"My wife is correct, Grandfather." Varian gazed at her and asked, "Does that mean you do not wish to come along, Jana?"

"Certainly not, and I do want to go with you. I would be lonely and afraid alone on Darkar." She smiled and touched his lips. "I would miss you too much to stay behind. I always want to be at your side."

Jana listened as the blond alien chatted with his grandfather. She did not believe or accept what he had told her were his prime reasons. She had a suspicion his motive was to spite his half brother, to taunt Varian by taking his ship and mission after taking his ... mistress. To make it worse for the Maffeian Commander, Varian would have his hands tied and be unable to do anything about Ryker's bold confiscations. Yet Varian had asked for this trouble by giving her to Ryker, as it had been her traitorous lover's idea and choice. Or had the Supreme Council or Kadim Tirol-or both-she mused, compelled him to do so for peace? One point she never doubted: Varian would do his duty and obey orders at any cost. But did she know the real reason behind her being with Ryker now? She couldn't help but suspect there was more to the matter than she'd been told or would ever be told as Princess Jana Triloni.

"I wish you would leave Jana here with me," Maal said.

"I can't, Grandfather. We've only been wed for a short time and I'll be gone for weeks. I want her with me. How could I think clearly with her so far away from me?"

"I understand; the flame of desire burns hot and high at this time. May it do so forever, my cherished children."

"It will, Grandfather, it will. She has touched me as no other woman has or ever will. I trust her with my heart, my life, and all I own. If anything ever happened to me, I have left everything to Jana and our children. She is a scientist like myself; Trilabs will be safe and profitable in her control. See that no one takes anything of mine from her and them. Love and protect my family, Grandfather, as you would do the same for me."

"Children? Is there a secret I should know?"

"Not yet, Grandfather, but we are trying our best to have my heir as quickly as possible. Jana wants our first son to carry. your name, a second Maal Triloni to one day replace the first."

Jana had not said or even thought such a thing but a.s.sumed Ryker was saying she had to win favor with his grandfather. She let it pa.s.s and took the praise and grat.i.tude the ruler showered on her.

Maal was beside himself with joy and pleasure. "You have my word of honor, cherished flame of my soul; no harm shall ever come to her or to my great-grandchildren."

After breakfast the following morning, embraces, best wishes, and farewells were shared before Jana and Varian departed. Jana a.s.sumed they would visit again upon their return from the Milky Way Galaxy. Varian knew it was the last time Maal would see "Ryker" alive, or so he planned.

On the Trilabs starship, Varian, elated by his many successes and by having his love nearby, gave the desired coordinates to Captain Kagan who laid in their speed and course for Rigel.

Jana gazed out the transascreen and wondered what lay ahead for her on Rigel when she confronted her betrayers for the first time, faced them as Princess Jana Triloni and at Ryker's side. Then, it was off toward her world to see if Earth could be saved. She hoped and prayed it could be. Just as she hoped and prayed Varian and Canissia would not be on Rigel.

Here I come, you deadly rattlesnakes; I can hardly wait to see what you think of me and how you treat me now!

Chapter Ten.

It had been four days since they left Tartarus, Maal, and Androas at starlight speed to make it to Rigel late the next night. Jana could not surmise the real reason why she and Ryker were going on this mission in Varian's place and ship. For all she knew, her husband was telling the truth, again.

Jana finished her bath and entered the sleeping area of their quarters. Clad only in a silky robe, she sat on the bed to relax a moment before dressing for dinner. The past few days had been confusing for her. Ryker, after being so romantic and attentive at his grandfather's, had not done more than give her quick pecks on her cheek or forehead since their departure. He couldn't have lost interest in her that quickly if he really- The door swished open and the blond alien entered. Jana smiled at him as he approached and knelt before her. He kissed a knee bared when she shifted her leg. His fingers trailed over her calf and he used his cheek to nuzzle her silky thigh. He inhaled and smiled. "You smell wonderful. You feel wonderful. May Kahala protect me, you are a totally enslaving woman."

The way he was looking at her, stroking her, and speaking caused Jana to warm and tingle. "You've been so busy that I've hardly seen you since we left Maal's. I thought you had forgotten all about me, so I've had to entertain myself."

He brushed more kisses on her knee as both hands roamed up the outer sides of her thighs. "I'm sorry if it seems as if I've deserted you. I could never do that, Jana, nor forget you. I needed to get my report and suggestions ready for our meeting at Star Base. I don't want it to take long. I want to get in, handle the situation, and get out fast."

