinking a glass of wine. Their desire acknowledged, but their honor taking precedence. John and Theresa walked in. Theresa moved to Kevin and kissed him. John kissed Sheila quickly and then poured himself a glass of wine. He could feel the sexual tension between Kevin and Sheila. They seemed to be avoiding eye contact with each other. Theresa seemed oblivious to this as she served Kevin and herself. "Sweetheart" John said to Sheila. "Yes John, what is it?" she replied. "Theresa has expressed an interest in having both Kevin and I make love to her at the same time. I think it would help loosen things up a bit between us all if someone else joined us too. Would you be interested?" John asked. Sheila looked up at him sharply. Their eyes met and she saw that he was serious. She looked to Theresa, who was surprised at his request too, but unconcerned over it. "Yes... I think that would be fun." Sheila said, softly. "Great. I want to square things with Cindy first, though. I'll just go check on what she had in mind for bedroom usage tonight." he said. He moved to Sheila and kissed her softly. She trembled under his lips. "You sure?" she whispered to him. "Yes, quite. You?" he asked. She looked into his eyes a moment and then nodded. He smiled at her and then headed out to talk to Cindy. "Well that was a surprise." Theresa said. "I'm not so sure." Kevin said, looking thoughtfully after John. John found Cindy and the triplets reclining on the chaises by the hot tub. "Hi darlings." John greeted them. He kissed each as he came to them, Cindy last. "Thought about sleeping arrangements?" he asked her. "I thought I might keep the triplets company tonight. I guess Theresa and Kevin will want to sleep together so I guess you can solo it with Sheila. You want the guest room, as there will only be two of you?" she asked. "Sheila and I will be joining Theresa and Kevin.... If you girls don't object." John said. Cindy looked at him startled. "No, I don't object... but aren't you being a little bit hard on yourself?" she asked. "In what way?" he asked. "John, I know it's uncomfortable for you to see Theresa just kiss Kevin. So now your not only going to watch him make love with her, but with Sheila as well?" she asked. "I guess you could look at it that way..." John said. "How else would you look at it?" she asked. "Oh, I look at it as an opportunity. One... to get it out of Sheila's system and two to get Theresa used to the idea of Kevin making love with another. "I don't think she's thought much about it. She may have told herself that while she was back visiting me, that Kevin could visit you ladies. But that's not the same thing as actually seeing it. I don't want there to be problems over that down the road." John said. "Get what out of Sheila's system?" Cindy asked. "I think she's curious, for one. In a way I guess she's probably naturally attracted to anybody who seems to understand her desire to see women. She also wants to see just how serious I am about not minding if you girls make love with another man." John said. "And in the process you get to find out just how well *you* will actually handle it." Cindy pointed out. "There is that..." John said. "Well, dear heart. I certainly don't have any objections. You won't be making love to anybody you haven't been before. But I still think that you're being hard on yourself." she said, kissing him on the cheek. "I'm a big boy. I'll be fine." John said. "Okay, the girls and I will take the guest room. We won't need the extra room as I think we'll just be sleeping." Cindy said. "Are you going to make love with Kevin?" Alice asked. "No dear. But Theresa wants to know what it's like to make love to both of us. I think Sheila wants to know what Kevin's like. So I think that we will both make love to her at the same time too." John replied. "How can you both make love to her at the same time?" Amy asked. "You know, front and back." Andrea teased. Amy blushed bright red. "Oh..." she said. "I'm not sure just how we will go about it. Kevin had a pretty hard night of it last night." John said. "Oh, and you didn't?" Cindy chuckled. "So maybe both of them will be disappointed." John shrugged. "So kiss us good night.. and have fun." Cindy said, pulling him to her. He kissed them all equally. He found Sheila sitting in Kevin's lap when he returned to the kitchen. Theresa seemed unconcerned. John picked her up and sat down, with Theresa on his lap. "Okay, we get the master bedroom. Cindy's going to be sleeping with the triplets. I think they are pretty tired anyway." John said. "Gosh, I wonder why?" Sheila giggled. "I think someone wore them out." Theresa giggled. "Shall we turn in?" John suggested, ignoring them. There was an uncomfortable moment. But Theresa got up, tugging at John's arm. Sheila shrugged and did the same to Kevin. Once in the bedroom things progressed slowly. With Sheila and Theresa making a start of it. It went better than expected. With both men making love to each woman several times. Doubling up at least once on each of them. Their trepidation and inhibitions forgotten somewhere in the night. In the morning they each slipped out to the bathroom and shower. Then they dressed and moved to the kitchen. The triplets were up and had biscuits ready. They were brimming with embarrassing questions which John, Kevin and the girls fielded nonchalantly. The girls figured it was no big deal, so the incident was forgotten. It did have a profound effect upon the men, however. Somehow they seemed much more comfortable around each other. Neither seemed to notice when one of the women would kiss the other one. When Cindy made her way into the kitchen, Sheila was sitting on John's lap, feeding him bites of her biscuit. Theresa and Kevin were in a similar position. She moved about greeting them all good morning and then sat as Amy placed a cup of coffee before her, collecting a second kiss for her reward. Cindy studied the other four at the table as she sipped her coffee. The mood seemed light enough. She shrugged and tore into a biscuit. Later she gave John a hand transferring things to his new office. She cornered him finally and asked: "So it went well then?" "As well as could be expected." he said. "So tell me about it." she said. "Not much to tell. Kevin and I fulfilled Theresa's wish. We did the same for Sheila." John said. "And you're alright?" Cindy asked. "Yes, actually. I think Kevin is too. The women seemed ecstatic about it... last night." John said. "But not this morning?" she asked. "No... they didn't seem unhappy about it. But I doubt that either of them has any desire to do it again." he said. "And how do you feel about it?" she asked. "I enjoyed myself. I think it helped ease the tension we were all feeling... but I don't have any desire to repeat it. There was a distinct lack of intimacy, which is what I prefer." he said. "I know you do... I do too. So there's no reason you'd want me to do the same with you and Kevin?" Cindy asked. John looked at her in surprise. "No. Not for me. If you wanted to, then I would happily do it for you." he said. She shook her head. "No, I don't want to. I don't have any desire to sleep with Kevin. He's a nice guy and I'm happy for Theresa. But you are the only man I'm interested in." she said. He pulled her to him and kissed her deeply. They made love atop his new desk. John found the intimacy he'd missed the previous night. Chapter 70 Cindy sighed on the airplane. John worked quietly next to her on his laptop. They were on their way to New York City. Sally, alerted to their coming, would meet them at the airport. Cindy was nervous. The session with John and Kevin and the two women hadn't driven any wedges between them. But Cindy had John increasingly to herself. Quite often Sheila would opt to spend the night with Theresa and Kevin. The triplets less so. Their first session with Kevin and Theresa had left Kevin a virtual zombie. He seemed reluctant to repeat it. Kevin and Cindy's relationship was cordial, but that was all. He sensed her reticence and made no advances towards her. She felt comfortable around him, even when they were both nude. But her interest remained focused on John. She lay her head upon his arm. This was the first time they had been out together as a couple without trying to disguise their relationship. She reveled in the sense of freedom she felt. In her purse was her new drivers license. Her GED would likely be waiting for her on her return. She felt she had done very well on the test. All this had occurred in just a few days. John closed his laptop and put it away in his briefcase, locking it. It was a long flight. It was night. John killed the overhead light and they snuggled together as best they could in the wide, first class seats. Catching a little nap. The stewardess gently prodded them when it was time to prepare for landing. Wondering a bit at the Spring- September romance the two of them were obviously involved in. She was the same stewardess who had tended to John in his zombie condition on his last trip out of New York. Cindy wished she hadn't slept. She was groggy and wanted to check her makeup. After the plane stopped and shut down, she slipped into the bathroom and splashed herself with cold water and touched up her face. She sighed looking in the mirror. She was lovely. But she didn't feel it. They exited the plane and found Sally and Jean waiting for them. Sally launched herself at John and caught him around the neck with a giant hug. John swung her around and kissed her deeply. Cindy feeling very insecure and more than a touch