The mayor tried to cry out but his lungs were already collapsing withinhim. Alexandru could watch no more and caring not if she should be seen,she fel... back into the shadows, covering her mouth and nose with bothhands, staring as the mayor's clothes shifted, lowering as the bulkbeneath them began to slough away. Vapour was coming from the ends ofhis sleeves; from between his buttons. He tried to raise his hands tolook at them but the muscles in his arms had already atrophied too muchto complete. “Come on, everybody is at least a little gay these days.”“I suppose that’s true. So, what- hey, what are you doing?”Petra had crossed the room to the side of the huge four-post bed. Saul certainly knew how to keep a woman comfortable, at least. “Just getting a better look,” she said, pulling down the blanket and exposing the couple. “Let’s see what we’re working with.”Natalia was every bit as lovely as ever, even without the subtle makeup or tight bikini top. She was wearing a fur-trimmed. “Does this increase the risk?”I shook my head, “No. If it does, I WILL tell you that, I promise.”“And this isn’t about you or NIKA?”“You heard them. It’s not.”“I wish you’d never gotten involved in this in the first place,” she sighed.“You and me both,” I agreed.February 8, 1995, Chicago, Illinois“Do I even WANT to know what you’re doing here?” Doctor Robertson asked.“Contemplating an addition to the family,” I smirked.“I think you’re in the wrong place. You’d need a urologist. And even that. With tears still streaming down her face she begged, "Please... Please p-punish me, Sir!"He stared down at her, his face expressionless, for a long moment, and Marie was sure he was going to order her to leave and never return, which only increased her sobbing. But she held his glance and waited. And when he finally spoke his voice was warm and even held a touch of humor. "Well, for starters you can lick your snot off my pants."Marie was so relieved she felt weak. He wasn't disgusted with her..