Redemption
Author: Miss Lizz ^_^
Rating: R for bloodshed, battle, and steamy romance
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the words and any never before seen characters.
Chapter 1: Beginnings and Nocturnes
This was getting ridiculous. Why did all major reports have to be done in triplicate? And put into the computer files in the same forms? It was a complete waste of space, time, and all the paper was bad for the environment. These arguments always fell on deaf ears though; the counter- argument being that only one of the triplicates was even kept on hard copy and every other copy was kept in case everything else was somehow destroyed. It was still a waste of time. And boring without a doubt.
X leaned back in his chair and tried to stretch out his stiff fingers, he was finished, after seven straight hours of typing he was finished! By the goddess his fingers hurt. He might have whooped for joy had he not been so tired. Out of the corner of his eye, Elle drew back her arm to launch a paper ball at him, she was surprised when he nonchalantly caught it and quickly rerouted it to a trashcan. He looked at her and gave his trademark smirk.
"I take it you're ready to leave?"
"You could say that," she grabbed her coat on their way to the garage, "I've been waiting on you to finish for an hour."
"Can I help it if I prefer to do a good job?"
Their usual badinage continued throughout the uneventful ride to the living complexes just on the outskirts of the property. Both of them lived in the second, smaller building and they were the only ones on their floor so far. They were even next-door neighbors, which was often an invitation to bickering and pranks. Tonight was quiet save for the teasing that was often mistaken for flirting by anyone not paying closer attention, or anyone who knew them. They were nearly silent in the elevator, for some reason, no one ever seems to talk in those. They were also quieter walking down the hallway.
A crash suddenly rang out from Elle's room, sending the blonde agent fumbling for her keys, hoping that Orion had not hurt himself. X, however, drew his carbonizer; he had heard something directly after the crash that he'd recognized as a dialect of his home planet, his home clan. This did not bode well.
"X, what are you doing? I'm not gonna let you shoot my cat!"
He ignored her and remained silent, pushing her aside and easing the door open the rest of the way. "Who is here?" he called out in his native language, its deep, lilting resonance filling the small room.
"You know who we are, pup, and you know why," a gruff voice answered in like and two big, older-than-him, scarred warriors stepped out of the shadows, "Get that thing off your head."
X snarled but pulled his mask off. He did know what they were here but not why they were in Elle's quarters, though it was entirely possible they had broke into the wrong room.
Speaking of Elle, "I'm assuming you know these guys. Where's my cat?" came said blonde's annoyed voice from behind, he turned to look at her and she must have seen the emotions in his eyes for she became concerned, "What's going on, X?"
Before he could give her any answer, the younger of the two warriors spoke for the first time, "How is that… human on such a close relationship with you?"
The MiB Jee'Dangian stole a glance to the human and could tell she didn't like not knowing what was being said. He reverted back to his native language rustily; it had been over a year since he last spoke it, "We are close because she is my," he searched his mind for the right word, "… gemaecca."
From the way the younger one's eyes widened and the elder's eyebrow arched upward, X knew he said the wrong thing. What was the exact meaning of gemaecca? Partner, yes, but what else?
"Your gemaecca? A human?" the elder said amazingly, "Then you know she comes with us to share your fate. Don your armour, pup, and be ready to board ship."
X sputtered in shock, Elle was going?! What had he done??
"Don't dawdle, boy," the younger of the warriors barked and proceeded to push X out the door.
As he stumbled past a startled Elle he managed to mutter: "Be ready for a long trip."
X was unable to convince his clansmen to leave his blonde partner, so she went rather disbelievingly and unwillingly. She also had a hard time believing what her partner was wearing when he and the old warrior joined her and the even older warrior that stayed with her, aboard a shuttle that headquarters had apparently not detected. It was on the roof of the building for crying out loud! As for X, she had no idea his bulky human and regulation suits had hidden such assets; his body, she could see nearly all of it, was lean but heavily rippled with muscles like steel under green flesh. He moved with the inherent, deadly grace that was his alone. His physique, to say the least, was perfect. Good gracious, he looked good.
"Nice outfit, or lack thereof," that earned her a scowl, from all the Jee'Dangians.
The 'outfit' consisted of pitted shoulder armour, both jointed for ease of motion, a partial breast-plate over the left side of his chest was composed of three movable metal plates that extended from his clavicle to the bottom of his ribcage. His right had what looked like toughened leather in a harness type configuration; the entire breastplate was connected by an ornamental clasp. His entire well-built torso was swathed in metal rings linked by tiny strips of leather, like chain mail. It led down to a leather and metal codpiece with a black hide loincloth draped over it; more armour covered the outside of his thighs, his shins and forearms. In all, he looked every bit the fearsome warrior.
