As Meaghan was stepping out of the shower, the AI appeared. "You're wanted in Dylan's office immediately, Mom." Andromeda paused. "Well, as soon as you're dressed anyway."

"What's going on?" Meaghan asked, feeling a sudden chill go up her spine.

"You are being charged with assault," the AI informed her.

"Haedmon!" Meaghan spat the name out like a curse. "But surely Dylan knows..,"

"Of course he does," Andromeda interrupted her. "I've already replayed the entire scene for him."

"Then why all this?" She selected her most sedate dress.

"Legal formalities, political niceties, any number of things," Andromeda said.

"Would another eyewitness help?" Meaghan inquired.

"You mean Charlemagne Bolivar?" It must have been Meaghan's imagination that the AI looked a little taken aback. "Do you think he'd be willing?"

"Andromeda," Meaghan said sternly. "Is there anything that goes on, on this ship that you don't see or hear?"

"I don't snoop in the crew's private affairs," the holo said primly.

"What an appropriate word," Meaghan murmured. "But you do know that they go on, or you'd hardly know where to play the three monkeys, would you dear?"

"All right, so I know about you and Charlemagne," the AI admitted. "But I haven't told anyone, not even Dylan."

"A need to know basis?" Meaghan suggested.

"Precisely."

"But you do know enough that Charlemagne will in all likelihood testify on my behalf?"

"I just wanted to know how committed you were to the course of action." Andromeda replied. "It's not just his reputation."

"We're not going there to tell Dylan that we're lovers," Meaghan stated. "And he probably already knows that Charlemagne has taken Bekka's place training me. By the way, you might want to tell Charlemagne now, make sure that he has time to dress as well."

&&&&&&&&

Charlemagne just stood under the cold, cold water for what seemed an eternity, but it didn't seem to be helping much. What was it about the soft-voiced red-head that twisted his gut into knots and excited him so much?

"I'm sorry to interrupt you." The voice came from right outside the shower. Charlemagne immediately recognized it as the ship's artificial intelligence.

"This had better be important," he snapped, turning off the water and stepping out. He was somewhat amused to note that Andromeda's hologram discreetly turned her back.

"Mom, excuse me, Meaghan is being charged with assault and would like you to testify on her behalf," the AI explained.

Charlemagne stood there dripping for a moment. "That insufferable idiot, Haedmon! When does the travesty of a trial take place?"

"It's not exactly a formal trial," Andromeda said. "Just a brief interview in Dylan's office. And as to when, as soon as you and Meaghan are dressed." The AI paused. "Meaghan is almost ready."

"Have her meet me outside the door to my quarters." He began drying himself off furiously. "I'll be out in a few minutes."

When Meaghan stepped out her door Rommie met her. "Sorry, Mom, just a formality, but I have to escort you."

"I'm beginning to think Charlemagne was right," Meaghan said. "I should have hurt Haedmon a little more. I'm starting to believe that the only way to make an impression on the dolt is through his nerve endings."

"You could be right." The ship's avatar stopped in front of the door to Charlemagne's quarters. "My AI informs me that Charlemagne will be out shortly."

It was only a few minutes before Charlemagne appeared, his hair still damp.

"Shall we, ladies?" he inquired, offering Meaghan his arm.

Charlemagne was silent on the trip to Dylan's office, but Meaghan could feel the tension in him as Rommie escorted them down the hall.

&&&&&&&&

As they entered Dylan's office, the first thing they heard was Haedmon ranting.

"Improper, ungrateful, and then to assault my royal person, she should be executed!"

"This is my ship and I'll decide what action, if any, is to be taken," Dylan said calmly.

"I'm the king of a sovereign planet!" Haedmon snapped.

"And on this ship, I'm god," Dylan replied. "So if your majesty will kindly be quiet, I can hear the other witnesses. I think I've heard everything pertinent that you have to say."

"What is that Nietzschean doing here?" Haedmon demanded. "He wasn't there."

Dylan walked over the livid monarch and stood so close they were practically nose to nose. "I am in charge of this investigation, your majesty, not you. I also believe that I asked you to be quiet. I won't ask again." He turned to the view screen where the AI waited patiently. "Andromeda, do you have a record of the incident?"

"Yes, sir, I do."

"Please play it," Dylan said.

And the scene came to life on the screen in all its tawdry glory. After the germane portion of the byplay had been replaced by Andromeda's face again, Dylan turned back to the others.

"That was a patent falsification!" Haedmon shouted, furiously. "That person attacked me unprovoked."

Dylan started to say something, but closed his mouth again. Charlemagne released Meaghan's arm, then grabbed her sleeve and casually ripped it from shoulder to elbow to expose the large, darkening bruise.

"Then, do you want to explain how Meaghan got that bruise, Haedmon?" the Nietzschean asked softly.

The king sniffed. "You probably did it yourself. Everyone knows what Nietzscheans are capable of."

Charlemagne pulled the tattered sleeve aside and laid his hand gently over the bruise. The edges of it extended far beyond the confines of his hand.

"Doesn't fit, I'm afraid," he remarked conversationally. "Do you want to see if yours does?"

"No!" Meaghan burst out. All eyes turned to her. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I couldn't stand to have him touch me."

"Your majesty," Dylan grated out, obviously just barely keeping his temper in check. "If you didn't have diplomatic immunity, I would toss you into the brig myself and throw away the key. You will keep your hands off of my crew members, and most particularly, you will stay away from Meaghan. Do I make myself clear?"

"I'll be speaking to your superiors about this," Haedmon snarled.

"Feel free. Now would you be so good as to leave?" Dylan requested.

"Certainly." Haedmon stalked out, giving Meaghan an evil glare as he left.

"Andromeda," Dylan said.

"Yes sir," the AI responded.

"For the duration of Haedmon's stay on board, I want you to monitor him," Hunt ordered. "No privacy mode either, not for anything."

"Aye, aye, sir."

"I'm sorry, Dylan," Meaghan said softly. "I guess I should have handled things better."

"You didn't do anything wrong, Mom," Dylan answered gently. "In fact, you showed remarkable restraint. I'm sorry I had to put you through this." He walked over to where she and Charlemagne were standing. "Charlemagne, thank you for your help in this." He offered the Nietzschean his hand.

Charlemagne shook his hand and said "Happy to oblige. If you will excuse us, Captain, I believe that I owe the lady a new dress."