Peter Burke stepped into the barn and looked around, sighing. It was
small, boarded walls silvery gray with age. A few chickens pecked at the
dirt and bits of hay near the open door.
He shook his head. Of all the menial tasks he'd performed while trapped in this bizarre future world, cleaning out a barn had to be number one on his list of things he'd hoped never to do. Ever. But Virdon was with Kabon, looking over his small crop of carrots, potatoes, and God knows what all. Pete supposed that being raised a farm boy had its advantages. Kept him out of the crap. Literally.
He wondered idly what Galen was doing as he stripped off his shirt and began to rake up the soiled hay. He snorted. Probably sitting somewhere with his feet propped up. These villagers allowed no ape to work around them. He could just picture Galen's smug look now.
By the time Pete had gotten the soiled hay up and out of the barn he'd worked up a good sweat. He wiped his streaming forehead, then lugged fresh water into the barn from the well outside. Next he brought loads of sweet- smelling hay in by the barrel-load.
Burke looked up at the sound of rustling footsteps near the barn door. Liska. Kabon's daughter. He pulled in a quick involuntary breath at the sight of her. Her black hair fell down around her shoulders and cascaded down her back. She had a lean, coltish look, tall, with long legs. Her eyes looked into his. Blue ice.
Burke had met Liska three days before, when he and his friends had first arrived at the human village of Chandar. Liska's father, Kabon, had a small strip of land he farmed, along with a milk-cow and a few chickens. The week before, he'd hurt his back and although not incapacitating, it was painful. With constant work, the injury continued to nag. He thought it would heal if allowed some recovery time, and was subsequently eager to accept an offer of work in exchange for shelter and food. Shortly after meeting the trio, bargain sealed, Kabon led them to his home.
Burke looked away from Liska's gaze. She had a way of measuring you - those clear, pale eyes seemed to see everything. Actually, she'd made him feel uncomfortable a time or two, although he'd burn in hell before admit it to anyone. In the close quarters of Kabon's home, he'd learned quickly that she was a direct person, and sometimes a silent one.
"What are you doing here, Liska?" he asked her, turning back to his work. His matter-of-fact tone belied that fact that his pulse raced at the sight of her there in the doorway.
She looked at him, unsmiling. "Taking a break."
The undercurrent of electricity between the two was gaining a life of its own. Over the course of the last few days, he'd been pleasantly surprised at her intelligence and quick wit. She seemed so serious - almost too serious - until he made her laugh after a couple of nights spent with her and her father. It transformed her, lit her from inside.
Mindful of the fact that he and his friends settled nowhere for long, Pete tried to hold his feelings in check. This had never been a problem before, frankly. Most of the humans of this time were dull-eyed with fear, beaten down by their servitude to the apes. Hardly anything to be tempted by.
Not her, though. And tempting didn't begin to describe her.
He shook himself mentally and continued pitching hay. Liska walked to where he stood. Her fingertips touched his back and he jerked, surprised, and looked around at her. She smiled patiently. "Are you avoiding me?"
"What are you talking about?" he scoffed, startled but unwilling to show it. She took a step closer to him.
"I've always hated cleaning out the barn," she said, changing the subject. "Good thing you're around to do it."
Pete leaned over the handle of the pitchfork, attempting nonchalance. "Is that right?" he said, brow cocked, looking down at her. He rested his chin on the hand covering the end of the pitchfork.
"Sure. Makes you good for something," she said. She winked at him. He blinked at her, surprised.
"I am hurt, Liska. Deeply wounded." He cast her a grievous look, and she grinned. He straightened up. "You won't always have me to kick around, you know."
Her look sobered. "I know." Liska's pale eyes stared into him.
"I've got work to do. My purpose in life, remember? Clean out the barn." He turned from her to the pile of hay.
"I'm all done joking, Pete." Her voice was low and his heart rose in his throat at the sound of it. For God's sake, what was wrong with him? He was acting like a teenager hopped up on hormones.
