Deal me in!

<McKenzie's>
-----Snip-----
Later that day after Tara had made her way back to her quarters
(or what was left of them) and made herself decent she walked over to
McKenzies
"Hi Zack, i'm looking for a gift for DJ because she did save my
life"
"Firstly can I ask why there is part of a traffic cone stuck to
your cast?"
"Sure... I don't remember but that was what I can't get off...
now a gift for DJ..."
-----End Snip-----
Zack thought for a moment. "A gift for saving your life.
Hmmm. That's a bit above a free sample of Chanel #22, isn't it?"
He brightened. "Well, perhaps a nice evening dress. Something
she wouldn't normally buy for herself."
Tara considered that. "Maybeeee . . ."
Zack led her to the Women's Wear. "We've got more dresses than
you can shake a stick at, and all at competitive prices. One of my
favorites is the 'Chameleon'. Syntho-silk fabric with shimmer-tech
(TM) that makes sure this is never the same dress twice."
Tara watched as the dress cycled from Forest Green to Indigo to
Electric Blue. "Ahh, that's . . . very interesting. But I don't
know . . ."
Zack smiled. "We do sell matching shoes and jewelry."
<Tara - the customer is always right!>
-----
<Later, on the hangar deck>
"You are NOT going on an away team mission, Zack! You'll be
eaten by something nasty, I just know it!"
Zack stopped and looked at Cubie. "Aw, c'mon sweetie! It'll be
fun. It's not like we're going to Jurassic Park. We're just heading
down to the planet to see who's stuck there, that's all. Heck, I
doubt I'll even get off the Starbug."
"Then I'm going with you!" Cubie gave Zack her 'determined'
look, daring him to argue.
Zack smiled. "Awesome! I didn't want to ask, because I didn't
want you to feel obligated."
Cubie cuffed him on the side of the head. "You idiot! I DO
feel obligated. You were supposed to decide not to go because you
didn't want your wife tagging along!"
Zack looked puzzled. "Why would I feel that way?"
Cubie started to rant some more, then stopped suddenly. "What
do you mean 'why would I feel that way'? Because you're a husband.
You're supposed to be looking for reasons to get away from your wife."
Zack looked even more puzzled. "Really? Why?"
Cubie poked him in the chest. "Because your wife is such a
miserable screechy harpy, that's why!"
Zack somehow managed to look even MORE puzzled. "I haven't
noticed that."
Cubie blinked. "You . . . haven't?"
Zack chuckled. "No. Cubie, you're a wonderful woman. I love
being around you! Why do you think I married you?"
Cubie's eyes glistened as she held back tears. "Oh, Zack." She
threw her arms around him and gave him a passionate kiss.
Then they both hurried to the Starbug, where White Wolf was
supervising the onload. "We'd like to join your away team,
commander."
The 6'1" hamster stopped long enough to look down at
them. "Sorry, but I've only got one seat available."
Cubie turned to Zack. "You go, honey."
Zack started to protest. "But I want you to come, too! Maybe
we-" He stopped as Cubie pressed something into his hand. Glancing
down, he saw that she'd handed him her holoprojector. She winked,
kissed him, then stepped back. "So long, dear. Keep your head down!"
Zack smiled. "Yeah, sure." He pocketed her holoprojector.
Turning back to White Wolf, he smiled again as he straightened his
chrome jacket. "I guess it'll be me, then. Do I need to do any last-
minute packing?"
Cubie walked away, disappearing as soon as she rounded a corner.
~Zack & Stealth-Cubie~