Armacost Armageddon [R]

[Syd]

Armacost Armageddon

Author: Cutlass
Rating: R for language
Disclaimer: I do not own anything from The Astronaut's Wife or Armageddon.
Info: Spencer has a new wife, and is back in Florida for NASA. Most of the story is from Mattie's POV(Spencer's new wife), Spencer's POV may show up at times.

Summary: Can Spencer save the world? Can he and new wife Mattie handle the thought of impending doom? Fate rests in the hands of one NASA crew... what will happen?
Haha that is like an avertisement not a summary... oh well.

"You see the Earth as a bright blue and white Christmas tree ornament in the black sky. It's so small and so fragile
-you realize that on that small spot is everything that means everything to you;
all of history and art and death and birth and love."
-Russell Schweikart, astronaut


"How quickly do we grow accustomed to wonders. I am reminded of the Isaac Asimov story Nightfall, about the planet where the stars were visible only once in a thousand years. So awesome was the sight that it drove men mad. We who can see the stars every night glance up casually at the cosmos and then quickly down again, searching for a Dairy Queen."
-Roger Ebert

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DAY ONEsunday



I smiled as Spencer sang.

"All my bags are packed; I’m ready to go. I’m standing here, outside your door. I’d hate to wake you up to say goodbye." He wasn’t the greatest singer, but he tried.

I giggled and turned back to the T.V, we were watching one of the best astronaut movies ever. Armageddon. It was only at the part where the astronauts were boarding the two ships. I was captivated, hugging a pillow, anticipating the end of the world.

Spencer would look over at me every-now-and-then and smile. He was amused how into the movie I was.

Later just after one of the ships had lost control and crashed I looked over at Spencer. "Do you think that could ever really happen? The end of the world?"

He looked at me, "Sure it could."

My eyes got wide and I stared at him, "But NASA... they’d go up there, like in the movie right?"

"Hon, this is just a movie. The real thing would be a lot more complicated."

I squeaked. End of the world talk always got me stirred up.

He laughed to himself, eyes now on the T.V, "Don’t worry about it."

"Don’t Worry?" I put the pillow over my face to hide.

"I’m sure NASA would detect an asteroid years sooner than they did in the movie."

"But what if they didn’t... What if we had less time than they did in the movie... what if we only had a week!" I peeked out from the pillow, everything was going wrong in the movie.

"These movies really get you stirred up don’t they?"

I glared at him, then nodded, looking at the screen again. It was really freaking me out.

"Should we turn it off?"

"No!" I almost yelled staring at the screen still.

"But you obviously can’t handle it. And I thought you said you saw this one before."

"Yeah, but that was a long time ago. And I need to know what happens."

The part where Harry, the lead character, had decided to sacrifice himself to save the world, and the remaining crew were back on earth, I could feel my eyes welling up. I was still hugging my pillow, and Spencer was now hugging me. He stared blankly at the screen until the credits started to roll.

"It’s so sad!" I said looking at him.

"Well, they saved the world..."

I moved away from Spencer and he got up to turn off the T.V.

"Good movie eh?" He smiled and pressed the off button on the monitor, then turned to me. He knew I was thinking about everything that had happened in the movie now. And what would happen in the real life scenario.

"I think I heard that the world was supposed to end in 2012." I said quietly.

He raised his eyebrows, "Hon, the world’s not going to end."

"You don’t know that!"

"I work for NASA... I think they’d let me know." He smiled lopsidedly.

I grabbed the pillow again and hugged it. Spencer seemed amused and sat down next to me again.

"Anyhow, if it was, I’d be one of their mission guys."

After I lectured Spencer for about 5 minutes saying that if that were to happen, he better not go and be the brave one and die for the world. "Don’t be a hero. Make some other guy do it."

Then the phone rang. I looked at it until Spencer got up and answered it.

"Hello?"

...

"This is Commander Armacost."

...

"Okay. I’ll be right there." He hung up and looked at me.

"Who was that?" I asked.

"NASA. Worldwide Security is red alert." His voice had changed, and his eyes were almost black.






"What?" I blinked, "What do you mean Spencer?"

"I need to go down to Headquarters." His eyes were dark as he stared down at me.

"Spencer! Tell me what’s going on!" I stood up walking over to him.

He took a deep breath, "I don't exactly know yet. But it's serious." He was looking down.

"How serious? What's red alert mean?"

"It means, all mankind is in jeopardy."

"All," I suddenly felt sick to my stomach, the blood seemed to disappear from my face as I backed away and sat on the couch.

"Don't worry. I need to go. I'll call you as soon as I get any information." He busied himself finding his shoes and a light coat.

"Spencer... what's going to happen?" I was breathing in and out very quickly, the worst parts of the movie we had just watched flashing before my eyes.

He stepped back to me, "Hon, calm down. Just, breathe, I'll be back soon." He leant in and planted a short kiss on my lips.

I barely noticed he was moving away to the door until I heard his shoes on the wood floor.

"You shouldn't call anyone until I call you. Try to stay calm."

I was looking past him, he stood in the door, I looked to the world outside. It was dark, but this was news I couldn't wrap my brain around. As soon as the door shut I went to the bathroom in a hurry. Feeling like I would throw up, but instead ended up just splashing some cool water on my face. Deep breathing followed as I made my way back to the living room. The only light on was coming from the lamp next to the couch, the rest of the house dark. I flipped on the ceiling light of the room and looked 360 degrees around the room.

"Red alert..." I looked over to the computer, debating on searching the level of "red" whether it was bad, or really bad. I wasn't stupid; I knew this was something that would most defiantly change my life in one-way or another. But either I wanted this news from the unforgiving computer, or my husband when I could look into his eyes and still get some sort of comfort....

