”His face darkened as he read the list, and he cast a nervous glance around the throne room. It was packed with senators, foreign ambassadors, and c...itizens who had been granted an audience. No doubt there were also a fair number of spies among them.“I have a large number of petitioners to get through this morning. Would you care to finish your presentation over lunch?”“I would be delighted, sire.”“Very well then.”After the emperor had concluded his morning audience, he led me into the gardens. “I, uh, just think it’s strange.”I mentally willed Elyse to stay calm. Jorge had made a very good point. The Rap Sessions were supposed to be about a free exchange of ideas. That said, it was the hottest of her hot buttons. Now if she could just stay calm... “You do realize women have been feeding babies since there have been women and babies, right?” she asked testily. “Hundreds of thousands of years? It’s just a teat. Or do you think it’s a play toy for you? And THAT’S why you’re offended by. " Whoa there, guy ... an older chick! I'm impressed. Why all the secrecy?"She says she has a boyfriend who lives right down the street. We're meeting up ... um, not too far from where she lives. She's been telling me on the phone how good she is at giving head. I'm gonna find out if she's telling the truth." Damn, dude! A BJ from a college chick! Hope her boyfriend doesn't find out. Anyway, what's up with that blonde bitch you been boffing?" Joe suddenly inquired. "She's fine. You still tapping. You're a great woman."Maureen smiled at him and hugged him once more. "Joey, don't get me wrong, but I really love you. I love you as much as I can ever love a man." I know, Maureen. You know I love you too."During the next week and into February, Joey was back in Professor Harland's lab doing the last control experiments. Things were really playing out as they had hoped and now he was busy creating the figures for the manuscript. Harland would not let him write beyond the draft stage but.