This is the story of a front shop, a business that deals up front in one item and covertly carries out a different purpose within the facade. It's also a story of reconciliation. It's also a number of other things. But the next time that you visit a luxury hotel, see if their gift shop carries any

     She saw him approach. It had been many years since she had seen him. He looked much the same, a bit older, gray in his sideburns, a bit heavier, but not much. But she sensed the changes as he walked across the flat expanse, changes that did not show in his physique. He was more powerful than before. When she had left him, he was weak. Now he was not. It showed in his walk, in his being. He was a thing that needed caution in handling. But she knew how to do that.
     She was older, too, but it didn't show that much, other than the hidden scar on her chest where she had had her mastectomy. But that didn't show, since she was already slight of figure. Her nerves were well concealed as he came within range of visual detail. If anything, he looked younger at close range. "Hi. Been a long time." she greeted him.
     "That it has."
     "How have you been doing?"
     "A lot of changes. Been some hard times. Been a few good ones. Doesn't seem to matter all that much anymore."
     "Did you come here for a reason?" she asked, to break his verbal stride.
     "I wanted to ask you something."
     "A favor?"
     "More like a business arrangement."
     "Oh. Like what?"
     He took a deep breathe and sighed. "Silver baby spoons."
     "Silver baby spoons?"
     "Yes. You know the kind that are popular in Europe. Tourist are crazy about them. They go somewhere and buy a baby spoon with the emblem of the place on the handle. People collect them."
     "Okay, I know what you're saying, but why baby spoons?"
     "It's the silver. You know, proof against werewolves, the vessel of alchemistic magic. That kind of stuff. There is some truth to the old stories, but none hit it on the mark."
     "So what does this have to do with me?"
     "You bought this property. On it is a gate."
     "A gate? There are several of them."
     "Not of the kind I depict. There is one and only one of these types here. It is a dimensional gate. A vortex that allows people to pass over to the other sides and back."
     "You're serious."
     "I've been there, to other dimensions."
     "Well, there is something unusual about you. Okay. I'll buy it for now, from you. What does this have to do with the spoons?"
     "Like all invisible gates, it needs a key to pass through. The silver would work well as the key, being the right size in general. The emblem in the handle would make a good place to store the charge for the key."
     "How do I fit into this?"
     "I'd like to buy the property from you, or if that doesn't suit you, then get you to run this end of the business. There would need to be a hotel built here. The spoons would be sold in the gift shop. A separate facility would be built over the gate. There would also be the need for a private taxi service for those going through the gate to keep the cars from piling up while the owners are gone."
     "Sounds like a lot of secrecy."
     "That is no problem. Secrecy would be assured."
     "How?"
     "A mental impulse."
     "Where would this come from?"
     "Me."
     "You would be staying here?"
     "Yes."
     "What if I don't want in on it? What if I say no?"
     "There are those that will see to it that you will. If you do not wish to be in on the money making, which will be substantial, then you would do best to sell."
     "You're saying that I have no choice?"
     "You have choices, but the consequences on some of the choices would not be what you would want to experience."
     "Are you threatening me?"
     "No. I would not hurt you. I've done that in the past. I do not wish to repeat it. But I am not the only one involved in this venture. The others are not so sentimental as I am."
     "How much money is to be made?"
     "Hotels, especially ones of this nature, make very good profit. You would bear none of the investment cost and take all the profits. Money is not the issue to those involved. It is the gate that matters to them."
     "These others are rich?"
     "Quite."
     "Why would I bear none of the costs of construction?"
     "The profit that the others want lies in the other dimensions, not money."
     "Is this other dimension evil?"
     "No, most of them are less so than here."
     "What is it like?"
     "It's very beautiful in many of them."
     "Why would people want to go there?"
     "For the power."
     "Power? What kind of power?"
     "Power such as I possess now. It's hard to describe. It's awareness, it is the ability to control events, to a degree."
     "Like magic?"
     "Kind of. But it's more of a mental discipline. It is a way of using the mind to make things happen."
     "What kind of things?"
