Small Miracles

Small Miracles 3.

Opening his eyes slowly, McQueen wondered where he was. Certainly not in his quarters on the ‘Toga. As his mind focussed, he realised he was in bed with someone. Someone who had their hand firmly placed in his crotch. A moment of panic flew through his mind as he remembered the blonde in the bar, the one who’d tried to pick him up. Then the body moved and he smelt the familiar smell of Dill's shampoo as her head nuzzled into his neck and her hand moved over to his hip. His relief was almost palpable. It was Dill. He was on the space station Mir, with Dill. His Dill, and the children.

As he lay there, Ty's mind wandered over the events of the night before. He smiled at the memory of Dill so obviously lusting after him. After that woman in the bar, he’d spent two hours working in the gym, trying to rid himself of the idea that even Dill only wanted him for his body, for the fact that as a tank ‘everyone’ knew he was good in bed. That he had increased stamina and could ‘go all night’. It had been the knowledge that Dill hadn’t known what a tank was, had never heard the talk and had no preconceptions when they’d first met, that had helped him see sense. Of course seeing her positively drooling at the sight of him in his gym clothes had almost made him change his mind, but after their lovemaking, when she’d told him how much she missed him, he’d felt safe, knowing that she loved him for much more than just his body.

They might not have the same tastes in lots of things. Ty couldn’t stand what Dill called music any more than she could stand to listen to much of what he liked. She thought his reading was ‘stodgy’ and ‘boring’ and far too militaristic, while he found her choice of books far too light in general. But that was what kept them both going while they were apart. They had interests outside of each other.

Whilst home on one leave Ty’d read one of Dill's favourite books and had been horrified to find it was from a child’s point of view. They’d sat in bed for hours discussing it. Dill pointed out to him that it was about far more than just children. It was about prejudice and society’s attitudes. He’d argued that the book was too old to have any valid meaning after over a hundred years. Dill had simply looked at him and said ’imagine Tom Robinson as an invitro’. That had made him re-evaluate the book, and then he’d teased her relentlessly that one of the children in the book was named Dill. She’d merely shaken her head and called him a child before attacking him with a pillow.

Ty chuckled to himself as he reached to pull Dill closer to him. He never wanted to let go of her again. She was here just when he needed her, and that got him thinking again. What was she doing here with the children? She’d said something about a letter, a message from Moira. He sat up, flinging Dill off him.

“Dill! Dill!” Ty shook her awake. “You said you were working for the military. What are you doing? Why’d you bring the kids into a war zone?”

“What?” Dill sat up, rubbing her eyes. “What are you ranting about?”

“Ranting? You brought my kids into a war zone, Dill. What the hell were you thinking? Why didn’t you speak to me first?”

“I tried. I sent you a letter. I asked them to arrange a live link to the ‘Toga, but you were too far away. Mother was going to pull a few strings to get a priority message to you.” She looked at him, her face a picture of confusion.

“Well, I didn’t get a thing. I’ve had nothing from you since I got back from leave,” he told her.

“That’s not my fault, Ty. I tried and they needed to know. I had three weeks to decide and no way to get hold of you. So I sent you a letter and hoped you wouldn’t get too angry. They asked for me specifically, Ty, and it’s for six months. I couldn’t leave the children for that long. I had to bring them with me. They’re enjoying themselves. So far at least, it’s an adventure for them.”

“You told me you didn’t have time to work!” Ty accused her. ”You know I want you home with my children. They need their mom. They don’t have me, so they need you!”

“Which is why I brought them with me,” Dill countered. ”They asked me to do the play sessions again. The children are enjoying it. I have four guys that the kids really like, and they have a great time painting, getting messy. Even just talking to them. It’s doing them all good.” She smiled. “I think that the guys, or Amyas at least, has worked out who you are. I heard Hamish telling him you had a neck like his, and then he asked about you... what you did. So far I think they know my husband is an invitro, thanks to Hamish, a colonel, thanks to Cameron, and a marine, thanks to me. Today I expect Amyas’ll have put two and two together.”

“You have a session today?” he asked. “For how long? I really don’t like this, Dill. I don’t like you and the kids being here. It’s not safe!”

“Two hours this afternoon, that’s all. Why isn’t it safe? I was told this place is such a long way behind the frontlines that I had nothing at all to worry about.” Dill looked at him, studying his face carefully. “You’re jealous! You think that because we got together through these sessions, I’ll do the same with someone else! What the hell do you take me for?” She got out of bed, looking for a robe. “Bloody hell, Ty, it never changes, does it? You’re still waiting for me to tell you it was all a big mistake!” She stormed out of the room, pulling her robe tightly around her.

McQueen lay back with a frustrated sigh. He was doing it again. ‘One night,’ he thought, ‘one damn night. That’s all it takes’. He got out of bed, and pulling on his sweatpants, went to find her.

She was sitting on a sofa, her knees pulled up to her chin, her dark curls falling over her face. He knew even without looking that she was crying.

