"I can see you're serious. Maybe Maal will understand and forgive our impatience. I'm leaving immediately, so as soon as I finish with Jurad and Ca.s.s, there's no problem. I need three or four weeks at most. We need those weeks, Moonbeam, to fool everyone into thinking we resumed our relationship while we were working together. With Maal's change of heart, we-"

"We can't wait that long. I can't wait that long. I'll be showing soon."

"Showing? Showing what?"

Just spit it out, J.G., and get his reaction. "A continuously rounding belly that will soon tell the world I'm expecting a baby."

Varian sat up straight, braced his palms on his parted knees, and gaped at her. "A ... baby? But you ... and Ryker never..."

"The baby will favor Ryker. That is what's been troubling me.

Varian's heart almost stopped beating; it altered to a heavy thudding in his chest. He stared at her as he wondered if a tape had been missing from his brother's ... He calmed himself and smiled. In a gentle tone, he said, "You must be mistaken, Moonbeam. It's just the tension you're under. You can't be pregnant."

"The test was done twice. I am definitely pregnant."

"You can't be, Jana. You've been with me for almost five months. You would be showing now if you were that far-or more-along. And you had your menses on the return voyage from Earth."

"That's right; I did, my last one. I'm less than two months pregnant. The baby is why I couldn't let Tris do the Rendelar procedure on me."

"You didn't have it? You and Tris never told me. I a.s.sumed ..."

"It seems, my fertile s.p.a.ce pirate, during all the commotion of your glorious mission, you forgot your last Liex treatment."

"Me? Are you saying the baby is ..." Varian glanced at his wrist. His computer band with his schedule was missing. It was in his desk, had been in his desk for five months, when Liex was due every three! Astonishment flooded his body and gaze. "It's mine!" He broke into a smile that kept broadening and softening and glowing more every second. He leapt to his feet, hurried to her, and embraced her. He cupped her face and covered it with kisses. "It's my baby," he said with joy and pride surging through him. "That's wonderful news, Jana. Kahala, be thanks. A baby ..."

"Is it wonderful news?"

His happiness and pride increased by the minute, as did his relief. "For me, it is, my love. My first child. Our first child ..."

Jana separated them. "No, Varian, it's Ryker Triloni's child."

His smile faded and he studied her. "What do you mean, Jana? It's mine. Ours. You just admitted it."

"In the eyes of the law and public, as of this moment, it's Ryker's. Are you forgetting your little charade? You've had me living as Ryker's wife for months. If we don't move fast and cover our tracks, the timing of the baby's birth will proclaim him as my husband's. Unless we get married soon, let me hide out on Altair toward the end, then withhold news of the baby's birth for two months, everyone will think your child is Ryker's. In two weeks, I'll be two months pregnant; that's all the leeway we can afford or his size and appearance won't dupe anyone."

"He? Is it a boy? A son?"

"I don't know that much yet. I didn't do that test. I just don't want to call my baby 'it.' Do you see why I have to give you a deadline to make a commitment to us? If we want everyone to believe the baby is yours, it's vital, because he will favor Ryker, as well as you and Galen."

"I see your point," he admitted with reluctance.

"If you don't want your child's paternity questioned and gossiped about, finish up your duty fast and marry me. Do it no matter what anyone says, including Maal. If you don't do it in two weeks, I'll know you don't truly love me and that your duty is more important to you than me and our baby. Tris said it happened on Luz, where you gave me the truth as well as your seed."

"Tris knows? Why didn't he tell me? Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

She explained the shocking discovery and her motives for swearing her three friends to secrecy. "That's why Tris gave Andrea Rendelar, He and Martella knew how upset I was and knew I needed to talk openly with my best friend after I learned how careless you had been. Tell me, Varian, was it another trick, one you carried out intentionally to tie me to you?"

He tried to pull her back into his arms, but she eluded his reach. "Don't do that. I can't think when I'm that close to you. I need to keep a clear head to get this matter finally settled."

"I swear I didn't do this on purpose, Moonbeam. But I admit your news makes me very happy. I promise I will return to you within two weeks and we'll get married."

