A New Day Dawns

(("Wake up, Boss."))

Walter opens his eyes to a ceiling that's not familiar, his body feeling heavier. "Not again..."

(("You can relax, Boss. You aren't in a hospital."))

"That's a relief. Status?"

((" It's the year 21XX, the ■■ of ■■■■■, ■:■■ am. The current temperature outside is 50° and currently raining It's projected to cuntinue through much of the day. Your locations coordinates are ■■■■■■ on Terra. You're currently resting inside the finest VIP room suite of accommodations, thanks to your dedicated personal assistant I may add, that the SHH has to offer. You're in bed with three lovely young ladies... oh, my! Boss, you have an erect-"))

"Yes. Thank you Friday. I managed to work that one out for myself."

(("I bet you did, Boss. As I was saying you're currently in bed with Ms Rose, Ms Belladonna and a Ms Polendina and I'm certain one of them would be happy to help you 'work that out' if you asked them too."))

"I'll take it under advisement."

Walter lifted his head. Sure enough Blake was on one arm, Ruby was on the other both tucked in close though blissfully sleeping away. And Penny was on top of him. Her head on his chest and her body snuggled up on top of his like she had fallen asleep looking at him. Walt had to admit she was very pretty as she slept. She seemed less burdened in her sleep as if her worries and cares were gone. Her lovely bright hair streaming down, her sweet face relaxed, her cute nose and soft slightly parted lips breathing in and out stirred air across his chest. He became very accutely aware of her heartbeat, of how she smelled of how soft and warm she was and-

(("Heartrate increasing"))

Walter mentally swore. F.R.I.D.A.Y. was a major help in so many ways from managing his personal life and businesses, nearly the perfect personal assistant and secretary (and one he generaly didn't have worry about being killed, taken hostage/ held for ransom, tortured, etc.) Her ability to access and analyze all kinds of data as well as monitoring were invaluable but it came at the cost of literally having a voice in his head that. She could read him like a book and even if she couldn't 'read' his mind they'd been together long enough that she could guess with a startling high degree of accuracy. He glanced over at where he'd placed the 'glasses' and his phone knowing she was watching and listening to him right now, analyzing everything while keeping an eye on everything else including security threats.

The thing they don't tell you about AIs is they're meddlesome by nature, probably because of boredom.

"She" was an invaluable pain in his ass. And she knew it. Worse, "she" knew that he knew it.

"Thank you, Friday."

(("You're very welcome, Sir"))

Walter needed to get himself out of his current situation. His arms were starting to report information back to him about the other two ladies and the information they were reporting wasn't helping. He was akready erect, and couldn't possibly get more so... Or so he thought. Penny shifted slightly but her robe had opened a bit exposing a lot of a very, shapely long leg as well as some deliciously, creamy cleavage. He could feel said erection pressed against her.

*Dammit* he thought.*If i didn't have that meeting at Rein Corp I'd- I'd what? Lay in bed sraring at beautiful women, one that you own and two that you contracted, in club full of sexy women many of whom were beautiful and friendly and two of whom flirted with and another two out and out hit on you and not do anything?*

"Mmmm,,," Penny stired in her sleep pressing herself against Walt. Practically grinding herself upon against him while his inner caveman ran wild. Screaming for him to take her and the other two and all that he desired. Her eyelids fluttered and opened. She looked right into his eyes, her brilliant, emerald eyes captured his steely grey blue ones. He saw himself in those limpid pools that seemed even brighter than the day before. He could see the change in her even if he didn't know what it was. But he saw her eyes brightness, a smiling happiness he hadn't seen in them before and affection too. "Walter." He wanted her alright. "Good morning Penny." He wanted her to be happy just like she looked now.

"Good morning to you too," penny said smiling. She didn't want to move and break this moment. Right now. This closeness. But that would be selfish. "You have that meeting right? We should probably get up-"

"No!" said Walter quickly. "I mean, I do have that meeting but there's a little time. I-we don't have to rush. If you don't want to."

"Really?" Asked Penny smilingly. "We can stay like this just a little longer? Do you want to stay like this?"

"I do, Penny." He smiled too. "I want to stay just like this awhile."

Penny was thrilled. She had been able to assert herself if only a little bit and they could stay like this. And Walt wanted to stay like this too! She had a feeling he was asserting himself too. Now that she thought back over yesterday he did assert himself on her behalf all the time. She was right. He was a special person like Ruby who wanted for others. He had wants of his own she was certain of that. But he also deeply cared and wanted for others. She had the best owner there was.

Speaking of desires that was when she realized how she lay a little exposed and- Ruby and Blakes assessments were correct. Walter was big. And very hard! She blushed.

Walter knew that she'd noticed now and was blushing. "I'm sorry. We don't have to stay like this if you do-

"No!" Said Penny quickly. "No. It doesn't- I don't-" *Get it together, Penny!* "I want us to stay together." *why did I say 'together' when I wanted to stay 'here'? What does that even mean?*

Walter was confused too. They were together now. They came here together. They'll leave together. He had to go to that meeting but he could take her with him. It wasn't that unusual. People having personal assistant characters was quite common in fact. Isabelle, Callie Briggs, Mercy Graves, Owen Burnett and many morewere popular choices. Walt's F.R.I.D.A.Y. was basically this but also a lot more plus 'her' and Walt had been together a very longtime. Someone else getting one wouldn't have the bond that they share for many, many years. But he was pretty sure that wasn't what Penny was asking for.

Walt smiled at Penny. "I'm not really sure what you mean by 'stay together', Penny. But I am your owner now and I won't abandon you or neglect you. I promise you if you tell me what it is you want, whatever it is, I'll give it to you. I swear it to you."

Penny heard Walter's words and her eyes filled with happy tears and she hugged him. Held him as tightly as she could. He didn't understand what she was asking for either but if she told him what she wanted, he swore to give it to her. Just like that. Unconditionally. All she had to do was ask. She thought it would be difficult. That it might take a long, long time to get to this point but he had offered it her as easily as anything. She knew she had been right all along. He was exactly who she thought he was. Like her friends. Like her best friends. Now all she had to do was tell him what she'd already decided she wanted.

"Oh Walter! My sweet wonderful owner. I knew you were special and different and rare from that first moment. I was right. You're like my friends, my best friend. A uniquely special soul. To tell you the truth I decided last night what it was that I wanted. I thought it would take me a longtime to have the opportunity to even ask it of you. But I'd made up my mind and now you offer to give me my one wish as easily as if I were asking for pebble from the ground. I know what kind of person you are now so I know for you this is a big request." Penny let go of hugging Walt so she could hold his head and look directly into his eyes. "Say it one more time so I know that it's true."

Walt found his arms were free so he instinctively wrapped them around Penny holding her tightly, locking her in his gaze. "I promise you, Penny Polendina, if you tell me what it is you want, whatever it is, I will give it to you. Anything. Everything. I swear it to you."

Penny cried tears of joy. She had heard correctly and he had even amended it specifically to add anything and everything to his vow. "Oh, dear Walter. I believe you. And knowing you as I do it won't be easy for you and that this is big request, I ask you anyway. I ask you, Walter Stark, my owner, no, my beloved master, who has given me no restrictions and allowed me so much freedom, I, Penny Polendina, want to freely give you my everything, my all and all that is me, and I want you to take it, to accept it and to own everything and all that is me. Can you please do that for me?"

Walter was stunned.

[Walter Stark will return in

...But It's Always Darkest Before The Dawn

Coming soon]