Mc'Key had woken early and slipped from their bed. He went for a shower
after looking at Ghost for a minute or two. He scrubbed himself clean and
towelled himself dry. Flinging on his flight clothes, he was putting his
second boot on when Ghost woke up. She eyed him with deep hurt.

"You were going to sneak off without me!" she shouted.

"No my love," he smiled. "I was going to get us some breakfast before we go
and bring it to you in bed. Still, since you're up..."

"Oh no," she laughed, "don't let me stop you! Of you go and make sure you
bring it back while it's still hot!"

On his way to the dining hall, he bumped into Argent. She smiled at the tall
man as he approached.

"Hello Argent. Very nice morning!"

Seeing the twinkle of the newly in love, Argent replied

"So I see!"

"I'm just off to get some breakfast for Ghost and I. I wondered if you might
care to join me today on a patrol flight. Maybe you'll get to see a bit of
the Warren's surrounding area and we have got a little problem we need to
sort out."

Mc'Key informed her of the rogue riders and about the men at the Chalet. She
seemed to be very interested and paying close attention to his speech. It
would be good to have a new Queenrider who was a little more ...
conscientious. Ghost had got him worried about Inagua, but he tried to put
the thought to one side - with little success as Argent asked him

"Mc'Key, can I ask you a question about Inagua?"

"Of course, Argent. You may ask me anything."

"Well, I tried to be really nice and friendly and talk to her, but she
didn't seem to want to know."

"I'm not sure it is my place to discuss Inagua's ... situation with you. She
is not much of a 'people' person. Phaedra is really the one you would have
to ask. I'm not being rude, it's just that I hold all Queenriders in high
regard."

"But you know what's wrong, don't you?"

"Not really. I'm sorry, but I really shouldn't discuss it...."

Seeing how uncomfortable she was making him, she said, "I'm sorry I pressed
you Mc'Key, but I think I ought to know. But you're right, I can't expect
riders to 'tattle-tale'. Also, thank you for the invitation. I'd really like
to come."

"Okay, I'll see you at 1300hrs by the hatchling barracks."

He grabbed some bread and fruit and some other things, not least of which a
pot of coffee, and headed back rather laden to the apartment. Ghost was up
and ready and setting the table.

"I ran into Argent so I'm a bit late."

"What did she say?"

"Well, I invited her to go on the patrol this afternoon." He shifted
uncomfortably. "She also asked me about Inagua."

"I hope you told her the truth," Ghost said firmly.

"I told her nothing. It isn't my place to talk of one Queenrider to another.
I told her to speak to the WarrenLady."

Ghost could see that Mc'Key was not going to lighten up about this issue. He
took his duty very seriously and his loyalty did him credit. She became even
more proud of him for his refusal to comment on the problems of the, well,
drunk Queenrider. What else could she call her?

"So anyway, you invited Argent did you? That better mean that I'm going
too!"

"I suppose so. Listen, I know it's hard, but you've got to remember that
you're still in training and I've got to be in command of the Wing. I have
to make the decisions and there are times when, well, you'll just have to do
what you're told. I can't be seen to show you any favouritism."

"I know that, but you do. You don't want me to take any risks because you
love me. But I'll make a deal with you, you treat me like one of the Wing
riders, not a lover, and I'll obey your orders. OK?"

He smiled. "Alright. I won't play the heavy!" he laughed. "Let's eat anyway,
I'm starving."

He would have to make sure he stuck to the bargain. He couldn't molly-coddle
the girl and he couldn't allow his decisions to be based on love.

---------------

After breakfast, they took a stroll around the Warren, just talking about
dreams and plans for the future. They still had a lot of 'getting to know
you' to do. But as the time approached 1300hrs, they made their way to the
hatchling barracks, summoning Vasleth and Kiki.

The others duly arrived, including Jil'mae and Argent.

Pulling Key aside, Jil'mae asked him a favour.

"Can Karine come on patrol with us today?"

"This patrol is becoming a repository for the untrained!"

"She has been riding for a while now, just not in a Wing!!" he protested.

"OK, just make sure she sticks close to you, alright? She's your
responsibility."

He grinned. "That's fine by me," he said.

Mc'Key managed to keep the smile off his face at his young friend's
eagerness to be with the new arrival. He turned back to the rest of the
riders.

"Would you like to lead the patrol Argent?"

"I don't think so Mc'Key. Even if I knew my way around, this is still your
Wing."

If Mc'Key had meant the offer as a test, Argent passed and both he and Ghost
knew they liked this girl a lot. They took off and started a patrol circle
of the Warren borders.

---------------

As they hit the outer marker of the patrol, Vasleth spotted another rider in
the sky coming towards them.

<Who is Vas?>

*I don't know, I'll ask.*

As soon as they challenge was issued, the rider turned and bolted.

"Jil'mae, Ghost - fetch that guy back!"

The two took off, with Jil'mae and Skeeter soon building up a slight lead
over Ghost. The others in the Wing also followed, still in formation. By the
time they arrived Ghost and Jil'mae had used their training well and had
restrained the man and his beast between them.

"Who are you and what is you're business here?" Mc'Key demanded.

"Let me go! I've done nothing wrong, let me go!"

Through their dragons, Ghost told Key that the voice was one she had heard
at the Chalet.

"So, you've done nothing wrong, eh? What were you doing at the Western
Chalet with your two friends?"

All colour drained from the man's face before he regained some form of
composure.

"I don't know what you're talking about!"

"Sure. Well, we'll soon see what you've got to say after a few days in jail
at Geode."

---------------

Argent, Ghost and Key walked into Phaedra's office. The WarrenLady looked
pleased to see them.

"Ah, hello. I'm glad you all caught up with each other. What's wrong?"

"My Lady," Key began, "we have captured a rogue rider - one of those we saw
at the Western Chalet. He has been placed in jail, but is less than
co-operative."

"I will speak to him later. Let's give him some time to wait and wonder. I'm
sure he's heard of my ... anger. Let him stew!"

---------------

They left the office and went to the dining hall. They had lunch together,
the three of them becoming fast friends.

"Well, I'll have to leave you both, I'm afraid. I've got some Wing duties
I'd better get on with."

He kissed Ghost goodbye and as he left, turned to see the two women closing
ranks to, in his humble opinion, have a good old gossip about Warren life.
Mc'Key did not even dare think what Ghost might be telling the woman!!

NPRG:

<Tag> Tracee and Barb. Do what you will!! We all know how you female riders
are when you get together - only joking <VBG>.

Feel free to add anything at any point.

Respectfully submitted,

FCO Lt.(jg) Olivier Patru, USS ORION NCC-1997, Starfleet.
Special Agent-2 Jim Reaper, X-Files Division, FBI.
Ar'Aman Bowright and Darar, Daere Warren, DragonLands.
Mc'Key and Vasleth, Geode Warren, DragonLands.

aka Peter Shillan.