Healing (General's Daughter Book 5) (8 page)

Michael slowly explained the situation with his mask and the turbulence and how his sister got in his face to get him to stop being an idiot.

Dr. Quimby nodded. “They don’t need to know that; it will frighten Jen and really piss off Scott. He’s in a bad mood today and it won’t take much to set him off. Please don’t say anything to them about the bomb, either. Write it up and leave it as routine.”

“They’ve awakened! Our heroes!” Scott exclaimed, pushing Rich and Jen out of the way to embrace his niece and nephew.

Jen, hands on her hips, waited impatiently as Scott pulled the two together in his arms. “When you’re done, I would like to say my hellos, too,” she announced, pushing between him and Michael.

Scott growled, his niece held captive under his arm. “She’s becoming quite pushy, Mike. Do something about her. I suppose you want this?” the uncle asked Rich, rolling his eyes as Sam slung her arms around Rich’s neck, locking him in a very close, long and intimate kiss.

Her father had to clear his throat. “Um, I understand wanting to greet each other, but you might want to take this upstairs. On second thought, no. Is dinner ready?”

“Yes, sir. We made a roast with all the fixin’s, plus a cheesecake.” Rich grinned

“We had stuff for that?” Dr. Quimby looked surprised.

“Jen made it from scratch. She’s quite the little baker.”

“Her mother’s pies are the best I’ve ever had. I guess if she can bake like that, you can keep her,” Scott grumbled, smacking the girl sharply on the rump as she moved in front of him.

“OW! What was that for?”

“I don’t need a reason. But, it was for being so pushy.”

“Butthead,” Jen muttered, earning two more swats. She tried to hide behind Michael as they entered the dining room.

Scott wagged his finger. “I owe you five more for that. Beware, you will receive them.”

“Just five? I’d go ten for safekeeping,” Rich teased, holding the chair out for Sam.

“Ten? If it were me calling Uncle Scott names, it would be twenty. And I wouldn’t be laughing,” Sam added cheerfully.

Jen looked at Michael who held her chair out as well. “Aren’t you going to say anything?”

“I’m not the one audacious enough to call Scott a butthead. Name calling is a hairbrush offense in this family,” he teased her.

Jen’s jaw dropped. She looked helplessly at Dr. Quimby. “Joe?”

“Don’t look at me. I have nothing to do with this.”

Sam started to giggle, enjoying the fact that, for once she wasn’t the one being picked on.

“You all are just yanking my chain, aren’t you?”

“Not at all. After dinner, you will be getting thirty swats for calling me names,” Scott shrugged, accepting the plate Rich handed him.

“Thirty!”

“Maybe forty. Depends on how good that cheesecake is. Thank you, Rich.”

Jen was silent, casting sharp glances at Michael.

He patted her thigh. “Don’t worry, we won’t feel a thing,” he teased.

She frowned, whispering in his ear, “Neither will you if you don’t stop this.”

“Hey Scott? Would you mind upping the ante? I just got threatened.” Michael grinned.

Scott cracked his knuckles, nodding. “My pleasure. Fifty it is. Oh, Jennifer, sit down. We’re just playing with you.”

“You guys are all being total assholes.” She sneered.

Scott and Dr. Quimby raised their eyebrows. “We were just kidding and you know it. You hear us do this to Sam all the time,” Dr. Quimby said firmly.

“This is fucking ridiculous,” Jen commented back, glaring at Scott.

“You are stepping over the line, young woman. You know better than to swear.” Scott glared.

“I am not a child. I can speak however I want to,” Jen sassed back as she met his glare.

Sam sunk in her seat, trying to pull Jen down next to her. “Jen, you're pushing him, don't do it,” her friend whispered.

“See me after dinner, Jennifer,” Scott ordered gruffly.

“I don’t think so,” Jen spouted.

Michael looked at her. “Watch out, honey. This has gotten out of control,” he whispered.

Jen plopped back in her chair and stabbed at her food, not looking up. “I’m too old for this.”

“Not in this house or with this family. I’m giving you one chance to turn the tide. I suggest you take it,” Scott ordered.

Sam looked at her friend. “Jen, apologize. It’s not worth it,” she whispered in her friend’s ear.