of jealousy. This quickly evaporated though, when her eyes met Sally's. She was gorgeous. Cindy felt an instant wave of desire sweep over her. She could tell from Sally's eyes that the feeling was mutual. "So you're the woman whom he was so anxious to get back to last time. I can see why." Sally said, holding Cindy's eyes. "And you're the one who sent him back to me in a zombie state... and I can see why." Cindy said, returning the compliment graciously. She moved to Sally and hugged her. She hugged back warmly. John moved on to hug Jean and give her a kiss. "I see you've been taking good care of our girl." he said. "I think it's a toss up as to who's been caring for whom." Jean chuckled. "Come on, lets get your bags. Jean and I have been having loads of fun spending your money." Sally said. "So you were able to find us an apartment?" John asked. "Right across the hall from us." Sally said, with a devilish look in her eye. "Oh, god! We're in trouble now." John chuckled. "Only if you want to be." Sally said, looking right at Cindy. Cindy blushed. Sally took her arm and Jean took John's as they moved to the baggage claim. They retrieved their bags and Jean flagged a cab. She rode up front. Sally sat between John and Cindy. Her hands each rested on a leg. The guard helped them carry the bags up to their new apartment. John was surprised that he remembered him. The guard rolled his eyes to himself. Wondering a bit at the lovely girl with him. Keeping his questions to himself. Sally and Jean had done an excellent job of furnishing the apartment. Right down to an identical large four posted bed as the one in her own apartment. Cindy looked up at the canopy and chuckled. Sally showed her around her own apartment. Cindy seeing all the spots that John had described so vividly upon his return.... once she got him talking again. Sally seemed to sense Cindy's mood. She pulled her to her and kissed her tenderly. Cindy returned the kiss with growing passion. "I'm glad you feel that way too. I wouldn't want anything between us that might spoil it for John." Sally said, holding her against her. "My thoughts exactly. I think we're going to be great friends." Cindy said, pulling her back into a deeper kiss. John and Jean walked in, his arm around her waist. "My, my... she's found another victim." John chuckled. "Thank god, I can use the rest." Jean chuckled. "I get the feeling none of us will get much of that." Cindy said, still in Sally's arms. "A drink before dinner?" Sally asked, giving Cindy a squeeze and then disengaging herself. "Sure, I could use one after the flight." John said. Sally poured him a scotch rocks... his favorite brand. "What for you, Cindy?" she asked. "Some white wine, please." she said. Sally nodded and poured three glasses of wine. Handing one each to Cindy and Jean. They sat back on the plush sofa and love seat. Cindy sharing the love seat with Sally. John retrieved his briefcase. "If you ladies will kindly look these over and sign... Please hold your questions for later. I'll explain it all... but not here." John said. Sally nodded and took the papers. Jean as well. They started reading. Jean looked up sharply from her reading, but John stopped her question with a look. Sally read and signed. Jean finished reading and signed hers, neither understanding the reason for them needing Top Secret clearances. Once they had signed, John removed and handed each of them their government ID's. They each examined them curiously. John took out his laptop and called up a file. "Now, that done. You may read what is written here. Please do so without comment." he said, cryptically. The two women crowded around the lap top and read the file. Each looking more startled the more they read. Finally they sat back aghast over what they had read. "So now you know. I trust you understand what you have read?" John asked. They both nodded. "And without discussing it... here. Are you two interested in continuing your involvement... in the project?" John asked. Sally and Jean looked at each other, then at John and Cindy. It was all so sudden. Sally had thought that her trip to the embassy was a fun joke, but she never dreamed she would be involved in international intrigue. She thought about what she had read.. and about John and what he had done for her. She nodded. "Yes." she said. Jean looked at her, still aghast. She considered the ramifications of what she had read. She loved her country too. She nodded and said: "Yes" as well. "Great! Do either of you wish to re-read this before I wipe it?" he asked. Jean raised her hand. John turned the lap top to her. She carefully reread the whole file. Then John wiped it and "*washed*" his drive. Doing a DOD double overwrite. John motioned them to follow him. They did so silently. They entered his new apartment, which had been leased just two days before. The bedroom windows were heavily curtained. He turned on the shower and let it run. Then he turned on the kitchen sink and added a radio. "Okay" he said quietly, forcing the girls to listen closely. "Any questions? Without getting too specific." "God, I had no idea. You mean I'm still being followed?" Sally asked, quietly. John nodded. "Well they must have gotten better, because I haven't noticed anything." she said. "Why me?" Jean asked, "I mean, what do I have to do with this?" "You're Sally's lover. If they're watching her, they'll probably be watching you too." John explained. "So what do you want us to do?" Sally asked. "Nothing." he replied. "Nothing?" Jean asked, suspiciously. "Nothing. Just go on about your business. That's the whole idea." John said. "So why all this rigmarole." Jean asked. "Government paranoia for one... but with good reason. This is serious stuff. It could have a profound affect upon national security." John said. "So why tell us anything? Why not just let us go on being ignorant?" Sally asked. "That would be unethical." John said. Sally nodded. She understood John's ethics very well. "And if we didn't want to be involved?" Jean asked. "Then the government would re-locate you and get you started elsewhere under a new name." John said. The ramifications of this seemed to sink in. That would be a very expensive task. John opened his suitcase and took out two packages. "Your new laptop. Use it whenever you communicate with me from now on. Memorize this and destroy it." he said, handing Sally a card from his wallet containing entry codes for the laptop. "And send what? If I understand correctly... What would I need to send you?" she asked. "Letters like your last one. All the photo's you want like those last ones. They were *real* popular around the silo. Send me menu's from your favorite new restaurant. Anything... the point is that you will be sending me stuff... " John said, getting as specific as he dared. Sally seemed to get it. Her mouth moved into an expression of: "OH!" as she nodded. "Speaking of which, can I use your scanner? I need to send copies of those papers you signed... to somebody." he said. Sally nodded. Jean still had questions, but Sally said she would explain later, elsewhere. John handed Sally the other package. She opened it and stopped, her mouth agape. "Don't put it in the bank." he said. "What's it for?" she asked, counting the large stack of bills. "Whatever. Don't report it, don't put it in the bank and don't get too flashy." he said. "Where do I keep it then?" she asked. "Anywhere you want." he said. "But what if it gets stolen." she asked. "Then it will be replaced. If you put it in the bank, it will just flag the IRS. That would just cause unneeded questions." he said. "I still don't understand what it's for?" she said. "Consider it salary for services... and expenses. Like flying out to the silo for a weekend to be fitted for a custom wardrobe... which is also included." John said. "I get to see the silo?" she exclaimed, loudly. John winced. "Oops! Sorry." she whispered. John nodded. She continued to count. "Jesus, John. There's fifty thousand dollars here." she said quietly. "Twenty five for each of you. Which is little enough for what you're doing." he said. She looked at the money and considered her life the past few months. Tears rolled down her cheeks. He pulled her to him and she sobbed against him. Jean was crying too. Cindy pulled her to her and kissed her softly. "How about you two buy us dinner... after I use your scanner?" John asked, finally. Sally nodded. "I guess we can swing that on our meager budget." she grinned. John sent encrypted copies of the girls papers to Howdy's E-mail. While Cindy and the others changed for dinner. Sally was floored by Cindy's outfit. A stunning evening gown that fit her like a paint job. Complete with custom matched knit stockings. The pattern consistent from head to toe. "I'll make you one when you come visit us." Cindy chuckled. Sally donned her best outfit from Mr. Moore's salon. A dress she had picked up after John had left. She pulled it over her favorite green lingerie. She was stunning. She felt underdressed compared to Cindy. Jean picked a nice outfit that did a very good job of showing her ample assets. John changed into a suit that the girls had tailored for him. He didn't bother with a coat, even though it was still winter. Cindy only added a light wrap. "You two will freeze, dressed like that!" Sally said. John chuckled and shook his head. Cindy told Sally about the thermal property's of the material. "Ye gods! You're going to be mega-millionaires." Sally said. "Not unless this guy gets off his duff and finishes the re-design for the scanner." Cindy