"Joanna! I thought I'd never see you again!" Lafayette's mellow face was glowing with such happiness that she couldn't help but laugh.
"Why? I promised I'll be in touch?" she said warmly.
"Oh, it's just that... I guess I really didn't believe you'd find the time for an old man..." he finished with a mischievous grin.
"Pierre, you must be kidding!" Joanna giggled.
"Oh, of course I'm kidding!" he winked at her, moving his face closer to the monitor. "You know I never seriously refer to myself as old..."
"Look, I know it's a little... unexpected... but we'll be in the area in two days and I convinced Pierre we could make a little detour and take a few days off to visit you... if you have time, of course?"
"Time? For you? Always, my dear! What a wonderful surprise!" Lafayette exclaimed.
"Great! We'll be seeing you in two days, then. I can't wait! I've been hoping for an opportunity to see you again..."
"Ah, now you're kidding..." he shook his head with comical sadness.
"No, Sir!" Joanna replied solemnly. "I'm telling you the truth, only truth and nothing but the truth."
What she didn't tell him, however, was that it did, in fact, take quite a lot of convincing to get Pierre to agree. Joanna couldn't quite understand it.
* * *
"As a captain, you have every right to take a short leave, Pierre. I know the regulations as well as you do. We're only due on Pator in two weeks, there's plenty of time..."
"Yes, but... don't you think it's a little rude to load off on someone on such a short notice?"
"Oh, come on, honey, it's Lafayette we're talking about! He'll be delighted!"
"I'm sure he will be..." Pierre said with a strange expression.
Joanna put away the coffee she was drinking and came up to sit in his lap.
"What's wrong, Pierre?" she asked, tousling his hair. "You don't want to see Lafayette again? He's such a charming old man... I thought you liked him?
"I do..." Pierre said reluctantly, avoiding her eyes. "I just don't feel comfortable imposing myself that way... he may be busy..."
"I'll talk to him first. If he's got too much work, we won't bother him. But it's a rare opportunity..."
Finally, he agreed. Once she got his consent, she stopped worrying about his attitude. She was too happy about meeting Lafayette again.
* * *
When he turned the monitor off, Lafayette was so excited that he didn't know what to do first. Start getting his old bachelor's house back into some decent shape, call on his housekeeper to let her know the guests were coming, or choose the best wine from his cellar. However, before he made the decision, he felt a familiar pain in his chest. He gasped.
*Oh no! Please, not now!* he thought, fumbling frantically for his medicine in the drawers. *Not when she's coming! Oh god, allow me the dignity at least...* His prayers must have fallen on deaf ears, though, because his vision became gray around the edges and he felt the dreaded weakness overcome him. Just before he managed to reach the computer panel to call for help, he lost control over his body and passed out, slipping slowly on the desk, oblivious to the beeping sound of the comm system.
* * *
"Are you here to see Professor Lafayette?" An elderly Irradi lady, with a gloomy expression asked when they rang at the door of his house.
"Yes, may we come in?" asked Joanna, dauntless.
"No. He's in hospital. May I ask what you want with him?" the Irradi frowned.
"Hospital?!" Joanna looked at the woman, terrified. "What happened?!"
"And you are…?" She looked them both up and down.
"His daughter," said Joanna firmly. "Actually, he's my husband's father," she added when Pierre said nothing. The woman looked at him skeptically, before her face lightened up a little.
"Yes, now I can see the resemblance. But he never told me he had a son. Then again, he doesn't talk about himself at all."
"What's wrong with Pierre?" Joanna urged her nervously.
"He had a heart attack."
"Heart...? Oh my god!" Joanna reeled suddenly and Pierre had to support her.
"Sunshine!" he exclaimed but Joanna ignored him.
"What happened?" she whispered, horrified.
"Well, with his illness, it doesn't take much," the woman shook her head disapprovingly. "He received a message from the Fleet two days ago. I found him unconscious in front of the monitor with a Space Fleet sign on it. I thought it was some bad news... but, you're Fleet, too... it was you who called him, wasn't it?"
"Yes..."
"In that case, whatever you told him, you should have been more careful," she scolded her. "In his condition, even the slightest excitement may be dangerous. Besides, he drinks too much."
"Where is this hospital?" Joanna was barely listening. "I need to see him!"
"I don't think it's such a good idea," the woman replied.
"Why?"
"Well... he's changed a lot lately. And not for the better."
"What do you mean?"
"He used to run an open house," she began with a sigh, opening the door just wide enough so that she could lean on the frame. "There was hardly a day when we didn't have any guests. He had a lot of friends, some coming, others going... parties every night. He loved parties. But, since this episode with the Fleet, he came back a different man. For the last two months he's basically locked himself up in here, drinking alone almost everyday and he doesn't want to see anybody anymore. I've no idea what you people did to him but it wasn't good. I think you should leave him alone."
* * *
"Heart attack? I thought you made sure his heart was fine?" Pierre asked as they were going to the hospital. Lafayette's housekeeper refused to help them but Pierre simply connected to the central computer and booked a hovercraft to the town for them.
"No, in fact, I only removed the immediate danger," Joanna sighed sadly. "Pierre, our medicine may be quite advanced but we're not miracle workers. I spoke to the doctors on Med Base 12 afterwards... they said I did an excellent job but his heart is weak anyway. Nobody can help it... not at this stage.
