CHP 5

Zenon sat in the living room with three zap pads in front of her and a large holo-clipboard to jot down the names coming in on screen. She sat cross-legged in a pair of comfortable leggings from the station her mother sent with some of her clothes and a larger 'Microbe' tour shirt she found in the clean laundry. The shirt seemed to sag to one side and over one shoulder, but it was perfect for lounging in- or setting up the last details of the full fundraiser gala in three days. Her eyes scanned over the names and the capacity of the location they chose along the classic LA way, where the large ballroom would have a stage and full buffet and bars. It was going to be a miracle to pull it off, but it will be amazing when they would.

Suddenly, there was a mug of something in front of her face, blocking her view. She followed to the arm attached to it up to Protozoa's face.

"Drink it," he requested and sat next to her when she took it, "You finished your last drink two hours ago."

"You know I never drink coffee," she muttered.

"Does it look like coffee to you?" he asked and nodded at the cup. She looked to find a warm green color inside and then finally took a sniff to find it to be her now favorite brand of green tea. She looked back at him where he had his own cup of coffee and sipped at it. He frowned at her playfully with an arched brow, "How dare you offend coffee with green stuff."

She rolled her eyes and took a sip to test the temperature, thankful he gave it time to cool off just enough to give to her. He always had a knack of knowing exactly how she took her drinks and food.

"What are you going over this time?" he asked and picked up one of the zap pads to see the list of A-Listers Lester put together for them.

"I still can't believe Lester got it together so quickly. The man is a party setting machine," Zenon shook her head in amazement, "I mean, he had to be good managing you, but this is amazing."

"What's that supposed to mean?" he pouted and pushed at her with his foot.

"I know how many tour stops and releases you had through the years. It must have been chaos for this man. Not to mention he had to keep you all safe at each stop and venue. I remember one year you had a tour with a full fifty stops over two months. Must have given him a nuclear grade headache extreme."

"You knew my tour schedule?" his voice and chest warmed at the fact.

"I'm your biggest fan, remember?" she teased him and leaned back against the armrest of the couch, "I knew all of your tours, hoping one day my parents would let me go to at least one."

He looked her over as she took full advantage of her drink experience. She closed her eyes with a large inhale of the tea and then took a few sips to calm and sooth her system. Her legs wrapped tight in the leggings her mother was more than happy to provide her, of which he would have to thank her for sending.

"Oi, is that one of my shirts?" he asked, pointing at her with the zap pad still in hand.

Her eyes popped open, and she looked down at the Microbe shirt with a shrug, "It was in my clean laundry. It's not like you wear your t-shirts all that often, Zoa. It's a rare day outside of your tank tops or jackets."

He took a moment and really looked at her in it and how her long legs just grew from under his shirt. It was his shirt she was wearing. The thought was a bit more invigorating than he thought it would be. In fact, he would have to see more of his shirts mixed up in the laundry.

"You look better in it," he mentioned as if off hand.

"I know," she instantly returned with a teasing smile behind her mug.

"Don't start getting smart on me, love," he tugged on her ankle as a warning, which earned him a laugh.

He told her the truth. She looked far better in it than he ever could. Even since his talk with Astrid, he's been trying to drop more flirting in the routine, more touches if he could get away with them and more opportunities to be with her in what may be more domestic or possibly romantic settings. So far, the young woman definitely has not picked up on them or has ignored them.

"Can't help I'm a genius," she gave back and put her mug on the coffee table next to the other zap pads with the information, "And this genius found a small hitch for this interstellar, Fantasmic shindig."

"What did you find?" he sat up and put his coffee on the table with the zap pad to check on the one she just picked up and handed him.

"We need a good amount of money to even host this thing. Lester called earlier when you were out doing whatever you were doing," she rolled her eyes and nodded at the price sent by the catering and venue, "They're waiting for their down payment."

"Already done," he nodded at the zap pad and held it in his lap as he looked back at her.

"Already...? Zoa, it's twenty-five thousand credits. I know you're still doing well, but that's a lot of credits to put in toward this," Zenon sat back up, her legs back under her as she moved closer to him.

"It's covered and so is the first donation," he poked a few buttons and then held the zap pad back to her.