teased. They went out to the nicest restaurant in town, without a reservation. They didn't need one. The Maitre D' took one look at their clothing and found them a table immediately. John slipped him a fifty for his trouble. As he led them to their table a hush fell over the room. All eyes followed Cindy's outfit. The other two women weren't exactly shabby either. John brimmed with pride. As it had with Sheila, Mae and the girls in San Francisco, conversation started back up as excited whispers. The dinner was outstanding. Over food so rich a bite would sustain an Ethiopian for a week, John and the girls talked about Sally's progress at work. The manager was thrilled to death with her. She had gotten a raise already. Jean remained quiet, not considering her profession worthy of discussion. Cindy was having none of that. She engaged her in a conversation about club sandwiches, which John loved. Cindy looked back and forth between Jean and Sally, then whispered something in John's ear. He nodded and smiled. When he didn't say anything Cindy whispered another question. "It's your company. I'm just an engineer." John said aloud. Cindy looked at him exasperated. Then turned to the others. "What we were talking about.... and John was referring to... Was our company that made this outfit. We're going to need an outlet here... In fact I expect it to be one of our busiest. Gauging from the response here tonight, I don't doubt it. What I'm getting at, is that we need someone to run it. Would you two be interested?" Cindy asked. "God, are you serious?" Sally asked, aghast. "Very." Cindy replied. "God, I don't know. I don't have the experience yet." Sally said. "And I have none at all." Jean added. "That's not true, Jean. You have good customer service skills that are hard to find. Sally, you've shown yourself to be a competent administrator of a fashion house. We have a woman in San Francisco who could easily teach each of you what you need to know about the rest." Cindy said. "I'm not so sure my customer skills are all that good. John probably didn't think so the first night I served him." Jean said, dropping her eyes. "That's not so. I was very impressed with the fact that you apologized. That took courage and great strength of character." John said. Jean got misty eyed. "So are you interested, or not?" Cindy asked. "Of course. If you really want us." Sally said. "Then it's settled. We can't pay you much to start with, but I think your commission's will grow very quickly. When can you start?" Cindy asked. "I'd like to finish what I'm doing where I work now. He's been good to me. I feel I owe him that." Sally said. "That's fine. It will take us a while to get up to speed. We haven't got the machines yet." Cindy said, looking to John. "As soon as we get back. I think Kevin's working on it right now." John said. "Kevin?" Sally asked. "Theresa's fiancée." Cindy said. "Theresa's fiancée? I thought she was your girlfriend, John?" Sally asked, confused. "She is... a long story. I'll explain later." Cindy chuckled. "May I make a suggestion?" John asked Sally. "Of course, anytime." she said, meaning it. "Not that kind... Well maybe later. I was going to suggest that you consider talking to Mr. Moore after you come out for your fittings. Just wear an outfit like Cindy's in when you see him. I'm sure he'd be interested in coming in with you. He can probably fill you in on the fashion business as well as Mae could. Mae's the woman in San Francisco." John said. "That's a good idea. Yes, he certainly understands making a customer happy." Sally said. "Who's this Mr. Moore?" Cindy asked. "He runs the salon that made this dress. He was falling all over himself to make us happy... cause John walked out on bad service earlier." Sally said. "If you got bad service, why consider him at all?" Cindy asked. "We didn't get bad service when we went in. In fact I don't ever recall getting that good of service anywhere else. He had a bad employee that gave bad service to John when he first went in. John walked out on it, but not before he notified Mr. Moore of why. I think he let that person go." Sally explained. "She was cleaning out her desk when I passed by later that day." John added. "Well, you can hire whomever you feel comfortable with, as you need them. But we're going to need very trustworthy people. The more ethical, the better." Cindy said. "I think I understand John's penchant for ethics fairly well." Sally giggled. "That must be why we love him so." Cindy said, kissing his cheek. "One of the reasons." Sally said, distantly. Recalling his first visit. "Could I offer you folks some desert?" the Maitre D' inquired. "Yes, I'd like a slice of cheese cake and French roast coffee, with Frangelico." John ordered. "Certainly, an excellent choice, Sir. And you ladies?" he inquired. "Ooh, that sounds good. I'll have the same." Cindy said. "Me too." Jean said. "Make it unanimous." Sally said. The Maitre D' eyed Sally and Cindy, pondering their ages. He shrugged. They'd had wine with dinner. Their outfits certainly presented them as something other than the vice squad. Besides, the hot coffee would soon evaporate what little alcohol the drinks contained. He excused himself and went to see to their order. The coffee was almost as rich and decadent as the cheese cake, which was outstanding. John had a second cup as they sat back relaxing. The Maitre D' brought him the tab. Sally snatched it up. "My treat, remember?" she said. Then fighting the shock of how much a gourmet meal for four cost in New York City, she laid three hundred dollars on the tray. John glanced at the total and added another fifty. "That's almost a hundred dollar tip!" Sally said. "And well worth it for the service we've received. Besides.. that's show for our friends sitting over in the corner... don't look." John said, his hand over his mouth. The Maitre D' returned and smiled over the amount laying on the tray. "Could we get a receipt, please." John asked. "Certainly Sir, including gratuity?" he asked. "Yes, please. If it's not too much bother." John said. "No problem. I'll be right back." he said. "Appearances?" Jean asked as a single word, her back to the corner table. John nodded. The Maitre D' returned with his receipt. Sally put it in her clutch purse (as she had paid). Then they all stood to leave. Once again the restaurant fell quiet. John stretched his arms out and with two women on one and one on the other they walked out. The corner table frantically flagging for their check. John made it easy on them as they enjoyed the brisk night air while they waited for the door man to flag a taxi. He kissed Sally deeply to thank her for the meal. Then the other girls in turn. The doorman eyeing him enviously. They all climbed into the back when a taxi pulled over. It didn't seem crowded. They returned to their apartment building. John guiding them into his new apartment. Figuring he would enjoy the relative privacy while it lasted. Two days were *probably* not enough time for agents to have bugged it. At least in the guarded building. Sally put on a pot of coffee in his kitchen. Cindy solved his mild dilemma when she pulled Jean into her lap and shared a deep kiss. John pulled Sally onto his. They shared a passionate kiss. "God, I've missed you." she said, hoarsely. "I've missed you too." he said. "Not too much, from what you've written me of your exploits." Sally giggled. "Nor you either, from what you've written of yours." he chuckled back. "It wasn't a dream, was it?" Sally asked out of the blue. "No dear, we all shared it." John answered softly. "Jean probably thought I was crazy." Sally said. "I didn't care. Not with how hot you woke up." Jean giggled from the other sofa. Cindy's hands roaming softly under her blouse. Sally melted into another kiss and then said: "Okay, lover. It's my turn to entertain you. What would you like?" "Hmm... good question. I think what I would like, is to get better aquatinted with Jean while you and Cindy put on a show for us." he said. "Seriously?" Cindy asked. John gave her *that* look. She nodded. "He's serious. I'm gonna enjoy this." Cindy giggled. "Me too." Sally said, kissing him again and then slipping off his lap. Jean cleaned Cindy's tonsils before she slid off her lap and moved over to John's. Sally extended her hand and Cindy took it. Moving into her arms. Jean and John exchanged tongues and then she lay back against him as they turned to watch the two stunning women begin to unwrap one another. Touching and kissing often as they worked. Cindy inched Sally's dress up as her hands moved under it to cup her ass cheeks. Their tongues played a duet between their soft lips. Cindy revealed Sally's green lingerie. John groaned a bit and Jean felt his response beneath her skirt. Then she felt John's fingers sliding between her legs and playing softly over her pubic area. Jean was unaccustomed to such gentleness from a man. She found herself trembling under his touch. With Cindy's assistance on fasteners, Sally began to remove her stunning dress. At first this became confusing, as the pattern below was virtually identical to the one above it. But not quite. Sally realized the difference when she had the dress halfway off. The difference in coloration, was Cindy's skin. Unlike normal underclothing which may have a panel sewn in to cover certain areas, this outfit changed in density from a fine gossamer net to full opacity. The result was stunning and hid absolutely nothing. It was, without question the sexiest garment Sally had ever seen. She quickly peeled off the