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Passion Ch. 4- Sailing With the Hudsons	By : AchtungNight Category: Celebrities - Misc > Threesomes/Moresomes Views: 334 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I have no connection to any celebrity in this fictional story other than fandom. I expect no financial profit from this story.

Chapter List
- 1-Passion Ch. 4 Sailing with the Hudsons
- 1
Passion #4: Sailing With the Hudsons
by AchtungNight
Standard disclaimer- This story is a satirical fantasy. It is fictional, even though its plot and characters are based on real events and people. All characters based on real people are fictionalized. All celebrities in the story are impersonated — poorly. I, the author, have no actual connection to any celebrity mentioned in this story other than being their fan, and I acknowledge that they do not act in real life the way my characters based on them do. I did not write this tale for financial profit and I expect none from it. This story contains controversial adult themes and situations, so it should not be read by those who are close-minded or under age 18.
Intro: Welcome, readers. This story is part of a series that burned me out a while back. The burnout is over now and I have resumed writing. Time and the responses of readers have made some changes in my original plans but the story retains the same themes. This chapter is one of the two left to publish. I thank all who have aided me in completing it and getting through the burnout. I appreciate all my fans and friends. I also appreciate feedback. Please send all you can.
Some notes on this story. First, this is not just an erotic fanfic. It is also a coming-of-age philosophical allegory. I recognize that stories such as this are not often found in this genre but I do not think that means I should put aside my vision. I believe this story is one that needs to be told.
All opinions expressed within this story are mine. My goal in expressing them is no more than tolerance, writing a good plot and honoring my characters. I always try to maintain the utmost respect for the people behind my characters even if my definition of respect sometimes differs from the most common one. If what I write offends you, you are free to send me feedback about it and discuss things. I pride myself on my open compassionate mind. I also try to give attention to both sides of a controversial issue whenever I write a story about one. This tale is one of those.
Second note: I am aware that some of the music in this story may not have been around at the same time in real life. This music works to get readers into the characters, though, so I have changed history a little for my fictional story and included this music. You don't need to correct me on this detail.
Third, with this story I drop the flashback format I used in the previous 'Passion' chapters. It just didn't work for this one. I don't think anyone will miss it that much.
If you want an order in which all my Erika stories can be read chronologically, try the following: "Passion Ch .1-3" (keep in mind these stories also have scenes that take place after "The Rendezvous"), "Passion Ch .4" (this story), "The Rendezvous", "Closer Than Six Degrees", and "Rekindled". You don't have to read any of these other stories first to get this one, but you can if you want to be keyed in to plot elements on which this story does not concentrate. You can also read the connected stories "Inside Out" and "The Beijing Streakers" for more information on the Friendship.
There will be a final "Passion" chapter that takes place after all these other stories that will resolve the dangling threads and the conflict of Erika vs. her religion's most famous zealot. I hope all will look forward to it. Let's get the final necessary developments out of the way first.
Los Angeles, California. March 2002.
"Welcome to Hollywood!"
The Rastafarian grinned, opening his arms to all around him. "Everybody who comes to Hollywood's got a dream! Some dreams come true, some don't." He pointed at random people on the street around him. "What's your dream? What's your dream? Hey, pretty woman! What's your dream?"
"I'm still figuring that out," Erika Christensen replied with caution. The man was one of many strange people moving around her on Hollywood Boulevard. He nodded at her answer and then moved on with his ever-present toothy smile.
"What's your dream? Hey mister! Hey! What's your dream?"
Erika ran a hand through her long golden curls and hurried to catch up with her two companions. Like them, she was dressed casually in a bright-hued blouse and skirt that highlighted her voluptuous bust and firm legs. Her hair tumbled down her back and around her cherubic face and indigo eyes. Her porcelain skin gleamed in the streetlights. Several of the ladies of the night walking the Boulevard had been giving her harsh looks throughout the evening. Erika ignored them as best she could.
She wasn't getting nearly as many harsh looks as her companions. The taller and older of the pair, Kate Hudson, looked like a Greek goddess with her bony statuesque features and white alabaster flesh. Straight blonde hair a shade lighter than Erika's hung about her shoulders. She appraised the people walking past them with sky blue orbs behind sunglasses, casting a cool smile at anyone who looked back.
The other girl, Sarah Hudson, was a shapely woman with a handsome face and deep makeup. Long brick red hair accented her hazel eyes and laughing smirk. Any woman who stared at her received an answering look of challenge. So far, that look had also frightened off a few guys.
Oh well, Erika thought, the guys in question didn't seem like much anyway. The night's still young. If it goes sour, we can always head home and have fun with each other.
"You see these stars on the sidewalk?" a scantily clad skank asked, stepping into their path. She pointed at several other girls with her. "This is our turf, bitch!"
"We're not hookers," Kate coolly informed the skank. "Far be it from us to steal your business."
"Don't fuck with us," Sarah added with a glare. The hookers nodded and backed off. Kate and Sarah walked on.
I wish I could give them some advice; Erika paused in thought, looking at the prostitutes. So many of these girls have such messed-up lives, I would try to help them if they'd listen to me. I know people don't always appreciate help, though. I don't think it would be appreciated here.
She smiled at the hookers and several flashed her upraised middle fingers that confirmed her conjecture. Erika sighed and tucked her Scientology cross pendant out of view under her blouse as she headed away.
"Just ignore them," Kate advised her. "Those whores give Sarah and me trouble every time we come down this way. People like them are the main reason I've donated thousands to clean this area up."
Erika nodded. She did the same with the money she earned as an actress. It's working, she thought, looking around at the Boulevard. The people on this street look mostly content here in the week before college spring break. The crooks of this area are still evident but there aren't nearly as many as when I last walked the Boulevard. That's good. This is L.A.'s main thoroughfare of the arts. It has the Walk of Fame and many theaters and restaurants. I don't appreciate that it also has crime.
A large black van drove past, making her feel better. Kate's adopted father and another man were inside the vehicle watching over the girls and patrolling the area. Erika had requested their presence. I have a bad feeling about tonight, she had told Kate and Sarah. You never know what will happen. Sometimes pepper spray and fast feet aren't enough. It was Erika's first time picking up guys with them on the Boulevard, so the other two women had acquiesced to her demand.
Erika was nineteen years old. Kate and Sarah were in their early twenties. Erika had met them while filming a movie with Kate's mother Goldie Hawn. "The Banger Sisters" was a comedy about two best friends who reunited in the present after sleeping with dozens of rock stars in the 1960s. One of them, Goldie, was still into the groupie lifestyle. The other, played by Susan Sarandon, had settled down in the suburbs and become a mother of two. Erika played the older daughter whose drunken prom night revelry brought Goldie back into Susan's life.
In reality, Susan and Goldie had known each other for decades. Geena Davis, one of Erika's mentors as an actress and sexual being, had introduced Erika to them. Some months ago, Erika had discovered she was bisexual and wanted to be a happy swinger. Geena had pointed out Susan and Goldie as the two most experienced female celebrity swingers she knew. They had both grown up during the sexual revolution and first become famous in Hollywood during the 1970s and 1980s. If anyone could teach Erika to manage swinging and the acting career she also wanted, it was them.
Geena's "Thelma and Louise" co-star, Susan, had been thrilled to meet Erika. She had admired Erika's work playing an addict in the anti-drug thriller "Traffic" and gotten her a similar part in "The Banger Sisters". Both Susan and Goldie were veteran actresses who lived with common-law husbands. Erika had learned they were also still living the 1960s free love movement in the new millennium. They were decades older than Erika, though, so they did not find themselves attracted to her. She had shrugged that off and accepted the inspiration and advice they offered instead. Goldie had also introduced Erika to two girls her own age who wanted the same lifestyle as Goldie and Susan had: Goldie's niece Sarah and her daughter Kate.
Kate was a new famous face in Hollywood. Recently she had wowed critics in the drama "Almost Famous". Her role as a rock groupie named Penny Lane had won her an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe. She was married to a musician but both lived open sexually. Her cousin Sarah was a year younger and starting a rock music career. She managed a small record label and produced several albums for herself and other artists. Both girls had grown up in Hollywood like Erika. However, their childhood had been far more open than hers had.
Erika had grown up sheltered. Her parents kept her isolated and home-schooled her when she wasn't attending classes for her religion. Acting was her only escape and she had become further excited about it as she grew more adept. Where is this going, her family would often ask as they watched her star in commercials and small press movies. Erika had answered them when she got multiple awards for her performance in "Traffic" and then embarked on a movie star's life.
I will always want this life, she told herself, thinking back on it. Never have I been that content with myself. I've always been told I'm a point of light, a supreme being who just needs to awaken the powers inside her the way I'm shown. I never have seen that working perfect, though. I know that when someone says they have all the answers they are always misinformed or lying. However, I can't tell them that. They get mad at me if I do. It's far better to be someone else, someone other than me. I love other people too much to forever step outside their lives.
Fame had not been easy. At first, Erika was not comfortable with the world outside her church and family. Life's lessons had hit her fast and hard. Scientology preached self-reliance but it was also big on motivating its followers to seek nothing other than its teachings as guidelines for development. Erika had always somehow known that was wrong.
Watching many of her friends turn away from the church over the years had supported her doubts. She was confident she would never leave the church herself, as she accepted the basic beliefs and would always be grateful for the things her religion had taught her about communication and emotion. However, Erika knew she did not want to be forced to live a life that was in but not of the real world.
I know our mistakes too, she pondered, recalling the anger the hookers had shown her. I have to be careful about voicing my thoughts to the wrong people sometimes but I still have knowledge and opinions. I see over half the world confused by our strange ways and much of the rest despising us for things we've done. The lawsuits and censorship, the greed, the people we've injured on both physical and spiritual levels. It all disturbs me so much. I have a larger conscience than many people in my religion, especially the leaders.
Unlike them, I am not selfish and I will never believe our way is all there is. We've only come along in recent years while other truths including psychology have been around for centuries. I don't like using and manipulating others, either. I think it's better to show someone the reality of the person you are if they're against you rather than just hate them and do whatever you can to mislead and dispose of them. Sometimes people need assistance to open their minds and if you give that aid, it helps clear the planet of its troubles. Aren't we supposed to be doing that?
We shouldn't separate ourselves from the rest of the world either. There are no truly evil life-suppressing people except those who are unwilling to see reality and change their minds. At least that's what I think. I also don't believe one should put a price on enlightenment and long for the day my church stops charging money for its deepest truths.
Erika knew she was not alone in these thoughts. Others had them and had left her church to practice their own Scientology denominations or seek answers elsewhere. Some had departed of their own volition while others got forced out. These included several people Erika knew. She sympathized with them and missed them. Erika did not want to join these people in anything other than spirit, though. To do more would mean shunning from the zealots among her friends and family still inside Scientology's main organization. It was better to stay inside and walk on eggshells, she believed.
I can handle it, she reminded herself again. I am an actress. I lie for a living. Many people lie to me and tell me that it's okay. So easy to lie also about the person I am within.
