by Smith, S. E.
Liam sat and waited impatiently for the last number. It was the Comettes’ tried and true crowd pleaser, slightly changed up from last season’s routine, but with the amazing high kicks and anti grav aerial dancers as well. Riall and her creative team had outdone themselves. Tassia was in her usual place in the line, smiling and dancing with outward enthusiasm, although he was sure the lyrical number was probably a more true representation of who she really was as an artist.
When the show ended, he exited the theater with the crowd then took a left turn out of the mass of people, heading for the private corridor leading backstage. This was one time he was going to take advantage of his status as a security officer and get to the cast party ahead of the throngs of other invitees.
When he walked into the room where the party was set up, he’d achieved his goal. The Comettes, in costume but without the massive headdresses of the finale were scattered throughout the room, seated at small standing tables. His senses on high alert, he spotted Tassia and Micki and headed for them.
“Did you like it?” Tassia asked breathlessly when he got close.
He kissed her cheek, barely registering Micki saying she’d catch up to them later as she waved and moved off to another table. “You were magnificent. I thought you weren’t doing a solo?”
“Lurenn dislocated her knee today at rehearsal so the director asked me to fill in. She said since I hadn’t had time to learn the actual routine, I could dance a variation of my audition solo and the girls would perform their normal steps as a complement.”
He handed her the single blush pink rose he’d cajoled from Tyrelle Embersson, the specialist in charge of the ship’s growing things. He’d expected to feel like a clod, handing a woman a flower, but instead he felt pretty damn good. The rose glowed, thanks to extra enhancement Tyrelle had given it with her special power over nature. “For you, from the ship’s private garden.”
“It’s perfect.” After taking a deep breath of the perfume, she rubbed the velvet blossom against her cheek and smiled. “But there was no need for more flowers. The other arrangement was enough. The girls were teasing me about it.”
Blinking, puzzled, he blew out a breath and asked, “Other arrangement?”
Raising her elegantly sculpted eyebrows, Tassia nodded. “Yes, it was delivered to the dressing room right before the show, an overflowing basket.”
“I didn’t send you flowers. I wanted to hand deliver my own.”
As her eyes grew wide with what looked like fear, he clamped down on the icy coil of concern in his gut. “Was there a card with the flowers?”
“No, but the delivery robo was specific the bouquet was for me. You’re my only friend on the ship, besides the other girls, so I assumed the gift was from you.” Now she was trembling, and her brow furrowed as she considered the mystery.
Their table was in the main flow of the room so he drew her aside, against a wall, positioning himself so he shielded her from anyone’s view. Don’t ruin her evening. Brushing a strand of the elegant black hair away from her face, he gentled his voice. “Hey, no worries. Passengers are allowed to watch rehearsals from the back of the theater at specified times, so maybe some guy has seen you dance and the florist forgot the damn card. He’d be out of luck anyway, because I saw you first, right?”
Ignoring the comment about his prior claim, she sniffed the single rose again. “I’m sure you must be right. A simple enough mix-up.”
“So, we’ll forget him, whoever he is and enjoy the party. This is your night, and we should make the most of it.” He signaled one of the waiters and snagged two glasses of expensive feelgood, handing her one. “A toast to your triumphant debut.”
They clinked glasses and sipped
“I did miss one four-count combination in the first number. The assistant director will be giving me performance notes about it tomorrow,” she said with a smile, visibly trying to match his upbeat tone.
Liam shrugged and resisted the urge to march over to Riall right now and give her his critique of the show and Tassia’s part in it. His favorite dancer was flawless in his opinion. He let a bit of his enthusiasm show in his voice. “After your breathtaking solo, no one should be criticizing you for anything in my book.”
“That’s not how the dance world works.” Shaking her finger at him, she laughed in a carefree manner. Glancing around the room, which was growing quite crowded as more guests arrived, she said, “I’m supposed to mingle tonight, you know. The assistant director was quite adamant about it. Passengers have paid an exorbitant amount to come to this party evidently.”
