�Hello, Bertram,� Eric replied. �You look troubled. Is something wrong?�
Bertram sighed again and sat in the chair in front of his superior�s desk. �I have a small problem with my assignment, sir,� he stated.
�What�s wrong?� Eric asked, looking surprised. �You two seemed to be getting along well and you�ve been as discrete as possible with the living arrangements.�
�Well,� Bertram said, locking eyes with the older man. �The truth is, we may be getting along a little too well.�
�Too well?�
�I think I�m in love with her, sir,� he stated softly.
Eric looked surprised. �And, does she know this?� At the younger man�s nod, he asked, �How does she feel?�
�I � I think she feels the same, sir,� Bertram answered shyly.
�Then what�s the problem?� Eric asked, shaking his head.
Bertram frowned. �It � it isn�t appropriate, sir,� he stammered. �She�s � she�s my protectee. I shouldn�t�have feelings for her��
Eric shook his head. �Bertram,� he said softly. �One of President Franklin�s Wardens is his nephew.� Bertram blinked in surprise and Eric explained, �The Defense Wardens take a different view on such things than the Shynonian Guard does, Bertram. As far as I�m concerned, the closer the connection between you two the more likely it is that you�ll see that nothing harms her.�
�I � I guess I didn�t look at it that way,� Bertram admitted.
Eric nodded. �Just make sure you aren�t too distracted by your feelings to properly perform your job,� he cautioned.
�Yes, sir,� the younger man said, smiling shyly.
�Was there anything else?� When Bertram shook his head, Eric said, �Thanks for letting me know, Bertram, but don�t be too concerned about your feelings unless they get in the way of your mission.�
�Thank you, sir,� he replied softly.
�You�re welcome,� Eric said. �Goodbye, Bertram.�
�Bye, sir.�
As Silverwebb headed for the door, Eric called, �One more thing.� Once Bertram had turned to face him, he added, �Don�t do anything inappropriate, or there will be a problem.�
Bertram blushed, as he realized what Eric was referring to and nodded slightly. �I�ll behave, sir,� he said, grinning broadly.
As the young Warden headed back to work, Eric frowned. Suddenly, he wasn�t so sure that it was a good idea to leave the two alone together so often. Shaking his head slightly, he went back to the paperwork he�d been working on earlier. He silently hoped Bertram and Beth would know how to behave themselves with some decorum.
End