Semper Fi - Chapter 7: The Return (Mf MF anal menst creampie masturbation voy exhib rom)

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Chapter 7: The Return

Hitch and Kieu-Linh set out April 19th carrying heavy rucks and as much of the remaining meat as they could carry. Kieu-Linh brought her journal and wrote in it during rest breaks. She'd gotten her period the day before, which made her a bit uncomfortable, but she refused a need to delay and sucked it up. The young woman's stubbornness was one of her many assets, so Hitch believed. It made her push through and keep going when others might have asked for a mulligan. He really admired that about her.

It was one of the characteristics which had led him to court Julia. Like Kieu-Linh, his dead wife's personality was one of resolve, intelligence, a quick wit and quicker mind. All of her strengths were bound by a stubbornness bordering on defensiveness, at times. But she was right about her stances far more often than she was wrong, and it caught the attention of her superiors immediately. It also caught Hitch's eye when he'd met her during a formal officer's dinner at Camp Pendleton while Hitch was still recovering from wounds inflicted during his time in Afghanistan in 2002.

He happened to be seated next to her during the meal, and they clicked immediately. They traded more than just bravado, discussing analytical thoughts of the war in Afghanistan, everything from high-level strategy and end game to platoon-level tactical challenges. They kept talking long after the event and spent a few days meeting for coffee before he finally asked her out.

At first, Julia had refused, saying that her work left her no time for a relationship. But Hitch didn't give up, convincing her to spend one afternoon with him on the beach. Instead of trying to woo her with cheesy lines and promises of eternal love, he got her talking about what she wanted out of life, about what the Corps meant to her, and how she planned to take on the challenges of being a woman in a male-driven community.

Hitch was inspired by her, and after their date, he ordered books to be sent to her apartment. She called him and asked why he'd done it. He explained that, whether she wanted to see him again or not, he was well read and thought that the works he sent represented the best sources he knew to help her achieve the goals she described. He included works on military tactics, women in the military, and how to challenge leadership while still getting ahead.

Julia wasn't sure how to take that and soon ended the call. But a couple of days later, she'd thought about what he'd done without expecting her to give in, and she found she both liked and respected Hitch enough to try dating him, even with the challenges of their active duty status.

They clicked again and within weeks were living together. They married soon after, and, despite precautions, Julia got pregnant. Even though it stuck a fork in her immediate plans for her career, Julia didn't let it cause despair, welcoming Willow into her life with the same passion with which she'd joined the Corps. It pained her tremendously when she was passed over for a desired role, but before long, she found a way to alternate time at home with Hitch so that she, too, could deploy and continue her career.

It had meant they saw little of each other. Hitch in Iraq for several months, then Julia going off to God knows where on an intelligence deployment. But Hitch always loved that Julia was stubborn enough to get her way when she knew what she wanted. It made him respect her more, and it was one of those things which he was really beginning to recognize in Kieu-Linh.

He sipped from his canteen on the second day of the hump, miles north of the bunker and on track to arrive at the cabin around nightfall the following day. He watched the sixteen-year old as she penciled her thoughts on the pages of her journal. He wondered what she wrote, but he would never ask her to show him. He'd helped with the first couple of entries, but only because she was still learning to spell. Once she had her bearings, she was on her own, and her private thoughts were none of his business.

Kieu-Linh looked to see him watching her, and she smiled, “just a couple more minutes, almost done,” she told him, then returned to her writing.

Hitch pulled out binoculars and slowly scanned the valley below for the third time since they'd stopped. They were deep in the forest, and as before, he saw no sign of other humans. There might be some down there, but if they were smart, they were keeping their heads down and, like he had at the bunker, vented their smoke through a series of diverging pipes which led to little, if any, sign of a fire visible from more than a few meters away. It was an old-school tactic to survive a long period in a cold, hostile place.

Kieu-Linh closed her journal and stuffed it into her ruck, then slung the pack over her shoulders, picked up her rifle and took her place behind Hitch as he headed down the ridge line.

- - -

“Dad!” Kieu-Linh rushed forward as soon as she saw the mountain man carrying a jug up from the barn.

The man turned, and grinned, “My girl!” He sat the jug down as she jumped into his arms and spun around. Miller held her tight a moment, kissing her cheek before finally setting her down, laughing. “My good grief! Yer shootin' up ta tha heavens!” He cupped his hands and shouted towards the cabin, “Kim-Ly! Come on ou' now!”

Hitch hung back a moment, letting the family enjoy their reunion. Kim-Ly burst through the door and raced down to hug her daughter, holding her tight and kissing her cheeks. “Oh, Kieu-Linh! How I've missed you!”

Miller spotted Hitch and headed towards him. Hitch offered his hand and Miller ignored it, wrapping his thick arms around him and squeezing him tight. “My friend, my friend. Goddamn, i's good ta see ya again, Hitch.”

“You as well, Miller. How are you and the misses?”

“Humpin' like rabbits, we are.” Miller laughed. “No, no' quite like tha', bu' we've been good. Weatha' was a bi' much this Winta', bu' we survived.” He glanced to where Kim-Ly and Kieu-Linh were talking in low tones. “An' my daughter?”

For the first time since he was boy, Hitch felt a blush rush over his face. He couldn't stop from smiling. “A fine young woman.”

Miller watched him a moment, then grinned his crooked grin, “well, we'll see wha' ya two been up'ta. Dollars ta dingleberries it'll make ya blush again, I can tell.”

Hitch laughed and felt arms wrap around his body. Kim-Ly hugged him tight, saying, “Hitch, it's wonderful you've come! We talked all Winter about you two, we were even thinking of coming down soon. I'm glad you beat us to it.” She pointed to her husband, “this one here probably couldn't keep his hands off me long enough to get anywhere... took us two hours to get to the barn earlier...”

Miller guffawed and smacked Kim-Ly's bottom. Hitch joined in the laughter. Kieu-Linh walked from behind her mother and stood beside him a moment, perhaps a touch of uncertainty on her face. Hitch wondered if she was suddenly unsure of what affection to show him in front of her parents. Whatever reservations she had, she set her jaw and took his hand, pulling it around her waist. That's my girl.

Kim-Ly smiled at her daughter and winked, then took her husband's hand. “Come in, come in, we're just finishing up for the day. Please, let's take a meal together and catch up!”

Hitch slid his fingers into Kieu-Linh's and walked with her into the cabin. The inside was as it had been before, a comfortable room, warm and cozy. Kieu-Linh helped her mother finish getting supper together while Hitch and Miller took seats at the small table.

Miller watched his daughter a moment before turning to Hitch. “So, Major, any news?”

Hitch shrugged, “little. We went down to Mountain City last Fall before the long snows. Goods are drying up. Word is some partisans have been turned, working with the Imps now. Just a rumor, but I don't doubt people are weary and looking to strike peace where they can find it. We saw jets a few times, heading east, didn't look like US fighters, maybe Brits, or Canadians. Don't know what that means.”

Miller nodded, “saw 'em too. Reckon tha' headin' ta tha fightin' 'round Wilmin'ton an' Charleston. Still a figh' goin' on thar'.” He leaned forward, “I got more. Started listenin' on tha waves again. Seems a push is happenin' in tha Rockies agains' tha Imps. Free Americans, I hear. Seems sum no' givin' up tha figh'.”

