"Very impressive, Alex.  I have obviously chosen the lesser calling of working for others instead of myself."  Joseph was always jealous of Alex's brain.  Joseph had a better maintained body, but Alex was obviously the brighter one.  "Don't you think you're a little young to be bilking Whirlpool?"  Joseph was kind of a mix between Kasper's physical specimen and Alex's brain.  He had a little of both, but not the copious amounts of either.  He could get away with a speedo, but didn't turn heads the way Kasper was.  He could keep up with a technical discussion, but couldn't forge the cutting edge of it like Alex could.<br/><br/>"We know how you single guys mourn us married ones, Alex.  You can't fool us that easy.  We're not that dumb."  He gave Alex a wink.  He wanted to be sure it was clear he was saying things in fun and knew better as to the real things that go on in people's heads.  He was fairly sure there was jealously over his marriage to Hannah and Kasper was sure to get jealousy for Victoria.  They were intensely attractive and beautiful women.  Hell, he'd do a wife swap with Kasper if it wouldn't freak the brother and sister out and jeopardize his marriage.  That was a secret he decided to keep to himself though.  He really had not discussed sex outside the marriage in their social group.  He just assumed Hannah expected the same loyalty here as she expected at home and Joseph didn't want to risk Hannah getting stolen anyway.<br/><br/>"The design review has gone very well.  Hannah is probably ready to string me to the rafters for spending so much time on it, but I think it has paid off.  We've come up with a new trajectory algorithm that uses error estimation to increase accuracy.  Autopilot systems and weapon guidance systems will be able to use it to improve position accuracy by fifty percent.  The lab results look great and the design review has gone very well.  We will probably be able to start marketing it within six months.  It will probably mean a promotion for me and that should free up more of my time for Hannah.  She deserves it for all the patience she's had with me."<br/><br/>The rum had worked its magic on Joe.  He felt light and playful.  The tension was gone.  It felt like old times where alcohol and sex were just an inner circle communal thing and the conversation was real and heart felt.  His worries were still there, but they were in the back seat of his mind now.  It was time for the party to start.  Joe was as ready as he could be.