Hmm, When Did Our Sci-Fi Crossover Start to Turn Into a Romance Novel?

"Really?" The word comes out of me as a tiny squeak. I simply can't believe what he's telling me. I mean, love at first sight? I've never believed in that dren. Now, lust at first sight, that I believe in. I know all about that. But you can have that with anybody. I can have it with anybody. No matter what Sigin is telling me. No matter what the strange feeling deep down inside of me seems to be saying.

The other strangers around the table are all nodding, like they believe this stuff. Like they know all about it. "You're fahrbot," I tell them. "All of you. There's nothing the matter with me--"

"There's nothing the matter with it!" Sigin protests immediately. The hurt look in his eyes stabs me right in the heart, and I reach over to caress his face.

"I didn't mean it like that," I say. "And it's not that I don't want you." I do. It frightens me how much I do. "But I haven't changed. I can't change. Look, I'll prove it."

D'Argo is standing a few paces away, listening to all this with a slightly disbelieving look on his face. Yeah, I'm right there with you, D'Argo...

And, in a couple of microts, I am right there with him.

"I do whatever I want," I say, sidling up close to him. "With whoever I want."

I've seen the way D'Argo looks at me. He's uncomfortable, but he's not going to push me away. I smile, take one of his tentacles teasingly in my hand, lean in...

But all I can think of is Sigin, sitting behind me. How it could be his hair that I'm running my fingers through. How I don't ever want to hurt him.

D'Argo's lips part a little as my mouth closes in on his, but I feel... nothing. No, worse than that, I feel... disgusted. He's an attractive male, he likes me, he wants me... And I don't want him.

I grab D'Argo's arms, hard, and lean my face against his chest. "Frell!" I shout, beating my head against him again, and again. "Frell, frell, frell!"

Suddenly a hand lands on my shoulder. I turn. It's Crichton. All blue eyes and concerned little smile and tight leather pants... And I don't want him, either.

I turn the other way, and there he is. "Sigin," I breathe and fall into his waiting arms. Yeah, this is right. This is the way it's supposed to be.

"Frell," I say again, as I bury my head into his shoulder. I'm not sure if it's a curse or a suggestion...

Behind me, I can hear D'Argo clearning his throat. "Um, I'm gonna go and see how Moya's baby is doing."

1. But I don't even hear him as he leaves.

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