Hitch thought about that a moment. “Doubt they will for some time. But I don't know how much fight is left. Gotta be supply issues for anyone left.”

Miller shrugged, “dunno. Tha' fightin', though. Tha Russians an' tha Chinese still at it, sound like Somme, or Verdun ta me. No nukes, yet, very surprisin'.”

Hitch replied, “with what's on the line, you'd think they would have unleashed. Odd. Never quite understood why we didn't send our own into Mexico. It would have possibly stopped their advances immediately.”

Miller said, “I know why.”

“Oh?”

“Chinese ha' ou' gullet before The War. Ha' control of tha nukes. Even if we'd'a tried ta fire 'em, Chinese ha' overrides.”

“How do you know this?”

“Get a signal sumtimes, good info or no', Hitch. Sumone go' tha info years ago.”

“Could just be rumors and guessing,” Hitch said evenly. “Can't say I'd trust the rumor mill on anything.”

Miller shrugged, “migh' be righ', migh' be righ'. Anyway... Patriots still fightin' in places, still givin' 'em hell.” He finally leaned back, once more looking at his daughter. “Make ya wanna go back, Major?”

Hitch shook his head, “no. No, I'm through. Can't see going back now. The reasons I fought for are gone, long gone.”

Miller nodded slowly towards Kieu-Linh. “No' all of 'em, Hitch. No' all of 'em.”

Hitch didn't reply before Kim-Ly dished out heaping servings of venison stew along with a moist, crumbly cornbread. Kieu-Linh brought over glasses of apple cider. She smiled at Hitch, and he returned her expression.

“So,” Kim-Ly said as the women sat down, “not here an hour and already my husband is talking about The War. He's been fixed at his set into the night lately, picking up any rumor or nugget of information he can find.”

Miller added, “ignored it fa years, didn' wanna know fer a while... bu'... par' of me needs ta know.”

“Can't change anything, Miller,” Hitch replied. “All you can do is make yourself doubt and fear that way.”

“Maybe,” the man replied, “maybe. Bu' my home is my castle. My home is my castle, Major. I wanna know if tha Imps thinkin' of movin' in 'ere. Cause if tha' do, we'll figh' 'em an' bleed 'em.”

Kim-Ly was nodding slowly, and Hitch didn't respond. Instead he dug into the delicious, rich stew and in moments, had downed his portion, chasing it with the cider. He let out an unexpected belch, and Kieu-Linh laughed and did the same.

Miller laughed, and Kim-Ly said, “I'll take that as a compliment.” She leaned back and looked at Hitch quietly a moment. He noted that the desperate desire, the woman's clear intentions he'd seen the last time he'd been there were no longer in her eyes. There was a more measured glance casting his way, perhaps just a touch more peace and satisfaction. Hitch was thankful. Since he'd grown close to Kieu-Linh, there was no way he was going to accept an intimate moment with the teen's mother.

Kim-Ly finally spoke, “so... tell us about you two.” There was an edge of understanding in her words, as if she knew the answers before she'd made the request.

Kieu-Linh looked at Hitch, smiling, “we're in love!”

Miller guffawed, a big belly laugh, and said, “I knew it was ta be tha' way!”

Kim-Ly smiled. The woman added, “well, I could see that already.” She looked closely at Hitch's face, measuring his reaction. “You feel this way for my daughter, Hitch? You love her?”

He took Kieu-Linh's hand and replied, “I do. I really do. I still don't know how I got so lucky. This was, by far, the best Winter I've had up the mountain, she's... she's been wonderful...”

“Made 'er a woman, yet?” Miller asked, amused.

“Uh,” Hitch stumbled, “y-yeah. Though, she was a woman before... uh... before then... an amazing young woman.”

Kim-Ly replied, “that she is. Stubborn sometimes, but that can be a good thing.”

“Very much so,” Hitch replied.

“He taught me to read and write!” Kieu-Linh said with excitement.

Miller said more quietly, “than' goodness. One o' our bigges' regrets were no' takin' tha time ta teach ya tha'. Good on ya, Major.” He smiled then, said to Hitch, “my thanks, Hitch. I knew ya an' my daughter'd come together like this. I knew it. Good tha' ya seein' it through...”

Hitch nodded but said nothing.

Kim-Ly eyed her daughter, glancing down her body to where thick clothing which had once been loose on her frame now hugged her growing curves more tightly, and asked, “are you pregnant yet?”

Kieu-Linh shook her head, “no... no. We're... being careful.”

Kim-Ly nodded and looked satisfied, turning to Hitch. “Don't get me wrong... I'd welcome and cherish a grandchild, just that... just that...”

“Tough world to bring a child into right now,” Hitch completed her thought. “I know, that's why we're being careful...” Hitch was uncomfortable discussing their sex life in front of the girl's parents, and he changed the subject. “Linh killed a black bear last year. Big sucker, too. Two clean kill shots brought him down fast.”

Miller nodded and smiled, “tha's my girl. Always could'a handle a rifle. Proud of ya, Kieu-Linh. Proud of ya, an' I love ya.”

Kieu-Linh rose and walked to her father, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. “Love you, Dad.” She looked at Hitch, grinning, “I want to go bathe,” she said moving over to put her arm around Hitch's neck.

Kim-Ly replied, “I think we could all use that. God knows my husband is a bit gamey after we... uh...” she started laughing and Miller's face grew a broad grin.

“Go on, kee' braggin' 'bout me,” Miller said with amusement. “Canna' help satisfyin' my woman when I can. Still got tha wood, see?” He quickly took Kim-Ly's hand and slid it to his crotch, then laughed again.

“Good grief, Jefferson,” Kim-Ly exclaimed, only slowly removing her hand, “like a damn teenager.” There was no shame or anger in her voice.

“I'd like a bath myself,” Hitch said, chuckling as the couple joined for a kiss framed by Miller's wild, white beard and Kim-Ly's rich, cinnamon skin. He took Kieu-Linh's hand and they fished towels out of their rucks before moving off towards the spring in the cool darkness, the girl's parents trailing slowly behind them.

“They seem much happier,” Kieu-Linh said quietly, “I like seeing them happy.”

“They do,” Hitch replied. “I'm glad for them.”

“You're happier, too,” she said.

“Because of you, Sweetheart.”

He could hear her smile in her reply. “I'm happy, too. Are we going to stay here?”

Hitch said, “maybe. We still need to discuss it. The idea is growing on me. I know you'd like that.”

“Yes. I miss this place,” Kieu-Linh stated. “I mean... I loved being with you this Winter, and if you said you wanted to go back, I'd go without a thought, but...”

“But this is home, and your parents are here.”

“Yes.”

“We'll see what we can work out. Bit tight, perhaps. Only the one bedroom.”

“I liked when we slept on the rug by the fire, that first night I met you,” the teen replied, “you made me comfortable.”

“That was a night to remember... holding you... even if it was just... innocent then,” Hitch said, thinking back to the night the previous Spring when Kieu-Linh had seen him in weakness when he cried over his daughter, Willow. The young woman's comfort had been offered freely and warmly, and, even though he hadn't realized it at the time, was the first moments when their relationship began growing towards something more than a casual friendship.

