Up A Notch Read online

  “Yes, Sir, quite possibly.”

  “Then we will find a way to put some kind of interference frequency around it. This will also hide the sound of your sister crying when you spank the hell out of her little attitude. Samantha, you are to show respect to your brother as though he were one of us. He is your senior officer and team mate, and you are to treat him with honor and deference. I trust him not to take advantage of this order, either.”

  “That is so not fair, Uncle Scott!”

  “One minute,” Scott said immediately.

  “Please, no! I’m sorry!”

  “Two minutes.”

  “Yes, Sir, Uncle Scott,” she tried hard not to show her tears. She was in for a very unpleasant evening.

  “That’s better,” he said, patting her head as he stood. The two were ordered to the floor to clean up the water and apologize to their crew. Scott watched his niece stomp away and tried not to laugh. He leaned his elbow on his friend’s shoulder. “What a handful that one is.”

  “Yeah, and she won’t be a happy handful when we are done with her tonight. Two minutes, huh?” Dr. Quimby smiled.

  “Longest two minutes of that child’s life.”

  “Take her before dinner for a nice warm up. It will give her something to think about while waiting for me.”

  “And you think I’m a sadistic bastard?” Scott teased, walking out to their offices.

  Dr. Quimby laughed. “Think nothing. It’s a fact.”

  ***

  “You’re awfully quiet,” Michael mentioned, glancing at his sister on the console next to him.

  She looked up. “My big mouth just keeps landing me in more trouble. I’m so dead tonight.”

  “Yeah, sorry about the fight,” Michael said apologetically.

  “Me too,” she answered quietly. “I had no idea Ton would react that way. Let me talk with him if I can, okay?”

  “Use the neuroband to make sure he gets everything,” Michael said.

  Sam obeyed and slipped the device around her neck. She sent out images to the orca regarding the danger his breaching caused and what their shouting had been about. The conversation was short with Ton dismissing the shouting as penguin squawks. Insulted, he swam off in a huff, irritated for trying to protect his calf from nonsense. Pods didn’t yell at each other, but penguins did.

  “Guess he told us, huh?” Michael winced.

  “He’s really developing an understanding of human emotions. Man, we’re really being chewed out today. Well, at least we don’t have to worry about that anymore. Mike? Do you think they were serious about separating us?”

  “Yes. In part,” Michael answered. “Let’s just try to keep the volume down for a while, okay? I do have a question for you.”

  “What?” she asked, wiping off the rail as Michael leaned against it to stand in her way.

  “Do you feel I back you into corners when we argue? Like you’re being hunted?”

  “Sometimes,” Samantha admitted. “Well, not being hunted, but trapped. You fight mean, brother. It stymies me at times.”

  “Do I hurt your feelings? I try to avoid low blows or insults, don’t I?”

  “Hurt my feeling? Oh, My, no. If you hurt my feelings, I would be in tears. No, I just want to bitch slap you into being more reasonable. You are so pig-headed sometimes and won’t let me talk. Do I hurt your feelings?”

  “Can’t ever recall feeling that way,” he replied. “I guess it’s safe to say we fight loudly, but respectfully. At least there’s minimal name-calling, and no swearing or insulting each other. Shit, Sammi, the folks should be proud of us, not pissed!”

  “Tell them that,” Sam answered before joining her brother in a warm hug. She rested her face against the bottom of his rib cage. “I’m scared, Mike. Do something.”

  ***

  Sam reached over to grasp her brother’s hand fearfully during the uncomfortable drive home that evening. He squeezed it gently before lifting it to kiss her palm. The silence was deafening for both of them.

  “To your rooms,” Dr. Quimby ordered as they entered the house. Sam went immediately, however, Michael stayed put.

  “May I please speak with both of you for a moment? It’s important,” he asked. The two men nodded as they led the way into the living room. They sat, looking up at him, patiently waiting for his comments. “First, I need to apologize. I was wrong in everything that happened today and I take full responsibility. I need to be a better example of how she should behave and I haven’t been. I know she looks up to me for things like that, so I’m really sorry that I shirked in that area.”

