* * *

 

My gaze lingers out the portside window, taking in the sight of stars as far as the eye can see. Though the expedition was launched some time ago, and we've been exploring the vast expanses of space sometime now, I feel as if I'll never grow weary of the sights that surround us. I press my fingertips gingerly to the glass, the artificial gravity in the ship keeping me grounded. This whole experience has been a dream come true, though as far as space travel goes, most would consider my team's experiences rather boring. Taking samples from the occasional asteroid, testing the atmosphere when there's a shift noticeable by our ship's systems. Somehow, however, I know that something big will come from this mission. Someday, mine will be a household name.

 

“Kara,” a familiar masculine voice calls out, and I can only roll my eyes disdainfully as one of my crew members jogs towards me. If you could even call Clark Lowell a member of my crew, considering he only managed to dig his claws into this mission through our personal relationship. What had once been a very personal relationship, I’m forced to acknowledge. It lingers at the edges of my mind at any given time, the past Clark and I share together. It’s hard to ignore, considering how much he presses the issue. It’s quite obvious to anyone from an outside perspective that he’s not over our past relationship, as much as I’d like to leave it just there; in the past.

 

“Clark,” I reply amicably, planning to keep the conversation short. He offers me a boyish grin, one I had fallen for in the past more times than I care to admit. I won’t be so foolish now, however, and his smile simply grates on my nerves.

 

“I’ve been trying to get a chance to talk to you, in private. Seems nearly impossible to get a moment to ourselves on this crowded ship,” he hums, and I refrain from pointing out that there is a good reason I won’t let him catch alone. At least, I haven’t until this very moment. Perhaps I’m growing lax. Praying for a reason to escape this situation, I’m allowed salvation in the worst possible way. The ship’s collision alarm begins to blare loudly, and I offer Clark the most apologetic look I can muster before darting away to the navigation station.

 

“Status report, Dennis,” I say swiftly, watching the map that lays out our intended path.

 

“Incoming asteroid field. The ship should be able to handle it, but I’ll put the emergency shields up just in case,” Dennis Royale replies, sounding utterly bored by the situation. I nod, able to make an extremely large landmass that lies beyond the asteroid belt.

 

"And that is…?" I begin, waiting for him to fill in the blanks. He seems distracted, however, growing more interested in the ship's status report.

 

“Oh, uh. Looks like some sort of small planet. I would run a scan to check the habitability, but the shields command is glitching out. Give me a moment, please, Captain,” he says in a mutter. I nod obligingly, stepping away to give him a moment to deal with the situation. I glance towards the bay window, eyes widening as I make out one of the asteroids we’re on a collision course with. The blue-tinged glow of the emergency shields appears around the ship, and I’m able to draw in a relieved breath. However, moments later, the shield dissipates entirely.

 

“Dennis,” I call out, trying to contain how alarmed I feel.

 

"One moment, Captain," he calls out, though his voice is strained. The emergency shield flickers back on for a moment remains alight for a few beats but dissipates moments later.

 

That's when the first asteroid collides with the ship. I'm thrown off my feet by the force of impact, and the gravity simulator begins to falter as well. Before I can hit the ground, I'm lifted into the air by the opposing gravitational force. Dennis clings to his station, his feet rising into the air in a manner that would be comical if not for the, pardon the pun, gravity of the situation. I curse under my breath, propelling myself through the air as best as I am able. The lights begin to flicker, and there is a loud crashing sound the ship takes another devastating hit. The alarms have reached a new peak of volume that I have never experienced before, and I have to cover my ears in order to save myself from being deafened. I feel a hand wrap around my wrist, and I look to the side just in time to see Clark watching me with a steely expression. Though he should rightfully be the last person I want to see and would be under normal circumstances, I can only hope his military will prove useful in some way or another. His lips are moving, but I can't make out the words. I squint at the man, shouting for him to repeat himself. I pull my hands away from my ears, struggling to make out his cries above the excruciating sound of the alarms.

 

“Critical… going to crash… escape pod,” He says, at least, that’s all I’m able to make out. I watch as Dennis continues to desperately struggle with his station, his expression fearful when it becomes obvious that nothing he can do will stop the inevitable.

 

“We can’t leave them,” I shout, trying to move closer to Dennis. The other members of my crew are nowhere to be seen. I can only hope they can make their way to an escape pod, but before I can catch Dennis’s attention to try and guide him to the pods, the gravity simulator jolts back on, slamming all of us to the ground. I hit the metal hard, groaning softly from the impact. I’m pulled to my feet moments later, with Clark dragging me to the emergency bay. “Clark! The others,” I cry out, but if he hears me, he gives no indication. I struggle against him, but he easily overpowers me. He shoves me into the emergency bay, checking the gauges beside the door.

 

“The planet… set a course,” he shouts out, gesturing to one of the escape pods. “I’ll get… others,” he assures me, and truthfully I’m in no position to doubt him. Trusting him for perhaps the first time in years, I throw myself into the nearest pod, tapping on the keys to set a route to the planet we had scoped out on the navigation screen. The chances of the planet being habitable are small, over one in a billion, nearly impossible on a scale that most could not fathom. However, it is our only chance. I seal off the pod, thrown against the front as another asteroid smashes into the main ship. Taking my chance, as it is likely the last one I will have, I engage the escape pod thrusters and sink to my knees as I’m propelled away from the ship. My mind is spinning, guilt tearing at my insides for not making certain that my crew was safe. I can see the ship outside the small window of the escape pod, engulfed in flames and crashing towards the same planet I’m hurdling towards, though it’s likely our crash scenes will be miles apart. I strap myself in the escape pod, bracing myself for the oncoming impact.

 

The escape pod hits the ground hard, and my head smashes back against the metallic wall behind me. I cling to consciousness as much as I am able, not knowing if I will survive falling unconscious. However, I’m helpless to stop the darkness that washes over me.

 

I don’t know how much time passes in my state of unconsciousness, but as my eyes flutter open and my brain catches up to the rest of my body, I realize I’m agonizingly hungry. My body aches, but nothing seems to be broken, so I unsnap my harness and fall to the floor of the escape pod in a heap. It strikes me that I had not seen another escape pod break off of the ship, and it’s quite likely that I’m the only survivor of the crash. Guilt washes over me, and tears stream down my cheeks as I slam my fists against the floor of the escape pod. Pain washes over me, but it’s nothing compared to the pain inside. The crew had trusted me to lead a successful mission, had trusted me with their lives. Instead of helping them, I had bailed out as soon as the opportunity presented itself.

 

The most remorse of all washes over me as I realize Clark is likely dead as well. If he did what he intended, and tried to save the remaining crew members, it was unlikely he could have made it to an escape pod in time. Though I didn’t want to be in a relationship with the man, I certainly didn’t wish death upon him either. Especially considering the fact that he was the sole reason I was still alive…

 

However, as I remain on the floor of the escape pod, I realize that getting absorbed in my own self-indulgent pity will accomplish nothing. Though there was only a margin of a chance that I would survive stepping out of the escape pod, I knew there was no chance of surviving if I remained within. It would only be a matter of time before I starved. At least if I venture outside, there's a small chance… some minuscule chance…

 

I shake my head, taking a moment to raid the supply storage in the escape pod. The food supply that was supposed to be tucked inside was inexplicably missing, and I muse that one of the crew must have raided it. The thought crosses me with slight scorn until it strikes me once more that I am the lone survivor. I wipe a tear away, cursing myself for how emotional I'm being. There would be time for mourning later, once I had a better handle on my situation.

