Chapter Eighteen

The soft sounds of a brush against canvas filled the room as Kyle painted. He took up more paint from his palette and brushed it onto the canvas, his hand resting on a maul stick to steady his hand for delicate work. Behind him, Sophie was also busy, using carving tools to carve and sculpt some clay. Currently, she was copying an ancient Greek statue, two stylus held in each hand, and with her two thumbs, she was able to do far more than a human could. Her soft purr added to the sound, and gave the room a soft, pleasant and happy feeling.

As they worked, Kyle and Sophie were constantly helping each other mentally, giving ideas, corrections and observations. Sophie noted one place where the paint wasn't fully blended, and Kyle pointed out a small, errant nub of clay on the underside of one of the arms of Sophie's sculpture. As always, they worked together as partners in every sense of the word.

Kyle noticed Josey, scampering around while they worked, and smiled softly. Since that last Serrek attack, they had kept Josey inside, except for when they went outside, and they kept her in their sight at all times. Their hunts for Serrex had been fairly successful, but they still had a lot of island to patrol, and it was better to play it safe and keep Josey inside. Besides that, she got plenty of treats.

Kyle washed his brushes, sat up and cracked his back. The underpainting was complete, so he would let it dry. He glanced back at Sophie, who had finished her sculpture, and set down her tools, wiped her hands and turned to him. He smiled as he offered his hand, which she tenderly took and held as he stood. She wrapped her tail around him in a silken hug, pulling him against her. Her deep purr reverberating as she enfolded him an a warm embrace.

"I love you, Sophie." She purred tenderly as she stroked his hair with a single finger.

And I love you, Kyle. He nuzzled his face against her as he felt her mind caress his. They shared their feelings of pleasure, happiness and love in a few beats of a heart. Kyle felt something touch his leg, and looked down at Josey, who was standing on her hind legs, sniffing his pants, her paws on his leg. Sophie purred and Kyle laughed as he stooped and picked her up, Sophie hugging them both.

"Love you too, Bunny-Butt." With that, they went downstairs to get something to snack on.

XXX

It was a nice, warm day outside, and the sun was shining for a change. Sophie sat with Kyle in her lap, Josey close by on the grass as Kyle sketched in a sketchbook, every now and then glancing up at where his small garden was taking shape. Currently, he was finishing his sketch of his greenhouse design. Nothing complex, just a shed with a frame of wood or metal, with glass panels. He stopped and took a piece of candy from a small dish sitting in the grass next to them. Kyle's eyes didn't leave the page as he popped the cherry chew into his mouth. Sophie was eating small cubes of cheese with slices of fruit.

Sophie didn't hate sweet things, but she preferred cheese, fruit and meat as snacks rather than sweets like Kyle did. She particularly liked oranges.

"'Kay . . . I think that's it," he said as he slid the pencil into the rings of the sketchbook. Sophie looked at the drawing through his mind and agreed.

Yes, that looks good. The roof angled to the West, where the worst winds come from, and panels so it gets the warm sun from the South. Kyle smiled and nodded.

"Right. I think a metal frame would be better. Last longer." Sophie agreed.

But, if we need, we could use metal hollow posts to put the wooden ones into, and help prevent rot. Kyle gave a positive with a smile, liking the idea.

"Great idea! Okay, let's go and have a look what the Garden Center has." Kyle stood up, Sophie following. Kyle noticed Josey close to his plants. "No you don't, you little robber," Kyle said as he picked Josey up, Sophie snickering as they headed for the house to get ready.

XXX

It was nice in Zeraven, warm and with a very slight breeze, a few fluffy clouds drifted lazily in the distance, but storms were unlikely. Sophie purred as they stepped out into the warm sunlight of Zeraven. Kyle smiled up at her, offering his left arm to her, which she took with a gentle purr. They headed to the Garden Center, which was near the center of the city.

Kyle couldn't help smiling like a little kid in a toy store at all the plants and the wonderful smells of grass, greens and the wonderful, cool feeling. Trees, saplings, plants, bushes, shrubs, herbs. It was a wonderful little slice of paradise to Kyle. Even Sophie had to admit it was very nice. She especially liked the smell of the dill plants, thoughts of pickles and vinegar drifting through her mind.

There also were plants from many worlds there. There was a lovely Baleeja Blood Bush, a shrub with leaves as red as blood, and an Arcturian Snow Tree, whose leaves in Fall turned white and then transparent. There was even a Tuki Vine, that were likened to Sugar Cane from Earth. She thought Kyle would like one of those, with his sweet tooth. She watched as Kyle talked with the manager about materials for his greenhouse. A little bird fluttered over her head and dove into a hidden birdhouse in the plants and vines on the wall, and she trilled gently. It was a very nice place, green and alive.

Sophie stepped out of the Garden Center, smiling. Kyle had bought a nice greenhouse made of metal with plasti-glass panels. The whole thing would just snap and bolt together. She purred softly, happy they had what they needed. She turned, and stopped. So did her purr.

