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kind of discussion. “Then some of the more influential senators and representatives.” She made a face. “And, of course, some of the more repugnant ones.”
    “Like who?” I was all over the gossip. I never met these people, so it was like listening to E! D.C. Edition. “Any dirty affairs going on?”
    Mom started laughing and almost spit her apple cider out. Martini and Dad were having a good chuckle, too. “Kitty, that’s what Washington is , dirty affairs of one kind or another.”
    “Just making a joke,” I muttered. Well, at least everyone else was laughing. “Just thought it’d be interesting to hear about what the politicians you’re dealing with are like. I mean, I know you like the President, but I figured there could be bits of info you could share.” Like who was zooming who, but I let that one stay unasked.
    “Pray you never run into the ones I’m dealing with right now,” Mom said.
    “Like Reid,” Dad agreed. Mom shot him a look and he clamped his mouth shut.
    “Which subcommittees?” Martini asked before I could ask who Reid was and why we wanted to avoid him or her. I got the feeling Martini was trying to avert a domestic dispute, and, realistically, if anyone would know when people were upset, he’d be the one. I let my curiosity pass.
    “House South American Policy, Joint National Security, and House Immigration.”
    Oh, sure, I ask, I get jokes. Martini asks, and she tells him everything. “Why would any of those be something you couldn’t discuss with us?” Okay, I let my curiosity about this Reid person, like what the full name was, pass.
    Everyone gave me the “duh” look. I gave it more thought and reminded myself that Chuckie had spent years teaching me how to be suspicious of anyone and anything. “We just had superbeing action in Paraguay, that’ll be nasty no matter who knows what. Security and superbeings go hand-in-hand.” I looked at Martini. “And I guess we do have a large immigrant population that’d fit right in with the rest of America’s melting pot.”
    Mom nodded. “Yes. It’s nice to see some of the money we spent on your education wasn’t wasted on keggers, comics, CDs, and football games only.”
    “Don’t forget sorority fees. Speaking of which, will Caroline be okay?”
    “Yes, and that’s all we’re discussing. At least right now.” A look of worry flashed across her face, but then she smiled. “Chocolate cake for dessert.” She got up and went into the kitchen.
    I started to get up, but Dad cleared his throat softly. “Let it be, kitten. Trust me.”
    Martini nodded. “I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough.”
    I stared at him. He looked a little too casual and didn’t seem upset in the least. “In other words, you’re confident you already know, and one day maybe I’ll get to find out.”
    Martini grinned. “I love smart women.”

CHAPTER 8
    THE REST OF THE EVENING was uneventful. We left shortly after dessert, since my parents had to pack for their mysterious trip everyone knew the details of other than me. I drove us back to Caliente Base while Martini lounged in the passenger seat and refused to tell me anything. I was fairly sure he liked me losing my mind. He had to move the seat back as far as it would go, but he claimed to love my car anyway. Which was a good thing, since I wasn’t giving it up. Ever.
    The gate transfer back to the Science Center was better because I could look at Martini until my stomach forced me to close my eyes, and he held my hand so I could squeeze his as hard as I needed to.
    No amount of whining, begging, or cajoling worked, so after several hours of mind-blowing sex, we finally went to sleep. A-Cs had incredibly fast healing and regenerative powers, which fact Martini reminded me of on a happily regular basis.
    My first day as a licensed or close-enough-for-A-C-work pilot was dull. Nothing much was going on at all, on a worldwide basis. A couple of superbeings, but they manifested in rural