Flicker (4 page)

Chapter Eight

“Ow. Who stepped on my head?” She was warm, dry and thirsty. The walls were green. That wasn’t right.

“You are awake. Good.” Ben was crouched over a fire and heating something that smelled like meat. The fire was outside the door of what seemed to be a small hut.

“Where are we?”

“Do you remember the crash?”

“No. Wait. Yes. We crashed on Kalish.” She looked around. “Why aren’t we with the shuttle?”

“Xara attacked you, we needed to get away from her. So I carried you here.” Ben seemed agitated about something.

“Did you set off my beacon?” She grabbed at her belt and found it, then thumbed it with a sigh of relief. “Okay, so you didn’t. They will be here to pick us up in about a day.”

“I wish we had a bit more time alone.” He finished his cooking, set it aside and then came toward her with a compress. “Here. This will help the cut on your head. It is made from local roots, plants and a bit of geothermic mud.” He gently applied it to the pounding on her head. The wet coolness made her smile.

“Why do you wish for more time?”

“Because here I can just be myself, and you can be yourself, and we don’t have to be Agents.”

His fingers stroked her face slowly, memorizing each bit of her. He didn’t seem to have the talons of the Azon, but she couldn’t be sure, and didn’t want to find out. His earnest eyes melted a portion of her, and it wasn’t her heart. “Ah. That.”

“Yes. That.”

He retrieved his cooking project and handed it to her. It was a small bird-lizardy thing, but it was fully cooked and prepared for her so she took it.

“Your scent suits you by the way.”

“Ah. So it worked?” She was trying to decide where to take her first bite. It was hard, leg, leg, leg or wing.

“It did. Even before you left medical. If they hadn’t stunned me, I would never have gone with them.”

“I thought you fought the doc?”

“When he tried to keep me from going to you, yeah, I punched him.”

She snorted and took her first bite, it was heaven.
 
“He tells a very different story, but he was probably mad at you. This is really good!” She was surprised. Then she noted that he wasn’t eating. “Aren’t you going to have some?”

“I had some earlier.”

“But there was nothing else on the fire.”

“I ate it while hunting.”

Eww. Right. He was able to eat meat raw. “Then why did you cook mine?”

“I thought you would like it better. I spoke to Nar about it and he said you didn’t like raw meat. Cooked meat though, you were all for.” He smiled in enjoyment as she continued to eat.

“You and Nar really hit it off, didn’t you?”

“You were our primary topic of conversation.” He moved behind her and put his arm around her, still munching, she leaned against him. “He cares for you a great deal. He told me of your adventures together.”

“Oh sure, the adventures of the Hot Virgin and the Invisible. It was not fun at the time though. I recall our lives being in danger for most of it.”

“And yet, you both survived.”

“Yeah, I suppose we did. Srrah hated me though. She was convinced that I had sullied Nar.”

“Which of course you hadn’t.”

“Of course not. He is like my brother.” Once the statement was out, it felt right. Just like leaning on Ben for support and warmth. It felt right. She relaxed and let his strength and scent surround her. It was perfect.

“And I?”

“You are definitely not like my brother. Nor like any other man I have ever met.” Her hands caressed his thighs, he was now manoeuvred behind her like an easy chair, but the hard ridge against her spine was not easy. She leaned her head back on his shoulder and looked up at him. Love was in his eyes, which was good because her emotional blocks were wide open and it was in hers as well. The first kiss was slow. She leaned up to him, then hissed as her head and neck protested. He chuckled and moved her so that she was now cradled in his arms.

“I don’t think you are up for a proper mating.” His smile was warm and his face spoke of a lifetime of patience that he was willing to devote to her.

“No. I think that some time in medical will be needed first.” It killed her to admit it, but she thought that honesty was going to be her new policy with him. “So which of your parents is Nyal?”

“My father. My mother met him on an exchange program to his world and he followed her home.” He smiled at childhood memories. “My father is Vnash and my mother is Rabeni. So Vorabenik is the best compromise that they could manage. What of your family?”