He turned around again and stopped short at her closeness. She reached up and touched his chest, gleaming with sweat, then stepped into his arms and lifted her face to him.
He couldn't seem to stop her, or himself for a long time, but in reality it was only moments before he pulled back. His breath burned harshly in his lungs, and he tipped his forehead down to touch hers. "Come out here for a break, huh," he said, stalling, trying to calm the pounding of his heart.
Liska smiled, staring up into his eyes. "What else would you call it?"
He sobered, remembering where he was. What he was supposed to be doing. "A mistake," he sighed, and stepped back from her. He expected an impassioned response, but she was silent, staring coolly at him.
Pete broke from her gaze to stare uncomfortably out the barn door. "Look, I'm sorry, but there's nowhere to go with this," he said. His voice cracked like an adolescent's. He cursed inwardly and raked a hand through his hair.
"We'll see," she said, finally, and turned on her heel to walk out the door. He stared mindlessly after her.
God was he in trouble.
----------------------------
Pete excused himself, avoiding Alan and Galen's questioning look. It was early evening. Rapidly he walked away from Kabon's home and made his way to the slow, small stream meandering around the outskirts of the village. Another long day of hard work, and all he could think about was the feel of the water rushing over him. Pete pulled his rough shirt hastily over his head. Next came the pants, joining shirt and shoes slung in a careless heap upon the ground. The fresh air was welcome on his bare and sweaty skin. Assuring himself of his solitude with another glance around the sheltered area, he waded into the water.
It was about five feet across, but deep enough so that the water covered him to just above his waist. Good enough to swim in. He dove under immediately, cool water engulfing his heated scalp, face and neck. He surfaced and began to cut through the water in long, smooth strokes, relishing the lap of water against his naked skin, washing away dust and soothing aching muscles. After a few minutes he slowed and tipped his head back, letting his still body float towards the surface.
The area was lush and verdant, with sheltering trees and grass growing down to the water's edge. Birds called busily to one another. Pete sighed again, floating aimlessly on his back. A moment of tranquility. so rare on this world.
It had been two days since Pete and Liska's encounter in the barn. Since then he'd been polite and considerate. but distant. It was awkward, and he hated playing this game with her. God knows he liked her, and wanted to spend more time with her, but he also knew he and his friends would be leaving Chandar, and soon. She'd forget about him once he was gone. He tried to ignore the way his stomach sank at the thought.
Interrupting his musing, a loud splash came from directly behind him. Pete jerked upright, heart hammering. His eyebrows rose at the sight of Liska, splashing towards him from the bank. She was completely naked. and gorgeous. His eyes traveled over her figure, the long, dark hair. He closed his eyes for an instant, then opened them to meet her knowing gaze.
"What the hell are you doing?" he said, voice raised.
"What's it look like?" She reached out for him and he stumbled back a step, scowling. Her eyes widened and took on a humorous glint. "You're not afraid of me. are you?" she asked him, trying to keep from smiling.
"Maybe of Kabon," he said, smiling slightly. He took a deep breath. "He'd kill me if he saw us together. I don't think you should be here."
"It's not my father's business, and you have no idea how he'd feel about it, anyway," she said, reaching out a hand towards his chest. He caught it with his own.
"Liska." he said softly. "I'm leaving soon. You know that."
"I didn't come down here to discuss your plans with you, Pete. I came here because I wanted to. Simple," she said, and moved still closer.
"Not simple at all," he replied, voice hardening. "Why exactly are you here?"
Her blue eyes flashed. "Exactly?" He nodded, jaw flexing. With a sudden motion, she stepped into his arms and wrapped her hand around the back of his neck, pulling his face down to hers, covering his lips with her own. Her mouth sent an electric jolt through his body. He stiffened in surprise and put his hands on both sides of her waist, but he couldn't make himself step back. Burke grappled with self-control, finally pushing her gently away. She gazed upwards, longing evident, then lowered her eyes.
