Having spoken his piece, he was properly appreciative of the tea, sandwiches, and little pastries that Dorotea and Amariyah brought in. They had an enjoyable conversation. When Johnny took his leave, he paused briefly.

"Oh, Station scuttleb.u.t.t has Madlyn dating Dash Sakai."

"She is?" Peter grinned with delight. "He noticed?"

"You might say her interest was brought to his attention." Johnny Greene gave them all a farewell salute.

Three weeks later, the Center's chief medical consultant, Martin McNulty, and Dr. Coulson, an orthopedic specialist sent in by the s.p.a.ce Authority for an impartial opinion, p.r.o.nounced Peter medically fit.

"In fact, if we didn't have the accident scans to compare with," the orthopedic man said, "I'd wonder if they ever had been broken. There is, as I'm sure you're aware, McNulty, some osteopenia."

"Peter takes dietary supplements against loss of bone mineralization."

"Not as much muscle atrophy as I'd expect."

Peter did not like the way Coulson regarded him: as an object rather than a person. He hated being discussed as if he weren't there, as if he were nothing more than a p.r.o.noun.

"Of course, Peter regularly uses his Reeve Board in exercising, has frequent deep tissue ma.s.sage, swims, and he doesn't put any strain on his skeleton," the Center's medic remarked, eyeing his patient. Martin McNulty was empathic with some contact telepathy to augment that ability. "Being kinetic has some advantages, doesn't it, Pete?"

Peter nodded, his eyes darting to Coulson's incredulous expression as he looked from the accident MRI image to the one on the monitor. His professional manner did not conceal doubt from his very perceptive patient.

"Of course, there'd be less weight on those bones in s.p.a.ce," Martin went on.

"Padrugoi Station has gravity!"

"Yes, but still only 0.75 of Earth normal now that the Station is in full operation. Visitors find that more comfortable, you know," Martin replied.

"Whichever," and Coulson flicked his fingers in dismissal of the difference, "I have to concede that those bones are clinically whole." He touched Peter on the shoulder, unaware that Talents, especially Peter, disliked casual physical contact. "You can go back to work as soon as they'll have you," he said, with a patronizing smile.

Pete, Martin said warningly when the patient shifted his body away from the orthopedic man's touch. Martin said warningly when the patient shifted his body away from the orthopedic man's touch. He doesn't know better. He doesn't know better.

"Thank you, Dr. Coulson," Peter said, gliding away from tactile range.

Martin deftly maneuvered the specialist out of the treatment room. "If you'll just sign the certificate that Pete'll have to produce to his employers, Sidney," he said, a subtle empathy reinforcing his suggestion, "we won't need to take more of your time." He closed the door behind him, which was as well because Peter 'ported himself back to his room where he let out his burst of exultation.

You've been cleared? Dorotea asked from the kitchen. Dorotea asked from the kitchen.

Now don't worry, Tea. Doctor Coulson doubted I'd ever broken anything, despite all the scans.

Really? You've healed that well?

Peter was far too elated to hear the odd tone of her voice. He only knew that he could go back up to Padrugoi as soon as he could organize his departure.

Do wait until after dinner, dear, Dorotea said placidly. Dorotea said placidly. I've got your favorite ca.s.serole in the oven and Amariyah's done you an apricot pie for dessert. Besides which, you'd better speak to Rhyssa. I've got your favorite ca.s.serole in the oven and Amariyah's done you an apricot pie for dessert. Besides which, you'd better speak to Rhyssa.

Rhyssa already knows, Rhyssa and Peter replied in unison. Peter's triumphant laugh echoed down the hall to the kitchen and telepathically up to Rhyssa in her office. Rhyssa and Peter replied in unison. Peter's triumphant laugh echoed down the hall to the kitchen and telepathically up to Rhyssa in her office.

Rhyssa? Peter added. Peter added. Can you tell Johnny Greene? Madlyn should be on watch and can pa.s.s the good news along. Can you tell Johnny Greene? Madlyn should be on watch and can pa.s.s the good news along.

Of course, Rhyssa replied with no hint of her mixed feelings. She was, of course, delighted that Peter had pa.s.sed the physical but she was also depressed that he was so eager to return to Padrugoi. Rhyssa replied with no hint of her mixed feelings. She was, of course, delighted that Peter had pa.s.sed the physical but she was also depressed that he was so eager to return to Padrugoi.

You can understand his urgency, though, can't you? Dorotea said on a tight message. Dorotea said on a tight message.

Yes, I can.

Don't sound so defeated and why don't you and Dave come down for pie. Amariyah's crust is always flakier than mine. When are you going to be able to ship up that empath and the hydroponics specialist? Peter needs some empathic company up there.

