He put his hand on her shoulder, "Go ask Lisa how she is doing," he coaxed. He nudged her forward.Ashley slowly began walking toward Lisa, "Hi," she s...id softly, as she approached.Lisa was relieved. "What's up?" she asked casually.Ashley looked at the ground nervously, "Not much."That was all it took to get things back on track between them. Lisa began chattering away. "Did you hear that Crystal Adams is going out with..." Their voices faded as they moved away from the grownups. Cade and Angie. "Are there any nice people on board this ship? Its like the worst part of being in high school combined with real power. I feel slimy after spending time with that witch."Sarah must have heard the comment because she shouted from the other room. "I've met a few, but remember that this is one of the command ships. All of the high ambition people want to be here to direct policy and there is a lot of infighting going on."I could see Linda look at me mournfully and I reached out to give her a. I'm not sure what it is you suspect me of, but I assure you I'm not involved in any plot against any of your interests. I'd never conspire to hurt you, Kenny. I'm ever so fond of Joyce, but, I would never lift one finger against your interests." She said it so sincerely, and I could see the tears of hurt welling up in her eyes as she spoke. I sat there, taking a minute to replay what she had said."I understand that you feel that way, and I appreciate that. I'm asking you to stop trying to. " She kissed me goodbye and skipped out of my apartment and I locked up for the night. Heaven! God I felt good. I was never so fucking happy in my life. A girl liked me. And she fucked! Damn! I didn't sleep that night. Maybe a little. But not much, I know that. I got up and went to classes but all my thoughts were about Debora and what we would do that night. I stopped at the local alternative coop grocery and got some stuff I thought she might like. Me, I didn't care about the meal. I wanted.