It was all too much, it was all too... coincidental. We had just watched a movie where the world almost ended, and now worldwide security was "red alert." I couldn't even fathom what they told Spencer, or would be telling him. Denial. Denial is what came now. Moving from the living room to the kitchen I went to the fridge. Searching for something to take my mind off from this all. I pulled out a yogurt cup and ripped the foil lid off. My eyes went to the silverware drawer as I pulled it open and snatched a spoon out. It wasn't much to do; maybe I should have made something more time consuming. A cake? No. No yogurt was going to have to work.

Half an hour passed still with no word from Spencer. I paced the kitchen, our dog looked up at me confused as he lay on the rug. "C'mon Spencer. Call. Call..."

He couldn't have known the mental state I was in. Debating all my life choices, frantically moving about the house. It was 10:30 now. A Saturday night. Spencer doesn't usually work weekends.

11:30. Still no call. Where was he? What was happening? I was getting tired, the sick feeling still nagged at my stomach. Going to our bedroom and into the connected bathroom I shed my clothing and turned on the shower. Sleep always came easier after a shower, at least for me. When I was about to take a final rinse I heard the phone from the other side of the bathroom door. Quickly turning off the shower I wrapped a towel around myself, opened the door and went to the phone. It stopped ringing as soon as I reached for it. I grabbed it anyway, about to *69 the number to see if it was Spencer's cell when it began ringing again. I pressed 'on' and put it to my ear.

"Spencer?" I asked my voice was quiet.
"Yeah hon. How you holding up?"

I took a deep breath, "I wish you were here."

"Not so great then?" He paused, "I'll be there in a little bit. I'm on my way to the car."

I could tell he was walking, "What do you know?"

"We can talk when I get home 'kay?"

"Spencer..." I wanted to make him spill the marbles but decided I wouldn't want any bad news over the phone.

"I'll be home in about 10 minutes."

"Bye." I returned the phone to its cradle and went to my dresser. I pulled out some purple Capri pajama bottoms then went to a different drawer and got a plain white tank top. I returned downstairs to wait bringing the towel with me to try to dry my hair somewhat. Our dog wandered over to me climbing onto the couch next to me. He wasn't allowed on the furniture, at least not when Spencer was home. I smiled for a moment, Spencer knew I let the dog on the couch, and he definatly knew I let him on the bed as well. Sometimes in the morning if I got up early, Jack, our big black German shepherd would hop into my side of the bed and Spencer would usually wake up with a canine nose in his face.

Spencer opened the front door and Jack jumped off the couch to greet him. I stood and watched as he took his coat and shoes off. He looked up at me very solemnly, I was worried. He strode in my direction to the couch and I took only two steps forward to meet him.

"I'll tell you, but... no one else can know." He was searching my face.
I just nodded for lack of knowing what I might say.

"There are two meteors. Each one about 20 miles wide."

"20? In the movie... it was the size of Texas. This. This shouldn't be too bad. Right?"

"Well, it depends. Either they could break apart at the ozone layer and hit many cities across the world. Or stay in one large piece each."

"So... what? What will happen? Which is worse?"

"We're not sure. As far as I know NASA might send a team up there to try to blow them up."

"Blow them up? Then they would definatly be a billion pieces."

"Yeah, but once they hit the ozone layer they might disintegrate." He sighed, "But we still don't know everything."

"How long till they hit?"

"Seventeen days."

"Seventeen! Spencer you said we'd find them way before they became a threat."

"I know, I know, but I guess I was wrong."

"What will this do to mankind if they hit?"

"Most likely wipe out entire states, maybe the smaller countries. Famine, droughts..." His eyes looked sad.

"I need to call my mom."

"No. You can't. No one can know about this. Or the world will go into pandemonium."

"Spencer, my mom wouldn't be able to convince anyone."

"Do you want her to sound crazy anyway?"

"No, but Spencer I need to tell someone."

"Kim would know. Jason was called to HQ too."

"Okay." I nodded to myself, and took a step toward the phone. Kim was one of my best friends since college, and happened to be married to one of Spencer's co-workers Jason.

"Hon. Let's just go to bed, it's late."

I looked over at him. He stood there in the middle of the room, his eyes were soft. I went back to him and he instantly wrapped his arms around me. If the circumstances were different I might not have been thinking about all that Spencer had told me. I melted in his arms fighting the fleeting urge to cry. After standing there we finally made our way up to bed.

Spencer shed all his clothes but his boxers and climbed in next to me draping his arm around my middle. I snuggled into his chest and sighed. My mind was still racing but being close to him helped. He kissed the top of my head murmuring something and then he turned his face into the pillow. My hands were pressed upon his chest still, and he looked over at me. I tried to give him a smile, but he knew I was still very worried. He moved his face closer to mine and gave me a kiss on the lips. One of my hands moved to his neck keeping him there. We parted and I was feeling little better. That was something Spencer was good at. Finally I fell asleep.



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[Spoonhands]

I like how it is very simple. but still is awesome.

[Syd]

Yep yep I plan on writing more. xD When I get unlazy. I actually have a couple more chapters on my laptop but... once again, I need to be unlazy.

[Syd]

Armacost Armageddon



_________________________________________________________



DAY TWOmonday




Sleep didn't come as time of peace though.

"Spencer." I called down the hall, then looked into the living room.
Suddenly he appeared behind me, "It's started." He said, his eyes dark and his voice low.
"What? What's started?"
He nodded outside and there were buildings on fire. I was suddenly frantic looking at everything outside.
"Spencer!" When I turned to look at him he was gone. "Spencer!" I ran back down the hall opening the doors on the way. The phone started ringing. "Spencer?" I asked after I picked it up.
"It's over."
"What?"
"We couldn't st-p them i-s ov-r.." His voice was cutting out.
"Spencer." I whispered his name.
"I l-ve -ou."
"Spencer!" The line went dead.

"Hon, wake up." Spencer's voice made me stir awake.