I've held Ceara Scott back to go up with him and Ping Yung is already onstation.

Then you'll have done your best for him once again.

Oh, I do hope so.

Of course you have, and Dorotea's tone was testily rea.s.suring. and Dorotea's tone was testily rea.s.suring. Though, perhaps he should be doing more for himself. Though, perhaps he should be doing more for himself.

I beg your pardon?

Now don't get huffy with me, Rhyssa Owen Lehardt! Dorotea replied tartly. Dorotea replied tartly. One of these days he's going to get into a situation he'll have to get himself out of One of these days he's going to get into a situation he'll have to get himself out of, you know! you know!

Yes, and Rhyssa's mental tone was abruptly contrite. and Rhyssa's mental tone was abruptly contrite.

You can't be worried anymore about those stupid threats Ca.s.s overheard in court? Dorotea went on. Dorotea went on. As if that drunk would ever be hired onto the Station in any capacity. He wouldn't pa.s.s the age limit much less the physical. Peter is safer on Padrugoi, doing what he's good at and loves. As if that drunk would ever be hired onto the Station in any capacity. He wouldn't pa.s.s the age limit much less the physical. Peter is safer on Padrugoi, doing what he's good at and loves.

Ceara Scott was a s.p.a.ce-medicine physician, joining Padrugoi Station for several jobs: one was to do her grant experimentation on the effect of weightlessness on the bone ma.s.s of the casual workers-the polite term for grunts. Another was to monitor Peter's physical condition and the third was to discern any antagonism toward him, either personally or in his capacity as a teleport/telepath.

When Rhyssa announced that she had to be ready to take up her a.s.signment on Padrugoi by ten P.M. that day, she was instantly fl.u.s.tered.

"I haven't got anything packed, Ms. Lehardt. I mean, I knew I'd be going soon, soon, but that's awful soon." but that's awful soon."

"Ten o'clock tomorrow morning?"

"Oh, no, I mean, yes I could probably make that but . . ." The young woman was clearly rattled.

"Just pack what you'd need for the first few days, Ceara, and we'll see that the rest follows. Would that help?"

"Noon?" was the tremulous option suggested.

"That will be fine. Shall I send Sirikit over to give you a hand?"

"Oh, would you? Please. I'm sorry to be a nuisance."

"Not at all, Ceara. The delay suits me fine," Rhyssa said, and with a cheerful smile, broke the comm connection.

"Putting off the inevitable?"

"You heard Ceara," Rhyssa said, trying not to sound defensive. "She's the delay."

Dave grinned at her. "When are we invited for apricot pie?"

"About seven-thirty."

"Just us?"

"I suspect so."

"Then why are you wringing your hands, Rhys?" Dave asked, c.o.c.king his right eyebrow at her.

"I am?" Rhyssa hastily rubbed her hands on her pants legs. She stood up. "I think I will actually be relieved to have him back on Padrugoi."

"Look, Rhys," and he put his arms about her waist, drawing her into him, "the drunk and disorderly guys haven't finished their term of community service and, double-banded as they are by LEO, there's no way they could get into the Center here. And there's even less chance of one getting on Padrugoi."

"You saw the latest of their on-line threats."

"And," he said, hugging her, "I saw Boris's report of how quickly the pair were arrested. The Faithful Brotherhood of the whatever they called their little coven are now all tagged and their a.s.sociations identified as well. You know know that." that."

She sighed. "I know it. Do they?"

"Pete'll be safe for the next four weeks. You can always suggest he take his free week at Johnny's." When he felt her stiffen slightly, "Okay, so that's the most obvious alternative. At Lance's then, or Kayankira's, or at your parents' place in Montana."

"Dorotea and Amariyah would never forgive me."

"At Tirla's then. No one No one could ask for better security than that. It wouldn't arouse Peter's suspicions, unless you broadcast them. Dorotea and Amariyah can go there. You know Maree is great with Tirla's Hyper Twins." could ask for better security than that. It wouldn't arouse Peter's suspicions, unless you broadcast them. Dorotea and Amariyah can go there. You know Maree is great with Tirla's Hyper Twins."

Rhyssa gave her husband a reproachful look.

"Well, they're a handful," Dave said.

"Our kids aren't?"

"We had them one at a time and got used to 'em."

"Which reminds me, I promised to read Eoin a story. Did I tell you I actually got reproductions of the Dr. Seuss books?"

"Several times." He kissed her and let her go. He didn't have an ounce of psychic ability but he'd been reading her body language with great appreciation-for six years. He might not know exactly what what was worrying his wife but he knew when she was upset and could comfort her. was worrying his wife but he knew when she was upset and could comfort her.

