Zayn clutched Mini's hand, watching the Kestryl rigs roll out. Behind them, RoShae and Landau rigs passed through the gates as well.

They stood there watching the gates close, and Zayn felt like his heart stopped beating for a moment.

"He'll be fine," Mini said quietly, and Zayn smiled. 

She was saying it for both of them, and he was grateful.

"Of course, he will," he agreed. "And so will we. Come. In all the upheaval, I have yet to try to call Pop. Now is as good a time as any."

Back at the flat, Zayn fetched the com from their room and settled on the bed. He fit the earpiece in and pressed the call button.

***

The welcome warmth of Sofi on his chest made Nic smile. She was a fierce lass in the sheets, and he would never grow tired of her.

She wasn't Mona, but who was?

The familiar ache of grief made him frown. It would never get easier, he knew, and it would be even worse when Quyn left this world.

At least he would have Sofi, he comforted himself glumly.

"Stop it," she ordered, and pressed a tender kiss to his lightly bristled chin.

He smiled at her, watching her lithe and lush form roll from their bed to shrug into a robe.

"I do try, love."

"I know," she smiled over her shoulder, those pale green eyes taking his breath away as they always did. "It's your burden to bear. It's mine to do what I can to ease it."

"Aye, that ya do, lass," he purred, watching her golden cheeks flush.

He fell silent, hearing a faint chirp, and frowned.

Seconds later, he bolted out of bed and dashed to the lab. Nic dug through a pile of tablets until he found the small case holding a very special com unit and tore it open in a rush.

"Hello? Hello, Zayn?" He spoke before he had the earpiece fully seated, so excited that he was shaking.

"Pop?" the hesitant voice coming through the com made his heart swell.

"My boy!" he breathed. "Oh, it's good to hear ya, lad. I've been expectin' ya for days."

"I'm sorry, Pop. We had some things going on. Um. I'm being courted by...a Roamer. And he wanted to make sure I would be safe while he was on the trails."

"All the happiness, then, lad," Nic gushed. "Might I know who the fortunate one is?" 

He nodded at Sofi, accepted the pants she had brought him, and pulled them on quickly. He handed her a com unit, and she smiled, leaving him to get dressed.

"Oh...it's...Vael. Vael Kestryl."

His boy sounded so shy, but proud.

"Well, done, lad!" Nic laughed. "You'll not do better than Kestryl, I'll say."

Zayn cleared his throat. "Thank you. Fin Reeves said the same."

"Aye, he would know," Nic chuckled. "He ran with us as youngsters. How're ya finding the flat, then?"

"Well. I'm adding a floor to the top, so we can have our own space and let the rest. Mini, I mean Selene, is with me. With us. He's courting her, too."

"Splendid!" Nic wandered back to their living space, lured by the scent of coffee and bacon.

Sofi was in the kitchen, whipping up food for them, and a mug waited for him on the table.

"I wondered...Is my mother...is she with you?"

"Ah, you spoke to Milly, then? Yeah sure, your Mama is right here. I've got a com for her, so she can get on with us if you like."

He heard Zayn swallow and a soft voice spoke in the background. Sofi watched him from the kitchen.

"Yes, please," Zayn finally said tearfully. "I would love to speak to Mama."

Sofi blinked, sending tears down her cheeks. Her hand trembled when she pressed the com at her throat.

"Zayn?"

"Mama? Oh, Mama!"

Their boy wept, and Sofi wept with him. "Oh, my boy. You sound so grown!"

"Mama, I'm so sorry," Zayn sniffed. "I didn't remember you."

"Oh, my love, don't think on it," she soothed him. "You were such a wee thing. I'm sure we'll make new memories together."

"Oh yes, please. I need to see you. Both of you."

"Ya will, lad, in good time. For now, we must take care," Nic cautioned. "Dora's sure to be frothin' at losin' not just you, but Miss Lenie too. I am pleased she's with ya."

"I sent messages with Kestryl," Zayn told them. "Fin said Quyn and Holis know where you are."

"That they do, lad. I'll be seein' 'em' soon if they've rolled out already."

"They left just now," Zayn told him.

"Ah, I'm sure you're missin' your Vael, then."

"Yes, we are," Zayn laughed. "But at least I have Mini, I mean Selene. Vael is alone, and we are worried about him. He said...he said he won't seek ease on the trails."

"No, he wouldn't want to, if you consummated already." Sofi tossed a few strips of burned bacon into a pail and laid out fresh ones in her pan.

"Oh," Nic smiled, almost certain he could hear Zayn's blush. "We have," he said quietly. "Um. All of us. Is that...is that okay?"

"Of course, my boy." Nic laughed. "Never be ashamed a' wantin' your Roamer. They sure's hell won't."

Zayn laughed, sounding relieved. "Oh, good. I'm never sure what's proper, you know."

"Whatever ye damn well please," Sofi declared. "That's what. Let none beat ya down for your love, my boy. It's all we've got to brighten our world."

