Sunday Snippet: Finding Calm

Well, July is off to a banging start. Heat wave, the holiday weekend, and a lot of things converging at once. I've been a little off also. Not sure if it's menopause hormones or just general fatigue, but it's been a long week.

We should get a bit of relief from the extreme temperatures when some rain moves through over the next few days. I'll welcome the lower heat indexes.

Work is staying busy. I had a couple of great calls with potential author clients, and I'm excited to see where those go. I have project that shifted to the back burner that needs attention this week, hopefully tomorrow. I also had a project that might be coming back … again. It's the one that won't die, but thankfully, the revisions are all author requests and nothing concerning the edits. Whew. Moved a few smaller things in and out, which is always fun to break up the week. Almost finished with a manuscript proofread of a thriller that has a lot of twists and turns. I need to finish a written assessment on a read through of the opening book to a five-book series sometime this week also.

Had an okay viewing week. Didn't quite make it all the way through my usual shows but didn't do terrible either. I think the heat makes it hard to focus on more than one thing so the entertainment took a back seat to my work projects.

Started the week with another behind-the-scenes bonus episode of Foyle's War. This one focused on the historical recreations for the final episode and I thoroughly enjoyed the interviews.

Caught another episode of Tales of Irish Castles. We're into the seventeenth century, which apparently saw a lot of upheaval.

Finished up the second half of Silent Witness. Again, very interesting how closely related to reality this season has been. I also think I'm liking how there seems to be an overarching thread that's following through all the episodes. That's not really standard or hasn't been for this series.

Watched another episode of Poirot and enjoyed the twists and turns. I love it when Poirot questions what he sees with his own eyes to solve the mystery.

Elementary had a great episode. Seeing the fallout from Shinwell's actions is interesting and I kind of hope there's some redemption there. The case itself ended up being really twisty and wildly bizarre as well.

That's all I had time for this week and that's it for the life update. Tonight's post is from Finding Calm, a novella that explores a character's journey to discover their happy place.

Here's the miniblurb:

Hank and Sunny have danced around finding happiness together so many times. Sunny botches it and learns a hard lesson at the hands of a crazed kidnapper. She finally wants to meet Hank on equal footing, but the timing never seems right. Surely her cosmic bad luck has to take an upswing sooner or later.

And a sneaky peek…

Hank patiently awaited the transpo's landing. Okay, not patiently, but he attempted to display something close. At least the gnawing pit in his gut couldn't be seen.

"Thank the universe for small favors."

He'd go straight to the gym and work out all the deeply coiled tension—as soon as Sunny landed. He welcomed the kick of anger thinking of her brought. It took the edge off the horror of finding her on the planet and wanting to forget everything she'd done, to rush forward, gather her close, and never let her go.

The kid had stopped him.

Hank had no idea who the little girl belonged to, but Sunny could be her mother. The similarities in facial structure made him look twice. The only problem? Sunny didn't have a daughter. Hank had known Sunny too long and had too much history with her for a child to have been hidden away.

"Whoever that kid is, she's got her hooks into Sunny."

The transpo entered the landing bay and slowly lowered to the hangar deck. The knots in his shoulders grew taut and Hank braced for impact. The bird would sit for less than five minutes before deboarding would start.

Whether he liked it or not, Sunny Gage would soon be back in his orbit.

Had there ever been a time when she didn't affect him? He scrolled through his memories and decided there hadn't been. At times he'd hated her.

His head jerked back. "No, not her. I hated what life did to her." And what life did to them.

Because underneath everything … each step forward, every slide back, and all the moments in between … he loved her more than anything.

Even if he couldn't have her.

His heart rate increased when the transpo grew closer with its slow-motion descent. The whirr and hiss of the hydraulics drowned out the thumping pulse in his ears. And his gut churned with trepidation and yeah, the dark anticipation of setting eyes on her again.

His mouth twisted in a grimace. "When am I gonna stop doing this to myself?" Soon … very soon.

For his peace of mind, he planned to see her make it off the ship. After that, he'd walk away and let her figure out where she fit with her return. He'd done his bit when they found and freed her from her high-end prison.

Anything else would have to come from her.

This story is a journey that I love writing. Sunny is such a challenge but also a joy.

 

That's it for this week. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye

Sunday Snippet: Finding Calm

The first week of June is in the books and I got a big chunk of my garage cleaned out, which makes me very happy.