  He took a deep breath. “She and I had a long, very quiet, talk after we spoke with Ton. He told us we were stupid for squawking so much and won’t be breaching again. I do feel, though, an interference frequency might help prevent anyone else from breaching if nearby. Anyway,” Michael continued, “Sam and I realized that although we argue loudly, it is never about personal issues or as an attempt to hurt each other. Even the name calling we do is more ridiculous than anything. Is it necessary? Probably not, at least not for normal people, but this is probably the only normal thing we do as a brother and sister. Seriously, can you recall the last time we really fought? Not teased each other, but fought about something that didn’t involve her being in danger or being stubborn. Like normal siblings? Over something stupid or childish?”

  “Well, I really can’t remember that ever occurring,” Dr. Quimby admitted.

  Scott shook his head. “Me neither. I don’t think you have ever fought like normal kids. But then, you aren’t normal kids. What’s your point?”

  “My point is that we need to be allowed to have some kind of normalcy in our lives. The men know we are fighting to process our work. They don’t hear tantrums coming from the lab unless I provoke her and back her into a corner. You trained us to come out fighting, and she is doing what she has been taught. Even verbally, if you back her into a corner, what do really expect her to do? Lie down on her back and take it? That’s not how you raised us.”

  “Are you trying to tell us that she should be allowed to mouth off at us like she does, and to disregard the rules set in this family?” Dr. Quimby asked.

  Michael shook his head. “No Sir, not at all. What I’m saying is that her response should be viewed in proportion to her entrapment, that’s all. She’s got a different temperament than I do, and you can’t expect her to act the same. It’s not fair to her or to you.”

  “Or to you,” Scott reminded him. “I’m sure she has no problem in venting on you when she’s unhappy with us,” Scott smiled softly. “And sit down, you’re hurting my neck. When did you get so tall?”

  “Truthfully, Scott, I spend more time holding and comforting her than I spend listening to her complain. I’m her brother, but sometimes I feel more like a body-guard.”

  “You are that, my boy. What exactly are you asking of us?” Dr. Quimby questioned softly.

  “Just think about what I said when you go after her tonight. She’s terrified, with good reason, but also confused. Remember what I said. She doesn’t have the temperament I do and might not be so willing to grow up so fast. She’s still only 18 and has been through more hell than anyone three times her age. We need to give her a break.”

  “Are you done, son?” Scott asked. Michael nodded.

  “Scott and I will talk about your comments and points discussed. In the meantime, please go to your room and remain there until dinner. You are still on confinement,” Dr. Quimby said, leaning back on the couch.

  “Yes, Sir. Thanks for listening. Excuse me,” Michael said to his father, quickly leaving to obey. The two men looked at each other, trying not to laugh.

  “I told you he should have been an attorney,” Dr. Quimby grinned.

  “Maybe you were right. We’ve raised quite a nice, respectable young man, haven’t we? You also realize that the only reason he obeyed us regarding the confinement is to provide an example to his sister. He’s really too old to
ground now,” Scott chuckled, “so, what should we do?”

  Chapter 2

  Scott ventured up to his niece’s room while dinner was in the oven. He tapped on the door and opened it. She was sitting on her window seat with the windows opened wide, letting the warm salty air blow into the room. He sat next to her, looking at the view.

  “I love when the sun starts to set over the water. I never get tired of watching it,” her uncle said, twirling her long, auburn ponytail in his fingers. “Your brother had a talk with us about your fighting and mouthing off. He had some legitimate points. However, nothing warrants you being disrespectful to your family in either word or action. Today was completely unnecessary. Although I understand that you feel trapped at moments, but that does not warrant your attitude. Are you hearing me?’

  “Yes, Sir,” she whispered, still not looking at him.