They stripped off their clothing in the darkness beside the spring and slid into the warm water quickly. Hitch drifted a moment, his body tired but soon relaxed. Kieu-Linh floated beside him, holding his hand. He heard Miller and Kim-Ly approach, but in the darkness, could see just a hint of them on the edge of the pool. Miller laughed and Kim-Ly did as well, then they slipped into the water a few yards away.

The calm sounds of the spring made Hitch feel light and refreshed in moments. A soft trickling of the nearby creek and the occasional giggling from Kim-Ly were delightful to take in. He found himself pulling Kieu-Linh to him and kissing her gently, dropping his feet down to the slightly-mucky bottom of the spring so that he could pull his young lover into an embrace. “I love you so much, Linh.”

He heard a light moan from where Miller and Kim-Ly were wading in the spring and realized they had started to make love. While he couldn't see them, the sounds of water slapping against naked flesh, the man's steady grunts, and Kim-Ly's delighted, soft moans captured his imagination. He remembered what it was like to fuck the woman in the spring.

Kieu-Linh whispered, “they're having sex.”

“Yes.”

“Let's have sex, James...”

Hitch hesitated a moment, then decided not to try to sort out the confusing thoughts about fucking the teen while her parents mated nearby. Kieu-Linh turned to him and kissed his lips, bringing a knee up firmly to his hip. It was the same way her mother had initiated their coupling months before. Hitch took hold of Kieu-Linh's knee, and helped her bring her other leg up to his waist.

She settled down and took him inside her body, the teen's tight pussy slick and a bit sticky, her menstrual blood washing away quickly as she began to ride him. Hitch heard Miller grunting louder, and he heard Kim-Ly's soft cries grow stronger, the woman soon climaxing with her husband not far behind.

“Stay in me this time, James... just this once... please... I'm still bleeding... just stay inside me...”

Hitch had a moment where he thought of protesting, the risk of pregnancy something they'd greatly minimized by having him pull out or using her ass. But the moment was one of soft love, of romance and emotional closeness. He kissed his young lover's lips, holding her up and against his body. The water splashed lightly against their bodies as Kieu-Linh moved her hips, her tight young pussy milking him and making him tense.

The teen climaxed easily, as she always did, crying out softly into the dark night. Hitch knew her parents could hear Kieu-Linh's pleasure in the stillness, knew they understood the two were mating close by. He started to release, grunting. He rested his head against hers, panting into her ear as he came inside the girl's vagina. “Oh, Linh... oh, god... oh... oh...” Semen flooded her menstruating channel, quickly washing away in the water around their coupling. He came in slow spurts, ejaculating his seed against her cervix, growing warm and tingly as pleasure enveloped his mind and body.

Gradually, he lowered Kieu-Linh and let his penis slip from her vagina. She kissed him in the darkness and he used his fingers to gently wash away the seed he'd left inside of her. The teen rocked her hips as he touched her sensitive flesh below the water, and moments later, she climaxed again, hugging him tightly and grunting against his shoulder.

They relaxed again in the warm spring, ignoring the world around them, holding hands, lightly touching each other's bodies, the silky mineral water making them slippery. Hitch was vaguely aware that Miller and Kim-Ly had left the pool, and by the time he and Kieu-Linh finally climbed up onto the edge of the spring, her parents were already well out of earshot.

“Thank you, James,” Kieu-Linh whispered as they slid back into their clothing after drying their bodies in the cool air. “I love feeling you do that inside me there... I just... love that feeling...”

“I know... I do too...” He didn't feel the need to discuss, again, the risks involved in doing so.

- - -

Kim-Ly and Miller were retiring for the night by the time Hitch and his young lover made their way back to the cabin. They exchanged pleasantries, a happy, knowing look passing from Kim-Ly to Hitch, but no one mentioned the lovemaking they'd shared near each other moments earlier. Kieu-Linh and Hitch bedded down on the oversized bearskin rug near the fireplace, and he held her lovingly as they grew sleepy.

Hitch was nearly asleep when Kieu-Linh's soft voice broke in. “Did you make love to my mother out of pity?”

He was silent a moment, his thoughts disorganized on the edge of sleep. “Uh... what?”

“When you made love with her last year... you said it wasn't love, that it was just sex... and when I wanted it from you... you said you wanted to go slow with me... I wonder why you had sex with her then... you waited so long with me... did you feel sorry for her?”

Hitch tried to formulate a reply which made sense. “I... No. No, it wasn't... pity. Not really. I suppose... part of me felt a bit sorry for her...”

“Sounds like pity to me...”

“Maybe so... but... it was more than that... I mean... the way she looked at me... there was a... a hunger... for me. I know it might have been any man who'd been kind to her in those moments, but right then... it was me she looked at... I was... attracted to her... and... and when she made her needs clear, I... I was very willing to join her that way... I don't want to think of it as pity... no, I don't like that word...”

“But... when I looked at you... when I wanted you,” Kieu-Linh said quietly, “you made me wait...”

“Because... You were different, Linh. For one thing... you were... young... a virgin... and... unlike your mother, I knew... I knew there was a chance that we... might be more than just lovers... I resisted it... for a while. I told you I didn't want to risk being hurt again... to risk loving you only to lose you... and so... for those reasons, I put off being with you... I put off... risking all that... I didn't want to take your virginity... only to find myself... unable to love you as you deserved... I waited because... because I don't know if I'd have respected myself if I'd have given in so quickly with you. With your mother... there wasn't that same risk... she had your father... what she needed from me... was sexual... not really emotional... With you... with you, I knew you loved me and wanted more than just to give your body to me...”

Kieu-Linh was quiet a moment, then said, “okay. I guess... I guess that makes sense... I should... I should be thankful, James, that you cared enough about me to wait... to be sure... I wanted you, you know... that night I touched myself... with you watching... I wanted you to be with me then... I hurt wanting your touch... It was... painful when you wouldn't touch me... I felt... rejected, I guess.”

“I never meant that, Linh, never.”

“I know...” she said softly.

“Linh... that's behind us now... right? We're past that. I found I loved you and cared for you and when I came to know that... about myself... I knew we should be together completely. It took time... I'd... I'd lost so much before you... Old wounds never fully heal, Linh, and some of them make it hard to return and risk new ones... But... I'm so thankful you saw in me what I couldn't, that you were patient even when you felt rejected. I love you so much.”

Kieu-Linh turned over and wrapped her arms around Hitch's neck, sliding a leg over his thigh. “I know. I love you forever, James. I love you forever.”

- - -

Kim-Ly and Kieu-Linh had gone down to see to the milk cows as dawn began to rush over the mountain. Hitch had risen early and sat on the porch, wrapped in a blanket, staring out into the darkness, listening, as he always did, for any sound which might signal danger. He'd heard nothing of concern, the crickets and tree frogs joining a chorus every few minutes as a light rain shower pushed through and cleared out quickly.

After the women had gone down the rise, Miller sat with Hitch on the porch, sharing a pipe of tobacco and a pinch of cannabis. Although Hitch had smoked the small measure of pot Miller had given him the year before, it still unsettled him a bit to know it could impact his ability to respond quickly to threats. Still, that morning, he shared a bit of a buzz with his friend, and they talked about what came next.