Pete looked down at her closed and sweat-slickened eyelids. Her vulnerability touched him. He shut his eyes again and swallowed. He'd resolved to leave Chandar before letting things go any farther and yet, here he was. He looked at her, the bowed head, the slant of her cheek. Impulsively he reached down and kissed the closed eyelids, tasting salt. She raised her lips to his. This time he could not resist, leaning down to explore her mouth hungrily. Her hand reached up to his face, cupping it.
Burke teetered on the edge of the cliff. He knew he needed to get the hell back to the village, before something happened that he'd regret, knowing how he wanted her, wanted this.
She opened her eyes and stared up at him, taking in the dark wet hair, already beginning to curl and the brown eyes, softened now. Taking every ounce of self-control, he turned from her. Liska made a protesting noise and reached out, pulling him back, and he drew in a sharp, sudden breath as her eyes burned into his, revealing the depths of her desire.
Teetering. teetering.. falling. Against his better judgment, his arms went around her.
-------------------
He tried to ignore the sinking sensation, knowing he'd done the wrong thing, he'd hurt her and himself, knowing in that moment that he cared for her more than he ever wanted to think about. And knowing it didn't matter if he wanted her, or even if he wanted to stay with her. he'd never abandon Alan. Alan needed him to help face the fact of a life without his family in this frightening future world.
He looked at her face, glowing and content, and kissed her gently on the cheek. He wanted to protect her, to make her happy, and this was what he'd done.
Somehow he'd try to make her understand. but first, he'd have to try and understand it himself.
--------------------------
Virdon glanced at Burke frequently, trying to gauge his mood as the trio walked north, carrying backpacks holding precious food and water. Their path was a fairly pleasant one with gradually rising hills. It was, however, a hot day with the sun beating unrelentingly down upon their heads.
Galen sighed, eyeing the two humans from the corner of his eyes. "Could you move a little downwind, please?" he asked, wrinkling his muzzle.
Burke stopped to sniff his underarm as Galen scowled at him. "I'd give my last.what? I don't own anything." He paused. "I'd give up a timeshare in Hawaii for some deodorant. Doesn't anybody use deodorant on this planet?" Pete grumbled, then sidled next to Galen and wrapped an arm around his shoulder. "Anyone at all?" he added, grinning boyishly at the chimpanzee.
Galen threw off his arm in disgust and snorted. Ignoring Pete, he stopped to face Alan. "Timeshare? De-o-dorant?" he asked. Alan grinned at Galen, relieved that Burke had finally cheered up. Ever since they'd left Chandar two hours ago, his fellow astronaut had been virtually silent. Leave it to Pete - teasing Galen would be the one thing to make him feel better.
"Galen, the first he doesn't own, and the second, we can't get," said Virdon, leaving Galen even more bewildered.
"My feelings are hurt, Galen. I just took a bath, pal, and although I admit I can't smell you, you can't be too clean under all that ape fuzz," said Burke.
Galen stared at Burke. "Apes do not have fuzz," he said in a dignified manner. "Pete.every time we start traveling again, you act like this, do you realize?" he grumbled.
"Act like what?" asked Burke innocently, brow cocked.
"Like an obnoxious, irritating. oh, never mind," sighed Galen.
"Obnoxious? Irritating. huh. How 'bout that." Burke trailed off. Galen grimaced and catching Virdon's eye, shook his head. Burke smiled, clapping Galen on the shoulder. "Right. Not fuzz. Fur."
Alan spoke up. "A word of advice, Galen: don't let him get to you. If you do, he'll never stop," and looked Pete's way, eyes twinkling.
Pete made a huffing sound and shook his head. "Hey, he's the one telling me I smell," he pointed out as he again sniffed at himself, "and I'm clean. For now, anyway," he said, moving to take the lead.
Before their departure this morning, the two men had washed at the small stream flowing close to the village. There was no telling when they might next have the opportunity to do so. It was just one more thing the astronauts had to endure - albeit an insignificant problem when compared to the life-threatening situations they faced everyday in this strange new world.
