This time, Bao joined them at their "mommy lunch." The babies were passed around and kissed, if they were awake. If asleep, intelligent mommies left babies alone. Killa and Ghost joined as well.

"Iced coffee," said Ghost, as they arrived a bit after the baby-kissing frenzy.

Killa accepted Keiran, who burbled at her. She burbled back. "I be pregnant again," said Killa. "Da otha lesbian couple I was gonna choose. They is so happy."

"Good," said Ivy. "Cherry water for you, then."

"Lime wata fo' me," said Ghost. "I be gettin' better, and thinkin' 'bout a gay coupla guys I know. But tha docta say, I gotta wait. I gotta be betta. So, we talkin' 'bout takin' a cruise. There be a mommy cruise. Can go Disney, meet da princesses. Some other cruise lines fo’ dat, too. We be takin' da non-mommy cruise. All-adult one. Be relaxin.'"

"Spring Break," said Callie. "We were going to head out on a ride, but with so many kidlets, it does sound nice."

Lily smiled. "We can bring the boys, let them go someplace awesome. Or, send them on a ride, let them hang out with the boys."

"Or do both," said Lily. "The cruises are from three days to a week. Part-time cruise, the bulk of the trip with their dads."

"Or just leave two days after they come," said Callie. "Let them hang out with the little ones, then send them for time with Ace." She grinned. "No homework. I've been working about six weeks ahead, and I convinced my partner, Jason, he's a soldier in a tent. Anyway, I got him to agree to push through as fast as we reasonably could. We have to turn in our project in segments, and we've got the first two done."

"On what?" asked Lily. Their bacon ranch fries came, and they descended on the plate like wolves.

"On e-teaching," Callie said.

Lily looked at her, dumbfounded. "What the? Gosh; you, Chayton, Bao, and Vu could write your own book on it!"

"We are," said Bao. "It's an e-book. It includes links to our website, and how to retain languages and other knowledge through creating textbooks in your language. Plus, how to mentor and teach online."

"Sounds like two different books," said Ivy.

"That's what I said," said Callie. "I can use one book as my master thesis; the one on language acquisition and retention."

"Listen to you," said Lily. "Sounding more like a teacher every second."

Bao laughed. "I stand defeated. Two books it is. But, if you are writing one as your master thesis, then I may have nothing to do with it."

"You can use the other one as yours," said Callie.

Bao laughed again. "Have a degree from China, remember? I'm just finishing off my American certification."

"And that puts you only six months from your master's degree here," said Callie. "Get it done."

Ivy said, "I side with my wife, and not because she's my wife. Might as well get the thing out of the way. Slam it out, be done with it."

"All in favor?" said Callie. Everyone, even Ghost and Killa, all raised their hands. "Motion carried. You've been outvoted," said Callie.

Bao said, "But, I have a wedding to plan! And don't tell me to give it to Dragon Mother. She'll fly people in from mainland China I've never heard of, and then try to charge me for it."

Lily smiled. "I happen to know a Chinese-American wedding planner named Lily Wang. She's bright, resourceful, and closemouthed."

"The Dragon Mother will be horrified," said Bao. "Let's do it!"

"I gotta see this rock he give you," said Ghost. Bao showed off her engagement ring. "That's some red rock," said Ghost. "Gotta give my baby one o' dem."

"What I need wit’ a flashy ring?" asked Killa. "I got you, and I ain't need nothin' else."

"Aww," said Callie, as they kissed. "That's the sweetest thing ever." She wiped away a tear.

"Hey," said Bao. "You said that about Nico's proposal."

"You've only been dating him a few months," grumbled Ivy.

"He treats me like a dragon princess. He loves my Harley. He does anything I would ever want him to do. He is strong, and funny, and beautiful, and smart. He loves large families, and does not find ours strange."

"He defended some guy in a bar," said Bella. "He's a terrific guy. What do you want?"

Callie smiled. "She was worried he'd move away with Bao and we wouldn't get awesome, free babysitting. Besides, splitting the girls up would be beyond horrifying at this point. They've been raised together for too long."

"I wanted to talk to you about that," said Bao.

"Uh-oh," said Callie and Ivy simultaneously.

"Grace is brilliant, but Hu has a quicker mind. We need to find something Grace excels at and let her go..."

"Off the deep end, completely crazy with it. Something that's all hers," said Callie. "I was just thinking about that."

"Are you saying Grace is stupid?" said Lily. "Because she's not."

"No, Bao's right. Hu is far more intuitive than Grace. Grace is like her mama, bulling her way through things. An admirable quality, but she doesn't always stop long enough to make intuitive leaps."

"Well, that's hilarious," said Bella. "Your bio-daughter is like her other mom, and your shared daughter is like you."

Bao laughed. "Hu has her father's quickness. He was so kind, so gentle. Hu has his heart."

"Okay, she's not even my kid, and even I want to cry," said Lily.

Four different pizzas showed up --pesto margarita, sausage with bacon and black olives, a veggie pizza, and gorgonzola almond pizza, drizzled with honey. They fell on the pizza like animals.

"No crying," said Ivy, when she came up for air. "I must admit, Bruiser's proposal was epic."

Ghost said, "She marryin' a guy named Bruiser?"

Killa punched her arm. "Skinny Italian dude at da clubhouse. If I was straight, I'd bang him."

Callie's jaw dropped. Ivy laughed. Ghost smiled. Lily stared. Bao turned red. Katya laughed. "Awkward," said Bella.

"You know it," said Inola. "I admit, he's got that something-something. But, my lady is all I need."

Callie sighed. "Quit making me cry."

"Can't," said Bella. "I'm knocked up, too."

Ivy knocked over her water glass. Callie half-rose out of her chair, and was quick with a napkin. She had the glass righted and flagged down a server before Bao, Ghost and Killa could get their jaws off the ground.

"Who be da fatha?" asked Ghost.

"Nantan," said Bella.

"Don't they have enough kids?" asked Ivy. "Sorry, foot in mouth. It's just that, the Wolfpack is growing exponentially, as well as Tam and Nico, and now Josh and Nick."

"And they're considering adopting them," said Inola. "Their mom is a mess. Can't take care of them. They already have guardianship. Not her fault, too much going on. But, it would keep them tribal, keep Social Services from sniffing around. This baby is for me and Bella."

"Congratulations," said Callie, as the server cleaned up the water and ice, and brought a new glass over. She got up, went over, and hugged Bella, then Inola. "You're going to have so much fun! And, you're avoiding a summer pregnancy. When it's so hot outside you can cook an egg on the sidewalk, it's a pain to be hugely pregnant."

"That's why I got knocked up now," said Killa. "Get it out o' da way."

"When are you having your own?" asked Bao.

"Not yet," said Ghost. "We so busy we need dem clones. We each got two o' da Soldier Pack. Two on graves, two on swing, two on days. Dey got projects coming outta dere ears. We done added a second floor, even got da elevator for da completed bikes. Turns out dere’s an elevator maker for da bikes dat Harley uses. Bit into our profits sometin' awful, but dem women, dey worth it. Got da PTSD, be havin' da sleep problems, some o' dem jumpy as hell. Once dey get used to da noise, den dey good. Dey too tired from da no sleep, we send dem to da gym, den home."

"Do you have problems with them fighting with one another?" asked Bella.

"Nope, we got da rules. No throwin' shade or throwin' down. We work togetha, or haul your fat ass outta dere," said Killa. "Bonnie an' her wrench done got rid o' two fights. She said, ‘you done seen enough fightin' in ya lives. Why bring it back wit’ ya?’"

"I love Bonnie," said Ivy. "She don't take crap from anyone."

"Neither do you," said Bao. "I am surprised you are not a Valkyrie."

