Cretaceous Sea

Con woke to the warmth of Rick's body next to hers. She wanted to make love again, but light was returning to the sky, and she felt exposed before the open colonnade without sheets or covers. With regret, she kissed Rick awake. 'I'd better go,' she said as she looked for her clothes. She dressed quickly, then hurried back to her room.

Jane entered only a few minutes later, bearing a food cube. Con was wondering whether she should thank her for re-moving the barrier when Jane asked a question. 'What is a chimpanzee?'

'It's an ape,' replied Con. 'They used to live in ... Where did you hear that word? Have you been listening to us?'

'Respond to my question.'

'So that's why you let me loose—so you could play Peep-ing Tom!'

'I do not understand your term.'

Con stared at Jane as her emotions wavered between hu-miliation and anger. 'You watched us last night!'

'I am a scientist. I conducted research.'

'Are we nothing but specimens to you?' Con rose angrily to leave. Jane made no move to stop Con as she strode into the snow. When Con was halfway to Rick's quarters, she turned and shouted, 'I SAID IT

WAS PRIVATE!'

Rick's smile at Con's approach transformed to concern when he saw her furious expression. 'What's the matter?' he asked.

'Jane's been watching us like bugs in a jar,' Con said. 'She probably recorded us last night for some damned lec- ture—'The Mating Habits of Homo sapiens.' '

Rick put his arms around Con. 'Don't let her spoil last night,' he said.

'Nothing can spoil that,' said Con. 'I'm just mad and embarrassed at once. What's worse, I should have guessed what she was up to. I feel so stupid.'

'You're supposed to do stupid things,' said Rick. 'You're in love.'

'Be serious,' said Con. 'This really bothers me.'

'I'm sorry. It bothers me, too.'

'We could be dead soon,' said Con. 'This is our last chance to be together and ... and ...' She dissolved into tears.

Rick gently held her. 'Don't give up hope,' he said qui-etly.

'I have a feeling we're not going back. I think that's what my dream was about.'

'What dream?'

'I dreamed Joe brought a message from my father.'

'That you were going to die?'

'No, I woke up before I heard the message.'

'It's nothing,' said Rick, 'just your subconscious imag-ining things.'

'I can't get it out of my head,' mused Con. 'Joe called me 'Constance,' and he never did that.'

'It was a dream' said Rick. 'Dreams don't make sense.'

'For some reason, I feel this one should.'

Rick shrugged. 'What should we do about Jane?'

'I don't know,' said Con. 'I feel weird, knowing she's watching us.'