Shaking myself out of bed (and bathroom.... ugh!) for the first time in a couple days, I looked bleary-eyed for something to ease my stomach back to work gradually. A little weak in the knees, I motivated myself down the hall in the general direction of the cafeteria. Moving slowly, as I was still feeling less than perfect, I had a little ball of lightning slam into me.

"Sir Chuck! I heard you were ill. Why are you up?" said Jade.

"I decided it was time to get some nourishment. And a few smiles from some of my dear friends. How are things going with you and BabySub? Have you made your peace with her?" asked Chuck.

'How did he know about my problems with BabySub'? she thought. 'I've never communicated it in any way except with Yuri, I guess.'

"Ah, I mean yes, Sir. We had to get to know each other some, I guess." she answered.

"Well, Jadetiger, you may wish to reexamine yourself about that. Honestly, I think you had a few jealousy concerns to overcome, some selfishness too. You've come a long way, Jade; I'm proud of your efforts and progress."

Jade was shaken. He'd known all that? How? Her respect for his insight and individual concern, already high, jumped again. She began to frame another question for him as his attention was suddenly distracted.

"Jenny! Good morning, pretty lady. Have you and Mary been enjoying your shared time? And how is Jaden's progress?"

"Good morning, Sir Chuck! Yes, Mary is a hard worker, and we enjoy each others' company a lot. Thank you for sending her to help me; I don't need to work quite as hard any more!

"Jaden is a little resistant to the exercise regimen I set for him. He doesn't like to run so far, nor is he putting all his effort into it. I'm very disappointed in him," concluded Jenny.

"Thank you, Jenny, for all your efforts! How about a special dinner for you tonight? Would you enjoy a Porterhouse Steak, say, medium-rare, mushroom caps sauteed in garlic butter, with stir-fried vegetables? Perhaps a slice of Deep-dish Blueberry Pie for dessert?" asked Chuck.

"I'll get it arrainged, Jenny. You've been working so hard, without much in reward. This is just a little something to say 'Thanks', OK?"

"Well, I just don't know what to say, Sir. Thank you so much!" Jenny responded.

"You two run along to dinner, ladies. I've got a little errand to attend to; dinner will have to wait," concluded Chuck.

The two ladies thanked him again, and left in the direction of the cafeteria. Chuck had just remembered the young lady in his holding room, and returned in that direction to let her out. On arrival he found the door opened, the room neat and straightened.

Confused, he went into the Infirmary, and asked Dee if she and A had seen her? She filled him in about Mastermike's actions, and about Lord Mobius decision that she would be a ponygirl, trained by Mary.

Chuck thanked her, and went back to the lunchroom. 'The things that happen when you are sick for a day.'

A need to think for a bit, and perhaps to find something to do, arose in him. He went into the huge swimming area, found a spot in the hot tub, and settled back with a soda to think about the upcoming voyage, and who'd want to come along besides Ruby.