Jana wondered if he was-afraid they would confront Varian. No, that she would see Varian and have mixed feelings about her ex-lover. Perhaps he needed rea.s.surance of her commitment to him. His next words seemed to confirm those thoughts.

Varian eased into the s.p.a.ce his body created between her legs, cupped Jana's face near her jawline, and gazed into her eyes. "No matter what happens in the near future, Jana, remember at all times that I do love you. I hope you won't ever let anything that you see or hear cause you to doubt that truth or to mistrust me. You are the only woman I have ever loved or will ever love, the only woman I want and need. Always believe that. Promise?"

Jana ran her fingers through his touseled tawny hair and smiled. "I promise. I love you, too, Ryker, and I need you." In some crazy way, she wasn't lying! And unless she was mistaken, he was being honest. Perhaps because Varian had lied and misled her, she had feared to trust Ryker without reservation. She couldn't keep doing that. This man was her husband, forever. He was the center of her new world.

Varian sealed their mouths. When their lips parted, he murmured, "Sometimes it seems as if we have so little time together." What he couldn't say was, so little time left together. When they reached his starship, things could change. "You have captured my heart, body, and soul, Jana Greyson. When I'm not with you, I think of you. When I'm with you, I want you." He yearned to chase any thought except of him from her mind and from his own. Tomorrow would begin a new phase in their destiny. As soon as it was completed, he could confess the truth, plead for her understanding and forgiveness, and hopefully carry her off to his home on Altair to live forever as man and wife.

He spread kisses over her flawless face and down her satiny throat. As he nibbled at her neck, he unbelted the robe and pushed it aside. He covered her chest with a blanket of hot kisses, one woven just for her. His lips and teeth teased at her taut b.r.e.a.s.t.s, his fiery tongue lavishing moisture upon their blossoms. His hands wandered up and down her body, flesh as soft as silk. He sent a set of seeking fingers snaking up the smooth inner surface of one leg until they reached the heart of her desire.

Jana's senses whirled and flamed beneath his loving quest. He was highly skilled, and sensitive to a woman's needs. Her fingers moved over his broad shoulders and she wished the shirt were gone so they could make contact with his supple flesh. Her respiration quickened as desire coursed through her. Suspense and antic.i.p.ation flooded her entire being. His actions had stolen her wits and control. Nothing seemed to matter, not even who or what he was, except dousing the fires of pa.s.sion he had ignited. He tantalized her beyond reality or resistance. His mouth feasted at her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. His deft fingers explored and pleasured her feminine core. She was consumed by achingly sweet sensations and wanted this loving siege to last forever.

Varian used one hand and his lips to capture both taut brown nipples at the same time. Moistened fingers made sensuous circular trips around one point while his tongue did the same around the other. He realized she was burning hot with desire for him. Her eyes were closed as her body swayed from side to side with unbridled pa.s.sion, emotions he had unleashed. She sent him unspoken messages to continue his conquest, signals he caught and obeyed with eagerness. He gently squeezed her pleading b.r.e.a.s.t.s and tantalized the thrusting peaks that exposed her height of yearning. He guided her to her back as he made a trail of kisses down the valley between her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, over her abdomen, between her hipbones, and to her upper thighs. He slipped one finger into her beckoning portal to find it moist and eager for him. He bent his head and began his feast on the fruit of paradise.

Jana could not help but give him free rein over her body and will. As his fingers and tongue stimulated her very essence, she experienced exquisite and astonishing pleasure. She groaned as her head thrashed on the bed. Tension built within her. She wanted to relax, but she couldn't; the blissful attack on her senses wouldn't allow it. Her stomach muscles tightened and calmed in rapid and recurrent session. The peak of her womanhood throbbed and pulsed under his stirring attention.

Varian's tongue flicked and circled, sometimes slow and sometimes fast. His finger within her matched that same course and pace. Dreamy moans escaped her throat, and her hips undulated to the pattern and speed he set. He increased his endeavors to give her supreme satisfaction on their voyage to the heavens tonight. He carried her to the brink of love's universe, and brought her home again. He stripped off his garments and moved atop her, overjoyed when her arms reached for him and drew him tightly and swiftly to her. Shuddering with hunger, he thrust into her receptive core to feed his own needs and hopefully hers again. He felt her legs overlap his and grip him tightly. He drove into her over and over, rotating his hips to shower her with delicious sensations. He wanted to find victory, but he wanted her to find a second one first.