“Dill,” Ty said softly, sitting beside her and taking her in his arms, “I’m not jealous. After last night, how can I be? If that wasn’t you claiming me as yours, I don’t know what would be. I’m just worried about you and the children. No place out here is guaranteed safe. I worry about you guys when you’re at home. Knowing you’re here... well,” he shook his head, “I’m just gonna worry more. If I’d got your message I would have asked you not to do it. For selfish reasons, I know, but I would still have asked you not to.”

“I knew you would be angry,” Dill whispered into his chest. ”That you’d say no.”

“So why did you do it then?” he asked, puzzled. “Not that what I say should make a difference, but if you felt like that, why?”

“Of course your opinion counts. You’re the man I love. The father of my children. And if you’d said ‘no, don’t take our children there’, I’d have listened,” she told him, wiping her eyes on the sleeve of her robe.

“So why did you?”

“Honestly?” she asked.

“Always.”

“Because I thought that we’d be nearer to you. And once you knew where we were, it might be easier for you to come and see us when you got leave. I know you do get leave that you don’t take because you can’t get home and back in time.” At his raised eyebrow, Dill smiled. “Iona told me. She’s found out an awful lot of things from Cooper that she won’t tell me. She says if you wanted me to know, you’d tell me yourself. What things, Ty? What haven’t you told me?”

He shrugged. “I really have no idea, but you know what Hawkes is like. It could be anything from the fact that he comes to talk to me about how he feels about Iona, to how I shouted at him for cocking up.”

“Why don’t you take your leave Ty?” Dill asked, her voice low.

“Like you said, what good is 48 hours R&R if I can’t get home to you?” Ty kissed her head.

“But you’re here. You have leave now.”

“Only because Glen ordered me to, and he booked me a room overnight. Otherwise I hadn’t planned on being here at all.”

“I’m glad he did. I really must thank him,” Dill smiled.

“We’re going to be here for a few weeks, so I can come and see you when I’m off duty. Maybe not everyday, but I’m sure when I tell Glen you’re here he’ll be happy to let me come.”

Dill turned in his arms. “We should invite him to dinner. I have a kitchenette here. Another thing I insisted upon. He hasn’t seen the children or me since Izzy was born. I’d like to say hello to him. I like him, lots.”

“I think he’d like that because I know he likes you.” McQueen smiled, bending his head to kiss her.

“Colonel McQueen?”

“Yes?”

“Take me to bed?”

“My pleasure.” He picked her up and carried her back to bed. This time he was going to be in charge.

~~~~~~~~~

The children were awake.

“Mish! Mish! Out!“ Izzy demanded from her cot.

Hamish sighed, and glared at her. “If I gets you out, you gotta stay here wiv us. No running ter see daddy,” he told her sternly.

“Why?” Cameron asked.

“They’s making noises,” Hamish told him. “I don’ fink they’s hurting each uver. I fink they’s happy noises. Mummy’s saying yes and daddy’s saying…” he tilted his head to the side, listening. ”Daddy says he’s coming.”

Cameron looked at him and closed his eyes. “Daddy’s happy,” he said after a minute. “So’s mummy. They’re making each other happy.” He turned to Izzy. “Stay there, Izzy. Daddy’ll come get us in a minute.”

“Daddy! “Izzy yelled angrily. If her Hamish wouldn’t get her out, she knew someone who would. “Daddy!”

~~~~~~~~~

Dill lay snug in Ty's arms, happily content now that he’d claimed her for his own, as he’d put it when he threw her on the bed. She was his, and he was going to prove it. She felt him shift and settle her more comfortably against him.

“I love you,” she whispered.

“I love you too Dill,” he murmured sleepily.

Dill lifted her head to smile at him, and the sound of Izzy calling came to her. She saw Ty smile and again he shifted, this time to move away from her.

“Sorry, Dill, the other woman in my life is calling for me. I’d better go see what she wants.”

“I know exactly what she’ll want,” Dill chuckled. “To be held in those strong arms, nestled against that lovely chest, and snuggled in bed.”

“Just like her mother,” Ty laughed, as he pulled on a clean pair of boxers.

“Are you still wearing those damn khaki things? I’m going to buy you some different ones while you’re here. Those are awful,” she grimaced.

“No more black silk, thank you!” Ty retorted. “They feel kinda funny. Too loose.” He bent down to kiss her. “I liked the t-shirt though. Did you bring that outfit with you?”

“Actually, yes,” Dill blushed. “Just in case.”

“Oh good,” he winked as he left the room.

Going into the children’s room, Ty smiled as he saw them. The boys were sitting together on one bed looking at a picture book, while Izzy stood in her cot, shouting at them. The moment she saw her father, she turned on a full beam smile and practically cooed at him.

“Hey boys,” he smiled. “Who’s for cuddles in bed with me and mommy?”

They almost leapt from the bed, and smiling, ran from the room while he picked up Izzy.

“Pooh, Izzy, you stink!” Ty chuckled. “Let's clean you up before you get in bed with us.” He held her up at arms length as she chuckled at him.

“Spooge,” she giggled. “Daddy spooge.”

“Oh yeah, daddy gets the spooge again,” he smiled, holding her close and kissing her. He chuckled as she rubbed her face on his stubble and laughed, kissing his cheek and licking him. “Are you hungry? Guess you are. You fell asleep before you ate, didn’t you? Can’t eat me, my girly girl. Come on, let’s clean you up and feed you.”