"I love them more than life itself," said Ivy. "But, I had an exciting life in the past, for a reason. I'd do anything for Damia. But, I've worked like a dog to put that life behind me, and I don't need excitement in my life anymore. Running the Nighthawks with Henry; with Gregory and Tito as our seconds, it's excitement enough. Confusing, demanding. We got about half the soldier pack, which is more than I thought, a lot more. I thought they'd go for the Valkyries or the Iron Knights, but some of them really do just want a peaceful life. Riding a bike is a great way to de-stress."

"Word," said Lily. "I've got so many clients, I've hired another CPA and kept the Nighthawks ones. And I hit exhausted so far back that I'm into falling asleep on the floor. I’m serious. I've put them down for a nap, and just stretched out on the rug and slept."

"I've done that," said Ivy.

"I stare at the refrigerator and have no idea why I got up," said Bella.

"I had to become so organized so I remember if I fed the kids or not," said Callie.

"I have gotten them to sleep, and threatened to kill anyone who woke them," said Ivy.

"Me too," said Katya. "Gregory is so good, but I have considered killing him. He takes Elena to so many soccer games that she sleeps well. He is coach for her team," she said proudly. "But they are so loud coming in! I have left the house with two screaming babies in anger so I did not kill my precious husband and daughter."

"I almost killed Grace about a dozen times. No, two dozen," said Callie. "So, I made her carry the screaming babies, one after the other, then she woke up, for hours. Changing them, feeding them. That only worked after they stopped nursing after they bit me. So, now she's a mouse."

"Good idea," said Katya. "I will try it. Especially since I am having another baby."

Callie reached out and held onto Ivy's water glass as she threatened to knock it over. Lily was dumbfounded. "You had a baby in a Wal-Mart bathroom for me, and now you're having another one?"

"They are a firefighter couple, both very strong," said Katya. "Mother is Russian, like me. But, no baby. So, I have baby for them. Then, I stop. Gregory says no more, I need a rest."

"That's wonderful," said Lily. "But, I agree. You need a rest. Luka and Ivan are wonderful, but they must be exhausting!"

"And there's my little darling now," said Katya, as the baby started to cry. "Ivan is wet and hungry." She pulled over the twin stroller, changed him, and got him his bottle. "Such a big, fat boy. He is so healthy."

"Gimme," said Lily. She took Ivan, and he stared at her with huge blue eyes.

"And is the way it always goes," said Katya, as Luka began to squall. She changed his diaper, and Ivy took him. She fed him and sang Daughters, even though they were boys.

Both boys took to their bottles, and the other babies awoke and were changed, passed around, and fed. The server took away the detritus of the pizzas, and came around with key lime pie, chocolate silk pie, and cherry cheesecake in little squares for each woman at the table.

"The manager says to keep you coming back," she said. "Moms come here when they know you're going to be here."

Other babies had stopped crying, and mothers moved closer. Ivy smiled, and went into the ancient round, Rose, about a man wanting to propose marriage to a woman. Bella came in as well, then Callie, then Lily. The glasses stopped clinking; the silverware was put down. The round came to an end, and absolute silence reigned. Then, there was muted applause. Ivy smiled, and they all dug into their desserts.

* * *

Meanwhile, the men were having a cookout. They had the “Pixies,” the younger girls. They were doing very complex string art, making a desert scene. They passed the strings to each other, weaving over and under, and winding the colored string around nails all around the edge. Damia was fascinated. She'd done hook rugs. She grasped the pattern, and was careful not to make any mistakes. They invited the Soldier Pack, who were quite willing to help marinate and grill the steaks, hamburgers, chicken, and corn. They relaxed with sodas, because they didn't want to get drunk around the little ones, and half of them were on medications for PTSD and various other medical conditions that prevented them from drinking. They played rock and kept an eye on the girls. Gregory was delighted to see how the soldiers seemed to take turns in keeping an eye on the girls without actually saying who had which watch. The laughter was loud and long. Bess, the dog, ran all over the place receiving love, but then she always walked back to the girls to check on them.

"That is the best dog in the world," said David.

"Always," said Henry.

Gregory brought Bannon, his boss at the security company. Like Gregory and most of the people there, he was ex-military. "Recruiting?" asked Gregory, at the avaricious look in the man's eye.

"Most of it is a rock band needing to keep from being mobbed by fans, visiting VIPs, or stuff like that. Things these highly trained people could do in their sleep. We can set up training programs for the specifics," said Bannon.

"Well," said Gregory. "Something else to put on my plate for me to do in my copious free time."

Bannon snorted. "We need the best. These people are the best."

"Some of our clients are going to turn up their noses at people with artificial hands or legs." Gregory wanted to be honest.

"Some of our clients are assholes. What else is new?" Bannon took a sip of his drink. "With a little training, these people can do this. Not all of them, maybe just some of them. They may prefer working on bikes."

"Or want to do both. A lot of this is part time or short term," said Gregory.

"Let's mingle, and see what we can find out," said Bannon. So, they did.

Gregory got good feelings from two of the women and one of the men. He mentioned a possible training program, passed out his card and more colas, and moved on.

He came to a young man whose hands were just beat up. One had a splint. He was sitting in a canvas chair, a cola in the drink hole, and was using a small cooler to rest his feet, his good one, and his blade. He was staring into space, and looked utterly lost.

Gregory pulled up a camp chair, and sat down next to him. "What's your name, soldier?" he asked.

"Corporal Mike Simms, Sir," said Mike.

"I'm Gunnery Sergeant Gregory Neil James, out of the First, Camp Lejune."

"Gunny," said Mike. They shook hands.

"What seems to be the problem, son?" he asked.

"Lost my leg, my best friend, and my boss," he said. "All in the same two seconds. IED."

"Sorry to hear that, son," said Gregory. "Then you got sent home. Then what?"

"Alabama happened, Sir. Couldn't get the fucking VA to give me more than a stick with a heavy wooden foot on it that rubbed me raw. The people here, this program, they got me the blade, Gunny. Then my wife got pregnant with some other guy. So, we divorced. She came back around crying when he left her, 'cause she cheated with someone else. I told her to take a hike. I tried to get a job, applied for everything I could. Was on a waiting list for this program in Texas 'bout eighteen months. Then, these people called, said they were setting up a sister program in Vegas, was I interested? I said, ‘hell, yeah.’ They sent me a bus ticket, and I hitchhiked to the bus terminal. Some asshole stole my wallet on the way here, so I had no ID, no money, nothing. The people here fed me, got me all my IDs back. Helped me. But," his eyes teared up, "working on bikes is precision works, and I ain't a precision guy. I'm just basically a guy that points a weapon and shoots it. I ain't interested in doing that no more. You see faces blown off, it loses its cool, ya know, Gunny?"

"Yeah, son, I know," said Gregory.

"I done hurt myself three times, and half-destroyed a custom paint job. I just ain't no good at this."

"Son, what makes you think that's the only program we got?"

Gregory almost cried as Mike got a spark in his eyes, the first one he'd probably had in years. "What? I know you've been talking to people about a training program for a security company, and I'm sorry, Gunny, that's not my thing, not anymore."

"That's not the only mission here," said Gregory. "They raise horses and ponies here that have been rescued. They come here half-dead, and Inola saves them."

"I could try it," said Mike.

"We got teenagers here, getting their GED. You've had to have gotten through high school to get into the military."

"I'll teach what I can, but others can do the book thing better than me. I've got dyslexia. Words move around a lot when I read."

"We can help you with that. But, there's one more mission here. There's people in New Jersey, gave us a discount to start us out. They're doing a project to feed the world. You ever hear of hydroponics?"

"Growing plants in water," said Mike. "I'm country, but I ain't stupid."

"I know," said Gregory.

"Sorry, Gunny," said Mike. "No one here treated me like that, but back in Alabama... they think no foot means no brain."

Gregory winced. "And vertical farming?"

"Farming up instead of out. Makes more sense. Land is scarce in lots of places. So's water."

"What this place does, is it uses ninety percent less water. Anyway, since they were Paiutes, this place in Jersey knocked some off the price. Nantan's done so well that other reservations are doing it, and it's spreading. Best way to grow food in the desert, and some real cold places too, and places that could get flooded. Start on the second floor, work your way up."