Their tongues touched, savored, and t.i.tillated. Their hands stroked, caressed, fondled, and explored.

Jana felt almost drugged by him. He was an intoxicating combination of strength and gentleness, tender and forceful, giving and demanding. Wild and wonderful feelings washed over her as she found herself aroused again. She quivered when he groaned his deep need for her. She trailed her hands over his rippling muscles. Each time he plunged into her receptive body, his kisses went urgent from blissful torment. Soon, her body was again calling out for appeas.e.m.e.nt. The intensity built to a level that was almost unbearable. She buried her fingers in his hair and kept his mouth fused to hers. As if she had gone wild, she ravished and plundered his tasty recess.

Their urgency increased as they drove each other wild. The moment he realized she was approaching the summit of ecstasy, he increased the pace and strength of his thrusts. His intensity mounted higher and higher. She was reaching for the stars, as was he. When she arched her back, clung to him, and trembled with release, he joined her with a cry of joy.

With pa.s.sion and energy spent for a while, Varian rolled to his back. He pulled her along to rest across his damp chest; he had to continue touching her. Knowing he could give Jana such enormous pleasure made him happy and proud. He closed his eyes as he let his heartbeat return to normal. As he did so, his fingers took a slow journey over her arms and back. When that trek halted, his arms embraced her, tightly for a moment. The afterglow of the golden moment was so warm and soothing that he was evoked to say, "I do love you, Jana. You're like a magical moonbeam that lights up my life and heart. I never thought the day would come when I felt like this about a woman. May the stars fall down if that isn't the truth."

Jana lifted her head and gazed into his verdant eyes. How could she disbelieve what she saw there? She wiggled her body to bring their mouths into contact for a soul-stirring kiss. When it ended, she propped on one elbow and looked at him. "I love you, too, Ryker. You are as powerful and life-giving as the sun. I hope I never lose you because I could not endure such agony. If my love and obedience and loyalty aren't enough, ask anything of me to make certain that never happens."

"I swear by all I am and know, that will never happen." Varian's heart flooded with love and happiness ... until Jana continued her compliments, and he was forced to conceal his pain and reaction.

"You are a talented lover, my husband. And so handsome and virile that I can't think clearly when I look at you. Your eyes are like expensive emeralds, so green and full of sparkling vitality. Your hair is like the mane of a lion, king of the jungle on Earth, as you are the king of my world. I want to run my hands and mouth all over you. I want you to-"

"Halt, woman, or I'll be on fire again," the disappointed alien teased to silence her talk about his dead half brother who could never have made love to her like this, to whom she could never have responded like this.

Jana grinned as her fingertips played over his lips. "If so, my desirable husband, I will extinguish your flames in a delightful manner."

He chuckled and guided them to sitting positions. "Right now, my love, the flame I'm experiencing is in my belly. I am hungry, and this time for real food! Will you release me from your spell for a while, my golden temptress, but stay on a slow burn for me, only me?"

"As you once told me, I do, all the time."

Jana reclined in bed with a book in her hands as they neared Rigel. She sipped on fruit juice and pretended to read while her husband worked at a desk nearby. She couldn't stop thinking about what she might confront tomorrow if Varian dared to show up at the meeting. How could she face him, knowing what he had meant-still meant-and had done to her? She tried to push thoughts of him out of her mind. After the pa.s.sionate bout last night with Ryker, it should be easy. If only she knew why he had betrayed and discarded her, she could deal with the tormenting matter. She had been certain Varian Saar loved her and wanted her. It was apparent he had lied about his feelings. Or he had felt that his sacrifice was critical. If they had been given more time together, perhaps he wouldn't have made- Stop it, J. G. Don't do this to yourself again. You belong to Ryker.

Jana yawned. Her lids were heavy. She felt limp and relaxed, warm and cozy and comfortable. She leaned her head back to rest her tired eyes a minute They didn't open again, and she was lost in slumber.

