“And modest, too,” he snorted. “No wonder you had so much trouble in Tildor.”
“Name me a normal woman who wouldn’t have trouble on Tildor,” I countered, watching him press buttons on the box. “Any woman with an ego bigger than a bird’s eye would have trouble there.”
“No need to tell me the size of your ego,” he commented, leaning back in his seat to grin at me. “Dameron told me what you’re paying for my time with.”
“That’s not ego, that’s fact,” I shrugged, answering his grin with one of my own. “I’m good and I know it. False modesty is as stupid as egotism.”
“But a little restraint in patting yourself on the back is highly recommended,” he rejoindered, his tone dry. “It saves wear and tear on the arm muscles.”
“Oh, after a while the muscles get used to it,” I said, for some reason enjoying the idea that he seemed to be annoyed. I was willing to bet he’d matched up with Fallan a lot easier than someone else would have.
“You have an answer for everything, don’t you?” he asked, leaning forward to put his forearms on the table. “That’s one of the things about you that got to Fallan.”
“I have to have all the answers,” I shrugged again. “I usually work alone, so if an answer doesn’t come from me, it doesn’t come at all.
It’s something that’s helped me to survive.”
“I’d almost forgotten about that,” he blinked, sitting back a little.
“The girls here at the base work as part of a team, but you work all alone.”
“I’ve worked with teams,” I smiled, “but as a matter of strict fact, I prefer working alone. That way there’s less confusion about who the enemy is, and if something goes wrong you also know who to blame.”
“That’s one way of looking at it,” he agreed. “But I don’t see how that ties in with your wanting me with you. You can’t work alone if I’m there.”
“You’d be surprised at what I can do,” I laughed. “But there won’t be any problem. Your unique -talents- will balance out any petty distractions, and I’ll still know whom to blame.”
Suddenly he sat up straight, disquieted.
“I don’t think I like the sound of that,” he said, his eyes going hard. “That sounded like everything that goes wrong will be my fault.”
“You’re awfully touchy, aren’t you?” I asked in annoyance, frowning now. “All I meant was that we’ll be in my territory and I’ll still be responsible no matter who does what. Do you expect to know what’s happening right from day one?”
“I’m not an inexperienced amateur,” he answered, his entire manner having gone stiff. “I don’t have to be led around by the hand, and I’m big enough to be responsible for my own actions. Save the excuses for what you do on your own.”
“I don’t make excuses,” I told him flatly, reacting to his tone. “I do what has to be done and take it from there. If that disagrees with you, maybe I’d do better with someone else.”
“Maybe you would,” he agreed and got to his feet, his eyes having turned very cold. He walked away from the table and out of the room, the pleasant atmosphere of a few minutes earlier gone to oblivion, and as I watched him disappear I decided it was good riddance with no regrets. I’d look through Dameron’s files and find someone with his talents but without his shoulder chip.
Without my noticing it, three dishes had appeared on the table. I recognized two of them so I pulled them closer and started eating. I was too annoyed to finish either of them, but decided that there was something I was in the mood for. I left everything where it was on the table, asked a couple of questions of other diners, then found my way to the lounge.
The room was yellow and white, with narrow and wide lump chairs scattered around, plus a glasslike stack of shelves with bottles and the odd-shaped hexagonal glasses on it. The first of the drinkables I poured went down smoother than I thought it would, so I poured a second glass, lit a cigarette, and made myself comfortable in one of the narrower chairs. I had just about decided that the wall hanging directly opposite my chair was a cubist representation of impressionism, when Dameron walked in. His eyebrows rose slightly in surprise, but he nodded anyway.
“I thought you’d be checking on your ship,” he commented as he poured something I swear was striped into a glass. “You haven’t decided to stay with us instead of going home, have you?”
“Not quite,” I answered, looking up at the ceiling. “I’m still anxious to start for home, but I’ve changed my mind. You can keep Valdon, and I’ll take someone else.”
“What made you change your mind?” he asked, turning away from the stack of glasses. “Under the circumstances I hate admitting it, but Valdon is the best I have here. If you think he won’t measure up, you’re not likely to find anyone better.”
