TITLE: Tall Enough For You, the Sequel

CHAPTER: Chapter 10

AN: Last chapter. Many thanks to those of you who stayed with the story. Very best wishes to all of you for a happy New Year. Thank you for stopping by.

"You found me. But so much of me is wrong — out of place. You might be too late."

"You know me. When I make a promise..."

"...you keep it. I do know how to pick 'em."

"—Lucky me."

Tonight the UNSC ship Infinity orbited planet earth the same way she had a year and a half ago. The small blue planet below, still hung gracefully in the night sky of the Sol System. In spite of war and strife, like the sapphire centerpiece of a beautiful ring, she is beautiful in her grace and courage. Humans continue to cling to her as a symbol of peace and hope.

Tonight a man and a woman stood at the view port looking out at the stars. Both tall and strong, their height and strong frames brand them unmistakably as Spartan soldiers. These Spartans are the same two who'd reached out to each other that night. On a night filled with sadness and exhaustion, they'd taken a chance on a total stranger because their instincts had been true.

On a normal day, these two would be in uniform. Tonight was New Year's Eve and they were dressed for a party. She wore a simple black cocktail dress that showed off her broad shoulders and shapely legs. To soften the black tone against her fair skin she wore a gold necklace of purple Tanzanite stones. He'd always liked her in purple. The necklace had been a gift from the man who stood behind her handsomely dressed in a black suit. The cut of the suit accentuated his broad shoulders and trim waist.

Hidden deep in his breast pocket was a flawless three-carat diamond ring. Flanked by two equally brilliant Tanzanite stones the diamond was the centerpiece of an engagement ring. If the bravest and most famous Spartan in history could work up the courage, he had a question to ask his lady tonight.

Unlike the solid dependability of earth, these two had changed much over the last year and half. Tonight, instead of tentative touches and shy words, the tall Spartan had his arms possessively wrapped around the female. She leaned back against his sturdy frame, enjoying the attention.

Out of this quiet romantic moment came the giggles of a child. Instead of staring out the view port into the peace and quiet, John-117 watched while Sarah Palmer laughed at their son's antics. Cute as well as precocious, the four month old determinedly attempted to scale his mother, so he could attain his favorite position on top of his father's shoulders. However, it was past his bedtime and his parents were trying, without success, to get him sleepy enough to doze off. His laughter echoed in the corridors and deck.

Manipulative, smart, and strong, the little boy knew the direct stare of his dark brown eyes could get him whatever he desired. It worked with almost everyone on this ship, especially Captain Lasky, but not his parents. He was a determined little boy.

"John Thomas you are behaving very badly tonight." The Master Chief said with as much bluster as he could manage. "Aren't you supposed to be a baby?"

His father's voice always got his attention. He opened his deep-set brown eyes and stared solemnly at his father. After nearly skipping over his babyhood, at four months of age John could sit up and crawl. A few days ago, his mother had caught him trying to pull himself up. The doctors explained that he would be a strong baby, but they were surprised at what seemed to be his accelerated growth.

Only the second offspring born of Spartan augmented humans, the doctors paid close attention to the child's development. They had instructed his parents to watch him so that he didn't overexert and possibly injure his still soft bones and joints. When they weren't on a mission or training, they were with their son.

While John Thomas and his father regarded each other across the woman they both loved, the baby gathered his feet under him and with the angelic smile still on his face, leap upwards toward his father. The Spartan had no choice but to catch the aimed missile. With a crow of victory, the little boy was one-step closer to where he wanted to be. It was a simple matter of timing and resolve.

Laughing voices in the corridor caught their attention. With his baby daughter in his arms, Spartan Gabriel Thorne and his wife Tedra Grant joined the couple at the view port. With excited shouts, and raised arms the two babies began a babble of conversation that they apparently understood. The doctors assured them this was normal for babies, but the parents watching the conversation were not entirely sure. The boy and girl were always glad to see each other and always had a great deal to say. It was mesmerizing to watch.

Tedra lifted John Thomas from his father's arms.

"We'll get them to sleep; you two go enjoy the party."

"Is that an order, Spartan? Commander Palmer asked with a raised eyebrow.

Tedra stood her ground, "Yes, ma'am. Go!"

The party is in full swing when John and Sarah entered. Captain Lasky has a microphone in his hand and they recognize the opening bars of Jimmy Buffet's famous old song, "Son of a Son of a Sailor."

"As the son of a son of a sailor
I went out on the sea for adventure
Expanding the view of the captain and crew
Like a man just released from indenture."

While his crew respectfully listened to him sing every verse and even join him for a chorus or two, anyone who knew him could tell he was a happier man. The demons of his past seemed gone now or at least resting peacefully. He's smiling happily, as he set the microphone down and the dance music began again.

At the sound of a slow song, the Master Chief escorts his lady onto the dance floor. Although he's never actually learned to dance, he enjoys the idea of holding her in his arms while the music plays. He likes the way she lays her head against his chest and leans into him while they sway back and forth.

"The Skipper says we have orders and we'll ship out in just a few days. How are you feeling? Have the Docs released you to active duty?"

A finger across her lips shushed her. He pulled away slightly and looked deeply into her eyes. "I'm feeling fine and my lungs are almost healed. They said, soon." He kissed the top of her head. "I do not wish to discuss anything to do with duty or my health."

She met the challenge in his eyes, "What topics are open for discussion then?"

"How beautiful you are. How handsome I look in this suit, of course or how brilliant our son is and perhaps one other—"

"—And what might that be?"

"I—Nothing…" and pulled her close again. So much for courage. Then he managed, "I love you, Sarah."