Cardiomiopathy is one of those few diseases we haven't really found a cure for. It's rare but when it happens… we can only ease the symptoms and prolong the inevitable. Maybe, if he were younger… Even if we gave him a new heart, his arteries wouldn't withstand the pressure, we'd need to give him a whole new body... and then this drinking..."
"In that case, I don't think it's a good idea to visit him, either."
"Why?"
"Well, isn't it obvious? You heard that woman. He's supposed to avoid strong emotions. And seeing you will certainly be a strong emotion for him."
"Yes but... he was so happy... Pierre, these may well be his last moments!"
"Can't you just give him a break and let the man live the rest of his life in peace?! You see how he reacted to the news of you coming..."
"Pierre, it's not that simple. I know him. He'd rather die happy than live alone for years... You must understand it, don't you? You're the same way..."
"Yes, I suppose I am. But I'm not 160 years old."
"160 is normally not all that old…" she started but something in his voice gave her a pause. "What is it with you?" she asked, looking at him carefully. "You keep on finding excuses... Pierre, are you... are you jealous?"
"This has nothing to do with..."
"No, tell me. Are you jealous?"
Joanna used what she knew had to work. Pierre's software made it impossible for him to lie openly. With a question phrased like this, he could either keep quiet or tell her the truth. In this case, silence would have meant the same. He sighed heavily.
"Yes... you see, he once told me he knows he may have a chance with you..."
"He did?" Joanna's face warmed up with a somewhat dreamy smile.
Pierre gave her a sad look.
"Come on, Pierre, I thought we talked about it already? What's wrong, you don't trust me?"
"I trust you, Sunshine," he shook his head. "I just... I'm not sure if I can trust him..."
"Pierre! He's too ill right now to even think about it... Besides, he never did anything!"
"Yet..."
"This is unfair and you know it! Don't you think I deserve some level of trust from you? After all, I'm not the one who cheated here!" Joanna fired before she realized what she was saying. When she turned around to look at Pierre, he had such a painful expression on his face that she felt her heart sink. "Pierre..." she said softly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you..."
Pierre bit his lip. It happened two years ago but he remembered it like it was yesterday. How could he not? He was programmed that way. And he could be reprogrammed, too…
* * *
"Oh, I'm sorry, Lieutenant, I didn't mean to intrude..." Pierre was about to leave when he heard a quiet sob.
"That's okay, Captain," Tanya Bailey forced her voice under control. "I... I wouldn't mind some company."
Surprised, he came up to her and sat on one of the empty chairs, next to her. The lounge on the Atlantis was a small room but it was designed in a very special way. The walls and the ceiling consisted of nothing but monitors, showing the emptiness outside. With the lights off, the carpet with a few tables and chairs on it looked like it was floating in space
"What is it, Tanya?" Pierre asked softly. "What's wrong?"
"I... nothing, really," Tanya shrugged her shoulders. "Just having a bad day, I guess." She tried to smile.
"Could I help you somehow?" he asked, feeling her mental barrier waver momentarily, as if she was struggling not to show him her true emotions.
"You?" she asked. "No, I don't think so..."
A moment of awkward silence lasted a while before Tanya whispered, half to him and half to herself. "Have you ever felt that like a worthless piece of junk?"
Pierre looked at her, surprised. "A couple of times...?" he nodded thoughtfully. "But I was wrong. And," he added, leaning towards her. "If that's how you're feeling about yourself now, you're wrong, too."
Tanya shook her head. "I'm crazy about you, Pierre, " she said quietly.
He choked. "But I..."
"You're married, I know," Tanya finished for him.
"And I love my wife," he added.
"I know," she repeated, looking at the monitors. "I can't compete with her, can I?"
"Tanya," Pierre said gently. "I don't think anybody could... I really love her. But it doesn't make you worthless..."
"No," she snorted. "It just makes me pathetic..."
"What do you want me to say?"
"Nothing. I want to say I'm sorry. I am," she didn't let him interrupt. "For haunting you like that. It won't happen again, I promise..."
Pierre remembered what he had once told Joanna about Tanya's promises. But he couldn't find any trace of deceit in her now. She appeared so vulnerable, so helpless... Pierre knew that she would be able to fool him better than anyone else. Being a natural telepath, a trained TCS specialist and knowing his systems so well...  he just found it implausible. What would she have to gain by admitting her own weakness like that? *No,* he decided. *She's being honest.*
And this discovery touched him more than anything she'd said. So much, in fact, that he never noticed a brief smirk that had just crossed Tanya's face. If he had, he would have realized that it was a sign of triumph.
"Don't worry," he smiled at her after a pause. "You'll get over it."
She looked at him and he saw her lips tremble and her eyes fill with tears. She fought it for a moment but gave up and just burst out, sobbing hopelessly. Pierre materialized a handkerchief and handed it to her. Tanya touched his hand briefly, taking it. He moved closer and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Tanya put her head on his chest and apparently stopped fighting. She was now weeping like a little girl.
