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“Oh, yeah, she’ll definitely agree we need a party though!” Jace beamed.

Khoth stifled his urge to groan. “And I am certain Drs. Isa and Kerr, along with Matias will approve. Davies and Dr. Hayter will also not be perturbed. They were all aware of our feelings. Including Bob from engineering.”

“Good old Bob. I can’t wait to tell him. That’ll be as good as saying it over the intercom.” Jace’s smile suddenly dimmed. “But what about…” Jace bit his lower lip and looked up at him through huge eyes.

“Who? Who do you fear so much knowing?” Khoth’s hands tightened their grip on Jace’s shoulders. He would protect Jace from whoever it was that caused his beloved such concern!

Jace’s lower lip wobbled as he answered, “C-Chili. Your one, true love.”

Khoth slowly blinked then let out a snort before he said stiffly, “You are correct, Izail. Chili will not approve. We should call the whole thing off. My heart is hers after all.”

Jace burst into laughter. “You’re only half-joking. But you’re joking! And I love it!”

“Our bonding tattoo should look like a pig,” Khoth continued in that mock serious tone.

“Or just a squiggly tail! You’re getting so good at the jokes! But wait! Chili needs a mating bow!” Jace perked up at this. He was, undoubtedly, thinking of Chili wearing such a thing at their wedding.

“Indeed.” Khoth smiled down at him. “Now back to the matter at hand.”

“Our escape.” Jace nodded. His eyes though were still filled with the idea of a mating bow.

Both of them faced the wall. Studying it.

“I do not believe it can be climbed without equipment. A grappling hook or suction boots–”

“Suction boots? That sounds interesting, but no, I won’t be distracted. We don’t have those with us. Suction boots,” Jace repeated.

Khoth frowned. “But you must have known you could not climb the wall before you attempted it so why–”

Jace grimaced. “Okay, okay, the Osiris might have told me that wasn’t going to work, but still I had to try.”

“That is illogical.”

“Yeah, the Osiris said that, too. But I’m like my dad sometimes. I just have to try, you know?” Jace shrugged, not at all repentant about the fall. Jace stroked his chin. “Maybe if I have the AIs alter the structure of the wall or–”

“Or we could go out the door,” Khoth suggested.

“Uhm, no, Khoth, you’re missing the point here and–wait! Where are you going?” Jace called after him.

Khoth had turned and was striding purposefully towards the door to the bedroom. It whooshed open and the guards both turned towards him.

“The Pilot and I will require a canceaux to be made available on the roof landing pad,” Khoth told them. “We require no escort. You may go.”

The guards nodded and marched off down the hallway. One of them was already communicating the need for the canceaux. Jace popped his head out, mouth open in an “O” of surprise, as he watched the guards leave. He craned his neck up to see Khoth.

“How–But–They just left!” Jace cried.

“Yes,” Khoth answered and gestured for Jace to precede him out into the hallway.

Jace slowly did so, looking suspiciously about for… for something. He supposed Jace thought more guards were about to jump out and corner them. Though Jace, of all people, must know where everyone was in the building.

“I don’t understand,” Jace finally admitted as the door to their quarters shut and locked behind them.

“We are not prisoners here. We are honored guests. The guards were for your protection not to keep us inside,” Khoth explained as they started to walk down the hallway.

Jace was still looking uncertain. His forehead furrowed. He opened and shut his mouth, evidently thinking of and discarding various things he wanted to say, but then found them lacking in some way.

“But they’re following every one of the crew about. Yet not us? Or is it because you’re Thaf’ell so–”