"There are some things you should know before beginning," Chang said. "While you are again capable of arousal, you must understand it will not be the same; you will have to make allowances." Cortin nodded. "I understand. Can you be more specific?" "I found it necessary to provide muscular support for the replacement," Chang said. "I attempted to tie the necessary relaxation into the arousal mechanism, but I am a medic, not a surgeon; I do not know if I was successful. Should arousal not relax those muscles sufficiently to permit penetration, you will have to do so consciously." "I think I can manage that, if I have to. What about climax?" Chang shrugged, smiling regretfully. "You will have to tell me," she said. "You are not physiologically equipped for such, yet my studies tell me it is as much a mental as a physical phenomenon, so I cannot say you will not experience it." "That's all I can ask," Cortin said. "I owe you, Sis; what can I do for you?" Chang smiled. "You owe me nothing, Captain; restoring your ability to function is reward enough. And I have news of my own. You are not the only one to be restored; my prayers have been answered." Cortin laughed, her apprehension dissolved in the nun's evident pleasure. "Wonderful! When? Who'd you celebrate it with?" "Last night. No one as yet, not with a patient under my care and myself the only available medic." "In which case it's a good thing I don't need medical care any longer," Cortin said with a grin. Then she turned to Odeon. "Where are the rest, Mike?" "Tiny's outside playing gardener; the rest are up at the Manor visiting Prince Edward's security troops. We thought it would be a good idea to let you check yourself out without a crowd." "I appreciate the consideration, but my team's not a crowd." Cortin cocked an eye at him. "Since I know you wouldn't pull rank for a personal matter, were you the one to stay because we were lovers before?" "That did make him the reasonable choice," Chang said equably. "And Sis has more than a passing interest in Tiny," Odeon said. "Then I'd suggest she invite him in," Cortin said. "While she does--any news?" She meant professional, not personal, Odeon knew; he shook his head. "Nothing worth mentioning. The Brothers are still laying low, and aside from confirming what you found out about the Shannons, Ivan says the Detention Center Inquisitors have been drawing blanks." "What about the one we brought with us?" "Dave and Ivan teamed up on him, but unless you count some entertainment, they didn't get anything useful." "Blast! Not wishing anyone anything bad, but I'll be glad when this stalemate breaks."