Chapter 17

Katherine Adams presented herself in the doorway. Bob greeted her and invited her to sit down. Bob presented her with her new CAP card. Her CAP score had increased by 0.1 to 6.9. Bob took her through the interview. When they reached the sexuality sub-score, Katherine gave her answer and then asked to digress.

Blushing deeply and looking into her lap, Katherine asked Bob whether Sarah had spoken to him about her. Bob nodded, then decided he'd better say "Yes," because she couldn't see his face. "Let me take you off the hook, Katherine," he said softly. "I would be honored to help you." She looked into his smiling face, still blushing furiously but now smiling.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"I don't know how quickly you want to be helped," Bob continued. "I have commitments tonight and tomorrow night. The soonest we could get together would be Friday night."

"Friday night would work just fine," she beamed. "I can't tell you how relieved I feel."

"I must tell you," Bob said, "that, if I'm lucky, Dr. Ellen Waters and her housemate will be moving into our home on Thursday. I have agreed to join Ellen's family, although I just earned a volunteer-level CAP score this morning. All of the people in my home will know why you're there. They'll be very proud of you, and very supportive."

Katherine was thunderstruck. Bob continued, "You aren't the first girl I've helped this way. I won't cheat on my Kathy, Katherine. It is a sacrifice for her to share her man with another, even if only once. Her support of me in this is her gift to you. It also is her way of helping the community."

Katherine said, "I hadn't thought of it that way. You've done this before, and everyone tells me that you make it very special. I trust you. You're very lucky to have Dr. Waters in your family."

"Thank you," said Bob. "I feel very lucky indeed. Can we go on with the interview, please? There are others waiting."

When Bob came out of the trailer at the end of the day, he had just enough time to catch Sandy, who hurtled into his arms, laughing and screeching. "Congratulations, Master!"

"Thanks, Kitten," he laughed. "Let's go home and get ready to go meet more of our family."

Brian popped his head out the trailer door and looked around to make sure there was nobody in the way. He said goodnight to Bob, laughing that he'd be home before Bob, and closed the door. Bob and Sandy began walking toward their home. An unusual sound made them look back. The trailer was now surrounded by a grey interdiction field.

On the way home, Sandy crooned, "I've topped myself this time for sure."

"OK," grinned Bob, "I'll bite. What have you done?"

"Oh, Dad," Sandy giggled, "you aren't gonna believe this. I got a special present for your bed: twins!"

Bob groaned. "I thought you were finding vulnerable girls. You're bringing me The Bobsey Twins?"

"No, Dad, said Sandy, slightly exasperated. "Mindy and Mandy Miller are the shyest girls I've ever met. They're inseparable. They hardly talk to anyone. They seem to flinch when someone approaches them. I don't know what goes on at their home."

"And they need a blockage removed?" smiled Bob. "Did you have to arm-twist them?"

"No, Dad, I wouldn't do that," said Sandy. "They told me that Sarah had sent them to me, to get you to help them. They said they could hardly speak to Sarah about it. They'd never be able to ask you themselves."

"And when did you schedule this event?" asked Bob. We're going to Ellen's for dinner tonight. If we're lucky, tomorrow night we'll be helping Ellen and Julie move into our home. On Friday night, I've already got a date," he smiled.

"You do?" asked Sandy. "Who?"

"Well," Bob allowed, "you're pretty much in the thick of things, pimping for your old man, and doing a wonderful job of keeping your mouth shut. My date is with Katherine Adams."

"Wow! Cool!" chirped Sandy. "She's the smartest kid in school, but she's also very shy and private. I've never heard of her going on a date. She's very beautiful, but she hides it."

"I'm happy to help her, Kitten," said Bob. "Sarah sent her to me also. She at least had enough courage to ask me. I saw her today in the CAP testing center. She'll be a volunteer."

They walked in the back door of their house and Bob called greetings to Kathy. She answered from deeper within the house. They found her in the bathroom, door wide open, nude, working on her hair. Travis and Becky were nowhere in sight.

"Hiya, Beautiful," chirped Sandy, who went in and collected a hug and a kiss on the lips.

"Hiya Beautiful yourself, Sandy," chuckled Kathy as she received a brief hug and kiss from Bob. "I'm getting more competition all the time. A girl's gotta keep up!"

"You are a beautiful woman, Kathy," Bob smiled, "and I love you madly. You can't be Ellen's concubine, though."

"Oh? Why not?" asked Kathy.

Instead of answering, Bob handed her his new CAP card, face down. She took it, turned it over, saw the score and leaped into his arms, screaming her joy. When she had collected herself, she looked him in the face, still holding him. "I love you madly, Bob. Thanks for the gropes. We're still joining our family with Ellen's, aren't we?"

"You make me crazy with lust, standing naked in my arms," Bob grinned. "I think we should join with Ellen. She's a long way from full recovery. And I think our two families will flourish together, don't you?"