Varian peeked over his shoulder and saw she had succ.u.mbed to the drug in her juice and that the gla.s.s was empty. He stood and went to the bed. He scooted her down to her back, tucked her in, and kissed her forehead. "Sorry, Moonbeam, but I have a secret meeting to attend tonight. Sleep well, Jana; tomorrow will be difficult for you. I wish it didn't have to be this way. I wish I could tell you the truth, but it's too dangerous. Ryker had a spy in my last crew; Taemin or Ca.s.s could have one concealed somewhere in Star Fleet. I can't take any chances of fouling things up when we're so close to victory." He thought about their precaution of using a new crew on his ship this time to prevent a close friend from guessing his ident.i.ty. Until the mission was done and Ryker's death was exposed to the public, Jana had to be kept in the dark. But it was possible one more cunning trip to Maal's would be necessary. Soon, my love, this deceit will be over. We can be happy again.

Kadim Tirol Trygue greeted Jana with a warm smile and embrace. "It is good to see you again. You look radiant. How are you?"

The Earthling raked her chilly eyes over the eighty-year-old ruler of the Maffei Alliance, a man who had helped-and perhaps ordered-her betrayal by his grandson. Because of his high rank and her good manners and desire to conceal the anguish and shame inflicted upon her, she was polite to him. "I'm fine, sir. I will be even better after my world is saved and I'm back home with my husband."

"Are you sure you want to go on this long and dangerous journey?"

"Yes. I prefer staying with my husband. Where he goes, I go."

"As you wish, Jana, but please stay safe. You are very special to me."

You lying alien! Though the look in his light-blue eyes said he was sincere and he projected an aura of kindness, Jana was bitter and resentful of his interference in her life. Her warring emotions caused her to act aloof and reserved. "My husband will make certain of that fact, sir," she replied, stressing the words "my husband" each time. She noticed what appeared to be a shadow of sadness and dismay in his eyes. It's too late for you to be sorry for what you helped do to me. Don't expect my forgiveness and friendship. I liked you and trusted you. I was a fool.

Tirol looked at his disguised grandson and nodded. "We understand and accept your motives for wanting to take command of this mission, Prince Ryker, but I wish it had been handled differently. You made your request sound more like a demand or a threat instead of a favor. That is not necessary between allies and friends. If it is that important to you and Jana, we are happy to comply with your desire. The deed is what matters, not who does it. No one is more qualified to carry it out than you are."

"If I sounded demanding, Kadim Tirol, it was not intentional," Varian replied. "And yes, it is very important to me to do this task for my wife."

As the two men talked, Supreme Council member Draco Procyon joined them. Draco smiled at Jana and said, "It is good to see you again."

She started to snap that those were Tirol's exact words. Instead, she smiled. "Congratulations on your new marriage. It's very romantic to recover a first love and marry her. I hope you two will beas happy as Ryker and I are. Perhaps we'll see each other under different circ.u.mstances."

"I hope so, Jana. I've missed you and thought of you often since you left Karnak. You look as ravishing as you did the last night I saw you. I can tell you're happy. I'm glad."

"So am I, sir," she responded, not using his first name as she had done in the past. This handsome, amber-eyed blond with his cla.s.sic features had helped Varian trick her at her fake auction and during the many weeks she had lived and studied in his home. In addition, as a Council member, he might have a.s.sisted her final defeat.

"You remember Supreme Commander Breccia Sard, don't you?"

"Yes, I do. Good day, sir."

Brec nodded as his black eyes scanned her flawless features. There seemed a tightly leashed hostility surrounding her regal exterior. Her emotions were understandable, but he still hated to see her and Varian being hurt. He pushed an ebony lock of hair from his temple. "It is an honor to see you again, Princess Jana. I hope you both realize how vital this mission can be."

"We do, Commander Sard, and thank you for letting my husband take control of it. I a.s.sure you that Ryker will do his best to succeed with it."

"I have no doubts he will or I would not have agreed to it. The Council and I are hoping that this show of friendship, cooperation, and faith will strengthen our alliance with Prince Ryker."

Varian nodded and said, "It will, Commander Sard, it will."

They sat down at a conference table. The genial Maffeians were on one side, with Jana and "Ryker" on the other. A false briefing was presented in less than thirty minutes, then lunch was served.

Jana was afraid Varian would appear at any minute. She hoped Tirol had enough compa.s.sion and intelligence to have ordered his grandson not to come. Surely Varian would obey his ruler, no matter how singed his pride and how strong his anger. Their hosts did not mention Varian or anything of the past. Perhaps they were being cautious to avoid offending the Prince and Princess. Even when Tirol mentioned the Wanderl.u.s.t, he called it "my grandson's ship." Jana noted that Council member Segall Garthon, Canissia's father, did not attend the meeting. It was possible the missing tri-leader had been excluded on purpose because of his reputation as a loose talker. Little would please Jana more than for the spiteful and arrogant Canissia to be exposed before her wedding could take place.