She looked at the screen and then up at his face, "You donated over a hundred thousand? Where did this come from?"

He smiled shyly and shrugged with a couple of words muttered behind his mug as he took a drink.

"Zoa, where did this money come from?" she asked again and waved the pad toward him.

"The Wonder Bus."

"The Wonder... you love the Wonder Bus. It's your touring chariot," she sat back a little in surprise. She knew how much he loved to ride in style; and the Wonder Bus was in the ultimate Protozoa style.

"I'm not planning on touring soon. I can't keep the gas up on it or the exorbitant garage fee with just me riding around in it. It's a bit... much don't you think?"

"To keep up with a star like you, I didn't think so," she teased him, but she felt tears well in her eyes, "You sold it for this fundraiser?"

"For your home. I will admit, I saved some off to the side, but most of the sale went for the first donation. I had to be first. Lead by example and all that," he waved at her as if it was nothing and gulped down the rest of his coffee.

"You just took a long, sleepless night off my plate."

"Glad to hear it," he looked at the bottom of his empty mug and glanced at her, "It's been a little while since we could talk and be with one another outside of the station debacle and my new premier songs. Take the night to decompress?"

"Sounds amazing," she admitted.

"Oh, one last question about the gala," he turned completely sideways on the couch to face her, "You going to be my plus one?"

"I'm one of the hosts," she laughed a little with a knowing smile.

"Doesn't matter, I'm asking you to be my plus one," he reached out and held her hand in his, pulling at the bracelet still on her wrist. Her smile fell just a little as she watched his fingers on the bracelet and touch over her pulse point. Despite her smile fading just a little, he noticed her pulse pick up in pace. He pulled at her hand to bring her eyes back up to his, "Zenon, come with me to the gala."

"Of course I will," she answered in a low whisper.

"Good, it would be ridiculous otherwise," he smirked and kissed the back of her hand before he dropped it and leaned back on the couch, "Can't have anyone trying to steal you away to the dance floor all night long. Or into small alcoves to steal a kiss. It's not done."

"What if I want to be stolen off romantically somewhere with a handsome major someone?" she asked with narrowed eyes in a challenge.

"Negative, you're on the clock, just like I'll be. I will not be sneaking off anywhere for a dance or rendezvous," he challenged back and then leaned toward her as whispered low, "Unless my supernova girl comes in and sweeps me off my feet."

"Waiting for your Cinderella, Zoa?" she chuckled and poked him in the chest to push him back up to his seated position.

"No, I need someone a little more than a princess."

"Oh?" Zenon pulled up her legs to her chest and put her chin on her knees as if waiting for a story to begin, "You've had a lengthy, impressive dating card."

"You followed my dating life too?"

"I was a teenager, Zoa. I had a cutout picture of you on my wall in my room. These are the lengths your fans went to. Believe me, every girl fan you ever had knew of your dating life."

"I'm at a disadvantage," he turned again so they could face one another.

"Okay, you talk about yours, I'll talk about mine," she reached out her hand for the agreement.

"Done," he nodded and shook on it. He took a deep breath, "You know their names better than I probably will. Most my relationships were mostly for shock value or agreements between managers. One of the few genuine relationships ended after I started my career. She wanted to stay home, I wanted to escape it. We parted ways."

"I didn't hear about that one."

"No one has. She didn't want to be part of the Protozoa story. She's back in London; a part of Peter Kendal's past."

"You've never disclosed your birth name before."

"And now you know why," he chuckled and shrugged again, "I still prefer Protozoa- or Zoa. Peter feels like another life."

"He may be, but do you every think about reconnecting with her? Give it another chance if she was the only genuine relationship you've had. Wouldn't it make you happy?"

"Not now. Priorities change as people do. She's in a past life and I believe we are both better for it."

"So what are you looking for?"

You. His traitorous mind tried to supply.

"You don't pull the punches, do you, darling?"

"Come on, we don't have secrets between us, Zoa. We're best friends. You probably know more about me than Neb at this point. Just don't tell her I told you that."

"She won't hear it from me," he promised and took a moment to clear out his throat, "My supernova girl... is everything in that song. I want to see and experience everything with her. Zoom across the galaxy and make me see things in ways I never have before. Have a pull to her that isn't controlled- no gravity between us-"

"Our love is automatic," Zenon nodded along and sent him a smile.