The trio had stayed at Chandar for eight pleasant, uneventful days before forcing themselves to move on. The villagers had been generous and friendly to the two men and their chimpanzee companion, and they'd lingered longer than was wise. On top of that, Pete had unwillingly - almost angrily, Alan knew - grown attached to Liska. Unlike many of the humans of this time, she had spirit. Apparently this world - and the apes - had not yet beaten it out of her.
Pete was upset at their departure this morning, though he tried hard to hide it. He cared for her, dammit. But he and Alan were on a mission - at least, Alan was - and he couldn't let his interest sway him. He didn't want an involvement with anyone - at least, not for a long while, until Alan was capable of accepting the fact that they weren't going home.
Burke would never admit it to himself, but a tiny flicker of hope remained deep in his mind, kept alive solely by his friend's stubborn, wrong-headed conviction that there had to be a way back home. Had to be.
Next to him, Alan suddenly reached down, feeling for the magnetic disk he carried in a leather pouch. The disk held the record of their flight here - and what went wrong. He'd given it to Pete for safekeeping while he made his trip to the stream this morning.
He stopped, grabbing Burke by the shoulders. "Pete! The disk! Where is it?" he asked urgently.
Pete's clear brown eyes widened. "Oh God. Alan.." he trailed off.
"I trusted you with it, Pete!" Alan said, voice uncharacteristically raised, staring into his friend's eyes.
"Hey buddy, it's not like you asked for it back, either," Pete protested angrily, brows drawn together. The two men stared at each other a moment longer. Then Alan sighed. Pete glanced apologetically at him, then the ground. Galen, who'd been watching with some concern, was relieved to see the mood between the two relax slightly.
"I'm sorry, Alan," Pete said sheepishly, at the same moment that Alan offered his own words of apology. Both men smiled, relieved.
"I shouldn't have snapped at you, Pete," Alan said, placing his hand on Burke's shoulder.
"Yeah, you should have. I shouldn't have forgotten it. It's just that Liska...she was upset, Alan. She asked me.she asked us not to leave." He paused. "It'll be okay, Alan. We'll get it back."
Galen sighed, turning wordlessly to begin the long walk back to the village.
He shook his head. Of all the menial tasks he'd performed while trapped in this bizarre future world, cleaning out a barn had to be number one on his list of things he'd hoped never to do. Ever. But Virdon was with Kabon, looking over his small crop of carrots, potatoes, and God knows what all. Pete supposed that being raised a farm boy had its advantages. Kept him out of the crap. Literally.
He wondered idly what Galen was doing as he stripped off his shirt and began to rake up the soiled hay. He snorted. Probably sitting somewhere with his feet propped up. These villagers allowed no ape to work around them. He could just picture Galen's smug look now.
By the time Pete had gotten the soiled hay up and out of the barn he'd worked up a good sweat. He wiped his streaming forehead, then lugged fresh water into the barn from the well outside. Next he brought loads of sweet- smelling hay in by the barrel-load.
Burke looked up at the sound of rustling footsteps near the barn door. Liska. Kabon's daughter. He pulled in a quick involuntary breath at the sight of her. Her black hair fell down around her shoulders and cascaded down her back. She had a lean, coltish look, tall, with long legs. Her eyes looked into his. Blue ice.
Burke had met Liska three days before, when he and his friends had first arrived at the human village of Chandar. Liska's father, Kabon, had a small strip of land he farmed, along with a milk-cow and a few chickens. The week before, he'd hurt his back and although not incapacitating, it was painful. With constant work, the injury continued to nag. He thought it would heal if allowed some recovery time, and was subsequently eager to accept an offer of work in exchange for shelter and food. Shortly after meeting the trio, bargain sealed, Kabon led them to his home.
Burke looked away from Liska's gaze. She had a way of measuring you - those clear, pale eyes seemed to see everything. Actually, she'd made him feel uncomfortable a time or two, although he'd burn in hell before admit it to anyone. In the close quarters of Kabon's home, he'd learned quickly that she was a direct person, and sometimes a silent one.
