Alien Romance: Fall for a Cyborg (Sci-Fi Futuristic Alien Abduction Fantasy Space Warrior Romance) (Science Fiction Mystery Paranormal Urban Short Stories) (96 page)

My mouth dropped open.

“You mean the asteroid is your
ship?
” I said.

He laughed at my look on my face. Hi laughter was a sound of full enjoyment that made me smile. I liked his laugh.

“Yes I told you we are good with screens and shields. Although considering what you had to work with, your tree trunk is spectacular too.” I blushed a little and took a long drink of beer. I have a hard time with compliments.

“Naw, I just put together parts from things I could spare. We started running out of parts for standard equipment so we all just learned to improvise. The broadwave communicator was a local guy’s answer to having no parts for the standard communicator. I have a feeling that is a good thing because it does not tie into the alpha-net.”

He nodded, and then drank the rest of his beer.

“Could I have another?” he asked. I smiled feeling as relaxed as possible under the circumstances.

“Of course, if you get me one.” He got up and went across the room. My little hideaway was actually a very big room with hygiene facilities attached. I never really needed anything else.

“So what made you build such a handy getaway as this?” he asked. Bolan calling it a getaway made me giggle slightly.

“Since I was a kid I've always liked having a place to go that was just mine, that no one knew about. It was fun to have a place to get away from stress and problems. When we started building, the initial spot for the house was going to be here, but due to other factors it was moved to where it is now. That left a big hole here and I thought, why not. I worked on it myself when no one was around and I had the time. I got it fixed up just how I like it.” I laughed ruefully. “I haven't actually used it in over a year.”

“Well it has served its purpose again,” he said, adding, “I am sorry you grew up needing a place to hide. It must have been hard.”

I frowned looking at him. He had made a connection I had not intended. What was worse is he was right. I shrugged, remembering parts of my childhood.

“It was, I guess,” I said. “I did not know anything other life. You heard and saw my mother in that vid transmission. But then, she seemed positively loving compared to what she is like normally. I guess she really wants the money, then again she and my father have both always been greedy.” My voice trembled a little at the end and I felt him take my hand as a gesture of support. I squeezed it in return. His simple gesture made my eyes moisten and more memories come back. My father’s belt, my mother’s hairbrush. Neither of which was worse than the words they used to say to me. Remembering the words started me crying for real. Between my injuries, the pain and probably the beer, my emotions grabbed me and I found myself sobbing as I had not done in years, since I was a little girl. The night before I had cried from pain and rage, but now I was crying for the little girl I wasn’t anymore and all she went through.

Bolan sat closer and hugged me holding my hand. It was a comfort I had never really had before. I turned my face to his shoulder and cried so much I must have become dehydrated. When the flood slowed to a sniffle Bolan got me a handkerchief and some water. I made good use of both.

“I am sorry you had to go through that with me, Bolan,” I said. “A crying woman is the last thing you need right now, I am sure.” I drank down the full glass of water and sighed, feeling freer somehow.

“It is considered an honor to be a part of someone sharing. I am honored you would trust me so.” He had moved back to his seat, but was still holding my hand and gazing at me. That was a comfort that I might have denied myself before, but now I needed all the help I could get. I had a feeling he did too.

“Well then I thank you and you return the honor by accepting my sharing.” I was trying to be formal and let him know how appreciated it was. He seemed to understand. We sipped our beers for a time before I thought of another subject.

“So tell me about your parents. You know all you need to about mine,” I said.

He smiled slightly and I sat back and listened. It sounded like he had a wonderfully joyful upbringing. Oddly I was not jealous, I was just glad someone had such fond childhood memories. It was what I felt it should be. After a while I had to use the restroom but he was nervous.

“Look, part of the reason the wound is only throbbing right now is that I used a small device from my med kit that is not often used. We have to be very careful with any movement of your shoulder. It is why you have a cast like that.” He was being earnest and concerned.

“What do you mean?” I said.  He sighed and held my hand again.

“The device I used blocked most of the pain nerves. It is not often used because the whole purpose of pain is to let us know there is something wrong. In extreme cases it can be done and you...you were suffering so much and...and in such pain I had to try and alleviate your suffering.” He stammered and was being so honest it touched my heart. I did not know why he cared so much about a big human woman but he did. I felt my heart melt as he looked at me with such compassion I reached out for a hug and he was willing. We held each other for a long while and I felt a little misty again. We broke apart and I sniffed.

“Ok then,” I said softly. “Can you find something I can use for a bed pan?” We both chuckled and he found a thermos with a lid. He went into the facility to give me some privacy to use it. He emptied it when I was done and came back. It was a strangely uncomfortable moment.

“So how careful do I have to be?” I asked.

“The device blocks the pain receptors, like I said. It only lasts for maybe two days. At that point let us see where we are, okay Starling?”

I agreed. It was not like were going anywhere unless the Federation military left, and it did not look like that would be happening soon. We spent the rest of the night sipping beer and listening to the broadwave. We were not the only ones in hiding. We heard one voice that sounded like Bella. I managed to get a message to her. I did not tell her about Bolan. I thought that was prudent.

A mutual friend had distracted the military, so Bella and Bobby could get away. Bobby was injured and angry about it. I knew the feeling. Neither of us said where we were, for obvious safety reasons, and we signed off with well wishes. Bolan had been at the periscope during the whole conversation.

“No sign of them getting roused by anything. This broadwave is a blessing. So is the night vision on the scope. I am not kidding. When this is over I could set you up with a patent that would give you a new revenue stream.” I laughed at his wonder over my little toys.