"I just thought when I met her, it would be automatic and it would be a whole new world for me. A whole new galaxy. Been looking for her since I stepped into the Protozoa moniker. I haven't regretted it- the musician life, but it was hard really caring for anyone when I knew most of it was for fame or 'cause their managers told them to."

"I didn't know you were that lonely," she reached out with one hand and took hold of the hand closest to her.

"Neither did I at the time," he turned his hand over to hold hers, "It's going better now though. I have you-"

Her eyes met his, and he coughed a little into his free hand, "A-and my mates and your family is top-notch. Not to mention my extended circle with the fabulo Nebula. My inner circle has only grown for the better."

"You're never alone," she pulled at his hand and he instantly calmed.

"Okay, there are my romantic excursions, your turn."

"Been few, as you probably know them all," Zenon huffed out a sigh and leaned her head on the couch back at her side, "Greg was a gentleman and everything a young Zenon would hope for. But it wasn't to last. Long distance doesn't work, especially for teens. I had a week with him face to face? It wasn't the best foundation."

"The one you dedicated the song to?"

"That's him. Dumped me around the same time we heard from the aliens."

"Wanker," he muttered and shook his head, "Talking of the aliens, what about... Obrian?"

"Orion and I didn't get past our first date. His mind completely focused on aliens. Completely. He's a fantastic friend though."

"You can't tell me that's it."

"Dates here and there, but there isn't an enormous pool on the station. I didn't really think about dating again until I started talking with Bronley and Sage."

"You were talking with them both?"

"I was impressed by Bronley and his strengths, but Sage was willing to help with the Selena thing and wasn't a complete, competitive jerk. I ended things with Bronley before they got too far and Sage was the one with me at the concert."

"You said you dodged something with him the next morning."

"Yeah, turns out he has a girlfriend. It thrilled her to have him back."

"We know where to reach Sage? I still may want to talk with him mate to mate."

"Sweat minor, it made me really think about the guy that I want, compared to what I thought I wanted."

"You have a supernova guy you waiting for?"

Zenon chuckled and shook her head, "It's weird. I thought people couldn't keep up with me because they were playing it safe. Maybe I just kept rocketing ahead so I didn't have to get hurt. I've thought about it. The guys I've dated, they didn't know me. They knew of me, but not me."

"Trusting the media to figure out a person is never a good thing."

"True, you know, I'm pretty sure most of them didn't even know my favorite color."

"That's easy enough."

"Oh? What is it?"

"It's not a color, it's a mix," he said simply and watched surprise cover her face. He pulled her toward him a little to swipe a piece of her hair from her eyes and tapped her nose as he described the color, "It's dark, which throws people off, but it's not black. It's got tones of purple and blue that swirl through with a shine. It reminds you of space. Of home."

"Most people think it's pink or purple."

"You're more complex than pink or purple."

"Did I tell you?"

"It's hard to miss when that's the shade you try to find in all the nick-knacks and clothing when you go out."

"It's a harder one to find in the mall catalog. They like their bright colors."

"Speaking of catalog, you have a dress coming in tomorrow. I'll bring it to you when it comes in."

"Zoa! I was going to pick my dress. It's my first formal event."

"Trust me, I have been to enough of them to not let you down," he placated her and reached for the closest zap pad to open his email, "I think it's coming in tomorrow."

"Can I at least see it?" she reached for the zap pad of which he pulled away from her.

"It's a surprise."

"Oh, come on, if I have to wear it, I need to see it. Give it," she lunged for the zap pad again.

Protozoa pulled it back again and held it above his head as she tried to push up on his shoulder to reach it.

"Zee, love-" he chuckled under her reach, his one hand reaching back while the other tried to push her away and keep her from falling into the glass coffee table at the same time.

"I'm not giving up," she laughed along with him, her hand outstretched for the pad.

As he shifted, he ran out of couch behind him to give him leverage and he fell back, Zenon landing over him. They both laughed as Protozoa groaned from the extra weight dropping on him. Zenon pushed up on the couch and made another attempt at the pad before his other hand caught her waist and stopped her from going too far.

