We quickly stopped by the hotel to check in and drop off our luggage with the front desk. I sighed in relief when the concierge told us we were all staying in suites and that there was a sofa in the room for Chris to crash on.

When we finally managed to make it to the Reception, Chris and I were still wearing solid black slacks, black boots, lightweight dark green tunics and our flight jackets. I cringed inwardly when I realized we matched. I just hoped no one got the impression we were a couple; I was going to have a hard enough time explaining Pash's 'twin' as it was.

Those few already there did double-takes as we entered, the pair of look-alike red-headed pilots drawing a lot of attention. From first-hand experience with Chris, I knew one was bad enough. I just hoped that Pash wasn't as bad.

I quickly pulled Chris aside and warned him, "Remember, these people all know me as Banshee and if you breathe a word of this at the airport, I will make you look so bad in front of your CO that you will never fly for the Air Force."

He grinned mischievously, "I won't say a word if you don't." I followed his eyes as he scanned the room, coming to rest on each of the ladies present in turn.

I grabbed his arm and made him look at me. "And if I hear of you pretending to be poor Pash, I will let Wedge kill you himself assuming I don't get to you first," I growled.

"Aw... Gw- Banshee, you really are no fun," he pouted. "Just for that, I'm going to tell everyone that your landings are worse than Hobbie's."

I grinned back, "Go ahead. Most of them already know. Besides I would think that since you are my flight instructor, it would look worse for you than for me."

"OK, then. I guess I'll just have to tell them about all the smut you keep writing but won't post." His grin turned wicked as I paled. "I'm sure Tycho would very much enjoy hearing that you called him a boyishly pretty ten-year-old."

I glared at him, "You do and I'll tell your girlfriend just why you were so willing to tag along. I really am surprise she bought that 'needing the flight time' story."

"Is there anything wrong?" Pash's voice from behind us made me jump and spin around.

I blinked again, still trying to get used to the similarities between the two. I had the feeling that most people wouldn't be able to tell them apart unless they were standing side-by-side.

Chris' eyes were brown and he was about an inch taller whereas Pash's eyes were green and his hair was slightly longer. The main difference, however, was age: Chris looked his barely 21-years while Pash appeared a few years older. Acted like it, too.

I shook my head, "No, I was just reminding Chris he promised to behave."

Pash raised an eyebrow in surprise, "And you believed him? I thought you said you were a pilot."

Chris smirked, "Student pilot, actually. And thanks for reminding her about the lessons I intentionally skipped."

I glared at the pair as Pash dragged us around the room making introductions, starting with Inyri who seemed to hit it off with Chris.

Continued in 27