Jason stood in the observation deck of the Casper station, watching the ships going back and forth across the ink black.  He turned the captain’s words over and over in his head.

Ember’s words-  This is the last station before we leave known space.  Get what you want and enjoy your selves while you can.

Jason’s thoughts- Earth…

Behind him, Shir’na hid in the entrance to the observation deck.  Her pulse quickened as she went over her plan.

Shir’na’s thoughts- This is it, I’m not going to put this off any more.  I’m going to tell him how I fell.

Silently she approached him from behind.  Shir’na opened her mouth to say something but no words would come out.  Her normally emotionless face starts to show signs of embarrassment as she stares at his back.

She was a highly trained Thraxian warrior of the Grand Imperium and heir to the house Altor.  He was just a human, almost less even by human standards.  He had no family, no memories, no skill with combat, not even a planet to call home.  To the universe at large this man before her was considered non existent.  Then why did he make her feel like this, light headed and tongue tied.

But then again, he wasn’t like any of the other males she’d met before she started this adventure with the Meaningless Venture crew.  All the suitors her mother had brought her were arrogant jerks who couldn’t show the skill to back up their claims to fame.  Even the males in her combat crew growing up were more concerned with drawing more blood then the other, even the few humans that survived basic training, if any of them were ever nice to her it was more then likely because of her lineage then any real sincerity.

But he was deferent though.  Not only did he help her escape Union troops when they were complete strangers, but he also helped her escape her mother’s grip.  Never once caring about her blood line or the prestige or honor her affections could bring him.

She began to shake a bit with frustration towards her self.  No mater how hard she tried and fought, no words would come out.  Why was this so damn hard?

It’s not like she’d never tried to get his attention before.  She’d tried her hand at “Human Courtship Rituals” with less then desirable results.  Her use of what her research called ancient human pick up lines was laughable at best.  She tried being a damsel in distress once so that he could be the one to save her for a change and almost got the both of them killed in the process.  She even tried an ancient human recipe, which ended in him having food poisoning for several weeks.

Ember’s voice- Of course he’s oblivious!  You walk around with out even a weak smile, you’re like a damn corpse.  After all ya put him through I wouldn’t be surprised if he thought you were trying to kill him or something.

Shir’na’s thoughts- She’s right… I hold everything back… why would he ever accept me…

Mother’s voice- If you truly want something daughter, then you have to take it.  Take it and never let go!  That is what makes a true warlord.

That’s it!  She stopped trembling and unclenched her fists and took another step towards him.

Shir’na’s thoughts- If I truly want him… then I have to…

With no second thought she put her arms around his midsection and held herself as close to him as she could with out hurting him.  Both parties flushed a bit.

Jason- Shir’na?

Shir’na- Please, don’t talk, not till after you hear what I have to say.

Jason- …

Shir’na- I know that you more then any of us wants to find Earth and that you think it will answer what ever it is that happened to you.  But…

She starts to tear up a bit, her usually strong defenses crumbling.

Shir’na- Even if you don’t find what you’re hoping to find, I know that at the end of this journey that things will change.  

Her grip around him tightens a bit as she starts to tremble again.

Shir’na- I…

Creel’s voice- He’s a filthy human, I don’t see why you waist your affections on him… but if it’s what you want…

Shir’na- I…

Ember’s voice- Well, I’ll admit, you two would look cute together.  Hope ya get’em kid.

Shir’na- I…

Mother’s voice- Take it and never let it go!

Shir’na- I want to be with you!

She flushed up bright red.  She actually just yelled that out.

Jason- …

Shir’na- I don’t care what we find on Earth or where we go next… so long as I can stay with you… Jason…