Veronica sat on the fire escape, looking out over the K-9 enclosure at the old stone monastery and the fields beyond.

“This is heaven,” Brooke declared, taking a large bite of her ice cream sandwich.

“You have low standards,” Veronica observed.

Brooke elbowed her in the ribs in a friendly way. Brooke was super fit, and used to going pretty hard in her sparring sessions. But she’d remembered to be careful enough not to bruise Veronica’s ribs this time.

Veronica had to admit that it wasn’t so bad. She appreciated the fragrant breeze and the soft moonlight on the monastery, making the whole thing look like a castle from a fairy tale.

And it was nice to hang out with her friends.

Life was pretty good.

Well…

“What are you thinking about?” Trinity asked her softly.

Lobo, Lobo, Lobo…

“Nothing,” she replied briskly.

“They’re not here,” Trinity said. “You can talk about it.”

The aliens were going for a jog. The cadets had explained to them how important fitness training was. The boys really bought into it.

Veronica doubted any of them actually needed a jog. Their flawless physiques seemed to be maintained effortlessly. But truth be told, it was a relief to have some space and be able to think. Or try to think.

“You like him, don’t you?” Trinity asked.

“He surprised me today,” Veronica admitted.

“Oh yeah?” Brooke sounded interested.

“I fed the dogs and put them away last night,” Veronica explained. “I do it every night, and I’m always careful about latching the kennels. But… I don’t know, somehow I must not have latched one. Anyway, this morning Henderson came to check in and Biscuit got loose.”

“Shit,” Brooke breathed.

Everyone knew Captain Henderson was not a fan of the K-9 unit. He felt it was a resource drain and a liability.

“What did you do?” Trinity asked.

“Nothing,” Veronica said. “Lobo took the fall for me.”

“Nice,” Brooke nodded.

“He did?” Trinity sounded shocked. “Wow.”

“Yeah,” Veronica said.

Trinity let out a low whistle.

“He’s a nice guy, you shouldn’t be shocked or anything,” Veronica said, feeling a little irritated.

“I’m just surprised that he knows how to lie,” Trinity said, shrugging.

Veronica hadn’t thought of it in that light before.

“He’s loyal,” Brooke declared.

“Yeah,” Veronica said, smiling. “He’s loyal.”

“Like the dogs,” Brooke added, raising an eyebrow.

“Hmmm…” Trinity pretended to think hard. “I believe that Veronica once said she wouldn’t date again unless she met a man as loyal as Officer Biscuit.”

“Guys, come on,” Veronica laughed weakly.

“You’re right, Trinity,” Brooke said. “She did say that. And it sounds like she’s met her match. Does this mean that our Veronica is finally ready to break her vow of chastity?”

“I never vowed chastity,” Veronica protested.

“Could have fooled me,” Brooke muttered.

“Who is Chastity?”

The deep voice came from the doorframe and Veronica nearly jumped out of her shoes with surprise.

“Hi, Lobo,” Trinity said, blinking up at him like she was the picture of innocence.

But Lobo was looking only at Veronica.

His blue eyes burned through her and she felt her whole face go warm.

He wasn’t wearing a shirt. His sculpted muscles gleamed with sweat.

“Do you want an ice cream sandwich?” Trinity asked him.

Brooke elbowed her in the ribs.

“Ow, my ribs,” Trinity said.

“We’ll catch up with you guys later,” Brooke said, dragging Trinity out bodily.

“Conan and Hawkeye are making a snack downstairs,” Lobo called after them.

Veronica wondered vaguely what the two aliens would cook.

Lobo came out and sat on the metal grating at Veronica’s feet. He looked out over the scene below with her.

The beautifully articulated muscles of his back rippled like a river.

“Thank you,” she told him.

“What for?”

“For today,” she said. “You covered for me.”

He looked down at himself.

“Are you saying you want me to put on a shirt?”

“What? Oh. No,” she said. “That’s not what covering for someone means.”

“What does it mean?”

“It means… you spoke up to prevent me from getting in trouble,” she said slowly, trying to figure out how to explain it. “You protected me.”

“Ah,” he said. “Yes, protecting you is my job.”

He went back to calmly studying the vista below, leaving Veronica to take in what he had just said.

Protecting you is my job.

“But you lied,” she pressed on. “You could have gotten into trouble yourself.”

“Did I act wrongly?” He looked very worried. “Please forgive me. I want to be a good friend to you.”

Veronica sighed.

“No,” she said. “No you acted… rightly. You are a good friend.”

“I am glad,” he said. His blue eyes were shining with contentment. And something else - hunger maybe…

She swallowed hard and tried to think. But questions swirled in her brain.

Did you mean it when you said you wanted to know me better?

“Did you mean it when you said you liked working with the dogs?” she asked instead.

“Yes,” he said with a gentle smile. “The dogs are very wise.”

He was right, of course, though few saw it that way.

“I heard what you said to Anka this morning,” she said.

“Yes, Anka is a good leader,” he nodded.

“How did you know she was the alpha female?”

“I do not know.” He frowned. “It seemed clear to me. Is that not right?”

“It’s right,” she said. “It’s exactly right. You understand her so well.”

“Thank you,” he said.

“Do you want to help me with Zeus in the morning?”

She wanted to bite back the question, but it had already been asked.

“I would love to,” he told her, looking very pleased.

“Good,” she told him. “We’ll have breakfast at six and then take him out, ok?”

He nodded, his indigo gaze blazing through her.

Veronica felt her body calling to his. He was so close, inches separated them. He smelled like fresh cut grass and something spicy and masculine.

She moved to get up, wanting space.

As if he had anticipated her movement, Lobo arose gracefully.

He was enormous, standing over her, those glistening abs so close to her face. If she leaned forward she could lick the single drop of sweat that slid over those ridges toward her mouth.

He offered her his hand.

She took it, relishing the sizzle of electricity when they touched. He pulled her gently to her feet.

Veronica stood before him, trembling, like in the dream. Heat seemed to throb between them.

Lobo’s jaw tensed.

“Veronica,” he said, his voice almost a growl.

She closed her eyes and tried not to whimper with need.

But when she opened them she saw that he had stepped backward, and was indicating the door with his hand.

She bit her lip hard and stepped inside.

“I’ll see you in the morning,” she called over her shoulder, using the last of her willpower to walk slowly to her suite, rather than throwing herself into his arms.