     "Depends on the mind. You look interested, but if I read you right, the moral question is the one that has you stumped, right?"
     "Yes. You can still read me."
     "Then how about you going through the gate with me? That would answer your questions."
     "Why is the power wanted here? To what use will it be put?"
     "It won't be used to enslave people. It's complicated. You see, there's a struggle going on. Unseen to most people, but much rides in the outcome of the struggle. There are many factions involved, and none are exactly the same in what they wish to achieve. By and large, we are trying to save the human race from being annihilated. Some of the things that we do are necessary and don't seem fair. Would that we could avoid doing these things, we would not do them. Too much is at stake, and the ruthlessness of those that face us is too severe. It is a silent war played out along the lines of fate."
     "And you want to enlist me?"
     "I wish that you could avoid getting involved in this, but you own this property that we need. Thus, I wish to see you benefit as much as possible from the circumstances."
     "What are the dangers involved?"
     "There would be none for you. This is a silent war. Everything is done away from the public eye. It is not a war of destruction. It is one of will and cunning. People are not killed, property not destroyed. That would call too much attention to the conflict. Like I said, it is quite complicated. Much needs to be seen to be understood."
     "Do you think that I would support what you are doing?"
     "Yes. Otherwise I would not have come to ask you to get involved."
     "What do you think I should do?
     "Choose for yourself, once you see the facts."
     "When does this happen?"
     "We can start now, if you like."
     "Okay. You said something about me going through the gate?"
     "Yes. But you should learn a few things first. This gate that exists here is not a simple one way gate. It goes to many places, some of which are hostile. Poisonous air, excessive gravity, dangerous wildlife, and the like. But the places that we want to visit are also accessible through the gate. Care must be taken in establishing the crossover.
     "The first place we would go is a place of learning. It is a place that merely visiting will imbue you with intrinsic knowledge. The people there are peaceful and used to seeing many cultures. They are tolerant of varying customs, as long as they are peaceful. Along with the knowledge also comes the mental powers. Are you ready for your mind to grow? When you arrive, you will grow sleepy. You will be out for about ten days while your mind adapts. When you waken, you will understand enough to make a decision. Do you have the time to be gone that long? If you need to make arrangements, then we can wait until you have done so."
     "It may take a while to do so."
     "Then I will go and return when you are ready."
     "How do I get in touch with you when I'm ready?"
     "I will know when you're ready." He bowed to her and turned to go.
     "Wait. Can we talk a bit more? I'd like to hear what you have done in the time since we were married. I've heard some things from people we both know, but I'd like to hear from you."
     "Perhaps later, when we have time to share. I have things that need my attention. If you accept the position of hotel owner, then we shall have a lot of time to share. If not, I'm sure that we can find the time. I'm sorry to drop this on you and then vanish with you still in the dark about many things. But things are pressing at the moment. Without this gate, we are at a disadvantage. Much needs to be done to offset the disadvantage. I wish that it were otherwise. Later."
     "It's good seeing you again."
     "Maybe it will get better." He sighed. "I know this isn't easy. It isn't for me either. Let me leave you with one hope. Once you go through the gate, you'll be able to remove and restore that scar you carry."
     "You noticed? Someone told you."
     "No one told me. It is the awareness from the other side of the gate. Bye." He turned and walked off, leaving her there with a sense of being obscurely overwhelmed. She didn't know exactly what to feel.

     After she made arrangements to take early vacation, he appeared again.
     "So you did know when I was ready."
     "Yes. It comes with the new abilities. You'll see."
     "How did you know?"
     "It just felt to be time to return. I didn't keep an eye on you, or anything like that. I just knew, like a little bell went off. Works in the subconscious. I just felt it."
     "Oh. Well, I am ready, I guess. I'm putting a lot of trust in you, you know."
     "Yes. I know, and I appreciate it. I know that it took something to be able to trust me after all this time."
     "I never mistrusted you. That was never the problem. It was more of our going in different directions. There was just too much pull to get anything done without a lot of effort in coordinating. This is kind of the same thing. But I feel that it's worth a look. I know that it won't be a picnic, but I feel that you are being open and honest with me, despite the lack of details."
