Hi. Sorry that it has been so long. I have been out of the Country for some time and now I'm very busy. I really don't have time to write. I know where I'm going to go with the story, but when I actually do have some time to write I just can't make anything sound sensible. I will try to get the next chapter as soon as I can, but that will not be soon at all. Just want you to know that I'm not abandoning the story. It will just take longer.

Chapter 18: Post Happening

She lay on her back half nude. Her head lolled to the side, narrowing her vision on the receding back of the hunter. When the orgasm subsided, sanity kicked in. Yes, it has been a long time since she has been with anyone and yes it was amazing, but was it smart? Still breathing heavily she wanted to groan, yet was wary to make any sounds that might attract the yautja's attention. She settled for a silent "holy shit". Her hand reached up to bang at her forehead, chastising for the events that came to pass.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid…" she chanted silently to the beat of her palm against her skull.

"What the fuck just happened?" Jo questioned internally and tried to piece together how this ensued. Living in a world where coherence refused to meet acumen she craved for the nominal ken. Self-reproach settled on her chest regardless of her words of justification. The words were feeble and unconvincing. She did not experience shame per se. It was guilt and anger at the lack of self-control and the logical assumption of wrongdoing at the very least, but at the very top fear. Kai was not known for being a free-spirit. On the contrary, he was a dogmatist, at the head of his convictions stood an honor code of militant, murderous and arrogant proportions. In the scheme of things she was a tiny speckle of unimportant dust that he might want to sweep under the metaphorical rug or space shoot. In a moment of revelation she reached for her underclothes and quickly dressed. Internally she cringed at the possibilities.

Who knew that it would be pride that killed her self-respect? One just cannot win with a yautja using self-assurance and bravado as a weapon of choice.

She needed to rush back to the cabin she shared with Seth. She needed to feel safe and that was as safe as she could think of. No one was near and if Kai decided to get rid of her now there was no one to stop him. She glanced in his direction. A few sleep cycles ago he brushed her off like a disease, cringe at the idea of even being close and just now he devoured her without question. His body pressed tightly against hers, stroking, filling … Jo focus. She glanced at Kai again. Was it payback for humiliation?

He was absorbed with some mechanical device. Perhaps while clicking on the illuminated buttons he was thinking how he shamed himself and how to get rid of the evidence. Would he rip out her spine like Seth did in the jungle or fillet her like that yautjan demon did with the soldier? Although would he make such a mess? Perhaps he would go with a quiet, mess-free approach.

After gathering herself she ran for the door in haste. She did not make it. Kai grabbed her by the waist and pulled her to him. Then lifted her and placed over his shoulder like sack of flower. A sudden laud hum of machines made her yelp. What was that? She questioned. Her heart hammered and she started thrashing. Panic was settling in again making itself comfy. Kai adjusted his hold and went back for his loincloth, but did not bother putting it on. Why bother if he was only going to stain it with ooman blood? Jo started hyperventilating. He passed the corridors and even in the state of full hysteria she knew where he was taking her; either to his or Seth's quarters. Will he torch her in the incinerator? She'd never fit in that … unless he first planned to disassemble her body. Terror wrapped like a rope around her form and mind. Then, she hit water.

She emerged gasping for air and noticed Kai entering the small sani pool. Omigod! Jo has not contemplated drowning. She scurried to the other end of the Jacuzzi and attempted to get out, slipped on the edge of the tub. Kai pulled her back and turned her around.

"Ooman! Have you lost wits?"

The question calmed her. Not enough for her heart to stop hammering, but enough to stop the silent screen that played on a loop in her skull. Enough to stop the spinning script of a thousand ways to die. Noticing the small change he let go and withdrew. Jo could have sworn he rolled his eyes. She backpedaled to the opposite side from him, pushed the plastered hair from her face, but did not try another escape.

Why did she not stop it? Denied him? She questioned. The answer was a red neon sign; because she wanted it. She wanted him. For one because it was a darn long time since she enjoyed the carnal pleasure. The time in question did not only include denying herself while on this vessel. Before the abduction, she has taken so many assignments that there was no time for anything else, but travel and work. The company available did not appeal to her liking. Not that Kai was 'Mr. Right', quite the contrary he was 'Mr. Wrong', to be exact 'Mr. Very, Very Wrong'. Thus in all absurdity, that was exactly why she didn't stop.