No matter how fascinating her partner's armour was, she was nervous, actually she was scared out of her mind but did not want him or the two gruff males to know that; she had never been out of Earth's atmosphere. In truth, she had never really left the United States that often. She wanted to cry when she watched the little blue planet recede and a huge, before now cloaked ship come into view, the only reason she did not was X's almost comforting presence. It was her fear and nervousness that made her voice so much softer and breathier when she tried for some lightening of the situation in her earlier words.
"Where are they taking us?" Elle paced the length of the small bedchamber she and X had been locked in. X sat dispiritedly on the richly covered bed and watched her.
"Back to the Jee'Dang galaxy, to my home-world also called Jee'Dang. I'm so sorry, Elle."
She froze and stared at him, wide-eyed, "That I don't like the sound of. Why are you sorry?"
"You have to share whatever fate befalls me. Everyone thinks you're my mate," he added the last bit in a small voice.
"Oh, God," Elle sank onto the bed next to him, "Why do they think that, and why are they taking us to Jee'Dang?"
X sighed and rubbed a hand over the back of his neck, he'd removed he upper portion of his armour, "I told them," at her shocked expression he began talking quickly, "It's been a year since I last spoke my own language, I used the first word I thought of that meant 'partner.' 'Gemaecca' does mean partner, a soul-partner, a mate. I don't think I'll be able to convince the elders otherwise now. If it's any consolation, I don't think I'll get killed so you should be released unharmed," he was quiet, he couldn't tell her what exactly he was to go up against. For her, he could not risk losing. Even if they never got along, he wouldn't see her die because of his past idiocy. But, then she may enjoy seeing him beaten.
"Killed?!" her voice was rising in shock, "You could die? X, what are they going to do to you?"
"They're not really going to do anything as a whole," how much should I tell her? Why not everything; this is her future too, now, no thanks to me, "I have to fight whoever the elders choose and however many of them there are. Sorta like that human film… um… 'Gladiola.'"
"Gladiator," Elle offered quietly.
"Thank you. If I manage to live and, more importantly, win, we'll be returned and I'll regain everything that was taken before. All of this will happen once we reach Jee'Dang, which should take two maybe two and a half weeks," he smiled sadly, "I'd say to relax but I know you probably won't… . I'm sorry."
A silence stretched between them for what felt like hours. In actuality it lasted only minutes before being broken by another question from the small female. "What happened to cause all this?"
She could feel him tense and stiffen even though they touched nowhere, he spoke softly as he had since they had been locked in these chambers, but his voice now was tight, "I killed my partner and an innocent. This happened… nearly three Earth years ago. I woke up covered in their blood with a dagger in my hand. The only reason the authorities didn't throw me in a cell for the rest of my life was the fact that I had been drugged and it was assumed I had no control whatsoever over my actions, the elders of my clan didn't see it that way. A warrior is always responsible for his or her actions and must face that action and any consequences that arise," he had never thought to tell her any of this. His throat constricted painfully, "I was publicly dishonoured, disowned, and flogged. It was nothing I didn't deserve. When I thought they were through, the elders' ordered me banished from Jee'Dang. Never to return until they saw fit," a bitter smile crossed his face, "Apparently they see fit."
Elle only stared at him, there was nothing she could say that wouldn't sound pitying. There must have been a set up, the X she knew was belligerent, yes, but he would never kill someone. Why did no one look into the details? A scene like the one he awoke to could have easily been made to appear that way. No one saw that, not even X. And his own clan, who she assumed was his family, disowned and beat him. She had no idea what he had been through. Maybe this was why he acted like he did sometimes.
How can she make him see this? What can she do?
Still silent, she put her arms around him awkwardly, expecting him to pull away at the very least. This was the best comfort she could think to offer for now. He did not pull away but looked at her in quiet puzzlement. The blonde leaned into him and closed her eyes, she needed this contact as much as he must. She would never admit it to him but she was frightened more than she ever had been and it felt good to hold someone. When his arms tentatively embraced her, she realized it felt good to be held too. It felt wonderful, actually, to have someone cradle her. Listening to his slow, thundering heartbeat, all at once she realized she did not want to see him so much as harmed let alone killed. Their embrace felt very intimate to her, in this little room on a bed they were expected to share. She shouldn't be feeling like this, he was after all her partner, but she did and she liked this feeling of warm safety when in his arms. She felt and heard him sigh and knew they had to part.
