Chapter 5

Let's get right into it…

###

Warren woke and smiled at the face next to his. A tumble of golden curls spilled across the pillow in a pseudo halo, one wisp caressing a cheek. He carefully coaxed the errant lock back with the flock. Tingly warmth spread through chest and gut. Ettwanae felt so good where she lay; she belonged there. 'No turning back, Worthington. You're falling – can't deny or argue yourself out of it.' The Cheshire grin widened when long-lashed eyes fluttered opened.

"Good morning."

Her hand brushed his cheek, combed through mussed hair, and ended by tracing an ear. "That it is," she agreed with contented smile. "How are you feeling?"

Warren quickly assessed. "Considering that yesterday I was nearly sucked dry of lifeforce by a Dark One half-breed, I'm feeling pretty good. And you?"

"I'm doing fair – a little weak. I think I need an energy boost."

Warren raised his eyebrows, ready to fetch something. "Food?"

Twinkles danced in crystalline-blue disks. "You could call it that." Deftly maneuvering herself atop Warren, she proceeded to plant her mouth on his for a deep, sensual kiss.

Warren accepted the affection willingly and ensnared her in a gentle embrace. Tongues darted and entwined in a tender, leisurely dance. Moments later when she broke away and looked contemplative as she ran her tongue over her lips.

"Mmmmm… Not quite enough, though. Still feeling a touch weak."

He smirked. "Another heaping helping?"

She nodded and came down for a second, fierier version. They risked waking Aru drives, but neither cared. He roamed the curves of her body and she squirmed in delight, adding to his own pleasure.

Sliding hands to the wing bases, her feathered appendages spread up and out, brushing the walls on either side of the room. A moan escaped into her mouth as she shivered. With hair hanging in golden veil around their faces, she was so glorious – white, gold, blue. Colors pure and strong. He wanted her – all of her – in every conceivable way.

With desire, came Aru, and arousal erupted like a solar flare. They groaned in unison knowing that to continue would bring more anguish than stopping.

Pulling away, defiance burned brightly in Ettwanae's eyes. "I'm staying here," she huffed. "Aru be damned!"

Warren's arousal was only encouraged by the words and would quickly make him exceedingly uncomfortable, but for her sake, he'd endure. "I think you're picking up some of my speech patterns," he chuckled.

A pleased look crossed the perfect features. "Good! We should be like mirror images."

"Ying and Yang."

"I don't know who or what that is, but it sounds good. We'll be like Byt and Tyb – two as one."

Warren likewise did not understand Ettwanae's reference. "Two peas in a pod."

She giggled. "Twins."

Warren laughed and shook his head. "Nope, not twins…the siblings thing. No, more like soul mates."

She pecked his nose with a kiss. "Soulbounds! We'll be like the legendary Eshaaru soulbounds." Her long, wavy locks bounced as she nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, we'll be like the soulbounds of old. Together forever."

Suddenly, he understood – it was so clear. Her playfulness and enchantment was what Warren hadn't had in his previous relationships, and what he'd longed for without knowing…what had been missing. He tangled fingers deep into the golden mane. "I like that. It's a keeper, just like you." Warm and caring feelings swelled. Dear god, could she really be all his prayers come true? Could he finally have found his soul mate? They had problems to overcome, but at the moment, he felt brave and confident that nothing would stand between him and his soul's desire.

She grew still and serious; cocking her head, searching his face. "What are you thinking?"

He didn't answer immediately, but returned the seeking gaze; absentmindedly combing fingers through her hair. "About high mountains to climb and wide rivers to cross."

She lowered down to tuck her head beneath his chin. "We'll succeed. I know it. Ozshi'wanae wants us together; I believe that with my whole self. But she has another purpose for us, too, I think. Something we must do together…besides truly becoming soulbounds and freeing you from the nannites."

That surprised him. "You haven't mentioned that feeling before."

"It came to me just now." She shot her head up to look into him in the eyes. "Do you think Ozshi'wanae spoke to me? Put that into my thoughts?"

"What do you think?"

