"That doesn't surprise me. He's nosy," she quipped, her smile broadening. She reached over and ran her hand down Aayla's arm and then patted the bed for her to join her.

"How are you feeling? You're not doing yourself any harm, being alone, right?" she asked, recalling the last time when Aayla had chosen seclusion. Beckett was worried that it might be the same way this time around. Worse, considering...