They pushed reluctantly apart at the same time, self-conscious, embarrassed, and remorseful. It was too much, too fast, too soon. Her heart had picked up its tempo and beat swiftly in her chest during and after their contact. Why was this happening? She couldn't be feeling this for her partner, it was impossible. What am I feeling?
X cleared his throat, "Sorry," he mumbled and got off the bed to pace the length of the room like a caged panther.
"Please, stop saying that. You've apologized more than enough already when you don't have to," she watched him continue to pace and something struck her, "I never knew you had a tattoo," she spoke before she thought and felt like an idiot after she had said it. Of course she never knew it, she had never seen him in so little before. With nothing at all covering him from the waist up, the black, intricate design was clearly displayed. It was like a cross between Celtic knots and tribal designs, twisting down his spine to disappear past his belt slung low on narrow hips and flaring like wings across the broad landscape of his shoulders. It was strange and haunting and beautiful and she had an urge to trace the lines with her fingertips.
"Yes, I've had it quite a while," he turned to face her and guilt slammed into him full force once again and he realized she truly was entrancing; no matter how contradictory those two feelings were. He shook himself from the traitorous thought; she was his partner, no matter what he had blurted out to his clan. Why had gemaecca immediately come to mind? There were so many other words he could have used.
No, there were more important things to think of than why he subconsciously chose a certain word. He must hone his blade and rekindle his skills; it would not be so difficult since he practiced daily and sparred with Kay on occasion. Still, no sense in slowing now. It also would not hurt if he changed into a pair of pants; Elle seemed slightly discomfited talking to him when he wore his armour. She hid it well but there was no imagining here, was there? Without his breastplate, called an aerma, and the m'ca, the meshed chain mail, he was nearly naked and he knew humans were touchy about such things.
He felt like kicking himself, it did not matter what happened to him but if Elle were injured he would never forgive himself. He had dragged the little human into this. Though if the truth be known, he thought she could do fine on her own, she was a tough customer. She might die of shock if she knew he thought that. And he could never tell her because of everything that had passed between them so far. He wanted to but he couldn't. He had a lot more respect for her than he could let on.
Now he only had to keep her alive for however long this mess could last.
"What's wrong?" he noticed she was suddenly looking more worried than she had.
"I'm worried about Orion. If no one notices us missing soon, he could starve! My poor cat!"
Her cat! They could die at any time and she was worried over her cat! X began laughing, he couldn't help it, at the moment he found the fact funny. Elle did not understand or even appreciate his sudden mirth. She scowled and whacked him in the arm.
For the first few days things passed dreadfully slow as all either of them could do was pace, talk, and Elle watched X practice with swords, daggers, axes, and countless other weapons. He was frighteningly good. That catlike grace turned into a deadly dance in which she couldn't help but watch in awe. How had he managed to hide these skills?
Then she remembered an incident from earlier in the month when she walked into the gym to find him and Kay attacking each other. At the time she had not known they were merely sparring and for an instant thought they were actually trying to beat each other senseless. She had dismissed his skill then as a fluke. If only she had known…
He was amazing.
He wore pants now instead of the revealing armour though she was unsure as to why he had changed; it could not have had anything to do with him thinking she was uncomfortable around him. She was, kind of, but why should he care? But she had never minded watching a gorgeous male body or the play of iron muscles under smooth skin.
Damn it, there I go again. You'd think I hadn't seen a man in years.
Well, I haven't but that's no reason to act like a lovesick teenager.
X didn't seem to be having any trouble completely ignoring her when he trained himself. She wished she were so able. The markings on his back never ceased to fascinate her and draw her eyes even when she shouldn't.
He was having trouble concentrating during his exercises. Elle's staring was making him self-conscious but he was not annoyed by it. Not too much. He was having trouble keeping his eyes off her too. The Jee'Dangian outfit she was wearing had never looked better on a body. The dark crimson, sleeveless top with gold border and matching skirt that reached the floor with a slit that reached up to her hip was devastatingly beautiful on her. It set off highlights of palest gold in her hair.
X shook his head. Why was he being bombarded by these thoughts? Such close contact was wreaking havoc with the defenses he'd spent so much time erecting.
Their sleeping arrangements weren't much better on his peace of mind. They had mutually decided that since the bed was so huge they could safely share it without touching. It seemed like a good idea at the time but in practice it was lacking. Every morning it seemed he woke up with her in his arms. He actually didn't mind that part, which was driving him insane. She had no idea she was snuggling in his arms at night for he awoke earlier than his beautiful little partner. Or she didn't until one day, a week into their kidnapping, that she actually woke up before he did.
