-An Unwanted Apology-

I slid into the back seat of the limo and suggested that Nadel sit up front with Fenel, I smelled pretty ripe. My cell had a reclamation unit but I hadn't had a shower in days, Nadel declined and slid into the back seat with me.

"You will require a kolto tank for a day or two, Mr. Deklinn." Nadel said.

"Naw, just a shower and some rest will do," I replied.

"A shower and then the tank, if you resist, Fenel will make sure you comply with Mistress Linny's instructions that you get proper care. Do not judge Fenel by his age or stature, he is ex-military and can have you disarmed in two seconds, on the ground in three, unconscious or dead in four. If you should get past him, you will have me to deal with. You will lose if you fight, I suggest you don't"

"Point taken."

I had almost forgotten how good a shower could feel as I stood under the stream of water and watched the dried blood, dirt and sweat break loose and flow down the drain. I was standing there with my eyes closed when the door opened, and looked up to see Nadel enter. She was clothed in just a bra and panties.

"I am here to assist with your bath, not for your pleasure, Mr. Deklinn. Please turn around so I can scrub your back and any other part you might have trouble reaching. Do not test me."

Well, this was better than a five star hotel, and they thought they had services. It was really difficult to concentrate on other things besides the lathered and smooth hands drifting across my skin but somehow I managed. Thank the stars she was quick because avoiding temptation is not exactly in my wheelhouse and I was running out of distractions.

Nadel helped dry my back and legs, then motioned to the undergarment on the bed and left the room. Dressed in only my underwear I opened the door and walked into the living room where I was met by Fenel. He guided me to the utility room which had a kolto tank installed in the corner, I wondered if it had always been there. Fenel helped me into the harness and breather and I felt the sting of the tranq then the feeling of weightlessness as I was lifted from the floor and lowered into the tank. Hearing the bubbles, feeling warm and peaceful I let the tranq take me away.

I woke up, naked, in Linny's bed, I guess the scans gave me a clean bill of health but nobody had bothered to wake me up. I looked around the room and hanging from a clothes hook on the outside of the closet door was a dark gray suit and linen shirt. Fresh underwear and socks were on the bed and new boots sat on the floor. Damn, Linny, you do think of everything.

Clean teeth, hair combed and new duds, could a guy feel more special? I walked into the living room and looked out the window, Nadel and one of the house droids came in a short time later and set up the portable table and a chair. After a while food was served and I hadn't realized how hungry I was until I sat down to eat. Some sort of baked fowl, bread and butter, baked potato and a salad. I would have preferred steak, but it might have been too much for my shrunken stomach, I dug in, just thankful for what I got.

"Where's the limo?" I asked Nadel who was standing by the fireplace.

"Fenel has gone to the spaceport to pick up Mistress Linny. They should be returning soon."

That was the best news I had heard in a long time or at least since two days ago when my bail was paid. Finished with the meal, I went to the bar and poured a brandy then went to again stand by the window.

"Where's my comm, Nadel? I need to contact a couple of people."

She disappeared for a few minutes and returned with my datapad and comm in hand along with my shoulder holster and blaster. The jacket had been sent out for cleaning along with my other clothes.

I walked back to the sofa, sat down and called Tandy. I didn't let her talk much, I just wanted to let her know that I was ok and to make sure she and Lom were the same. Then she hit me with the bombshell, yesterday a young Mirialan woman had shown up at the office, said she was there as a gift from Songa to apologize to me for Theth's betrayal and that I owned her now. Tandy says she refuses to leave until her master returns. Why the hell couldn't Songa have just sent credits or opened a big ass bar tab? I told Tandy I would take care of it tomorrow and just to make sure the woman was safe and fed. Why can't things ever be easy?

I heard the speeder pull up outside and stood to watch Linny exit without waiting for Fenel to open the door. She ran to the apartment door and flung it open and then straight into my waiting arms. The kiss was long and sweet and I realized how much I had missed her.

She stood back for a moment inspecting me. "The suit looks good on you."

"And I'd look good on you."

She laughed, "You never change, Markus."

"Would you want me to?"

Sometimes body language translates into the best hellos and thank yous.