“Given any thought ta my offer ta come live 'ere?” Miller said after a long yawn.

“I have. Linh and I have discussed it at length. I really appreciate the offer. She wants us to stay here, and I'm coming to like the idea, myself.” Hitch looked over his shoulder into the cabin. “She loves it here... and I want her to be where she loves.”

Miller watched him a moment, said, “I thin' she's so taken with ya tha' she'd love wherever it is ya call home, Major. Bu' tha offer holds. We'll be cozy, ta be sure, bu' we'll make it work. Kim-Ly misses Kieu-Linh bein' here, an' I do too.”

Hitch nodded. “Well, we aren't decided just yet, but like I said, we're seriously considering it.”

“Plannin' ta go back ta yer bunker soon?”

Hitch shrugged. “Hadn't really thought much about it. I figured we'd stay here with you a few days at least, as you will have us, then we'd decide what to do. If we do stay here, I'll need to bring some things from the bunker. I don't want to risk bringing the truck through the valley, I fear too many eyes down there are not so friendly, so I'll have to hump it up. Might take a couple of trips.”

Miller nodded. “I'd like ya ta stay, Hitch.” His voice grew thin and gravelly. “I may be gettin' it up downstairs these days, bu' I'm an ole man, Major. I seen my betta' days fall into my past. Kim-Ly's gonna need help 'ere when I canna keep goin'.”

“She seems like a woman capable of taking charge and seeing things through. I'm not so sure she needs me around to keep going.”

“Tha's true, tha's true,” Miller replied, “bu' I canna bu' wan' 'er ta do more 'an jus' survive, Hitch. Lonely world outta thar', as ya know, dunna wan' 'er ta be lonely when I'm gone.”

Hitch didn't respond, unsure how to take in what Miller was implying. With Kieu-Linh as his emotional and physical partner, he didn't see how he could do for Kim-Ly what Miller seemed to suggest he do. Hitch shrugged it aside for the moment and said, “any trouble this Winter? With raiders or Imps?”

“Nah,” Miller said, “seen nothin', heard nothin'. Bu' they's 'round, I know. They's 'round. Matter o' time.”

“I've been teaching Kieu-Linh how to fight. Marine martial arts, guerrilla tactics.”

Miller eyed him a moment, then said directly, “plannin' ta get back in tha figh', Major?”

“No, no. Not at all,” Hitch said firmly. “No, but I'm not naïve enough to believe the fight might not come to us. To Linh. I wanted her to have some understanding of how to survive, how to attack and defend, both herself and anyone with her. She's sharp. She picked it up quickly, and she thinks fast on her feet. I was hoping you could help me while we're here. I'd like to give her some field exercises, get her used to being out and considering the layout of the land, the things she'd use for cover or advance. I'd like you and Kim-Ly to help teach Linh more than I could back at the bunker.”

Miller nodded, “I thin' I can round up a thin' or two tha' migh' help. Never lose tha', do we, Major?”

Hitch shook his head, “I hope not. I don't want to fight again, but... if it comes to me, I cannot help but be thankful I have the training and experience to help those around me survive.”

Miller was silent, staring over the clearing below as the sun started to slip above the eastern ridge. “Semper Fi, Major.”

“Semper Fi.”

Miller looked at Hitch and said, “whelp, if ya gonna thin' 'bout stayin', le's have a loo' 'round tha place, give ya a lay'o tha land, see wha' ya migh' be missin' if ya dun'. Then I could'a use ya help with sum chores.”

“I'd like that, thanks.”

- - -

“There's'a ole ranch down tha' way a coupla klicks.” Miller pointed off to where the ridge continued down towards the hidden valley below. “Ain't been no one thar' since we came 'round. Fallin' 'part from disuse. We too' wha' was'a value few years back, jus' tha bones still lef' o'tha place.”

They'd walked the property for most of an hour, through the fenced-in upper and lower cattle fields. Miller showed Hitch the barn and unused stables, as well as the hand-tilled grounds where they grew vegetables, only new plantings poking out in spots above the dark soil. Then Miller guided him through a second small apple orchard and past a robust grape arbor. The six milk cows had watched him idly as they strolled past, chewing cud and otherwise unimpressed to see them in the lower field.

“No real demarkation o'tha property. Land's been in my family fer a coupl'a generations. We usually only go outside tha fence lines on tha hunt, mos'ly ta tha eas' an' south,” Miller explained. “Up tha ridge it ge's dense, an' tha ridge drops off ta tha wes'.”

They'd passed Kieu-Linh and Kim-Ly earlier that morning, the women cleaning out the stale straw in the barn. Hitch was always impressed to see Kieu-Linh work when she had something to accomplish. The young woman set her mind to the task and dug in with a resolve to see it through, even with the filthy, smelly muck she had to clear out of the barn. Her face was streaked with dirt and loose straw stuck to her hair, but she smiled at him with a warmth which said she actually liked what she was doing.

The men returned to the cabin and drank from the hand-pumped water pipe a moment before Miller said, “been thinkin' on expandin' this place. See thar',” he said, pointing to the right of the structure. “Thos're the white pines. Thick with heartwood. Stron' an' resistant ta insects an' decay. Been thinkin', if yer gonna be stayin' 'ere, we migh'a could'a use another room fer ya an' Kieu-Linh.”

Hitch nodded. “Suppose that might be a nice addition, if we stay.”

Miller continued, “I felled a whole mess o'em a coupla years ago, dryin' ou' up thar'.” He pointed past the line of trees near the cabin. “'Nough ta add a good room onta tha wes' side of tha cabin. If ya gonna stay, we can get 'er up this Summer.”

Hitch replied, “I can take care of that with some help. I built my bunker out of fresh-cut pine. Didn't age it, so it was sappy and needed some work to keep up, but it worked for what I needed. I'm sure we can build it up nice.” Hitch was already considering all that would go into such a project, found himself enjoying the planning and anticipation.

Miller eyed him, amused, “seems ta me, Major, ya already decided yer stayin'.”

Hitch shrugged. “Not yet, no. But I can't say it isn't the first option right now. Just... we'll see. Want to talk to Kim-Ly, as well, make sure she's ok with this. I know Kieu-Linh wants us here.”

“As does Kim-Ly.”

- - -

Hitch and Miller worked on repairing part of the cabin where logs had cracked in the freezing Winter storms and had started leaking when the warmer days brought rain instead of snow. They patched up the cracks and added some additional coverage to prevent water from getting into the cabin.

They took lunch in the early afternoon after Kim-Ly and Kieu-Linh finished the work at the barn and had a quick cleanse at the spring. That afternoon, Kieu-Linh took Hitch down to the milk cows and showed him how to get them moving back to the barn for the night. .

“How do they survive the Winter with snow covering the ground?” Hitch asked as they led the cows up the rise.

“Dad gets hay brought up before the weather turns bad,” Kieu-Linh replied. “There's a woman down close to town who sells it for meat and other things she needs. She brings it up, couple of bales at a time, in a big truck.”

“Ever had any problems? With people stopping her?”

Kieu-Linh shrugged. “Don't think so. Dad said she sells to most anyone, so maybe they leave her alone. The Empire isn't around here much, so they aren't bothering her.”

