Night Games (34 page)

The Old One was almost preening. Now was the time to get out, while the getting was good. Pulling a reluctant Ally behind him, Brian left the bathroom.

The rest of the group still clustered around the stag. Cap was giving an unresponsive Jupe a few hearty backslaps, while Nebula was no doubt commenting on the puny qualities of stags who let a little gunshot wound stay them from their appointed rounds.

Ally and he rejoined the group.

Jupe fixed Brian with a somber gaze. “We have to talk.”

Brian nodded. “Ally, I—”

She touched his lips with her finger. “I understand. Go.”

Jupe followed him to the wagon. Once inside, they sat side by side on the bench seat. Their silence spoke of all the memories of so many years
together, all the sadness of knowing they'd never see each other again.

Jupe coughed, then spoke. His voice was unfamiliarly husky. “As soon as I get home, I'll make arrangements for someone to travel back to 1980 and put half your wealth into a Swiss account. It'll last you for the rest of your life.”

Brian nodded. He didn't seem able to get words past the lump in his throat.

“I'll invest the rest of your wealth for your kids.”

“Thanks.” He watched Jupe rise.

“I just wanted to say . . .” Jupe hunched his shoulders and finally met Brian's gaze. Jupe's eyes had a suspicious shine. “It's been a great fourteen years. There'll never be another one like you, kid.”

Brian rose and clasped him in a silent goodbye. Then Jupe walked to the door.

Brian knew there was one thing left to say. “Jupe.”

Jupe paused, but didn't turn around.

“I've done a lot of griping, but you have to know one thing.”

Jupe waited.

“You're the only father I ever had. Ally and I will name one of our children after you.”

“Hey, being named after a big ball of gas isn't so bad.” His reply was choked. He left and closed the door quietly behind him.

Brian sat and, unashamed, let the tears slide down his face. He cried for the first time since he
was six years old. He cried for the last time over a world he would never see again.

“Someone has to get her out of that bathroom. We have to go home now before someone from Liscannor comes looking for the monster.” Cap's good humor had given way to worry. No matter how much he might want to leave the Old One behind, league rules frowned on abandoning team owners in the past.

Brian stood with Ally in the darkness. They'd given the stag all day to recover its strength, and now it was ready to lead its clients home.

Ally tightened her grip on Brian's waist, as though she feared he might disappear into the growing mist with the others.

He chuckled. “Don't worry, babe. It's not going to happen. You're stuck with me.”

She looked up at him and smiled. “This reminds me of the night we met. Misty with a chance of rain.”

“Those are the best kinds of nights.” He slid his fingers through her hair. “Want to live here?”

“Yes.” Ally didn't waste words. “We can build a house right where the wagon is parked, with a great view of the ruins and the sea.” She stared into the darkness as though she were searching for something. “Maybe I'll get a horse. A dark horse with yellow eyes.”

He nodded. “
We'll
build our house. No Constructor. It's going back with Jupe to 2502 where it belongs.”

“In a short time, I'll have you all to myself. For the rest of our lives.” Her voice was soft, disbelieving.

Cap interrupted thoughts of lifelong love. “Okay, who's going in there?”

Nebula heaved an exaggerated sigh and cast Cap a contemptuous glance. “I will go.”

She hadn't taken a step before the bathroom door slowly opened. Everyone stared at the door.

Brian shook his head and grinned. Each was hoping the Old One had gotten over her fury. An angry Old One didn't make for a great traveling companion.

The Old One appeared in the open doorway.

Brian stopped smiling.

And watched dumbstruck as his mirror image strode toward him.

“She . . . looks exactly like
you.
” Ally was having trouble getting her words past her disbelief.

“Yeah.” Talk about stating the obvious.

As the new Brian Byrne stopped in front of them, Cap was the first to find his voice. “What the hell is this?”

“This is me recouping my losses, stupid. What do you think it is?” The Old One grinned. “The greatest talent in the universe still plays for the Sex Monarchs, and I pay myself his salary. Can't get better than that.”

Cap was left sputtering as the Old One turned to Jupe. “You can represent me.” The reborn Brian's grin was sly. “Just like you always have.”

Jupe could only nod.

The Old One's attention shifted to Brian and Ally. “This is great. I haven't been a male for over four hundred years. It'll take getting used to.” He shrugged. “But hey, I can do anything. Always have, always will.”

Brian frowned. “I liked you better as a cat.”

“Have you thought about hooking up with Nebula? You and she have similar life views.” Ally sounded intrigued.

Cap had finished sputtering and now was in full attack mode. “You won't get away with this. When we get back I'll tell—”

“You won't tell anyone.” The Old One's tone was scary in any form. “You can't prove anything. Every test will show I'm Brian Byrne. And when the tests are finished, the forty law firms I own will each sue your skinny butt for defamation of character.”

Cap huffed, puffed, then subsided. “I don't care who you look like, you'll be a bust. How many years has it been since you had sex?”

The Old One looked thoughtful. “Three hundred or so. But no problem. I pay people to get my players in shape.” The new Brian Byrne turned his gaze on Nebula. “
You
can get me in shape.”

Nebula looked somber, dedicated to duty. “My greatest challenge.”

The Old One didn't look sure if Nebula's statement should offend him. He evidently decided it wasn't worth getting bent out of shape over.
“Let's go home. Oh, and Brian,
Sexual Survivor
will start airing in about ten years. Keep in shape and you could blow away the competition.”

“I don't think so, Boss.” He smiled. The Old One wouldn't offer him advice if he wasn't forgiven.

Brian pulled Ally close to him as the small group of time travelers moved away, following the white stag into the mist.

Cap brought up the rear. Just before he disappeared, he turned one last time to fix Ally with his gaze. He smiled and winked. “I'm not as upset as I sounded. The Old One will never win the Monarchs a championship. Know why?” He switched his gaze to Brian.

“Because Brian Byrne was simply the best.”