"Mm." I looked over at him waking up slightly.

"You alright?"

"What? I had.." I trailed off looking over to the window. It was dark which made me look at the alarm clock which read 2:17 am.

"Bad dream." He looked my face up and down, "Tell me about it."

"You couldn't stop them." I looked into his eyes for comfort.

"Shh. It'll be okay." He reached over and brushed some hair from my face.

I shook my head.

"Yes. I won't let anything bad happen."

"Spencer..." I whispered and was silenced by a kiss. He made it passionate, yet gentle, trying to take my fears away. I felt totally safe. Safe there close to him.


Later that morning after waking up the second time, I rolled over to see Spencer's side of the bed was empty. I moved my arm out to check if it was warm but the spot was cool. I sighed and looked to the clock. 6:23. My eyes scanned the room and came to rest on the bathroom door. The light inside was on, and I recognized the sound of Spencer brushing his teeth.

I got up and made my way the door. As I entered I saw Spencer with a fresh pair of white boxers and a toothbrush in his mouth. His eyes wandered over to me and I giggled a little. His hair was still slightly wet and as sticking up all over the place. He smirked a little then got rid of the toothpaste in his mouth and set his toothbrush back in the holder.

"You done?" I asked.

"Yep." He moved toward me and planted a kiss on my cheek.

"Okay." I closed the door behind him and set out a towel, I brushed my own teeth quickly and then turned on the shower. Once under the cascade the night before washed over me at the same force of the water. I tried pushing it all away, thinking maybe it was just all a dream. After I got out I wrapped the towel around myself then walked out and into the bedroom.

Spencer was sitting on the bed pulling on a pair of socks. He smiled up at me. I smiled back and then walked to the closet. Once dressed I saw that Spencer wasn't in the room anymore. It was now 7:00 and I knew Spencer had to be at headquarters by 8. I made my way downstairs and saw him standing near the kitchen counter with a glass of orange juice. I made a face thinking about how gross orange juice tastes after you just brush your teeth.

"Yeah. That's why it's still full." He read my mind.

I laughed, "Are you going to have food?"

"No." He shook his head watching me make my way to the fridge.

"I could make you an omelet.. or just an egg sandwich." I offered pulling out the eggs, and setting them on the counter.

"Mm, no." He smiled.

"Okay." Every time I looked at him the thought of the night before flashed into my head.

"I should really get to work a little early." He set the glass down on the counter.

I nodded looking at the glass. It was all real, and I now wanted to avoid eye contact with my own husband.

"Don't worry." He made his way over to me.

"How could I not?"

He sighed pulling me to him, "I know." He leaned back to look down at me, "Try."

Nodding once again I turned away from him.

"I'm going to get going." He walked to a chair to get his coat, then made his way up to me once again, "I'll see you tonight." Spencer kissed me then went to the door and left. I moved to the window over the sink to watch as he got in the SUV and drove off.

A ham and cheese omelet sat on my plate but I couldn't eat. Since he left panic was the only thing accompanying my mind. 'Kim. Kim knows.' I grabbed the phone it was 7:30 now, and I too had to be to work at 8.
I put it back down deciding to call at a later time. I got my coat on and threw out the omelet, then as I passed the counter and saw the orange juice. I poured it down the sink, feeling a bit wasteful, and then left the house.

I worked for the local newspaper as the editor of the national news section and the entertainment part as well. I was pretty much up to date on a lot of things because of it. Once at work I clocked in and went to my desk. My mind was starting to clear up from the thoughts I had earlier as the routine of a normal day set in. I was reading a copy of a column someone e-mailed to me when I saw a future date. It was talking about the next years hope to bring in more money for the March of Dimes. 'But there might not be a next year.. Time is up.. not next year.' I repeated it over and over to myself until I was hyperventilating and light headed. Once I calmed myself down with some deep breaths my cell phone started to vibrate on my desk.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Hey," Was the familiar voice. "Decided to call and ask how it's going. You alright?"

"No." Came my blunt reply, "I'm on the verge of a meltdown."

"I know.. I'm sorry. We've just found out that if we blow the things up, the particles would be small enough to disinigrate when they reach the O-zone layer. Apparently NASA has been planning for something like this though. So we know a lot about theories and what will work."

"So that's what the plan is?"

"We're thinking that's what will happen." He sighed.

"Spencer, I don't want you to have to go."

"They haven't decided the team, but..., I volunteered."

I was silent for a moment, "I don't want to lose you."

"Shh, you're not going to lose me. Never. So don't even think about it."

"Okay.." I sighed, "I'll see you later."

"Alright, I might be home a little late. But I'll call."

"Bye.."

"Bye. Love you."

I hung up holding the phone in front of me. I didn't want to be at work. I wanted to be at home, with Spencer... sitting on the couch together watching a romantic comedy without a care in the world.

When my day was finally over, I drove home and let the dog outside. Spencer would have usually gotten home at 6, but now I doubted he would be home before nine. It was now only 4ish, and I was extremely fidgety. I sat down on the couch and played with the tassels on a pillow when I remembered that I'd been meaning to call Kim since the night before. I picked up the phone and dialed her familiar number.

"Hello?"

"Kim.. Hi."

"Mattie?" She asked.

"Yep. Has Jason talked to you?"

"I'm on the verge of a breakdown." She admitted, with a slight laugh.

"Me too. I've been meaning to call..."

"Mattie... what can we do?"

"Could we meet up?" I asked.

"Uhm yeah, I could come over, if you don't mind Ruby being with." Kim referred to Jason and her's two year old little girl.

"No no, I need someone to talk to. I can't just sit here alone without someone. I'll go crazy."

"Okay, we'll be there in 20." She said.

"See you soon. Bye." I hung up and went to the kitchen.

