Part 06

Vila was wondering if he should consider getting out of bed on a different side from now on because obviously whichever side he got out of this morning was definitely the wrong side. Not only was he stuck with a wanted man who could barely move, not to mention he was one of your typical arrogant Alphas who thought he was better than anyone else, their temporary hideaway was becoming more temporary by the moment because someone was about to come in and find them.

Avon ordered urgently, "Quick find something to hit them over the head with and hide behind the door."

Vila said in a panic, "Why don't you find something?"

The bleeding and increasingly pale-looking man said acidly, "Do I look like I can?"

The man had a point but Vila didn't like the idea of hitting people. He always avoided it if humanly possible. "We could hide."

Avon gave him a hard stare that seemed to go straight through him. "You could." The stare directed itself to the door that was about to open. A look passed across his face like a barely visible shadow. "Don't come out until I'm gone."

Vila whispered, "Now wait a minute, I didn't mean it like that."

"Don't be a fool, Vila!"

Every time this man tried to push him away, it spurred Vila to want to do something for him. He grabbed a short rounded stick that was leaning against a cabinet.

Avon whispered, "Wait!" He tilted his head in concentration, straining to listen. "They're not coming in here."

Vila went to the door and placed his ear to its smooth, cold surface. He could hear something slide open and then footsteps. "You're right. They're going next door. They must've had the wrong door before."

Avon realized that if the object had been their door, they wouldn't have had time to argue before; they'd already have been discovered. Whoever it was must've gone to the wrong door, had trouble opening it and realized that they were trying the wrong one.

They both breathed a cautious sigh of relief. Avon said, "We have to get out of here. It's not safe."

"Yeah, what if the real owner comes. The way our luck's been going that might be any minute now."

A glance of shared paranoia passed between them as they listened for any further indications of activity outside. When none materialized, Vila gave a short nervous laugh. "I guess we're being too paranoid."

Avon said dryly, "Would you rather be dead?"

"Well, if you put it like that…" Vila came towards him.

Avon eyed the stick that was still in Vila's hand. It looked more like a short club with a knob at the end. "The reward is considerable."

"What reward?" asked Vila as he put the stick on the table and helped Avon up.

Avon gritted his teeth at the pain. "On me."

"I wish you hadn't said that," said Vila as he gathered up the computer and stuffed it back into his shoulder bag.

Avon checked his shoulder wound and stuffed another nearly clean cloth on it before closing up the dress. He tugged irritably at the itchy-laced collar again and was nearly tempted to rip it out before he buttoned up the coat.

Avon remarked with the voice of a man who knew too much to expect anything other than the worst, "Too much of a temptation?"

"Nah. I don't like knowing what I could've had. You ready?" Vila readjusted the skirt that had turned itself partially around. He was sure that his hips didn't look right as he looked at himself on a reflecting surface.

Avon didn't look like he was in any condition to get very far but they didn't have much of a choice. Vila hoped they'd be able get to a safer place before the man passed out again.

Avon stared at him for a moment. It was not often that his worst expectations were not borne out. Anna had surprised him. He wondered if Vila would prove to be different too.

**********

Why is it that when you're doing something illegal or trying to hide from the authorities, everywhere you turn, all eyes seem to be staring straight at you? And not just that, they all seem to have a look that said they knew what you were doing, and were going to report you to the authorities the moment your back was turned.

Vila knew this feeling all too uncomfortably well. It was his least favourite part of being a thief. If only he could have been one without any danger of prying eyes. He often wished he could become invisible and then he'd always be safe and no one would want him to do things he didn't want to do.

Invisibility would have come in very handy right about now.

Vila held tightly onto Avon's elbow as they made their way slowly along the avenue. He was sure that if he didn't, Avon would fall over. The man was increasingly leaning against him and he sounded like he'd run around the block a couple of times already.

This was looking to be a terrible idea. He wished they'd stayed put rather than risk this marathon of the desperate.

Avon panted, "Let's get a vehicle."

"Are you crazy?" asked Vila.

"I assume you know how to break into one."

"Well, of course I do. The lock and the lock overrides are dead easy. But you know the moment we try to activate it, they'll make us. Once the computer fires up and it connects…" Vila's eyes widened. "Of course, the computer. You can hack it?"

Avon said matter-of-factly, "Of course."

Vila grinned, "You know Avon, this might be the start of a beautiful friendship."