"Zoa, it's not-"

She turned to face him and instantly knew it was a mistake. Her face lined up directly with his, her top half pressed against his, a hand finding support on his shoulder as he still held her waist. Her hand stopped reaching for the pad, but her arm laid stretched out along his. Their breaths panted out and mingled in the minuscule space between them. Their smiles and laughter died as time stood still, and it was only the two of them in the entire universe.

His dark eyes were scanning hers and then her face as if searching for something important; just like at the lookout during their picture. His hand at her waist flexed and then relaxed as it moved to center itself on her back. She wet her lips and felt her heart up in her throat and the butterflies were back with a vengeance in her stomach- fluttering so viciously she hoped he didn't feel them. Her eyes finally moved from his and looked down at his lips, then shot back up to his eyes again.

"Zoa..." her voice came out in a whisper, "What is this?"

He suddenly looked worried, as if he was fighting something and then answered, "Tell me to stop."

His hand above them dropped the zap pad to the floor, cupped the side of her face, and he leaned up to kiss her. His lips were gentle and pressed hesitantly on hers, her eyes wide with surprise, soon dropped closed. He felt the pressure of her lips on his, and all he could think about was her taste. It was different now. The green tea she just drank with hints of the crackers they shared earlier, but it was still very much Zenon under it all. And still just as addicting.

A soft moan pulled him back, his head jerked to look at up at her response, now filled with fear about his actions. He didn't give her enough time to respond to him. Maybe she wanted him to stop. Did he move too fast? Was she going to regret this? Did she even want him?

Zenon opened her eyes and looked directly down at him. He looked like he was about to run. He was scared... of her? Did he think she told him to stop?

Before he could voice anything, she pulled in both arms, pushing him back into the couch cushions, and framed his face with her hands.

"I didn't say stop."

She lowered her head and the soft kiss from before was gone. Her lips pushed at his in the need for him to understand where she stood. Her hands moved to hair and his back to pull him in closer to her. It didn't take long for him to reciprocate and his hand roamed over the planes of her back, but found the hem of the shirt and started its exploration of the smooth skin of her back. His other hand got lost in her hair, fingers catching in her golden strands. His tongue licked at her lips and she held no hesitation to open to him. He tasted better than she ever thought he would, and she was instantly a new fan of coffee.

Despite her being a small thing, it was hard to move as she pushed him back down into the couch every time he tried to sit up. He smiled at her efforts against her lips, but then tilted his hips and could push her off balance so he could sit up and flip them to the other side of the couch. She only let out a moan of a whimper when he pulled her under him. He stopped at the noise and looked at her to check he didn't hurt her or if she had any reservations. She looked up at him with a nearly drowsy expression, bit her lip and reached up to pull him back to her.

It was then the cruel twist of fate plunged them into reality again.

The front door burst open where a couple was heard giggling and laughing with one another as they shushed each other coming into the villa. Protozoa and Zenon looked at one another, and a cold bucket of realization splashed over them both. He looked down at her and knew whatever the moment was- was now gone. He gritted his teeth, gave her a look of apology, and then leaned over the top of the couch to see who had invaded his sanctuary.

As he pushed up to give her time to come back to reality, Zenon put her fingers to her lips and stared up at him. What just happened? What did they just do?

"Welcome to Nova Linda Cove," he greeted as he ran a hand through his now thoroughly messed hair, "What the bloody hell are you doing here?"

The couple at the door froze and the young woman furrowed her brows before she pointed at him, "You're supposed to be on tour with Cosmic Blush."

"I guess the media hasn't been updated yet. That tour is held off indefinitely, darling."

"Wait a minute," Zenon said and pulled herself to lean over the back of the couch as well, "Margie?!"

"And you're supposed to be at your Aunt's. I saw you out on the balcony just last night when you called me!"

As all four of them stood silent, something in Margie's eyes changed and they widened as she pointed and both Zenon and Protozoa back and forth. Realization was setting in for her as well, along with the tale-tell signs of messy hair and what looked like soon to be bruised lips.

"Zenon..." she began and pointed harder at her, "I need answers."

"How about you answer my question first? What are you two doing here?" Protozoa asked and looked at them both as Zenon moved from the couch to calm her friend.