I looked at the fridge and debated getting something to set out to munch on when she got here. I opened the fridge door and looked at everything inside. We had a lot of fruit and vegetables. I decided to make a tray of veggies quick. Carrots, cucumber, cauliflower and celery made the platter colorful and I placed a little dish of ranch dressing in the center.
The doorbell rang and I opened it to be greeted by my best friend Kim and Ruby at her side, holding her hand. Kim and I hugged and then I told Ruby hello.

"I brought some toys for her.."

"Okay, lets go the the living room." I said and started in that direction.
Ruby ran ahead and started looking at some pictures that Spencer and I had on a table next to the wall. She had to stand on her tiptoes to just get a glimpse. When Kim and I walked in she handed Ruby a tote with some things in it. I was carrying the platter then set it on the coffee table, and we sat down on the couch.

"So what has Jason said to you?"

"Well.. that there are two.. And they might blow them up...."

"Same thing I got. Spencer said he volunteered to go on the mission.."

"Oh! Mattie! Why?" She asked. Her husband Jason was not in the same situation, he was a technician.

"I don't know. He just did."

"Mattie... I'm sorry. I hope he'll be okay.."

"Me too... You know what the weird thing is.."

"Hm?"

"We were watching Armageddon when they called him."

Kim furrowed her brows, "That's scary."

I nodded and Ruby walked over to us. She was holding a doll and smiling at me, but then her expression turned to a quizzical one.

"How come you and Spencer don't have a baby?"

That threw me off, "Well... I guess we haven't decided when we wanted to have one yet." I said.

"Ruby, go on and play." Kim told her, glancing at me apologetically.

"She's really adorable." I said to Kim.

I looked at the clock and saw that it was already 8:15. Kim noticed as well and started to help Ruby gather a couple toys.

"We'll get out of your hair." She smiled at me.

"Kim, I'm glad you came. I really needed to talk to someone."

"So did I." She swung the tote bag over her shoulder and got Ruby to hold her hand. "I'll call you tomorrow."

"Okay. Bye. Bye Ruby!" They were out the door and I saw Spencer pull up in his SUV as Kim put the bag inside her car, and Ruby awaited being put in her seat.

Spencer got out of the truck and walked over, he snuck up behind the little girl and picked her up swiftly. She giggled as Kim watched. "Hi Kim." Spencer greeted her walking around the car still holding Ruby.

"Hey Spencer. I was just having some girl time with Mattie." She glanced back to the door where I stood and waved to the both of them.

Ruby was still giggling and Spencer set her down on the ground. He was really great with little ones.

Kim ushered Ruby into her car seat, and with one last wave, was off and driving. Spencer walked up to me, embracing me the moment he was close enough. I hugged him back and ran my hand through his hair.

"Mattie..."

"What? What is it?" His tone scared me. He had whispered my name.

He pulled back to look at me in the eyes, "Nothing, it's just... god. I love you so much. And to know what we know.. I don't want to waste our time together."

"Spencer, don't talk like that. It scares me. I need to know that it will be okay."

Spencer nodded; cupping my face in his hands and gave me a kiss. "Let's go in."

We went in the house and Spencer shrugged off his coat and put it in the closet. I was in the kitchen, looking for something to make that was actual food. Spencer came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. He kissed my neck and I leaned back into him.

"What are you doing?" He asked.

"Trying to think of something to make. Or did you have something already?" I tilted my head to look up at him.

"Not hungry right now." Spencer replied, turning me around to face him.
I looked up at him, I felt safe there in his arms, but still had thoughts of the situation we were in. I hugged him and rested my head on his shoulder. Spencer kissed the top of my head. We stood there in the kitchen for a while, just letting reality sink in.

Before I knew it I found myself in our bedroom. An hour later Spencer and I were lying next to each other, my hand entwined with his. I snuggled up to him and fell asleep there, safe.




_________________________________________________________

[Syd]

Armacost Armageddon



_________________________________________________________



DAY THREETuesday





This morning was different; Spencer lay next to me, still asleep. I looked at the alarm clock and saw that it was still too early to get up. I decided to stay there until Spencer woke up. I slowly drifted back to sleep and woke up again when I felt Spencer turn toward me more. My eyes slowly opened to see him watching me. He smiled and moved in for a quick kiss, which I obliged to. He sighed and sat up, I looked up at him; his hair was sticking up all over. I loved his messy hair, but he only ever left it like that in the morning on the weekends. I sat up as well and ran a hand through my hair. Spencer tilted his head until his neck cracked and I gave him a look, I hated it when he did that, I could always hear it. He swung his feet over the edge of the bed and made his way to the bathroom in all of his glory. I got up and put the shirt he was wearing the night before on. I went downstairs, noting the time- 6:20 and started to make something for the both of us, as we didn't eat the night before.

I grabbed the eggs and some ham. Then I went to the cheese and got out a frying pan. After whipping the eggs, and cutting the other ingredients up, I poured them into the frying pan. Spencer came down the stairs and into the kitchen.

"I can take over." He said stepping next to me.

"Okay." I smiled at him and retreated back to our room to take a shower.

When I was all done getting cleanly, I made my way back downstairs in a pair of red Capri’s, and a white t-shirt with red wispy-windy-like lines across the middle section. Spencer had set out two plates and was filling up two glasses of milk. I looked around at the stove and saw the omelets, they were just about finished. Spencer set the milk on the table and smiled over at me. I admired how when he volunteered to do something he always went all for it. Nothing would be left out. I jumped a little at the sound of the toaster going up.

"Just toast." He smiled.

"Looks like you've got it all under control."

He nodded, "But, if you wouldn't mind buttering the toast.." He smiled adorably.

I laughed a little, then grabbed the toast and the butter knife. After I got done buttering the two slices I set them on the plates and took a seat. Spencer walked over with the frying pan and flipped an omelet on my plate first then his. He put the pan back on the stove and then sat down at the table.

