Haldor never needed a loud alarm to wake up. A quiet but penetrating chime was enough to bring him out of dreamland, and he stretched arms above his head before rolling around and getting up. A glance at the time – yes, still rather early – and then straight to the bathroom. He had a mission this morning.

A shower of suitably cool water rinsed the last remains of sleep away, but Hal still felt somehow unreal. His thoughts kept going back to the previous night, a long and strenuous one.

First the wait, everybody anxiously watching the skies and straining their ears to catch the first sound or flash of light, as the announced time of the fleet's return approached at a painfully slow rate. Then the frantic dash, the entire Base wanting to be there to welcome their returning companions, Hal naturally side by side with Corinn and Vanya. The much-awaited sight when the first fighters and transports had touched down, one after another, and rolled to their hangars to leave the runway free for the next ones. It'd been a veritable stream of planes, seemingly going on forever, and at last Haldor had realized just how low on staff the Base had been until then. Of course he'd been aware of the numerous empty hangars and dormitories before, but only then the enormous size of the Plains Base had really started to make sense.

There'd also been one large transport which, instead of heading to the hangars, had rolled along a small runway towards the building that housed the ward. An army of medics had been waiting for it, ready to take the patients under their wing without interruption in their care. That had, naturally enough, taken place away from the biggest crowd, but there'd been worried glances and pained expressions around. Everyone knew well enough what was going on.

All the fleet, its pilots and support personnel, had arranged itself in a formation, providing a splendid backdrop to the enormously tall, dark man – at first glance an almost exact replica of Base Commander Dahomey – who'd saluted the two Commanders. A truly breathtaking sight, that, though not quite as breathtaking as what had followed a few moments later, after the Supreme Commander had welcomed everybody home and dismissed them.

Seeing the kiss of Supreme Commander Hamidha and Pilot Commander Dahomey, even remembering it in the morning, was enough to make Hal's face flush red. Hastily he dried himself and turned away from the mirror. There was no use letting himself be flustered by it, or the other welcomes he'd seen the previous night, no matter how tender, boisterous, or bittersweet they'd been. Their life, Hal reminded himself. Now get going, while you still have time enough.

When the initial bustle had subsided, most of the returning people had wanted to retire for the night. So had the ones who'd been welcoming them, save for the ones who'd been on duty for the night, and by now most everybody would be well rested and ready to begin a brand new day. Hal pulled a short jacket on and opened the door, nearly grinning to himself. He was determined to see the Base wake up to the Morning After, and the absolutely best place for that was the big canteen.

When he entered the place, he nodded to himself in satisfaction. Yes, it was still almost empty. Some people, freshly relieved from the night shift, were having breakfast before crawling to bed. A few others were already up, looking expectant, but there was plenty of room.

Hal surveyed the place for a moment, then picked a suitable spot nearly in the middle, and set to work. The small tables were easily rearranged together into a cluster, nor did the light chairs or small sofas pose any difficulties, and after some minutes he eyed his creation in satisfaction. It was a good vantage point, and it sure looked inviting enough. A natural center of gravitation, Hal thought and glanced towards the serving area. Now for something to munch, to pass the time. I just hope I'll get some company. Such a crowd last night, I want to remember properly who's who.

He didn't know it, but help in that quarter was about to come soon – however, not without some complications.

"No!" Juri hung on to his pillow like grim death, arms amorously around it, and tried to burrow his head underneath it. "Mercy, please! Don't make me!"

"Stop squealing," said a stern voice and the rest of the blanket was pulled off, letting cool air waft over Juri's naked body. "Get up, now! The kids are gone, too."

"You're horrid," Juri moaned, let go of the pillow and rolled on his back. "Since the kids aren't around, why not enjoy some quality time? Now think, just you and your sizzling hot, sexy-as-hell lover, all alone in this big comfy bed? How does that sound?"

"Tempting," Orwel admitted, eyeing said lover's toned body appreciatively. "Very tempting. But still the answer is no. I don't want to miss this singular opportunity for anything."

"Singular opportunity?" In a flash Juri was crouching in the middle of the bed, scowling at the man. "Ah-ha! So I'm an everyday commodity by now?"

"Juri!" Orwel threw up his hands. "Don't you remember that they came back last night? I want breakfast and some people-watching!"

Juri shook his head ruefully, sat down and swung his legs over the edge of the bed. "People-watching... oh well. I guess I'll just have to get used to the fact that the first thrill won't last forever. Though I did expect that it'd last a little longer than this..."