 

Continuing to take stock of the supply storage, I note that though there’s very little in the way of food, there is at least a hunting knife tucked inside, as well as some flint. I don’t know how useful either will be, but I tuck them into my belt, hesitating a moment before closing the storage bin. It’s growing increasingly hot in the escape pod, and I realize that if the planet is indeed habitable, I will at the very least have to make a more suitable shelter. The oxygen supply is running low, and if I remain in here much longer, I’ll suffocate before I even have the chance to starve. I must have been out longer than I realized.

 

I rise from my crouched position, turning to face the door that could lead down either of two paths: a path of survival, or a path of suffering. Knowing that I can’t put it off any longer, I press my palm to the scanner that will open the door. The door opens with a woosh and, holding my breath, I take a step beyond.

 

 

CHAPTER TWO

 

I’m not sure what I expected to see when I stepped out of the escape pod, but being surrounded by acres of lush forests was low on that list. Not that I’m displeased by the development, I’m actually quite relieved to find that I can draw breath unaided. My first plan is to build a shelter of sorts, which should be relatively easy considering how much lumber I’m surrounded by. I feel stuck in some sort of uncanny valley, where my surroundings are remarkably similar to what I’d see on Earth, yet different in a way I can’t quite place. I can’t allow myself to get caught up in the excitement of the situation, however, as survival is my main goal. I turn back to the escape pod for a moment, considering going through the supply bin for a final time, just to be sure I had not missed anything. My eyes widen as I see a humanoid figure stalking towards me in the reflection of the glass, and I roll to the side just as a fist swings towards where my head had been just seconds prior.

 

My eyes are wide and uncomprehending as I take in the figure, with ashen pale skin and dark eyes that seem to see right through me. He’s obviously male, or at least whatever the equivalent would be on this planet. Before I can consider him too thoroughly, he lunges forward and I’m forced to engage him in combat. He moves swiftly, with ease, as if he had been fighting for years. I manage to hold my own to a point, but find myself overpowered in an almost embarrassingly short time. He holds my wrists above my head with one hand, and I notice, not for the first time, the gun-shaped weapon on his hip. I could try to make a break for it, but I have no doubt that he would shoot me down before I had made it even ten feet. He speaks to me in a language I don’t understand, but I remain silent, glaring daggers at the man. He hesitates for a moment, tapping a button on his helmet. A light washes over me, and I realize he’s doing an impromptu analysis. He speaks again, this time in English.

 

"Follow me," he says gruffly, his tone leaving no room for argument. He releases me, and once more I debate making a run for it. He seems to recognize this though and gestures vaguely to his gun. Our eyes meet, and his eyes narrow almost daringly. I scoff, decidedly trailing after him as he begins to lead me through the forest. The flora and fauna are astonishing, creatures of the like I can't even begin to describe. Colors unlike anything I had ever comprehended, features that made little sense but seemed to have a place on this planet. I only wish I had time to study the creatures, but it seems at this rate I'll be lucky to survive the planet's day cycle.

 

He leads me through the forest for what feels an eternity, but I have no way to gauge the time. When we emerge from the trees, I spot what looks to be buildings similar to earth skyscrapers, yet somehow not. They’re too advanced, too high tech for what you would see on our planet, even with the advances we’ve made in the years prior. He greets a guard in what must be his mother tongue, gesturing towards me. The guard considers me for a moment, his expression blank. After a moment, he steps aside and allows us entry into the city. I’m not sure what to expect, but I have scarcely any time to consider my surroundings before I’m taken to a building which seems to focus more on structure stability than architectural appeal. He presses his palm to a pad that rests beside the door, dragging me inside.

 

“I can walk just fine, thank you,” I spit venomously, but he ignores me. We come to a room that is sectioned off by a force field of sorts. He touches another pad, typing in some commands before tossing me inside. The force field flickers just long enough for me to be thrown in, before locking back into place. I realize that this must be some sort of holding facility. “You’re just going to leave me?” I demand, and he fixes me with an ever blank expression before slipping away. It seems that this is my new home for now.

 

I don't know how long I spend in the cell, pacing from one end to the other. It feels like an eternity, but it's impossible to tell time. There's no clock in the cell, though I have no idea if I'd be able to read it, in any case. I spend most of my time alone, though there is the occasional guard who peeks in and provides me with a strange platter of food. I can only liken the food offered to earth's crustaceans, and I have a deadly shellfish allergy. I don't want to take my chances, though the differences in the DNA of the creatures are likely stark. I don't speak to the guards, and they don't attempt to engage me in any way. They seem vaguely disdainful about my presence, and I don't make a point to make myself a more proper guest. If they want to treat me like an animal, I won't be wasting my kindness on them.

 

I’m lying on the cot I’ve been provided when a familiar face appears outside my cell. Recognizing it as the male who captured me, I narrow my eyes as he drops the force fields and steps inside. He wordlessly takes me by the arm, leading me out of my cell. Once again, I’m essentially dragged to my destination like some sort of fool. He walks me into another room, this one dimly lit with some sort of restraint chair in the center. I fight against him, but he narrows his eyes dangerously at me. His gun is ever present on his hip, and as much as I’d like to continue fighting, I suppose I may as well see what these bastards have in store for me. I’m pushed into the restraint chair, jolting in fear as metallic bands snap around my wrists and ankles. My captor approaches me, holding some sort of leather-like band in his hand. He wraps it around my neck, and I realize with a start that they intend to collar me like some sort of animal. I struggle uselessly, and the slightest of shocks radiates from the collar against my skin. I curse, though he seems not to recognize the gravity of the words I’m spitting at him. He simply watches me with some small measure of interest.

 

The bands slip away from my wrists and ankles, and I leap to my feet. My captor quirks a curious smile, offering his arm. I look at him with narrowed eyes, and he breathes an exasperated sigh.

 

“The collar is to keep you from straying too far. It has a tracking device embedded as well. If you would follow me,” he says, his words amicable but his tone leaving no room for argument. I hesitate before dropping my head. I trail obediently after him, relieved at least to be allowed to walk on my own two feet.

 

“Where are you taking me?” I inquire softly, and he hesitates for the briefest of moments.

 

“To my home. The council wanted to kill you, but I argued that would be a wasteful notion. I’ve been entrusted with the duty of watching you until the council decides what your fate will be,” he says brusquely. My eyes widen in fear, but he seems not to recognize the emotion, turning his back on me and walking ahead. The collar begins to shock me, growing more intense the further away he gets. I jog to catch up, tugging anxiously at the strap around my neck.

 

“At the very least I deserve to know your name,” I blurt angrily, falling into step beside him. The shock leaves a lingering tingling in my nerves and it’s not something I want to grow accustomed to.

 

"Names are of little importance to my people. We typically refer to one another through identification numbers. However, Kajin is a nickname I had as a child. It's the approximation for the phrase righteous one in my mother tongue. You can call me that, if it pleases you," he says mildly, and I want to curse how calm he is. However, I realize that the best option, for the time being, is to play nice with my captor. Though I'm not exactly pleased to have been captured, I suppose I should be grateful that he did not allow me to be put to death. However, though he did not say as much, it's clear that death is very much a viable fate for me at this point.

 

“My name is Kara Nolan. I’m from the planet Earth. What is this place?” I inquire hesitantly, glancing at the other native people we pass on the street.

 

“This is Planet 347, sector five. Earth, you say? What a strange name for a planet,” he mutters absently, leading me ahead. We come to a rather extravagant looking building, and he guides me through the door. It’s not entirely unlike a human home, though much more luxurious than even I could afford back home.

 

“Why did they allow you to keep me, Kajin? If they wanted me killed,” I ask quietly, the question having been a burden upon my mind.

