“There was a pause, static, a muttered "Give me that," by an indignant female. Then the normally quiet reserved Ashlyn was demanding, "Did you just drunk dial my husband?""Yes, ma'am," Strider said, and the other two finally burst into laughter.”

“William clapped to gain everyone's attention. "All right, listen up. I've got good news and bad news. Because I'm such a positive person, we'll start with the good. Ashlyn survived the birthing, and so did her personal horde."The hallway echoed with breathy sighs of relief...none louder than Maddox's own."So what's the bad?" someone demanded. After a dramatic pause, the warrior said, "I'm out of conditioner. I need someone to flash out of here and get me some. Hint, I’m looking at you, Lucien. And, yeah, you're welcome for my amazing contrib to your happy family. Little terrors clawed me up but good.”

“Demon?” Gwen gasped out. Her back jerked ramrod-straight, and her face leeched ofcolor. “Did you just say demon?”Oh, uh…did I say that?” Strider once again glanced around the plane helplessly. “No, no.I think I said seaman.”

“Strider: "Pull Over," he commanded."What?" William flicked him a now's-not-the-time-to-joke glance. "We just got a little peace and quiet and you want to ruin it all just to piss? You're such a baby.""Red Hots, dude." He'd ruin ANYTHING for a mouthful of those. "Now pull the fuck over.""Oh, Gummy Bears. You should have said so.”

“Fine," Strider said tightly. "You can. But you wont. Because you know that if you take the woman out of this home, I'll go gray from worry. And you like my hair the way it is.""Stridey-man. Are you hitting on my? Trying to get me to run my fingers through those mangy locks?"Gideon chuckled. "Sweetie pie."Striders lips even twitched into a grin. "You know I hate when you get mushy like that."Boy loved it. No question.”

“I've traveled all over the world for the Institute, but I never dreamed I'd meet someone like you.""Strong?"A chuckle escaped her. "Yes.""Handsome?""Of course.""Sharp of wit and skilled with a sword?""Absolutely." An other chuckle. "But I mean a man… friend… guy. Oh, I don't know what to call you!"He savored her amusement—and her earnest words. "Just call me yours. That is all I want to be."(Ashlyn and Maddox)”

“Anya made you kiss her?Yeah. And at our next stop, I'll expect you to deliver.I'll pay, William piped up. After you describe everything about that kiss you two shared. Did you cop a feel? You did, didn't you, you little hussy. I bet you moaned a lot, too.Too late for you to pay, she said in a sing song voice. Strider already offered, and I already accepted. And no, I won't do any describing. You can just imagine how sexy it was. Oh, and Willie. Just so you know, your imagination won't do it justice.”