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success as diplomats.”
    Jeff looked up from his baby snuggling and shot Christopher the “shut up, shut up” look. But it was too late.
    Lucinda had the Stern Mother voice going. “You have an obligation to our people. You’ve married someone no one knows, and you did it in such a way that almost no one knows you’re married. Are you ashamed of her?”
    “Of course not!” Christopher sounded shocked and looked confused. “What is this about?”
    Jeff winced. Either he’d taken his blocks down or the emotions in the room were so strong he couldn’t help but feel them. I had no clear idea which option was the winner.
    “I’m not good enough for you,” Amy snapped. “That’s what it’s about, and what it’s been about for a month.”
    “That is absolutely not true,” Lucinda said. “We have traditions, however, and you completely ignored them.”
    “I didn’t know what they were, and no one else had a problem with it,” Amy retorted.
    “You never bothered to find out,” was Lucinda’s comeback. I’d heard this argument, which always ended in a stalemate, for a month now. It never got any better.
    I looked around. Those who’d been with us all this time had “I’m not really here” looks on their faces. Even White hadn’t been able to make any headway with this issue—Lucinda merely turned her righteous wrath onto him, since, as Pontifex, former or otherwise, he knew what all the rules were, and she felt he should have forced Christopher and Amy into the huge wedding.
    Melanie and Emily looked as though they’d expected this somewhere along the line. Tito was taking the cue from Len and Kyle and pretending he wasn’t here. Jeff was clearly struggling with the strong emotions.
    That left me one person to appeal to for help. I shot Chuckie the “get us out of this” look. He heaved a sigh and cleared his throat, loudly.
    Lucinda and Amy both stopped snarling at each other and looked at him. “Thank you, ladies. Under the circumstances we are, have been, and likely will be in over the next few weeks at least, I have to insist that no one in Centaurion Division is allowed to throw what I’d consider an overly excessive party. kessw week”
    “And why is that?” Lucinda asked haughtily.
    “Because a huge formal affair leaves all of Centaurion exposed and in danger in ways we can’t afford to risk at this time.” The way Chuckie said this indicated the No Parties Rule was in full effect and would be enforced by the U.S. military.
    “My son might have something to say about that.” Lucinda sounded even haughtier, if such were possible. She also glared at Alfred, clearly expecting his support on this one.
    “He might, but it won’t matter,” Chuckie replied calmly. “I outrank all of you.”
    “You have no rank within Centaurion Division,” Alfred said, wisely supporting his wife.
    Chuckie laughed. “I don’t need a rank. My position within the C.I.A. ensures that I control all of Centaurion Division. I don’t like to constantly remind all of you of such,” his eyes and voice went icy, “but with one word I can make your lives miserable in the extreme. Now, this discussion is over, because if one more person tries to suggest Centaurion needs to throw a big party, I’m putting Centaurion officially under C.I.A. control.”
    Lucinda opened her mouth. White spoke first, however. “Agreed, Mister Reynolds.” He looked at his sister. “You’re done. Complain to Alfred, in private, but we cannot afford for the C.I.A. to feel forced to exercise their authority.”
    Lucinda looked over at Jeff. “You’re not going to argue with him?”
    Jeff shrugged. “I’m no longer the Head of Field, remember? You can argue about this with James and Paul, but I can guarantee they’re going to back Reynolds.”
    I wasn’t sure what the next words were going to be or who would say them. But I decided it was time to toss out some diplomacy. “Hey, I’m starving. What say we eat whatever