Previously:
New Byzantium, Milky Way Galaxy, April 2199
"It's one my favourite bath houses," Kemal explained. "It's quite relaxing. A few hours in here and all your worries will melt away, I promise you."
Evelyn looked over the place carefully for a moment. "Have you brought me here before? It seems familiar."
"Most buildings in the district look the same after enough drinks," Kemal chuckled. "No, this is your first visit, unless you've been out on the town without me?"
"No, I wouldn't know where to begin," Evelyn shook his head.
"Good. So, allow me to show you some of our unique hospitality. I expect they must have a masseuse with long, dark brown hair," Kemal smiled.
Evelyn frowned at him before throwing his hands up and heading through the doors. "Why not? I may as well try it since I'm here."
"That's the spirit," Kemal nodded, putting his arm around the ambassador's shoulders and ushering him in. "We'll clear your mind of everything that's troubling you. You'll love it."
Chapter 11:
HMS Andromeda, Mothership Class Spacecraft, New Byzantium, Milky Way Galaxy, April 2199
Alex blinked several times as the pilot's chair turned and brought him back upright. In the moments after coming out of the link with his fighter drone, he had to take care to calm his breathing and his pulse, as well as become acclimated to normal light. The simulator was designed to place them in the optimal position for comfort and control, which meant spending most of the time lying down almost on flat on his back. While in flight, his eyes were focused on the displays filtered into his helmet, everything else blocked out so he could not be distracted. Staring at screens for such a prolonged period left him slightly dazed when he was released back to the hangar.
"You all right?"
He raised his head and his eyes widened in surprise as Anna lifted his helmet off and removed the sensor pads from his temples. He normally took care of all of that himself once his arms were free of the control sleeves, but he was content to allow his wife to attend to him now.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"What does it look like I'm doing here? Checking up on you, clearly," she replied with a smile.
"You didn't have to come down," he smiled back. "We don't get Commanders around here very often. Senior staff don't like associating with us roguish pilots."
"With good reason from what I understand," she retorted. "A bunch of heathens, the lot of you, although I think the rest of them can be excused. They're just following their Lieutenant Commander's lead."
He chuckled and breathed slowly as she toweled off his face and stepped back.
"I finished my shift while you were out on mission," she explained. "They called me down here to make sure you came in this time. You've been pushing quite hard these past few days."
"We won't finish our sweep of the known deposits if we don't hurry up," he grumbled, stretching his arms out before setting his feet on the floor and standing up. "Anything else on the scans?"
"Still working, but it's pretty obvious that Viscount Branksome's information is quite inaccurate," she shrugged, reaching up and unzipping the top of his flight suit a little. "Matthew and Mary are preparing their report. We should have all the results in for tomorrow."
He undid the suit to his waist and pulled his arms from the sleeves, allowing the top of the suit to gather around his hips.
She smiled at the tight shirt that framed his chest and arms.
"A base layer," she noted. "That's quite smart of you. It must help keep you cool beneath the flight suit and be comfortable, as well."
He frowned at her wryly. "Fine. You were right."
"Could you say that again?" she asked, bringing her watch up to his mouth. "Just want to make sure I record it."
He grabbed her wrist and kissed the back of her hand before whispering into her watch. "Memo record - Commander Smith seems quite obsessed with her husband's underwear."
'Recorded memo,' the watch computer voice beeped.
She rolled her eyes and pinched his cheek playfully. "You're such a fool."
He laughed and put his arm around her shoulders.
"Ugh, you reek," she joked, elbowing him in the side but not leaving his hold.
"You love it," he smiled as they walked down the hallway to the lift. "The scent of an honest day's work. You admire my diligence, don't you?"
"You're heading straight to the shower when we get home to diligently scrub off," she declared.
He huffed. "Not without you, I'm not."
She frowned at him as they entered the elevator. "Executive level. Are you saying that I need a shower?"
"You always take one when you come off shift," he replied easily. The computer chirped and the elevator hummed as it moved through the decks of the ship.
She rolled her eyes. "You think you know me so well, don't you?"
"Well, I am your husband," he smirked.
She raised up towards his taller frame and kissed him quickly. "You are, aren't you?"
"Good of you to remember," he said sarcastically.
She nodded before her gaze turned serious. "Did everything go all right out there? You seemed tense at times and your pulse was above normal range every so often."
He grunted and shook his head. "Watching me, were you? You're supposed to be paying attention to the data of all the pilots."
"I'm your wife. Of course, I was paying close attention to you. Now answer the question," she stated firmly.
He sighed. "There's something that we're missing, probably many things. This all just doesn't make sense. How could our estimates be so off? Besides that, why haven't the mining rights become more of a sticking point in the negotiations? They're basically an after-thought."
"All of the money here is in tourism," she replied. "The location makes it ideal for a military base for this region also."
The lift reached their level and he escorted her off and down the hall towards their quarters.
"Everyone knows that, yes, but mining Starfire is nothing to dismiss," he countered. "It's non-existent on Earth and all governments know that, including the other side. Even if there isn't as much of it here as we think, there's still enough to demand a hefty price for it. That doesn't seem to be a high priority item for them."
"It's possible they underestimated the value, just as Viscount Branksome seems to have overestimated it," she suggested leading him into their suite.
"Maybe, but from what Matthew tells me, Minister Pamuk and the other negotiators on their side aren't likely to make such mistakes. They've been independent for decades. You would think they wouldn't give that up lightly, or on the cheap," he shrugged.
