g else, she didn't
know. All she was sure of was that for the first time, it felt like
the "collective sacrifice" it was supposed to be, and when she went
forward for Communion reciting the "Domine, non sum dignus," she found
herself hoping the Host would actually heal the hurt in her soul.

It didn't, but when she returned to her pew she did feel less
despondent, and when the service was over, she found to her surprise
that she intended to return the next morning. As they walked to the
Officers' Club for breakfast, she turned to Odeon with an unforced
smile. "Thanks for getting me there, Mike. Mind if I go with you
again tomorrow?"

"Be glad to have you. It helped, then?"

"Yes. I don't know how, but it did."

"Good!" Odeon grinned down at her. "I thought it had, from your
expression. Just remember, He doesn't allow any of us to be tried
beyond our endurance--even though He may come right to the brink of it."

"I will." She started to ask him a question, but they were almost at
the Club; she waited until they had gotten their food and started to
eat, then she said, "You told me once you wanted to become a priest.
Why didn't you?"

"Because my primary calling was to law enforcement instead." He
shrugged. There were priests in Enforcement, true--even a few
bishops--but not in the operational sections, which was where his
calling lay. "I've never understood why the two couldn't still be
combined--the prewars sometimes had fighting priests and bishops--but
since I had to make the choice, I decided I'd rather be a good law
officer than a mediocre priest."

Cortin nodded. "That makes sense, though I'd bet a month's pay you'd
be an outstanding priest, not a mediocre one. As well as a great law
officer--have you ever thought of applying for an exception?"

"Quite a few times," Odeon admitted. "I think the reason I never did
was that I was afraid I'd get my hopes up, then be turned down."

"I can understand that," Cortin said, remembering. "I think you
should, though. Maybe if you point out that Enforcement troops,
especially Special Ops, go places regular priests don't get to in
years, it would help. His Holiness does seem to be willing to accept
that sort of innovation."

"Maybe I should, at that," Odeon agreed. There were always articles in
the various parish papers bemoaning the lack of vocations, especially
to serve remote areas . . . "In fact, maybe I should ask for a general
exception.