He was the forbidden fruit; the treat she could not have before dinner, or after. He was arrogant and dangerous. He was the wrong species.

He was also very good at his irritating wrong. His self-assurance was completely justified. And, to top the prohibited cake he was always unattainable. For someone like Jo he couldn't do anything short of tattooing 'Just do it' on his forehead. At the beginning she wanted to see him falter. She wanted to see him pause and back down. When she noticed he was not wavering she was too overstimulated and horny to care. And, it really was a very long time…

Now she cursed her whimsical nature. Maybe, she has lost her wits.

They sat like that in silence for a while. When he finally decided she was not going to bolt he relaxed. His muscles twitched as he eased into the pool. The steam of water lifted settling on his hide pronouncing the already hypnotizing, blue-green coloring.

Jo looked around the cabin needing a distraction. It was similar to the one in Seth's quarters, but not the same. Kai's than. She brought her gaze back to the yautja.

Kai was sitting on the opposite side of the pool. His tresses were loosely swaying on the water's surface. He was not looking in her direction. He was staring at the ceiling, deep in thought. Jo started biting her nails, boring her wide eyes into his unmistakable presence. Anxiously trying to figure out what he was thinking. She wanted to ask, word threatening to spill, but too afraid to do so.

She figured he was either contemplating how shameful the act he committed was, and perhaps digesting how to dispose of the ooman that made him dishonor himself, or he was bathing in pride. He might have been soaking in not only the water, but also in the idea how he showed the week ooman her place. Jo rolled her eyes knowing that the paranoia was not helping. Besides, he already made it clear her death was not an option. Jo needed to stop winding herself up. The silence gave her too much opportunity to think and once again she contemplated his train of silent thought.

She could put nothing by him. She was certain that his devious nature held a palette of far-reaching and unexpected possibilities. She finally could no longer take the silence and mustered some energy to utter a soft:

"Penny for your thoughts"

He looked at her, clicked his mandibles and said nothing. All she got was a show of acknowledgement and he went back to his musings. She exhaled exasperated.

If the ooman wanted to ask a question she should have just asked. He was in no state of mind to analyze her words or requests. Kai di'chak was contemplating if he should tell Set'syra or leave it to time. It was in fact none of Setg'syra's concern. The ooman was blooded and had the right to choose any male she wanted. If she was yautja he would not dare speak of the mating the scent would do the talking. Perhaps she deserved the same respect. He was very surprised she did not back down. It was also surprising how pleasurable it had been. When she pushed her hips up against him, he was unwilling to apostatize. Kai di'chak was certain that when she noticed that he was unyielding she would stop her silly game and admit defeat. She was in no mating mood. That he was sure of. Instead of doing the expected she pushed her game further. When she wrapped her small palms around his tresses and pulled, he decided to indulge. The action was highly erotic and the bold move sent a rush to his loins. He grinded against her, letting her know that if she did not abjure now, there would be no such option later.

Kai di'chak found most oomans week and pitiable, but he would not deny she has grasped his attention more than once. In the kehrite there was also plenty to focus on. Her scent was always pleasant. When he rubbed himself against her, she gave a small gasp he has not heard before, which was exceptional. Her scent intensified. Her fleshy mouth parted, heart rate quickened, and then she bit that strange mouth of hers, which he observed more than once. It was fascinating and he no longer cared nor wanted to play her game.

Before when she wrapped her legs around him, rolled her hips and pushed his chest he startled. Realizing how easily she dislodged him, he was angry at his lack of restraint. Not only that he so easily surrendered, but also that he lost control. He did not believe it was because she wanted him. There was no arousal in evidence. That angered him further. How could the creature so easily mock him?

E'rik'de requested that Kai di'chak stayed behind so he can go hunt instead. There was always a pilot on reserve in case another shuttle needed to be brought down onto the planet's surface. This suited Kai di'chak just fine. He needed to train and the empty kehrite was a welcome recompense. Except, it was not empty. He did not expect to find her training. Kai di'chak understood that he has not been himself as of late and wondered if the ooman's maddening presence might teach him composure and to reject anger. She in fact knew how to goad a reaction. A warrior is as good as the presence of mind he can exhibit. Besides, he could not stand the constant smell of fear she emanated. He did not question why it bothered him. Maybe he should.

