“We’ve run into a problem, Leo.” “But of course. Who ever tracks me down to impart good news? - Lois McMaster Bujold

You want to be good. All right, I can understand that. But you have to be careful who you let define your good.

"Wait." He paused, and she held out a hand to him. His thick fingers engulfed her tapering ones; his skin was warm and dry, and scorched her. "Before we go pick up poor Lieutenant Illyan again..."

He took her in his arms, and they kissed, for the first time, for a long time.

"Oh," she muttered after. "Perhaps that was a mistake. It hurts so much when you stop."

"Well, let me..." his hand stroked her hair, gently, then desperately wrapped itself in a shimmering coil; they kissed again.

Mercenaries thrive on other people’s chaos.