She resettled on his chest, running fingers down along the edge of his wing. It tickled, but Warren didn't object. However, Aru's pokes were becoming steadily sharper. They'd have to separate soon.

Finally, she responded. "I believe she did. I can't think of any other reason why I'd suddenly feel that way."

"If you believe in her and trust her, then don't argue away what your gut is telling you."

She sighed her all-too-familiar 'Aru's pestering is getting uncomfortable and time to leave' sigh. "You are wise, Warren Worthington Number Three," she announced, rising to a sitting position. "I need to use the bathroom."

Warren nodded. He did, too, for a couple of reasons.

###

"Wonder if they're wake – it's getting late," Flint said jumping up from his seat in the galley. He and Gatebi had gone ahead with the morning meal without Warren and Ettwanae. "I'm gonna go check-"

"Leave them be," Gatebi chided sternly.

Flint stopped in his tracks and hooted. "You mean to leave them be in case there's fingerin' goin' on!"

The Alcab gave him a scowling reproach. "I have not a clue what that obviously Earth term means, but it doesn't matter…they'll come out when they are ready."

Gatebi still seemed ornery from the earlier 'brother incident' in Volu's bay. The outburst was puzzling, but Flint didn't dare bring up the subject for fear of even more ire directed his way.

"Whatever." Deciding it best not to argue, the redhead idly returned to the table and grabbed up a piece of dried fruit-like snack. "I miss my odent berries," he pointed out popping the snack into his mouth. "Hey, Gabby, do ya think what happened to Warren with that creepazoid could trigger the nannites or maybe make him go all wild animal?"

She thought for a moment. "If that were the case, it likely would have happened right away. Volu, do you agree?"

"I do. I detect no precursory physiological changes in Warren."

"We still don't got a bio monitor. Should we be worried?"

"Not while Warren is within my scan field, Flint."

The teen frowned at the sweet nugget in his hand. "Still nervous. If we have ta go off on our own where you can't spy on us, we need a warning before he goes all blue-and-steel slicer-dicer, or wigs out like some kinda rabid bird!"

"Then we will limit those circumstances. You don't need to worry," Gatebi reassured with casualness, but the effort was undermined by a concerned flicker in her brown eyes.

The shipmates continued their meal in mostly contemplative silence.

###

After Warren was done in Flint's bathroom, he grabbed clean clothes and was ready to head to the galley to quiet a rumbling belly when the urge to check his PI stopped him. He'd long ago learned to listen to instinct.

"Volu, any objections to checking my messages?" Knowing the Eshaar'ne remained weary of imperial communication systems, he had continued to ask for permission each time.

"Proceed."

Activating the gadget confirmed intuition; an urgent message from the one and only. Settling onto his bed and positioning the PI for a holo-comm, he hoped the conversation was short – his stomach was pestering. The holo-image that popped up nearly instantly was one of Ztar seated at his desk in the palace office.

"M- Archangel! Thank the gods!"

Warren didn't miss the near relapse to the old 'my Archangel' greeting. Whatever was urgent, it had the Emperor rattled. His chest tightened. "Ztar, what is it? What's wrong? Is it the baby? Jharda?"

An instantaneous change of expression crossed the handsome features. "No, no. They are both well." But he didn't offer more, the holo-image simply roamed Warren's own as if in assessment.

"Then what is wrong? Why the urgent comm?"

The man visibly relaxed. "I had an empathic episode involving you. I felt that you were…that you were dying."

Warren could have sworn he caught moisture forming in the holo-eyes. "I'm fine, as you can see," he assured with a slight spread of arms and wings.

Ztar leaned toward the PI, arms resting on the desk, causing his image to loom in.

"What happened? Tell me." Large brown eyes implored Warren's.

"There's nothing to worry about." With Volu no doubt listening, Warren wasn't certain how much he could share. Neither she nor Ettwanae trusted the Emperor.

"But what I felt! You were in great danger. The empathic feelings were very clear. What trouble found you this time?"

