Chapter 8 - Landing On Her Feet: Chapter 8


                                         Landing On Her Feet
                                             by Volpone

                                            Chapter Eight

          Selina woke the next day to find herself alone in bed. She listened, but heard nothing
but a recording of what seemed to be surf and bamboo flute. Stretching and enjoying the
incredible feeling of a night of simply amazing sex, she rose quietly and crept to the bathroom
door.
          After using the facilities, she padded silently to the door into the main room of the
suite, and paused to watch what she found there.
          There, in the open area they had been dancing in two nights before, the sun reflecting
in from the balcony windows, was Quinn performing some type of slow, graceful martial arts
exercise. He moved without sound, with precision and almost palpable strength, but at the
same time, with a calm, flowing, dance-like motion much like tai chi. His muscles moved and
shifted, maintaining his perfect balance and coordination as he went through the motions of
this beautiful, ancient looking pattern. He seemed unaware of her presence, and he
continued his slow, exact movements as though this was his entire world.
          It took her several moments of watching him, fascinated, until she realized he was not
clothed. Not naked... merely not wearing anything. There was a compelling quality to his
motions, like there was tremendous energy held in check by sheer force of will.
          She stood without moving, just watching him for another ten minutes, all the while
fascinated by this constantly surprising man. If she had seen him do this the day before, she
would never have accepted his challenge of the previous evening, which would have been a
huge loss.
          Then, as the memories of the previous night came back in full force, she was able to
look at him as the man who had been her lover last night. Up until that moment, he had
seemed like a work of art she was enjoying, a sculpture in motion, or a ballet. Now, the
movement of muscle under skin brought a more basic, animal appreciation from her. As she
watched, she realized how excited she was becoming at the sight of him, combined with
thoughts of last night.
          What was this? She had never been this physically attracted to a man before... well,
with one exception, but he hardly counted. It's difficult to get emotionally involved with a man
in a bat suit who wants to turn you over to the authorities. As she watched Quinn, she was
having difficulty looking at him without wanting to drag him to the floor for another go.
When he drew the exercise to a close with the music, he paused for a moment, then
released a deep breath, and seemed to return to the world around him. Selina released the
breath she hadn't realized she had been holding, and he turned and smiled at her.
          "Good morning, gorgeous! How are you feeling today?"
          She slid one arm up the door frame, performed a cat-like stretch, smiled suggestively
at him and replied, "Heavenly. I enjoyed your performance."
          "And I certainly enjoyed yours."
          When she realized he was referring to the previous evening, she chuckled, crossed to
behind the couch, and held out a hand in invitation. Damn, she couldn't keep her hands off
him! Not that she really wanted to, but this was getting embarrassing.
          "Then how about an encore?"
          If he felt embarrassed, he hid it quite well. He didn't quite vault over the couch (quite),
but he gave the impression of that kind of eagerness.
          "Oh, I like encores. Especially when the leading lady deserves a standing ovation for
her performance." He came close, slid both arms around her, and said, "An especially long,
sincere standing ovation." They kissed, quite sincerely, as she wrapped one leg around him
to pull them even closer.
          This time, the memory of the previous evening was plenty to get the action moving.
Their kisses grew more passionate as they held one another, and she had to shift to allow his
growing erection room to stand between them. A few minutes like this, and she was panting
in anticipation, ready for anything he had planned, any thoughts of foreplay gone out the
window with their bodies' eagerness.
          Rather than move to the bedroom, he bent her forwards over the back of the couch.
          She was happy to oblige. Taking his prick in one hand, she positioned him at the opening of
her eager pussy with one hand and used the other to spread herself a bit, then impatiently
drove herself back, taking him to the hilt in one plunge.
          Selina made a sound somewhere between an groan and a cry, clenched the muscles
of her vagina around his rigid shaft, and held motionless for a moment, savoring the
sensation. He waited patiently until she began to move, and after just a few strokes,
suddenly she was shaking as her first orgasm overtook her. She hunched and trembled for
almost a minute before she relaxed enough for him to continue his motions, pumping himself
into her to the hilt, then withdrawing until only the head was still imbedded, then repeating the
motion.With each thrust, he evoked more whimpers of pleasure from her as he pushed
forward until he was tight to her incredible ass, and she was pinned to the back of the couch.
          He continued stroking right through her next two orgasms, and didn't break rhythm until her
rising cries told that she wanted him more forcefully. He obliged her, to their very mutual
pleasure.
