The Key (17 page)

“Excuse me.” He headed for the door.

Carey jumped up. “Me, too.”

Fyn didn’t bother to say anything, he just followed. So did Briggs.

They found the colonel in the corridor, looking both directions.

“Where the hell did she go?”

“I’m guessing the brig,” Briggs said.

“Good choice.” He spun on his heel and took off. Everyone got out of his way as they wound their way to the brig.

At the end of a corridor, a soldier sat at a desk, looking a bit bewildered. Clearly they were on the right track. He saw the colonel and jumped to his feet.

“Sir!”

“Is Donovan in there?” The man looked a bit unsure. “Red dress?”

He nodded. “She said she was under arrest.”

“She was right. Open the damn door.”

He dropped the keys twice before he got the door open. The colonel shoved him out of the way and strode through. They all followed.

Sara was standing behind bars, but at attention. She’d taken off her shoes. Fyn missed them. He liked those shoes.

“Open this door!”

Sara may have flinched. The guard rushed in and fumbled it open. Again he got shoved out of the way. The colonel walked right up to her, his face an inch from hers.

“What the hell do you think you were doing?”

“Singing, sir.”

He paced around her, managing to keep his glaring gaze fixed on her the whole time. She didn’t flinch or look anywhere but straight ahead.

“Singing? Shaking your—” he stopped, his jaw working for a minute. “You’re a disgrace to the—”

She looked at him then. They both knew why she wasn’t wearing her uniform.

“Explain yourself.”

She looked forward again. “You said to be
nice
, sir.”

“Nice?”

“Most guys seem to find a little leg action…
nice
. I thought ET would, too.”

“I thought it was nice,” Briggs put in.

“So did I,” Carey chimed in. “Damn nice. Over and above—”             

“Shut up, Colonel, or you’ll be in here with her.”

That didn’t seem like a punishment, Fyn thought.

“I’m sorry you didn’t think it was
nice
, sir.”

Their gazes clashed. Fyn could almost see sparks around them.

He was in a tough spot, because they all knew it had been very nice. She’d sent a message, but it had been wrapped up in
nice
.

“You…” he choked for a moment before gritting out, “you knew this would piss me off or you wouldn’t be in this cell. Why did you do it?”

“Permission to speak freely, sir.”

Another long staring session. Almost imperceptibly, Fyn saw his shoulders relax. He nodded sharply.

Her lips thinned for a long moment. “I earned the right to wear my uniform the same way you did and it should be
my
choice if I want to take it off.”

There was a long pause. “Sir, you can order me into hell and I’ll go, but I will not wear a dress again unless I choose to.”

She looked straight ahead again, her mouth set. Did she know that made her lower lip fuller and more…everything, Fyn wondered.

“I can ask for reassignment when the supply ship comes. Or you can shoot me.”

Fyn looked at Briggs, who shook his head. Carey didn’t look worried either.

The colonel chuckled. “Don’t go drama queen on me, Donovan.” He slanted a wry grin at her. “It was pretty nice.”

Color popped out on her cheeks. “I’m sorry, sir. I was…”

“…pissed. I got that. It’s a good look on you.”

Her lips twitched.

“I suppose I’d better get back to the…party. You’re welcome to rejoin us or you’re excused.”

“Thank you, sir.”

He turned to leave, then stopped. “You think it was a wrong move anyway, don’t you?”

She nodded. “Kilburn is a diplomat. It’s his instinct to downplay our military power, practically knee jerk, but this is a rough neighborhood. We don’t want—or need—a soft side here. At least, that’s my take on it.”

“Actually, mine, too. Next time I’ll listen to myself.” He strode out, shaking his head.

“So, you really never going to wear that dress again?” Briggs looked almost sad.

“I just said it would be my choice.” She swayed in a circle, her arms over her head, making her skirt dance. “Now that I’ve broken the ice, who knows?”

“You could wear it next time we dance.” Briggs looked hopeful.

“Only something without lifts. That would be a bit too much sharing.”

“Let’s get out of here before the colonel changes his mind,” Carey said.

Sara grabbed her shoes. Fyn held out his hand. She smiled and took it.

“So, sir, do we go back to the party or not?”

Carey stopped. “Don’t put this on me.”

