Sasha's evening had ended, but the festivities continued. As the night began to unfold anew, Emron Krampft was marginally aware of Deleana's attention as he was flocked with the good intentions of the young women of the party. A mother's disapproval was something he had felt many times before and slid off him like water off a duck's back.

It took only a couple of words to smooth things over with Hector after Harriet was whisked off to be seen by physicians.

"You should come to our summer house in the Clou Mountains," Emron was insisting as he brushed the dust off Hector's jacket, as though they had always been friends. "Have you seen the stars from there?"

"No," Hector said, still a little gruff, but no longer resisting in earnest. "But I have a telescope."

"You should bring it. The sky is marvellous out there," Emron assured. Looking around, he spotted Stephanie hovering nearby and beckoned to the young woman with his eyes. She approached them curiously. "Hector, my friend, have you met Stephanie? She loves stargazing. Stephanie, Hector was just telling me how near the stars looked from the mountains."

There was a glimmer of disappointment in Stephanie's eyes, but it vanished behind a suggestive smile as she turned to Hector and said breathily, "I've always pretended that stars are the hopes and promises between people."

Emron liked her; she was as sharp as a razor edge, and she never showed even a glimmer of weakness, even in the profound moments after an intimate embrace when most of the women Emron slept with betrayed their self worth by wanting to hear how special they were. He had given Hector the gift of great company tonight, and he hoped that the brute would appreciate her.

A hand touched his arm, drawing his attention. He found Keldary at his elbow as though she belonged there.

"Do you like stars too, Keldary?" Emron asked with a winning smile. How odd that a year ago, he would have actually felt a bit giddy, yet now, it seemed as though he was just going through the steps.

Keldary's abundant and perfectly shaped cleavage more than made up for the drollness of her conversational content. If he took her home tonight, it would not be because her opinions mattered to him. As she chattered on beside him, enjoying the prime position of the evening, his thoughts drifted back to Tessa, who was undoubtedly asleep by now. The poor girl was as sick as a dog, and she had not kept down even a bite of food today.

Monica approached Emron's other side, drawing his attention back to the present company. There, the two women hinted that if he played their game tonight, he might win a prize. A part of him was thrilled. Except for flying, he loved nothing more than to have multiple women in his bed. He loved the noises they made when he-

Emron shook his head. No. Loud noises were absolutely not allowed tonight. Tessa's room was just across the hall from his. What kind of father would rob his pride and joy from much needed rest? Of course, everyone, including Tessa herself, kept reminding him that he wasn't really her father, but somewhere along the line he had grown to regard the girl with what could only be fatherly affection.

"I have to go home," Emron found himself saying aloud. His words were so soft that no one heard at first, and even he needed a moment to process what he had said. Yes, he should retire for the evening. Alone. Tessa might be feeling well enough to go through some flight theory tomorrow and as he had taken on the responsibility of being her mentor, he had to stay fresh just in case. It had been fun to get away with kissing Sasha, and the kiss had a spark to it that, he had to admit, had piqued his interest. But now, with Sasha gone, and Orion occupied, there was really no one he wanted to talk to. He cleared his throat and said with cheer, "I'm reluctant, but I think I will retire for the night."

When the group around him began to protest, he looked poignantly towards Deleana, who still held herself stiffly and at a distance. "I may have overstayed my welcome," he said with a sigh.

It was still a process to untangle himself from the throng, but he managed and exited the hall alone. There, he waited for an usher to retrieve the hovercraft that he had driven here today. As he stood alone in the cool night air, he found himself looking up at the stars. He was certainly no romantic, but the thought of perhaps one day flying a space exploration craft made his heart beat a little faster.

Strong hands grabbed his arm and roughly pushed him forward as a hovercraft that was not Emron's halted with precision on the path. Emron fought to shake off his captor but the man's grip was too strong. The starlight painted him as a large man dressed in the attire of the wait-staff.

"Do you have any idea who I am?" Emron asked indignantly, still struggling.

"Emron Krampft, only child of Phelan Krampft, Minister of Defence," replied the man calmly, as though manhandling privileged brats was just another day on the job.

"Well, yes," Emron admitted, fighting spirit deflated.

