AFTERMATH : THE JOURNEY BEGINS

          Anyone looking at Roark, as he moved through the corridors, wouldn't know that he was in somewhat of a hurry.  He would stop to answer questions whenever his name was called, but anyone who DID know him would know he was beginning to get very impatient with all the interruptions.

          Finally, he reached the brig.  Stopping outside the main door in, he straightened his uniform, ran a hand through his hair, and calmed his breathing.  When he felt he had himself well under control, he stepped up to the door and entered when it slid open.

          The desk officer looked up, and smiled.  "Afternoon, Captain Roark."

          "Sergeant Rollins.  I've come to see the prisoner."

          His expression changed immediately, closing down.  "I'm not sure that's wise, Sir," he said guardedly.  "Especially not alone.  That man is dangerous."

          A brow went up.  "I'm not asking, I'm telling you.  I have come to see the prisoner."

          "I'll have to report it, Sir."

          "You do that."  Not waiting for him to say anything else to stop him, he started down the hall.

          Coming to the cell he wanted, he entered his security override.  When the door slid open, he entered.  As the door slid closed behind him, the security lock engaging, his head came up, eyes opening.

          The most intense blue eyes he had ever seen in his life met his.  He was also incredibly handsome.  An almost rounded face with perfect skin that, despite being trapped on ships. was tanned.  His hair was blonde, with a wave to it as it fell to his almost midnight blue silk shirt.  What he could see of his body--

          Roark forcibly stopped his thoughts from going any further.  "Evan Rosier." 

          A slow smile began to twist his lips, his eyes moving down, then, more slowly, back up.  "My, my, aren't you breathtakingly gorgeous," he said, sitting back in his chair.  His arms came up, crossed over his chest.  "So, beautiful, who might you be?"

          "Captain Roark Lestrange, Colonial Counter-Intelligence."

          "Lestrange?" he asked, his tone became guarded, a strange expression entering his eyes.  Unaware he was sitting across from a powerful empath who could read him, his emotions slipped.

          Roark's breath caught in surprise, his silver eyes flaring.  "You were lovers," he breathed.  "Why the hell didn't he tell me?"

          "Because no one was ever meant to know." 

          Roark whirled to confront his husband, who had just entered the cell.  "I never expected him to be caught, he was always too good at what he did."  He arched a brow at the amused man who was watching the interaction between the two, noting the uniform Rodolphus was now wearing.  "How DID you get caught, Evan?"

          "I heard about my niece, and that my brother and his wife were dead, that Tatiana was now an orphan--"

          "Rodolphus," came the growl, "you had better not have authorized Sirius and Remus to use that little girl in order to capture him."

          "Of course, we didn't use Tatiana, Roark.  ALL I authorized is for them to spread the news that Evan's niece was now an orphan."

          He stared at him for a long micron, well aware Rodolpbus would do whatever was necessary to do his job, even if it meant using a little girl to capture a fugitive.  IF he WAS a fugitive, that is.  A nod.  "So, lovers?"

          "You're jealous," came the amused statement from the man sitting behind him.

          "No, Mr. Rosier, I am NOT jealous.  I have no cause to be."  He turned his head, his brow arching when he saw Rodolphus' sherry eyes locked on Evan.  The look in his eyes... "Or do I?  Rodolphus?"

          Rodolphus blinked and turned his head to look at his husband. "We need to talk, love."

          "By all means," Evan said, looking between them, " go right ahead.  Don't let me stop you.  This ought to be good,  Too bad I don't have any popcorn."

          " Evan," came his deep sigh.  "You are NOT helping."

          "Who said anything about helping?  This is amusing.  After two yahren, two lovers meet each other again, only to find out one has gotten himself sealed, and has not told his partner about the other.  I want to hear how you explain us to him."

          "And I want to hear it, but that can wait until we deal with you."

          Laughter.  "Do you think you can, beautiful?  Deal with me, that is?"