“Antoinette? The Indian Deputy you contacted gave me this to give to you,” Marsha said.
”Ah, M’sieur Rainbird,” she said, with a little smile, taking the package. She opened it, then looked up with a puzzled frown. “It is very pretty, but what is it?” she asked, holding up a small leather bag decorated with beads and feathers.
Bill Abernathy, one of the gunners, looked, “Hey, isn’t that a medicine-bag? They use them in their religion and when they’re doing their magic.”
”Then it must be very important to him,” Antoinette said. “I wonder why he gave it to me?”
”Maybe it’s supposed to bring you good luck,” he said.
”Non. Non, I think it is more than that. Much more.”
”You’ll need these, too,” Scott said, holding out a paper sack. Antoinette looked at him questioningly.
”What is it?” she asked, taking the sack. Inside lay one of her skirts and halter-tops. “Thank you,” she said, smiling at Scott.
”Don’t thank me, thank Magnum. He’s the one that remembered you’d left your clothes scattered in shreds across the middle of the Plaza.”
As Antoinette dressed, Jay came down the spiral stairs and walked over to the refrigerator. He opened it and took out a sandwich and a can of soda. He pushed the door shut and came up behind Tracker.
”Glad you’re back, Tracker, m’man,” he said, clapping Tracker on the back. Tracker spun, teeth bared in a snarl. One hand chopped down at Jay’s arm, knocking it away.
”Tracker! Non!” Antoinette shouted. Tracker checked his blow to Jay’s throat as Jay sprang back, hands raised defensively. The sandwich and soda went flying.
”Whoa, there! Still a little touchy, aren’t we?” he said as Tracker lowered his hands.
”Don’t ever touch me from behind,” Tracker growled as he straightened.
”I won’t. Thanks for the warning. Still glad you’re back safely.” He bent to retrieve his snack, keeping a wary eye on Tracker. “I think,” he added.
”Sorry,” Tracker said brusquely.
”Accepted. But next time, send me an email.” Jay returned to the upper level.
”What’s wrong, Tracker?” Marsha asked.
”Nothing,” he snapped.
Tracker stalked over to the refrigerator and took three roast beef and cheese sandwiches from the refrigerator. He gave Antoinette two of them, which she wolfed down while he ate the third. Then she stood, swaying wearily, holding Tracker’s arm.
Marsha looked at her and raised an eyebrow. “Tracker, I think you’d better take her upstairs and get her to bed before she falls flat on her face.”
He nodded at Marsha curtly, then guided Antoinette towards the tight spiral stairway. Doctor Moreaux sat on one of the bench-seats at the rear of the airbus, on the upper deck, the two infants asleep beside him. Tracker sat down on the one facing it, taking Antoinette onto his lap.
”Father, this is Antoinette Duval, the French girl I was telling you about. Antoinette, my father, Doctor Jacques Moreaux.”
The older man bowed his head to her. “You are as brave as you are beautiful.”
She blushed. “M’sieur is too kind,” she murmured, pleased.
She nestled against Tracker’s shoulder, grooming his chest fur with her fingers and listening while he held her and talked with the Doctor.
After awhile, the Doctor said, “John, is there a bathroom on this vehicle?”
”Yes, Father. Down the stairs and to the rear.”
The Doctor stood. “I will be back in a few minutes.”
Tracker focused his attention on her, stroking her and trying to activate their gestalt again. She clung to him, eyes closed, enjoying the sensations. Suddenly, she was there, warm in his mind. She rejoiced in his touch.
’/You are safe tonight, mon amant, because I am too tired to do anything./’ Her thoughts curved sensuously through his mind. He hugged her, stroking her hair. Her thoughts rapidly grew fuzzy with sleep as she relaxed under his touch.
When the Doctor returned, Tracker stood up, laying her gently on the seat. “Lie down now, my love, and sleep.” She obeyed. He took a blanket from the storage locker under the seat and tucked it around her, then straightened.
”Don’t leave me!” she protested, half-asleep and suddenly frightened.
”I won’t,” he promised, sitting down again and taking her head onto his lap. She murmured in sleepy contentment and snuggled against him, at peace for the first time in over a week. She was asleep in seconds.