When he and Izzy climbed into bed with Dill and the boys, he was smothered in children. Both boys were desperate for his attention and his cuddles.

Dill laughed. “I think I’ll leave you guys here while I see to breakfast. Now careful, boys. Be gentle with daddy, he’s a bit tired.” Chuckling, she left him desperately trying to sort them out so that they all got a cuddle.

~~~~~~~~~

Later that day, Ty was busily engrossed with the boys in running the train track around the room Dill used for her play sessions, Dill having decided she needed to do a little shopping with Izzy before the session started.

“Under the table, guys, or over it?” he asked them, on his hands and knees with a pile of track in front of him.

“Under, daddy. We can go over the next table,” Cameron told him.

“Okay,“ McQueen told him. Crawling under the table, he turned to grin at the boys. “But if mommy comes in, don’t you let her kick my butt.”

Both boys giggled, Cameron covering his mouth with his hand. “Daddy, you’re so silly!”

“No I’m not. I know how bad that mommy is. If she sees my butt poking out, she’ll kick it!” he chuckled.

“Mummy loves you. She won’t kick your butt,” Cameron giggled.

“Oh yes she will!” McQueen carried on, seeing how much it made the boys laugh. “That mommy, she’s so bad to me!”

“No daddy!” Hamish laughed. “You’s bad to her!”

McQueen’s face appeared from under the table feigning innocence. ”Me? I’m bad to her? Never! I do whatever she tells me.”

“You’re so silly!” Hamish giggled, launching himself at his father. “I loves you, daddy.”

“I know you do, little guy. And I loves you too.” He looked over at Cameron. “Come on then, monkey boy. I loves you too. Come and have a cuddle.”

McQueen was on the floor, the boys on top of him, when Amyas, Talbot, Leopold and Godfrey arrived. They stood in the doorway and stared as McQueen, unaware of them, rolled over on top of the boys.

“Okay you two, I’m gonna squidgey you right up, and then I’m gonna eat you!” he laughed, pulling up Cameron’s shirt to blow a raspberry on his stomach as the little boy fought him off, laughing uncontrollably.

Hamish rolled away and jumped onto his back. ”Can’t get me!” he giggled.

“Oh, can’t I?” McQueen reached around and grabbed him. He was in the process of pulling Hamish bodily over his shoulder when he realised he was being watched.

McQueen stopped, embarrassed at being caught playing so openly with his boys in front of strangers. He pulled Hamish over and sat him on the floor. Standing up, he brushed himself down, aware that he was in his flight suit and it was obvious whom he was. Not expecting to stay on the station any longer than he had to, all he’d brought with him had been his gym clothes and clean underwear for the next day. Now he wished he’d packed jeans and a shirt.

“Dill’ll be here in a minute,” he said into the awkward silence. “Why don’t you guys sit down and I’ll take the little guys and go.”

“It’s my daddy,” Hamish told Amyas proudly. ”He’s building us a train track.”

McQueen felt like he was being examined under a microscope, the way the four men looked at him. It was a feeling that he was sadly familiar with.

“Come on guys, let's go,” he said, turning to the boys.

“No, daddy, we gotta finish the track!” Hamish told him. ”Please daddy?” He hung onto McQueen’s hand desperately.

Ty looked at Cameron, who nodded. “Please, daddy? You make such good train tracks.”

He crouched down. “Look, guys, mommy’s gotta do her thing with these guys here. We need to go and let them get on with it.”

“Colonel McQueen?” It was Amyas. He held out a hand. “I’m Amyas Smith. I just wanted to say, well, to say that your wife is really terrific. We all think she’s great. And the kids are, too. You can stay if you want. The kids are here anyway, during the session. We know how much they love the train track, and they tell us non stop how good you are at setting it out.” He glanced around the room. “We can see that for ourselves.”

“I’m glad you like it.” McQueen shook his hand.

“Come on, daddy!” Hamish said, impatiently tugging at his leg. “Let’s finish it so’s we can get the trains out and play wiv em!”

“Play with them,” McQueen automatically corrected him. He glanced at Amyas. “Someone has to teach the boy to speak properly.”

Amyas smiled as the others behind him finally spread out and found somewhere train free to sit. McQueen braced himself. He had the strangest feeling that he was about to be jumped in front of his kids, and he sure as hell wasn’t going to make it easy for them. ‘Please, Dill, hurry’, he thought. ‘I don’t want the boys to witness this.’

He almost jumped as he felt a hand on him. “They won’t hurt you, daddy. There’s no need to be scared.” Looking down, he saw it was Cameron.

“I’m not scared, Cameron.” Ty looked around at the four in vitros staring at him. ”These... gentleman have no intentions of hurting me.”

“You’re fibbing, daddy,” Cameron told him, fixing him with a McQueen glare. “McQueen’s don’t lie!”

Amyas looked astounded. “I’m sorry if we gave you that impression, Colonel McQueen, but...,” he looked at the others. All wore shocked expressions. “I mean, you’re Dylan’s husband. Why would we want to hurt you?”

“I’m a tank. I married a natural born. It’s a common enough reason.” McQueen stared at them, feeling ashamed of himself. He’d completely misread the situation. ”Even for other tanks.”

“Well, not for us. We were really excited when we worked out that the boys' father was you. You’re probably the most famous tank around.” Amyas’s face glowed with excitement. “Did you really take out that Chiggy von Richtofen single handedly?”