Jana pushed aside her personal thoughts and worries to listen while the four men completed their discussion of Project Starguard, any possible problems, and how to handle a failure with ... Stardusting.

She was relieved when the briefing and meal ended. At the side of the blond alien and her hands on his arm, she said courteous farewells. Then, she and her mate left for their shuttle which would take them aboard the Wanderl.u.s.t. Her possessions were already loaded on the shuttle, and she hoped they were proper for the trek ahead.

During the short flight to the starship, Jana scoffed, "They pretended to be so nice and caring about me. What a farce!"

"How could they help but be nice to you, Jana? It was obvious to me that they truly like you and are concerned about you." He didn't want her breeding ill feelings toward Tirol, Draco, and Brec, so he said what he thought was necessary: the truth. "In fairness, they aren't responsible for what Varian did to you. They were not on his ship when the trouble began with his defiance. They simply found a safe and logical way to clean up the mess he had made by taking a charl in training for himself."

"That doesn't explain or justify their letting him give ..."

He had forced himself into a rash corner and was compelled to get out by saying, "Present you to me as a birthday and truce token? He owned you, Jana, so he could do as he pleased with you."

She almost refuted, No, he couldn't; I was free! But she realized that was part of her delusion. She had been freed later, by Ryker's demand. "From talks I overheard, they were in on his sport. On the tape Canissia played during our trip to Darkar, Varian said: 'If all goes as Grandfather and I plan, I intend to make Ryker an offer he can't refuse.' "

Varian recalled the false statements he had made to Ca.s.s to dupe the redhead. His "offer" had accompanied a shake of his fist and his meaning had been: peace or defeat. Soon, he would explain her misinterpretation. He dropped the plaguing subject, as they were in the docking bay of his ship.

Jana grasped Ryker's hand as they exited the craft in case Varian was there. Her carefully guarded gaze touched on one past friend: Martella Karsh. The rest of the group gathered in the docking entry were strangers.

Jana smiled and greeted the female First Lieutenant whom she admired and respected, though she wasn't certain whether or not the officer could be trusted.

Martella smiled. "It's been too long, Jana. You look wonderful."

Jana's gaze roamed the alien female's leaf-colored eyes and red hair that had a few hints of gray in the short and bouncy curls. "So do you, Martella." She noticed Martella was wearing a red uniform with gamboge chevrons, instead of the perse with silver stria of her last known rank.

The charl ex-trainer saw Jana's line of vision. She explained, "I'm head of security on this voyage. I'm the only one you know aboard. The rest of the crew and your old friends are either on leave or have been a.s.signed to other ships for this task." Then, the Elite Squad member who knew the truth lied out of necessity and orders: "The Council wanted the lead ship to have the best trained and qualified staff available. I hope we can have a catch-up chat during our long voyage."

Though Jana was relieved to learn only Martella from the past voyage was present, it made her suspicious. "I'm sure that can be arranged," she answered sweetly.

"Let me introduce you and Prince Ryker to the rest of the officers." As she was told the officers' names, ranks, and positions, Jana saw each man or woman nod a greeting which Ryker returned in like kind along with a clasped wrist gesture which she had learned was the equivalent of a handshake on Earth. During this session, she did nothing more than nod.

Only one of the two Elite Squad members present-Martella Karsh-was aware of Varian's secret ident.i.ty and the motive behind it. Zade, who had taken Nigel's place, was ordered to prevent any dissension among crew members about "Ryker Triloni" taking command of this ship and mission. Martella was present to handle any problems that might arise and to carry out any secret communications necessary. She also provided a friendly face for his beloved Jana.

"My wife and I will get settled in this afternoon then join you for dinner and a briefing tonight at seven," the disguised Varian said. "I'm sure we'll get along fine during our long voyage. Officer Zade, I hope you'll have reports from any affected areas with you tonight."

"Yes, Prince Ryker," the dark-haired officer replied. "We'll use the conference room near your quarters. I'll direct you there myself if you're ready, sir. Crewmen will bring your things to you within a few minutes."

"Yes, we are ready. Come, Jana." He clasped her hand.