"You promised to marry me before and didn't. If you don't honor your vow this time, Ryker will have an heir, Maal a great-grandchild, and Androas a future ruler. If the baby is exposed and accepted as my husband's, he will be born and reared that way. We'll live-"

"You can't do that, Jana. It's my child, mine. He'll be a Saar."

"How could you prove that was true without exposing that Ryker's been dead for months and you were not only impersonating him but the one sleeping with me? I daresay that stunning revelation would spark new feuds with Maal and the Tabrizes and would destroy all the good work you've done. You see, my cunning and reckless captor, you've entrapped yourself and our child along with me this time. It's up to you to make certain we escape."

"Are you trying to punish me, Jana?"

"No, just open your eyes to the truth. I will not allow my child to become an intergalactic joke and have people wondering if he's Ryker's child or yours. My heavens, Varian, there isn't even a tiny fraction of a chance he'll favor his mother. By genetically favoring his father, he'll automatically favor Ryker. In any other case or at any other time, that wouldn't matter. In this one, it does very much matter. We can't wait long. I won't wait."

"Are you angry because I got you pregnant by accident?"

"I believe it was an honest mistake."

"Thanks, Moonbeam." He eyed her abdomen where his child was living and growing. "Are you all right, Jana? How do you feel? Is there anything you need or want? Shouldn't you sit down and rest? I'll have to study up on this condition."

Jana laughed in amus.e.m.e.nt. "I'm fine. I'm pregnant, not ill."

"You should have told me sooner, Moonbeam. I wouldn't have let you go to Maal's or deal with Taemin alone. You could have gotten too upset or been injured. All of this tension can't be good for you and our child. I don't want you taking any more risks, woman."

"You've been risking my life for months. But I guess it's different to imperil your child's well-being while I'm carrying him."

"That isn't what I meant. I was always there to protect you. Kagan will guard you while I'm gone."

"So I'm always safe with you? You're invincible?"

He grimaced. "No, the two times Taemin snared me proves that isn't so. I could never connect him with that trap just before Ca.s.s kidnapped you, but I can with that last one. You're right; I've endangered us many times. I've been a fool, Jana. I thought I could save everything and everyone by myself, and believed it was my duty to try. That was stupid and vain and wrong. Is the baby why you've finally agreed to marry me?"

"That's a quick change of subject."

"Is he the only reason you're coming back to me?"

"I was angry when Tris told me the big news. I thought you knew and that's why you had agreed to the Rendelar, because it couldn't be done with me pregnant. I suspected you'd impregnated me on purpose, and the timing couldn't be worse. Once I got over the initial shock, I felt I had misjudged you. But I don't want my child's paternity to come under a cloud. Can't you imagine what Maal will do when he finds out I'm expecting? He's already going to be angry over the fact that there will be no mourning period for his grandson. I wish we had time to fake a new romance or make up but we don't, so we'll deal with the repercussions as they arrive. If you can't solve our problem in two weeks because of me and the baby, then do it to protect all you've accomplished."

"I'll do it for us, Jana; for you, for our child, not for my mission. If my work comes unraveled because we marry so soon, so be it. I'll deal with trouble later or let someone else do so for a change. The fate of Maffei doesn't rest solely in my hands. I thought that at one time, but no longer. I have you, the baby, and our future to think about; that's my first priority now. But you didn't answer me: Are you marrying me only because of the baby? Have I killed your love for me? Have I lost-"

Nigel interrupted on the communicator. "Varian, we're orbiting Darkar and ready to shuttle down. We only have a few hours before we leave for Pyropea. Do you need to wait a while before heading down?"

"It seems Nigel is eager to see Andrea before departure," Jana said. "Why don't we help the lovers by hurrying?"

Varian went to his desk. "Nigel, we'll be there in a minute." He looked back at Jana. "You're evading an answer, Moonbeam. Or is your refusal supposed to reveal your affirmative responses?"