Warren studied the handsome face. Ztar wasn't saying something. He'd told the ruler about Ayni…had his wannabe protector sent surveillance? He would have liked to ask, but feared the backlash from Volu if she learned he'd shared anything about their movements. The situation was tricky.

"Ztar, yes, I was in danger, and now I'm fine. There was a little incident at our last stop, but we handled it quickly. You meet all kinds of unsavory characters out here, as you well know."

A frown crossed the olive-green features. "What I sensed was more than a little incident, my wayward Court member."

"I'm a big boy, Ztar. Been taking care of myself for years against all kinds of bad guys. I'm fine. Everyone here is fine. Don't worry."

"Archangel, when it comes to you, worry is something I cannot avoid. You attract trouble like a space junk trawler."

With a helpless shrug and a flirtatious grin, Warren hoped to divert the conversation from dangerous waters. "Part of my charm."

The holographic avatar eyed him suspiciously. "I know what you're trying to do and it won't work. I'm on to your diversionary tactics." Ztar leaned back and grinned in satisfaction as Warren shot him a classic moi gesture. That made the Turzent chuckle. "You are well and safe?"

"Yes."

The Turzent relaxed more. "Where are you headed?"

'Ooh-ooh, question to skirt.' He hesitated, hating to lie. "Well, we're not really sure. We still need supplies…" he let his voice trail off for Ztar to fill in whatever he wished, but instantly the feeling followed that it was the wrong way to lead.

"You stopped at Ayni already? Are you still nearby? If you are, tell me which supply house and I'll ensure you run into no more unsavory characters."

'Shit!' Warren expected the heaviness of Volu's displeasure to fill his room. Surprisingly, it did not. "Yes and no…"

"Then go back. It is as good a supply stop as any is. I will feel much better knowing you have safely acquired what you need."

Warren squirmed. Volu definitely had her optical and audio sensors focused on him. "Ztar, we can't. Just trust me when I say that Ayni is no longer an option. We'll find what we need."

Ztar huffed gruffly and crossed his arms, but the eyes revealed hurt. "Why do you and your friends constantly refuse my help? Why the lack of trust? What have I done wrong?"

"Ztar, it's not that I don't trust you-"

The man cut him off. "You took that wrong. They don't trust me; that is becoming quite clear. Why that's the case, eludes me. Care to enlighten your emperor?"

'Oh, boy. He's playing the 'emperor' card. Never good. Next strategy…'

"Trust is tricky business, as you well know. They will come to believe in you as I do – give them time. By the way, I thought empathic senses didn't connect as far as telepathy and we're wa-a-ay beyond your range for even that. How is it possible you felt I was in danger?"

"You're attempting to change the subject."

"Are you near Ayni?" Warren pushed.

"Why would I travel to Ayni?"

"How else do you explain the empathic episode?" Warren suspected it was their soulbinding, but Ztar didn't know about that.

"I have no explanation other than we share a unique and deep connection that transcends distance."

Warren feigned a suspicious eye. With that, the holo-image zoomed out to reveal Ztar in his palace office.

"I am on Sat'rey, Archangel," the Turzent emphasized with a dramatic wave of an arm at his surroundings. "So you see, our connection is powerful and a wonderful mystery." A warm and loving smile crossed the holo-face before turning serious once again. "Now tell me, how do I gain the trust of your shipmates?"

Warren returned the affectionate expression. "By being yourself – trustworthy – and allowing time to do the rest."

"And if I'm reading the situation correctly, that means trusting you to take care of yourselves and to call me when you truly need my help."

Warren nodded. "You've got it. Trust has to run both ways." Suddenly, Warren knew what he had to do. "My Emperor," he started hoping the formal address carried all the right notes, "my friends and I will be leaving your realm." Ztar's eyes grew wide instantly. "We'll return – it's just for a short while as far as I know."

He watched closely. At first, Ztar looked as if he was going to protest, but then thought better of it.

"You know how much worry that is going to cause me." Warren nodded understanding. "I'm going to trust that if you need help, Esserru technology will allow you to comm me." Again, he gestured agreement. "Then tell your new friends that I am trusting them to keep my Court member from harm, despite the two incidents when I've felt your life in jeopardy since joining them."