"Hurricanes," said Mike. "My uncle lost his house in Katrina. Then we had that mess with three category fives in just a few weeks."

"That was a mess," said Gregory. "That's another mission, Project Rubicon. Goes in and cleans up, rebuilds after disasters."

"Like to do that one, too," said Mike. "So, you think I can grow things? Learn here, and do it somewhere else?"

"Someplace hungry," said Gregory. He stood. "Wanna see?"

"Yeah," said Mike. He stood, slowly, too stubborn to allow Gregory to help him up. Gregory gestured to Nantan, and they walked toward the hydroponics farm.

"This soldier here wants to work on the food mission," said Gregory.

"Let's talk about what's involved," said Nantan.

They went to the hydroponics bay, and did the entire tour. Mike's questions were insightful, from the LED lights to the program to cut up and box the veggies and make sandwiches.

"I wanna do this," said Mike. "We gave half our rations some days to the kids, even though some of their parents used them to blow us up." Nantan schooled his face, but Gregory saw the internal cringe, clear as day.

"Do you want to stay in your apartment, or move to the big house? We have one room left."

"Better give my billet to the next soldier," said Mike. "Get that waiting list cleared off. No one should have to wait eighteen months."

"Let's go get your stuff," said Gregory, clapping Mike on the back. "After we eat."

"Eating is good," said Mike.

"Watch out, you'll get fat here," said Nantan. "We grow healthy food, but Vi's cooking is so good we eat too much."

"What about power?" asked Mike, as Nantan turned off the overhead lights, bathing the plants in their colorful LED glow.

"Low, with the LEDs," said Nantan. "We've got wind turbines and solar, but the five-hour-energy-drink guy's working on it --Manoj Bhargava, that's his name --he's working on desalinization plants to turn dirty or seawater back into clean water, and a way to ride a bike for an hour and run electricity for an entire day."

"People power. I like it," said Mike. "Can we install one here?"

"Don't see why not," said Nantan.

"Put it in Ivy's house, let those little girls make power. Bleed off some of that endless energy," said Nantan.

"Wish they could bottle it and give me some," said Gregory.

The girls were done with their string art project. They set up tables outside, and ate like pigs. The girls, high on sodas, got into a spirited soccer match, with Elena showing off her new moves. The soldiers divided up into teams, very careful not to injure the girls. Little-girl laughter pierced the air. The soldiers smiled.

Nantan approached Gregory after the ice cream cake. "I am willing," said Nantan, "To do one at a time. But, this young man sees a mission. This mission is not free. I can talk to New Jersey, see where they are."

"Nantan, without a mission, that boy will die," Gregory said. "It killed his soul, and we have to bring him back."

David came up behind them, and said, softly, "Not every reservation has gambling. There are plenty of places here we can do this, get it right before it goes overseas." He looked at Mike, talking to a knot of soldiers, talking animatedly. "And, I agree. His soul has too many pieces missing. I will work with him, with any of them that so desire it."

Nantan sighed. "They strap bombs to children where he has been. He gave up his food for them. There is no one I would rather help, but this mission will take years. Decades, even."

"And that's the kind of mission he needs," said Gregory. "Something to keep him going while his body, mind, and his soul heals, together."

"Come around more often," said David. "You must watch him heal, be the father he needs."

"I'm not much older than him," said Gregory.

David touched his arm. "Gregory, I'm not much older than you."

Nantan laughed. "He's got you."

"Never, ever ask for a new task," said Gregory, sighing. "You'll get one."

"Words to live by," said Bannon, coming over. "They're wonderful. I'll set up the training program. I don't have three kids to chase. It's a damn shame that these people are not taken care of."

"They'll need housing," said Gregory. "When they leave this program, they have to make way for the next on the list."

"Let's find Tito," said David.

"Who's he?” asked Bannon.

"The one who builds for the Nighthawks," said Gregory. "Him and Nico. They're going to kill me. They're already half-dead as it is."

"Just pick up their latest apartment rehab," said David.

"Do it," said Bannon. "And get it furnished, ready to go for these people. And, make sure it has an elevator."

David had beckoned Tito over. "Your latest apartment rehab, does it have an elevator?"

"Twelve, two-bedroom units on three floors, and yes, it does."

"How much furnished?" asked Bannon. Tito gave him a price, the two men dickered, and they shook on it. "Send over the paperwork later," said Bannon. "I'll sign it. For now, I'm getting me some more of that spiced apple cider." He headed toward the bowl of nonalcoholic cider.

"That was the easiest sale I ever made," said Tito. "It won't be ready for another week, and he hasn't even seen it yet."

"When Bannon wants to do something, he does it."

"I can see that," said Tito. "I've got to make some phone calls. There's a furniture liquidator that loves me. She'll get these soldiers hooked up. Thank heaven we've done this once, or I wouldn't have a clue." He stalked off, cola in one hand, cell phone in the other.

"That went well," said David.

"Make up the guest room," said Nantan. "Mike's moving in."

"I'll drive him to get his stuff," said Gregory.

Henry followed David into the house. "Why is Gregory leaving with a soldier, and why are you coming in?"

"That soldier's name is Mike, and he's moving in. He's going to learn hydroponics from Nantan, because he sucks at making bikes."

"Neither can I," said Henry.

"He is missing considerable portions of his soul," said David, as he took sheets, pillowcases, towels, and a blanket into the guest room.

"It's already made up," said Henry. "Leave it on that chair for him."

"You know what I love about you?" asked David. "I say we're taking someone in, all while we hang people from the rafters because we don't have the room. We don't starve or have problems with power. That’s because we grow our own food, and generate our own electricity. I say let's add another, a badly mangled young man with parts of his soul missing, blown out in some desert, and you just... tell me where to put the sheets.” He kissed Henry. "I love you with all my heart."

Henry kissed him back. "We'll have to have a sweat for the boy, you know."

"I know," said David.

"And feed him Vi's cooking. He's too thin."

"I know," said David.

"And give the man back his soul." David kissed Henry to shut him up.

Service

Gregory honked the horn. Danger and Reeves came out double-time, and started to unlash the smashed bike. Danger had brown hair and eyes, and a big smile. He kept moving his head around constantly, like a bird, looking for danger. Reeves had black hair, blue eyes, and a killer white-toothed smile. The ladies liked him... but he liked the oblivious Danger.

"What's the story?" asked Danger. "I see blood."

"Ugh," said Reeves. "Did someone die on this bike?"

Gregory grimaced. "His name is Richard Wren. He begged his rich parents for a motorcycle after years of riding dirt bikes. He thought a motorcycle was a dirt bike, and wrecked it. He broke his leg in three places. His parents heard about us and donated it. He's also working with insurance companies and other organizations to get us more bikes for free or low-cost. He has to earn his own money to buy his own motorcycle when he turns eighteen, too."

"Poor kid," said Reeves.

"My heart bleeds," said Danger. "Safe is the only way to ride."

"Says the guy named Danger," said Reeves.

"Stow it," said Gregory.

"Yes, Gunny," both men said.

"Get this in the garage," he said. "Next in line gets it."

"That's us," said Reeves. They bumped fists over the seat of the mangled bike.

"Chop-chop," said Gregory.

"Yes, Gunny," they both said. They put it on the rolling pallet, and moved it inside the garage.

Gregory looked up. Tito was on the roof. "Hey, stranger," he said. "Thought Nico was here, like yesterday."

"We're expanding all the garages," he said. "Put in a second story on the Nighthawks garage, and even an elevator for the bikes. Same here. Axeman loves the elevator. Had to have one of his own. The roof is fine; the measurements look good. My team is hopping. None of them have credit card bills left from over the holidays."

"Great!" said Gregory. "You need any help?"

"Nope," said Tito. "I've got all my measurements. I'll get a plan drawn, and work a checklist. We'll get this done in no time."

"Want to get some lunch?" asked Gregory.