When she gasped and pushed herself away, it roused him. He had no idea what was happening and expected the worse. There was no one else in the room so what was she doing? It was too early for this!
"Elle?" He propped himself up on an elbow to look bafflingly at her.
She looked like she was trying to wake up from a dream. "What are we doing?!" She finally croaked.
X held in his laughter at her expression of shock; if he laughed she might kill him and make him sleep on the floor. Instead, he tried to pacify her.
"You must have gotten cold in the night. It is slightly colder than what humans are used to, I suppose. We didn't do anything you have to worry about," maybe it would work. Not telling her about all the other nights would be best as well, he decided.
She nodded accepting this because it was chillier than normal in the room. It had obviously startled her to wake up in the arms of the man she had threatened to kill on multiple occasions. X still found it funny.
He lay back down and prepared to go back to sleep and was surprised to feel Elle do the same moments later. She never snored but he could hear her breathing even out and slow in slumber and she immediately moved back to him. Was she like this with everyone she slept with? That stilled him and caused a surprising jolt of something primitive in him at the mere thought of her lying with anyone else. What was happening to him? Between the two of them? This was making no sense.
Another few days passed, Elle still curled against X in the night but she did not wake up any more. Though once X did to find they were lying in a spoon position but the blonde human was far from still. She was wriggling slightly as if searching for a more comfortable position. Wrapping his arms around her thin form stilled her and she fell into a deeper slumber. This was really driving him crazy, and he must be crazy because he wanted to continue holding her. He wanted to just lay here touching her. Incredibly, her movements had actually aroused him. She was a little temptress. Her body was smaller than any female from his homeworld but it was perfectly formed and soft and even her little ears and nose were starting to grow on him. And her eyes were a gorgeous colour blue, on his planet eye colour ranged from gold and amber to pale yellow.
All he could do was try to put some space between them so that if she woke up she wouldn't outright kill him.
He tried, he really did. But the day they entered Jee'Dang space his control shattered and he kissed her. He hadn't known he was going to, it just kind of happened. He half expected her to pull away; she didn't. If anything she leaned into it and brought him to the brink of madness just by that. Her sigh was what did it, if he had to place blame. It was soft and quiet and she molded so perfectly to his body that he could barely stop himself from doing something they would both later regret. He regretted not doing that something already, but that couldn't be right. He wanted it to continue and it wasn't right. It wasn't right. Not now.
"By the goddess, we can't do this," he gently pushed away from her and stared down into her slightly passion-glazed eyes. "Whatever came over us has to be stopped. I won't hurt you like this."
She wrapped her thin arms around his waist and sighed, "I know. I agree, we can't do this now. It just felt so… right… and good." She lay her head on his chest, her eyelashes tickled.
He held her and made a sound of agreement. It had felt good—
"We're in atmosphere. Be prepared to leave," the words were punctuated by loud pounding on the door. Their moment was broken, it was time to face reality.
Jee'Dang, the fourth planet in the Diur solar system, was a beautiful place. Like a deep blue and faintly purple marble. Much of it was covered in lush forests that, she was to learn from X and eventually see for herself, could grow over a thousand feet tall and sprouted purplish foliage. It stayed dark as night in the deep interior of these thick forests all day long. The days on Jee'Dang were close to those of Earth. And like Earth, the majority of the planet was water, accounting for the enormous swatches of blue. They stood in their cell/chamber looking out the observation window while X pointed out a few landmarks.
It was along the coast of the largest of the seas in the heavily wooded north that his clansmen took them. The trees gave way to smaller shrubs and craggy rocks and bluffs in the coastline they landed at. The place reminded her of some places along the northern coasts of Earth.
"See that there?" the big Jee'Dangian pointed to a massive castellated stone building. "That's the family keep. I was raised there," he made a sound like a grunt, "Not that it matters any longer. When we leave the ship remember everything I told you earlier. For the most you'll be ignored or pitied so I woul—"
"Why would I be pitied?"
X looked at her with a sad smile, "For being my mate. I wouldn't worry too much; at worst you'll be locked in whatever room they'll stick us in. You probably wouldn't even be noticed except as a curiosity, not very many of my people have seen a human before. At least not in the flesh," he looked at the door that was suddenly opening and sighed, "Here we go."
End Ch 1
Next up: Jee'Dang. Tell me what you think of this, my literary jumble. I want at least a few reviews, no flames though, pretty please. Thank you all.
Miss Lizz ^_^
p.s. Sorry I didn't post this on the group, it was a bit too long.