     "Thanks. I don't want to see you hurt."
     "I sense that. I don't think that you ever wanted to hurt me. I'm a bit more accepting than I used to be. We were both pretty young then."
     "We both made mistakes. But that is long ago. We have both grown."
     "Are you ready to go?"
     "Sure. Any time that you are."
     "I'm ready. Where is the gate?"
     "Out behind the house. Not far."
     "I take it that it can't be seen."
     "Not until you apply the key. Shall we?"
     They walked out the back door, having walked through the house.
     "I should go before you, to be sure that things are okay. I'll give you this key, and if I don't return in five minutes, press the emblem and walk into the distortion as you see me do it before you."
     "That's easy enough. Do you feel anything going through?"
     "No, you won't feel anything unusual until you get there, and then it will be a tired feeling, followed by sleepiness. I'll see that there is a bed waiting."
     "Okay."
     They stopped where he indicated. He handed her a silver baby spoon with his last name's coat of arms, seeing as how she had kept his name after the divorce.
     "Is this mine to keep?"
     "Yes."
     "How does it work?"
     He laid the cup of the spoon in his palm and crooked his thumb down to cover it, applying enough pressure to hold it, as he demonstrated by turning his hand over. Then he curled his index finger over to touch the emblem on the handle. "This is awkward, but it assures no accidental triggerings." He pressed down on the emblem with his index finger, and a distortion appeared before them, opening like french doors. "That is illusion from being inside the circle of influence. Take three steps back, and you will notice that the illusion disappears."
     She tried it, and the distortion was replaced by normality. She then stepped back to his side. She looked at him. "Hi. It's good to see you again. You look good. It's nice."
     "But it's hard."
     "Only if we let it be."
     "True. But things are about to change. You'll soon be able to see more. Look at me then and say that, and I'll say it back to you."
     "Okay."
     He stepped through the area where nothing made visual sense. It was like looking at glass purposely blown to twist light. It looked the same when she stood still, but changed when she changed her perspective. In the five minutes that she restlessly waited, she noticed that she could return to an exact spot by looking at the distortion. She had just noticed a pattern for the third time when he re-emerged.
     "Everything is ready for you."
     "What's on the other side?"
     "Some people, from here. That's all you'll see this time. Nothing to fear. It's like here, where you'll be. The people are nice. All have the power of the dimension."
     "Are you going with me?"
     "Yes. And I'll be there until after you wake up."
     "All the time?"
     "Except to go to the bathroom. I'll set up a cot to cat nap."
     "You don't have to do that."
     "You'll be in very good hands, I promise." He stepped back through with a gesture to follow. She took a breath and stepped through. She was inside a room with no sensation of transit. There before her were six people of various ages, half women and half men.
     "These are the people that will see to your transition. There is a bed set up in there for when you start feeling sleepy. They'll tube feed you four times during the period that you are asleep. They know what they are doing. There is certain maintenance to be done for a sleep that long. Prevent bed sores, keep you clean. Everybody goes through it. Just the rite of passage. They perform to high hospital standards."
     She started to feel unstable on her feet.
     "Better get you to bed. I'd introduce them individually, but you probably wouldn't remember their names after you wake up. Come on, want me to help you to the bed?"
     She nodded. He held out his arm as support for her to take, allowing her the freedom to use it if needed. She noted the distinction, and leaned forward. He started her walking. "I'm putting a lot of trust in you."
     "I know. I won't sell it short."
     "I hope so."
     "We did have good times."
     "Yes. They were good." She followed his lead to the bed and helped her find her back settled and legs straight. She turned toward him. "Do you still love me?"
     "While it may not be all consuming at it once was, yes."
     "I still love you. Like you said."
     "Wherever you are, I think of you fondly."
     "Yeah. I like that." She sighed, shut her eyes, and fell into the depths of sleep with a final surrender.