“I apologize, Scott.” Jen complied reluctantly. She didn’t sound very contrite.

“You will still meet me in the living room after dinner,” Scott ordered.

“The living room?” Jen paled.

Michael shook his head. “Scott, she didn’t know about the community offense rule. Please, give her a break.”

“Community offense rule?” Rich asked.

Dr. Quimby cleared his throat again. “Any offense made in the company of the entire family is dealt with in the presence of the entire family. Generally, Miss Sam keeps her transgressions focused on only one of us. Mike only committed the offense once, when he stole the family car. Jennifer was not aware and I don't feel there is a need—”

“She wasn’t rude to you in front of the family, was she?” Scott took on his full commander’s voice.

“No, Scott,” Dr. Quimby said quietly.

“If it were Sam, would you be arguing with me?”

“No, Scott,” Dr. Quimby sighed, looking at Jen sadly. She looked terrified. Sam elbowed her, tapping her jaw. Scott’s jaw wasn’t twitching yet; that was good news.

“I am the senior officer in this house and I will not be challenged by any of my subordinates. Am I understood?”

“Yes, sir,” the entire family echoed, including Dr. Quimby.

“Good. Rich, you will be doing more cooking for now on.”

“I guess that means you like it,” Rich said, amused by the whole conversation.

“It’s adequate.”

Biting her lip, Sam glanced at Jen, who was staring at her hands in her lap. “Uncle Scott, I did something really awful today,” she announced.

“What?”

“I cussed out Mike in front of some crewmen,” Sam admitted, not acknowledging the shaking of her father's head, warning her to be silent.

Scott frowned. “I seriously hope I’m not hearing what I think I’m hearing. Swearing, disrespect and insubordination? Was there a reason?”

“No, sir. I’m sorry.”

Dr. Quimby rolled his eyes. He knew that she was trying to distract Scott from Jen. “Samantha, we discussed this. It was extenuating circumstances.”

“Shut up, commander. I want to hear more. Continue, lieutenant,” Scott ordered. Sam sighed, explaining how she got angry with Michael as he tried to help her with the rafts, deliberately eliminating from the story the risk Michael had taken. By the time she finished, Scott had completely forgotten Jen’s attitude and was demonstrating his telltale jaw twitch.

“Sam, my quarters immediately after dinner. Jennifer, you have a reprieve. I sincerely hope you appreciate it. I’m very disappointed with your rudeness.”

“Scott, listen, there’s more—” Michael said softly, closing his mouth when Scott shot him a look.

“Hmmm, should I get the strap out?” Scott growled.

Michael paled. “I think I’m much too old for that, but I won’t prevent you if you chose to use it.”

Rich grabbed Michael’s arm as they cleared up the dishes. “What the hell are you doing?”

“Sam saved my life today. She cussed me out because I was too stupid to listen to her. She also just spared Jen a pretty tough session with Scott. I’m not going to let her go into the lion’s den without trying to help her.”

“Would he seriously strap you? My god, you’re a grown man.”

“If it helps my kid sister, then yes. I’m more afraid for her than for me. I can handle it,” Michael said firmly.

Rich sighed. “I guess I would subject myself to the same thing if I needed to for her. Hopefully, he’ll chill a bit. It’s just humiliating.”

“I’ve grown up with this. You haven’t. It doesn’t bother or embarrass me. I’m more afraid of their disappointment then how they treat me. Don’t worry. Just focus on Sammi right now, okay?”

Michael sat next to his sister on the edge of Scott’s bed, and both swallowed seeing the lethal strap in his hand. He placed it on his dresser, pulled up a chair, and sat across from them, leaning on his elbows.

“Now, what is it you are going to tell me, Mike?”

Slowly, Michael shared the event in detail, and how Sam had to force herself upon him to make him listen. He admitted to his stupidity and ego, and that she behaved with admirable professionalism, given the situation. He also said the crewmen were so frightened and the storm so loud, they wouldn’t have heard her. Scott listened carefully, turning towards his niece. He asked her version. It was similar, downplaying the role Michael had taken.

“It seems both of you are in the wrong here. Michael, what you did was unbelievably idiotic and inconceivably stupid. Sam, there is never any reason to cuss out a crewmate or your superior officer, let alone a member of this family. We’ve discussed this before. Am I clear?”

