Now it was Tierney's turn to be incredulous. "What? But... but you'll be in the Squad. You could become commander again!"

"I cannot accept," he repeated, "not knowing that it cost you your freedom. I would rather endure exile with you than imagine you with another."

"This isn't just for you, son," said the Vice President. "Humanity has turned your girlfriend into a symbol of Relican oppression. If she willingly chooses to remain with your people, it will go a long way in patching things up between our two species."

A pair of Relicans in light gray uniforms appeared in the doorway. They eyed the scene before them, hovering in uncertainty until the Chief barked at them. Tierney watched them as they placed their commander's body on a stretcher.

"There must be another way," said Tausson, responding to the Vice President.

"We've discussed every other iteration --"

"Let her go to the cart," said Tausson, cutting Caleb off. "Let her continue her work as Relocation Liaison. Her willingness to continue working with the Relican people will be just as meaningful, even without her being Asteroid Mate."

"Being an Asteroid Mate is the highest honor we can bestow," said the Chief. "Allowing her to remain as one is a signal to the humans that Relicans are able to forgive, that we are not without compassion."

"Her mind and her abilities are more valuable to us than her body."

Tierney's heart warmed at Tausson's words. He probably wouldn't have said that not too long ago. He'd bought into the line that having a Relican child was the greatest achievement a woman could offer. Hearing him defend the importance of her mind made her love for him burn even brighter.

As the men continued to argue over her fate, Tierney began pacing the cell. Tausson was right. There had to be another way. She thought she'd exhausted all options earlier, but what Tausson had said about exile was sticking in her brain, making her think she'd missed something...

"She already agreed to this," the Vice President was saying.

"Let her speak to the President," said Tausson.

"I speak for the President."

Tausson's rumbling voice lowered even further as he said menacingly, "I don't trust you, and neither does Tierney."

"You're out of line, son," said Caleb.

"I was there," said Tausson, walking towards the Vice President with clenched fists. "I saw what you did to them."

"Tausson," chided the Chief.

"I've got it!" Tierney said, bringing their escalating argument to a halt. "Send Tausson and I to Lota. Now -- well before the cart is scheduled to arrive."

The three men made various sounds of confusion and surprise, and Tierney spoke over them.

"It solves all the problems." She looked at Caleb. "We need to show humanity that I'm acting under my own volition, and that I still consider the Relicans as trustworthy. If I go to the replacement planet with Tausson, then obviously I'm not being coerced, because I'll be with the man I love and my people -- eventually. And I could still act as liaison, providing reports about the progress being made on Lota that could be broadcast, showing the people that the Relicans really are making a home for us there, thus engendering trust."

Turning to the Chief, she continued. "The Relicans need to make an example of me and Tausson. If he goes to Lota, then he's no longer in the Squad, which is considered a fate worse than death to your people. I'm sure living on a foreign planet without any infrastructure will be difficult, so sending me there so far in advance of the cart will be perceived as a punishment, not amnesty. You also need to prove to humanity that the Relicans are forgiving and compassionate. Letting Tausson and I stay together is the ideal way of doing that."

Tausson had been watching her with obvious skepticism, but as she finished her explanation, his lips parted to reveal his white, even teeth in a big smile. Tierney wanted to return it, but she knew better than to show the Chief or Caleb how elated she was. If she looked too happy, they both might think it was too good a deal for her -- which, she had to admit, it might be. But she wasn't lying about it being good for humanity and the Relicans as well.

Chief Raleth was the first to speak. "The Asteroid Mates cannot expect romantic encounters with their mates. Letting you and Tausson remain united makes it appear as if we condone such action."

Tierney had expected this counterargument. "We can mitigate that in two ways. One: like I said, I'll record a statement telling all the potential Asteroid Mates what their expectations should be -- essentially that romance is out of the question, and that Tausson and I actually fell in love before I became an Asteroid Mate. Two: you implement greater restrictions on interactions between Asteroid Mates and Relicans. Even with my warning, many will likely still be hoping for more than their Relican pairs are willing to give. Keep them separate from the crew. But --"

She paused, uncertain if she should get this graphic. But the happiness of those women, and the success of the Asteroid Mate program, would likely depend on it.

