Page 22 of Reluctantly Abducted
We fall into silence, the remnants of our meal forgotten between us. It's not an uncomfortable silence, surprisingly. Just thoughtful.
"I should complete my assessment log for today," Ry'eth finally says, standing. "The hydration cycle has improved my functionality, but I still require a full rest period."
"Sleep," I correct automatically. "You need sleep. Normal people just say sleep."
"Sleep," he repeats, and I swear there's the ghost of a smile there.
"I'll clean up here," I offer. "You go do your... assessment log."
He hesitates, as if uncertain about leaving the cleanup to me. "Are you certain?"
"I'm certain. Go."
He nods once, then turns to leave. At the door, he pauses. "Owen?"
"Yeah?"
"I am... sorry about your previous bonding experience. It was undeserved."
The unexpected empathy catches me off guard. "Thanks."
He gives another slight nod, then disappears through the door, leaving me alone with the remnants of our meal.
I take my time cleaning up, finding the rhythm of the alien disposal system after a few false starts. Once everything is stowed away, I fiddle with the synthesizer controls, trying to figure out how to make something hot to drink. After a few failed attempts that produce various colored liquids, I finally manage to create something that smells like an herbal tea. I make two cups on a hunch and go looking for Ry'eth.
It doesn't take long to find him. He's in the common area, settled on one of the couches with his floating screen in front of him, fingers moving in precise patterns as he works on his report. He glances up when I enter, a flicker of surprise crossing his features when he sees the two cups in my hands.
"Thought you might want something to drink," I say, holding one out to him.
He takes it after a moment's hesitation. "Thank you."
"It's my best guess at tea. No promises on the taste."
Ry'eth takes a cautious sip, then nods. "It is similar to a beverage we callmei'sa. A stimulant that aids concentration."
"So... alien coffee," I translate, taking a seat on the opposite couch. "Perfect."
He returns to his work, and I lean back, looking out the large viewport at the stars beyond. They look different from here, brighter, clearer without an atmosphere to dim them. I wonder which one is Earth, whether it's even visible from wherever we are.
We sit in companionable silence, Ry'eth working on his report, me nursing my alien tea and watching the stars. It's strangely peaceful. After the intensity of our earlier conversation, this quiet coexistence feels... nice.
I steal a glance at Ry'eth, observing the play of light beneath his skin as he concentrates. It's subtler now, gentle waves of bioluminescence that pulse in rhythm with what I assume is his heartbeat. His features are softer in this light, less guarded.
One thing's clear, Ry'eth's protests about not wanting a bond sound a lot like someone trying to convince himself more than me. And my own certainty about staying unattached suddenly doesn't feel quite as solid as it did before this conversation.
Three days, I remind myself. Just get through three days of this weird alien assessment, and then back to Earth and my normal life. Back to job hunting and empty apartments and all the things I was so eager to escape that I signed up for combat tours.
For some reason, that thought doesn't provide the comfort it should.
Chapter Eight
Ry'eth
The first thing I notice upon waking is the unfamiliar scent, something rich and savory that doesn't match any synthesized food I'm familiar with. My quarters are filled with it, drawing me from sleep with unexpected efficiency.
I check the time display, surprised to find I've slept a full cycle. The assessment log I'd been working on last night is complete, the data transmission to the Council already confirmed. I must have finished it after Owen brought themei'satea, though I have only a vague recollection of doing so.
Following the scent, I make my way to the nutrition center. The door slides open to reveal Owen standing at the food synthesizer, his back to me. He's wearing the same clothing as yesterday, but his hair is slightly disheveled, as if he hasn't been awake long himself.