He knew she was right. None of the Comettes was off the clock right now. The issue of the bouquet from an anonymous admirer bothered him, but the room was full. Members of his own security team were on duty anyway, and he shouldn’t monopolize her. He was conscious of the glances they were getting. Many people apparently wanted to talk to the surprise soloist but were reluctant to approach and break into their conversation. Tassia stood out with her height and the swinging mane of ebony hair—she was unmistakable.
He squeezed her hand. “I’ll hang out until you’re free to leave, keep an eye on things, ok? Any awkwardness arises from whoever sent the flowers, I’ll be on it, I promise. And then, depending how late it is, and if you’re not too tired, I thought maybe we could go see the moon over the beach.” He set one finger on her lips. “You decide. I can take a raincheck. Now, let me escort you to Riall and then you can go wherever you need to be from there.”
Still in the glow of the amazing performance, he popped out his elbow and made a funny bow. She slipped her hand through the curve of his arm and did a modified curtsey. Proud to be with her, standing tall, Liam escorted Tassia to the Director’s table as he’d promised, lingered long enough to congratulate Riall on her triumphant season opening, then walked away.
Liam made a circuit of the room, listening, observing, checking in with the security staff even if he wasn’t on duty. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary. It was a big, noisy, happy reception, with plentiful feelgoods and bite-sized hors d’oeuvres provided by the Ship. Not Chef Stephanie’s most exotic confections but delicious. He kept his situational awareness of who was talking to Tassia at any given moment, but she didn’t appear to be upset or stressed by anyone, so he continued to mingle, keeping on the move. At one point he was chatting with Micki.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’ve got it bad,” she said in a teasing tone, tapping his chest in the general location of his heart with one of her elaborately manicured nails. He noted tonight’s pattern matched her Comettes’ finale costume. “How many times have you taken Tassia out on a date now? In just a few days too. Trying to make up for lost time? And you’ve hardly taken your eyes off her tonight.”
“Sorry, didn’t mean to be rude.” He gave the cheerful dancer his full attention. “Your dancing was brilliant tonight.”
She’d had a solo in one of the lively numbers and also was prominently featured in the aerial dancing.
“The only reason you know I appeared on stage at all is because Tassia wasn’t on stage with me in that number,” she said with a snort and a dismissive hand gesture. “But I’ll take the compliment.” Leaning close, she lowered her voice. “You take good care of her or you’ll be answering to me, mister security officer. She’s a sweet little thing, kind of naïve in some ways, and super smart in others.”
“Duly noted.” He was glad Tassia had a staunch friend in the troupe.
* * *
Standing in a group of dancers and passengers, Tassia kept her eye on Liam, happy he was here for her and wishing the two of them could be together, rather than her having to do this customer relations chitchat. A tall, well-dressed man in a formal suit handed her a glass of champagne, which she accepted automatically as he bowed to her.
“Did you enjoy the performance?” she asked, making sure her stage smile was firmly fixed in place. This part of her job she did not relish.
“Indeed I
did. You danced with consummate skill. Did you enjoy my flowers?” He had a slight accent and, when she glanced at his face for a second time, she thought his good cheer was as phony as hers. His eyes were shrewd and knowing, and something about his manner struck her as cold and vaguely menacing, like a reptile lying in wait.
“Oh, were those from you? There wasn’t a card, so I shared them with the entire team,” she said, pulse rising with anxiety. She wished she could get Liam to her side, but she was afraid he’d overreact, maybe get himself in trouble on her behalf, and so far, the passenger hadn’t crossed any lines. The man just made her profoundly uneasy.
“Fair enough, although it was to you they were delivered.” He raised his glass and took a deliberate sip, then smiled, although his eyes remained cold. “Dancers such as you are rare, Miss Megg. To be treasured. To be placed in temples and honored perhaps?”