A strange expression came over Ztar's face, immediately preceding Warren catching the wording. "Two?"

Ztar nodded, but seemed uncomfortable. "Yes, a few weeks ago, I had an episode very much like Ayni."

Warren was shocked. He knew exactly what Ztar was referring to – Neu. But they'd seen each other since then at Tchutchka. He ran through their dinner conversation…Ztar's odd comments, his feeling at the time that Ztar was holding back on something. Of course!

Time to fess up if he was going to walk the talk about trust. "I apologize. There was another incident, but I couldn't say anything at the time. I'm sorry that worried you. Next time we're together, I'll share all the details, deal?" He added an affection grin.

"If it must wait, then it must, but I would prefer no more such incidents – we don't need to continue testing the limits of our connection."

Warren laughed. "I agree! We'll do our best on this end to avoid trouble, believe me."

The ruler of the Turzent Empire shook his head. "Avoiding trouble doesn't seem to be within your control, Archangel. May the gods watch over you and your companions. I am here whenever you or they need me. If you call, regardless of where you are, trust I will come – in person or by surrogate. I love you until death takes me."

"Love you, too, big guy." Each time Warren said it, the words came more easily. He did love the man, but as a brother and dear friend. However, Ztar's feelings toward him would likely always be more intimate.

"One more news item in case you and your shipmates still do not listen to imperial newscasts. Gtar-Cro commed me with a good report for a change. The Tchut authorities are dropping all charges against you."

Warren whooped. "About time! Did he say what changed their minds?" Then he shot his hand up in a halt gesture. "No, don't tell me. I just want to take the news at face value for a change. What a relief!"

The monarch was all smiles. "That it is. But I will give you a bit of detail – their statement will make it clear that you are exonerated of any wrongdoing, not that they simply didn't have enough evidence. That is very important for our Court."

"Stjarmas'de's hand?"

"Not this time. According to him, Tchut authorities offered that distinction on their own, though Stjarmas'de helped craft their public retraction of charges."

"Then we won't look a gift horse in the mouth." Black eyebrows shot up on the Turzent face. "It means we won't inspect closely, but accept graciously."

The other man nodded. "Agreed. The outcome is everything we could have hoped for."

Ztar's declaration didn't come with quite the enthusiasm Warren expected, but he let it pass without comment. When the holo image blinked out, he leaned back in relief. It had turned out to be a good conversation capped off with great news. Ztar knew they were leaving Turzent space. They had both broadly acknowledged Neu. The Turzent was apparently ready to trust that Warren could take care of himself, albeit from Ztar's perspective, with Esserru assistance. Fewer secrets. Less need for deception. It felt good.

At least one person trusted him more. That left others who had likely gone the opposite direction.

"Volu, you got all that?"

Hesitation. "Yes."

He'd not push any further. Volu heard everything. Warren would let her dwell on it without his input.

Rising, he turned off the PI, and headed the few paces to the galley. The stomach gnawing at his ribs was top priority. From out of the blue, another kind of nagging sensation passed through his awareness – almost ghostly in its nature. Dark undertones laced the feeling...or was it a warning? Was his subconscious trying to alert or remind him of something?

He entered the kitchen with a frown as the sensation faded. 'Whatever it is will have to wait,' Warren decided as his stomach loudly protested its empty condition.

###

By late afternoon, he'd given the situation much consideration. Decision made. Timing good. All that remained was to inform the affected party.

Warren thought back again to nearly losing Ettwanae at the supply house the prior day. That incident underscored the narrow escape on Neu and drove home how important the woman had become to him. All the self-talk following the blue hands episode about being a hard-ass and looking out primarily for his interests had fallen by the wayside more quickly than he'd believed possible. Turned out, he simply cared about Ettwanae too much to maintain the attitude.

Snatching the blue velvet box from its hiding place, he slipped the small gift into a jeans pocket and walked the short distance from his tiny quarters to the gathering room.

"Ettwanae?" he asked, poking his head into the doorway. Flint sat across from Ettwanae. No Gatebi. "Do you have a few minutes?"

