They laughed together, and just like that, the idea stuck Juzee.
Bemused by the thought, she said, “You want to see the asteroid belt, huh?”
He nodded. “It’s been a fantasy of mine as long as I can remember.”
She stared at him for a long moment. #lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod #spaceopera #shortstory

“I appreciate that you set up this program. I suppose I could deduct the cost of your services from the amount your company owes me, but I’m still farther in the red.”
He grinned, and her heart fluttered. “You never know. I might be high priced. Maybe you owe us money.”
#lookinmybriefs #spaceopera

She grimaced. “Sisters are like that. They’re always smarter, prettier, and more capable.”
“Sorry,” he replied with a gallant smile, “but I find that impossible to believe in your case.”
Juzee stared at him. He was much better looking than she had first thought. #lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod #humor

His face reddened again, and he straightened. “No, my sister got the entrepreneurial brains, I’m afraid. Marketing skills, financial projection skills. She’s the smart one. I’m a big disappointment to my father. I’m a mere accountant in one of our smaller offices.” #lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod

“You don’t stop a spaceship, Harold, you match orbits.”
“However.”
Juzee turned her head slightly to stare into his eyes. “You’re certainly an intelligent Hardpod, I’ll give you that. You must be a big rock in Hardpod Industries.”
#lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod #spaceopera #shortstory #humor

“Twice?” Juzee moaned. “I’ve already got a judgment in the original amount. I’ll never get the court to double it.”
“Yes,” Harold replied, his tone sympathetic. “You’re out of luck as far as the depreciated amount. Too bad you didn’t know that before you stopped our spaceship.”
#lookinmybriefs

“What you didn’t get right was how much we overbilled you.”
“Huh?”
“Look here.” He bent so his face was next to hers as they perused the screen. “They not only took the charge as a debit in the miscellaneous account; they took a depreciation for it. They overbilled you twice.” #lookinmybriefs

“And it’s a good thing I did, considering what I found.”
“And what was that?” She swiveled her head to glare at him.
“Well…” his face reddened. “Well, you were right. Hardpod Industries did overbill you.”
“I knew it,” she exclaimed, virtuous satisfaction in her tone.
#lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod

“I’ve been meaning to do that,” Juzee muttered. “My sisters have been harassing me. I can’t believe you used your own funds to get this.”
“I didn’t. I used your GoodFriends account to pay for it.”
“What!” This time she couldn’t hold back the screech.
#lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod #spaceopera #humor

“You know, you really should not use codeword as your codeword. Anyone could axe in to your rom.”
She didn’t ask how he got her signon. The rom provided that automatically.
“So, you got on the graph and sent a message to your father? Asking him to rescue you?”
#lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod #humor

Several hours later, as sleep cycle approached, Juzee reentered the room, using her palm to forcefully help the squeaking, low compliant door to open. Her gaze found Harold sitting at her desk, in front of her personal rom, typing at the keyboard. #lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod #spaceopera #humor

His scowled faded, surprise and a hint of disappointment replacing it. “All boys?”
“All boys,” she repeated, satisfaction in her tone. She slapped the door panel and then gritted her teeth as it crawled on its track until it smugly shut.
#lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod #spaceopera #shortstory #humor

“But no matter,” he said, his tone firmer. “You will not touch our child’s inheritance.”
“I would never touch money belonging to our child,” she retorted, incensed by the accusation.
“Hah!”
Furious, she spun and stomped to the door. #lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod #spaceopera #shortstory #humor

Juzee realized her mouth was hanging opened. She shut it and frowned. “You think she would be beautiful?”
“Very. She’ll cause young men’s tongues to hang loose. I’ll have a shirit of a time keeping them away from her. They’ll be trying to unite with her when she’s fourteen.” #lookinmybriefs #humor

"Reminds me of a delicate succulent I saw on the coast of Marl; all shiny strands waving in the starlight.” He lifted his hand toward a wayward tress and then hastily dropped it. “And I suppose, she would have your rose-grey eyes, with thick lashes as long as my thumb width.” #lookinmybriefs #humor

“It was?”
“Yes.” He paused, and when he continued his voice dropped in volume and took on a thoughtful tone. “It’s true that our child would be quite lovely. She would probably have your silky black hair. Reminds me of a delicate succulent I saw on the coast of Marl." #lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod

“You think so much of yourself. As if having sex with you would be so wonderful.”
“Oh, I don’t make that mistake,” he replied, leaning down until their noses almost touched. “I know I’m not desirable. You intend to get a child from me.”
She blinked, confused. “A child?”
#lookinmybriefs #shortstory

But his words didn’t ease her temper.
“This is as good a place as any, don’t you think?”
His scowl turned to outrage. “I think I’ve uncovered your insidious plan,” he said in a growl. “You think to strap me down and mount me.”
Her temper rose. #lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod #spaceopera #shortstory

He wasn’t that ugly she conceded. The dent in this chin wasn’t so bad, his hair was more like light chocolate, matching his skin tone, and his eyes could better be described as hazel. For some reason, his pompous manner seemed less threatening while in her berth. #lookinmybriefs #haroldhardpod

Juzee was still doubtful whether or not the last spanking was warranted. It was true she was responsible for the incident, but nobody died. First Officer Sternbottom should have saluted, turned around, and marched back into the ship, but instead she was eying Juzee with a stern eye. #lookinmybriefs