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pain?”
    “Of course.”
    “Have you ever been relieved when someone saw your pain and offered you assistance?”
    His features twisted into an embarrassed cast. “I apologize. Pain is not a matter for mockery.”
    Lance’s voice was calm. “No, it is not, but she wasn’t in pain. She was merely tense. I just don’t want to stop.”
    Lera wrinkled her nose and sighed. “He’s right. I should see if I can find my way around and check my mail.”
    She tried to stand up, but Lance held her in her chair. “I am not done yet.”
    Lera’s butt thudded back into her seat. “Mm. Okay.”
    There was no arguing with him, so she sat as he knuckled her muscles loose until she was slumped over and limp.
    Coma and Shatter were talking quietly when she asked, “So, when does Charm get here?”
    Coma looked at her with surprise. “I thought you fell asleep.”
    “Nope. I can’t sleep sitting up.”
    “Well, they are on their way right now, so the day after tomorrow is my guess.” Coma smiled. “Go to bed. Get some sleep. Spend time trying to keep Lance out of your room. We will see you in the morning. You have five days before you are on official duty.”
    Lera was shocked. “Really? I get time off?”
    “Of course. You need to learn how things are arranged before we head out with you as a team member. That will take a few days. Lance and Shatter will be in charge of your physical training, but sleep in tomorrow if you can. You will be hitting the ground soon enough.” Coma waved her off.
    “Thank you, Lance. I think it is time for bed.” She pushed herself to her feet and felt the blessed relief from the tension that had plagued her.
    She turned, and he was right there, a black and white figure with a supporting arm around her waist before she could say another word.
    His gentle coaxing ushered her along the halls, and she had to ask, “So, who is doing the dishes?”
    “Charm made some bots that are used for housekeeping. It is handy, as we are frequently called to duty during meals.”
    She nodded. “I thought it was Charm’s brother that made the clothing.”
    He laughed. “It usually is, but he doesn’t have the clearances for this facility, so he explained the procedure to Charm. Since he is mostly doing overlays, it should be fine.”
    She chortled. “He is bringing stuff that his brother made, isn’t he?”
    Lance sighed. “He is. He is just making a few alterations while he is here.”
    “Heh. Well, I will look forward to seeing Rhoda then. She seems nice via com chats.”
    “You have never met?”
    “Nope. When we left earth, we were on different shuttles. She went into psychic artist training, and I went into Enforcer training.”
    “This is our medical space. It has most standard equipment and some specialized for precise species.” He continued the tour.
    “I thought I was supposed to go to bed.”
    “You are, but no one says we can’t take the long way around.”
    He grinned, and she felt her heart flip in her chest. Despite his ferocious demeanour when she had first seen him, his actual treatment of her was caring and comforting when he wasn’t heating her senses to a fiery frenzy.
    The tour of the base took close to an hour, and she was swaying with fatigue by the time they were standing in front of her door. She yawned behind her hand and opened her door. “Thank you for the tour, Lance.”
    He moved to kiss her, but she yawned again, swaying alarmingly. “Sorry.”
    He frowned. “Coma must have done something.”
    She shrugged. “I haven’t been getting much sleep for the last few days. I will see you in the morning.”
    He kissed the back of her hand and her cheek before letting her retreat into her quarters.
    She closed the door and leaned against it, exhaling sharply. “Well, that was a helluva night.”
    She headed up to her bed and peeled off her suit, grabbing her silk gown and slipping it over her head. A quick visit to the lav and a brushing of her hair and she was