Groundhog Wedding

Thank you all
For the gifts and the flowers,
Thank you all,
Now it's back to the showers,
Don't tell Paul,
But I'm not getting married today.

The day of the wedding...
Juice

The day starts sharply at 7 AM, as Doctor Kye awakens in an unfamiliar bed, with a piece of paper stuck to his face. Seeing how things are, he decides to spend a bit of time contemplating the throbbing in his brain rather than peel the paper off his nose. His contemplations are intense and precious minutes pass.

Eventually, around 7:20 AM, he manages to drag himself out of bed. Pulling the paper from his face he finds a note in a shaky and unfamiliar hand, "Don't forget you are having breakfast with the kid today." Sadly, Kye has no idea to whom the note is referring.

Taking a few minutes to get himself put together, Kye examines his surroundings. It appears to be the hotel where they decided to have the bachelor's party. While heading out, as a service to the other people on the floor, Kye's pounds on every door on the floor on the way out. His generosity and devotion are not universally approved of by the occupants of the rooms, but he considers it a job well done.

Heading back to the Hippocrates, Kye encounters a fair bit of traffic, but eventually he arrives at the spaceport. His first stop is in sickbay to soothe his pounding head. Ruehan is there, updating the inventory, and prescribes a dose of Green for the headache. Kye then begins to puzzle through who the kid is he's supposed to meet for breakfast. The time is 8:05.

Akito claims that he is quite busy and needs to rush off to pick up the tuxedos for the wedding. Jim is free, but wasn't expecting any breakfast. Puzzled, Kye decides to get something to eat himself and heads to the galley...

The day starts sharply at 7AM, as Mirris awakens in her room, with Linnet standing over her poking. "Are you going to get up? We have to make breakfast." A bit disoriented from last night's activities, Mirris assures Linnet that she hasn't forgotten breakfast and starts to get out of bed.

Linnet seems nervous, as this is going to be an important breakfast. Dr. Kye promised her that the three of them would get together one last time at breakfast today at 8, and he'd explain it all to her. (Apparently, last time they talked, Kye said it was quite complicated and he'd need until breakfast to figure out a way to explain it all to Linnet.)

As Mirris dresses, Linnet says that Ruthie shared with her the recipe for special pancakes, so that they could make a good breakfast. Mirris examines the recipe, and finds nothing out of the ordinary involved so decides to go along with it.

Heading to the galley, Mirris and Linnet begin to prepare. Linnet says that Ruthie advises ham, bacon, and sausage, as Dr. Kye is a three meat eating kind of guy, and they want him to be in a good mood.

As they are preparing breakfast, Ruthie stops by to wish everyone well. Mirris invites her to stay, but after a quick glance from Linnet, Ruthie demurs. Before leaving, she is sure to remind Mirris to pick up the dress today, and nudges Linnet into reminding Mirris that Dr. Kye needs to pick up the rings.

8AM comes and goes, but Dr. Kye is late. Linnet puts the bacon and ham in the microwave to keep it hot, but eventually the pancakes start getting cold. Before anything actually goes bad though, Kye saunters in...

Kye arrives in the galley, and greets the waiting ladies. Linnet greets him back warily. Mirris gestures to his prepared seat and Kye sits down. Linnet is somewhat suspicious of his lateness, but decides to give him a chance. After serving some special pancakes and meat to Kye, Linnet prompts him to start his explanation.
Stalling for time, Kye complements the food and then takes a large bite out of a bacon strip. Unfortunately, its microwaved goodness is quite hot, and he accidentally spits some out. Linnet is horrified, but after a brief coughing spasm, it's smoothed over.
Mirris starts prompting Dr. Kye to get on with the conversation. Eventually, Linnet starts to get the idea that Kye has completely forgotten the reason for the whole breakfast! Before she can blow completely, Mirris leaps into the fray to smooth things over, as she really wants things to go well on this her wedding day.
Linnet gives Kye one last chance to explain why Mirris and Kye have to get married today, and shouldn't wait a bit to make sure "everything will be OK." Mirris gives Kye a pleading look and he launches into an explantion. "When a boy and a girl like each other...." That does it. Linnet is convinced!

"You didn't think about this at all! You forgot!" -Linnet
"I didn't forget! I just didn't think about it!" -Kye

Gah! Linnet erupts, but her fury is nothing compared to Mirris's. Kye stands there and takes it, getting a few simple shots in himself until he's had enough. He reaches into his coat and...