“Yes, sir,”

Scott sighed. “Don’t think I didn’t notice what you, young lady, were up to with trying to get my focus off Jen. Michael, you need to have a talk with that girl, okay? She’s crossing the line and I won’t hesitate to thrash her soundly.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll take care of it.”

“Furthermore, don’t think I didn’t see how you were trying to take the load off your sister.” Scott sat silently, looking at them. “I will say this, I am very proud of both of you. You know my feelings about loyalty and in protecting one another. I will, however, add that I am very disappointed in your actions, Michael, and your reactions, Sam.”

He paused, shaking his head, “Mike, you are too old for this. You are going to have to deal with the guilt of your actions. Dismissed. Samantha—”

Michael put his hand on his sister’s arm, standing. “No, Scott. Either let me have all or half. She doesn’t rate being punished for my behavior.”

Scott frowned. “I am asking you very nicely not to challenge me right now. Knowing that she was punished because of your poor choices is something you will have to live with. Now go.”

“Scott—”

“I am not going to tell you again, son.”

“I’m sorry, Sammi. I tried,” Michael said sadly. “I’m staying.”

“As you wish. Sam, over the chair. No, you can keep your jeans on this time,” Scott ordered, amused that her first move was to take down her jeans. Talk about being conditioned! “Don’t move an inch.”

Tears poured down her face after the second stroke, but she said nothing. After five hard lashes, Scott patted her back and pointed to the bed where Michael pulled her into his arms. Scott sat back down to look at them sternly. “We are done. I am expecting better choices from both of you for now on, okay?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good. Put this back and then meet us in the living room,” he ordered, handing Michael the strap. He kissed both and left.

Scott came out to the deck, joining the other three. Jen raced into his arms, begging forgiveness and asking for her deserved punishment. Scott shrugged, pointing to the living room where he proceeded to sprawl her across his lap, yank her panties down to her knees, and deliver a sharp, memorable spanking with his large open palm. By the time Michael and Sam arrived, Jen’s bottom was bright red as she fought not to fight him, crying into his pants.

“Looks like Scott’s getting his fill tonight,” Rich said, running over to them. “How are you guys doing?”

“She needs loves. I’m fine,” Michael smiled, handing the girl over.

Rich held her close to his broad chest. “I love you, baby. I’m sorry you went through that,” he said as he kneeled to face her. “You’re so short.”

She smiled, arms around his neck. “You’re the only one who hasn’t gotten in trouble tonight. Even Daddy got scolded by Scott. How does that feel, Mr. Perfect?” Sam kissed him softly.

Rich squeezed her. “I’ll stay out of Scott’s wake, thank you. Want some cheesecake?”

“Yeah. I’ll let you feed me.”

Michael waited for Scott to release Jen before embracing her. She sniffed, apologizing to everyone for her attitude.

Scott looked around, frowning. “Anyone else want a piece of me tonight? Joe?”

“Not me. I know better.”

“I’ll decline as well, thank you,” Rich said, using his finger to scoop up the cheesecake for Sam to suck off.

Scott rolled his eyes. “Use a fork, for crying out loud.”

“His finger tastes better than a fork. Besides, you used to do the same thing with me with pudding, remember?” Sam smiled at her uncle.

He scowled. “That was different. We were licking the bowl.”

“The only difference is how I suck it now,” Sam said evilly, inserting Rich’s whole finger in her mouth, much to Rich’s (and her parents’) surprise.

“I don’t need to watch this. I’ll be in the study, excuse me,” Dr. Quimby groaned, walking down the hall to the house office, closing the door behind him.

Scott just stared in disbelief. “I can’t even begin to imagine where you learned that, little girl. Rich? Should I inquire?”

“Truthfully, Scott, I had nothing to do with it. Although, she does have quite the suction there,” Rich teased, trying to get his finger back. Scott blew out a breath, turning on the TV.

“Stop it now, you got your reaction,” Rich whispered. Sam took his finger, dipped it in the cheesecake and continued to suck and lick it off happily. Rich didn’t bother to fight her; he rather enjoyed what she was doing. Especially since her uncle kept glancing their way to see if she had stopped yet. His grunts continued.

