“Bleed him and I'll skewer you like a stuck pig," I said through clenched teeth."No, you will try. You'll wave your sword around and talk a lot of shit and then back off at the last minute. And then I'll snap your neck and his.”

“Very well." He sat cross-legged on the floor of the cage. "You haven't run off so you want to talk. I will hear your explanation now.""Really, Your Majesty? So good of you to condescend. I'll try to use small words and go slow.""You're wasting my time. I know Jim betrayed me and you're covering for him. This is your chance to dazzle me wih your brillance or baffle me with your bullshit. You won't get another. When I get out, I won't be in the mood to listen.”

“Who is there with you?""Raphael"Kate's voice snapped. "I'll be in Atlanta in three hours. Where are you?""I said it's nothing major.""Bullshit. You wouldn't work with Raphael unless the Apocalypse was imminent and that was the only way to prevent it.”

“You know," she said, stirring her tea, "the fastest way to get him off your back is to sleep with him. And tell him you love him. Preferably while in bed."I smirked and the tea almost came out of my nose. "He'd run like he was on fire.”

“He hit her with his best smile. Her eyes widened. She took a deep breath. 'Oh no, not that seductive face. I'm overcome with the need to take off these awful clothes. What is happening? I do not understand. Oooh. Ahhh.' She touched her wrist to her forehead. 'Somebody help me. I'm being drenched with my own fluids.'Evil woman. 'See now, you shouldn't have done that,' Kaldar said. She gave him an innocent look. 'You've made yourself into a challenge. Now I'll have to seduce you out of principle.''You can try. Not that you'll get anywhere. If you were in love, that would be one thing, but we both know this is pride talking.' Audrey patted his forearm. 'It's all right. I won't tell anybody about your shameful failure. I'll keep it completely confidential.' She pretended to lock her lips and throw away the key.'I'll remind you of this when you're collapsing on my sheets, all happy and out of breath.' He leaned closer. "I'm picturing it in my head. Mmm, you look lovely.''Whatever fantasies help you get through the day.' Audrey said.'So kind of you.''I'm all about being charitable when it doesn't cost me anything.'Charity? For me? Before this was all over, either they would be lovers or they'd kill each other. Right now, he had no idea which it would be.”

“If you come back to me, I'll never leave you", I whispered into the furry ear. "I'll make you all the pies you could ever eat.”

“If the lot of you survives, Curran will flay the skin off your backs," Doolittle said."That's what I always love about you, Doctor." Raphael grinned. "You're a cup-halfway-full kind of guy. All flowers and sunshine.”