Of the two of them, Patricia was the most competent at her job, but Marder was the more stable of the two, and he was split with the decision of asking which of them to not renew their contract.Of the two of them, Patricia was the most competent at her job, but Marder was the more stable of the two, and he was split with the decision of asking which of them to not renew their contract. After a few minutes, Patricia returned back to the table and sat down. It was obvious she had been crying. Marder managed to surprise both her and David, however, by reaching across the table and putting his hand over hers. "Pat, I'm sorry. That was really uncalled for." She smiled a little. "I... That's okay. I guess I was acting a little paranoid. I'm sorry for being silly." "Not silly," Denni said. "You did what you felt you had to do. It's okay, really." "Besides, Pat," Tasha said. "I'm the one who originally wrote the note." "You?" Patricia said. "Oh, you just wait." "Hey," David said. "You know the rules about practical jokes on my ship. That extends to my home, too. You all got that?" They all nodded. "Good," he continued. "The needle matches and the dozens are okay. Tonight the word battle got a little out of hand, but I want you all to be professionals as well as friends. Marder, that's the first time I've ever heard you apologize for anything you've ever said, and I'm impressed. Now, I'm supposed to get married in a week. Let's behave ourselves until then." He sat back in his chair and didn't wait for response. Denni leaned over and whispered, "Headache?" David nodded. "Little one." "Want to head back home?" He nodded again, and then he and Denni stood up. "Look, folks, we're heading back to EM. Anyone coming with us?" They all stood up. David smiled; a two-hour drive just to sit in a bar for two hours, then another two-hour drive back home. It was something that could only appeal to spacers. The day of the wedding hadn't come too soon for David. His headaches were rapidly getting worse to the point where Chico was giving him painkillers regularly and Denni had forced him into the bathtub last night for over two hours while she sat behind him and rubbed his back. His mother was simultaneously ecstatic and annoying. |