I wander around the rather large department, peeking my head into open doorways, seeing if I can spot either Krystal or D’Uhurn. I finally find the two of them talking in an open office. My heart drops a little when I see the doleful look on D’Uhurn’s face and the dejected set of Krystal’s shoulders. Shit.
“Hey guys,” I call out cheerfully as I head towards the duo. “I was just stopping by to make sure your department knows there is going to be a Presenting Ceremony next Monday. If you could please make sure any maintenance and repairs for the ceremony chamber and the main reception hall happen before that day, I would appreciate it.”
When D’Uhurn turns to grab his tablet and check the schedule, I mouthHow’s it going?at Krystal. The sad thumbs down paired with an exaggerated pout is not good news. Glancing at D’Uhurn, I see he is still clicking through his tablet, so I nod my head toward the exit and mouth,Let me talk to him.
“You know what, I forgot I’ve got a… thing I need to do,” Krystal announces.
I barely keep from facepalming as D’Uhurn looks at her in alarm. She skips out of the room as D’Uhurn opens his mouth, probably to call her back and grill her on her weird behavior, but I prevent it.
“Hey!” I say brightly, stepping in front of D’Uhurn, cutting him off from following after Krystal. “How are you doing?”
“What?” D’Uhurn glances at me distractedly, before turning his attention back to the doorway that Krystal escaped through.
I decide to change tactics.
“I’m worried about Krystal,” I tell D’Uhurn.
Well.Thatgets his undivided attention.
“What do you mean?” he demands.
“She seems like she’s been down lately. Just super sad. Maybe even depressed. Did something happen to upset Krystal? You’re her boyfriend, I’m sure she must have told you. Are you guys doing okay?” I know the answer; I am just trying to get him to open up to me. D’Uhurn has never come across as a chatty type of guy. I may have to lure him out.
“We are no longer dating,” D’Uhurn states solemnly.
“She broke up with you?” I exclaim in fake consternation.
“Uh, no. Since I am leaving with the main fleet to face the Ostium queen, I thought it best to call things off before leaving. She will be free to pursue any available male or to return to the safety of Earth.”
“Krystal loves you, you idiot. You’re hurting her by pushing her away. But if you don’t want her anymore, you should be honest with her. You shouldn’t string someone along if you’ve lost interest.”
“I have not lost interest!” D’Uhurn growls at me. “I’m protecting her. I don’t want to make promises if I might not come back. It’s not fair to ask Krystal to wait for me. I should leave her available to create a bond with a male who isn’t leaving.” I can see what he thinks of Krystal replacing him.
“Oh, so you think she’s unable to make decisions for herself?” I ask, blinking my eyes innocently. I’ve set the trap. Let’s see if he’s dumb enough to step into it.
“No! Of course not. Krystal can make decisions for herself. She is very intelligent. I just don’t want her to feel obligated to wait for me. And I don’t like the thought of her in danger on the ship without me here to protect her.”
“Dude! Pull your head out of your ass and see what you have right in front of you! Try asking her whatshewants. Don’t insult her intelligence by thinking you know what she needs better than she does. If she says she wants you, you should believe that. Also, do you truly believe it’s safer on Earth than here on the ship? Isn’t it better that Krystal is on a Cerastean ship filled with people who would happily step between her and any danger?” I say, barely keeping myself from shaking the big dumb idiot in front of me.
“What if something happens to me and I don’t make it back? I hate the thought of her waiting for me only to have her heart broken if I die,” D’Uhurn argues.
“As if those feelings would change if she were back on Earth. At least here, she would be surrounded by friends. By people who understand what she is going through. I don’t know why you keep making up unnecessary obstacles. Sometimes, you just have to live for today. Each day is a gift, I would know. Tomorrow is never guaranteed. You should go for what you want,” I retort. “Whatdoyou want, D’Uhurn?”
His eyes slide back to the door that Krystal exited through.
I decide to cut the guy some slack. His heart’s in the right place. It’s his brain that’s getting in his way.
“D’Uhurn,” I say, giving his enormous shoulder a reassuring pat. “You are lucky. Not everyone gets what you and Krystal have. Stop keeping her at arm’s length and talk to her. You guys can figure this out together if you actually listen to one another.”
With a final pat on his shoulder, I leave D’Uhurn behind with a thoughtful expression on his face. As I head out of the Maintenance department, I look around to check on Krystal, but I have no idea which direction she went.
Shrugging, I decide to move on to Laney. It will give me a chance to hint to her and L’Arc how Trinh is a lovely name for a baby. I would even be willing to settle for the middle name.
* * *
I thoughtI had given myself more than enough time to get ready for my date with L’Corte, but I didn’t plan for the fact that suddenly none of my clothes look right on me anymore. I want to knock L’Corte’s sock off. After thirty minutes of trying on half the items in my closet, I sigh in defeat. I need backup. I call Laney in as reinforcement because I trust her fashion sense. I only have to wait a few minutes before the chime to my dorm rings. When the door slides open, I laugh when I see Laney brought her own reinforcements. Standing back, Laney, Maya, Ally, Sara, and Chelsea stream into the living room. I’m about to ask Chelsea why she is carrying two bottles of champagne before I think better of it.
“You have any glasses? No big deal if you don’t. We can always drink it redneck style. My Meemaw always swore champagne tasted better straight from the bottle anyways,” Chelsea jokes. I point over to a small hutch with a few random dishes. We mostly eat in the galley or the mess hall, so my roommates and I only keep a few odds and ends in the dorm.