Her face revealed not the anticipation he had hoped, but remnants of irritation. Warren's chest tightened. Had he interrupted an argument? Flint looked sheepish.

"Yes, Warren. We're done here," she announced coolly with a stern eye to the teen.

Flint stood and meekly moved past Warren.

"Big-time bitchy," the young man whispered the barely audible warning making Warren rethink his timing. However, what he had to say stood a good chance of changing her mood to the positive.

As Flint slunk out, Warren moved in, brushing a hand over the sensor to dilate the door closed.

Ettwanae rose, looking like she was prepared to face him down. "I suppose Gatebi talked to you."

The sharp accusation was puzzling. "About what?"

She huffed and crossed her arms defensively. "Me." Lightening flashed in the blue orbs.

Warren was confused. "Why would she do that?"

"She did not?"

"No."

Ire seemed to deflate, but if she was in the midst of molt-induced sourness, the swing could be transitory. "That's good." The arms uncrossed. "What do you need?"

"I was hoping we could talk for a bit, just you and me."

"A-a-about?" Dire warnings were embedded in the single, drawn out word.

"You and me." Her wings twitched. "Mostly me being a nimrod," he added hastily, his heart rate quickening. Mental fingers crossed, he plunged ahead. "And I have gift for you."

Angelic curiosity swept across her face with astounding swiftness.

"You do?"

"Let's sit." Once settled across from one another, he began. "You've told me you love me, and I cherish that. Love is a precious gift…not one to be taken for granted or casually handled. That is the reason I haven't responded in kind, Ettwanae." At her instant look of dread, he rushed forward. "I didn't want to say something I wasn't sure I felt yet. My hesitation had nothing to do with you…it's my track record of being a failure in the love department. I've gotten to the point where I doubt my own feelings about love."

She stiffened, drawing the delicate features tight. He kicked himself – the words were not coming out the way he intended. He was used to the hot seat in the business world, yet when it came to personal matters…

A confused frown worked across her face. "You said once before that you were…a loser in relationships, I think."

"When we played Twenty Questions, right. I think I said something like a card-carrying loser in the personal relationship department."

"I felt sad for you."

Her body language told Warren that she was waiting for the other shoe to drop. He wouldn't drag the conversation out.

"No pity parties, but yes. It's frustrating. I want to change that. Humans don't usually fall instantly in love like Eshaaru do. For most of us, it's a gradual process…one that involves getting to know each other, spending time together, developing emotional bonds. I'm Human, despite this Aru business."

"So you don't love me." Her lithe frame wilted and wings drooped.

"That's not what I'm saying. I want to do right by you, but afraid I might screw things up like I always do."

"What are you saying?"

"I want to try with you."

Her demeanor brightened slightly, and hope filled the crystalline blues. "Do love me?"

Warren gave her a wide smile, as his heart began pounding and his palms grew moist. "I do. I love you, Ettwanae of the Eshaaru." He'd said it. The words were a relief and frightening. Would he finally get and keep the girl? Had he finally found his 'grow old together / 'til death do us part' relationship?

Joy swept over the beautiful features and like lightening, she knelt before him and threw her arms around his neck. "I love you, too, but was beginning to think you would never love me."

"I had to be certain, Ettwanae…it wouldn't have been right to say I love you until I was, and that I was ready to commit to you and me becoming us. I hope you understand."

She released him to sit back on her haunches. "You were being honest, Warren, and I appreciate that." She caressed his cheek. "This was worth the wait, my late bloomer!"

They laughed together at the second reference to their Twenty Questions game.

He dug into a pocket. "I bought this before we left Earth," he explained holding out the blue velvet box. "I wanted to wait for the right time."

Her eyes grew wide as she took the box reverently. "You had it all this time?" she questioned in hushed tones.

A chuckle escaped. "Yes. It is actually more perfect for having waited." He gestured to the box. "Open it." He couldn't stop smiling.