"What's the matter?" Sarah asked, walking beside her. "You were the one who wanted to come out here."
I did, Erika mused. It's been a while since I got with a guy. Girls are fun, Kate and Sarah included, but guys are the people with whom I started and they also give me something I need. Almost every woman I know is the same. Kate and Sarah knew I was missing guy sex, so they invited me out to troll for boys with them. It would be fun, I thought. I usually go boy hunting with Alicia Witt but she and I are at odds right now. I made the mistake of kissing her two weeks ago and she's still a little mad at me. I told her I thought she was into girls and apologized. She forgave me but it's taking her time to warm up to me again. Alicia has a lot of resentment. I hope one day that she and I can find a way to work it out.
Deciding to distract herself, Erika turned to Kate. "Are you sure your husband's okay with you doing this?"
"He can fuck groupies all he wants," Kate answered, chuckling. "He's off on tour right now doing just that. I let him fuck whom he wants, so I get to fuck whom I want. We're only married because he asked."
"You should have stayed unmarried like Aunt G," Sarah suggested.
Kate shook her head. "I'm not one hundred percent like my mother. I love Chris, so I married him. These other guys are just ... guys." She made a dismissive wave. "You'll understand when you find someone."
My mother tells me the same thing, Erika thought. She and my father were both hippies before they found each other and Scientology. They know about the swinging lifestyle I've chosen and are okay with it for now. I'm glad. I could never deceive them. I don't want to deceive my friends either. It's too difficult and wrong.
"Are you sure we should be doing this?" she asked her companions, ignoring all the times she had done it before and never had such concerns. "We don't know who we'll be meeting."
"We'll get to know them before we take them home," Sarah replied. "Just like we always do. We had our monthly checkups at the clinic yesterday. We can go again tomorrow if you're that worried. We picked up pills and condoms before we came out."
"I know," Erika said with a sigh. "I'm just nervous. I don't want us to wind up with some losers."
"I agree," said Kate. "I've had enough of those." She put a hand on her hip and frowned as she watched a carful of guys pick up some of the hookers who had sneered at them earlier. "You know, I really think we should have picked a different area."
"Maybe," Erika replied. She looked around for other guys, frowning when she saw none nearby. Erika, Kate and Sarah had been wandering for just over an hour so far and had yet to catch any intriguing bites.
Erika cringed as she spotted three of her church's volunteer ministers across the street handing out pamphlets. They were a fat, short, and lean trio of brothers named Boggis, Bunce, and Bean Feshbach. Erika knew they were equally mean zealots despite their personable facades and different looks. She quickly turned her face away from them and let out a relieved gasp when they did not call out to her.
Having the wrong people recognize her was Erika's greatest fear. Her church frowned on promiscuity just like all other religions and Erika did not want to have to explain herself to the fanatics. None of them really liked her chosen way of life. Some urged her to stay at home instead of acting, concentrate on her family. Others told her she needed to give more money to the church now that she was a celebrity millionaire. Erika never wanted those people to find out she donated a lot of her earnings to charities for the environment, victims of persecution, mental illness and other causes many within her church ignored. Most of the donations were not in her name since she didn't make them for recognition, but if discovered by the fanatics they would still be of concern.
The celebrity zealots are the worst, Erika thought. Scientology's a Hollywood fad with many who like to draw attention to themselves by practicing it. Just last winter, the great actor Tom Cruise got in my face and told me I was wasting my talent refusing to be an evangelist like he's thinking of becoming. I told him I see living the good in my beliefs as more respectful to others and that his plans scare me. I just know they're going to ruin the good public standing he's built over the past twenty years.
Tom still hasn't forgiven me for lashing out at him. He told me a month ago that he was willing to agree to disagree and that he had enjoyed "Home Room", the movie I made about a shooting victim who sees psychiatrists for posttraumatic stress disorder. I'm sure he's still mad at me on some level, though. The only good thing that came of our fight was that Alicia overheard us and decided she wanted to be my friend.
"Don't worry," Kate told her. "If those guys saw you and go crying to your church's intelligence agency, Isaac will take care of it. You know he will."
Erika grimaced. The very existence of her church's intelligence agency and all she knew it had done both frightened and angered her. The first director of the agency had gone to prison for fraud and other serious crimes and so had several other operatives over the past five decades. Many more were responsible for motivating people Erika knew to leave the church behind.
The agency's current director, Mike Rinder, had pledged that the bad days were over and he was changing things for the better. Erika had taken courses taught by Rinder as part of her church studies, so she knew his intentions were sincere. However, she was not sure he could deliver what he promised. She had seen too many people harmed by things her church did and too many other people, Rinder included, give in to the constantly angry fanatics who held the real power in the ministry. Erika knew that in all likelihood the hurt would continue to go on.
I can't leave, though, she thought. I still believe in the good of my church. I'm also frightened of the people who are against us. I lurk sometimes in the places where they congregate. I have listened to their words and seen so much anger and bitterness. I don't blame some of them for it but I don't think others should feel so awful. It's as if they still want to be like the worst of us even though they left our church for good reason. They shout down and alienate anyone who disagrees with their generally confused and hateful words. They don't know any other way to live their lives but working their antipathy out over and over again. Some of them even spread disinformation and create new conflicts. I can't see any of them as nice. It's all so hard for me to understand. Better to stay inside, where I know what to expect and can manage things. My family is with me here and my friends are helping, too.
Isaac Hayes was one of those friends. A celebrity Scientologist like Erika, he had long been active in the entertainment industry as an actor and soul musician. He was also the one who had introduced Erika to the swinging lifestyle and "Clear Rainbow", her church's network of followers who were into alternative sexuality. Isaac had enough contacts in the church to keep Clear Rainbow tolerated by those who could accept its existence and hidden from most of the rest. Erika knew she had Isaac watching over her, and her parents also, but this did not keep her from being afraid much of the time.
"The tabloids are no concern either," Kate broke into her thoughts, smirking at a group of nearby photographers. A weasel-faced blond man stood in the forefront, snapping a camera away. "Like I've told you before, just stay busy and don't stand out and they hardly notice you as anything more than a name."
"Right," Erika said. Geena had given her the same advice and she followed it. I'm with my career one hundred percent, Erika told reporters. When I'm not shooting films, I'm reading scripts or rehearsing. I don't have time for boyfriends. So far, the press had all appeared to believe her words. There seemed no threat of exposure on that front.
"If things get really bad, we also have an ace in the hole," said Sarah. She made an odd gesture.
The Friendship, Erika thought, recognizing the motion. She and most of her friends were members of this group, a secret society similar to the Masons but far more powerful and less known. Their tendrils extended into every sector of the world and benefitted everyone they touched, sometimes in unexpected ways. Geena, Isaac and Erika's parents had initiated her a month ago. The society's goals were simple — gathering and sharing knowledge and giving freedom and charity to all people.
They did not have a clear overall plan to achieve these goals but they did have many ongoing programs and strategies. Reforming Erika's church was among these. The church leaders might be against change, like most religious leaders, but they could not stop people from having opinions and reacting to being hurt. Some of these people still believed in Scientology despite all its misdeeds and wanted to be proactive and fix it rather than leave their religion and let it die. We have the power to do this, they said, if we truly are supreme beings. Because of their belief and honest desire to help others, they stayed inside the church if they could and tried to inspire other followers to a better level of ethics and public opinion.
The Friendship, which had long observed the development of various people and helped them along to secure its own goals, was aiding these would-be reformers. Erika doubted whether the Friendship was all good sometimes but she was willing to stay within and find out for herself. The advantages the society gave her were also great and came at no cost.
Kate used the Friendship last year to kill a tabloid story about her eating disorder, Erika remembered. Goldie, Susan, Isaac and Geena use them for swinging and career connections. I've been doing the same to a degree. Like Sarah, I don't want to depend on the Friendship for my career, but they are nice. I hope that as time goes on I learn more of their plan for my church and that it turns out to be as good as my parents and Isaac believe it will.
"It's a long term plan," Isaac told her. "We think it will probably take years. Religions are difficult to reform, you see. Every one in history has needed it and the Friendship has few adversaries that can be more dangerous. I don't think I'm going to live to see the plans the Friendship has for our church conclude. I hope you do, Erika, and if I must die before then I just hope I die well."
Erika worried he would not. Isaac voiced a cartoon chef on a show that often satirized religion. Though he and Erika were okay with such a theme, others within their church disapproved. These fanatics' ranks included Isaac's publicist. The show, "South Park", was a huge hit and showed no sign of ending any time soon. If the elderly Isaac should fall into poor health, Erika had a feeling that the fanatics in their religion would seize the opportunity to make him quit his show in a disturbing way.
Isaac knows that might happen too, Erika reminded herself. He is aware of the negative side of our church. He edits it out of the way he lives his beliefs just like my family and I do. We're far from the only ones. The Friendship has a long road to reforming Scientology and we're helping it along. We hate it whenever the actions of some fanatic who thinks they know how we should be push us back. However, we soldier on. I hope Isaac will also continue to soldier on, even if the worst should happen.
Most of the people opposed to her religion, Erika knew, did not want that. They wanted to destroy her church and everything it had built. Never mind the good things they had done. The people they had helped educate and those they had turned away from crime and addiction. The many artists, Erika included, whom they had taught to be better communicators. The companies they had built; the artworks and communities; the mental health reforms and alternatives. So many of the people against them could only see the bad they had done as well.
We're learning, Erika wanted to tell these haters. We're getting away from our infamy slowly but surely. Yes, some people may never change but we can't let them stop the rest of us. The majority of Scientologists want reform. We want a better world. Why can't you help us find one instead of just reminding us of all the mistakes we've made over and over? Why do you let us continue to live in fear? I would ask you this question if I honestly thought you would listen to me. I've seen others ask you and you always respond with derision and disgust.
She also wanted to tell the haters about a Christian-themed horror movie she'd seen once called "The Prophecy". In it, an archangel had rebelled against God, believing he knew a better way for the world and humanity. In one climactic scene, the Devil visited the archangel and offered aid.
"What are you doing here, Satan?" the archangel asked in surprise. "This isn't your war."
"On the contrary," the Devil answered. "You are too blind to see that your actions are not motivated by compassion, truth and understanding as much as they are by suspicion, ignorance and arrogance. That makes your war evil and that makes it mine."
There's evil on my side of this war too, Erika recalled. Again, she was thinking of people like the Feshbach brothers and her church's intelligence agency. Of course knowing that doesn't help me much. Oh well, I should just forget it and take things as they come. I know I have to stay firm in my ethics and get through whatever happens to me. I've been doing that. Nothing too awful has occurred yet, thankfully. It could be worse.
"Ladies, fucking ladies!" a nearby voice yelled in a Jersey twang. "You wanna buy some weed?"
Frowning, Erika turned and saw a tall man with long blond hair standing a few feet up the sidewalk. He wore a yellow rain slicker and a black knit cap. Another man was leaning against the wall beside him. This fellow was stout, dark-bearded and dressed in a black overcoat and a white baseball cap turned backwards. Erika at once pegged him as the quiet type.