Pierre knew she needed some time to calm down so he just sat there, hugging her and brushing her hair like he was hushing a child. After a while, he felt her cry subside a little. She raised her head and looked at him. There was such a plea in her eyes that Pierre just stopped thinking for a moment. He bent down and kissed her wet lips tenderly. Tanya tensed in his arms. He wanted so much for her to stop crying that he kissed her again. And again. She did nothing to stop him. Pierre tasted her lips with his tongue and he felt the world spin around. Her lips were so soft and salty from the tears... Without looking, he drew her closer and his kisses slowly became deeper and more passionate. Suddenly, she pushed him away.
"Don't..." she panted. "Leave me alone..."
"Tanya..." he realized. "I'm sorry, I just..."
"I know," she shook her head sadly. "But you will regret it."
"I..." he said out of breath.
Tanya touched his cheek gently. "Thank you, Pierre," she said softly. "It meant a lot to me. But… just go now, please."
Pierre couldn't think of anything to say. He looked at her, still shaken, and slowly got up and left the lounge. Had he bothered to connect to the computer, he would have seen the same triumphant smile appear on Tanya's face the moment the door slid close after him. But he didn't, and she knew him well enough to rely on that.

That night, despite his sleeping program, he was tossing and turning in the bed so much that Joanna finally gave up and moved to adjacent quarters for the night to get some decent sleep. A couple of hours later Pierre finally began to drift away. Suddenly, he felt a gentle kiss on his neck.
"Mhm... you're back," he whispered groggily and reached out with his arm to hold Joanna. But it wasn't Joanna. He opened his eyes and saw Tanya's lovely eyes hovering over his face. He jumped up.
"What are you doing here?!" he asked.
"What does it look like I'm doing?" she smiled, removing the sheet that was covering her. Pierre gasped, seeing her lovely, absolutely naked body.
"But..." he tried to protest.
"Shh..." she put her finger over his mouth. He wanted to say something but only brushed it with his lips and the gesture turned into a subtle caress.
Tanya moved closer, tousling the hair on his chest, and he suddenly felt like something snapped inside of him. Wild passion overwhelmed him and he just couldn't resist her anymore. He turned around and pushed her gently on the bed. She moaned with appreciation when he started exploring every inch of her gorgeous body with his hands and lips. Seconds turned into minutes and minutes went by and by and he couldn't get enough of her. Finally, when he wanted more, she pushed him away.
"Not so fast," she whispered, when he fell back on the bed, surprised. Now it was his turn to sigh when her lips began to leave delicious, sparkling threads all over his body.
The experience was both terrifying and exhilarating. With Joanna, Pierre was always in control, which benefited them both. He would lock their minds and proceed with the exact pace that suited his lover the best. Now, he barely even noticed what was happening to Tanya. She drove him near the edge, time and time again and, when he was ready, she'd always do something to distract him and start the game all over again. He had no idea how long it lasted. When she was finally done with him, wave after wave of immense pleasure washed over his entire body, leaving him spent and satiated as never before. When it was over, for the first time in his life, he really needed a moment to rest.
"Why?" he asked when he could speak again.
"I wanted to show you that you deserve so much more than she can ever give you..." she smiled at him.

"I hope you managed to... sleep," the last word escaped Joanna's mouth almost involuntarily as she entered their quarters the next morning, only to see Lieutenant Bailey rising sleepily from her bed. Pierre, curled up next to the wall, was snoring quietly.
Tanya grabbed a sheet to cover herself and giggled. "I guess it's a classical 'whoops' situation, huh?" She wrapped herself with the sheet and collected her clothes from the chair. "Let's make it short for now, okay? You'll know where to find me, Doctor." She nodded and walked out, leaving Joanna standing in the middle of the room.
She finally managed to regain her breath after a while but she really didn't know what to do. One thing that crossed her mind was to check if Pierre was all right. He usually didn't sleep in that late. Joanna sat on the verge of the bed and stared at him. Yup, he looked alright, just fast asleep.
"Pierre..." she said helplessly.
"Uhm... what time is it?" he yawned.
"Something wrong with your internal clock?" Joanna asked quietly.
Pierre opened his eyes and looked at her. And then he remembered.
"Joanna!"
"You weren't expecting me?"
"I... I..." he stuttered, pulling at the sheets, suddenly embarrassed with his nakedness.
"Did you sleep with her?" Joanna's voice was almost calm.
He didn't have to answer. She already knew, even without a telepathic link. Her hope that it may have been just another stupid trick Tanya played on her vanished, as she looked at her husband's face. His barely audible "yes" didn't even register.
"I gotta go," Joanna said, getting up.
"Joanna..." he whispered but she was already gone. Pierre sat up on the bed, completely disoriented.
* * *
Only later did they discover that his lack of self control had been cleverly engineered by Tanya precisely so that she could seduce him. He thought that Joanna finally forgave him, forgot about the divorce she had demanded then but…
"Pierre?" Her quiet voice snapped him out of his memories.
"No, it's true," he said dryly. "I have absolutely no right to tell you what you should or shouldn't be doing after what I did to you..."
"Pierre, please," she pleaded. "We'll have a whole life to sort out our problems. His time is limited... he needs me!"
"Right. Go, then," he said, resigned.
"Come with me, he needs us both."
"No, he only needs you and you know it. Go, Sunshine, I'll just wait outside."
* * *
When Joanna came up to his bed, Lafayette was pale and debilitated but he beamed at her with so much joy that she knew she did the right thing coming here.
