Chapter three: Those few moments..

Danny and i enter the Scorpion, as Shane was just about to leave he sees us. "Oh yeah? Where do you think you two are going? Is Ghardeh kidnapping you? Sorry but the other yautja has stepped out! I can't help you sorry!"

"I'm flying the Scorpion Shane!" He says fisting the air. "God you two.. I still can't believe you did that.. Not even Neens and the twins do such things."

I look to Danny as i walk on.

"That's because they were brought up as hunters from day one. I had to hide from my father for a long time before he found out i was practising becoming a huntress the amount of times he would tell me no it isn't for me, My mother was very proud her daughter was becoming a huntress. But my father was very proud his daughter was becoming an accomplished Entertainer. You should have seen the showroom Danny.. It was massive..The seats were around the edge in a circle.. The centre was where you would stand and perform.. All eyes on you. It was very nerve wracking but then the noise you hear if they come to like you was.." I remember the cheers and the sights.. Smells.. Like i was right back there.. That night when Tenjra took me back there when we were on our final night before our lives changed forever..

"Magical?" Danny says snapping me back to reality. I nod slowly.. "Magical."

"Shane.. That dance.. Neens said it fits you both perfectly.. It was really nice."

Danny holds one of my dreads

"Ghardeh.. What was the dance Tenjra pulled you in with?"

I lose Danny's gaze.. "Danny… I see where you are going with this.."

"Ghardeh. You can't keep letting the past beat you up.. Shane is with you all the way."

We enter the Scorpions cockpit and i put Danny down as i press the comms button.

"Just giving the Scorpion a flight check.. See you in a few.."

I fly out carefully and place Danny in the seat he places his tiny hands on the left throttle and right holographic wheels.

"Ghardeh what was the dance? Would you ever recreate it with Shane?"

(Ninas pov.)

Ghardeh left the comms open while she checks the Scorpion.. I heard Danny ask Ghardeh what dance Tenjra shared with her. I put a hand to my mouth as it goes quiet..

"Danny it was special to me." i hear.

"And it goes Ghardeh? Maybe you should say screw the stars and kick the pasts arse.." Danny says. i smile..

"Danny don't push her. She doesn't have to share if she doesn't want to. Yautja have secrets too soot sprite."

(Ghardehs pov)

I laugh at Ninas comment. They have never seen a yautja dance.. And i am angry with Uzkielle.. When did he see us in the kehrite? I didn't even sense him nearby but Shane and i were so engrossed in the moment i suppose i missed it.. It was different then as well, i was not dancing it was Shane mainly until he asked me to dance the final half which fit me perfectly. He never specified where he learned to dance but for all i know he made it up. If he did it's impressive. Danny is flying the ship rather well. Danny gets the hang of flying slowly weaving the craft into a star dust cloud causing the particles to wisp away then shouts "Do a barrel roll!" While making the ship roll left and right. Shane and i hold onto a console.. Well i do.. Shane holds onto my waist while Danny shouts "Woo-hoo!" After a few hours or so Danny turns us around and i fly us back into the hangar. As he steps off he looks at me and Shane..

"That was awesome.. Thanks for that aunt.. Our little secret?"

"Our little secret." I reply.

"Uncle.. Keep Ghardeh happy.."

He nods…"Trying little man."

Then Danny walks away.

Shane nudges the side of my torso..

"That was special. Let's commit it to memory.."

I nod. "Done, Danny can fly well can't he?" I ask.

"Oh yes a top gun.."

"Right you.." I say picking Shane up.

"Ghardeh.. What are you doing..?

We walk back to the 'kitchen' and i grab Danny on the way he laughs out as i hold Shane over my right shoulder he has dug his elbows in the back of my shoulder blade i can't see his face but it's probably twisted. I hold Danny and put him on my free shoulder Danny reaches over and ruffles Shane's brown hair.

There is a smell going around the corridor to the foodstocks and we enter.

Uz snorts as he sees Shane slide off me backwards.

Danny jumps down and sits down.

Uzkielle looks at Nina.. Then me..

"Ssorry Ghardeh.." But i shake my head gently.. "No.. Don't worry too much.. In a way it was you getting me back for smashing your ego and probably getting Shane back but it didn't work as intended did it Uz? But now we are even so no more spilling secrets."

"Sei-i" he says and nods at me.

Osh'ikeille puts down a large plate of a roasted hesh'qri'xi.. An animal that resembles earth's elks.. Then places the rest down. We all sit and talk about other topics.. When there is a loud ghastly noise..