“I think they're around, just not in force,” Hitch cautioned, “but these mountains are a tough slough, and they'd be foolish to try to come up here for what little there is to take. I hope they just stay away forever.”

“And if they don't?” she asked.

Hitch didn't reply.

Once the cows were settled in, they returned to the cabin to find supper awaiting them. More venison stew and cornbread, a couple spoonfuls of pickled cabbage on the side. After dinner, Miller offered mugs of cider, and they settled in around the fireplace to talk.

“Kim-Ly, we've been talking, as you know, about the possibility of me coming here to live with you,” Hitch said, taking a long draw of the warmed cider. “I'd like to know your thoughts.”

She smiled broadly, “I'd love that, of course! You are most welcome here. And I'd love to have my daughter near me, as well... I missed her this Winter.”

Hitch nodded, “alright. I know Kieu-Linh wishes this, and I think I'm decided on it if you are sure this is acceptable.”

Miller said, “my min' is settled. We welcome ya ta this place ta make it yer own.”

Hitch could see the excitement on Kieu-Linh's face as she realized her desire to live with him and her family at the cabin was being fulfilled. “Alright. I wish to accept your kindness and I think we should start making plans for this, then. I'll need to make a couple of humps back to the bunker to bring up some things. I'll leave enough there for emergencies, but I'll bring what I can back here.”

“I'm going with you,” Kieu-Linh said flatly.

“No, I can take care of--”

“I'm going with you.”

Hitch stared at her a moment.

She continued, “I'm not leaving your side, James. I thought we decided that.”

“Well, I just thought... since you're already here...”

“You thought you'd do all the work and leave the little girl behind?” There was a stubborn edge to her voice which almost masked the hurt. “It's silly to think you should go alone and make extra trips when I'm capable of doing my share and more.”

Hitch started to reply, could feel the eyes of Miller and Kim-Ly on him, finally said, “you're right. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to leave you out. I'd welcome your company, as always. It will make things much easier all around.”

That satisfied her and she softened. “Good. When do we leave?”

Hitch shrugged, “let's see what we can do here a few days, and if the weather holds, maybe three or four days hence?”

“Deal,” Kieu-Linh replied.

Kim-Ly finally joined back in. “Wonderful. Just wonderful.” She looked at her husband, “well I think we've had a long and productive day, perhaps it is time we retire for the evening.”

Miller stood and took her hand, smiled at Hitch and his daughter, and escorted his wife back to the bedroom.

Hitch slid onto the rug and Kieu-Linh got in beside him, her ass nestling against his groin. He pulled the thick blanket over them and slid a pillow beneath their heads.

“I'm happy you want to stay here, James,” the teen said, “I think you'll love it here.”

“So long as you're here, I have no doubt.”

She rolled her head back and kissed him, then turned over, staring at him in the darkness. “Don't ever think of me as a child again, James. I'm not.”

“I know. I'm sorry. I just... I guess I'm still working my way out of my years of doing everything myself. It isn't easy... or even comfortable... accepting help, sometimes. I don't think of you as a child, I truly don't. I just... wasn't thinking. I'm glad you will go with me, wherever I might go in life. It's taken me a long time to accept that kindness... that love... I'm a better man for having you in my life.”

“And I,” Kieu-Linh said, planting a kiss on his cheek, “love you more than all the stars in the sky.”

He smiled and kissed her forehead. “And I love you more than all the grains of sand on all the beaches on Earth.”

“Mmm...” her arm snaked over his side and pulled him tight to her. “If you wanted to wake me in the night,” she said, pressing her pelvis against his, “I'd like that...”

- - -

A plink in the darkness brought Hitch to full alertness in seconds. He froze. He was wrapped around Kieu-Linh, her back to him, her warm body causing him to sweat beneath his clothing. He listened intently, heard the sound again, then a light pattering on the metal roof moved from the front towards the back.

Hitch relaxed, realizing it was probably a squirrel or other small animal. He breathed in Kieu-Linh's scent from her neck. The teen's body was a wonderland of intoxicating smells, her lightly-sweaty skin smelled warm and briny, rich with the distinct aromas which marked both her youth and maturity. He slipped a hand down to her breast, caressing it gently through the flannel top she often wore.

Kieu-Linh sighed in her sleep but didn't wake. Hitch began to push lightly with his hips against her butt, growing hard and aroused by her closeness. He slipped his pants lower and freed his cock, then drew back a bit, massaging her ass a moment before slowly drawing down her flannel bottoms.

The teen stirred a bit, but seemed to continue to sleep as he cleared her thighs. Hitch rested his penis along her butt crack, slowly stroking it through her soft, tender cleft. He drew saliva from his mouth and ran it down to where the young woman's anus was tight and slightly sweaty. Hitch made her brown little hole slippery, using his fingers to work more inside.

Slathering more on his cock, he placed the tip of his penis against her butthole, and very slowly began to penetrate her. Kieu-Linh moaned, possibly coming awake, but she didn't react as his dick slipped into her rectum.

Hitch began to rock against her body easily, lightly probing her body, easing himself deeper and deeper into her ass. Kieu-Linh's arm slid back and caressed his hip. She whispered, “mmm... oh... James...” Excitement surged through as he began to fuck her butthole steadily, the tight ring more easily taking him after months of experience, her anus still a vice around his length.

He slipped a hand to her front and between her thighs which parted only slightly. His fingers brushed past her pubic hairs and found her clit hard and rising. Hitch slid his hand to her vagina and drew out the teen's moisture, bringing it up a couple of inches to circle her nub. Kieu-Linh moaned her approval as he slid deeper and deeper into her ass.

He fucked her slowly for long minutes, no rush to orgasm though his body began to tense for release. Kieu-Linh climaxed softly, panting, “oh... oh... oh... uhhhhhhnnn... uhhhnnnn...”

Hitch let go and thrust deep into Kieu-Linh's bowels, semen rushing out to boil into the teen's butt. He grunted against her ear, filling her, emptying himself completely into her body. He held still, the tip of his penis leaking hot, slippery cum against the velvet walls of her rectum.

They held tight together, relaxing, Kieu-Linh's anus so tight that his cock didn't grow fully flaccid. She whispered, “mmm... that was lovely...”

Hitch could only moan his agreement.

- - -

He woke just before dawn to find that his cock was still lodged just inside Kieu-Linh's butt. It made him stir quickly and in moments he was fucking her ass gently once more. He felt a bit raw from her tightness, but it was too lovely to stop. She didn't wake at first, her body limp as he humped her. He inhaled against her neck, letting her unique aroma fill him with desire and excitement.

Hitch started to grunt lightly, his body tensing to deliver another sticky load into his lover's ass.

He heard a sound near the sink and froze, looking up to see Kim-Ly, wearing a thick robe, smiling at him as she leaned against the counter. She said quietly, “don't let me stop you...”

For a moment, Hitch felt a touch uncomfortable, but then Kieu-Linh stirred a bit and her arm came back to touch his stomach, lightly brushing his side and then pulling his hip against her. He bucked and swelled, no longer watching Kim-Ly's reaction. He inhaled against Kieu-Linh's neck, taking in her essence, smelling the light but rich scents of her bowels as he slipped in and out of her anus.