"Pierre..." she started with a trembling voice but he didn't let her continue.
"Don't worry, my dear. I'm sorry... you're seeing me like that. But... I'll be fine. It's nothing serious..." he was trying to speak as  fast as he could to comfort her.
"What have you done to yourself..." she whispered with tears in her eyes.
He looked real bad, even worse than she remembered him right after the operation. He was pale, his eyes sunken, almost lifeless, he looked old and tired.
"Done? Nothing, my dear. I'm just old... in case you didn't notice," he tried to joke.
"I spoke to your housekeeper," Joanna said quietly.
"Ah, Monica..." he grimaced with disapproval. "I always said this girl talks too much. Don't mind her, she just loves to whine. You know what," he added quickly. "Why don't you talk to my doctor here? He insists on keeping me in this dreadful place for another week. But now... that you're here, he may be persuaded to release me into your care?"
"I'm not sure it'd be wise..."
"Oh, come on, my dear! You came to visit me... not waste your time in some stupid hospital..."
"All right," Joanna sighed. "I'll talk to him. But first, tell me what's wrong, please. Why did you end up here in the first place? And what's with that drinking? I thought you'd be wiser than that..."
"I've always loved good wine, you know that," he made the effort to sound offhandedly. "I might have... exaggerated recently... I guess I overestimated my condition."
"You're a doctor," Joanna shook her head. "You wouldn't have made such a mistake. I know you."
"Joanna, forget it," he tried but she didn't give up.
"Tell me, please," she insisted.
Lafayette started to laugh but he ended up coughing badly. She wanted to help him but he waved her off.
"You've learned that trick... about your husband, I see?" he said finally, when he managed to catch his breath again. "But you know, it won't work on me... the direct question imperative is in his programming, not mine..."
Joanna didn't say anything, only gave him a sad look. Pierre sobered.
"I guess..." he said softly. "I just thought I'd never see you again... you know... you became more important to me than I'd ever thought..." he wheezed.
"But why?"
"Because you're a wonderful woman?"
"No, I mean... why did you think you won't see me? I promised I'd visit you?"
Lafayette didn't reply. He slowly turned his head away from her. Joanna sat silently for a moment and suddenly, all the dots began connecting in her mind.
"Pierre..." she whispered. "It was Pierre, wasn't it? He didn't want me to come... What did he tell you?!"
"Oh, nothing, my dear," Lafayette panted. "He didn't tell me anything... I guess I just didn't believe you'd like to waste your time visiting an old man, that's all..."
But Joanna wasn't listening. "He's jealous..." she muttered to herself. "He's still jealous of you!" she turned to Lafayette. "But how can he even think that we... that I...? He should know me better than that!"
Lafayette smiled sadly and  just stared into her eyes with a trace of sympathy in his look, as if he was waiting for her to understand the obvious. Finally, he said softly. "He knows you very well... maybe even better than you know yourself?"
Joanna looked at him, confused. "But... I'd never... I mean..." she stopped, not knowing what to say.
He nodded slowly. "And I'd never do anything to... seduce you. My condition notwithstanding. But he loves you so much. He's just scared that he may lose you..." He tried to lift his head but fell faintly back on the pillows.
Joanna, deep in her own thoughts, didn't even notice. "But he should know you, too! Your personalities..." she continued.
"Precisely, my dear. I suppose... he's not sure he'd trust himself as far as you're concerned."
"But... Pierre, you never did anything... you promised... isn't that enough? I trust you, why can't he do the same?"
Lafayette chuckled quietly. "Be careful, my dear. Nobody is infallible. I promised... I know. And I intend to keep my word... but... it's a thin line... and your husband knows it. You know, you can be absolutely irresistible..." All this talking was exhausting him. He paled even more and was breathing heavily. He was glad, however, that Joanna didn't seem to pay attention. He hated the thought that she might start perceiving  him as a wreck of a man.
"I... I'm not sure what you mean..." she blushed, too busy sorting out her own feelings to see what was happening to Lafayette. "I don't think I ever provoked you?"
"No, of course not. But, if you ever cared to... I probably shouldn't be telling you this... but I don't think you'd have much of a problem..." he paused, struggling for breath. "Despite my best intentions not to interfere with your marriage... despite my health... despite anything, in fact. You, my dear... could play me like a fiddle... should you ever choose to. I told you once that I'm all yours and... it's true. Your husband knows it just as well... my sweet, innocent Joanna..." He closed his eyes, fighting the weakness that began to overwhelm him.
"Oh, in that case, I really need to have a talk with him!" She got up, anxious, and started pacing the room "He can't make me..."
"He won't," Lafayette interrupted her.
All he managed now was a feeble whisper. But he needed to tell her, to convince her. She had to understand what her husband was going through.
"And he didn't... since you're here," he continued, praying that he doesn't pass out before he's finished. "Remember... what I just told you about playing me... is just as true for him... I guess you... you have us both... at your feet... my dear. And you can do... pretty much what you want... with either of us... just don't be too harsh on him. He really loves you... desperately..."
Lafayette couldn't speak anymore. He felt the world around him spin. He closed his eyes and didn't see that Joanna finally turned back to him, only now realizing how weakened he really was. "Pierre!" she cried but he didn't hear her. She stormed out from the room to look for help.