Alarm flared inside her at his words. Her solo was based on the temple dances she’d been taught on Ruatsar, but she hadn’t expected anyone in the audience to be aware of that. It was a calculated risk, especially after F’rrh’s warning, but when the director had requested her to step in, Tassia judged it wisest not to refuse. Now she took a step in silent retreat and set the feelgood on a passing waiter’s tray. “You’re too kind. I’m one of the newest members of the Comettes, with much to learn. Thank you for the flowers, and now if you’ll excuse me—”
“But you must give me an opportunity to issue my invitation.” He put his hand on her wrist, and the strength of his grip frightened her. She’d have to make a scene to get away, and Tassia was reluctant to ruin the Comettes’ party.
Licking her lips and swallowing hard, fighting to keep her voice level, she repeated, “Invitation?”
“Don’t look so apprehensive, please, I only wish to invite you to dinner tomorrow.”
Heart pounding, she said the first thing that came to mind. “Sorry, I’m busy with rehearsals.”
“The night after perhaps?” His voice remained smooth, unhurried.
Eyebrows raised, Tassia stared pointedly at his hand on her wrist, and he lifted his fingers away from her. “I don’t date passengers. It’s not in my contract.” She walked away from him, heading for the nearest table full of people, conscious of the weight of his gaze between her shoulder blades, like a physical contact. He might be an overfamiliar passenger or he might be the danger F’rrh alluded to, but either way, she vowed to be watchful and avoid any further contact.
Next thing she knew, Liam was at her side, hand on her elbow. “Everything ok? You seem a bit flustered, off balance.” He glanced over his shoulder to where she’d been standing with the passenger. “Was that guy giving you a hard time?”
“Just a bit too enthusiastic about the dancing,” she said, lying with the ease of long practice and a twinge of regret she couldn’t take Liam more fully into her confidence. Having him watch over her like this was comforting, but he couldn’t shield her from the bigger problems of her situation as a fugitive or the danger F’rrh had spoken about. Could the man have been RNR? A chill ran through her body, goose bumps rising on her arms. It was a distinct possibility but she didn’t want to believe an RNR operative would employ the subterfuges of sending her flowers and accosting her openly at the party. The RNR’s style was much more to attempt a kidnapping at the spaceport, or an attack like the one on the hotel that resulted in Xandrina’s death. Direct, violent action.
Surely this man was simply an overeager, bored rich traveler, assuming the dancers would be only too happy to socialize with him. As she parted from Liam with a squeeze of his hand, she chastised herself for seeing danger from the RNR everywhere. She was safe on the Zephyr.
“Ah, my star performer,” Riall said with a big smile as she took Liam’s spot next to Tassia. “Come over here and let me introduce you to our special guests, choreographers from the world of music videos. We’re talking about the possibility of the Comettes appearing in one soon and the producers think you might be perfect for a special bit.” She leaned close and lowered her voice. “Your dance really impressed them and the entire audience tonight. I take full credit of course.” Laughing to show she was joking, the director conducted Tassia to the table where her guests waited.
* * *
As he walked Tassia to her quarters much later, after the party officially ended and she’d changed into civilian clothing, Liam asked, “Happy?”
“Yes, how can you tell?” Flashing a brilliant smile, she executed a dance step then twirled. “My head has been thoroughly turned with praise. Riall even introduced me to choreographers who might be filming a trideo for rock star Karissa!”
“Well, the fancy move you just did was one giveaway for example, and whatever song you’re humming certainly sounds upbeat. Is that the Comettes’ finale music?” Her enthusiasm made him happy.
“You guessed it—I love the way we end the shows with such an amazing routine.” A little breathless, spots of color bloomed in her cheeks, she said, “It was a magical night and I’m sorry it has to end.”
“We could go up to the beach deck like I suggested earlier and admire the moon.” He had no desire for their evening to be over either. “Unless you’re tired?”
“I’d love to see the ocean at night.” Eyes sparkling, she took his hand and led the way in retracing their path to the antigrav tube they’d recently exited. “What a marvelous idea!”
As they rose toward Level Five, he keyed the private subvocal coms channel he had with the ship’s AI. I’m off duty and heading for the beach with a beautiful girl, Maeve. Can you track me but turn off the ganglion wherever we end up sitting? I’d like privacy.