          The way he had her pinned to the couch felt a bit dominant, but today she had no
trouble with that idea. After last night, though he had technically “won” their game, she felt he
was hers, and so what he did was for her alone, any dominant behavior was strictly for her
pleasure. And after all, so long as it was with her willing participation, what did it matter? He
was one of the only men in the world she felt comfortable enough to let her guard down
around, and it felt good to not be worried about what someone wanted from her.
          There was no doubt that this was part of what he wanted from her.
          She could get behind that idea. (Though at the moment he was behind her, and she
was more than happy to have him therrrrreaaaiiiiIIII!)
          Her momentary distraction was driven from her mind by his hard cock filling her again
and again, her climax making her quake all over as she braced her hands on the seat of the
couch below her and gave a cry of sexual release.
          He knew her incredible breasts were out of reach if he wanted to keep any length to his
stroke, so he leaned forward enough to gather a big handful of her hair and pull back.
          “Pardon me,” he said needlessly, as if she'd refuse him anything at all by this point. He
was such an incongruous gentleman, sounding so polite as he fucked her in a way that was
anything but subservient. He used her hair to draw them together and his hips started to slap
at her ass, and only her incredible body tone prevented it from quivering with the impact.
          That was the last straw. Selina let go of all her reserve and just let her body take over,
allowing herself to be possessed by this male who had shown he was her equal.
It was one of those phenomenal rides that was too intense to prolong much. By the
time her next climax arrived, he was right there with her, and they both cried out their mutual
joy and ecstasy as he pumped his load into her in triumph.
          After they had cleaned up and had a bite to eat, they strolled on the beach, Tiara
padding along with them, and Selina broached the subject they both knew was coming, but
neither wanted to think about.
          "I think it's about time I went and visited Herr Klosc. There really isn't any reason to
delay. If your report is right, he's not in the best shape, and if something should happen to
him before I reach him, I'll have lost a huge opportunity."
          He took her hand as he spoke. "You're right. You need to do this... the sooner, the
better." He turned to face her. "But that doesn't mean I won't miss you terribly while you're
gone."
          Returning his gaze, she steeled herself to ask the question that she was surprised truly
frightened her. "And what happens to us? Or maybe I should ask, will there be an us after
this?"
          Quinn stopped and sat on the sand, well away from all other people, holding his hand
up to her. She joined him, and Tiara paced for several seconds, then found a suitable spot
against Selina's leg to lie down.
          "I hope so, but that's up to you. But before you decide what you want to do, you need
to know more about me. I mean, you really need to know more."
He looked out to sea as he spoke.
          "You know that I love you, and I trust you. But now you need to know why I'm a target,
and where I'm from, and many other things.
          "Please believe me when I tell you these things, because, however outrageous they
sound, they are the literal truth. And, if you have any doubt, I'll back up every word.
          "Some things you probably have figured out, like the fact that I'm a kind of 'operative'.
Actually, I'm not a spy in the traditional sense. I'm actually a troubleshooter. I head a fairly
close-knit group of people who want to help others. We're called Phoenix Group because
every member who joins goes through a kind of rebirth, becoming part of something bigger
than any one of us. We don't work for any government or nation. Our scope is bigger than
that. We're independents. And we simply want to make the greatest difference possible by
making things right when we can. The simplest possible way of putting it is," he took a breath
and released it as he admitted, " we change reality."
          True to what he expected, she gave him an incredulous look.
          He realized that words were useless, and stood up abruptly. It was as if the waiting
had suddenly ended, and now he was ready to act. He reached down and helped her to her
feet.
          "Come on. I need to show you something."
          The suddenness of his actions made her vaguely uneasy, as if their might be some
sudden danger in the offing.  He was usually the most calm and patient person she knew.
          "Is there something wrong?"
          He smiled his winning smile, and she relaxed. "Nothing wrong. I just think that it will
be easier for me to show than to tell."
          She reacted as if he had told her something quite ordinary. She smiled her suggestive
best and said, "Ooh, I like show and tell." She flowed against his arm and purred at him,
"How about if I show you something and you tell me what to do with it?"
          "Down, woman,” he said in a manner that wasn't derogatory in the slightest. It was
much more as if he meant she were so incredibly female in all the best ways that the word
was a compliment, which was precisely true. “Hold that thought for later."
          They were headed back into the hotel, across the lobby, and ringing for the elevator.
          The staff present gave one another a knowing look, as if to say, The Señor and Señorita are
at it again. Rabbits would be jealous of them.
          When the elevator arrived, he rang for his floor.
          "Why are we going back to the room?"
          "Because we need privacy for this."
          She drew closer to him as she ran her nails up the inside of his leg. "My interest is
piqued."
