Page 28 of Accidentally Abducted

I do not know how to respond to this. Adorable is not a word typically used to describe Nereidan researchers. And clinical is not how I wish to be with Jake, especially not now, with our remaining time rapidly diminishing.

Jake takes a sip of the coffee, closing his eyes briefly in apparent satisfaction. "Not bad. Definitely better than the pancakes, version one."

The reference to our earlier cooking experiment creates a warmth in my chest that I should not indulge. I should maintain emotional distance. I should begin the day's assessment protocols. I should—

"Want to go for a swim?" Jake asks, interrupting my thoughts. "I've been thinking about those pools since we were in them yesterday."

The suggestion sends contradictory signals through my system. The prospect of sharing the cleansing pools with Jake again is deeply appealing. But it also represents another shared experience, another memory that will become painful once he is gone.

"If you wish," I say, my voice more formal than intended.

Jake's eyes narrow slightly. "I do wish. But do you? You seem... different this morning."

"Different how?" I attempt to sound casual, though I suspect I am not succeeding.

"More distant." Jake sets down his coffee cup and approaches me, stopping close enough that I can feel the heat radiating from his body. "Like you're already saying goodbye."

His perception is uncomfortably accurate. "I am simply... preparing for the inevitable conclusion of our assessment period."

"Right. The assessment." Jake studies my face for a moment. "Well, I still want to swim with you. For researchpurposes, of course. Gotta make sure humans and Nereidans are compatible in aquatic environments, right?"

Despite myself, I feel my expression softening. "That would be a prudent area of investigation."

"Prudent," Jake repeats with a small smile. "Lead the way, then. For science."

The walk to the cleansing pools is quiet, filled with a tension I don't know how to address. Jake walks beside me, occasionally brushing against my arm in a way that seems deliberate rather than accidental. Each contact sends a small surge of warmth through our empathic connection, which has grown stronger since our intimate activities.

When we reach the pools, I activate the lighting sequence, illuminating the space with the soft blue-green glow that mimics our home oceans. Jake's eyes widen as he takes in the sight.

"It's so beautiful, I don't think I'll ever get tired of looking at it," he says, moving to the edge of the main pool. "The way the light plays on the water... it's like something out of a dream."

"It is designed to approximate the coastal waters of our homeworld," I explain, finding comfort in factual information. "The mineral composition is similar as well, though modified for human safety. Though, even without that modification, you would only feel a slight tingle after prolonged exposure."

Jake turns to look at me, something unreadable in his expression. "You really thought of everything, didn't you? Even before you knew which human you'd end up with."

"Preparation is valued in Nereidan culture."

"And what about adaptation?" Jake asks, beginning to remove his sleeping garments with casual confidence. "How does your culture feel about that?"

I watch as he undresses, unable to look away despite knowing I should maintain professional demeanor. His body isnow familiar to me, yet the sight of it still creates a response I cannot fully control. The faint glow begins beneath my skin, betraying my reaction.

"Adaptation is... necessary," I manage to say, my voice rougher than intended. "Though often challenging."

Jake steps into the water, sighing with pleasure as it envelops him. "Challenging how?"

I remove my own garments and join him in the pool, feeling the immediate comfort of submersion. For a moment, I allow myself to simply enjoy the sensation of being partially in my natural element, feeling the gentle current against my skin and the subtle vibration of the minerals in the water.

"Zeph?" Jake prompts, moving closer to me in the water. "Challenging how?"

"Change requires us to... reevaluate our understanding of what is essential," I say carefully. "What we can retain, and what we must let go."

Jake's expression shifts, a flash of something like hurt crossing his features before he masks it. "And I'm something you have to let go, is that it?"

The direct question catches me unprepared. "Jake..."

"No, it's fine. I get it." He moves away, floating on his back, his eyes fixed on the ceiling. "This was always temporary. A mistake that turned into a... what, a pleasant diversion? An interesting research anomaly?"

"You know that is not true," I say, unable to maintain distance when I can feel his hurt through our connection.

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