Just down the sidewalk, a familiar human was sweeping, wearing a jumpsuit, cussing and muttering under his breath. It was Jeffery Klack, the bully who beat up that poor little Hatchling, Henry. Sophie gave a soft growl as she walked towards him. Klack noticed her shadow, and glared up at her. His messy brown hair clung to his face, as did some sweat. His round face showed his youth. He sneered at her.

"What do you want, yeti?" he growled. Sophie growled as she reached her hand up, and pulled back her hood enough to expose her face. Klack's face turned into a mask of terror as Sophie drooled, shaking as she hissed, bearing her teeth, her tongue launching out and snapping its metallic teeth at him. He screamed and ran, dropping his broom. Sophie covered her face back up, smelling the scent of urine in his wake.

She was surprised when she felt alarm from Kyle's mind as he came tearing around the corner.

"Sophie!" She was shocked at the tumbling feelings from her mate's mind. Kyle glanced around, saw Klack running off in the distance. He looked at her, eyes wide. Sophie, are you crazy?! She was surprised.

Kyle, that was the same one who hurt that poor Hatchling, that little boy. And he obviously didn't learn anything. Kyle was panting.

Sophie, what if he tells someone?! What if the Company finds out?! If they find you, they'll lock you up in another lab! Or cut you up! She was surprised at his outburst.

Kyle, he's a nasty bully, and I doubt he would be able to form a coherent picture of what he saw. Not to mention I doubt anyone would believe him. They'd likely think he made it up as an excuse to slack off. And I doubt they would hear what a bully on an Outer Rim world was raving about, Sophie defended. Kyle held his head, almost hyperventilating. She gently held his shoulders, and saw his worries, felt the worried feelings. How he was terrified she would be taken away from him, experimented on. She saw his terror at being alone, at losing the one person in the whole Universe he loved more than anything.

Likewise, Kyle saw from Sophie's point of view, that she saw there was nobody else around, no cameras, and felt her anger at Klack for not caring, for not accepting his fault, and wanting to scare a lesson into him. Kyle hugged her, nuzzling his face into her chest as she stroked his hair.

As close as they were, like any couple, they had times they disagreed. Even so, they never fought the way human couples did. They didn't yell, and they surely didn't hurt each other's feelings.

"I'm sorry," he apologized. Sophie purred and cuddled him.

I am too. I didn't mean to scare you, Kyle. He pulled back and looked at her, eyes misty, but smiling. She caressed his face tenderly. There was no "right" or "wrong" here. Their minds intertwined once again, and the argument was forgotten. They turned back to the Garden Center, where a large cart with the greenhouse kit was waiting.

XXX

Back on Eramore, Kyle and Sophie were working to put up the greenhouse. Kyle had a kit of tools from the Talon set up as they worked. Currently, they were setting the corner uprights up, pounding the metal supports into the ground at the right positions. Sophie had a very easy time of it, able to smack them into the ground with the post tool in only two, maybe three strikes. Once those were in, they set up the sides and panels, which some slotted together, some bolting, others fitting into clips. The plasti-glass panels provided plenty of light, but also kept in heat and protected delicate plants inside from wind, rain and snow. The higher ones also could be opened to let air circulate, and even had screens to keep out pests.

Every step of the way they worked together, two bodies, but almost one mind. Kyle held one side of a panel, Sophie the others as they fastened clips and bolts, lining everything up before fastening it and moving on. When Kyle needed a mallet to hit a bolt into a hole, Sophie handed it to him without a word, or needing him to ask. He handed her another clip for her side and a screwdriver to pry it open. They worked steadily and in perfect harmony, and, in less than an hour, the greenhouse was done.

The greenhouse stood in the middle of what Kyle was swiftly making into a lovely vegetable garden. Planters stood on either side of the greenhouse. Kyle was all smiles as he hugged Sophie, who gladly returned the gesture.

"It looks good," said Kyle. Sophie purred and nodded, giving a positive. Kyle looked down at Josey as she wiggled her nose. "And you aren't allowed inside, chublet." Josey looked up at him, and thumped her foot. Sophie giggled as she scooped up Josey. Kyle grinned at her. "Well, let's wash up and have dinner." She smiled and held his hand as they went inside.

XXX

That night, Sophie was still awake, while Kyle and Josey had gone to sleep, both snuggled against her. She held the PDA in her hands. She looked at the Zeraven News, and the Black Fence and its buildings had been demolished, and those involved in the keeping of slaves had been put to death. While the ones in Zeraven had been given injections that put them to sleep and stopped their hearts and breathing, those that the Celtic Tribes caught met a far different end.

