After all, Josh and I have only known each other for two days. Of course our probes have given us intimate knowledge of each other that often isn't ac...ieved in a long-term relationship. Look, you've been blunt with me, so I'll be blunt with you. Shame on you, Sandy, for putting Josh through so much pain because you didn't trust him to be honest with his empathic abilities."She didn't speak for a few seconds, and I wondered if I'd gone too far. Fuck it, I thought. She had it coming."I didn't. Err, 'bonded' another time, but over time we came to know each other quite well. There was no real emotion between us, other than close male-friends who fooled around every few months, but he was somebody who had a specific itch that needs scratching and I was somebody who scratched his itch.I'd very happily sit having a beer with Mason in a bar somewhere, talking about whatever it is that guys drinking in bars talk about, and nobody would be able tell the difference between us and two. And I couldn’t stop staring because I knew, in time, she would leave me and I wanted to soak up every moment with her and lock it away someplace deep to be pulled out in my old age to remind me that I had, in fact, actually lived at one time. I saw her last about three years ago. She smiled and kissed me on the cheek, and held my hand briefly. We talked and played some cards and I sat across the table from her and stared until I got ‘that’ look from her again. She walked into the kitchen to. Flashy, for fast operations. ONI wasn't flashy in what they did.So now Kostowe was on the phone early. "Sir, I'd like to come present the monthly status in person this week. I have an additional agenda item." You want to fly here, Chief?" Fales wasn't sure he'd heard correctly. Why would he want to fly here?"Yes, sir. I had recent occasion to update my will and estate planning, and would like to clarify the disposition of the Joy Redux this visit."Christ, how old is Kostowe anyway? We knew he.