"Jay and Silent Bob got what you need, ladies!" shouted the more vocal of the pair. "We got horse, crack, doobies and meds! Step right up and get it! Snootchie Bootchies!" He grinned at Erika and grabbed his crotch.
"Keep walking," Kate whispered in Erika's ear. "Act natural. Do not make eye contact."
Erika nodded. She disliked drug dealers but knew better than to get close to them outside a film role.
Wait, she thought as she was about to turn. I want to say something to these guys. I really should. I got into playing drug addicts because I wanted to show people the damage drugs can do to their lives. My church has helped so many people get off drugs, Kirstie Alley and thousands of others. Maybe these guys just need a little help too, and if I say the right things...
No, she decided, I can't risk it. They would see me the same as those hookers earlier saw me, maybe even worse. I can't take the chance. She glared at Jay and Silent Bob and then walked away from them as they traded confused frowns.
Never mind that those guys might be able to help me through my quandary, Erika thought as she headed on down the sidewalk. For some reason I get the feeling they've aided troubled religious women before.
Several laughing teenagers on roller skates sped past her as she again caught up with Sarah and Kate. "This is getting us nowhere," Erika told her friends. "I think we have too much clutter. You want to try Sunset?"
"Nah," Sarah said with a bored exhale. "That area's just as bad as this one. Maybe we should go in there. It's served me well a few times."
Erika looked where the redhead was pointing. A sign flashing neon lights read "Blue Banana". Below the sign was a pool hall with several people wandering in and out. I've walked past that place a few times, Erika thought. I've never gone inside, though. Oh well, no time like the present. She shrugged and followed Kate and Sarah across the street.
Kate put a hand on her arm when they reached the other side. "Relax," she said. "You remember what you said in the movie you just finished, right? 'Don't feel fake, live life true?' You need to start doing that, Erika."
"I know. It's harder than it sounds, though." Erika pulled herself out of Kate's grasp and looked back towards all the people they had passed.
"You know what Aunt G says?" asked Sarah. "Forget anything else but your present moment. It's all you have control over. Only worry about other people if you really need to. You can make yourself happy at any time if you just open your eyes and find a way."
The wisdom of a devout Buddhist, Erika thought with a sigh. "Goldie's said that to me before. It's not easy advice to follow."
"Yes, it is," Kate countered. "Just put your troubles away and worry about them later, if ever. They're not who you are. It's easy, Erika. Decide to do it and it's done."
"Okay," Erika said, nodding. She would try. She stabilized her mind and followed Kate and Sarah into the pool hall. A bouncer nodded at them as they entered. The room was dark, steamy and full of people having a good time. Some were talking in small groups or dancing to rock music. Others were around game tables and the bar at the far end. Kate worked her way through the crowds to the bar and asked the old man behind it for two martinis and a soda. Erika felt relieved this wasn't going to be one of the nights she was forced to drink.
"Ahoy!" Sarah called out just then.
Erika looked and saw the redhead was pointing at two Caucasian men in short-sleeved and well-ironed US Navy whites sitting in a booth ten feet away. Cute guys, Erika thought at once. Both were in their mid-twenties, well muscled and tall. They had faces that belonged on recruitment posters. One of the pair was large with thin carrot-colored curls and a playful grin. The other sailor was slim, dark-haired and resembled a young Mark Harmon. He gazed about the room with steady intensity. Erika squinted at their nametags and read "C. Kurgan" and "Z. Metz".
"Uniforms," Kate said. "They're alone. Nice."
Uniforms are often good, Erika thought. Guys look great in them and the military weeds out lots of undesirables. These sailors are probably ethical and healthy just like Kate, Sarah and me. They'd make perfect targets if they weren't only two.
"Hail!" C. Kurgan stood up and shouted. "Hail, Torrence!"
Erika looked to see a third man in naval whites approaching from the restroom. He was as tall and good-looking as the first two, a firmly robust black youth with a large nose and a flat buzz-cut. His eyes were brown like the other two sailors'. "T. Hale", his nameplate said.
"Stop that, Chas," Torrence said as he reached his friends. "You know that I don't like it."
"I'm just giving you a good ribbing, man! Chill!" Chas and the other sailor both chuckled as Torrence sat down with a roll of his eyes.
"Okay," Kate said. "There are three of them and three of us. Approach?"
Sarah and Erika both smiled in agreement. They sipped down their drinks and paid for them, then sauntered over to the sailors. The trio stopped talking when Chas saw the girls and caught his friends' attention. "Hey, ladies," he said.
"Hi," Kate replied. "You boys looking for some fun?"
"Um, no," Torrence said. "Thank you. We're kind of short on money right now."
"We aren't hookers," Sarah told him. "Our services come free." She walked up to Torrence. "You're probably shipping out soon, right?"
"Yeah," the black sailor answered. "Day after tomorrow, we're going to Pakistan."
"Well then," Kate asked, "do you want a night to remember before you go?"
The sailors looked at each other, unable to believe their good fortune. Erika beamed at them along with her girlfriends. A fine catch, she thought, three great looking guys in uniform. Their personalities seem acceptable too, so far. This could be better than I hoped for tonight, better than I've had in a while.
"Why don't you ladies sit down?" Z. Metz said, waving at them and scooting over. "I'm Zechariah. Call me Zeck. This is Chas and Torrence."
"I'm Kate," Kate replied, taking a seat. "The redhead's Sarah and that's Erika. What do you boys do in the Navy?"
"Boatswain's mate," Torrence answered, "first class."
"First class," Sarah said with a grin. She leaned into his shoulder. "Wow."
"I'm a navigational technician," Zeck said. "I do intelligence, communications and radar." He looked Kate and Erika up and down and smiled. "Chas is in the engine room. He's a bilge-cleaning specialist."
"Not for much longer," Chas countered. He pulled up his left sleeve and showed the girls a winged anchor and trident tattooed on his bicep. "I'm trying out for the SEALs after my current tour is over. I'm gonna be among the best of the best."
"Don't tell them that!" Torrence cautioned. "You'll never get in. You shouldn't even try. All seals are good for is bouncing balls on their noses."
"Shut up, Torrence," said Zeck. "You want him to demonstrate that with your balls?"
"Good one, Zeck," said Chas.
Erika grimaced at Kate and Sarah. She didn't entirely appreciate the sailors' sense of humor. Relax, Kate flashed back with her face. They seem like okay guys.
"So who gets who?" Torrence inquired, looking at the girls. "That is, if you don't mind me asking."
"Sarah and I are cousins," Kate replied. "Erika's our friend. We share everything. Is that alright with you?" She gave the men a suggestive smirk and put her hand on Chas's arm. Sarah beamed at Torrence. Erika took the odd man out and scooted closer to Zeck while keeping her eyes on Sarah and Kate.
The three sailors gave each other another look of incredulity. "No problem!" Torrence spoke for all of them. "You girls got transportation?"
Kate nodded and pulled out her cell phone. "My dad's outside. I'll call him to pick us up."
"Your dad?" Zeck raised his eyebrows. "None of you look underage."
"We're not, we're in a swinging family," Sarah explained. "Don't worry, Uncle Kurt's cool with us going fishing. You'll be okay as long as you treat us right." She leaned across Torrence and rubbed the navigator's cheek.
"I have to ask," Zeck said with a frown. "I think I know at least two of you from somewhere. Are you girls famous?"
"I am," Kate replied, taking off her sunglasses. "'Almost Famous'."
"Oh my God," Chas said with a blink. "You're Kate Hudson, Goldie Hawn's daughter!"
"Correct," Kate confirmed with a nod.
"And you're the girl from that drug movie 'Traffic'," Zeck said. "Erika..."
"Christensen," Erika answered. "Did you like the movie?"
"I loved it. You're great. You really deserved all those awards." He grinned at her, then looked at Sarah. "You I don't recognize."
"Sarah Hudson," the redhead introduced herself. She then started singing. "It's getting under me, behind the front of me, head up on top of me! A hot, hot riot! They're hanging over me, trying to get a hold of me! It's only causing me a hot, hot riot!"
The sailors looked at each other, then back at her and shrugged. "Sorry," Torrence spoke for them. "That song ain't familiar. You are cute, though."
"Thanks," Sarah replied. "I'm still working on becoming a rock star."
"I think you're there already," Chas said. "That sounded like a pretty good song." He laughed. "So, uh, you girls know my bros and I don't share each other, right? We're not into that."
Kate smirked. "I bet that disappoints a lot of guys on your ship."
"Not that many," Zeck said with a shrug. "It's only a small destroyer. Then there's the whole 'don't ask, don't tell' thing." He looked at Erika's neck. "That gold chain, is it what I think it is?"
Erika took the pendant out of her blouse and showed it to him. "It's just my cross." She noticed a similar chain under Zeck's collar. "Do you also wear one?"
The navigator nodded and displayed a small gold ankh. "Yeah, I wear it for faith. I like to believe I have God supporting me. I know the enemy claims the same thing but that doesn't bother me. I tell myself no just and loving god would want people to be killing each other. No just and loving man should want that, either. I don't fight because I want to fight but because I have to. Their people are harming mine. I will put down my weapons the instant they show me they want to stop hurting others and extend the hand of peace."
"That's beautiful," Erika said, smiling. America's war in the Middle East was often on her mind, even though she had no friends or family fighting in it. She looked at the sailors again and decided that had just changed.
"Thanks," Zeck replied. "It keeps me going over there." He looked at Chas and Torrence. "This is our second tour. We grew up in the same Virginia town working around ships. My dad served in Vietnam. Chas's uncle and Torrence's mother were in the first Gulf War."
"Nice," Kate said with a nod. "Sarah's a singer and Erika and I are actresses, as you know." She turned from them and spoke into her phone. "Dad? Pick us up outside the Banana. Plus three guys." Putting away her cell, she turned back to the sailors. "You boys know not to brag about being with us, right?"
"Of course we won't brag!" Zeck responded immediately. "I understand if you want to keep this on the down low. I think you're married, though."
"She is," said Erika, "but it's no reason she can't have a little fun. Neither is religion." She wiggled her cross at Zeck and then tucked it back inside her shirt.
"I agree on that," Zeck said. He put away his own cross. "I just don't want the lead singer of the Black Crowes mad at me. I'm a big fan."
"He won't be mad," Kate declared. "Chris is off on tour fucking groupies. I'm free to sleep around until he gets back. No worries."
"Well, all right then," Chas said, standing up. "Let's head out, ladies!" He grinned at Kate and offered her his elbow. Kate stood and slipped her arm into his while Erika did the same with Zeck and Sarah followed suit with Torrence. They walked to the door, ignoring jealous stares from all around. The black van sat outside the club waiting to meet them.
"Greetings," said the huge blond man behind the wheel as they opened the vehicle's back door and got inside.
"Whoa," Chas breathed. "It's Snake Plissken. I thought he was dead."
"Kurt," Kate's adopted father corrected. "Kurt Russell. This is..." He trailed off.