     She woke, and she noticed it immediately, as if it had been calling for her attention for days and she just finally noticed. Her eyes opened and focused, and she sat up, feeling the weakness of lying still for some time. She had lost muscle tone and size. "Exercise," she thought, then realized that one of the attendants was there as her rehab manager.
     She was distracted when he walked in. He came in, sat on the corner of the bed and looked her over. She let the new knowledge come into play, seeing the sleep induced courses and the innate skills magnified, along with the new abilities. Things came to light differently, but she was surprised to feel the same things as before. She had expected to more of a change.
     "Give it a little time, and it will change you. But the experience of using it is what changes you, not just gaining it."
     "You knew that I was thinking that."
     "I felt it, as I felt it in myself and the others whom I've helped through this."
     "It makes a lot of sense now. I'm glad to see that my trust was not misplaced. Yeah, I'll be a hotel owner. I'll be glad to do my part."
     "You trust in everything that you find? No suspicions?"
     "It fits together too well. You knew that I would favor this before you even came to me. You knew that if you got me this far, you'd have me, lock, stock, and barrel."
     "Yes. When I first found it, I knew that you'd like it. It was one of my first thoughts after waking as you've just done."
     "I guess that answers the question as to if you had forgotten me."
     "Not much chance of that."
     "It's a big struggle. I had no idea what you were saying when you said complex. This would take days to sort out."
     "Yes, but balance is a funny animal. So much more difficult than just moving something."
     "I feel like laughing. Do you mind?"
     "No. Laugh as much as you like."
     "Laugh with me?"
     "Too tired. I'm past due for some sleep. In fact, it's time to get you back in shape with a real bland diet. Breakfast, then your first steps, all while I drop out of existence for about ten or twelve hours. I'm no good to anyone in this state."
     "Okay. Thanks. I appreciate this, that you still think enough about me to do this for me."
     "Glad to. See you when I'm worth something."
     "You're worth a lot to me now."
     "I'll let everybody introduce themselves. They already know who you are."
     "I'll try not to complain."
     He smiled. "I don't see you complaining here." He rose from the bed and walked out. In his place came a woman that helped her remove the sleeping harness that handled her sleep maintenance. Then she left and returned with breakfast that was bland for her stomach's not being used to food. She had heard the excuse before, and wished for something spicy.
     By the time that she had worked her muscles and metabolism back into shape, he had already left to attend matters of importance that were left unsaid. But she had easily made friends with those that tended her. She was full of energy that she was not used to having, and she needed the outlet. She was a bit disappointed that he was not as emotionally free as she was about their meeting, but she assumed that he was just protecting feelings, a bit afraid to re-establish what they had once had, not in fear of the good, but of further possible rejection. It was a different time, and his feelings were still intense about the pain of the past. He did not wish to risk again being hurt by her. Her feelings were also a bit tender, but that didn't seem to matter now. She was full of new awareness and spirit.
     She had fun learning to use her new abilities, seeing things with her mind that had never been there before. Relationships, causes, possibility analysis, energies, probabilities. The staff covered with her the base of the new knowledge to assure that she had gained the proper level of training in her transition, and she was eager to talk about her new knowledge and how it fit to her beliefs. These she knew were unchanged from too many memories.
     She learned to heal the scar on her chest and replace it with a normal breast. She also gave into the desire to augment both in size and revitalized her figure overall, being one bent on being one's best. Her face lost twenty years.
     Once the tests and sessions were finished, a new set of people arrived to talk to her about the hotel business. Here she learned that the plans for the construction of the hotel was already underway. They showed her drawings of the proposals for the hotel complex she was to run. She was staggered by the immensity of it. It was ten times what she had imagined, and far more tasteful and elegant. She re-evaluated what she would be doing with these new insights and came to the conclusion that she probably could do it and enjoy it in the process. After all, how many people owned luxury hotels with a guaranteed clientele? It began to feel more like an adventure to her.
     More people began showing up, discussing different phases of the hotel's operation. She began to okay plans and contracts for later signing. She was quickly jumping into the role. She discovered that she did like it.