"Let's go see what we're getting ourselves into with the damaged goods," chuckled Kathy. "I don't know any better cure than a lot of love. I bet I've got room in my heart to love her, too."

"Good evening. Come in, please," said Julie as she greeted the Minters at the door. "Bob, I'm glad to see you again. Kathy, I was introduced to Bob this morning when Ellen treated me with her newfangled med tube. You must be Sandy, and Travis and Becky" all three nodded. "Will you join us in the kitchen? Dinner is nearly ready."

Julie had said nothing about answering the door in the nude. She seemed to feel it was natural. The two youngest ogled and giggled at Julie's swaying ass as she led the way. The older three just appreciated the view.

Ellen was busy cooking when they entered. She smiled broadly at them, cried out greetings and collected hugs and kisses from them all, children included. Drinks were offered and accepted. Julie set about fixing them. Kathy and Sandy both volunteered to help and were immediately put to work.

When Julie had delivered drinks to the three older Minters, she brought sodas to Travis and Becky. Dropping to her knees, she handed the beverages to them. "I like to go without clothes all the time," she told them. "I hope I haven't made you uncomfortable?" They shook their heads and cried denials.

"You seem interested. I want you to be comfortable with me. You are welcome to come close if you like. You can even touch." She said this to the children while looking to Kathy for permission. Kathy smiled and nodded. The children hesitantly reached out and touched Julie's breasts. Then they were done, and the issue was completely behind them. Julie rose to her feet and joined the adults.

"Thank you, Julie," said Kathy softly. "That was just right. Now it's normal to see Julie nude."

"Maybe they'll see more of us nude soon," cackled Sandy.

"I don't see why not, Kitten," smiled Kathy.

The three women scurried about with dinner preparations. Julie and Bob set the table. Soon, dinner was served and they all sat down and began to eat.

Ellen said, "Kathy, the Confederacy brought the CAP testing center today. There are six stations. They also brought what they call a 'med tube'. They claim it will absolutely cure or mend anything as long as the patient has a pulse when they go into the thing. I told you a little bit about Julie. I'll explain more later. For now, let's just say that Julie collected many severe marks on her body last Saturday night. After a few minutes in the med tube, they were completely healed."

"Ellen asked me to see the before and after," Bob added. "It was astonishing. You've at least seen pictures of the injuries that a cane leaves," Bob said, trying to talk over the heads of the children. These marks were over three days old. When Julie came out, they were gone."

"I thought those might be disturbing," Ellen said, cocking her head at the children, "so I had them healed. Julie, you really put on a show for the boys on Saturday night."

Julie blushed. "Thanks. It was a lot of fun."

Sandy screwed up her face. "How can something like that be fun?"

Julie looked at Sandy for a moment, then said, "Sandy, it takes a lot of pain, administered a lot of times, before the human brain turns pain into pleasure. It is a defense mechanism of the brain. I don't recommend it, but that's the way my brain is wired now. I enjoy the kinds of things that give us all pleasure," and she looked around the table with a sly smile, "but my brain registers pain as intense pleasure."

Both Kathy and Sandy shuddered. "On Saturday night, I played a complete slave, utterly submissive. I didn't say a single word until a moment before they left me. I wonder how they'll respond when they discover I can sit at the dinner table and carry on a normal conversation." She smirked.

Ellen said, "Julie likes what happened on Saturday night a lot. I don't. I can't do that very often. I wanted to make sure that the boys could handle it at all, and could handle it while maintaining self-control. Julie is very vulnerable in those situations, and could easily be seriously harmed. I'm glad to report that both boys passed with flying colors."

"Kathy," Julie said to her, "one of the things that bothers me the most about merging families is that you'll find such treatment of me to be utterly repellant. I can't go back and make my brain wired differently. A good workout like last Saturday will last me quite a while. But, over time, the urge grows strong in me, and I let my need be known."

"Thank you, Julie," Kathy answered. "That was thoughtful of you for all of us. I've thought about you, even before meeting you, for days. I can't find it in myself to pity you. You're a healthy woman who is wired differently than me. It wouldn't be the stuff of pity if I learned that you like ice cream sundae with sauerkraut on top. I'd shudder to watch you enjoy it, but I wouldn't have a taste and I wouldn't deny you yours. Is that a good answer?"

"You don't pick your nose, do you?" Sandy quipped. "Now *that* would be repellant." Everyone laughed.

"Julie," Kathy continued, "you are a delightful young woman. I came here with myself screwed up to meet a meek little mouse, and instead I find a friend."

"I'm in my home, Kathy," Julie answered somberly. "I feel safe here. I feel safe with all of you. I trust you. I don't do well in public. That's why I seldom venture out of our home. I never leave home alone."

Kathy looked significantly at Sandy, and then at Bob. When she had collected assent from them both, she said, "Ellen, Julie, we want to repeat our desire to join families now, like tomorrow. We know we'll have to get used to each other, but we're ready."