 

“The council knows I will not hesitate to put you down if you are to step out of line. However, I was the one who expressed an interest in further study, so… here you are,” he hums. His voice seems less gruff, and it’s obvious he’s less agitated than he was when we first met. I suppose he’s realized that I’m not a threat to himself nor his people. “In any case. I do not know how your species regulates energy, but I have supplied a bed for you to rest upon should that be to your liking,” he says, gesturing to the corner. It’s a simple cot, but it looks a bit more comfortable than what I had been subjected to in the holding facility.

 

I nod my head, stepping towards the cot and sitting on the edge. He seems to take that as his cue to leave, and steps into the other room. Not knowing what else to do, I stretch out on the cot and consider my next move. Perhaps I will somehow be able to send a signal back to Earth at some point. For now, I have to focus on pleasing my temporary master.

 

CHAPTER THREE

 

I only realize I’d drifted off when I blink my eyes open and am jolted by the sight of my captor looming over me. His gaze is intense, though it seems to soften marginally when I edge away from him. I look myself over, realizing all too unpleasantly that my skin has become slightly grimy for going some days without a shower of any kind. I turn to my captor-- Kajin, I reminded myself, I would have to adjust to using his name. He seems fascinated by my every movement, and I brush my hair away from my face a bit self-consciously.

 

“Uhm… do you have a shower?” I ask with uncertainty, though I’m not altogether sure I look forward to the idea of bathing in a strange alien’s house. He quirks a brow, seeming to consider my words.

 

“Shower…?” He repeats, and I rub the back of my neck, struggling with how disjointed conversation with this male is.

 

“I need to get clean. With water. Shower,” I elaborate, and his eyes widen in recognition.

 

"Oh, yes. I have the facilities you require. We are not as unlike as I thought, though this ‘shower' as you refer it is something of a luxury on our planet. Our bodies technically have a self-sanitizing system, and…," he trails off, looking a bit chagrined. "Sorry, I tend to ramble. It's not every day we get an alien form of life crashing into our hunting grounds, either," he smiles, perhaps the first time I've seen the human expression on his face. I chuckle to myself, rising from the cot and stretching my arms out over my head. My joints give an audible pop, and his eyes widen almost comically.

 

"It's not every day I crash land on an alien planet, either," I retort. He hums a distinctly amused sound. "The shower, then?" I suggest once more, not wanting to sound like a broken record, but wanting the small comfort.

 

“Yes, right. Follow me,” Kajin says with a smile, leading me through the vast expanses of his home. He takes me to an extravagant bathroom, with small bottles sitting on a tray beside what I assume is the tub. “You may use my scent obscuring salve. I’m told by non-hunters that it smells rather nice,” he says carefully, slipping towards the door. I hesitate for a moment before beginning to undress, slipping out of my dirty space suit. “Oh, yes, and by the way--,” he says abruptly, peeking back in the bathroom. I swallow a shriek, trying to remain casual as his eyes rove my nude body. Perhaps nudity isn’t as intimate on this planet as it is on Earth, I can only hope… but the look in his eye is not altogether unfamiliar, and I feel myself redden beneath his stare.

 

“Uhm, Kajin? A bit of privacy, please?” I say awkwardly, and he blinks his eyes, seeming to shake off his reverie.

 

“Yes, of course,” he mutters. He slips out the door, and I can only wonder what was going through his mind as he took in my nude form. My mind wanders to what he may look like beneath that armor he always seems to be clad in, and I curse myself for the thought.

 

The last thing I need to do is become infatuated with an alien life form.

 

For a while after my bath, the man avoids me. I can hear odd trilling sounds coming from his bedroom, but I give it very little thought, instead busying myself with exploring what areas of the house I am able. Though the differences between life here and life on earth are distinct, they are also similar in remarkable ways. I do miss the steady beat of my bedside radio on an easy listening station, but the mother tongue of the natives here is almost musical in nature, already. Even the trilling coming from Kajin’s room has an odd sort of melody to it. I sway my hips from side to side as I explore his home, humming softly under my breath in tune with his trills. Abruptly, however, they come to a stop. Some moments later, he emerges from his sleeping chambers looking somewhat disheveled. He glances towards me with something akin to shame in his eye, refusing to meet my gaze for long. I hum to myself, approaching him with some hesitation.

 

"Kajin," I begin, not sure how to word my request. He fidgets under my stare, his actions oddly suspicious. "I was wondering if you would escort me to the city, today. Obviously, I would be under your care, I'm just… quite eager to explore the area for myself," I mutter. He seems a bit surprised by the request but actually, considers it.

 

“I suppose there’s no harm in it,” he says agreeably. I grin gleefully from ear to ear, trailing behind him as he leads me out of his home. We walk side by side, attempting to remain discreet. It likely wouldn’t serve me well to draw attention to myself. He guides me to what seems to be a large marketplace, with natives selling wares of all sorts. Having been reluctant to slip back into my filthy space suit, I eagerly eye some clothes being sold. Kajin seems to notice my interest in the attire, drawing me nearer the stall. The woman, or what I presume to be a woman, considers me with a curious stare. He speaks to her in their native tongue, and I shift awkwardly from foot to foot. I can only wonder what they’re discussing, but she slips away to rummage through some boxes behind her stall. She emerges moments later with an extravagant dress that appears to be my size. Kajin presses some sort of code into a tablet-like device that she offers, and she smiles cheerfully as he takes the dress.

 

“Is that… for me?” I inquire nervously, not wanting to seem presumptuous.

 

“I’m certainly not going to wear it. You don’t have to take it, but I thought you seemed interested,” he says, seeming to force a casual tone. I smile gratefully, reaching out to take the dress and hold it against myself.

 

"I'll try it on as soon as we return to your home," I grin. He gestures to what looks to be, for all intents and purposes, a high-tech portable toilet.

 

“There’s a changing station. There are dozens of clothing vendors in the marketplace. It doesn’t seem to be occupied. If you’d like to change, I will grab sustenance for us and we can explore a bit more before heading back,” he offers kindly. I hesitate a moment, looking at the dress with adoration. It’s beautiful, unlike anything I’ve ever seen before-- it seems the galaxy is woven in its threads.

 

"Alright. I'll trust your judgment on the meal," I grin before slipping towards the changing station. I step inside, surprised to see that it appears much larger on the inside than it had from the outside. There are around a half-dozen stalls held within, and I step into the nearest, slipping out of my space suit. I pull the dress on, amazed at how it feels against my skin. It's like the most luxurious silk, woven from the finest threads. I run my hands down my body, shivering at the sensation.

 

Realizing I’m taking a bit too long, I slip out of the changing station and glance around in an attempt to spot Kajin. Internally, I panic for a moment before I spot him approaching from a distant stall. I rush towards him, beaming at the sight of the armfuls of food he holds.

 

“Miss me?” He asks teasingly, and I roll my eyes in spite of my blush.

 

"Hush. Let's head back, there's no way I'm letting you lead me around with that armful," I smirk. He laughs awkwardly but nods his head in agreement. We make our way back to his home, and I'm unable to keep my hands off of the dress. He watches me with a vague sense of amusement, tempered with something darker and more primal. I find myself flaunting for him, and he seems all too receptive to the actions.

 

We step inside, and he lays the food out on the table. Though food is the last thing on my mind, I idly crunch on a small berry, humming with pleasure at the taste. He watches me with a quirked brow, and I feel a rush of heat wash over me. I continue to nibble the berry, giving a somewhat sensual air to my actions. Before I realize what’s happening, he pushes me against the wall and presses our lips together. Though I couldn’t have expected it, I find myself more than willing to accept the attention. He presses his groin to mine, trilling softly. The sound is familiar, and I realize with a start what he had been doing in his bedroom previously.