Cum surged through her tight ring and filled his shaft a moment, wavering on the edge of release. He heard Kim-Ly moan quietly from the kitchen and looked up to see her hand playing between her naked thighs, her robe open and most of her warm, cinnamon flesh exposed to his view.

Hitch ejaculated into his lover's ass, a smaller but no less powerful load than the one delivered in the night. He watched Kim-Ly begin to orgasm as she watched him cumming inside her daughter. Hitch twitched as his cock pulsed. Kieu-Linh moaned and pulled him against her firmly, making him bury his length deep in her bowels.

He slowly relaxed again, breathing heavily. Kieu-Linh's hand slid from his back and down between her legs. She started to touch herself slowly, seemingly unaware that her mother was observing and enjoying herself. Hitch felt he should at least tell her. He leaned to her ear, kissed it, then said very quietly, “your mom is watching...”

Kieu-Linh's reaction was not expected. She moaned and pushed back against Hitch, twirling her fingers faster between her thighs. Hitch brought his hand up under her top and caressed the girl's swelling breasts. She climaxed quickly, her hips jerking, his penis slipping wetly from her sore anus. Kieu-Linh shuddered twice, then again, finally moving her hand back to Hitch's thigh.

It was only moments later that the teen finally turned her head up to see that her mother was watching. The woman had closed her robe and held a steaming mug in her hands. Kim-Ly was smiling warmly, and said softly, “good morning, you two.”

Kim-Ly turned and went about making a breakfast. Kieu-Linh turned back to Hitch, an expression which might have been slight embarrassment, or perhaps, an unexpected excitement. She started to giggle, and Hitch laughed with her. He slowly stepped from the rug and righted his pants, the smell of their anal coupling light but clear in his nose.

Kieu-Linh pulled up her bottoms without wiping away the wetness which had leaked from her ass. She kissed Hitch, then walked somewhat bashfully to her mother and gave her a hug. No one said a word about what they'd just shared.

The teen excused herself to use the outhouse, and Hitch offered to help with breakfast. Kim-Ly had him retrieve bacon and a small dish of butter from the cellar, then turned to him as she stirred oats into a boiling pot. She sniffed the air, looking towards his crotch. Hitch realized she could smell her daughter's ass on his body. “So, that's how you two are... being careful...”

“Yes,” Hitch said, a bit sheepishly.

“Good. While I'd love to have a grandchild...” Kim-Ly didn't finish the thought.

“I agree.”

“So you find... another way... to be together... good for you... Perhaps... perhaps I'll see if Jefferson might like to try that some time.”

“He's, uh... never taken you there?” Hitch said, surprised.

“No... I've never taken it there from anyone...” Kim-Ly said with a small smile. She shrugged, “I knew about it, of course, just... I've never tried it...”

Hitch replied, “I think you should... I imagine you'd both enjoy it... something... new...”

“And my daughter? She enjoys it?”

“Yes, very much. Just... you know... go easy. Work up to it... use... lots of lubrication... and,” he said with a small cough, “uh... use the toilet first... makes it... less messy.”

Kim-Ly looked out the small window to where Kieu-Linh had gone into the outhouse. “And if I don't? Didn't see Kieu-Linh heading out before you two...”

Hitch chuckled, “that's between you and Miller whether it bothers you.”

“Whether wha' bothers me?” Miller's voice was scratchy but still robust as the man stepped into the main room. “Ya two plottin' somethin' on me?” he said, bemused.

Kim-Ly hugged her husband, looked at Hitch with a smile, “I'll tell you later. I think you might like it.”

Miller eyed her a moment and shrugged. Kim-Ly pressed a mug of coffee into his hands, “ah, my love, ya know jus' how ta warm a man's soul an' his stomach. I'm famished!”

Kieu-Linh returned from the outhouse, walking gingerly, sharing a small smile with Hitch when he met her on the porch. She whispered to Hitch, “kinda sore there... don't think you've ever been in there twice in one day before...”

“Sorry,” he said in her ear, “next time I won't--”

“Next time,” she interrupted, “you do exactly what you did last night and this morning... I loved it, James... I may be sore, but I loved it...”

“Me too. Was that... odd?” he asked.

“What?”

“With... you know... your mother watching...”

“Yes,” she said, looking a bit guilty, “it was... odd... I couldn't stop, though... I was so close...”

“Mmm...” Hitch kissed her deeply a moment. “I should go clean up. Breakfast is almost ready.”

“I'll be here, lover.”

- - -

Around noon, Miller took Hitch and Kieu-Linh up into the woods to see the pines he'd felled and set to dry a couple of years earlier. “How in the hell did you do this, Miller? You had to have had help.”

Miller nodded. “Kim-Ly, an' Kieu-Linh, an'a coupl'a journeymen who camped on ou' property a few weeks durin' tha' terrible June filled with thunderstorms an' twisters. Tha' were... a...”

“They were lovers,” Kieu-Linh broke in.

“Yeah, tha' was,” Miller said, “canna' say I were comfortable 'bout tha', bu' Kim-Ly convinced me no' ta care. Tha' wasn' botherin' me, so...” he shrugged to show his lack of concern. “But tha' was stron' an' helped me with 'ese pines. Paid 'em in cheese an' meat. Tha' set off fer Kentucky, I thin'.”

“What were they hoping to find there?” Hitch asked.

“Their families,” Kieu-Linh explained. “They were both from... uh... Louisville.”

“They'd been Army boys,” Miller continued, “fightin' sumwhere 'round Memphis or Kansas City, dun' really remember. Said tha'd hadda go south ta try'n fin' a sister 'round Birmingham, didn'a fin' 'er.”

Hitch had heard more than his fair share of such stories, people, fighting in regular or irregular units, heading home, trying to locate loved ones, after giving up hope of winning. It broke his heart every time.

The pines were long and thick, the bark and outer sapwood sections already cleaved away, the inner, darker heartwood dense and aging well. “Looks like we have plenty to work with here. Damn fine set of logs, Miller.” Hitch looked back towards the cabin. “June will be the best time, I think. Not so much rain, warm weather. Figure to open just a door-sized connection?”

Miller nodded, “yep, gotta plan in my head already. I'll lay it ou' fer ya tonigh'.”

Kieu-Linh kissed Hitch and said, “gonna go help Mom with the cows, they're heavy with milk again.”

He watched her jog off through the trees and out of sight. “She's an amazing woman, Miller. Can't say I ever expected to find such strength and courage in someone so... young.”

Miller stared towards where Kieu-Linh had disappeared below them, replying, “tha' she is, Major. Lot like 'er mother.”

“How'd you meet Kim-Ly, anyway?”

Miller chewed his lip a moment, straggly white hairs sticking wildly from his face. “Lon' story. I'll tell ya 'bout it sum time.”

Hitch wasn't sure why Miller deflected the question, but he let it drop, asking instead, “so, this radio you've got. Tell me about it.”

“Multiband unit, AM, FM, sum o'tha air spectrum. Also 'ave a ham unit tha' ain't workin'. No' got tha know-how ta fix 'er.”

“I might be able to give it a go. I stayed away from the bands when I went to ground. Didn't even want to know what was going on.”

Miller nodded briefly. “Know wha' ya mean. I lef' 'er silent fer years, too. Jus' this Winter started listenin' 'gain.”