“Ah. My family liked to pretend that I didn’t exist. It was why I got so good at my talent before I even left Terra. Attention from my family meant that I was in trouble so I kept out of sight as often as I could. Attention from boys could go from okay to bad so I learned to avoid men. And then I ended up in the offices back on earth figuring out the questionnaire, not noticing that I was flickering on the video that they were recording.”

Ben looked a little surprised.

“They offered me the chance to go, and I went. No one missed me.”

“I have a hard time believing that.” He was silent for a few minutes. “So you really have no ties to your home world? I find that shocking.”

“Well there are a few shocks in store for you if you continue to associate with me. I have very few pleasant memories of my childhood and it makes me leery about bringing up another generation.”

“Well, any children that you would have would not be back on Earth, they would be raised where you felt safe, say…Azon?”

She pondered that for a moment. “I don’t know. I have never given thought to raising children. I don’t even know if I can get pregnant.” A side effect of her talent had been her cessation of menstrual cycle.

“I would be happy just to spend the rest of my life with you.”

She was not surprised, but… “Are you really sure? I can be really annoying.”

“I have seen you at your most annoying. I still want you forever and always.” He stroked her hair gently.

He moved her back and forth in his arms, rocking her slowly. It worked, she was drowsy and then the last thing she saw was his smiling face.

She really had to pee. Crawling out of his oh-so-warm embrace, she used her compass to help her orienteer her way through the woods. The rushing of water happened in gratifyingly short time and she found herself at the base of a waterfall. Stripping had never been easier and she first used the cover of trees for her ablutions and then ran headlong into the water.

Wriggling in delight, she swam, dove and thrashed around in general happiness. If only she had some shampoo and a hairbrush, all would be heaven. After her exercise, she reluctantly turned to wash her uniform. It was easy to pick up, it was dangling from Ben’s fingers. “Gimmee. I need to do laundry.”

She had just snagged the leg of her clothing when he let go and it smacked her in the face. In seconds, his clothing covered her as well. What the heck, he had made her shelter and hunted for her. It was the least she could do.

The washing took only a few minutes and she laid the cloth out on some shrubs to dry. It was warm out, the fabrics should dry quickly. Now back to swimming.

Ben was doing a lazy backstroke, his erection acting as a mast.

“Does that thing every go down?” She was swimming near him, but out of reach.

“Eventually, but not when you are pale and naked, wearing nothing but water.”

She eyed him all very carefully and swam a little closer. “Right back atcha.”

It was all the encouragement he needed. His hands snapped forward and grabbed her wrists, then simply pulled her onto him. He was surprisingly buoyant, like a surfboard. With a mast.

Astride him, she now was able to run her hands across his chest and abdomen with abandon. He was stuck simply cupping her breast and thumbing her nipples, any more activity and he started to sink. As soon as he moved his legs, hips, anything, he started to sink. This was too funny.

“I think that the foreplay is better done on a stable surface where we can’t drown.” Her wise decision lit a fire in his eyes. As she finished her sentence, he stroked over to one of the large flat rocks near the base of the waterfall. He boosted her up onto the rock and followed her, landing in a feral crouch near her hip.

“Was that an invitation?”

She laughed and held her arms out to him. “It was.” He came into her arms with a relieved groan. He nuzzled her neck and just that minor contact had her body wet and squirming. Her neck had always been a hot spot and it seemed that time did not change a person’s responses, well at least not hers.

She ran her fingers through his hair and played with the silky strands as he nuzzled that one spot on her neck. Her reflexes were quite sharp as each trail of his lips and teeth on one sensitive spot had her hips lifting against him. She let each moan, sigh, groan and whimper out of her lips without protest, giving him the signals that he needed to stimulate her just so. When one of his hands moved between her thighs, she spread her legs wide and let him have access to the slick moisture that his attentions had wrought.