     It wasn't until the opening day, some five astonishing months later, that he returned. He found her in a flurry of activity. She was unaware of him until he spoke with a chuckle. "You look good."
     She turned around. "Well, there you are. I rather expected you before now. What was that about you're being here?"
     "I'm here, ready to go to work."
     "Work? I didn't see your name on any roster."
     "I don't work for you. I run the concession shop, which is termed independent by contract. You will notice that none of your duties have to do with selling spoons. Mine do. You signed the contract."
     "Oh. So you are the company personnel listed in the agreement."
     "Yes. This allows you to claim ignorance."
     "Protecting me?"
     "Yes, but not only for your sake."
     "Okay. Where have you been?"
     "Busy. I'll tell you later. I just wanted you to know that I'm around, if you want to talk to me."
     "I sure do. I've been thinking."
     "I should hope so." He looked around the lobby to make light of the comment.
     "I mean about you and me. I'd like to talk. Are you busy tonight?"
     "I don't think so."
     "Then I'll look you up."
     "Okay."
     "No asking for clues?" she inquired.
     "I'll be patient."
     "You were always too patient."
     "Perhaps." He bowed and left for the gift shop.

     A knock came on his door, and he rose to answer it.
     "Alone?" she asked as she pressed her way past him at the door.
     "Not anymore. Come in."
     "So what do you think of the hotel?"
     "Pretty fancy. But it looks good on you.
     "Think so?"
     "I think so."
     "How do you feel about us getting together again. I know, I'm the one that broke us up. I didn't like what we were becoming. But we aren't there anymore. Do you have someone?"
     "No. Not for some time."
     "Did I hurt you that bad?"
     "It hurt like hell. I was a wreck for years, until I dropped it and went on with my life. But I just think that I'm happier being single. Not as much joy, not as much pain and frustration. A trade off, but I think that it suits me. I seldom lose my temper. . . ."
     "You seldom lost your temper. I think that was one of my problems. You never did like to fight."
     "I've developed other ways of releasing. They don't rock the boat as much."
     "But they aren't as effective."
     "But I don't have a rocking boat to settle. Same energy consumption, smoother ride. I like it that way."
     "So you are saying that you don't want to get back together with me?"
     "I'm not ruling it out, but let's give it time and see where we stand in familiarity."
     "You're wondering if I will lose my temper with you?"
     "That's part of it. But there is more. I want to see how I feel. I don't know yet. I want to see what the years have wrought.
     "So I just go on being the lonely hotel owner."
     "Loneliness is a state of mind. I didn't say the I wouldn't talk to you when you like. But let's go slowly."
     "Why are you so shy? Is it because I hurt you? It wasn't one sided."
     "I know. No, it's because we don't know each other all that well. Some things in us are the same, but many are different. I'm not sure that we aren't even more different than before. I want a sign that we'll do well. I don't want to risk going through that much pain over you again."
     "Why do you think that you would?"
     "I don't know that I would. I just know that I don't want to. Risk, not certainty, is the issue."
     "You don't trust me."
     "No. I trust you. That should be obvious. I just don't trust what you do to me inside. It's not what you do that I don't trust. It's the way that I react to you that I don't trust."
     "How do I make you feel that you don't trust? Is it desire? What?"
     "A whole bunch of things. It's complicated. Part of it is a numbness that I don't want to surrender."
     "You shield yourself too much."
     "Around you, I do."
     "Why?"
     "Maybe because you attacked my weaknesses."
     "A lack of trust. Are you afraid that I will attack you again?"
     "I don't know. You still see with eyes of perfection. I am not a perfect man. I never will be. I accept not being perfect. I don't know if you can accept me not being perfect and still want me. You never wanted me to be me. You always wanted me to be something else, a man you envisioned. I admit that I was far from perfect, but I never ridiculed you. You never accounted for my strengths in a way that was good. And in the end, it got worse and worse. I don't want that anymore. I know myself, and I don't need my nose rubbed in it. I guess that is the basis of it."
     "So I have to prove myself to you."
     "No. You don't need to prove yourself to me."