Jana sent him a seductive smile. "A long time ago, we made a fate-sealing bargain in this room. Let's make another one today. You return and marry me in two weeks and I'll tell you the whole truth. If you don't, my answer won't matter, will it?"

After Varian had a private talk with his grandfather to tell Kadim Tirol Trygue about the baby, he and Nigel left Darkar. Varian had told Jana how happy and pleased the ruler was about the exciting event. He had chuckled when he related that Tirol had "ordered" him to make certain he was back with Jana in two weeks and that he was looking forward to having a new granddaughter-in-law very soon. Tirol sent his love, good wishes, and thanks for the excellent job she had done. He also promised to do "anything and everything necessary" to make certain there were no problems to halt their marriage or to shadow their child's ident.i.ty.

The moment the men were gone, Andrea asked Jana how things had gone. "Nigel is so excited for you two. We'll be his G.o.dparents, I hope. I'm so pleased for you two. Nigel even mentioned us having a child as soon as possible. People say babies are contagious, or infectious or something like that, to women. But there's nothing like a little one to also stir a man's thoughts in that direction."

The two good friends shared laughter. "The baby is settled and so is marriage, but what about a confession of love? Did you do it?"

"No."

Before she could explain, Andrea shrieked her displeasure. "Whyever not, Jana?"

"It might do Varian a world of good to worry, as he's made me do plenty of times. He takes for granted I'll always forgive and forget, always take him back no matter what he does. Let him experience how it feels not to know the truth and to fear losing me. Maybe he'll come to understand my feelings and comprehend all he's put me through. If he learns a valuable lesson, he won't be tempted to do it again. Right?"

Andrea smiled and nodded. "This time, I agree."

Jana laughed and gave her a playful punch. "Finally, back on my side, you redheaded traitor."

"I'm on both of your sides," Andrea clarified. "I want you two back together where you belong."

"If Varian keeps his promise this time, we will be."

Andrea turned serious. "What if he can't make it back in two weeks?"

"Then, his delay will answer my question of his top priority. Remember that old adage: 'Actions speak louder than words." This time, they will or my name isn't Jana Greyson."

"It's not," Andrea quipped and giggled.

"Don't point out my error; that slip could be a bad omen."

"Have faith, Jana, your dreams will come true, just as mine have. You do think they'll be safe in that enemy territory, don't you?"

"Taemin is bold and cunning, but he's not a fool. And Jurad certainly isn't one. They wouldn't dare harm Varian on an official Alliance visit, and positively not on the heels of Taemin's last two fiascos concerning Ryker. Varian will warn Jurad of the consequences of refusing to make a new treaty with Maffei. He'll tell him of the new one with Androas, which should spur Jurad into rapid action and compliance. And he'll make sure Taemin is very nervous about being connected to Ryker's death."

"What about those journals and tapes you mentioned to me?"

"Varian has clips from them to use, all disfavoring Taemin. Would you believe on two of them he mentions a possible a.s.sa.s.sination of his father? That will come as a shock to Jurad. Poor Taemin, he's in for big trouble."

"Is he really as handsome as Martella told me?"

"Oh, yes. He looks like one of those viking heroes on the cover of a romance novel: bronzed skin, deep gray eyes, tall, muscular, strong features, and long blond hair flying in the wind. But his eyes are cold, piercing, and secretive. He has this way of looking at you that makes you feel icy inside. I don't like being near the top of his list of enemies, especially now that I'm pregnant."

"Maybe he'll be put out of commission by his angry father."

"Even so, we're safe. Darkar is unapproachable, and Kagan is here."

"Good. I like him, and he has a tiny crush on you."

"No, he doesn't. Kagan is just impressed by all I've done for this ruse and he's grateful to me. When he came here, I suppose he was expecting just a dumb girl who used to be a charl."

"But he discovered you have brains and courage besides beauty. How nice," the redhead purred in a thick southern accent, then giggled again.

"Kagan is very nice, and a perfect gentleman, Andrea McKay Soon-to-be-Sanger. I see we're in a bubbly mood tonight. I don't suppose those two hours in your bedroom with Nigel had anything to do with it?"