rest of the dress, revealing just how far this treatment continued. The tops of the net stockings blended smoothly into the body suit, yet weren't connected. The effect was so pleasing, Sally was reluctant to remove them. Her desire to see more of Cindy's soft skin won over and she slowly removed the stockings. Caressing her way back up the girls smooth legs. The two of them stood back and considered each other. Their eyes met and something changed between them. Perhaps it was the fact that both realized that John was attracted to the other one as well. Both had played a dominant role in his life within the last six months. Whatever the reason, when their lips met once more it was for real. Their desire grew like gasoline poured on a campfire. It flared up and they were suddenly almost tearing each others clothes off. In moments they were nude before each other. Cindy backed Sally onto the sofa, her lips locked to hers. Then she began to kiss downwards. John and Jean forgotten for the moment. The two of them slaves to their desires. The effect of their passion was not lost on either John or Jean. John lifted Jean's skirt and pulled her panties down. She moved facing him as she fumbled for his zipper. When his manhood sprang out, she moved her hips over his and impaled herself upon him. Then they were fumbling with buttons and fasteners as they fought to remove their clothes while they moved their hips in counterpoint harmony. Before Cindy reached her hips, Sally was already trying to drag Cindy's over her head. Almost simultaneously they dipped their tongues into each others nectar. The first taste had the same effect as giving Belgium chocolate to a child who has never tasted candy. Tongues delved deep as they abandon themselves to each other. Each tried to outperform the other at pleasing the other. Their bodies locked together in a writhing mass of passion. John fondled Jean's breasts as she rocked wildly upon his hips. All that remained of their clothing was Jean's skirt, pulled up around her waist, and John's trousers, down around his ankles. He did his best to kick them off. Both of their eyes drifted again and again to the wild scene of passion on the other sofa. Their own state of excitement locked in sync with the girls. When Cindy and Sally's bodies began to convulse, four cries of passion were heard in the room. Jean felt John's seed spurt up inside her and this triggered a second wave of orgasm for her. Which triggered another wave across the room. John gently caressed Jean's back and sides as she lay panting atop him. Her large firm breasts crushed against his chest. Cindy and Sally were apparently just getting started. Again they cried out in orgasm as their bodies shuddered, and still they kept going. Each orgasm building upon the foundation of the last. Cindy began to pump Sally up as John had taught her. Sally, not choosing to be one-upped by her, matched her lick for lick. John removed Jean's skirt and cradled her in his arms as they watched the show progressing across the room. Their mouths agape in amazement as the girls brought each other to one wracking orgasm after another. John began to respond once more. Jean looked at him in despair as she was already exhausted from their own bought of passion. He smiled at her and eased her off his lap onto the sofa. Kissing her passionately to let her know it was alright. John moved over behind Cindy. Sally's head beneath her shapely hips. John positioned himself at the portal of Cindy's love canal and pushed inwards. Cindy virtually exploded. Her body was gripped by a massive contraction which matched ferocity of a charley horse. Her lungs emptied themselves in an animalistic scream that was sure to summon 911 assistance had anybody heard it. Somehow throughout she maintained her attentions upon Sally, whom now wasn't far behind her. John pulled out of Cindy and shifted around to the other end of the sofa. He lifted Cindy into his arms as he moved to enter Sally. The effect was the same as her muffled cry issued from between Cindy's quivering thighs. It was too much for John and he again loosed his seed, this time into Sally's warm tight dampness. His own cry seemingly docile compared to the girls. He fell back onto the sofa and Cindy fell forward, inert atop Sally. The sight of all the passion before her spurned Jean to find her second wind. She moved across the room and over John's hips. Kissing and caressing him wildly. He lifted his head and grinned at her. He closed his eyes for a second and to Jean's great pleasure and surprise he grew rapidly beneath her hips. Slipping back into her like he had never left. She began to buck about in wild abandon. His hands upon her breasts or cupping her firm ass. Jean's hands roamed over his body and over the inert couple beside them. Again her and John rocked their way into a wild orgasm. This time they shared it eye to eye. Jean's body shook wildly upon him as he again planted his seed within her. Then they were still except for their gasping breath. Recovery was slow. John rolled Jean gently off next to the gorgeous couple glistening with perspiration. John extracted himself and made his way to the kitchen. He found a selection of mugs and doctored coffee to the best of his memory. Then he found a tray and made his way back to the living room. Sally was just beginning to stir. He handed her a cup of coffee. She looked at him and a smile spread across her face... changing to exasperation. "How the hell can you do that?" she managed to gasp. "Do what?" he asked. "Leave three women unconscious while you have the energy to get coffee." she giggled. "Oh.. well two of the women mostly did it to themselves." he replied. "Uh... " Cindy said. "What was that?" Sally asked. "Uh..." Cindy repeated. "Don't worry, you didn't break her, she gets that way. She'll recover eventually." John chuckled. "Uh..." Cindy answered in agreement. John gently lifted her head and held a cup of coffee for her to sip from. She managed several sips and smiled contentedly, laying her head back between Sally's shapely thighs. Sally managed to take a large sip of coffee. Then she set the cup aside and took a long swipe between Cindy's legs. Cindy suddenly went: "UH!..." and managed to move her hips off of Sally. Sally sat up in smugness over her success. She retrieved her coffee cup. Jean began to stir and John took a sip of her coffee and then gave her a hot tender kiss. She opened her eyes and he handed her the cup. She pulled him back into a kiss and thanked him properly. "Did I imagine it, or did you just achieve four rock hard erections in forty-five minutes?" Sally asked. "A little trick the triplets showed me during that dream." John replied. "You can do it again?" Sally asked, incredulously. "Whenever you're ready." John replied. "Oh, god. I'm a dead woman!" Sally moaned. "Uh...." said Cindy. Sally put her coffee down and pulled Cindy onto her lap. Cradling her like a child and kissing her softly on the lips. "Quite a woman you have here." she said, affectionately moving a moist curl from her forehead. "Somehow I figured you two would either kill each other outright or kill each other with passion. Glad to see it was the latter." John chuckled. "Uh..." said Cindy, managing to lift her head to find Sally's soft lips. She collapsed back and Sally continued her soft caresses. Smiling fondly at her as she cradled her gently in her arms. Cindy snuggled to her large firm breasts, smiling contentedly herself. John sat back on the floor with his back against the sofa, sipping his coffee as he waited for the girls to recover. Sally ran her fingers playfully through his hair. "I thought that maybe I had imagined the whole thing... That you were really a dream I had made up and I was still asleep behind a dumpster somewhere." she said softly, love in her voice. Cindy lifted her head again and kissed Sally softly. Then she reached for her own cup of coffee. Reluctant to leave Sally's loving arms, but sliding down next to John and laying her head against his shoulder. Sally slid down next to his other side. Cindy sipped at her coffee a bit. Then paraphrasing Sally said: "Quite a woman you have here, John." "Glad to see that cute mouth of yours is working again." he said, turning to her. Their lips met in a sensual kiss. "God, I was in the middle of this incredible love session with a gorgeous red head when somebody suddenly drove a freight train into me." Cindy chuckled. "That warent no train, that war I." John teased. "Well it *felt* like a freight train." she said, soberly. "If I recall the term you wrote me the triplets were so fond of: *Ditto*!" Sally said. "That makes it unanimous." Jean's voice sounded from above them. "What you doing up there all by your lonesome. Come on down." Cindy invited. Jean slid down beside her and they shared a sensual kiss, warmed by Jean's last sip of coffee. "I knew you were *hot,* the moment I saw your photo." Cindy chuckled. "You should talk. What have you two been doing to my woman? I haven't seen her that dazed since John left the last time." Jean teased. "The hell you haven't. You've put me there enough times yourself." Sally retorted. "Not like that I haven't." Jean said, more softly. "Just out of curiosity, what are we all doing on the floor?" John asked. "Gravity works." Cindy chuckled. Nobody could argue with her theory. "Just how serious were you about hiring us two?" Jean asked. "Oh.. let me see... only completely." Cindy chuckled. "I'm serious." Jean said. "So am I." Cindy replied. "You really want to hire both of us, not