     "But then we get nowhere."
     "Okay, then we get nowhere. Time will provide all the proving needed, one way or the other. We don't need to try to prove ourselves. That will come naturally without trying, and only without trying will it mean anything in the end."
     "Do you remember what we said before we went through the gate?"
     "Yes."
     "You look good to me. I know we have a lot to overcome down deep, but I feel that we can, if you are willing to keep an open mind. I've come to see some of the things that you did in a different light. And I still think of you fondly. I would like to be in your arms again. If I can't have you now, I'll wait. Not that I want to, but I understand. I've been debating this myself. It's scary. I don't blame you for being afraid. So am I."
     "As long as we don't hurry, we'll do a lot better."
     "But I want to touch you, caress you, assure you. But I don't want to unless you give back. And you're not ready for that. I want you to know that I appreciate all of this, and I attribute it directly to you. Uhn uh. I know it wasn't your money, but it was your clout that landed me this hotel. Thank you for that. It means a lot to me that you did that for me. I just wanted to show how much it means to me. I don't want to hurt you."
     "I see. I'm sorry that I'm raining on your parade on opening day."
     "How is business, by the way?"
     "Did great on souvenirs."
     "Sell any spoons?"
     "Not available yet."
     She chuckled. "You are taking one doozy of a back seat."
     "Do you have any statues of the hotel for sale?" he mimicked one customer.
     She laughed even harder. "You can be such a sweet man. I guess that's why I fell for you in the first place. I guess that we sorrow that we can't sustain it."
     "Yes."
     "I love you, even after all this time. You still get to me."
     "Doomed to get to each other. Do you honestly think that you could stand an imperfect man?"
     "I've had better than a decade of practice. Think that you can get along with a picky woman?"
     "I don't know. I've had more than a decade of freedom. But seeing as how we are stuck here together. . . ."
     "Yes?"
     "I guess we'll just have to find out."
     "Yes." she said, inching into his face. "When do you start selling spoons?"
     "I think we're on different pages in the script."
     She giggled. "Why, oh, why, you and I?"
     "There already? Didn't we skip something?"
     "Yes. This." She kissed him. "Just jogging your memory. Find your place?"
     "Ah, I get it."
     "Finally? "
     "Let's see. Ah, no. Already said that. Here. Yes. Very funny, ha, ha. I was referring to, never mind. Cut to the turn of the cheek and seeing the clock and hurrying out to business."
     "I left word that I was not to be disturbed. I am off till further notice. The entire evening, if I want it."
     "No, maam, but I have a great selection of post cards."
     She laughed. "Hi. It's good to see you again. You look good. It's nice."
     "Hello. It is nice."
     "You still haven't answered my question."
     "No?"
     "When do you start selling the spoons?"
     "Give it some time for things to settle down, the press coverage to thin. If you didn't notice, there were people running in and out of the other side while the place was being built. A bit ahead of schedule to allow for the lag that's beginning now. We start selling just before we hit schedule and do a break in. It's not going to be that many. And it will be from the special collection. And those we sell over and over again. A week, two, three from now. You'll know when you start getting auto-billings for room service. Just keep an eye on records and you'll know exactly who, without having to come to me for the information."
     "Why don't you want to tell me?"
     "Because I just don't need to. You have the resources to verify. It's better that way. You and I are not seen discussing records together."
     "But in private?"
     "Who is to say what is private? Reading is private. Private is less conspicuous, because you are expected to be private as owner."
     "Okay. Be that way. I'll live with it."
     "You are still thinking in terms of what I should be."
     "Old spots."
     "To old spots."
     "Here, here!" she toasted with an imaginary glass.
     "Salute."
     "Feels nice, in a way."
     "Maybe we have enough hindsight to make it."
     "Think so?"
     "Maybe."
     "Maybe."
     "The big maybe." he returned the toast.
     "If it was just you and me, it would have been certain."
     "Certain what? Doom?"
     She laughed again. "New rules in new times. I'll accept, if you do one thing for me."
     "What?"
