Days of Darkness

Chapter 22

"The corporation that funded Teegan. Obviously, they don't play by the normal rules. Their interest is solely financial." Hank sighed as he spoke, "If I had to guess, they were behind your encounter outside of Flagstaff."

"How much do they know about Teegan?" I asked.

"Douglas Corbett linked with Teegan," Hank said. That it surprised me must have been evident on my face. I stopped walking and tried to think.

"And he still wants to risk her, turn her into a baby factory?" I asked incredulously.

"It is his way," Hank nodded, "greed and power are his motivations, and as I said, Teegan improves on those. Somehow, he justifies it in his mind and sees it as best for Teegan as well. It was his linking that set Dr. Forrester's kidnap plan into motion. Corbett thought we would agree with his future plans for Teegan."

"Kidnap?" I said, "Doesn't Teegan have any rights?"

"Depends on who you talk to, I guess," Hank admitted, "In my mind, she's a child and deserves a normal life. To others, she is an asset to be harnessed...or feared."

"Feared?" I said shaking my head, "She's not even a year old. Nothing but love in that girl." I laughed when I thought of her rear explosions, "Maybe they want her secrets to chemical warfare." I had to explain myself to Hank, but I soon had him chuckling as well. The thoughts that had been digging into my mind came forward. Hank was the only one I could speak to about it.

"Hank, I'd like some truth." We were hopping over a small stream, less than an arm's length wide. I steadied him when he stumbled a little, and he thanked me for keeping dry.

"What do you need to know?"

"Natalie is the smartest woman I know," I continued, "you know she's a lawyer. A good one I hear."

"Yes, Rose told me." Hank hooked his hands behind his back and patiently waited for me to continue.

"I barely graduated high school. I never really held an honest job, well not for long anyway," I said and was surprised when Hank didn't show any signs of disapproval. He just nodded as we walked. "I was basically a two-bit criminal," I said to emphasize my point. Still no reaction to note, so I just let it out.

"Is Teegan making Natalie love me?" I asked, my eyes feeling heavier than they should. I waited for the answer I had suspected. Instead, I received laughter.

"Why else would she be seen with me?" I added, my anger rising in my tone.

"Sam," Hank replied, haltingly, trying to control his laughter, "she loves you because she loves you. I've already told you Teegan only emphasizes what you already want."

"Are you trying to tell me a lawyer wants a criminal," I stated.

"I believe you said 'was' as criminal," Hank said with an annoying smile.

"She's too good for me," I continued, "you have to see that."

"She is that," Hank laughed again, "but your own argument works against you."

"How's that?"

"If she's so smart, how could you be a mistake?" Hank asked, "hmmm?" I wanted to smack the smile off his face. He was so sure of himself. He lost his smile and stopped walking. "You're not planning to screw up the best thing you got going, are you?"

It's just..." I stumbled on my words, "I think..." It was difficult to explain my inadequacies compared to Natalie's successes. "She's better than I am," I said with some exasperation.

"They usually are," Hank said, "if they weren't, I doubt the human race would have made as long as it has. Do you think she would feel any different if the situations were reversed?"

"I'm just afraid it's not me," I said, "that Teegan will wear off, and Natalie won't like what she sees."

"If love were only that logical," Hank chuckled, "there's no formula for attraction, although I do believe you need to have confidence in it. If you spend all your time thinking it will fail, it most likely will."

"I guess you're right," I said, suddenly embarrassed I was having the conversation with a man I meant only a few hours ago. We started walking again.

"I must say that Teegan's mental projections have taken me by surprise," Hank commented.

"It's not really thoughts, just feelings," I clarified.

"Her gift is growing," Hank stated, "and now I must concede I don't know how strong it will become." He stopped walking again and turned to me. "As she ages, I suspect some semblance of control will be gained. I see no bad intent in her, but it does make me think. The world may not be ready for her mind. What if she grows into something different from what she is today."

"What if she's evil," I tacked on, nodding. It has been on my edge of my thoughts as well.

"I can't see her as evil," Hanks said, shaking his head, "but more self-indulgent. I've raised two teenagers, and they make rash decisions. Mistakes are part of growing up. Teegan's mistakes could affect a lot of people."