just Sally?" Jean asked. Cindy turned to Sally: "Does she do this often? Fail to comprehend words spoken in her own language?" "Seems like just moments ago, you couldn't even form words." John teased. "No, Jean is normally quite cognizant about such things." Sally replied, seriously. "But what would I do? I know nothing about the fashion business." Jean said. "I don't know a whole lot about it myself. But what do you do now?" Cindy asked. "I'm a waitress. I mostly serve coffee to people I don't like and try to smile at them so I'll get a tip." Jean said. "Hmm... lets see. Well, you'd probably have to serve coffee to stunning nude women and try to smile at them. Make them feel more comfortable. So I can see how that would be quite a departure from your present job." Cindy chuckled. "So you need a server?" Jean asked. "No, I need a customer relations expert. If you can smile at people who you don't like for a dollar tip. Then you can certainly smile at stunning nude women who are buying seven thousand dollars worth of merchandise." Cindy said. "There's got to be more to it than that." Jean said. "Not much." John said, "That place I took Sally to buy her clothes -Mr. Moore's salon- the thing that impressed me most about the service, was how well I was treated. I was served a refreshment and kept company; that's all. That and being met with a smile and treated with courtesy." "That does mean a lot. I've been in places, since you left, that won't give me the time of day because my credit card isn't platinum. After seeing the effect John had, I always walk out on bad service, but not without telling them why. The places that don't care, I never go back to. Those that do I always get excellent service after that." Sally said. "The catch is; that you can't touch the stunning nude women." Cindy giggled. "Could be trouble there." Sally laughed. "Oh, I don't know. She's hardly touched me in the past five minutes." Cindy said. "And you certainly qualify as a stunning nude woman." Sally said softly. "Ditto!" Cindy giggled. "Thank you. So how long do we have you two?" Sally asked. "Oh, I thought we'd spend the weekend at least." John said. "So four more days, at least. Good. Cause I've got an early appointment I couldn't cancel when you called me to tell me you were coming *this afternoon*." Sally said. "You knew we would be coming four days before that. But I think we're all ready to turn in." John said. "I'm not sure I dare stay with you two. It's an important client." Sally chuckled. "I think we're all pretty much loved out for tonight." John said. "Please stay?" Cindy asked, "I'd like to snuggle to this darling here all night. And I'm sure you feel the same about John." she said, her fingers drifting over Jean's firm thigh. "Well twist my arm... Thank you. I'd love to stay." Sally said. "We'd love to stay." Jean corrected, meeting Cindy's green eyes. . "Then I suggest you retrieve whatever you need for the morning. Unless you like dashing nude across the hallway." John said. "Back in a flash." Sally said, hefting her lithe body onto it's feet. She bent and offered a hand to a grateful Jean. "Hey you, you're a nice man." Cindy said, snuggling to him after they left. "Thank you. You're a nice lady." he said, lifting her chin and kissing her softly. "I'm no longer jealous of you and Sally. I'm only envious that I wasn't here with you last time." she said. "She seems quite taken with you, too." John said. "I don't know why. As stunning as she is." Cindy said. "Perhaps because you are that stunning yourself." John said. "Am I? I never thought so." she said. "You are. I don't think you realize just how much you've grown up... in all the *right* places." John said. "Well, the only times I've ever felt even close to that. Is when I've been with you. Like tonight in the restaurant." Cindy said. "Well believe me, you are. That outfit might fit you perfectly, but it wasn't the outfit that was turning heads. It was the woman inside it. Put that same outfit on 99% of the women in the world and it wouldn't turn head one." John said. "So you put me in the top one percent?" she asked, beaming at him. "No, I put you on top. *Period*." he said. "Not for a week yet.... " she said, tangentially. "Like I said, you're a nice man." Sally pulled her lover into her arms and kissed her deeply. "Thank you for giving me the freedom to do that." she said. Jean looked at her and rolled her eyes. "Darling, I haven't enjoyed a man that much in more years than I remember... come to think if it, I've never enjoyed a man *that* much. Let alone *twice* in a few minutes." she chuckled. "He is something else. Isn't he." Sally said, dreamily. "I noticed you were quite taken with her too." Jean said. "Jealous?" Sally asked. "Only that you got her first. You make your appointment tomorrow, I'm calling in." Jean chuckled. "You? Miss *never miss a day*?" Sally asked in amazement. "Darling, for those two, I'd miss a year or two." Jean said, collecting her toothbrush. "We better get a move on." Sally said. They each put on robes and collected outfits for the morning. Sally picked up something else. They had run across the hall nude anyway. Now they were at least covered as they returned. Lucky as the guard was coming by on his rounds. Sally smiled at him and they slipped into John's apartment. Obviously equipped for the night. "And he wonders that I remembered him?" the guard said to himself, shaking his head. "I brought my clock radio, I forgot to get you one." Sally said. "We're not likely to hear it. We're still on Mountain- Pacific time zone." John said. "Which one? Mountain or Pacific?" Jean asked. "Officially, Pacific. But close enough to Mountain a sundial would be wrong." John said. "Well, I'll hear it. Jean is going to keep you company tomorrow, so she can sleep in with you." Sally said. "Ooh. That sound's nice." Cindy said. "What did the manager say when you rented this place?" John asked. "Not much. He wanted references so I gave him myself. A years rent in advance went a long way towards placating him." Sally chuckled. "How did you happen to get one on the same floor?" Cindy asked. "Just lucky. The guy who used to live here, got a job in Cincinnati and moved out just a week ago." Sally said. John slipped off to the bathroom. The girls adjourned to the bedroom. Cindy again looking up at the canopy and then at Sally. Sally blushed. Cindy grinned as she turned down the huge bed. John returned after securing the door and the girls slipped out one at a time. John climbed into the large bed and found a comfortable spot near the middle. Sally returned and after setting the alarm, moved to his side. Reveling in the feel of her first lover after their long separation. Cindy crawled in on his other side and Jean joined her after killing the lights. After sharing long goodnight kisses, they snuggled to their respective partners. Gently caressing each other to sleep. The alarm came too soon for Sally. She reached out to the night stand and turned it off. The bed felt like hers, but the body felt different. With a thrill of joy she realized it was John. Jean was on the other side of the bed snuggled to Cindy's lithe body. Sally snuggled to John for as long as she dared. Then kissed him on the forehead and reluctantly slipped out. A half hour later she was almost ready when Jean slipped into the bathroom. "Just wanted to wish you good morning." she said, pulling Sally to her and hugging her. Sally went to kiss her but Jean was reluctant. "Do I have time to brush?" she asked. "No, but it's not unpleasant." Sally said, moving to kiss her. "You have a good day." Jean said, softly squeezing her buns. "Thanks, I know *you* will." Sally chuckled, doing her own squeezing before they parted. Jean brushed her teeth and then slipped out to use the phone. Sally hadn't been able to get John's phone turned on at such short notice. Jean called her boss at the diner. "Something's come up and I won't be in today." she told him. "If I can't count on you maybe I'd better get someone else." he said. Jean unsuccessfully tried to control her temper. "Ernie, I haven't missed a day in over two years, and you know it. If that's what you think of me after all this time, you just go right ahead and find someone else. Bye." Jean no longer cared about the diner. She had a future. Even so she was too upset to go back to sleep. An hour or so later Cindy found her sitting in the kitchen drinking coffee. "Hey, I expected to find you in my arms when I woke up." Cindy teased, wrapping her arms around her. "Sorry." Jean answered. "What's wrong?" Cindy asked, sensing Jean's state. "Oh, nothing." Jean said, unsuccessfully. Cindy poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down by her. "Now, don't feed me that crap. I'm smarter than that. Take a sip of coffee and tell me all about it." Cindy said. Jean looked at her and tears came to her eyes. Cindy hugged her to her and let her sob. "Okay, now what's wrong?" Cindy asked. "This morning I called into work. The boss said if he couldn't count on me that he would have to replace me. I haven't missed a day of work in two years..... so I quit." she sobbed, her tears running down. "Is that bad?" Cindy asked. Jean sighed. "No, I guess not. I'm just upset because I've been with him for five years. I don't think I've missed more than three days in that time. And the asshole wouldn't let me have a day off!" Jean said, now in control of herself. "How much did you make there?" Cindy asked. "Oh... about twenty-eight thousand a year with tips." she said. "Gross?" Cindy asked. "Yeah." Jean