The Simple Life

[Andrew Schmidt]

Andrew looked between his wife and the farm girl. Relief mostly swept over him as she was being friendly. He could only hope that she knew where his heart has and always would belong. No matter who he met, in the end, she was the only one to give him the thrill and challenge he needed. It was just surprising that she had chosen him in both life times.

"Yes, my sister is due at any time. Most likely with information on our next target. Discussion of that can happen a bit later."

He turned his attention to Andraste as she asked about the other member. He was the least favorite person of Max's for many, many reasons. Hopefully now, they would get along much better. Hard to say though most likely more things would break before they left.

"If you didn't see him than he might be off in the back field. One would need to be blind in order to miss him. I can go get him, if you want to talk with Zowie. I should get the new table that I have just about finished plus maybe put on a shirt. Eating on the floor could be nice expect for the ran over the night."

A boyish grin crossed his face at her approval. He had not know she had lived in a similar situation growing up. "Yes, plus we get to keep the ship near by. There maybe one or two hubs for travel further way from us. I shall leave you ladies to play nice as I take care of a few things."

He kissed his wife as he slowly let her hand go. If this was a dream, it was the best damn one he had in a long time. It would give him a chance to get his first surprise. Most gifts were made of wood as well as hand crafted by him. His hands were usually kept busy as it helped him stay calm.

He headed out of the little house with a large smile on his face. The world seem perfect now that he was whole once again. He worried what Andraste would ask Zowie and the possible punishment later. Maybe he could convince her tomorrow to start everything.

[Andraste Kerik-Schmidt]

Andraste listened and looked at Zowie. She was adorable and in her own way beautiful. She could see why she was attracted to Andrew and why she would want to pursue him. Andrew was a fire and when one stepped to close they were burned easily enough and walked away wounded. She knew Andrew wouldn't intentionally lead her on because he wasn't cruel but sometimes his nature that he used to use took hold and he didn't stop himself. Well he hoped she wouldn't be angry or disappointed but Andrew made a wonderful suggestion.

"You're used to eat off the floor Andrew. You remember the saberhounds right?"

She laughed and it was one that was sweet and musical, that was something that most people who knew her very well wouldn't have believed about her. She hadn't noticed the man they spoke of and that was interesting he must be either far away from the house since they said he was hard to miss or there was something to him that they didn't see. When Andrew left she looked at Zowie.

"I want to thank you for taking care of him. He can barely remember to comb his hair. Thank you again."

She looked at Zowie and smiled at her and rose to help her with getting dishes. She wasn't one to sit idle when there was work to be done. She had never been one to sit around.

[Andrew Schmidt]

Andrew had laughed at her joke. It was musical and much missed. They would be able to take on the whole army to go home. There was plenty of time to plan of what was needed.

He picked up his pace off to fields. He only offered to get the rather large menacing man to let the girls talk. In fact, he usually avoided Max when he could. It can be hard on such a small area. The light jog would do him good as he scanned the area. He glanced up to the sky, nothing shimmering on there. It was disappointing. He was rather nervous as Annabelle had not gotten back just yet.

He went from field to field. He figured the sooner he got back the better. It figured that the last field was where Max was located. He kept his distance as he waved at the man calling out, "Miss. Zowie has called us for lunch. Time to take a little bit of a break. Plus there is a guest she would like to you meet.

He chose his wording carefully. There was little that would be able to stop Andrew from getting pounded into the ground here.

[Zowie Cosmetatos]

She smiled as Andraste joined in the kitchen. She felt her cheeks warm slightly under her thanks. She was not used to having such kind words. Usually, she was stuck getting the house work done. It was as her uncle wanted. She tolerated it even though there was much more that she could be doing. She knew that he was protecting her, just being overly good at that.

"You're welcome. It was not too hard."

She would point out where the dishes and glassed where as she smiled back. She grabbed the food out as she made a little small talk, "It looks like Andrew still needs to bring the table in. Sorry about that. There was a bit of a fight the night before last. It seems that Max and Andrew got into a bit of a brawl."

[Max]

Max tuned at the sound of footsteps and dropped the shoulder full of fence posts he was carrying. The wooden thud hung the air only broken by Andrew speaking. His muscular body glistened in the midday sun from sweat. His shirt was on a fence post he had driven into the ground with the wooden mallet that ensured he didn’t break them. Max didn’t speak very often and went about his chores silently. He didn’t see a need to speak when you worked. The only time anyone heard him speak was when either Zowie or Galax asked him which field he was going to be planting or if he would like some water. That, coupled with his size, unnerved people. When Zowie went into to town to sell their surplus grain he went along. People tried to be dishonest and he ensured they weren’t going to give into their baser natures. He chose to speak today.