"Yes, Mama," Zayn said, with reverence. "Oh, can you get that, Mini? Pop, Mama, we have lessons to get to. When can I call again?"

"Whenever you please, Zay," Nic told him. "There should'a been a rather big tablet in one of your boxes."

"Yes, I'll be right there," Zayn said aside. "There was Pop. I was wondering what it was for."

"It's so we can see each other, my boy. I'll walk you through setting it up later. Go on to your lessons now and call us when you get settled for the evening."

"I will, Pop. I...I know I don't know you, but...I love you, both."

"Oh, darling," Sofi cried. "We love you, too. Your mind may not know us, but your heart does. You can't go far wrong with that."

Zayn laughed, sniffing. "No, I don't reckon I can."

"Love you, son," Nic said quietly. "We'll speak to you soon."

"Love you too, Pop."

***

Zayn soaked in the tub, sunk so low his heels rested on the small ledge under the faucet. His body ached from another round of training at Lex and Toone's hands. They showed no mercy when it came to their sharp jabs and punishing kicks.

In the two weeks since Vael rolled out as a Pilot, Zayn and Selene were learning to drive the small silver rover and spent no less than four hours each day being pummeled by their guards to learn to defend themselves.

"Be sure," Lex consoled him as he knelt, gasping, and drenched in sweat at the end of their session today, "you're in better shape'n most'a the Matron Guard'nd  at least half the Stead Guard."

"Really?" Zayn didn't feel in shape. He felt like he'd been kicked, punched, and thrown within an inch of his life. His bruises had bruises.

Lex nodded. "Yeah, sure. Most 'a them didn't have Roamer trainin'. Get out'a here. I'll see ya tomorrow."

Of course, Selene's guards were just as hard on her. The first week, her lovely blue eyes were heavy with fatigue. She was barely able to feed herself; she was so weary.

Zayn spoke to his parents every morning. He hadn't gotten the tablet to work yet, but Carmyne assured him it just needed a full charge. It was at Fin's for the time being.

His water was cooling, so he braced his arms on the sides of the tub and hauled his tormented body up. He winced, pushing to his feet, and pulled the plug with his toes.

Zayn wasn't sure bending would work in his favor. 

He stepped into the bedroom with a towel wrapped around his waist, riding low on his hips. He didn't give a thought to the water running off his body to the floor while he looked through the closet for clothes.

His hand paused on one of Vael's dark shirts. He pulled the sleeve to his face and inhaled the scent that clung to the fabric. Odd that he hardly noticed how Vael smelled when he was there. It seemed everything he touched now haunted Zayn with the fresh and crisp scent of his Roamer, like a breeze after a spring rain. Yearning tightened his throat, and he pulled the shirt off the hanger. He found a pair of his pants and tossed the towel aside. Still damp, he stepped into the pants and tugged Vael's shirt down.

The sleeves were ridiculously long, and the tails hung halfway down his thighs, but it smelled like Vael. He folded the sleeves up until they rested at his wrists.

"Mini?"

Leaving the bedroom, he found her in the kitchen. She had learned a few simple recipes from Betsy, and on their single day off from training, she would spend most of the day experimenting at the stove.

Some days her efforts failed, and they made the stiff walk to the café for a meal. She was getting better.

Daily deliveries of fresh meat and other foodstuffs prevented them from having to ration their meals too harshly. The delivery boy told Zayn that Vael had arranged it before he left.

He sighed, settling into a chair at the table.

"Enjoy your bath?" Mini flashed him a tired smile.

"I can move without stopping to breathe," Zayn quipped. "You?"

She giggled, stirring a pot with a wooden spoon.  "Tara had me working with a bow today. Not as bad as I thought it would be, but my wrist and shoulders are sore."

He nodded. He knew she missed Vael as badly as he did. This wasn't the first time he wore one of the Roamer's shirts. She had one on as well. It looked like a slim-fitting dress on her, falling just above her ankles.

"We'll take a turn in the rover before training tomorrow."

She nodded and turned down the flame under the pot. "You're getting so good at driving it." She came to the table. "I can't believe the seat adjusts so easily."

"I'd say Pop couldn't be sure of my size, but Vael made it seem like all the vehicles have adjustable seats. What are you cooking?"

"Oh, Betsy taught me her stew, finally," Mini's bright blue eyes sparkled.

Zayn nodded, failing to squash a yawn. She moved to sit in his lap and wrapped her arm around his neck.

"Tired, love?"

"Always," he chuckled. He brushed his nose along her cheek. "Not as bad as when we started, but worn nonetheless."

"Well, the stew will be a while. I have some bread and cold meat if you want to eat something and lie down."

He nodded with another yawn, and she laughed lightly, hopping up to make him a quick sandwich. Zayn ate it quickly and drank the sweet tea Mini gave him with it. She shooed him off to bed and joined him later.

"I thought you were cooking?" he muttered sleepily.

Not that he didn't want her curled so sweetly against him. She was warm and soft, and all those luscious curves quivered under his hands.

"It needs to simmer overnight," she told him. "Hush, and rest now."

***