Chapter 8

"I can't believe it was all Zark's fault!" Tiny said as he struggled with his bow tie.

"I can." Jason snorted. "When has that bucket of bolts ever been helpful?"

"Never…" Keyop giggled, while Seth stared adoringly up at the boy. Somehow Keyop had managed to give the chicken its own small bow tie.

"But we still don't have our memories back." Tiny moaned. "Even Mark doesn't have all his memories back yet!"

"Chief said… take time… next week… after wedding…" Keyop burbled.

"Not soon enough!" Tiny replied. "I hate having this big hole in my head!"

"Look on the bright side: at least the Chief isn't blaming us." Jason reminded them. "After all, everything was because of Zark's unauthorized implant adjustments." He grinned to himself. Chief Anderson would never have to know that Jason had thought up the idea of bringing the Commander to a strip club long before Zark had begun meddling with his cerebonics.

"And Princess isn't blaming us either!" Tiny added in a relieved tone. "I really wasn't looking forward to explaining to her that we lost her groom!"

"Everything… perfect now!" Keyop nodded emphatically, but Jason couldn't help thinking of Milhara. He wished he had been able to set things right with her. Although sometimes he wasn't entirely sure what 'right' was. He couldn't be married to her… but then a part of him was also sorry that he had had to leave her behind. He was conflicted enough within himself that if she were here, in front of him, right now, he had no idea what he would say.

"Jason, there you are!"

Jason, Tiny and Keyop turned in amazement, all of them frozen in amazement by the sight of a stunningly beautiful women in a form-fitting scarlet gown.

"Milhara…" Jason's mouth went dry and his heart began to pound.

"We'll just leave you two alone." Tiny said quickly, slapping his hand over Keyop's mouth and dragging the boy out of the room before he could protest. Seth primly followed the ungainly pair.

"I'm so glad I caught up with you, Jason!" Milhara cried, rushing into his arms. When her lips found his, Jason's head spun.

"And don't you look handsome!" she laughed, running her hands up and down his tuxedo lapels.

"How did you find me?" he gasped, his body warming to this unexpected reconciliation.

"The phone!" Milhara teased, poking him with her finger. "It has GPS. I could find you anywhere on the planet!"

"Oh." Jason automatically reached for the phone, which was in his back pocket. He had kept it as a reminder of Milhara, not even thinking that it could lead her to him. Or… perhaps subconsciously part of him had kept the phone just for that purpose.

"And I arrived in time for Mark's wedding!" Milhara gushed. "Am I dressed all right? I'm not entirely sure of Earther fashions."

"You look perfect." Jason assured her, and the look in his eyes told the truth of his words.

"Listen, Jason, before we go, there's something I have to tell you." Milhara chewed on her bottom lip, a habit Jason somehow found adorable. "I haven't been completely honest with you, and it's time you knew the truth."

"The truth?"

"Part of me was afraid that you had discovered the truth and that was why you had run off on me. When I realized that wasn't the case, I knew I had to come clean before you found out from anyone else."

"Milhara, what is it?" Jason asked, suddenly concerned for her welfare.

"Jason, I'm not who you think I am." Milhara admitted. "I'm… I'm from Spectra."

Well there it was. After all of Tiny's jokes and Jason's fears… she really was Spectran!

"I wanted to bring you home to live with me on Spectra, but now I know that I just want to be with you, Jason! I'll renounce my father, give up all of his wealth, even give back the car, if that's what you want. If you want me to stay on Earth, then that's what I'll do. As long as we're together, I'll be happy."

"Spectran…" Jason was still coming to grips with this revelation.

"Well, you must be part Spectran too." Milhara noted gently. "The bonding ritual we performed only works on those of Spectran blood. We're mated for life. See?" She tugged gently on his wedding ring, causing the skin underneath to warm. When she brought her ring to his, touching the twin bands of metal together, it felt as if an electric jolt passed through him. His eyes widened and he finally understood.

"We are joined…" he realized, feeling as if he had finally woken up from a deep sleep.