He shuffled to the bathroom and a worriedly frowning Orwel followed, not quite sure whether or not he'd been at least somewhat serious.

Juri took his sweet time before relenting and admitting that he'd indeed been just joking, and that he sure as hell shared Orwel's desire to go and savor the situation. He was pleased to notice that Orwel still felt suitably chastised to actually sit down and wait until he was showered, shaved and clothed enough to come along, without once complaining that Juri was taking too long. The ex-spy grinned to himself in the mirror, raked fingers through his hair and decided that he was presentable. He didn't want to waste precious minutes, either, because this was sure to be an interesting morning.

They noticed Hal easily enough and joined him with their trays.

"Looks like we're not the only early birds here," Juri smiled in greeting, and the dark man nodded.

"Decided to come here and try to get used to what the place really looks like," he said. "For one thing, I never realized there'd be so many S-clones around!"

Orwel nodded. "There'll be even more, if all the pilots currently stationed in the Island and Highlands Bases return home as well. You'll be surprised!"

"Good that you're here with me," Haldor said. "I was hoping for company that knows everybody and can put me up to date as well."

"Oh yes, of course you don't know the guys!" Juri's eyes widened. "Not that I'd be any great authority... my first visit here was pretty short, and when I came back the fleet was already gone. So, Orwel, our beseeching eyes turn to you!"

"I'll do my best," Orwel promised solemnly. "Though I'm sure that both of you are able to identify the people who just came in."

Juri turned around and chuckled. "Sure enough. Okay, Hal, I'm sure you picked it up last night that the big guy is Fonzo, so the clone with him..."

"Must be Shaun," Hal completed with a nod. "Yeah, we were introduced last night."

Sure enough, the incongruous duo were happy to sit down with them. Fonzo settled on a sofa with a satisfied sigh and Shaun slid next to him, beaming indiscriminately at all and sundry over their breakfast tray.

"Feels good to be home, right?" Juri asked, getting emphatic nods from both.

"Sure thing," Fonzo stated. "The mothership wasn't half bad, but that bloody tin can was floating in space!"

"So is Jainah," Shaun pointed out over his mug. Fonzo shook his head fondly.

"I swear, kiddo, ever since you officially became a hero you've been one hell of a smart aleck!"

Shaun looked worried for a moment.

"What do you mean?" he asked, then grimaced as Fonzo ruffled his dark hair.

"Merely that you've started to talk back a lot... still remember what 'conceited' means?"

"Of course I do!" Shaun pouted. "And I am not conceited. I was merely stating a truth."

Juri rolled his eyes. "You lose, Fonzo. He's right, after all, Jainah is floating in space, too. Never argue the basics of physics with a clone."

"Wouldn't I know that," Fonzo grumbled and winked to Shaun who, relieved, focused his attention once more on his cereal.

"But has Shaun then been involved in something special?" Orwel asked.

"Yep. All the pilots saw more action than I could keep track of, but Shaun here was in the group of ten that destroyed the Union's strategic base on Gemini." Fonzo looked ready to burst with pride. "Really turned the tide in our favor for good."

"Scott led us, and Osip let him select the ones to accompany him," Shaun put in. "And he picked me first of all!"

"What kind of a mission was that?" Orwel asked.

That was all the encouragement Shaun needed to plunge into a voluble and enthusiastic account of the task in question. Listening to it made Orwel flinch several times, something neither Hal nor Juri missed, and they glanced at each other in understanding. They could both guess what the Commander's expression meant: even if the mission sounded straightforward enough, it obviously had been far more complicated and dangerous than they realized.

They were so absorbed in the story that nobody, not even Fonzo, realized exactly when Corinn and Vanya had joined the ring. Suddenly Shaun glanced at his big friend, let out a joyous yelp and jumped to stand on the sofa, his obvious goal to hug the two men standing behind Fonzo. In the process he nearly toppled over one table and Vanya's breakfast tray, which Corinn deftly caught in the nick of time.

"You little monkey!" Vanya laughed and simply pulled the boy, hanging around his neck, over the back of the sofa. "Good to see you back, kid!"

"Thanks, pal," Corinn sighed to Fonzo, who obligingly snatched one loaded, wobbling tray from his hands and placed it on the table. "We weren't really planning to carry these in only one hand..."

"Fonzo, are you not at all glad to see them?" Shaun dropped himself on his own two feet, only to bounce back up, this time to wrap his arms around Corinn who'd by now been relieved of his own tray as well. Fonzo heaved a long-suffering sigh.

