Nurse Venus

Minako was not good for much when she returned. Michiru would have liked to have comforted her, but that was not something she was good at, and she had many other things on her mind. Even Nereid, Michiru's daughter, was more likely to go to Haruka or Makoto or Minako with her bruised knees and bruised feelings than to her mother.

There were a lot of decisions to make.

<Use the forgetting powder on Kevin's mother, and Marvell's new wife and mother-in-law?> Michiru's instinct was to use it. But of course the more sentimental senshi would protest that it was wrong to destroy the memory of the wedding. Michiru had little use for sentiment. But she might be doing wrong if she used the powder. Michiru had just enough doubt to keep herself from insisting.

<Let Haruka return to France?> Uranus had been harder to get onto the scene than even Sailor Mercury. She had to go back for Titania, of course, but let her stay?

<Let Haruka go back and stay here.> An emergency could come again at any time; it was not right for Michiru to use her command authority to try to influence Haruka, tempting as it was to sabotage whatever was developing between her and Roland. And, Haruka being Haruka, trying to drive her apart from Roland would likely make her get closer. Roland was always going to be Titania's father, after all, so there was never going to be an end to the link between Haruka and Roland.

<Let the rest of Marvell Jone's family go home?> They were underfoot, and his mother wanted to go home. Michiru told her she could do what she wanted, but that Michiru thought it was safer for them to stay. "Your other son thinks the enemy might try to capture you." But the mother insisted, so Michiru let her go home with Olivia and Octavia in the car Mr. Tiggs had brought. That at least got the car back where it belonged.

But that left the problem of Mr. Tiggs himself. He would keep for now; he'd responded well to Naru's sleeping spell, and she could keep him asleep for another day if she had to. No one had come asking about him, but they were probably being watched now. <We will have to use a teleport to get him out of the house . . .>

Rei, of course, had opinions about everything, and now that Usagi and Minako were unavailable, she was of a mood to argue with Michiru. That is why Michiru decided not to hold a meeting; it would turn into a contest between herself and Rei, and settle nothing.

But there was still Setsuna, gone off by herself yet again. Michiru decided to intrude on Setsuna's privacy, because she needed a sensible sounding board. But before she could go to join Setsuna in the spa in the first basement, someone gave her more news which required even more decisions . . .

Michiru found Setsuna floating in the pool, instead of soaking in the hot bath. Setsuna was nude, raising other issues Michiru would rather avoid--she had put on a swimsuit before coming down. Setsuna was no prude, but did not casually display herself; this was another sign that she expected to be left alone.

"Setsuna?"

"Michiru . . . what is it?"

"I want to talk. If you wish," said Michiru.

"You have command," Setsuna replied. She had not opened her eyes yet. "You do not need to ask."

"But I am asking," said Michiru.

"I am not saying no," said Setsuna.

Michiru hung up her robe, and stepped into the hot bath. It was not that far from the little pool, especially from the end Setsuna was floating in. "We need to do something about Mr. Tiggs, and there is another problem."

"Another problem?" asked Setsuna.

"Yes . . . It is Hotaru. She is pregnant," said Michiru.

"Does Shingo know?"

"No."

"How does she know? It can't be for very long," said Setsuna.

"Kimi Moon. Her eye, again. Minako and Kimi's sisters know, so everyone will know in a day or two." Michiru sighed. "Hotaru says she will think about it tonight, but . . . "

Michiru heard splashing. Setsuna climbed out of the single-lane pool, walked the few steps to the bath, and got in. Even nude, there were no real indicators of her age. She was supple as a gymnast, but always moved with the grace that only experience brings. The only other person Michiru knew with this truly ageless quality was the Grey Lady; even the Founder, thousands of years old, did not have it, at least in Michiru's eyes.

Once she had settled in, Setsuna put her head back, and said, "It will be no great surprise, except perhaps to Kenji . . . after all, Hotaru did catch Minako-chan's bouquet . . . "

"You are not disappointed?" said Michiru. They had, after all, raised Hotaru.

"I did not say that . . . " Setsuna let herself slide down, submerging her head for a moment. Once she brought her face back up from the water, she looked at Michiru, for the first time since they had started talking. "Let us speak of the more immediate problem. What do you want to do with Mr. Tiggs?"

"I am not sure."

"Why? You are quicker to judge than Rei-chan," said Setsuna.

Michiru felt hotter than the water for a moment, but she let the barb pass. "I do not see a good way to deal with Mr. Tiggs. If we send him through a gate, the American government will come looking for him. They may even think we have killed him, and that we are mixed up with Marvell Jones' gang. If we let him go, Marvell Jones will try to kill him. Or other gangsters, even if Mr. Jones can be persuaded to spare Mr. Tiggs."

"Not a good alternative," Setsuna said. "And we need permission from the Grey Company to send anyone through a gate. Unless he goes of his own will, I do not thing the Company will allow it."

Michiru asked, "Have you thought of a way to keep him here safely?"