Kai di'chak knew that unlike him her anger centered her and squashed her fear. A spar would be beneficial for both of them. He did not predict the development that followed and did not realize he would respond with such wanting. He wondered, if perhaps she was in season. Yautjan females exhibited aggressive and demanding behaviors. Yet, the ooman's smell of arousal came and left. It was unusual and intriguing.

After rubbing his erection against her he noticed that her feminine scent intensified and he decided there were no more chances. He ran his palms down her flanks, enclosed his talons in the ties, unwrapped the knots of her lower covering and disposed of the offending fabric. He got to his knees and removed his own loincloth. She stared at his length, prepared for a female. Her breath became more unstable, erratic, the air filled with a slight scent of fear and intense odor of desire. He hesitated before he entered; Deciding if he should renounce his need and not risk injuring her. He stopped prepared for her quick denial, maybe a tirade of useless words, but instead she begged. A yautja would never beg, she would demand. Yet, that pushed all doubts aside and tickled his ego.

He thought about flipping her over and taking her as he would with a yautjan female. But his own females had a tendency of being bad-tempered and often tested the male's ability to control the situation. He doubted Jo could do any damage without sharp claws. Also, her face displayed so many emotions that drove his desire and his body. He wanted to observe, feel and enjoy. And, to his disbelieve, he enjoyed it greatly. Actually, the thought of the pleasure she provided made him want to take her in the bathing pool. He was a vigorous male in his prime. If his body responded, why deny it? Instincts drove the hunt. Instincts drove mating. If his instincts responded to the ooman why disagree with them?

There was also the knowledge that she has refused many males; some as Setg'syra knowingly, some by not understanding the intent. She did not refuse him and his self-worth again was elated.

He heard her movement. Jo was getting out of the pool. She was no longer aroused. Pity. However, before she left, he reached out and pulled her to him. "what the…" She yelped. When she was close enough he inhaled her scent. It was a shame the bath minerals cleansed the scent of him and the mating, but she needed to bathe. They both did. The place and time of the rut was not most fitting. They were covered in sweat from training and dirt from the floor. That is also why he turned on the cleaning system in the Kehrite. In his clan public mating was not acceptable. It was a private matter. They were clans that allowed it, but this was not one of them. Now she smelled fresh, clean with a dash of fear. He observed her features and Jo remained quiet. That was also refreshing. Before he could restrain himself, he ran his digit across her cheek and the mark he has placed there. She flinched away, but relaxed.

"Not cower or they deem you easy prey"

"I did not cower when you did that." She rebutted

"Sei-i. You was rude. Need to find balance"

"Hon. Im far from balanced."

"Sei-i" he confirmed and the corners of her mouth lifted. He released her from his grasp. She slowly got up and walked to the door. "Kai"

He turned. She was chewing on her mouth again. "Can you not tell anyone?" The questioned jarred him and he did not hide it "Sei-i" he simply answered and turned away fuming. Was she ashamed of their mating? Did she dislike the act? Has he not satisfied her? Has he misjudged her reaction? Questions boiled and infuriated him. Now there was no scent, no witnesses of her approval, she could not carry his pup and she did not want him to speak of it. As if it never happened. Perhaps he should not examine this incident in such terms. He received pleasure even if only this one time. She was an ooman and maybe this was for the better.

Jo decided that Kai deserved an Oscar; Best actor in leading role. The next time she encountered him at a meal; there was no sign that anything between the two of them took place. He was back to his usual arrogant self. It should have made her happy and relieved. It did ... It didn't. Jo was a mess.

She settled to not torture herself thinking and wondering. She asked and he delivered. After the sex-escapade Jo started to regain some of her vitality. That was what her attention should be focused on. She regularly attended meals and stopped jumping at Seth's rapid movement. She also forced herself from escaping their bed in the middle of the nigh like a fugitive, coming to the conclusion it was pathetic. Seth stopped insisting on sex and he was obviously not going to kill her. If he was, it would most certainly not be in bed. Unless he would change his mind and decided to kill her through sex …in bed. She shooed away the thought.

