Part 3 (2/2)
That was rather more than I expected, he said wryly.
And exactly what I needed, dear friend.
I am more than your friend now, Laria.
Are you?
You can see that easily enough, Prime.
Yes, but is it right for you?
She could feel his mental shrug, vividly accompanied by the lingering astonishment of completion with a woman.
You would consider that aspect, dear heart, he said in a droll tone. * feel we should explore the possibilities without prejudice. Certainly I have never felt such rapport with anyone since josh died.
Because he still had all his s.h.i.+elds dropped, she knew who Josh was, how deeply they had loved each other and how Josh bad died in a sporting accident that happened so quickly Kincaid had ”seen” only when it was too late to save his lover. Struggling to find equilibrium after such a terrible loss, Kincaid had welcomed the a.s.signment to the Valparaiso in an effort to distance himself from increasingly painful memories- only to find himself torn in two directions by the officers who vied for his company.
One thing sure, Laria said sternly. * cannot hurt you as those two did.
Of that I'm sure, he responded with one of his soft chuckles, and he gave her a hug. ”Now get some sleep. Tomorrow will be busy.” He made a move to sit up.
She made a sound, closing her mind quickly lest he see how reluctant she was to have him leave her.
”On second thought,” he said, settling back down, wedging the pillow under his head and replacing his arm around her shoulders, ”that would require more effort than I care to make right now.”
Thanf^ you.
Don't mention it. Now sleep, Prime.
Yes sir, she satd in a meek tone, and wove ber fingers into his hand.
Beyond them, on the wide bed, the 'Dinis also sank into a deeper, more restful slumber.
”That swim did you good,” Lionasha remarked as Lam started up the steps to her Tower the next morning.
”Yes, I think it did,” Laria replied as casually as she could, because Kincaid let out a burst of laughter in his room, and let her hear it.
”That's good,” Lionasha said with obvious relief. ”We've a very busy day. ()h, the generator wasn't as much of a problem as Yanteer thought.”
”I know. He wasn't here when I got back,” Laria said over her shoulder, unperturbed.
No, Lio can't read us, my dear, Kincaid said, and then as he swung into the Tower hall from the private quarters, added: ”Morning, Lio. Good evening?”
”Yes indeed.” And the other two Talents caught the unmistakable smugness of her satisfaction with her evening's pleasure.
”Good for you,” Kincaid said affably, trotting up the stairs. ”At least you didn't get a burn yesterday at the river,” he added, grinning at Laria as he reached the Tower. The mischief in his smile made Laria quickly stifle her amus.e.m.e.nt lest Lionasha catch it. He shook his head, indicating that he was not projecting his ebullient mood.
”Morning, all,” said Yanteer, striding into the Tower. He leaned into the stairwell, calling up to them. ”Fixed the generator, Laria. Did you have a good swim””
”Yes, thanks,” she called back cheerfully. ”Start 'cm up, Van, we've a busy day ahead. Got two hours before that sun starts scorching again. Let's get to it.”
Kincaid touched her with approval as he settled back on his couch and got into position for the work ahead.
They had had a very full day by noon and took time off for a siesta. Even their 'Dinis grumbled about the heat on the plascrete of the landing field. There were not as many loads for the late afternoon, but enough to tire them. Laria made a salad for supper with fresh fruit that Yoshuk had sent them from Sef. They all ate together, while Lionasha sorted out jjm T the orders for the next day's teleportations. Soon after Van had wandered off by himself, Plrgtgl arrived, its poll eye draped in vivid magenta lace, with endless questions tor Laria and Kincaid about the progress of the explorations.
Over and over, Laria repeated that as soon as she heard something she would most certainly inform Plrgtgl. Kincaid brought up the files on their lounge screen, showing Plus, as Laria called her 'Dini contact, what was so far known about the four planets that he had found, paraphrasing Laria's rea.s.surances with his own. Their 'Dinis, of course, served Plrgtgl the juice drink it preferred and got whatever their Human partners asked for, as well as some of the bits and nibbles which Plus had come to like.
SEF IS MUCH LIKE THAT, Plus said in 'Dini, pointing its flipper at the surface of Talavera.
THE PLANKT COULD EASILY BE SHF-RHNEWED, Kincaid agreed. IT SUFFERED DAMAGE BY HIVERS WHICH MUST BE REPAIRED AND WILL NEED LIFE-FORMS FROM THE SMALLEST-- NO, said Plus firmly. THERE ARE SOMK THAT WE CAN DO WITHOUT THIS TIME. LIKE TI IE LICE, AS YOU CALL t.i.tEM, AND THE STINGERS, NO HARM TO THE ECOLOGY BY LEAVING THEM OUT.
HOW CAN YOU BE SURE? Laria asked, amused at Plus's vehemence as well as its wish to leave behind such bugs. She saw that Tip and Huf as well as Nil and his Plus were keenly interested in both queries and answers though they did not voice their own opinions, not in the presence of such a senior 'Dini.
WE HAVE STUDIED CAREFULLY, Plus said, shaking the lace on its poll eye until Laria was afraid it would come loose. WE USE THIS AS PROBLEMS IN TEACHING THE YOUNG. WHAT MAKES A GOOD PLANET BETTER. WHAT is NP:EDED TO SPREAD POLLENS AND SEEDINGS. WE WOULD BE UP AND RUNNING, AS YOU SAY - Plus's large frame shook with its delight in using Basic slang-BEFORE YOU CAN SAY BOO? is THAT WHAT YOU SAY ... BOO?
Boo” came out in Basic. Laria and Kincaid agreed that Plus had used the slang properly and then listened as it enumerated the various plans for the revitalization of the planet.
Full night had settled on Clarf before the two Talents tactfully managed to get Plus to leave.
”I thought it'd never go,” Laria said, exhaling with exaggeration.
”They've been doing a lotot research on reviving Talavera's ecology,” Kincaid said thoughtfully.
”From the way Plus was going on, that must be their latest game to play at night.”
”As useful an occupation as many, certainly,” he agreed.
”I'm for a shower and bed,” she said, waving over her shoulder at him as she left the lounge for her own room. Tip and Hut following on her heels.
”I won't be far behind.”
She was tired, and when she had soaped and rinsed herself, turned the shower to cool to reduce her body temperature. Wrapping a towel about her body in sarong fas.h.i.+on, she left the bathroom. Her 'Dinis were already curled up.
”Let's have nice dreams tonight, shall we?” she said, but they did not answer.
She had no trouble falling asleep. But once again, early in the new day, she woke with the same panic syndrome, gasping for breath, unable to remember what had roused her so thoroughly.
Again?
Again, and worse this time, she said, tears dripping down her cheeks.
Kincaid seemed to step into the room at the bedside and was enfolding her in his arms, mentally soothing her alarm and helping her control the ragged breaths and agitated respiration.
”What are they doing to you?”
”I don't know. They've . . . never been like . . . this before. And I'm in much better shape . . . after you . . . last night,” she said, leaning her Tmr ind in live 3 head against his shoulder, gripping his arm with both hands and trying to still the shudders that ran up and down her spine.
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