Author's Note: These characters are all mine, baby. Just a story I'm thinking about working on...this is a excerpt, just a cute scene between the two main characters. It takes place in the year 3000 (or around that time), where most of mankind is living on the moon or Mars. Samson is an android that Ryen found when she was on an expedition to Earth, and he has been exploring his humanity and emotional circuitry. I would love reviews, so I could know if I should continue this! The entire piece remains title-less, so this has it's own individual title.

FIRST CONTACT

by Mika Casey

"Ryen?"

Startled by a sudden voice in the dark room she was sitting in, Ryen uncurled slightly from her balled-up position. She hugged her knees, craning her neck to look at the person who had emerged from the open door on the other side of the room. The top few buttons at the neck or her black bodysuit were unbuttoned, to give her some room to breathe, and her curly hair was a tousled mess.

As the figure walked further into the room, Ryen recognized his large frame and glowing azure eyes. She licked her lips, trying not to let her voice crack as she spoke. "Hey Sam."

"Why did you not call me by my entire name, Ryen?" He came further into the room until he stood in front of her, crouching a few feet away so his face was almost level with hers.

Although Ryen's throat was dry, she let out a soft laugh. "It's called a nickname, Samson. A shortened version of somebody's name that's easier to say."

Samson bared his teeth as he smiled. "I see. The scientists who created my language processors did not include nicknames in my program. Do you have any nicknames?"

"Some of my close friends call me Rye."

"Rye is a very nice name. It is also pleasurable to say." Samson rocked onto his knees, and his face came a little closer to hers. His expression almost immediately tensed up. "Ryen, your eyes are red! You have been crying." He brought his hand up to cup her cheek so he could peer at her face.

She averted her gaze. Tears welled up as she spoke. "Samson, I'd rather not talk about it..."

Before Ryen could continue, she saw Samson lean even closer to her face. His nose brushed against hers, and she could see his golden-blonde lashes flutter as he blinked. She could feel the cool texture of his outer skin against her own, heated skin. His hand that had been lingering on her cheek snaked around to the back of her head, gently grasping the nape of her neck. "Ryen, I want to kiss you."

"What?" Ryen stared up into his impossibly blue eyes.

She watched those eyes close as Samson softly pressed his lips against hers. His mouth was cold, like the rest of his skin, and lingered for a few seconds before he pulled away.

"Ryen...I am so sorry...I should..." Samson trailed off as he searched her face for a reaction.

As if in a trance, Ryen reached her small hand out to tangle into the blonde hair on the back of his head. She pressed her forehead against his and closed her eyes. After a few moments of contemplation, she kissed him again.

The sensation of his mouth moving against hers was chilling, but it made her whole body feel like it had caught fire. Even when she pulled away, she could feel the flames kindling under her skin.

"Thank you, Sam."