> If husband/wife don't work for you, try "mate, sweetie, better half,
> lover, paramour, joystick, honey, jelly roll, hostage to fortune....."
> anything but partner....
Nothing wrong with "partner", which at least implies a basic level of equality in the relationship, though these days I find myself using terms like "co-conspirator" and "fellow sky-pirate". Ahoy, ye swabs!
-- DRR