Love Doesn’t require

05 Mar 2011 Leave a Comment

by Heather in Complete Silliness, Mini-story, Team Alpha, Team Nu Tags: , , ,

“I don’t understand,” Bertram said, shaking his head slightly. His brows furrowed and he looked at Keenan. “Isn’t there some place where these rules are written down.”

“Written down?” Keenan asked, his tone one of incredulity. He shook his head. “It isn’t that hard, Bertram. If she runs away, she obviously wants you to chase her. So, you shouldn’t stand there, asking stupid questions! You should be running after her!”

Bertram released and explosive sigh. Then, he hurried after the upset woman he’d accidentally insulted.

“Written down?” Keenan repeated, looking over at Trenton.

Trenton just shrugged.

Nothing better than anticipation

02 Mar 2011 Leave a Comment

by Heather in Love Stories, Mini-story, Team Alpha Tags: ,

Bertram couldn’t help a faint smile when he took Beth’s hand in his. He led her to the dance floor, then turned to face her. He gave her a little bow, as she curtseyed. Then, he led her in the dance. He’d dreamed of this moment since Keenan had mentioned that a group would be coming from Equisetia.

“I’ve missed you,” he said, his voice faint. “Have – have you been well?” It wasn’t what he’d meant to ask. He’d meant to ask if she had begun seeing someone.”

Beth nodded. “Busy,” she said. Her brows furrowed slightly. “I’ve missed you too, Bertram. There’s… there’s been talk of a group from Shynian Intelligence being assigned to the embassy in Equisetia.”

Blinking, Bertram shook his head. “I hadn’t heard,” he admitted. His brows furrowed. He wondered if he could convince Urban to let that team be his. He wondered if Beth would want that.

“Maybe – maybe you’ll be part of the team?” Beth said, tilting her head to one side.

Again, Bertram smiled. “Maybe I will,” he said. He would definitely ask.

Just Dance

27 Feb 2011 Leave a Comment

by Heather in Love Stories, Mini-story, Team Alpha, Team Beta Tags: , ,

Keenan frowned slightly at Bertram. “What are you doing?” he hissed into his partner’s ear.

Bertram flinched and whirled to face him. He adjusted his glasses. “That girl,” he said, tilting his head towards a lovely young woman that was speaking with a few of the other visiting dignitaries. “She works for the president of Equisetia.”

“Oh,” Keenan said, his eyes widening in recognition. “You used to work security for him, right? Is that…” he faltered trying to remember the name of the girl Bertram had been seeing before he was recalled to Shynia.

“It’s Beth,” Bertram breathed.

Keenan smiled and grabbed him by the arm. “Just dance with her,” he said. “Don’t be shy. Don’t apologize for things that aren’t your fault to begin with her. Just take the girl in your arms and give her a turn on the dance floor.”

Bertram sputtered protests, right up until he was standing in front of the girl in question. Then, he flushed and bowed. “M-Miss Sebohn,” he managed, “may I have this dance?”

Beth smiled. “It would be my pleasure,” she said, taking the hand he had extended to her.

Then, Keenan stepped back to admire his handiwork. He would play the matchmaker and move heaven and earth, if necessary, to get them together. They were too cute of a couple for any other eventuality.

Something he can’t explain…

30 Jul 2010 Leave a Comment

by Heather in Frightful Imaginings, Mini-story, Team Beta Tags: ,

Bertram frowned at the computer screen. What did he think of these claims of hallucinations? What could he say to that? Keenan was paranoid. Everyone knew that. Rory was traumatized by his ex-wife. They all knew that too. That left Chris…

He broke off the train of thought and glanced over his shoulder. Was that the door? “Beth?” he said, stepping away from the desk to peer into the corridor. He gasped and staggered back.

“Don’t think you can run, boyo,” the man said, following him into the room.

Bertram’s heart was hammering in his chest. All his senses said this man was there! He couldn’t just see him. He could hear him – smell him! The man who’d killed his brother! “Stay back,” Bertram rasped, grabbing his side arm.

He blinked and… the man was gone. Bertram blinked again and set the weapon down. Trembling, he stepped across the room. Nothing. Not a sound. He peered out of the room and held his breath when the knob turned. It opened and he sighed in relief.

“Bertram?” Beth said, blinking. “Are you all right?”

“Yeah,” Bertram said, nodding. “I – I just have one thing to finish up. Then, I’ll come to bed.” Beth smiled at him and nodded. Bertram sighed and strode back to the computer. He typed three words. “We met tomorrow.” That was all he needed to say.

I am remembering you

30 May 2010 Leave a Comment

by Heather in Mini-story, Team Beta Tags: ,

Bertram felt his heart quicken its pace as he moved closer to the communications office. Part of him wanted to run into the office immediately, but he couldn’t – not yet at least. Instead, he followed the warden guiding them to the president’s office.

“Information Analyst Bertram Silverwebb, sir,” he said, as he opened the door and stepped to one side.

Bertram followed, but froze in the doorway. He stared, but not at the president. He blinked and, as he shook his head, a faint smile touched his lips. He focused his gaze on the president and bowed. “Forgive me, sir,” he said, glancing at Beth again. “I was just reminded – most forcefully – how lovely your deputy of communications is.”

“She seems to have that effect on men,” the president said, giving him a good-natured smile.

Beth flushed and dropped her gaze. Her superior snorted in amusement. “Not many men have that effect on her, however,” he said, his tone light and teasing.

The scent of her beauty draws me to her place

02 May 2010 Leave a Comment

by Heather in Love Stories, Mini-story, Team Alpha Tags: ,

Bertram smiled faintly as he watched Beth at work. She would struggle to find just the right words. Her hair had fallen free of the pins and her glasses were slipping down her nose. To his eyes, she was beautiful.

He stepped into the room and set the small boquet down on the desk. “For you,” he said, his voice soft.

She looked up from her writing. Smiling, she plucked the card out of the flowers. Her smile grew as she read it to herself. She set the card aside and turned back to her work. Now, all the more beautiful, because the smile didn’t fade.

Is it a groove or a rut?

03 Apr 2010 Leave a Comment

by Heather in Mini-story, Team Epsilon Tags: ,

Rory watched from his vantage point across the green. Beth approached him cautiously. Occasionally, she would pause to look to the left or right. He could tell, even when she wasn’t looking out for trouble, she was listening for it.

For a moment, she disappeared from view. Rory’s brow furrowed. He waited for her to step back into view. That part of the green must have been lower than the rest. “Any moment,” he murmured.

He waited. Time ticked by and, still, Beth didn’t reappear. He bit his lip nervously. Where was she? Had someone been waiting in ambush for her? No, that didn’t make sense. But then, what was taking her so long to come up from the rut in the green?

“Rory,” a soft voice called.

He startled and spun around. Blinking, he realized who it was. “B-Beth?” he said, flushing. She’d come up behind him. How? He looked back over the green and squinted into the darkness. Now, he wondered. Had she disappeared into a small depression, as he’d thought, or had she dropped into a valley to come around behind him.

“So,” she said, “I guess someone needs to go back for a refresher course in surveillance.”

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