Author: Miss Lizz ^_^
Rating: R for bloodshed, battle, and steamy romance
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the words and any never before seen characters.
Chapter 1: Beginnings and Nocturnes
This was getting ridiculous. Why did all major reports have to be done in triplicate? And put into the computer files in the same forms? It was a complete waste of space, time, and all the paper was bad for the environment. These arguments always fell on deaf ears though; the counter- argument being that only one of the triplicates was even kept on hard copy and every other copy was kept in case everything else was somehow destroyed. It was still a waste of time. And boring without a doubt.
X leaned back in his chair and tried to stretch out his stiff fingers, he was finished, after seven straight hours of typing he was finished! By the goddess his fingers hurt. He might have whooped for joy had he not been so tired. Out of the corner of his eye, Elle drew back her arm to launch a paper ball at him, she was surprised when he nonchalantly caught it and quickly rerouted it to a trashcan. He looked at her and gave his trademark smirk.
"I take it you're ready to leave?"
"You could say that," she grabbed her coat on their way to the garage, "I've been waiting on you to finish for an hour."
"Can I help it if I prefer to do a good job?"
Their usual badinage continued throughout the uneventful ride to the living complexes just on the outskirts of the property. Both of them lived in the second, smaller building and they were the only ones on their floor so far. They were even next-door neighbors, which was often an invitation to bickering and pranks. Tonight was quiet save for the teasing that was often mistaken for flirting by anyone not paying closer attention, or anyone who knew them. They were nearly silent in the elevator, for some reason, no one ever seems to talk in those. They were also quieter walking down the hallway.
A crash suddenly rang out from Elle's room, sending the blonde agent fumbling for her keys, hoping that Orion had not hurt himself. X, however, drew his carbonizer; he had heard something directly after the crash that he'd recognized as a dialect of his home planet, his home clan. This did not bode well.
"X, what are you doing? I'm not gonna let you shoot my cat!"
He ignored her and remained silent, pushing her aside and easing the door open the rest of the way. "Who is here?" he called out in his native language, its deep, lilting resonance filling the small room.
"You know who we are, pup, and you know why," a gruff voice answered in like and two big, older-than-him, scarred warriors stepped out of the shadows, "Get that thing off your head."
X snarled but pulled his mask off. He did know what they were here but not why they were in Elle's quarters, though it was entirely possible they had broke into the wrong room.
Speaking of Elle, "I'm assuming you know these guys. Where's my cat?" came said blonde's annoyed voice from behind, he turned to look at her and she must have seen the emotions in his eyes for she became concerned, "What's going on, X?"
Before he could give her any answer, the younger of the two warriors spoke for the first time, "How is that… human on such a close relationship with you?"
The MiB Jee'Dangian stole a glance to the human and could tell she didn't like not knowing what was being said. He reverted back to his native language rustily; it had been over a year since he last spoke it, "We are close because she is my," he searched his mind for the right word, "… gemaecca."
From the way the younger one's eyes widened and the elder's eyebrow arched upward, X knew he said the wrong thing. What was the exact meaning of gemaecca? Partner, yes, but what else?
"Your gemaecca? A human?" the elder said amazingly, "Then you know she comes with us to share your fate. Don your armour, pup, and be ready to board ship."
X sputtered in shock, Elle was going?! What had he done??
"Don't dawdle, boy," the younger of the warriors barked and proceeded to push X out the door.
As he stumbled past a startled Elle he managed to mutter: "Be ready for a long trip."
X was unable to convince his clansmen to leave his blonde partner, so she went rather disbelievingly and unwillingly. She also had a hard time believing what her partner was wearing when he and the old warrior joined her and the even older warrior that stayed with her, aboard a shuttle that headquarters had apparently not detected. It was on the roof of the building for crying out loud! As for X, she had no idea his bulky human and regulation suits had hidden such assets; his body, she could see nearly all of it, was lean but heavily rippled with muscles like steel under green flesh. He moved with the inherent, deadly grace that was his alone. His physique, to say the least, was perfect. Good gracious, he looked good.
"Nice outfit, or lack thereof," that earned her a scowl, from all the Jee'Dangians.
The 'outfit' consisted of pitted shoulder armour, both jointed for ease of motion, a partial breast-plate over the left side of his chest was composed of three movable metal plates that extended from his clavicle to the bottom of his ribcage. His right had what looked like toughened leather in a harness type configuration; the entire breastplate was connected by an ornamental clasp. His entire well-built torso was swathed in metal rings linked by tiny strips of leather, like chain mail. It led down to a leather and metal codpiece with a black hide loincloth draped over it; more armour covered the outside of his thighs, his shins and forearms. In all, he looked every bit the fearsome warrior.