“Who's still broadcasting?”

“Few news stations, mos' o'em propaganda 'ese days, one side o'nother. Hard ta know wha' is tha truth. Ham's'a still clickin' an' sendin' info, I hear from town, trus' 'em more, bu' thar' in tha dark, too. Same ole, same ole, Major. Hell, sumtimes I even pick up ole rock station outta tha north when tha atmosphere jus' righ'. Like nothin' insane goin' on ou' thar'.”

“Any military bands, besides the air?”

“Nah, no' this'a unit.”

“I'll take a look at that ham tonight, might be interesting to see who's talking and what they're saying.”

Miller watched him a moment, then said evenly, “ya ain't doin' nothin' ta convince me ya ain't gettin' back in tha figh', Major.”

Hitch shook his head, tiring of discussing that point. “I'm not. But I don't feel comfortable in the dark, either. Even when I was in my bunker, trying my best to stay isolated, I craved the latest information. Like an addiction, Sergeant. It saved my life and the lives of my men, getting the best information I could. Old habits, and all...”

“I'd'a been proud ta serve under ya, Major. I bet ya did yer men proud.”

“I did my best.”

“Glad ta know I read ya right, Hitch. My daughter is in good hands.”

Hitch sipped from his canteen, then asked, “why'd you trust me, Miller? That first time. You lowered your rifle. I could have killed you, if I were another man.”

“Bu' ya weren' another man.”

“How'd you know?”

Miller let out his breath and looked past Hitch a moment. “Three thin's a man could'a do when he'a fin's a beauty like Kieu-Linh alone like'a tha'. Sum men would'a take wha' weren't offered. Sum men would'a turn an' look away. An' sum would do wha' ya did.”

“What I did? I... I jerked off to an innocent young woman who didn't know I was there!” Hitch was not understanding his point.

“Exactly, Major. Tha' firs' man, 'e's'a despicable character an' I'd'a shot 'im dead, make no mistake. Tha' second man, migh' be a coward or lackin' a will, 'e let 'is reasonin' convince him thar' weren't no other way but'a turn away. But ya, Hitch,” Miller said, narrowing his eyes and staring at him, “ya thought like'a Marine. Ya found tha knife's edge, an' walked it. Ya too' advantage of an opportunity, ya too' yer pleasure, bu' ya did it without takin' wha' wasn't yers. I seen how ya'd hidden yerself, how ya'd made sure she never knew ya was thar'. If ya were tha' first man, ya'd a raped 'er. But ya didn't, Major. Tha's why I trusted ya. A Marine walks tha' knife's edge like breathing. Notta many men can do so.”

Miller paused, then continued, “I seen yer scars. On yer face, yer neck, yer hands. Ya was a man who hadda suffered greatly, a man who coulda lost himself an' become feral. Bu' a man like tha' woulda taken wha' wasn't his, an' ya, Major, did no such thing. A man who suffers like'a tha' an' still doesn'a rape tha' innocent girl... I believed ya weren'ta tha' firs' man.”

Hitch didn't have a response.

“Plus, I coulda still shot ya dead if ya moved an inch in tha wron' direction. Bet on tha'”

Hitch laughed, confused but somewhat enjoying the man's odd logic. “Fair enough. I hope to never test that theory, Sergeant. I believe you just might best me.”

Miller chuckled. “Live longer tha' way, Sir.”

Hitch nodded, then turned the conversation back to Kieu-Linh. “Not shooting me is one thing. But... you brought your young daughter to me and, barely knowing me, you trusted me with her. I've got to know why.”

Miller pulled his pipe and sat down on a flat rock. Hitch settled into a practiced crouch. The older man lit the tobacco already half-burnt in the bowl, then passed it to Hitch. “Kieu-Linh is a lot like 'er momma. Smart, stubborn, an' beautiful. She's grown up in war, she killed a man coupl'a years back ta protect 'er momma. She ain't no child.”

“I know that well, but still... she's your daughter, and she's... young, still.”

“Young in years, aye, bu' no' in tha mind. When she'a blossomed, Kim-Ly an' me knew she needed more 'an jus' us ta grow stronger. Tougher. She was ready ta fin' ou' 'bout tha worl', thin's Kim-Ly an' me could'a'no' teach 'er. When she went on an' on 'bout ya tha' Winter, I knew it would'a been tough tryin' ta change 'er mind. She liked ya, Major. She dunna care how ole ya are, or how youn' she was. All she knew is she wan'ed ta be with ya. Ya called it 'puppy love' an' maybe it were, bu' still tha same ta 'er.”

Hitch remembered how Kieu-Linh had told him she loved him after spending just one innocent night together. He thought she was wrong, that she hadn't understood love or what it would bring to a relationship, but he'd been wrong, not her.

“We'a started talkin' bout visitin' ya, an' Kieu-Linh wan'ed ta stay tha Winter with ya. Fer a while, 'er momma an' me said 'no,' bu' she didn'a give up, an' I tell ya, Major, when tha' youn' woman wan's sumthin', she ain't gonna be talked ou' o'it. Besides, I tol' ya before, I believe ya gotta take wha' comforts an' pleasures ya can in this worl'. Ain't no secon' chance, I know. I came 'round, an' so did Kim-Ly. Weren't easy, make no mistake, bu'... I thin' we both know it worked ou' fer all o'us. Am I right, Major?”

Hitch nodded. “I can't say I understand your reasons, but I cannot deny that I am happier now than I believe I've ever been, Miller. I... I didn't know I needed her like I did. She... grew on me... quickly... she showed me compassion I'd never known, and... goddamn, Miller, that young woman has a resolve that would test against any Marine.”

Miller laughed, “oh, ya. Hell, born a bit earlier, I'd'a been followin' 'er orders, I tell ya tha' as God's hones' truth. Oh, she'll make ya thin' she's all butterflies an' cotton candy, bu' I wouldn'a wanna be on tha wrong side of Kieu-Linh if she's set agains' my purpose.”

Hitch let out a long breath, already feeling Kieu-Linh's absence. “Well, Sergeant, we've wasted enough time idling,” he said, taking another puff from the pipe and handing it back to Miller, “shall we make ourselves useful?”

Miller nodded, puffed quickly, then tamped out the rest of the tobacco. “Le's see wha' those stubborn women we love are up'ta.”

- - -

After helping haul back the heavy milk jugs, Kim-Ly showed Hitch how to separate the cream and to use the butter churn. His arms were sore and heavy by the time she came back out and laughed at him. He glanced down to see that the butter was still too loose to set. “Don't worry, Hitch,” she said, grinning, “takes practice. Here, you go get cleaned up for supper and I'll finish up here. Think Kieu-Linh is already down at the spring.”

Hitch stood slowly, stretching out the cramping muscles. Kim-Ly stopped close to him, a soft look on her face. “You're good for my daughter, Hitch. We've talked a lot since you came in. I see in her eyes how much she loves you, and how much you love her. I'm so grateful you've come into our lives when you did. What you did for me last year... that was wonderful and I'll always cherish those moments, but what you've done for my girl... I can never repay you...”

Hitch smiled, replying, “it's me who must thank you, and Miller. You seemed to know what I needed when I couldn't. I'm a different man than I was last year. A better man, I hope. It took Kieu-Linh to show me that I could be more than a shell. I hope I always deserve her love.”