* * *
The doctor came immediately but Lafayette had already woken up. The doctor  scanned him and gave him a mild sedative, to help him rest. Lafayette looked at Joanna and managed "I'm sorry." He didn't hear her reply, though, as he drifted away almost instantly.
"There is no immediate danger," the doctor told Joanna when she explained who she was. "He's just very worn-out, he needs to rest a lot. And really take care of himself better."
"Yes, I know," Joanna said quietly. "I shouldn't have exerted him so much..."
"It's not even that," the doctor gestured for her to leave the room. "I suppose seeing you, gave him some strong emotions," he continued as they walked into his office. "But, I'm told he'd been drinking too much lately. In his condition... do you know what happened? Some loss in the family? Is he mourning someone? Or has there been some serious argument?"
Joanna didn't reply at first. When they entered the office, she sat on the offered chair and wondered. The doctor shook his head.
"I'm not asking out of curiosity..."
"I understand, Sir," she replied finally. "I think I know what the problem was. But I promise I'll take care of him... you see, my husband and I only came to visit him for a week... he'd love to be let home with us... would that be safe for him?"
"Well," the doctor hesitated. "You're his daughter. Patients often recover faster when surrounded by their loved ones. And, you're a skilled doctor, I'm sure you'll know what to do if he gets any worse. I'd still like to keep him here for the night, just to be on the safe side. Do you think you could pick him up tomorrow morning?"
"Of course, thank you, Doctor." Joanna shook his hand. "I'll make sure he's under good care..."
* * *
"Pierre, do you realize it's your fault that he's ill again?" Joanna said sadly as they went back to the captain's yacht to spend the night. It was more of a shuttle but had all the amenities to make them comfortable.
"My fault?" he looked at her surprised.
"I don't know what you told him the last time. He didn't want to say. But you must have implied that you don't want him in our lives... he apparently thought he'd never see me again."
"And that's why he'd been drinking? Can't you see it only proves my point, Joanna? He's in love with you!"
"Of course he is, I know that. I remind him of his wife. But... do you really imagine him as some kind of a caveman who would grab me by the hair and just rape me? Do you seriously think he cannot control his instincts? You're a telepath, use it, see how he really feels about me..."
"I know how he feels," Pierre replied, sitting heavily on the couch. "And no, I don't believe he's a caveman. On the contrary, it's his... sophistication that I'm worried about. Oh, he's good at it, I can feel it. If he ever wanted, he might be able to seduce you. After all, you already call him sweet and charming and lovely..."
"That's because he is. You can't deny it! But he's also gentle and caring, just like you. He wouldn't hurt me, I know."
Pierre shook his head sadly. Joanna sighed and came up to sit in his lap. "You know I love you," she whispered in his ear. Pierre wanted to kiss her but she turned away.
"Listen," she said, determined to have this settled once and for all. "I really love him... I can't help it, but, in a way, it's no different than you loving me a hundred years from now? Lafayette is exactly what you could become if you ever got older. Why can't you see that?"
"I don't know..."
"All I ask is that you trust me. I would also never do anything to hurt you, honey. The thing is, I have you at my side every day. We can only visit Lafayette from time to time and he may not be around much longer. Who knows if we will even have another chance to see him?"
"He's strong, he'll survive."
"I sure hope so. If he takes care about himself, lives healthily, rests a lot, he still may have a few decades ahead. But not if he tortures himself like that. Pierre, please, don't be so cruel!"
"I'll try..."
"We really need to take care of him now, make sure he recovers," she pleaded, cuddling up to Pierre. Having his arms full of her, he couldn't think of any more arguments.
* * *
The next day, however, it turned out it was easier said than done. Lafayette insisted on spending all the time with them and didn't want to hear about resting. He even refused to use the wheelchair they had taken for him from the hospital. He moved around slowly but surely.
"You must tell me all about your recent adventures," he demanded. And Joanna did. Pierre added a thing here or there but mostly remained silent, so she did the talking. Lafayette didn't seem to mind, watching her with real joy, interested in everything she had to say.
After dinner, Joanna decided to take a nap. She was hoping that Lafayette could be persuaded to do the same but he declined. When she was gone, he stayed with Pierre over a cup of coffee.
"You don't seem very happy about coming here," he remarked conversationally.
"No Sir, not at all..." Pierre tried but a knowing look on Lafayette's face stopped him.
"Pierre..." the older man shook his head. "Do  you really think I would... do anything that may ruin her peace of mind? I won't deny it, I'm not old enough yet to let go of some desires of my own... but I'd never act on them... She's so happy with you. Me? I wouldn't be able to satisfy all her needs and you must realize it as well as I do. Why can't you just allow me the last... little joy in my life?"
"Well, we're here, aren't we?" Pierre replied reluctantly. "I just thought... it would have been better, considering your health..."
"Nonsense, my dear," Lafayette cut him off. "We both know what this is all about. And I can't say I blame you... I suppose I'd feel the same way if I were in your shoes. But... just look at me... I'm so crippled... even if I wanted to, you'd have nothing to fear from me anymore..." he laughed rather sadly.
Pierre gave him a black look. "You'll get better in no time," he said. "Besides, it's not about that... didn't you see how she looks at you? She barely even notices me when you're around..." he added quietly.
