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became interested in the front display of various holiday items. Heading for the counter, she breathed a sigh of relief when Blain stepped from behind the counter.
    “Hey,” Blain said.
    “Hey. Do you know if my order came in?”
    “Haven’t received anything for two days. Sorry.”
    “Damn.” She bit her lip. Her next problem reared its ugly head. Where was Cai going to sleep? “Okay, thanks.”
    “Who’s that?” He jerked his head to where Cai entertained himself with a wobbling Santa.
    “Friend staying with me for the holidays.” She shrugged. “Too late to get room orders for him, I guess?”
    “Yeah, sorry.” He shrugged. “Someone might have a spare room, if you want me to ask around?”
    She shook her head. She didn’t want people to find out about Cai. While she respected her fellow scientists, Cai was a different species many would want to poke and prod. Not to mention, his unique abilities would make him susceptible to other attentions, and she’d feed anyone who tried to crawl into bed with him to the sharks. “No, I’ll figure it out. Thanks.”
    Heading for the foods, she stopped in the middle of the first aisle and eyed what was available, at a loss for what to buy. She hadn’t learned to cook until she was an adult, and her skills were sorely lacking.
    “Paging Dr. Jordan Richardson. Dr. Richardson, code yellow.”
    Her head snapped around. A code yellow was rarely a good thing. Spinning, she almost collided with Cai.
    “Hey, I have to go. Can you find your way back to the room?” Her free hand clutched the loose material of his shirt, every bad scenario running through her head.
    “Yes. What’s wrong?” He gripped her arms tighter.
    “My sharks. A code yellow could be anything.” She shoved the basket at him. “I’ve got to go.”
     
     

 
    Chapter 4
     
    Cai looked at the basket, then to the spot where Jordan had stood. He wanted to run after her. The emotion radiating off her was stressed, anxious and tinged with fear. He didn’t like it, but he also recognized he didn’t belong in her scientific world.
    The clerk shook his head. “If you need help finding your way back, let me know. It’s quiet enough, I could take you.”
    He could trace their path by following the resonance of their mutual feedback. “I’ll be fine. But, can you tell me what currency you accept?”
    “Standard UI’s or station credits.”
    “Perfect.” He smiled and lifted the basket. “I might need something bigger.”
    Returning to the decorations, he considered the glittery, shining pieces. He knew from Jordan’s parents that Christmas was an over the top affair. While he couldn’t give her that, he’d start with something cozy.
    The cashier brought him a rolling cart, an old novelty here where everything hovered. “I’m Blain.”
    He took the boy’s extended hand. “Cai.”
    “You aren’t really a friend. Her family sent you, didn’t they?”
    Cai rubbed his fingers together, and rolled Blain’s touch around in his head. Blain cared for Jordan, but as a friend. “If they did, should I tell you the truth?”
    Blain shrugged. By Cai’s estimation he couldn’t be much older than nineteen or twenty, old enough to get into trouble. “Everyone knows who her family is. There wasn’t a real security officer on the station until she was hired. Who would want to mess with us?” He shook his head and slipped his hands into his pockets. “I’ve seen the hols, I pay attention to the news. She’s a target, isn’t she?”
    “I can’t answer that.” Cai leaned against the table, and weighed his options where Blain was concerned. Other than Jordan, he was alone, and another ally would be useful. “But I can say that you are a very intelligent young man.”
    He nodded slowly, catching Cai’s meaning. “I’ll let you know if I see or hear anything.”
    “I would appreciate that.”
    A thin man stepped through the doors and blinked at the Christmas décor as if he’d never seen it