“I'm sure you will do just that.” Her eyes bore into his a moment, and her voice grew quiet. “In another life, somewhere we could have met under different circumstances...” Her words trailed off and she shook her head, smiling.

Hitch watched her a minute, uncertain how to respond.

She shrugged, “nothing. Just letting my mind wander somewhere it should not. Go see to my daughter. I'm sure she's missing you already.”

Hitch nodded and let the woman hug him. He kissed her cheek lightly, then turned and headed for the spring.

- - -

They made love again in the water, this time without Kieu-Linh's parents nearby, and this time, Hitch didn't stay inside her at the end, to Kieu-Linh's disappointment. Her period had slowed and stopped that morning, and though he knew it was a low point of fertility in her cycle, it was too risky to tempt fate again.

They returned refreshed and clean, just in time to savor buttered rolls with a bit of honey and clotted cream, a big bowl of venison and pea soup filling them quickly.

Miller started sketching out his blueprint for adding on to the cabin, and both Hitch and Kieu-Linh looked on with interest. Kim-Ly offered a few suggestions, and Hitch's experience building the bunker added more adjustments. Once it was complete, they all felt satisfied it was a good plan and that they'd wait until the warm, dry weather in June to get started.

Hitch then followed Miller back to the bedroom, where he had the radio and ham unit on a long, narrow table. “How are you managing to power it?”

Miller grinned, and showed him a long hand-crank. “Gets a bit tough when it ain't oiled, bu' a few minutes o'turning gives ya a few minutes o'air time.”

Hitch was impressed. Miller had built the solution himself. “How is it that you came up with this, but aren't able to fix the ham?”

Miller replied, “I seen a radioman in my platoon, when we was in Iraq. Needed power an' he whipped up sumthin' like 'is ta get us a few minutes o'damned important coms. Genius, ain't it?”

“Genius. Care if I take a look at the ham?”

“Sure,” Miller said, waving his hand towards the unit. “Dunna gotta solderin' kit, dunno how far yer gonna git without one.”

“Hmm. I'll still take a peek.”

The older man left him alone while Hitch took apart the case with a small screwdriver. Kieu-Linh sat on the edge of the bed and watched.

He could tell Miller had hooked it up to the same crank-power as the radio, but he wondered if the ham unit needed far more in order to send and receive. Miller had rigged a small antenna which ran up the wall, assumedly up to the roof somewhere, but Hitch wasn't sure it was large enough to work in the remote location.

The more he looked, the less sure he was that the unit was still repairable. He spotted fouled wires, broken transistors, and signs of sparks in a couple of places. He couldn't detect any power even making it's way beyond the lead wire.

“No luck?” Kieu-Linh asked over his shoulder.

“Nah, not gonna be able to do much with it, I think. See here?” He showed her the broken and fouled components. “Unless your dad has some spare parts around, I don't see a way to bring her back to life.”

“Ah. Well... you tried.”

“Not giving up, necessarily, but not gonna beat my head against it tonight. Maybe we'll tinker with it again when we get back from our trip to the bunker.”

“When do you want to go?” she asked, sounding eager.

“Day after tomorrow,” he said smiling, “if you can clear your schedule.”

“I'll see what I can do,” she laughed. Kieu-Linh grabbed his shoulders and pulled him backwards and onto the bed. He turned and wrapped himself around her, kissing her neck while she giggled.

“Alright, you two,” Kim-Ly's voice broke in as she stepped into the room, “me and the husband are getting set to climb into bed. Don't need that grizzly man getting all worked up again. Doesn't even need those pills much anymore, damned pecker stays hard all the time now, and I can barely walk straight most days!”

Kieu-Linh laughed and slowly crawled from under Hitch. “Are you complaining?”

Kim-Ly chuckled, “hardly, just the opposite, honestly. Couldn't be happier.” She folded her arms, smiling at them. “Alright, I said scoot!”

Hitch pulled Kieu-Linh up and hugged Kim-Ly on his way out the door.

They weren't yet ready to settle in for sleep, so they lay together on the hammock, Kieu-Linh leaning back onto Hitch's body. Miller passed them on the porch, coming back from the outhouse. They said goodnights, and he went inside. Hitch closed his eyes and listened to the crickets chirping, the occasional sounds of critters scurrying through the trees in front of the cabin.

“What'd she mean about Dad not needing pills?” Kieu-Linh asked quietly.

“Well... sometimes a guy, especially when he gets older, has a hard time getting an erection. They make pills that can help. No idea how he came by them, but he got some last Summer and it seems like they are helping. That's... that's the reason me and your mom... were together...”

“Oh. I didn't know that could happen. I mean... you always get hard when I touch you there.”

“It's not about desire, Linh. It's a physical response that can be lost. It says nothing about whether he wanted it or not. I'm sure your dad always wanted to make love with your mom, but he didn't have control of that aspect.”

“But she said he doesn't need them anymore.”

“I don't really know enough about it. I suppose it's a condition that can get better at times. Not sure.”

She grew quiet, her fingers idly sliding over his groin. She giggled when she found that he was hard. “I really like touching it, you know. It feels all warm and hard, and it fits perfectly in my hand.”

“Believe me, I can tell... I love it when you touch me anywhere, but especially there.” Hitch moved a hand down over Kieu-Linh's stomach and into her pants, finding her pussy wet already. “And I love touching you there...”

The hammock swung slowly as they did nothing more than slide flesh lightly over flesh, each sighing and enjoying the gentle contact.

“Ohhhh!” Kim-Ly's voice cried out from inside. Hitch froze, worried that she'd been hurt. “Easy!”

He laughed uncontrollably when he realized what was happening. Kieu-Linh turned and looked at him with concern. “What?”

“I think,” he said, as Kim-Ly cried out again, “that your mom and dad are trying something new...”

“Something... new?”

“Anal sex.”

Kieu-Linh giggled. “How do you know?”

Hitch explained the conversation he'd had with the teen's mother about how he and Kieu-Linh had been using anal sex to avoid pregnancy, and how the woman and her husband had never tried it. “She seemed kinda eager to see what it felt like.”

They could hear the woman grunting loudly, followed by a cry of “OHMYGOD! UHHHH!”

Kieu-Linh giggled again. “I think she likes it.”

They listened a while as the teen stroked Hitch's cock, and his fingers danced across her vulva. Kieu-Linh started to rock, causing the hammock to swing in longer arcs, her body shuddering as she began to cum. Kim-Ly cried out again, “YES! YES! FILL ME! OOOOOHH!”

As Kieu-Linh's orgasm rushed through her, Hitch began to hump against her fist, soon sending his jism splashing into his pants, coating the teen's fingers with thick ropes of sperm. They started laughing quietly at the way they'd just masturbated each other while the girl's parents tried anal sex for the first time.

Kieu-Linh pulled her hand from Hitch's pants and licked her fingers clean of his cum. He withdrew his own and sniffed then licked her juices from his flesh. Kieu-Linh said with amusement, “I'll ask her how it was in the morning.”

“I hope she enjoyed it,” Hitch replied, “sure sounded like she did.”

“I know I do... I love having you inside me anywhere, James... anywhere, anytime.”