said. "So you've nothing to worry about. You've got a years salary in cash." Cindy said. "I had that anyway. In savings." Jean said. "Then what's the problem?" Cindy asked. "No problem, for now. I'm just depressed about my boss." Jean said. "Well, if he's really that way. Then it doesn't sound like a big loss." Cindy said, "Besides. If you'll remember, I said I wanted to hire you last night." "I didn't think you were ready yet." Jean said. "We're not. But we will be within a few months. We're shooting for fashion week here." Cindy explained. "God, that's in April. Last week, I think." Jean said. "Earlier, I think. First or Second. Sheila knows for certain. But soon, anyway." Cindy said. "Will you be able to meet that schedule?" Jean asked. "Depends on the re-design and how fast we can find suppliers for components." Cindy said. "You won't be needing me anyway, till you're up to steam." Jean said. "Not so, we have enough to do we could almost use you now, but at the silo. Anyway, we'd want you in from the beginning. And just for your information, once we start up, your salary would be fifty thousand a year to start." Cindy said, gauging the other woman's reaction. "Fifty thousand!? For what?" Jean asked. "For making us a hundred thousand profit. With raises tied to increases over that figure." Cindy said. "What if we can't sell that many?" Jean asked. "I think you'll sell that many in the first month. But that figure represents only one outfit sold every ten days. Minus yours and Sally's salaries and store overhead, which we figure at a minimum of a hundred thousand a year." Cindy said. "How can you charge so much for an outfit?" Jean asked. "Jean, you saw the reaction to my outfit when we walked into that restaurant last night. There were at least a dozen women there who would gladly have paid much more than that just to get that reaction once in their life." Cindy said. "I think your body had a whole lot to do with that." Jean said, glancing at Cindy's breast, just peaking out from her robe. "That's what John said, but I don't believe it. Sally's body is much better than mine and yours is gorgeous. Have you two ever gotten that kind of reaction before?" Cindy asked, not unaware of Jean's gaze. "No... but we don't often go to that sort of place, either." Jean said. "I know that, or your bodies wouldn't be so perfect." Cindy chuckled. "I wouldn't call mine perfect." Jean said. "I would." Cindy said, seductively. "My legs are too big and so is my butt." Jean said. "You're legs are *muscular*, from running all the time at work. You're butt is just fine. If you mean you don't look like an emaciated fashion model, you're right. I think you look much better. You have a trim waist and medium large, very firm breasts. Your body is in proportion to your height. You seem healthy and very sexy. And if you make me try any harder to seduce you, I'm gonna give up." Cindy said. Jean looked at her and smiled. "Thanks for cheering me up." she said. "Now how about cheering me up." Cindy giggled, pulling her into a deep kiss. Jean's hands slipped into her robe and caressed the objects of her observation for the past half hour. Cindy guided her to the sofa and they made tender love for an hour. Then Cindy tugged her into the bedroom. John was just stirring. After a pit stop, they all made love for another two hours. By which point, Jean was no longer depressed. In fact she wasn't feeling much of anything except numb. The triplets were taking John's absence fairly well... they all ganged up on Kevin. This lasted until Sheila put a stop to it. "Girls. Loving is good. Unless it interferes with our making all our lives even better. Kevin needs to work on the redesign and he can't do it while he's a dweebed out zombie. So give him a break, huh?" she told them. To keep them busy, Sheila had them moving the library. She figured that maybe physical exhaustion would throttle back their unlimited desires. They didn't seem to notice. Sally got off work early and told the manager she was going to take a few days break. He didn't seem to mind as she was well ahead of her already optimistic schedule. She entered John's apartment to find Jean reclined on the sofa in a dazed condition. A silly, sardonic smile locked on her face. Cindy was cooking a late lunch. John was working on his laptop. "What have you done to this poor woman?" Sally chuckled. "Just a little love and affection." John said, pulling her down into a kiss. "I'm working on nourishment for her now." Cindy chuckled. "I don't know if she's got the strength to chew it." Sally said, looking at Jean's glazed eyes. "She'll be fine. I'm getting quite familiar with these symptoms." John said. "I'll just bet you are." Sally chuckled. "Soup and sandwich?" Cindy asked. "I don't know... I'm not really hungry." Sally said. "Better take on nourishment while you can, cause you're next." Cindy demurred. "Oh, god.... Yes, I think I will have some." she said. "I'd better feed her some more coffee, she hasn't moved for several hours." Cindy said, looking thoughtfully at Jean. "I'll do that while you finish lunch." Sally offered. "Only if you kiss me first." Cindy said, holding back the mug. "Anytime." Sally said, moving to her. Cindy set the mug down and they embraced. Their lips met in a long sensual kiss. Sally detected the faint aroma of her incapacitated lover. Cindy's fingers traced the outline of Sally's shapely buns and then cupped them as they kissed. She finally broke it off when Sally's pulse was a good twenty points higher. Sally's knee's felt weak and her face was flushed. Her breath a little heavy in her lovely chest. Sally managed to grasp the mug and stager slightly towards the sofa. Cindy looked after her, admiring her flip side. "Definitely Cute!" she murmured to herself. John looked up from his laptop: "Did you say something, dear?" "No, love. Just admiring Sally's ass." Cindy said. "Oh." John said and dropped his head again in concentration. Cindy looked at him lovingly. Thinking about the brief conversation they had just had. Another man might have gone ballistic over her comment. John accepted it as a natural part of their relationship. Cindy moved to him and lightly kissed him on the forehead. "What was that for?" he asked, surprised. "Just for being so adorable." Cindy said. "Oh." he said, but he circled her small waist with his arm and softly kissed just inside her hip bone. She was wearing an outfit with a bare midriff. Cindy felt a quivery feeling inside and giggled as she pulled away from him. They had made love plenty of times during the day, but he could still affect her so. "Coffee?" Sally asked Jean. Jean slowly turned her head in Sally's direction and then looked at her, moving only her eyes. "Police." she murmured. "You want me to get the police?" Sally asked, alarmed. Jean jerked her head to one side, then had to force herself to jerk it back. Sally took this as a negative. "Pull-ease." she managed, carefully. "I'd better help you. You look like you had a rough day." Sally said. "Swas mos wunful daay o my lif." Jean enunciated slowly, grinning widely. Sally set the coffee on the end table and then lifted Jean into a sitting position and sat down where she had been. Then she gently lay her head back onto her lap. She reached the mug and then supporting Jean's head, eased the cup to her lips and let her take a sip. Jean took several and smiled. "Mmmm... Sankoo. Thas good..." Jean said. "I think you broke her." Sally said. "Nope! I personally inspected every bone in her body with my tongue." Cindy said seriously. "Thas two, see did. He hulpped." Jean nodded. Sally considered her friend. She herself had put her into a dazed state before, but this was a major magnitude beyond that. And from indications, the effects were several hours old, she thought, shivering a bit. She considered John and Cindy, seemingly unaffected, the shiver got worse. "When I said Jean was going to hang out with you, I thought you would see the sights or something." Sally said. "I thought the sights were pretty impressive, myself." Cindy said, grinning. John nodded, scrunching his chin up like Wilford Brimely. Sally continued to feed sips of coffee to Jean. She felt like Florence Nightingale, nursing an invalid back to health. Cindy ladled out four cups of soup and sliced the sandwiches, distributing them around four plates. She added soup spoons to them all and carried two to the end table by Sally. "Thanks love." Sally said, stealing a kiss. Cindy held it longer than Sally intended, sliding her tongue between her lips. Sally certainly didn't object. Jean gazed up at the view and smiled blissfully. "You be karfull, thasa danguris whupon." she managed. Cindy bent and kissed her tenderly. "You did plenty of damage yourself." she said. "Yoo kin mmoove." Jean said. "Only because I've had *advanced* training in marathon sex. You ought to see what *eight* talented tongues in rotation can do to you. But John by himself has put two of us at a time in much the same condition you're in." Cindy said. Jean shivered and snuggled against Sally's breasts. "Well yoo partect me?" Jean asked, Sally. "I'm not sure who's going to protect me! I'm well familiar with what John's capable of when he puts his mind to it." Sally said, looking after Cindy's retreating backside. "You and Jean helped me put each other in that state." John said, looking up. "You put a gorgeous, lively woman like that in bed with me and expect me to remain passive?" Cindy asked, carrying two plates to the table for them. John closed his lap top and pushed it aside. "No, I