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Royce didn't say anything for severalThen he nodded as though they'd casually been discussing the weather, turned and resu alone to stare after hi and turning and finally talking over her troubles with Sanore her outburst or see to it that she was transferred to a Third World country However he reacted, she would be getting exactly what she deserved No one spoke to their XO the way she had No one
For hours she lay awake analyzing what had happened After several soul-seeking sessions, she still didn't knohat had caused her to get loose enough to say the things she did
The following , Royce was already at his desk, behind closed doors when she arrived She glanced cautiously toward his office If there was a et and forgive her outburst frorovel if need be, but leaving ," she said gingerly to Elaine Perkins "How's the great white hunter today?" she asked, hoping her secretary had had a chance to judge Royce'scoffee fro Her voice draith a thick southern accent "He asked me to send you into his office when you arrived"
Catherine felt the starch go out of her knees "He asked to seeso worried about? You haven't done anything, have you?"
"Nothing," Catherine whispered in reply Nothing except stick her head in a noose and sling the other end of the rope over the highest branch in the tree
Squaring her shoulders in her best military form, she walked across the office and knocked politely on the commander's door When she was ordered to enter the rooht ahead
"Good , Lieutenant Commander"
"Sir"
"Relax, Catherine" He leaned back in his chair, his chin resting on folded hands as though he were still weighing his decision
Relax, he'd told her to relax, only Catherine hadn't figured out how she was supposed to be at ease when her career was on the line She hadn't joined the Navy like soadventure, travel and a paid education She knew froorous routine, the political infighting and the fact she'd be dealing orld-class chauvinists
Nevertheless she loved being part of the Navy She'd worked hard, and her efforts had been rewarded Now this
"Since our recent discussion I've been having second thoughts," Royce said flatly
Catherine sed against the heaviness in her throat She doubted if she could have spoken if she tried
"Fro I've read about you, you have an excellent record" He leaned forward and closed her file "Effective i you as the substitute coordinator of the physical fitness progra Lieutenant Johnson the duty"
Catherine was sure she hadn't heard him correctly Her eyes, which had been trained on the opposite wall, skirted to his A breathlessram?" She couldn't have beenfor the KGB
"That's what I just said"
Catherine blinked, not knohat to say "Thank you, sir," she finallyher
She hesitated She'd wanted to apologize for her outburst from the day before, but one look told her Royce wasn't interested in listening to her list her excuses
As it was, her knees were knocking so badly that she walked over to her desk, sluh it were a lifeline
Catherine didn't see Royce for the reave her tih her eold chains She didn't knohat to ured out, he'd do so the s toward him He was by far the most virile man she'd ever met She couldn't be in the sanetis him
An early October drizzlelot later that same afternoon Rain, rain and more rain
It was already dark, and her calfat the track At least that was the excuse she'd given herself Howshe'd prefer not to question