Lafayette chuckled. "Son," he said sympathetically. "Your wife is an innocent girl. I bet none of these thoughts ever crossed her mind. My own may be different but hers? She wants a father in me, not a lover... I thank you for agreeing to this visit, you've really made me happy... don't spoil it now, please. You see," he sighed. "You'll have a lifetime to enjoy each other. I guess I won't be around much longer..."
"She says the same thing..."
They sat in silence for a long while. Pierre could, in fact, sense the older man's thoughts. He realized that Lafayette was fighting a lost cause there. He couldn't help the way he felt yet he was nothing but honest in assuring him that he had no intention of standing between the two of them. Pierre began to recognize his own ill logic. *When it comes to her,* he mused. *I guess I really must be out of my positronic mind...*
* * *
When Joanna came back an hour later, they decided to take a short walk around the area. Lafayette was so proud to show them his vineyards. He wasn't strong enough to do a lot of walking, though. He had to stop every few steps and rest. Joanna took him by the arm to help him and he gratefully accepted it but, after a few minutes' stroll, they finally persuaded him to get back home.
"I'm sorry for being such a lousy host," he said, embarrassed.
"Don't worry," Joanna smiled at him. "You'll get better soon enough."
They spent the rest of the day sitting in the living room and talking. Lafayette and Joanna had so much to tell to each other, the conversations carried on long after supper. Joanna glanced with appreciation at Pierre every time he took part in the talking. She saw he was trying and she was thankful.
At some point, just as Pierre was in the middle of the story about Joanna's unexpected arrival on the Explorer, Lafayette, despite his best efforts, slumped in the chair and just nodded off.
"Pierre," Joanna woke him up with a gentle touch.
"I'm sorry," he smiled apologetically. "I guess now I really need some rest. But," he added, turning to Pierre," You'll have to finish your story for me tomorrow. This was really fascinating."
"With pleasure, Sir," Pierre nodded politely.
Lafayette made the effort to get up but he fell back on the chair with a heavy sigh.
"Let me help you," Joanna offered, extending her arm.
"No, my dear, that's all right," he waved her off. "It's just... my old bones getting a little stale... I'll manage, thank you..."
He slowly got up again and made a few unsteady steps before staggering at the table. He grabbed it not to fall and breathed heavily.
Pierre jumped up to him and wrapped his arm around the old man's waist. They were both the same height but somehow Lafayette looked smaller next to him.
"Seems like you won't make it upstairs on your own, Sir," Pierre said sympathetically. "I can carry you up..."
Lafayette felt humiliated. But then, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the admiration with which Joanna looked at her husband for being so helpful. He decided to swallow his pride and allowed the android to lift him up effortlessly and carry him upstairs like a baby.
* * *
Professor Lafayette's mansion was situated at the outskirts of the city, in a small valley. The plant life was abundant, his extensive vineyards notwithstanding. That morning, a couple of days later, Joanna stretched herself lazily, as she looked around from the porch. The weather was lovely, the sun, slightly bigger than the Earth one, brought out the various shades of greenery surrounding the house. In some distance, Joanna spotted a shimmering water surface. She smiled to herself, remembering that Lafayette had mentioned a lake nearby.
She turned to Pierre, who just came out after her, and snuggled into his embrace with a happy smile.
"This is so beautiful," she sighed. "I'm so glad we came here."
Pierre cuddled her in his arms, kissing her hair and glanced at the surroundings above her head. "Yes, it's a very nice place," he admitted.
"You know what?" Joanna said enthusiastically. "Let's go swimming!"
Pierre hesitated. "Don't you think that Lafayette may still be too weak to accompany us yet? And it would be rather rude to leave him behind..."
"Oh no," Joanna shook her head. "We'll take him with us! He's much stronger already. He can sit in the shade and rest while we have some fun together. Fresh air will do him good. Oh please, Pierre, when was the last time we actually swam in a real lake?"
She was excited like a kid. Pierre couldn't help but smile. "All right," he agreed. "Let's ask him if he'd like that."
* * *
During the breakfast, served by the Irradi housekeeper, who wasted no opportunity to demonstrate her aversion towards the guests, Lafayette accepted Joanna's idea with glee.
"You'll have a unique opportunity to play with our parats," he told Joanna with a twinkle in his eye.
"What are parats?" she asked.
"Oh, they're very friendly water mammals," Lafayette explained, pouring himself some more coffee. "In a way, they're similar to dolphins on Earth. They look like octopuses but they're even more intelligent, funny, and they love playing games. At this time of the year, their young ones will have grown enough to get out in the open and they will sure be delighted to have some human company. I used to spend hours there, chasing them, splashing the water and being swung in their long arms. You're sure going to have fun! We can go as soon as you're ready."
Joanna didn't have to be told twice. She gulped down the rest of her coffee and ran to her room to change. When they were left alone at the table, Lafayette looked at Pierre with amusement.
"And she says you're like a child," he laughed quietly.
* * *
The water was wonderful: crystal clear and comfortably warm. A small drove of parats appeared as soon as Joanna and Pierre swam a dozen meters from the shore. They were indeed very friendly and playful. Joanna screamed with joy when one of them wrapped its enormous tentacle around her, lifting her high above the water to swing for a while and then let her slide back into the water. Pierre was also having a good time, wrestling with another one above and under water. Lafayette, sitting comfortably on a chair under a huge tree, smiled sadly to himself watching them play like children. He shook his head thinking how he wished to be healthy again.