"I swear you lie when you say you don't like cooking." I took a bite of toast.

"I don't. But there's one exception. I only like cooking for you." He smiled.

"Oh. I see how it works." I nodded and started to eat the omelet, thinking about the previous morning when I wasn't able to eat at all.

Spencer drank some milk and dove into his own omelet. The clock read only 7:18 and I was happy that we actually had time to eat breakfast together this morning. The whole 'end-of-the-world' thing was so huge, I couldn't fathom that it was real. It hadn't set in as much as I thought it might have by now. I shook myself away from those thoughts as soon as I started wondering when it would really hit me. I didn't want to provoke a breakdown.

After breakfast Spencer helped me load the dishes into the dishwasher. We then left driving our separate ways to go to work. It was the typical day in the office. The usual hustle and bustle of the people around me. They didn't know that this could be one of the last Tuesdays they spent alive. How could they? I felt horrible knowing that the Rachel, the lady with the office next to mine, might never get to go to her daughter's soccer tournament in two weeks. Two weeks. That was exactly how much time we had until the asteroids hit. I started to shiver sitting right there at my desk.

"Mattie?"

A voice cut my from my thoughts. I looked up to see Craig, another co-worker of mine. "Yeah?" He was a nice guy, about 50 with silver hair, but he was in shape.

"You okay? Do we need to turn up the thermostat or something?" He asked looking at me his Kansas accent coming though when he taked.

"No.." I rubbed my arms for a second, "I'm fine."

"Okay. You need anything, just let someone know." He nodded to me and then walked away.

The day was long, and boring, but once I got home I wanted something to get my mind off of it all. My way of doing that was to cook. I got out some cake mix and decided that that was the way to go. An hour later after smearing just enough frosting on the cake I was satisfied with it.

It didn't take long for me to get bored then. I stood leaning against the counter when Jack looked up at me and whined. He probably wanted to go outside, but instead of just letting him out I decided to take him for a walk.

Once outside and on the sidewalk Jack and I walked side by side. I was glad he was well trained because a dog as big as him would be able to pull me into the next town. It was still pretty light out, it being about 5:45. We passed multiple people from the neighborhood, and once we got to the end of the street Jack spotted a squirrel. "Jaaackk." I stretched his name out, "Heeellll!" The dog was slightly pulling me now.

"Hey!" I said sternly trying to stop but the squirrel spotted us and took off. Jack didn't need any encouragement, as the large black fur ball took off for the small fluffy rodent. I immediately let go of the leash, deciding I would rather not get my arm pulled off. Jack chased the little animal up a tree and I jogged up to him. He was barking and whining as he put his paws on the trunk of the tree. I grabbed the leash and got my dog's attention. "Bad dog. You're not supposed to chase little squirrels!" I pulled Jack away from the tree and turned back to walk home. "You know, if Spencer was walking you, you would have never done that." I glanced down at Jack, his long tongue lolling out of his mouth.

When we got home I set the dog loose in the house and looked up to the clock. I'd wasted about an hour and 15 minutes, making it 7 o'clock. My mind wandered and I found myself thinking about Spencer and the night before. How gentle and caring he had been. I sighed leaning against the kitchen counter when the sound of the phone ringing made me jump. I walked over to the object and picked it up.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Hi Mattie."

"Kim! How're you today?"

"As good as anything will let me." She let out a sigh.

"I just got in.. I was walking Jack."

"Oh. I've just been sitting around with Ruby all day." I heard something clang in the background, "Putting away dishes now." Kim explained.

"Did Jason call you at all today?"

"No. What about Spencer? He call you?"

"No... I thought he would... but he just... didn't."

"They've got a lot to figure out Mattie. I just hope they get it figured out before it's too late."

I was silent.

"I don't mean it like that. I know they will." She assured.

"I hope."

Our goodbyes were quick. The conversation had become awkward, and neither of us wanted to be a part of it any longer. Spencer would probably be home around 9. I wasn't sure what I could do, but found my mind back on him once again. His smile, his kiss.. his tender love and affection. I sighed and returned to the kitchen.

I got out some wine and set it on the kitchen table. The wine was where it started, and I couldn't bring myself to a halt before I realized I had put a roast in the oven. I turned and looked back at the kitchen table noting that there was just the wine sitting on it. I grabbed two stem wine glasses, two plates and some silverware and set the table. I seemed to be in a trance while I did everything, but when the roast, potatoes, and green beans were all done I was suddenly aware.

Aware, and in a silly way, glad I didn't ruin anything. I wasn't sure how the roast would turn out, but I hoped and hour and a half would be long enough for it to tenderize.

The clock read just past nine and I was still slightly bothered Spencer hadn't called. I was debating with myself on whether I should just call him instead but as I did so I heard the garage door opening. I smirked and walked out of the room deciding to let him see the table himself. He would probably want to hit himself for not calling, and it was my own way of saying, 'You need to call me.' It wasn't the best sort of wake up call, but Spencer understood my ways of things.

"Mattie, I'm home." I heard the door close as I sat down in the living room and picked up a magazine. I heard him walking to the closet and imagined him putting his jacket away, "Matt..." I could see him in my mind, turning toward the kitchen, his eyes setting on the wine. I had a smirk on my face, wondering about exactly what he would do. I listened intently to his footsteps making their way to the room. "Mattie? You in here?" He asked before he was even in the room.

"Yeah." I said turning in my seat to face him.

"I'm sorry I didn't call. I didn't know you were going to.." He pursed his lips.

"It's fine." I didn't know whether to stop myself or not. I didn't want to start being passive aggressive.

"No. Really, I should've called."

"Are you hungry?"

He looked down, "Yeah... what did you make."

My response was always the same; it was the same when asked what I would like, and the same when asked what I made, "Food."