McQueen relaxed a little, but still kept a careful eye on them. “That was me.”

“Sorry, colonel. We should have known four strange guys walking in on you would make you jumpy. Hell, we’ve all been there, right?” It was Godfrey. He usually hid in the background, but he’d been shocked to realise McQueen thought they were going to attack him. He looked at Cameron, then at McQueen. “How’d he know that’s what you thought?”

“I didn’t think it,” McQueen told him.

“Yes, you did, daddy. You were scared they’d hurt you.” Cameron looked up at him. “You didn’t want me and Hamish seeing it.”

All four men stared at Cameron, and then at McQueen.

“Daddy, when you gonna finish the damn trains!” Hamish demanded.

McQueen turned to him, relieved at having something to redirect attention. ”Excuse me? Finish the what?”

“The trains,” Hamish answered sheepishly.

“Come on, daddy,” Cameron pulled at him. “Let's do the trains!”

“We’ll help,” Amyas offered.

When Dill and Izzy arrived ten minutes later, they found the five men sat on chairs, tables and the floor, and the two boys frantic with excitement, as Amyas and McQueen raced trains around the track, trying to crash into each other.

McQueen looked up as they came in, Dill coming to stand behind him, her hands on his shoulders as she bent to kiss his ear. ”I see you’ve met the guys,” she whispered.

He turned his head slightly to look at her. “Uh huh. A bit hairy there at first, but they seem okay.” He turned back to watch his train forced off the track. ”Damn!”

Dill laughed and ruffled Ty's hair. “I think you enjoy the trains more than the boys do.” She looked around the room. Izzy had settled herself comfortably in her father's lap, and was busily searching through his hair. “Well, I guess today it’s playing with trains. Izzy, stop checking daddy for lice. He doesn’t have them.”

Izzy smiled up at her. “Soft,” she said. “Soft daddy.”

“I know, sweetie, it’s that lovely short hair. Perhaps I’ll join you.” She sat next to Ty, and to his horror both Dill and Izzy stroked his hair.

“Will you two stop it!” he grouched. “How’m I supposed to concentrate with you doing that?” He glanced up, and saw Amyas staring at them open mouthed. “What?” he demanded.

“Sorry,“ Amyas whispered, blushing and looking away.

“Ty!” Dill scolded him. “Don’t be so mean.”

McQueen scowled.

Dill looked up. The four invitro’s were staring. But not so much at him, she thought, but at them... at him and her. She thought for a moment, and realised it was probably because of the way she touched him. Ty was used to it now, but at first he’d been wary, unused to being touched. Another reason why he always ended up laying in her arms at some point, she thought. He loved to be cuddled and cosseted. It made up for the years of lack of human contact. She sighed. She almost felt like hugging them all, but she knew they’d freak out at that.

“What’s the matter, guys?” she asked, deciding to make them talk about it.

Amyas just stared at her. She still had her hands on Ty’s shoulders.

“You touch him,” Talbot whispered. “You touch him, but he’s a tank.”

“He’s my husband. Of course I touch him,“ she grinned wickedly. “Bit difficult to have kids if we don’t touch each other.”

All four of the invitros blushed.

“Don’t, Dill. It’s not fair,” Ty said softly. “They get about as much human touch as I did, and you know how jumpy I was.”

She looked up at them. “I’m sorry, guys, but I can’t help touching him. I do it without thinking. I love him. It’s a way of showing him that fact.”

Taking a deep breath, McQueen spoke. “I was as jumpy as you guys were when I first met Dill. She kept touching me, putting her hand on my arm or my knee. Even wanting to hold my hand. In public too, not just in private.” He smiled up at her. “I’m used to it now. One day, guys, if you’re lucky, you’ll find someone who’s right for you…” His watch beeped. He looked at it. “Damn! I have to go. I’m on duty in 60 mikes, and I’m gonna be late!”

Ty jumped up and kissed the children goodbye, promising to see them soon, and with a quick hug and kiss for Dill, fled out of the door at a run.

The four invitros sat and looked at Dill. She cuddled a crying Izzy on her lap.

“Why’s she crying?” Talbot asked.

“She wants her daddy back,” Dill told him. “As do these two who’re creeping up for cuddles.” She wrapped her arms around the boys too.

“But, but he’s a tank!” Leopold blurted, the first time Dill had heard him speak without being prompted.

“No, he’s not. To them he’s their daddy. That’s who they see, and that’s all they see. Just as I see a man. The man I fell in love with and married. The father of my children. A tank? Oh no, he’s much more than that,” she told them, “and so could you be one day.”

“Yeah, right!” Godfrey muttered.

“You wanted to know why I had a funny name. I’m named after my father, and he’s an invitro too. He and my mother met and fell in love. Sadly, they didn’t get a happy ending the way Ty and I did, but it does happen. In Ty’s squad there’s another in vitro. His girlfriend is natural born and she adores him. It won’t be long before they announce marriage plans, I’m sure. It happens, guys. Don’t lock yourselves away from it. Be open to it. See what happens.” Dill looked at the sad, tear stained faces of her children. “If you’ll excuse me, guys, I think my children need to go home. They’re tired and upset. I’ll see you tomorrow. Think about what I’ve said.”

Hoisting Izzy in her arms, she left, Hamish holding her hand and Cameron holding his.

