Yo, ZF here.

So apparently it's been a year and a half since I've done anything on ff(.)net. Which means my brains has been stumped for over a year. AWESOME!

So lets get this ball rolling. This ones a bit shorter then what I normally do, but I think it's good start for what I'm trying to go for. Plus, its only a prologue and the real stuff will be coming into view once I can figure out how I'm gonna write this story. So go my potentially faithful readers! Go read the prologue!

"That… That was…"

'Satisfying.'

He struggled to find the words, and soon limped over to one side, resting one hand under my breast when he finished moving. I looked to him when I started to recover, seeing that bright smile and that… That…

"No, my comm," he said, looking over to the night stand. His comm was lit up, a vibrant orange compared to the stands dark grey. He turned to face me once again, and then kissed me lightly, almost seductively on the lips. "I'll be right back, baby."

He got up, bare cheeked, and picked up the comm., and then walked into his rest room.

'… that inspired looked.'

I looked down at my hands. No ring. Just enough nail to look feminine. A glance at my body reminded me of my strength, of my beauty. I thought of the men who I've attracted as of late. So many men…

The shower started. He came back out of the rest room, dressed in only a towel around his waist, and said, "Seems the boss needs me, baby. Gotta start getting ready. You mind waitin' here while I shower? I wanna see you out."

"That's fine," I said.

The rest room door shut behind him as he walked backed to the shower. The water quieted down as he stepped into the trail left by the shower head. I could almost imagine his slick, wet body as he bathed. Short, blonde hair. Tight buns. A young, beautiful face. Those strong, blue eyes.

Blue eyes…

'Michael…'

And how could I forget him? I looked down at my wrist and saw the watch that Michael had given me all those years ago, back when we first hit it off. I remembered how he claimed the entirety of the watch was crafted out of completely natural metals, yet he kept it for other reasons. Something about sentimental value. He said it was…

Invaluable.

I had to go. This wasn't the place to be thinking about this. Not here. There were things I'd like to think about, away from this place.

I got out of bed, found my cloths, and proceed to get dressed once again. Once fully clothed again, I went to the door of the rest room and knocked lightly.

"I'm sorry, Richard, but I'm leaving."

"What?!" he said. "What was that?"

I walked away. I didn't want to be here. Leaving the ship, I saw several of his crew mates working hard to load the ship. A female, about my height, brown hair, light skin, walked up to me as I made my way out of the loading bay.

"Leaving him already?"

"I..."

"Did he do something stupid?"

"No, he was great. In a multitude of ways."

"Then why are you leaving? He's still going to be here for the next three days."

"Being with him… Won't solve my problems. I'd rather just leave quietly then trouble him too much."

"… Well, I'm not going to talk you out of it. I'd rather have him in my arms."

I continued on my way out. I couldn't think of anything else to say. My mind was too clouded.

"And I'll tell him you said you're sorry!" she shouted so as to get my attention one last time. "Just so he doesn't feel so bad."

I nodded gratefully, and then went on my way.

The air was stale, but calm on the way home. The lights were dim, but a number of shops were still open, trying to sell the last of their wares before midnight. There were several clubs and bars on the way, the music lightly escaping through the gap in the front doors.

And then a sweet scent filled the air. I was close to a store, a pastry shop. The lights were easy on the eye, compared to the vibrant neon of the clubs and bars I had passed. I was greeted kindly by a young woman behind the counter. We exchanged pleasantries, and we chatted for a moment after I ordered a few loaves of that bread she was making that gave off that amazing aroma.

She was a kind girl. Very pleasant to be around. Already married, to the owner of the store, and the chief baker. He poked his head out from the oven room while she spoke of him, and we both spotted the dough on his face. I couldn't help but laugh. I apologized, but I hadn't felt so happy in such a long time. After we finished our laugh, she went over to her husband, kissed him lightly, then brushed off the dough and had him go back to work.

"I must admit, I'm jealous."

"What, you want to be a baker?"

"No. You and your husband. You two seem like a very happy couple."

"We are. Benjamin loves being a baker, and I just couldn't be happier helping him out. And what about you? Any lucky men in your life right now?"

"No, I haven't had a serious relationship in a few years now."

"Really? I'd imagine someone as good looking as you would have the pick of the litter."

"I do… But…"

"... But… What?"

"There was someone. We were very close… But he died."

"I'm so sorry."

"It's alright. It was quite a while ago."

"Well I'm sure you'll find someone else out there. The universe is a big place."

"Yes… I suppose it is."