“She has...very well.”

He stacked the posts and grabbed his shirt off the fence post and walked up to Andrew.

“Who is this new person?”

[Andrew Schmidt]

Andrew was always impressed by the amount of weight that man could carry. It was one of the many reasons why he tried not to piss off Max. He would end up like a pancake. The thought crossed his mind if Andraste would help nurse him back to health. He shook his head, probably not as he would deserve the punishment for something.

What came as a greater shock, Max willing said a few words to him. Usually there was a lot of coaching involved. It made him wonder what was going on there. It was one of the very few people the twins could not read besides the fact he was Zowie's protector. The explanation most likely had to do with why they were here. There was a huge secret which would reveal itself in time. Normally, he would drag it out of them however they had bigger fish to fry.

He turned on his heel as soon as Max was beside him, "My wife has finally found me. I know, hard to believe, yet she knocked on the door this morning. Apparently she is having girl talk with Zowie. I believe her uncle is close at hand. I know how much you two hate her being out of eyes sight."

[Andraste Kerik-Schmidt]

She looked at her as she said it wasn't to hard to take care of Andrew. That was something that should make her laugh but she didn't see the humor in it. Well she may have in past but right now she wasn't sure she may see the humor in many things until this was done. She did however grace Zowie with another smile. Which was quickly replaced by a surprised look at Zowie.

"They what? A brawl? That isn't something that Andrew would do. He is more of a catch you on the flipside sort of person. You usually don't even know Andrew is mad at you, unless you know him very well."

It was funny and she gave a laugh at the thought of those two fighting. She wasn't so sure of the kitchen being the site of the the fight. Well there could be worse things, right?

"Who started it? You know I don't really want to know...they are both men and well they like to fight. I think that's the best answer. I couldn't honestly tell you without any more information."

[Max]

Max nearly stopped but absorbed the information without comment. It seemed that Andrew was either telling the truth or trying to get him to fall for something. He would remain silent while they walked. The man was slippery as an eel and twice as likely to bite him like a rabid dog if he wasn't careful. The thought of another woman around didn't bother Max at all. It meant that someone else would be the focus of Andrew's attentions. That pleased Max but his face didn't alter one bit. As they walked the black barn cat leapt onto Andrew's shoulder and sat there perfectly still.

"At least one other female seems to appreciate you."

His comment about about Zowie being under a set of eyes wasn't missed and he looked at Andrew a little bit strangely. He did know one thing and that was he didn't mind Zowie being unsupervised, just he wouldn't let her be alone with Andrew. It would be nice for Zowie to have another woman to speak with instead of being around him and her uncle all the time.

[Andrew Schmidt]

By now, he was used to the tall, silent man. He picked up the pace to a light jog. This did wonders for keeping in shape. He would especially need it now as training session would start back up with Andraste. She was tough, often challenging his battle prowlness. He honestly could only guess at what the two women were talking about. It worried him slightly.

He smiled as the black cat jumped onto his shoulder. He gave her a quick scratch behind the ears. The added weight slowed him down slightly as he kept pushing forward. He chuckled at the comment about another woman.

"It is my natural charm. Most creatures are drawn to my side." He gave a playful wink at Max, "If you trusted me a little more, I think the same would be true."

He could only guess at what the large man would think. His wondering eye would rest as it had but one being that captured it. There were a few points in time that he would push Max to be closer. The man was a looker when the shirt came off. He was not one to force another to be something they were not.

"I do think that you will enjoy Andraste. She tough and does not put up with any of my shit. She is a warrior who will train day and night. After all, we can not stay here forever. If we did, I am sure I would end up a pile of dust."

[Zowie Cosmetatos]

Zowie smiled back at the red haired woman. She was slightly taken back by the response about the fight. She really could not tell anyone when it came to Max and Andrew. She kept her distance as her uncle would break up the various fights. She sighed as she sliced the loaf of bread.

"Well maybe I misspoke. Things happen quickly with those two. It might have been a look or gesture. Who really knows? Andrew does amazing work with his hands..."

She paused as her cheeks grew warm. There was really not a good way to say this next part. She could only hope that Andraste did not take it the wrong way.

"He does wood cravings and builds furniture. Everything is sturdy. I honestly don't know when he finds time to do all of it between his chores and such."

[Max]

Max looked over at Andrew out of the corner of his eye. The man spoke of trust but he rarely divulged information about himself. That was a funny word coming from him.

“Yes most creatures are charmed by nonsense which dazzles them. I’m not them.”