~~~~~~~~~

Two days later Dill was getting ready for Ty and Ross’s arrival for dinner. The children had been fed, showered, and put in their pyjamas. Dill was allowing them to stay up for a while with the grown ups, and then they were being packed off to bed. Dill herself was shimmying into a dress she’d bought. Ty rarely saw her in a dress and this, she thought, would knock his socks off. It was a simple little dark blue sleeveless velvet dress. Not too figure hugging, but fairly revealing, low cut at the front, and low enough at the back. She had to be careful about the length though. Being small, she’d had to ask them to take it up. Now it sat just above her knees. Dill twirled. Looking at herself in the mirror, she decided she’d do, though maybe the stockings were overdoing it just a bit. After all, it wasn’t supposed to be a night of seduction. It was Glen to dinner.

“Mummy?” Hamish stood beside her, his face beaming. “Will daddy tell us a story ‘fore we go to bed?”

“Oh, I expect so. He does usually, doesn’t he?” Dill smiled. “Where’s that Izzy? Is she getting all mucky?”

Hamish grinned. “She’s licking the floor.”

“Ugh! Why does that sister of yours have such disgusting habits?” Dill said, running out to grab her.

She was bent over picking up Izzy as Ty and Ross walked in.

“Am I glad you have underwear on!” Ty laughed. “Look away Glen.”

“A gentleman never embarrasses a lady by letting her know he’s noticed her indiscretions,” Glen smiled. “My eyes were closed Dylan.”

“A gentleman, eh? So not Ty then?” Dill chuckled, slapping McQueen on the arm. “Trust you to see only that, you beast!”

“Could I help it if we walked in and there you were mooning us?” McQueen smiled. He pulled her close, his hand rubbing her bottom, and whispered, “I like it though. Nice panties… and stockings.”

“Ty!” Dill blushed. “You’re awful, you really are. Stop it and say hello to the children. Introduce them to Glen. In fact, here, have Izzy while I check the dinner.” She handed him Izzy, who promptly slapped a wet kiss on his face. “I’m sorry, Glen, he really has no manners. Can I get you a drink? I have rum? Or wine? Whiskey? Take a seat please. I know it’s not much, but it's home for the next five months.”

“Rum, I think, please,” Ross said, sitting down to find himself with a child on either side of him, smiling beatifically.

“’Ello, I’m Hamish. Are you Glen?” Hamish smiled.

“I am indeed,” he said gravely, holding out his hand for Hamish to shake. “I’m pleased to meet you. Thank you,“ he nodded to Dill as she handed him a glass before excusing herself.

Hamish tentatively shook the outstretched hand.

“You tell my daddy what to do,” Cameron said sternly. “Tell him to come home.”

“I wish I could young man,” Ross smiled, “but I’m afraid I can’t. You see, I need him far too much.”

“We need him more,” Cameron told him, “and he wants to come home.”

“I’m sorry. But once this war is over he can come home for good, if that’s what he wants,” Glen offered.

“But we needs him now,” Hamish interjected.

“Mummy needs him so she won’t be sad. If Izzy had him she wouldn’t eat bugs. And Hamish needs him to do wrestling,” Cameron told him earnestly.

“And what do you need him for?” Glen asked.

“I just need him,” Cameron sighed.

“Camrun needs cuddles all the time,” Hamish said disgustedly.

“Guys, leave Glen alone. Let him have his drink before you bully him any more,” McQueen told them sternly. “Sorry, Glen. They shouldn’t hassle you like that.”

Both boys looked at Ty, lips trembling.

“Sorry, daddy,” Cameron whispered.

“Sorry,” Hamish said softly. Then, tears falling, he flung himself on the floor at McQueen’s feet. “Don’t smack me, daddy, don’t smack me! I’ll be a good boy!”

Embarrassed, Ty stepped back quickly. “Hamish, get up and stop being silly!”

Dill chose that moment to walk in. She took one look and took Izzy off McQueen. “Deal with him,” she said simply.

Casting an apologetic look at Glen, Ty picked up the crying child and carried him out of the room. They could hear Hamish still begging not to be smacked even after McQueen had shut the door.

“Is he tough with them?” Glen asked, somewhat embarrassed himself. “I can see that he would be.”

Dill didn’t get a chance to speak. Cameron piped up, “Daddy never smacks us, but Hamish always thinks he will. Daddy loves us too much to smack us. He couldn’t smack us no matter how bad we are. He’s scared he would hurt us.”

Ross looked at him. “From the mouths of babes,” he grinned.

