Frank walked into his quarters, a lavish suite of rooms in one of the palace's many alcoves.  He found Andrea already situated there, sitting on a sofa leafing through a pile of newspapers.

Frank smiled at her.  "Have you made yourself at home?"

She looked up, startled.  "I didn't hear you come in!  This is where the butler brought me.  Does that mean your mother doesn't object to our living together here?"

He laughed.  "Why would she object to our living together here?  She didn't mind that we were living together on Earth.  It isn't as if she isn't fully aware of the nature of our relationship.  Indeed, by your own account she did everything in her power to encourage it."

She shrugged.  "I suppose I still find it difficult to believe she thinks I'm good enough for her son."

He sat down next to her and gave her a lingering kiss that sent shivers up and down her spine.  "Believe it."

She blushed, and changed the subject.  "My goodness, the prospect of your return has created quite a stir."

Frank nodded.  "Yes, so I've been told.  This evening the Palace is making an announcement that I'm back, and my first public appearance will be at the Galaxy Stadium tomorrow afternoon.  I suppose I'd better find some time today to look through these papers, to give myself some idea of what I'm likely to face tomorrow."

She shook her head.   Half joking, she said, "I'm not sure that's such a great idea.  It may scare you to death."

"Better the devil you know than the devil you don't.  Anyway, I don't scare that easily."

He paused.  "What about you?  Do you scare easily?"

Andrea was confused.  "What do you mean?"

"One thing my mother mentioned was that you and I should decide whether I should say anything about our relationship tomorrow.  I'm prepared to leave that entirely up to you.  Before you answer, I want you to think long and hard about what you've been reading.  I'm asking you more than just whether you'd like me to mention you in a speech.  I know we've discussed this before, but those 'newspapers'" – he gestured dismissively – "are a good indication of the kind of life you can expect to live with me.  Whether I mention you tomorrow or not, the press will soon get wind of our relationship, and your life will be irreparably changed.  I don't have a choice about whether to put up with this…crap.  However, you do, at least for a little while longer.  Soon enough, that choice will be taken away from you."  He put one hand on her shoulder, and brushed a stray lock of hair out of her eyes with the other.  "What I'm doing right now is giving you one final opportunity to walk away and preserve a normal life.  I can't pretend I wouldn't be devastated if you were to leave, but I would completely understand and support the decision.  Your own self-preservation has to come first."

She stared into his eyes, stunned into silence.  How could he think she could entertain, even for a split second, the thought of leaving him?

After a long moment, she finally found her voice.  "Frank, I entered into this relationship with my eyes wide open.  Remember, I was fully aware of your true identity, and I knew we would be returning to Transsexual in a matter of months.  To be honest, I was hoping we wouldn't be attracted to each other, because I had no particular inclination to live my life in the middle of a media circus.  But right from the very beginning, my need to be with you was far stronger than my desire to live what you call a 'normal' life…and now that I've fallen so completely in love with you, there's absolutely no way I could walk out.  You have to know that."   

He smiled slightly.  "Well, yes, I do.  However, I want you to remember we had this conversation on a day when you're chased down the street by a gang of rogue photographers…or get hate mail from some delusional adolescent who believes he or she would be my lover were it not for your obtrusive presence…or read a tabloid story claiming you're pregnant by the palace chef.  Really, the possibilities are endless."

Although she knew he wasn't completely joking, she couldn't help but laugh.  "I'll take my chances."

"Does that mean you'd like me to reveal our relationship in my speech tomorrow?"

She thought for a moment.  While it might buy her another few days of relative peace if Frank omitted all mention of her, she knew he was correct that the respite would be short-lived.  If he brought it up himself, at least their version of events would get out to the people before the media added its own, undoubtedly sensationalized, interpretation.

"Better the people hear it first from you than from the tabloid press."

"I agree.  However, I suggest you alert your family to what I'm about to do.  Believe me, it will affect them as well."

Andrea rolled her eyes.  "My mother will be in her glory.  She's always wanted to be famous."

Frank smiled and shook his head.  "At least someone will have fun with it."