"Man's gotta eat," said Tito. "Be down in a minute."

"Let's get something for the men," said Gregory.

"Once a gunny, always a gunny," said Tito, walking down the ladder. "I'll leave this here for when work starts."

"Stow it," said Gregory.

"Yes, Gunny," said Tito. He folded it up, and put it in the back of his truck. "Tacos?"

"Try burritos and a lot of nachos. These guys eat like horses."

"And lots of liters of soda," said Gregory. "Your truck or mine?"

"Mine," said Tito. Gregory hopped in, and they headed to the tiny hole-in-the-wall restaurant that both men loved. They ordered their food, then the huge order. "Love Esme's burritos," said Tito, piling on the salsa and sour cream.

"Fresh guacamole," said Gregory. "So, what are you going to do after the garage?"

"Pahrump," said Tito. "We've got a plan to expand Herja's garage, too. She's getting more of the Soldier Pack. I think she has a nefarious plan to add to the Valkyries there."

"Some have joined there, but some have joined the Nighthawks," said Gregory. "Some of the male soldiers joined the Iron Knights, but some prefer us." Gregory bit into his chicken burrito, and sighed. "Mmmm! Amazing."

"So, when's the next ride, and where? Weather's warming up, and we'll need some downtime. This pace is a little too much, you know?"

"Yes," said Gregory. "I'm the guy with twins, a security job, and setting up a training program for the veterans who want security work. Part-time stuff, mostly, and keeping VIPs safe, driving them from the airport to their hotels to their gigs or speeches, and the cybersecurity unit to keep everyone safe, online. The GI Bill should pay for those that so desire. So, then they can go to school for security or cybersecurity."

"What about refurbishing motorcycles?"

"Damn useful skills you get, working on bikes," said Gregory. "Some will want to do it for a living. Some will want to do it on the side. Some may decide to do something else. You have to try it to see how it fits."

"Like working on houses," said Tito. "Fits for me. My son Ray, he hates it. Wants to be a veterinarian. So, all this work is great, because medical school is expensive!"

"We could always use another vet," said Gregory. "Wow. Great for him."

"I'm going to have two in college at a time, then two more," said Tito. "Gotta do all the work I can do until then."

"I hear you," said Gregory. "I've got Elena, then the twins. Now Katya wants another one. Not sure if she will do the surrogacy thing or another one for us."

"Four," said Tito. "Busy, loud house, but fantastic life for me."

Gregory laughed. "Two boys that wake each other up. All night!"

"Loved those days," said Tito, sucking on his soda. "Was so psychotic with sleep deprivation I tried to go to work on the wrong job. We'd completed it the week before."

Gregory laughed. "I haven't done that with a security job... yet."

"Damn," said Tito, as his phone buzzed. "What's up?" he said. "Okay, let me finish up here. See you in thirty." He hung up. "Late supplier. Need that cement to do a pour. I've got to eat, drop you and the food off, and run."

"I'm so hungry. Be done in a minute."

Their timing was excellent. The soldiers' food arrived just as they finished. They paid the hefty bill, and brought the food to the soldiers; they descended on it like wolves. Tito went off to work on his cement pour, and Gregory headed back to set up a training program.

Reeves and Danger got the mangled mess over to their station. They handed each other tools, and methodically tore the bike apart. "Scrap," said Reeves, throwing aside a mangled fender. "Half the front's gonna be like that. A mangled mess. Fucking gas tank's toast. Lucky this kid didn't spill gas all over himself and go boom." Reeves made a blowing-up motion with his hands.

"So, we need a list and a trip to Chan's."

Chan's had mangled motorcycles, and their parts. You could find a bike with the parts you needed and buy the entire bike, remove the parts yourself, or he would do it for a sizable fee for idiots. But he would do a lower fee for them, because they weren't born yesterday.

Thierry came in to help, munching a ham sandwich. "Dude, we're getting Mexican in like, forty-five minutes," said Danger. "Gunny always gets the best for us."

"He's a good one," said Thierry, finishing his sandwich. "You need help?"

"Go wash your hands," said Danger, disgusted. "Then, we'll dictate a Chan list for you."

"Can I go with you?" Thierry asked, excitedly. Everyone loved going to Chan's and getting the parts themselves. All except Mike, but now he was making food grow in the desert. "You gonna join Mike on the food mission?"

"Later," said Danger. "One skill set acquired at a time." He threw a part into the scrap pile. "Perfect one, then move on. Then do one, or both."

"Or alternate," said Reeves.

"Gonna have to," said Danger. "Have to deploy several things at once, the desalination or water treatment plant, 'cause water, it's necessary for both plants and people. Mostly the people, but the plants get what's left over. And then the plants. And hospitals, schools, roads. Bridges. And protection for all the above. Then rinse and repeat. Gonna need a side business. Electric motorcycles. That's the thing. The batteries are getting smaller. And bikes hooked up to generators until we get the solar panels and wind turbines. Both, I think. Multiple sources of power, that's the key."

Both men stared at him. "That's...ambitious," said Thierry.

"Didn't I tell you to wash your hands?" said Danger, loosening a nut.

"On it," said Thierry.

Reeves put a part on the “Save” table. "You serious about this complicated mission?"

"As a love affair," said Danger. "But it's gonna take a long time to deploy." He grunted, and the part came off his hand. "Well, this one's toast," he said, and put it in the scrap pile. "Need mad skills."

"I'm in," said Reeves.

"You know, you don't have to do this because I'm doing it."

Reeves decided to go for it. "So, you figured out I like you?"

"Doesn't take a rocket scientist," said Danger.

"Why didn't you say anything?" said Reeves.

"Why didn't you?" said Danger, giving Reeves a level stare.

"Because I'm an idiot," said Reeves.

"That's true," said Danger, walking around the front wheel to access the brakes.

"Harsh, but fair," said Reeves.

"One thing I learned in the desert," said Danger. "Life can end in two seconds. If you want something, get it or not."

"I want you," said Reeves. "You are the toughest, smartest man I know. Willing to learn anything, do anything. Willing to lead or follow, whatever you're supposed to do at the moment. Always ready with a go-bag. You eat and sleep when you can."

"I also have only one leg," said Danger.

Reeves held out his arm, and touched the bionic fingers to his thumb, one by one. "We determining who we date by a lack of body parts?"

Danger laughed. "I don't date," he said. "I want marriage. And kids."

"Don't you think we should see a movie together, first?" asked Reeves.

Danger laughed again. "Maybe. Or we could just skip that part."

"And go to what?" asked Reeves.

Danger grabbed him, pulled him close, and kissed him. Neither man saw Thierry poke his head in, then back out.

* * *

Nantan showed Mike how to check the nutrient mix. "So, tell me more about the mission," said Mike. "Danger is talking about water treatments, and roads, and schools, and bridges."

Nantan stood up from peering at the gauge. "That can go together. The people that make the plant beds are talking to the desalinization people, but I don't know how it's going."

"Well, get them to talk faster," said Mike. "We've got to get this going on." He took a breath. "Sorry. Danger keeps saying, 'Skills first.' So, give me the skills."

Nantan laughed. "But not all in the same day. Now, let's talk about colors."

"Colors?"

"The LED lights. Every plant likes a different color. You have to listen."

"Listen to the plants," said Mike.

"Yes," said Nantan.

"What the hell," added Mike. "Sounds like people. Some like blue, some pink, some army-green."

"True," said Nantan. "So, let's learn how to listen to plants."

"How do we do that?"

Nantan pointed to the very happy spinach. "See how green and leafy the spinach is? It's happy. We've got to carefully check speed of growth, color, and nutrient mix. We've got to know if it's the LED color or the nutrient mix."

"Change one thing at a time. Got it."

"Now, let's learn which nutrient mix goes with which plant."

Mike held up his tablet. "Lay it on me."

Nantan smiled. "Open the spreadsheet cleverly hidden by the label 'Nutrient Mix.'"