Shane chokes on his drink. Ninas face turns to a shocked O expression with a frown, and the twins twitch their mandibles with a growl.

My eyes slowly lock onto Danny who is red in the face.. Then shouts out.

"GODS BE PRAISED!" with a hint of laughter.

"Danny De blanc! We don't fancy your ass talk!" Nina shouts.

"Man what are you guys feeding him? Osh you best check the ships trajectory!" Shane says.

Osh lets out a rumbling laugh.

Uz shakes his head and calls Danny. "H'dui'se c'jit…" Nina chokes a laugh and points at Uz.

"See Danny Uzkielle isn't impressed."

Danny lifts one butt cheek and forces another noise out.

He laughs but Uz slams a large arm on the table making everything clatter and him jump.

"Ki'cte Danny you arre sstriking.. My lasst nerve.. Do noT be inappropriate. " he says in a growly tone.

"You're just jealous you can't talk out of your backside Uz.."

"PAUK DANNY ENOOUGH! The lasst word will noT worrk with me, ch'hkt-a c'jit!" Uzkielle shouts. It was thunderous.

"Alright fine keep your head on Uzkielle jeez.." Uz looks at Nina with a prolonged growl. Nina shakes her head she feels the same as what i feel, which is Uzkielles frustration.. He is VERY irritated.

"Danny don't argue with Uz.. He has clearly had enough besides you will lose everytime." Nina says with a frown.

"Danny if a yautja did that.. You wouldn't be sitting.. You would be blown away.. and turned to dust, Needless to say once was funny. Uz is right, there is a time and place.. For talking out of your bottom." I say making it sound much less aggressive.

Danny smiles at me then swings his legs and calms down.

"Sorry Uzkielle i won't do it again Kch'tanu ell-osde Uz." Danny smiles.

Uzkielle regards Danny for a moment

Then Nina. He calms with a huff and clicks. "Danny.. Ell-osde Je'kainde."

He looks puzzled and confused he hadn't heard that word evidently. "What does that mean Uz?"

"Sstuborrn.."

After the meal Shane and i walk back to the Tarei'hsan. And enter the shower. Missing a large pane.. I remember as i leant into Shane the glass gave away i almost landed my full weight on him, but managed to position my arms on either side of his shoulders. I just stared and laughed while he shouted a few swear words.. He puts his clothes in the cleaner and i take off my armour then enter with him he leans his head against my stomach.

"I was serious about earth Ghardeh.."

I run a hand over the back of his head gently and rub his shoulders.

"I know, when do you want to leave?"

He looks up at me.

"Soon but not yet.."

The shower begins to run and we clean ourselves down. We step out and i look at Shane for several moments as he exchanges a look.

But as Shane leaves i feel something bothering him.

Sadness.. Or is it something else?

I walk up to him and he huffs shaking his head.

"It's nothing Jewel.."

"Tell me…"

"No Ghardeh.. Its nothing."

"Not to me it isn't i feel something wrong now tell me krit."

"I hate that ability you have. Fine since you're so damn curious."

He looks into my eyes and sits on the bed.

"...Everything.. Hit me at once just then.. Seeing Nina with Danny.. I have forgotten about my own family Ghardeh.. I said when we first met that my family was not much better than the events in my life that drifted us apart.. That there was nothing left for me at earth.. But in actuality.. I do have family there, we haven't gotten along in many years.. But they are still family. You are family Ghardeh.. And i know i don't measure up to Tenjra or your girls.. There simply is no substitute Ghardeh. Being here on this ship with you all.. Well.. Lets just say. It woke something else inside me and i didn't think I'd ever say this but.. I miss home… there is no substitute.."

I can't do anything, i see where Shane is coming from.. And in a sense i miss wuis't'kei.. I miss Maia.. Skri'jash'n.. I wrap an arm around his bare shoulders and hold him close.

"I've had the pleasure of knowing you for two years Shane, i would bring you a whole world to make you happy. But I also know you are human. If you decide that you want to return to earth and stay.. I would never hold it against you. I know what you are feeling all too well.. I miss home too."

"But what about us Ghardeh? It would be too dangerous for you to stay on earth."

I put my jaw on Shane's crown.

"Nina has a saying.. 'The greatest act of love is letting go."

Shane smiles. "Buddha can suck it.."

We laugh quietly.

