Moonlighting

        "No."

        "No?" Tarrant asked. "I don't think I'm that unappealing. Or do you want to stay here for the rest of your life?"

        "Not for free," Vila elaborated. He sauntered over to the locked door and gave it a couple of kicks. Raising his voice, he said, "You hear that, don't you? I'm not doing it. Not for free. So you might as well let me out right now."

        This could work, Tarrant decided. Or it could get Vila, or perhaps both of them, killed. Or, worse, made into brainless menials. He flopped back on the bed, deciding to let Vila do the talking for now. Vila had a talent for chicanery that just might get them out of this. Tarrant suppressed a tiny twinge of curious regret.

        "There's something you need to know about us humans. Some of us are professionals. It's part of our ceremony that we get something in return for the, well, the bonding."

        "This is permitted," said a voice from the air. Tarrant stared at the ceiling, counting rivets to keep from interrupting. He and Vila had already tried and failed to find any alternative exits from the room.

        "He doesn't have anything to pay me with," Vila insisted. He plunged his hands into his pockers and stode back and forth. "I'm not cheap."

        Tarrant had surmised that. He let his eyes wander over Vila's shoulders and down lower. There was muscle under there, he knew. He could tell by the way Vila moved in the middle of a fight. He liked to watch Vila move…. He wouldn't have minded a quick shag. Or maybe a not-so-quick shag.

        Tarrant tuned back into the argument and realized Vila was now bargaining with the Ultras for - how many weapons-grade crystals? He almost sat up in shock, but quelled the impulse firmly. It was an excellent idea - he should've had that idea himself. The Ultras might find it easier to give in to Vila than to wait until they found another pair of humans to coerce.

        "And we also need platinum," Vila said. "Twenty-five kilos should do it."

        Tarrant covered his eyes with his arm. "I'm flattered," he said, drily. He could see Vila's next words ahead: 'we'll need to take the payment to our ship first, of course, as a sign of good faith'.

        Vila said, "Fine. Have some of those menials of yours deliver the stuff to our airlock. I'll let you know when we're through here."

        This time Tarrant did sit up, abruptly, every muscle on the alert. Vila grinned at him, slowly. "Guess I told them what's what."

        "Good job," Tarrant said.

        "Now I'll show you," Vila said. He walked over and threaded his fingers through Tarrant's hair, tilting his head back and kissing him like there was no tomorrow.

        As far as Tarrant cared at this moment, that could be true.

        When he had a moment to breathe, he said, "Platinum, right." He looked down and realized that they half-reclined on the bed, and that his tunic was already open. As if that should surprise him.

        Vila's hand slid over Tarrant's chest. "Quality goods," he said, smiling crookedly. "I could make a thief of you. With a little work."

        "I'd be doing all the work," Tarrant muttered. He sat up and began to unfasten Vila's tunic. Vila let him do it, stretching up like a cat and folding his arms behind his head, at least until Tarrant couldn't stand the distance anymore and kissed him again. Before Tarrant quite realized it, he was missing his clothes, including his boots. When had - oh, yes. During the knee-nibbling. He cupped his hand around the back of Vila's head.

        "You're very good," Tarrant said, meaning it sincerely.

        "I always knew my genius would be recognized someday," Vila said.

        "Vila?"

        "Yes?"

        "Thanks. I want you to know I'm not just doing this because I have to." Tarrant drew his hand down Vila's cheek, his palm tingling at the faint roughness he found.

        Vila smiled, looking smug. He whispered in Tarrant's ear, his breath sending velvety shivers down Tarrant's back, "I know. But why not rob the Ultras blind while we're at it?"

        Tarrant began to laugh, and continued to laugh until Vila had pinned him to the bed.