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The only person that would be more than happy to bring Venus lunch and dinner, was the only person Mars didn't want near his family.  There was no reason for him to hate Peter as much as he did.  Besides the fact that Peter was slowly creeping into Venus's life and making Mars feel like he was being pushed out.  He didn't blame Venus for turning to Peter for comfort.  He wasn't there for her when they first arrived at the camp.  He was so angry with her for not confiding in him about the escape.  It wasn't until he realized he probably would have handled it the same way if the tables were turned, that he was finally able to forgive her.

By then, it was too late.  Venus was completely relying on Peter, and seemingly, in love with him.  Mars felt replaced, and it was his own fault.  Asking Peter for help was a great stab to his pride, but he needed to take care of his family, and that included Bridget.  Ever since the birth, she was feeling even more neglected and he wanted to show her that she still mattered to him.

He wasn't sure how Peter spent most of his days.   When they first arrived Mars assumed he waisted his time swooning Venus.  Which only infuriated him more.   

As Mars walked through the camp he caught sight of Peter stuffing a pack full of stuff.  He walked up to him and asked, "Going somewhere?"

Peter looked up at him surprised, "I'm going to go check a sensor...why?"

Mars couldn't believe his bad luck.  He didn't want to ask Peter for help in the first place, but it seemed like Peter would even be able to because he was leaving.

"Will, you be back before lunch?" Mars asked.

Peter smirked and stuffed a coil of wire in his pack, "Maybe, why, are you planning on asking me out on a date, Mars?"

Mars jaw clinched at Peter's sarcastic comment, "No, I need help with Venus.  I need to spend time with Bridget, but Venus needs someone to bring her food."

Peter looked over toward Venus's tent and back to the pack, "If you come along and help me, we should get back in plenty of time for lunch."

Mars wasn't sure about Peter's offer.  Not only did he not want to spend the time with him, but if something came up that took them longer than they expected, then not only would neither of them be there to help Venus, but he'd also be breaking his promise to Bridget.

"It won't take long with the two of us," Peter assured him, "thirty minutes tops."

If it only took a half hour then it wouldn't be a problem at all.

"Fine," Mars conceded.

Peter threw the back over his back, "Let's get to it then."

When they where about two hundred meters from the camp before Peter commented, "Bridget really has you by the balls."

"She's having a hard time getting over the fact that I've been with other girls and seeing a very pregnant Venus only rubs it in her face," Mars told him.

"That's understandable," Peter replied as he stepped over a fallen trunk.

"Does it bother you, knowing Venus and I have been together?  Does it put a strain on your relationship?" Mars asked, hoping that it did.

"It wouldn't," Peter said, "if we had a relationship to strain."

Mars's brows shot up in shock.  As close as Peter and Venus seemed he assumed they were together.

Peter looked over his shoulder at the silent Mars and frowned, "Well, don't look too surprised.  the only reason it wouldn't bother me is that Pepa use to tell me how awful the breeding tanks were for people like you and V.  Also, it's not like I haven't ever had a relationship before."

"That's not what surprised me," Mars told him, "I thought you and V were a thing."

"Oh," Peter glumly replied, "well, that's not from lack of trying, but she doesn't seem interested and, at the same time, she does.  She quit the conundrum."

"You can say that again," Mars muttered.

"I do know one thing," Peter stated, "she's going to do what's best for the twins and to me, that would be picking the guy that helped make them...if he'll have her."

Mars hung his head.  Being with Venus was all he could think about while they were in the Cube.  but after being forced together the feelings for her seemed tainted.  He was afraid the cold and harsh memories would come rushing back, and he couldn't take that, not again.  He wanted a fresh start in their new world and at that moment, he wanted it with Bridget.  It didn't mean he didn't want the twins in his life.  Once he saw them he couldn't imagine life without Pepa and Dex.

"And because of that I need to ask you a favor," Peter said.

Mars tried to ready himself for whatever question might come.  He assumed it had to do with Venus, but he wasn't sure what.

"Shaw was telling me that one of our informants saw on the news that New Anada was taking MB refugees."

"And?" Mars asked, not sure where he was going with the statement.  Was Peter going to ask Mars to leave the camp?  Was he trying to permanently get him out of Venus's life?

"Shaw wants the camp to try and escape to New Anada.  It would give us a chance to have a normal life.  The problem is Venus and the babies aren't going to be able to make that long of a trip yet."

Mars couldn't believe it!  He was trying to get rid of him!

"Anyway," Peter continued, "the camp won't go unless I go.  I know if I left Venus with you she'd be taken care of, and even though I know the answer I still want to hear it.  Will you stay with her?  At least until you can make it to New Anada?"

"You're planning on leaving?" Mars asked completely astonished.

"I wish I had a choice, but this is better for the whole, and as Shaw pointed out, I've been a little preoccupied lately.  The camp depends on me and I need to do this for them.  Trust me, I would stay with her if I could, but it's not my place, it's yours."

Peter was right, it wasn't a question he really needed to ask.  Mars was going to make sure his family was safe and taken care of.  If Venus wanted to follow Peter he wouldn't let her, even it meant tying her to a tree for her own good.  But he didn't think Venus would let Peter go so easily.

"How do you know she'll want to stay with me?" Mars asked, "How do you know she won't want to follow you?"

"I wish that was true.  I wish that was a problem, but I can tell, she wants to be with you.  Besides, for her health, she can't, she can't follow me yet.  I want her with me, but she just can't."

"When are you planning on leaving?" Mars asked.

"By next week, I show you how to keep in touch with our informants.  They'll help you with supplies, and such."

The thought of being left alone in the woods with just Venus, Bridget, the babies, and him, terrified Mars.  He had become accustomed to the camp and relied on the others as much as they relied on him.

"Can you do it, Mars?" Peter asked, "Can you keep our girl safe?"


A/N:

So I had a reader, thankfully, point out that Layland should be Shaw, because I already named the guy, but I couldn't find my character list and forgot. so I will be going back and fixing that soon and from now on be referring to him as Shaw. So sorry for the confusion, but I am not a professional writer (or even a good one for that matter) so mistakes happen.

Sorry for the late update. I've had quite a week. I am a founder and a co-founder of two book clubs. The club I was a co-founder of shutdown and we transferred several members to the club I found which caused a lot of work. But I am happy to do. Anyway, I also got food poisoning, so that was fun. Long story short, it's been crazy.  And if this an awful, chapter I am sorry.  I am just completely 💩ed out.

So, I was thinking about maybe starting a discord chat or Facebook account for The Breeders. I'm not sure if it's something you'd be interested in. I get a lot of notifications and I am sure I miss questions and comments so I thought maybe it'd be a great way to connect with my readers.
If you like the idea I'll give it a shot.

As always, thank you so much for reading.

❤,
Reading_mermaid08

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