     "Kiss me like you mean it."
     "'Like you mean it.' That one is truly open for interpretation."
     "Pucker up, big boy. I have a thank you to lay on you." Her kiss started out demanding, and he matched her but didn't encourage. Then the kiss grew warm and forgiving, soft and endearing. She broke into tears, and his eyes didn't run, but they were full of saline fluid.
     "What people won't say when they get wind that the owner fancies the gift shop sales clerk."
     "As long as they know that I fancied him for a long, long time. Once enough to marry him."
     "Oh, well, we all make mistakes." he fluttered, imitating the head desk clerk.
     She laughed briefly. "If only we could stand each other."
     "Time will tell. We just might, yet."
     "Practice makes perfect."
     "Time for you to go."
     "Aw. Striking me out, huh?"
     "Rain delay."
     "You have changed."
     "So have you."
     "To the best husband I ever had."
     "Seeing how I'm the only one you ever had."
     "Still the best."
     "Go on and tend to business."
     "Kicked out of bed. Will I ever live this down?"
     "You made it through worse."
     "Maybe someday I will thank you, huh?"
     "Time will tell."
     "As if we don't have enough to make up as it is. Okay." she flustered in final surrender.
     "Go make some money."
     "May as well, for all the action I'm getting here. I'm going. 'Make money, not love.' Has a catchy ring to it, don't you think?"
     "No comment."
     "Love you." She gave him a brief soft kiss, then left. He picked up a book, but didn't read as his eyes followed the lines.

     The use of the gate resumed as the hoopla settled two weeks after the opening. A week after that, he quit sleeping in his own room. Three weeks after that, his replacement arrived, handing him a note assigning him to a special task. She met him in his room as he was packing.
     "I heard that you are leaving. Will you be back? When?"
     "I don't know. I haven't been briefed. I don't think that this is permanent. Not that type of call. But it could be a while."
     "Will this sort of thing be happening often?"
     He shrugged. "Never can tell. Go with the balance where needed."
     "I'll miss you."
     "I hope that I have the chance to miss you.
     "Is this dangerous?"
     "Never can tell that till it happens."
     "Be careful. I don't want to lose you now."
     "I'll be careful. Hey, I've got a long lifeline. You haven't seen the last of me yet. Death has had its chance at me several times. He doesn't want me yet."
     "Better not. I got dibs on you. When do you leave?"
     "My driver is waiting impatiently. As soon as I pack."
     "I'll help you."
     The driver waited longer than expected. He returned the next day and left by spoon.

     He was gone eight weeks without word. He returned one rainy afternoon with his arm in a sling. She was immediately concerned.
     "Calm down." he told her, once they were off in their room alone. "I slipped on a soapy floor. Just my elbow. It was a planned accident to make for a get-away. But the bad news is that I got documented, and they are pulling me off active duty. I'm now assigned here full time. So no more sudden trips off to unnamed locations. You are going to have to put up with me all the time."
     "Gladly."
     "Tell me that in a year."
     "Gladly."
     "You are really making a case for us growing old together."
     "Gladly."
     "Just one problem. I met this girl on the trip."
     "You what?"
     "I met this girl. She'll be coming here looking for me."
     "I thought. . . ."
     "Let me finish. She mustn't find me. My assignment was to dupe her. I did a good job of it, and now she'll be looking for revenge. No, I didn't go off and fall in love with someone else like you're thinking. But she may have fallen for me, for a short time. She was angry with me the last time we saw each other. So keep a look out. Here is her picture. Get all of the employees to learn how she looks."
     "You are sure that it was an assignment?"
     "I quite chasing skirts a long time ago. I am sure. If she finds me here, I'll be transferred elsewhere permanently. That is my concern. Comprende?"
     "She's attractive."
     "And a danger."
     "She means nothing to you?"
     "She means a total threat to our future if she finds me. That is not nothing. You should know me well enough now not to get jealous."
     "Okay. Good to have you back. I missed you. How bad is your arm?"
     "Not too bad. If you're careful. . . ."
     "I will be."