Bird-of-Paradise
(Spoilers for "Hunter's Moon")
She knew their breakup was imminent the instant she saw him come backstage, his face peering over a huge bouquet of bird-of-paradise. He'd always said that its exotic beauty reminded him of her.
But though his mouth was smiling, his eyes were sad. And it didn't take a Martian to figure out why.
Mari longed to embrace him and kiss his sensuous lips, but forced herself to remain aloof, remembering his month-long absence. What the hell did she need with an underwear-folding Marine anyway? She regarded him coolly, stifling any impulse to cry.
"You've always had a thing for birds."