"No.. I can't lose you Nina, Danny.. Or the twins. You are my family now. It was just my brain telling me wrong is all.. But i still need clothes.."

"And how are you going to pay for said clothes?"

Shane's face a goes blank.. "MONEY? Or i could use your cloak device and 'borrow' some?" The cleaner beeps and he stands on the bed to peck me on my ridged forehead but i pull him back..

"Ghardeh my shirt."

"It'll be fine for a while yet."

"Why don't you find something else you haven't seen yet." I say laying back.

"Alright then."

He jumps but immediately regrets it.

He lands on me with a pained expression

"Aawww shit.. Right that's it Ghardeh.. You are no longer eating healthily..! You need to be plump so i can land on you without feeling like i landed on concrete.."

"You mean like you.." I say sliding a talon across his toned belly.

Ghardeh I'm not plump.. Just humans are squishy.."

"Yes i know. I am very well acquainted with your squishiness Shane.."

Shane's right brow raises from the middle up.. He can't tell how to take my statement.

"Are you being raunchy or is that an ordinary observation?"

"Both."

He leans into me digging his elbow into my calf on the way up so i shove him with my foot on the backside toward the door.

"Stop touching my arse Ghardeh you have a strange obsession with it."

"I do it is very squeezable.."

He comes in with his clothes on.

"Unlike miss muscle.."

"Not my fault i don't know what you mean ooooman! Take that off!"

"Or what? If you destroy my only shirt I'll go atomic..".

I growl but he laughs in my face so i grab his shirt with a slight grip.

"NOOO Ghardeh.. Don't.. I love my flannel shirt.."

Suddenly my eyes shift to see Nina pop her head around the corner..

"Hoo shit.. Was i interrupting anything Ghardeh? You seem to be.. Missing.. Attire.. You haven't changed one iota well apart from the missing.. Scars."

Nina laughs as she sees Shane look at me then her again. "Am i missing something with you two?"

"Do you want to tell him or should i sis?"

I look at Shane. "Ninas seen everything before Shane. We.. 'Examined' one another one day when i first stayed on the Lar'ja N'ritja."

"Do the brothers know?"

Nina smiles. "Nothing happened Shane we just had a 'you show me yours I'll show you mine' moment. I'd never even seen a female yautja up close and she took it literal. I couldn't refuse. Got no scars now though Ghardeh. Anyway sorry just to let you know we are coming up to a red temperate planet and Danny wants to be a Martian. Take your time though because it will be a few hours yet." Nina says with a smile and a wink. "And close this door.."

She waves before pressing the panel and closing the door before she takes her leave.

"You and Neens.. Stripped off? Bet she was thrilled.."

I laugh and he lays down beside me.

"It was a strange moment Shane. I remember her asking if i saw me because i was 'gorgeous'. She then explained away why she went red in the face. So i took it as face value.. That she wanted to see 'me'. It was a short moment. But it was nice. Humans can be such lovely creatures to look at without this.. Ridiculous clothing." I say rubbing his shirt.

"Well we can't go around on earth naked Ghardeh.. Well i mean there are some places. Nudist camps etcetera. But none for sexy eight foot tall aliens.. Before you get ideas." Shane plays with my dreads before i lay further up the bed and we both relax. When i say relax.. I mean we finally have a rather romantic few minutes.

That is until..

"Ghardeh.. I can't breathe.." I come to, to find Shane in my grip holding my arm with both hands I'm stood at the edge of the bed with him dangling.

"C'jit not again.." I gently lower him, then let him go and sit on the bed.

"It happened again Shane I'm sorry.."

He rubs my forearm and puts his head against my right arm, "It's fine.. At least i wasn't head first into the wall.. At least that head anyway.."

I let out a warbled laugh.

"How long this time?" I ask.

"10 mins roughly. The time before that was half that before i went into the table."

I shake my head.

"Maybe it's best we don't do this whole sex thing Shane. It's getting dangerous."

"I'm not afraid.. You just need more time Jewel.. The first time was more terrifying because i didn't know what to expect and you was the one who started that one."

"It's not whether or not you are afraid Shane.. It's whether you can withstand a highly aroused yautja who can and will.. Paya forbid.. Do some serious damage when they climax. I'm not on the receiving end you are Shane.. These blackouts are the reason i harm you.."

Shane's eyes widen.. "You.. Black out? When? Why?"

