The grin is infectious. Han pops the pan of baklava into the oven and starts on the stir-fry he'll be having for lunch.

"I know better now. I understand a lot more than I did even two weeks ago. And now that I know what he wants and why he wants it, I can handle it."

He checks the rice and dumps the shredded meat and vegetables into one of the woks. "So where have you been keeping yourself? You missed the big party at the Efferton place too."