"Mary and Matthew will submit their report and the delegation will decide how to best use it," she said. "They still need us more than we need them. New Byzantium is a prosperous colony, but it isn't as if the Commonwealth is desperate for them to join. They, on the other hand, have far more problems than they let on. Whether it's insurgents or unhappy residents, if this place gains a reputation for being unsafe and volatile, their tourism numbers will plummet. If we become involved officially, that will be a ringing endorsement across the galaxy that all is well here."
"Maybe," he agreed.
"What do you care anyway?" she asked, heading through the living room and down the hall to their bedroom. "Is it truly important to you that these negotiations are successful?"
"I'm not heavily invested, no. However, I don't like coming all the way out here on a mission and leaving empty-handed. Since we escorted the delegation here, I would like to think that all of this effort would result in something tangible."
"Whether the negotiations are a success or not is out of our hands," she smiled at him. "We're not politicians or diplomats. We're here to do a job, to keep everyone safe, that's it."
He shook his head and followed her into the bathroom. "I suppose."
She laughed and unzipped her top. "Do you honestly need to feed your ego by taking a bit of credit for the outcome of these negotiations?"
He smirked and deliberately dropped his eyes down to her bra. "You're right, love. My ego already has plenty to be most pleased about."
She snorted and rolled her eyes. "Get in the shower. You'll get no action from me until you wash properly."
He smiled at her before slowly pulling his shirt over his head. "Yes, ma'am. Are you quite certain you'll be able to keep your hands to yourself, though?"
She grinned and watched him strip naked before her. "I'm not you. I actually have some self-control."
"If you say so," he nodded and walked past her and into the shower. The jets turned on as he stepped past the sensors and she was treated to a show of the water running down his back and over his tight ass.
She bit her bottom lip and ogled him for a while longer before removing the rest of her clothes and joining him.
"I've been thinking," Matthew stated, looking up from the display and across the table at Mary.
"Always a dangerous proposition," she smiled, arching her eyebrow at him.
He frowned. "Are you ever going to stop using that tired joke?"
She shrugged. "Are you ever going to stop letting it affect you?"
"This report," he continued, looking back down at the display and moving some of the virtual documents around between them. "Perhaps we shouldn't transmit it to Evelyn directly."
She looked at him curiously. "Why ever not?"
"He's staying in a hotel arranged by the New Byzantium government," he noted. "Who knows how secure it actually is?"
"We swept the entire floor, as well as his room quite thoroughly," she noted. "We can't call him back to the ship unless it's an emergency. It would look strange, and besides, his itinerary is quite full. We've been relaying messages and documents to him all through his stay."
"His room may be secure, yes, but what if someone is monitoring the network connection? They could grab any message to him out of the air and we wouldn't even know," he commented. "Everything we've sent him so far has been innocuous for the most part. This is far more private and confidential."
"You're being paranoid," she shook her head. "It's highly unlikely that anyone on the colony has the technology to hack into our lines. The transmission channels are entirely safe, darling."
"As far as we know. Still, this is quite critical information," he replied. "It will likely change his entire strategy in these talks. I think it's better if we bring it to him ourselves. That way, we minimize the risk that it could be intercepted or copied from the data feed. It's an easy enough trip for us to make."
She mulled over his point before nodding slowly. "All right. I'll let him know we're coming to see him but won't tell him specifics. It's not out of the ordinary that we would be meeting during our time here."
He smiled and went back to his work. "Good."
"I still think you're being overly cautious, but I could use a bit of a break from the ship. Between the patrols, the data analysis and writing this report, we've been at it for days," she shook her head.
"Very true. I feel as if I've barely seen you for the past three days," he smiled.
"That's because you haven't," she scoffed, arching her eyebrow. "You didn't even wake me up when you came to bed last night."
"I didn't want to rouse you," he apologized with a smile. "You looked so peaceful sleeping there tangled up in the blankets."
"I wanted you to rouse me," she grumbled. "I even went to sleep naked."
"I noticed," he grinned.
She huffed and went back to her work.
"All right, we can meet with Evelyn tomorrow and grab a bite somewhere, how about that?" he suggested. "You'll have my complete undivided attention, I promise."
She smiled while still looking at her display. "I've got an even better idea. His schedule shows that he's in meetings until late afternoon tomorrow, which gives us some time. I'll arrange a spa visit for us."
He chuckled. "What? A spa visit?"
"I told you that the bath houses here are quite renowned," she nodded. "We can take an hour or two for a soak and a massage. Anna can manage without us for a while now that the report is finished. You'll love it."
He looked at her skeptically. "I don't see how I'll enjoy having some stranger clutching and grabbing at me."
She rolled her eyes and moved her fingers over the display. "Don't be such a baby. I'll be right there. I won't allow anyone to take advantage of you, don't worry."
He smirked wryly. "Thanks."
She smiled. "We'll have a couples treatment. I read about it when we arrived. It sounds divine."
"All right," he nodded. "We're going to that place you visited last time?"
She shook her head. "No. It was quite nice, but I want to try somewhere new, somewhere that I pick out."
He grinned at the thought that she purposefully was avoiding going back to the bath house where Pamuk had brought her before.
"Thank you," he said warmly. "That does sound like fun."
She smiled at him and went back to booking their reservation.
New Byzantium, Milky Way Galaxy, April 2199
"Our government will not tolerate the type of military presence that you are suggesting, Lord Branksome," the ambassador sneered across the table. "You want a full-size base together with a dedicated port and your own independent resource links. New Byzantium has always been a neutral and peaceful destination."
Evelyn remained silent and allowed his staff to engage with their counterparts first. The room was tense as they were getting into the more contentious points of the negotiations and he didn't want to reply to the accusations from the other side right away. The situation called for calm rather than emotional jabs back and forth.
