23. Give Me a Break

TWENTY-THREE

GIVE ME A brEAK

Faktil quo Laus

"We're coming up on the freighter now. It looks like Thorac got the stasis pods safely aboard." Faktil looked from the open hangar doors on the cruiser viewscreen to Naomi worriedly petting Bandit in the neighboring seat. "You're safe now." He reached over and tucked her hair behind her cute little ear. Now that he'd touched her, he couldn't help but run his fingers through her silky locks.

Goddess, I adore this female. He smiled at his gorgeous mate. He was eager to get aboard the freighter and back to his quarters, desperate really.

"Safe. Is that what you call safe? Why did I think spaceship would mean sleek and fancy?" Naomi dubiously eyed the freighter as they began entering the hangar. She then looked at him and smiled despite her obvious nervousness, leaning into his hand.

"The Jurou Biljana fleet is like that. We've made sure the vessel actually is safe," he chuckled, then sobered as he remembered all that Naomi had been through. "You're so brave. You were stranded on an island, met a foreign being, and took pity on him. Thank you, by the way." He caressed her cheek. "You were plucked off the island into this new reality where you learned you were abducted and on an enemy ship. Yet despite all of it, you've held it together so we could escape. Naomi, you are amazing. I still can't believe I found you."

"I thought you died." Naomi's eyes turned glossy. "I can face any reality as long as you're in it." She cupped his hand and kissed his palm.

His throat tightened at the sheer love he saw reflected in her eyes.

"I was devastated when I thought you were only an elaborate dream. I love you, Naomi. I'd happily go anywhere with you."

He really needed to kiss and hold her, but the cruiser jostled and he glanced at the viewscreen. They'd touched down in the hangar. Faktil sighed, relieved to be here, but also disappointed the kiss he needed would have to wait. It was probably for the best, since once he started kissing her, he wouldn't be able to stop.

"Are you two ready?" Faktil stood and held his hand out to Naomi.

"I am!" Bandit excitedly replied as he crawled onto Naomi's shoulder.

"I am, too." Naomi took Faktil's hand and got out of her seat.

"Then let's go." Faktil smiled and they headed off the cruiser.

The crew was surrounding Thorac and the stasis pods when they descended the ramp. With them distracted, he was tempted to escort Naomi directly to his quarters, but that would be rude .

We'll do a brief introduction and make sure all the stasis capsules arrived intact, he told himself as he escorted Naomi over to the others, but his inner beast still chomped at the bit.

Captain Sphen, the Osivoire who was talking to Thorac, paused and turned to greet them first.

"Faktil!" The captain hugged him, forcing him to release Naomi's hand. "So glad to see you. You had me worried."

"I'm not so easy to kill," Faktil chuckled and squeezed the male back. "Meet Naomi, my bonded, and Bandit," he said once they parted.

"Aloha." Naomi stuck out her hand.

"Greetings." Sphen gripped her outstretched hand in the human greeting. It made Faktil jealous, but he suppressed the urge to growl at the male. "Welcome! To both of you." The captain also acknowledged Bandit with a nod. Sphen then gripped Faktil's shoulder. "Thorac was telling me some of what you've been through. I can't believe you found a mate," the captain chuckled incredulously and grinned at Naomi, "on top of these humans, and another Dremin friend. Impressive. I'd like to hear more, however, I think you need to rest and get settled first. I have some matters to discuss with Thorac, but it is great to meet and have you back."

Faktil sighed, relieved Sphen didn't want to do a debriefing now.

"I find it very pleasant to meet you as well," Bandit said, clearly surprised by the greeting.

Faktil grinned. Poor Bandit was used to being around the surly reptiles.

"Yes. It's good to meet you." Naomi smiled at Sphen.

"I'll check in later." Faktil nodded to the captain. He halted Thorac before his friend could resume his conversation with Sphen. "Thank you." He gripped Thorac's hand tight, appreciating his friend's help to get off the enemy ship .