No matter how fascinating her partner's armour was, she was nervous, actually she was scared out of her mind but did not want him or the two gruff males to know that; she had never been out of Earth's atmosphere. In truth, she had never really left the United States that often. She wanted to cry when she watched the little blue planet recede and a huge, before now cloaked ship come into view, the only reason she did not was X's almost comforting presence. It was her fear and nervousness that made her voice so much softer and breathier when she tried for some lightening of the situation in her earlier words.
"Where are they taking us?" Elle paced the length of the small bedchamber she and X had been locked in. X sat dispiritedly on the richly covered bed and watched her.
"Back to the Jee'Dang galaxy, to my home-world also called Jee'Dang. I'm so sorry, Elle."
She froze and stared at him, wide-eyed, "That I don't like the sound of. Why are you sorry?"
"You have to share whatever fate befalls me. Everyone thinks you're my mate," he added the last bit in a small voice.
"Oh, God," Elle sank onto the bed next to him, "Why do they think that, and why are they taking us to Jee'Dang?"
X sighed and rubbed a hand over the back of his neck, he'd removed he upper portion of his armour, "I told them," at her shocked expression he began talking quickly, "It's been a year since I last spoke my own language, I used the first word I thought of that meant 'partner.' 'Gemaecca' does mean partner, a soul-partner, a mate. I don't think I'll be able to convince the elders otherwise now. If it's any consolation, I don't think I'll get killed so you should be released unharmed," he was quiet, he couldn't tell her what exactly he was to go up against. For her, he could not risk losing. Even if they never got along, he wouldn't see her die because of his past idiocy. But, then she may enjoy seeing him beaten.
"Killed?!" her voice was rising in shock, "You could die? X, what are they going to do to you?"
"They're not really going to do anything as a whole," how much should I tell her? Why not everything; this is her future too, now, no thanks to me, "I have to fight whoever the elders choose and however many of them there are. Sorta like that human film… um… 'Gladiola.'"
"Gladiator," Elle offered quietly.
"Thank you. If I manage to live and, more importantly, win, we'll be returned and I'll regain everything that was taken before. All of this will happen once we reach Jee'Dang, which should take two maybe two and a half weeks," he smiled sadly, "I'd say to relax but I know you probably won't… . I'm sorry."
A silence stretched between them for what felt like hours. In actuality it lasted only minutes before being broken by another question from the small female. "What happened to cause all this?"
She could feel him tense and stiffen even though they touched nowhere, he spoke softly as he had since they had been locked in these chambers, but his voice now was tight, "I killed my partner and an innocent. This happened… nearly three Earth years ago. I woke up covered in their blood with a dagger in my hand. The only reason the authorities didn't throw me in a cell for the rest of my life was the fact that I had been drugged and it was assumed I had no control whatsoever over my actions, the elders of my clan didn't see it that way. A warrior is always responsible for his or her actions and must face that action and any consequences that arise," he had never thought to tell her any of this. His throat constricted painfully, "I was publicly dishonoured, disowned, and flogged. It was nothing I didn't deserve. When I thought they were through, the elders' ordered me banished from Jee'Dang. Never to return until they saw fit," a bitter smile crossed his face, "Apparently they see fit."
Elle only stared at him, there was nothing she could say that wouldn't sound pitying. There must have been a set up, the X she knew was belligerent, yes, but he would never kill someone. Why did no one look into the details? A scene like the one he awoke to could have easily been made to appear that way. No one saw that, not even X. And his own clan, who she assumed was his family, disowned and beat him. She had no idea what he had been through. Maybe this was why he acted like he did sometimes.
How can she make him see this? What can she do?
Still silent, she put her arms around him awkwardly, expecting him to pull away at the very least. This was the best comfort she could think to offer for now. He did not pull away but looked at her in quiet puzzlement. The blonde leaned into him and closed her eyes, she needed this contact as much as he must. She would never admit it to him but she was frightened more than she ever had been and it felt good to hold someone. When his arms tentatively embraced her, she realized it felt good to be held too. It felt wonderful, actually, to have someone cradle her. Listening to his slow, thundering heartbeat, all at once she realized she did not want to see him so much as harmed let alone killed. Their embrace felt very intimate to her, in this little room on a bed they were expected to share. She shouldn't be feeling like this, he was after all her partner, but she did and she liked this feeling of warm safety when in his arms. She felt and heard him sigh and knew they had to part.