Part 07

Their getaway vehicle was one of your typical near-its-last-legs types that you would find in the Delta grids. No one in their right minds would drive something nicer here, unless you wanted the wrong kind of attention. Not that it would get stolen or anything. That was impossible these days with all vehicles tied into the transport networks.

Well, not exactly impossible. Vila grinned. All you needed was a clever computer tech and an extremely talented thief.

He stretched his legs out. At least the vehicle had lots of room. It looked to be a commercial transport of some kind. Not that it was surprising. There were no personal vehicles, at least not for the lower grades. That was the sole privilege of the Alphas. The rest of them had to hoof it on the public conveyances.

Vila glanced over at Avon. The man was busy with a navigation panel. He seemed to know his way around the vehicle. Well, being an Alpha, he probably had a snazzy one in his other life. Before he became one of the Federation's most wanted. Vila wondered what the price on his head was. Not that he was interested of course. He was just curious. Vila asked, "Where are we going?"

Avon turned his head to stare at him and then he looked back down at the panel. "That's what I'm trying to determine. We need to get out of these clothes."

Vila looked down at himself. He couldn't believe that he'd almost forgotten that they were both wearing women's clothing. He was starting to feel far too comfortable in his. It was a disturbing thought. He shivered and said, "I'm all for that. Any ideas?"

"This is your grid. What do you suggest?"

Vila thought for a moment. He had been thinking of a place earlier. Before they had left his building. "Well, I do have a friend. He's the one I told you about before. The hacker."

"Can he be trusted?"

"Well, as much as you can trust anyone these days."

"Which means no," remarked Avon with practiced cynicism.

The Doc was on both their minds. The man had betrayed them. That's why they were forced to run around dressed up like women.

"I didn't say that. But it's not like we have a choice. Can't think of anyone else who'd risk taking us in."

Avon grimaced. The thief was right. Their options were extremely limited. They didn't have a choice.

Trust is only dangerous if you have to rely on it. For an instant, Avon was held by a memory; the image of Anna on a bed, her hands clutching a sheet. It was the last night they had spent together. He would give anything to feel her next to him again. The only consolation he had was that Anna would know that he would never give up until he found her. He hoped she could hang on until then. "Alright, where is this hacker?"

**********

The computer hacker was a tall, lanky man with light brown hair. He seemed to have a perpetual hunch when sitting in front of a computer screen but when he stood, it was with a straight back.

Avon's eyes immediately registered a hooded wariness and alarm when the man stood aside to let them into his flat. His voice was almost a hiss, "He's Federation military." After a lifetime of serving various classified Federation interests, he could always tell. Avon held up an arm to prevent Vila from going inside.

The hacker's intelligent eyes swept the corridor to either side, making sure no one else was around. "I'm ex-Federation military. Used to be in the Strike Forces." The same eyes took in their sad-looking disguises. The makeup they used was not standing up to the test of time. They were both starting to look like very ugly women. "You'd better get out of the corridor before anyone sees you. I have a reputation, you know."

Reluctantly and leaning heavily on Vila, Avon entered.

The hacker dragged over a chair. "Here you'd better sit down. You don't look very good."

Vila lowered Avon into the chair. A single glance took in the whole flat. A solitary room with separate corners for sleeping, eating, washing and a tech-packed corner with a computer holding court in the middle. Everything a person would need if you didn't like walking more than a few steps. Well, it wasn't that bad but it did feel cramped.

The hacker held out his hand. "I'm Ture by the way."

Avon stared at the gesture for a moment as if he was unfamiliar with it or he couldn't figure out why someone would extend it to him. When he took the other man's hand, it was in a firm shake. "The name's…" Avon stopped and looked at Vila. He wasn't sure what the thief had told the hacker about him. It was safer to use an alias. The hacker would expect it. "…Wilhelmina."

Part 08

"Wilhelmina?" Ture started laughing. "Your reputation didn't say that you had a sense of humour."

Avon lips formed a snarl of irritation. "You know who I am?"

Ture's attitude quickly turned from amusement to something else. "Of course. You're the great Kerr Avon."

Avon grimaced; it was just as he had been afraid of. A tech-head. Avon didn't mind a bit of idle worship occasionally. It was no more than he deserved, but fawning could get irritating very quickly.

