AN: This is my first story ever!YAY ME! Ihappily (and greedily) welcome all constructive critisism. In other words, 'you suck' will only get you computer slapped. So... R&R, I'll appreciate it!

Spoilers: Nothing specific, Everything recent

Summary: Rhade does something stupid, now he's being made to live with the consequences... By having his but dragged halfway across the galaxy by someone really irritating.

Disclaimer: No, they're not mine. If they were, do you think Rommie would be a floating head and Doyle would wear that outfit! I think not. And no, I make no money, from this or otherwise.

Rhade sat in corner, quietly nursing his drink, foul beverage that it was. Some days he hated being Neitzchian, and today was one of those days. His heightened sense of smell picked up every nuance of this filthy place. The room stunk, the people stunk, his drink stunk, he stunk. Yes, today was one of those days. He slugged back his drink, and then motioned Harper to bring him another. The little man ignored him. Oh, well, it was for the best. He sighed, and then cringed. His breath stunk, too.

He leaned back in his chair, and gazed listlessly about him. He was bored. He considered for a moment that one of the local girls could provide some excitement, and then thought better of it. They would stink too. So he settled into his chair, resigned to a long, boring, smelly day.

Moments later, however, his view was completely reversed. He smelt something, something good. It was familiar, but rare. He breathed deep, enjoying the scent. Soap. Sweet, clean, soap. He looked quickly towards the door, to find the owner of this tantalizng scent. There, walking slowly towards the bar. A woman, a pretty woman. Oh yes, today was looking up. Because soap meant baths and baths meant water, and on Seefra, water meant wealth.

He straightened, watching his new quarry, sizing her up. Tallish, wearing loose, dark clothes. And coming straight toward him. He grinned. Oh yes, today was definitely looking up. She saw him watching, and gave him a coy little smile. He returned it, and raised his eyebrow, motioning with one hand towards the chair beside him. She quirked her head, and sauntered over, her hips swaying as she moved to sit in the chair next to him. "Welcome" he said, giving her his most charming leer. This wouldn't take long, he thought, as he inhaled the scent of recently washed woman. Her response surprised him. "Friendly, aren't you?" she said, in a flat, edgeless voice. All coyness was gone from her face; sensuality removed from her posture, and in their stead was a stony demeanor, devoid of womanliness. It gave him the creeps, the way those gray eyes so coolly pursued him. Not that he would admit it.

"Well, that was unexpected" his voice was slow and measured. "The general response is thank you and 'Hello'".

"Well" she said with a tilt of her head, "I've never been known for my people skills. But genialities aside, are you Telamuchus Rhade?" He was a little taken aback, not many people in this stink-hole knew his full name. He would have to be wary, but for now, there was no point in lying.

"Yes." She smiled, or seemed to, and her cool voice seemed pleased "Well then. Let me buy you a drink." She motioned for Harper, who hurried over to the table, two glasses and a half-full bottle in hand. They eyed each other, one wary, the other apathetic, as he filled the two glasses. She handed him a bill, pulled from her boot, then motioned for him to leave. As he did, he moved to set the bottle on the table. She stopped him. "Take that with you." She ordered as she leaned back. "This won't take long." Harper looked at Rhade, who nodded, then he shrugged his shoulders and left.

She didn't make a move after Harper's exit, so Rhade leaned forward and took a drink. He grimaced. "The cheap stuff."

"I like economy"

"Not like Harper to bring the worst right of the bat…" he paused, looking at her inquiringly."You told him before you came."

"I knew I would find you."

"Which brings us to why you're looking."

"Business" she said, leaning forward, setting an arm on the table and picking up her drink. "Always business."

He tensed then, for there was a gleam in her eye that did not bode well. "What kind of 'business'?" he asked with cool trepidation. She smiled that queer smile again, then shifted, propping her legs on the table. She turned to him.