"We usually don't pounce each other whenever we meet, kid!" he said. "Last night, I told you that I'd go to sit a moment with them while you were meeting with all your friends, remember? So they've already hugged me welcome."

"I forgot!" Shaun skipped back to his seat and sat down, then almost jumped up once more. "Look! There is a new T-clone! Who is that?"

Corinn, cradling his mug protectively, looked in the indicated direction and nearly whistled. "You catch one glimpse at a group of TCs, and immediately you can tell there's one more of them than there used to be? Shaun, you surprise even me!"

"But not me," Juri said. "Three words, Corinn: enhanced observational abilities. I've been around SCs so much lately that hardly anything surprises me any more."

"But who is he?" Shaun insisted.

"That's Salvador," Juri said. "The T-clone I came here with, remember?"

"Oh..." Shaun's eyes and mouth went round. "But he was terribly ill, was he not? And who is the dark-haired young man with him?"

"My cousin Troy," Haldor informed him. "It's a long story, and there are people who'll tell it a lot better than me, so I won't even try. But hey, who's the redhead with them?"

"That," Vanya said, "is Wilson. Pilot extraordinaire, and Osip's second-in-command. She and Adrien are together."

He grinned and nudged Hal conspiratorially with an elbow. "Is she as pretty as your redhead?"

"Of course mine is prettier," Hal said, feigning indignation at such a stupid question. "And mine's got much more of the red hair, too."

"Your redhead?" Fonzo inquired, interested, making Hal go pink despite his milk-coffee complexion.

"Hal's got a red-haired girlfriend, in Trelissac," Corinn explained gleefully. "But partner, you ought to be more careful. If Wilson ever hears you calling her 'pretty', you'll be dead meat!"

"I'm not crazy," Vanya retorted lazily and picked up another sandwich. "After all, head pilots are to be treated with due respect!"

The T-clones and their partners occupied another big table, close to the main door. Hal watched them, all the while listening to the comfortable banter of the old friends sitting around him. The place was filling rapidly and his brain was beginning to accommodate the suddenly multiplied number of people around. He kept noticing especially the numerous S-clones who looked so much older and more adult than the kids he had so far seen. These were no kids, they were young men and women, sauntering in in small groups, with admiring hordes of younger SCs trailing after them. Hal nearly chuckled at the sight. The big brothers and sisters are back again... and trying to act nonchalant although they're clearly pleased at those worshipful glances. Really, like any regular kids.

He was so fascinated by the interaction between the SCs that he nearly missed the couple who drifted in after a particularly large, eagerly talking group.

"Ahh..." Orwel perked up, a smug smile spreading on his face. "Some people are looking pleased with themselves today!"

Next to him, Juri huffed.

"Hardly surprising," he said under his breath, "considering that they've definitely got laid this morning."

Got you, Juri chuckled inwardly and wiggled an eyebrow at Orwel, who looked suitably mortified and once more turned his attention towards the door.

Haldor missed the exact words, but he didn't need to hear them; he remembered the passionate and very public welcome kiss well enough to fight back a blush at seeing them. Osip's long arm was possessively slung around Arria's waist, and it seemed to require some persuading before it reluctantly unwrapped itself enough to grab a tray from the racks.

"Well if it isn't my dear brother!" Orwel announced as the two finally, after much deliberation and negotiations concerning their breakfast, approached the awaiting group. "And still able to walk?"

"Barely, and no thanks to you," Osip retorted with a wink. "Little bro, didn't I tell you to look after my Arria while I'm away?"

"Excuse me? I've done exactly that!" Orwel's eyes widened. "Surely he's in as good a condition as can be expected, after you haven't been around for ages?"

"Condition... definitely." Osip took a seat next to his blond partner and scowled at his brother. "You've let him spend too much time at the gym! As much as I hate to admit this, I'll soon be no match for him any more. I even have the bruises to prove it!"

"Osip..." One of Arria's eyebrows rose in warning. "Are you going to embarrass me again, very first thing in the morning?"

"Lover mine," Osip purred, "it would hardly be the very first thing I do this morning!"

"You're treading on dangerous ground," Arria said sternly. "Just remember how quickly I had you on your knees in the shower."

He sipped from his mug, granting his partner a sly sideways glance, and added: "It might happen again."

"I stand corrected," Osip piped, lacing his fingers primly together on the edge of the table, while Arria merely smirked at the admiring looks everybody else was giving him.

"Go, Arria!" Orwel grinned. "Oh boy, it's good to hear that again! I've missed it, you know."

