After Bashrik had sent over the necessary information, we slowed our cruiser down a bit to give the Fed time to rally their troops and catch up. Although we were eager to get to Earth as quickly as possible, it would be a big mistake to arrive there without our backup.

There wasn’t much to do on the ship, given that we were just moving through the vast expanse of the universe, heading for home. There were games and a music system, but we’d pretty much exhausted those.

Bashrik and Ronad sat in their usual spots by the controls, though Ronad’s eyes were closed and he was snoring softly, his feet up on the dashboard. Angie was in Bashrik’s lap, and the two of them were laughing quietly, enveloped in their own little world. Stone, Alfa, and Dio were clustered around a table, playing a variation on stabscotch, while I was snuggled up on one of the armchairs with Navan. Xiphio had gone to take a long soak in the enormous tub of the main bathroom. Lauren was sitting in the corner with a book spread out on her lap, her gaze flitting toward the windshield every couple of minutes. She seemed distracted, her manner antsy.

“I’m going to train for a bit in my room,” she announced, putting away her book. “If anyone wants me, just call.”

“You want some company?” I asked.

She smiled, shaking her head. “Not right now. I just want to go through some moves with my staff—keep my skills sharp before we reach home, you know?”

“Cool. Well, let me know if you need a sparring partner. I’m no good with a staff, but I can figure it out.”

“Will do.”

I had a feeling that home was precisely the thing that was bothering her, because it was bothering me, too. It’d been so long since we’d been back there, and we weren’t exactly returning under the best circumstances. What if we couldn’t save it? What if we got there, and it was all too late? I shuddered at the thought, trying to keep a positive outlook.

As Lauren exited the cockpit, Stone got up from his seat and hurried across the room, making some garbled excuse to Dio and Alfa about wanting to call it an early night. They looked at him as though he’d grown a second head, their expressions making me laugh. I doubted Stone was the kind of guy who’d ever had an early night in his entire life.

Reaching the cockpit hatch, Stone glanced over his shoulder and shot me a pointed look. This was the moment of truth—he was going to tell her everything. I smiled at him with all the encouragement I could muster, falling short of giving him an embarrassing thumbs-up. I wasn’t sure which way Lauren’s feelings would turn, but I couldn’t help wishing him the best of luck. Against all odds, the three-eyed bastard had won me around.

“What was that all about?” Navan whispered.

I smiled secretively. “He’s going to tell her.”

“Just in the nick of time, too.” Navan nodded toward the cockpit entrance, where Xiphio had just walked in wearing nothing but a towel. My mouth fell open at the sight of him in all his glory, though it was interesting to see the rippling pattern of his striped scales a little more closely. Usually, most of it was buried beneath his uniform.

“Rask’s sake, Xiphio, put some damned clothes on!” Bashrik muttered. “There are ladies present.”

Angie grinned. “Hey, these ladies can speak for themselves. I, for one, am not complaining.” She nudged Bashrik, chuckling at his sour face. Soon enough, a smile broke out on his lips, though his arms held her just a little bit tighter.

Xiphio looked down at his half-naked form. “Oh, sorry about that—I had just finished up my bath when I felt an urge to come in here and say something. Sadly, it could not wait.” His large eyes peered around the room, his expression disappointed. “I don’t suppose you know where Lauren has gone, do you?”

“She went to lie down for a bit,” I lied, wanting to give Stone his moment to confess his crush. He definitely didn’t need to be interrupted by his one rival.

“No, she didn’t. She went to practice with her staff,” Alfa chimed in cheerfully. I shot him a look, prompting him to shrug his muscular shoulders in confusion. Dio leaned over and whispered something in his crewmate’s ear. Alfa’s face morphed into a mask of shock.

Xiphio frowned, walking over to where I sat. “Please, Riley, tell me which one it is. I should hate to wake her up if she’s sleeping, but this really cannot wait.”

“I’m sure it can, Xiphio.”

“No, no, it really cannot. I had an epiphany earlier, speaking with Agent Phocida the way I did. I felt in control, my entire being brimming with confidence and courage. Did you see? I did not falter once, though she expected me to—they all expected me to,” he explained, puffing out his chest, his gills flapping.

“You dealt with that situation better than anyone could’ve, Xiphio, but I don’t see what that has to do with Lauren. She said she didn’t want to be disturbed.” I was determined to put him off.

“Don’t you see? I must ride the wave of this newfound courage and express my true feelings for Lauren. I thought it could wait until our battles were over, but now I see that it cannot. I must tell her before we arrive on Earth, so she may know that I love her, and I may know her feelings. I would charge into the fray with so much more vigor if I knew she felt as I did.”

My heart clenched at his sweet admission. I knew how he felt about Lauren—it was obvious for anyone to see—but I had not seen this coming. Why did it have to be now, when Stone was doing the exact same thing? I grimaced, remembering why I’d sworn not to get involved in other people’s romances again.