 

“Take me to your room,” I order gently. He lifts me off my feet, and I hook my ankles around his waist. He stifles soft trilling sounds, and I find myself utterly enamored with the strange sound. He seems somewhat chagrined by it for his part, and I realize it’s not slipping past his parted lips; instead, the sound reverberates from some gill-like protrusions on his neck. I reach out to ghost my fingertips to his neck, and he shivers in pleasure.

 

“If I take you to my quarters, I’m not certain I will be able to contain myself,” he mutters, and I can’t help but giggle at how flustered he seems.

 

“No one is asking you to contain yourself, Kajin. I’m certainly not, in any case,” I purr against the column of his throat. He moans throatily, and I feel a surge of excitement as he begins to carry me in the direction of his quarters. Though I’ve not said as much, it’ll be no small wonder if our parts are compatible enough to make this entire situation work. It should be more worrisome than it feels at the moment, but I can’t help feeling as if I’m embarking on some grand adventure. It goes beyond any sort of science I may have expected to explore previously. Then again, one never really plans to make love to an alien life form.

 

Swept up in the moment, I crash my lips to his once more. He falters, nearly losing his grip on me before adjusting enough to continue staggering in the direction of his room. The telltale bulge I might have expected juts from the front of his pants, though it looks significantly larger than I am used to-- both in girth and length. He shifts his grip on me as we reach his room, holding me in one arm as he presses his palm to a scanner to allow us entry. The door slides open, and there is a noticeable musk that permeates the room, likely from his activities earlier that day. It’s not an unpleasant smell, reminiscent of an earthy and almost fruity scent. I nearly salivate, lapping at the flap of skin that hides his gills. His flesh tastes unlike a human man, lacking that usual saltiness of sweat. His trills grow in pitch, and he takes me to his bed where he gently lays me on top of the sheets. I watch him with trepidation, and he seems a bit lost on what to do next.

 

“It can’t be so different, can it?” I murmur, shifting to my knees and drawing the dress up and over my head. Having ditched my filthy underwear, I sit fully exposed before him as he rakes his eyes up and down my body. He inhales shakily, stepping closer to the bed.

 

“You look so soft,” he murmurs, sitting just on the edge. He’s out of reach by mere inches, and I quirk my lips in a coy smile before taking him by the hand. He twitches at my touch, eyes dark and filled with desire. I guide his gloved palm to my breast, shivering at the sensation of the leathery material against my skin. He gropes experimentally for a moment, and I gasp breathily as he ghosts his fingertips to my nipple.

 

“It brings you pleasure when I touch you here?” He inquires softly, drawing away to remove his glove. I shyly draw my lip between my teeth, nodding in response to his quiet query. “Strange,” he murmurs, drawing my perky breast into his bare hand. He moves with purpose, an almost scientific preciseness to his motions. I gasp out his name, and he meets my gaze with a small smile.

 

“Don’t stop,” I plead, and he seems a little too entertained by my wanton cries. He pushes me back against the sheets, dragging his fingertips down my bare sides. His touch sends small jolts of pleasure through my body, almost as intense as an electric shock. His hands are remarkably warm, and he shifts his hand to circle his thumb around my navel. He seems utterly enthralled with every bit of my anatomy, and I find myself wanting to give him the entirety of myself.

 

“Is this your main pleasure receptor?” He asks huskily, and I guide his hand between my thighs. His eyes widen at the sticky warmth he feels there, and he experimentally spreads my outer lips in an entirely too lewd way. I bite down on my knuckles as he flutters his fingers experimentally against me, leaning in to examine me more closely. “Here, then,” he whispers to himself. He presses a finger inside of me and I clench around the intrusion, wondering hopelessly if this is as far as we’ll go. He draws his hand away, bringing it to his nose and inhaling deeply. A sharp trill echoes through the room, and he moans out my name as he licks his hand clean of my essence. My eyes fall between his legs, widening at the bobbing of his own organ. It looks as if it will nearly rip his pants at the seam, but he doesn’t seem particularly troubled by that possibility. I reach out, palming him through his pants. He jerks his hips, crying out in what sounds almost like pain.

 

“Did I hurt you?” I gasp out, drawing my hand away. He shakes his head urgently, hips continuing to gyrate as he fumbles with the fastener of his pants. My eyes nearly bulge from my head as his organ is exposed to the open air, throbbing visibly. He breathes a sigh of relief once he is freed from his clothes, taking the opalescent skin in his own hand and gently rubbing towards the tip. His member, if it were to be referred to as such, has the brilliant sheen of an earth pearl, ridged at the sides with a flared tip. A thick vein runs along the underside, and it continues to bob slightly as he strokes himself. I feel myself growing more and more wet, more eager than ever to see if I can fit him inside of me.

 

"I want you so badly. I just… don't want to harm you," he gasps out, releasing himself and crossing his arms behind his back. I realize that he has to restrain himself from pinning me down and taking me with no further preamble. I edge closer to him, wrapping my much small hand around his length. His skin almost seems to vibrate at the touch, and I find myself shivering at the sensation of holding him in my hand. I gingerly stroke my palm along his length, dragging my thumb along the thick vein on the underside of his manhood. He whimpers, actually whimpers, and I quirk my lips at him before lowering my head to get a closer look at his length. A pale pink liquid trickles from the slit at the peak of his head, what must equate to a human man's pre-ejaculate. It doesn't seem to stop, however, dripping down his length and coating his skin. I touch the liquid hesitantly, gasping at the tingles that assault my fingertips. It feels similar to the warming lubricant that popular earth brands have spent decades trying to get just right. Nothing could compare to the sensation washing over me in that moment, however.

 

“Lay down,” I order gently, and he obliges me, laying as still as he can manage on his back. “You can move, Kajin. I don’t want to feel like I’m making love to a corpse,” I murmur, shifting on top of him. His eyes widen as he seems to realize what I’m doing, and his hands tighten into fists at his side.

 

“Are you sure you will be able to take it all? Once we start, I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to stop,” he gasps out, hips jerking slightly.

 

“All a girl can do is try. Now, just relax. Let me take care of you,” I murmur, adjusting my position so that I can easily slide him inside of me. I press down gingerly, biting my lip as the tingling sensation in my nether regions seems to intensify tenfold. For his part, Kajin looks as if it is all he can do not to plunge the entirety of himself inside of me. “E-easy,” I whisper, lowering myself a little at a time. The ridges along the side of his length press into spots I would have never thought to touch myself. I feel myself stretched beyond my wildest imagination, stammering uselessly as I feel myself nearing his base. His manhood ridges out the widest towards said base, and I nearly double over as I take the final inch. He twitches inside of me, small vibrations and an intense tingling sensation washing over my senses. I attempt to meet his gaze, but his eyes are wide and unseeing as he tries to still the motions of his hips.

 

"So...so soft," he gasps out. I mewl as I raise up off of him just slightly, slamming back down. I'm unable to bite out the sharp cry of intense pleasure as our hips press flush together. He rests his hands on the swell of my hips, guiding me up as if I weigh nothing. My whole body tenses as I feel him draw out of me nearly entirely before he bottoms out inside of me again. I feel tears spring to my eyes as he continues to guide my motions, gasping breathily as I clench around him in an attempt to bring him to the climax that looms so for me. He shifts to sit a bit more upright, pressing his lips to my neck as he slams into me repeatedly. I'm repeating his name like some strange mantra, feeling brought to heights I've never before experienced. The thought that a human male could make me feel this way is an almost laughable one, and I realize with a start how taboo this would be if my fellow man were to find out. It only seems to send another rush through me, and I yowl as I clench around him, sounding more animal than a woman. He grunts, jerking his hips as he fills me to the brim with his warm and tantalizing essence. When I think I can't go any higher, another orgasm washes over me as my insides are coated. My body feels as if it has been lit aflame, and I find myself screaming to a god I've never quite believed in.

