Free Fortified by J. F. Jenkins

computers will help a great deal with her research. I understand the logic.”
    A soft sigh left Jaes’s lips. “How is she?”
    â€œHmm? Gideon is male...” Though, Alan knew exactly whom Jaes referred to. It was another reason he didn’t want to discuss his team in detail. Jaes only cared about one person…
    â€œCadence,” Jaes said. “How is she?”
    I don’t want to talk about her with you. But he also wasn’t surprised. Jaes was smitten with her, and it bothered Alan, a lot. Especially since he got the suspicion that his friend wanted to evict him of his role as leader just so he could have the opportunity to get even closer to her.
    â€œShe’s well,” Alan said carefully. “The same as usual. She does the best at balancing her school life and her work with me. I often wonder if she feels less useful, so I am trying to think of more ways for her to be more active in our missions.”
    â€œShe should come with us when we go meet with the Yumsaltanz.”
    Of course, so you’ll have a good excuse to sequester her from me. .. us, her team. “How about I bring a few others along as well, then. I’d hate for anyone to feel left out. A lesson in diplomacy might do them some good.”
    He’d been expecting Jaes to back down from the idea at the mention of the others. When a full on grin appeared on his face instead, Alan realized he’d just shot himself in the foot. “I’ll let Sir Orioltogorthan know!”
    Great, and he’ll still find a way to keep Cadence all to himself. Alan rubbed at his forehead. “Yes, be sure to do that and let me know what he thinks about the idea.” Hopefully he hates it and sees it as a waste of time. Because it would be one. Knowing my luck, because Jaes will be the one proposing the idea, Sir Oriol is going to think he’s invented the wheel.
    â€œAre you okay?” Jaes asked.
    â€œHeadache,” Alan said. It wasn’t a total lie. A splitting pain was beginning to form between his eyes.
    The genuine frown of concern on his friend’s face almost had him regretting all of his hostile thoughts. “Has it been a long day?” Jaes asked. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been so inconsiderate.”
    â€œYou haven’t done anything wrong,” Alan said. “My day has been long, but there is nothing to share about it. Thank you for keeping me informed. I should go lie down.” A quick exit before he let the wrong words slip from his mouth. Every phrase had to be carefully constructed. Jaes couldn’t lie to him, and he wanted to at least give his friend the same kind of courtesy. Alan didn’t like being rude, though. I’ve got to figure out how to clear him soon because being around him is just uncomfortable. I don’t know how to talk to him without spilling the beans. Maybe I should just tell him? No, I can’t. Not until I know the right way to do it.
    Jaes continued to frown as he nodded. “By the time you wake up, I’ll have the clearance you need to bring your team back when we meet with Kimantkel.”
    â€œGreat.” Alan tried to hold back as much sarcasm as he could. It was a newer form of expression for him, one he didn’t particularly enjoy. In moments like this, however, it did come in handy. Too bad for him, Jaes knew about the mannerism as well so Alan couldn’t use it as often as he’d like. Not like he wanted to be mean to his friend, but he had a hard time getting excited over this particular assignment since Jaes was clearly only putting it together to be close with Cadence. He stood and headed back to his bedroom before he got any more sidetracked. That wasn’t as bad as it could have been. The next time we meet, I’ll have a better handle on what I want to do.
    Rather than climb right into bed, he went to his window and gazed out at Earth. He’d chosen a room where he could