"She won't make it that long." Banoire looked at the other empty places on the sheet of paper, considering.

"A betting pool?" Shana grinned. "I'm in!" She handed over some bills to Diebin and scribbled her name in.

"Let's see..." Ban tapped her finger on the table. "She's only gone one full day without an appointment..."

"But her tiara was crooked this morning and she looked pretty out of sorts." Julia, sitting at the table, cradling a mug of coffee, shook her head. "I'd put the storm warning flags out if I was the General."

"Okay." Ban put her name on a date and time. "How big is the pot?"

Pointing to a box overflowing with money, Die flashed an evil grin. "I think just about everyone is in on this pool. Someone's gonna make a fortune."

"Seven days..." Caeryn shook her head.

Jael snickered. "And Ban got them all!"

Smiling like the proverbial Cheshire Cat, Banoire nodded and waggled her eyebrows. "Yup, and..." She checked her watch and purred. "I have an appointment in a few. Later, grrls!"

"Are we having a meeting?" Darry strolled in, perfectly dressed in a fitted suit, and looking ready for anything.

"Nah...just wondering how long it'll be before Emmy jumps the General, rips his clothes off and has her wicked way with him, appointment or not."

"How would *I* know where he is?!"

There was a moment of scrambled panic as they heard Emmy's voice out in the hall. The betting pool was crammed into Diebin's pocket, the money shoved into a drawer in the table right as the Smut Queen marched in.

"Chocolate!" Growling slightly, Emmy stalked to the refrigerator and pulled out a jar of Nutella. Grabbing a spoon, she plunked herself down in a chair and began gnawing at it. "This sucks."

"The Nutella?" Shana asked, all innocence and sunshine.

And earned a Look Of Death.

"I think I have some paperwork to catch up on!" Shana grabbed Caeryn and the two made tracks.

"I have a conference with Palpatine." Darry sashayed out.

"Places to go, General to do." Diebin shoved her sunglasses on and prowled out.

Jael and Julia looked at each other, then at the brooding Smut Queen. "Uh...how about looking over some of the pictures I've done? We could see what kind you're looking for?"

"Great."

The two scampered out of the kitchen. "Hey, I hear they're showing Titanic tonight..."