 

The whole sensation was unlike anything I can explain to another human. I get the feeling he couldn’t explain himself to one of his own, either. As I curl up at his side after, he carefully takes the collar off of me and places it on his bedside table. He wraps his arms around me, and we settle into a peaceful slumber.

 

I can’t help feeling as if I’ve allowed myself to fall into some sort of mental trap. However, it’s obvious that this is the last thing that he intended, as well. I can only enjoy the moments we have in private, as I get the feeling we won’t have such liberties in the public eye of the planet’s natives.

 

CHAPTER FOUR

 

Days pass and I find myself growing slightly more accustomed to my temporary, or at the very least what I hope is temporary, home. Kajin treats me with significantly more kindness, and the fear I had felt for him begins to dissipate a good bit, if not entirely. Since removing my collar, he has given me a bit more free reign to explore my surroundings. I’m grateful for the small freedoms I’ve been allowed, and in the time I have to myself, I’ve returned to the original roots of the expedition. I’ve been gathering samples of the local flora, though I don’t have my lab at the ready to pursue further study. I’ve considered making my way to my ship’s main crash site and gathering the materials to make a temporary study in Kajin’s home. Of course, it would be strictly necessary to run it by him first, but I have faith that he will allow it. It’s just a matter of having him accompany me to the crash site. He mentioned that his people had surveyed the area where the main ship had landed, regretfully informing me that they had found no survivors. The fact is disheartening, but it’s something I’m slowly coming to terms with. I only wish I could offer some words of condolence to their families, the people who would wait for a day that will never come-- the return of their loved one. I’m somewhat fortunate in the sense that there will be no one looking for me, no one to wonder what has become of me. I leave no family behind, save a father whose name I’ve never known.

 

Clark was the first and closest thing I’ve ever had to family. Though I gave the man his share of snubs, I have no doubt that his love for me was sincere. Now, all I have left to cling to is this pseudo-relationship with my captor. Does Kajin love me? Do his people even comprehend the concept of love? I can’t be sure. I only know that he is allowing me some sense of stability while so far from home.

 

I return after a short outing to gather samples, finding Kajin absorbed in what appears to be some alien literature. He glances up as I step inside, offering me a small smile. His smile falters as I draw closer, however, and I can only guess he is getting a better look at my mournful expression.

 

“Kara…? Is something wrong?” He inquires, reaching out to rest a hand on my shoulder. I breathe a sigh, resting my hand atop his in what I hope is a reassuring gesture.

 

“The weight of the world on my shoulders. I was hoping to go to the crash site you and your people discovered. I want to try and recover enough supplies to rebuild a lab of sorts. I know you have similar technology on this planet, but it would take ages for me to adjust to the differences-- time I’m not sure I’ll have,” I mutter, the heavy implication lingering between us. Though he has been kinder to me, the fact of the matter is that he could still be ordered to kill me at any given moment. He truly wouldn’t even need the order, should the desire so strike him, I would be a corpse lying at his feet. Though there is admittedly a certain thrill to the thought, I don’t aim to be killed any time soon.

 

“I can take you to the crash site. I’ll help you carry anything that you’re able to recover,” he offers kindly, leaning in to press his lips to my forehead. The gesture is intimate, and I can’t help but smile to myself at the sensation of his warmth.

 

“Thank you, Kajin,” I murmur, sincerity and graciousness radiating from my being. He smiles, closing his book and rising to his feet. He takes my arm in his own, leading me out the door. I fall into step at his side, excitement thrumming through me at the idea of recovering some of my supplies. Perhaps with a bit of supplementation with local technology, I will be able to formulate a working laboratory. It’s a small chance, but small chances have been working in my favor as of late. This planet being habitable, my alien captor taking mercy upon me are only the most significant, but I’m too excited to consider the other possibilities.

 

As we reach the outskirts of the city, I'm once again relieved to have the dress that the alien man bought me. It keeps my skin pleasantly cool in the heat of the planet's sun, swishing around my ankles as we walk the long distance through the surrounding forests. One might think it would be difficult to navigate in such clothing, but it manages to cling to me in all the right places. I breathe a content sigh, the moment away from the city allowing me to escape the reality that is my likely looming death. Kajin watches me with a rather enchanted expression, and I give my hips a teasing little shake as we emerge from the trees. If we were in the city, I would practice much more discretion. However, out here, away from the other native people, I feel freer to express my more sensual side.

 

However, my teasing shakes are cut short when the familiar smell of smoke invades my nostrils. I glance ahead, spying the main crash site some yards away. A thin tendril of smoke rises up from the depths, though I can’t see any part of the ship that is still aflame. Kajin looks mildly concerned, jogging ahead to likely survey the area for danger. I don’t allow him to make it too far without me, nearly having to sprint to keep up.

 

“What the hell,” a masculine voice blurts, sounding remarkably human. My eyes widen in surprise as I realize that the voice is more than vaguely familiar, and I bolt ahead to see Clark Lowell locked in combat with Kajin.

 

“Clark,” I cry out, feeling more joy than I can even begin to describe. Though I wasn’t on the greatest of terms with the man, the fact that I was not the lone survivor of the ship’s crash sends a rush of relief through me.

 

“Kara--- get off of me, you beast,” Clark growls, shoving at Kajin. Kajin takes a step back, looking between the two of us with some measure of uncertainty.

 

“Kajin, stop. He’s from my crew! There was another survivor,” I blurt, rushing between the two of them. They glare daggers at each other, but Clark’s gaze softens as he returns his gaze to me.

 

“Kara, I’ve been searching all over for you. I was beginning to think… I was beginning to think you did not make it,” he mutters, reaching out to rest a hand on my shoulder. I stiffen beneath his touch, feeling Kajin’s discomfort radiating from his body in an almost visceral way.

 

“I’ve been fine, Clark. It… it’s good to see you,” I manage, patting his hand gently before taking a step back. He looks at me rather strangely, glancing to the alien male who lingers behind me. I turn my most winning smile towards Kajin, who seems to catch on that I’m up to something. “Kajin, can Clark return to the city with us? It would be… nice, to have human company,” I say carefully. The taller of the men turns dark eyes upon Clark, obviously resisting the desire to snap.

 

“It would be an honor to host another human guest, I’m sure,” he says, the sarcasm dripping from his tone. Clark picks up on it immediately, but I smile through the tension, leading the men back in the direction of the town hub. As we venture towards the city, Kajin speaks up with obvious reluctance. “I need to gather some supplies before we head back to the city. Since we’re out now…,” he trails off, watching Clark with a sneer. “I can trust you two to behave yourselves?” He inquires snidely, and Clark bristles at the implication.

 

“Go get your supplies. We’ll wait here for you,” Clark bites out, looking to me for reassurance. Though I’m not entirely confident about being left alone with Clark, I don’t have it in me to voice the concern.

 

“We’ll be fine, Kajin,” I assure him gently. His gaze softens as he glances towards me, and he nods his head once before slipping back into the forests. As soon as he slips away, Clark takes me by the arm and pulls me in close. “Clark, what in the world--” I blurt, cut short when he shushes me none too politely.

