Chapter 3

.

.

Author's Note: I've been letting this stew for MONTHS, and suddenly I was bitten by the bug. Vema's back, baby! Please review, and more coming soon for both this and Altered Horizons.

.

.

.

The next morning was easier than Chuck could have hoped. There was no awkwardness, no averted eyes, no need to sneak out of the room. Lem wandered into the bathroom lazily as Chuck was showering, hanging up his shirt to steam. He pulled back the shower door and slapped Chuck's bottom playfully, telling him not to use all the hot water. Neera kissed them both goodbye cheerily after breakfast, and he walked to work with a new spring in his step.

He felt amazing. Better than he had in a long time, actually. Even his coworkers noticed his mood and commented on it.

On the way home he bought a dozen roses for Neera and a bottle of expensive liquor for Lem, and he presented them with their presents immediately as he walked in the front door. He was rewarded instantly with a shower of kisses from them each in turn.

Neera fussed over the roses, carefully placing them in an iridescent vase which she set carefully on the dinner table, as Lem poured them all small glasses of the Norfal on the rocks. Chuck knew he was grinning like an idiot, watching them work. At least the glowing was echoed on their faces as well, so he didn't feel so awkward.

The only clumsy moment was as he and Lem headed upstairs at the same time, but he was saved by Lem pulling him into the the master bedroom, and it was easy to feel at home between the two soft, warm bodies.

.

.

.

"Do you think this will actually work?" asked Professor Nroff as he activated a switch on the new long-distance light message transmitter they had finally finished working on.

Chuck sighed, a confused mix of hope and dread in his gut. It had been several weeks since he and Lem and Neera had altered their relationship, and since the change he hadn't really felt the need to return to Earth as keenly. "I'm not sure, Nroff. It could work, but this is the closest I can come to what we used to communicate. Unless they're already out here looking for me, it probably won't make any difference for me personally." He ran his hands through his hair. "But, the possibility of future contact for your culture will be heightened dramatically."

Nroff misinterpreted his expression, and laid a consoling hand on his shoulder. "We're doing our best to get you back, Baker."

Chuck smiled half-heartedly, gave a short farewell, and began his drive home. After a few moments, he turned his car to drive out of town, on the long road the lead into the desert. He drove and drove, pondering his disappointment that they had finally finished their project. He had been working on this for three years now. How was it that he no longer cared whether the message was successful? He parked his vehicle several miles outside of town, watching the oddly colored sunset. Once, it would have seemed strange; now it was welcome, comforting. He found his thoughts wandering to Lem and Neera, and the life they had made together...

He sat up with a jolt. Never had Chuck had this feeling for anyone, but he knew it at once; he was in love with Lem and Neera. The moment of elation lasted but a moment, before it bottomed out into fear. What if that was more than they had wanted, when they first initiated this tryst? What if he'd misread things?

The more the considered it, the more his resolve grew. Although he was again afraid to upset their domestic peace, he realized that he would never be happy until he had found the truth. With a renewed sense of determination, he drove back into town.

.

.

.

It was Saturday, and Lem was puttering around the garage, organizing his tools and getting ready to change the oil on his car. He looked up as he heard the door from the house opening, and saw Chuck ducking in, wearing his old blue jumpsuit. It was his habit by now to double over as he entered any room, for the doorways on this planet were not built for one so tall as he, generally. He saw Lem and smiled widely. "Hey, short stuff. Watcha doin'?"

"Cleaning up, working on the car..." He felt a brief flutter in his chest as Chuck bent to kiss his cheek, a please flush coming to his cheeks. "If you aren't busy, I could use some help."

"Actually...I was hoping I could talk to you for a minute."

Lem put down his oil pan and looked up to see Chuck, taking in the seriousness of his expression. "What is it?" he said, a hint of panic creeping into this voice. "Are you mad? Did I leave the lid off the toothpaste or -"

"No, it's nothing you did." Lem let out a small squeak as Chuck pulled him forward, looking deeply into his eyes. "I've just been so happy... I don't want it to end."

Lem felt his stomach drop. "Why- why would it end? What's going on?"

Chuck sighed. "Lem, come on! I'm trying to be romantic! Can't you just calm down for a second?"

Lem tried to compose himself, glad for the extra time Chuck gave him. "Okay. Then what did you mean?"

To his surprise, Chuck looked uncomfortable, avoiding his eyes. The bravado seeped out of him, and he pulled Lem against his chest. "I have a confession to make."

To Lem, this was sounding bad again. "What sort of confession?" He raised his head to look at his lover, his hearts stopping. Of course, he'd known Chuck wouldn't feel the same way that he and Neera did, but he'd hoped their weeks of bliss would stretch out a bit longer than this. He'd seen the delightful change in his human companion, and had begun to hope he would reciprocate eventually. Now he braced himself as his carefully constructed fantasy of being a lifetime trio came crashing down.

He squeezed his eyes shut as Chuck began speaking. "I thought this was just for fun, that it didn't mean anything more than that... but I was wrong." Lem opened one eye and looked up slightly, hope blossoming in his chest. "I think I'm in love with you. ...Both of you. And while I know we can't exactly be public with that, I kinda hoped we could make it official, or as official as it can be."

Both eyes now open wide, a shocked expression on his face, Lem watched Chuck pull a small velvet box out of his pocket. "I got this for you the other day, and one for Neera too. I thought... We could wear them on our right ring fingers, and no one would realize..." The lid pulled back easily, and inside was a small silver band, the inside of which was engraved with the initials, "LNC".

Lem stared at the band for a few moments in silence. "Yes... Of course. I mean, I hoped... We hoped... NEERA!"

Chuck jumped a little, and a few pounding footsteps ushered Neera into the garage. "What? What is it? I-" She broke off, seeing the ring, and then squealed, pulling Chuck's face down to her and showering it in kisses.

She landed finally on his mouth and kissed him fiercely, and Lem looked on fondly before moving forward to join in, lightly kissing Chuck's ear before whispering, "That's a 'yes'."

TBC...