Peter Reidinger had been all set to dislike Dr. Ceara Scott on sight when he found out from Rhyssa that the s.p.a.ce-medicine specialist had been unable to leave the moment he had clearance. She arrived at the Jerhattan telepad in a ground vehicle filled with family and three carrying cases. She'd taken another twelve hours to pack that little?

Some people organize their packing, Rhyssa reminded him. She had said her good-bye the previous evening, Dorotea affectionately but not fussily ten minutes ago. It had been Amariyah who had clung to him, her fingers patting each one of the old fractures as if rea.s.suring herself of his health. Peter hated it when Amariyah cried, the silent tears streaming down her face. Rhyssa reminded him. She had said her good-bye the previous evening, Dorotea affectionately but not fussily ten minutes ago. It had been Amariyah who had clung to him, her fingers patting each one of the old fractures as if rea.s.suring herself of his health. Peter hated it when Amariyah cried, the silent tears streaming down her face.

"No, dear," Dorotea had said firmly. "Give Peter a happy face."

An obedient grimace sent the tears to one side of the nine-year-old face.

"See? I'm smiling," Amariyah said, spoiling it with a gulping sob.

"I promise, Maree," Peter said, leaning down to rest his cheek against her wet face, "I'll see if you can come up on a visitor's pa.s.s. You and Dorotea."

"Don't include me," Dorotea said, urgently waving away the offer.

"Well, you and Ted, too, so you can both see the hydroponic gardens."

"The gardens? I could see them?" The child brightened.

"Didn't I promise?"

Go now, Peter, Dorotea said, lightly putting her hands on Amariyah's shoulders and drawing her away from Peter. Dorotea said, lightly putting her hands on Amariyah's shoulders and drawing her away from Peter.

Peter 'ported himself to the Jerhattan telepad and waited. He hoped that Amariyah would stop crying.

She's accessed this morning's Teacher, Peter Don't worry about her, Dorotea said. Dorotea said.

I'm not worrying about her.

Hmmm. Yes, of course not. 'Bye.

Peter settled his one duffel bag behind the pa.s.senger seats and waited. He checked the personnel carrier. He glided over to the generators and inspected them. He waited. Shading his eyes, he saw a ground car on the perimeter road. He flicked out his mind. He had had no contact with this Ceara Scott so he doubted that he could 'path to see if she was in it. He did, to his surprise, feel anxiety, nervousness, fear, and keen antic.i.p.ation. He waited more patiently.

When he identified her as the second person to emerge from the crowded vehicle, he was agreeably surprised. She had the most glorious red hair, curling vigorously around her head. She had the almost translucent skin that often went with such coloring and her eyes, anxiously seeking his, were an amazing shade of blue. He stared.

Manners, Peter, manners! Dorotea rebuked him. Dorotea rebuked him.

"Dr. Scott?" He moved toward her, making sure he looked as if he were walking, a skill he had worked on improving during his convalescence. Sometimes he could almost feel the surface beneath his feet. "Tell me what you're bringing with you, and I'll store it for you," he said, extending his hand. He even managed to curl his fingers about her knuckles. He savored her essence though the contact was very short, since she was full of repentant haste.

"Mr. Reidinger, thanks, but Stu will put my packs in," she said, indicating the young man, also a redhead, but bearing no facial resemblance to her.

The dark-haired woman who had emerged first was now directing Stu, with a maternal air, to hurry and be sure to get them all in.

"My mother," Ceara said. "I was told this wasn't a secured base so they insisted on coming. My father, my sister Terry, my sister Fiona, and her husband, Dr. Richard Jude," she went on, introducing all the pa.s.sengers.

"No, it's not exactly a secured base," Peter said. No other hands were offered him so Ceara must have warned them.

Her brother stowed the three bags, of which only one was very large. Ceara stood looking around.

"Isn't the pilot here?" she asked.

"I'm the pilot," Peter said, lifting one hand to his chest and smiling confidently.

"Oh, how silly of me," Ceara said, flushing. "Mr. Reidinger's the telekinetic I was telling you about, Dad."

The elder Scott nodded. "Then kiss me a hug, girl, and let's not delay him any longer."

Kissing and hugging included every one of her party but as soon as the farewells were done, she walked briskly to the carrier. Peter waved her over to a front seat and she settled herself.

"If you'll all stand back," and Peter pointed to the side of the telepad that was farthest from the generators. "Nice to meet you," he added as he watched them scatter hurriedly out of the way.

"I didn't delay you too much, did I, Mr. Reidinger?"

"It's just gone noon," Peter said, "and I'm Peter, not Mister anything, Ceara."