Epilogue

EPILOGUE

T hree months later…

Jane smoothed the fur she had cured across their mattress and smiled happily at the results. Every day their house felt more like a home. She knew Tarax felt guilty about having destroyed their only way off the planet—even if he'd had no other alternative—and he worked tirelessly to make a comfortable life for her.

They had decided to build their house at the edge of the jungle. She preferred the life and variety of the jungle to the more sterile surroundings of the open plains. Neither one of them had wanted to be too close to the test lab, but after a few weeks, Tarax had decided to return and see what he could salvage.

They had both been wary of another trap, but he returned triumphantly with some of the supplies they had seen on their first trip—supplies that made their life much easier, despite his skill at improvising.

Since then he had made several more trips. There had still been no sign of the testers, and they had never spoken to him again.

Mr. Tiddles suddenly burst through the open doorway, chittering excitedly, and dropped an enormous—and still squirming—insect at her feet. Her stomach churned as its legs waved frantically and green goo oozed from its middle, and she had to dash for the bathroom.

When Tarax entered the house a short time later, she was still there, clutching the composting toilet that had been one of his most successful finds.

"Jane! What's wrong?"

She waved a hand weakly. "Mr. Tiddles brought me a present. It wasn't quite dead."

Her pet chittered sorrowfully and she managed to smile at him. "I know you meant well."

"I don't like this." Tarax lifted her carefully to her feet, then helped her brush her teeth and wash her face. "You were ill earlier this week as well."

"It was the fish." Even the memory made her feel queasy again. "It just didn't agree with me."

"You used to enjoy it."

"Well, now I don't," she said crossly.

"I think we need to take a trip to the lab."

She wanted to object, but it really wasn't like her to be sick. As much as she hated returning there, the medical unit was extremely useful.

"Oh, all right," she muttered.

Tarax laughed and drew her into his arms. "I will make sure you enjoy the journey."

"How are you going to do that?" She smiled despite herself.

"I will make frequent stops to allow you to feast on my cock," he said solemnly, golden eyes gleaming.

Her nipples tightened as a pulse of desire flickered through her clit. She did enjoy taking him in her mouth. "And you will return the favor?"

"Of course," he said immediately. "But perhaps we should begin now—to make sure that I am still in practice."

"You practiced last night," she pointed out, but he ignored her, lifting her onto the counter and parting her legs.

His talented fingers stroked through her sensitive folds, already slick with desire. "Perfect. Hot and wet and ready."

"I'm always ready for you," she said truthfully, but then his roughened tongue swirled around her clit, and she lost the ability to speak.

Two days later, Jane waited anxiously on the exam table as the machine scanned her body. She still hated being here, afraid that they would be separated once more, but she couldn't deny the effectiveness of the medical bed.

The machine beeped and flashed up the results. Tarax's eyes widened as he studied the information, and her heart thudded against her ribs.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong," he said quickly, then his fierce grin lit up his face. "You are with child."

"I'm pregnant?" The room seemed to sway around her and he immediately came to her side, holding her in a reassuring grip.

"You are not pleased?" he asked softly.

"Pleased? I just… I never thought… I mean, you're Doturan and I'm human!" It had never even occurred to her that getting pregnant was a possibility.

His body tensed. "I am sorry that you are unhappy-"

"No! I'm not unhappy, Tarax. I'm thrilled." Tears sprang to her eyes as the truth finally penetrated, and she curved her hand over her stomach.

Tarax put his arms around her, placing his hand over hers. They stood locked together in a daze of happiness until he suddenly pulled away.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"I should try again to retrieve the communication system from the remains of the ship," he muttered, pacing back and forth.

"Why? Even if you could get it working, do you really want to go back to Dotura?"

He returned to her side at once, lifting her into his arms and kissing her until she was clinging to him helplessly. "You know I don't. I have everything I want right here."

Thank goodness. Nothing he had told her about Dotura seemed particularly enticing.

"But they have much more advanced medical care," he continued. "It would be safer for you and the baby."

"I'm fine with our own medical machine." In addition to healing Tarax's leg, when she had foolishly sprained her ankle, it had healed that as well.

"I suppose."

He still looked worried and it was her turn to give him a reassuring hug. "It's going to be fine. I know it is. And you're going to make a wonderful father."

"A father," he repeated, his golden eyes glowing.

Would their child have his eyes, she wondered. It didn't matter, she knew that he—or she—would be perfect.

"There's so much to do," he added. "I need to build an additional room and expand the kitchen. I should hunt for more furs for her bed as well and -"

She laughed and placed a gentle finger over his mouth.

"And there's time to do all of it. Now let's go home."

Va'rik'at'char sent a message through his neural network to his fellow scientist, La'tok'at'bron.

It appears that the experiment is a complete success. An emotional bond and breeding capability.

If La'tok'at'bron had been able to communicate verbally, he would have snorted. Instead, he sent a dismissive return message.

In this instance. But you cannot claim success based on such a limited data set.

Va'rik'at'char's antennae waved gently. Agreed. Did you have another test subject in mind?

Yes. I propose using a Hsslak next time.

But they are a desert species. A human female will have great difficulty surviving in that environment.

Then it will be a more stringent experiment.

Very well. Va'rik'at'char gave his assent, then floated comfortably in his tank as La'tok'at'bron began the preparations. The first experiment had proven most instructive—and enjoyable. He could hardly wait to see what the next encounter would produce…