Work projects are moving along and I'm hoping to line up another project or two in the near future. I love a full calendar!

I had a decent week of television even with the great garage cleanout. I'm not up to my regular schedule yet and I'm actually okay with that.

I finished up the second half of Silent Witness and actually liked the kind of twisty ending it had. Lots of red herrings in this episode.

Started a watch of Death in Paradise. I've never seen this series from the actual beginning and I'm excited to dive in.

Caught another episode of Only Murders in the Building and I loved having some Mabel backstory. The fact she loved The X-Files as a kid makes me so happy.

Continued my rewatch of Battlestar Galactica. "Resistance" is such a great episode … with the exception of introducing a character I absolutely disliked with intense passion.

Watched an episode of Classic Rugrats. The two segments were ones I had forgotten and I'm always happy to watch those.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Finding Calm, a novella that brings a couple together after a rough journey apart.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Hank and Sunny have danced around finding happiness together so many times. Sunny botches it and learns a hard lesson at the hands of a crazed kidnapper. She finally wants to meet Hank on equal footing but the timing never seems right. Surely her cosmic bad luck has to take an upswing sooner or later.

And a sneaky peek…

Sunny flipped down through the pages, skimming the information and got very angry. "Apparently I have almost perfect genes and they want to splice them with different matches to see if a superior human can be made." The sinister reason made bile rise in her throat and she covered her mouth to keep it from escaping.

No way would she allow the insane enemy to get their hands on anything that could help them turn the tide in their favor. Sickened, she slowly and quietly made her way out of the room and edged along the corridor wall toward the doors marked Laboratory. The journey took longer than she wanted, but it hurt to move. More than she'd ever admit to anyone.

She eased the lab door open and found the area empty and eerily silent. A small row of ambient lights cast just enough brightness for her to find her way around. She discovered cloning notes, harvesting charts, and finally, ovaries, lots of samples. One with her name on the label. She destroyed hers with a test tube clamp and, for good measure, took out all the others also. The noise set off an alarm and she had to get out, crunching over broken glass in her bare feet to make her exit. Once outside the lab, she grabbed an extinguisher, the only thing close to a weapon she could find and fought her way out of the building.

Stumbling halfway to the empty field behind the makeshift hospital, she crawled, skinning up her knees and ravaging her hands. She made it to the edge and found cover in the tall brush but snagged her arms in the process. Bruised and bleeding, she stopped to rest, and pray the stitch in her side didn't mean her wound had opened up again. A hand grabbed her from behind and she bit down hard and spun around, ready to take on her attacker.

"Sunny, calm down. It's Josh. I can get you out of here. Come on."

She didn't hesitate. She looped her arm around his neck and let him pick her up. He melted back into the shadows and managed to avoid the flood lights streaming in intervals all over the back field. Once they made it to the far edge, he sat her down and caught his breath.

Sunny fought the wave of nausea the pain from her injuries brought. "Thanks, Josh. Now what?" If they didn't move soon, they'd be caught.

And she would not go back to that creeptastic hospital—at least not alive.

Josh's gaze scanned the surrounding area. "I found a ship that can get us off the planet … but I can't fly." He blew out a frustrated breath. "And the crew doesn't have a captain, which means they're arguing with each other to figure out what to do next."

Sunny closed her eyes, relief filling her. "No worries. I'm a pilot. I can fly pretty much anything." As long as she stayed conscious anyway.

Josh crouched down. "Come on then." He turned and put his back to her. "Up you go."

Sunny draped her arms over his shoulders and wrapped her thighs around his waist. Her body ached and throbbed with pain but with escape imminent she'd endure for as long as she had to.

Sunny has some issues that need to be worked through and Josh ends up being part of those issues because he's not Hank.

 

That's it for this week. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye

Sunday Snippet: Finding Calm

The Walking Dead returns tonight and I'm torn between wanting to watch and not. I'm feeling very bleh today and might hold off and watch later.

The Flash is getting good. Not that it wasn't already, but I like how much they've upped the stakes and how the Flashpoint 'verse continues to bleed into the current reality.

Legends of Tomorrow also keeps getting better. And it's renewed for season three, which makes me very happy. I'm gutted over Rip becoming a marginalized version of his former self. Here's hoping that changes soon.