She fumbled a bit, and then realized the top was hinged. Lifting the lid slowly, the box revealed its treasure. Incredibly, her eyes grew even larger. Amazement overtook the surprise on her delicate features.

"It's beautiful!" Setting the box on her lap, she gently picked up the dog tag-shaped gold pendant. "Are these words in your language?"

He shook his head. "No, my language isn't so artistic. It's Chinese – another language spoken on Earth. The symbols translate to 'believe,' or more precisely, to be convinced that something is true or real…to have trust in or faith in something."

As Ettwanae examined it closely, Warren could almost hear the wheels of her mind turning. He waited patiently while his smile just kept coming. Made of 24k gold, the two-symbol message was hand engraved. At the time, he couldn't believe his luck in finding something so fitting in the limited shopping time he'd had. It was as if the perfect gift had drawn him to itself.

"Like I believe in our mission? In you? In us?" The huge blue eyes blinked in awe.

"All of the above. I had the pendant slightly altered so it can be attached to the back of your amulet – if that's what you wish to do. Otherwise, there is a bracelet in the box, too, if you'd rather wear it that way."

She shook her head. "No, it belongs on the back of the amulet." She fingered the pendant again. "Warren, this is- this is so…wonderful!" Her arms flung around his neck in another power hug. "I love it! I love you!" she exclaimed enthusiastically, yet softly in his ear.

"I'm happy you like it." Her hair smelled sweet and once again, he was in wonder at how good she felt in his arms.

Releasing him, Ettwanae took off the amulet that never left her person, flipped over the filigreed medallion, and placed the pendant in position. The fit was very good.

"Looks like I estimated the size about right. See those two clasps? They should catch the filigree and hold the pendant in place."

It took a minute of fiddling to get it just right, but in the end, the gold pendant was secured to the back of her Eshaaru amulet. She held the combined piece up by the chain so they could admire it as it slowly rotated.

"Perfect, just perfect!" Their eyes locked. "Putting it with the amulet was an amazing idea, Warren. It like us – different, but joined. Thank you, again. I will cherish it forever." Tears welled up.

Moisture formed in his own at the sight. His throat grew tight, but he pushed through it to say what he wanted her to understand. Placing a hand on her cheek, he looked deeply into the intensely blue orbs, hoping to touch her soul. "Thank you for believing in me. I can't begin to describe how profoundly grateful I am for that. You are a shining light in my life."

She bit her lip and held his gaze, her eyes searching his for many heartbeats. "I hope one day to be the shining lover in your life, too."

God, how he wanted that! "Sometimes, all we have is our belief, and I chose to believe that this relationship-worn, love-shy Human will one day be able to make love to you for hours on end." He gave her a lopsided grin.

Her deep blush created warmth in Warren that went all the way to his own soul.

###

Volu was pleased. Warren followed through on their conversation while en route back to Tchut that he needed to either commit to Ettwanae or let her go. It took him longer to have the talk with Ettwanae than Volu preferred, yet she also wanted Warren to be certain of his feelings and commitment first.

She felt confident he was sincere, as his bio-readings did not indicate any attempts at deceit. Volu had long ago learned via Flint that when Humans lie or attempt to deceive, certain telltale bio changes occur.

The only remaining problem – could he be trusted on everything else?

###

The next day, Warren secluded himself in the bowels of Volu with his PI. After he declared his love and their subsequent night together, Aru sadistically took advantage and was pushing sex drives to new heights – or new lows, depending on the perspective. Overwhelming urges to mate slammed him just hours after their talk. It had taken all his willpower to not grab Ettwanae, throw her on the nearest horizontal surface, and do what his body desperately wanted.

To top it all off, everyone was eating lunch in the galley just a couple hours earlier, joking around when suddenly Ettwanae and he were…

Well, it wasn't his most dignified moment.

"This just all around sucks!" he growled aloud. "Should have known better than stir things up between us," he scolded himself, recalling the savage kissing and groping hands. He thought he had had it under control.