Ellen in turn looked to Julie, and got assent from her. "That would be our hearts' delight." She smiled broadly. Spontaneous applause and cheers erupted from everyone, including a very confused Travis and Becky.

Sandy turned to her siblings and said, "Ellen and Julie are going to move in with us, tomorrow. Is that cool, or what?" Travis and Becky brightened at that.

Bob turned to Julie. "Are you going to be able to make that house over there," and he cocked his head, "into your home, Julie?"

"Thank you for asking, Bob," Julie smiled. "That is the kind of thing that makes me sure I can make that house my home, at least until we all get extracted. I may be a bit fragile for a while, but I'll be fine."

Sandy said, "Ellen, we're going to treat you as fragile for a while, too, unless you tell us differently."

"We'll see, Sandy," grinned Ellen. "Let's talk about logistics."

"Talk about our new home, or what needs to be moved and the like?" Kathy asked.

"Both, really," answered Ellen. "I'll need clothes. Julie just needs something to put on for her trips from here to there." Everyone chuckled. "I'll look around and see if there's anything I desperately need to take with me to the colonies, but I doubt it. Do you want any of this furniture, or appliances, or anything?"

"Before we answer that," Bob said, "let's spend a moment on how we're gonna fit ourselves in the other house. We are five adults now. I wonder whether we'll immediately take in any new members of our family. I suppose we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. If we do take in more new members, we'll need beds, dressers and maybe the dining table and chairs, tableware, and such. So, I'd leave your stuff here for the nonce.

"At the other house, if I may be so bold, how many do you think ought to be in the master bedroom nightly? I was thinking three, and maybe not always including me. I thought the other two ought to sleep together in what was Sandy's bed."

"I think that's a good way, at least to begin with," said Julie. "It looks now like there will be fourteen adults on our household. That might mean eleven women and three men. We could get another man," Julie smirked, "so we're not such a burden on you, but the main idea is to make lots of babies."

"I can make lots of babies!" cried Bob. They all laughed.

Kathy said, "Sandy, can you consolidate your stuff with ours, and give all of your clothes storage to Ellen?"

"Yes," answered a grinning Sandy without hesitation. "I may need to chuck some of Dad's stuff." More laughter.

"There's lots of my stuff that gets worn seldom, if ever, and can be chucked," said Bob.

Kathie looked at Julie. "Julie, can you and I do all the moving tomorrow during the day?" Julie nodded.

"There's an entire dungeon set up downstairs for Julie's play room," lamented Ellen.

"There's no reason we can't come here to take advantage of that," said Kathy. "I hear you can have anything made that you want in the colonies." That sounded good to all of them, especially considering the children.

"Julie," Sandy said, "let's refresh drinks and then I want to change the subject. Julie and Sandy collected glasses and went into the kitchen. They returned with refilled glasses, distributed them, and returned to their seats. The three adults had wound up some details while the girls were gone.

"What's up, Sandy?" asked Ellen.

"Can we talk about the rest of our family-to-be?" replied Sandy. They all nodded. "There will be fourteen of us. We are five now. Do you think the two boys will be coming with us?" Ellen nodded. "Then all the males are set. Eleven total females minus us four means seven more are needed. Ellen, you said you wanted the most vulnerable. We need another woman that can be designated a mother. I know this is taking a while, but I'm coming to the point.

"You know the girls at school are scared about being virgins at the pickup. Sarah has put the word out that she has a solution. Girls that have come to her for help have been guided to Dad. He has helped several girls already. One is scheduled on Friday. Here's my point.

"Mom and Julie look like they're gonna be fast friends. I hope that at least one of our concubines to come is my age, so I can have a friend. Sarah sent twins to me to arrange with Dad, because the twins are so shy they could never have talked to Dad themselves. They're Mindy and Mandy Miller. They're in my class. They're the most shy, most vulnerable in my class. They seem to flinch every time someone talks to them."

Their mother is Michelle Miller," said Ellen, "but her husband insists that she be called Mickey. So, the three are Mickey, Mindy and Mandy Miller. Michelle is at the top of my list of vulnerable women that I wanted to talk to. There's a reason the twins flinch, and the reason is their father."

"I know Michelle, a little bit. I'm not surprised. That sounds like a do-gooder's grand slam home run, taking an abused mother and her twin, barely-adult daughters," said Kathy.

"You've already agreed to take on one project," Julie said, pointing at herself. " I think the boys may qualify as a project also. Do you think you have it in you to rehabilitate two damaged women?"

Kathy rose and approached Julie, her hands extended. Julie took Kathy's hands, rose from her seat, and embraced Kathy. Kathy said over Julie's shoulder, "Julie, I have a lot of love in my heart. My family helps me grow more every day. I already knew Ellen wanted to take in the most tragic cases, and I'm ready to do my part. Will you help me care for them, and love them, and help them get well?" Julie could only nod vigorously. Tears rolled down the cheeks of both women. They ended their embrace, but not before Kathy planted a kiss on Julie's lips, and they sat back down.