"No thanks needed, my friend." Thorac smiled and squeezed him back. "I'll see how you guys are in a bit. You might have Jorg look at the two of you." Thorac pointed.

The Cadi physician was currently doing a cursory examination of all the stasis pods and their occupants.

"Probably a good idea, but more than anything, we need to eat and rest," Faktil acknowledged.

"Yes," Naomi emphatically agreed.

"Well, I'll find you later." Thorac nodded to them before taking off after Captain Sphen.

"Whoa, hey. Where are you going?" Naomi asked as Bandit started climbing down her body.

"I'm going to interact with Floof and Poof." Bandit pointed a tentacle toward the edge of the hangar.

It was surprising to see the two Dremin in the hangar where other people were gathered, since they were so shy.

"Traveler knows where my quarters are," Faktil said as Bandit scurried across the hangar to meet more of his own kind.

Bandit held up a tentacle, but that was the only acknowledgment he got.

"I feel a little like we got the brush off from a teenager," Naomi chuckled.

"Agreed," he laughed, debating if they should be worried about what trouble the Dremin might get into.

Abruptly a furry pair of arms wrapped around him from behind. Naomi's eyes widened in shock as she gaped at the hairy male behind him.

"Thunder, it's good to see you, too," he snorted. Thunder released him and Faktil turned. "Thunder, meet Naomi, my bonded mate." He hugged her to his side.

"It's nice to meet you." Naomi smiled, looking more relaxed .

Mate?! Thunder signed with his furry hands, his eyes wide with surprise. You were supposed to plant the virus, not abduct a female! the Toufik male teased.

"I did that, too," Faktil chuckled. He then noticed Naomi's confused look. "The Toufik don't speak. They use sign language instead. He was teasing me about finding you rather than doing my job."

"Oh." She nodded. "How do I say hello?"

Thunder opened his arms, putting them roughly shoulder wide, and pulling them toward himself in a mock hug. Naomi smiled and mimicked the male, making Thunder grin and give her a big hug.

"Whoa, she's my mate!" Faktil declared, while Naomi giggled, lost amidst the pair of furry arms.

How did you manage to get the humans away from the reptiles? Thunder asked once he released Naomi.

"It's all a long story and we're a bit tired." There was no way he was sharing the whole tale now. He was past ready to get Naomi alone.

Understood. Tomorrow, my friend. Thunder patted them on the back.

"Should we help with the stasis pods?" Naomi asked as they continued across the hangar.

"I'm sure the crew can take care of them." He urged her toward the doors.

"Ah, Faktil, Naomi." Jorg jogged toward them.

Faktil groaned. They almost made it out of the hangar. He smiled, hiding his agitation. Naomi caught his expression and grinned.

"Jorg, Naomi." Faktil impatiently gestured. "Naomi, Jorg." He swiftly did the introductions.

"Aloha." Naomi grinned as she stuck out her hand and Jorg shook it .

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Jorg made a slight bow.

"Naomi is my mate," Faktil explained while inching toward the doors, hoping the male would take the hint.

"Congratulations." Jorg followed them out of the hangar, and Faktil groaned. "Naomi, I understand you were in stasis for the last few years, and Faktil, you were knocked out for several days by the new Dremin."

"Aye." Faktil nodded, while still walking down the hall.

"I'd like to give you both an exam in the clinic," Jorg said, as Faktil suspected he would.

"Can we schedule that for tomorrow?" Naomi interjected, surprising and amusing him.

He could hug his wonderful mate for her fast thinking.

"Well," Jorg looked them over, "I guess it can wait."

"Good." Faktil nodded, relieved.

If Jorg felt their condition was serious, he would have insisted. The physician could even pull rank if the situation warranted.

"It will give me a chance to go over the other humans." Jorg paused in the hallway, forcing them to also stop.

"Are you waking them?" Naomi asked, her eyes widening.

"No, not yet." Jorg shook his head. "I believe Captain Sphen is discussing the details with Thorac."

