Chapter Two

 

 

Bethie skipped a rock over the lake’s smooth surface, the ripples breaking its perfection for a few seconds before they disappeared as if nothing had happened.  Jack sat next to her, the pants of his already disheveled uniform rolled up as he dipped his feet into the warm waters.  His jacket was tossed to the side and the top button of his wrinkled white shirt undone as he titled his face up to the sun.  They had been sitting in a comfortable silence for nearly half an hour, simply enjoying the perfect summer day and each other’s company.  For years, they had been sitting in this same spot, underneath a large willowy tree that had grown as they had.  From time to time, the other children would join them there but for the most part, it was only Jack and Bethie.

 

Glancing sideways at her best friend and closest confidant, Bethie could not help thinking how handsome he looked.  Rakish was the description most people would use when describing Jack.  His lips always seemed to be on the verge of a smirk and no matter the situation, his gray eyes always danced.  He was the last person she would have expected to flourish in the IAF but he did and he seemed to be enjoying what he was doing.  Bethie could not help wishing he’d stayed on Arus instead but Jack was restless and even now, his feet were swinging in the water and his fingers fiddled with the grass beneath them.

 

“Have you managed to run through the female population on your ship?” Bethie teased, nudging him with her elbow.

 

Jack chuckled.  “In-ship fraternization is frowned upon, My Bethie.”

 

Bethie grinned at the nickname. In a fit of jealous rage, four-year-old Jack had called her 'My Bethie' when his younger brother Jason got a little too close for comfort, and the name stuck.

 

“Well turn that frown upside down.”

 

He laughed outright at that. 

 

“I’ve missed you.  I forget sometimes how nice it is to be home,” he mused.  “When I’m out there, it’s like I don’t ever want to go planetside ever again, but then I come home—and I don’t ever want to leave.”

 

“Arus does that to you,” Bethie said.  “Why do you think our fathers are still here.”

 

Jack did not have to think long about that answer.  “Women.”

 

They laughed.  There was no denying that Lance and Keith were still very much in love with their wives and vice versa.  Bethie, Jack, and their siblings had grown up in households that were warm with love and it showed in the young adults that they had become. 

 

“It’s just home, that’s all,” Bethie said simply.  “You always feel safe when you’re home.  Of course, you shouldn’t really go by what I’m saying seeing as I’ve been stuck here as sure as the Castle of Lions is stuck here.”

 

“Don’t even pretend that you want to leave.”

 

“Not forever, but a short trip can’t hurt.  I envy all of you for being out there, having your adventures, and I’m stuck here doing ceremonies, trying to squeeze into dresses, and all that other fun stuff Princesses do.  Mom keeps telling me that if she had let things go back to tradition, I would not have any free time at all.”

 

“That pretty much scares you into doing what she wants, doesn’t it?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

Jack turned his head to look at her, her hair flying wildly about her head, her flightsuit smudged with dirt and she still managed to be the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.  A corner of his mouth quirked upward. 

 

“That surprises me because you’re such a good Princess.”

 

She smacked his arm lightly with the back of her hand.  “Alright, alright.  I wish the others were able to visit more often.  As it is, I doubt we’ll all be in the same room together for a long time.”

 

“I haven’t really been able to stay in contact as much as I’d like.  What’s everyone doing?”

 

“Well, I can’t say that I keep up regular correspondence, but Alana does and she’s kept me updated.  She’s turned into the hub of our little group.”

 

“That suits me just fine.”

 

Bethie began by telling him about Ethan, her younger brother and second in line to the throne, who had gotten his first assignment on an exploratory vessel and was now heading towards the edges of known space.  He would not be home for a long time and his last night in the Castle of Lions a year before had been bittersweet, but he had been eager to go as much as it pained him to say goodbye to his family.  They received messages from him at least once a week which appeased their parents somewhat.  Jordan and Ian, Romelle and Sven’s twins, were still in the Academy with one year to go.  Ian excelled in all subjects, while Jordan found her true passion—flying.  She was proving to be a skilled pilot and was already making noises to her family that she would join a squadron as soon as she graduated.  There was no need to tell Jack that his own brother Jason was living up to the Branegan name at the Academy, but somehow managing to pull off better grades than his brother and father ever did. 

 

Hunk and Gwen’s brood were just as successful with their ventures.  It seemed to be the destiny of children of decorated IAF officers to go to the Academy and two of the three went.  Morgan had just recently been promoted to Lieutenant Commander and was still serving planetside on a Fleet base while Matthew had just graduated and was serving on the Intrepid as an Ensign in the engineering section.  He had long proved to be the mechanical genius that his father was and according to Hunk, was going to surpass him soon.  Olivia had chosen the civilian route and was in her first year of medical school.  She had been the one to ice their bruises and bandage their cuts when they were children so it did not surprise anyone when she chose to become a doctor. 

 

“Everyone’s grown up and left the nest as soon as they could,” Bethie said wistfully.  “It’s quiet around here with just me and Alana.  Remember how it used to be?  You couldn’t turn a corner without running into one of us.”

 

“Usually, we were running into them.  Uncle Hunk liked to pick me up by the back of my shirt whenever he caught me,” Jack said with a chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck as if feeling that strong hand now.  “Those were the days.  Even when the twins and the Yearlings moved away, we still had everyone back at least once a year.  I don’t think we’ll be able to do that now.”

 

“Home isn’t what it used to be, is it, Jack?”

 

He caught her hand in his and gave it a squeeze.  “As far as I’m concerned, Bethie, home is not so much the place, but the people.  Like the old saying says, it’s where the heart is.”

 

Something in his voice made Bethie look strangely at him and for a split second, she saw something on his face that made her uncomfortable, then he grinned and let her hand go and he was Jack again. 

 

“Being on Arus isn’t so bad,” he said idly.  “After all, your heart really is here.”

 

“That’s true.  As much as they drive me crazy, I can’t imagine leaving my family for that long.  I guess I’m just too comfortable where I am.”

 

“That’s not what I meant…”

 

Bethie threw him a warning look, seeing where this was going, but as she opened her mouth to speak, they heard a voice in the distance calling them.

 

“Bethie!  Jack!”

 

They both turned to Alana who was running towards them.  Her skirts flew about her legs, but she paid them no mind and she tumbled in a heap next to Jack when she reached them. 

 

“What’s Priority Zenith?” she gasped.

 

Jack was immediately on his feet and he pulled her to hers.  “What’s going on?”

 

“Mom and Dad just got a message from Galaxy Garrison that was Priority Zenith,” Alana said, brushing at her skirt.  “I figured it was serious.”

 

“You figure right,” Bethie said, exchanging a grave look with Jack.  “They only use that code when there’s been an attack.”