BOUNDARY(19)

He paused a moment, obviously fighting a grin. "Now, monitoring it from outside and performing my own unique analyses on the data, that's a different matter."



A.J. made a theatrical frowning glance to the side, as though consulting some very complex and important display out of her range of vision. "And it looks like you can tell your friends not to worry about having your tests cancelled. According to my data, the air you're venting is actually coming out below ambient rad levels."



"Showoff."



"Well, true. Let me make it up to you—meet Joe and me in Alamogordo and we'll buy you dinner. We both have something to celebrate!"



"You too?"



"Yep. Ted's Steak and Lobster, how's that? Meet you there at eight? Great. See you!"



"Hey, wait! What—" But A.J. had cut off. "Oooh, he is so . . ."



"Your boyfriend annoying you again?"



"He is not my boyfriend!"





Chapter 8




"I'm not?" A.J. pulled an exaggerated sad face.



"No, you're not," stated Jackie firmly, as she slid into the booth seat opposite A.J. and Joe. "And stop pouting. You look cuter when you smile."



The sensor specialist brightened. "I'm cute!"



Joe shook his head. "She said you're cut-er. All that means is that you're less annoying when you smile than when you sulk. She's the precisionist type, don't forget."



"So," Jackie said, ignoring their byplay. "Obviously everyone knows what I'm celebrating. What about you guys?"



After A.J. filled her in on the latest news, Jackie jumped up and hugged him, nearly spilling water all over Joe. "Congratulations! That's wonderful news!"



"Dammit, Jackie, watch out." Joe blotted up the spill with a handful of napkins. "Or you'll get in trouble for consorting with the enemy."



She resumed her seat. "Yeah, right. Like they don't already believe I'm consorting. Do you know how often I have to repeat the fact that A.J. and I are not dating?" Jackie studied the menu and her eyes widened. "Holy sheep, as my dad used to say. Celebrations shouldn't leave people broke!"



"Don't worry, I'm paying." A.J. spoke before Joe could even respond.



"Oh, A.J., you don't have to—"



"It's no biggie, guys. Seriously."



Joe raised an eyebrow. "Paying for Jackie, I can understand, but I doubt I'm that good to look at."



"No, you're ugly. I'm paying for you out of pity."



"You are funny, A.J. That is why I'll kill you last."



There was a break in the banter as the trio considered the many options on the menu. The ordering process was delayed as Joe interrogated the waiter sternly on the precise methods of cooking employed, the spices, and a number of other issues. Jackie saw A.J. roll his eyes.



Joe was a gourmet; and, quite possibly, the most ungodly picky eater either of them knew. Apparently, however, the waiter's answers satisfied him, because he finally leaned back and selected stuffed portobello mushrooms with lobster and king crab for an appetizer, with grilled swordfish marinated in red wine sauce for his main course.



A.J. had taken all of three seconds to make his choice of calamari followed by a broiled lobster. Jackie wasn't quite that fast, but she'd still managed to order her grilled vegetables with dipping sauce and surf-and-turf combo in far less time than Joe took.



"I can see why you said you don't go out to eat with Joe very often."



Joe gave a tolerant smile. "Oh, you complain now, Jackie, but that's because you aren't in Ares."



She looked quizzically at A.J. "Just what does Joe's mania for cuisine have to do with the Project?"



"Well, everyone in the Project has to wear more than one hat. It so happens that Joe is in charge of the consumable supplies aboard the ships."



"Ah. Light dawns."



"Which," A.J. added, "is one of the reasons I pay for his meals. He's going to be picking mine when we go."



"So you're actually going?" Jackie couldn't keep her voice from rising on the last part, nor exclude the envy.



"About ninety-five percent chance. I'm in training already."



"Not that he really needs much," Joe said. "A.J.'s always been in good shape. I'm the one who has to really work."



"Don't tell me you're going, too!"



"Not all that likely. But possible. I'm a candidate, but nowhere near the front of the pack like A.J." Joe shook his head. "Basically, for me to go up, some of the others have to either get disqualified or quit. Or else something new has to turn up that gives me some special qualifications that other people don't have."