"Well," said Bob, "three down and four to go. Ellen, have you more abused women on your list?"

"I can fill our combined allotment with my patients," said Ellen. "Sandy, is two girlfriends enough for you?" Sandy nodded. "Mindy and Mandy?" Sandy nodded again. "Bob, is three Millers and two Minters OK for your side of our combined clan?" Bob smiled and nodded. "Don't worry, you get me and Julie, too." They all chuckled.

"I'll find four more in the near future," Ellen said. "I'd like to have some more children who are about the same ages as Travis and Becky. It may not work out that way, but I'll try."

"Travis and Becky are getting restless," giggled Julie. "I want to find out if Kathy snores. Ellen, can we sleep over at Kathy's house tonight?" she said in a little girl voice. They all laughed. Julie and Sandy volunteered to clean the kitchen before following the rest. Bob, Kathy and Ellen each collected an armload of stuff and, with the kids, headed out the door.

No sooner had the door closed behind them but Sandy was out of her clothes, laughing. "I love being nude," she giggled. "I'm gonna do it about all the time from now on!" The girls rapidly proceeded to clear the dining room, put away food, and make the kitchen sparkle. When they were done, Julie wrapped Sandy in a hug. Sandy responded with a kiss that was far more intimate than Julie expected.

"Wait 'till I get you home, girl!" laughed Julie. Sandy started putting her clothes back on. Julie went into the bedroom and returned wearing a robe and scandals, a very small bag under her arm. Sandy teased her, but Julie insisted. They closed up the house and walked together, arm in arm.

When they arrived, they learned that Travis and Becky had been put to bed. They found an enormous bed made up on the living room floor. Julie shucked her robe as soon as she arrived in the living room. Sandy followed suit, giggling. With an exaggerated shrug, Kathy took off her clothes. Bob and Ellen looked at each other, shrugged, and undressed themselves.

Meanwhile, Sandy and Julie had made their way to the middle of the bed. Julie pushed Sandy onto her back and climbed on. They kissed and groped for a few minutes. Julie rolled onto her back and crooked her finger at Kathy, who willingly joined her. Julie kissed and groped Kathy for a while, then pulled Sandy in for some three-way fun. Julie learned quickly that Sandy and Kathy had been together before.

Bob sat down on the sofa to watch and wait for his own invitation. He almost immediately found Ellen on his lap. She kissed him softly, and placed his hand on her breast. She left it at that for the time being. They both watched the three on the floor. They were having a lot of fun, and becoming very aroused.

Julie maneuvered Kathy and Sandy onto their backs, side by side, without them having noticed. Julie straddled one of each of their legs and brought her face close to both the others. "Is it OK for Ellen and me to get fucked tonight?" she whispered.

Both Kathy and Sandy smiled broadly. "This is your night, my sister," Kathy breathed. Sandy only nodded. Julie radiated happiness.

"Will you hold me?" Julie softly asked. "Not hold me down, hold me up. I want you all so much, but I'm frightened." Both women nodded and smiled. They moved apart and guided Julie onto her back between them. Kathy, with a wink to Sandy, moved Julie's arm under her head. Sandy did the same on her side. The two women turned on their sides toward Julie and began roaming her body with mouth and hands. They were gentle at first, and slow, and Julie felt their acceptance and inclusion sweep over her. As her confidence built, so did her lust.

Bob and Ellen found that the gap between their upper bodies had closed, which felt good to both of them. Bob had one hand across Ellen's lower back, holding her hip. The hand placed on her breast was still, simply cupping it. Ellen turned her face to him and they kissed lovingly, but not deeply. The kisses promised much more to come. They alternated kissing with watching the three women on the bed. Bob's hand left her hip and began to caress her entire back.

"I can feel you," Ellen whispered, "under my thighs, straining to stand up and see." She chuckled softly. "I wish I could reach you, but I don't want to move." He just nodded. "Will you make love to Julie?" Again, he nodded, and they kissed, this time more deeply. "Can you feel my moisture?" Another nod. This time when they kissed, Ellen pressed his hand into her breast. She parted her thighs a bit and moved his hand from her breast into her bush. "Be gentle," she whispered.

By this time, hands and mouths had freely roamed Julie's face and body and Julie's lust had made it impossible to lie still. Her arms were useless, but her hips and legs and shoulders were constantly in motion. Kathy left Sandy to tend to the upper part of Julie's body while her mouth made its way south. Moving her body between Julie's legs, Kathy set in for a long haul. Over and over, Kathy brought Julie to the edge, only to back off. The agony of anticipation and pleasure denied was wonderful for Julie.

Kathy remembered that Bob would need to recharge between bouts, and went into overdrive on Julie's pussy. Sensing Kathy's increased pace, Sandy stepped up her efforts as well. A powerful orgasm raced through Julie's body. Kathy signaled for Bob while moving herself back beside Julie.