"Don't encourage him," Arria said. "Isn't he bad enough already?"

"Well, I trust you to keep my big brother in his proper place," Orwel said confidently. Arria flashed him a wolfish smile, making more than one person around them giggle.

"A conspiracy!" Osip groaned. "Makes me wonder if I should, after all, ask you what I was going to."

"Just go right ahead," Arria said. "He won't bite you."

Hal listened to the teasing in fascination. They're so at ease with each other, all of them, he thought, amused and wistful at the same time. And so at ease about their relationship. He felt a little pang of envy, but pushed it away. Well, they've been together so long, much longer than me and Lin... but hey, what were they saying?

"What do you mean, having the place all for myself?" Orwel asked suspiciously. "What're you two going to do?"

"Oh, just going to Trelissac." Arria and Osip exchanged a smile. "We're taking a bit of a holiday. Just the two of us."

"That's a fantastic idea," Orwel said firmly. "Exactly what you need. But why not take longer, say, a week or so? You might even head to the coast."

"Oh, a couple of days will be quite enough, for now," Osip said. "Though we might consider a trip to the beach a bit later... but let's make it short to start with. I mean, you'll hardly notice my absence, but it might be a bit more difficult to manage without Arria!"

"I think I'll survive, pilot-wise – won't there be at least two, possibly three Head Pilots around anyway?" Orwel cocked his head, eyes narrowing even more as he looked at the two men's expressions. "But would you mind telling? Is something special up?"

Osip cleared his throat. "Well... we're going to make this official. To be partners for real."

Hal's breath caught when Osip's big hand crept to cover Arria's on the table. Juri looked ready to melt into a puddle at the sight, while Corinn and Vanya hooted in unison.

"You're going to sneak away to town and get married there?" Vanya shook his head. "No no, that won't do at all! Where's the celebration?"

"Yeah, what about the bubbly drinks? Big dinner? Dancing?" Corinn added. "With all respect, Commanders, we don't think the people here will allow that!"

"But you will get a celebration," Osip protested. "Fonzo and Shaun here can testify that the main topic of conversation on our way back was the welcome party, how big it'll be, and when! So you won't miss any celebrations."

"On the other hand, it'll take some time to arrange a big party," Fonzo put in. "So you'd have plenty of time to get married first, and then we'd have even more reason to celebrate."

"Count on Fonzo to come up with the sensible solution!" Corinn beamed.

"I second that," Orwel said firmly. "We'll have to take a good look at the calendar and settle the date. For one thing, I'd like the two of you to be back, and in partying condition, by then."

Vanya gaped at Orwel for a moment, then his shoulders sagged. Corinn slung an arm around him.

"Hey, partner," he said in a low voice, "didn't you just say, a couple of days ago, that it'd be better to have it over soon? Careful with what you hope for..."

"What the hell is this about?" Osip asked sharply. "What's wrong with you, Vanya?"

"Nothing," Vanya said stubbornly, and was rewarded by Arria's glare.

"The head and neck injury he got when invading this place. It requires surgery."

"Godssakes," Osip sighed. "I'm sorry, Vanya... I hope it's nothing – uh – too dangerous?"

"Edmé says there's no reason to be worried, but I still don't have to like the idea," Vanya said miserably, then forced a smile on his face. "But let's not talk about me now."

"All right," said Osip whose gaze had suddenly fallen on Haldor. "Especially as it seems I need to start polishing my manners some. I don't think the two of us have met before?"

Arria introduced Hal, and Osip listened attentively to his concise account of how the man had ended up on Jainah, before extending a long arm to shake hands.

"I'm usually a bit more observant than this," he said with a small, mortified grin, "but I swear you looked so at home with the other big guys there that it took me a while to realize I didn't recognize your face! Sounds like you've had a rough ride, from Tabaimo via Gemini to Jainah!"

"It hasn't been altogether easy," Hal admitted. "But this is my home now."

He had to swallow, seeing the warm smiles and nods of approval of the men around him, then swallow again as the funny lump in his throat didn't want to disappear at once. Corinn slapped him on the shoulder.

"Yeah, this guy's one of us, and so is his cousin Troy... whom you haven't met either, Osip. He's the dark one over there, next to Salvador."

Osip turned to look and gasped again. "Good heavens! Is that Salvador?"

"The very same," Arria nodded. "I'll take you to meet them in a while."

"Let's not interrupt their breakfast," Osip agreed. "But now I think it's time for a second round. Some more for you, lover?"