"It happens just before orgasm and why? Because I'm trying so hard not to turn.. 'Yautja mode' as you call it.. On. We don't usually mate with humans. Or other species.. Baring in mind this is still new territory for me Shane. As well as for you. All you need to know is I'm trying so hard to not harm you. And the instinctual side always wins.. So.. If i end up coming to with you in a hold again.. This stops.."

Shane nods. "Alright.. Wait.. I have an idea.. What about the armour Danny gave me?"

I let out an amused snort.

"Shane. That armour won't have a flap that just opens and closes you krit..

And besides that won't help, you feel touch through the nano layers remember?"

"Aaww shit.. Ok fine.."

"Finally glad we see eye to eye. Believe me i enjoy our intimacy but i fear more on your part."

Shane has a cheeky smile slowly crawling across his face..

"Ok well i can just use this then, whaaat? At least you won't get pregnant!"

"I don't think i can get pregnant by you anyway Shane.." He lowers his arm.. "Shane.. Don't you even think about it. I'll rip your pauk'n arm off.." I say with a growl.

"you'll be sewing it back on yautja!"

"You little… Kri-"

After Shane's… Handy work.. We decided it would be best to have another shower before entering the cockpit with the others.. But by Shanes fist.. I kept on scenting our tell tale signs of 'happy fun time'. After the fourth attempt i let out a "pauk." And armour up. Shane clothed and we went to our humiliation.. "What's the problem Ghardeh? We showered an hour and a half. and i can't smell that weird sweet smell before.." Shane says.. He clearly has no idea how a yautja perceive smells.

"Shane we smell through glands in our mouth we taste the air, pick up chemistry trails of our prey or mates or whatever we find important, you may not smell anything but i do and the brothers will pick up on it like your earth wolves. Believe me when i say.. They will know.. Nina too seeing as she has Uzkielles blood mixing around her."

As soon as we entered Uzkielle who was sat in the cockpit chair navigating turned around with a hissy sniff he already tasted the air, Osh'ikeille also looking at me and Shane. He laughed and Nina looked at us and snorted. "Told you." I say with a huff. Danny was the only one who was looking at the three of them.

"Shaaane haass been… Bussy…" Uzkielle says.

Shane puts a hand over his eyes.

"Balls." He says.

Osh rumbles a laugh. "Sei-i Shane two?"

Shane looks up at Osh'ikeille.

"You would like to know wouldn't you? how many do you have four?"

"M-di.. Jusst... Joking.."

Nina laughs "Come on boys.. Leave them alone they are happy.."

Uzkielle lets out a barky laugh.

"Daannyy… Coverr earrss.."

He does so.

"Yesss you diid haaave fun, diid you hiiT the sssweeT ssspoT?"

"Uzkielle.. You do have a vivid mind.. We weren't doing that.."

Shane says. But Uzkielle sees straight through the lie.

He narrows his mismatched eyes.

"Of courrrssse.. NoT.. Ell-osde h'dui'se ki n'dui'se.."

Danny uncovers his ears..

"English Uz.." Shane says with a cocked brow.

He looks at Danny and he recovers his ears with a smile.

He clicks finding the words.

"You.. Sssmell.. Of.. Yautja.. SsscenT."

Shane inhales a sniff towards me..

"She smells.. Nice.."

Danny uncovers his ears. He turns back around at the comment with a "Zabin."

Danny points and laughs "Ha! Now Shane is the zabin!"

"We are approaching the planet Uz." Nina says.

"Sei-i preepaaring fforr OrrbiTal Crruisse.."

The view is breathtaking.. Shane's eyes widen.. And steps forward at the view.. As we fly in high orbit around the planet the white sun illuminates the planets ozone layer giving off a subtle ribbon of refracted light. And Danny stands beside him. "Ours to explore. Lets go!"

Author note: Shane and Ghardeh are beginning to heat up it seems.. Naughty Shane. And it looks like Danny gets his wish becoming a Martian lol! As usual Yautja words below! Stay awesome everyone and have a happy new year!

Yautja words:

Hesh'qri'xi- Elk-like animal. (non-cannon.)

H'dui'se- Smell.

C'jit- Sh^t.

Ki'cte- Enough!

Pauk- F^ck.

Ch'hkt-a- Excited.

Kch'tanu- Love.

Ell-osde- You.

Je'kainde- Stubborn.

N'dui'se- Scent.

Ki- Of. (Non-cannon.)

Krit- Idiot/Moron or general expletive. (Non-cannon my own word.)

Sei-i- Yes.

Zabin- Insect.