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In the morning I find myself relieved. No one woke me with a job to jump to during the night. Going to work is not sounding pleasant right now. I get up, clean and dress before going downstairs where I see Brana on the floor playing with Lali. They look perfect, as if in an ideal world.

“Good morning, Brana.” It feels right to see her here.

“Good morning, Jasher.”

She is looking up at me with beautiful wide eyes and a sexy smile. Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever seen that look before. Maybe I wasn’t paying attention, or just didn’t care to look. Somehow, this beautiful woman is different than any other I have met. I feel it all through my being. I smile back at her and say, “I will make breakfast. Would you like to begin with tea?”

“Yes, thank you. May I help? I realize I have so much to learn. This House is huge and complicated.   My life has been simple up until now.”

“Play with Lali and I will teach you how to work things in the kitchen later. Relax. You have had a tough time.” I look at her a bit longer before I go into the kitchen. My heart is beating a strange tempo. I like the feeling.

We sit at the lovely yellow table in front of the bay windows. There is a baby’s high chair prepared for Lali. She smiles and makes cute noises as Brana puts her in the chair. “Here, “I hand a bowl of food to Brana, “I prepared a healthy, soft mushy mix for her to eat.”

“Gee, that sounds tasty,” she jokes

“Yeah; I guess I could have said that different.”

“The view is quite lovely.” Brana gazes out the window, changes the subject, and speaks between bites, telling little stories of her trip and Lali’s antics as she has been growing.

I notice Lali has both hands in her food and is cooing happily. She actually hits her mouth with food now and then. What a mess. Well, I think that is what babies do. I engage with her in a bit of sloppy food play.

“You will spoil her; she likes the food game you play.”

“I forgot what children are like, too much time working.” I look at Brana.

Slowly, she turns her gaze away. I am completely taken with her but realize she lost her husband not even a year ago. Shame on me, I should feel bad, but don’t.

Noises outside catch our attention. The Air-Bots, flying killers, are coming toward us, maybe thirty head our way. Then we see the hovers that carry Bio-Brains. They are armed to the teeth. One small prick on the skin and the nano-robots are inside heading for the brain. Complete control of their victim is quick and final. I detect their next intended casualties are far to the North. Our people must be ready so I communicate what is going on as I watch their progress.

Brana sits rigid, her jaw is tight and her eyes are glued at the window. I tell her, “They have no idea we are here. They do not see The House. They only see a rock formation. We are camouflaged and safe.” I try to give her a confident smile.

The Bio-Bots are circling the area above us. That is unusual. I whisper to Brana, “Close your mind. Blank out. I had forgotten how they can pick up brain waves, and I am not certain The House can completely deflect our thoughts.”

Then I remember Lali. I look at her. Brana turns her complete focus on her. The baby had been screaming in fear. She must have picked up the feeling of impending invasion. Babies are smart. She silences as Brana watches her. That is amazing. I never knew a baby would quieten with a look from a mom. I am thankful.

Brana sweat drips down her face. The army thunders across the land and The House shakes with the rhythm of their heavy steps. I am thankful to see the marchers split and walk around The House. We are Safe as long as we stay calm and have blank thoughts. It took a good deal of practice for me to learn how to do that.

The Whirring sounds begin to get louder and The House quivers from the persistent pounding of feet and equipment. They continue to circle above us. My heart freezes. I don’t know what they are searching for but must keep calm. This is frightening.

She looks pale to me and lets me reach for her hand. I reassure her. “We are secure. They cannot see us at all. None of their detectors will work through The House defenses. Just keep a blank mind.” It takes a good hour for all their swarm to pass. Brana looks at me, “They didn’t see us.” I notice it was merely a statement of observation. Her voice was matter of fact even after the trauma we had just experienced.

Brana recalls, I remember teaching Lali how to blank her thoughts as soon as she was old enough to mind meld. Her gifts helped keep us alive. I am aware of the need to ‘hide’ mind as well as body when avoiding the mass evil that has just passed us. I am fortunate she learned easily. We are safe. I am always thankful for my Psi-PK-MT (telepathic, psychokinesis precognizant) abilities. Being able to make them change their minds and have it unknown to them is a great gift and has kept us alive.

I squeeze her hand and say, “We really are safe here. Trust The House, Brana.” She simply adds, “I do.”

We leave the bay window view for the peaceful living area. Brana studies the book and I play with Lali for a while. I like being with them. Lali giggles easily and is quite entertaining to be with. I decide to stay here awhile and tell The House I want personal time off. Shocked, I find it was easily granted and I will receive as much as I want. Now, that is good news, even though I knew I would get it. I expel a breath of air I didn’t know I was holding. It is rare to get time off during conflict but this war has been ongoing for quite a long time and I have been constantly working with little personal time off.

I enjoy watching Brana with the baby. She takes her from my arms and sits her down onto the floor amid a few scattered toys, ready for baby fingers and imaginative play. She walks over to the piano, sits down and begins playing. This woman is remarkable. The quiet room is transformed into a haloed peaceful place as her music is emotional and strong, yet tender. Just what is needed after all the years of my living with constant fighting surrounding me.

When she finishes playing, she takes the baby upstairs for a nap and returns. I make tea for both of us and have it ready as she comes back down. Now, I will talk to her, this is probably the best time. My hands are sweating. I didn’t realize how difficult it would be to discuss these things with her and I don’t want her to take all this in and run away in fear. I have never uttered any information on my work to anyone, until right now.

She smiles as she sips the hot tea. “Thanks for the tea, it is good. It has a berry flavor that I like.”

“You are welcome, Brana.” I begin with a nervous cough and look unwavering at her. “I want to talk to you about what I do and who I am.”

“OK.” She is holding her tea and looks directly at me without blinking.

That is making it worse; I must talk to her without being distracted. “I am a Psi-Teleporter. I briefly mentioned it yesterday. I ‘see’ trouble and am able to go to the source instantly, as needed. I have a partner who is a Psi-Shape Shifter. We mentally communicate making us a successful team, traveling both close and to vast distances, as needed. We are fortunately good friends and were born with these abilities. We make the best use of them. I will introduce you to him soon as he will be visiting.

I continue, rambling on. “Do you know there is a nearly identical world to this thirteen light years away? Not only that, but unknown numbers of dimensions with worlds quite similar to this. There are differences because of the way the worlds are treated by those that dwell on them. I go to others frequently. Teleporting is nearly instantaneous. I could take you and Lali for a restful experience. There are Houses like this one over all the Universes and dimensions. They are designed to keep us safe and to assist travelers.”

I now notice Brana has not changed position, expression or moved a muscle since I began. Oops, I may have told her too much too quickly. Oh, toads, I am getting a signal.

“Brana, I have asked for and received time off. Now, even with time off, they are asking me to help stop a vicious siege started by the Bio-Bots that passed over us earlier. That battalion was heading North. I kept our units up to date as soon as they had passed us. It is my choice to go or stay. Do you mind if I go? I promise to return the second I have finished. You give me great reason to come back as soon as possible.

She walks up to me, “Jasher, I will be honored and happy to have you return to us, here. Lali and I will wait patiently for you. You will stay safe.”

With that said she stretches up and gives me a kiss on my cheek. I take her head in my hands, “May I kiss you good-bye properly?” She slowly nods her head yes and with that I give her a kiss to take through time and space with me. I am falling for this strong beautiful woman. With that, I am gone.

Brana smiles as she and Lali settle into a routine in The House, comforted in knowing what lies ahead.

                          The House waits…….once more.

End of Part Three