Chapter 18

Kim's bump went down rapidly and she didn't develop any nausea or blurred vision so Asuna decided to show off her grilling skills for lunch and fed everyone while they were waiting for Linda to come back.

“So is your sister going to separate you now?” Gwen asked. “I mean my mom would never let my boyfriend spend the summer with us.”

Asuna shrugged as she chewed her cheeseburger. Swallowing she answered, “I dunno yet. She hasn't said really.”

Kim had already eaten two burgers and was assembling her third when she answered, “She didn't seem horribly surprised though and I know she's supposed to be keeping an eye on you until you leave for school...” Kim stops for a minute and since she was obviously thinking everyone gave her some time. “I think that's it. We are both going to be going to this place in the northeast and living there during the school year. And while I'm sure they separate the boys from the girls, I doubt they separate the girls from the girls.”

Maddie giggles, “Imagine if they tried!” Affecting a deeper voice she continues, “Okay, everyone who likes girls and is a boy in that dorm, and every girl that likes boys go to that one, now all the rest of you in to that dorm and we're going to make sure every gay girl rooms with a gay boy ...” she breaks into giggles.

Kim shakes her head, “Even that wouldn't work if you were Bi.” She giggled, “Anyway I bet we'd find a way if we needed one and she knows it too. So why come down hard on us now? She'll have to trust us come September anyway? She even said that at least she doesn't have to worry about Sue getting me pg.”

Gwen smirks, “So lesbian sex is the safest sex of all? Maybe they should teach that in all the schools then.”

Sue says, “Actually I hear they do have a separate dorm for LGBT students but I'm not sure how they hide that. At least I hope they hide it, it would be pretty awkward otherwise.”

“Ask Linda when she comes back,” Gwen replied. “Great burgers by the way.”

“Thanks,” Asuna said. “And yeah, I guess worrying about that now is a bit silly.” She finishes putting together Kim's burger, “Here, you need to replace all those calories you just burned up healing and building up all that muscle.”

Kim blushes but bites into it, “Thanks, I feel like a cow for eating this much but I can't deny I'm still hungry.”

Asuna grins back, “And as you always tell me, you're too pretty to starve.”

“Wow,” Lindsay says, “you've been flirting hard.”

Kim swallows and argues, “I have not been flirting! I've been seduced by her cooking and flattery. It was never my idea!”

“You took you top off less than thirty minutes after meeting me!” Asuna replied.

“Ha!” Kim said triumphantly. “I knew you had a crush on me at first sight! You should have kissed me then you big coward instead of waiting a week.”

Asuna just gaped at her then sighed, “Oh, just eat your burger Kim.”

“So when are you making me steak and lobster?” Kim asked. “And what about jewelry?”

“If you can convince Linda to buy steak and lobster I'll cook it. As for jewels you'll have to wait until I start getting paid at least. Are you the high maintenance sort?”

The other girls laughed and nodded, “Yes!”

Kim pouted, “Why? Tired of me already?”

“Never,” Asuna said hugging her. “I'm just wondering how much of my salary I'll need to budget for you. I'm sure you're worth it regardless.”

“Still too easy to tease but you're growing on me,” Kim said leaning against Asuna's arm and sighing. “Save my life a few more times and I'm yours.”

Asuna put an arm around Kim's shoulders, “I hope I never have to do that again but that's okay I can think of a few other things to try.” She kissed Kim's forehead, “I'm glad you didn't change like I did. You're perfect just the way you are.”

Gwen nodded, “Yeah, most mutants at least get an eye color change. You apparently had a very stealthy manifestation. If you hadn't been in a bikini I don't think even we would have known.”

“Really?” Kim said perking up. “I look the same? Lopsided breasts notwithstanding?”

Gwen nodded, “I've known you as long as either of us can remember and in a suit or school uniform I doubt I could tell.”

Kim pumped a fist in the air, “Woot!” She started doing a victory dance and blurred then fell over.