The fingertip teasing her clitoris made her mewl, that same fingertip dipping inside her, elicited a gasp. What was unexpected was a light grazing of his teeth on her neck. That triggered a shriek and an orgasm.

He brought his head back in surprise and looked at her. She was flushed, from the sex and the embarrassment. “Sorry. It has been a while.”

“How long?” He was laying tiny kisses on her forehead and cheeks while they spoke.

“Honestly? Around ten years or so.” She could not meet his gaze, she knew that his race rarely went ten days without sex, especially when not mated.

He must have gotten over his shock because he lifted her chin with his knuckles and he gave her a sweet kiss. “Then we will not mate until you are ready.”

“But I am ready!”

“The Nyal mate for days. The Azon not too much different. I am not designed to stop and start my mating process. Knowing that you are the next thing to a virgin has awakened my mating instincts to their highest, and I want a full mating for and from you.”

“Oh.” She hadn’t expected that answer. “I don’t know about that.”

“I know you don’t so why don’t we get dressed, go back to the shelter and wait for the rescue party.” He gave her a kiss on her nose and moved off her. With a valiant grin and a sharp salute, he engaged in a flying back flip into the cool water below.

“Oh, god. Why can’t I be into casual sex?” She shrugged and did a cannonball after him. When on vacation, what the heck?

Chapter Nine

The rescue crew was a bit of a non-event. They showed up, took them both to a shuttle and, before you could say
home, Jeeves
, they were back on Kalish Station. Xara was still on the ground with her two guards and charges were pending for her return to Alliance space.

“Are you sure that you want to do this?” Seval was interrogated while she was being patched up in Medical.

“Yes, I am. Contact the Azon government and get me residency clearance. I will contact the Alliance Rep and get permission on my end.” She had a thought, “To hell with it, call Kyra and Tiergar and we can do both at once.”

He was watching the repair of her temple with serious attention. He nodded as she spoke and then picked up a communicator to order the call for an hour later. The doctor had been set straight as to the events that caused the damage to his face.

“There, all done.” He stepped away, but Ben forestalled him.

“When we mate, are offspring likely?”

The doc looked surprised and then ran a few more tests while bringing up some of the information from their physicals. “I don’t see why not. There is nothing to stop it that I can see. The rest is up to fate.”

Seval took the hand that a beaming Vorabenik held out to her. He was happy, she was happy and now they just needed to get permission to be officially happy.

“What do you mean, yes, of course? Isn’t there more to it than that?”

Kyra looked at her, bouncing a little boy on her hip, Tiergar had the girl. “Not for humans. You could ask to go anywhere in the galaxy and, if you were mating with a local, they would welcome you.”

“Isn’t it a little disrespectful to the men?”

“Not at all. They have picked a winner as far as their government is concerned. That is it.”

“Wow.” Ben was silent beside her, holding her hand and letting her babble.

“Okay, so Vorabenik still has family so you will be mating at their home, the meeting will be here. Wardrobe will be settled here, but you can shop for your trousseau on Kalish station. When can you leave? There is a shuttle in nine hours.”
 
Kyra was adding notes on a docupad, when she finally looked up.

“That’s it?”

“That’s it. There will be replacement Agents there in two days and all contracts have been postponed until then. Just go shopping and then get on that shuttle. See you when you get here, sweetie.” A bright wave and the screen went blank.

Stunned, Seval turned to Ben. “I guess I had better pack.”

“And go shopping. I have clothing on Azon, but you only have the uniforms.” Ben hugged her then let her go.

She walked in a daze to her room and piled her clothing in a carryall. “I guess I have to shop now.”

“I will meet you in the shopping arcade. Don’t go to crazy with purchases, it is Kyra’s responsibility to get you a new wardrobe.”

“Why?”

“She is acting as the female’s family. She will host my parents for the first meeting, and you for the meetings, and then we will adjourn to my family home for the ceremony.”