Arrow finally had some payoff for the bitchtastic reporter. Oliver just can't pick 'em. I do love the addition of Dinah and look forward to her interactions with the team. Rene and Quinton made me so happy. I love the dynamic there.

Riverdale again had a terrific show. The Betty and Veronica, B & V, team-up kicked major ass and seeing Alice get punched in the face made me happy. I'm kind of hoping we'll get to see what makes her such a harpified menace. Can't wait for this week's episode.

And that's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Finding Calm, a sexy short about reuniting with the one person that makes life complete.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Hank and Sunny have danced around finding happiness together so many times. Sunny botches it and learns a hard lesson at the hands of a crazed kidnapper. She finally wants to meet Hank on equal footing but the timing never seems right. Surely her cosmic bad luck has to take an upswing sooner or later.

And a sneaky peek…

Josh mistook the four-day tryst as more and wanted to hop the station when Sunny disembarked. She tried to be as gentle as possible, letting him down. She had a life to get back to and he couldn't be part of it. She left him behind without much of a thought, her mind back on her job and Hank. She needed to see his face, after hearing his voice. Tuned out the niggling drone of reason and went with her heart. Caught sight of Hank heading toward her in the empty landing bay and rushed into his open-armed embrace. He picked her up and spun her around like a whirlwind. She laughed and it felt so damned good.

He set her back on her feet. "It's good to see you."

She grinned and the gesture felt foreign. "What about quarantine?"

Hank scowled. "Screw it. If they find anything in sickbay they can keep me with you." He wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "Besides, someone will have to keep you from driving the med team insane."

Sunny reached up and twined their fingers together. "And you volunteered? What's the occasion?"

Hank got serious. "I missed you. When we thought you'd been lost—" He didn't finish the statement.

Probably a good thing. Sunny didn't know if she could handle deep emotion at the moment.

She let him lead her toward sickbay. "I've got intel. Need to debrief."

He nodded. "As soon as you get checked out."

She tensed. "And if they find something wrong?" Her mind went to the second scar she'd discovered.

Hank shrugged. "You'll go in the Iso-Unit and they'll debrief you there."

Sunny stopped walking, halting their progress. "They? Where are you going to be?"

He cracked a sheepish grin. "My guess? The brig. I don't exactly have permission to be here."

His admission warmed her. "You're an idiot. I'm not important enough for you to buck protocol." She started down the corridor again.

He frowned. "Yes, Sunny, you are." He grabbed her shoulder and tugged her to a stop. "Look, you've been through a bitch of a time. I couldn't let you come back to an empty landing bay. We're family and that just doesn’t happen."

Sunny thought about chastising him, but couldn't. It meant a lot to her that he'd been there. Probably more than it should… and she loved him for it.

Her stomach did a ridiculous flip flop. She loved him. Loved him, loved him.

The knowledge bowled her over. It could never work, not really. But sure felt nice to think about for a while.

Hank preceded her into sickbay. "Doc. I've got your favorite patient on my heels."

Doctor Gearhart shook his head. "Oh no. What've you gone and done, Major?" He swept a curtain back and ushered both into an alcove. "You're not supposed to have contact until she's cleared." Gearhart shot Sunny a blistering glance.

Hank stepped up. "Look, Doc. She didn't set off any of the sensors for immediate isolation, so what's the harm?"

The doctor lifted a brow. "Did you go off and get a medical degree when I wasn't looking?" He handed Sunny a patient smock and thrust one in Hank's direction.

Hank blushed but stood his ground. "You're really gonna make me go through quarantine, too?"

The doctor smiled. "Damned right I am. Drop trou, Major. And be quick about it." He waved to one of his med team. "Gonna have to have full decon initiated of this alcove and the corridor you used to get here." He exited the alcove, muttering about stupidity and insanity.

Sunny chuckled. "I have a feeling you're going to be present during my debrief after all." She shucked her pants and lifted her shirt over her head.

Hank shrugged. "Guess it's better than spending time in the brig."

Sunny laughed. God, she'd missed him.

I'm having a lot of fun with this one.

That's it for this week. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye

Sunday Snippet: Finding Calm

March 31, 2013

Happy Easter to those who celebrate. And I hope yours is warmer than mine. Can't really complain, though. At least the temp broke fifty degrees today. LOL

Had a good dinner of ham, au gratin potatoes, cheddar biscuits, and green beans. Now letting my food settle before attempting to watch the Walking Dead finale tonight. J

Today's post is from Finding Calm, a story about Sunny's journey to find some calm in her life. And not to create her own brand of chaos.