“Not now, Xiphio,” I urged.

“It has to be now!”

“Let her finish her training, then you can speak with her.”

He frowned. “Why are you trying to stop me? My love cannot be restrained.”

“No, we can see that.” Angie snorted, getting a playful smack from Bashrik.

“I just think she needs some time to herself, that’s all,” I insisted, feeling exasperated. In desperation, I looked to Navan for help.

“Yeah, maybe you should hold off for a bit,” he said, but I could see there was no convincing Xiphio. His face was set with determination, and he clearly wouldn’t settle until he had all of his cards out on the table for Lauren to see.

He turned and marched out of the room without another word, striding away with his towel flapping. Rolling my eyes, I clambered out of Navan’s embrace and chased after the merevin, grateful that he hadn’t taken off at a sprint. I caught up to him a few yards from Lauren’s room, hurtling around him before coming to a halt, putting myself between him and the door. He eyed me curiously and attempted to push past, but I put my hands out to stop him, feeling the cold of his scales beneath my palms.

To be honest, I wasn’t entirely sure why I was stopping him from reaching Lauren. I mean, I had no idea which guy Lauren liked more. Maybe Xiphio was the preferred choice, and I was standing in the way of the wrong one. I supposed I felt like Stone deserved his chance to tell Lauren how he felt, considering he wasn’t nearly as open about it as Xiphio was. Even if she rejected him, he was entitled to that opportunity.

“What is the meaning of this, Riley?” Xiphio asked sternly.

“I don’t think you should disturb her, Xiphio.”

He frowned. “And why not? Why are you so insistent on coming between me and my dear, sweet Lauren?”

“It’s just not a good idea, that’s all.”

A strange smile pulled at the corners of his plump lips. “Riley, I must say, I am flattered that you would consider me in a romantic fashion. Had I not already fallen for dear Lauren, I might have been swayed by your affections. Alas, my heart is already set on another.”

I gaped at him. “What? I just got married, Xiphio!”

“There is no need to be ashamed, Riley. I, too, have endured the suffering of unrequited love.”

“There’s nothing unrequited about it—I don’t like you like that! I’m Navan’s wife and more than happy to be so!” I hissed, struggling to keep my voice down. “Look, the truth is, Stone is with her right now. He had some things he wanted to say, and I think you should back off and let him say them.”

“That wretch is in there with her? What is he saying? Is he confessing his love? No, I will not allow it! He has no right.” Xiphio shook his head. “He ought to know that I displayed my affections first. Does he not understand the code of chivalry?”

I didn’t have time to answer any of his questions, as he charged me, pushing me to the side.

Regaining my balance, I raced after him, terrified that this mess would come to blows. They had almost ended up fighting before, and I didn’t want it happening again. We didn’t need anyone getting into a scrap and injuring themselves before reaching Earth—we needed to have everyone in one piece.

I lunged to try to pull him back from Lauren’s bedroom door, my hands accidentally catching the edge of his towel. It fell to the ground with agonizing slowness, but it was too late now—he had already burst into the room.

“I demand you stop this immediately!” he cried, while scrabbling on the ground to regain his dignity. He managed to pull the towel back up and fasten it around his waist, but I’d already seen far more of him than I’d ever wanted to. By the shocked looks on both Lauren’s and Stone’s faces, they had too.

“What are you talking about?” Lauren asked, recovering quickly. Her cheeks were bright red.

“My feelings for you are far stronger than this rude criminal’s feelings could ever be. I am not one to point out the failings in another man, as it is not my style to be cruel, but he lies and cheats for a living. What sort of romantic relationship could he offer you, considering his nature?” he replied, taking a deep breath. “Forgive me, I should not have said all of that. Stone is a good man, in his own way. The truth is… I love you so very much. I do not think I could stand to see you in the arms of another. I fear it would kill me.”

Lauren turned to Stone, her eyes widening in surprise. “What’s he talking about, Stone?”

The ambaka lowered his head, sighing in exasperation. “Cheers fer gettin’ the jump on me, Xiphio, old pal.”

“Stone?” she pressed.

He looked up, a glitter of irritation flashing in his eyes as he glanced toward Xiphio. “I was buildin’ up to it, Ren,” he said, his tone bitter. “Ye just couldn’t stand to let me have a shot, could ye? Ye just had to come in ‘ere and ruin it, didn’t ye?” He glared at Xiphio. For the first time ever, he actually looked angry.

“I didn’t realize you had not yet told her,” Xiphio mumbled.

“It’s none of yer business, anyway!” Stone snapped, getting to his feet and storming over to where Xiphio stood. “I know yer half nekkid, but it’ll not stop me from knockin’ yer fishy head off yer fishy shoulders.”