* * *

Eventually, around 7:10 AM, he manages to drag himself out of bed. Pulling the paper from his face he finds the note in the same shaky and unfamiliar hand, "Don't forget you are having breakfast with the kid today." This time, Kye thinks he knows to whom the note is referring.

Taking a few minutes to get himself put together, Kye examines his surroundings. Again, it appears to be the hotel where they decided to have the bachelor's party. While heading out, as a service to the other people on the floor (soon to be a tradition), Kye's pounds on every door on the floor on the way out. Once more, his generosity and devotion are not universally approved of by the occupants of the rooms, but he considers it a job well done.

Heading back to the Hippocrates, Kye takes an alternate route to attempt to get a jump on traffic. He makes good time, and fearing to be late once more, skips his stop to medbay, missing his doctor prescribed dose of Green. He walks into the door of the Galley ten minutes early...

As Mirris dresses, Linnet says that Ruthie shared with her the recipe for special ... "pancakes?" Mirris interrupts. "Yes, pancakes." They're so that they could make a good breakfast. Mirris examines the recipe, and finds nothing out of the ordinary other than her strange sense of deja vu and so decides to go along with it.

As they are preparing breakfast, Ruthie stops by to wish everyone well. Mirris, somewhat distractedly, invites her to stay, but after a quick glance from Linnet, Ruthie demurs. Before leaving, she is sure to remind Mirris to pick up the dress today, and nudges Linnet into reminding Mirris that Dr. Kye needs to pick up the rings.

Breakfast is not quite finished, but in walks a somewhat woozy Dr. Kye...

Linnet and Mirris quickly throw the rest of breakfast together and serve. Kye greets the rushing ladies, and Linnet greets him back warily. Mirris gestures to his prepared seat and Kye sits down. Linnet is somewhat suspicious of his early arrival, but decides to give him a chance. After serving some special pancakes and meat to Kye, Linnet prompts him to start his explanation.
Starting with a flourish, Kye complements the food and then takes a large bite out of a bacon strip. Unfortunately, its just-fried goodness is still quite hot, and he accidentally spits some out. Linnet is horrified, but after a brief coughing spasm, it's smoothed over.
Kye starts the conversation by prompting Linnet to tell everyone once more what she's worried about. Mirris is about to leap into the fray to smooth things over, as she really wants things to go well on this her wedding day, but Linnet summons up her bravery and tells her sad little tale.

"Sometimes things change when people get married, and sometimes it's bad." -Linnet
"Do you mean like what happened with your daddy on the Well?" -Mirris
"Well, duh.." -Kye
Linnet gives Kye one last chance to explain why Mirris and Kye have to get married today, and shouldn't wait a bit to make sure "everything will be OK." Mirris gives Kye a pleading look and he launches into an explanation. "When two people really love each other...." It's somewhat hampered by his headache, but Mirris comes to his frequent aid.
Between them, they manage to keep Linnet calm, and Mirris comes up with a plan. After they're married, if Linnet ever wants to talk about things with her and Dr. Kye all together, she can ask for "special pancakes" and they will have a nice little breakfast to work things out.
Linnet seems satisfied and apologizes for being nervous about the whole thing. She reminds the couple once again that the rings and dress need to be picked up. Kye, in an attempt to boost morale, checks out a neutrino radio headset for Linnet, and off they go to do their errands...

Linnet and Mirris head to the dressmakers to pick up Mirris's wedding gown, and Linnet's flower girl dress. The dress maker is ever so pleased to see them as there are just a hundred little details to work out, and they really should have done it sooner. You see, there was a problem with the imported velvet from Stannis Law, and really, velvet isn't so great here on Juice anyways, so there are several new choices to go over.

The dressmaker brings Linnet and Mirris into the showroom, and turns on the privacy field so that they can discuss the details without interruption. Linnet and Mirris spend an hour or so trying on dresses, and modeling them for each other, while sipping elegant teas, and nibbling from a tray of crackers and cheeses and discussing the finer points of women's wedding fashion...

Kye arrives at the jeweler's store on time, but finds himself in a long line. It seems the jeweler is intent on serving every single other customer in his store and getting them out of there, before getting to Kye. Finally, Kye, alone in the store gets up to the front desk. The jeweler asks him for his receipt and then reaches behind the counters.

"Yes, I believe this is your order. One male wedding band, one female wedding band, and one ransom note."

Shocked, Kye snatches up the ransom note.

