Theirs to Share

Jago stepped toward her, placed his long arm around her hunched shoulders and gently squeezed her. Her indignation was gone, and she met his embrace with a bowed head.

“So, what’s up?” he said casually. “And if it bothers you, we can remove the droid... Tina.”

Kriss nodded. “Sure. I’ll put in a request right now.” He walked over to the communication console and put in an order for the droid to be removed as soon as possible. By the time the message was transmitted, Jago had Shayla sat on his knee on the armchair.

“Speak to us,” Jago said softly.

“She asked me what I wanted,” Shayla said, sniffling.

“Your appearance would have confused her protocols,” Jago explained.

“I realized that. She wants to please you. Both of you.”

“It is what she does,” Kriss said. He leaned on the back of the chair, over Jago’s shoulder.

Shayla huffed. “And me? What do I do? Don’t I matter to you?”

Jago patted her back. “Of course—”

“Then, if your feelings for me are real, then why didn’t you remove her? Shouldn’t the idea of her standing there, barricaded behind a wall, make you uncomfortable? She’s a reminder of how things used to be, how you used to fuck. I like to think with me it’s different... more... emotional. Enjoyable.” She clasped her hands together.

“It is,” Jago said.

“Definitely.” Kriss reached over and ruffled her hair.

“So, you’re sorry,” she said, lifting her chin. The fire was back in her eyes.

“Sorry?” Jago’s shoulders stiffened.

“Yes, apologize, please. It’s like you treated her with contempt, and in doing so, you cheapen my feelings, too.”

Kriss straightened. “We did not treat her with contempt. We have no feelings for her. Is that not obvious?”

Jago stared right back at her angry gaze.

“To you...” said Shayla. “I just think she’s real enough that you should have not forgotten Tina.”

“Tina? This is going too far, Shayla,” Kriss said. “She’s going. I’ve put in the request. The droids will collect her tomorrow—”

“Now!” Shayla leapt to her feet. “Why wait for tomorrow?”

“Shayla,” Kriss growled. “This will not end well for you if you continue to scream at us.” Was he going to have to spank her after all? He couldn’t tell if the thought pleased him, or made him disappointed. He wanted the issue contained, brought under his control. The need to discipline remained strong, even if his feelings for Shayla were no longer simple. The complexity was what set her apart from the droid. Perhaps that was what she needed to understand.

“I never spanked the droid,” he said.

“Why would you,” she said sharply. “She does as she’s told.”

“Exactly.”

“Right.” Shayla snorted. “She’s far too obedient, obviously. Nothing like me.”

“No, nothing like you.”

Jago rose, vacating the chair, and stepped to one side. Kriss sat, making sure he didn’t take his eyes off her scowling face.

“That’s the problem with droids,” Kriss said. “Just too artificial. No feelings. If I spanked Tina, she’d only pretend to feel pain. You, on the other hand, would feel it for real.”

“Yes.” Shayla bit on her lower lip. “I guess... I mean... you’re right, of course. I would. I don’t think you quite need to go as far as to remind me.”