"So you see why I'm not letting you go." Rhade was sitting in the conference room with the rest of the main crew.
"Not letting me go?" Beka sat slumped in a chair beside Rhade. She'd had to have him practically carry her from her quarters, but she'd threatened to rip his bone blades off and use them as toothpicks if she didn't get to go to the meeting.
"I'm not, either," Dylan replied, "and I'm playing the captain card."
"Look, it's been two days. By now, he must know I'm gone, so I'll let him capture me again, but this time, you guys will be tracking me. Then you come in, guns blazing, and turn his brains into meatloaf."
Harper grimaced. "Like I need another reason to hate meatloaf."
"Sorry."
"It's okay. I'm pretty sure it won't ruin my diet of refined sugars and Sparky Cola. It might get you killed, though."
"You care?" Beka asked.
"Of course I care. I you're one of my best friends. I was just so stressed out before. I'd been awake for days. You know how I get sometimes. I was mad and I said some things… I'm sorry. I love you, boss. You're like family."
"You love me?" Beka asked, the beginnings of a smile on her face.
"This is really touching," Rommie interrupted, "but it doesn't solve our problem. Clearly, we are not going to use Beka as bait. We need to force Alex to surface somehow."
"I agree," said Dylan. "Everyone assumes that this is just a group of thugs, but we know that they're a full-blown militia, terrorists even. They're strategizing and using technology. Until now, they've had the luxury of floating under the radar, but if we make Alex public enemy number one, he'll be forced to take action. That's when he'll be vulnerable."
"There's a flaw in your plan," Rhade replied. "We spread word about this guy, but then we have to wait for him to screw up. What do we do in the meantime? Sit around and whittle figurines?"
"I can go to the bar, see if he shows his face there again," Doyle answered. "He probably won't, but some one will know something."
"I'll keep an eye on all of the air traffic around Terazed," Rommie offered.
"I'll make a voodoo doll out of loose wires and old Sparky cans," said Harper.
"It's settled, then," Dylan said as he stood. "I'll go speak to Tri Lorne. With any luck, he'll have a broadcast on by this afternoon."
--------
"This plan sucks." Walking to her quarters had never taken so long for Beka. She clutched at Rhade with all her strength. To his credit, he had no trouble supporting her weight, but she, on the other hand, was having trouble staying upright. She was slumped almost completely against him as they shuffled down the corridor.
"It's a lot better than yours." He caught her quickly as she stumbled. "I could just carry you, you know."
She stopped and looked up at him. "I can walk. I'm already feeling much better than I was last night."
"Liar."
"I'm not lying."
"You wince every time you take a step. Let me carry you."
"Why? So you can be the big strong Nietzschean who saves the helpless kludge?"
"You're the Matriarch, remember?" he asked.
"I try to forget."
Rhade chuckled and scooped her up, lifting her legs off the ground.
"Hey!"
"You're in no position to argue, so deal with it," he said.
"As the Matriarch, I command you to put me down!" she shouted.
"That won't work."
"Fine, tall, dark and annoying, have it your way, but only because I owe you one."
"You don't owe me anything." They reached her quarters and he gently laid her on the bed.
She kept her arms around his neck. "You saved my life. Of course I owe you."
Rhade smiled and put his arms around her waist. "Next time some one tries to kill me, you can shoot them."
Beka smiled. "From behind a nice big rock."
He smiled, but he couldn't help but notice all the cuts and bruises she had. There was a small bruise on her forehead and a spot on the side of her mouth where her lips met and a cut was healing. He leaned down and lightly kissed each one.
"Rhade…."
"Did I hurt you?"
"No."
He looked up and noticed how close he was to her and drew back. "I should get home. My wife hates it when I'm late for dinner."
"Wouldn't want that," Beka replied, plastering a small smile onto her face.
Rhade turned and left.
------
Rhade had never been more angry with a woman in his life. "Say that again?"
"I want to take another husband." His wife stood in front of him, arms crossed protectively around herself. "You're never here. You promised never to leave me again, but I'm starting to think you married the Commonwealth instead of me."
"You know that's not true."
"I'm not getting any younger. I should have an entire platoon of little soldiers by now, but you've been who knows where and now that you're back, we barely see each other. We only have three children, Rhade. My parents are ashamed of me. If I don't take another husband, I'll be the shame of my pride."
"I love you," Rhade shouted. "What about that?"
"I love you, too, Rhade. It's just not enough, anymore."
TBC