"Kye, Don't bother to kill the stooge. You'll do as I instruct or you'll never see the women again. -C"

Ignoring the note, Kye menaces the poor jeweler, but he proclaims his ignorance. Kye communes with the note and receives a vision of Doctor Cain chortling while writing it. Checking the neutrino radios, Kye finds that Mirris and Linnet have vanished! He rushes to the dress store...

Kye bursts into the private dressing area, guns drawn. Linnet shrieks, and the matronly dressmaker almost faints dead away. Mirris demands an explanation for this crazy behavior! Kye ignores her and storms around looking behind curtains and under tables for the source of menace.
Linnet, now inconsolably crying, screams that he ruins everything, but Kye continues his dogged search. Mirris drags him to a corner and tells him that if she doesn't get an explanation for this, she's going to be quite upset. The dressmaker just wants all of these crazy people with guns out of her store! There will be no wedding dress today!
Kye ignores the pleas of the others, and starts investigating the security system. He finds that one of the cameras in the store is not like the others. He pulls it down off the ceiling and communes with it. It was recently installed by none other than Ace!
With a grim smile, Kye now thinks he understands. However, by this time, Mirris has had enough of this foolish behavior and lays into Kye once and for all, wondering how she ever could have though he was marriage material.
Kye give her a quick kiss on the cheek and then reaches into his coat...

* * *

The day starts sharply at 7 AM, as Doctor Kye awakens in a now familiar bed, with the piece of paper stuck to his face. Seeing how things are, he decides to spend a bit of time contemplating the throbbing in his brain rather than peel the paper off his nose. His contemplations are intense and precious minutes pass while he plans his vengeance.

Eventually, around 7:20 AM, he manages to drag himself out of bed. Pulling the paper from his face he finds the note in the usual shaky and unfamiliar hand, "Don't forget you are having breakfast with the kid today." Oh yes, breakfast. This time he'll be ready.

Taking several minutes to get himself put together to his high standards, Kye examines his surroundings. It is again the hotel where they decided to have the bachelor's party. While heading out, as a service to the other people on the floor, Kye's pounds on every door on the floor on the way out. His generosity and devotion are not universally approved of by the occupants of the rooms, but he considers it a fine prelude to what is to come.

Heading back to the Hippocrates, Kye takes his alternate route and gets a jump on traffic. He makes good time, and arrives and the spaceport exactly on schedule. His first stop is in sickbay to soothe his pounding head. Ruehan is there, updating the inventory, and Kye demands a dose of Green for the headache. The time is 7:59, and Kye heads to the Galley...

The day starts sharply at 7AM, as Mirris awakens in her room, with Linnet standing over her poking. "Are you going to get up? We have to make breakfast." Quite disoriented from her repetitive activities, Mirris assures Linnet that she hasn't forgotten breakfast or the special pancakes and starts to get out of bed.

Linnet seems nervous, as Ruthie only gave her the recipe for special pancakes last night, since this is going to be an important breakfast, so how did Mirris know. Mirris claims Ruthie mentioned it and Linnet nods and then explains once more that Dr. Kye promised her that the three of them would get together one last time at breakfast today at 8, and he'd explain it all to her. (Apparently, last time they talked, Kye said it was quite complicated and he'd need until breakfast to figure out a way to explain it all to Linnet.)

As Mirris dresses, she examines the recipe, and finds it the same as usual, so decides to go along with it.

Heading to the galley, Mirris and Linnet begin to prepare. Linnet says that Ruthie advises ham, bacon, and sausage, much like Mirris is already preparing, as Dr. Kye is a three meat eating kind of guy, and they want him to be in a good mood.

As they are preparing breakfast, Ruthie stops in as usual to wish everyone well. Mirris invites her to stay, but doesn't really mean it, so Ruthie demurs. Before leaving, she tries to remind Mirris to pick up the dress today, but Mirris beats her to it. Mirris then nudges Linnet into reminding her that Dr. Kye needs to pick up the rings.

A bit of uncomfortable deja vu later, breakfast is prepared, precisely at 8AM...

Kye greets the waiting ladies as he arrives, and Linnet greets him back warily. Mirris gestures to his prepared seat and Kye sits down. Linnet is somewhat suspicious of his timely arrival, but decides to give him a chance. After serving some special pancakes and meat to Kye, Linnet prompts him to start his explanation.
Starting with a flourish, Kye blows on his food and then takes a large bite out of a bacon strip. Happily, its just-cooled goodness is still quite warm, and he enjoys every bite. Linnet is pleased, but after a brief eating delay, it's time to talk.
Kye starts the conversation by prompting Linnet to tell everyone once more what she's worried about. They don't really let her speak however, as Mirris preemptively leaps into the fray to smooth things over, as she really wants things to go better than they usually do on her wedding day.

