It was early afternoon when Dylan walked into the bar. The afternoon crowd had arrived, and the bar was bustling. Harper was busy behind the bar pouring drinks while Doyle was acting as the hostess, taking orders from seated customers and bringing them back to the tables. Trance was sitting at the table she usually occupied during active business hours, watching the activities of the customers and singing a song Dylan didn't recognize, quite thoroughly enjoying herself. Harper had learned to keep her from behind the bar when serving customers after she had started giving the customers his premium stock while telling them that it tasted better than the regular stuff.

"Hello, Trance," said Dylan. He gave her a large grin as he sat down at the table next to the girl. Her happiness was practically contagious and she did have a nice singing voice. "How are you today?"

Trance smiled prettily at Dylan as he took a seat. "Oh, hello, Dylan," she responded. There was a short pause as she seemed to consider something, biting her lip as she did so. Finally, she asked, "Dylan, why do you think Rhade thought I had parts?"

"Parts? I'm afraid I don't understand your question, Trance. What do you mean, why do I think Rhade thought you had parts?"

"Well, he asked me about my parts, and I told him I didn't have any. Then he asked me about my sex organs. He wanted to know if they were compatible with his."

"He what?" Dylan almost fell out of his chair. He managed to keep his seat, but his fists clinched on top of the table as he tried to reign in his surprise and anger at Trance's explanation.

"He wanted to know if my sex organs were compatible with his. I didn't know, but I offered to show them to him so he could check. Then Beka came in and stopped me."

"Thank the Divine for that," muttered Dylan, settling himself back in his seat. He took a moment to gather his thoughts and picked his words carefully, knowing how easily Trance misunderstood things. "I think Rhade and I are going to have a long and one-sided talk."

"Do you think my parts are compatible, Dylan?" asked Trance, completely unaware of the maelstrom she was creating. "If I show them to you, will you tell me?"

"No!" exclaimed Dylan, almost panicked at the thought of Beka walking in as Trance lifted her skirt for him. "Err, I mean I think maybe you should let Beka or Doyle look at them and tell you."

"I don't know if Doyle knows. Harper says Rhade was asking the same questions about Doyle, too. If her parts aren't compatible, how will she know if mine are?"

Dylan got out of his chair thinking he had best leave before Trance decided she really needed him to tell her if her 'parts' were compatible. "I think Doyle would know, but I don't want you asking anyone else if they want to see your parts. Understand? Now I think I need to talk to Doyle."

Not wanting Trace to feel she had been scolded, Dylan produced another smile and patted her on the shoulder in a supportive kind of way then began looking around for Doyle. He spotted her near the counter with a tray full of empty glasses in her hands.

"I see you had a talk with Trance," said Doyle when Dylan walked to up to her. "Did she tell you about what Rhade was asking her?"

"She did. She says that he was asking Harper similar questions about you."

So I've been told." She placed the tray of empty glasses down on the counter and picked up a different one loaded with full glasses. "When I get done with the work here I'm going to find Rhade and have a one on one with him."

"I'll go with you," offered Dylan.