How do you know?

One of the running jokes of Rome's Revolution was that every time Rome and Rei went up or down a ramp, they would run smack into danger. This idea was first put forth in the beginning of Part 2. They had just survived the crash landing thus escaping the attacking Vuduri and thought they were home free. They cracked open the cargo hatch and ran right into an angry mob:

     There standing at the base of the ramp was an angry-looking mob holding spears, pole-axes, machetes, crossbows, swords, maces, clubs and knives plus a variety of other harsh-looking objects that Rei did not recognize. In summary, they were pointing pretty much every weapon ever conceived by primitive man at the space-faring couple.
     “Great,” Rei said. “From the frying pan into the fire.”

The leader of the Ibbrassati was a man named Trabunel and he challenged Rome to prove that she and Rei were truly mandasurte and not just Vuduri spies ready to expose their secret base.

The whole thing is preposterous, of course. If they were really Vuduri, the renegade group of Ibbrassati would have already been exposed. Nonetheless, to keep the plot moving along, Rome had to figure out how to prove it. The answer came to her in a flash. The Vuduri are a very cold people, not fans of physical contact and never, ever kissed one another. So, here is how she solved the problem:

     Rome lowered her head and looked Trabunel in the eye. “I will show you.”
     She turned toward Rei and in English she said, “Kiss me.”
     “What?” Rei whispered, confused.
     “Kiss me like you love me,” she said.
     “But I do love you,” Rei replied.
     “Then do it!” Rome commanded.
     “OK,” Rei said. He opened his arms up to her and she entered them, pressing her belly up against him. He kissed her long and hard, not knowing why and after a moment or two, not really caring. He never tired of this woman, her soft skin, her clean smell, he just wanted to hold her always…

Nice, huh?