Spencer smiled and held a hand out to me to help me up from the couch. He knew all was to be forgiven, my response told him that.

After dinner Spencer and I took the wine into the living room and sat down to watch a movie. I hadn't rented anything special, so we ended up watching an old favorite, "Edward Scissorhands". I leaned on his shoulder and he smiled down at me. Part of the way into the movie Spencer and I were now lying on the couch, which is really complicated... I looked over at the coffee table, sighed and sat up.

"What are you doing?" Spencer asked still laying down.

"I should wash out the glasses."

"They're fine."

"Spencer, I should wash them, they could stain."

"They're good glasses though. Remember my sister gave them to us for the wedding."

I gave him a look, "That's one of the very reasons I should wash them. Your sister would hate me even more if she saw her wedding gift ruined."

Spencer laughed, "She doesn't hate you."

"I don't care. I'll be right back." I grabbed the glasses and the wine bottle then headed into the kitchen. I put some dish soap in the glasses and started to wash the first one out. I set it out in the counter to dry and then went to the second glass. While my hand was inside the cup it cracked and shattered. The glass pieces fell into the sink. Some of them were red, not with wine, but red with my blood.





Spencer was in the room moments later. He grabbed my hand and looked at the severity of the wound. There were multiple little scratches but one large gash was on the top of my hand. It ran across the top diagonally from my middle finger to my thumb.

"Shit Mattie." He swore moving away from me for a moment and returned with a washcloth from the drawer.

"It's not that bad." I said and turned my hand. It wasn't true. I moved my fingers a little and the gash started to gush. Spencer snatched my hand back and held the cloth over the cut.

"It is too bad." He disagreed. "How did you do this?"

With a regular glass I was usually fine, but it was a different story with stemmed glasses. I was notorious for breaking them, usually though it was just accidentaly breaking off the bottom. Spencer knew this, as I'd broken two other wine glasses from the set his sister had gotten us. "It just broke." I knew really hot water always made thin glasses easier to break, but being me, I felt like there wasn't another way to make sure they were clean.

"No more wine glasses for you."

"What?" I looked up at him.

"I'll be washing the wine glasses from now on." He guided me to a chair at the island in the middle of the kitchen, "Keep holding that down." He moved toward the telephone.

"What are you doing?"

"I think you're gonna need stitches." He looked for the hospital's phone number to tell them that they were going to come in.

When we arrived at the hospital I was wisked away to a sterile white room. A doctor came in and asked about my hand.

"How did this happen?"

"I was washing a wine glass. It broke."

"I see. Well, I think you'll need about..." He trailed off a little, "Five stitches."

I grimaced. I had to get stitches onece when I was little and hated the experience. Back then though they didn't have the kind that just dicinigrated, or the glue.

"We'll give you a local antestetic, hand wounds usually hurt." He turned away and opened up a cabinet. He had a little container that had what I assumed was the gel they use at the dentist. I was right, except this gel probably didn't taste like bananas or mint. He swabbed some on and then walked out of the room.

I looked at my hand which would only not bleed for seconds after I took the cloth off of it. I sighed. This wouldn't make my boss too happy. My job revolved around typing. I decided I would talk to Spencer about taking my two week vacation now on the way home.

When the doctor returned he had a nurse with him, and she held a tray with multiple intruments. I didn't look the whole time they were stitching me up. I could barely feel anything, but I didn't want to imagine feeling more if I looked down. The nurse told me Spencer had asked about me and I smiled a little.

They wrapped up my hand in gaus and tapped it all up. I walked out into the waiting room and was greeted by Spencer who looked at my hand and and then at me, he looked a little sad, but I smiled at him. He told me that he'd taken care of everything while I was getting stitched.

Once home Spencer cleaned the sink of the glass while I went to put away the little kit of gause and wrap that the hosplital had given me. Spencer and I then made our way into the living room to watch the movie some more.

I cuddled up to him and he tipped my head up. He he then leaned down and kissed me. His eyes danced and he moved away a little.

"You're tired?" He asked brushing some of my hair out of my face.

I shook my head 'no' and he smiled at me.

"I don't believe you." He said helping me to my feet.

I laughed and leaned against him. He knew me too well. I wrapped my arms aound him once we were standing and looked up into his eyes.

"Let's get some sleep." He wrapped an arm around my middle and we slowly made our way to the stairs.

I yawned as we made our acent. "Your sister is going to hate me."

Spencer laughed, "No she won't. She'll probably feel bad about the cut."

"I hope it doesn't scar." I made a face and looked at my wrapped-in-white hand.

"I would agree... but if you had to get stitches chances are there'll be a mark." Spencer gave me a look of sympathy.

I sighed as Spencer pushed the bedroom door open and sat down on the bed. I walked over to the dresser and pulled out a tank top and then some shorts.

"I've been looking for those." Spencer snatched the shorts away from me. They were a pair of his boxers.

I gave him a pout and he looked down at the shorts in his hands.

"Fine." He threw them at me.

"Hey. No throwing things at the disabled." I laughed and set the clothing down on the bed next to Spencer. First I changed into the tank top and I could feel Spencer's eyes on me the whole time.

He began taking his button up shirt off and I worked on getting into the boxer shorts. Spencer laughed as I went to grab for them with my 'bad' hand. It was complicated to grab things because of one: the slight pain sensation, and two: my fingers were the only part not wrapped up.

"Be nice." I pouted again.

"I am being nice." He said and handed me the shorts.

"Then help your wife out."

"What do you want me to do? Put them on for you?"

"It would be erotic."

"Erotic?" Spencer laughed and stood up.

I laughed and shook my head, "No... it would be... funny." I paused, "That's the word I was looking for."

"As much as you're tempting me... I'm going to help you get these on and then we're going to go to bed."

"You're no fun." I said poking him.