  He gently moved her chin to look into his eyes. “You know that I expect you to look at me when I speak to you. Sam, honey, you don’t have to agree, ever. But communicate your disagreement in a manner that will allow us to assess your thoughts and make a conclusion. Our stupid Jenkins’ temper tantrums don’t cut it. Trust me. I'm speaking from personal experience,” he smiled gently, caressing her cheek.

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “I want you to say what’s on your mind this minute. Don’t pick your words, just watch your tone.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, go on.”

  She took a deep breath. “I’m scared shitless of what you are going to do to me. And what Daddy is planning. It’s not fair to be treated like this when I always get so many positive results with my research, plus I work so well with Mike in the field. We fight. He’s my brother, damn it, and if I wasn’t the only girl in a professional military family, we’d be allowed to fight like real brothers and sisters. Scott, I love you, but you are harder on me than anyone else in the command, including Mike. I hate it! I mean, you treat me like I’m a stupid child sometimes,” she said as she unsuccessfully fought back tears of frustration. Scott listened silently, wiping a tear from her nose. She continued.

  “I’m nothing like Michael. I can’t pick the right words or say them the right way when I’m cornered or mad. You both always try to make me be as good and perfect as he is and I never will be. I’ll never live up to your expectations and we all know it. It’s not who I am, no matter how hard I try.”

  Scott sighed, knowing that living in her brother’s shadow was probably her only insecurity, and it was a big one. He couldn’t blame her. Michael really was Mr. Perfect most of the time. “We are very hard on you, I agree. But you also know why. I can’t think of another girl your age who risks her life daily in the name of duty. Moreover, I don’t know one who is as smart, beautiful, or spirited and leaves herself open to being harmed by carelessness.

  “Girls your age drive cars, you fly helicopters. They swim in heated pools while you have free access to the open ocean and all the danger that comes with it. They have kitty cats. Honey, you have a freakin’ eight ton killer whale who could saw you in half with one chomp! While other teenagers are still in school or work as waitresses, you’re exposed to the evil in this damn world and face being shot and killed.” He took a breath, studying her before continuing.

  “Other girls fight with their brothers all their lives and can’t wait to leave those same brothers when they leave home. You fight with your brother, and the two of you invent yet another amazing device or make a scientific discovery. You can’t wait for another day to spend time with him. Do you understand? You need balance, and it isn’t there. I don’t know if it ever will be, but Dad and I are trying hard to let you be a kid as long as you can, despite your age and your circumstances. Part of that, needless to say, is facing the consequences of screwing up.”

  Scott held her tightly. “Let's try to look at this from strictly a military view point. Because of your diplomatic immunity, neither you nor Mike will have to pay the penalty that others of your responsibility or status do. Neither Dad nor I would, in good consciousness, choose to ignore your misdemeanors and let them slide. That would not be very responsible parenting. This means that we have to enforce our personal rules which, I believe, are very clear and not at all unreasonable. Why do you insist on making it so difficult on yourself by defying them?”

  “Why do you need to spank me? Normal girls just get grounded. Plus I’m an adult,” she sniffed.

  Scott hugged her, holding her hands. “One, it’s what we believe in. It’s done and over with, clean slate. Two, it’s humiliating. You need to have that humility to balance you, otherwise you would be an arrogant little jerk just like me,” he chuckled, “Three, it seems to be the only thing that gets through to you. I don’t know if it’s the pain, the humiliation or the fact you have someone stronger than you putting you back where you belong. Maybe all three. Whatever it is, it will continue because, for you, it works. We don’t care how old you are. Do you trust Mike when he adjusts your gear?”

  “Of course! Why would you even ask that?”

  “What reason do you have to trust him? Let’s face it, what he does could start a frenzy and get you killed.”

  “You’re making me mad. I never have any reason to doubt his competence or how he thinks,” Sam glared.

  Scott frowned slightly. “Why are you getting so defensive? I’m just asking a question.”

  “You are questioning his knowledge and ability to keep me safe out there. He would die before letting anything happen to me!”

