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She was alone. And lonely. She was no longer used to spending her evenings and nights on her own. The idea of getting in bed and missing the warmth of the bodies she enjoyed so much was awful.
Did they miss her as much as she missed them?
Damned Earthtiques. Why couldn’t they mind their business and let her be happy? Why were their lives so small and lacking that they had to meddle in hers?
She roamed from the den and the entertainment system. She’d already tried to lose herself in a drama, a concert, and a documentary. None had held her attention. She ached for her lovers.
She went to her office and debated doing some work. It was late, but sleep was a distant hope. She sat at her desk.
Instead of switching on her computer, she eyed her desk com unit. It would be barely past daybreak on Haven Colony, but her mother was an early riser. After debating for a few seconds, she said, “Com, contact Jean Nichols.”
“Good morning, dear. Oh, that’s right, it’s night on Earth. Rather late, isn’t it?”
“Hi, Mom. Can you talk, or do you need to get your coffee first?”
“The cup’s in my hand. The transformation from gargoyle to saint has commenced. Don’t switch on the vid connection, because it’s only begun.”
Stacy laughed. “Understood.”
“What’s keeping you up?”
Stacy had told Jean a little of her growing relationship with Clan Rihep. She caught her up, including the sabotage of her shuttle and the decision to maintain more of a distance from the Kalquorians.
“Appeasement’s never been your style,” Jean observed.
“It isn’t appeasement. It’s compromise. I haven’t sworn the clan off. I’m just being cautious.” Her stomach twisted as she spoke.
“How will youcompromiseagain when your opponents decide to push you harder? You know their type. Give them an inch, and they’ll take a mile.”
“They have no reason to. I’m making a reasonable effort.”
“Since when are hardliners reasonable? What they’ll see is you backing down from a threat, so they’ll send you another. Then another, until you’re a hostage to their demands. You’re well aware how it goes.”
“I suppose I am.” Stacy sighed. “I can’t visit the guys any less. I’m sleepless as it is.”
Her mother was silent for a few seconds. “Stacy, I love my children with all my heart. It would kill me if anything happened to another of you. You remember how I was when your brother, then your father died? Well, losing my girls, my babies…you’ll be my babies even when you turn gray…it would devastate me.”
“I love you too, Mom.”
“I wish you to be safe. The life you’ve chosen is full of people who’d hurt you and not spare a second thought about it, though. Some of those Earthtiques are bad people.”
“I know.”
“You’ve taken on a heavy load, and you’ve done it for the right reasons. You’re making Earth society as safe as I prefer you to be. Because of the important job you do, I put aside my worries.”
“I’m sorry you’re concerned.”
“Don’t be. I understand someone has to lead Earth, and that someone is you. As much as my love and fear for my child screams against it, I have to tell you…setting aside what you deserve as a woman is endangering your mission.”
Stacy blinked. “How so?”
“You’re smart. You know. After Armageddon, when the old regime collapsed alongside our world, you swore you’d never let anyone push you around again. You vowed, in my presence, you’d live life on your terms and ignore those who tried to dictate who you are. Who are you, Stacy Nichols?”
“I’m the governor of Earth, and I plan to stay in charge to help it become the world we deserve.”
“How can it be such a world when you’re giving the fanatics what they demand?”
“If I can hold on long enough to get elected—”