Asuna caught her as she fell and plopped her back in her chair, “I think, until you get the hang of that, you'll have to start moving more carefully.”

Kim giggled, “That's two! One more save and you get another kiss.” She was clearly planning on ignoring the advice.

“Yeah?” Asuna asked rolling her eyes. “The way you're going I'm not worried but just hypothetically, what would you do if I stole one?”

Kim wrinkled her nose, “Well as long as you make sure you don't have morning breath I might approve. You'll just have to try it and see.”

Asuna blushed, “Oh god, I hope my breath didn't stink. It wasn't too bad was it?”

Kim just giggled.

“Couldn't have been,” Lindsay said. “Or she would have pulled away earlier instead of after being caught.”

The five girls chatted as the coals slowly die in the barbecue grill and as the sun starts to set Asuna gets up, “Stay seated Kim. I'm just going to see what I can make for dinner. I want to have something ready for when Linda gets here.”

A voice comes out from inside the house, “A nice idea but a little late. Any burgers left over from the barbecue I smell?”

“No, sorry. We ate them all,” Asuna replies. She walks in and whispers, “I think we might have to go shopping more often if Kim's appetite is going to stay like this but try not to mention it please. She's a bit sensitive about it.”

Linda nods, “I can call for pizza. How many do you think we'll need?”

“Make it four if the girls can stay for dinner,” Asuna replies.

“Okay, you go ask them. I'll tell you all my news once I've placed the order.”

Later over pizza Linda explained, “I'm sorry but I'll need privacy for a bit after dinner. Security and all you know. I'm sure Kim will call you when she gets home tomorrow and we can eat dinner together again and gossip. Sorry if it seems I'm giving you the boot. Do any of you girls need rides home?”

They all agreed they could use one since it was now dark out and Linda drove them all home while Kim and Asuna talked and decided that Linda must have gotten testing scheduled for tomorrow.

Linda confirmed that when she came back, “Kim you've been okayed for testing tomorrow starting at eight a.m. And you'll be getting a federal scholarship to Whateley. The official reason is to make sure you learn enough control so that you aren't outed as a mutant and possibly interfere with my ability to go undercover.” She shrugged, “That's not how it actually went but we needed an official reason to put on file.”

Asuna nodded, “I can see it. If you are known to have a sister who is a mutant then it would be harder to pretend you have antipathy towards them for a job.”

Linda nodded, “Technically yes, but if I was undercover they wouldn't know she was my sister anyway. I called in a few favors.” She shrugged again, “It's not like any of them wouldn't do the same for their families so it didn't take any real arm twisting. Just make sure you are awake and ready to go on time and remember not to flirt with Zero.”

Asuna giggled, “I remember him.” She looked at Kim, “He's the one who was watching internet video of my naked fight with the wannabe vampire and recognized me from it. He was very helpful but more than a little freaky.”

Kim made a face, “Ugh! I gotta deal with pervy geeks?”

“No,” Linda said firmly. “I'll be with you so you won't have to deal with him and I'm sure he'll be on his best behavior.” She didn't sound especially sure of that last part but Kim cheered up some.

“Um, I know you'll be chaperoning but between Zero and the creepy lab guys maybe I should come too?” Asuna asked. “As moral support if nothing else. Unless that's not allowed or something. I can just hangout here by myself and watch TV I guess.”

Linda replied, “Well if you want to come along I have good news then.” She smiled, “The 'creepy lab guys' want you back for another ultrasound scan. They want to see how far developed your new uterus and ovaries are and if they're attached to anything else yet.”

Kim looked surprised and Linda blushed, “I told you not all of my plumbing was hooked up yet. I'm not even sure I want it to be. The idea of having a period is pretty scary to tell you the truth.”

Kim hugged her, “Yeah it was for me too. I'll help when the time comes. Trust me, I've got your back.”

Asuna hugged back, “Thanks!”

They spent the rest of the evening watching Tenchi Muyo DVDs then went to bed early.