  “Calm down, tidbit. I asked you the question to get you to think, not piss you off. You don’t ever need to defend him. If Dad and I didn’t feel the same, we wouldn’t let you be under his wing. You trust him with making decisions for you to keep you safe, right?”

  “Yeah…”

  “So why don’t you trust Dad and me to do the same? Do you think our decisions are any less important than Mike’s? Ours are just for personal, not just safety issues, and long term development.”

  Dead silence. Did she trust them? Of course she did, with her very essence. But she was terrified of them. She did not feel that same towards Michael. She admitted that reluctantly.

  “I understand. Answer one more scenario. If you were frenzied and got injured, let’s say a nasty bite that would heal, would you stop trusting Mike?”

  “No, of course not.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because if that happened, I knew it was an accident. Also, I know he would have been there to keep me from being hurt even worse. He would never let me face anything dangerous by myself. Oh…” she let voice die off as she paused. “That’s what you do, too. You’ve always been there for me, no matter what,” she quietly acknowledged.

  “Good, you got it. We want you to be able to trust us more than you are afraid of us. We would do anything for you, including give our lives. We've always been there for you and nothing has changed except that you are not under our constant supervision 24/7 any longer. That frightens us, especially given the recent events. We give you boundaries for a reason, not because we like telling you “no.” Do you understand?” Scott asked, kissing her cheek and standing. She nodded, facing the floor as he held out his hand to lead her to the edge of her bed. “Come, my love, you have two minutes of my undivided attention.”

  She silently obeyed, thoughts swimming in her mind. She felt ashamed, selfish, very young and immature. Without a word, she laid across his lap, hands on the floor, hair in her face. His large hand easily swept the shorts and panties from her rounded bottom and he adjusted his knee to make it a better target. He put the egg timer on the floor next to her.

  “You are going to learn one of these days, Samantha Anne, that when I issue you an order, I am serious about it. And one of my oldest instructions is that you are never ever to sass back to your elders. I am bound and determined that you learn that order once and for all, young lady," Scott lectured. "Even if it means that I have to spank you every single day."

&nb
sp; "Uncle Scott, I'm sorry. I really won't do it ever again. I swear I've learned my lesson."

  "I hope so. Same rules as always. No kicking, twisting , wiggling or reaching. I expect a show of obedience from you. Don't disappoint me. Two minutes, my dear. Set it when you are ready," Scott said patiently.

  Hesitating, she finally gathered the courage to start the timer. Scott’s hand fell in a quick rhythm, though not as sharp or fast as she expected the spanking to start. She clenched her teeth, trying with all her might not to move a muscle and keep perfectly still for him.

  "I'm going to make sure you won't be mouthing back to anyone after this. Let's revisit some rules. First, you are never to put yourself or your crew in that kind of danger again!" Scott stated as he began to reign down hard spanks directly to her sit-spots. "Second, you are never to talk back or cop an attitude with your elders. Third, you are never to disobey your brother when he is in a position responsible for your well-being! And fourth, you are never ever to experiment with yourself or do anything else that I don't approve of!"

  Sam tried not to kick or squirm, gritting her teeth as she squealed. "OooOWWWWW, I won't Uncle Scott, I promiseeee! I Prromiisssseeee!"

  "And if I ever catch you doing any of these things again, the spanking I am giving you right now will seem like a piece of cake!" Scott sternly informed her as he vigorously smacked his hand down over her entire bottom and upper thighs. "Furthermore, young lady, I will never ever stand by silently and permit you to intentionally endanger your life. You mean too much to me for me to allow that to happen! Got it?"

  Sam reached her hand back to block the smacks. "I'm sorry, Uncle Scott. Really! I'm s-sorry!" she stammered.

  "Samantha, move your hand," Scott ordered with disapproval as he swiftly covered her upper thighs with stinging slaps.

  "But it... hurtsssss," she hiccupped, tears streaming down her face. "And I'm... s-sorrryyyy!"

  "It's supposed to hurt," Scott riposted. "Now, move your hand, or do I have to get the ruler?"