They didn't have time for the numerous and inevitable questions that he knew were going to follow, not to mention the requests. If someone asked him to look at another code-breaking algorithm again, he wasn't going to guarantee what he was going to do.

He decided to end this before it began. Avon said, "Yes, my…friend…must have told you." He threw an annoyed glare at Vila.

Vila said defensively, "Well, I had to. It was the only way to get him to help."

Ture said, "When I heard who I'd be doing it for…it was my honour to help the great…"

"Yes, well, let's not start all that again," said Avon.

Ture said apologetically, "You must get that a lot. I'm sorry."

Avon looked around the room and spotted the tech corner. "No need to apologize but we are in a hurry."

Ture said instantaneously, "Of course. You wouldn't be here if you didn't have to be. There's still a manhunt out for you."

"Yes. I need to borrow some of your equipment and we need a place to sleep for the night."

Ture said warmly, "It'd be an honour to have you use my equipment. And you can stay here as long as you want."

Avon immediately headed for the computer in the corner. "That's not needed. It's too dangerous if we stayed."

Ture nodded. "Of course. I heard you were a cautious man."

"Caution has kept me alive," said Avon as he sat down.

Vila muttered behind him, "Just barely."

Avon turned around and fixed him with a stare before he said to Ture, "The longer we stay here, the greater the danger for you."

Ture said, "Don't worry about me. I'm good at getting out of scrapes. That's why I have all this." He waved his hand expansively to indicate all of the ramshackle-looking equipment in the corner. "This may not look like much but…"

Avon was staring at some of the equipment. "You have a Torsin scanner and a modified L-wave emitter."

Ture had a big grin on his face. It gave him the look of a little boy surveying an embarrassing treasure of toys. "It figures you would spot those first. I modified the emitter myself."

Avon picked up the indicated object and turned it over in his hands. It was a multi-looped piece of equipment that was attached to a box with numerous lights, buttons and several trailing optical leads. "This can emulate the phase frequencies of Federation Security networks. I assume you've been able to break into their computer system?"

Ture looked embarrassed at having to describe his own meagre attempts. "Just the first layer. I could never get past the encryption of the next level. And if you can't…"

Avon said with faint approval, "its better not to try. Very wise. It's why you're still here." He turned the emitter unit on. There was a faint clicking sound as the lights lit up. "This will be very useful."

Ture's eyes were wide with interest. "You're going to get past the next level, aren't you?"

Avon looked up from studying the unit. A grin touched his lips. "Not just the next level."

Ture's eyes opened even wider. "Would you…would you mind if I watched? I won't bother you."

The ex-military tech had a love of computers and gadgetry that resonated with Avon. He said, "You can help me."

Ture gave him an enthusiastic smile. "I'd love to."

Avon grimaced at a stab of pain and nearly dropped the emitter. He quickly put it down and leaned back against the chair. In his excitement over the equipment, he'd almost forgotten his injury. It all came crashing in on him: exhaustion from their multiple escapes, his fevered head, and a sudden need to lie down before he did something embarrassing, like faint.

Ture asked with alarm, "You alright, Avon?"

Vila immediately came over in concern. "Ture, do you have any medical equipment? Avon was shot." He felt the injured man's head. "He's running a fever too."

Ture said, "I might have something." He rushed off to another corner of the room and started rummaging.

Vila put his arm around Avon's shoulder and one on his elbow and helped him to stand.

Avon could barely manage to get up and say a faint but grateful, "Thank you, Vila."

"Yeah, where would you be without me," Vila murmured under his breath as Ture came back with a stuffed brown bag and helped Vila get Avon onto the bed.

Avon said in a bare whisper, "You'd be safe."

Vila stared at him. He didn't realize he'd said it loud enough to be heard. "Stop doing that. You're going to spoil my heroic moment."

The merest hint of a smile curled the corners of Avon's lips. "You're an idiot."

"And you're a pain in the…" Vila grinned. "You're welcome."

Avon's eyes closed in exhaustion.

Ture opened up the brown bag began pulling several things from it: a tissue regenerator, a tube of ointment and a bio-injector.

Vila said excitedly, "Where'd you get all these?" He picked up the regenerator. "This looks heavy-duty."

Ture opened up Avon's coat and dress to look at the wound. "It's a military grade tissue regenerator. I told you that I used to be ex-military."

Vila looked along the length of tube-like device admiringly and then handed it to Ture.

