“The man I look to must look to me.” Heaven Langley.

Heaven stood in the door of Sam's personal transport. It was dawn, the land was misty. She watched another transport settle in front of the house. Four guards would stand sentry, two at the front and two at the back. Turning inside, Heaven tapped the pad that brought the door down.

She called to the pilot as she walked to her seat. “Okay. Take me up.”

Shi'nese stepped from the second transport and watched the King's ship lift off. Armed guards followed her from the transport and moved immediately to their positions. Shi'nese tugged her pigtails and adjusted the red plaid shirt she wore. With her faded blue jeans, she felt the epitome of country womanhood. As she watched the transport lift away, a private skid approached from the north. Shi'nese folded her arms,, wishing she had had the foresight to bring a coat.

A thin man with a goatee exited the skid followed by Raul. The Prince waved as he approached. “Is that you, Shi'nese? Can I believe my eyes?”

Shi'nese answered, “I didn't expect the Prince to be here.”

Crispin approached with an eager and foolish grin. “Are we ready to square dance?”

The attention delighted Shi'nese. She smiled down at her country attire and bounced merrily on her toes. Raul and Crispin adjusted their positions in a clumsy manner and Raul extended a hand toward the country home.

“Ladies first,” said Raul. “Yeah. We're here to see Besh.”

“We used to run with him,” added Crispin.

Shi'nese smiled back over her shoulder as she walked to the house. “The King,” she said, “has asked me to be eyes on.”

“Impressive,” said Raul in reply.

Crispin rushed to the door and opened it for Shi'nese. As Raul passed a grinning Crispin, he leaned in with a harsh whisper. “I wanted to do that.”

In a gay voice, Shi'nese called out, “We're here.”

The twins, embracing on the couch, waved at her entry. Ben ran down the stairs, all but tripping over a broad smile. “Shi'nese! Raul! Crispin!” he hailed.

“What do you think?” Shi'nese asked Ben as she spread her arms and made a spin for show.

“Plaid,” said Ben. “I have one, too.”

“Not what I was fishing for,” said Shi'nese.

“You are lovely,” said Raul.

Shi'nese stood before Ben and pulled at the collar of his shirt. “I brought four burly guards. They're outside as we speak.”

With a smile, Ben answered, “I feel safer already. Have you seen the kitchen?”

Raul pulled the two apart. “Besh, let Shi'nese see the kitchen alone. We need to have a word.”

A pout on her lips, Shi'nese skipped to the kitchen. Ben turned to Raul. “I hear that name a lot. Is that what I used to be called? What does it mean?”

Raul placed an arm over Ben's shoulders and said, “Short for Ben Edward Shuller.”

Slipping on their coats, Affe and Aggi went to stand on the porch and enjoy the cool dawn arm in arm. A distant noise caused Affe alarm.

“What's that noise?” asked Affe.

Aggi answered, “I think it's a rooster.”

Affe turned to look into his sister's eyes. "Really? Crowing sounds so painful.”

Ben was seated on the sofa between Raul and Crispin, wondering what was up. He turned uncertainly between the two, looking each of them in the face.

“So,” began Crispin, stretching the word. “We were wondering. Do you still have your little bag?”

Ben shook his head, looking between them. “No. I don't have a bag. What little bag?”

“Never mind,” said Raul. “Any new memories?”

“Bits and pieces,” said Ben. “Guess what? Heaven hugged me. I think she likes me.”

“Oh?” asked Raul, sharing a smile with Crispin. “You seem to really be into her.”

Ben nodded at Raul, then turned and nodded at Crispin. “She's wonderful.”

“In that case,” ventured Crispin, “just to be on the safe side, you should learn self-defense.”

Shi'nese stepped from the kitchen and called, “What do you want to eat?”

“Spaghetti,” answered Ben.

In Sam's private room onboard the Co'Hwaul, Heaven stood grudgingly, ruing her decision to answer the King's call. What she wanted least, first thing in the morning, was another confrontation. Her stomach reminded her she had not yet eaten.

Sam was at a loss. Despite his anger at losing her affection to the new Besh, he could not let Heaven go, and he knew confrontation would drive her further away. He wanted to put Heaven at ease. He wanted his better nature to shine, and judging from the noises in her belly, maximum breakfast, and minimum conversation might fit the bill.

“Please be calm,” said Sam. “I'm not here to badger you. I've just missed you and thought a quiet breakfast wouldn't be out of line.”

Heaven answered, “I should really be with Ben.”

Sam waved an idle hand through the air and pressed a smile toward Heaven. “Relax,” he said. “He has those twins. My son and Crispin are with him. He's covered. Believe me. I sent down four of my best men with Shi'nese to protect him.”