His eyes moved over the other side of the table, observing the reactions of the New Byzantium government delegation. It was apparent that all of them were a bit perturbed to be involved in these talks. From his review of their profiles, all of them were born here and valued their independence from Earth and its nations. It was understandable that they would resist establishing formal ties with any foreign government, no matter how insignificant those ties might ultimately prove in their daily lives.
"We aren't coming here to establish a police state. We want our presence to reassure the people and deter those who would do them harm," one of Evelyn's junior officers chimed in.
He nodded and remained silent. While they would not admit it yet, Britain had no interest in subverting or assimilating New Byzantium culture and history. Control of the shipping and trade routes, taxation of the burgeoning tourism industry and acquiring mining rights were Evelyn's main goals. What flag flew on government buildings and what anthem played in the schools didn't matter. However, he couldn't lead with the economic objectives. He had to threaten the government with the prospect of sweeping change before pulling back on his demands to make it seem as if he was conceding something to them to receive something far more valuable in return.
Given how worked up his opponents were at the moment, it was shaping up as almost too easy for him to get what he wanted.
"How do we ensure that security improves and the people can feel safe if we do not at least establish some foothold here?" he asked, quieting the banter immediately. His eyes moved from one delegate to another before continuing. "We can have ships in orbit or place our bases far from the city, if you like, so that they're out of the way and unseen. What does that accomplish, though, beyond lengthening the precious seconds that it would take to react to any emergency? You don't want us to intrude in the lives of your people. I understand that. I agree with it. But how can we truly help stabilize matters here if we aren't at least making the attempt to become part of the community? Remember, once an accord is reached, Britons will travel here to settle. We aren't looking to conquer. We have a vested interest in trying to help."
His opposite number scoffed and looked away, sitting back in his chair and glaring at his colleagues. Evelyn remained quiet, allowing his words to linger over the room.
He so enjoyed the view from standing on the moral high ground.
"This seems an appropriate time for a break," Kemal declared, looking around the table. "The issue of British military deployment is a sensitive one all around but I think everyone appreciates what we're trying to do – bolster the safety and security of the citizens without compromising the free and unfettered nature that gives New Byzantium its character. We can resume after the break on the topic of streamlining the education system and our side will prepare some options on the military question for tomorrow."
"Very good," Evelyn nodded, speaking up before anyone could object.
"All right, then. Let's say fifteen minutes," Kemal advised, rising from his chair.
Evelyn remained seated and perused his tablet while everyone else headed out to grab some refreshment and air. He smiled upon seeing the message from Mary that she and Matthew would be joining him at his hotel after the meetings wrapped up. Spending time with her was just the thing after an arduous day of negotiations. While Matthew being there also wasn't ideal, it wasn't as if the Captain was bad company, really.
"Once we wrap up today, there's a small little diner that I want you to sample," Kemal smiled, coming to his side. "It's not much to look at but the kebabs are outstanding."
Evelyn smiled and nodded. "That sounds enticing, but I'll have to decline, or at least push it back until later. Mary and Matthew are coming to see me."
Kemal quirked his eyebrows. "Are they? Well, bring them along. The more, the merrier."
Evelyn smiled and shook his head. "I think I'll pass on that. They already had to spend time with you at the welcome dinner."
Kemal huffed in mock indignation. "You wound me, Evelyn. Are you trying to say that they don't enjoy my company?"
Evelyn laughed. "No, they like you well enough, everyone does. We have some business to discuss, is all. I will mention your diner to them when we're finished, but I expect they will already have plans."
"How unfortunate, for me and for you," Kemal shrugged.
Evelyn frowned. "I have nothing against Matthew. He and Mary have history together and I respect that."
"Of course, of course," Kemal nodded. "However, that might be your problem, Evelyn. You're a bit too respectful. A woman likes to be pursued, as I keep telling you, boyfriend or no."
Evelyn huffed. "You're speaking nonsense."
"Fine, fine," Kemal held up his hands. "Do give them my regards and let them know about the diner, yes. Maybe if they come along to eat with us, they can be convinced to visit the bath house with us as well. Wouldn't that be fun?"
Evelyn blinked in surprise. "The bath house? Oh, right, that place you keep telling me you're going to show me."
"Yes," Kemal nodded. "Finally you'll get to visit tonight. You'll enjoy it, I promise. Nothing relaxes quite like a proper dip. You'll see."
"I've been to spas all across the galaxy," Evelyn shrugged. "I can't see how this will be that much different."
Kemal chuckled. "Trust me, Evelyn. The experience will be truly mind opening."
"Mary, be careful," Matthew warned. His hands slid over her hips, keeping her steady as best he could. She was floating on her back in the bubbling water, her arms spread out to her sides. He had a glorious view of her bare breasts and the rest of her body, the skimpy black thong barely qualifying as clothing. He was hardly wearing much more himself, but at the moment he was more concerned about her falling beneath the water and coming back up sputtering.
She opened one eye slowly and arched her eyebrow at him. "I'm perfectly all right, darling. You've got me, don't you?"
He smiled and nodded. "Always."
She closed her eyes and grinned. "And just think, you were reluctant to come along at first."
"Well, this is unlike any spa experience I've ever had, to be fair," he noted.
She laughed, keeping her eyes closed. "So you're saying that if I had told you in advance that I'd be going topless, you would have been more eager?"
"It would have helped convince me, yes," he replied.
"Men. You're so predictable," she smirked.