“There is not much activity other than guard duty up top so I think we are good,” he said. “Maybe after a few days we can look at coming up with a plan. Until then we really don't know what our options can be.”

I agreed. Normally I am a get up and move sort of girl, regardless of how I am feeling. Now though, we really had no choice and I found myself able to just let it go for a time.

We talked some more and I shared fun memories of my time here on Candlee, and he talked of his family. We both had our share of beer and when the time came I invited him to sleep on the bed with me. There really was no another place. We fell asleep side by side, holding each other and I can safely say I have never slept with such a profound felling of safety in my life. As I dozed off I wondered if I was in love.

*****

For the next three days we stayed put. The guards did not leave my house so we really could not go anywhere. In that time we got to know one another and the answer to my sleepy question to myself the first night became apparent. Yes, I had fallen in love.

I had never met anyone who was so kind and generous, as well as calm. His calm was occasionally annoying. As a charge-ahead woman who could not charge ahead, I had occasional issues. He just smiled and put up with waiting on me, emptying my waste or holding my hand. I realized he enjoyed holding my hand as much as I did.

In the middle of the second night the pain started returning as the receptor blockers went away. We sat and I told him how bad it was getting as the blockers faded so he could monitor it. Fortunately the pain did not get to a point I could not endure. We were both relieved and he helped me get up and try moving around, very slowly. As long as I did not move too fast or too much, it seemed to be healing. I was ecstatic to get a look out the periscope. Although I felt foolish with one arm stuck out to the side in a cast, like a statue.

As he had said, my house was still standing and there were a few guards always about. I got the feeling there were more around too. I wondered why they thought the place had to be so heavily guarded. I was no more a threat than anyone else, unless they knew I had harbored Bolan and we couldn't figure how that was possible.

The third night we were in bed sitting next to each other when I just felt I had to say something. I had to know.

“Hey Bolan?” I said. He turned to look at me.

“Yes Starling?” He always used my last name unless being very serious.

“I, uh, hope you know I have feelings for you. Like, big feelings for you.”

He smiled and there was a sparkle in his beautiful eyes.

“That is good. I did not wish to be alone. I too have big feelings for you. In Federation standard I believe it is called
love
.”

I sighed and leaned my head against his shoulder.

“Will wonders never cease,” I whispered.

“What is so startling about it?” he said. “You are a beautiful woman with amazing capacity for compassion. I admire that in you.” I chuckled and was amazed with my lack of bitterness.

“You are a sweetheart Bolan. I have never considered myself to be beautiful. I am a little big for that,” I said.

He snorted amused.

“I will endeavor to change that thought. You are a beautiful woman and I am willing to wager more people think so than you are aware of.”

I blushed a little.

“Maybe I have listened too much to what my mother and father have to say about it,” I said. I knew he had serious issues with my parents’ behavior towards me, and I admired his ability to not mention it in this instance. I lifted my head and we gazed in each other’s eyes.

I leaned forward after a moment and kissed him. He did not see it coming but relaxed into it. I had not been able to help myself. After a few minutes we came up for air.

“Tulians do not kiss. I used to wonder why humans do. Now I am wondering why Tulians do not.” I blushed and we kissed some more. I was ready to take it to the next level but he stopped short.

“It is not that I do not want to. I think you can tell my desire for you Amanda. Your arm, however, is fragile, and still healing. We may be better off waiting. I could not live with myself if my hurried desires caused you further injury.”

I was a little disappointed, but his compassion for my shoulder, in the face of his obvious arousal for me, was different from most guys I had met.

He curled up next to me. We went to sleep together on the bed.

The next day after lunch the broadwave started up. It was an announcement from the Federation Command. They had discovered the local communication net. What they had to say and who it was astounded me.

“This is Lieutenant Korgie of the 5
th
Battalion. Word has come down about a change in the law and an ousting of numerous senators from the Federation congress.” We could hear faint fighting in the back ground. “Bribery and corruption charges are to follow against these Senators as well as Candlcorp. They are also being charged with influencing of the Federation Military and an attempted coup.” The fighting sounds increased to artillery sounds and explosions. “Those humans and Tulians here on Candlee hold tight, we are attempting to apprehend the culprits in these charges. This is being broadcast on the broadwave as well as alpha-net, and will be repeated at intervals.” There was a bigger explosion which sounded close to Korgie. I heard him shout as he signed off. Bolan looked at me and then wheeled the chair I was in over to the periscope. We heard explosions faintly from outside my hideout. I looked at the small, ten-inch screen. Bolan looked over my shoulder at the screen too, trying to see what there was to see.

There was smoke rising from in front of my house but the house looked okay from what I could see. I saw a few figures running around and most of them had different jacket uniforms on, non-military jackets. I assumed they were Candlcorp security. Then two Federation men jumped out of the fruit trees surrounding my hideout and opened fire. The Candlcorp soldiers went down and I felt a knot in my stomach. I had never seen anyone shot before and it was not good. I could see their blood pooling around them as they lay still.

Two more Federation soldiers came running around the house and towards where we were hidden, to meet their comrades. They were followed by five Candlcorp men firing weapons. The Feds were returning fire and ducking as they ran for the cover of the trees above us! We watched from behind the soldiers as they commenced a firefight with the Candlcorp. It was then I realized I knew one of the Feds. It was Korgie! Two of the Feds went down and it was not looking good for Korgie and his men. Bolan kissed me quickly.

“Don’t follow me Amanda.”

He grabbed his stunning weapon and pulled the stairs to the door down. I was stunned as he moved up, and after taking a few deep breaths he opened the hatch.