“I’m not looking for better,” I answered and swallowed my drink.
“Friendlier, though, is another matter entirely. When can I look through your files?”
He took a chair of his own and got comfortable.
“Barring emergencies, our official work day is now over,” he said, staring at me over his stripe-filled glass rim. “As soon as Nelixan is back to work, I’ll have her show you who’s available.”
“And willing;” I amended, standing up to replace the glass I’d been drinking from. “Forcing someone into something doesn’t pay in the long run. It only turns them resentful. See you around, Dameron.”
I could feel his eyes on me as I walked out, and I didn’t understand his attitude. I’d expected him to do handsprings over getting his precious assistant back, but instead he seemed almost disappointed. I made my way through the different groups of people going toward the refectory, and went back to my room.
I sat and smoked for a while, but there wasn’t even anything to read.
I was bored stiff, and too restless to even think about going to bed, but nothing else came to mind. I wondered briefly what the base personnel did for amusement, then decided to find out. I’d been kept isolated before going down to Tildor, but the briefings were over and so was the isolation. I’d see to that.
I got out of the lump chair and started resolutely for the door, but it slid open before I could reach it and I was almost run down by Valdon, who was striding angrily into the room. he was the last one I wanted to see just then, but he stopped short and folded his arms, doing a good job of blocking the doorway.
“What do you mean, friendlier?” he demanded, sending that deep black stare down at me. “What’s wrong with my friendliness?”
“Oh, absolutely nothing!” I assured him sincerely. “Your sweetness attracts people by the thousands.”
“Damned right it does,” he nodded. “There isn’t a person in this base who doesn’t get along with me.”
“Take another look,” I suggested, folding my own arms. “If you try real hard, I’m sure you’ll be able to find at least one exception to that rule. Now if you don’t mind, I was just on my way out.”
The ice in my tone seemed to cool him down, and the angry look faded from his black-eyed stare.
“Now, look,” he said, taking a deep breath. “I don’t know how we got so far off the track, but how about calling a truce? We were supposed to get to know each other a little better, and this isn’t the way to do it.”
“Even if there was still a reason for us to get to know each other,”
I informed him, looking him up and down, “I couldn’t think of a better way to do it. And you’re still in my way.”
“I can think of a better way,” he murmured, letting those hunter’s eyes move over me. I was wearing a one-piece ship’s suit, but he was looking at me more with his memory than with his eyesight.
“I’ll just bet you can,” I drawled. “This is the last time I’m going to say it get out of my way.”
“Let’s talk about it,” he urged, putting his hand out toward me. “We can always argue tomorrow.”
“‘Never put off for tomorrow what you can do today,” I quoted then knocked his hand aside and sent a fist with all my body weight behind it right into his heart area. He went pale and doubled over with a grunt, but having changed his looks hadn’t changed his ability to take a punch. If I’d been right enough to remember that the Valdon in front of me was the Fallan who had been in that fight on Tildor I would have used a kick, but my eyes were playing tricks on my mind and I didn’t remember. It only came home to me when I tried to move past him to the door; he straightened up again, threw his arms around me, and pulled me down to the floor with him.
We rolled around panting and struggling, and I was better off than the last time I’d fought with him, but was still at a bad disadvantage. He was too damned big to stop with a casual blow, and he was making sure I didn’t get the chance to use anything else. He was good and mad, but he didn’t try getting any of his own back, not even the way he had the last time. He kept me down until he could grab my wrists and force them over my head, then used his body to hold mine down.
“Now then,” he continued, breathing hard. “Are you ready to talk things over like a real grown-up, or do we have to play more games first?”
“You son of a bitch, let me go!” I snarled, trying to break loose.
“There isn’t a damned thing you have to say that I want to hear!”
“It’s your choice, Missy.” he shrugged. “You probably couldn’t have handled being partners with me anyway. Have a good trip home.”
I thought he was going to let me up, but instead of moving away he grinned slightly then leaned down to kiss me! I squirmed trying to avoid it, but he just tangled his fingers in my hair to hold my head still. I was mad as hell that he would pull something that idiotic, but I still had no trouble noticing that he really gave a kiss his attention.