“Oh, yes, well, it shan’t stop me from defending myself, either!”

“Ye sure you’re not a snake instead o’ a fish?”

Xiphio scowled. “I am not a fish—that is terribly insulting. I am a merevin.”

“Yeah? Well, I’m pissed off.”

“You’re not seriously telling me that you think you’re a good match for Lauren? Look at her beautiful face—it’s evident to me that she had no idea you were besotted with her. What sort of suitor are you, if you cannot even make your feelings known?”

“I was tryin’ to, before ye burst in here with yer giblets swingin’!”

“An accident, good sir. I was simply trying to stop you from making a colossal mistake. I’m the better suited one. You know it, and I know it. So, let us shake on our differences and allow me to take it from here.”

Stone bared his teeth. “Listen ‘ere, pal. I traveled with ‘er for over a month, while you were hearin’ of her second-hand. Ye didn’t even know her!”

“Well, you were going to sell her on the flesh markets!”

“No, I weren’t, ye lyin’ sack of fish guts. I don’t go in fer that sorta thing. I trade in inanimate objects only.”

Xiphio snorted. “Says the man with the living creature wrapped around his wrist.”

“That were a one-time thing. I already explained all o’ that,” Stone hissed. “I’d never ‘ave sold Ren to no one, even if I were in the market fer that kinda stuff. She’s special!”

“I know she’s special, which is why I knew, even before I met her, that I would fall madly in love with her.”

“D’you know how mad that sounds? Can ye hear yerself?” Stone shook his head. “Must be all that deep water back home gettin’ to yer head, crushin’ the sense out of it.”

Lauren stood up and folded her arms across her chest. The two guys turned to her slowly, her actions silencing them. Evidently, they were expecting her to put one of them out of his misery. I watched her in anticipation, wondering which one she was going to choose.

“I guess neither of you has considered my feelings in all of this?” she said calmly. “Look at the pair of you, squabbling like kids over a toy. Well, I’m not a toy you can play with, and I’m not a prize to be won in some slinging match. I’m not interested in either of you. At least, not right now.”

“What do ye mean?” Stone asked, his face remaining blank. Next to him, Xiphio looked downright crushed.

“We’ve got way too much to worry about without bringing crushes and feelings into the equation. We just don’t have time for any of this nonsense,” she said firmly. “My home is in danger, in case the two of you had forgotten. That includes my parents, my friends, every creature, every plant, every book. It’s all at risk—everything I’ve ever loved is under threat, and you two are fighting over something that doesn’t matter right now.”

Xiphio’s cheeks were purple with shame. “I just wanted you to know that I care… before we enter a fight we might not win.” His tone was bordering on childish, and I could see from Lauren’s face that she wasn’t impressed.

“If you really cared about me, the way you say you do, you will be my friend and ally first, before asking for more. I need people to have my back and the backs of everyone on this ship. I need you to be working together, not fighting over who you think has more right to be with me.”

Her words cowed them both in an instant, and the two of them exchanged a shy glance.

“Sorry, Xiphio,” Stone muttered.

“Sorry, Stone.”

Lauren smiled. “Good. Now, I don’t want to see either of you for the rest of the evening. I suggest you go and get to know each other better before we reach Earth. Although, Xiphio, you should put on some clothes first.”

“Yes, Miss Lauren,” Xiphio mumbled.

“Sure thing, Ren.”

With that, the boys left the room, hurrying off with their tails between their legs. As soon as they were gone, I flashed an impressed look at my best friend, giving a low whistle of congratulations. I’d never seen her like that before. As much as I hated to admit it, Lauren’s time with the scavengers had done something remarkable, turning her into this fierce young woman who could command respect from anyone. The shy creature she’d once been had gone, though there was something sad in that, too.

“I can’t believe what a badass you are!” I laughed as I wandered over to join her on the edge of the bed. “Honestly, you’ve changed so much. It’s like you’re a completely different person. A total badass person.”

A funny expression drifted across her face. “I’m not a different person. I’m the same Lauren I always was.”

“Still, I can’t imagine you doing that a month ago.”

Lauren rubbed the back of her neck. “I just… I have a better picture now of who I am on my own. Before, I was always one of three, you know? When we got separated, I learned what it meant to just be me, without the two of you propping me up.”

I felt stung by the words. “I guess I never thought of it like that.”

She reached over and took my hand, a warm smile on her face. “Please don’t take offense to it, Riley. It has nothing to do with you or Angie, or anything that the three of us have shared. I love you both just as much as I always did. The only thing that’s changed is, now, I’ve found a sense of independence that I didn’t have before. It’s the kind of independence I’d hoped to get in college—it just came from being on board a scrappy little spaceship instead.”

Lauren leaned against my shoulder, and we sat like that, side by side, as I marveled at all the ways the universe had changed us.