"Sometimes things change when people get married, and sometimes its bad." -Mirris
"Ah ha!" -Linnet
"I think that was her line..." -Kye
Linnet gives Kye one last chance to explain why Mirris and Kye have to get married today, and shouldn't wait a bit to make sure "everything will be OK." Mirris gives Kye a glazed look and he launches into an explanation. "When two people really love each other, they decide to get married and if there are any problems they can always talk it over with special pancakes." It's a bit incoherent, but Mirris comes to his frequent aid.
Between them, they manage to keep Linnet calm, and Mirris firms up the pancake plan. After they're married, if Linnet ever wants to talk about things with her and Dr. Kye all together, she can ask for "special pancakes" and they will have a nice little breakfast to work things out.
Linnet seems mystified, but satisfied and apologizes for being nervous about the whole thing. She's about to remind the couple once again that the rings and dress need to be picked up, but Kye and Mirris, in an attempt to boost morale, check out a neutrino radio headset for Linnet, and head straight off to their errands without needing any prompting.
Kye decides that they should stick together so all three head to the dressmaker's shop. En route they get a page from Ruehan who tells them that the jeweler really needs to see Kye and he must get right over there immediately. Kye promises that he will head directly to the jeweler's store, and then continues on to the dressmaker.
Linnet, Mirris, and Kye arrive at the dressmaker's to pick up Mirris's wedding gown, and Linnet's flower girl dress. The dressmaker is ever so pleased to see them as there are just a hundred little details to work out, and they really should have done it sooner. You see, there was a problem with the imported velvet from Stannis Law, but Mirris comments that velvet isn't really so great here on Juice anyways, so they may as well go over other choices.
Pleased, the dressmaker brings Linnet and Mirris into the showroom, and turns on the privacy field so that they can discuss the details without interruption. Kye lurks around outside tearing down security cameras and throwing them away. Linnet and Mirris spend an hour or so trying on dresses, and modeling them for each other, while sipping elegant teas, and nibbling from a tray of crackers and cheeses and discussing the finer points of women's wedding fashion.
The first errand finally done, the trio head to the jeweler's shop. When they park, Mirris and Linnet decide to wait in the car, while Kye heads in....

Kye arrives at the jeweler's store very very late, but finds himself alone in the store so walks straight up to the front desk. The jeweler asks him for his receipt and then reaches behind the counters.

"Yes, I believe this is your order. One male wedding band, one female wedding band, and one ransom note."

Completely nonchalant, Kye gathers up the rings and ransom note and pockets them.

"Um sir, don't you wish to examine the ransom note?" -Jeweler
"No, no, I'm sure everything is all in order. Good day."-Kye

Kye thanks the gentlemen, and heads out to the car. Unfortunately, he has a bit of trouble finding it...

Mirris and Linnet are waiting out in the van when suddenly Max walks up. He greets them and asks what they are doing there. They say that they were there to pick up the rings, but Max interrupts and asks about the wedding site, if everything is OK. He heard earlier that Sharra was having some trouble with dolphins and permits, but she was on top of the problem, so it was probably OK.

Well, if it was OK, why did he bring it up? Max says there was no reason, he was just making conversation. Mirris mentions that Doctor Kye will be back in just a few minutes so perhaps Max just wants to wait around and talk to him about it.

Max suddenly gets quite nervous and decides to head in to the store to help Kye. Mirris insists that he just wait there, as Kye doesn't need help to carry a couple of rings.

Max looks at his watch and then declares that he will definitely head in to help Doctor Kye, and rushes off...

Kye returns to the car, but must have missed Max. Oh well, he's not really their problem, so the trio head back towards the Hippocrates. En route, they receive a message from Kith. She's got some mail from Mirris, addressed from the Well, and was wondering what to do with it. Kye asks Mirris who says to put it in her room.
When they return, Kye and Linnet go to the store room to put away her neutrino radio, while Mirris reads her letter from Butler.
When they get back together, the mood has changed, as Mirris now has serious concerns. She was reminded of her past by what happened to Butler, and wonders if Kye is fully aware of her terrible powers. After all, at any moment, she could abominate him and leave him a drooling idiot on the floor.
Kye finds this whole line of questioning quite disturbing and decides that they simply aren't going to talk about this any more. Mirris is quite adamant however. They really need to talk about this.