He took his time with the kiss, but before I realized it I was free and he was gone. I sat up slowly on the floor, disgusted with myself for closing my eyes like a vapid virgin. I decided I really must have been desperate to let him get to me like that, and then I remembered what he’d said. So I probably couldn’t handle being partners with him, huh? That damned egotist! The choice of who went with me was mine, and I had lust changed my mind again. We’d see how cocky he was after he had a taste of being a Federation agent!
I thought briefly about going out, then said to hell with it and stood up to get out of the ship’s suit I was wearing. I was in no mood for amusement, and the real entertainment would start the next day.
I was having what might be described as breakfast the next morning when Dameron came into the refectory. He looked as if he hadn’t had much sleep, and he collapsed at my table with a small grant and a large sigh.
“That’s some way to start a new work day,” I commented. “You look like you slept in your uniform. Is the night life that brisk around here?”
“It is when the Tildorani are involved,” he yawned, moving a weary hand through his hair. “I haven’t even been to bed yet. I thought I’d stop off first and tell you that Nelixan is expecting you to come by for the files. She can give you a hand until I wake up again.”
“Thanks anyway, but that won’t be necessary,” I said, deciding I’d had enough of whatever it was I’d been eating. “I’ve decided to stick with my original choice after all, so Valdon is back on the hook in spite of his winning ways. I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to hear it.”
“Are you sure?” he asked weakly, looking even more tired. “Maybe you need a little more time to think about it. Another day or two might show you someone you like better.”
“I don’t think so,” I denied, shaking my head “If what you said was true and Valdon is the best you have, I’d be short-hanging my government if I took anyone else.”
“I hope you mean it this time,” he said, pushing himself away from the table and to his feet. “I get dizzy every time your mind shifts.
Maybe you’re getting it from eating a dinner dessert for breakfast.
Let me give you one word of advice, girl. Valdon isn’t a man to appreciate being wanted for what he can do rather than what sort of person he is. Keep it in mind, and you might find getting along with him a little easier.”
He waved a hand and Left the refectory, giving me a chance to lean back and light a cigarette while I thought about what he’d said I didn’t know how Dameron had found out about it, but I had been looking at Valdon as an interesting specimen rather than as a person, and it had obviously come thirough to the man I’d intended partnering with. That would explain his touchiness, and I had to admit it was my fault. No one wants to be wanted for nothing more than some ability they happen to possess, and something like that would have gotten to me, too. Lack of proper nourishment had obviously given me a bad case of foot-in-mouth disease.
I looked down at what I’d been eating with a grimace, then left the table and asked my way to Nelixan’s office. She was an attractive woman in charge of all base files, and she nodded when she heard I wouldn’t be needing those files after all, but said she was disappointed: she’d been looking forward to giving me her private opinions of the males who were available. I grinned and made myself comfortable in a chair, then told her to go ahead anyway. Nelixan didn’t need much encouragement, and we spent a very entertaining couple of hours.
The workload finally got too high to be ignored, so I left Nelixan to it and went back out into the corridor. She had originally seemed like a quiet gal, but she certainly had gotten around. It would have been fun checking some of her conclusions, though.
“Find anybody yet?” a voice asked in a very neutral way, and I looked up to see Valdon standing in front of me.
I smiled pleasantly and said, “Uh hum. As a matter of fact I have made a choice. Nice-looking fellow, and highly thought of by his coworkers.”
“A true prince, I’m sure,” he said with desert overtones. “You think you’ll get along any better with him?”
“I’m sure of it,” I said in my best solemn voice. “I’ll be making every effort to smooth the way.”
“I’ll just bet you will,” he said in what was nearly a growl. “I wish you two the best. You’ll need it.”
He stomped off down the corridor, and I turned to watch him until he’d disappeared into a room. Very briefly I considered telling him what I’d meant, but decided quickly against it. He’d find out as soon as Dameron was back among the living, and I couldn’t resist twisting the knife in him a little. There was something about Valdon that brought out the worst side of my sense of humor, something that made me want to get even. Even for what I had no idea, but there was no confusion about the feeling. He was one man I had to get even with.