"What are you doing here, Liska?" he asked her, turning back to his work. His matter-of-fact tone belied that fact that his pulse raced at the sight of her there in the doorway.
She looked at him, unsmiling. "Taking a break."
The undercurrent of electricity between the two was gaining a life of its own. Over the course of the last few days, he'd been pleasantly surprised at her intelligence and quick wit. She seemed so serious - almost too serious - until he made her laugh after a couple of nights spent with her and her father. It transformed her, lit her from inside.
Mindful of the fact that he and his friends settled nowhere for long, Pete tried to hold his feelings in check. This had never been a problem before, frankly. Most of the humans of this time were dull-eyed with fear, beaten down by their servitude to the apes. Hardly anything to be tempted by.
Not her, though. And tempting didn't begin to describe her.
He shook himself mentally and continued pitching hay. Liska walked to where he stood. Her fingertips touched his back and he jerked, surprised, and looked around at her. She smiled patiently. "Are you avoiding me?"
"What are you talking about?" he scoffed, startled but unwilling to show it. She took a step closer to him.
"I've always hated cleaning out the barn," she said, changing the subject. "Good thing you're around to do it."
Pete leaned over the handle of the pitchfork, attempting nonchalance. "Is that right?" he said, brow cocked, looking down at her. He rested his chin on the hand covering the end of the pitchfork.
"Sure. Makes you good for something," she said. She winked at him. He blinked at her, surprised.
"I am hurt, Liska. Deeply wounded." He cast her a grievous look, and she grinned. He straightened up. "You won't always have me to kick around, you know."
Her look sobered. "I know." Liska's pale eyes stared into him.
"I've got work to do. My purpose in life, remember? Clean out the barn." He turned from her to the pile of hay.
"I'm all done joking, Pete." Her voice was low and his heart rose in his throat at the sound of it. For God's sake, what was wrong with him? He was acting like a teenager hopped up on hormones.
He turned around again and stopped short at her closeness. She reached up and touched his chest, gleaming with sweat, then stepped into his arms and lifted her face to him.
He couldn't seem to stop her, or himself for a long time, but in reality it was only moments before he pulled back. His breath burned harshly in his lungs, and he tipped his forehead down to touch hers. "Come out here for a break, huh," he said, stalling, trying to calm the pounding of his heart.
Liska smiled, staring up into his eyes. "What else would you call it?"
He sobered, remembering where he was. What he was supposed to be doing. "A mistake," he sighed, and stepped back from her. He expected an impassioned response, but she was silent, staring coolly at him.
Pete broke from her gaze to stare uncomfortably out the barn door. "Look, I'm sorry, but there's nowhere to go with this," he said. His voice cracked like an adolescent's. He cursed inwardly and raked a hand through his hair.
"We'll see," she said, finally, and turned on her heel to walk out the door. He stared mindlessly after her.
God was he in trouble.
----------------------------
Pete excused himself, avoiding Alan and Galen's questioning look. It was early evening. Rapidly he walked away from Kabon's home and made his way to the slow, small stream meandering around the outskirts of the village. Another long day of hard work, and all he could think about was the feel of the water rushing over him. Pete pulled his rough shirt hastily over his head. Next came the pants, joining shirt and shoes slung in a careless heap upon the ground. The fresh air was welcome on his bare and sweaty skin. Assuring himself of his solitude with another glance around the sheltered area, he waded into the water.
It was about five feet across, but deep enough so that the water covered him to just above his waist. Good enough to swim in. He dove under immediately, cool water engulfing his heated scalp, face and neck. He surfaced and began to cut through the water in long, smooth strokes, relishing the lap of water against his naked skin, washing away dust and soothing aching muscles. After a few minutes he slowed and tipped his head back, letting his still body float towards the surface.
The area was lush and verdant, with sheltering trees and grass growing down to the water's edge. Birds called busily to one another. Pete sighed again, floating aimlessly on his back. A moment of tranquility. so rare on this world.
