It showed just how far Beka's situation had fallen that she was overjoyed when her captor came to chat. She had decided that she might as well do something productive during her excruciatingly dull stay and was practicing push-ups on the carpet. After nearly a month and a half, she could clap in between push-ups and even practice one-handed for a time.

The door swung open, and Beka fell over in her shock. She didn't think it was time for her evening plate of food yet.

"What in the name of the Divine are you doing there?" a smooth voice inquired incredulously.

Beka stood hastily. "Um, trying to find a more comfortable position. That's a bitch of a mattress you got there."

"It's too bad no one mentioned to me how amusing you are. I should have visited you more often, had I known."

"Hey, do I get a shower today? I tend to lose track of the time when confined in small spaces." Beka sat on the bed. She rolled her shoulders but refused to massage her arms in front of the Archduke.

Charlemagne's lips quirked. "Why, I believe so. I'm in an unusually good mood today, so feel free to ask for anything you may desire."

Beka laughed shortly. "Ha ha. You're a pretty funny guy yourself, Charley. So why're you practically turning cartwheels here in my humble abode anyway?" She tried to sound sarcastic, but she was ecstatic at the conversation. At any conversation. The men who served her food and led her to the occasional shower were of the strong, silent type.

The blond man sat at the edge of the bed. "I have some extra time of my hands, Rebecca, and I have been meaning to chat with you for a while now. By all means, let's bond." He grinned. "You see, your extremely clever crewmates have just come a step further in their investigation."

"So you want to get caught?"

"Oh my, no," Charlemagne laughed. "Oh no, I don't plan on your captain succeeding in his investigation. How funny. I am pleasantly surprised that they have come this far, but I am hardly worried that they will burst in here any day now, demanding you and Harper. No no, I'm happy because this signifies a change in my current situation."

Beka raised an eyebrow. "You were getting bored? Until you're locked in a room smaller than Anromeda's Command, you don't know what bored is,"

Her companion ignored her. "Less a change in my situation, come to think of it, as a change in yours and Harper's." He looked closely at her, and she was astonished to see that his apologetic smile looked completely genuine. "It's nothing personal, Captain Valentine. If we had met under different circumstances, I'm sure we could've enjoyed each other's company very much. You simply chose the wrong man for your captain."

Beka was no pro at politcally-motivated kidnappings, but she thought she could see where this was going. Ready the hot pokers. "Well, do you think I could get a shower first?"

"I said you would, did I not? We may postpone this shift for a short time, while you and I catch up." Beka shrugged nonchalantly. "Very well. I hope it would not exceed your... ethical limits to tell me what you imagine your crewmates aboard the Andromeda are doing this very moment."

The blonde woman blinked. "Um, I guess not." She thought back before her abduction. It was hard to believe that she had really lived on the famous Andromeda any more. She felt as if she'd always lived in this cell, always practiced what exercise she could between meals and sleep. "Let's see... I bet Tyr's lifting weights and reminiscing about some great merc job he pulled off." I served him a tiramisu laced with strychnine. As I remember, he greatly enjoyed it for precisely... twelve seconds. Beka smiled to herself. "Rev is reading something from his fellow Wayists, meditating, or maybe working with Trance in med. If she's not there, Trance is probably in hydroponics, watering or pruning her plants. She names them, you know." Another little smile. She could still picture the purple girl humming and talking to her flowers. "And Gaheris... I don't know. P!laying Go or just being captain-y. Maybe he's trying to get someone else on the Commonwealth bandwagon." This time she tried very hard to conceal a grin.

Charlemagne laughed. "You wound me, Rebecca." He placed a hand over his heart. "Actually, he has succeeded in persuading another world to join his new Commonwealth. I am truly happy for him, and I hope that he will soon see the advantages of approving Pride Jaguar's application. I suppose I shouldn't be telling you this, Captain Valentine; it's quite the secret still. I am planning a marriage to the Sabran First Daughter, and unless she assassinates me on our wedding night, I will control the third largest fleet in the Known Worlds."

"Congratulations on your approaching nuptials," Beka said, confused at the Archduke's confidence. What was she supposed to say? "I'll be sure to tell Gaheris all about it."

"You believe," he inquired curiously, "that he will rescue you, despite the time that has already passed?"

Beka peered suspiciously at the Nietzschean. She couldn't tell if he was mocking her or not. "Yes, I do. I mean, I bet you've been planning this since you heard that someone was trying to rebuild the Systems Commonwealth. So maybe it'll take 'em awhile, but they'll be here."

"I see." Charlemagne nodded thoughtfully. "Ah, I believe the time has come." As if on cue, a pair of guards opened the door and stood behind their leader. "Gentlemen, treat this lady to a shower before you relocate her. She's been most helpful." He smiled graciously and exited with a soft whoosh of silk.

"Wow, Mr. Generosity," she muttered. "He gives me a shower before the torture. I think I'm getting the vapors."