I noticed they weren't sitting on top of each other as they usually did."Chris, your house or ours?" You might as well take me home, Jack." OK. Footba...l game and the dance tomorrow." OK, Jack. See ya."I got home and was surprised that Wanda's car wasn't there."I wonder where the girls are?"Mary looked at me like I'd grown another head. "Jackie, she had a meet today, too. She probably ran as late or later than you did." I keep forgetting that. I wish I could go to one and see her." She said it. Amsterdam twelve years ago. I could never forget you, Sophie. I am Sonia." "Sophie was my name then. I'm sure you'll understand it was not my true name. Je m'appelle Nadia." We stood and embraced, kissing the air three times in true Parisian style. "That is your boy? He is very handsome." "Yes, my Julien. He is eight. And this is your daughter?" "Emilie. Two years. Your lover in those days, I forget his name, did you marry?" "Robert. We married some months after Amsterdam. He is Julien's. Get those taken care of right after you get home." I assume you'll be here too?" Of course. Your wife and I have to finish, after all." Finish?" Her transformation. You see in about eight months, she'll be stopping her birth control. My associates will ensure that. At that point, we don't need any surprises, certainly not from your little white weenie, do we?" But--" According to her, you two have been talking about starting a family. You've been putting her off for over two years, haven't. That will be remedied. Why do you think you are here?" My father is the Emir's new Captain of the Imperial Voyager and he said I was to come here to live and be educated, instead of going to a boarding school." I happen to be the Emir and this is my home. You are now a member of my harem and you will do exactly what I want. The Admiral has given you to me as a present on his appointment." He can't have. Nobody can give people away like that."A frisson of mixed excitement and fear went through.