Mike snorted. "Got it. So, you mix it with the water sprayers and spray it on the roots?"

"Got it in one," said Nantan.

Mike scrolled down the file. "Spinach needs a lot of nutrients."

Nantan smiled. "But if you get it right..."

"You’ve got healthy spinach."

"And kids who don't go blind because they have enough nutrients."

"They go blind?" said Mike.

"Mostly they get rickets."

"Twisted legs," said Mike. "We've gotta stop that."

"Let's check out the beets," said Nantan. "Makes good horse feed, as well as being great for kids."

"Lead on," said Mike.

* * *

Herja blasted the music louder than she'd ever blasted it. Xenia turned it down. "You won't be able to hear the choppers driving them up."

Herja snorted. "Help me put that one on the horse," she said.

Xenia put her hands on her hips. "They need to learn how to do things. If you do it all for them..."

"They learn nothing," said Herja. "And this is why I invited you down here."

Xenia reached back and turned down the music. "You can't turn that down!" said Herja. "It's a crime against rock ‘n’ roll."

"I agree," said Xenia. "Can you hear that?"

Herja tossed her braids. "They're here!" Her face lit up. The sounds of choppers were unmistakable.

"And that's the only reason why I would turn down Quiet Riot," said Xenia, following her out the open garage door.

There were Valkyries from all over the country streaming in. Hlokk came up with Staff Sergeant Reece Hyun from Idaho, a tiny woman with a dragon helmet bigger than she was. Goll came with Private First Class "Queenie" Quinn, from Chicago. Skeggold came from South Carolina with Sergeant Wren, Reginleif from Alabama with Corporal Lestra, Geiravror with Lieutenant "Spear" Spiera, and Olrun with Specialist Zinna. They parked their Harleys.

"Welcome," said Herja, standing tall. She wiped her hands on her rag.

"Get on your rides," said Goll. "We need sustenance. Hear you've got an excellent diner."

"That we do," said Xenia. "I'm Xenia, and I'm the sheriff here. Herja here will run you ragged." Herja shut the garage door as Xenia strode over to her bike, popped out the helmet, and put it on.

"First, we eat, then I will work you harder than you've ever been worked in your lives. Oh, and you'll be in sleeping bags until the apartment house is ready. You'll be splitting your time between here and there."

"Fuckin' A," said Queenie. "I'm PFC Queenie, Ma’am, and we'll get the job done."

"Damn right," said Spear. "I'm Lieutenant Spear, and we'll get these ladies shaped up, real-good."

"Well then, food," said Herja. She strode to her bike, grabbed her helmet, and got on her Harley. "With your shield!" she said, holding her crimson helmet in the air.

"Or on it!" roared the Valkyries.

"Damn," said Queenie. "This is a fine group of women." Herja put on her helmet and led the way, Xenia at her side.

They took up the entire middle section. The locals moved to the counter. They knew not to interfere with the Valkyries.

Tallee came over with menus, and said, "Your water's on its way. Order what you like. The best for our veterans."

"Ooh-rah," said Corporal Lestra.

They introduced themselves. Queenie was a wide woman with rippling muscles, ebony skin, and a beautiful, wide smile. Spear was tall, with snapping eyes, narrow features, and caramel skin. Wren had brown hair, black eyes, a ski-jump nose, and wavy hair caught in three separate clips. Zinna was a quiet woman, with copper skin from the sun, wide blue eyes, and blonde hair in braids down one side of her head, like the Valkyries. Lestra was broad-shouldered, with large hands and feet. She had auburn hair and green eyes. Reece had tilted brown eyes, black straight hair, and golden skin. The Valkyries gave their names, and their septs, or main group of Valkyries --Eastern, Western, Central, Southern West, Southern East.

"Thank you for answering the call," said Herja.

"When I heard it was our sisters in combat, I had to do it," said Hlokk. "Besides, Michigan isn't that far from Idaho." Hlokk had her blue-black hair in braids with golden wire running through it. The gold and white feathers in her hair moved in the breeze from the overhead fans.

"Good excuse for a ride," said Skeggold. "We Southern West girls stick together." Skeggold and Wren bumped fists. Skeggold's braids were tiny, with silver running through her bright red hair. Her golden freckles stood out on her skin.

"We go where we are called," said Reginleif, her white-blonde hair and tilted eyes set off by the silver winding through her hair. "Menlo isn't that far from Birmingham. Besides, we're doing a rally after this. Raise money for Project Rubicon."

"Can we join?" asked Queenie. "Cleanin' up after disasters sounds real-good."

"Finish your own houses," said Xenia. "Then you can work on other people's houses."

"Logical," said Spear. "Let's get some skills together, maybe work for Habitat for Humanity, too."

"They're busy all over the state," said Herja. "We work with them too."

"Well then," said Xenia. "That's settled. Now, who wants the fries loaded with cheddar, bacon and sour cream?"

"Count me in," said Olrun, a woman with olive eyes the same color as her skin, and a flood of wiry hair over her head that was not caught up in braids.

Geiravror shook her head, a broad woman with long arms, wiry black hair, narrowed blue eyes, and hair dyed blue. "Potato skins."

"Better," said Skeggold.

They ate like pigs, then rode back to the shop. The Valkyries parted, forehead to forehead. The soldiers watched, except for Zinna, who joined in.

With a final "With your shields... or on them!" they parted.

"What's with the shield thing?" asked Queenie, as the women roared off.

"What Spartan women told their husbands when they left for war," said Spear.

"We're here," said Queenie. 'We're not fighting a war anymore."

Spear rounded on her. "We have racism. Sexism. LGBTQ issues. The damn VA didn't want to pay for my damn foot. The fact we have to fight for every damn dollar they spend on us. Can't get our fucking PTSD medications without going to the media. We got storms destroying cities, and states, and islands, and the government does shit. So, we've gotta shit-ton to do, and we're it."

"Well, fuck," said Queenie. "Didn't mean nothin' by it."

"Think before you speak, soldier," said Spear. "We're gonna do something for ourselves. Kick ass and take names. Are you with us?"

"Yes, Ma’am," said Queenie.

"Good," said Spear. "Now, let's get going. We've got bikes to learn to build."

"Oo-rah," said Lestra. They all followed Herja in, heads held high.

Queenie hung back. "Xenia, I done got off on the wrong foot. I don't try to put my foot in my mouth, but I do. My mama said if I ain't got nothin' nice to say, don't say it, but I didn't think it was bad."

"The wars riled some up, made some hate war. Gave some a sense of purpose, killed thousands after they got home. The best wars are against injustice, and that's what we fight here." Xenia patted Queenie's broad back. "You're sisters. We make allowances for sisters. Now, come on, you've got bikes to build."

"Yes, we sure do," said Queenie. They went in.

Spear made sure everyone was doing their assigned jobs. They split into crews, with four staying and two going out to the apartment house. The two-story, stucco building was white --turned yellow, with wide cracks in the outside walls. It had a completely trashed yard with old tires and trash strewn around the front, with garbage inside, and holes in the walls. There were six, one-bedroom apartments. They traded off in shifts, pairs going to remove trash the first week, Iron Knights and Valkyries helping Tito and his crew. Then it was demo time, and they actually fought over who got to wield the sledgehammers. Herja solved the problem by going to the hardware supply store herself, and buying two brand-new sledgehammers for the women to use. The old stucco went off and new render was mudded up on the outside, and walls ripped down to the studs on the inside. The women had to be prevented from working sixteen-hour days. They wanted to do it all; learn it all, in the first week. Herja put timers on their phones to get them moving from activity to activity without argument, including breaks, meals, and sleep.

Tito had a talk with Spear. "You look after your people," he said. "Pace yourselves. We're buying two more of these apartment houses. You'll have a lot more work ahead of you."

"Good," said Spear. "My mother had me shucking beans on her porch. Nothing wrong with that, but I'm used to action."

Tito nodded. "So are we. We'll keep you busy."