"Tim Robbins," the unassuming brown-haired man in the van's front seat completed. "You may remember me from such films as —"
"'Shawshank Redemption'!" interrupted Zeck. "I guess you girls really are famous. Love your work, man." He laughed and leaned across Kurt to shake hands with Tim.
"Thanks," Tim said, smiling as they settled into the van's seats and buckled themselves down. Erika got in last and closed the door. Kurt put the van in gear and pulled out. "Now you sailors know the rules, right?" Tim asked. "You're drug and disease free, this is a one night deal and you'll tell no one about it."
"Right," said Torrence. "We already covered that in the club." He looked at Kate and Erika. "I didn't know movie stars picked up guys like this."
"It happens now and then," Erika answered with a shrug. "I got picked up by Katherine Heigl in a lesbian bar myself a while back."
"Whoa," Chas said with a surprised tone. "The 'Under Siege 2' girl? She's a lesbian?"
"Bi, actually. I can give you her number if you want it." Erika winked. "Majandra Delfino, Emilie de Ravin and Alicia Witt's numbers too." Katherine had introduced Erika to Majandra and Emilie, whom Katherine had acted alongside and befriended on the TV series "Roswell". All three young actresses were free-spirited and bisexual. Unlike them, Alicia was not Erika's lover but Erika nevertheless knew she was always thrilled to meet new men.
"Maybe when we get back from Karachi," Chas said. He and the other two sailors grinned wide. "Do lots of celebrities just pick up people in bars?"
"It doesn't happen as often as you think," replied Kurt. "You boys are lucky. Don't forget that or abuse it. Do I have to tell you what will happen if you do?"
"No, sir," Torrence said, saluting. He then made an odd gesture. "Don't worry. We're all into freedom of the body and mind here."
Erika smiled, recognizing a Friendship credo in his words. She and the other celebrities in the van returned the sailor's gesture. We scored very well tonight, Erika thought. Now I know these guys are okay. The Friendship doesn't let anyone in without a full background investigation. She frowned at a look Zeck was giving her. "What's the matter?"
The navigator paused. He motioned Erika to scoot a bit away from the others and followed her as she did so. "That cross you're wearing," he said in a low tone. "I've never seen it before. What church do you attend?"
"I'm a Scientologist," Erika replied. She frowned as he went pale. "Is there a problem?"
Zeck did not answer for a long instant. "May I speak freely?"
"Go ahead." This guy is cute, Erika prayed to herself, and he seemed nice up until now. Please don't let him be a jerk!
"I have this hobby," Zeck said. "When I'm not manning the ship's radar or radio, I like to mess around on the computers. I'm a hacker, part of a loose internet coalition called 'Anonymous'. We like to work for freedom of speech and fight oppression."
Erika scowled. "I think I've heard of you guys. Aren't you pranksters that take over chat rooms and argue with everyone?"
"Yeah. We goof around when we get bored. Some call us criminals, and I have to admit a few of us are. Most of us are just well meaning do-gooders, though. I helped some cops bust a pedophile on Craigslist last month." The navigator smiled briefly and then grimaced again. "We're not that big yet, however we are growing. I hate to tell you this, but your church is one of the Internet groups we're planning to target one of these days. A lot of us don't like what they've done to break up families and force certain websites offline."
"I'm not part of that."
"I didn't say you were. You are part of the main Scientology church, though, right? My people don't like your people. You've done a lot of bad things over the years. Some of the hackers I know think you're a cult that only exists to charge people to impair their own bodies and minds."
"Do you agree with them?" Erika was growing more unsettled with his every word. She noticed that everyone else in the van was listening.
"Sometimes," Zeck replied. "Most of the time, I think you've grown into a religion, like it or not, and that you are all people and therefore deserve respect. I'm willing to admit I'm often entertained by some of you too, despite the bad views I know your church holds. I'm in the minority on all that, though, and sometimes I have to go along to get along."
Erika stared at him as he exhaled before continuing. Damn it, she thought. This guy is one of Scientology's vehement critics. I've seen them protesting our services and online but I've never been this close to one before. Shit!
"We're not really lined up against you yet," Zeck went on, "but in the future it may escalate. I've seen the attitudes my fellow Anons and others display towards your people and I know the reasons behind them. Your side has shown a lot of venom too. I personally consider your church as dangerous a foe as any I've fought in the Middle East."
I don't want to throw this guy and his friends out of the van, Erika thought. I really liked them before now. She looked at Kate and Sarah, who were clenching their fists but silently telling Erika the decision was hers to make. The three of them had picked up guys together enough times to enjoy a sort of telepathy. Kurt and Tim were looking away, their eyes on the road. If the girls told them to stop, they would. Erika turned back to Zeck and racked her brain for an idea.
"What about what you said in the bar?" she asked when one came to her. "About wanting to make peace with your enemies?"
Zeck gave her a strange expression. "There's no way I can ever forget all the things your people have done. I also don't think your people could ever want peace with their opponents."
"But what if one of us did?" Erika contradicted. She recognized the opportunity to address a lot of angst she'd been feeling lately. "I'm not a hater or a fanatic like a lot of Scientologists are. Our code of honor means something to me and I follow it. I don't subscribe to the abusive practices of my religion and I have vowed not to continue them. I even donate money to help our victims without giving my name or telling anyone besides my friends. I know others who are the same way."
She mentally pushed her irritation into her stomach. "A few months ago Tom Cruise told me I wasn't doing enough to promote our church to the public. I told him that I find it better to just live my beliefs and respect those of others without proselytizing. You can call Alicia to confirm that if you need to. She was there when it happened. I do my best to only live the good in my beliefs and avoid the bad. I just endorse my church if prompted, I don't evangelize. You didn't even know what religion I was before now, right?"
Zeck nodded, doubt in his eyes.
"Two houses," Chas quoted, mocking them, "both alike in dignity. In fair Los Angeles where we lay our scene..."
"Shut up, Chas!" Torrence yelled, glaring at Zeck. "You better not ruin this for us, bro! Secure your bigotry up your shit chute. This girl seems okay to me." He smiled at Erika, who beamed thanks back at him.
"I am not a bigot!" Zeck spat. He turned back to Erika and frowned. "I apologize if what I say offends you. You would know why I say it if you would look at the websites I've seen about your church."
"I have seen them," Erika hissed. "I lurk a lot on their message boards. Those sites are a good way to find out why some people I meet treat me as they do. I'm sorry that my religion bothers you, Zeck." She took off her pendant and dangled it at him. "I have to say something, though. If this is all you see, you don't see me. I'm not what you think I am." She rolled up her pendant's chain and stuck the cross in the left pocket of her blouse. "I'm a good person."
Zeck was silent for a moment. He frowned as everyone but Kurt and Tim looked at him. "Are you sincere? You're not trying to mess with me or convert me?"
"Convert you?" Erika gaped. "Why would I want to do that? A person's religion is their business. Why would I want to deny them freedom of choice? Neither Kate nor Sarah nor Kurt nor Tim is Scientologist. Neither are any of the girls whose numbers I said I'd give you. I have no problem hanging out with them. They're more fun than a lot of my church's followers, as you probably know." She put her hand on Zeck's wrist and looked directly at him. "All we want is to give you and your friends the night to remember Kate was talking about earlier. If you'd rather be bitter, that's your choice. Do you not trust me? Then how about this?"
She unfastened her seat belt and lunged at Zeck, grabbing his face before he could stop her. The navigator gasped as Erika kissed him hard on the lips, ruffling his hair in the same motion. I am speaking the truth, Erika tried to tell him with her every move. Please stop thinking I'm some evil demon succubus!
Zeck opened his jaws at the tap of her tongue, his hands gripping her shoulders. Erika licked the inside of his mouth once and then withdrew. "Well?" she asked, smiling. Their contact had been electric. "What do you think now?"
"I think I may need to re-evaluate you," Zeck said after another pause, scratching his head. He sighed and looked away. "I'm really sorry."
"You should be," Erika fumed. She leaned away from the navigator and crossed her arms while keeping her eyes on his. "We're not all drones. I'm certainly not. I'm a little disgusted with you now but I'm willing to put it aside if you just give me a chance to prove I am what I say I am."
"All right," Zeck said. He looked at his fellow sailors, who were both glowering. "I will give you that chance. I honestly liked you before I knew what religion you were. Maybe you're right. I could be in the wrong here."
"You're not completely in the wrong," Sarah said. "Erika knows what her church has done. Kate and I can both vouch that she's not involved with any of that. If she was, we never would allow her to be part of our lives."
"Let alone our lover," Kate added.
"You mentioned my prison film a few minutes ago," said Tim, who had turned towards them. "Let me give you some metaphors from it. Erika's only guilty by association. She's also a bit institutionalized. We're trying to cure her of that. You've probably had fantasies about such things, right sailor?"
"Uh, yeah," Zeck confessed. "Mostly about Catherine Bell, though. I didn't know she was..." He pointed at Erika and then dropped his arm. "Never mind. If you really want to make peace, I can accept that. Unlike many Anons, I have a forgiving nature."
"Good," Erika replied. She offered him her hand and smiled when he shook it. "Don't preach any more to me, okay? I don't need or want to hear it."
"I won't," the navigator promised. "Can you please kiss me again?"
Erika laughed, then leaned towards him and did as requested. Zeck fully returned her emotion this time, touching her tongue with his own. Chas gave them a round of applause and then turned and kissed Kate. Torrence did the same with Sarah.
"Drive faster, Snake," Tim said to Kurt, grinning. "I think these kids need rooms." The other actor nodded and increased the van's speed.
They drove through L.A.'s downtown and freeways into the suburbs of Encino. Traffic was heavy as always, so the trip took just over three hours. Eventually they entered the grounds of a large cream-colored mansion ringed by a white stone and black iron wall. Two German Shepherds and a Chihuahua barked at their vehicle from the lawn. The dogs ran around the van as it pulled into the driveway. Kurt parked, then got out and gave the animals each a pat and a whisper that settled them down.
The sailors and celebrities had talked more during their journey and gotten to know each other better. They had exchanged stories about life at sea and life in the spotlight. Erika had given Chas, Zeck and Torrence her other girlfriends' phone numbers while Kate had provided contact information for Liv Tyler, Anna Paquin and Fairuza Balk. Erika and Zeck also talked more about Erika's religion. She nodded and took in what he said about the bad side while he gave similar reactions as she described the good. When Erika mentioned the Friendship's plans for reforming Scientology, Zeck smiled at this news and asked if Anonymous could help.
"Maybe," Erika replied. "You'll have to be careful, though. Not every one of us appreciates people like you. If you want to contact the viceroy in charge, his name is..."
Zeck looked surprised at the name. Then he smiled. "I should have known. I've talked to that guy online. He always has seemed a bit over-tolerant. In fact, up until now I thought for sure he was one of your people."
"He is," said Erika. "Mutual friends are everywhere, you know."
"Right, I should remember that."
"Let's drop this subject, okay?" Torrence asked. "I'm sick of it."
