“You be sure you do that,” Lissa said, frowning. “Yonnie Six is a dangerous place. And the people there…” She shook her head and shivered. “Let’s just say you’re safer in the ship.”
“Oh…okay.” Maggie’s big brown eyes were wide behind her glasses. “Thanks for the warning.”
“You’re welcome.” Lissa still looked troubled. “I just want you to be safe. You’re a very sweet girl, but you do seem to be a little bit…accident prone.”
“You mean clumsy.” Maggie sighed. “I swear I do better when I’m not nervous. It’s just that I usually am nervous. Unless I’m doing research—then I get into the zone, and I’m almost a normal person. Almost.”
“You’re fine, and everything is going to be okay,” Nina assured her though she couldn’t suppress a shiver of unease when she thought of the accident prone Maggie anywhere near a life threatening situation. “Just stay in the ship like Lissa said and don’t get off it until you get to Gaia.”
“Right.” Maggie sighed. “I really am excited about going, you know. But first I think I should go with Kat and apologize to that poor Becca girl.”
“If it’ll make you feel better,” Kat said quietly. “Though I still don’t think you’re to blame.”
“Thanks, Kat.” Maggie smiled at her gratefully. “Should we go now?”
Kat sighed. “Just let me finish my cupcake, doll. It would be a shame to let any of Lauren’s baking go to waste. Just because it doesn’t make me horny out of my mind doesn’t mean it doesn’t taste freaking delicious.”
Lauren laughed. “Okay, Kat—you know what flattery will get you.”
“Another cupcake for the road?” Kat asked hopefully. “Because honestly, Lauren, the twins are begging for more.” She patted her belly which was just barely beginning to show.
Lauren answered something, but just at that moment, Nina got the feeling that someone was trying to speak to her.
“Yes, baby?” she sent, opening herself to the communication. The mental link between herself and Reddix was still so new she hadn’t quiet gotten used to it yet, but it gave her a little thrill every time she heard his deep, harsh voice speaking inside her head.
“Just wanted to know how much longer you’re going to be ‘out with the girls’ sweetheart,” he sent back to her. “I’m beginning to miss you so much I can’t fucking stand it.”
Nina stifled a chuckle. “It’s only been a few hours since the last time we made love. Going into withdrawal already?”
“Absolutely. I can’t get enough of you, sweetheart. Come back to the suite soon, okay?”
“I promise I will. I think things are about to break up here anyway. Do you want me to bring you a cupcake?”
“I don’t care what you bring as long as you bring yourself,” he growled softly through their link. “Love you, Nina.”
“I love you too—I’ll be there soon.”
She broke the link just in time to hear everyone wishing Maggie a safe trip the next day. Nina went to wish her new friend well too.
“You’re going to do fine,” she murmured, hugging the shorter girl. “Just be careful and stay in the ship on Yonnie Six like Lissa said.”
“Of course.” Maggie smiled and hugged her back. “And don’t worry about me—I’ll be living a safe and boring life collecting specimens for the next six months.”
“And writing papers about everything you find, too.” Nina smiled.
“Exactly. I’ll be in nerd heaven, but I’m afraid it won’t be very exciting,” Maggie said grinning back.
“That’s okay. Exciting isn’t always safe,” Nina told her. “And that’s the main thing—to stay safe.”
“I will, I promise,” Maggie said.
“I’m sure you will,” Nina said, letting the other girl go. But she couldn’t help the twinge of unease she felt or the strange presentiment that Maggie’s life wasn’t going to be nearly as dull and danger-free as she anticipated.
Don’t be silly, she scolded herself as she waved at Maggie one last time and turned to leave the party. She’s going to be just fine…isn’t she?