Alien Proliferation

found it hard to believe that Jamie was in life-threatening danger right now. So either everyone’s emotions were so high that the blocks Jeff put in weren’t working, or ACE was incorrect, which I doubted, or . . . something else. Under the circumstances, I felt it was probably a good idea to confirm if and what that something else might be.
    Um, ACE? Are you there?
    Yes, Kitty, ACE is here. Jamie is not picking up emotions. Jamie is hearing and interpreting sounds.
    Wow, either I was broadcasting my concerns, which was, per Jeff, very likely, or ACE wasn’t in the mood to make me work for it. I counted it as one for the win column either way.
    So she’s crying because all the guys sound freaked out?
    Yes, and because of the tension around Jamie. Jamie cannot feel emotions as Jeff can right now, and Jamie cannot control the blocks as Jeff can, right now, but Jamie can feel things as all animals do. Not that ACE feels Jamie or Kitty are really penguins.
    But we are animals, just more highly evolved ones.
    Yes.
    So she’s acting like any baby would in a room full of freaked out men?
    Yes.
    Good to know. Thanks, ACE, you’re the best.
    “Blood tests. Now.” Tito said, interrupting my chat with our higher power. He didn’t make it sound optional.
    “Oh, fine.”
    We went up to medical, and Tito did his vampire thing. I didn’t like needles overmuch, but I could handle them by talking about something other than what was going on. “So, Chuckie, can I just run out to some baby store, buy a bassinet, and come right on home? I’ll take a contingent of hunks with me, if necessary.”
    “No.” He still looked freaked out.
    “Jeff?” I tried whining.
    “Hell, no.” He looked more freaked than Chuckie.
    “James?”
    “I’d do it, but I think bassinets are the least of our worries, girlfriend.”
    Tito took the blood from Jamie, and she started to cry. “Oh, it’s okay, Jamie-Kat. It won’t hurt much and it’ll be over fast. Tito just wants to take care of us.” I kissed her head, and she calmed down a bit.
    Melanie and Emily trotted in,looking strained. “Ready?” Emily asked.
    Tito nodded and handed them three vials. “Do it fast and do it accurately.”
    They nodded and raced out of the room.
    “So, to reassure everyone, I wasn’t shooting up with Christopher.”
    “I know that.” Jeff wasn’t glaring but he was close. At least he didn’t look freaked out for a few seconds.
    “Already checked your arms out.” Chuckie rubbed his forehead. “Look, Martini was altered from the drug the Club Fifty-One people gave him. So was Serene. The drug’s not in their systems, but their systems were changed because of it. Their blood was, too, I’d assume.”
    “Safe bet,” Tito said. “From what I’ve learned, A-Cs are more adaptable than humans in some ways, probably due to the faster regeneration based on the double hearts.”
    “Will that mean it’s a problem if Jeff or Serene ever need blood?” Now I was worried and Jamie started to fuss.
    Jeff managed a grin as he took her from me. “Jamie-Kat doesn’t like it when Mommy’s worried, either.”
    “No idea yet,” Tito replied to my question. “That’s a better question for one of the A-C gals. I’ve been kind of focused on human medical for some reason.”
    “Sarcasm is an ugly trait in a doctor.”
    “Only if you can spot it.” Tito grinned. “Anyway, on the positive side, you’re literally ready for action.”
    “Not that I’m allowing you to get into any,” Jeff said quickly.
    “Whatever. So, what’s the thinking here? Jeff was altered, so Jamie was affected? And somehow she did, what, the mother and child version of feedback?”
    “I’d assume so.” Chuckie was staring at me, but I got the feeling I was being studied, versus checked out.
    “What?” Jeff must have felt the same thing from him, because he wasn’t snarling at Chuckie.
    “Was she always fast enough to knock me on my butt?”
    “I’m not without the skills, as I have to constantly remind all of you.”
    “My guess would be no,” Reader said. I gave him a betrayed look. “Your skills are great, girlfriend. They’re also not conventional.”
    Jeff handed Jamie to Reader. “Spar with me.”
    “Uh, no, you kick my butt every time.”
    “I’ll be nice, like always.”
    “Humph.” Decided to humor them and started fake-fighting with Jeff. Actually landed a couple of hits, but not too many. Could dodge or block most of his, which was nice.