Next step to recovery was the gym. Jo raged an internal battle just to stay put and observe and not take off and hide in some dark corner. When weapons were employed in training energy sparks ignited every nerve on her body and it wasn't a pleasant sensation. She could imagine how those sharp blades could remove a limb or pierce flesh. The workout space was difficult to avoid. Villainy is hard work and Seth as well as many others on the ship spent most of their time polishing their serial killer skills. As she sat near a circle in which Seth served as a test dummy for the young yautja, she glanced at Kai. He was sparing with another male. She realized that she was wrong about his indifferent performance. He was not acting as he was before. He was definitely avoiding her. He did not train with Seth as often as he used to and sat far at the dining table. He stopped looking in her direction. Even when Jo bumped into him in the corridor once he just stepped back and grunted for her to step aside. She did and he went on his way. The behavior was maddening, but that is what she wanted. Right?

Suddenly a young male sat down next to her. Another sat on his other side. She eyed the yautja surprised and suspicious. This one was new. The ship picked up a fresh batch of males at the last stop. Jo belied that the new group was to prepare for a cheetah, but this one already had a blooding mark and it was different from the mark she saw on the males on the ship.

"Ooman" he rumbled

"Yautja" She countered

He smiled and ran the back off his digits against her clan marking. Jo flinched away and slapped his hand away. It did not seem to faze him. "I go on Pyode Amedha hunt soon" He announced.

"Good Luck" Jo bit out determined to not let him bait her. She looked away and focused on the spar.

She felt his breath near her cheek "You pyode. I hear you kill yautja. You pyode flesh bring me honor?"

Jo realized that the male was not preparing for a bug hunt, but a human hunt. If she got it correctly, he was also asking if he gets to hunt her. Was he?

"No" she answered more assured than she was.

"Hm" he grunted, but was not leaving. Instead, he leaned in again. He was giving her the creeps. "I hear ooman reek fear when honor male take head. Ooman yelp and beg."

Jo learned her lessons. She might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but she learns. One doesn't insult a yautja and doesn't end up not making a grave enemy that at one point will attempt to take your head as a souvenir or the skin on your ass as a loincloth. Just as one doesn't insult a superior and keeps their rank and job until retirement. The concept is not new. Slowly she was rebuilding her damaged spirit. She no longer cowers. Beyond occasional outbreaks of alarm, she was returning to her old unrestrained self. And, she will not allow this unknown male to send her back to scarevill. He will not make her hide her put her head in the sand or ruffle her feathers.

She has to be smarter and not function as she would have among humans in a comprehensible abandonment, but she could also not go on as she did or she'll start talking to walls or cutting her own wrist. It is required to restrain anger and retorts, but not to ball-up like a fetus and wait for time to pass.

She pigeonholes her anger or attempts too. Her upper lip rolls on top of her teeth and she desperately tries to cover her mouth with the bottom one. It must look comical if not for the repercussions that might come, if she shows her teeth and snarls. The look resembles one of those creepy puppeteer dolls, but it's better than her previous impulse to narrow her eyes and raise her brows like some lunatic because it just can't be done simultaneously. On one of the missions her colleague said it gives him the creeps so in order to get rid of one expression of frustration, which on an old skever ship was a common occurrence, she developed another. Jo could never possess a poker face.

The yautian bastard is clearly bent on making her lose her control. Jo was never good at self-control. During camp she did more push-ups than the whole squad. She was in great shape at that time. Not like she has been when training with Seth, prior to her out-of-body journey a subsequent freak-out. She also recalls that she never allowed the fit condition to last. Jo wanted to travel, not kill so as soon as she could make her assignment calls she jumps on the easiest and furthest project she can find and continued the pattern ever since. Well…until now.

The recollections make her calmer, but the shit face is back to his soliloquy and clear provocation. Maybe, he can read her unnatural expression for what it is. Although he might actually think this is her zen face and wants to make her loose her concentration. Then, he reaches out again and unabashed touches her shoulder, cheek and runs the strands of hair that escaped the low ponytail between his talons. It's not aggressive, but curious, gentle, almost seductive, yet, clearly another attempt to goad. This time Jo is so shock her anger temporarily dissipates, replaced by a frown of confusion. Yautja are not a touchy race. They just don't grab, unless you're in the need of medical attention or sex. She has no need for the former, and this is no time to think about the latter.

