Getting Acquainted - Chapter 37

NOTE TO READERS: I had to resort to a little creative license this time. I'm hoping I'm not too far off the mark.


 Free Enterprise -  Getting Acquainted - Chapter 37


Tyr and Xena were sitting very close and staring at one another. Unlike with Tamara, he could not hear what she thought and he was starting to miss that. Perhaps this was part and parcel of having different wives. Each had their own endearing qualities and quirks. He had yet to discover Xena's.

“Xena. What are you thinking?” he asked as he gazed into her eyes.

“I finally got you.” Xena replied and smiled triumphantly.

“Yes, but you have to share.” Tyr replied.

“Tis better to have half a loaf, than to have none at all.” she said.

“Well said. But what if there are more?” Tyr asked.

“Tyr, what are you planning to do, start a harem?” Xena asked as she chuckled.

“No, I don't. My oldest brother Agamemnon has 25 wives, as befitting his station in the Kodiak Pride. But there is no way he can be fair to all of them. I believe when a man has so many consorts, someone, or someone's are left out. Three or four would be good enough for me.” Tyr replied.

“They consider it an honor just to be Agamemnon's consort. Who cares if they get attention or not ?” Xena in typical Nietzschean fashion.

“Xena. Even though we Nietzscheans do not bond for love, a bond does not stay strong with out it. Without some kind of respect or love for one another, the parties drift wayward. That's why there are poachers.” Tyr replied.

The word “poachers” was the Nietzschean code word or nickname for unbonded men who hung around the fringes of such relationships, and charmed away lonely and dissatisfied wives. Usually someone like Agamemnon had so many wives that he didn't miss one or two. If he did, didn't care because he could always replace them.

“Tyr, you are ever the philosopher and scholar. I have a strong feeling that you are going to be a pioneer in the way Nietzscheans deal with each other in the matters of love. Not that you'd want to be.” Xena said as she smiled and ran her hands through Tyr's hair. She closely examined his dreadlocks with a practiced eye.

“What are you? Part Katay?” Tyr asked, jokingly.

“No. That's just my woman's intuition speaking.” she replied. "Now stay still.” she continued as she examine the new growth.

“It's time for me to do your hair.” she said.

“Now?” he asked incredulusly.

“Why not?” she replied.

“Xena, you know that whenever you twist my hair, it makes me sleepy.” Tyr said.

“So you take a nap, and I'll be here when you wake up. Then we can do other things.” Xena replied. “And I promise, I won't cut all of your hair off like Jezebel.” she added, and they both laughed.


* * * * * * * * * * *


About two and a half hours later Tyr frowned in his sleep. He eased his left eye open to find Xena nose to nose with him, a wicked smile on her face.

“I was just wondering if my sleeping prince would need a kiss to revive him.” Xena said.

“As you can see, I do not.” He replied.

“That remains to be seen. Let's try a test kiss.” she said.

“A test kiss?”

“Tyr, I thought you were a man of action.” she challenged sweetly. Tyr's response was to embrace and tenderly kiss her.

“Computer. Lights out.” Tyr ordered. There was a brief electronic burble and the lights went out.


* * * * * * * * * *

That afternoon the Captain arrived on the bridge, reclaimed the center seat from Commander McPhearson and began to issue orders in preparation for their arrival at Deep Space Ten in about 24 hours.

Captain Anasazi and his crew were looking forward to that arrival because they had been granted extended shore leave privileges. Of course, while they were on shore leave, The Insurrection herself was going to get a total inspection and possible refit.

After he'd run the bridge crew sufficiently ragged, Tyr retired to his Ready Room to find Khan already there.

“Good Afternoon, Captain.” Khan said as simultaneously took in Tyr's appearance and stance. He was obviously proud as a peacock. Had Tyr possessed the actual peacock's plumage he wouldn't have fit through the Ready Room's doors.

“Same to you, Khan.” Tyr replied and smiled as he stood in his favorite spot and gazed out at the stars. He was too keyed up, basking in the glow and headiness of having two wives, to sit right now.

“They say that two is company and three is a crowd. But what is four?” Khan asked. Tyr gazed at the Katay in the reflection of the highly polished clearsteel portal, as all of the tiny hairs on his neck stood on end. Tyr knew what that meant. Khan was about to make one of his pre-cog predictions and as surely as he spoke it, it was going to happen.

He didn't even have to ask. Tyr merely turned and looked at his friend and confidant. “You'll know who she is because it will involve an offering of food.” Khan replied to Tyr's unspoken question.

“Why do you do this to me, Khan?” Tyr asked. “I did not want two, now you are telling me that I will have three?” he continued.

“Consider yourself blessed, Tyr. Some Nietzschean men have no consorts and have to content themselves with snatching crumbs from the rich man's table.” Khan replied. He was referring to “poachers”. “Besides, there is no harm done. I'm merely trying to inform you in advance that you'd better make room down in Officer's Country for her.” Khan continued.

Tyr actually turned and looked at the Katay who was smiling. Actually smiling. On a Khan who was a 6 foot plus bi-pedal Cat, a full smile showed a mouth laden with of sharp teeth, a sight which would've sent a normal Human being packing. That's why the majority of the time, Khan merely pulled his whiskers back to indicate he was smiling. For rare and serious occasions and only in Tyr's presence, he showed “teeth”.

“I guess I'd better make room for one more.” Tyr thought and heaved a sigh.