"Exhaustion helps us sleep," said Spear. "It's why we try to work too long."

"Lots of other stuff to do," said Tito. "Rock babies at the hospital, for one. Lots of parents here have other kids at home, and may live two hundred miles from Children's. They can't hang around the sick babies. Or kids, too, they need reading buddies."

"Can do," said Spear. "And Habitat for Humanity?"

"Not yet," said Tito. "But it's a great way to acquire homebuilding skills. We got literacy skills, adult and children. Programs for kids to read to dogs. The dogs don't correct their grammar, so they lose their fear of reading aloud. Physiotherapy with kids. 3D printing artificial hands for kids. Got programs that get the price down on those. Food banks, shelters for abused women, Meals on Wheels to bring meals to the elderly. Just lay off the building trades, for now. No use actually killing yourselves with exhaustion. Find out what the needs are, then who wants to do what. There'll be training. Make sure everyone shows up for training, and what they are supposed to do, and when."

"On it," said Spear.

The women did volunteer work in pairs. They decided they liked rotating, so they all received the training for the 3D printing, kids reading to dogs, reading to kids at the hospital, rocking newborn babies, and the shelter for abused women. They rotated days, keeping the programs staffed on days they had trouble getting coverage.

They did have some blowback. One mother was infuriated that a woman with an artificial arm and hand was holding and rocking her baby. A nurse explained that Wren had better control of her artificial hand and arm than anyone she'd seen.

"It's a Luke arm," she explained. "The best."

A volunteer was nervous about the "lady with a blade leg" near the dog, a five-year-old spaniel. The boy that was reading to the dog loved Reece's leg, calling it "cool."

One really rude woman said Queenie was "too fat" to work at the food bank. Spear rounded on the woman. "You are talking to a soldier. She put her life on the line for your ass, over and over, and over again. She's overweight because she got sepsis when the chunk of her leg the insurgents took out wouldn't heal. The medications they put her on caused her weight to balloon." The blonde with the ponytail squeaked when Spear stepped even closer to her. "Maybe you should keep your mouth shut, and only open it when you have something intelligent to say." The woman turned and fled.

The volunteer coordinator, Beam, was a young woman with thick blue glasses and a shock of pink hair. She said, "That's Missy. Hasn't had an intelligent thought since the seventh grade. Thank you for running her off. She doesn't do a lick of work, just tries to tell everyone else what to do."

"Then, we've done a service," said Spear. "What do you want us to do?"

"This is a grocery store," said Beam. "We need the shelves stocked. The aisles are labeled. Just grab a box, and fill 'er up!"

"Let's go to a row, figure out what we need, and go in back and get boxes to put on this cart," said Spear to Queenie. "Then, you work low, and I'll work high."

"Thanks for standing up for me," said Queenie. "Being back in the land of the diet meals in a box is letting me drop the weight. Plus, all the lifting."

"Well," said Spear. "Let's start with the peanut butter on this shelf, shall we?"

They stocked for two hours, until their phones chimed. They went out for mini veggie pizzas and tea, and went back to Herja's shop to put together "their" bike. Spear had asked to be paired with Queenie, hoping to keep an eye on her loose lips. She'd scored. Queenie, despite her bad start, ended up being the strongest one. She loved lifting heavy things, and was always ready with a wrench to torque off a difficult nut. They worked fast, tearing bikes down, then building them back up with new parts, painting, and welding.

Queenie loved the welding, but Spear was meticulous about taking turns. "I need the skills too," she said to Queenie.

"Mad skills makes for great work," said Queenie. "I'll do the left, and you do the right."

"Let's go," said Spear. "We're wasting dusk."

Queenie laughed, a loud, bright sound. "Gotta love swing shift," she said.

The veterans became fixtures at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Chapterhouse. One man, a sixty-nine-year-old Vietnam vet, was delighted. "'Bout time we got some female faces in here," he said. "We're already planning the Fourth of July parade. Wanna help?"

Queenie stepped up. "I'll do whatever you need."

"Good," he said. "Name's Quincy. Corporal."

"I'm PFC Queenie. Got blown up before I could make it very far," she said.

He smiled. "You didn't get dead. That's what counts."

"Oo-rah," said Queenie.

"Oo-rah," said Quincy. "You here for some PT? We've got Tristan. Loves to make us suffer." He pointed to a man with long, blue-black hair kept braided in a queue, with a wide face and tilted eyes. He wore a gi and his muscles rippled as he did a kata.

"Right," said Queenie. "Excuse me, Sir." She went over to the blue mat in the corner, took off her tennis shoes, and stood in front of him. She began to mimic his.

"I'll be damned," said Spear. "Lust as an exercise method."

"Works every time," said Quincy. "The gay guys love him, but he's straight. Put a dollar in the box, buy a soda from that cooler, and get the hell over here, woman. Give me the lowdown on your crew."

Spear put in two dollars, and brought over a root beer and a cola. She popped both tops. Quincy took the root beer, and Spear began to talk.

Ride

The Nighthawks settled on Monterey for their next ride, up the Pacific Coast Highway. The Iron Knights and the Valkyries pitched in to be sure all the Soldier Pack members had working bikes for their trip. They went from Pahrump to Vegas to pick up the Nighthawks, and then over to just below Los Angeles, to Long Beach, then up to Malibu, Pismo Beach, and Monterey, then back. They wanted to do the Grand Circle through Utah, but were waiting until slightly warmer weather.

They hit up Stateline first, and ate a fantastic lunch. Once the truckers found out veterans were on the ride, they were followed, from diners to truck stops and everything in between. There were high winds in the pass, and the truckers blocked the winds for them. They had fun finding the diners on the way. They had to split up more than once, as there were so many of them, spreading out to eat everything from Chinese to Italian, or fast food to diners, and truck stops, in small Californian towns.

They hit Huntington beach, and the leather came off and beachwear came on. Ace joined them, Kieran and Pavel in tow. "Where's the dogs?" asked Henry.

"Sold most of them," said Pavel. "We are waiting until we get back to start the new training. We are taking our spring break a week early so the others are watching the few we have left. It is a good program we have."

"Paid for all their expenses," said Ace. "In the black already."

"Wow," said David. "And you're helping so many children."

"What's with the dogs?" asked Queenie.

"We raise them to help children. They're seizure dogs, therapy dogs."

"Like the ones that children read to," said Queenie.

"No," said Spear. "No more projects. We're shaking our tail feathers as it is."

Queenie looked mutinous. Tito went over to her, and looked her in the eye. "Aren't you the same one that's pushing me to work for Habitat for Humanity, eve before we've finished your own house?"

"Yes," she said.

"Where would we put them?" asked Spear. "The drywall and stucco are drying. Let it be for a little while."

Tristan came over to Queenie. "Feel like a beach run?"

"Sure," she said. They began to jog away.

"Girl's lost four kilos on the lust diet," said Spear.

"Good plan," said Danger. Reeves laughed. Danger took off at a slow jog, and Reeves followed him with his eyes.

"Move it, soldier," said Spear.

"Yes, Ma'am," said Reeves. He laughed, and jogged to catch up to Danger.

"Nice view," said Spear to Tito.

"You know they're gay, don't you?" said Tito.

"Doesn't prevent me from enjoying the view."

Tito laughed. "Got lots of that around here." He waved in a general direction of the Iron Knights.

"Sadly, there's more of us than of them," said Spear.

"I can tell you which ones that, as far as I know, aren't taken… or gay."

Spear grinned. "I knew I liked you."

They jogged up and down the beach, the soldiers and the non-soldiers alike. They had ice cream and fries, and fed fries to the seagulls and told terrible jokes. They had an amazing seafood dinner, and bought shell necklaces, and laughed like loons.

They rode farther up the coast, and found a grouping of inns. They took them over, and spent a ton of time getting ice and sodas, and determining who was going to watch which movie in which room. They split up, shoved beds together, traded chairs, and engaged in movie marathons. There was the hero room, the science fiction room, the cartoon room (that one that had the most laughter), a drama room (filled with tissue boxes), an action movie room related to driving cars really, really fast, and a romantic comedy room.