Jo instinctively gazes in the direction where Kai was, but he's no longer there. She looks around, but can't see him. While her eyes search she takes in the surroundings. Most ignore the exchange. Seth is watching. His muscles are taut, yet he doesn't approach. What is going on? Jo is distracted and doesn't notice when the male moves closer, but the movement of his hand towards her neck is unmistakable. It's a clear sign of dominance or possession. She knows that, after all she lives with the black-belt of dominance and possession. She can't allow either so she scoots away, flattened to the wall, on her ass like some crab.

He lifts his mandibles "A challenge already" he says to the companion that is sitting on his other side and they both laugh. Anger returns. She's not scared. Jo is pissed and a bit confused. The male is too certain and dubious at the same time. The yautjas she has been in contact with have never been this straightforward about intention Jo clearly still in unsure off. If not for the words of hunting, skinning and all kinds of bodily harm she would think he is flirting. Then again, she had seen how they interact with yautjan females and flirting is not what she would call it. The mating is not a subtle game of expressing interest. They just go for the kill. No pun intended. That makes this exchange that much indescribable.

"Come little ooman, time running will arise" He laughs again. Surprising, it's a genuine laugh. It's not a sneer. He is clearly amused and Jo's defiance to submit to whatever he has in store, is clearly the source of that amusement. She has learned to not react to bullying. In school or as a soldier it was usually just talk and even if it wasn't she most often had a fair chance at taking down the aggressor. Well, the aggressor had a fair chance because Jo was not known to fight fair and she would never consider that to be an option. There is nothing wrong with using all you can to defend your body or property and nothing that will convince her to agree to the rules the opponent devised, especially if the opponent didn't need equality rules in assistance. Jo has never fought anyone that was smaller and never allowed herself to cower from someone that was bigger. Until, the yautja came along and decided to fuck with her well established system.

"Come." He reaches for her arm "…wild pyode amedha. If you are not one to hunt, you will be useful in other ways". Jo wants to tell him to 'Eat shit and die', but settles for getting to her feet.

"Excuse me!" she utters from between clenched teeth and the bottom lip covering her mouth and restrain that is on its last tether. She doesn't go far. He reaches out quickly and wraps his massive palm around her upper arm successfully thwarting her great escape. A few weeks ago she would have burst into tears, now she grabs the palm holding her and attempts to pry it open.

"Fascinating" He says standing up in front of her not letting go of her arm. "…such an addition to my honor it would bring to cultivate such prize"

Jo restraint snaps "You cultivate nothing but death and suffering. Life takes cultivation. It takes the right circumstances to create, maintain, bring to existence, cherish, support and protect to survive. Your skill and honor comes from a task that a microbe can do just as fine" oops! Jo realizes she just diminished the yautjas existence to that of a germ. Jo automatically covers her throat with her forearm. She is not letting this bastard grab her neck. She is not letting this bastard grab her neck without a fight she corrects herself, because if that is what he is going to aim at, it shouldn't be that hard. But, instead of her neck he turns around and pulls her with him. Jo struggles to pull away, but it's like resisting a tow truck. Seth stops the male half way through the large gym.

"Let go Mor'vi'nai. The pyode amedha is mine" As much as Jo doesn't like being called meat she appreciates the intention or rather the obligation Seth is attempting to fulfill.

"Yours?"

"Sei-i. Mine"

"Yours to hunt or yours to pauk?" Jo heard the crud word before and translation is not required. She learned it after the incident with Kai. She still occasionally hears the teasing, but after she already pauked Kai it just doesn't have the same ring to it. Actually, it's amusing. Maybe not this minute, but when they tease about Kai. Although many say it as a jab this is the first time she noticed someone in earnest asking as if it was a feasible thing. Yautjas on the ship make it into a dare, insult or sometimes appear curious. This one simply wants to know.

Seth looks at her and she can't read his expression. Things are still not as they used to between them. Jo's rejection, and his bitterness for accepting Kai, even if at the time it was not the case, still linger.