The military tech was looking at the wound with disgust, "Someone sealed this up with…what looks like greaving wire! That's barbaric! Was someone trying to torture him?"

Vila said, "I don't think so. It was the Doc. He didn't have the right equipment but he did the best he could."

Ture said, "The man's a hack! I'd never go to him."

"Well, we didn't have much of a choice." Vila eyed the wealth of medical equipment. "But if I knew you had all this…"

Ture studied the wire holding the wound together. "I'll have to remove these. You're lucky I also have some strong pain meds." He searched through the bag again and drew out a fine laser lance and a vial.

The door chimed. Vila looked at Ture with alarm. "Tell me you're expecting visitors."

Ture said, "I don't think so."

"I told you not to tell me that."

Ture went quickly over to the computer corner. "I can tap into the surveillance feed…"

There was a muffled voice from the other side of the door. "Ture, let me in! It's Allren."

"Allren!" Ture raced over to the door and opened it quickly.

A brown-jacketed man with black calf-length leather boots rushed in. "Ture, they've stepped up the patrols…" He jerked to a stop when he saw the two strangers. His hand seemed to reach for a weapon that wasn't visible but he stopped. With a wary look in his eyes, he asked, "What did you get yourself into this time?"

Ture grinned and said to Vila, "This is my friend, Allren. We were both techs in the military."

Allren moved over to look down at Avon. "Ex-military."

Ture said, "He never thinks I can take care of myself. He's funny that way."

Allren rolled his eyes. "Alright, who are these and how much trouble are we in?"

Part 09

Vila really wished he had thought of packing as if he had never expected to return to his flat. There were too many things he wanted that he was probably never going to get back. The few mementos of a forgettable childhood weren't as important as the specialized burglary tools he had hidden in secret places in the wall. He winced as he imagined the ham-fisted security people trashing his place out of spite. It really was never a good idea to get on their bad side. Not that he was following his own advice of course. Or he wouldn't be in the current mess he was in, helping a man who was wanted in all the known Sectors and who refused to leave even though there was a dragnet out for him.

"Avon, d'you want anything? I'm going to make myself a sandwich."

The Alpha was bent over the computer in the corner. He was a figure of intense concentration. There was no answering reply.

Vila repeated, "Avon, are you hungry?"

The man said absently, "I don't need anything."

You don't need anything. You never need anything.

Vila sometimes wondered if the man was human. He didn't seem to need to eat much, just a cup of water hastily gulped down. Vila had been sneaking an energy drink in occasionally, hoping Avon would be so preoccupied that he wouldn't notice. He hadn't.

There was little he could do about the sleeping though. He could hear Avon working away into the early hours of the morning. The next morning, he'd still be in the same position. Vila doubted if he'd gotten more than a couple of hours rest since they arrived at Ture's flat.

That was five days ago. Avon was still glued to the computer, trying to break into various Federation security networks. It was hard not to tell what they were when the screens popped up with bold logos and dire warnings of death and dismemberment for any illegal access to the system. Though Vila guessed that the dismemberment probably would come first. Most likely using a very dull knife.

Vila came back with two plates of sandwiches and set one down beside Avon. "Just in case you decide that starving isn't an option today."

He cleared a space at a cluttered table and began eating as he watched Avon work. The man didn't seem to notice there was a plate next to him. Vila made light conversation with Avon's back. It was the only part of the Alpha that he had seen in days. He said jokingly, "You know, Avon, if you don't turn around soon, I'm going to start forgetting what your face looks like. That might be important, you know. In case I have to identify your body."

Vila took a bite out of his sandwich and tried to wash down the taste with some ale. Ture didn't have much in the way of foodstuffs and what he did have left a lot to be desired. What Vila had thought was synthi-chicken slices, was more reminiscent of old shoe coverings that had been left out on a heating vent too long.

He remarked to the non-responsive Avon, "You might be smart not to eat this. Starving might look pretty good after a few more slices."

Next time, I'm going to ask Allren if he can pick up some real food.

The two tech mercenaries were off on an urgent job somewhere. They'd be back in two days. Vila and Avon were welcome to use the flat to hide out as long as they needed.