"The media are going crazy major overload for more information about the station and the gala coming up. I needed to get away. And they were going to Bronley's station, too. I couldn't think of anywhere else to get away to. Then my brain went into overdrive thinking about this place," Margie explained and tugged on Bronley's sleeve to bring him closer, "And I just couldn't leave him behind. I mean, look at him."

"Oh Margie, couldn't have called for some help or info before barging in on a rock star's private get away?" Zenon asked with a huff and her hands on her hips.

"Private indeed," Margie smirked as she looked her friend over.

"That's it, I'm turning the security sensors back on," Protozoa growled as he got off the couch, grabbed the security controller off the shelves and rummaged through a desk near the kitchen.

"When were you going to tell me about this?" Margie whispered to her as he searched for something in the drawers of the desk.

"I'm in clear mode minor of what's going on right now, Margie. I will update you only when I know. Which means you update no one," Zenon warned her with a look, "Not even Neb, got it?"

"Okay, okay, ice your meltdown. I'll wait to hear all details later," she smirked and raised her eyebrows in a suggestive movement, "All the details."

Zenon rolled her eyes with a groan.

Protozoa finally found what he was looking for and held out a set of keys to Margie, "I have a flat in LA secure and private off in the hills. Everything is delivered under the radar and should give you some shelter. Coordinates are on the keys and I will tell my manager that friends are staying at the flat while I'm gone."

"Stellar!" Margie reached for the keys put pouted when Protozoa raised them up and pointed at both her and Bronley.

"There are some provisions to this arrangement. One, it's just the two of you. No parties, no one else coming into my abode, yeah?"

"Done. We just wanted it to be us anyway," Margie hastily agreed.

"Two, NO ONE else knows about Nova Linda Cove. It's supposed to be my get away. And three, you two were never here. Understand, darling?"

"Clear as cosmic rays," Bronley agreed, and held out his hand palm up.

Protozoa dropped the keys into his hand and Bronley dragged Margie back out the door as she mouthed 'details' to Zenon as she went. As soon as they heard a pod leaving the immediate area, Protozoa clicked on his security system with a low hum buzzing in the background. He tossed the controller back to a station on the wall and then turned back to Zenon.

She suddenly felt like everything was rushing around her. She couldn't face him now. Not after her freaking hormones went overboard major and she attacked him on the couch. She noticed the pad on the floor, went to retrieve it and held it against her chest as if she had made another shield, just like she had with her plush space bear.

"I'm going to go over the list one more time and then head to bed," she said with an unsure smile.

"Zee, I-"

"I'll see you in the morning," she nodded as if agreeing with him and once again fled to her room.

Protozoa leaned back against one of the wall nearest to him, "You're an idiot, mate. Too much, too soon."

He walked over to the couch and collapsed right on top of it, his eyes locked on the ceiling overhead.

His mind ran rerun after rerun of the day where she threw a wall up between them. Is that how it will be again? Will she ask to go move back with her parents now they're here and she can no longer deal with him? Will he see her again after she leaves? Or will he end up like Greg and never see her again?

"Not happening," he said with conviction. He pulled himself off the couch and walked back to the rooms. If she doesn't want him, that's fine, but he needs to know.

Zenon paced in her room, her feet padding across the carpet as she tried to think of what to do. The last time she kissed him, she could at least blame the ruse. It was a joke to tell the other guy off, and the wrong thing was said. Everything was understandable, but this... this happened. She was still in shock. She didn't know how to process it. She wasn't even able to call Nebula about her take on it yet. What does she do?

Zoa suddenly was at her door and barged in through it, also in what looked like a panicked state. As soon as he came through the door she stopped her pacing and he froze just inside her door, now fully aware he barged in.

"Sorry, I..." he gestured to the door, but then looked at her, his heart constricting in his chest. He took a deep breath and concentrated on Astrid's words. Talk... calmly. He kept his eyes on Zenon and shook his head, "I can't do this again."

Zenon went into panic mode major. He was going to throw her out. She was going to have to stay with the Planks or at the military instillation with her parents. He wouldn't even look at her at the gala, and they would go their separate ways. Why did she have stupid, idiotic hormones?

"We can forget about it, right?" she offered and took a step toward him as if she was solving another problem, "It was a spur of the moment and just kinda happened. It's not like..."

... we're in love.