 

"The communication hub on the ship… it was seriously damaged in the crash. In the time I've been camping here, however, I managed to repair it enough to send out a signal," he says, excitement glinting in his eyes. Mine widen in shock and what should be pleasure, however, the sensation I feel is closer to fear.

 

“You got a message to Earth?” I inquire haltingly, and he hesitates for a moment, his expression drooping slightly.

 

“Not quite Earth. But a close enough system that they have vowed to send the message onward. We can get off of this hellish planet, Kara. We can go home,” he breathes, reaching out to grasp my hand. I shift uncomfortably, looking at our joined hands with barely disguised disdain. I should be happy. Though I had been thrilled to see Clark, it had been more for the sake of his survival than the fact that he might find us a way home. Still, my lack of excitement makes little sense, even to me.

 

“We’ve come so far, though… to leave now would leave our expedition dismantled in vain. We have to try and salvage the mission somewhat, don’t we? Don’t we owe that to the rest of the crew at least?” I inquire softly, and his eyes narrow critically upon me.

 

"I get the feeling your reasons for wanting to stay are not so pure," he says in a growl. I quirk a brow at him, and he jerks his head in the direction Kajin had gone. "You're rather cozy with the natives, aren't you? Or a native in particular, it would seem," he hisses. My eyes widen, and I can't help but sneer at the implication he's making. It's not as if his assumption is wrong, regarding my relationship with Kajin at least. He's entirely wrong on my reasons for wanting to remain, however. The angry glint in his eye seems to indicate he wouldn't believe reason even if I tried, however.

 

I grit my teeth, turning away from him and waiting for Kajin to return. The potential of returning home to Earth is a tempting one, but it’s not one I can decide so easily.

 

CHAPTER FIVE

 

When Kajin returns, the tension between Clark and I could likely be cut with a knife. The alien man looks between the two of us with a rather odd expression, settling his gaze upon me and quirking a curious smile. He holds up the carcass of a slain animal, and I can’t help but light up at the sight.

 

“I’ll have to take samples,” I say, excitement resonating from my voice. Clark levels me with a rather disdainful look from the corner of his eye.

 

“Oh, yes. We forgot to gather the supplies for your study, Kara. We will have to return to the crash site in the coming days,” Kajin says apologetically, and I shrug my shoulders, looking towards Clark with an equally snide expression.

 

"It's of little consequence. Perhaps I'll make an attempt to learn the ins and outs of your planet's technology," I say coolly. I dare not mention the rescue signal that Clark had sent to a nearby system, fearing what Kajin's reaction will be. Clark seems to take the hint, remaining silent about the signal as well. The human man simply trails behind my alien lover and me, eyeing us with obvious scorn. There's obviously something he wants to discuss, but I don't care to give him a moment of my time, at least not quite now.

 

As we step into the city, Kajin greets the guard once more. The other native critically scrutinizes Clark, offering me a faint smile before allowing us passage. I'm relieved to see that Clark isn't subjected to the same collaring treatment that I had been previous, and I make a note not to mention it to the man. I know he will have less sympathy for the native customs than I had, and even I had been reluctant to accept the collaring. We approach Kajin's home, and he opens the door for Clark and me to step inside. He trails behind me, keeping a close eye on Clark. The human male examines the housing area and I step up beside Kajin, pressing a tender kiss to his cheek.

 

"I am going to carve this button. I will leave you enough flesh for a sample before cooking it up. Feel free to show your human friend around," Kajin murmurs, returning my kiss but one-upping me with a peck on the lips. Clark watches us with narrowed eyes but remains silent until Kajin leaves us to our own devices. He approaches me with pursed lips, arms crossed firmly over his chest.

 

“You realize you’re little more than a sex slave, right? Once he grows tired of you, his people will probably see you killed. This planet is full of savages, and he’s just the same as the rest of them,” Clark says coldly. I stiffen, glancing in the direction Kajin had gone. Though they were thoughts I had been forced to consider, it didn’t feel particularly nice to have them thrown in my face.

 

“I’m old enough to make my own decisions, Clark. You don’t get to decide who I spend time with,” I bite out. He smiles a bitter smile, resting a hand on my shoulder.

 

"You mean, I don't get to decide who you sleep with. At least, not anymore. I can remember a time not so long ago that you would have been more than eager to have me hike up that skirt of yours," he says crassly. I just scarcely resist the desire to slap him, slipping away from him and in the direction, Kajin had gone. I don't care to entertain Clark's foul notions any longer, and it seems like he's merely getting a kick out of my irritation at this point.

 

I find Kajin in what I suppose is his backyard of sorts. There is a small garden, and a rack where he has meat hung up to dry. He seems to sense my presence before I can announce myself, turning to quirk a smile at me.

 

“I saved enough for your sample,” he says with a toothy grin. I force a smile in return, trying to ignore the churning feeling in my stomach. He quirks a brow at my lack of response, stepping closer to me to press the back of his hand to my forehead. “You humans are more inclined towards sickness, are you not? I want to be sure you are in good health,” he murmurs before drawing away.

 

"Oh, I'm not ill. At least, not physically," I breathe, taking his hand in my own and brushing my fingers against the back of his knuckles. He watches me with a vaguely content expression, though he seems concerned by what he considers a human ailment. I suppose he's right if heartache is a human notion alone. I watch as his face becomes increasingly worried, and stand on my tiptoes to press a kiss to his lips. Though I'm not certain it will do much to soothe him, I can hope as much.

 

“Kajin…,” I begin reluctantly, cupping his cheek in my hand. He places his hand atop my own, tenderly stroking my skin. “Clark seems to think that you are… taking advantage of me in some way. He thinks that you can’t feel the level of emotion that I feel for you. He implied that I was little more than a human sex toy,” I blurt, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. His dark eyes widen in shock, and he wraps his arms around me and draws me in close.

 

“Kara, do you really think I feel nothing for you?” He inquires gently, stroking my hair as I bury my face in his broad chest. I simply grunt out a reply, enjoying the intimacy of our closeness. “I will allow that if the circumstances were otherwise, that is very well what you could have become. However… I would be lying if I did not admit to harboring some sort of deeper feelings for you. I do not know what you refer to it as, on earth. It is a warmth in my heart, the desire to bring you happiness, no matter the stakes. I know I have offered little comfort, but know that even if the council suggested, I would not see harm befall you,” he says soothingly, rubbing my back. I draw away, looking him in the eye. He meets my gaze, smiling a tender smile before scooping me up in his arms. “Perhaps it would be better if I were to show you how I feel,” he smiles. Considering how our first encounter had gone, I can’t find it within me to resist. He carries me to his bedroom, scarcely considering Clark as we pass the human man. Clark’s eyes widen as he watches us, and I realize with some amusement that his eyes are locked on the already half-formed bulge in Kajin’s pants. He sputters angrily, seeming intent upon putting an end to this, whatever… this is. However, his voice fades into nothing as we slip into Kajin’s bedroom. He gently lays me on the bed, drawing away to set flame to several scented candles scattered throughout the room. The scent is a heavenly one, and I feel a pleasant haze settle over me as he draws nearer the bed. I expect him to disrobe immediately, but he moves slowly, fluidly. He slips on top of the mattress with me, unbuttoning his shirt. I realize with a start that I’ve not seen his bare form in its entirety yet, and trepidation crawls up my spine as more and more of his skin is exposed. His chest is devoid of the nipples one would expect of a human male-- instead, frilled gills curl along his ribcage. His skin is pale, a small spattering of downy soft hair spread across his pectoral muscles. I sit up, ghosting my hand to the skin of his torso. He shivers, that familiar trilling sound echoing both from the gills on his neck as well as those on his chest.