"I may not be the father she needs," I said, thinking I knew where the conversation was going.

"Nope, I think you and Natalie are the best parents for her," Hank said without a second thought, "I fear that today's perfect parents may not measure up to tomorrow's child." He sighed, "but none of us have the luxury of a do-over."

"Would you have created her, knowing what you know now?" I asked.

"Yes and no," Hank said, with a sparkle in his eye, "I'll never do it again, but I also wouldn't want to see the world without Teegan. Strange, isn't it. My greatest mistake is also my greatest triumph." I nodded understanding exactly what he meant. Probably one of the few people in the world who did. There was a long silent pause as we turned back to toward the cabin. I liked how the woods smelled. The drab leafless trees had a soft haunting look about them. The world was going to sleep for a few months.

"We are going to forward contract review work to Natalie," Hank said, "it will be through universities, places where some of us teach. It will allow us to fund you indirectly." I stopped walking again.

"That makes me uncomfortable," I admitted.

"Natalie said it would," Hank said, "I spoke to her while you were in the bathroom. You know it makes sense, right." I nodded. Of course, it made logical sense. It didn't make 'man' sense.

"Is this why were taking a walk?" I asked. I was being handled.

"She makes ten times what you can make," Hank continued, ignoring my question, "she'll work from home, allowing you two to limit your exposure."

"I'll be a kept man," I reasoned sadly.

"It would be better for her to be a kept woman?" Hank stated. I tried to see it logically. It made all the sense in the world, and I still hated it. "It's the twenty-first century, you have a family, and Natalie has the skills. Don't be an idiot." His words were sharper than I expected. He smiled when I looked back at him, "By the look in her eyes when she looks at you, I don't think she sees anything but a strong man. Let her handle the income, you'll handle the security."

"I guess my thinking is a little outdated," I said quietly. The thought of living off a woman wouldn't have bothered me a month ago. Free money had a nice ring to it. It was the desire to take care of Natalie and Teegan. I wanted to be the main reason for our success.

"Split some logs, lift the heavy things, and get over it.," Hank said, "She needs you, you need her, and Teegan needs the both of you."

"She is the smart one," I said, trying to convince myself, "it would be a waste of her degree if she didn't use it."

"My wife works in the corporate world, pharmaceutical development," Hank added, "she's been earning more than me for years."

"You got used to it?"

"Nope," Hank said, "I learned to love it. She likes the money; I like the science. It brought a nice balance to our lives. It doesn't matter where the money comes from, just as long as your family is not suffering for the lack of it."

"So, is this why were taking a walk?" I asked again. This time with a sly smile.

"Yep," Hank said, nodding his head, "Natalie isn't going to take the work unless you say it's okay." I lost my smile and looked at him directly. He shrugged his shoulders, "she didn't want it to jeopardize your relationship."

"She really loves me," I said. The job no longer mattered. The fact she would have thrown it away for me supplanted my juvenile thoughts.

"Yep and you don't deserve it," Hank returned. His smile was showing all his teeth. It was the truth, disguised by humor.

"Yes, I do," I argued back, "I must be much better in bed than I thought." The still woods echoed with Hank's deep laughter.

Hank left us before the sun set. He had a long drive ahead of him since he preferred not to stop at a motel on his way to Chicago. No paper trail to follow. We were left with a number to call in case of emergency and Natalie was given a set of names and numbers to set up her new practice. I didn't even wince when he handed them over. I smiled when Natalie looked hesitant, and that seemed to be all the discussion needed. Teegan smiled for Hank, just like she always did, though we all thought those smiles were especially for us.

We felt a little stronger knowing there was a secret set of friends watching over us, or, at least, Teegan. I looked over at my girl, absorbing her smile, and thought of how quickly she had formed her family. Natalie and I were the core, Hank and his team our extended family. So much power for such a little girl.

"What did you and Hank talk about on your walk?" Natalie asked. I wasn't sure how to respond without sounding like a man from a previous century. She raised her eyebrows at my pause, so I just let it out.

"We talked about you wearing the pants in the family," I said, then softened my tone. I hadn't meant to come out so heavy, "that it was stupid to waste your degree and knowledge." Natalie smiled and moved closer to me.