"My employer is a very wealthy, very powerful man. I know, because I made him that way. He is dedicated to the proliferation of that wealth and power. Despite this, he remains an extraordinarily dedicated to his family. They are the dearest thing in the worlds to him. But especially his only child, his daughter." She paused, and Rhade, who had been listening with mild curiosity, looked up, met her gleaming eyes, and took a drink. He did not like where this was going.

She took a drink, closed her eyes, as if to savor it, and then continued "Eight weeks ago, this most precious daughter gave birth." Another pause. Rhade definitely did not like where this was going. "The child, as you'll be pleased to hear, is a perfectly healthy, beautiful baby boy. He does, however, have one abnormality." Again, a pause. Rhade didn't even look up, just finished off his drink in one big gulp. She went on casually "Not a defect or impairment, simply an abnormality. The child was born with strange, bone-like protrusions on his fore-arms. Three of them." Her voice turned coy, "You have three bone-like protrusions on your fore-arms."

"What are you saying?" he rasped.

"Nothing. I'm simply pointing out a similarity."

"Now you're toying with me. Stop" His voice, which had been strained, was icy and steel strong on the last word. She smiled at his command and said "Well, I was told not to play with things before I eat them. But I digress." She paused, and Rhade filled the silence with a growl. "The young lady in question can think of only one man she has" again, she paused and finding the right word, continued tactfully "known in the past year who shares this physical trait with the infant."

"That man being me."

"Being you, Mr. Rhade."

"How can you be sure?" he asked. She only looked at him, glanced at his arm and then gave him a 'yeah, right' stare. He reached for his glass, but it was empty. She handed him hers. After downing it in one gulp he said "I think I would have remembered a rich man's daughter."

"Not necessarily. She has bad habits. You probably thought she was a whore." Her lips puckered slightly in distaste. "A cheap one at that."

"So, you don't condone her behavior?" he said in a silky voice. She turned her face to him, with the look a master gives a student. She smiled her half smile "I must warn you now that I am entirely unsusceptible to charm. But on with the issue. My employer is a very old fashioned man. He will not allow his only child to live in disgrace. So, he has sent me to fetch you, so that you may be joined in holy union and you can, as he put 'make an honest woman out of her'."

"Business."

"Yes" with a little too much amusement in it.

He gulped. Then he met her eyes. "And if I refuse?"

She held his eyes in a gaze like a steel trap. "Oh, I would not suggest that, Mr. Rhade. You see, I am under orders to bring you by force, if need permits." Her voice went flat, her tone full of promise "And I can assure you Mister Rhade, that in a fight, I will be the only one walking away."

"I thought I was supposed to make an honest woman out her" he smiled.

"There is nothing dishonest about a widow" She slid back.

He leaned back in his chair. "I never thought I'd marry here."

"Your personal feelings can be discussed at a later date." She pulled a paper from he boot, then rose gracefully. "I will give you time to gather your things." She placed the paper under his glass. "Meet me here in two hours."

"Thanks for the consideration" he murmured grimly. She gave him a cold look "I'll have the helpful Mr. Harper bring you another drink. Don't be late." She called as she moved across the room towards the door, motioning as she did to Harper, requesting another round for Rhade. She paused. Looking back over her shoulder she said "And don't be drunk." And with that, she was gone in a gust of sandy wind, and the slam of a door.

Rhade had the distinct feeling that life as he knew it had gone with her.

He sighed, and leaned back, closing his eyes and listening to the sounds of Harper's approach. He reached the table quickly, with an "Everything alright, Big Guy?", and opened his eyes just long enough to snatch the drink from Harper's hand and pour it down his waiting throat. Harper wisely took this his cue to go, leaving Rhade to brood in his corner alone.

A dark hour later, Rhade rose wearily to his feet, and plodded over to the bar. Harper was tending to some customers and Beka sat on a stool, sipping a drink. Funny, he didn't notice her arrive. At least Trance wasn't there. Rhade didn't think he could handle her cryptic statements and attempts to make it all better. He reached Beka, and then leaned heavily on the bar next to her. She glanced at him, noting his glum expression.

"Something wrong, Rhade?"