          "Of that, I have no doubt. I said 'later'. I promise." Then, he kissed her a grateful,
loving kiss. By the time they were done, the elevator had arrived.
          They entered the suite, and he checked for maids or other people as he explained.
          "What I'm about to do will surprise you... a lot. Are you ready?" He took her by the
hand.
          Now, her interest was really piqued. "Of course."
          He smiled. "You think Batman's got gadgets? You ain't seen nothing yet."
          The next time he spoke, it seemed he addressed the thin air.
          "Columbina... would you bring the three of us aboard, please?"
          Suddenly, as Selina watched, the room faded and was gradually replaced with
something that might pass as a set for a science fiction movie. There had been no sense of
motion... just a change in reality. She, Quinn and Tiara were just... elsewhere.
          There were several very comfortable looking seats, plus a console like something out
of Star Trek and what looked to be a large window, currently looking out on a classic view of
Earth from orbit.
          Again, he addressed the air. "Thank you, wonderful."
          A very pleasant, melodious, and disembodied female voice said, "Welcome back,
boss. And welcome aboard, Miss Kyle."
          When Selina hesitated, not sure of what to do, still partly in shock from their
unexpected arrival here, let alone not being sure who was speaking, Quinn stepped in.
          "Allow me to make the introductions. Columbina, it is my great pleasure to introduce
Miss Selina Kyle, the reason we are here. Selina, this is Columbina. She is many things,
including my pilot, member of my family, and very dear friend. She is also the ship around us
and the computer that runs it. In other words, on top of everything else, she's smarter than I
am."
          The ship replied to his statement. "Debatable, but we'll let it pass. Hello, Miss Kyle.
I'm very glad to meet you. Quinn speaks of you in the highest terms."
          Selina was confused for only a moment, but comprehended talking computers, so she
responded naturally. "It's my pleasure."
          "Quinn, you do have outstanding taste in women. How much have you explained to
her so far?"
          "I'm just beginning, I'm afraid."
          "And you felt the need for some solid evidence as to your sanity, right?"
          He shrugged. "Maybe you could figure how to explain this all in some perfectly
reasonable sounding manner, but as I said, you're smarter than I am. Me... I'm not above
using visual aids."
          "Miss Kyle... may I call you Selina? Quinn is one of the sweetest men in this or any
other world, but don't let him kid you. He's also one of the smartest, but he won't admit it.
And the best boss a girl could have."
          "Thank you for the testimonial, oh genie of the lamp."
          "Harkening in obedience, oh master."
          "Get thee to a nunnery, wench!"
          "You changed your metaphors. And cultures. But I'll still be here when you need me.
Glad you're back, handsome." There was a kissing sound.
          Quinn blew a kiss to the air. Then he turned back to Selina.
          "Sorry. Columbina's my sweetheart, and she's been here waiting patiently for me
while I was away, getting to know you. We keep in contact, but it's still not the same as being
here. So... welcome to a part of my world. Sit if you like." He did, and she followed more
slowly, then relaxed more as the chair contoured itself to her.
          "To answer the most obvious questions first," he nodded toward the screen, "yes, that
is a projection of the view outside. Columbina is a star-ship in orbit above the Earth. We got
from the hotel to here by matter transporter, commonly called 'beaming'. You savvy Star
Trek? We borrowed the technology from them. And as you can tell by now, I'm not from
around here."
          She raised an eyebrow. "A slight understatement, from the looks of things. Exactly
how far from home are you? I'm still assuming that you are actually human."
          He laughed though she had actually put her finger on a very sore spot for him, but he
wouldn't let his hidden angst come pouring forth now. This was definitely not the time.
          "Oh, I'm human... more or less. Have been all my life. But to answer how far I am
from home, it really can't be measured as you normally measure time or distance. It's more a
question of continua. As the phrase goes, I hail from different realities than you. I'm from an
alternate universe. Similar in many ways to this one, but rather startlingly different in others.
You see, among other things, Columbina is capable of traveling between universes."
          "You're saying that you're not even from this universe, let alone this galaxy or planet?"
          "Born and raised on Earth. Just not this one."
          "Could you show me some other universe?"
          "I'd be happy to, but I'd prefer to hold off for just a moment, if you can be patient."
          "Is there some reason you'd rather not?"
          "Truly, yes, there is." He paused, gathering his thoughts. How do you explain to a
person who has only lived in two dimensions all her life about a three dimensional universe?