Setsuna said, "There is something I might try . . . but I will have to speak with Mr. Jones. Marvell Jones. And others, perhaps even the Founder."

"What?"

"Never mind. It might not be possible . . . " Setsuna dunked her head again, staying under for quite a long time. Michiru sometimes wondered why Setsuna was so at-ease in water; in some ways, more than herself, though as far as she knew she couldn't breathe water like Michiru--as far as Michiru knew.

At last Setsuna emerged again. "I'll make the calls I need to make tonight. Don't mention this to the others, please."

"Of course." As if Michiru had ever broken one of Setsuna's confidences.

Setsuna climbed out of the tub. Instead of toweling herself dry, she transformed. Michiru saw that she was looking at her reflection in the mirrors mounted on the walls to make the spa seem larger--special mirrors; they never seemed to fog up for very long. On his visits, the Founder spent a lot of time in the spa . . .

"What do you see?" Michiru asked. "What are you looking for?"

Setsuna said, "I was wondering about something that puzzles me . . . why I have no wings yet."

Michiru said, "You are . . . the most different of us, after all. And Mamoru has no wings."

"But he can fly," said Setsuna.

Michiru said, "Yes . . . but Besu and Parapara cannot."

Setsuna said, "But their sisters can. I am the only one of the first ten who cannot fly. And yet I am the only one of us who can fly . . . at least until Makoto solos."

Michiru said, "Why is she learning to fly now? I thought she was terrified of airplanes."

Setsuna said, "She is. She thinks that learning to fly will help her with her fear. And make her a better flyer on her own . . . But at least she can fly on her own."

Michiru said, "You are of immeasurable value as you are. Flight is not that important. Look at how much trouble it got Usagi into."

"But I want to fly . . ." Setsuna transformed back, and put on her robe. Before leaving, she came up to the edge of the tub, and said, "I am going to tell Hotaru she can sleep with Shingo."

"What?"

Setsuna said, "Hotaru cannot get in more trouble now. And she will make the same decision tomorrow she would now. Making her wait is cruel and pointless."

Michiru asked, "But why are you doing this now?"

"Who can be sure of tomorrow? Usagi slept with Chibi-Usa's father for only one night. She will never have another." Setsuna left after saying that.

Michiru felt dissatisfied. She had hoped to speak with Setsuna about Usagi's poor judgment in exposing Tiggs. And now Setsuna was doing something worthy of Usagi in her thoughtless youth. Where was Setsuna when Hotaru was small? Always on some mysterious errand . . . or doing something she was ashamed of?

But, of course, Setsuna had kept her together with Haruka in difficult times, and what was her life without her years with Haruka? Perhaps Setsuna was wise in the matter of Hotaru and Shingo . . . perhaps it would not be forever, but they should have their time together.

Michiru changed to the pool, transformed, merged her legs, and swam laps until every muscle pleaded with her to go up to bed.

Usagi woke up to bright sunlight. Mamoru was gone, of course. Even with Carmen and Ginger to help, and some "reworking" of the hospital computer records courtesy of Mercurius, he was always having to suddenly swap to cover emergency absences. Thanks to yesterday's crisis, all their plans for today, like so many others, were moot.

But as much as it hurt, it was nothing compared to the losses the families of the pilot and co-pilot had taken.

Usagi slid herself off her bed into her wheelchair, and rolled away to confront whatever the night had brought. Her first stop was Shingo's room, where her mother was looking through the half-opened door. When Usagi came close, she saw her mother had been crying, but not for a little while.

Usagi glanced inside just long enough to see that Hotaru was in Shingo's bed. <Why now?> she complained to the gods. Her mother then closed the door and explained what Setsuna had told her. Going down in the elevator, very quiet and reliable but still slow, Usagi remarked just before the doors opened "I am really surprised that they waited this long. Longer than I did, okasan, with Mamoru."

Her mother said, "At least they will finish high school together . . . "

"Don't be so sad, okasan," said Usagi.

"Your babies aren't having a babies yet, Usako. I feel a thousand years old."

Usagi said, "No . . . but Chibi-Usa is having her period. Her second. She kept the first secret from me. From me, okasan . . . people are always telling me how much she is like me. If I was like that, okasan, why did you not drown me?"

Tsukino Ikuko said, "Because I knew one day you would have a child exactly like yourself!"

Usagi said, "And they say Michiru is mean . . . We should make sure they are married before otousan gets home."

Her mother said, "I was hoping Shingo would have a nice wedding . . . but you are right. Better they are married and otousan has less chance to fuss." She sighed. "Is there any other news? Ishi-chan told me her uncle got married. Did she mean Kevin's brother? The big gangster? And what on earth is going on in the back yard?"

The door finally opened. Usagi said, "Ne-e-eh, before you read the paper, I think I have to tell you a few more things . . . "

Marvell invited the woman into his office. She didn't pop in or fly in; she had parked a perfectly ordinary car across the street. She might be another mind reader like Mrs. Chiba, but he doubted it. Mrs. Chiba seemed to be taking care not to discover his business. He knew the woman was an angel, but not her name. She was the one with hair colored dark green, darker complexion, and the quiet voice.