“And Ty is now probably worrying that you think he beats his children. He is tough with them, yes, but he’d never lay a finger on them. As Cameron says, he couldn’t bring himself to do it. He’s a big softy really, and the children take advantage of that fact. Hamish has this obsession that he’s going to smack him. He once saw his friend getting a smack and it’s rollercoastered from there. Oddly enough, he never thinks I’m going to smack him.” Dill sat beside Ross.

Izzy smiled at Glenn before crawling into his lap, her hands reaching to his head. “Izzy,” Dill warned.

Izzy gave him a big, wet, sloppy kiss. She stood in his lap and fingered his hair.

“Why do I get the feeling she’s looking for something?” Ross chuckled.

“I am so sorry, Glen. Our children seem determined to show us up tonight,” Dill apologised.

“I’m being a good boy, mummy,” Cameron smiled.

“Yes, my lover, you are,” she smiled back at him. “Thank you.”

“Can I go and play with my penis?”

Ross laughed out loud.

“Go! Go on,” Dill shooed him away, shaking her head. “Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse.”

“At least Ty’s behaving himself,” Ross chuckled.

“Yes, but for how long?” Dill smiled. ”Let me take Izzy off you. I’ll give her to Ty. He can put them all to bed. I won’t be a minute.” She carried the still smiling Izzy out of the room.

Ross looked around. He was impressed. Dylan had said ‘it’s not much’, but it must have been one of the best suites of quarters on the station. Ty had told him they’d asked for her specifically, and agreed to her requests instantly, and he was suspicious. He had to agree with Ty. Looking around him, he saw a suite of rooms for a civilian. For a teacher, essentially. Something wasn’t quite right somewhere. Ross determined to put out feelers amongst his friends and see if he could find anything out.

Although he didn’t know Dylan very well, he liked the effect she’d had on Ty. He smiled to himself. The man was much more at ease and far more comfortable with life in general. A helluva lot less uptight than he had ever been. It was good to see. He’d known McQueen a long time and had watched him develop from a scared and frightened tank into a confident, disciplined marine. And then McQueen had met Dylan, and Ross now realised just how much of it had been a façade, and underneath it all he’d still been that scared and frightened tank. He could see that with Dylan at his side McQueen had come a long way to realising his potential. Not in his military career, as he undoubtedly would have with Amy, but as a man. And as far as Ross was concerned, that was far better.

He looked up as Dill came back into the room, smiling.

“Sorry about that, Glen. Ty won’t be long, and as soon as he’s done, we’ll eat. They actually had a delivery of fresh food yesterday so I have a nice joint of roast beef.” She looked worried for a moment. “You do eat beef?” At his nod, she chuckled. “His lordship loves it.” Again the worried look. “Is he eating, do you know? I’m sure he’s lost weight.”

Ross laughed out loud. ”Lord, you sound like my mother! Seriously though, Dylan, he’s fine. He has times when he’s down, but I try and keep him busy.” He smiled at her. “You’re good for him. Thank you for being The One.”

“The One?” Dill asked, puzzled.

“The One,” he nodded. “My mother always said that there’s The One out there for all of us. It’s taken a long time, but Ty's finally found you. You’ve made a great difference to his life. It was looking for a while there that he was going to be wasted. “

“Wasted? Oh no, I don’t think Ty’s life could be called wasted,” Dill told him, surprised and a little affronted even that he’d imply such a thing.

“That’s not what I meant,” Ross told her. “He has packed more into twenty years than the rest of us can dream of. I meant him, personally. He has so much to offer, and it was all going to waste because no woman ever looked past the navel on his neck.”

“Amy did,” Dill countered.

“Look what she did to him,“ Ross answered. “Look what you’ve done for him. You’ve given him much more than just a family. You’ve given him a sense of home... a sense of truly belonging. You’ve given him more confidence than either of us knew he lacked…”

“Is this a private conversation, or can anyone join?” McQueen asked from the doorway. “I can go out and come back later if you’d rather.”

“Sorry, my lover,” Dill said, going to him and wrapping her arms around his waist, reaching up to kiss him. “Why don’t you two sit down and I’ll bring dinner through.”

He kissed her back before answering, “Do you need any help?”

She shook her head. “No, you and Glen sit down. I won’t be a moment. Why don’t you open the wine?”

They enjoyed their meal, laughing and talking all the way through it. Glen told Dill stories about McQueen that he knew he’d never tell her himself, and Dill giggled and told Ross about incidents at home with and without the children. McQueen retaliated by telling tales about both of them, until eventually they left the table comfortably full and with a glass in their hands.

“I have to say, Dylan, that that meal was wonderful. No wonder greedy gut here is always pining to go home. He misses your cooking,” Ross chuckled.

“Who’re you calling greedy gut? You had two helpings of roast beef yourself!” McQueen smiled.

“But you had three and you cleared your plate each time.”

“What can I say? I was hungry.” McQueen looked down at Dill snuggled up close to him. He was hungry for more than just food.

“I like to see him eating,” Dill grinned at Ross. “He’s far too skinny. Though heaven knows what he’d look like if he was permanently home. A balloon, I should think.”

“I still do my morning run, even at home. In fact, it’s a really good run, Glen. You should come stay with us next time we get leave together. You and Rhonda.”