He shook his head and chuckled. Mary was always proud of her body and never a prude. She had grown up with two sisters and a watchful mother, which meant her urge to rebel manifested quite early on. Going to the male-dominated Academy only encouraged her unapologetic nature and independent spirit. She was hardly an exhibitionist, but here in their reserved private room, she saw no need to be inhibited. If not for the ban on swimming naked, she probably wouldn't even bother with the thong.
"You're staring," she smiled, eyes still closed.
"Do you mind?" he asked.
"Not at all," she replied lightly. "I did my fair share of staring at you while you were in stasis."
He laughed wryly. "I was a bit puzzled as to why I had to be topless the entire time that I was lying in there."
"For entirely medical reasons, I assure you," she laughed. "Don't worry though, Sybil never saw anything besides your bare chest. Well, there the one time that we gave you that sponge bath."
"Naughty minx," he growled, pulling her towards him.
She laughed and opened her eyes just as he hugged her to him and kissed her soundly. She wrapped her arms and legs around him, the water lapping at their shoulders.
"You love it," she purred between kisses. "The idea of me touching myself while thinking of you all those nights. I bet you have the videos of all my confessions stored away so you can listen to them whenever you want."
"As hot as they were to listen to, I still much prefer hearing it directly," he teased, his hands moving down to cup her bottom beneath the water. "And I am immensely pleased to have that privilege, by the way."
"Matthew," she warned, turning her head to allow him to nip at her neck. "We can't. If we were caught, it would be a scandal."
"Says the woman who is wearing practically nothing and has been tempting me since we got here," he grumbled.
"Look who's talking, or more accurately, grinding against me?" she retorted, flexing her hips. "I thought men experienced adverse effects in the pool?"
"Only one way to find out if I measure up, I suppose," he said cheekily.
Before she could answer, a chime sounded in the room.
"What a pity," she smirked, letting go and stepping back from him. "Time's up."
He groaned as she made her way over to the deck and lifted herself out of the water. Glaring up at her, he shook his head in frustration while she toweled off and slipped back into her robe.
"Come on, darling. The relaxation room is up next," she called, heading for the door.
"Hopefully, it's equipped with a cold shower," he muttered, getting out of the pool and snatching a towel on his way after her.
The next room was colder but not uncomfortably so. Air jets dried them off properly and they had a moisturizer treatment which ended up with them more throwing lotion at each other than actually rubbing it on. When they were sufficiently cleaned and hydrated, they settled down on a large day bed, snuggling together automatically as if they were in his quarters on the Andromeda.
Technically, they were his quarters but the line between what was his and what was hers had blurred over the past weeks. They spent most nights in his suite, it being a bit more private and removed from the rest of the ship. She had taken over her old closet once again, as well as most of the ensuite bathroom. It had become understood that they would meet in his rooms each day when their shifts were over and it wasn't uncommon for him to arrive home to see her reading on the sofa or watching a movie. He quite liked coming home to her and welcoming her home on those occasions when he returned first. They hadn't really discussed moving in together. It just happened, so perfectly natural that it didn't need to be planned.
He took a deep breath, noticing the floral notes in the air and the soft music wafting around them. There were dancing lights shaped like animals and shooting stars that passed overhead, everything coordinated to be distracting enough to lull the senses, while not so noticeable as to dissuade conversation or other pursuits for the couple taking advantage of the room.
"Mmm, you've become rather quiet," she noted, resting her head on his chest.
"Just enjoying the mood," he replied.
"The purpose of this room is to calm the body and mind," she explained. "The hot and warm pools help soothe any lingering aches and pains that the massage wasn't able to get to, and cleanse the spirit. By the time you get here, you're completely at ease and are supposed to feel brand new."
"And what comes next? Having a kip?" he smiled.
"Possibly. I think the purpose is to encourage couples to be able to speak freely," she added.
"Do you have something profound to say?" he questioned.
"No, what about you?" she asked carefully.
"Why do I get the impression that my answer may be far more important than I realize?" he suggested.
"Not at all," she mumbled, not looking up at him. "I'm just explaining what I learned about bath houses here, that's all."
He nodded. "What do you think I would want to speak freely about?"
"I don't want to put words in your mouth," she objected, albeit weakly.
He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. "What's on your mind, darling? Tell me, please."
"I've just been thinking about Anna quite a bit lately," she sighed.
He smirked. "Wasn't expecting that, but all right. What about her?"
"She and Alex are trying for a baby," she replied.
"They are," he nodded. "Does that concern you?"
"It doesn't concern me. Sybil says she checks out fine and she should be pregnant soon enough," she shook her head. "It will just be strange to be without her when it happens. We've been together since elementary school. I don't know if a day has gone by without us at least messaging each other."
"True. It's a ways off, though, before she leaves. Well, six months or so at least once she conceives. She'll want to stay longer, but he won't allow it, I expect. Before you know it, Edith and Sybil will probably be joining her in motherhood," he chuckled.
She took a sad breath. "I know. Our group will be splitting up."
"I imagine that Cora can't wait for one of you to give her grandchildren," he smiled.
"Obviously. She was only shamelessly dropping hints about it when we were home," she scoffed. "At least I won't need to feel the brunt of it for a while yet."
"And why ever not? You could beat your sisters to it if you liked," he joked.
She lifted her head and rolled her eyes. "Edith will be the first, if I were to hazard a guess. Sybil likes to talk tough, but I imagine she's getting a bit broody herself."
"And you're not?" he smiled.
She narrowed her eyes and looked at him suspiciously. "You know how things work in my family. Children out of wedlock are most definitely not permitted."
He nodded. "That's a separate question, though."
"And what question are you asking me, then?" she arched her eyebrow.
He grinned, undeterred. "First, I'm asking you if you want children."