Vila forced down a few more mouthfuls and rinsed the taste with more ale. The sleeve of his light brown shirt was coming undone again. It was a size too large and had to be folded. At least they'd managed to get out of their disguises. Vila didn't mind women's clothing, as long as he wasn't the one wearing them. He and Avon had on non-descript brown labour-grade outfits. Avon still looked too much like an Alpha but at least his clothes didn't.

They'd been lucky that Ture had the medical supplies to heal Avon's blaster injury and to take care of the infection he had developed. He was still weak and pale but Vila suspected that was more from the lack of food and virtually no rest.

Vila wondered when he could broach the subject of escaping Earth. Ture's place might be safe for now but there was still a manhunt out for Avon. It was only a matter of time before they were found. They couldn't stay here forever. The longer they lingered, the more dangerous it was for them. They had to getaway soon but Vila knew that Avon wouldn't leave until he found Anna.

So far all of Avon's efforts had failed. He had broken into one network after another but it was almost as if Anna never existed.

He glanced over at Avon. The plate was still untouched. He sighed and went over. "Avon..." Vila heard a light snoring sound. Avon was slumped over in his chair fast asleep. The rest of his body was like a working statue, upright and fingers still touching the control pad. Vila was afraid to move him over to the bed. Avon might wake and continue working. Instead, he found a blanket and put it around him. "It's just as well. I was starting to think you weren't human." He saw the edges of something sticking out from Avon's pocket, as if he had half-thrust it back in. Vila's deft fingers lifted it. He hadn't noticed this item before. Vila unfolded it carefully; it was a picture of a woman.

This must be Anna.Vila was almost disappointed. She didn't seem that remarkable to him but then he wasn't the one who was in love with her.

Vila carefully refolded the paper and placed it back into Avon's pocket.

Maybe I was wrong. You're all too human and you're going to get yourself killed because of her.

Part 10

Vila's eyes nervously ranged left and right, up and down; any direction where Federation authorities might suddenly spring from, which seemed to be everywhere to his over-active imagination. His steps were heavy, not like his normal light-footed self. He dreaded the news he was about to deliver to a man he wasn't sure could take it.

It had been ten days since he had found the injured Alpha and the Central Security dragnet had still not let up. They were like bloodhounds that would not give up until they tasted blood. They seemed as desperate to find the man who was sitting in a small flat, his red-shot eyes glued to a computer screen, as the man was frantic to find the woman he had lost.

Every day they stayed on Earth, they came one day closer to being caught. It was only a matter of time. The Federation Security forces always got their man or woman, the vids and news services said so. Vila had no cause to doubt them. No one he knew had ever escaped them. Not even himself. Vila shivered as he remembered the years he had spent in the juvenile rehab colony.

He had not been able to convince Avon to leave Earth to save himself. His life didn't seem to matter to him, he was solely focused on finding Anna and saving her from whatever danger he was certain she was in. His mood shifted from confidence to depression and back again and sometimes both at the same time.

She has to be in hiding, Vila. Just as we are. She's intelligent. She would not have let them take her so easily.

At times Avon would entertain the idea of giving himself up, but only if he could be certain that it would save her life. Unfortunately, he had not been able to find any information on Anna. None of the Federation Security agencies had any record of her being in their custody. That was why he was so certain that she was still alive and was in hiding. It was why he would not save himself and leave Earth. He would not leave her behind.

He will have to leave now, thought Vila with a heavy heart. He had the information that Avon had steadfastly refused entertain.

Vila had thought of leaving many times the last few days. Thought of it and dismissed every time his eyes rested on the frantic man. He couldn't leave Avon. Vila didn't know at what point he had begun to lump his fate with that of the man he had very few experiences in common with.

*********

As Vila had expected, when he entered the flat, Avon was still in the same position he was before. The only signs of life were the moving fingers on the keyboard. The plate and cup that Vila had placed there before he left were still untouched.

Vila sighed and removed the uneaten items. He sat down beside Avon. The man didn't seem to notice that anyone had entered the flat or was sitting next to him.

Vila said, "There's a fire. The whole building is about to burn down. There's also a flood."

Avon remarked absently, "Then the water should take care of the fire." He got up, stretched his sore back and went to get one of the uneaten sandwiches.

"It's no joke, Avon." Vila followed behind him.

Avon turned to look at him. "It certainly sounds like one." He suddenly noticed the unhappy look on Vila's face. He asked sharply, "What's wrong?"