"Hon. You're tired... let's not push anything." He knew how I got when tired, tipsy was just about the perfect word to describe it.

I pulled on the shorts myself with a slight struggle. I walked over to my side of the bed and climbed in. Spencer shed the rest of his clothing and got in beside me after he shut off the lights. I cuddled up to him as I usually did and fell asleep moments later.




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[Syd]

Armacost Armageddon



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DAY FOURwednesday

Spencer's POV[/i]




After my shower I looked back to the bed at Mattie. She was still asleep, I knew she would want to be woken, but she had told me she wanted to take her vacation in the car on the way home. I went to the closet trying to be quiet as possible and got into my usual clothes, just to change once again at work. Once dressed I walked to the bed and sat down on the end. It was always a really huge deal with me on how I was going to wake someone up. I always had to sit there and contemplate it, the way that would wake them without a sour mood following, or scaring them. She moved her head, finding a more confortable spot.

"Mattie..." I said quietly, and laid back on the bed, my legs hanging off the end. I reached up and trailed my hand across her waist, "Mattie." I talked louder.

She stirred slightly and turned her face in the pillow. She shook her head and sighed, it was enough sign to me that she was awake. I sat up and looked at the clock with a grimace. It was already 7, either she would be mad, or just really... quiet. I knew she was going to call in sick today, but she might still be mad that I hadn't waken her earlier.

"It's seven.." I said and stood up looking down at her.

"What?" She sat up, her eyes closed and took a deep breath followed by a yawn.

"You were going to call in."

She blinked at me and looked at the digital clock. "Spencer... It's seven."

I smiled slightly, "I can get you the phone."

"Okay, you do that." She put her face in her hands. I knew she was going to be a little weary, it had been a long night.

I walked downstairs and grabbed the phone, then walked over the the coffee maker and pulled out the carafe. I poured Mattie a cup then carefully walked up the stairs. She was still sitting in bed, but now giving me a funny look.

"Huh?" I held out the coffee for her.

"Why-" She saw the coffee and took it, "Oh." She smiled at me, realizing that I got the phone from downstairs for the reason of bringing her coffee.

"I'm going to go back down." I turned to the door and heard a beep of the phone being turned on. I left the room and decided to get myself a bowl of cereal. I was sitting at the island eating some Cap'n Crunch when I saw Mattie appear from the stairs. She was still in her tank top and my boxers, bringing a smile to my face. She walked past me, her eyes glancing to see what type of cereal I had as she made her way to the coffee maker. She filled her cup and set it on the island next to me, then went to the cupboard. I watched as she pulled out what she called, 'Adult Cereal' which was Honey Bunches of Oats. Once her bowl was fixed she sat on the opposite side of the island from me and I pushed her cup over to her. "You call in?"

"Yeah. I talked to Foley about taking my vacation and he said it was fine."

"Hm.."

"He sounded a little pissy about the short notice."

"Figures." I put a spoonful of cereal in my mouth. It was nice that even though Mattie dissaproved of my not so healthy kiddie breakfast she still bought the stuff special for me.

"I should have called yesterday." She ate some of her own, then looked over at me.

"Sorry hon. I shoulda woken you earlier."

She sighed, and I knew she was agreeing with me.

"And I really am sorry about last night. I should have called."

"I know you're busy Spencer.. But you know, you're working on saving the freaking world right now. I want to know what's going on."

I looked down into my bowl of cereal. I had this coming.

"Just call me. Especially now that I'm going to be home all day."

"I will. I promise." I replied with a sullen tone. My cereal was just about gone already and I took the last few scoops then stood and went to the kitchen sink. I rinsed the bowl out and then put it in the dishwasher. I walked up to her and kissed her cheek. She smiled at me as I then went to put on my shoes.

"You think you'll be home late again?" She looked up from her cereal.

I paused, I wasn't sure. I was just surprised they hadn't decided to keep me at headquarters all night yet. I guess they had it all under controll. "I'll call."

She smiled again, "Well, you better. I don't want to have to wait up."

"Aww, you wouldn't?" I looked at her with a sad face.

"Well, if you're gonna look at me like that."

I smiled and tied my shoe then went to grab my car keys off the hook. I put them in my pocket and looked at the clock. "I'm gonna go." I walked back to her and kissed her, this time on the lips. "See you tonight."

"Don't forget to call me Mr. Armacost."

"I won't. I swear." I went to the door, "Love you."

The drive to work was about 10 minutes. I pulled into the parking lot and locked the SUV then walked into Head Quarters. I checked the clock as soon as I walked in, it read 7:42. Being early now was a good thing.

"Morning, Spencer." A woman with short red hair smiled behind the desk.

"Morning, Jackie." I walked to the conference room that we had started using most of the time now. Jason was there with few other colleagues. I sat in a chair and looked around. There were five guys beside me in the room. Adam, he had blonde hair and was tall. Mack had blonde hair that was starting to go silver and had a very stocky figure. Sam was older, he was sort of the guy everyone looked to for advice. Jim was about as close to the new guy that we had so far, he was the youngest, but had been in the program for almost two years. Jason, was the engineer who hung out with all us space boys, everyone liked him, and I was glad he was one of my best friends.

"So what's on the agenda?" I asked, pretty much the whole room.

"Zero. Just... training." Adam said.

I groaned and the guys laughed. We had all been through extensive training, before every mission, we knew how it worked. We hadn't gotten any new guys in a while anyway.

"So is that all we'll be doing this whole... two weeks?" Mack asked.

"You can be sure of it." Adam replied.

"What about this bomb crap?" Jimmy looked up from his focus on the table.

"Bomb crap?" Sam looked at him, "It's not crap. We've gotta save the world with them bombs."

The guys all looked from Jim to Sam.

"Save the world." I repeated.