She looked away and rested her chin on his chest, thinking it over. "Yes, I do. Someday."
"And how many children do you see yourself having someday?" he continued.
She sighed. "Now that, I do not know. I think Edith wants three because that's what we've known growing up. Sybil probably only wants only two for the same reason. I tend to change my mind between one and three based on my mood. 'Healthy' would be a good start."
"Well said," he nodded.
"What about you?" she dared. "Does being an only child make you want more or less?"
"I think there's always a curiosity about having more than one," he admitted. "But the idea that having two or more automatically means they'll have friends for life is a bit naïve."
"That's true," she rolled her eyes. "It's a wonder that Edith and I didn't kill each other at some point growing up."
"I think I'd like one at least," he nodded. "Boy or girl doesn't matter."
"And what if your wife wanted more than just one?" she questioned.
He reached out and touched her cheek, drawing her eyes to him. "What my wife wants, my wife gets."
She swallowed, unable to look away.
"I know that I've never made it easy for you to believe this, Mary, and I don't want to make any great proclamations while we're lying here in a bath house," he frowned wryly.
She laughed and nodded for him to go on.
"I love you," he declared. "I love you. I want to be with you for the rest of our lives. I know we've only been back together for a short time but that's how I feel. I don't expect anything from you and I won't impose anything upon you either. But if you are wondering about the future, wondering what will become of us with everyone leaving and everything changing, I'll be right here, with you always. You can rely on that."
She let out a long breath and grinned, nuzzling against his hand. "That wouldn't be just a line to get me to have sex with you in this bath house, would it?"
He smiled and shook his head. "Do you think me capable of that, truly?"
She laughed. "I've learned that you are capable of a great many things, not the least of which is turning the cold and careful Lady Mary Crawley into a blubbering sap."
He grinned and wiped a tear from her cheek. "I'm yours, Mary, for as long as you want me."
"Careful, darling," she whispered. "I just might ask for forever."
He lifted up and drew her to him. "That suits me perfectly fine."
She kissed him, her hand moving up his jaw and into his hair. Their tongues played together in a familiar rhythm that was both thrilling and comforting in how easy it was. Leaning into him, her breasts pressed against his chest, she moved her other hand down and into his robe to grasp him.
"Matthew," she breathed.
He chuckled thickly between kisses. "We have to meet with Evelyn."
She whinged but didn't stop the kisses or her hand. "Let's get it over with then, quickly."
"Did you have other plans for us?" he asked playfully.
"I most certainly do," she said sultrily. "The sooner that we deliver our report, the sooner we can get on with them."
He smiled and kissed her softly.
They lingered for a while longer, their kisses and caresses bringing them close to behaving entirely inappropriately several times. She stroked him to full arousal before drawing back and pausing. He fondled her breast and quickened her pulse before easing up. Their lips and tongues and teeth grew more daring and possessive. Finally, with a reluctant groan she sat up, one last fiery look that promised pure debauchery later before she got out of bed.
He was a bit surly as he dressed, an empty complaint about Evelyn and duty mumbled under his breath before he emerged proper and presentable once more. He waited in the lobby for Mary, a quick scroll through his watch showing him that they hadn't missed anything during their brief sojourn.
"I trust you enjoyed yourselves, Captain Crawley?" the female receptionist smiled politely.
"Quite, yes," he nodded.
"Was this your first time in a bath house?" she asked.
"In this type of one, yes," he confirmed. "My, erm, Lady Mary has visited one before on her last trip to New Byzantium. She went to Cloud City."
The attendant blinked and smiled knowingly. "Ah, yes, the government house."
He quirked his eyebrow curiously. "The government house?"
She nodded. "Yes, that's what we call it. Government officials always go there, almost exclusively. They use it to entertain their guests."
"I see," he replied. "Well, it is a nice gesture to show visitors a taste of the local culture."
She laughed. "That's true. I knew someone who worked there once. She said that they use rather creative treatments and everything is quite secretive. I guess it might be inconvenient if it got out as to what private discussions are had there between dignitaries."
He nodded. "I suppose so."
The receptionist went back to her work and Matthew glanced about, waiting for Mary to emerge. His eyes wandered to several small black lenses placed inconspicuously in the corners of the ceiling.
"Do you have cameras everywhere?" he asked.
She smiled knowingly. "No, sir. In the public areas, yes, but we aren't permitted by law to have cameras in the private rooms or the change areas. It's similar to hotels."
He looked at her. "There are no cameras in any hotels here?"
"Not in the rooms, no," she shook her head. "Lobbies and hallways, yes, but there are strict privacy rules so that our visitors can feel at ease when they're here."
"I see," he replied.
"All set?" Mary called, coming out of the change room.
He smiled at her and offered her his arm. "Ready."
She took his arm and gave him a mischievous look. "Off we go, then."
They nodded to the receptionist and left the bath house.
Evelyn frowned as he looked at the report. The numbers and charts floated in the air before him along with video of the patrols by Alex and the other Andromeda pilots that found very few deposits of Starfire. He stroked his chin in contemplation, his eyes flicking back and forth as if he was searching for some grain of hope amidst the harsh truth that Mary and Matthew had brought to him.
"It's rather shocking to see, we know," Matthew suggested, watching the ambassador closely.
"It is," Evelyn replied curtly, not looking at him.
"This will change a few things, but overall your objectives remain the same," Mary noted. "There are still benefits to reaching an accord here. The tourism revenues, the strategic position…"
Evelyn smiled tightly and finally glanced over at them. "Indeed, my dear. You are right, of course. Well, I'm pleased that you brought me this information now. Better to know it before negotiations got too far along."
