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If you have not read the first two chapters this will make absolutely no sense. Both chapters, Lost Kin and A Dish Best Served Cold are posted here.

CHAPTER THREE—LET NO MAN PUT ASUNDER

PRESENT DAY

They were awkward with each other as they arose and subdued as they went to get the protein mush that was the usual breakfast ration. When she’d asked him when he wanted to do the thing, he’d told her the sooner the better and how was between evening chow and taps?

“Guess I’d better go see to my trousseau, then.” She said with what could only be called gallows humor. “I’ll see you after chow. Oh, and Mal,--” she said with one eyebrow lifted.

“Hmmm?” his mind already on the ways and means.

“If you mean to marry me, you better shave”

“Gorram it, Zoe!”

He went to have a word with the chaplain. The Shepherd was happy to marry them, even after it was explained that there would have to be some creative history with the dates. The jiggery-pokery didn’t bother him. After all he was a chaplain in the Independent Army. He seemed to see it as putting them right with God. That didn’t sit right with Mal and he felt compelled to say “Best you know Shepherd, I’ll be making any promises that need to be made in this thing to Zoe, not to God.”

“Of, course, Sergeant, the Sacrament of Marriage is always a covenant between two individuals.” The chaplain said with a display of gentle dignity.

“Just so you know, I don’t believe in any God who’d do what’s been done here.” Dignity or no, he wanted the record clear on his feelings about this situation.

“That’s all right son, God believes in you and he is infinitely patient. He’ll wait for you to forgive him.”

He’d walked away gritting his teeth, it hadn’t seemed wise to argue when he’d got his way. As it was, he bartered for a shower and he’d shaved and combed his hair. Then he went down t