Ellen moved, allowing Bob to kneel at Julie's feet. He knee-walked himself into position. Kathy urged him to bring his chest onto Julie's and his hands behind and around her shoulders. "Let's guide him into her, so we can all be part of our first time," Kathy whispered to Sandy. Sandy smiled and nodded.

Bob kissed Julie while Kathy and Sandy guided him to Julie's entrance. Kathy's pressure let Bob know she didn't want him to enter Julie yet. Kathy looked in Julie's eyes. "You've been fucked all your life, Julie. Will you let us make love to you?" Julie nodded, tears of joy flowing from her eyes. Kathy withdrew her hand and Bob smoothly but gently pressed himself all the way into Julie. All three were kissing Julie wherever there was space.

Now Julie's arms were in just the right place. She hugged Kathy and Sandy to her, fervently returning all their kisses. Kathy and Sandy divided their time between Julie's face and her breasts. Bob's kisses ended sometimes so he could watch her shining face. His steady thrusting and all the attention Julie was receiving had the inevitable result. She gave herself completely to the orgasm that swept over her, made stronger when she felt the jets of Bob's spend deep within her. Bob stopped his thrusting, but all three continued to shower Julie with kisses.

Sandy's eyes sought out Ellen. She found Ellen seated with rapt attention to the pile of bodies on the bed. Obviously deeply aroused, Ellen had one hand mauling her breast and the other in her pussy. "Please, Ellen?" Sandy whispered.

"Please, what?" answered Ellen softly.

Sandy untangled herself from the pile and knee-walked over to the end of Ellen's knees. "Please let all of us watch you cum on my mouth?" Sandy softly begged, a pleading expression on her face. After a hesitation, Ellen smiled at Sandy and spread her knees.

Bob had moved to take Sandy's spot beside Julie. The three divided their attention between themselves and observing Ellen and Sandy. Sandy began to lick Ellen gently but, as Ellen's passion rose, Sandy's ministrations also rose. Sandy didn't race Ellen immediately to the finish line, instead bringing her close and then letting her passion subside. After several trips up the ladder and back down, Sandy went all out and brought Ellen to a powerful orgasm. Sandy licked right through Ellen's orgasm and then reduced her efforts to the gentle attention Ellen's now-sensitive pussy needed.

When Ellen recovered, she looked over at the three on the bed and saw that they were beaming with pleasure, nodding their approval at her. Ellen found Sandy looking up at her, a puppy dog expression on her face. "Thank you," Ellen whispered while lovingly stroking Sandy's head.

Sandy rose to her feet, took Ellen's hands in her own, and motioned Ellen to stand. When they turned toward the bed, a space in the middle was made for Ellen. Sandy positioned herself above the others and gently stroked Ellen's face.

All through Ellen's bout with Sandy, Kathy had been gently stroking Bob's renewed erection. When Ellen was settled on her back, Kathy maneuvered Bob into the same position as earlier with Julie. Turning to Julie, Kathy whispered, "Will you help me guide him into her, so we can all make love to Ellen?" Julie nodded and reached in to help.

This time, Kathy withdrew her hand immediately. Taking his cue, Bob gently pressed himself completely into Ellen. With three mouths kissing and licking all they could reach, and Bob's powerful thrusts, Ellen's orgasm soon overwhelmed her. Just as her orgasm was about to subside, she felt Bob's jets deep within her.

Ellen looked lovingly from one face to another and softly said, "I've died and gone to heaven. You are all I've ever dreamed of. Thank you so much."

None had ever slept five in one bed before. Those who awoke from the jostling of another were reminded how special was this night, and quickly fell back to sleep.

With permission and assistance from Brian Quincy, Bob taught first Amy and then Jean how to conduct the post-CAP test interviews. Bob had found the relentless procession of students to be draining. By mid-afternoon, there were three qualified interviewers, preparing to rotate duty, an hour at a time. It meant a longer day for them because the CAP test center was open at 7:30 in the morning and didn't close until the last test subject was finished, always after 6:00.

Ellen had essentially moved her practice to the CAP testing station. She had her office telephone number forwarded to her cell phone. Her receptionist/nurse was on hand to help.

Bob was struck with a thought. When Ellen was between patients, he joined her and they sat down together. "Ellen, it occurred to me that students might score higher on their CAP tests if any perceived physical deficiencies were resolved. How does that strike you?"

Ellen sat for a long moment, considering. "You may be onto something. AI, do you have anything to say about improved self-confidence and self-esteem resulting in improvement in the CAP score?"

"Both self-confidence and self-esteem are important elements of the CAP score," intoned the AI. "As you well know, there has been no study of the before- and after- effects of any sort of training that purports to improve CAP scores. Based upon our knowledge of humans, your idea has some merit. However, you are reminded of the Law of Unintended Consequences. If you adopt the idea, you may achieve the desired result; you will certainly achieve some undesirable results as well."