"You see, my universe, and the vast majority of the other universes out there, are rather
fundamentally different in how humans perceive them. They're more complex in sensory
input. Every universe doesn't operate on the same physical laws. Some translate or
correlate almost exactly. Most of the time, physical laws don't change at all. Still others are
wildly different. So I'd prefer to put off changing universes just for the moment, if you will trust
me. But I can still demonstrate the continua drive, if you like. It can jump from one place to
another as easily as between universes. What do you say to a quick trip to Saturn?"
Selina was curious, and tempted to push for satisfaction, but was willing to trust Quinn
in this.
          "Okay. I guess I can settle for a tour of the solar system... for the moment. But I'm
going to insist on being shown something pretty dramatically different before I'm really
convinced."
          "Of course. Only so much can be taken on faith." Out of politeness, he addressed
himself to the room aloud. One does not exclude guests from a conversation without good
reason. "Columbina?"
          "Here, Quinn."
          "Would you be so good as to take us out to Saturn... this universe's Saturn... say
somewhere inside the orbit of the outer moons, but back far enough for a really good view of
the rings?"
          "My pleasure. Sit back and enjoy the show." Quinn did just that, and Selina followed
his example more warily.
          Suddenly, the forward view changed. One moment it was a typical NASA orbital shot
of Earth, and the next instant, it showed not the Earth, but the rather unspectacular lunar
landscape. The sun was behind them, and the drab alien landscape below was well lit, filling
about two-thirds of the view. Saturn was notable only by its absence. It looked more like
some rather boring planetarium show.
          Selina looked to Quinn with a look of mild amusement, as if he were some conjurer
whose rabbit had pooped in his hat. He held up one hand, begging just a moment's patience.
The lunar landscape below was moving to their right and down, and it already was
slowly showing more sky from behind its bulk. Then another small moon appeared from
behind the horizon, bright against the black of space. Then, close behind it showed the edge
of something neither moon nor planet, and very slowly, the magnificent rings of Saturn began
to creep into sight.
          As Selina sat, mesmerized by the sight, the moon slowly passed out of their view,
exposing more and more of one of the most spectacular sights she had ever seen. In less
than a minute, Saturn and its rings filled most of their sight, slowly becoming more visible as
Columbina brought them above the plane of the planet's elliptic. There really were no words
to do justice to what they were witnessing.
          Quinn broke the spell by speaking.
          "Show-off."
          "You're just sore because you didn't think of it." Columbina sounded quite smug.
          "Thank you, tease."
          "You say that to all the computers, don't you?"
          "Only the one's who deserve a good spanking."
          "As soon as I have a bottom, you can be the first to spank it, boss."
          "I'll remember that." He looked over at Selina.
          About this time, Selina realized she had been holding her breath. She blinked, let out
her breath and then inhaled, shaking the spell the ringed planet had cast. Quinn enjoyed the
view of her inhalation every bit as much as the view of the magnificent planet slowly rotating
below them.
          He spoke directly to Selina this time. "Had enough sightseeing?"
          She smiled at him. "Never. But thank you, Columbina."
          "My pleasure, Selina. I'm glad you enjoyed it."
          Selina was smart enough to know the real thing when she saw it. It still left a couple of
gigantic questions unanswered.
          "Okay. I'll accept for the moment that you travel pretty well anywhere you want. But
would you mind explaining about 'changing realities'?"
          "Fair enough." He proceeded to explain about how each universe or "continuum"
proceeded down its time-line in an orderly manner, occasionally passing critical points in its
history called "cusps", where large segments of the time-line may be altered by a slight
change in circumstances. Entire new "histories" or "realities" could be created or avoided by
applying the right pressure at a critical juncture. He told of how, before he founded the
Phoenix Group and indeed before he was even Harlequin, there had been an attempt to
delete one megalomaniac dictator from history by simply providing a boy with a condom at
the right time.
          "The result was achieved. The tyrant was never born. And forty years later, as a
result, Europe was a nuclear wasteland. All the best efforts were unable to achieve the
desired results without the loss of an entire continent. So, they backtracked, took away the
condom, and put up with about twenty years of nasty history for the sake of over a billion
lives. But we're better at it now, and getting better every day. Our methods of predicting
outcomes are much more reliable. We haven't needed to reverse a temporal alteration for
many years now."
          He continued in a different tone. "Now, we're not the only ones who are involved in
changing realities. There are at least two other unrelated groups who have similar
technology available, one of whom is not nearly as altruistic. They're in it for power, and
they're the real reason I have to be anonymous. We can do a rather good job of protecting
our people once they're part of our group, but before that time is when they're the most
vulnerable. I've been something of a thorn in their side a time or two and plan to be even
more so. If they were to discover who I was before I became Harlequin, they'd simply
arrange for a tragic accident somewhere in my past, and poof!... no more me. Being as
attached to myself as I am, I try to avoid this whenever possible.