“Oh no,” said Heaven, her eyes turning cold. “Tell me you didn't put that gold digger next to my PUP.”

Heaven's tone was ice, her words sharp and cutting. Sam's mouth dropped open as he stammered ineffectively, unable to form a response. Why did Heaven object to Shi'nese? Granted, she was only a cadet, but she was highly trained. Before Sam could speak, Heaven headed for the door.

Heaven all but raged. “I'll pull that hussy's hair out by the roots. Take me down. Now.”

Defeated before the match, Sam could only follow Heaven. He could kick himself. His plan had failed for a slip of the tongue.

Sam caught up with Heaven on the porch of her family home. Unseen, the front guards stood at attention. Sam took Heaven's arm and pulled her around. Her eyes were fierce.

“You're too upset,” said Sam. “I'll put Shi'nese on the transport and take her back. Calm down and let me take care of it.”

Just then, Raul stepped out on the porch and closed the door. “Dad,” he said, surprised. “I'm glad you're here. I need to run something past you. Hi, Heaven. Maybe you can give me your opinion.”

It was a full moment, poised to burst at the seams. Crispin, Ben, and Shi'nese stood before the kitchen door. Crispin pulled Ben to face him. “That's all?” he asked. “I think I like you better as a young man.”

From behind Ben, Shi'nese said, “I know one thing he'll remember.”

Shi'nese reached between Ben's arms and raked her fingers across his ribs. Ben convulsed in laughter, writhing like a young child in a mother's grip. “Stop!” he cried. “I'm ticklish.”

Heaven stormed through the door. She marched across the room and put a fist in the usurper's face. Shi'nese fell against the wall and bounced back with a right jab. Heaven took the arm, turned, and tossed Shi'nese to the floor. On the upstairs landing, Affe leaned over and saw the two women on the floor, each with a handful of hair. He turned and called to his sister. “Catfight!”

Ben stepped in while Crispin danced back. Ben took both women to pull them apart. For his effort, Ben caught a left intended for Shi'nese. He fell back against a small table and crushed it beneath him.

Crispin opened a direct line to Raul. “Raul! They're fighting.”

Sam rushed in through the front door, his son on his heels. As Ben stumbled up from the floor, Sam and Raul waded in, Sam taking Heaven and Raul taking Shi'nese. Holding them apart was no easy task as the women thrashed, fire in their eyes and smoke trailing their insults.

Heaven pulled away from Sam and screamed at the ceiling. “Get out!” she yelled, turning to slash the interlopers with seething disdain. “Get out! Get out! All of you. Get the hell out of my house!”

Her hair was a mess; her blouse was torn. Heaven walked to the couch and fell in a heavy heap. She laid back and covered her eyes with an arm. Her chest rose and fell as she sought control. Upstairs, the twins quietly went to their room. Raul took Crispin by the arm and walked him outside. With a guilty shake of his head, Sam pushed Shi'nese ahead of him and closed the front door.

Ben stood by the wall, bewildered. Ignoring the pain in his back, he stared at Heaven on the couch across the room. His sense of guilt was strong. He had smiled with a strange woman. How could he apologize? Would Heaven forgive him? He took a step toward Heaven and stopped. It was his fault.

Ben took another step and stopped as Heaven's arm dropped from her eyes. He watched her palm tears from her face and roll to an angry sitting position. From the first moment he saw her in the hospital waiting room, Ben knew Heaven was special. Heaven increasingly filled a vital need in Ben's life. Heaven was like air. She was like water. He couldn't lose her.

Ben walked to the couch, penitent, contrite, with clasped hands, willingly placing his head on the chopping block. His heart beat out of time. “I'm sorry, Heaven,” said Ben. “I was wrong. But, I couldn't help it. I'm ticklish. I didn't want to laugh, but I couldn't stop.”

Heaven looked up into Ben's pleading face. Then she stood. Then she slapped him to the floor.

Sam stood below his transport. He took Shi'nese by the chin and turned her head to examine minor scratches and a small bruise. He grunted.

“Board,” said Sam. “We'll speak later.”

As Shi'nese boarded, Raul walked over from his skid. With an easy smile, he said, “Wild. Huh?”

Sam placed a heavy hand on his son's shoulder and said, “Go. Work on the embassy. The crew should be there soon.”

Raul said, “You look upset. Furioso. You okay?”

Sam turned his face to the two-story house. His eyes hardened for a moment, then he turned back to Raul. He did not speak, he simply nodded his head toward Raul's skid. Raul got the message. The King looked spent as he turned and walked up the short ramp. Raul watched the transport lift away. Crispin joined him in silence as the ship became a small speck in the morning sky.

Crispin ran his hand up and down Raul's back. “What a morning,” said Crispin. “I thought Heaven and Shi'nese were friends.”