"I am half Spectran." he admitted. "My father was a Federation ambassador who married a Spectran woman before the war."

"Just like you married a Spectran woman." Milhara smiled.

"You're my wife." Jason told her, and this time it didn't make him feel sick to say it. "Where you come from isn't important to me." Even if it would be to Chief Anderson.

"I don't care who protests!" Milhara told him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "No one will stand in our way, not even my father!"

"No one." Jason agreed, and he meant it. He bent his head down, kissing her gently, yet all too quickly the blood began rushing through his veins and she melted in his arms.

"Oh… Jason…" she sighed. "There's just one more thing…"

"There's something I have to tell you as well." Jason admitted. He didn't care what the Chief or the Commander or anyone else thought. He had to tell Milhara that he was part of G-Force.

"Okay." Milhara nodded. "Tell me."

"Hey, what are you doing?" Tiny burst into the room, then reddened as he realized the answer to his question. "Oh. Well, break it up! They're about to start! Mark needs his best man!"

"Okay." Jason agreed, before smiling at Milhara. "Come to the wedding, and afterward we'll talk."

"Anything for you, Jason." Milhara beamed, gazing up at him with a mixture of pride, adoration and all-around sexiness. Unconsciously Jason puffed out his chest. He had made the right decision. He and Milhara belonged together, no matter what the Chief, or anyone else, thought.

He felt all eyes on him as he escorted Milhara up the aisle, seating her just far enough away from Chief Anderson that he would be unable to question her during the ceremony. The Chief's eyes widened, staring up at them with an intensity Jason hadn't expected. Yet Jason only grinned, patting Milhara's hand before he moved off toward the dais to stand next to Tiny and Keyop. Both teammates grinned at Jason as he approached, and Jason was only mildly surprised to see Seth perched obediently on Keyop's shoulder. Tiny nodded his head over at Chief Anderson, who was goggling at Milhara.

"My wife." Jason mouthed at the Chief, pleased to see his foster father's face turn bright red.

When Mark entered, no one noticed. Everyone was still staring at Milhara. The exception was the Chief, who was glaring in disbelief at Jason.

"Who's she?" Mark asked, nodding his head lightly as he stepped up next to Jason. "She looks vaguely familiar."

"You met her in Vegas." Jason informed his Commander. "But you probably won't remember."

"I remember the best part." Mark told him. "Coming home." The Commander's eyes now stared straight ahead, as a vision in silver and ivory moved gracefully down the aisle.

"You're doing the right thing." Jason whispered suddenly. "You two are perfect for each other."

"Thanks, Jason." Mark sounded genuinely pleased, yet his eyes never left his bride.

Jason had to admit, Princess had never been more radiant. Her ebony hair was swept up onto her head, with a few artfully selected curls softly framing her face and neck. Her green eyes shone like emeralds, her sensual lips curving up into a shy smile. Her dress… well, Jason supposed it was fashionable. He didn't know much about that kind of thing. Compared to Milhara's outfit it looked like an old sack, but then the same could be said for every other woman in the room.

Yet the way Mark looked at Princess, Jason could tell his Commander didn't think Princess was wearing an old sack. He stared at his bride in the same way Jason felt his eyes drawn to Milhara.

For better, or for worse.

"Welcome, welcome, everyone!" President Kane stepped up to the dais, nodding regally as everyone rose, them gesturing to indicate that they should be seated.

"We are here today to join Mark and Princess in marriage," the President intoned. "Two deserving young people, if ever there were such."

Jason had to fight to keep from rolling his eyes. Had Zark written Kane's speech?

"I have known Mark and Princess for many years, since they were young children living at Camp Parker under the care of their foster father, Galaxy Security Chief William Anderson." President Kane droned on. Jason tuned him out. He didn't need to hear any more speeches. His eyes drifted over to Milhara, who was smiling coyly at him from her seat. Jason didn't even remember his own wedding, but he knew now it was the best thing he had ever done in his life.

Milhara had to understand his position as a member of G-Force. He'd make her understand. And whatever it was she had to tell him, it wasn't going to present any kind of obstacle for them. They would make it work.