“Oh. See you later.” Completely adrift, she moved out of the small adjoining rooms that they had occupied and down the hall. She had to go shopping.

“Hello, can you help me? I have to get some clothing to wear on Azon, but I don’t know what to pick.”

The shop mistress eyed her Alliance uniform and smiled. “Why are you attending?”

“I am getting married. Mated. Whatever.”

Instantly, the woman became so friendly it was overwhelming. “Let me show you what we have that we could design for you.”

“Um. I am leaving in…” She checked her chronometer, “Seven hours. Do you have anything ready made?”

“Seven hours is plenty of time. Now just let me show you…” And with that, hour after hour of fitting whirled past. Colours of fabrics that she could not put a name to, types of fabrics made from animal hair across the galaxy and shoes that were just too cute. She rejected the furs in favour of the l’nal silks, and when her decisions were made, the tailors got to work.

While she had been in her fittings, part time staff had been pulled in from across the station. Now they earned their pay.

Seval wanted to wait, but the proprietress sent her to the groomers to have her hair and nails trimmed, as well as a good depilation. It hurt just as much as on earth. Nice to know that there were constants in the universe.

She was served relaxing beverages and massaged in a very calming manner. In next to no time, she was napping.

The hand on her shoulder shaking her gently brought her awake with a sharp gasp. She went invisible for a moment before she calmed herself. Ben was looking a little embarrassed. “Sorry, Seval. I didn’t mean to surprise you.”

“Its okay, Ben. I guess it is time to get going?” She sat up slowly, her head still light from the drinks and the massages.

“Yes, and could you do me a favour please?” He was studiously looking over her head.

“What?”

“Please get dressed.”

She went invisible and gathered her clothing. She remained invisible until her face was no longer on fire and her clothes were in place. “There. All dressed. Shall we go?”

“Yes, Agent Seval.”

His lips twitched as she brushed past him to the front counter. His hand grazed her invisible backside and she jumped in consternation.

“Now that you have a scent, I can be a little more accurate when I follow you.”

“Fine. But can you lay off while I settle my bill?”

“You will have to regain visibility for them to scan you so that you can pay your bill.” He sounded sinfully amused.

He was right. The attendant jumped when she reappeared and gave her a tremulous smile as she swiped her credit slip over the plate on the counter. The instant that it cleared, the attendant wished her a lovely day on Kalish Station and looked relieved to have her leave and disappointed that Vorabenik was leaving with her.

“That was a lucky grab and we have to stop and pick up my clothing. I haven’t paid for that either.”

“You really did go shopping? I am impressed. I thought you would just hit the gift shop and wait for your fittings on Azon.”

“It is a one week trip. I want to practice wearing something other than a uniform.” She walked next to him through the corridor and he put his arm around her as she moved against him to dodge foot traffic. She missed using her repulsor, but the comfort of his arm was nice.

Two travel cases were neatly lined up against the counter when they entered the shop. The proprietor looked at Ben speculatively. “Will he be paying?”

It was enough to make her flicker. “No. I will. I don’t think the clothing will fit him.” The proprietress was startled and prepared the bill. She nodded at the total that was presented and once again swiped her credit slip. She still had enough to buy a nice island on a semi-developed planet and so she was not worried about spending a little on her back.

“Allow me.” Ben picked up her cases and led the way to the shuttle bay.

She kept her carryall on her shoulder and followed closely. She used a blocked and crowded hallway to repay him for the ass-grab. “Oops, was that you?”

“I certainly hope so. If not, you may just be engaged to that Tilsi over there.” He nodded with his chin and she giggled.

“It isn’t my type.” She was moving in for a kiss when a voice broke her focus.

A voice like poured gravel gave the order, “Step away from your intended mate.”

Ben stepped between her and the large male who had issued the order. “Who are you to make such an order?”

The battle-hardened warrior crossed his arms and stared Ben down. “My name is Kennek, and I am her chaperone.”