Jana glanced at Martella, smiled, and departed with her husband. She had dreaded facing the crew again and enduring their gossip. It was with trepidation that she entered Varian's quarters once more. This was her ex-lover's room. She was back where it all began: her abduction, training, ill-fated love affair, and betrayal.

Shortly after entering the haunting location, Jana made a shocking discovery. She opened the closet in the dressing room by pressing a b.u.t.ton release and found that all of her old clothes, possessions, and gifts were there! She didn't know why Varian had removed them from Tirol's-the last place she had lived before going to Darkar-and placed them here, but she wondered if it was his way of reminding her of the bittersweet past they had shared. Was it a selfish attempt to evoke memories and emotions best left buried? She couldn't grasp why he had even kept them. Canissia would be furious and jealous if she made this curious discovery.

Jana looked at the miniature painting of a Talias in full bloom; it was a souvenir from a trip to a local museum shortly before her phony auction. Varian had purchased it because it had reminded them of the flowers they had seen near a waterfall during her voyage here. He had plucked one near the streambank and given it to her, proving he could and would break the law when it suited him! Just as he had disobeyed orders by making her his mistress! She picked up the necklace he had given her along their treacherous path; it was a cl.u.s.ter of flowers on a gold chain with stems that formed the Maffeian letters for V and S. As if a foreboding, the piece of jewelry had been made by a craftsman on Caguas, the planet Darkar orbited. When she had teased him about "advertising his prior ownership," he had chuckled and said, "I wouldn't want you to forget me." As if she ever could! She lifted the flowers to expose five tiny pictures of the two of them at special moments. She gazed at the sapphire-eyed, sable-haired alien who could still cause her heart to flutter and her body to enflame. She remembered each occasion and wanted to sob in anguish. She snapped the gold flowers shut and flung the item into a drawer. Perhaps Varian had wanted her to know he hadn't forgotten her. Perhaps he hadn't wanted to get rid of her. Perhaps he still wanted her. It was certain he had never expected his half brother to marry her and ... Take her out of his reach forever? Her dilemma always returned to the starship commander's motive for betraying her.

Jana recalled that her birthday present-a gold bracelet- had been discarded in the trash after the heart-rending garden scene on Auriga. His last gift, the farewell ring, was in a drawer on Darkar. d.a.m.n you, d.a.m.n you, d.a.m.n you! Why did you put these things here?

She looked at her old garments, reflecting on the times she had worn some of them. She lifted the one she had worn to her auction.

"How are things going?" Varian inquired as he entered the dressing room and halted to lean against the closet entrance. When his gaze touched on the object she was holding and then on the open jewelry drawer, he cursed himself for not thinking to have them removed. He had put her belongings here during his long and agonizing search for her after she had vanished. During that tormenting time, he had touched, smelled, and looked at them often to call forth even the tiniest memory when he feared he had lost her forever. When this mission was born, it had sprung to full growth instantly. He had worked and studied in Ryker's complex and had forgotten about what awaited her on this return.

"Varian is cold, cruel, and vindictive, my husband. He put these things here to taunt us. I'll pack them and have them stored out of sight."

"I'm sorry, Jana," Varian said sadly. "I should have checked out this room. I never want you hurt again."

She went to him and entered his arms, resting her head on his broad chest. "You've become a very kind, gentle, and caring person since our first meeting when you terrified me to the bone. Or perhaps you were always this way and didn't have a chance to reveal your wonderful traits. It wasn't your fault, my love. And it wasn't an oversight by him; it was an intentional taunt that he a.s.sumed would distress me and vex you. Perhaps he's saving them to use on his next helpless victim. I'm sure Canissia wouldn't want anything that had been touched by me, and I can imagine her reaction if she found these things."

Perdition, Varian, you're making her fallin love with that evil b.a.s.t.a.r.d! "I'll get rid of them for you so you won't have to touch them or look at them. Why don't you go into the other room and pour us some wine while I handle this unpleasant task. We'll have to get ready for dinner and the meeting soon."

She lifted her head and sent him an imploring gaze. "Must I go, Ryker? I'd rather eat here and rest. I don't want this new crew to make wild speculations about me, about us."

"I thought you'd enjoy seeing Lieutenant Karsh again."

"I do, and I'm glad she's aboard. But I don't want to see her again so soon. In a few days after I've gotten accustomed to being here."

Was this part of the ruse, he worried, too much to ask of his love? "Will it bother you to stay in these rooms for a few weeks? If so, we can use the guest quarters down the hall. I was told they're smaller but still very nice."