Page 31 of Accidentally Abducted

"Yes."

"But you didn't."

I look at Jake, at the human who has somehow become essential to me in just over two days. "No. I did not."

"Parent-creators," Jake repeats thoughtfully, changing the subject. "Not mother and father?"

"Our reproductive biology is... different from yours. Two individuals can contribute genetic material, but the resulting offspring develops in an external environment rather than within a parent's body."

"Huh. So no pregnancy, no childbirth?"

"No. Though the bond between creators and offspring remains strong."

Jake is quiet for a moment, contemplating this. "Would they like me? Your parent-creators?"

The question catches me unprepared. The thought of Jake meeting my family, being introduced as my... what? Partner? Mate? The concept is simultaneously terrifying and appealing.

"They would find you fascinating," I say honestly. "Your adaptability, your humor, your willingness to question established frameworks, these are qualities valued in Nereidan society, though we do not always demonstrate them as readily as humans do."

"As readily as I do, you mean," Jake says with a small laugh. "I'm not exactly a typical human specimen, Zeph. Most people aren't as... mouthy as I am."

"Then most humans are less interesting than you," I reply without hesitation.

Jake lifts his head to look at me, surprise evident in his expression. "That might be the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me."

"It is merely factual."

"Still nice." He shifts in the water, moving to float on his back again, but keeps one hand connected to my arm. "So whathappens now? With your recommendation, I mean. If you tell your Council that humans are compatible, what comes next?"

The question returns us to reality, to the countdown, to our imminent separation. "If the Council accepts my recommendation, formal diplomatic contact would be established with Earth governments. A larger delegation would be sent to begin official discussions about cultural exchange, potential migration programs, resource sharing."

"Sounds very official," Jake says, his tone carefully neutral. "Would you be part of that delegation?"

"I do not know. It would depend on the Council's assessment of my performance in this mission."

Jake is quiet for a long moment, floating beside me, his fingers still tracing patterns on my skin. "And what about us? This connection we have? Does that factor into your report at all?"

"It should not," I admit. "The assessment is meant to evaluate overall species compatibility, not individual pairings."

"But?"

"But I find it... difficult to separate the two." I reach out, drawing him back to a vertical position so I can see his face. "You have affected me, Jake Morrison. In ways I did not anticipate and cannot fully explain."

Through our empathic bond, I feel his response, a complex mixture of pleasure, sadness, and something deeper that makes my bioluminescence pulse in response.

"You've affected me too," he says quietly. "And I'm not ready for that to end."

"Nor am I," I admit, the truth slipping out before I can contain it. "But I do not see an alternative that does not involve one of us abandoning our world."

Jake looks at me for a long moment, sadness evident in his expression. "I wish there was a third option. Something that didn't mean saying goodbye forever."

"As do I." The admission costs me nothing now; we are beyond pretense. "But my duty is clear."

"And that's it? Duty wins?" Jake's voice carries a mixture of resignation and frustration. "We just... walk away from whatever this is between us?"

I have no adequate response. The conflict between what I want and what I must do has no resolution I can see. "I do not know how to reconcile my responsibility to my people with my... feelings for you."

Jake sighs, his breath warm against my skin. "So we've got fourteen hours left, and then... it's over."

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