No matter what.

"And now," boomed President Kane, "is there anyone here who objects to the marriage of Mark and Princess? Speak now, or forever hold your peace."

Of course the question was merely a formality. In this day and age, who would actually protest a marriage, particularly the marriage of the G-Force Commander and his third officer? Yet someone was storming down the aisle: a tall man with long blonde hair, his face a mask of outrage and defiance.

Milhara's father.

Everyone watched in horror, waiting for the man to proclaim that they shouldn't get married. Instead, the newcomer stalked right up to Jason, reaching for the best man's lapels with an expression that promised instant death.

Except he never made contact. Princess turned around, blocking the man's way by raising her fist in a threatening manner, her emerald eyes promising great pain and misery.

"I don't know what you have against Jason, and I don't care. This is my wedding. I've been waiting for this day for years. You are not going to ruin it, or so help me, I'll scalp your hair like a pelt and have it hung on my wall." she growled.

"How dare you speak to me that way!" The man's eyes narrowed in anger as he turned to Mark. "Control your woman!" The Commander's expression turned to stone as he stepped forward, grabbing the interloper by the collar and pulling his face closer. The other man was about thirty centimeters taller, yet somehow Mark made him appear small and weak.

"Don't talk to my wife that way." the Commander snarled, his blue eyes freezing the stranger in his tracks. Something strange seemed to pass between the two men for a moment, and for an instant time seemed to stop still, before Mark spoke again.

"You're the one interrupting our wedding. And seeing as it is our wedding day, I'll let her have the pleasure of tearing you to shreds if you step out of line again!" Mark grinned fondly at Princess and held up his hands in a helpless gesture.

"I've been waiting for this day, too, and I'm really looking forward to the 'kiss the bride' bit." he admitted, without the slightest hint of embarrassment. As irate as Princess was, she couldn't help but giggle and blush at that. Snickers and smiles rippled through the guests as well.

The stranger puffed up and seemed about to launch into another tirade. Instead, Tiny stepped forward, grabbing the man by the back of his shirt, and hauling him toward the seating. Somehow the only empty place was next to the Chief, so Tiny plunked him there, returning back to his spot amongst the groomsmen.

Jason felt a trickle of sweat roll down his neck. Great. The Chief and his new father-in-law, perfectly arranged to have a little chat before he and Milhara could smooth the way. For the moment Jason was saved by the continuation of the ceremony. Apparently Chief Anderson had decided he wouldn't be so rude as to talk during his little girl's big day, but the whole time, Jason could feel the smoldering fury of his stare. When combined with the glares he was receiving from Milhara's father, Jason expected things to get ugly at any second.

Fortunately, all Jason had to do was look at Milhara and catch her beaming smile to remember that it was worth it. Then he returned his attention to where it belonged: to two of his best friends. He was as proud as could be when asked to step forward and hand over the rings, and couldn't help but wonder if Milhara would want a real wedding too: something more meaningful than a Las Vegas quickie. A small part of him was horrified that he was even considering it. Another part patted him on the back for being so thoughtful.

When President Kane reached the point where he finally said, 'You may kiss the bride.' a cheer went up in the crowd. Jason blinked as Mark planted a kiss on Princess that was far steamier than he'd ever seen between the two of them. Who knew the Skipper had it in him?

Then it was time to file out. When Jason passed Milhara she leapt up, coming around on his side to take his arm. Her father nearly jumped out of his seat as they walked by, but Jason caught sight of the Chief grabbing a pressure point on the man's arm.

Whatever the Chief growled at the man, Milhara's father turned slightly white and settled. Jason couldn't help but grin wider. This day really was full of surprises.

Once they got outside, reality hit him in the face, along with the birdseed. He was supposed to drive Mark and Princess in the limo to the reception. While he was sure he could bring Milhara along, that meant leaving her father and the Chief behind to talk without them. Who knew what kind of insanity her father would tell his foster father?

