I really should do some training, too, Susanne thought. She looked over at Roger, lying on his back on the grass in the sun. I wonder why they reinstated him, she thought, the corners of her mouth pulling down in a slight frown. If it's policy for a Guardian and Otaku not to be romantically involved, then why? They didn't try to hide anything. Sounds like a bunch of political hooey.

"My guess is that it's very political," Roger said softly, not opening his eyes. "They think that because I'm under their jurisdiction, I'm under their control."

"Are you?" she said softly.

This time, Roger opened his eyes and sat up. "Suze," he said, pulling her close. "I answer to myself. If I have to be kicked out again for them to recognize that, then so be it."

Susanne nodded slowly, trying to retain some semblance of rational thought -- always a difficulty when he held her so. "But... Christopher..."

"Shh..." Roger kissed her gently, effectively halting speech for a moment. "Don't think about it any more. I'm the one who suggested it, as it were. It's done, in the past. Play the Game."

"Game my foot. Why do they call this a game? I guess that's the hardest part about it. It's like everything is just... sadistic. Twisted."

"That's probably because it is," he answered, grinning.

Susanne grinned back, then gasped as she felt a flash of pain rip through her.

She sat, trembling, for a moment, then looked at Roger with wide eyes. He'd felt it, too, but it had only been a slight twinge.

She looked in the distance, where Mercy seemed to be practicing karate. She seemed unaffected. The muted strains of Kristsi and Kell arguing continued unabated. The clinking of Meredith's sword as she sparred with Zeke didn't miss a beat.

"What was that?" Susanne whispered.