Free Burden of Proof by John G. Hemry Page A

like Sharpe eyed them disdainfully. The Saint offered Paul a fierce grin in passing then called out, "Until next time!"
    Sharpe blew out a breath. "Looks like you made a friend, sir."
    "Yeah. Do we get some kind of receipt for turning these guys over in one piece with no bruises?"
    "They got bruises, sir. We maneuvered some after picking 'em up, remember?"
    "Oh, yeah."
    "But I got the receipt, sir. We're clear."
    "Great. I'll tell the XO." Paul sensed someone nearby and turned to see Captain Gonzalez there. "Good evening, ma'am."
    "Good evening, Paul." Gonzalez watched as the Greenspacers were marched away. "Never a dull moment, eh?"
    "No, ma'am."
    "Can you believe I'll miss it? Even this kind of nonsense. There's no other job like it."
    "I won't argue with that, ma'am."
    Gonzalez grinned. "I believe you have a visitor, Mr. Sinclair."
    Paul followed her gaze, then smiled himself. Jen was a little hard to spot in the crowd on the pier since many of the others there were taller than her. She smiled brightly when their eyes met, walked to the USS Michaelson 's brow, saluted the national flag at the aft end of the Michaelson , then saluted Ensign Gabriel, who was officer of the deck inport at the moment. "Request permission to come aboard."
    "Permission granted."
    Jen saluted Captain Gonzalez as well. "Good evening, ma'am."
    "Good evening, Ms. Shen. Nice to see you again. I'll leave you two alone." With an indulgent smile, Gonzalez left the quarterdeck.
    Jen grinned, then looked at Paul. "Hey, sailor. New in town?"
    Paul smiled wider. "Yup, and looking for a good time. You know of any prospects?"
    "I'm not busy tonight."
    "Unfortunately, I am."
    Jen made a face. "Duty?"
    "Yep. I can't leave the ship. Can I interest you in a wardroom meal and a flick afterward?"
    "Be still my heart. Okay. Hey, what's this?" Jen pointed at the silver bars on Paul's collar. "You got promoted!"
    "You don't have to sound so surprised."
    "I'm not. Your name showed up on the promotion list a while back. But it's still cool. We'll have to celebrate."
    Paul ached to hug Jen, but with them both in uniform and him on duty that would violate a number of regulations regarding public displays of affection. As if reading his mind, Jen reached out to squeeze his arm.
    Petty Officer Sharpe cleared his throat. "My work here is done, sir. Request permission to get on with my life."
    Paul returned Sharpe's salute. "Permission granted, Sheriff. Have fun."
    "Thank you, sir." Sharpe flashed a grin. "You kids be good tonight."
    "You don't have to worry about busting us. We both know the regs about no hanky-panky on ships."
    Jen gave Sharpe an arch look. "Heck, Petty Officer Sharpe, I can't even kiss this guy. Do you know how hard it is not to do that?"
    "Not ever having had the urge to kiss him, ma'am, I can't say I do."
    "That's a relief." With another grin, Sharpe left the quarterdeck. "Paul, how do you put up with that guy?"
    "The Sheriff? He's respectful when he should be, he never crosses the line into being too familiar, and he really knows his job."
    "Works for me." They headed for the wardroom. "So, what's tomorrow look like on the good ship Merry Mike ?"
    Paul paused outside the wardroom hatch. "Change of command ceremony. After that, rumor says we'll get early liberty."
    "Ohhhh, good deal."
    "Then tomorrow night Carl's got his farewell laid on at Fogarty's. You'll be there, right?"
    "I wouldn't miss it." Jen stared down the passageway. "It's funny. The Michaelson stays the same ship, the ship that was my home for more days, weeks and months at stretch than I care to remember, a place I knew like the back of my hand. But as the people I knew onboard transfer off she's slowly becoming like a place I don't belong. I belong on some past version of the Merry Mike , crewed by the memories of officers and enlisted who have gone on to other assignments. I wonder if this is how a ghost feels?"
    Jen stood silent for a few moment, leaving Paul to think through her words.