"I just want to say one last thing," Zeck replied. "Erika, I don't believe I will ever understand your people. However, I now like at least one of them. Thank you."
"Don't mention it," Erika said, thinking of the message boards they both visited. "Seriously, don't." She didn't think she would mention him to too many people either. It would be too easy for others to take her acquaintance with Zeck the wrong way.
"I too have something to say," Chas broke in. "It is better to burn out than fade away."
Laughter was shared all around as they exited the van and headed towards the mansion. Kurt and Tim's common-law wives were waiting for them on the porch.
Goldie Hawn and Susan Sarandon were a pair of middle-aged blonde and brunette women clad in white dresses. They smiled as they looked over the sailors. "Hey boys," Susan said. "You fresh from the war?"
"We're on leave from it," replied Torrence. "We're headed back day after tomorrow."
Susan frowned. "I see. Kick some ass for me, okay? I want our troops to all come home soon."
"We will," said Zeck. "By the way, I've always enjoyed watching you both in films. My favorite movie of yours is 'Dead Man Walking'." He looked at Goldie. "I like you best in 'Overboard'."
"Yeah," Chas added with a grin. "You two are awesome MILFs."
"Thanks," Goldie said. "You seamen are welcome to come upstairs later if my daughter and her friends don't take all your energy." Susan beamed in concurrence.
Kurt and Tim stepped to their women's sides. Their expressions told the sailors that Goldie and Susan would be quite fatigued if and when the younger men came to visit them. Zeck and his friends nodded and did not approach.
"You kids are welcome to use the pool area out back," said Susan. "Refreshments are in the kitchen if you need them. The guest cottage has enough rooms for everyone to stay over. Girls, Eva wanted me to tell you all not to scream too much. She has an essay due tomorrow and is upstairs working hard on it."
Erika rolled her eyes. "Okay, Mom." Eva Amurri was Susan's real-life daughter and had acted onscreen with Susan and Erika in "The Banger Sisters". She was a high school senior and a bit more conservative than her mother was, so she wasn't that into swinging or dating yet. Everyone respected her wishes, as Eva had a bad temper and her rages were truly something to dread.
The four older celebrities stepped away from the front door so that the young people could enter. They then said farewell and walked away. Kate led the others through the house to the kitchen, where they observed the fruit, drinks and sandwiches laid out. They did not touch them for the moment, other things on their minds.
Sarah unlocked the mansion's back door and led them into the rear patio area. A large swimming pool flanked by two palm trees and several shrubs dominated the gray-walled courtyard. It had a Jacuzzi at one end and a diving board at the other. Chairs and a picnic table were set up on the wooden deck around the pool. Towels, floats and other swimming-related devices lay scattered about on the ground. Sarah turned to the sailors and gave them a sly expression. "You Navy boys are okay with doing things in the water, right?"
"That depends," said Torrence. "Did you bring condoms?"
"Right here," Erika said, taking a box out of her purse and holding it up. "You get two each. Susan has more inside for later." She grinned as Chas took the box from her and passed it around.
The sailors got into a huddle and whispered at each other. Erika frowned as she looked on while the more experienced Kate and Sarah beamed in anticipation. "Get undressed," Kate advised Erika when she saw the guys unbuttoning their uniform shirts and pants.
Erika shrugged and took her clothes off while observing everyone else do likewise. No one seemed embarrassed or over-excited. Erika had fucked Kate, Sarah and other people in outdoor and indoor swimming pools before. She was not nervous about doing it again. She was anxious to add the sailors to her conquests but she also knew that things would be best if they took their time. Thus, she suppressed her emotions and kept herself calm until everyone had removed their garments and piled them on the deck's chairs. Soon they were all naked and standing before each other. Erika tweaked her thick red nipples and then ran two fingers through her fertile and itching blonde bush.
Zeck had the longest cock of the three sailors, she noted. Chas's was smallest and widest and Torrence's was somewhere in between. None of them had anything larger than Erika had taken before, or so it appeared at the moment. All the men had donned condoms in preparation for what lay ahead. They put their spares on the side of the pool and stood at ready attention.
Kate's cunt was shaven while her breasts were small with peach colored aureoles. Her body was thin and pale in the moonlight. Sarah had pert tits with dark puffy nipples and a vermillion airstrip over her pussy. Plenty of curves showed around her stomach and waist. Each girl put her hands on her hips and gave the other two content smiles before turning to the men standing beside them.
"Let's fuck!" Sarah said. She crooked a finger and beckoned Torrence close.
Erika stepped towards Zeck, feeling his eyes on her. Chas shook his head and blocked her path. "I think my bro's still nervous about you. Can I have you first?"
"Okay," Erika said with a shrug. She let the large sailor take her in his arms and kissed him when he leaned down towards her. In her peripheral vision, she could see Kate exchanging similar gestures with Zeck.
Sarah was doing the same with Torrence, hugging him tight and running her tongue over his dark skin. Her red hair shook and her eyes flashed. Erika could hear her moaning as the black sailor stroked her breasts, leaning down between kisses to lick her neck and nipples. Sarah returned Torrence's fondles, panting like an engine as he pressed himself against her front.
Chas was moving his lips across Erika's face and throat while his hands caressed the curves of her back. Erika could feel a heat rising inside her body. She threw back her head and let out a cheer. The neighbors wouldn't care, she believed. Susan's property had a reputation for producing strange noises in the evening. No one would be disturbed to hear more such sounds. The older couples in the house knew what the young people were doing. Brown University had accepted Eva last semester. She did not need to study that much, Erika thought.
Zeck muttered something as Kate hugged him. "Wait," she said in reply. Kate then kissed the top of the shorter man's head and pushed his lips towards her breasts. The navigator nodded and followed her instructions. Erika could feel his thoughts on her, though. Maybe he really does fantasize about saving me, she told herself. He wants to violate the "Star Trek" Prime Directive, to boldly go where none of his kind has gone before.
She decided to ignore him for now. Never mind that she could handle her own life and didn't need to be saved. Erika had always been one to focus on the lover immediately in front of her. Right now, that was Chas.
"Let's get in the water," Chas suggested, stopping his kisses and looking at her. "I love it there."
Erika nodded. She did too. In her childhood and early teenage years, she had won several swimming competitions. These days water was among her favorite environments for exercise and sex. She beamed at Chas and stepped out of his arms, then ran off and leapt into the pool's deep end with a whooping laugh. He dashed to the diving board and used it to pursue her.
Kate motioned Zeck towards the Jacuzzi. It was separated from the pool and had enough heat to warm them up to each other. He nodded and followed her lead. Hand in hand, they walked to the warm tub and entered it. They then resumed their cuddling and making out.
Meanwhile Sarah moved away from Torrence and activated a small portable stereo beside a deck chair. Her song "Spin it like a DJ" came on and she grinned at the black sailor. "Nice tune," he told her as they embraced once more. Torrence spun Sarah around and stepped with her into the pool's shallow end.
The three couples moved around in the water, drenching their naked bodies and frolicking at ease. Sarah and Torrence laughed and hugged, fingers traveling over each other's torsos. Kate pushed herself against Zeck and kissed him while reaching over his shoulders to turn on the Jacuzzi's jets. Erika swum one lap of the pool's width to mock Chas and then came up for air, treading water and beaming like a mermaid. The large sailor paced her and then surfaced beside her. He lunged at her but she dodged away and splashed him with a chuckle. He threw up a forearm to block, then smirked and splashed Erika back.
Zeck gave voice to a groan as Kate pushed him onto a jet stream. Warm bubbles were shooting up his rear and tickling his insides. Kate was teasing his cock and nipples with her fingers, her lips sneering as she moved. Zeck laughed and gave her several gasps of pleasure. His hands found and fondled her clit and aureoles. Kate clutched him around the neck and kissed him as he brought her to ecstasy. When she was moaning as hard as he was, he moved his hands to her rear and squeezed it before pushing her sheath forward and onto his rock-hard sword. Kate smiled at the impalement and kissed Zeck, her body returning his every thrust.
Torrence and Sarah coordinated their making out to Sarah's music. The black sailor spun the redhead around in the shallow water with every high note and pushed her towards the wall at repetitive chords. Sarah let him lead, caught up in the moment. She was a girl on the verge of orgasm and pushed her partner towards the same. He returned her affections. They kissed and stroked each other as the custom-mixed CD switched to the next song, too busy causing spasms within their bodies to notice anything else.
Chas and Erika ceased their splashing duel and embraced, kicking their legs to keep themselves afloat. Chas kissed Erika's lips and his arms came around her. Erika found herself thinking back to all the sexual things she had done in pools before.
First she had swam and skinny-dipped with her brothers as a child. Erika had never done anything else with them, as she and her siblings weren't attracted to each other. Still, none had minded swimming together nude.
As she got older, Erika's hobby of swimming developed alongside that of her acting. When she matured, Erika began looking at other men and women who swam alongside her and thinking about what it would be like to be with them. Time passed and she got curioser and curioser. Her third coupling with her first boyfriend was in a pool and she had tried to get almost every lover she had since into the water also. Some were afraid of the idea and rejected it. Others leapt in with both feet but then found themselves hopeless at maneuvering in the medium. Erika was glad Chas was neither of these.
She stroked the tattoo on the large sailor's arm and kissed his neck. Looking over his chest and back, she spied several more tattoos. Dates and logos were beside the names and faces of women she was sure he had in other ports. Erika added the latter images to her own fantasies. She did not need to be alone in the heart of this explorer. She did give him treasure to remember her by, though, stroking his cock and his muscles. From Chas's whispers and sighs, Erika knew she would soon be added to his body's list.
Kate cried out from the Jacuzzi. Zeck was pushing a jet up her ass now and had her seated over it as he thrust his manhood into her tingling pussy. She moaned at the double penetration and squeezed his neck. The navigator slapped her shoulders, asking her if he was better than her husband was at loving. Kate shook her head and upset Zeck, causing him to stroke her harder and deepen his thrusts.
Sarah continued her dance with Torrence in the shallows. The new song on the radio did not have a melody conducive to lovemaking, so now their motions had little rhyme or reason. They excited each other nonetheless.
As they moved, Sarah reflected on how she often saw her swinging as a bad habit, a mistake that got her carried away and then too often left her in the dust. She kept doing it, though, as she was both addicted to sex and holding out hope that one day she would find someone special. Groupies, other rock stars, family members such as Kate and Kate's brother Oliver, boyfriends and girlfriends of every stripe had succumbed to her advances. Sarah loved them all and kept looking for the person who sparked her heart. Torrence was not that person, she knew, but he would do fine for the meantime. She let out a moan as he stabbed his cock into her snatch and pushed her into the wall of the pool.
Erika and Chas continued to create waves in each other while the water lashed around them. They bobbed up and down on the surface of the deep end, hitting the pool's floor on occasion, as they stroked one another. The music thrummed from the stereo, Sarah's voice fading and that of Chris Daughtry taking over. Erika fucked Chas at the speed of sound, taking his organ into her tunnel and rolling with him on the swells of the pool. They crashed into each other and went up in emotional flames, caressing nerves with flesh and fingers while breathing into one another's mouths and hair. The water around them was resisting their movements and deadening their sensations, so they were able to take things slow.