But, a promise was a promise. Plus, Mark and Princess were so wrapped up in one another they might get into an accident on their own. He held the door for the bride and groom, and once they were in, asked them quietly if Milhara could come along.

"Sure." Mark spoke absently, helping Princess get her dress settled, before pulling her close to muss it again.

Jason held the front door for Milhara, closed it once she was in, then went around to the driver's side. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the Chief and Milhara's father coming face to face. Milhara's father seemed to blanch again, then quickly turned on his heel and stalked off in the other direction. The Chief, frowning, moved off toward the car that would take him, Tiny and Keyop to the reception.

"Don't worry." Milhara patted Jason's arm. "Daddy will see the light."

Glancing into the back, Jason saw that the newly married couple was far too busy 'getting to know each other' to even notice the tension. He grinned at his wife… his wife… and then focused on the road. First he'd get them all to the reception in one piece. Then he and Milhara could enjoy a moment of their own before facing down the Chief and her father.

At least they'd do it together.

88888

The reception was being held at the President's mansion, courtesy of President Kane. At first Mark had protested that such a location might cause suspicion as to the identities of the bride and groom, but Chief Anderson assured him that the only guests present would be GalSec employees who already knew of Mark and Princess 'extracurricular activities'. And so it was that as Jason drove up, everyone was escorted into the mansion's exquisitely manicured gardens. A series of wide French doors created a nearly seamless opening between the gardens and the main ballroom, which had been set up with tables for dining, while still leaving a large enough space for dancing.

The bride and groom were far too absorbed in each other to even notice their surroundings. Fortunately they no longer appeared to be joined at the lips, but all of that gazing into each other's eyes and hand-holding was beginning to make Jason somewhat ill.

"Aren't they romantic?" Milhara gushed, clinging to Jason's arm. "And this place is so beautiful!"

"Yeah." Jason agreed without really listening. "Milhara, about your father…"

"He's full of hot air." Milhara casually dismissed Jason's concerns. "My father likes to bluster, but as you saw there's nothing to it. Besides, we're married for life, whether he likes it or not. He'd just better learn to accept it." There was an expression of determination in her eyes that set Jason's heart beating faster.

"Milhara, I'm really sorry I don't..." He caught himself short. He had been about to admit that he didn't recall their wedding, but at the last minute figured that wasn't the best approach.

"I'm wondering what kind of wedding you would have liked, if we had had more time." Jason grabbed at the first thing that came to his mind. "Something like this?" He swept his hand around to indicate the gardens, the open ballroom and the arriving guests in formal attire.

"I never thought about it." Milhara said quickly, a flush coming to her cheeks.

"Oh come on, you can't tell me your dream wedding was to get married in Las Vegas." Jason insisted.

"Not exactly." Milhara admitted. "But I did want to get married on another planet. I knew that if I got married on Spectra my father would get all caught up in the formality of it. I thought perhaps Aquatica, with all of its beautiful water overlooks, or the perpetual twilight of Veralda, or even on a space station overlooking a celestial expansion…" She sighed happily.

"But Jason, all of those were just vague thoughts. The main thing I dreamed of was having a strong, handsome husband who would love me forever." Her eyes held his and he found himself unable to look away. "In that regard, you've far surpassed anything I could ever have dreamed of." She stood up on tiptoe to kiss him.

"Hey, I thought I was the groom here!" Mark's laugh caused Jason and Milhara to break apart, but they were smiling as they did so.

"I'm so pleased to meet you…" Princess looked from Milhara to Jason.

"This is Milhara." Jason introduced her to Princess. "My wife."

"So you really did get married in Vegas!" Mark whistled.

"Guess I can still beat you in some things." Jason grinned. "I beat you to the altar, anyhow."

"Milhara, I'm glad you're here." Princess intervened as she saw Mark's chest puffing out in preparation for a competitive response. "I've arranged to have you sit next to Jason at the head table."

"Oh you didn't need to do that!" Milhara protested.

"Nonsense! Of course Jason should sit with his wife!" Princess insisted. "Just as I intend to sit with my husband." She smiled at Mark. "My husband… I like that."