They pushed reluctantly apart at the same time, self-conscious, embarrassed, and remorseful. It was too much, too fast, too soon. Her heart had picked up its tempo and beat swiftly in her chest during and after their contact. Why was this happening? She couldn't be feeling this for her partner, it was impossible. What am I feeling?
X cleared his throat, "Sorry," he mumbled and got off the bed to pace the length of the room like a caged panther.
"Please, stop saying that. You've apologized more than enough already when you don't have to," she watched him continue to pace and something struck her, "I never knew you had a tattoo," she spoke before she thought and felt like an idiot after she had said it. Of course she never knew it, she had never seen him in so little before. With nothing at all covering him from the waist up, the black, intricate design was clearly displayed. It was like a cross between Celtic knots and tribal designs, twisting down his spine to disappear past his belt slung low on narrow hips and flaring like wings across the broad landscape of his shoulders. It was strange and haunting and beautiful and she had an urge to trace the lines with her fingertips.
"Yes, I've had it quite a while," he turned to face her and guilt slammed into him full force once again and he realized she truly was entrancing; no matter how contradictory those two feelings were. He shook himself from the traitorous thought; she was his partner, no matter what he had blurted out to his clan. Why had gemaecca immediately come to mind? There were so many other words he could have used.
No, there were more important things to think of than why he subconsciously chose a certain word. He must hone his blade and rekindle his skills; it would not be so difficult since he practiced daily and sparred with Kay on occasion. Still, no sense in slowing now. It also would not hurt if he changed into a pair of pants; Elle seemed slightly discomfited talking to him when he wore his armour. She hid it well but there was no imagining here, was there? Without his breastplate, called an aerma, and the m'ca, the meshed chain mail, he was nearly naked and he knew humans were touchy about such things.
He felt like kicking himself, it did not matter what happened to him but if Elle were injured he would never forgive himself. He had dragged the little human into this. Though if the truth be known, he thought she could do fine on her own, she was a tough customer. She might die of shock if she knew he thought that. And he could never tell her because of everything that had passed between them so far. He wanted to but he couldn't. He had a lot more respect for her than he could let on.
Now he only had to keep her alive for however long this mess could last.
"What's wrong?" he noticed she was suddenly looking more worried than she had.
"I'm worried about Orion. If no one notices us missing soon, he could starve! My poor cat!"
Her cat! They could die at any time and she was worried over her cat! X began laughing, he couldn't help it, at the moment he found the fact funny. Elle did not understand or even appreciate his sudden mirth. She scowled and whacked him in the arm.
For the first few days things passed dreadfully slow as all either of them could do was pace, talk, and Elle watched X practice with swords, daggers, axes, and countless other weapons. He was frighteningly good. That catlike grace turned into a deadly dance in which she couldn't help but watch in awe. How had he managed to hide these skills?
Then she remembered an incident from earlier in the month when she walked into the gym to find him and Kay attacking each other. At the time she had not known they were merely sparring and for an instant thought they were actually trying to beat each other senseless. She had dismissed his skill then as a fluke. If only she had known…
He was amazing.
He wore pants now instead of the revealing armour though she was unsure as to why he had changed; it could not have had anything to do with him thinking she was uncomfortable around him. She was, kind of, but why should he care? But she had never minded watching a gorgeous male body or the play of iron muscles under smooth skin.
Damn it, there I go again. You'd think I hadn't seen a man in years.
Well, I haven't but that's no reason to act like a lovesick teenager.
X didn't seem to be having any trouble completely ignoring her when he trained himself. She wished she were so able. The markings on his back never ceased to fascinate her and draw her eyes even when she shouldn't.
He was having trouble concentrating during his exercises. Elle's staring was making him self-conscious but he was not annoyed by it. Not too much. He was having trouble keeping his eyes off her too. The Jee'Dangian outfit she was wearing had never looked better on a body. The dark crimson, sleeveless top with gold border and matching skirt that reached the floor with a slit that reached up to her hip was devastatingly beautiful on her. It set off highlights of palest gold in her hair.
X shook his head. Why was he being bombarded by these thoughts? Such close contact was wreaking havoc with the defenses he'd spent so much time erecting.
Their sleeping arrangements weren't much better on his peace of mind. They had mutually decided that since the bed was so huge they could safely share it without touching. It seemed like a good idea at the time but in practice it was lacking. Every morning it seemed he woke up with her in his arms. He actually didn't mind that part, which was driving him insane. She had no idea she was snuggling in his arms at night for he awoke earlier than his beautiful little partner. Or she didn't until one day, a week into their kidnapping, that she actually woke up before he did.
