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"Across the galaxy?"
"Yes."
"And no one is going to record it and use it as blackmail for later?"
"No. That comes with the death penalty, and sex between two of our species isn't seen as interesting to most in the galaxy. We don't have strange or deadly genitals. The stakes are low when Alliance people or humans mate."
"Really?"
"Yes." I put a finger across my heart.
"What are you doing?"
I look down at my finger. "It means I believe what I say with my whole heart."
"Oh."
"You've nothing to worry about."
"I do have a lot to worry about public sex, an alien punishment, and tracking down my eggs to a slave trading station."
I kiss her and pull on her bottom lip with my own to distract her for a second. "And you will survive, and we will find your eggs. No matter what's happened to them. And we will live happily together again like we were before.”
“But different.”
“Different doesn’t mean there’s not room for happiness or even greater happiness,” I remind her and then kiss her sensually to remind her of how we used to be. My hands on either side of her face, cupping her mouth to mine. Our tongues meeting as our bodies will later to seal this marriage.
* * *
I walk into Commander Fox's office and bow.
"May the goddesses be thanked, she's agreed to a marriage ceremony?"
It's just like the commander to make a statement and a question at the same time. But he knows me well. I must be beaming with relief. "Yes, the goddesses have shone their light on us."
"Good. I assume Caroline is already making the arrangements?"
"Yes. But there's something else. One of the conditions Ivy requested was that I retrieve her eggs from Gala Station. After our punishment from the High Priestess, I would like to go there with Orr. He's already agreed."
Commander Fox looks at me in disbelief. "That's very risky, and I'm not sure I want to let two of my best officers go even for a week, and it'll probably take you two, and that's if you come back. We’re already understaffed."
"She is adamant, and this was her one condition."
"And now you're forcing me into a position."
I wait anxiously as Commander Fox considers this. Finally, he says, "There's no reason for you to go in person. If this is Ivy's condition, consider it a gift for your marriage that I hire the crew of the Hio to retrieve the eggs."
I consider his offer. I’ve known that crew for a decade. I would trust them with this. But would Ivy agree? I don't know. I make eye contact with Commander Fox. I must make a decision now. "You would give us such an expensive gift?" The errand would be dangerous, and middling class men wouldn’t do for any less than a couple of thousand UCs.
"Sem," he says, putting his hand on my shoulder. "I would give you everything if it meant you could marry Ivy and remain on the base." I know now this is a peace offering. I didn’t blame him for sending Ivy back to Earth the first time, but now I think he realizes he might have made the wrong decision. This recognition and gift are more than enough to set things straight.
I bow to the commander to hide my emotions. I'm overwhelmed with gratitude. "Yes, I agree. I’ll explain it to Ivy. As always, the goddesses guide you."
* * *
I go directly to the gymnasium and strip off all of my clothing. I need to work out and clear my head. I get on the treadmill and run. The last thing I want is to be unable to perform at my own marriage ceremony. Other officers come in and out, but I continue to run, not paying too much attention to the time. I have hours before my marriage ceremony, and I have to run off all of my anxiety.
"Sem."