"I like it more." Mark grinned, kissing her.

"Okay, you two win for the sappiest couple!" Jason teased.

"We could give them a run for their money." Milhara whispered, running her fingernail lightly over Jason's ear and down his neck. His skin shivered and he suddenly had a flash of recollection regarding certain activities on his wedding night.

A tinkling sound filtered across the garden, indicating that it was time to be seated for dinner. Princess and Milhara took their husbands' arms, leaving the men to walk next to each other.

"The Chief wants to talk to you." Mark said softly to Jason.

"I thought so." Jason replied.

"And that weird guy… who was he?"

"Milhara's father." Jason revealed. "He's not exactly happy about our marriage."

"I wonder why?" Mark asked sarcastically, to which Jason laughed. "But it doesn't matter. Tiny told me that he had been left at the chapel. You've caught a small break."

"I intend to make good use of it." Jason grinned with relief, pulling Milhara closer to him.

"There was something strange about him." Mark recalled. "But I couldn't put my finger on it."

"He's strange all right." Jason shrugged, just as they reached the table.

Everyone was seated, with the wedding party and Milhara placed at the head table, which sat on a small rise above the rest of the floor. Chief Anderson and President Kane, along with Kane's wife, sat at an intimate table in front of the wedding party, in the spot normally reserved for the parents of the bride and groom. One seat remained empty, as Chief Anderson had declined to bring a guest.

Princess glowed at the center of the head table, with Mark and Jason to her left and Keyop and Tiny to her right. Seth hopped up and down in Keyop's lap, pecking occasionally at the tablecloth. Jason sat next to Mark, with Milhara on his other side.

"What's this?" Keyop asked, reaching for an elegantly wrapped parcel sitting on his plate.

"Looks like a wedding favor." Tiny noted.

"I decided not to have wedding favors." Princess frowned slightly, picking up her package and examining it carefully.

"It says it's from the Chief." Mark noted, reading the attached card.

"Now I'm really worried," Jason joked, yet a small crease between his eyebrows belied his jocular tone.

Keyop was already ripping off the paper and tossing it aside, much to Seth's delight. Reaching eagerly into the box Keyop pulled out the object inside while Seth investigated the wrapping.

"Metal…" Keyop observed, confusion written on his face. "Yellow… markings…"

"Mine has some orange on it." Tiny noted.

"I have a light diode attached to mine." Jason grimaced. What could it mean?

Mark and Princess opened their gifts together, each of them simultaneously pulling out a thin antenna about thirty centimeters long. Their eyes widened as they recognized what they held.

"Could it really be?" Princess whispered.

"Zark?" The Commander's eyebrows shot up.

"Hey!" Jason's face broke into a wide grin. "You've got to admit, this is the best wedding present the Chief could have given to you!"

Everyone began laughing, each of them comparing the 'pieces of Zark' they had been given. All around the room, Galaxy Security employees were coming to the realization that the irrational robot that had held them emotional hostage for the past five years was no longer in operation. A happy murmur passed through the room. Jason smiled, draping his arm around Milhara and relaxing in his chair. Finally it looked as if everything was going to be all right.

Naturally, it was at that moment things started to go wrong once more. Being toward the end of the table, Jason was the first to see a ripple of disturbance at the edge of the room.

"Oh no…" he groaned as he saw the cause. Milhara's father strode angrily through the tables toward the wedding party.

"Milhara!" the man shouted.

Jason scrambled to his feet, moving quickly down to the floor to confront the man.

"Look, Sir, I understand why you're upset, but this isn't the time or place." He placed his hands on the man's chest to keep him from moving further. "Perhaps we should discuss this matter elsewhere?" He jerked his head slightly, indicating the bride and groom, as well as Chief Anderson and President Kane, all of whom were wide-eyed at yet another interruption to this special day.

"You think you're a man, but you're only an insolent boy!" Milhara's father snarled, uncaring as to their audience.