“I wouldn’t call it a party, more like a wake,” Briggs said.

Carey looked her over. “I have to say, though, the longer you wear that dress the better the morale on this bucket will be.”

“Jeeze,” Sara made a face, “bad enough half the crew thinks I’m having kinky alien sex with—”

She stopped, color flaming into her face.

Carey grinned at Fyn. “Seems we’ve been missing all the good gossip while we were stuck down there on Kikk.”

Sara’s face was a study in contrasts. “I think I’ll just go find a hole to hide in.”

“Can I come, too?” Fyn asked. “If I’d known I was having kinky alien sex, I’d have come back sooner.” So that’s what sex was. Interesting.

Sara grinned. “I don’t remember naming aliens.”

They all looked at her, their brows raised.

“I could have met…another alien…while you were down there.” She lifted her chin defensively.

“Right. I think you should put your shoes back on as punishment for the duh moment,” Carey said.

Sara looked at Briggs, then at Fyn. He shrugged. He liked the shoes, too.

“Fine.” She sat down and strapped them on. She stood up. “Satisfied?”

Carey gave a half snort, half laugh. “Not even close, Donovan. Your table dance is going to haunt me for a long time.”

“I was
not
dancing. I was…walking with attitude.”

Briggs clasped his hands behind his back. “Good thing we’ll have the video to remind us of your…walk.”

Sara’s eyes widened. “No…”

Briggs grinned. “Security measure. Some days, life is just…good.” He turned and strolled away, humming
I Am Woman.

“Yeah, some days life is just great,” Sara muttered. Over the top of her head, Fyn mouthed to Carey,
can I get a copy?

He nodded and gave him a thumbs up.

Apparently Sara decided to change the subject. “Would it help the colonel if I went back?”

Carey looked at her. “Probably. But he can take care of himself. You don’t really want to, do you?”

She leaned against Fyn’s arm.

“I was on duty all night. And I think I’m back on tomorrow.”

He looked at her. “Go get some rest, Donovan. Sleep well, knowing you have been the bright spot in an otherwise dull day.”

Sara nodded. “Right. Glad I could help out. Really.”

Carey grinned, then nodded at Fyn. “See you.”

Fyn nodded back, watching him leave them alone. Well, as alone as anyone could be on this ship.

He slid his hand around her waist, marveling at the softness of the fabric of her dress. It was so thin, he could feel the warmth of her skin through it. There was so much he wanted to say to her, but it all seemed wrong.

“I like the dress.”

She smiled. “I guess I don’t mind it as much as I thought I would. I had no idea it would be such a…hit. Evie would have gotten a kick out of it.”

He could see the day’s tensions sliding out of her, leaving her looking as soft as the dress, though unfortunately tired.

“Let’s get you back to your quarters.” It was probably for the best. She was way too tempting like this. Considering how tempting she was in her uniform, it was a lot of tempting.

They walked slowly, a necessity with those shoes. Sara didn’t seem to mind, or notice, he left his arm around her waist, his hand at the curve of her hip and waist.

At her door, she turned to smile up at him, tiredness draining animation from her face, but not her appeal. For a rare moment, they were alone in the corridor. Fyn cupped her face with his hand. He was almost afraid to kiss her. She was different like this, more dangerous to his self control.

“I’m sorry I’m flaking out on you. You could come in and watch a movie or something, if you don’t mind my snoring.”

“If I came in now, that gossip might come true.”

A bit of color tinged her cheeks to pink. “I’m not sure I could stay awake.”

He grinned and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

“Good night.”

Sara’s hand snaked up his chest and around his neck, tugging him down.

“I’m not
that
tired.”

But she was, so Fyn kept it gentle. “Go to bed, lady in red, before I forget we’re not bond mates.”

“We call it marriage,” Sara said, stopping to look at him over her shoulder. “And this,” she pointed from him to her, “is called dating. At least, I think it is.”

“Okay.” How did a man get from dating to marriage, he wondered, though he knew he shouldn’t.

She turned back, reached up and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

“You just ask,” she whispered, as if she’d read his mind. She stepped inside her quarters and the door slid shut between them.

Six

       The next morning, Xever contacted the
Doolittle
, interested, he claimed in seeing Sara do a “throw out” with one of his men. Halliwell looked both amused and annoyed when he summoned Sara to tell her about it.