“Oh definitely,” Dill reiterated. “That would be lovely. It’d be nice to see Rhonda again.”

Ross looked at his watch. “I’m afraid it’s time for me to say goodnight. Thank you for dinner, Dylan, and your excellent company.“ He smiled. “Next time, it’s on me.”

He stood and made his way to the door. McQueen stood too. He kissed Dill before starting after Ross.

“And just where do you think you’re going?” Ross asked him.

“I’m coming back to the ‘Toga with you. I’m on duty at 06:30.”

“Ty, if Rhonda was here, looking the way Dylan does right now, I can tell you for sure I would NOT be going back to the ‘Toga tonight. I’ll see you in the morning at 07:00.” Glenn winked at Dill as he left, calling back, “Be gentle with him. He’s got a full stomach.”

McQueen looked at her. “I’m sorry, Dill. I’d love to stay. You know I would, but…”

“It’s okay,” she smiled. “Go on, I understand.”

She pushed him towards the door and smiled as he hurried to catch up with Ross.

“What the hell are you doing, McQueen?” Ross growled at him when he caught him up. “Get back there to your wife. Don’t neglect her, not after she fed you so well.”

“Now there’s an aspect of marriage no one warned me about. My wife feeds me and I’m expected to take her to bed as a thank you. Hmm... interesting,” Ty chuckled.

“No, but when she looks like Dylan did tonight, it’s a clue, Ty. A big in-your-face clue that she’s willing, if you are,” Ross grinned.

“Except I have to be on duty early, and if the kids wake up and find me there, I’ll never get back to the ‘Toga on time. Even with Dill and the kids here, I still have other responsibilities, Glen.”

Ross stopped and stared at him. “Well, she’s more understanding than I would be, that’s for sure!” He shook his head and began walking again.

Both men were knocked to the floor as the station shook.

“What the hell was that?” Ross demanded, climbing to his feet.

“Felt like a missile attack. But here? We’re way beyond the frontlines!” McQueen said as another shock took them off their feet again.

At that point sirens started blaring as an alert was sounded, and over the intercom came a voice calling all Saratoga personnel back to the ship. McQueen picked himself up. His first impulse was to run to his family, to gather them in his arms and keep them safe. To make sure no harm came to them. But as a soldier, a marine, he knew his duty lay on the Saratoga protecting all the occupants of the space station. If he ran for his family now he knew there would be people saying that he’d failed in his duty, and what else could you expect from a tank? That finally he was showing his true colours. He’d worked too damned hard to have it all thrown in his face now. Ty thought about it. If his family weren’t here, he’d be on his way to the Saratoga now. That clarified it, and he started off in the direction of the landing bays.

“Ty! Where the hell are you going?” Ross called.

McQueen turned, his face set into a frown. “I’m going back to the Saratoga. If it’s chigs, we have work to do. This station needs protecting.”

“Your family is here!”

“I can help them more by doing my job properly!” McQueen snapped. “And that means from the bridge of the Saratoga, launching fighters.”

Ross looked at his friend’s face. He knew the battle going on behind the set jaw and the steely glare. “Well, I’m going back to get your family. I’ll feel happier knowing they’re with us on the Saratoga. Are you coming or not?”

McQueen floundered. On the one hand, he had a job to do. On the other, he desperately wanted to make sure his family was safe.

“For God’s sake, man! Come on! Once we get them on board, we’ll go straight to the bridge. But I’ll be fretting about them, and so will you, otherwise. And don’t even try to pretend you won’t be,” Ross said.

“We have more lives to worry about than just those four,” McQueen said tersely. “Others who are just as important.”

Ross grabbed him. “This is your family, Ty. AThe only one you have! They ARE important! Now get into gear and let’s go get them!”

McQueen found himself being pulled along by Ross. “Glen, I...,” he faltered.

“You what, Ty?” Ross asked as he barrelled down the corridor.

“I don’t want anyone accusing me of ….” Again, he faltered. “But they’re my family, Glen. You’re right.”

They rounded a corner and could see smoke and sparks flying. This was obviously somewhere that had taken a hit. Both men looked at the scene in front of them. Twisted metal lay everywhere. People were fighting to put out a fire, and Dill's quarters were just down the hallway. As one they sprinted, horrified to see the extent of the damage.

McQueen’s heart began to thump wildly in his chest. If this was where the station had been hit.... His children had a view port. They looked out at the stars. He ran faster, unaware now of the man at his side, desperate to make sure his children were safe. They burst through the door and stopped in horror. The room was full of acrid smoke. Sparks flew from the ceiling. McQueen finally let go the breath he was holding as he heard Izzy crying.

“Dill!” he yelled.

“Here!” came her reply, as she flung open her bedroom door. “Thank God you came back!” She ran into his arms. “The children are terrified.”

“Come on, grab the kids and let’s go,” Ross said, staring about him at the damage. “Did you take a hit?”

“I don’t know,” Dill said, “but it sure felt like it.”

“No, they didn’t,” McQueen growled, heading for his children, well aware that if they had he would have lost them all. He picked up Cameron as Dill grabbed Izzy and Ross took Hamish. The three of them turned to run.

“Cashus!” Cameron cried.