"Our thoughts, exactly," Matthew nodded. "We felt it important to deliver this to you in person rather than transmit it, given the sensitive nature."
Evelyn blinked and looked away from Mary to Matthew for the first time. "Do you think there is a security risk here? Surely not?"
Mary looked at Matthew before stepping forward to Evelyn. "You're perfectly safe here, but we know how Kemal and others don't give you much space. We didn't want to send the report to you without being absolutely certain that you would be able to view it in privacy."
Evelyn took a deep breath and turned away from the report. He went over to the bar and poured himself a drink. "Yes, your foresight is most appreciated. It will take me some time to digest all of this, but the mining rights aren't on the agenda for a few days yet, so we ought to be fine in the long run."
"Until then, we'll proceed as normal. There's no need to share this with Mr Pamuk or even any of your delegation, I think. The less people who know about it, the better. We've limited the specifics to our senior staff only," Matthew advised.
Evelyn took a long sip of his drink, his face still twisted into a scowl. "Yes, yes, I agree. Speaking of Kemal, he wanted me to invite you both to dine with us tonight. Apparently, there is a rather desolate diner somewhere that serves scrumptious kebabs to hear him tell it."
Mary smirked at Matthew. "Captain?"
Matthew frowned at her a moment before composing himself and looking at Evelyn. "Thank you, but we ought to be getting back to our ship. We have dinner amongst the senior staff most nights."
"We do?" Mary questioned innocently.
"We do, yes," Matthew smiled at her, his eyes fiery. "It will be a great disappointment to skip it."
She nodded. "And what is on the menu for this dinner? I know it's been planned so long in advance but I seem to have forgotten."
Matthew grunted. "Well, I believe the starter is a cooked goose of some sort. The main is fish."
"Fish? What kind, again?" she continued.
"The slippery kind that is ridiculously difficult to catch and doesn't know when to just give up the fight," Matthew answered through gritted teeth. "They can be quite annoying."
"A fish that's annoying? Well, that sounds a rather odd choice," Mary commented.
Evelyn looked at both of them in confusion.
"Thank you, Evelyn," Mary said finally. "Give Kemal our regrets, please. I expect we will see him at next week's events. Do let us know if you have any questions at all about the report."
Evelyn nodded. "Yes, of course."
"Have a pleasant evening. Do try and get some rest, won't you? We don't want you to wear yourself out," Mary smiled, coming over and giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you," Evelyn grinned. "I'll see you soon.
"Evelyn," Matthew nodded, coming over to him.
"Matthew," Evelyn replied politely. "Good night."
"Good night," Matthew answered before ushering Mary out the door.
Once he was alone, Evelyn turned back and glared at the report, the fury boiling inside of him distracting him from the laughter that was coming from the hallway.
HMS Andromeda, Mothership Class Spacecraft, New Byzantium, Milky Way Galaxy, April 2199
"There you are, my sweetness," Tom smiled, placing the plate down in front of Sybil.
"Thank you, kind sir," Sybil grinned, sipping her wine while her husband took his seat next to her. She breathed in the warm scent of the chicken and herbs. "Wow, not Shephard's pie for once."
"I don't only make Shephard's pie," he scoffed, taking a sip of his beer. "Don't get too used to me cooking, either, understand? Alex says we're back out on patrol tomorrow."
"Above ground this time, let's hope," she sighed.
"I only scraped the wings going through that one cave. It wasn't so bad," he shrugged.
"I think everyone in maintenance loves you for keeping them busy," she smirked.
"They gave everyone in the squadron Christmas presents, not just me," he frowned.
"No they just gave you the biggest one," she noted.
They each nibbled at their food, enjoying the music playing and the chance to have a proper dinner at home for once.
"Any idea where we're going after this?" he asked, reaching for a roll.
"Once we bring Evelyn and his delegation back to Earth? No idea," she answered. "There will be a debrief with Papa and any other officials who have questions. I don't think they've given us orders beyond that."
"They'll want to put a spin on whatever deal he makes and have a photo op with the press and all that," he shook his head. "Politics. Your father lives for it."
"It's in our blood," she shrugged. "The Earl of Grantham has sat in the House of Lords for centuries and even beyond that, our family has always been involved as powerbrokers in Britain. Whatever he's up to, he can't help himself, really."
"I suppose," he agreed. "Your Granny was doing deals right up until the very end."
She smiled at the memory of Violet Crawley. "Anyway, I expect the next mission will be a lengthy one. It's rare that we see Earth so often in such a short time. They'll probably keep us out for at least six months."
"I wouldn't mind something other than an escort assignment," he noted. "It's boring. We're just sitting around here while that lot has meetings and gabs away."
"You would have the whole thing sorted in hours, would you?" she teased.
"Not hours, but it wouldn't take me two weeks, I can tell you that," he huffed. "What's taking so long, honestly? Either they want our help or they don't, yeah?"
"We're hardly offering our help unconditionally," she replied. "And they won't just accept us without stipulations either. I think Evelyn is doing a great job so far. Usually, these things are marred by impasses and breaks. He's kept the talks going."
"Well, good, but I still don't see what the holdup would be, unless they really don't want to join us, or we don't really want them," he said before taking a forkful of chicken.
She frowned. "Why would we come all the way out here if we didn't want them to join us?"
He chewed several times and swallowed. "Fine. Maybe they don't want to join us. Maybe they're just putting on a good show for the Yanks and Canadians, who knows?"
"I think their interest is genuine, but they're entitled to make the best deal they can," she said, taking a sip of wine. "That Minister, Kemal Pamuk, he's on our side. He's friends with Evelyn."