Andrea sighed dreamily. "Absolutely. Oh, Jana, he's wonderful. Nigel said he would call on the telecom when they left Pyropea."

"They still have to report to Star Base. And there's the matter of Segall to handle. They're going to coerce him into retiring to avoid a nasty scandal and possible criminal charges. I've never liked him, but I hate to see him hurt by his daughter's treacheries. I'm sure that news will be crushing. Supreme Commander Breccia Sard is taking his place, and Varian is to take Brec's. At least he was until the baby came up."

"Nigel said they were also going after that Canissia b.i.t.c.h. If they haven't found her yet, how do they expect to locate her in a week or less?"

"That's my thought exactly and why I issued my deadline. I'm not going to sit here getting plump and waiting to get married while Varian chases that witch around the Tri-Galaxy. Let someone else capture her. I don't think I've ever met a more vicious, s.a.d.i.s.tic, and vindictive woman."

Andrea recalled Jana's kidnapping. "It's too bad for you she had the means to carry out her spite on you. I wonder why she would keep chasing Varian when he's made it so clear he doesn't want her."

"Because she's too conceited to believe it."

"Well, I hope my path never crosses with hers."

Tris and Martella arrived and halted the private conversation. The four sat at the dinner table a long time chatting, laughing, and enjoying themselves. Plans for three imminent marriages and the baby's birth were discussed.

As Jana went to bed that night, she stroked her lower abdomen. "Soon, my little one," she murmured, "your father will make his final choice. Let's both pray it's the right one. Your mommy will work hard helping Uncle Tris and Aunt Martella in the labs so time will pa.s.s faster and easier. Two weeks, little one, and Daddy will be home."

But two busy weeks pa.s.sed with no Varian Saar. During a break from their tasks, Jana and Andrea talked in the complex lounge.

"Where is he, Andrea?" Jana asked in near panic. "Why doesn't he come back or at least call me? His deadline is up in seven measly hours. I'm worried and scared."

"Don't be, Jana; he'll be here by midnight."

"What if he's calling my bluff? Testing me?"

"He wouldn't do that. Besides, Nigel promised to get him back on time, come h.e.l.l or high water."

"Unless his all-fired important duty calls."

"Unless it's life-or-death, he won't answer."

"I hope you're right."

"He contacted you after his visit with Ruler Jurad. He had a few things left to do at Star Base before galloping home. He called from there, too."

"Yes, and everything was handled except for the Canissia matter. If he's taken off after her and is delayed, I'll strangle both of them. Time is of the essence for us to get married."

Andrea tried to distract Jana. "Varian had great political and personal successes with Ruler Jurad. Their meeting ended with Prince Taemin's disgrace and exile from Pyropea."

"When Jurad can locate the sneak devil and carry out his royal command. I can't imagine it being against their law for a prince to be executed or at least imprisoned for his crimes. Heavens above, Andrea, he committed treason and would have committed a.s.sa.s.sination if Varian hadn't exposed him. How could he steal a starship and vanish? Wasn't he being guarded?"

"It seems mighty careless to lose a dangerous prisoner. Varian said he would give us the details after he returned. We're not to worry, Jana; Ruler Jurad has his forces in hot pursuit and we're safe here."

"I'll feel better when he is exiled." She shifted topics to her obesssion. "What could be keeping Varian? The Segall matter has been handled. He's filed his reports. He has his two treaties. We've almost finished our job here. We've had no problems over Ryker's death. Maal is retired and is our ally; he's even given his blessing for our marriage, though he doesn't know it's to be this soon. I doubt that news is going to sit well, but so be it."

"You're working yourself into a tizzy for nothing. You'll see."

"I don't know, Andrea; I'm having bad vibes, very bad vibes. He was using his last two days to track down a clue about that alien witch."

"I bet he's planning a surprise grand entrance at eleven fiftynine," Andrea surmised. "He might be orbiting Darkar right now, pacing his decks in antic.i.p.ation of proving himself to you."