When she gasped and pushed herself away, it roused him. He had no idea what was happening and expected the worse. There was no one else in the room so what was she doing? It was too early for this!
"Elle?" He propped himself up on an elbow to look bafflingly at her.
She looked like she was trying to wake up from a dream. "What are we doing?!" She finally croaked.
X held in his laughter at her expression of shock; if he laughed she might kill him and make him sleep on the floor. Instead, he tried to pacify her.
"You must have gotten cold in the night. It is slightly colder than what humans are used to, I suppose. We didn't do anything you have to worry about," maybe it would work. Not telling her about all the other nights would be best as well, he decided.
She nodded accepting this because it was chillier than normal in the room. It had obviously startled her to wake up in the arms of the man she had threatened to kill on multiple occasions. X still found it funny.
He lay back down and prepared to go back to sleep and was surprised to feel Elle do the same moments later. She never snored but he could hear her breathing even out and slow in slumber and she immediately moved back to him. Was she like this with everyone she slept with? That stilled him and caused a surprising jolt of something primitive in him at the mere thought of her lying with anyone else. What was happening to him? Between the two of them? This was making no sense.
Another few days passed, Elle still curled against X in the night but she did not wake up any more. Though once X did to find they were lying in a spoon position but the blonde human was far from still. She was wriggling slightly as if searching for a more comfortable position. Wrapping his arms around her thin form stilled her and she fell into a deeper slumber. This was really driving him crazy, and he must be crazy because he wanted to continue holding her. He wanted to just lay here touching her. Incredibly, her movements had actually aroused him. She was a little temptress. Her body was smaller than any female from his homeworld but it was perfectly formed and soft and even her little ears and nose were starting to grow on him. And her eyes were a gorgeous colour blue, on his planet eye colour ranged from gold and amber to pale yellow.
All he could do was try to put some space between them so that if she woke up she wouldn't outright kill him.
He tried, he really did. But the day they entered Jee'Dang space his control shattered and he kissed her. He hadn't known he was going to, it just kind of happened. He half expected her to pull away; she didn't. If anything she leaned into it and brought him to the brink of madness just by that. Her sigh was what did it, if he had to place blame. It was soft and quiet and she molded so perfectly to his body that he could barely stop himself from doing something they would both later regret. He regretted not doing that something already, but that couldn't be right. He wanted it to continue and it wasn't right. It wasn't right. Not now.
"By the goddess, we can't do this," he gently pushed away from her and stared down into her slightly passion-glazed eyes. "Whatever came over us has to be stopped. I won't hurt you like this."
She wrapped her thin arms around his waist and sighed, "I know. I agree, we can't do this now. It just felt so… right… and good." She lay her head on his chest, her eyelashes tickled.
He held her and made a sound of agreement. It had felt good—
"We're in atmosphere. Be prepared to leave," the words were punctuated by loud pounding on the door. Their moment was broken, it was time to face reality.
Jee'Dang, the fourth planet in the Diur solar system, was a beautiful place. Like a deep blue and faintly purple marble. Much of it was covered in lush forests that, she was to learn from X and eventually see for herself, could grow over a thousand feet tall and sprouted purplish foliage. It stayed dark as night in the deep interior of these thick forests all day long. The days on Jee'Dang were close to those of Earth. And like Earth, the majority of the planet was water, accounting for the enormous swatches of blue. They stood in their cell/chamber looking out the observation window while X pointed out a few landmarks.
It was along the coast of the largest of the seas in the heavily wooded north that his clansmen took them. The trees gave way to smaller shrubs and craggy rocks and bluffs in the coastline they landed at. The place reminded her of some places along the northern coasts of Earth.
"See that there?" the big Jee'Dangian pointed to a massive castellated stone building. "That's the family keep. I was raised there," he made a sound like a grunt, "Not that it matters any longer. When we leave the ship remember everything I told you earlier. For the most you'll be ignored or pitied so I woul—"
"Why would I be pitied?"
X looked at her with a sad smile, "For being my mate. I wouldn't worry too much; at worst you'll be locked in whatever room they'll stick us in. You probably wouldn't even be noticed except as a curiosity, not very many of my people have seen a human before. At least not in the flesh," he looked at the door that was suddenly opening and sighed, "Here we go."
End Ch 1
Next up: Jee'Dang. Tell me what you think of this, my literary jumble. I want at least a few reviews, no flames though, pretty please. Thank you all.
Miss Lizz ^_^
p.s. Sorry I didn't post this on the group, it was a bit too long.