Peter gave a sad smile. "I think we both know that my time has passed. I'll be changing soon," he said and found Dean. A smile played on his lips as he watched Dean and Val laugh at something. "It's good enough that they have more."
Apollo knew this. Hell, it was something they had all talked about. It was too bad they hadn't thought to talk about those that couldn't start new. They had just assumed that all the younger ones would be safe from all that they had suffered. It had been too many years though. All that time, they had suffered right alongside them.
No, Peter was right. A better life for those that could have it would be enough. And maybe he needed to find that sort of peace within himself.
He turned to say as much to Peter but found he'd already moved on to the next project.
Apollo smiled for the first time in ages and felt it to his core. All their work meant something.
* * *
Val sat uncomfortably at the table with the other women staring at her openly. Aside from Rachel and Jenna, she really didn't know the others. And as interested as she was in learning more about their life there, she couldn't bring herself to speak. Their feelings were bombarding her, and it was hard to tell who was thinking what. Maybe this was why she never hung out with many women.
All these years she'd been pretty much on her own. Making friends had never been top priority for her, and so she never really tried. Even more, the relationships that women had seemed so foreign to her. Things that other women cared about just didn't seem as important when you were struggling to just get by.
"So … " the leggy blonde named Kate started. Her large pregnant stomach pushed at the table, and she repositioned the pillow behind her back for more comfort. The pregnancy was a surprise to her. "I hear you're a Vestal."
"Kate!" The pretty brunette, Erica, next to her said.
Kate scowled at the woman. "Don't give me that, Erica," she huffed and repositioned. "You wanted to know just as much as the rest of us."
Erica blushed and gave an awkward smile to Val, who only frowned.
"Vestal?" Val asked, clearly confused.
"Wait, what?" Hannah, the cute blond woman beside her said.
"I had my suspicions," Rachel said with a smirk.
"Someone mind filling me in?" Val scowled. "What the hell is a Vestal?"
The table grew quiet as the woman seemed to pick that moment to take a large bite of cake. Unease overtook them, and she wondered how terrible it must be if they didn't even know where to start.
Rachel sighed loudly and looked at her from across the table. "Guess I'll take that one. So this is a bit complicated, but basically, you are someone that would be a good match for a hybrid."
Val's mouth ran dry as the words sank in. "Match? I don't-"
"You smell good, honey," Kate said and shoved a large bite of cake into her mouth. "Like a nice big hunk of lady cake."
Val leaned down to her shirt and smelled. She guessed she smelled nice.
"You wouldn't notice," Hannah smiled. "It's something they smell."
"They put out a pheromone that reacts to the pheromone you put out, creating an intoxicating smell made just for them," Rachel said. "It's how they decide who would best match them for bonding."
"Bonding?" Val nearly whispered. Her heart kicked up into her throat as she spoke the word.
"It's exactly what you think it is, honey," Kate said and rubbed her large stomach.
The act seemed like a threat even though Val knew she was likely just doing it subconsciously.
"But I haven't … " She let the words trail off, not really sure where to go with this bizarre line of questioning.
"Apollo," Jenna said quietly.
Everyone turned to look at the sweet little mousy woman. She shrugged.
"It's a bit hard not to notice," she said.
"But I haven't … " she stuttered. "We haven't."
She stopped. But they had. Not sex, but they had kissed. And it had been like fireworks had gone off in every part of her. She could still feel the hum of it, and it had been several days now. Her face went hot.
"Oh, that's real convincing," Rachel said with a laugh. "Look, you wouldn't be the only one to fall victim. Although … " She scrunched her forehead. "Apollo is a bit of a surprise."
Despite herself, Val bristled at the comment.
"And why is that?" she snapped and almost immediately wanted to take it back. It wasn't like they were an item.
Erica grinned widely at her. "You really might be good for him if you're willing to stick up for his grumpy butt."
It wasn't the first time she heard that, and it was starting to irritate her.