"If he helps get this whole thing wrapped up soon, he's a friend of mine, too," he huffed.
"Why are you so impatient, beyond that being your natural state?" she asked. "As you say, it's been quite easy since we arrived. We've barely had anything to do."
"This isn't my idea of a vacation destination," he grumbled. "Too many lights. Too much going on. The place never sleeps. It's like being in a nightclub all hours of the day."
"That appeals to some people, clearly," she smiled.
"Maybe when we were younger," he shrugged. "I'm quite glad to have those days behind me."
"Oh?" she smiled. "Your days of heading down the pub with your mates are over and done with, are they? No more showing up with your pilot's jacket and sunglasses on and making the girls swoon?"
He grunted and looked at her entirely unimpressed. "Go on and have a laugh. It worked on you, didn't it?"
She laughed. "It seems that I took driving my parents mad a bit too far."
"You're a bloody riot, you know that?" he rolled his eyes.
She reached across and squeezed his hand. "Don't be angry. You haven't been complaining that we've had so much more time together since we left Earth, have you?"
"No, that's been most welcome," he smiled.
"It has," she grinned at him knowingly.
"We should have dinner at some point, you know," Matthew muttered.
"With all of the senior staff?" she teased, kissing his neck before moving down to his shoulder.
"No," he scoffed, frowning at her, his hands moving up and down her bare back. "And not with Evelyn and Pamuk, either."
She laughed and kissed his chest. "You can't still be upset about that. I was only joking."
"At my expense," he huffed. His pique melted rather quickly as she bit lightly into his sensitive flesh before soothing it with her tongue.
"Well, who else was there? I couldn't rightly have a go at Evelyn," she noted, kissing and licking a path across his firm stomach.
"I wonder why it's always me that feels the brunt of your barbs," he mumbled.
"Isn't it obvious, darling? It's because you know quite well that I will always make it up to you," she smirked, sliding down the bed to crouch between his legs.
"Mary," he breathed, staring at her naked body poised over him. She kept her eyes on his as she lowered her head, her ass raised behind her just the way he liked.
"I've been rather belligerent lately, haven't I?" she teased, reaching out and taking him in hand. "So very naughty, yes?"
He groaned as she stroked him, drawing him closer to her all the while.
"Allow me to make amends, Matthew," she drawled, licking her lips. "Allow me to do my wifely duty to you."
His eyes went wide and he opened his mouth to say something when she closed her lips around him, any reply swallowed up in a moan.
She relaxed her throat and took him deep, her braid keeping her hair back so he could have a full view of it all. Her arousal tightened as she felt him swell in her mouth and tasted him on her tongue. She had never done this for any other man and now, for the first time, she dared to believe that only he would have this privilege for the rest of her life.
It thrilled her to her core.
"Fuck, so good," he grunted, staring at her with his mouth open.
She moved her hips side-to-side, delighting in his eyes following along. Everyone knew Matthew to always be reserved and collected, the perfect officer, someone who favoured logic and analysis over emotion and gut feelings. He had a reputation of being thorough and deliberate in everything he did, which was true to a point. She was able to captivate him, draw out the animal in him that no one else got to see. He brought out the temptress in her, a side that she was always afraid to indulge, except with him.
"I love your cock," she whispered, looking at him hungrily and licking his full length. "Don't hold back, darling. We have all night and I want to taste you."
He groaned as she took him back in. He gasped and growled, his fingers tightening into fists at his sides. Her fingers crawled up his thigh before cupping and squeezing him lightly.
"Mary!" he snarled, rising up and taking hold of her braid.
She moaned in response as his hips bucked and he took over her rhythm. His free hand snaked down her back and slapped her raised ass. She squeezed him more firmly and laced her tongue around him with just enough pressure.
"Fuck!" he shouted, throwing his head back and giving in.
She hummed triumphantly and swallowed him down, his hands in her hair making her shake and clench her thighs together.
He pitched over to his side, his pulse hammering in his chest. Watching her raise up and arch her eyebrow at him before taking a deep gulp and licking her lips made his arousal lurch anew.
"You're amazing," he rasped, grabbing hold of her and giving her a hard kiss.
She grinned as he turned them over, rolling her on to her back and lying down against her side. He expected him to move on top of her, but he didn't, instead he closed his mouth over her breast while sliding his fingers down her front.
"Matthew," she breathed, arching her back and offering herself up wantonly to him. His hand slid between her legs and she gasped as he fed her two fingers easily.
"I love it when you're wet," he growled, moving up and kissing her softly.
"I'm wet for you," she sighed, closing her eyes and burying her head in his shoulder. "Oh fuck! Get me there, darling, please."
The sound of his fingers thrusting in and out of her filled the bedroom. She worked her hips in time with his hand, grinding on him greedily in search of her release. He pressed on her with his thumb and soon she was panting and begging for the bliss that was so ever close.
"You're mine," he snarled, his arm across her shoulders pulling her in. "Forever."
"Forever," she hissed, closing her mouth over his shoulder and squealing as she went flying.
He held her to him, his scent and taste flooding her senses as she rode out the waves crashing through her. They stayed like that for minutes, warm bodies pressed together, breathing raggedly and holding on to each other. He stroked her hair away from her face. She massaged his side before cupping his bottom playfully. They didn't speak, just remaining wrapped together from their limbs to their joined eyes.
When she calmed somewhat, she noticed his hard arousal pressed against her thigh.
"Mmm, already?" she teased, kissing his neck. "I'm quite powerless to resist you now. Have me however you want."
"However I want?" he questioned, his hips pushing against her leg in response.