Ellen was warming to the idea. "You and I can't adopt this idea without support from the rest of the Core Group. The idea is seductive, though. Say we want to try it. How would we go about it?"

"The first thing I think of," said Bob, "is a control group. Say we found two boys and two girls, as similar as possible, with physical issues. Maybe too heavy. Maybe short and slight. Ahh, I'm already seeing problems with my idea."

"Yeah, several," agreed Ellen. "If you tell both of them that one is to be modified and the other not, then the 'control' person alters his behavior because he is envious, or upset or the like. We might get the same skewing if we just made the modifications without telling them why in advance. A solution doesn't immediately come to mind. AI? Do you see any solutions?"

"The problems you state are serious," said the AI. "No good solutions are apparent. In addition, the proposed sample size is so small that distortions are inevitable. Just because one child responds in a certain way, not all others will. The Confederacy finds the concept intriguing. There is a difference between CAP testing and relying upon CAP scores. That is one reason those under age 14 are not presently CAP tested. The Confederacy will consider the advantages and drawbacks to early and frequent CAP testing on a large scale, such as an entire colony."

Ellen said, "That still leaves us with the alternative of performing modifications on any student who requests them, subject only to review and consultation with a mature adult."

"The unintended consequences point struck home with me," said Bob. "Let's roll the idea around in our heads for a while, and discuss it with others, before we move forward at all."

The AI said, "Michelle Miller is in the front lobby for you, Dr. Waters."

Ellen and Bob looked at each other. "I called her this morning and asked that she come see me," explained Ellen. "I'll treat it as a normal office visit, and then broach the subject of the extraction. If I sense an opportunity, I'll carefully move ahead. We may or may not want you to be part of the discussion. Can you keep yourself available here for half an hour or so?" Bob nodded. "AI, please direct Michelle Miller back to me."

Bob turned his attention to the laptop computer on the desk, more to occupy himself than anything. A small, slight woman in her mid-thirties passed his desk on the way to Ellen. He heard Ellen greet her patient, and then the door closed.

"I was surprised when you called, Dr. Waters," said Michelle. "Is there something wrong?"

"No, Michelle," smiled Ellen, "but I do want to talk to you. Won't you sit down, please?" When both were seated, Ellen continued, "You and I have talked for years about you, about your children, about your marriage. There is an extraction planned, and we expect all of the children and all of the women of childbearing age will be extracted. How do you feel about that? How does Mack feel about that?"

"I don't know what to think," said Michelle, "so I don't think about it much at all. Mack can't volunteer. He's gonna force me to stay with him. He'll force the twins, too, if he can." Michelle wanted Ellen to respond. Instead, Ellen waited for Michelle to continue. After a long moment, Michelle realized she had to continue. "Mack works himself into a rage about it when he drinks. I don't have any choice" her voice trailed off.

"Michelle," said Ellen softly, "you do have a choice. If everyone around you was supportive of you, no matter whether you chose to go or to stay, which would you choose?"

Michelle was poleaxed. She was accustomed to having all of her decisions made for her, and she wasn't equipped to answer. Shock and fear registered on her face. She looked down into her lap and was unable to answer.

Ellen softly said, "Let me make it a little easier for you, Michelle. I hate to shock you, but when you think about what I need to tell you, the answer to my question will be easy for you." Ellen took a deep breath and mentally centered herself.

"Michelle, you've seen on TV and read and heard about pickups, haven't you?" Michelle nodded, still unable to look up. "And what happens to women at those pickups?" Michelle didn't answer, and still didn't look up. "Michelle, our pickup will happen during school hours, and Mack won't be there to stop the twins. Michelle, what will happen to the twins at the pickup?"

Michelle looked up at Ellen in utter horror. "My babies!" she cried. Tears ran freely down her cheeks and she began to sob. Ellen let her cry for a few moments.

"Michelle, the twins have shown enough courage to ask for help," Ellen softly said. Michelle's face was an awful mixture of emotions, but her eyes were now locked onto Ellen's. "Michelle, I can't ask you, and you aren't able to tell me. I can only imagine how the twins suffer in your home. I know more than you want me to know about how you suffer in your home." Michelle's face now registered shock and fear. "No, Michelle, I won't tell anyone. I believe you make yourself the target of Mack's rages so you can protect the twins. You don't have to answer that. At least the twins are still virgins."

Michelle began to bawl. Her unending pain and anguish poured from her in deep, gasping sobs. Ellen wrapped her in a comforting embrace and let her cry herself out. When Michelle began to recover some of her composure, she fiercely returned Ellen's hug. They stayed in an embrace for a long time. A sob would occasionally escape from Michelle's throat. Finally, Michelle relaxed her grip on Ellen and they broke the embrace.