"Mine to guard." He says almost wishful and shielded. "Mor'vi'nai" Seth returns forcefully "She is blooded. She rejected your challenge and offer. You have no sway. Do not force my challenge"

"Yeah!" Jo interjects, twisting her arm from his vice grip "whatever you're selling, I'm not buyin" She scoffs. Marvin, that was his new name, releases Jo's arm. She is shocked and stumbles backward, but prevents herself from falling. No fight, no discussions. He simply nods and walks off.

Jo straightens in surprise "What? No battle? No insulted honors or hurt feelings?"

"H'ko. He is a guest." Seth states as if that explained everything. He comes closer and assesses damage. He seems satisfied. "You rouse attention and attract confrontation"

"I was just sitting there. It's yautja that have the problem with my existence" She counters walking around Seth toward the door.

"H'ko problem, It is … nature" He hesitates and then joins her. It seems he is done with his training. Seth is surprisingly calm, while she is bristling.

"It sure as hell comes natural"

"Your presence is not unnoticeable"

"You can say that again"

"You presence is not unnoticeable. You should pay attention. I hate to repeat myself." Jo can't take it and laughs. Seth gives her a quizzing look.

"You can say that gain means I agree"

"Why not say that you agree?" He corrects her and adds under his breath "Oomans and their useless expressions."

Jo just smiles and shakes her head.

"If you are so determined to insult other perhaps it is time for you to learn the art of battle" He states.

Jo looks at Seth and gives him a look that says 'Yeah Right'. He misses the facial expression so in order to drive her doubts home, she snorts. Seth does not miss that.

"You might not challenge a yautja, but you might be able to defend from one. It is required for a blooded. Otherwise, you bring shame to the mark you carry" Shame arises as a result of relationship one has with the society. Unlike conscience that arises from a relationship one has with oneself. Jo had a conscience. She had no shame. Not here and not now. These were not her people and this society did not accept her. There was no place for shame in the scheme of things. However, she decides that anything she had to add to what he assessed as true would only insult Seth. Instead, she just shrugs. Dismissal might be better than admissal. She cringes at how analytical she had become. Without the right to push the limits and tempt Jo had become restrained. She is almost a grown-up and the thought makes her tsk out loud.

Seth accepts it as a dismissal to training which is fine with her. "I will need to request assistance" He muses. "I have never trained anyone as breakable as you".

"You give me a loaded weapon and I'll be on my way" Jo suggests with a smile as they narrow their quarters.

"You cannot always carry a weapon?"

"I can sleep with it if I have too." Jo states and realizes that Seth has slowed his step.

"Why would you need to?"

"Im just sayin" Jo answers without realizing that the question is sincere.

"I have not ever damaged you. Why would you want to have a weapon in a bed we share on a ship? Do you see me as an enemy?"

Yes. "No"

"Do you think I would cause you injury while resting? How dishonorable do you think I am?"

It has not once occurred to Jo that such an offhand comment would stir Seth so much. This was evidence of how not OK they were. Was he still looking for reasons why she has denied him and chose another, even if he has no idea she actually has? Is it possible that Kai has told Seth and then made him swear on his honor that he would not tell? Would Kai break his word to Jo? She shook her head of the cheap-romance thoughts. Seth was just being a yautja. She could not guess at his motives. As soon as she thought she has settled with the internal discussion, another thought hits. This is not about Kai. This is about her sneaking from the bed at night. She never thought that Seth might feel a grudge about that. She knew he will be angry for the disobedience, but not upset. Jo always assumed that yautjas were immune to hurt feelings. She couldn't possibly predict that even such a small action would be seen by her roommate as a form of dishonor. Besides, she has not thought about his feelings when she was slipping out at night. Jo cannot say anything that would put Seth at ease so she decides to change the subject.

"I just think that training will be useless. We tried. I learned nothing"

Seth allows the conversation to take on a more practical course. Being pragmatic was always a good way to divert the attention of a yautja.

"We have not. That was no training. You shall learn to use your hands as well as blades and other. It is beneficial"

"Whatever you say sensei" She countered secretly wondering how bad will it actually be. She had no motivation to train yautja-style. All the lessons in the world could not provide a win over a yautja in close combat. Unless close combat included a weapon that would need to cool down after it fired.