He returned Mara's kisses with just as much need, just as much warmth. They were different than the desperate kisses of a few minutes before, and the way they held onto each other was not the same as then, either. Galen had no idea what to call it, or them, and he wondered if he ever would. All he knew was that they were joined and were meant to be joined, and not just physically.

Galen smiled and shook his head. "Not your life, lazy," he joked back at Mara. "I've still got a another round or two left in me."

Shifting slightly, a sharp ache shot through his knees and legs. Galen winced, then laughed at himself. "But not just now. Now, I think there's got to be something on this ship we can use as a soaking tub, if you want to join me."