"You would do anything for the twins," Ellen softly asked, "wouldn't you?" Michelle simply nodded. "Mindy and Mandy are barely 14, but they are adults in this new world that we live in. You would do anything for them, but you can't. Those girls must become women, Michelle. Those girls deserve to be made women in the most gentle and thoughtful way possible. Those girls need to make themselves women, but only when they're ready. They want to take that step, Michelle, and they want that soon. Would it help them, would it help you, if you were there when the time came?" Michelle's face first registered shock, but was soon replaced with an expression of deep concern, mixed with appreciation. She nodded.

"Michelle, if you and the twins could live with me and the man I love, and be extracted with us, would you want to do that?"

Surprise and wonder and awe and joy raced across Michelle's face. "YES!" she cried without hesitation. There were more tears now, but they were tears of joy and relief.

"AI, the extraction remains in the future. I have offered to take Michelle Miller as a concubine, and she has accepted. Can you register that now?"

There was silence for a short time. Michelle jumped when she heard the voice of the AI. "Such a registration before an extraction is unusual, but warranted in these circumstances. The offer and acceptance are registered."

"AI, Michelle is unsettled by you. Please confirm that you are an artificial intelligence, a computer, and not a human."

"Affirmed."

Ellen turned to Michelle. "The Confederacy AI is responsible for and controls the CAP testing stations and the medical equipment in this trailer." Michelle seemed to accept this explanation.

"Now that you belong to me," Ellen smiled warmly at her, "it is my responsibility to protect you and see you happy and healthy. It is your responsibility to obey me. Do you understand that?" Michelle nodded, still shaken by the unfolding events. "I want you to act like the extraction has already occurred because, for you, it has. If the extraction happened this minute, you would go to the transport ship and never look back. You are with me from now on. Your former life is over, gone." Ellen hugged Michelle, who was again crying in happiness, relief, and shock.

"AI," Ellen said softly over Michelle's shoulder, "please ask Bob to quietly join us."

"Acknowledged," the AI softly responded.

Bob gently opened the door, entered, closed the door, and sat. Ellen said, "Michelle, Bob is my lover and my partner. I hope Bob's baby is growing in my womb. Bob's wife Kathy, Bob's daughter Sandy, and my housemate Julie are members of our combined family. Bob also has two smaller children." Turning to Bob, she said, "The AI has recognized my taking Michelle as a concubine." She winked at Bob, assuring him. "I have told Michelle that she is with us from now on. She will obey me.

"I'm afraid the Confederacy can do little to protect us from Mack Miller until we are extracted. I'm afraid the Confederacy won't stop Mack from doing terrible things. I want Michelle, and the twins, to join us in our home beginning immediately. Are you OK with that?" Bob nodded. "I want to get Jim Beatty involved for some legal actions that may have more meaning for Mack. Do you disagree?" Bob shook his head.

"AI, can you connect me with Jim Beatty?" she asked the ceiling.

"Stand by," the AI replied. Only a few seconds passed.

"Hello?" they heard Jim say.

"Jim, this is Ellen. I need you to do some fancy footwork, fast, for my newest concubine, Michelle Miller."

"I'd be more than happy to do that," said Jim.

"Michelle's *former* husband is likely to be enraged at the turn of events. I need some firepower that will keep him at bay or, if he does something stupid, will neutralize him."

She could hear Jim's feral grin over the phone. "Sounds like a petition for divorce and a restraining order are just what the doctor ordered. I can file the petition today and have the restraining order issued this afternoon."

"That sounds wonderful, Jim," said Ellen. "Please also arrange for restraining orders against Mack Miller for the benefit of the twins, Mindy and Mandy Miller."

"Will do," said Jim. "Most of the paperwork is boilerplate -- standard language that doesn't need much of any detail specific to Michelle's case. I will need a very brief statement from Michelle that she fears for her safety and the safety of the twins. She need not get any more specific than that. I'll also need her signature."

"I'll ask Bob Minter to escort Michelle to your office," said Ellen. "What time?"

"Let's see, How about two hours from now?" said Jim.

"We'll see you then," Bob put in. "Bye for now."

Ellen sighed. "Now, for the house. Let's get our heads together and then call Kathy and Julie."

Bob said, "The beds that Travis and Becky have were once bunk beds, and can be put back together that way. What if we move Travis and his bed into Becky's room and give him the top bunk. Two new sets of bunk beds will fit into Travis' old room, for Michelle and the twins. The fourth bunk can be for a guest or for any of us five that might ever want it."

"That sounds good," said Ellen. "Shall we call Kathy and Julie? They can have two bunk beds, mattresses and linen delivered from the furniture store today." Bob nodded, smiling.

"AI, can you connect me to Kathy Minter, please?"

"Stand by," the AI replied. It took a little longer this time to make the connection.

"Hello?" said Kathy.

Bob said, "Kathy, it's me and Ellen. We have an emergency addition to our family. Remember the three we talked about?"

"The Millers?" asked Kathy. "I'll bet you and Ellen have it all planned out."

Ellen laughed. "You know us well, Kathy. That's much of why I love you. Will you please call the furniture store and have two sets of bunk beds delivered today? Have them include mattresses, linen, pillows, whatever we need. Please have them send the bill to me."