"Oh, good. I'd want to be there if they are being woken up. I might be able to help keep everyone calm," she considerately requested.

Faktil hugged Naomi close. His mate was so sweet.

Jorg's gaze shifted between them, a light going on in the male's eyes. Considering he was a physician he really should've figured out why they were anxious to ditch him sooner.

"I will let you go, but try to rest," Jorg snorted .

"Rest. Aye. Right away," Faktil agreed, attempting to appear earnest.

Jorg shook his head as he turned around and headed back toward the hangar.

Naomi giggled as they continued down the hall. They hadn't walked another ten paces when Cerdic came around the corner.

"Faktil, I just heard you returned." Cerdic started toward them.

"No!" Faktil shouted, refusing to be waylaid yet again.

Cerdic's eyes widened in shock, but Faktil didn't feel the least bit guilty.

"Tomorrow, Cerdic." Faktil plucked Naomi off the floor and started running in the opposite direction.

"Faktil!" Naomi squealed. "Sorry," she giggled the apology to Cerdic.

Naomi

"You are rotten," Naomi chuckled as Faktil went through a door and came to a halt.

"I am, but no one else stopped us." Faktil wagged his brows as he shifted her in his arms.

"True." She wrapped her legs around his waist.

"These are my quarters. This was a Jurou Biljana vessel but it's been updated and cleaned. Would you like the grand tour?" Faktil explained.

Faktil was obviously teasing since his quarters, which reminded her of a hotel suite, was just one room. Although, it was bigger than the island cabin, so it was grand.

"I'd love a tour." She smiled, amused by his goofy sense of humor.

Faktil turned to the right. "Here we have the bed. It's big enough to share and move around in." He cast her a cheeky grin.

"I can see that," she snickered.

He then turned to the left. "There is a sitting and dining area."

"Mmm hmm." She nodded, still grinning while taking in the blue sofa on the back wall and the two-top dining table. "Very nice."

"And through here is the washroom." He walked over to the door on the left wall.

"Oh," Naomi gasped in mock surprise. "You have indoor plumbing?! This place really is fancy!"

In truth it was going to be nice not having to go outside and across the yard to get to the bathroom.

"Only the very best for my mate." Faktil grinned, squeezing her tight.

The bathroom door opened, revealing a sink, but that was it.

The excitement she was feeling plummeted. "Uh. Where's the toilet?" Her brow furrowed.

Faktil snorted, seeing her expression. "It extends from the wall. This is the bathing set-up." Faktil pointed to a nozzle extending from the upper wall.

"So, the whole room is the shower." She noticed the drain in the middle of the floor.

"Aye. The height of opulence," he teased.

She grinned. It was still fancy compared to her outhouse, and these were just his quarters while stationed on this ship.

"Let me show you. This sensor extends the waste basin." Faktil demonstrated and the toilet emerged from the wall. He pointed to the rinse and dry bidet features since there wasn't toilet paper. "The same sensors run the shower. Water will come from the upper nozzle if the waste basin is retracted. "

She nodded, appreciating the lesson.

"Do you need to use either?" he asked.

"No. I'm good." She shook her head.

Faktil spun around and took several steps, quickly crossing the room. "Did I show you the bed?"

"Yes," she laughed as he dropped her onto the spongy mattress.

"Oh good." Faktil leapt onto the bed beside her, making her bounce until he wrapped an arm around her. "I couldn't recall," he said with mock innocence, then grinned.

"As I said, you're rotten," she snorted, tweaking his nose.

"I am." He teasingly snapped at her fingers. "Now, let's get you out of this combat shell." He grabbed her wrist.

"I'm not opposed to that idea." She winked at him.

Faktil's grin broadened. He made an adjustment on her wrist and the combat shell receded back into the discs adhered to her wrists, shins and back, leaving her wearing just her swimsuit. The jovial expression on Faktil's face faded, turning hungry as he reached behind her and pulled off the disc at the base of her neck. Just his lustful gaze had her heart leaping into a gallop. She knew what was coming next and was eager, but suddenly she was also unbelievably nervous. This would actually be their first time. This would also be her first time in years!