Several other rooms had rather vicious card games, and the board games came out, Monopoly and Stratego, Splendor and the Ticket to Ride train game, Dominoes and Chinese Checkers. People went back and forth between rooms when they hit a movie that bored them, or when they wanted to switch to (or from) board games. Finally, some of the rooms were designated sleeping rooms, and some of them slept.

They spent another day there, because they were having a disgusting amount of fun. They ate hash browns and sausage-biscuit sandwiches. They drank coffee and colas, and went for long, lovely walks. They played volleyball, badminton, and soccer, and ran and walked in the water. Some swam. They split up into groups and pairs, and wandered all over. They caught some spring baseball, watched movies, played carnival games, ate cotton candy, and fudge, and laughed their heads off.

They split up for lunch, and met for a huge dinner at a seafood house. They ate crab cakes and fish stuffed with crab and shrimp. Then shrimp scampi with fresh, French bread, popcorn shrimp, cornbread with honey butter, and hush puppies. They passed around platters, and laughed until their sides hurt. They grabbed tea, coffee, and sodas, and went out on the beach to watch the sunset. They clapped when it was over, then got on their bikes.

They rode along the coast to Malibu. They found several hotels, and some actually slept, but most watched movies and played board games. They got up early to watch the sunrise, and spent a wonderful day flowing up the Pacific Coast Highway on their bikes. They hit up the boardwalk. They split up. Some took scuba diving lessons. They hit up galleries, pigged out on hot dogs and seafood, and went shopping.

The Valkyries met for a huge beachside cookout, with grilled steak, shrimp, chicken, and corn. They roasted marshmallows and made s'mores. The guitars came out, and Ivy and Herja's voices merged.

Into the silence, Spear said, "I wake up screaming every fucking night. I don't want to drug myself into addiction to stop it. I know it's PTSD. I get it. Nightmares, jumping at loud noises, free-forming anxiety. Anger --rage. I want to kill someone, anyone, but there's no one to kill. No bad guy, no boogeyman. No one I can point to and say, 'That's the one! That guy caused it all!' Because that guy is me. I signed up. I wanted to pay for a degree. A degree I finished in a tent. A degree I can't use now. I don't want to code. I don't want to sit in front of a computer. I don't want to fucking sit still at all. And so, here I am, with my two hands, scraping my knuckles bloody and volunteering every fucking place I can think of, just so I can get some sleep. Fucking sleep." She laughed without mirth. "I. Just. Want. To. Sleep."

Herja said, "We did the shop thing because there is no fucking excuse for there to be a waiting list for a program to help veterans find work that satisfies them. We knew the symptoms of PTSD."

Wraith said, "I have it. Got shot, my husband's been shot. I work undercover, locking up the fucking scum of the earth. The problem is that there's always, always, always, more scum. People buy other people, like Skuld's daughter. She had to testify, in open court, about what was done to her, which was another rape. People sell drugs that kill kids at a rave. They buy and sell weapons that have only one purpose --to kill a lot of people at once. They trade in life and death for only one purpose, to line their own pockets. I see sociopaths and psychopaths every damn day. They've come after me, after my family. They rape and maim, and kill, and I get up every day and go after them again. I have trouble sleeping, too. But, I go out there, and fight for a purpose. For my niece, and for the other people they try to maim and kill. It hurts, and lots of times it sucks. I've paid with my own blood. But, I'm a warrior, and I will fight."

Skuld said, "You fought for our country, and our country responded horribly. But you keep fighting, every day. Coming home doesn't end the war. It just means you are a warrior. We salute all warriors, and welcome them. We can spar with you, give you things to do to help exhaust you so you can sleep, give you our sisterhood, our blood in the sand if that's needed. Most of us here walk the same path. We fight the same fight. Take our rest, and then wake up another day, and fight again. We are your sisters, and we fight with you."

Ivy sang again. Their voices rose together. Spear wiped her eyes, and her voice rose to merge with the others. They sang well into the night. They rolled out their sleeping bags and put up tents, and talked and sang. Some slept, some didn't. When the screams came, they took turns waking up the PTSD victims, and holding them in their arms.

They woke everyone for the sunrise, and Henry, David, and Numa came out, standing in between the various camps, and sang the dawn. They had more sausage rolls, coffee, and juice, and then they went to Monterey. They went to the aquarium, watched the otters and seals, went kayaking, went shopping, and relaxed on the beach. They rode to Pinnacles National Park. They then rode back to the Pacific Coast Highway, and listened to road songs. They stopped off to eat and relax. They went to Santa Barbara, and looked out over the gorgeous water.

"I'm sorry about last night," Spear said to her sisters.

"Shut up," said Herja. "Never apologize for feeling real feelings, or speaking the truth."

"What she said," said Skuld. "If you can't tell your sisters, who can you tell?"

"Shutting up," said Spear. "Now, what are we gonna do today?"

"Ever been cliff climbing?" asked Rota.

"Of course I have," said Spear. "Ex-military, remember?"

"Cliff climbing here!" yelled Rota. Both women and men jogged up and surrounded her. "I brought my climbing gear and a shit-ton of harnesses."

"How much is a shit-ton, exactly?" asked Reeves. Danger punched his arm. They found a climbing service to rent equipment and instructors. Rota took point, and off they went.

They came back in time for dinner; bruised, scraped, bloody, and laughing like loons. The cookout was epic. The local Veterans of Foreign Wars kept coming out to meet the soldiers, and the bonfires were all across the beach. Families who had been walking down the beach didn't seem fazed by the bikers and soldiers strewn across the beach, and brought fish, chicken, and pork to grill out, all from local grocery stores.

They set up camp chairs or sat on logs or the sand, and passed down sticks of meat with tomatoes and mushrooms, and bell peppers. They cleaned up, went to the corner stores, and came back with cases of ice cream bars and sandwiches, and passed them around. They made s'mores, and beat drums, piped pipes, and danced wild dances. The families left, the whiskey and beer came out along with sodas, and they sang songs, and kept the drums going. They pitched the tents, and played well into the night.

The soldiers around their campfire had their own demonstration. Danger described the "new dating" with Reeves: Asking someone out for coffee. They went into the first rule of dating.

Danger said, “Never bring a firearm to a date.” Danger mimed attacking a coffee machine for its loud noises with a .45, making everyone laugh.

They also discussed “Asking People Out.” "Do you want to go out for coffee?" versus "Do you want to fuck me?" making everyone laugh again.

Reeves failed to ask Danger out, asking everything except asking him out on a date. The audience roared out suggestions for how to ask someone out, from the silly, to the risqué, to the horrible. Then, Spear attempted to ask Reeves out, and Reeves had to handle an opposite-sex come-on, having to say "no" without vomiting or saying "Eww." Those suggestions got even more comments from the peanut gallery on how to handle it. Other dating rules included, "What color condoms to bring?" and "How to ask someone to binge-watch television with you." Then, "How to say ‘no’ without sounding insane," and "Obsession, the opposite of ghosting: avoid both." They showed how to lighten up the PTSD discussion with a new partner by speaking about it in a Shakespearean way, with a lot of "Doth thou...?" comments. It was bizarre, and funny, and several people resolved to try this technique.

In the morning, they decided not to go back to Vegas, but headed down to San Diego. They split up and went to Balboa Park, the zoo, the safari park, and the aquarium. They met for dinner, a huge affair at an Italian restaurant. They passed around cannelloni, spaghetti, tortellini, three kinds of pizza, and pitchers of cola and bottles of Chianti.

They went to a string of beach hotels, checked in, and, as one, went out to watch the sun set. David and Numa sang the sun down, their voices merging. They sat on the beach in a long line. They started the fires. At each fire; one by one, they came up and told stories, funny ones, sad ones, tragic, and comedy. The soldiers talked about people they'd known; the cops and firefighters the same. The Valkyries told stories of the road, and of fighting. The Nighthawks had stories of the road, Native stories about the trickster Coyote, a nice counterpoint to the stories of the laughing god, Murphy. The stories were stunning, fascinating, funny, and heartbreaking. They passed around drinks, and relaxed. The laughter was calm, safe, comfortable.