“Leave him!” McQueen barked. Now that he actually held his child in his arms, he’d once again slipped into command mode.

“Ty!” Dill pleaded.

“Where is he?” he demanded of the small boy.

“In my bed,” Cameron whispered, scared of the look on his fathers face and the way he spoke.

“You two go. We’ll catch you up,“ McQueen snapped.

Dill and Ross glanced at one another and took off, Dill stopping only long enough to grab the nappy bag she saw lying on the floor.

McQueen pushed open the door to the children’s room with his foot. He stopped and stared. The view port was cracked. Air was slowly leeching into space, and the children’s toys were strewn around the room. The wall was bulging under the pressure, and it looked as though at any minute it was going to rupture.

He turned and put Cameron on the floor just outside. “Stay there and don’t open the door,” he told him.

“Yes, daddy,” Cameron whispered, aware of how shocked his daddy was.

Pulling the door shut behind him, McQueen looked for Cashus. As he did so, he grabbed whatever toys came to hand, stuffing them into a small toy sack. Finally he grabbed Cashus. His heart pounded as he opened the door and found Cameron still standing there, tears streaming down his face.

“What are you crying for? I found Cashus, here take him!”

Ty grabbed the boy and turned to leave, then hesitated. Dill would need something other than that dress, he thought. Taking a deep breath, he ran into her bedroom and again grabbing the nearest bag, opened drawers and began emptying the contents into the bag, glad to see she had the kids' clothes in there too. He’d finished and was on his way out, Cameron in his arms, when the wall ruptured. He was flung to the floor and Cameron hit the wall.

Picking himself up, Ty managed to pull the door shut behind them as the pressure seals slammed into place. He grabbed Cameron, took one look at the pale, still, and bloodied face, and his heart almost stopped. Ty clutched his son to him and grabbing the bags, ran as fast as he could to the landing bay where he hoped they were still waiting for him. If he’d gone straightaway, instead of stopping for toys and clothing, this would never have happened, he kept telling himself. ‘You’ve killed Cameron because you’re a stupid tank! You should have got out of there straightaway.’

He flew through the corridors, charging through people, determined to get his baby to the Saratoga’s sickbay as fast as possible, even if he had to fly the transport himself. Hell, he’d fit Cameron on his lap in a hammerhead, if that’s what it took!

McQueen ran through the door to the landing bay. He could see Ross standing in the door of the transport, arguing about closing the doors. Dill was behind him holding Izzy, Hamish clutching at her legs.

“Wait!” he yelled, climbing aboard. “We’re here.” He flung the bags down. “Is there a doc on board?” he called, Cameron still clutched tightly to his chest.

“Cameron!” Dill cried. “What happened? Is he alright?”

“I fell, he hit the wall. I didn’t stop to check him over. The wall had ruptured and I just wanted to get us out of there!“ he snapped. “For all I know he might be de…. I don’t know….” McQueen stopped, his fears catching up with him. He released Cameron into Ross’ arms and turned to hug Dill, desperately burying his face in her neck, not caring who saw him. He just needed a moment to regain his composure... a moment of comfort to help him face his fear.

“He’s alive and breathing,” Ross announced. He’d cleared a space on the floor and laid the little boy down. “From the state of his skull he might have a fracture, but as soon as we get to the Saratoga the Docs will take care of him. Don’t worry, Dylan, he’ll be fine.” He spoke to Dill, but he looked at McQueen, seeing the stony expressionless face he was so familiar with. The one that hid the fear and guilt he was feeling.

Hamish took one look at the still body of his brother and burst into tears, sobbing against McQueen’s legs, desperate to be picked up and reassured. McQueen brushed him off. “Stop it!” he ordered him. “Crying won’t help. Stay with mommy.”

McQueen marched to the flightdeck and spoke to the pilots. He came back, his face stonier than ever. “It’s going to be a bumpy ride, folks. Strap yourselves in.” He stopped to pick up Hamish and strap him to a seat. Ty crouched to speak to him.

“I’m sorry, Hamish. Daddy doesn’t have the time right now to give you hugs. I need you to stop crying and be a brave marine. You think you can do that? When Cameron wakes up, he needs to see you smiling, not crying, okay?” Despite his best efforts, his voice sounded harsh even to his own ears.

Hamish nodded, trying hard to stop his sobbing, and rubbed his hand across his eyes. “Yes, daddy,“ he whispered. His voice was subdued. The young boy was terrified of this strange new side to his daddy, a side that wouldn’t allow him to give hugs or kisses. A side that only seemed cross and angry.

With a sigh and a quick look at Dill's worried face, McQueen turned away, heading for the weapons console. He had a job to do, and he would do it no matter that his chest was tight with fear for his family. Fear that he’d damaged Cameron beyond anything that the docs could do for him. Fear that Dill would never forgive him for allowing Cameron to be hurt. Fear that he could never forgive himself because he hadn’t gone when he should have.

Despite those fears, the weapons had to be manned and he had to protect them all from more chig attacks. McQueen sat down and lost himself in the procedures and checks necessary to ensure the weapons system was on line. Any chigs that approached this transport were never going to see their families again.

~~~