 

“You’re so beautiful,” I murmur, and he quirks his lips in amusement.

 

"Should that not be a notion I speak of you?" He retorts, and I roll my eyes, pressing my lips to the pale skin of his stomach. His body quakes with my every touch and his eyes are half-lidded with pleasure as he watches me spatter kisses across the expanse of his torso. He rests his hand on the back of my head, tangling his hand in my hair and stroking the sensitive skin of my scalp. I sigh against him, drawing back and watching him with a shy smile. He takes the initiative, disrobing me of my favorite dress, his hands gliding across every inch of my skin that he touches. I shiver beneath his tender touches, and as he draws my dress over my head, he lowers his hand back to my chest. He simply rests it there for a moment, expression pensive.

 

“What are you doing, you silly man?” I murmur, and he quirks a smile at me.

 

"It never ceases to surprise me what a comfort it is, feeling your heartbeat. I don't know what I would do if the steady thrum ceased reverberating in my mind," he smiles gently. I tilt my head, and he chuckles softly before explaining. "Initially, I couldn't explain that strange ticking, seemingly in the deepest confines of my mind. When I touch you, however, the beat is a familiar one," he offers. Though I don't entirely understand, there's no way I could, I can tell that this is not a feeling he has shared with many if any before me.

 

“Sometimes, I forget that most would consider this… strange. As if it were not meant to be,” I mutter, and he leans in closer, tenderly kissing my collarbone.

 

"If it were not meant to be, then certainly we would not fit so well together," he murmurs. His hand travels down my body with purpose, and my breath hitches as it settles comfortably at the apex of my thighs. I exhale a shaky breath, still not used to his gentle touches. Whenever I had been with earth men, they seemed to have something to prove to themselves. Clark, in particular, seemed to think that making love to me was some grand feat, that I needed to be somehow conquered. When Kajin touches me, I can mistake it as nothing but affection. It's obvious that he cares for me, as unlikely as our relationship is.

 

“And we do… fit so well,” I gasp as he begins to stroke my slit. My breathing is shallow, and I squeeze my eyes shut, my nerve receptors seeming to be set afire in a way that was similar to our first experience, yet so unlike.

 

“I do hope you appreciate the candles. They’re said to have an aphrodisiac effect on some species, and, well. It was a shot in the dark, I suppose you would say,” he says nervously.

 

"I feel like I've died and gone to heaven," I blurt, and he looks vaguely taken aback. "Which is a good thing, in human terms. At least, if you believe in the notion of an afterlife," I add quickly, feeling as if it is a struggle to get the words out clearly. He looks reassured by the comment, and continues to stroke between my thighs, circling around the aching nub at the crux of my womanhood. I shiver, panting softly as his touches become a bit firmer.

 

“Right there?” He inquires, and I can only wonder how he is so good at working my buttons, considering I’m the first human he has ever met. Perhaps he’s just that good, even among his people, though I don’t want to consider the fact that he’s been with anyone aside from myself.

 

“Gentle, gentle touches. I’m very sensitive there,” I gasp out, enthralled by the touches. He hesitates, flicking his fingertip gently against my clit. My body almost seizes in pleasure, my mind cloudy from the effects of the candles.

 

“Is that good? I want… I want to show you how I feel, not just… take my fill of you and be done,” he says nervously, and I cup his cheek in my hand.

 

“You’re so wonderful,” I whisper. I lean in to kiss him, and he shifts to meet my lips properly. I wrap a leg around his waist, feeling the increasingly familiar bulge in his leathery pants. “Kajin, may I be honest with you?” I manage, rolling my hips against his knob in a desperate attempt to get friction.

 

“Yes, Kara, of course,” he assures me, an obvious strain to his voice.

 

“I would love nothing more than for you to take me. Gently. Softly, yes, but… I want to feel you inside me,” I breathe against his lips. He falters slightly, tilting his head downward to inhale a sharp breath.

 

“When we first did this, I was less certain of my feelings,” he gasps out. I shush him, reaching between us to unfasten his pants. I slide them down his hips as soon as I am able, exposing him to the open air once more. His ridges seem to stand out even more prominently than our first time, and his manhood looks flushed a faintly purple shade. The liquid that seeps from his hole is silver in color, and though I’m briefly confused, he doesn’t seem to notice the differences. I might have asked about it, but he lines himself up to press into me, and my body jolts as soon as the liquid touches my skin. It feels like electric shocks shooting through my body, the pleasure so intense it feels like my whole body may seize from it.

 

“Are you okay?” He inquires gently.

 

“So… so good,” I gasp out, tensing my hands in the sheets. He reddens slightly, parting his lips to speak.

 

“My people are an adaptive one. My body must be shifting to further suit your needs,” he offers awkwardly. I grin deliriously, pressing our lips together in a tender kiss. His tongue darts out, brushing my lower lip. I part my lips, inhaling a shuddering breath as he presses into me. It’s all I can do to swallow a scream, not wanting to give Clark the wrong idea. However, it strikes me suddenly that I could care less what that bastard of a man thinks of me.

 

“Take me, Kajin,” I moan loudly, perhaps a bit too loudly, and his eyes widen in surprise.

 

"It is a privilege, my beloved one," he says with a tender smile, seeming to recover well enough. He pushes into me, and desperate squeals spill past my lips. As soon as he enters me, I'm surprised to feel the shockwaves of my first orgasm wash over me. Tears spill down my cheeks at the intensity and Kajin kisses the tears away with a gentleness that had been shown to me by no other man, before. His face is tense as well, and I realize I'm clenching around him in a way that must be almost painful. I try to relax, but I feel myself wind up almost immediately as he begins to rock against me. Once more, his name becomes my mantra. Every thrust of his length inside me seems to send earth shattering waves through my entire body. Though what I had experienced when he first entered me was beyond a normal orgasm, delightful beyond my wildest dreams, I feel myself being driven higher and higher, past the realm of sanity as I experience… what feels like an explosion inside of me. It's as if the big bang, the beginning of a new world has taken place inside my body, something ethereal in nature. I find myself wondering how I managed to find myself in bed with this god of a creature. I feel like a goddess in my own right, in his arms. I feel tears spilling down my cheeks, and it's all I can do to scream his name as this invigorating sensation washes over me.

 

I don’t realize he’s drawn away until my body ceases its delirious jerking, and he watches me with something akin to awe from the foot of the bed.

 

“A-are you alright?” He inquires softly, and my brain spins for a long moment before I manage to form words.

 

“I’m… amazing. That was… oh my god, I had never believed in the heavens until they exploded in my very mind,” I blurt. He hesitates a moment, cheeks aflame with a blush.

 

“That good, huh? I’m pretty sure your screams shattered a window,” he muses aloud. I laugh airily, drawing him into my arms and pressing our lips together.

 

“I’m pretty sure you’ve shattered my soul,” I retort. He chuckles against my lips, and I realize just how much I feel for this man. Beyond what I’ve ever felt for anyone, anything, in my entire life. Could this be love? I’d doubted its existence, but if not love, then what else could this be? This gentle madness that had driven me to the brink of my own existence.

 

Though it was certainly not my intention, I find that I will have more difficulty than expected, leaving this place. Then, the thought strikes me. Perhaps I won’t leave. Perhaps I will remain here, at Kajin’s side. I can’t imagine a more appealing fate, even on my home planet.