Raul turned and looked deeply into Crispin's eyes. “Until this morning,” replied the Prince, “They weren't enemies.”

“So, what happened?” asked Crispin, turning to look at the house.

Raul answered with a shrug. “Shi'nese played the vixen.”

“Wait,” said Crispin. “They were fighting over Besh?”

“Yeah,” said Raul, walking to the skid. “It looks like Heaven and Ben are now a thing. ¡Maldita sea! No Sorpresa dad's so bummed.”

Ben looked up from the throw rug with wide eyes. His hand was no remedy for the stinging on his face. The other side still throbbed from Heaven's powerhouse left. Heaven sat on the couch and glared at Ben, her eyes like fiery daggers. Ben could feel the heat. Would she still take him to meet the aliens? Would she still protect him, or would she push him under a speeding skid?

Heaven said, “The man I look to must look to me.” Ben nodded, his eyes locked with hers. She spoke in a tone that laid bare her disappointment. “That's the only way it can be.”

Heaven took a deep breath, rolled her eyes to the ceiling, and covered her face with both hands. When she looked back, he didn't know what to do. He had hurt Heaven. He wished he wasn't ticklish.

Heaven narrowed her eyes. “ So. You like alien girls in pigtails.” It was a challenge, not a question.

Ben shook his head. He was afraid to open his mouth. He might say something stupid and drive Heaven further away. He longed for Heaven's embrace.

“Get up,” said Heaven. “Sit over here.”

Ben rolled to his hands and knees. Though shining through potentially treacherous terrain, there seemed to be a glimmer of hope dawning on his horizon. Then, Heaven gasped.

“You're bleeding!” cried Heaven. “Turn around.” She pulled the back of his shirt up to his shoulders; he could feel the wound throb anew. “I have a kit in the bathroom. Take your shirt off.” Heaven ran for the upstairs bathroom. It occurred to her that her left had caused him to fall.

Searching the cabinet, she said to her face in the mirror, “I can fix this.” She searched below the sink and stood, kit in hand. “I'm usually such a nice person,” said Heaven.

She stepped from the bottom stair and looked across the room at Ben. He stood by the couch, shirt removed and hugging his torso as if cold. For a moment, Heaven was impressed by his stature. Ben was lithe and somewhat muscular. Upon seeing her at the stairs, Ben dropped his arms like a timid adolescent. A splash of hair stood out on his chest.

Heaven cleared her throat on the way. “Sit on the floor,” she said.

Ben sat between Heaven's knees and winced at the application of alcohol. Heaven placed a bandage with care, then sat with her hand on Ben's firm back. Knowing herself, Heaven had to mentally kick herself into a grudging apology.

“Sorry,” said Heaven. She placed her hands on his lean shoulders and squeezed. “I shouldn't have slapped you.”

Ben turned to face Heaven, crossing his legs where he sat. He searched Heaven's eyes, happy to see the fire gone. He said, “I'm really sorry, Heaven. I try so hard.” He tapped his chest with a clenched fist. “But, I'm new at everything. I'm,” he paused in search of a word, then spoke passionately, “stupid!”

“No,” said Heaven with a shake of her head.

Ben pressed on. “I know you have a temper, but I don't want to lose you. You're like sunshine. That's where I want to be.”

Heaven said, “Okay, but, it'll take some time.”

Sam sat in a seat by the wall. The Co'Hwaul's medical station was quiet and smelled of disinfectant. He stared between his legs at the floor, his mind blank, his mood dark. The usual noises left no impression on him; all was a distant din until Shi'nese stepped up before him. He looked up to see one small bandage on his cadet's cheek.

“All done,” said Shi'nese, attempting a smile.

Sam stood and exited the medical station without speaking. Shi'nese caught up and matched his stride. In the passageway, workers stepped aside with a salute to their King. Sam did not see them; he gazed at the floor just ahead of himself.

“She's not right for you,” said Shi'nese. “She's hot-headed and flighty. Let her go, Your Majesty. She's not your type.”

Sam glanced at Shi'nese as if struck. “And you,” said Sam. “You're competing for the attention of a man who doesn't know who he is.”

“I admit,” said Shi'nese, “the novelty of his youth is appealing. I might have found pleasure, but he's a boy. I prefer a man with a rugged character.”

Sam assessed his cadet and shook his head. “What's your game?”

“I will speak boldly, Your Majesty.” Shi'nese took the King's arm and pulled him to a stop. “Forget the Terran. For a season, she served the King's amusement, but the King should take a woman of noble Orlainese lineage. You deserve a woman devoted to the Blood King.”

“Who would you suggest?” asked Sam.

Shi'nese stood straight and answered with resolve. “Not to put too fine of a point on it, but I would suggest the woman standing before you.”