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shoulder. “I will keep an eye out for them at the next mission.”
    She pressed her head against his for a moment before she straightened. “What are we heading into next?”
    “A trip into one of the dark zones. We are going to attend a birth.” Korlin was smiling.
    Zez felt a roll of suspicion through her. “Where, precisely?”
    He chuckled. “Necridid. The seers have said that your sister is going into labour in the next two days. I thought you should be there for it.”
    She hugged him, and he pulled her into his lap. Her laughter stilled as he stared into her with his midnight-purple gaze.
    When he leaned down to kiss her, she met him halfway.
    The art of kissing was one that had come up in the stories over and over. A man who could kiss was worth exploring.
    He whispered, “Finally. It only took bringing you home to get a kiss.”
    She chuckled. “By Terran standards, this is the longest first date in history.”
    He wrapped his hand around her waist and kissed her again. “It has not been the most romantic at times.”
    She nipped his lips. “The sludge pits.”
    “The attack slugs.”
    “The shattered station.”
    “And yet, we survived them all. Together.”
    She stroked his cheek. “You are immune to everything we faced.”
    “And yet, if you had not made it through, there would have been no point to my remaining solid. I would have given my mist to space and time.”
    She scowled. “No. Don’t say that.”
    “Why not; it is true.” He touched her neck with careful fingers.
    “Because I don’t want to be the pivot point for anyone’s life.”
    “It is too late for that. While you might want to run wild and free, I have firmly attached to you.” He winked, “So to speak. I am yours, whether you want me or not.”
    She thought of a hundred things to say, but she leaned up to kiss him and whispered. “I want you.”
    His eyes closed, and then, he opened them again. “I have been waiting a very long time for you to say that.”
    “Eight months is not a very long time.”
    He chuckled. “It is an eternity when I spend every day with you. Hyder was right.”
    She scowled. “The Commander? The matchmaker? What does he have to do with this?”
    “He chose you for me, and me for you. We are compatible as far as our fates are concerned.” He stroked her hair. “I can understand it now.”
    She sighed and cuddled against him. “I can, too. Can we just stay like this for a while?”
    “Of course. We only have four hours to go, and having you in my arms will make it feel like moments.”
    Zez settled and put one arm around his back as she got used to being this close to another person.
    It was a very comfortable way to spend the trip home.
     
    Mikki was huge. Zez stared for a moment and then rushed toward her. “Mikki!”
    “Oh, Zez. I was afraid you wouldn’t make it.” Mikki hugged her with surprising strength.
    Penross was waiting behind his mate, watching her carefully. “It is good that you are back, Zez.”
    Zez grinned and extended her hand to him. He took it with a grateful squeeze. Mikki was still trying to crush Zez’s ribs, so she had to keep her arm over Mikki’s shoulder.
    Zez felt the tremendous kick from the belly pressed against hers, and she jolted. “Wow. That is quite the sprout.”
    Mikki started bawling, and Penross sighed and pried her away from Zez, leading her toward their home.
    He turned, “Come on, Zez. There is room enough for you and your partner amongst all the presents you have been sending.”
    Zez looked at Korlin. “What is he talking about?”
    Korlin rubbed the side of his nose. “I am guessing you are about to find out.”
    The moderate dwelling should have had enough space for the couple and baby, but the social space was filled with crates, boxes and pods.
    Mikki was sitting down, and Penross went to make some tea.
    “I don’t know how you were able to manage all this, Zez. There is something here from every one of your missions.” Mikki