"He thinks he's a man." Tiny snickered, too low for normal hearing but enough that Jason's cerebonics could pick up the words. "I've never seen a man with long blonde hair like that! He looks like a woman!"

A chill ran down Jason's spine. He turned his head to look back at Mark. Princess and Keyop froze, their gazes locking with the other two, all four of them recalling a day about two years before. Tiny had remained on the Phoenix, but Mark, Jason, Princess and Keyop had been inside a Spectran base, catching a glimpse of long, blonde hair, speculating whether or not the person they had glimpsed was a woman…

"Milhara said your family is Spectran." Jason's throat tightened as he turned back to address Milhara's father. He could hear Princess' quiet gasp behind him.

"What of it?" the man snapped angrily, his voice eerily familiar.

"This isn't the time or place for this discussion." Mark said, rising to his feet. His words were soft, yet the ringing tone of authority caused everyone in the room to quiet down and listen. Even the musicians stopped playing, waiting for the Commander to continue speaking.

"I think you need to leave… Zoltar."

The man's eyes hardened like granite, his fingers curling into his palms as he shook with fury. He threw Jason's hands from his chest, storming over toward the groom.

"Who are you to make such demands of me?" he shouted.

"Zoltar, considering the ceasefire our people currently enjoy, we will extend you the courtesy of allowing you to leave of your own accord," Chief Anderson said. "Unless you'd rather be escorted by Galaxy Security personnel."

"Daddy you're causing a scene!" Milhara hissed. "You need to go!"

"Go?" Zoltar smirked. "I'm not going anywhere! I…" His eyes swept the room, resting on Chief Anderson. His head swiveled, looking back at Jason and the rest of the wedding party.

"These two young people," Zoltar swept his arm to indicate the bride and groom, "they are your wards, Anderson? And the others as well? Five of them, four males and one female, one of the males a boy, another stout…" He began to laugh in a self-deprecatory fashion as everyone stared open-mouthed.

"I can't believe I never saw it!" Zoltar gasped. "It makes perfect sense! Why didn't I ever guess? You're…. you're G-Force!"

"G-Force?" Milhara screeched, jumping to her feet.

"Zoltar, I'll ask you for the last time. Please leave now." Mark growled.

"Oh no." Zoltar shook his head, still chuckling to himself. "This is something I wouldn't miss for the world! I think I shall remain." With a flourish he pulled out the empty chair at the front table, sitting down next to a startled President Kane.

"How good to see you again, Kane." Zoltar chortled.

"Likewise, I'm sure." the President muttered half-heartedly.

Amazingly the musicians resumed their playing, the waiters started serving the meal and within moments the reception was underway once more.

Yet all was not as it had been before.

"Why didn't you tell me you were part of G-Force?" Milhara demanded as Jason returned to his seat.

"Probably for the same reason you never told me your father was the ruler of the Spectran Empire!" Jason retorted.

Milhara flushed, then began to laugh.

"I guess we really do have something in common, then!" she observed, her hand reaching out to rest on Jason's arm in a conciliatory manner. "Here I thought I was the only one keeping secrets!"

"I thought the same thing." Jason told her, before kissing her lightly. "I guess it's not really surprising. I always did have a thing for Spectran girls."

"And I always dreamed of G-Force." Milhara admitted. "My father was so afraid that you would come to Spectra and kidnap me, but I was so bored that I was waiting for the excitement it would bring. Yet I never thought about how dashingly handsome you would be."

"You're not the Commander, are you?" she frowned suddenly. "On the broadcasts he always seemed so… I don't know… 'proper'."

"That would be Mark." Jason chuckled. "He certainly doesn't seem to be very 'proper' today though, does he?"

"And how about you, Jason?" Milhara asked. "Are you 'proper'?"

"Oh I'm completely 'improper'." Jason assured her. "Especially where you're concerned."

"I think I'm having improper thoughts right now."

"Do you think we could slip out before anyone noticed?"

"Before your Commander or my father noticed? Not likely."

"Both of them in the same room watching me. I knew there had to be a catch to this ceasefire!"