Water was the element that brought life, though, and both Erika and Chas enjoyed being inside it. They let the heat of each other overcome the low temperature of the pool as they cuddled close. He motioned her towards a ladder near the diving board and she moved with him. Taking up position on one of the ladder's steps, Erika opened her legs as Chas clutched her shoulders and shoved his manhood in and out of her cunt.
Laughter and dumb dirty jokes came off Chas's lips as he fucked Erika. She ignored them for the most part. The large sailor was not her first lover with an odd sense of humor. At least he still seems to care deep down, she thought, for his friends and for me.
Zeck shook as he pushed his body into Kate's. He and the other two sailors had enjoyed girls on shore leave many times but this was a new experience. The navigator had been a fan of the Black Crowes' music until a roommate at his first duty station had played it too much and turned him off to it. Eventually that sailor was mustered out, so Zeck relaxed. Soon he was able to enjoy the Black Crowes again. Then he saw Kate in "Almost Famous" and got attracted to her. He felt insanely jealous when he found out she was married to the Crowes' lead singer Chris Robinson but put it aside. There was no way he and Kate would ever meet.
Now we have, though, Zeck reflected, and we're fucking. Another one of my fantasies is nearby and I am sure I will get her before the night is over. I'll get Sarah, too. These girls are man-eaters, I think. Chew them up and spit them out, then move on and do it again. Maybe they enjoy it. Perhaps they remember every lover and like amassing more. I want to hate people like them but I can't find it in myself to do that. Better just to respond to each moment as it comes and enjoy what I can.
He was unaware that Erika often had similar thoughts about her lovers. She was having such thoughts now as Chas fucked her against the ladder. The cold metal vibrated against her skin, distracting her. Chas pushed into her every time she moved away, daring and relentless. She fucked back, trying to concentrate on him and nothing else.
My beast of lust is always the same, Erika said to herself. It rises inside and I cannot ignore it. Sometimes it scares people. It scares me, too. My first boyfriend found he preferred someone else to me and so have other lovers. Alicia hasn't been the only one to outright reject me either. I try to brush it off even though it still bothers me a lot of the time. I take what I want and can get and then I keep looking for more. It is not in my beast or in me to ever be satisfied. Laughing at her realization, Erika leaned into Chas and returned his strokes.
The lovers steered each other on a course of pleasure, rubbing each other and crying out. Zeck climaxed first, proud to stake his claim on another man's territory.
Kate followed the navigator seconds later. As she reached orgasm, she wondered if Chris would ever get pissed off that she insisted he not be her only man. She would deal with that when and if it happened, Kate told herself. She just hoped they would be able to stay friends no matter what and raise any children they might have together too.
Sarah was next to come, thrashing around and wailing as Torrence pushed back and forth inside her and pinched her nipples. This sailor is fun, she thought. His hands are strong from constant tying of knots and other shipboard tasks. He's also very adept in the water, as all sailors should be. I hope his friends are the same.
In the deep end, Chas grunted and pushed his cock into Erika. She nodded, sensing his intent. Letting go of the ladder, the couple moved underwater to the deepest part of the pool. Once they arrived, Chas clenched Erika tight and shook as his flare went off. Erika responded seconds later and let out several bubbles as demolition boomed inside her body. She smiled and kissed Chas hard when they both came up for air, giggling freely when he made a jest about what he had just done.
"That should have cleared your bilge," Chas said.
"It did," Erika whispered in his ear. "Thank you." She moved her lips back to the large sailor's and touched his tongue with her own.
Torrence reached his own orgasm a few seconds later and pulled out of Sarah. He exited the pool and shook himself dry, then turned and gave the redhead a raised thumb. "Thanks, babe. You are as intense as your music."
"Thank you too," Sarah told him with a smile. She looked around and saw that the other two couples were also separating. "So, who's next?"
The men caught their breath and smiled at the women. Kate and Zeck got out of the Jacuzzi and nodded at each other, then walked to the side of the pool. Erika and Chas looked up as their friends stood over them.
"I want you, Penny Lane," Chas told Kate. "Not in the water, though. You look more like bed candy to me."
"Fine," Kate replied, shrugging. "You can sleep with me in my room later. For now, I'll take the girl you just screwed."
She jumped into the pool and swam towards Erika as Chas dropped his jaw. Erika laughed and accepted Kate's hug. They kissed and moved into each other, hands roaming over each other's backs as tongues buffed lips and necks.
Sarah saw what Kate and Erika were doing and got excited. She had enjoyed lesbian loving with them and many other girls. This included Aimee and Kelly Osbourne, who were both spitfires with few limits to their kinks. Sarah had her own kinks also. Fucking girls in direct view of guys was one of them. She knew there were few things that helped guys recover more quickly and was also turned on by it herself.
Calling out to Kate and Erika like a mythic Siren, she swam over to them. They stopped fondling each other's breasts and turned to embrace Sarah while treading water. The girls exchanged a three-way kiss and then moved to the shallow end of the pool while continuing to give each other synchronized strokes. Erika was not as experienced with Sarah as Kate was but she was still good at finding her nerves. They stood together once they found stable ground beneath their feet and moved their bodies against each other, caressing in cadence. Zeck, Chas and Torrence watched them, clapping and chuckling in glee.
Shaking his head, Chas exited the water and took off his used condom. He put the balloon in a trash bin and then strode back to the side of the pool. His eyes on the Sapphic exchange in the shallows, he stroked himself back to full erection. Zeck and Torrence followed his example and disposed of their soggy balloons. All the sailors put their spare condoms on once their organs were prepared.
Kate, Sarah and Erika paid them little attention, intent on their own loving. They traded hot kisses and nips at each other's breasts and necks, taking turns sticking two or three fingers up each other's aching cunts and stroking vigorously. The water around them loosened up their bodies but they still clenched each other hard. Cries of joy split the air, accompanying the music from the stereo. The three girls spun around and shook against one another, growing more and more excited.
Erika gyrated in orgasm first as Kate and Sarah sucked at her left and right nipples respectively. They also each crooked two fingers in her folds, their other hands rubbing each other's torsos and legs. Erika's hands were fondling their legs and tits. Erika waited until she had calmed down and then pressed Sarah's clit with her left hand and Kate's with her right. Her girlfriends both shook with multiple small explosions. They beamed at her in thanks and kissed her cheeks.
"Ready again, boys?" Kate asked, turning back to the sailors. Zeck, Torrence and Chas chorused hurrahs, all eager to get back in the action. They leapt into the pool as one and swam over to join the girls.
Zeck pointed at Erika and she nodded, ready to be with him now. Kate stayed beside them like a guardian angel. Chas and Torrence both swam towards Sarah. Torrence wanted Erika and Kate too, but he knew he could get them later. The night was young and they also had tomorrow.
If these girls are willing, Torrence thought, my bros and I would be happy to stay with them and then hurry back to our ship at the last minute. I'm not going AWOL for them, it's too important to me to serve my country, but I will enjoy myself as much as possible while I am free. I would want anyone whose freedom I secure by fighting to do the same. He smiled at his thoughts and moved to take Sarah's ass while Chas kissed her and thrust his cock into her twitching pussy.
At the other end of the pool's shallows, Erika stood before Zeck while Kate covered her back. Just go with this, she told herself. He doesn't hate you. You don't hate him. Neither one of you is a threat to the other. You could even help each other if you would just both open your eyes.
A Nickelback song came on the radio as Erika and Zeck stared at each other. Kate laughed when she heard it. Prison gates won't open up for me. On these hands and knees I'm crawling ... Oh, I reach for you ... All I need is you! Come please, I'm calling...
Nodding at the words, Erika and Zeck swam towards each other and embraced. Zeck returned her expressions of acceptance and opened his mouth to admit her tongue. Her nipples stabbed into his chest while his cock speared her loins. Each was very sensitive in body and mind. They still feared each other to a degree but were willing to work things out as they needed to. Kate stood beside them like a moderator, pushing her lips and fingers against their muscles when she saw things getting too hot between them or within herself.
"You both need to do something," she advised them during the caressing. "Look for truth as it is, not as other people tell you it should be perceived. Drop all your expectations and take things as they come. Give yourselves to each other if that's what you want. Don't be afraid. Men and women cannot grow together and become better people if they won't put their differences away and listen to each other. I heard my mother tell men this several times growing up. I continue to pass it on."
Zeck and Erika acknowledged Kate's words and thanked her by each squeezing one of her tits. Kate kissed each of them on the cheek and then let them get back to their own coupling.
Erika argued with Zeck using her hands and the motions of her body. She insisted that she knew best for herself and that she would listen to him but not let him change her without her cooperation. Zeck directed her attention to various locations on his body and hers repeatedly, giving her counterpoints and reminding her that she did not know everything. Erika did not respond well when he mocked her or showed anger but she appreciated it when he was nice to her and reasonably fulfilled her needs. Most of these moments were after-effects of direction Kate gave the navigator.
The music swelled in their ears. Show me what it's like to be the last one standing. Teach me wrong from right, and I'll show you what I can be!
Say it for me, say it to me, and I'll leave this life behind me. Save me it if it's worth saving me ... Hurry, I'm falling...
Erika and Zeck massaged each other with the emotion of the song, fondling arms and chests. Their legs rubbed into each other and their heartbeats swelled with the motion of the pool.
Kate followed their exchanges, intent on forcing them to get along by whatever means necessary. She had enjoyed Zeck's attentions towards her earlier and did not want him to leave Erika or her upset. Zeck was a good observer, Kate thought, save for the fact that he also needed to learn to lighten up. The world did not revolve around his views or his desires. The same was true for Erika but she had learned that lesson long ago. Kate pushed her breasts into Erika's side as she reflected on this, rubbing the heat of her pussy on her girlfriend's thigh.
Zeck and Erika tasted one another's mouths, pinching each other and moaning. They increasingly moved in sync, their emotions exuding and washing away on the water around. Their love organs hardened, their minds and bodies aroused. Soon they were screaming for each other instead of at each other, both fully into the other person's mindset and ready to move away from their initial impressions of each other if not forget them. They were joined now, flesh and spirit. Moods struck them but they were able to predict and respond as needed. Kate gave them her goddess's smile and clapped them each on the back.
Sarah, Chas and Torrence had their own storm going on nearby. The two sailors launched their organs into Sarah's holes and she vibrated against them. The water lubricated both her slots along with her own nectar, keeping her body open to both men. She had her arms around Chas's neck as she moved. First she shoved herself forward into Chas and then she let herself collapse back into Torrence. They followed her motions and caressed her breasts, torso and hair.
Each man felt good and Sarah would love to be with either alone but both together was even more wonderful. The redhead had not enjoyed two men in a long while, as not all men were willing to share a bed or a woman with other men. She was pleased these sailors had no problem doing either.
Too bad they aren't into each other, though, Sarah thought. I would have loved to see that, too.