Her voice dropped off. She couldn't admit she was in love with him now. Not like this. She couldn't let him know like this.

"Why is it whenever we kiss this happens?" he asked and shook his head as if there was a headache coming on, "I say or do something stupid and you run off and I'm afraid you'll never speak to me again."

"It's confusing, okay?" she defended her actions.

"You're telling me, Zee!" he threw up his hands in the air and paced a little before he took a breath. He didn't want to lose her, but he had to know. Time to show his cards. He stopped pacing and turned to her, still a few feet from her, "I'm laying it out. Zenon, I want to kiss you."

"...what?" Zenon was pretty sure her brain just melted. She had to have heard him wrong.

"I want to kiss you," he repeated, "I want to hold you. I want to see and experience everything with you. You make me see things in ways I never have before. Do impossible things where they weren't even imaginable before you. We're pulled together in every way possible. It's like we're more than..."

"Friends?"

"You'll always be my best friend, Zenon. But I can't just keep going in circles and play this off until another kiss happens and I lose you again. I can't lose you to a wall going up and feeling separated. The last time, I didn't know what to do to get you to even look at me."

"I don't want that either."

"I'll understand if you don't want to be more than what we are. Say so and we end it here. We stay friends and the line is drawn."

There is a long pause and Zenon bit her lip in thought before she closes her eyes, "And if I want more?"

"Then tell me," he said. He stepped forward and took her hands in his again, "I didn't want you to think of me as an old guy wanting you because you're young and beautiful. I want you and care for you because of everything you are. Stubborn, relentless, intelligent, bright..."

"Bright?"

"Like a whole new galaxy," he answered with a hopeful smile and hummed a little of the song they've worked on together. His hand came up to cup her jaw, his thumb stroking her cheek, "Just searching for my sun... You're there, a new star, blinding bright...my new center of gravity, a new universe lights up the night … Zee, you're my supernova girl. You always have been. It just took me a long time to connect the dots."

"Cetus-Lepeedus, Zoa. Of course I want more," she smiled back at him and held his hand to her face, "I just thought you saw me as one of your fans who became a friend. A little sister- type friend. I was afraid I'd lose you if I said anything over the years. Then it just fell to the back of my mind because who am I to think you would... and then the moon happened and afterward all the feelings came back and haven't left since."

He leaned forward, and they touched heads together, just breathing one another in.

"We're both way off major, aren't we?" she chuckled.

He laughed back, "It happens."

"What now?" she asked hesitantly, and leaned back.

"If it's okay with you," he said slowly and wrapped his arms loosely around her waist, his hands settling at her lower back. Her arms wound around his neck, her fingertips barely touching the nape of his neck. He leaned down further, "I was going to kiss you again without the running away part."

She smiled with a short laugh, "There's no place to run. I'm already in my room."

"That's not an answer, love."

"This is," she quickly went on tiptoe and pushed her lips against his to start it off this time.

He could only smile as he kissed her back and lifted her off the ground to spin her in his arms. She laughed against his lips until he set her back down, her bare feet back on the floor.

"One last thing," he said, "You sure you want to start something with a 'not as famous as he used to be but still devilishly handsome and talented' rock star who still has paparazzi after him?"

"Why should it matter?" she asked with a furrow of her brow.

"Because they will try to drag your name through the muck, try to degrade you, and call you a few unmentionable things just because you are with me. You want to go through that? For me?"

"They can try their best, but they won't find much on me and they can think what they want. You know people who doubt me are usually proven wrong. Besides, you're worth every headache."

"I'll try to keep it quiet for a bit longer. We can try to enjoy the calm before the storm."

"We'll figure it out together. Just like everything else."

He buried his face against her neck and felt her pulse point against his lips. She mirrored his movement and felt the small amount of stubble of his cheek against hers. Her fingers drew patterns through his hair and at the back of his neck. They stood together to ensure it was real. All the actions, all the words, the confessions.

"Stay with me tonight," she asked him.

He leaned back to look at her in the eyes and then nodded. She walked from him only to turn off the lights and then led him to the large bed to curl in under the covers. He climbed in next to her and wrapped her in his arms as she settled into his embrace. It was just the two of them enjoying the calm with one another as they fell to sleep.