 

I decidedly keep my decision regarding my fate to myself, refusing to tell Clark of my attempt to remain on this planet. We have not had any outright arguments, mostly because I have been ignoring his attempts to engage me in conversation. I have nothing to say to the man. Any part of me that may have loved him in the past has faded to new and more intense affection for Kajin. I don’t say as much, not eager to cause another fallout between the men. However, it is all I can do to contain my excitement for Clark’s departing. Though it is certainly not set in stone, and I have not expressed my old flame’s attempts to contact earth to my new alien lover, I have the deepest of hopes that something will cause Clark to leave. If not this planet, the city at least.

 

As the days pass, however, Clark becomes increasingly bold with his attempts to engage me. He brushes against me, whispering crude words into my ear when Kajin is not around to witness it. Truthfully, it instills a bit of fear within me. I don’t know what Clark is capable of, though I know that he is reluctant to let an issue go once he puts his mind to it. That’s part of what had caused our initial breakup. Perhaps the worst of all is when he makes an attempt to grope or otherwise harass me when Kajin is only in the next room. I dare not call out to my new lover, fearful that he would kill the human male if presented the opportunity. While I know better than to think Kajin and his people are mere savages, I know they are a warrior people. Kajin would not take kindly to the lack of respect he’s receiving from Clark.

 

I’m busying myself in my new study, a small nook that Kajin and I had constructed with the most reluctant of help from Clark. It isn’t anything like my lab back home, but it will do until further facilities can be arranged. I don’t hear Clark approach, but I sense his presence as he begins to loom over me. I draw away from my microscope, turning to face the other human. His smile is wicked, and he pushes me back against the wall, pinning my hands on either side of me.

 

“What are you doing?” I blurt angrily, and he presses his lips to the column of my throat.

 

“If I can not convince you with words, I’ll simply have to show you what you’re missing out on. What you’re giving up, when you screw around with that alien savage,” he murmurs against my skin. I struggle against him, panic washing over me as I realize he fully intends to rape me. However, as if smelling my fear, Kajin rushes in and snatches Clark by the back of his collar. He throws the human man across the room, examining me for injuries.

 

“Are you okay?” He whispers lovingly, and I press myself into his embrace.

 

“Don’t kill him. It’s not worth it. Just… leave it, Kajin. Please. For me,” I mutter, tears streaming down my cheeks. He brushes a hand through my hair before turning to face the disheveled human man.

 

“It would do well for you to know that you are not to touch Kara without her express consent. If she would have you, I would not come between it. However, it is clear that you’re pressing an issue where you are unwanted,” Kajin says coldly. His teeth are bared in an almost animalistic gesture, and I swallow a thick lump in my throat as Clarke storms towards the door.

Something has to give, it’s only a matter of time at this point.

 

CHAPTER SIX

 

The next day, I awake in Kajin’s arms. He has decided to keep a closer eye on me while Clark remains in our company. Clark himself is growing increasingly distant, though I don’t have many complaints on that front. I could go the rest of my life without speaking to him, were it an option. This morning, however, Clark seems exceptionally chipper. I watch him warily, not knowing exactly what he has up his sleeve. He approaches me and Kajin that afternoon, smiling a daring smile at the alien man.

 

“I have news,” he reports boldly, and I draw nearer to Kajin, having the vaguest of ideas of what this news could be. Kajin seems altogether uninterested, but allows Clark audience, gesturing for him to continue. “I have received a signal from planet Earth. They have sent a rescue team, who will be arriving at our crash site by this evening,” he smirks. Kajin, much to our mutual surprise, simply smiles in response.

 

“That is certainly news,” he says noncommittally. Clark narrows his eyes dangerously, drawing nearer to the two of us.

 

“If you are to try and stop my return to earth, it will be a matter of intergalactic war. I’m well respected on my planet, and I can give the word for the United States army to launch war upon your planet,” he says with a wicked smile. I stiffen at Kajin’s side, but the alien man simply shrugs his shoulders, gesturing towards the door.

 

“I care not for your United States but if you want to leave, I will make no move to stop you. I will even escort you to the rescue site, to ensure that you are not injured by the planet’s fauna. You seem the foolish sort to take on a wild bagaloon with only your bare fists,” Kajin chuckles, and I manage to relax, if only slightly.

 

“I would think that you would be more upset to lose your little sex toy,” Clark bites out. Kajin narrows his eyes, reaching out to grasp the human man by his shirt collar. He draws him in closer, pulling him off his feet and meeting his gaze with a steely expression.

 

"I will thank you for showing my mate the respect she deserves," he begins, hesitating before turning to face me. "I know the Earth is your home, and I would not presume to ask you to remain here with me. However, I want you to know that my soul is forever entwined with yours. We are fated to be, in the everlasting afterlife. I love you, Kara," he says gently. My eyes widen, and I can do little but throw my arms around his neck, drawing him in for a passionate kiss.

 

“I love you too,” I whisper against his lips, drawing away and shooting Clark a dirty look. “I intend to remain here, with you and your people. Space travel has always been my dream, and you, Kajin, are a dream come true. I dare not lose you for the sake of a home that is no longer my own,” I murmur, holding him close. He inhales a shuddering breath, pulling away to consider me with his wide and dark eyes.

 

“You are sure this is what you want?” He asks gently, and I nod my head fervently in response.

 

“I could want nothing more. Let’s see Clark to his rescue pod, and I can finally return to my studies here, in peace,” I say, glancing to Clark with pursed lips. He watches the two of us with wide eyes, sputtering nearly incoherently.

 

“Kara! You can’t stay here! The Earth is your home! Have you gone absolutely mad?” He cries out, struggling as Kajin takes him by the arm and guides him out of our now-shared home.

 

“If love is a form of madness, consider me absolutely batty,” I say with a smirk. I lead the men to the crash site turned rescue site, spotting an earth vessel long before we reach the location. I hesitate, glancing to Kajin with a soft smile. “I will say my goodbyes, and then… it’s the two of us, here on out,” I murmur. Kajin nods obligingly, trailing after me as I make my way to the human vessel.

 

“Captain Nolan! You did survive! It’s so wonderful to see you in one piece,” the apparent captain of the rescue vessel announces. I nod my head politely, speaking before Clark can possibly interrupt me.

 

“I indeed survived the crash. However, I will not be returning to Earth with you and your crew. My research is needed on this planet. I simply wanted to bid Clark farewell, and establish that I am remaining here of my free will,” I say firmly. The captain’s eyes widen, and he glances to where Kajin stands behind me. He seems to consider my words, and I’m certain he will try to convince me to return with them. However, he simply shakes his head before guiding Clark into the ship.

 

“As you wish, Captain Nolan. If you ever wish to return to Earth, we will be but a signal away,” he says kindly. I’m more than mildly taken aback, but manage a broad smile.

 

"I don't think that will be necessary, but… thank you, captain. God speed," I say grandly. He salutes before ducking into the rescue vessel. Kajin steps up beside me, reaching out to take my hand.

 

“I will not be upset if you leave. I don’t want you to feel forced to remain here,” Kajin murmurs, watching as the thrusters for the ship begin to ignite. “This is your last chance, for some time, Kara. Are you sure this is what you want?” He inquires.

 

“I want you, Kajin. That’s all. I want only you,” I smile. He gathers me in his arms, and the two of us watch as the rescue vessel takes to the sky. Though I know I am leaving my entire life behind, I’m confident in the life I will begin anew. I’ve always been an explorer, my dreams to explore the vast depths of space. However, it seems that in my journey I have found something better, something so much more. My new dream is to explore this feeling, this sensation of love unlike any I have felt before. It wasn’t just my escape pod that crashed on this planet, my heart crashed alongside it.

 

Such is the splendid result of unexpected landings.