Ding. The sound startled her.

"No!" Faktil barked, surprising her further.

Ding. Ding. It sounded again, more insistent.

"What is it?" she asked as she sat up.

"The door chime. Guest, it's not a good time," he growled as he also sat up.

"Open up, Faktil, I have to leave on my next mission and need to talk to you," Thorac's voice echoed through a speaker by the door .

Faktil made an incoherent growling noise.

"Talk to him. I think I will go shower." She kissed his arm before climbing off the bed.

After thinking about it, she hadn't bathed in years, so god only knew what was going on with her lady business.

"Fine, but if anyone else interrupts us, there will be blood!" Faktil huffed then pouted.

"Fair enough," she nervously laughed as she hurried into the bathroom.

Faktil quo Laus

Give me a break!

Faktil suppressed the urge to snarl at Thorac as he answered the door. Ever since he pulled Naomi out of the stasis pod, the instinct to put his conjugo mark on her gnawed at him more and more. Her sweet floral scent was just as he remembered on the island, but it was missing that hint of his own pheromones. So now his inner beast paced, demanding he reclaim his mate. Yet for some ungodly reason people kept interrupting them.

The door slid open and Thorac walked right on in. Apparently, this wasn't going to be a quick conversation that could be held in the hall. Faktil took a deep breath and attempted to relax. His friend just helped rescue him. Without Thorac and Traveler showing up, he never would have discovered Naomi in that storage bay. He would regret it if he brushed off his friend and something happened to him on this mission.

"Where's Naomi?" Thorac looked around.

"Bathing." Faktil pointed to the washroom.

"I heard Bandit is already making friends with the other Dremin," Thorac chuckled .

"Yes." Faktil smiled then sobered. "So, you've got a new mission already."

"Aye." Thorac nodded. "I'm going to escort the stasis pods to the Kepler Refugee Colony. They have a program that helps determine who can go back to Earth without causing too much upset."

"Oh. That's good." Faktil nodded. "And if they can't return?"

"They have physicians to help them transition."

"That would be good information for us to have next time we deal with the Miran Sona and their colony ships full of humans in stasis," Faktil huffed, hating what the Miran Sona were doing.

The Jurou Biljana were their primary enemy, but the Miran Sona came in a close second with their ideology that led them to think it was permissible to abduct people. At least the reptiles were blatantly awful.

"Agreed. I'm also going to meet with the leaders of the secret settlement and our Anguis allies. Coordinating our plans to stop the reptiles, halting the Miran Sona, having a local base of operations, all those things need to be negotiated."

"Ah yes." Faktil nodded in understanding.

"I'm here to ask if you want to go represent your people?" Thorac added.

Faktil considered the question. He was the ranking Cadi warrior on this side of the wormhole. The Kepler settlement could be the safest place for Naomi, then again hiding amidst the enemy fleet the way they were now might actually be safer. Then there was his duty to oversee the other Cadi warriors helping infiltrate the reptile ships. Faktil grimaced as the pros and cons bombarded him. He needed to think carefully about his next steps, and currently he couldn't think at all.

"For now, take Cerdic," he replied.

"Will do." Thorac nodded. "You take care of yourself." The male hugged him.

"I should be saying that to you. Thank you, truly, for everything, my friend." Faktil squeezed the bone-armored warrior.

"I will. Give Naomi my well wishes. I am so glad you found her." Thorac released him and smiled.

"I will." Faktil grinned. "Hey, who knows what you'll find on Kepler, or who ." He wagged his brows.

"And I might grow a tail," Thorac laughed, shook his head and left the room.

"You might," Faktil called after his friend.

The notion then reminded Faktil of the conversation he'd had with Naomi. She'd been amused by having a tail. A wicked grin formed on his face and he walked over to the replicator embedded in the wall.

I think I know how I can accommodate my spirited little mate.