          "For similar reasons, everyone I recruit takes a new name as well. That's why we're
called Phoenix... a new life rising from the ashes of the old. Does that answer your
questions?"
          "Not even close, but I suppose it'll have to do."
          He allowed her a few moments silence to digest, but she seemed to be taking the
outrageous news quite easily. She simply sat and looked at the view screen, turning the
implications over in her mind.
          Finally, Quinn said, "We really should return."
          "Why? You got a hot date or something?", she asked.
          "That's up to you." And he leaned over to kiss her, showing just who his date would be
with.
          When they broke, she said, "There wouldn't happen to be a convenient location
around here where we might be alone, is there?"
          "More alone than here? Okay... I take your meaning. Columbina, put us in Earth orbit,
please." The view on the screen showed the blue & white home of man, in its own way just
as beautiful as the spectacular rings of Saturn. "Stationary orbit over the hotel, please." The
globe jumped slightly, and stopped rotating relative to their position. "Thank you. Set up
continuous scan of the hotel and the surrounding area. Keep an eye out for bogies, all types,
both here and on the surface."
          "Of course, Quinn. I know my job."
          "I know you do, sweet, and you do it perfectly."
          He held his hand out to Selina. She took it and rose to her feet.
          "Anyone in the suite at the moment?" He asked the thin air.
          "There appears to be someone passing outside the door in the hall, but they're moving
with what appears to be a vacuum cleaner, so I assume its only a maid. They've gone by,
and seem to be stopping at the elevator. Yes, the elevator is in motion, now. Looks like the
coast is clear."
          "Then if you would be so kind as to beam us back to the room?"
          "Aye-aye. Call if you need help."
          Again, Selina watched as the control room faded from perception, gradually overlaid
by Quinn's suite until only the suite remained. Tiara didn't even stir from her nap.
          Quinn grinned at the sleeping snow leopardess. "Now, that is the sign of a seasoned
traveler." He turned back to Selina. "How's this for that private location?"
          She flowed into his arms, asked, "Does this answer your question?", and proceeded to
kiss him in a most delightful and satisfactory manner, obviously quite excited by the whole
experience, and it showed by her actions.
          Quite soon, he was just as excited, and things proceeded quite spectacularly from
there, earning an undoubted rating of 10 on the scale of enthusiasm.

          Somewhat later, they were relaxing in bed. Selina was resting her head on Quinn's
shoulder, and he was gently stroking her hair.
          "Sweetheart?"
          She purred and pretended snuggled into his shoulder more. "Hmmm?" She didn't
open her eyes.
          "I haven't wanted to pry, but do you have family or close friends to contact in case of
an emergency?"
          "None to speak of."
          "No one you're close to?"
          "Nope." She spoke off-handedly, her eyes still closed.
          "The reason I ask is because... would you consider coming with me when I go? I
mean after your trip to Ochoguay."
          "You mean leave... permanently?" Now her eyes were open.
          "It doesn't have to be permanent. You could come back when you wanted, for
vacation... sabbatical... whatever."
          He proceeded to explain a little about his private life... where he was from, his family
there, and many other things besides. He painted a nice picture, and he was inviting her to
become a part of it.
          His tone changed. "But no decisions yet. Just consider what I've said until you return
from Ochoguay.
          "In the mean time, I want you to lean back, close your eyes, and I'm going to help you
concentrate on the job at hand." He pulled her back against his shoulder, and she closed her
eyes as he began massaging her temples. She couldn't even feel the tendrils of his
consciousness weaving into her mind, reinforcing his words.
          He hadn't tried this before, but understanding a bit about how post-hypnotic suggestion
worked, he felt confident to attempt it with someone who trusted him enough not to resist.  He
couldn't use a neuralizer because he didn't want to erase her memories, just move them into
temporary storage so she'd have a clear head during the upcoming job.
          "When you leave the hotel, you will no longer consciously think about me, or what I
have said. You will focus on the job at hand, on getting the confession, and getting out
safely. You will be faster, your senses sharper, your mind keener than ever before. You will
be at your best. You will not be distracted. And you will return safely. You will not outwardly
think of me until after you have returned to Gotham, and then only when you see me again.
          "Now, you will relax and have a short nap, and when you awake, you will be ready to
start your mission."
          She snuggled back against him as he stroked her hair, and she fell gently asleep to
have dreams of a new and wonderful life.



