This file is a work of (hopefully) art dealing with (hopefully) adult themes. It is based on the "Tuck" series by Ellen Hayes, and contains characters therefrom. I make no claims to any rights to the story line or the characters: all such rights reside with Ellen Hayes. This story fragment may or may not fit into what she has in mind for Tuck, but probably doesn't. It's not set during any particular time, but would most likely fit in sometime after Tuck started his summer job. Ellen, if you want to use some or all of the ideas, plot, dialogue, or text in your writing, you are welcome to do so. Everyone else's rights are limited to a personal copy for private enjoyment, and commercial distribution by anyone except Ellen is expressly prohibited. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- *** 07:05 Something brought me part of the way back to consciousness. I peered blearily over Debbie towards the door where a figure stood outlined against the morning light. Helen said "Go back to sleep, Tuck", so I snuggled in against Deb and dropped off again. *** 07:18 * Ohmygod * I sat up, the blankets falling from my shoulders to my waist. Debbie murmured a protest, so I covered her again as i swung my legs over the side of the bed. * Did she really say that? * I sat for a while, trying to remember. * She can't have. If she knew, i wouldn't be here, i'd be in jail, or worse * I shivered at the thought. *** 07:20 I pulled my robe tightly around me as i padded barefoot down the hall to the kitchen. "Uh, Helen?" She looked up from the depths of the refrigerator and smiled. "Oh, hi Valerie, good morning. Want to help me put together breakfast?" * She can't know. She acts like she's glad to see me. And she wouldn't be. * I stood for a moment trying to work it out, then shrugged. "Sure". I joined her at the 'frig. "What'd you have in mind?" "I was trying to figure that out. Got any suggestions?". * Um * I poked around. Most of a loaf of bread, a couple of days past the pull date. Eggs? Yep, a few were all we'd need. I was sure i'd seen some... there it was, a half-full carton of milk in the door. "French toast?" "Sounds good." She went over to a cupboard and started pulling out bowls and measuring cups while i piled ingredients on the counter. *** 07:22 "Valerie?" She was standing with a pan in her hand, half way to the stove. "Um?" I was trying to remember if it was 2 or 3 eggs for a double recipie. "You looked like you wanted to ask something, when you first came into the kitchen this morning?" "Um?" * What was... OH. Yeah. * My stomach informed me it was unhappy about the subject being raised. I checked again, but Helen still didn't look pissed. I wondered briefly if there was any way i could find out if she knew, without letting her know if she didn't already know. "Did you look in on us this morning?" She nodded, looking puzzled. I tried hard not to look like i was terrified. "Did you say something? I wasn't really awake enough to hear..." She thought a moment. "No, not really, just... Oh." Now she did look upset, but not the kind of upset i was expecting. Upset with herself, not with me. "I must have... I'm sorry, Tuck." *** 07:25 My heart went into overdrive and i concentrated on not hyperventilating as i prepared to run for my life. Except that she still didn't look that kind of upset. "I didn't mean to let it slip that way. I was waiting until... hoping... you and Deb would come to me about it." Now she looked genuinely distressed. "How..." i croaked, then tried again. "How long have you..." "Just after your third sleepover here. Before that i knew there was something... different... about you, but i couldn't figure it out. That night i was on patrol through one of the seedier parts of town, and i passed a drag bar. That's when it clicked." She paused. "At first i was furious. I knew what you two were doing, and why. Then i was hurt, because Deb wasn't being honest with me. By the end of my shift, i'd seen the humor of it." She paused again. "Since then i've oscilated through it all over and over again." *** 07:27 She smiled, but it looked like it hurt. Looking at it made *me* hurt. I looked down and opened my mouth to say something, then realized i didn't know what to say. I closed it and swallowed, then tried again. "Helen, i'm sorry, i..." I looked up at her again. Her smile had slipped, but the hurt was still there. Without thinking i put my arms around her and held on. Hesitantly her arms came up. *** 07:32 "Valerie..." She hesitated. "Tuck. What the hell do i call you, anyway?" Her voice held genuine confusion, and a touch of asperity. "When i'm dressed like this, even Deb usually calls me Valerie. But Tuck's actually been wanting to meet you for a long time." I pulled back to look at her with a half smile. "If you give a request to meet Tuck to me instead of to Deb, i can promise this one will actually be delivered." She snorted. "I did eventually figure out why Tuck was always turning them down. I've been wanting to meet him for a long time too." An idea was lurking. * Paybacks are hell, Deb. And you've got one coming * "Give me a few minutes and i'll see if i can't arrange something." *** 07:49 I checked myself in the mirror. * Yep, it's Eugene Wallace Tucker * I nudged Deb as i walked past the bed, then called from the door. "C'mon Deb, it's time for breakfast." I heard the muffled grunt which meant she'd probably actually get up, and headed out to meet Helen. *** 07:50 I was nervous. Again. * How many guys have to meet their girlfriends mom for the first time, twice? * "Hi Helen. I'm Tuck. I'm _really_ pleased to meet you." I held out my hand. She took it in a firm grip, smiling and making the appropriate noises, but still looking me over. Behaving, in short, like you'd expect your girlfriend's mother to act when you meet her for the first time. Then i caught her eye, and i lost it. *** 08:02 The change in Helen's face told me Deb was here. My only regret was that i was facing the wrong way to see her expression. "'Morning guys. What's so funn..." Her voice trailed away. "Tuck?!" "Morning, Beautiful. Turns out your mom knew something we didn't know she knew." ----------------------------------------------------------------------