Vila had thought that his news would solve many problems. Avon would finally be able to tear himself from Earth and they would both be saved. But now, faced with the event, Vila was very reluctant to burst the illusions of the man who needed to believe that the woman he loved was still alive. "I have something to tell you."

Vila could see the tension in the other man's eyes. And the fear that he usually hid so well. Avon dropped the sandwich back on the plate. He said in a harsh voice, "Tell me."

"You're not going to like it. In fact, I'm sure you're going to hate it. You're going to…"

"Now, Vila."

Vila's news came out in a barely heard whisper. "Anna is dead."

Avon grabbed Vila's arm in a vice-like grip. He exclaimed in a disbelieving whisper, "No!"

Vila winced at the pain but his voice was empathic. "I'm sorry, Avon, but my contact is never wrong. He said… that Anna died several days ago."

Avon let go of Vila's arm and his mouth opened in shock. He looked like a man whose entire world had been torn apart. Avon's legs no longer had the strength to hold up the burden of a man who had suddenly lost everything. He sank slowly to his knees.

"Anna?" He said the name as if she was in the room and he hoped to hear a reply.

For a man who rarely showed emotions on his face, any display of one, no matter how small, had great impact. The pain on Avon's face and the sense of loss in his eyes was not small. Vila knelt down beside the grief-stricken man. "Avon, I'm sorry."

Avon turned uncomprehending eyes to him. He seemed to be reduced to single words. "Why? How?"

"I don't know, Avon. My contact never said but he was certain she was dead. He got the news straight from someone in Security."

Avon grabbed him by the collar. "Where?"

"He didn't know."

Letting go of Vila's collar, Avon turned away from him. His head bowed and his eyes seemed deep in thought.

"Avon, we should think of leaving now. Get away from Earth. Every day we stay here is dangerous. It's only a matter of time before they find us."

Avon said distractedly, "You go."

Vila was rarely forceful but fear or love can give you the capacity to do many things. He took hold of Avon's collar and turned his head to face him. "Avon! Snap out of it. You wouldn't go because Anna wasn't dead and you had to find her. And now that she's dead, you still won't go? Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

Avon looked down at the hands holding him. "Let go of me." The chill in his tone made Vila let go. Avon got up and began pacing the room, his hands clasped behind his back.

Vila stood up slowly as he watched Avon. "That's it, isn't it? You want to get yourself killed. You can't live without her."

Avon stopped his pacing. His back was to him, Vila couldn't see his face. Though Avon wasn't moving now, tension seemed to emanate from every part of his body.

Vila came up behind him. "Avon, I don't know Anna but I know she wouldn't have wanted you to die."

For a long time, there was no response from Avon. Then in an anguished voice that he was trying to force some semblance of control, Avon asked, "How would you know?"

"Because she loved you. She would've wanted you to live. Maybe avenge her death somehow. Find out who did this to her. But you can't if you're dead or rotting away on some Federation penal colony."

Vila paused so Avon could say something. There was no response.

Vila asked, "That's what you would have wanted for her, isn't it? If your positions were reversed? You would want her to go on. To live her life without you. I'm not asking you to forget her, Avon. Just save yourself now. For Anna."

A moment of silence fell between them then Avon said, "That sounded suspiciously like a rational argument." His voice had returned to the flat, impassive tone of a man who only dealt in facts.

"I don't care if it's rational. I only care if it worked."

"Spoken like a truly irrational man."

"Well, did it? Work?"

There was a brief pause this time as Avon seemed to consider this. "I have two blank exit visas."

For the first time, Vila realized that he had assumed that he was going with Avon. He had taken for granted that Avon would want him along. He breathed a sigh of silent relief. Maybe the Alpha did like him after all. "Well, I wouldn't want you to waste it."

"Of course not."

Another thing occurred to Vila. He had been so focused on trying to get Avon to leave that he had never thought how they might accomplish it. "Avon. Uh…it's going to take a miracle to get off Earth without being caught, and the last time I checked, the Federation outlawed miracles."

Avon turned around slowly. There was the barest hint of a smile at the corner of his lips. "We don't need a miracle. Just my brain and skills and yours."

"You're not thinking of those disguises again, are you?" Vila put his hands on his hips. He still remembered the skirt that had begun to feel just a little too comfortable.

"I think we can do much better than that." A smile played on his lips.

The two men went off into the sunset, ready to take on the galaxy together.