Here's the tagline:

Hank and Sunny have danced around finding happiness together so many times. Sunny botches it and learns a hard lesson at the hands of a crazed kidnapper. She finally wants to meet Hank on equal footing but the timing never seems right. Surely her cosmic bad luck has to take an upswing sooner or later.

And here's the sneaky peek…

Sunny Gage sat, her eyes darting around the last transpo off the planet, trying to take everything in. She noted the people on the flight, most of whom she hadn't seen in months. Not since she'd been taken by Connor Rathburn and lived a nightmare. They pretty much looked like she felt…on the outside. Nobody could feel what she did under the surface. And they shouldn't. She wouldn't wish it on her worst enemy.

And she had a few of those.

Reality kicked in and now that she didn't have to live in fight or flight mode against Connor, her hands shook and her body trembled. Hell of a time to start feeling wobbly. Months. She'd spent months with the man—no, thing—artificial intelligent being, her emotions running the gamut. But the last two weeks, she'd amazed herself by portraying a quiet, rational woman. One who'd accepted her fate and would play nice.

Right before she jabbed the meat fork in Connor's jugular. Or where the vein should have been, if he'd been human. Didn't matter. She'd hit key circuitry and ended his bizarre version of playing house with her.

And even though she’d had time to catch her breath…everything still seemed a little dreamlike and fuzzy and she wondered if the last few hours actually happened. Her mind ran the gamut of events leading up to the escape…

Connor dead. Again.

The nightmare of waking up to find a new model in his place…over.

Bern II…a bust.

But her little girl? Safe.

Sunny hugged the child perched on her lap closer. The poor kid had witnessed Sunny's display of quiet madness. Freaked out until she realized Connor didn't bleed. That he proved to be different. Didn't mean Celia wouldn't need buttloads of therapy to get over the sight of her mother killing the thing she called father.

Her rescue and escape had to be too good to be true.

Had to be.

She shook her head. No, all true. She couldn't be dreaming because Josh stood off to the side…staring at her like she’d disappear if he blinked. She wished she felt the same, but six months in the hands of the enemy beat her down. Made her angry.

Where the hell had Josh been? Other prisoners achieved freedom through a barter system. Information, goods, sex. All used to buy loved ones back. But not Josh. He had to know, probably on a level buried deep, her heart didn't belong to him. She'd married him to save herself…from herself. And to save Hank from her.

She held a large part back, didn't let the marriage become too real. Maybe she felt the effects of that now. It added to the surreal feeling she couldn't quite shake. Like she might still be back on that stupid planet and hadn't truly escaped the nightmare. But the full load of people in the transpo all looked real…ragged and worn…but real. Headed for home and almost afraid to believe it, Sunny closed her eyes. Home. Her real home. Could she really go back?

Celia convinced her. Soft blond curls tickled under her nose from the head lying on her shoulder. The little hand that reached for and grabbed onto her finger sold it. Celia would need stability. And time to understand they were finally free.

No more being held captive.

No more fighting to stay sane.

No more obsessive Connor models trying to convince her of a ‘special’ destiny.

Gods it felt good.

What didn't feel very good? Sunny had to face Hank…really face him…and his tone during their last conversation, when he'd blown the door to her pristine prison, indicated she shouldn’t expect a warm reception. She fought back the nervous roiling in her stomach, happy to see they were next in line to land. Everything else aside…good to be home. And…Sunny would be cool, calm and collected when she docked aboard the ship…

Right. Who the hell did she wanna kid? She’d never truly be any of those.

But she’d try hard now.

For Celia.

The poor kid already had the misfortune of having a bad mix of DNA. Sunny had to make sure Celia didn't pay the price for it. Her own childhood, full of abuse, made her that much more determined Celia never suffered for who her parents were. Anyone…anyone who tried to make her feel less than human would have to get through Sunny first.

She wished she'd had someone to do the same for her.

Except someone had…

Hank Moreno.

And she'd spit in his face for the effort.

Poor Sunny. She'll have a long road ahead of her to find the peaceful calm zen she wants.

That's it for this week. Catch everyone on the flip!

ML Skye