Page 18 of Eclipse Bound
"That's good. I made sure to erase the security videos. There's no evidence of you moving around the retreat." She began unpacking items, organizing them with efficient movements. "I brought some blackout curtains for the western room and full-spectrum lights for the eastern. I thought they might help."
Eclipse studied her, noting the care with which she'd selected items specifically suited to their needs. "You're being extraordinarily accommodating to three aliens who crashed into your life."
Rowan paused, a small smile forming. "Would you believe this isn't the strangest thing that's happened since I started working here?"
"What could possibly be stranger than extraterrestrial visitors?"
"Last month, a guru convinced twelve people to bury themselves up to their necks in the desert overnight to commune with the earth. We had to rescue them from flash floods." She shrugged. "Duskrock attracts a certain type."
"Including us," Eclipse observed.
"Including you." Her eyes met his, and that resonance intensified. "Though I suspect you didn't choose this destination."
"No. Our travel arrangements were made by Galaxy Alien Mail Order Brides."
"Right." Rowan resumed unpacking. "The interstellar dating agency. Still processing that thing exists."
Eclipse moved beside her, helping to arrange the items. "Our Peacemaker Council engaged their services as a last-ditch diplomatic effort. The concept is that if representatives from opposing factions can peacefully integrate on a neutral planet and form connections with natives, perhaps cooperation is possible back home."
"And the service abandoned you here? After crashing your ship?"
"Their representatives are less than competent," Eclipse admitted. "But they claim to be securing the ship and retrieving our supplies."
Rowan looked skeptical.
"I believe we must adapt to our circumstances regardless of their reliability."
She nodded, seemingly satisfied with his answer. A comfortable silence fell between them as they continued unpacking. Eclipse found himself surprisingly content in her presence, her biorhythms harmonizing with his own in ways that defied logical explanation.
“So,” she gave him a once-over, “what do three single aliens do on a night like this?”
"Solar's going to a place called Crash Zone to see a fire dancer, and Lunar is meeting that woman, Poppy, from the dining room later to explore some caves."
Rowan raised an eyebrow. "For a group supposedly focused on diplomatic missions and finding shelter, you all moved pretty fast on the dating front."
"They would deny any romantic intentions," Eclipse said. "Solar claims he's researching Earth combat techniques, and Lunar is investigating Poppy's unusual perceptive abilities."
"Uh-huh." Rowan's expression suggested amused disbelief. "And what's your excuse?"
The directness of her question caught Eclipse off guard. "I don't have a romantic agenda. My role is to mediate and report on the success of this diplomatic experiment."
"Right. That's why your hands were all over me in my office earlier today." Her cheeks flushed slightly at the memory. "What was that about, anyway? One minute we were talking, and the next you were… vibrating."
Eclipse felt an unfamiliar sensation. Humans might call it embarrassment? "I apologize for my impulsive behavior. Physical contact with compatible biorhythms can trigger unexpected energy transfers. I should have maintained better control."
"I'm not complaining," Rowan said, her voice softening. "Just trying to understand. On Earth, we generally don't get to second base within minutes of confirming someone's an alien."
"Second base?"
"Never mind." She waved dismissively. "The point is, I felt something when you touched me. Like energy flowing through my entire body. That's not normal for human contact."
Eclipse considered his response carefully. "My people can share energy through physical connection. It's an intimacy usually reserved for established bonds."
"So you basically alien-kissed me without buying me dinner first."
Despite her teasing tone, Eclipse sensed genuine curiosity beneath her words. "The resonance between us is unusual in its intensity. I've never experienced such immediate compatibility."
Rowan's expression shifted, becoming more serious. "Is that why you trusted me so quickly? Because of this biorhythm thing?"