“Can you take one of his guys?” he asked her.

“Not if he’s built like Fyn.” Xever was just a bit under her height and a bit on the weedy side. His aides were slightly smaller copies. “I know I could take
him
, but I guess he’s afraid to get beat up by a girl.”

“Maybe it’s a leader thing,” Carey said. “A Supreme leader thing.”

“I’d really like you to take this guy,” Halliwell admitted.

“Then I will, sir.” Sara tried to exude confidence.

“You sure?” He looked worried now.

“I won’t let our side down. Besides, they seem to need… enlightenment.” She smiled, forgetting to keep it cool or remote. “Might as well learn it from a…drama queen.”

Halliwell chuckled. “You’re turning out to be quite the surprise, Captain.”

Sara kept her smile, but it wasn’t easy. He had no clue how surprising she could be.

Since her squadron was on duty at twelve hundred hours, they decided to get the throw down done as quick as possible. In short order, Sara found herself in the exercise room, in exercise clothes, waiting for their arrival.

Xever came in first, flanked by the two aides from last night. Sara schooled her face as she waited for her adversary. It was almost insulting when he finally came in. He was about her height, with a sandy complexion and a sturdy build. He didn’t look happy.

Unless he had hidden depths, this was going to be a cakewalk.

She exchanged a glance with Fyn. His eyes warned her not to make assumptions. She gave a slight nod.

“Captain.” Xever walked up to her, his face lighting up when he saw her.

Sara had her hands clasped behind her back, just in case he got grabby again. “Good morning, sir.”

“This is Hama Colec. Colec, this is Captain Donovan.”

Colec’s head sort of moved, but he didn’t speak. His eyes dismissed her. Apparently no one had warned him not to make assumptions.

“Would you like a few minutes to warm up?” Sara asked him.

His brows arched. He looked down his nose. “I am ready.”

“Really? We thought you might like to—”

“
I am ready
.” It clearly annoyed him to have to speak to her twice in one minute.

Sara looked at Carey and Halliwell. They both shrugged and nodded. Sara gestured for him to step out on the mat.

He nodded sharply and turned his back on her. He shouldn’t have. Sara hit him on the back of the neck with her elbow. He went down without a sound. She waited a minute, but he didn’t get up. She hadn’t really expected him to.

Kilburn sputtered a bit before he managed to get out, “That was hardly fair—”

Sara just looked at him, one brow arching slightly, then looked away, rolling her eyes.

“He said he was ready.” Carey signaled to a couple of men to move him off the mat. “First rule of the throw down, never turn your back on your opponent.”

Sara knew Xever was looking at her. She could feel it.

“He probably needs a doctor,” Kilburn said.

“It is a hard head,” Xever said, clearly amused. “It will recover more quickly than his pride.”

“If you’d like to see the Captain spar with someone who is ready for her,” Halliwell said, “we’ve got time before she goes on duty.”

“Please.”

Sara looked at Fyn, and he nodded, moving out onto the mat.

He didn’t make the mistake of turning his back on her.

Sara, showing off, did a series of back walkovers to her spot across from him.

“But he is—” Xever sounded shocked.

“He won’t hurt her…much.” Carey had his feet planted and his arms crossed over his chest. He looked prepared to enjoy himself.

Thanks for the vote of confidence, sir.

“Ten bucks says I can knock him down.” Sara started to circle. She knew she couldn’t keep him down without doing more damage than the moment called for.

Fyn grinned, but Sara noticed he shifted his shoulders, as if to loosen them up.

“You’re on.”

“I’m in, too,” Halliwell said.

“I’ll put ten on
Chewie
to stay on his feet.”

“Me, too.”

Sara wasn’t sure who was talking and couldn’t afford to look and see. It was enough to know they were all betting against her. She was at her best when she had something to prove.

“My ten’s on the
girl.
”

That was Briggs. She wasn’t surprised he’d bet on her. He’d seen her knock Fyn down already.

Fyn made a move and she managed to dodge it and his third arm didn’t get her this time. She knew his moves better. He thought he knew hers.

She did a few things she’d done before, hoping to lure him into a false sense of security. He didn’t seem too lured. He sent her flying. She was up again and going back in, watching and waiting for the right moment.