It had been two days since Pete and Liska's encounter in the barn. Since then he'd been polite and considerate. but distant. It was awkward, and he hated playing this game with her. God knows he liked her, and wanted to spend more time with her, but he also knew he and his friends would be leaving Chandar, and soon. She'd forget about him once he was gone. He tried to ignore the way his stomach sank at the thought.
Interrupting his musing, a loud splash came from directly behind him. Pete jerked upright, heart hammering. His eyebrows rose at the sight of Liska, splashing towards him from the bank. She was completely naked. and gorgeous. His eyes traveled over her figure, the long, dark hair. He closed his eyes for an instant, then opened them to meet her knowing gaze.
"What the hell are you doing?" he said, voice raised.
"What's it look like?" She reached out for him and he stumbled back a step, scowling. Her eyes widened and took on a humorous glint. "You're not afraid of me. are you?" she asked him, trying to keep from smiling.
"Maybe of Kabon," he said, smiling slightly. He took a deep breath. "He'd kill me if he saw us together. I don't think you should be here."
"It's not my father's business, and you have no idea how he'd feel about it, anyway," she said, reaching out a hand towards his chest. He caught it with his own.
"Liska." he said softly. "I'm leaving soon. You know that."
"I didn't come down here to discuss your plans with you, Pete. I came here because I wanted to. Simple," she said, and moved still closer.
"Not simple at all," he replied, voice hardening. "Why exactly are you here?"
Her blue eyes flashed. "Exactly?" He nodded, jaw flexing. With a sudden motion, she stepped into his arms and wrapped her hand around the back of his neck, pulling his face down to hers, covering his lips with her own. Her mouth sent an electric jolt through his body. He stiffened in surprise and put his hands on both sides of her waist, but he couldn't make himself step back. Burke grappled with self-control, finally pushing her gently away. She gazed upwards, longing evident, then lowered her eyes.
Pete looked down at her closed and sweat-slickened eyelids. Her vulnerability touched him. He shut his eyes again and swallowed. He'd resolved to leave Chandar before letting things go any farther and yet, here he was. He looked at her, the bowed head, the slant of her cheek. Impulsively he reached down and kissed the closed eyelids, tasting salt. She raised her lips to his. This time he could not resist, leaning down to explore her mouth hungrily. Her hand reached up to his face, cupping it.
Burke teetered on the edge of the cliff. He knew he needed to get the hell back to the village, before something happened that he'd regret, knowing how he wanted her, wanted this.
She opened her eyes and stared up at him, taking in the dark wet hair, already beginning to curl and the brown eyes, softened now. Taking every ounce of self-control, he turned from her. Liska made a protesting noise and reached out, pulling him back, and he drew in a sharp, sudden breath as her eyes burned into his, revealing the depths of her desire.
Teetering. teetering.. falling. Against his better judgment, his arms went around her.
-------------------
He tried to ignore the sinking sensation, knowing he'd done the wrong thing, he'd hurt her and himself, knowing in that moment that he cared for her more than he ever wanted to think about. And knowing it didn't matter if he wanted her, or even if he wanted to stay with her. he'd never abandon Alan. Alan needed him to help face the fact of a life without his family in this frightening future world.
He looked at her face, glowing and content, and kissed her gently on the cheek. He wanted to protect her, to make her happy, and this was what he'd done.
Somehow he'd try to make her understand. but first, he'd have to try and understand it himself.
--------------------------
Virdon glanced at Burke frequently, trying to gauge his mood as the trio walked north, carrying backpacks holding precious food and water. Their path was a fairly pleasant one with gradually rising hills. It was, however, a hot day with the sun beating unrelentingly down upon their heads.
Galen sighed, eyeing the two humans from the corner of his eyes. "Could you move a little downwind, please?" he asked, wrinkling his muzzle.
Burke stopped to sniff his underarm as Galen scowled at him. "I'd give my last.what? I don't own anything." He paused. "I'd give up a timeshare in Hawaii for some deodorant. Doesn't anybody use deodorant on this planet?" Pete grumbled, then sidled next to Galen and wrapped an arm around his shoulder. "Anyone at all?" he added, grinning boyishly at the chimpanzee.