The woman said, "You seem to have something on your mind. New trouble?"

Marvell said, "I don't know if it's exactly trouble. Huffy's dead."

"Huffy?"

Marvell said, "Mr. Van Huff, if you please. The leader of the Reds up here; the one who tried to kill me yesterday."

The woman said, "That would seem to be good news, at least for you."

Marvell said, "I don't think I'll be sittin' up cryin' tonight, but it ain't exactly the best news. And not just for me."

"Why? If you want to risk telling."

"Well . . . " Marvell leaned back in his chair, rocking it back a bit. "It ain't the best news for me because I was gonna try to stop this war. Huffy did pull back his boys from the airport like I asked. I guess those dudes with the mortar didn't get the word in time. Anyways, now I don't have just Van Huff to make peace with; I have a whole bunch of little dudes who all want to be the big dude. And word is going around that I broke truce to get Huffy."

"And for us?" asked the woman.

Marvell said, "Unless you have feelings for Huffy, I don't think it matters much to you. But it probably means another long war. More people getting shot who don't have anything to do with the trade . . . won't really do much to the trade except make it more dangerous for everybody. Trade will go on long after I'm gone."

"Would you like to get out now?" the woman asked.

"That isn't what you want to talk about tonight?" said Marvell.

The woman replied, "No, I have another proposition for you . . . but if you ever want to get out of 'the trade' as you put it, I might be able to help you."

"Might?" asked Marvell.

"It would not be my decision."

"Oh, you mean Mrs. Chiba," said Marvell.

"No, although she could influence the decision." The woman paused a moment before continuing. "What I need to talk to you about now is a way to handle Mr. Tiggs."

"Mrs. Chiba said you people were going to take care of that," said Marvell. "If you don't, I will."

The woman said, "We will. Mr. Tiggs is still very much alive and we intend to keep him that way. You should be interested in keeping him alive, too."

"Why? So he can testify against me?" asked Marvell.

The woman said, "Mr. Tiggs has certainly been making reports for a long time. His testimony wouldn't be crucial to any case against you that your government is prepared to prosecute. But what if Mr. Tiggs himself is compromised? Then his reports become suspect."

"That's an interesting thought," said Marvell, who wouldn't have gone as far as he had by using only strongarm tactics. "Do you have any ideas how to do that?"

"Several. And your Mr. Huff may provide another . . . "

John Garfield Crawford's plan for his first columns had been completely jettisoned by now. The spectacular events of the day following the reappearance of Lisette Pinatabo and the death of the young man she had pled for couldn't be ignored. So he wrote about it. It wasn't one of his best columns, but it was different from the run of things written about the Angel Nine incident. There were no speculations about divine intervention. He was close enough to the "angel" who had come out of the water to see that she was bleeding. Maybe they weren't human, but they were mortal. He was one of the very few to mention that.

It was a great column considering how little time he'd put into it. He'd spent his time rooting around looking for anything on the Spotts story he might have missed, and come up with nothing. But he did get a break on the Angel Nine story, or at least its periphery. His favorite source in the OPD told him that the attacks on the aircraft were probably attempts to get their old friend Marvell Jones. "Looks like another war," said Shaw.

"Was he on that plane?" asked Crawford.

Shaw said, "Don't know. It was a shuttle; no passenger manifest. Anyway, Van Huff thought he was. Now the word is Marvell wants a truce."

"Do you believe it?" Crawford asked.

Shaw replied, "I believe Marvell wants Van Huff to think he wants a truce. But he's a fool if he trusts Marvell."

"You sound happy," said Crawford.

Shaw said, "Well, it's a win-win situation. Either Marvell kills Van Huff, or Van Huff kills Marvell. You know, I bet Marvell set up Van Huff. Fed him a false tip to see what he would do."

"False tip?" asked Crawford.

Shaw said, "Yeah. Word on the street was that old Marvell was in Las Vegas to get married. And Huff must have believed it."

Crawford said, "Well, maybe Spotts made him scared."

Shaw said, "Maybe . . . You wouldn't have anything for me, would you?"

Crawford said, "Not this time, Johnny . . . I would like you to help me with something else, if you can."

"What?" asked Shaw.

Crawford said, "A real old case. It was a gang-banger named Luther Ponds. He operated around Palo Alto, but he was from Oakland. Could you see if he has some history with the OPD?"

"Real old? Is he still around?" asked Shaw.

Crawford said, "No, he's dead. Maybe murdered. About seven years ago."

Shaw said, "I never heard of him. I've been with gangs too long to miss anyone important, even down in Palo Alto."

Crawford said, "He wasn't important, or at least he wasn't supposed to be. But somebody made things nasty for me when I looked into it there."

Shaw said, "I'll look around. Can't promise anything."

"Thanks. That's Luther Ponds, P-O . . . "