She laughed and nodded against his chest. "We're both off tomorrow morning. I arranged it earlier. We have all night to fuck as often as you want."
He grinned and kissed her forehead. "You did that? When did you switch us around?"
"Shortly after you told me you wanted to marry me," she laughed, keeping her eyes closed and breathing him in. "I felt it called for a proper celebration tonight."
"I will, if you'll have me, darling," he whispered.
"You must say it properly," she drawled, her voice thick and heavy. "I won't answer unless you get down on one knee and everything."
"I will, but not now," he nodded. "I've been thinking of that moment since we were teenagers. I want to do it right because I only want to do it once."
She laughed happily and snuggled against him. "Very well. Just this one time, I will permit you to surprise me."
"Thank you, wife," he chuckled, kissing the top of her head.
"Not officially, not yet," she corrected him, raising her head to look up at him mischievously.
"Doesn't matter. I shall think of you as my betrothed all the same," he countered.
"Well, then," she kissed him lightly before turning and raising up to her hands and knees. "In that case, why don't you claim me properly?"
He kissed her shoulder and moved around to kneel behind her. His hands closed around her hips and he leaned down and kissed the nape of her neck.
"You know, a male likes to mark his mate so all the world know she's his from that moment onward," he stated, his tone making her shake.
She turned her head and kissed him. "Mark me, darling. Make me yours."
She cried out when he pushed inside, her head dropping down to the pillow and her hands clutching the blankets. He drew her back slowly before pulling out and thrusting in again. After several gorgeous strokes, he was buried entirely. He held still, bending over her back, his breath warm on her skin.
"You're so deep," she gasped. "So fucking full."
He grunted and gave her a short sharp thrust.
"Matthew," she whimpered. "Fuck!"
He lifted off her back and kneeled behind her. One hand reached out to take hold of her braid, while the other steadied on her hip. "Get ready," he warned with a choked voice.
She moaned at the feel of the first hard pump followed by the second and third, and soon she was practically shouting as he went faster and faster, pulling on her hair and snapping his hips against her ass. Every thrust seemed to drive the air from her lungs and spread sheer heat through her. She arched her back at his urging, her breasts swaying as she rocked in time with his fierce direction. She squeezed around him and pushed back, surprising him as she joined him in rapture.
"Mary," he growled, bringing his arm to wrap across her chest and draw her up to her knees. The new angle caught her unprepared and she moaned at the feel of being impaled and stretched so incredibly upon him. Still he pressed on, aided now by her sitting position, the two of them moving as one. His hand moved over her hip and she gasped just before he rubbed on her spot.
"Matthew!" she called as he sent her over again, his hips unrelenting in working her up and down upon him. The depraved sound of her riding him sent her spiralling towards another peak.
He turned her head and kissed her hard, their tongues dueling while their hips continued the same frantic rhythm. His ragged breaths soon signalled that his control was slipping and she picked up her pace now, determined to finish with him.
"Give it to me," she gasped into his mouth. "I want it. I want all of you."
He grunted harshly and for a moment he worried that he would be stuck teetering on the brink as his legs seemed to tense up. She wouldn't allow it, grinding her ass against him on each stroke until he pulled her down on him hard and snarled as he emptied inside of her.
They sat together until their legs began to prickle with numbness. He eased them on to the bed and rolled away from her, but only slightly. They needed to go and clean up but they were both boneless. She turned and curled into him, one leg wrapping across him.
"I love you so much," he said shakily, rubbing her arm and kissing her forehead.
"I love you, darling," she answered, closing her eyes. "Until death do us part."
New Byzantium, Milky Way Galaxy, April 2199
Kemal walked down the dark hallway and stopped in front of the door at the end of the hall. He looked down at his watch and checked the time before pressing his finger to the bio scanner and walking into the room.
"Minister Pamuk," the operator nodded as he came in and looked at the monitors.
"How is our friend doing?" he asked.
"He's been under for an hour now," she replied. "Vitals are all stable and activity in the thalamus is particularly high."
"Good, good," he nodded. "And let's see what his dreams are tonight, as if I even needed to ask."
The operator smirked as she changed the display on the large screen before them.
'Oh Evelyn, fuck me!'
Kemal smiled and shook his head at the sight of Mary tied to the bed and writhing in ecstasy. Her lover wasn't in view since it was being seen from Evelyn's perspective, but her cries made it entirely obvious who was fucking her.
"Oh, Evelyn, so entirely predictable," he laughed.
"She must be quite the woman," the operator noted.
"She is," he nodded. "But it's the fact that this fantasy is so deeply rooted in his subconscious that makes it so easy for us to use it as a conduit to his thoughts. What have we found out this time from the ambassador?"
"You'll be interested to see this," she replied, swiping her fingers over the virtual keyboard.
The display changed to Evelyn's hotel room. Mary and Matthew were standing next to him and a glowing display of charts, numbers and text was floating in front of them.
'Whatever estimates you're working with, they're wrong,' Mary advised.
Kemal smiled. "Clever girl."
"What do you want us to do to him?" the operator asked.
"Wipe the memory of this visit," he ordered. "Send the rest of the data to my office and give him a full treatment. I'll go in and get him after the pedicure."
"Yes, Minister," the operator confirmed.
Kemal took one last look at the display. One screen showed Evelyn sleeping peacefully, an attendant rubbing down his shoulders. A pleasant smile was on his face as he dozed. On another monitor, Mary was now bent over with her hands tied behind her back, moaning from her lover's thrusts.
"That's it, Evelyn. Have at her. Fuck her raw. You've got all night," he laughed before leaving the room.