Sophie watched with grim satisfaction as they were tied and put into large piles of wood that, viewed from above, took the shape of a human, and burned alive. As the Druids chanted, and the slavers screamed, Sophie couldn't help a feral grin. For what they did to those innocent people, they deserved what they got. It also made her happy that many of the slaves were being treated by the

Tribes, and some were being formally adopted into them. Sophie found the Celts fascinating. They were an interesting human culture. She liked their spiral art. There was something in it she liked, in the asymmetrical spirals, trumpets and triskeles. She also liked their family bonds, and how close they were as a people. She smiled, thinking how there was little difference between a Tribe and a Hive. They both were extended families who cared for and protected each other. She looked down at Kyle and Josey, snuggled against her, and smiled. Shutting the PDA off, she nestled down with them and went to sleep.

The next day, Kyle and Sophie worked at the lagoon. Currently, Kyle was standing on the shore, and Sophie was swimming with one end of a long measuring line as they carefully measured the lagoon. Especially the opening. Sophie wanted to protect it from predators. Sophie let him know when she was on the other side, and Kyle read the measurement. He noted them down and they made one from the mouth of the lagoon to the shore. Once that was done, Kyle retracted the line as Sophie surveyed the bottom and noted the best locations for cages for prawns, clams, places to make pens for Albarr, all the while giving the info to Kyle, who made notes and drawings on a piece of paper.

Okay. I think a set of, maybe four cages for the clams? Kyle asked. Sophie thought, and agreed.

The medium ones would work good here. Kyle agreed, making a note of that. Sophie then investigated where they wanted a pen for the Albarr.

The large clams could not be raised in wire-bottom cages, so needed an underwater pen with a sandy bottom. As she approached, one Albarr spat mud and silt at her in defense. She grinned at it. Dinnertime . . . She grabbed it with her powerful fingers and hauled it out of the sand and to the surface. Kyle was noting down measurements, glancing up at the lagoon mouth as he thought.

Okay . . . that should do it. Now I just need to think how we go about it. I don't think a metal gate will last long here, he mused. Sophie crawled out of the water and shook herself.

Hmm, maybe one of Coralyte? Kyle looked at her, and thought.

"Well, I have seen some people carve it. And it seems pretty tough for being so light. But not sure where we would get a piece that big, or how we'd anchor it in place." Sophie purred gently as she touched Kyle's shoulder.

We'll think on it. Kyle nodded.

The Albarr in Sophie's hand gurgled and spat water, making Kyle jump a bit. She grinned as she looked at her prey. We can think about it over lunch. Kyle chuckled and agreed.

XXX

Back at home, Kyle sat at their table, using the PDA and looking over equipment for their aqua-farm, while Sophie was busy preparing the Albarr. Kyle scrolled through listings of cages, racks, nets and other things used to farm aquatic food. He looked at anti-predator gear, and there were some gates and things to help keep pests out, but none looked big enough for their lagoon. At least none that he had seen thus far. He continued to scroll through the listings.

Sophie, on the other hand, was busy in the kitchen. Her tail was the perfect tool to shuck Albarr, clams and oysters from their shells. She trilled as she took the cut chunks of Albarr in a bowl and slid them into the simmering bisque. She added some tomatoes, onions and a few other nice things, making sure to sip the broth and test.

Just a tiny pinch of Tabasco sauce, she mused as she added just a few tiny drops. She tested and purred. Just right. She stirred it a bit, then washed the spoon and left it to cook. She turned to Kyle as he sat and looked over equipment for their aqua-farm. She walked over, placing her hands on his shoulders, tail gently caressing his legs as she kissed him on the cheek. It will be ready in about ten minutes, she said. Kyle smiled at her.

"Thank you, Sophie. I'd be lost without you." Sophie purred as she caressed his face with her hand.

I'm always here for you, Kyle. Now and forever. Kyle placed his hand over hers, smiling at her as their minds and souls intertwined.

They were Partners in everything. They propped each other up when one felt down, or tired. They helped each other when one couldn't do something. Sophie touched her dome to Kyle's forehead, purring gently and tenderly.

A soft thump brought their attention as Josey leaped up and sat on the table, one ear flopped over her face as she wiggled her nose. Kyle chuckled and Sophie snickered.

"Okay, you little chub. I'll get your greens," said Kyle as he stood up. Sophie petted her bunny as Kyle fetched some greens. "So, after lunch, what do you want to plant?" Kyle asked. Sophie purred and thought as she petted Josey.

I think some herbs for the kitchen. I'd like to have some fresh chives and things, she replied. Kyle nodded as he filled Josey's bowl.

"Good idea. I think I have a pack of kitchen herb seeds," Kyle mused as he brought the bowl of greens for Josey and set them down on the table. The flying rabbit dug right in, doing a good imitation of a pig as Kyle chuckled and Sophie purred. "Now, let's get our own food." Sophie gave a positive as she got the bowls and Kyle got the silverware.

Author's note:

Well, here's my little offering for Alien Day. I hope you all enjoy it.

I apologize for not having more, but my plans for that fell apart when my Mom went into the hospital.

As of this writing, she's doing much better, and I want to thank everyone who offered their kind words of support.

Read, Review, and have a wonderful day!