Star Trek: A Flag Full of Stars by Brad Ferguson

Author:Brad Ferguson [Ferguson, Brad]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, General, Science Fiction
ISBN: 9780671739188
Amazon: 0671739182
Publisher: Pocket Books
Published: 1991-04-02T04:00:00+00:00

After Kirk and Nan Davis left, Riley went over to the newsroom to thank Jenny Hogan. She was standing with a group loitering at a newswriter's desk, laughing at a joke—such a tiny person, Riley thought. At the sight of Riley, she turned; the smile faded slightly, and a look of concern took its place.

"Kevin?" She excused herself from the group and came over to him. "Is everything all right now?" She wore a jumpsuit of forest green that brought out her sea green eyes and bright copper hair.

He smiled down at her, all self-pity momentarily forgotten. He had desperately needed a friend that morning, and Jenny Hogan had proven herself to be one. "It seems to be." He released a sigh of utter exhaustion. "I really think the admiral would have cut me loose if you hadn't—"

Someone called to Jenny with a question and she took a moment to answer it, then turned back to Riley. "Excuse me. You were praising me, Kevin. Pray continue."

At the look of frank appreciation in her eyes, Riley blushed. He was, after all, a married—

Correction. As of yesterday, he was a bachelor again—with no desire to get encumbered so quickly. He liked Jenny…as a friend, no more. "Uh…sure," he stammered. "Look, if you hadn't lent me your datapad, I think I'd be out of a job right now. I owe you one, Jenny. In fact, I owe you several."

"So what was I supposed to do?" Jenny said, shrugging. "Let a fellow Irishman down? I'm a producer; I'm supposed to straighten out people's problems. Tell you what—if you really want to make it up to me—let's go out and get some lunch, just like the big people."

"It's not lunchtime yet," Riley said, a little nervously. "It's not even nine hundred thirty yet—I mean, it's not even half past nine."

"So let's go for a walk," Jenny said. "A long walk. It's a nice day. Then we'll go eat. Does your appreciation extend to the champagne brunch at the St. Francis?"

Riley's mouth opened; he closed it quickly. He could hardly be rude and refuse her, after what she had just done for him. And he liked being in her company—it certainly beat moping around the apartment alone for the rest of the day. Maybe all Jenny was looking for was a friend and he could certainly use one right about now.

"Sure," he said finally. "Sky's the limit."

But he could not shake a nagging sense of guilt.

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