Everyone was quiet. I stood and left the room and went to the locker room. There were a couple guys in there as well, Rob, Glen, and Vince. They all greeted me with "Heyyyy!" I smiled and went to my locker. Once in my bright orange jumpsuit, I noticed the guys from the conference room, minus Jason, had come in. It was now 5 minutes to eight. The usual locker room talking commerced. I was retying my shoes when the last group of guys came in that I hadn't seen earlier. There was now the whole 12 guys in the program in the locker room. There were 16 astronauts in the program, only 4 were women. The decided amount of astronauts going on each shuttle though was five. Six of them would be spared having to save the world, but they would also have to sit down here, wondering what was happening. That was one reason I had volunteered to go.

I then went to the training facilities, the guys who were dressed followed me. We looked like a bunch of guys... who were dressed the same. When we were doing public speakings, or just out in public in general, we wore the blue suits... they were less obnoxious.

"Commander Armacost, we'll have you and Commander Parker in the tank first."

"Ahh, okay Brent." I said the the coordinator, Brent.

"Commander Parker?" Brent looked to Adam, who was Commander Adam Parker.

"Yeah yeah. Let's suit up." Adam waved Brent off.

Once we were in the suits a couple guys helped us strap on the oxygen tanks. It made for a heavy, and not so attractive get-up if you asked me. We made sure everything was secure because even though we were just under water in front of a bunch of safety people, it only took a second for it to all go wrong. I knew that all too well... We were ushered to the poolside and to a platform that would lower us underneath the water, and inside the pool was the typical mock-up of an orbiter. I wasn't too enthused about working on something that didn't necessarily pertain to the up-coming, and very critical mission. Though working with tools under water would be good to sharpen some skills. After more than eight years at NASA some of it got old, but you can't fight them when they want you to get something done. It's your job.

We descended in the water and Adam decided to check the radio.
"Houston, we'd like some donuts down here."

"The raspberry filled kind." I took my chance to head toward the orbiter before he did.

"The radio's working fine boys." A voice from above came, it was Brent.

"Good to know." I was now in front of the orbiter.

"So what are we going to pretend is wrong with it now?" Adam asked.

We weren't going to be getting much more help from Brent now, "It looks like the robotic arm is about to fall off."

"If these suits get any heavier I think my arm is gonna fall off." Adam was someone you had to get used to. He was always kidding around, but the guy knew when to cut it out, thankfully.

It took about a half an hour for us to repair the arm. We then got back on the platform and exchanged places with Jimmy and Sydnie Vogel. Syd was equal in rank to me, and the highest ranked among the four women. Jimmy, well, he was just the guy everyone picked on. Most of the other guys were gone from the pool area and doing either testing, or some other sort of training. I was interested in what they were going to put Adam and I to next. It wasn't much of a challenge with anything when both astronauts working together on something were high ranked and well skilled. I was guessing part of the reason they put us together was to find out who was more efficient.

Brent told us we could just sit back and watch for now, as all the other stations had stuff going on as well. Before, getting paid to be a bystander was nice. Now it just seemed like our effort was wasted, and we could just be saying that the world didn't deserve to be saved.

I walked to the edge of the pool, looking down in the clear water. I could see the two underneath fairly well, yet it was all blurry and made me feel like I should get some glasses. Adam stood next to me but he lost interest quickly and turned away. He brushed against my shoulder and I put a hand out and gabbed his arm.

"That was a close one." He laughed.

"Yeah well, it would've been your fault." I released his arm after I regained my balance and he continued walking away.

"Armacost, you're asking to fall in there." Brent called from behind a desk of computer monitors.

I laughed and moved to the other side of the pool. I didn't even recognize that I was standing on a cable. A guy that was down further pulled on it, I looked down and removed my foot, but now one was on one side and one on the other. The guy pulled the cord up and lo and behold as I was trying to step away from it my foot wasn't able to get over it, I lost my balance once again, and fell into the pool. I remember saying something like, "WHOOAAA!!!!" (splash)

"Shit. You see that?" Adam asked Brent pointing.

"What?"

"Armacost fell in."

"Dumbass."

I swam to the edge of the pool, laughing. There were no steps to get out, just a couple ladders. Once out of the pool I stood there staring at myself, all wet, and then shook my head so the water from my hair would quit running in my face. Adam and Brent were laughing, apparently not caring enough to have stayed exactly where they were. I walked over to their side of the pool with a scowl.

"Didn't I tell you?" Brent looked up from the monitors.

"Yeah yeah. Some damn cord boy was screwing with the cable over there and tripped me." I pointed down the building and saw a guy with a bundle of cords.

"Sure Spence." Adam slapped me on the shoulder, laughing, then looked at his hand which was then sopping wet.

"Vogel says you surprised them." Brent smirked.

"Tell em I didn't mean it."

"Okay, why don't you go and change your clothes, we'll still be here." Brent said.

"Sounds good."

"Adios Commander agua!" Adam called after me.

I turned around and flipped him off then continued on my way back to the locker room. Once in another orange suit, I returned to the pool. After opening the doors there I got multiple hoots and yells. I took it in stride, and waved to a couple of the callers.

"Armacost, you scared the shit outta me." Jimmy was walking over with Syd.

"I never thought you to be a klutz." Syd laughed.

"I'm not. The cord tripped me." I said, in my own defense.

"Sure it did." Adam laughed.

"Hey, I'm not the one here who managed to short out the whole mission control room." I countered, looking at Adam remembering the time we had walked through mission control to thank all the guys after a mission and Adam knocked over a computer, making almost all the other ones turn off.

Adam stopped talking then. After about a full day of random testing, something finally got changed a little, at least.

"Okay kids, we're going to switch you around." Brent walked over to us, "I want Jimmy here with Adam, and that leaves Spencer with Sydnie."

I looked at Syd and she smiled. "Okay, and what is it that we're going to be doing?"




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To be continued...