Galen threw off his arm in disgust and snorted. Ignoring Pete, he stopped to face Alan. "Timeshare? De-o-dorant?" he asked. Alan grinned at Galen, relieved that Burke had finally cheered up. Ever since they'd left Chandar two hours ago, his fellow astronaut had been virtually silent. Leave it to Pete - teasing Galen would be the one thing to make him feel better.
"Galen, the first he doesn't own, and the second, we can't get," said Virdon, leaving Galen even more bewildered.
"My feelings are hurt, Galen. I just took a bath, pal, and although I admit I can't smell you, you can't be too clean under all that ape fuzz," said Burke.
Galen stared at Burke. "Apes do not have fuzz," he said in a dignified manner. "Pete.every time we start traveling again, you act like this, do you realize?" he grumbled.
"Act like what?" asked Burke innocently, brow cocked.
"Like an obnoxious, irritating. oh, never mind," sighed Galen.
"Obnoxious? Irritating. huh. How 'bout that." Burke trailed off. Galen grimaced and catching Virdon's eye, shook his head. Burke smiled, clapping Galen on the shoulder. "Right. Not fuzz. Fur."
Alan spoke up. "A word of advice, Galen: don't let him get to you. If you do, he'll never stop," and looked Pete's way, eyes twinkling.
Pete made a huffing sound and shook his head. "Hey, he's the one telling me I smell," he pointed out as he again sniffed at himself, "and I'm clean. For now, anyway," he said, moving to take the lead.
Before their departure this morning, the two men had washed at the small stream flowing close to the village. There was no telling when they might next have the opportunity to do so. It was just one more thing the astronauts had to endure - albeit an insignificant problem when compared to the life-threatening situations they faced everyday in this strange new world.
The trio had stayed at Chandar for eight pleasant, uneventful days before forcing themselves to move on. The villagers had been generous and friendly to the two men and their chimpanzee companion, and they'd lingered longer than was wise. On top of that, Pete had unwillingly - almost angrily, Alan knew - grown attached to Liska. Unlike many of the humans of this time, she had spirit. Apparently this world - and the apes - had not yet beaten it out of her.
Pete was upset at their departure this morning, though he tried hard to hide it. He cared for her, dammit. But he and Alan were on a mission - at least, Alan was - and he couldn't let his interest sway him. He didn't want an involvement with anyone - at least, not for a long while, until Alan was capable of accepting the fact that they weren't going home.
Burke would never admit it to himself, but a tiny flicker of hope remained deep in his mind, kept alive solely by his friend's stubborn, wrong-headed conviction that there had to be a way back home. Had to be.
Next to him, Alan suddenly reached down, feeling for the magnetic disk he carried in a leather pouch. The disk held the record of their flight here - and what went wrong. He'd given it to Pete for safekeeping while he made his trip to the stream this morning.
He stopped, grabbing Burke by the shoulders. "Pete! The disk! Where is it?" he asked urgently.
Pete's clear brown eyes widened. "Oh God. Alan.." he trailed off.
"I trusted you with it, Pete!" Alan said, voice uncharacteristically raised, staring into his friend's eyes.
"Hey buddy, it's not like you asked for it back, either," Pete protested angrily, brows drawn together. The two men stared at each other a moment longer. Then Alan sighed. Pete glanced apologetically at him, then the ground. Galen, who'd been watching with some concern, was relieved to see the mood between the two relax slightly.
"I'm sorry, Alan," Pete said sheepishly, at the same moment that Alan offered his own words of apology. Both men smiled, relieved.
"I shouldn't have snapped at you, Pete," Alan said, placing his hand on Burke's shoulder.
"Yeah, you should have. I shouldn't have forgotten it. It's just that Liska...she was upset, Alan. She asked me.she asked us not to leave." He paused. "It'll be okay, Alan. We'll get it back."
Galen sighed, turning wordlessly to begin the long walk back to the village.