After an hour, Pierre decided to get back to the shore, to keep their host company. Joanna only waved at them, too immersed in the games with the parats to give up just yet.
"Do you need anything?" asked Pierre politely, sitting next to Lafayette's chair.
"Apart from watching you kids play, nothing, thanks," Lafayette smiled.
Pierre laid right on the sand, letting his body dry out in the sun. He'd always liked sunbathing. Not that his artificial skin would ever get tanned but he enjoyed feeling the warmth of the sun rays. He closed his eyes and reveled in the sensation.
Half an hour later, he heard Lafayette gasp suddenly. He opened his eyes, concerned about the old man, but he was just staring towards the lake. Pierre followed his glance and saw Joanna emerge from the water. The blue bikini clung to her wet body like second skin. She shook the water off and was now standing near the shore, wringing her long hair. Pierre had to admit that she looked gorgeous, with her skin rosy after playing in the water.
"Oh, this was wonderful!" she beamed as she came back to them. "The parats are so cute!"
"I'm glad you had fun," said Lafayette. For some reason his voice trembled a little. Joanna didn't notice anything, bending over to get the sunscreen.
"Can you help me, honey?" she smiled, handing it to Pierre.
"Sure!" he replied as she sat on the sand with her back to him. Pierre squeezed the cream on his hand and started applying it to her back with slow, massaging moves.
"Mhm..." Joanna sighed as Pierre's touch slowly turned into gentle caresses.
Lafayette watched the two of them for a moment. He felt a little dizzy but this time it wasn't out of weakness. He just couldn't help but imagine how smooth Joanna's skin must have felt under Pierre's fingers and this thought sent shivers down his spine. He looked away, trying to concentrate on watching the parats still near the shore. When Pierre brushed Joanna's hair aside and kissed her on the neck, it was just too much for him.
"Excuse me," he muttered and jumped up from his chair, heading back home.
"What happened to him?" Joanna asked, turning to Pierre.
"I don't know," he shrugged, relieved that she didn't ask him the dreaded direct question. "Maybe he didn't feel very well?" he ventured.
"I'll go check up on him," said Joanna, concerned.
"Stay here, I'll go," Pierre replied, handing her a towel. "Enjoy the sun," he smiled at her warmly and walked after Lafayette.
* * *
He found him on the porch, with a bottle of wine in his hand. "What's wrong?" he asked, watching Lafayette pour a glass. Not the first one, probably, since the bottle was already half empty.
"Nothing!" the old man barked at him, raising the glass to his mouth. "Can't I do as I please in my own house?"
"Of course you can," Pierre said. "But... don't," he added, nodding at the glass. "You know it may kill you."
"Yeah, well, why do you care?"
"She cares..."
"She cares too much already, you said it yourself!" Lafayette snarled. "Hell, it's not as easy as I thought! If I'm dead, at least I won't get in between the two of you!"
"Don't say that..." Pierre asked. "She... needs you. If anything happens to you, she'll be devastated. You... you are making her happy," he added quietly. "And I want her to be happy, no matter what it takes..."
Lafayette laughed bitterly, putting the glass away and turning to look at Pierre. "Be careful what you wish for... "
"You promised..."
"Yeah, I did. And I'm trying to keep my word, can't you see?"
"I can but... alcohol won't help you," Pierre said softly, putting his hand on Lafayette's arm.
He shook it off. "Go away. Go back to her before she comes here looking for us..."
"I will. But... don't overdo it," Pierre pointed at the bottle.
"I'll try."
"Pierre?"
Lafayette looked at him, surprised. It must have been the first time he called him by his name. "What?"
"Thank you..."
"Oh, just leave me alone!"
When the android left, Lafayette raised the glass again but hesitated. He stood there for a moment before he lowered  it and poured its content back into the bottle. He smiled to himself sadly when he managed not to spill a drop. *Not bad for an old man,* he thought to himself.
* * *
"A boat?! You have a boat?" Joanna exclaimed the next morning with such joyful excitement that Lafayette laughed.
"A small motorboat, yeah," he confirmed. "Would you like to take it for a spin?"
"Oh, I'd love to!" she almost spilled her coffee. "I'd take my bathing suit and…"
Pierre opened his mouth but closed it again, seeing a silent plea in Lafayette's eyes.
When Joanna went upstairs to pack her bag, the two men locked their eyes and understood each other. Pierre realized that Lafayette just wanted to make her happy, no matter what. Would he be able to control himself better this time, seeing her half-naked again? His mind was open to the android. Pierre knew the old man was strong-willed and determined to keep things the way they were. After a while, they nodded slowly at each other, no words spoken.

It was another bright, sunny day. Antanga III didn't have weather control systems but they weren't really needed there. At this time of the year, there was usually hardly a cloud in the sky. Short but abundant summer rains tended to fall in the evenings or at nights, just enough for the plants to grow.

When they found themselves in the middle of the lake, Lafayette anchored the boat. Joanna immediately threw away her blue dress and darted into the water, having only flitted in the air. Lafayette turned to Pierre.
"Perhaps you'd like to join her?" he asked when Pierre didn't move. The android shook his head.
