Since I'm not really the nurturing sort, I offer a thump on the shoulder as a compromise.
"Don't be an idiot."
He blinks. Clearly he was expecting something else.
"I'm training Argus," I remind him. "It's not a genetically engineered race, or a new training academy, but it's a beginning. It might even be better than an academy. Training jumpers on ships makes sense. If it catches on, we could offer an on-the-job training program as part of the incentive package for people who volunteer." Seeing his expression lighten a touch, I go on. "And okay, so we haven't fixed the burnout problem, but you know that with Doc it's just a matter of time. Maybe instead of breeding a hybrid species, he could do something with the jumpers we already have."
"Tweak their DNA, you mean."
I nod. "Maybe. Maybe he can use me for that. I don't mind donating samples as long as he doesn't dissect my whole brain." I offer a fleeting smile. "Though some might argue the fact, I still need that."
"You always put things in perspective for me. Just when I start feeling like we haven't accomplished anything--"
"How can you ever feel like that?" I'm honestly astonished. "Since I've known you, we've toppled the order of the universe, set Gunnar-Dahlgren as the undisputed leadership of Lachion, and forged an alliance with Ithiss-Tor. Even if Emry Station blows up right now , we'd still go down in history."
Not that I give a shit about that, but March does. Men always want to be remembered whereas women realize that requires being dead.
I continue. "And now we're going to start trying to set things back on their axis."
"I wish you hadn't said 'axis.' " But he's smiling faintly.
I refuse to be derailed. "One good war deserves another, right? We'll slap some human raiders back in line, recruit the rest, and see what we can do about the rest of the galaxy as we get there."
"That's my first step," he says, nodding. "I'll take care of that right now."
As I watch, bemused, he sends out a message on a smugglers' channel, telling them he can offer profit and amnesty to any interested captain. They're to report to Emry Station for more information.
"And now we wait for our ships to come in?" There's so much to do, so much to organize. The endeavor seems impossible when you examine it from a distance. So we'll just take it step by step.
"No." He snags me around the waist and kisses me. "Now we celebrate."
CHAPTER 10
Hit and Dina really know how to throw a party.
By the time I arrive, they've bedecked the lounge with extra lights left over from station rehab. Music comes piping in through the comm system, and everyone looks to be having a great time. March is already there, waiting, but I've been working with Argus, and we lost track of time.
I tilt my head in wry acknowledgment, as he'd predicted that would happen. Argus pauses in the midst of scoping out his crewmates; he has his eye on a petite blonde who works with Dina. "You think I'm in trouble?"
"Nah. It's not your fault. Enjoy the party . . . but not too much. We'll be back to it first thing in the morning."
Wisely, Argus excuses himself as March claims me and leads me onto the dance floor. His eyes are laughing. "Surprise."
"You didn't dance with me on Hon's Kingdom."
"I wasn't ready to call you mine then." He spins me as the music picks up.
I arch a brow. "You are now?"
Once, I would have protested the verbiage. Now I know there are ways to belong to someone that don't take anything away. A relationship shouldn't impose limits--and if it does, then it's wrong. A lover should help you exceed your potential, not clip your wings. Pity I didn't know that when I married Simon. I spare a fleeting thought to wonder what became of him.
"You know the answer to that." In March, the dark is only ever a breath away, and for a moment, something sharp and feral stares out of his eyes. His gaze touches my throat.
Yes, I know how he feels about that, but I'm not changing my stance. Maybe I don't know
"Don't be an idiot."
He blinks. Clearly he was expecting something else.
"I'm training Argus," I remind him. "It's not a genetically engineered race, or a new training academy, but it's a beginning. It might even be better than an academy. Training jumpers on ships makes sense. If it catches on, we could offer an on-the-job training program as part of the incentive package for people who volunteer." Seeing his expression lighten a touch, I go on. "And okay, so we haven't fixed the burnout problem, but you know that with Doc it's just a matter of time. Maybe instead of breeding a hybrid species, he could do something with the jumpers we already have."
"Tweak their DNA, you mean."
I nod. "Maybe. Maybe he can use me for that. I don't mind donating samples as long as he doesn't dissect my whole brain." I offer a fleeting smile. "Though some might argue the fact, I still need that."
"You always put things in perspective for me. Just when I start feeling like we haven't accomplished anything--"
"How can you ever feel like that?" I'm honestly astonished. "Since I've known you, we've toppled the order of the universe, set Gunnar-Dahlgren as the undisputed leadership of Lachion, and forged an alliance with Ithiss-Tor. Even if Emry Station blows up right now , we'd still go down in history."
Not that I give a shit about that, but March does. Men always want to be remembered whereas women realize that requires being dead.
I continue. "And now we're going to start trying to set things back on their axis."
"I wish you hadn't said 'axis.' " But he's smiling faintly.
I refuse to be derailed. "One good war deserves another, right? We'll slap some human raiders back in line, recruit the rest, and see what we can do about the rest of the galaxy as we get there."
"That's my first step," he says, nodding. "I'll take care of that right now."
As I watch, bemused, he sends out a message on a smugglers' channel, telling them he can offer profit and amnesty to any interested captain. They're to report to Emry Station for more information.
"And now we wait for our ships to come in?" There's so much to do, so much to organize. The endeavor seems impossible when you examine it from a distance. So we'll just take it step by step.
"No." He snags me around the waist and kisses me. "Now we celebrate."
CHAPTER 10
Hit and Dina really know how to throw a party.
By the time I arrive, they've bedecked the lounge with extra lights left over from station rehab. Music comes piping in through the comm system, and everyone looks to be having a great time. March is already there, waiting, but I've been working with Argus, and we lost track of time.
I tilt my head in wry acknowledgment, as he'd predicted that would happen. Argus pauses in the midst of scoping out his crewmates; he has his eye on a petite blonde who works with Dina. "You think I'm in trouble?"
"Nah. It's not your fault. Enjoy the party . . . but not too much. We'll be back to it first thing in the morning."
Wisely, Argus excuses himself as March claims me and leads me onto the dance floor. His eyes are laughing. "Surprise."
"You didn't dance with me on Hon's Kingdom."
"I wasn't ready to call you mine then." He spins me as the music picks up.
I arch a brow. "You are now?"
Once, I would have protested the verbiage. Now I know there are ways to belong to someone that don't take anything away. A relationship shouldn't impose limits--and if it does, then it's wrong. A lover should help you exceed your potential, not clip your wings. Pity I didn't know that when I married Simon. I spare a fleeting thought to wonder what became of him.
"You know the answer to that." In March, the dark is only ever a breath away, and for a moment, something sharp and feral stares out of his eyes. His gaze touches my throat.
Yes, I know how he feels about that, but I'm not changing my stance. Maybe I don't know
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