"I'll do it right away, Ellen," chuckled Kathy. "You'll explain the emergency when you get home?"

"Kathy," Ellen said, "ask Julie what this kind of emergency is about. Michelle and the twins are safe now, but they're in danger until the extraction."

"How are you and Julie doing today?" asked Bob, changing the subject.

"Like oldest, dearest friends," said Kathy, "working hard to build a home."

"We love you," said Ellen. "We have to go. I'll see you this evening. Bob, Sandy and the Millers will be there soon."

Ellen turned to Bob. "Is Jean still conducting interviews?" Bob nodded. "Would you trade places with her for an hour or so? Jean has a part to play in this as well."

Jean soon came in, a puzzled look on her face. Ellen motioned her to sit down. Ellen said, "We need your help, Jean. Will you think about the Miller twins for a moment?" Jean nodded. "Their father is not a nice man. You've seen how they cower when they have to relate to anyone?" Jean nodded again. "I have made arrangements to rescue Michelle and the twins, immediately. Jim Beatty is doing his part. Jim's legal papers would deter a normal man. Mack Miller is not a normal man. The AI has affirmed my taking Michelle as a concubine, effective immediately. We will take the twins as concubines as well. We want to cloister the three in our home before Mack gets wind of the situation. Do you object? Do you have suggestions?"

Jean was silent for a moment, considering. Sighing, she said, "I know Mack. I understand what you're doing and why you must. Are you taking Sandy as a concubine?" Ellen nodded. "The twins don't do well alone, even alone together. Michelle isn't going to be in the best of mental health for a while. I suggest we have Sandy withdraw from the Program as well. She should stay and take care of the twins." Ellen again nodded. "I'll alert the Sheriff and arrange for extra patrols in your immediate area. Bob will need to be with them until the first confrontation. There will be a confrontation. How do you want to handle this?"

Ellen said, "Bob will escort Michelle to Jim's office in an hour or so. When they finish there, Bob and Michelle can come here, collect the three girls, and go home."

"Then I suggest you have Bob call when they leave Jim's office. I'll collect the twins and Sandy and have them come see you about their mother. I'll assure them their mother is OK."

Bob and Michelle were back in Ellen's office when the twins and Sandy burst in. "What's wrong?" they cried. Michelle wrapped them both in a hug.

"Nothing is wrong," said Ellen. "In fact, things are getting better for you and your mother pretty fast." Sandy watched from the doorway, puzzled. "Sandy, come in and close the door. Sit with your sisters on the floor and I'll explain." That brought expressions of surprise to all three.

Turning to the twins, Ellen said, "Mindy and Mandy, I have taken your mother into my family as a concubine. She has accepted and will be living in our home from this moment on. I have combined my household with Bob and his family and we live together in what was Bob's house." The girls glanced in fright at Bob, who smiled at them.

"We're very proud of you for your courage talking to Sarah and Sandy." The twins blanched at that. "Would you feel better if you could safely delay solving the problem you asked Sarah about?" The twins nodded vigorously. "Would you like to live forever with your mom, and me, and Sandy and the rest of our family?" More nodding, now with hope showing on their faces.

"Girls, your father is going to be more than a little upset when he finds out what we've done." The girls cowered. "We would like to ask you three to withdraw from the Program and stay all day, every day in our home, where you'll be safer. Sandy, will you stay with them and help them?" Sandy nodded, smiling. "Mindy and Mandy, will you accept me as your sponsor, and live with me and your mom and the rest of us?" The now-excited twins nodded vigorously. "I need you to answer aloud."

"YES," they said as one in strong voices.

"Acknowledged," the AI softly said. The three girls nearly jumped out of their skins.

"Wonderful," Ellen said. "The voice you heard is the Confederacy AI, the artificial intelligence computer that runs this CAP testing center. Now, we need to explain our arrangements a bit, and then send all of you home.

Turning to the twins, Ellen said, "You two are as safe now as the entire community can make you. No one will ask anything of you that you don't want. You can delay resolving your little problem for as long as you like. You will have to tell us when you are ready." Turning to Michelle, she said, "You also are as safe as we can make you. None of us will make any demands on you, either.

"There are children in our home. All of the adults are sexually active with each other, but that sort of activity is kept away from the children. Some of us," she smiled, "resist wearing clothing if at all possible." Sandy giggled. "Nudity is not sex. You are encouraged to stay dressed for as long as you want. There are now eight adults and two children in our home. We have reserved a room for you twins and your mother. I hope bunk beds will be OK?" They nodded.

"Good. Now, I think you've had enough excitement for now. Bob, will you and Sandy escort our newest family members home?" Bob nodded and smiled. "I'll see you for dinner." Ellen hugged Bob, Michelle and Sandy. She held her arms open for the twins. After a brief hesitation, they stepped in to receive her hug but couldn't bring themselves to return it.