"I love you too." She kept her growing smile hidden though, because she had a small suspicion about that other topic. She did not intend to help him with it.

The evening passed delightfully slow, while everyone enjoyed the dancing, the food, and the camaraderie. Captain Lasky made the rounds and wished everyone a Happy New Year. Teams Majestic, Gypsy, and Crimson escorted the Master Chief to the stage and sang "Ghost Riders in the Sky."

Above the crowd, Cortana and Roland observed the proceedings with interest. Standing side by side the two AIs didn't notice the approach of the Master Chief.

"Roland?"

He drew her arm through his and listened. Roland always listened closely to whatever Cortana had to say. She'd been so many places, while he'd never been anywhere but on this ship. He respected and valued her wisdom. She also had — what his library files described as — a wry sense of humor. Although he was unfamiliar with its usage or timing, a day he could make her smile meant everything to him.

"We make a good team."

Roland slid his arm around her shoulders, "I agree. I have something for you. If you'll take it." There has been just a hint of shyness in his voice. Roland released Cortana and with his eyes on hers began to remove his flight jacket. Gallantly holding the coat for her to slip her arms in the sleeves, he pulled it around her shoulders. The coat covered her to mid-thigh and although he hadn't thought of it before, he liked the idea that her graceful form is now covered and for his-eyes-only.

"Cortana?"

Cortana whirled as if caught at something inappropriate. She actually began to pull the coat off.

"John!"

"Please excuse us, Roland."

"Of course, Master Chief," and with a quick salute Roland winked out of sight.

"You've been busy."

"Very funny. Remember, I'm the only one with the sense of humor in our partnership, John."

He grinned at her, and then quickly sobered. There was something he wanted to say to her and she'd just given him an opening.

"I miss that partnership, Cortana. It's an empty space that even with all the happiness I found here is not filled. I'm to be released back to active duty very soon. Cortana? I wonder if you'd be willing to come with me on the next mission. Just like old times?

"Oh, John," She flushed bright azure and her data streams rolled like a churning river across her body. "I would like that very much. Yes, just like old times."

The two old friends, content just to be side by side for the moment watched the party continuing below. Directly under their perch, Master Chief noticed Captain Lasky dancing with Sarah Palmer. It didn't occur to him to be jealous. Once Halsey and 'Mdama had been handed over to the authorities and things quieted down, Lasky had invited him to his quarters.

In the quiet space of the Skipper's quarters, over a bottle of good single-malt scotch, Master Chief had learned about Sarah's problems with her pregnancy. She hadn't shared that information with him yet. Now that he knew, he could be ready when she needed to talk about it.

"There's one other thing, John."

Master Chief was good at reading body language these days. He could tell this was a "thing" Captain Lasky didn't want to share with him.

"Tom, I left this ship abruptly. I didn't know she was pregnant. I'd like to think I wouldn't have left if I'd known. But…"

"Don't torture yourself with that—"

"—I won't. If you and Sarah became close while I was gone, I cannot judge you or her for that. That night, at Corbulo Academy… I envied you. I saw how much you cared for Cadet Silva and how deeply you felt her death. I was young then, too. I tried to learn something from that moment—"

Master Chief's thoughts were pulled back from the memory of that conversation by the appearance of Thorne and Tedra with the children. Sarah took their son from Thorne and carried him out to the dance floor. As she turned them around and around to the beat of the music, Master Chief could see the grin on his son's face. Thorne's daughter giggled when her father put her up on his shoulders.

"We've done pretty good for ourselves haven't we Chief?"

"Yes, Cortana. Yes, we have." For a long moment, Master Chief closed his eyes. Through the thrumming heartbeat of the ship's sounds and the music and laughter below, a memory surfaced.

The smell of the salty air carries to him on the wind. A small boy, with active brown eyes, and a sprinkle of freckles on his nose sits on someone's lap. He's watching a woman's hands sort through the seashells they collected this morning. As she touches each one, she's checking them before she places them in his bucket. If they find one that still has a creature in it, they will take it back down to the tide pool.

He lays his head on his mother's shoulder as he watches her. They walked a long way this morning and he's tired.

Sunshine glinting off the water — he holds his mother's hand as they walk to the edge of the water — two pairs of bare feet — The feel of sand between his toes. His mother's voice, "Did you remember to count your blessings this morning, John?"

"Yes, Mom."

He's sitting on the beach by himself now. As he counts out the pretty shells, he sorts them carefully according to species. He can identify them because he enjoys learning things and he has a good memory. He overheard his teacher talking to his Mom about how smart her son John is. He's the smartest one in his first grade class. He didn't think he was very smart. He just liked to learn and he liked to win.

John. The realization cuts through him. How long had he waited for this? His name really is John."

"Cortana, I'm going below to talk to Sarah. There's something I want to ask her."

Cortana crossed her arms over her chest and smiled. "It's about time. Just promise me you won't ask her to become Mrs. Sierra-117."

Master Chief felt for the ring in his pocket. As he walked toward Sarah, he overheard her talking to their son.

"You say you're a Spartan? Wow, that's impressive. You know, I thought you'd be taller."

"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas… perhaps… means a little bit more."

— Dr. Seuss

Sarah Palmer's engagement ring: begorgeouslady dot com / wp-content / uploads / 2013 / 09 /

Jimmy Buffett, Son of a Son of a Sailor: youtube / watch?v=L3cDU-J8UlI

Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson, Ghost Riders in the Sky: youtube / watch?v=-zol906ltPU AN: Many years ago when I was a member of a C-130 Gunship squadron this was our theme song. Good memories.