additional leave and I do not know if they will grant it as this is not for the death of a blood relative.” Joseph said, trying to leave himself a way out at least until he could talk to Agent Barns. “I could ask and see what happens. They might just make an exception.”

“Do you really think that they will? I do not, not to Syria. Not at this time. An American serviceman-it would be the end of your military career.”

“I'm not so sure of that but if they refused and you still wanted me to go, then that might be a problem. If you felt that you really needed me well there are other ways….”

“You mean you would…. No, Habibi, I could not ask you to do that. While I would love you to come to Syria with me, at this time I do have something more important for you to do right here. It is doing what I have been wanting to train you to do.”

“You want to train me???”

“Well 'train' might not be the right word. Groom, yes groom would be better. I have been trying to groom you to be my second in command, to take over for me if I should have to go out of the picture for a while. That is why I had you appointed as my representative and contact man between the fund and Worthington Investments. That is also why I want to officially adopt you. Like I was saying before, in two months the money should begin to roll in and I will need you here to see that everything is going well.” Fazzi explained. “Please agree to do this for me Habibi.”

“If you think I will help you more by staying at home, so be it.”

“Great! I'm glad you agree to do this for me and have not insisted on accompanying me this time. If you had I might have been tempted to take you with me against my best interests and judgment. For now, I do not need you running up and down some mountains in the back woods of Syria where some hot blooded horny Bedouin might spot you, develop a craving for your blond body and decide to kidnap you for his tent slave.” Fazzi jested as Joseph laughed. “That's really not so far fetched as it seems. Like I told you there are still lawless areas and plenty of brigands in my country. I should know because I was one and there are still people back there that think I still am one.”

They ate the rest of their dinner mostly in silence and Joseph was somehow able to keep from soiling the tux. After dinner they cleared the table and Joseph said he was afraid to press his luck any further, that he might soil the tux and was going up to change into something more comfortable. Fazzi asked if he wanted coffee in the library. “Why not bring it upstairs and we can have it in the master bedroom together?”

“Great idea! You go on up and I'll join you. Get yourself comfortable. Put on the new pajamas I purchased for you. And look in the pocket. You will find a condom. I put it there to remind you what the Kabobs were for. Not that you would forget.” He smiled. “I won't be too long. I just want to check out the house, lock up and bring up the portable coffee pot. It is going to