It was still raining heavily the following morning as the family readied to go to work. They took Scott’s Hummer after a heated argument between him and Dr. Quimby regarding who would drive. Jingling the keys in his hand, Dr. Quimby ordered everyone inside.

Jen was very quiet, avoiding glances from Scott and Dr. Quimby. She was still quite tender and very much embarrassed that everyone saw her being punished.

Sam elbowed her. “Are you okay?”

“I feel like a fool. How can I face anyone?”

“The same way I do. Put your chin up and don’t break eye contact. I hate to say this, but you get used to it after a while.”

“I’m so humiliated.”

“I know the feeling, and I grew up with this. How’s Mike this morning?” his sister asked.

Jen bit her lip. “He’s still feeling guilty.”

“I hate to say it, but he should feel guilty. He acted like a know-it-all jerk out there,” Sam commented.

“I don’t know how you could take it. I would have been screaming.”

“You haven’t tasted that strap yet, either. It’s, by far, the worse thing ever.” Sam shuddered. “Just be careful of where you step with Uncle Scott. If he’s in a bad mood, tiptoe around. It’s safer for you. And don’t challenge him like that again.”

“I learned my lesson, trust me.”

“Jennifer?”

“Yes, Scott?” Jen looked up to face him as he turned around in the passenger seat.

“I want you in my office at 1130 today. Sharp.”

“Yes, sir,” Jen answered, grabbing her friend fearfully. “What did I do now?” she whispered.

Sam shrugged. “I have no idea. Excuse me, Uncle Scott?”

“What?”

“Will you be keeping Jen for long? I need to know if I need to reassign her work for this afternoon.”

“She’ll be done with me when she’s done,” Scott answered grumpily.

Sam clutched Jen’s hand, biting her lip. “Whatever you did, he’s not happy. It isn’t like him to hold something against us once we’ve been punished.”

“Is there something I need to know regarding one of my crewmen, Scott?” Michael spoke up.

“If there was, I would tell you.”

“General, I need to remind you that I have a lab to run and if one of my members is being removed, I have the right to know the reason and the planned return. Sir.”

Scott twisted to look at his nephew. “And I, as base commander and your superior, need to remind YOU, lieutenant, that I have the right to reserve information, should I deem it appropriate. Consider it deemed.”

Rich cast a glance at the three, then looked up front. Scott had a tiny smile on his face. He was up to something.

“Plan on me being at the lab by 1115. Then you and I, young lady, have some business to discuss,” Scott said firmly, looking straight at Jen as Dr. Quimby pulled into the parking lot to drop them off. The poor girl looked ready to break into tears as she nodded. Sam watched them drive off, hands on her hips, resisting Rich as he tried to pull her inside out of the rain.

“What the hell was that about?” she asked, watching the Hummer disappear.

“I don’t know. Please come in. It’s cold and wet out here.”

Michael had Jen in his office with the door closed. Sam knocked gently, walking in with Rich behind her and sitting on Michael’s desk.

Rich planted himself in a chair. “He’s up to something. I saw him smile. Just a glimpse. My instincts tell me you’re not in trouble.”

“I wish I could trust your instincts. I’m scared.” Jen trembled.

“I think Rich is right. If it were disciplinary, he would have to follow the chain of command, even though he’s the boss. If it were personal, he’d wait until we got home. I couldn’t see his jaw—”

“I did. No twitching. So he’s not mad.”

“One thing about that man is that he likes to keep people on their toes. It’s possible he’s just trying to irritate you. He does that because he can. It can be very obnoxious at times. Usually Sam is the one who has to deal with it,” Michael said with a frown.

“That’s also when he thinks I’m getting too big for my britches. It’s been a while. Maybe because you’re starting to stand up to him, he thinks he needs to settle you down. Uncle Scott does not like being challenged. Ever. By anyone.”

“Yeah, you heard him when Dad gets in his face. Let me know, though, if you feel he’s out of line. I will step in then,” Michael ordered. Jen held him closely, closing her eyes and sighing.

“And I’ll be there behind him. I promise,” Rich said.

Sam nodded. “Me too.”