"What if she came back? You wouldn't like my Jessica personality!"-Mirris
"I'm not sure I like the Mirris personality anymore."-Kye

Well, from that final statement, things just escalate. Around this time, Linnet walks in and is quite upset by all of the fighting. She starts crying, Mirris stops yelling, and Kye decides the reach into his coat...

* * *

The day starts sharply at 7 AM, as Doctor Kye awakens in an overly familiar bed, with the piece of paper stuck to his face. Once more, he decides to spend a bit of time contemplating the throbbing in his brain rather than peel the paper off his nose. His contemplations are intense and precious minutes pass while he tries to organize his thoughts and plans.

Eventually, around 7:20 AM, he manages to drag himself out of bed. Pulling the paper from his face he finds the usual note in the usual shaky and though now familiar hand, "Don't forget you are having breakfast with the kid today." Oh yes, breakfast. Eternally breakfast.

Taking a minute to get himself put barely together, Kye examines his surroundings. It is as usual the hotel where they decided to have the bachelor's party. While heading out, as a service to the continuing repetition that bounds all reality, Kye's pounds on every door on the floor on the way out. His generosity and devotion are not universally approved of by the occupants of the rooms, but he considers it a necessary prelude to what is inevitably to come.

Heading back to the Hippocrates, Kye takes his usual alternate route and gets a jump on traffic. He makes rapid time, being well practiced, and arrives at the spaceport exactly on schedule. His first stop is to sickbay to soothe his pounding head. Ruehan is there, updating the inventory, and Kye grabs a dose of Green for the headache. The time is 7:59, and Kye heads to the Galley...

The day starts sharply at 7AM, as Mirris awakens in her room, with Linnet standing over her poking. "Are you going to get up? We have to make breakfast." Very disoriented from her inexplicably repetitive activities, Mirris once more assures Linnet that she hasn't forgotten breakfast or the special pancakes and bacon and sausage and ham and starts to get out of bed.

Linnet seems nervous, as Ruthie only gave her the recipe for special pancakes last night, since this is going to be an important breakfast, so how did Mirris know about them, or about the three meats? Mirris claims Ruthie mentioned it and Linnet nods and then explains once more that Dr. Kye promised her that the three of them would get together one last time at breakfast today at 8, and he'd explain it all to her. (Apparently, last time they talked, Kye said it was quite complicated and he'd need until breakfast to figure out a way to explain it all to Linnet.)

As Mirris dresses, she sends Linnet in to begin breakfast, assuming the recipe is fine. Linnet decides to go along with it.

Heading to the galley, Linnet begins to prepare. She says that "Ruthie advises ham, bacon, and sausage, oh right, you already said that."

As they are preparing breakfast, Ruthie stops in as usual to wish everyone well. Mirris rushes her out again with a reminder that she has to pick up the ring and dress today, so there's no time to talk.

A fair bit of uncomfortable deja vu later, breakfast is prepared, precisely at 8AM...

Kye perfunctorily greets the waiting ladies as he saunters in, and Linnet greets him back warily. Mirris gestures to his prepared seat and Kye sits down. Linnet is somewhat suspicious of his casual arrival, but decides to give him a chance. After serving some special pancakes and meat to Kye, Linnet prompts him to start his explanation.
Starting with a flourish, Kye blows on his food and then takes a large bite out of a bacon strip. Happily, its just-cooled goodness is still reasonably warm, and he enjoys every repetitive bite. Linnet is pleased, but after a brief eating delay, it's time to talk.
Kye jumps right into the conversation by telling Linnet once more what she's worried about. Nobody lets Linnet speak however, as Mirris preemptively leaps into the fray to smooth things over, though she roughs it up a bit.
Linnet gives Kye one last chance to explain why Mirris and Kye have to get married today, and shouldn't wait a bit to make sure "everything will be OK." Mirris gives Kye a glazed look and he launches into the usual explanation. "When two people really love each other, yada yada, they decide to get married yada yada, and if there are any problems they can always talk it over with special pancakes yada yada." It's quite incoherent, but Mirris and Kye manage to muddle through it.
Between them, they finally manage to keep Linnet calm, and Mirris firms up the pancake plan. After they're married, if Linnet ever wants to talk about things with her and Dr. Kye all together, she can ask for "special pancakes" and they will have a nice little breakfast to work things out.
Linnet is quite mystified, but accepting and apologizes for being nervous about the whole thing. She's about to remind the couple once again that the rings and dress need to be picked up, but Kye and Mirris grab her and head straight off to their errands without needing any prompting.
Kye decides that they should stick together again and so all three head to the dressmaker's shop. En route they get the page from Ruehan who tells them again that the jeweler really needs to see Kye and he must get right over there immediately. Kye promises that he will head directly to the jeweler's store, and then continues on to the dressmaker.
Linnet, Mirris, and Kye arrive at the dressmaker's to pick up Mirris's wedding gown, and Linnet's flower girl dress. The dressmaker is ever so pleased to see them as there are just a hundred little details to work out, and they really should have done it sooner. Mirris jumps in and decides that perhaps they really don't want velvet and should just go with the white and blue...
Confused, the dressmaker brings Linnet and Mirris into the showroom, and turns on the privacy field so that they can discuss the details without interruption. Kye lurks around outside tearing down security cameras and throwing them away after waving to them. Linnet and Mirris spend a half-hour or so trying on dresses, and modeling them for each other, while sipping elegant teas, and snacking from a tray of stale crackers and cheeses and discussing the finer points of women's wedding fashion.
The first errand completed again, the trio head to the jeweler's shop. When they park, Mirris and Linnet decide to wait for Max in the car, while Kye heads in...

