“What seems to be the problem?” John’s voice caught them both by surprise.
“Nothing, sir,” Rodgers answered.
“He is!” Kat spun around toJohn. “Keep him away from me! I never want to see him again!”
John saw the hurt on her face. She was about to cry. Being angry was the only thing stopping her.
“Mister Rodgers, I suggest youleave.” It was not a suggestion; it was an order. The even tone left no doubtabout that.
“But, sir –”
“Now, Mister Rodgers.” Johndidn’t want to raise his voice. But he would if he had to. “I will see you inmy quarters at seven hundred. Don’t be late.”
Rodgers looked sulkily from Johnto Kat and back again. “Sir,” he acknowledged John’s order and stormed noisilyaway.
His footsteps faded to nothing.
“Kat.”
John’s tender voice was all ittook for Kat to throw herself at him. His arms went around her shoulders. Sheclutched his jacket in both hands, burying her head in his chest, her bodytrembling as the tears streamed down her face.
“It’s all right,” he soothed. One hand moved to stroke her hair. His fingers brushed away the hair that hadbecome plastered to her face, looping it behind her ear. He held her for aslong as she needed him. Nothing else seemed important.
The sobs eased as she relaxed.
He lowered his right hand andgently lifted her chin with his forefinger until she met his eyes. “We’re bothgoing to drown if you keep this up.”
It brought a smile to her tearstained face. “I’ll be all right now.” She tried to put on a brave front.
“Good. McReidy’ll take you backto your quarters.”
“No. I want you.” Her arms slidunder his and met behind his back. She squeezed him tightly to her.
“All right, I’ll take you back,”he gave in.
Her grip loosened slightly.
“I’ll see you in the morning,” hetold McReidy. The softness Kat had evoked was still in his voice.
All the women knew his weakness. He had a protective instinct that made him vulnerable. A man they could turnto in times of need. A few tears was all it took to bring it out. But heavenhelp any woman who tried to abuse his nature and penetrate the depths of hisheart. A woman’s charms could be dangerous. There was a chilling coldnessthat warned not to take advantage; that he had been pushed too far.
* * *
John didn’t get much sleep thatnight. It had taken him well over an hour to settle Kat. For somebody whodidn’t want to discuss it, she had barely been able to restrain herself. Hedidn’t want all the intimate details. He got them anyway.
He was at his desk reading anengineering report when Rodgers arrived. A fresh mug of coffee was steamingbeside him. Hopefully, he could get through this before it got cold.
“Would you mind explaining lastnight?”
“I’d rather not, sir.” A nervousRodgers remained at attention.
“Then I will explain it to you. From what I hear, Kat – Nurse Lockett,” he corrected himself immediately,“found you in the arms of another woman.”
“Yes, sir.” There was no use indenying that much.
“And you would have made love tothis other woman?”
Rodgers blushed uncomfortably,refusing to answer.
“I take it that’s a yes.”
“That’s none of your business…sir,” Rodgers burst out.
“Yes, it is. I don’t care whatyou get up to in your personal life, but I will not have it affect the runningof my ship. You,” the emphasis was thrown directly on Rodgers, “willstraighten this out. If it continues, I will have to transfer someone out ofhere.”
“You can’t transfer Kat oversomething like this.”
“I didn’t necessarily say itwould be her. I will keep whoever I consider to be the greatest asset to thisship. Do I make myself clear?”
Rodgers suddenly found his ownposition under threat. “Yes, sir.”
John picked up the engineeringreport. He tossed it across the desk to Rodgers. “Is that accurate?”
Rodgers picked up the report andscanned through it in a matter of seconds. “Unfortunately, it is.”
“Dismissed.”
Rodgers put the report on thedesk and made a hurried exit.
John picked up his mug and leanedback in his chair. The coffee had stopped steaming but it was still hot. Hesuddenly thought he had let Rodgers off too easily. After all, he hadn’t beenthe one kept up all night comforting Kat. Maybe he should have been left tothe mercy of the two women. No… they would have torn him apart. In fact, hewould probably spend the rest of his life trying to avoid them. That would bepunishment enough.
John yawned and picked up theengineering report. He still had time for a quick read before he wasofficially on duty. Officially or not, he felt like he was on duty twenty fourhours a day.
He liked to be on the bridgeearly. It gave him a chance to catch up on anything that may have happenedduring his absence. Humphries reported that the shields were still notfunctioning properly – a confirmation of the report he had just read.
It looked like they were goingto have to pull in somewhere for repairs. According to the latest updates fromCommand, they were out of enemy territory, but that was no reason to relaxtheir standards. The border changed like a leaf in the wind.
It took him a short while tocorrelate their current position to the nearest suitable depot. They could bethere by the end of the day. The new course was plotted and laid in before themorning shift started. A brief statement informed the crew of the change.
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Chapterthirteen
The repair dock was in theBachaan system. Bachaans had a good agreement with Earth and many other worldsfor reliable repairwork to varying types of ships. They were also willing totake kickbacks for underhanded activities that didn’t directly affect suchagreements. Caution being the better part of discretion, John warned his crewbefore allowing leave.
They were welcome there, theGeneral Manager told them. They could avail themselves of the facilities whiletheir ship was repaired. And would they be paying directly or should the billbe forwarded to Earth?
John tried not to show histension at the question as the pale eyes sought to discover his intent.
“That will depend