Beside them in the pool, Zeck and Erika continued to respond to each other and Kate's projections. Erika fully opened her legs at last and Zeck shoved his cock into her slit. Erika screamed in both joy and pain as the spear split her apart, shaking around it and clinging to Zeck. He beamed at her and hugged her, his hopes fulfilled.
Maybe not all my hopes, he thought. Never mind, though. I'll take this for now. Erika's changed my mind quite a bit with her very presence. I don't know if I'll ever again look at anyone the way I did before.
Erika sobbed into his shoulder, feeling a similar transition. From now on, I will anticipate people who feel about me the way Zeck did initially and not worry so much about them, she decided. He's the first serious case like him to which I've been attracted and he became my friend. I think I needed to go through this. There could be many more people like him down the road, guys and girls. Especially if news of my religion's bad side spreads. I have to be ready to show people I'm not messed up or sinister. Zeck, you will help me with that, right?
Kate pressed her torso against Erika's back, wrapping her arms about Erika and Zeck's bodies. Helping them learn to cooperate was a good aphrodisiac for her. Kate's nipples and clit were taut and her cunt was leaking like a sieve. The water of the pool flowed around them, its motion sparking new sensations in Kate's body. The slow steady chill of the pool followed the firm speedy heat of the Jacuzzi. Combined with the emotion around her and Erika and Zeck's touches, the change in tempo was enough to give Kate another powerful orgasm once she was able to settle herself down.
Zeck followed Kate after a few more seconds. Erika gasped with each of his spurts, holding her own climax back. Zeck was giving her an enormous sense of accomplishment and she wanted to appreciate that. She tried to ignore that both Zeck and Kate were coming beside her and that Sarah and the other two sailors were also gasping and shaking as they exploded nearby.
Sarah shook her red hair and moaned deep in her throat, exchanging kisses with Chas and Torrence in her afterglow. Enough, Erika decided as she heard Sarah thanking them. I will abandon myself now.
"Yes!" she cried as Zeck fired his final burst. "Yes! Thank you!" Erika cried her emotion again as Zeck and Kate grinned and kissed her cheeks.
The sailors and celebrities split off from each other and got out of the pool. They passed towels around and dried off one another's bodies. The group, especially Zeck and Erika, exchanged many smiles and nods. They were content with each other now and both knew it would be difficult for them to conflict again. They beamed at their friends and each other, proud with this knowledge. Nickelback hit a chord of victory on the radio nearby.
"I should give you my e-mail and user names," Zeck told Erika. "I'm probably on a lot of those message boards where you lurk. Other forgiving Anons are also. I think we could learn a lot from you."
"Communication is the key to improving life," Erika concurred, quoting her church's scripture. "I think I can give you guys some perspective."
"I'd like that," said Zeck. "Just never lie to us, okay? We really don't appreciate lies."
"I hope you can tell the difference between lies and truth," Erika replied. "Sometimes that's difficult on the Net, even more so than in real life. It takes effort many people aren't willing to put forward. Sometimes perception has everything to do with reality." Zeck nodded in agreement with her words.
They all took deep breaths and calmed down, panting with the emotions they had just traded. "Okay," Chas said after a few minutes. "I think I'm ready again." He checked his cock and frowned. "No, wait. I'm not. Sorry."
"Can I get you next, Torrence?" Erika asked. "I haven't had very many black guys."
"Sure," Torrence said, grinning at her. "Just give me another second or two to get back my strength. I think I may also need another condom."
"No, you don't," Kate replied. "You're wearing a heavy duty brand. Did you not notice that before now?"
The sailors each looked at their groins and raised their eyebrows. Their condoms were indeed still firm around their cocks and had not slipped off even as the organs deflated.
"Whoa," said Chas. "I may have to recommend this brand to the SEALs. You know, for our guns?"
"Shut up, Chas!" Torrence snapped, bristling. "You're making me nauseous."
"I think we need to get these guys excited again," Erika said to Kate and Sarah. She moved close to her girlfriends and spread out a large beach towel. Then she lay her body down, beckoning with her fingers. "Triangle?"
The two cousins grinned and joined Erika on the towel. After kissing one another, they settled into the named shape. Each girl pressed her face into the closest pussy while also reaching to caress hips, rumps, and breasts. The sailors sat on the deck beside them as they looked on. Erika was licking Kate's snatch, Kate lapped Sarah's, and Sarah tasted Erika's. They exchanged gasps, touches and moans throughout the coupling, their skin shining as their sensations increased.
"Damn!" Chas said. "This is really getting me ready." He turned to Zeck and made another quip. "Improving one facet also helps the others, huh?"
The navigator frowned and shook his head. "Whatever."
"Yeah, man," Torrence agreed. "I don't think anyone but you got that! Enough with your crap jesting, okay?" He stroked his cock, watching the girls.
Erika was meanwhile shaking under Sarah's attentions. Another song of Sarah's was on the radio now and Erika found it very appealing. This is my freedom, she sang along in her mind. The sun comes out from hiding, and I still can't get enough. I'm in love with this, with life and pleasure. I forever want to get caught up in the moment, enjoy it till the day I die.
Swimming in the sheer vibrations, strip away your limitations!
Nodding, Erika gave in to the new waves of rapture in her cunt. Sarah and Kate did the same. The girls smiled at each other as their triangle broke up after they had climaxed.
Always at times like these, Erika felt herself as present and yet as an observer. She was a creator of ecstasy and had it in her own body, too. She was grateful for both what she had done and how others had assisted her. She was comfortable with all they had done together, not disturbed at all. I was bothered before, she thought, but I have advanced now. Never shall I be how I was again.
Kate leaned in and kissed Erika's smile of satisfaction. "You need to remember your speech from the film you did with Mom," she said when their kiss broke. "Whatever you do, do it true. Be who you are and let others see it. Just like you have today."
"Right," Erika said. She felt in sync with her environment, powerful and on a high tone. I will survive, she said to herself. I will survive whether or not I continue doing this. But surviving alone is not what I want. That is no way to exist.
Garth Brooks agreed with her from the stereo. Life is not trying, it's merely surviving, if you're standing outside the fire!
"You hear that?" Kate asked. "Those are words to live by."
Erika roared her agreement. Inside the mansion, in Eva Amurri's room on the second floor, something shattered with high volume against a wall.
June 2002.
Three months later, Erika was still following Kate's advice. It had been of great benefit to her, more so than any other teachings she had heard in life. She stayed true to herself and encouraged others to do the same. This greatly improved her life. Now she was surer of herself when she spoke to others and found it easier to get along with them. She left her cross at home and that helped. Erika still had her beliefs but she had now embraced the idea that it was easier to express herself and live her morals without all the baggage that went with making things specific to her religion. She had always known this and now she was living it as much as she could. The benefits were evident all around.
Alicia was still resisting her advances but at least they were speaking to each other and going out together again. They had even gotten lucky a few times. Erika was also continuing to see Kate, Sarah and her other girlfriends. She dated men too, including TV actor Michael Rosenbaum and his Playboy photographer acquaintances. Many people wanted to get to know her, guys and girls. Erika gave herself to those she found worthy and enjoyed the satisfaction. She made numerous new non-sexual friends as well.
Her circle even expanded to include other members of her church. Parishioners and ministers alike appreciated her sunny confidence and cheerful disposition. She did not attend services as much; she was too faithful and happy in living as her true self to feel the need; but that did not seem to matter. Many opportunities to reach out through her church and celebrity and support the causes in which she was interested were coming Erika's way. She took each in stride and helped as best she could, always pushing aside her fear. It got easier as days passed. Fewer people were expressing disapproval towards Erika now and she felt better about handling things when they did. The most uncompromising extremists avoided Erika as if she was the plague and she quickly got used to it. Rarely did she look over her shoulder.
Once enough gossip got around about her hobbies, some other celebrity Scientologists started asking Erika if they could be with her. Jason Dohring, Jason Lee, Kelly Preston and Leah Remini — all members of Clear Rainbow — gave Erika invitations to join them and their significant others. Erika accepted Dohring's and Lee's offers without condition, as she liked both of them and their tastes in women. She told Kelly and Leah that she was not interested in their husbands sexually but would be happy to be with either of them alone if they were okay with that. Both women said yes. Their spouses became Erika's friends also, though neither John Travolta nor Leah's husband Angelo Pagan shared Erika's bed.
Some weeks after that, five other women approached Erika in one of the church purification saunas. Catherine Bell and Juliette Lewis were older actresses who found Erika reminded them of the person they wanted to be. Lynsey Bartilson and Laura Prepon were rising young stars who also wished to emulate her. Marisol Nichols was the older girlfriend of Taron Lexton, the teenage boy genius who directed most of the church's motivational videos. Marisol wanted to see more people like Erika among these productions' casts. All five were eager to hear her teachings and wash her body with their fingers, tongues and hair.
Erika accepted these celebrities as disciples and enlisted them in the church reformation movement along with several other Scientologists. The recruitment continued with everyone pitching in. Soon the reformers' membership roster became quite large. They had to approach an additional Friendship viceroy, intelligence agency director Mike Rinder, in order to keep their intentions and identities hidden from prying eyes. Erika had not known of Rinder's Friendship office until Isaac revealed it to her and was pleased when she found out.
"I know this plan will take a long time," Rinder told Erika and her associates. "Our aims are good, but we are not in power in our church or even in the majority. I have lived with ambition, persecution and paranoia all my life. They breed deeply ignorant and eternal foes."
Rinder's warnings heightened when the viceroy Erika had told Zeck about was exposed and forced to leave the church and his family. Soon others who noticed this incident became worried and stepped away from the call to reform. The bubble had burst. This is not the time, the general mood proclaimed. Change is too dangerous and may not even be necessary. Our church is good, right? We think it is and we want to stay part of it.
Erika, Isaac and the other celebrities were still in, as was their executive contact Rinder, but this was only because of their determination and the established double standards with which they were treated. They pretty much had to stay quiet and remain in the shadows. They weren't very effectual even when they spoke up, as so many people saw them as just faces and not real voices for motivation. Fanatic evangelists like Tom Cruise and most of the church leaders were also watching their every move.
The circle stayed in touch but was reduced to informality. Erika was unsure what anyone could do to make them rise again.
Then another event of great impact happened. Erika had stayed in touch with Zeck as he crossed the Pacific, exchanging e-mails and information that each felt the other needed to know. They had remained associates and occasional cyber-lovers. Each had learned tolerance from the other and grown in response to this gift. Zeck supported Erika as she stayed in her church and tried to help make it better. He also reminded her he was always there if she reached the breaking point. Erika told him she appreciated this and that she would continue to work towards his hopes for peace.
Zeck was the only online anti-Scientologist Erika trusted and was willing to reach out to, though. All the others she saw seemed too caught up in their own viewpoints or lacking in proper direction. The members of Anonymous for the most part did not even know one another's real names. They were so divided into uncoordinated networks of friends and foes that Erika could not find herself at all interested in approaching them. Zeck was no help either, as he was isolated on board his ship and mistrusted by anyone on the Internet to whom he mentioned his support for Erika's cause.