"Yes, I believe this is your order. One male wedding band, one female wedding band, and one ransom note."

Completely nonchalant, Kye gathers up the rings and ransom note and pockets them.

"Um sir, don't you wish to examine the ransom note?" -Jeweler
"No, no, I'm sure everything is all in order. Good day."-Kye

Kye thanks the gentlemen, and heads out to the car. Unfortunately, he has a bit of trouble finding it...

Max suddenly gets quite nervous and decides to head in to the store to help Kye. Mirris indicates that perhaps he wants to wait for Dr. Kye who will be returning any minute...

Max looks at his watch and then declares that he will definitely head in to help Doctor Kye, and rushes off...

Kye returns to the car, but shockingly must have missed Max. Oh well, he's not really their problem, so the trio head back towards the Hippocrates again. En route, they receive a message from Kith. She's got some mail from Mirris, addressed from the Well, and was wondering what to do with it. Kye frets, but then asks Mirris who says to put it in her room.
When they return, Kye and Linnet stall too long before destroying the letter and then go to the store room to put away the neutrino radio, leaving Mirris to read her letter from Butler.
When they get back together, the mood has changed, as expected, since Mirris now has serious concerns. She was reminded of her past by what happened to Butler, and wonders if Kye is fully aware of her terrible powers. After all, at any moment, she could abominate him and leave him a drooling idiot on the floor.
Kye finds this whole line of questioning quite disturbing but is determined to remain comforting. After all, maybe he'd like being abominated, so it wouldn't be so bad.
Well, that line of argument doesn't work so well, but after a few other attempts he gets through to Mirris that they can work it out together.
Next the couple gets a frantic call from Sharra who is having trouble securing the ceremony site. Fed up with this nonsense, Kye calls Ruehan and tells him to deal with it.
The hour of the ceremony is approaching and Sharra calls back wondering where Hippocrates is. Since he's conducting the ceremony, he's fairly important to the whole operation. Mirris checks and finds that Hippocrates is grinding his hard drives, as he often does, but this time seems to be stuck. Further analysis indicates that he's trying to resolve certain internal motivational conflicts.
Mirris spends some time worrying about it, and then decides to ask Kye for help. She explains to him how important Hippocrates is to her and decides to make sure Kye understands.

"It's important because AIs are what exactly?" -Mirris
"um... sentient beings just like us?" -Kye
"I desperately wanted to say 'toasters', but I can't bear another breakfast with Linnet." -Derrick
Mirris is glad Kye understands why Hippocrates' feelings are important and takes some time to input code to help him resolve his difficulties.
That solved, the entire crew proceeds to the ceremony site where Sharra and Ruehan have managed to clear things up.
The bride is radiant, and it appears that the marriage might actually proceed until Hippocrates speaks those fateful words: "Should anyone here know of a reason why these two should not be wed, let him speak now."
Suddenly, Mirris raises her hand. "Um, actually, that's just it. All day now, for days it seems, we've been dealing with one after another of reasons why we shouldn't wed and getting rid of them. But I have one question. Why should we get wed? Well Kye, can you give me one reason why we should get married?"
Kye gets a strangled look and tries to get out of his doom. "Surely, you know, all the usual things, love, etc."
Mirris is adamant: "No, we can have the usual things without marriage. I mean it. Why should I marry you?"
Kye finally bows his head and with a hushed strangled cry says, "Because if you do not, no one will."
Mirris smiles. "Oh yes, that is what I was trying to remember"... and then they wake up.