Xenia, Bob and Herja told the hair-raising story of the shooting at the diner by an ex-cop Bob had tried to mentor. And about friends gunned down. They told about their PTSD, but how it got less with talk, medication, and time. They talked about rebuilding the coffee shop; the new owners, and how the old owners went to Lebanon and opened a sweets shop. They discussed how it served to remind them that people could, and did, move past the horror, and into a new life.

"The thing is," said Xenia, "It's like an overlay. But three scenes, not two. The first one, where we were laughing with Francine, she poured us coffee. The second with all the blood and gunpowder in my nose, taking shots. I wasn't sure if I would hit anyone… or the wrong person, trying to stop the bleeding of someone, anyone. The third with the new place, a little girl reading, her mama telling her to re-check her math. And then the same smells of coffee, and pancakes, and syrup. Before-during-after, shuffled back and forth. And, I can't control the shuffling. I keep shuffling forward, to the now, hoping that's enough."

Another ex-soldier said, "I was walking down a street. The desert smelled like dusty cinnamon and the tang of gunpowder, tobacco, tea. Lots of tea. We walked down a street, then a little girl turned into a building. How the mother came rushing out of that building, daughter in her arms, how the man followed his wife down the street, a bloody knife in his hand. We disarmed him, got the kid and her mom to a hospital, then got them relocated. I should have shot him. ‘Boom,’ no more abusive guy. But, there'd been a shooting of a shop owner earlier that week, which created a mess. We were ordered not to use lethal force if we didn't have to. We turned him over to the civilian authorities. He ended up shot anyway, by his sister's husband. He tried to kill her again. The girl survived, he didn't." She sighed. "The next damn day, I lost Rifle and Warrant, and my damn foot." She sighed. "I'd give my foot back to get them back."

"So would we all," said Xenia. "So would we all." They drank to the fallen, then, the Valkyries ululating cry began piercing the darkness, and then some of them slept. The rest told stories until dawn.

On the ride back, they used back roads, curvy roads that the Harleys loved. They found coffee shops and filled them up, ate BLTs and grilled cheese sandwiches, and plates full of fries. They rode through until dusk, then pulled over to watch the sun come down. They decided to keep riding through the dark, and were glad they did. They went over the hill and saw the lights of the city, laid out like a thousand glittery jewels against the night. The Valkyries went into the desert to pitch tents, the Iron Knights went home, and the Nighthawks went to Henry's farm. Each group slept the sleep of the exhausted, smoothing out the dreams of fear, pain, and of rage.

* * *

At the same time the bikers went on their ride, the women and children made it to the pier in a giant economy van. Ivy parked, and the women hopped out. "Let's go!" said Ivy. "Our boat awaits."

Katya laughed. "They will wait for us, I think. We have suites with ocean views, no?"

Callie popped open one stroller, then another. They helped each other take the babies out, and then put them in the strollers. Callie ran over with a baggage cart, and filled it up. Katya did some jiggling and juggling, and passed out snacks, and they all got into their strollers. Callie checked out the van to make sure they had everything, and that it was locked, and pushed the baggage cart. The Pixies followed the parade of women and strollers; laughing, dragging their own suitcases on rollers behind them. The cruise line representative rushed out to meet them, checked their IDs and everyone off the list, and sent a purser to take their luggage to the staterooms. They followed, and settled in. The Pixies were delighted to get a bedroom together, and dressed in their best princess dresses. A pretty princess came to take them to the Coketail Party, and they went, laughing and singing, through the hallways.

Three young women came to watch the babies, and Ivy, Callie, Inola, Bella, and Katya went to the cocktail party. They danced and partied, then went to pick up the girls. The girls threw them out, because they were getting makeovers; hair and nails, in a “special girls' salon.” So, they danced some more, and laughed. They saw a show, with some amazing singing and dancing. They swung back to pick up the Pixies again, and lured them back with a movie, popcorn, and bags of M&Ms. Callie took pixie duty, and the other ladies sent the babysitter home and watched their own movie.

Callie came in to switch places with someone, and found only Ivy still awake, rocking out on her headphones. They danced together in the space in front of the girls' door, making them giggle. They shut the door when their dance turned serious.

Ivy led her wife to their double bed, and they spent so much time kissing that Callie began to laugh. "It helps if we actually take our clothes off," she said. They took off their cocktail dresses, hung them up, and hung their slips up, too.

Ivy popped the top on the complimentary champagne, and Callie giggled as she jumped. Ivy poured the glasses. She called room service, and they began kissing again. The fruit and chocolate plate arrived. Ivy put her slip back on and ran out; disheveled, and signed for it, then carried it in. Ivy took her slip back off, and slipped into bed. They fed each other the fondue. Ivy drizzled chocolate on Callie's belly, making her gasp. Ivy licked it off, then Callie drizzled chocolate on Ivy's hand, then licked her fingers, one by one. They took turns eating fruit off each other, then Ivy crawled between Callie's legs, making her come, again and again with flicks of her tongue and fingers. Callie laid there, basking in the aftershocks, while Ivy put the empty plate and pot of chocolate by the door. Callie grabbed her arm, pulled her onto the bed, grabbed her knee, and swung her around. She did the same to Ivy with her own fingers, making her come, and come again. They stumbled into the shower, bathed, and made it into bed.

The babies were up early. They got breakfast, dropped off the girls at the archery contest, and ended up at the baby gym. The babies loved playing, and the attendants squealed at all the beautiful babies and kicked out the moms. The ladies ended up at the pool. Katya ended up on pixie duty, and checked on them. She found them at the rock wall, and was assured that they would be having pool time, a dancing class, and a video game hour, for relaxation. Katya reported back in with the women, and they all went for spa treatments. Katya had the mud wrap, Callie and Ivy hers-and-hers massages, and Inola and Bella had facials.

They met in the resting room, drank lime water, and switched treatments. They picked up the girls, had an amazing lunch, dropped them off for the limbo contest, then went to pick up the tots. They slathered them with sunscreen and took them to the baby pool. They picked up the girls and went back for naps, then they left the tots at the baby center and saw an acrobatic show with the girls. Then it was time for dinner and another Coketail Party for the girls; cocktails for the women. They danced, then Callie moved the girls from the Coketail Party to a princess party, followed by movie night.

Ivy, Callie, and Bella all loved dancing, but Katya and Inola wanted to relax. They went to the pool and floated, then swam up to the bar.

Bella came to join them. "Ivy and Callie are gonna dance me under the table," she said. She stole her wife, dragging her into the Jacuzzi with her.

Katya missed her husband, but decided that she was alright. She had a babysitter follow her with the babies. She got them all fed and to sleep, and sent the young woman away. She bedded down, the little ones in cribs all around her. She read a book, and soon slept.

The ladies took turns cuddling babies, and in watching the Pixies light up, and hearing their stories of ziplining and whale-watching. They all crowded at the windows to watch a pod of dolphins go by. They left the babies at Tot Camp and took the Pixies to a movie and then dancing. Then, they all rotated again.

Soon, it was time to go, and they were ready. They were escorted by a very kind baggage handler to the rental van. They loaded up, and were sent on their way. The Pixies, babies, and adults slept, except for Callie, who drove. She listened to an audiobook, and laughed her head off. They met up with the returning Nighthawks in Barstow, ate a ton of food at a coffee shop. The Pixies described every move they made to Gregory, Ace, and Henry. And soon they were riding home, with the lights of Vegas spread out against the night, just like rainbow stars. They arrived at Henry's house, set up the cribs, rolled out the sleeping bags, and slept the sleep of home.

"Little ones are the most precious things in the universe... but raising them is the hardest job there is."