That was a revelation that he had s wife and that she had finally found him. It seemed that word he tossed about earlier was something he wouldn’t give the man. He seemed to lust after everything and when convenient he mentioned his wife after she showed up. How very convenient and forthright.

“A wife? You don’t act like a married man. You act the opposite. I’m surprised she doesn’t lock you up. I would to keep you under control.”

He didn’t chuckle as he delivered most of his speech seriously. He listened and nodded as the farmhouse cake into view. They were nearly there.

[Andrew Schmidt]

He shrugged his shoulders as Max made his comment. He had a reputation that seemed to follow him where ever he went. It was something that he would often reveal in as well. It helped and hurt their mission at the same time. What Max would never guess is that there was something much darker under the surface. A beast within which those who saw were not left the same.

Lately, it would seem that the beast had found different ways to emerge. He might have been overly taken with Zowie. It was the innocent air and soft eyes that drew him in. His attention could now focus on the one person who fit into his life perfectly. This could mean that he would be able to off the planet or at least that is what he was hoping. There were people with secrets that he needed to talk with. A dark smile flashed as he turned his thoughts to the comment made.

"It is true. I may not act like it. As Annabelle and I raced across the stars, I thought that the worst might have perished. I may flirt more than my fair share to try and fill that hole. It has never gone past that. Like you, I have chosen the life of celibacy. However that will end. My hole in my life has been filled."

He paused before he said this next thing. It might get him into trouble. It was a state that he often found himself here. "I can always give you some pointers should you ever want to take the plunge with Zowie. After all, you would have to be blind not to see how attractive she is. You are rather protective of her which makes me think you have feelings for her...."

He trailed off as he waited for the response.

[Andraste Kerik-Schmidt]

She looked over at Zowie and could see the appeal. She was quite pretty and Andrew liked them either innocent, which made Zowie desirable to him, or like her. Tough but with a yielding that made the chase just as fun as anything else. She smiled at Zowie.

“I don’t believe you did and I can’t fault this Max I have yet to meet. Andrew does have a way of getting under people’s skin. He’s good like that. I don’t doubt he started it.”

The amazing work with his hands caused Andraste to stifle a laugh. She took it the way, and mental imagery of her and Andrew didn’t help, that she saw it in. When she elaborated she smiled and took the bowl of vegetables that Zowie had washed.

“He is good at things when he puts his mind to it. I never knew he liked wood working or furniture making. A hidden talent I shall have to exploit.”

She looked at Zowie and the color had faded and decided to ask her nicely. After finding out how she wanted the veggies prepared.

“How do you want these prepared? I know Andrew is rather fetching you know for Andrew and it’s fine you find him attractive. He is attractive. I don’t mean any disrespect but did you fantasize about him? I’ll be honest and tell you I did before we were together. He got in my head. That isn’t an easy feat. I’m willing to trade him for this Max if I find him appealing.”

She gave grin then a laugh.

[Zowie Cosmetatos]

A sigh of relief escaped Zowie as Andraste did not take offense to her word usage. She laughed as little as this woman knew her husband well. It matched with what Annabelle said all the time. For the most part, words that are exchanged between Andrew and Max got heated quickly.

"He has brought in a fair amount of money. Uncle sells Andrew's wares whenever he goes into town. The extra income is nice. He jokes that this hobby allows him to keep his hands busy."

She finished prepping some of the meat with a nice layer of seasoning. She turned up the stove to high. It would take but a few moments to warm up. She found quickly that Andraste was good company to have around. The extra pair of hands were nice.

"Lengthwise and then diced a little. They can be mixed for a salad."

Her cheeks grew warm at the next part. She tucked strains of her bangs behind her ear. It was almost like this woman knew. She was about to deny when she saw the smile. She laughed nervously as the woman did not mind her brief attraction.

"It is hard not to fantasize about Andrew. He just has this air about him. And Max is very nice to look at as well. He has a few rippling muscles...." She trailed off. There was something she would not admit to anyone. "I guess we can trade though I don't think Andrew will go for it. He is madly in love with you. Why do you say it is hard for someone to get into your head? What did you do before coming here?"

[Max]

That one statement stopped Max in his tracks. They were close enough to be seen through the open door of the kitchen. He took a deep breath and mastered his anger. This man was prying into things that were none of his business. He could let the flirting and such go but this was a personal thing that he would not let go.

"I appreciate the fact that you and your wife have been reunited, after you thought she was gone. There is much joy in your life now. I will however say that my relationship with Zowie is none of business. If you ever intimate anything again I will tear you apart with an efficiency that will surprise even your sister."

He took another deep breath and continued walking like he had never said anything. He wasn't going to be lectured by this man about how he should proceed with a relationship with another being. His bed was his own. It was how it was meant to be.