One hundred days after they met, she received the final e-mail from him. The navigator told Erika she should not worry about her reform circle's collapse. As long as she stayed true to herself and lived the good in her beliefs, as long as she helped others do the same, there was still hope. Zeck also expressed excitement about Erika's upcoming slasher movie and asked her to check out a rumor that Sarah was coming to entertain the troops in Karachi.
Erika was ready to answer the next morning. A look at the red-tinted sky out the window made her recall an old sea proverb. When she looked at her computer, another message confirmed her worst fears.
"Dear Erika," the letter read. "This is Torrence. I regret to inform you that at 0723 hours today a small sailboat collided with our destroyer. We thought they were in distress, but they weren't.
"On board this vessel were several pounds of C4 and ammonium nitrate, an improvised explosive device, and some idiot camel jockey who screamed 'Allahu Akbar!' right before he blew himself up. Thirty-one of my shipmates are wounded. Seventeen are dead, including your pal and mine Zeck Metz.
"Zeck could be an obstinate moron sometimes, as you know. However, to Chas and me he was a brother. Guys like him keep you on point. Those godless rag-heads killed our best friend. We will never forgive them. I have decided to join the SEALs. The man who took Zeck's life is gone but others like him are still out there. Chas and I will hunt them down until they all have paid."
Once she had stopped crying, Erika's reply took a few minutes to compose. "Thank you," she told Torrence. "I mourn Zeck. Please express my condolences to Chas and all his other friends. Now listen to me very carefully.
"A few days ago Zeck and I were discussing the writings of Friedrich Nietzsche. I want to share with you one of that philosopher's famous lines. 'He who fights with monsters should take care that he himself does not become a monster, and when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss gazes also into you.'
"Zeck was a good man. He touched my heart, as he did yours. I especially remember that he dreamed of peace, a dream I share. I understand and sympathize with your anger at his death but you should not let that anger consume you. Go after the enemy and stop them from hurting others, as I know you must. But remember they are people too. Some of them may be willing to make peace with you. Be ready for that. Zeck would not want you to betray him by falling into the abyss of hate he spurned."
The next day Torrence's answer was in her mailbox. "What you say is true. We will remember it. Thank you."
Chas also sent an email with appreciation and several jokes. Erika wished them both luck. That was four days ago.
I hope you will indeed remember, she thought in the present. I also pray that Zeck was not the only one of his kind among Anonymous and the others opposing my church. My allies and I could resume our reform efforts again someday if the right things occurred and the right people were willing to listen to and work with us. Even now, we're lying in wait, ready to aid anyone who reaches out to us. My studies of history have taught me never to give up. I will not do so now.
She smiled as she thought again of Zeck and all he had done for her. Erika missed him, but she would not crumble. She was still alive. Erika was not raised to let herself be haunted by the dead. I will learn from Zeck instead, she told herself. I believe that what he taught me could be useful again someday.
Erika closed the thriller novel she was reading, "Faraway Reality" by Doug Ramsay, and sighed as she heard director John Polson calling her name. Erika's career was the only thing that had so far not been affected positively by her new life outlook. She was picking and choosing parts that inspired her instead of films that guaranteed big money. Her weekly Friendship stipend and stock market forecast sheets gave her riches enough. Erika also did not care about becoming a major Hollywood player as much as she did about helping others and finding new friends. Thus, she was turning down many scripts and being passed over for even more. Her current project, "Swimfan", was lacking in writing quality. The story was filled with plot holes and deus ex machina.
"Erika!" the director said. He was a tall black-haired man of middle age with an Australian accent. "We're ready. I need you on set."
"I hear you," Erika answered, rising to her feet. She dropped her book beside her chair and walked towards Polson.
Her co-star lovers Jason Ritter and Shiri Appleby gave her encouraging smiles from the set's sidelines. Both were in their early twenties with firm well-shaped bodies and thick dark hair. Erika reflected on these new friends as she grinned back at them. Jason was the son of comedian John Ritter and had grown up acting on stage like Erika had. He was very happy to acquire a friend with benefits who enjoyed both his father's humor and his own personal acting style. His longtime companion Marianna Palka liked Erika too. Shiri was another actress who had become intimate with Katherine Heigl while on the cast of "Roswell". She and Erika had connected right off.
The only leading member of the "Swimfan" cast who was not yet Erika's lover was Jesse Bradford. He played a high school swimming ace that Erika's character became obsessed with and stalked. He rejected her onslaught of affection and she proceeded to ruin his life. She turned his best friend Jason against him and almost killed his girlfriend Shiri. Even though her character drowned at the film's climax, Erika still damaged Jesse enough to leave him forever scarred.
The role's violent streak and psychotic dementia had appealed to Erika at once. It was so not her! Even though she doubted the film would get much positive critical or public attention, she knew starring in it would help her grow as an actress.
There was one problem, however. Erika was attracted to Jesse but they had very little chemistry. Jesse was a sweet young hunk who freely admitted that he was in the film to kiss Erika and Shiri. Kissing was all he wanted to do, though. He had a steady girlfriend in real life and wanted to stay true to her. Thus, he had rejected Erika's every approach. The resulting feelings this gave Erika had been useful for her acting, but on a personal level, Jesse was driving her up the wall.
He stood in the middle of the pool set now, waiting for her in his swimsuit. Their characters had one love-scene together before he pushed her away and made her go insane. Jesse and Erika had tried to film the scene several times. They could not get the emotions right.
"Today is the love-scene's last take," Polson had told them that morning. "If you can't get it correct, we're going to have to scrap this film. I know none of us wants that. You've gotten every other scene across perfect. Let's finish this one!"
Erika was intent on fulfilling Polson's wishes. She wore her skimpiest red bikini top and shorts. Her hair was in the same style Jesse's girlfriend usually wore and she had once again prepared her most eager emotions for the love-scene with Jesse.
Polson had given Jesse a stern counseling earlier in the day at her request. "You're an actor," the director had said. "Forget about your personal life. You like Erika. I know it, she knows it and you know it too. Just give in to your attraction and forget about everything else for one take. One take. Be with her!"
He seems interested in me now, Erika thought as she gazed upon Jesse. The tanned dark-haired youth had shaved and prettied himself. His body was taut and ready. The set was dark blue all around, punctuating the moment. Erika whispered a prayer to herself that appearances were not deceiving as she slipped into the pool.
She and Jesse spoke their lines as they swam towards one another. Erika had to make effort to appear slow and hesitant, not because she was patient but because her character was supposed to be incompetent in the water. Erika hated that aspect of the role. It made no sense since her character was obsessed with athletes. Erika was also a superb swimmer in real life and had to forget all about that. She stumbled as she moved and let Jesse catch her, asking him to teach her how to do what her character could not.
His catching her turned into a hug and they began making out. The set darkened around them. "It's okay," Erika told Jesse as he hesitated to kiss her. "I want you to."
He nodded and kissed her a second time. Then he pulled back. "Wait. Wait, wait. Wait! We can't do this."
"It's okay," Erika repeated. "Don't worry. It will be our little secret ... hmm, maybe not so little." She grinned as she touched his groin, pleased her words were as true as they had been every time she'd spoken the line before.
Jesse took her in his arms and pulled her into deeper waters. "All right," he said, giving in. He kissed Erika hard and she responded with full emotion. They turned around as they moved towards the wall, shaking as the water flowed around their bodies. Erika could feel her nipples growing hard and warmth rising in her loins. She smiled at both and continued making out with Jesse. He pushed her into the wall near a ladder, leaning down and moving his chest against hers.
"Ben!" she said as a light cue hit her. "Tell me you love me." She kissed him again as he questioned her words. "You don't have to mean it, but just say it for me." The blue spotlights on the set hit them, adding tension to her words. She was breathing heavily and her heart was beating very fast.
"I love you," Jesse answered after a pause. Then he leaned close and touched her lips with his.
A nearby radio came alive as they kissed. Jesse frowned, looking at Erika. She raised her eyebrows too, surprised by the music's deep thrumming bass.
"We'll edit this out later!" Polson shouted. "Go with it!"
As Polson instructed his actors, the voice of Marvin Gaye began singing. I've been really trying, baby ... Trying to hold back this feeling for so long. And if you feel like I feel, baby, then come on, oh, come on! Whoo! Let's get it on...
Erika laughed and hugged Jesse again before he could slip away from her. She recognized the song now and was pleased that Polson had chosen it. Kissing Jesse with all her might, she motivated him to stay in her arms. Soon he was returning her fervor and chuckling as the music throbbed. Shiri, Jason and the director clapped bravos along with several other members of the film crew. Erika felt Jesse's hands roaming over her body. Her shorts were pushed to the side and Jesse's fingers were tracing her pussy. His manhood was hard against her tingling thigh.
"Whoa there," she whispered as Jason buffed her neck. "What about your girlfriend?"
"What about her?" he whispered back with a shrug. Erika laughed again as she accepted his next kiss.
Yes! Erika thought. You're finally accepting me! You want to do me in front of everybody and the cameras, I'm fine with that. Polson will have to edit the take for a PG-13 rating, but that's his problem. I want you, Jesse. I will have you, here and now. She stroked his chest and kissed his face.
"Cut!" Polson yelled. "That's enough! We got it! Thank you!"
Shiri and Jason snickered as Erika and Jesse refused to stop kissing. Finally, the new couple broke apart and smiled at one another. You're still hard, Erika thought. I didn't come either. We're going to finish this soon, though, right? Jesse echoed her question with his eyes and she widened her grin and nodded in reply.
Nothing wrong with love if you want to love me, baby ... Just let yourself go ... Oh baby ... let's get it on...
Gonna get it on...
Afterword: I was inspired to write this story by the massive amount of discrimination against the woman behind my heroine and her people which I see on the Internet every day. I know that there are reasons behind this discrimination and agree that Scientologists have a negative history in their religion and need to step away from it. However, I also think those who would criticize Scientologists need to realize that these people are not all the same. Critics also need to learn to refrain from hatred and dehumanization. People on both sides of the conflict need to learn to reach out and that just because someone is criticizing your arguments does not mean they are your enemy. Both sides also need to remember the nature of change in history and learn to get along. I have depicted all that herein.
If you're wondering about my place in the war over Scientology, well, in the years I've been writing this series I've been on both sides of the war. I've seen each side making what I consider terrible mistakes and I don't entirely agree with either. This fictional story has summed up my reasons. Writing stories such as this is the best way I know to fight back against the mistakes I see in the world. I apologize if I have offended anyone and remind people they don't have to agree with my opinions. I hope they will still see the intended lessons regardless. Should you desire further information about the research that went into this story, I highly encourage you to drop me some feedback and ask. It doesn't matter what side of the war you're on.
There will be more sex scenes in this series' concluding episode. I will also continue Erika's development. Coming Soon: 'Passion of Erika Christensen Ch. 5- Free Katie'. Stay tuned.
The End
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Passion Ch. 4- Sailing With the Hudsons