was just pointing out that I didn't do it all by myself." John said, stealing a kiss as Cindy tried to sit down. Instead she sat on his lap and spooned some soup into his mouth. Sally did the same for Jean, using the spoon to catch some dribbling down her chin. Jean giggled and managed to sit up. She managed to grasp a coffee mug and move it wobbling to her lips. She sat sipping her coffee thoughtfully. Little further was said as they took on nourishment. "So what shall we do now?" John asked, sipping at his second cup of coffee. "I don't know if I'm in any condition to do anything." Jean said, several cups of coffee and lunch now fortifying her. "See, we didn't break her, she's recovering quite nicely." Cindy chuckled. "I don't know how, Jesus, I've never felt like that in my whole life." Jean said. Sally kissed her tenderly and then moved to the table with John and Cindy. "Why don't you tell us more about this fashion thing of yours. All I know is that it involves some kind of machine that John's built and makes clothes that fit like you were born with them." Sally said. "That pretty well covers it, dear heart." Cindy chuckled. "But how does it work?" Sally asked. "Oh... Well, the scanner takes measurements of your body. Lots of them, over a hundred thousand in fact, instead of the six or eight a tailor would take. Then a second machine sprays foam onto a frame one layer at a time, like an onion, building up until it exactly duplicates the measurements the scanner took. This gives you an exact duplicate of the person you scanned. Okay, then you design an outfit. Using the image of the body on the computer screen, only in three dimensions. The computer uses the measurements it took and uses them as a baseline. Mapping the outfit you design on top of them. A thin layer of oiled tissue is placed on the mold, to keep things from sticking to the mold. Then the same machine that made the mold, spins synthetic threads over it, adding color to the thread as it moves, laying each thread next to the last one. When the pattern is criss- crossed, the thread coming out is still wet and bonds to the threads under it. I've got it now where it can coat and color a cotton thread from a spool and lay it just like a synthetic thread. The outfit is built up one thread at a time. The machine follows the baseline exactly as it moves. Laying the threads atop the mold. The result is an outfit that fits exactly, because it is based upon actual measurements of the body at any given point." John said, finishing his lecture. Sally sat opened mouth. She looked to Cindy, bewildered. "It measures you, makes a mannequin copy and spins clothes over it." Cindy said, smirking. Sally nodded. "So what's the mannequin for, why not just spin them right on the person if you have their measurements?" she asked. "The mannequin serves two purposes. One, it supports the threads while they set up. The other is that it holds still. A person could never hold still long enough to spin an outfit over them." John said. "Oh." Sally nodded. "So how close are you to completing your programming at work?" John asked Sally. "Real close, actually. I've got the people there where they can enter their own data as they work, finally got it through to them that they have to enter real numbers if they want real answers to where they are at. The accounting part was simple, I just used off the shelf stuff for that. The hard part was finding a package that would allow me to port data into it. After that I just programmed some batch files that took inventory and sales data and ported it into the accounting package once a day. Then I wrote some report programs that included search engines in them to find and compile the data into meaningful reports. I'm just wrapping up loose ends and working on porting the data real time rather than daily." Sally said. Cindy sat opened mouthed, she looked to John, bewildered. "She integrated programs for Inventory, Sales and Accounting then made it so the manager could see at a glance where his business sat." John explained. Cindy nodded, chagrined. "So when can you get free for a week?" John asked. "Oh, probably week after next. I'm really almost done, I've just been throttling back a bit just so that it would look like I was doing something still. I could easily wrap it up in a week's honest programming." Sally said. "Take two. Give your notice when you go back and use the second week to train everyone on the system. Then you can get started with us." John said. "God, you mean you really want us? That fast?" Sally asked. "Yup! If I wasn't convinced before, I am now." Cindy said. "God, I thought you were just being nice to us... I never dreamed that you were serious." Sally said. "Dear heart, she's so cute. Can I keep her?" Cindy said, giggling. "Why not, I've only got seven women in my life now. What difference could two more possibly make?" John said. Cindy kissed him hard and then stood up and turned to Sally. "Look out! That's the look she got just before she started on me!" Jean warned, joining them at the table. It was too late. Sally had already fallen into the depths of Cindy's green eyes as she approached her. Cindy bent and kissed her as softly as she'd ever been kissed. Sally's heart quickened beneath her lovely breasts. Cindy sank slowly to her knee's and slid her hands under Sally's skirt. She found the waist of her panties and pulled them down. Then she peeked under the skirt and lifted it as her lips descended. Sally closed her eyes and moaned softly, her head leaned back in abandon to Cindy's talented tongue. Jean moved onto John's lap. He kissed her tenderly as his hands slid up under her own short skirt. She wore no panties. Mostly John and Jean just tenderly stroked each other. Mainly they watched Cindy's attack upon Sally. After Sally lifted her hips in her third orgasm, Cindy pulled her to her feet and tugged her towards the bedroom. Bidding John and Jean to join them. She undressed Sally completely and lay her back on the bed. Then stripped off her own scant outfit. John and Jean disrobed and crawled onto the bed. "Dear heart. Could I watch you make tender love to this woman. You know, like you and I do?" Cindy asked John, softly. John looked at her. She was quite serious. He nodded and pulled Cindy into a deep kiss, sharing Sally's rich womanly nectar on her tongue. Cindy moved back as John tenderly pulled Sally to him. He touched her using only his fingertips, exciting her body slowly. Kissing her gently on the corner of the mouth and down her neck. Jean and Cindy moved to John's member and took turns softly licking it and sucking it into their mouths. John didn't need to use the trick the triplets had given him with two warm tongues dueling around his member. It grew steadily on it's own. Sally had thought that John was tender before, when she had first bedded him. Now he was ever more so. Her passion climbed like she had never known it. Jean moved between Sally's legs and further prepared her as John's lips and tongue excited every nerve in her body. Then Cindy guided him into her. Sally felt herself stretched to the limit as he seated against her cervix. John guided Sally on top of him and they moved ever so slowly as Sally felt lips kissing down her spine and along her sides. Fingers caressed her body softly, touching here, and there and there. Tongues lapping at her nipples as John softly caressed her firm breasts. Their eyes locked together as they slowly rocked themselves towards a deep orgasm. When Sally cried out, it was just a prelude to the depth of feeling that enveloped her over the next several hours. The girls alternating positions and tasks as John slowly rocked away beneath each of them. Finally they slept. Each blissfully happy and spent. Sheila lay panting. She had volunteered to sacrifice herself to the triplets so Theresa and Kevin could have a night alone. She had done her task admirably. The three of them now lay blissfully sleeping, entwined together in various positions. She slipped out of bed and made her way wobbly to the bathroom. She wrapped a terry robe about herself and made her way to the kitchen. She put on the kettle and made a cup of tea. On impulse she made her way to the old Com room, now almost vacant except for the triple chaise and the computer table. Now containing only John's computer. She sat back on the chaise, and sipped her tea, remembering her first morning with John on it. They had shared many more since. Each time seemingly better than the last. Except that the first would always be the time she remembered the most. She remembered how Theresa had come in and joined them, fulfilling her dreams of a man who totally understood. She wondered how he and Cindy were doing in New York. As if on cue, John's computer softly beeped once, indicating a message was waiting. She moved to it and called up the message. It was from John. He wrote that he and Cindy were having a wonderful time. He included a scan of a picture to prove it. On a huge four-poster bed were sprawled three gorgeous and unconscious nude women. Their hair was disheveled and plastered to their heads from perspiration. They lay about in various positions, not unlike the triplets Sheila had just left. One of the women was Cindy. They all looked incredibly content. "That's my John." Sheila chuckled. She got a whim and headed back to the guest room with an instant camera. She took a snap of the triplets in much the same condition. Then she scanned it into his computer and sent a return message to the originating address, which was Sally's