The man, with his free hand, opened the door, threw Emron into the carriage, and closed the door behind him without a care about whether the young man's feet had made it in. Emron rubbed his sore arm and wiggled into a dignified posture on the leather seats as the hover craft sped away silently.

He was aware that he was not alone in the carriage, and when he turned his attention to his fellow passenger, he was both surprised and unsurprised to see Deleana Suter. Only a noble would be brazen enough to manhandle a minster's son.

"Hello, my lady," he said, managing a bow that would have looked ridiculous on another person, but somehow looked respectable and charming on him.

"Good evening, Emron, I'll not waste your time," Deleana said in a clipped manner that told the young man that she was still Not Happy.

"Yes, my lady." He bit back to urge to sprout the usual nonsense for he had an inkling that the woman did not want her time wasted either. Deleana was much older than the women he was used to winning over so he had to assume that she would require delicate handling. He would have to prove himself somewhat responsible.

"What is the relationship between you and my daughter?"

Emron smiled. "I consider myself a friend. Sasha might consider me a bit of an annoyance at times."

Deleana turned away to look out the window, but he could tell she was smiling. "She seemed quite smitten with you tonight," she said.

Emron fought the urge to make a face. He attended the same academy as Orion and Sasha, and if Deleana thought that her daughter was so easy to swoon, she did not know Sasha at all. Sasha had no interest in men beyond measuring their mettle with her fists. Emron rather admired and liked her for it.

He had no interest in explaining this to Deleana. "Well," he said instead, eyes glinting, "I was trying very hard."

The woman was quiet for a while, and it was a poignant silence that Emron had no trouble sitting through.

"How is your father, my dear?" Deleana asked, still gazing out into the night. Trees were a blur as they sped down the empty street.

"He is well. Busy with the upcoming elections," Emron replied. The line of questioning interested him. What game was she playing?

"Yes. I am sure that there is no shortage of people looking to unseat him," Deleana said. "How does he fare in the polls?"

Though her tone was mild, Emron knew exactly what she meant. He had been amongst these people long enough to know when a threat was being implied. Deleana had just as good as said that she wasn't above dragging his father into all of this. He turned to watch the trees and buildings blur past as the hovercraft took then into the city.

"He does well, my lady," he said quietly.

"That's good news. The Suters have always been in support of Phelan's work. It is good to hear that you are friends with my daughter. I was wondering if I might ask a favour of you."

"I mean no disrespect, my lady, but I will not be asked to stay away from Sasha," Emron said. He was surprised by his own directness and the firmness in his voice.

Deleana gave another tight smile. "No. No I didn't think so, and I wasn't about to ask that."

"Huh." Emron scratched his head.

As the hovercraft sped past the immaculate houses and parks of the Southcity, the woman explained what she wanted from the young man. Just as she finished, the hovercraft pulled up to a modest residence. The three storey building was home to Emron, Phelan, and their household.

"What do you say to that?" Deleana asked.

The driver hopped out and opened Emron's door. He noted that it was the usher who had gone to get his hovercraft.

"I accept," Emron said as he slid out of the carriage. Once on solid ground, he turned and said, "Just for the record, my lady?"

"Yes?"

"You didn't need to coerce me. I would have done that voluntarily."

He turned and walked up the path to his house, leaving Deleana to mull over his words. Good. Let her think that he had not been shaken by the sudden abduction. Let her think that he wasn't the least bit concerned about explaining to his father how he had returned without his father's hovercraft.

A hostile takeover of the A/N by the characters of Birthday Presents

Emron: To all the people following the story, I thank you for your time and patience. It is with a heavy heart that I must announce that Augs will no longer be writing this story. Augs, buddy, you had a good run, but it's now time for someone who actually knows what they're doing to take creative control. It was a difficult decision to come to, but the only way forward now is for me to pen this romance.

Sasha: You can't do that. You can't just do away with the author and write your own story.

Emron: Oh Sasha. Young, naive Sasha. Don't you know that characters can do what they want?

Sasha: Really? We can... do whatever we want?

Emron: Yes, of course! Without an author, you're free to choose what you do!

Sasha: Cool. Well, I choose to have some REAL fighting in the next chapter. None of this amateur stuff from my birthday, but a real, intense bout with someone who can actually stand a chance against me! Thanks, Emron!

Emron: *holding his head in his hands* What have I unleashed?