Ettwanae lost all control and wouldn't stop. Couple runaway libido with whacked out molt hormones and Ettwanae had turned into something more akin to wild animal in heat when Warren pried himself loose. Flint and Gatebi scattered like cockroaches fleeing the spotlight as she erupted into a full-on temper tantrum. All manner of items flew through the air. He barely escaped uninjured. Warren felt sorry for the Eshaar'ne – she couldn't escape.

It was Ettwanae's worst episode yet.

'Damn it!'

The yelling and screaming went on for some time until suddenly all had gone quiet. Warren didn't dare risk going topside for fear of reigniting the Eshaaru's wrath. Calm was restored a good hour ago, and still he feared showing himself. The crate serving as a chair was hard, and he shifted around in a vain attempt to get comfortable.

Aru wasn't giving up. Need clawed at his insides, making him want to scream. The usual distractions weren't working. Frustration blended with lascivious desires in a maddening concoction.

Warren needed to get physical, or he would explode.

Jumping off the crate, he strode over to the makeshift fighting stick leaning against a stack of empty food tubs. Snatching it, he eyed the lone heavy crate still at its assigned post in the center of the storage bay.

"Are you ready to get your ass kicked?" he snared.

Whirling the staff vertically, he considered the true opponent – how does one take out sexual urges being driven by a powerful and mysterious force?

"I'm showing no mercy, you better understand that!" he warned the surrogate target just before he struck with lightening speed. Staff against crate cracked the air.

'Man, that feels good!'

Warren viciously attacked his immobile opponent with every move he'd learned and honed over the years of X-Man training. The heavy, sturdy storage container took it all without budging or complaint. It wasn't long before nothing else existed but him and his opponent. Focus was total – battle mode. Shots, jabs, cuts, swipes – he became the weapon. Warren was in 'the zone.'

The shift was subtle, and when it came he was barely aware. Feral senses and reflexes turned on, augmenting every move. It was a level of immersion Charles taught him to tread with care – too much toward feral and he'd lose himself to unthinking instinct. Too far the opposite direction, and he'd lose the edge being a feral gave him. It was hard to hit and hold that perfect balance, but he had on numerous occasions in the past. When he did, Warren became a blur of precise and potentially lethal motion.

Several minutes later, the zone evaporated, and he was only a man with a fighting stick once again. Winded and sweaty, Warren sank to the floor and looked up at the still vertical, but scarred crate. "Hope you learned your lesson about messing with me!" he snapped between breaths. "Damn Aru." He carefully examined the staff for any signs of damage while cooling down. The intense workout did help – the sexual fire was reduced to smoldering embers. He hauled himself off the bay floor.

"Warren, may I intrude?"

The sudden interruption startled Warren. He'd completely forgotten he always had an audience. "Sure." He twirled the staff above his head before bringing down one end solidly to Volu's floor. It was still sound.

"I detected a shift in your brain activity during your workout, and it concerns me."

He sighed. "Let me guess, feral activity."

"Limited, but yes."

"It was controlled, Volu. When I get really focused during a battle, that can happen. My mentor trained me how to use it to my advantage."

"How does that differ from your other episode? What is to stop you from going fully feral?"

How could he explain it? "It's just different. Can't explain it. I'm in control. That other episode snuck up on me – I didn't…initiate it."

Volu was quiet for a few seconds, perhaps considering the explanation. "Under the circumstances, it may be unwise to initiate any type of feral state. I am concerned you may lose control."

His turn to contemplate. "Hmmm, perhaps you're right." The aftereffects of coming down from the adrenaline rush hit, and sluggish was taking hold. Healing factor would make it short lived, but physiology was physiology, and he would experience a crash like anyone else.

"If the next supply house has a bio monitor, we will acquire it."

That didn't surprise Warren. He started toward the lift, really needing a shower.

"Warren?"

"Yeah?"

"I have been considering your most recent conversation with Emperor Ztar."

He stopped abruptly. "And?"

"It did not make me trust him less."

Warren remained silent. As he stepped onto the lift, he felt Ztar may have a chance with the Eshaar'ne after all.

###

If you are enjoying the story, let me know. Next chapter is a short one, so may post that this weekend, as well.

Thanks for reading!