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He still didn’t know how she felt about the events at the conference, and in their brief conversations since then Rione had begged off on the grounds that she was busy on research and other duties.

Geary reached his stateroom, sitting down and staring at the star display for a while before reaching for the internal communications control. “Captain Desjani, I’d appreciate seeing you in my stateroom at your convenience.”

“I’ll be right down, sir,” Desjani replied in a professional voice that revealed nothing. Within a few minutes she arrived, outwardly composed but with troubled eyes.

“Please sit down,” Geary offered. Desjani sat stiffly, her back straight, relaxing not at all. While she normally sat at attention in his stateroom, she was definitely more rigid this time. “I’m sorry if I’m prying, but I needed to ask again. Can you tell me what you and Co-President Rione were arguing about?”

She stared over his shoulder, her face betraying nothing. “I must respectfully decline to answer, sir, as the matter deals with personal issues.”

“That’s within your rights,” Geary agreed heavily. “But I must insist on knowing one thing. Whatever it was about, can you still work effectively with and regarding Co-President Rione?”

“I assure you that I am fully capable of carrying out all of my duties in a professional manner, sir.”

He nodded, letting his dissatisfaction show. “I can’t demand more than that. Please inform me if you think that changes, and please see fit to tell me at some future date if you consider whatever you discussed to concern the safety and welfare of this fleet and its personnel.”

Desjani nodded as well, her expression still controlled. “Yes, sir.”

“You understand I’m in a very awkward position here.”

“I’m sorry, sir.”

“Okay, then.” Geary was about to tell Desjani she could leave when the door to his stateroom opened, and Rione walked in, either deliberately or inadvertently blatantly advertising the fact that she had personal access to Geary’s living area. It was certainly a remarkable coincidence that Rione had chosen this moment to visit his stateroom again after avoiding him since the conference.

Rione eyed them dispassionately. “Am I interrupting anything?”

Desjani stood up and returned the same expression. “Not at all, Madam Co-President. I was just leaving.”

Geary watched them, fascinated in spite of himself. It was like seeing two battle cruisers circling each other, all shields at maximum, every weapon ready to fire, but both maintaining tight control over their every move so that the situation didn’t escalate into a bloodbath. And he had absolutely no idea why the two were at the brink of hostilities. “Thank you, Captain Desjani,” he stated carefully, wondering if the wrong word from him could somehow lead to open warfare. He wasn’t egotistical enough to think the women were sparring over him, which left him baffled as to what had happened between them.

Desjani left, the hatch somehow seeming to close with extra force behind her. Geary exhaled heavily and looked at Rione. “I’ve got a lot of things to worry about, you know.”

“That has come to my attention more than once,” Rione agreed in the same detached tones.

Geary studied her for a moment, wondering at the way she could be both familiar and unknown, sometimes at the same instant. “Who’s here right now? Am I talking to Victoria, or to Co-President Rione?”

She gave him that cool look back. “That depends. Am I speaking with John Geary, or Black Jack Geary?”

“I’m still John Geary.”

“Are you? I saw Black Jack the other day. He was preparing to order someone to be shot. He wanted to do it.”

“He wasn’t the only one.” Geary looked away. “Maybe you did see Black Jack. But Black Jack didn’t make any decisions.”

“He came close, didn’t he?” Rione was keeping more than an arm’s length away, maintaining both physical and emotional separation from him. “How did it feel to know what you could do if you wanted to?”

“Frightening.”

“Was that all?”

He took a long, deep breath and exhaled slowly, recalling the emotions that had filled him then. “Yes. It scared the hell out of me, because it looked so very attractive. Because I wanted those idiots to pay for what they did, and I knew I could get away with it if I wanted. And knowing I could get away with it scared me.” Geary fixed his eyes on Rione. “And what is it you’re feeling?”

“Me?” Rione shook her head. “Why should I feel anything?”

“Does that mean we’re over? Did you come here to tell me that? Is that why you’ve avoided me since the conference?”

“Over?” Rione seemed to need a minute to think about the question. Then she shook her head again.

“No. There are…some other issues I need to deal with. However, I want to stay close to John Geary. I think he may need me.”

“What about Black Jack?” Geary asked, recalling that Rione had bluntly declared that her first loyalty was to the Alliance, not to him.

“If he shows up again, I’d like to be close then, too.” She said it calmly, in a voice still almost devoid of emotion, her eyes meeting Geary’s gaze.

To keep me honest? he wondered. Or to make sure you’re in a position to take advantage of the power Black Jack wouldn’t hesitate to use?

Or to ensure Black Jack doesn’t hurt the Alliance by slipping a knife into him while he sleeps? Did I ever imagine I’d be sleeping with a woman who might literally kill me if she thought it was best for the things she believes in? Things that I also believe in?

At least this way I can keep an eye on her, too.

“It’s a very long ways back to Alliance space,” Geary stated. “We will get there, though, no matter how much the Syndics throw at us. This fleet will get back. And Captain John Geary will get back. Any help you can offer is always welcome. Your company is always welcome.” Almost always, anyway.

“I believe now that this fleet will make it back,” Rione agreed in a quiet voice. “We’ll see if John Geary does.”