Of course, Officer Austin. Notify me when you exit the beach, please. Maeve’s voice was pleasant as always.
“I’ve asked the ship to stop observing whichever area of the beach we choose as ours,” he said out loud. “I thought you might like to know you weren’t being watched, even by an AI. After all the fuss this evening, you must be tired of being ogled.”
Tassia stared at him wide-eyed. “You can do that?”
“Not technically, no, but the Ship and I are good friends. She’s ex-military herself, you know, used to operate a battleship, so she’s tight with the veterans on the crew. Watches out for us.” He shrugged. It was a small favor to ask of Maeve, and she had discretion over her ganglions.
“I appreciate the consideration.” Leaning on his arm, she took off her heels and carried them as she walked across the sand. “It was a wonderful night, all in all.”
Liam guided her to a small cove further along the beach than the site of the picnic, which gave an illusion of privacy in the daytime but, with Maeve’s observation vids turned off, was truly secluded tonight. “I should have brought something for us to sit on. Next time, I promise.”
Dropping her shoes, Tassia waded into the water up to her shins and splashed a handful of shining droplets at him. “Who says I want to sit?”
He took off his shoes and rolled his pants legs up before going into the water next to her. “It’s not really a good idea to swim at night, since you’re still learning. Especially with you wearing clothes.”
“I was afraid you’d say that. I could wear less.” Her tone was teasing, and she moved a little away from him.
“Incredibly alluring as your suggestion sounds, not a good idea. We don’t know who else is on the beach deck tonight, and there is a minimal security crew.” He was so tempted, moved by her beauty and her high spirits, but there was too much chance of being disturbed, even with Maeve’s ganglion temporarily off. Liam couldn’t bring himself to abandon caution to that degree.
She held out her hand. “Walk with me then?”
Hand in hand they strolled a bit further on the beach, right at the edge of the water. Tassia plunked down in the sand far enough away from the breaking waves not to get wet, and he sat beside her, bodies touching at the hip. Staring at the faux moon, she leaned her head on him. “It’s so beautiful here, so peac
eful.”
He draped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer when she didn’t object. Holding her next to his heart was satisfying. It felt right to have Tassia so near. “I’ll have to take you to the Observatory one of these days. The ship provides glorious—if recreated— views of the Sectors’ various star systems and nebulae.”
“Don’t you have to go through the casino to reach it?” she asked.
“Well, yes. Problem?” He eyed her curiously.
“Too many crowds. I hear the casino is full pretty much all the time.” She kept her focus on the ocean and the waves gently rolling up on the beach. “Not like here, where a person can think.”
If she was a jewel thief she’d be all about going to the casino. Would have gone by herself by now. The mental calculation annoyed him, since it meant his subconscious was still chewing over the idea Tassia wasn’t who she said she was, might be connected to the unusual security alert. He squared his shoulders and pushed the topic out of his head to focus on her and the here and now. “True. The gambling floor is huge, with dealer run games as well as old fashioned single player games and also newer AI tech.” He tucked a loose strand of her hair behind the shell-like curve of her ear, and whispered, “But there’s a secret crew entrance to the Observatory. I might be persuaded to take you up there that way.”
“You’re giving me goosebumps, breathing on my ear.” Chuckling, she shoved him ever so slightly, and Liam adjusted to shift away in response as she continued in a teasing tone. “You security officers know all the ship’s secrets, don’t you?”
“It’s our job.” He wished she’d look at him. He wanted to kiss her in the moonlight, and he had an entire list of other things he wanted to do with the beautiful but elusive Tassia Megg. But Liam wouldn’t do any of them unless she signaled she was receptive. They needed to have a conversation about what they were doing, what her expectations were, but even broaching the subject to her challenged him. She was sending him mixed signals tonight, as if she wanted to take their friendly relationship into deeper territory but maybe only for the length of the voyage? He wasn’t a shipboard fling kind of guy.