Jen nervously watched the clock all morning, finding it hard to concentrate during the neuroband testing. Rich sent her supportive smiles and pats on the shoulder. At 1115 sharp, the room was called to attention when Scott walked in. He kept everybody in position, walking around to each station silently. Jen, a civilian, simply stood up and watched his movements. She swallowed; he moved like Michael, with a deadly grace stemming from many years of martial arts training.
Oh God, please help me
, she prayed as he approached her.

“Jennifer, let’s go,” Scott said, holding his hand out for her to take. Trembling, she placed her small one in his and, with one look of terror towards her friends, followed him outside and into the Hummer.

“Please, Scott, what did I do?” She started to cry once inside the vehicle.

“Do? I’ll tell you what you did. You barged into my home and made everyone fall in love with you. You also made a really good cheesecake. I’m taking you to lunch. Just the two of us.”

Jen stared at him. “You aren’t mad?”

“At what? Did you do something else?” Scott smiled, heading down the road.

“No, I mean, not that I know of. Why did you scare me like that?”

“Jen, don’t you know better yet? Because I can. You’re a full member of my family; we can’t let Sammi have all the fun.”

“I’m sorry, Scott, but this wasn’t fun. Please don’t do this to me again. I’m begging you. I don’t like being afraid of you like that. I really don’t. It hurts me.”

“Oh Jen, I was just playing. Okay, I’m sorry. Don’t cry. I’ll be nice. Hey… shit,” Scott sighed, pulling the truck over. He drew the girl next to him, holding her tightly as she cried. “I’m really sorry. I’m so used to egging Sam on that I forgot you’re not used to it like she is. I won’t do it again, I promise. Forgive me?”

“I thought you didn’t like me anymore.” Jen sniffed.

Scott reached into his glove compartment to pull out a small box of tissues. “Here. No, I love you. You’re my other daughter. I know I can be an asshole at times. It’s part of my charm.”

“I don’t find it charming. It’s hurtful and mean. You’re not funny when you act like this,” Jen said quietly.

Scott glanced outside, sighing. “My sister used to tell me the same thing. I drove her crazy.”

“Why would you do such a thing?”

“I have a little mean streak in me. I like to get a rise out of people; it helps me measure them. I know how far I can go and the breaking point. It’s my defense mechanism; it gives me a place of power.”

“Why do you think you need power over your family? They love you desperately.”

“I know they do. And I love them the same. With my kids, it’s a matter of survival, literally. Sam’s got a short fuse, like me. If it blows before its time, then she loses focus and that could kill her. Mike, on the other hand, is like his dad. It takes quite a bit to push him to that place and I know the buttons to do it. Again, a loss of focus and he’s dead out there. “

“But Rich and I aren’t your kids. Why put us through this?”

Scott smiled, squeezing her hand. “Probably because you’re Michael’s Achilles heel now. He knows how far I’ll go with his sister and you saw what he does when he feels he needs to. You’re my power now, and a way to train him to a different level. I know you don’t understand, sweetheart, but I do this to keep them alive. They scare me,” the man choked.

Jen scooted closer to him, leaning against his arm, watching the rain hit the windshield. “I’ll do anything to help keep them alive. Just don’t lose my trust, Scott. Please? I don’t have the thick skin they do.”

“I shouldn’t have picked on you, baby. I’m really sorry.”

“You’re forgiven. What’s Rich’s weak point?” Jen asked out of curiosity.

Scott shook his head. “That boy eludes me. He’s fearless. He won’t allow me to see his fault lines. Nothing I say gets a rise out of him. I’ve never seen a kid that age with so much self-control and self-discipline. The closest was Joe. He really is an enigma to me.”

“That must drive you crazy.” Jen smiled.

Scott nodded. “Totally. So, are we good now?”

“Yes. Scott, I really love you. You know that, don’t you?”

“I love you too, otherwise I wouldn’t have been such an asshole. No more.”

“Okay. Where are you taking me for lunch? I’m hungry.” Jen smiled, kissing his cheek.

He winked, making a U-turn. “Call your boss. Tell him we’ll be home late.”

***

“So you have no idea where they went? Or when they’ll be home?”

“Son, stop pacing the floor. What’s with you? Sit,” Dr. Quimby ordered, pointing to the couch next to him. Michael huffed, dropping on the cushion then looking at his watch.