account. John sat sipping tea himself in Sally's apartment. The girls sleeping soundly in his. He had made his way to Sally's when he found no tea. He had spotted Jean's instant camera and decided to take a snapshot for the family album. On a whim he had written the message to the silo, expecting not to get a reply for several days. But now, just ten minutes after he'd sent the message, Sally's machine beeped in response. He read the reply chuckling. He looked at the enclosed snapshot and giggled. "That's my Sheila." he said, aloud. "What's your Sheila." Sally asked from the doorway. She was dressed only in a thin, satin robe. She stepped in and closed the door. "I thought I'd done you in for the night." John chuckled as she moved to his lap. "I woke up and missed you. You weren't anywhere around so I tried here." Sally said, kissing him ever so softly. "I came over in search of some tea. Too much coffee makes me jittery." John said. Sally snuggled to him and she shivered a bit from a love rush. John pulled her tighter to him, which didn't help, much. Sally fought the tears forming in her eyes. "What's this then?" John asked, kissing her cheek. "I just love you so much I could bust." Sally sobbed. John kissed softly at her tears and held her in his arms. She turned to his lips and kissed him as softly as he had kissed her earlier, then slipped off his lap and moved to pour herself a cup of tea. Moving back to the table she sat in her own chair. Looking at her tea between sips. "I thought I understood love... but I've never felt like I did tonight, before." She said softly. "It took Jean to teach you that depth of feeling. I didn't have time, when I was here before." John said. Sally nodded. "Yes, Jean has been a dear friend and lover.... but it took you to awaken that in me." Sally said. "Each of us grows with every relationship we experience. What we felt tonight, no one person taught us. We learned it from all our lovers." John said. "Cindy seems to have known it for a long time." Sally said. "It took time, even for us. And that was when we could devote a great deal of time to each other.... In a sense, we learned together. I never knew that depth of feeling before either." John said. "I think I love her too, almost as much as you." Sally said. "I think you'll find she feels the same way. She wouldn't have *wanted* me to make love to you, *like that,* if she didn't. She sort of viewed you as her rival before." John said. "I viewed her much the same way... but not now. Now I know she feels the same way about you that I do. I can't blame her for that." Sally said. "I feel the same way about *all* the women in my life. I quit trying to fight it. I'm just totally amazed that it works as smoothly as it does. I've had to re-think my whole impression of women. When I was dating before, they always seemed so catty. If I even looked at another one it was a major trauma. It even started that way with Theresa and Cindy. Theresa alternated between being angry and being real mopey." John said. "What changed?" Sally asked. "I guess we all did. But mainly I think it was when Theresa realized that Cindy's and mine's attraction for each other didn't mean that we both didn't love her too. She loved us both as well. Once she gave us the freedom to love each other, instead of her losing our love, it got stronger. We loved her more." John said. "And Cindy's felt like that all along?" Sally asked. "No, not at first. She shared a depth of feeling with me that she didn't with the others. I think that changed when I came back from here the first time." John said. "How so?" Sally asked. "Oh, she was major jealous of you when I got back.. in the condition I came back in. I explained to her how we hadn't shared the same depth of feeling that her and I did, which we hadn't. You didn't know how yet. I just barely knew. In the meantime, Sheila arrived. I think she taught Cindy quite a bit about that. I don't think Cindy realized that the freedom she granted me to make love to you, was the exact same freedom I granted to her every time she made love to Theresa." John said. "I never thought about it much myself, but now that I hear it, it makes total sense." Sally said. "It does make total sense, right up to the point where there are children involved. And even then it would make sense if there weren't such strict rules about the roles played in raising them. It stops making sense when you try to merge it with society's rules. According to 'their' rules, you can't love more than one person at a time. If you start loving one, you must stop loving the other. That somehow includes resigning your role as a full time parent. Perhaps because it's too painful for the parents themselves, being around each other. Because they don't stop loving each other. But the rules of society say they must. So the child suffers the consequences. Have you ever read much Robert Heinlien?" he asked. "Not much... a little." Sally said. "Well, he talks about *line marriages* in some of his books. Where the marriage contains more than one wife or husband. Essentially they become monarchy's, ruled by the senior wife and husband. Anyway a man or woman could marry into this line marriage, which could go on for century's after the original couple got together. Everybody took a role in raising the children. The children would marry outside the line, either moving away, or bringing their spouse into the family. The only thing that was taboo, was blood relationships where children were a possibility. Which makes sense as it increases the chance of birth defects to one in only eight and narrows the gene pool rather than broadening it." John explained. "Sounds neat. Did it work... in the books I mean." Sally asked. "Oh, the marriages lasted.. but in one I recall, the line marriages just became little closed minded societies in their own right. In the book, a woman was shunned because she was a genetically planned person. A manufactured person if you will. The point was, she was different from the herd. She didn't fit in. Not because she really didn't, but because of the bigotry of those in the marriage she had joined up with." John said. "I imagine you have the same problem with most any group of people." Sally said. "Not all. I think my little growing harem is quite open minded about things. Much more so than what I experience in the outside world. But I think there are individuals who would like to live like that, but are afraid to, because it goes against the norms. There was.... " John stopped and looked around. "What?" Sally asked. John put his hand to his ear and motioned her towards his apartment. She nodded, grabbing the teapot, kettle and tea. Once they were back in his apartment, he continued. "Sorry, I was going to talk about Bill and it suddenly occurred to me that we had given the Russians enough confusing propaganda for one night." John said. "Are we safe here?" Sally asked. "Fairly so, the windows are in the bedroom and the door is shut. We haven't been away long enough for them to bug the place. I wouldn't expect that to last." John said. "Anyway, you were saying?" Sally asked. "I was going to say; that I think Bill fit in very well with our group at the silo, despite his seemingly restrictive life away. I think he would have liked to chuck it all and join us." John said. "What brought all this to mind? I mean the line marriage and such." Sally asked. "Well, Kevin did. Theresa's fiancée. Theresa wanted him, mainly because she wanted to have children, and I had made it so she couldn't with me. But instead, it looks like he's sort of getting incorporated into the clan. I'm a touch worried about that, not because of Jealousy, but because of the possibility of pregnancy. Myself, I think I'm too old to raise kids, but I was thinking along the lines of a traditional, restrictive family environment. It wouldn't be fair to a child if he reached fifteen and wanted to run up mountains, and I couldn't do it with him. I've known people who's parents were a lot older than them, and there's a massive gap between them. I already have one child I don't know. I don't want another like that." John said. "But?" Sally asked, seeing what John didn't. "But what? I don't want another like that." he replied. "But she's saying that you're not listening to yourself." Cindy said, moving to the table. She hugged Sally from around her back and kissed her on the neck. "I don't understand what you two are getting at." John said. Sally nodded to Cindy to take the ball. "You're doing just fine, darling." Cindy demurred. "You know what we're talking about.. Line marriages and such." Sally asked Cindy. "I've read Heinlien, John has a wide selection of it. *I've* thought about this before, continue." Cindy said. Emboldened by an ally, Sally dove in: "You're saying you don't want another child that doesn't know you. But that you were thinking about it in the context of a traditional restrictive relationship. Which is not at all like the relationship that you're involved in, which is neither traditional nor restrictive." John was stunned. "Bulls eye." Cindy said. "They'd never let us get away with it." John said. "They who, Bill, whom you've already stated fit in very well, or the they that's referred to in that signed document you have stating that they won't interfere with your personal relationships." Cindy asked. John sat looking back and forth between them. "Will you marry me?" he asked. The girls sat back stunned. "Whom are you asking?" Cindy asked, shakily. "All of you." John replied. Both girls hit him on the fly.