Addressing Caleb, she asked, "Can you step out of the room for a moment?"

The Vice President's smile widened into a beaming grin, though his eyes were daggers. "I think I have the proper clearance to hear whatever you have to say."

"It's of a sensitive nature," she clarified.

"I'm sure I can handle it."

"Please step outside, Vice President Grant," said the Chief.

Tierney was able to reign in her own smile, but it must have shown in her eyes, because Caleb's grin drooped into a mean frown. She would pay for this later, she was sure, but at least it wouldn't be for another six months or so.

"Of course," said Caleb, tucking his hands in his pockets and walking out of the room. He even whistled a merry tune, as if he'd been planning on leaving anyway.

With the door closed, Tierney looked the Chief straight in the eye and said, "None of the Asteroid Mates will last very long if you don't let them orgasm."

For the first time, the Chief looked visibly startled. Tierney, her cheeks burning from having to talk about this so frankly, spared him the need for questions.

"During Relican pairing, the men orgasm, but the women don't. Any woman that volunteers to be an Asteroid Mate will be expecting to have an orgasm during their pairing. If they don't, you will have a lot of very unhappy -- and potentially mutinous -- Asteroid Mates on your ship."

Tausson's cheeks were a dark gray color, showing his embarrassment as well, but Tierney couldn't leave her fellow women in the lurch.

Chief Raleth studied her, and, to his credit, appeared to be sincerely considering her words. "This sounds like a matter to be discussed with the Senior Medics," he finally said. "Perhaps you can work with Aspri to create a customized pairing program for human Asteroid Mates. Not only for the sessions themselves, but the additional restrictions you mentioned as well."

"I'd be honored to help," she said. "What about my idea for me and Tausson? Will you send us to Lota?"

He stared at them both, his face once again impassive, and unreadable. He'd agreed to her Asteroid Mate suggestion, but would he go along with this as well?

"I will confer with Control," he said, "but I will support it."

Her grin broke through, unable to be contained any longer.

"I will notify you both when it is approved," he added, and went to the door.

"Thank you, Chief," said Tierney, already wishing she had her computer to write down all of the ideas that were swirling in her mind about pairing regulations and progress reports.

He turned back to her and gave them both an unsmiling nod before tapping his sleeve. As he stepped through the door and closed it behind him, the glass between her and Tausson disappeared. Tierney's hand, which had been against the wall of light, was suddenly touching his back. He spun around and grabbed her, pulling her to him.

"Can you forgive me?" he asked, gripping her so tightly she could feel his heart beating against her chest.

"For what?" she asked.

"I was angry," he said, stroking her hair. "I thought you didn't love me anymore. I convinced myself I didn't love you either. For days I told myself it was over. Up until the blood walk, I believed it all."

He loosened his hold on her and pulled her gently away from him. "But then in the assembly, when I saw you, and you held my hand, I knew I still felt it. You begged me not to leave you. I didn't want to leave you either." He wiped at her falling tears with his thumb and repeated, "Can you forgive me?"

"Of course," she said, smiling through her tears.

He tightened his grip on her hands, but when he spoke, his deep voice was still cautious. "I was so angry with you, at what you'd done. I could hardly look at you. How could I feel that way if we are truly in love?"

Tierney couldn't help but laugh. She'd forgotten how innocent he was when it came to matters of the heart.

"We had a fight," she said. "Everyone fights. My parents are the most devoted couple I know, and they have a blow out argument at least once a year."

Gently tugging her hands free, she brought them up to his cheeks. His eyes closed, relishing her touch on his skin. "It's normal," she continued. "It's not fun when it happens, but believe it or not, it makes our relationship stronger."

He opened his eyes, and they burned with desire. Cupping her face, he brought his lips to hers.

This was what Tierney wanted -- what she wanted more than anything. But she still needed to make sure he understood.

Breaking off their kiss, she said, "I never would have done anything with Rasmus. I know what it looked like, but I swear, it was all pretend. I love you."

"I know," he said, watching her mouth hungrily as she spoke. "I love you too." With a spark of mischief in his eye, he leaned down. Just before his lips sealed hers, he added, "Enough talking."