"She loves swimming much more than I do," he shrugged his shoulders. "I'm fine staying here." Lafayette nodded. "Maybe you'd care for a game of chess? Pierre offered politely but Lafayette only chuckled.
"I used to play chess in my youth," he said. "But it was a long time ago. Besides," he added, tilting his head. "I'd stand no chance against your computer mind, would I?"
"Probably," Pierre agreed. "How about cards, then? With cards, sheer luck also plays a part…?"
"I've a better idea," Lafayette said and disappeared in the cockpit. When he got back, he had a small box in his hands. "Have you ever heard of backgammon?"
"No but I can learn…" Pierre raised his eyebrows seeing Lafayette pull the table and take out a wooden board. The old man shrugged.
"I played it to death on a computer screen," he explained, putting out the stones and dices. "Whenever I have a real partner, I prefer it the old fashioned way."
The android nodded and listened to the short instructions Lafayette gave him about the game.

Just as they were about to start playing, Joanna emerged from the water.
"It was delicious!" she panted, climbing aboard. "You should try it, too," she told Pierre.
"Maybe later, Sunshine," he smiled at her. Lafayette never raised his head, seemingly focused on his first move but suddenly, for the first time since they had met, Pierre felt his mental barrier rise, blocking his thoughts. He understood.
"What are you doing?" Joanna came closer and leaned over Lafayette's shoulder to look at the board between them.
"I'm teaching your husband to play backgammon," Lafayette replied in a perfectly composed tone of voice. He moved away slightly, as if to avoid the water dripping from Joanna's wet hair but Pierre knew better. Lafayette's barrier was strong, especially for someone who probably hadn't practiced it in decades, but his emotions were even stronger. Pierre could feel how desperately Lafayette desired her and how much it must have cost him to keep it under  such control.
"Excellent!" Joanna beamed, never noticing anything. "What are you playing for?" she asked, backing away and taking the towel.
"Nothing yet," replied Pierre. "I'm only just learning."
She laughed. "That's unfair!" she winked at him. "Once you have learned, he won't have a chance against you! How about the looser takes a round around the boat?"
Lafayette looked up at her, embarrassed. "I'm afraid I'm not up to it just yet, dear," he told her softly.
"Right," she agreed and thought for a moment. "I know!" she exclaimed, drying her hair. "The winner gets a kiss from me!"
Lafayette stifled a sigh. She was incorrigible. Pierre only shook his head.
"What?" Joanna really didn't understand. "You guys don't like me anymore?" she asked flirtatiously.
At that, both men turned to look at her with such an identical, offended expression on their faces that she burst out with laughter. "Okay, okay," she waved her hand and spread the towel on the bench, preparing to sunbathe. "Have it your way," she chuckled and stretched her lovely body in the sun.
Pierre had to admire Lafayette who never once glanced in her direction during the entire game. It took Pierre's enhanced senses to notice his hand shake ever so slightly as he moved the stones around the board.
* * *
By the time they had to leave, Lafayette was almost back to his old self. If it hadn't been for his illness, he would have still been in his prime. This was, apparently, what he decided to hold on to.
On their last day in the Antanga system, he invited as many of his usual 'circle' as he could and threw a huge goodbye party for them. Both Joanna and Pierre were surprised to see how these people loved Lafayette.
He moved around the crowd saying hellos, joking with everybody, dancing with most of the girls there. It looked like he was purposefully avoiding Joanna, though, as Pierre noticed after a while. Right now, he wasn't sure if he should feel sorry for him or admire his will.
Joanna, however, didn't know where to stop. She was so unaware of Lafayette's real feelings towards her that it almost hurt Pierre. Yet, he had no way of explaining it to her. She wouldn't believe him…
At some point, when the computer started playing some sentimental piece, she came over to Lafayette herself.
"You won't even honor me with one dance?" she asked sadly. Lafayette closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them again, they were smiling.
"But of course, my dear," he said, taking her into his arms. "I just thought you were having more fun with all those guys here," he tried to joke as she leaned closer to him.
"You're kidding," she whispered to his ear, hugging him tight as he started rocking her to the rhythm.
He didn't reply. In fact, he never said a word during the entire dance. When it was over, he kissed her palm and led her over to the bar. "Enjoy the party," he told her and walked away. Joanna looked after him, surprised but she shrugged and got herself a drink. She thought she would never understand his moods.

"Don't waste your time with him, Sammy," Lafayette came to Pierre's rescue when a blond beauty clung to his shoulder, refusing to let him go unless he danced with her. "This guy is extremely married," he winked at her.
"Uh, oh!" She backed away immediately. "In that case, my apologies. May I ask who's the lucky lady?"
"Uhm... she's over there, at the bar," Pierre replied, confused.
The girl took a quick glance and turned back to him with fake sadness. "She's a charming girl, indeed," she sighed and clung to Lafayette. "I guess I'll have to remain faithful to you, my dear," she beamed at him. "As far as I remember, you're not that bad either, though!"
She giggled when Lafayette kissed her neck, tickling her with his beard. She tousled his hair and disappeared in the crowd.
"What?" Lafayette shrugged when Pierre shot him a surprised look, "I never said I was a monk, did I?"

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Part 10 The Visit

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