"Bad news is all"

"What, run outa beer?" she quipped. He just glowered at her.

"Wow, it must be serious. Let me guess, you ran out of money?" Again, he glowered.

"What, that's serious! Ok, seriously serious, what's going on?"

He looked at her and then said hesitantly at first, then more strongly. "I need your permission to marry."

"What!"

He grimaced. "Don't shout. Just tell me, Yes or No."

"How am I supposed to know? Who is she, where did you meet her, and why are you asking me?" During this tirade she had slowly risen from her seat, and now she sat back, expectant. Rhade, irritated, clenched his teeth "You're the Matriarch. You have final say on all domestic aspects of the Pride. That includes marriage."

"Oh. Well. You still haven't told me what this is all about. Why are you getting married in the first place?"

"Gotta admit I'm curious myself Big Guy" put in Harper, who had been listening from the side lines. Rhade glared at the little man, wishing he could wipe that smile of his face. Harper slowed, and then realization lit his face. "This wouldn't have anything to do with that pretty lady you were talking to earlier, would it?" Rhade glowered. "Hey, don't blame me! A pretty woman askin' around for you, how was I supposed to know?"

"Wait a second, I'm lost. What were you supposed to know?"

Ignoring Rhade's glare, Harper turned and answered Beka. "A couple of days ago, this hot chick walks in and asks me if I know Rhade. I say 'Sure, I know him' and she asks if he around, I told 'no, he isn't and won't be back for a little while'. So she says that next time he shows up ta send someone to get her. She told me what drink ta bring when she found him, and then slipped me a bigger bill than any of you guys carry. So I said 'sure, why not?' I mean, come on, a girl who just stinks of money, I thought you'd be thankin' me by now!"

"Well I'm not!"

"Easy, Big Guy! I didn't mean any harm! Anyways," he said turning to Beka, "that's all I know. Rhade'll have to fill ya in on the rest." Beka turned expectantly to Rhade, who ignored her. "Well?" she asked impatiently. Rhade continued to stare at nothing, so she tapped her foot impatiently. And irritatingly. After a few moments he broke.

"Well," he began. The snapped up, eager for gossip. He growled. "She works for a wealthy man. With a daughter. And a grandson." He glanced at them, noting the confusion on there faces. "What do I have to spell it out for you? I'm the father. Now her father wants me to go and marry her! Are you two really that stupid?"

"Hey, I resemble that remark! Any ways, you can always say No, can't you?"

"Yeah. I mean, I can't believe you've gone this far, Rhade." Beka voice was filled with pure, unappreciated incredulity. Rhade glanced at her, then Harper. "You guys didn't hear the other options." He murmured into the glass Harper handed him.

"Well, sweet talk your way out of, it! I mean come on, she's a girl. And I haven't" he said ruefully, "met any woman who could resist you."

"Hey! I resent that!"

"And resemble it."

"Stop saying that!"

"No."

"Stop saying No!"

"Make me."

"I don't believe in hitting girls."

"Did you just call me a girl!"

"Maybe I did!"

"Children!" Burst in Rhade "Let's focus on the issue! Harper, you are a girl, now shut up!" Harper started to say something, but wisely kept quiet. "Beka, tell me now, Yes, or NO!" Beka pulled back from his impact of his shout. "Yes, I guess. If this is what you want to do with your life, then sure, marry her." Rhade, relieved sunk down on the counter. "Right. Thanks." He looked up at Beka, "I'll need you to handle Dylan for me."

"Sure thing Rhade. You'll let us know how things go?"

"Yeah, I'll be in touch."

When do ya leave, Big Guy?"

"An hour."

"Well, I guess I'll be seeing ya. We'll miss ya Big Guy!"

"Yeah Rhade. Good luck."

"Thanks" And then he turned and walked to the door, thinking as he left that at least he wouldn't have to listen to 'Big Guy' all the time.

Harper and Beka watched his back receding back disappear through the door. When his shadow was gone, Beka turned to Harper. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking Seamus?"

"That this is funny as hell?"

"I thought so."