Page 44 of Technically Abducted
Finn moves closer, until we're touching in the warm water, the empathic connection humming softly between us.
"Well," he says with a slight smile, "I never was very good at fitting into other people's expectations anyway."
"No," I agree, thinking of everything I've learned about him, all the ways he's exceeded and contradicted every parameter we established. "You're far too interesting for that."
"Interesting enough to be worth revising a few protocols for?"
The question is light, but I can sense the deeper concern beneath it through our connection. He's asking if this—whatever this is between us—is worth potential complications with my duties, my career, my standing with the Council.
"Yes," I say without hesitation. "More than worth it."
His smile transforms his entire face, bright and genuine and beautiful.
"Good," he says, leaning in to kiss me gently. "Because I'm pretty sure you're worth revising a few of my protocols for too."
As we float together in the mineral-rich water, surrounded by soft bioluminescence and the gentle sound of movement, I realize that whatever report I submit to the Council, whatever consequences follow from this assessment, I have discovered something unprecedented.
And I have no intention of letting bureaucratic protocols take that away from either of us.
Chapter Thirteen
Finn
We're back in Tev'ra's quarters after the swimming lesson, and I'm sprawled across his impossibly comfortable seating platform while he works at his research station. The post-swimming exhaustion is the good kind—muscles pleasantly tired, skin still tingling from the mineral-rich water, mind clear in a way that only comes after physical activity I actually enjoyed.
But as I watch Tev'ra work, reviewing data about human technological innovation patterns, my thoughts keep drifting back to Earth. To the clients who are probably wondering why their usually hyper-responsive tech support has gone radio silent. To Alex, who's covering for me without really knowing what he's covering for.
"Do you think Alex is handling everything okay?" I ask, breaking the comfortable silence.
Tev'ra glances up from his display. "Your backup support contact appeared highly competent during your communication. His technical knowledge seemed adequate for routine maintenance tasks."
"Yeah, Alex is good at what he does. Just..." I run a hand through my still-damp hair. "I've never left anyone to handle my clients before. I keep thinking about all the things that could go wrong, all the ways my systems could fail while I'm not there to fix them."
"Is this causing you significant distress?" Tev'ra asks, turning fully toward me with that focused attention he gives to problems that need solving.
"Not distress, exactly. Just... awareness." I shift on the seating platform, trying to put the feeling into words. "Like, Ihad incredible sex with a hot blue alien, and I can't even tell Alex about it because he'd think I've completely lost my mind."
The moment the words leave my mouth, I see Tev'ra's bioluminescence flare with what looks like alarm.
"Finn, you cannot—the disclosure protocols are quite specific about—"
I start laughing before he can finish his sentence. "Relax, Blue. I'm not actually going to tell Alex I got abducted by an alien and had mind-blowing empathic sex. That would sound insane even by my standards."
Tev'ra's posture relaxes, though his skin is still pulsing with residual concern. "The security implications would be considerable if human authorities became aware of the program prematurely."
"Trust me, 'I banged an alien' is not a conversation I'm planning to have with anyone. Alex would think I'd finally snapped and have me committed." I settle back against the cushions, amused by how quickly Tev'ra went into crisis management mode. "Besides, who would believe that story anyway?"
"Several governments on your planet have extensive files regarding potential extraterrestrial contact," Tev'ra says seriously. "The risk of investigation—"
"Tev'ra." I interrupt his spiral into worst-case scenarios. "I'm not going to tell anyone. I promise."
He studies my face for a long moment, apparently assessing my sincerity, then nods. "Of course. I apologize for the overreaction. The Council has emphasized the importance of maintaining operational security."
"No need to apologize. You're just being careful." I pause, struck by a thought. "Hey, tell me about your parents."
Tev'ra looks surprised by the subject change. "You want to know about them?"
I shrug. "Sure, why not? I mean, I know basically nothing about your life outside of this assessment thing."
