Getting comfortable and forming a routine on the fighting barge took Alexis five months from her arrival. The time went too quickly, quickly enough that she sometimes found herself worrying that soon a year would pass and maybe another. She wasn't wasting her time, but would have still preferred being with her brother, working on finding a new planet, something productive toward what she hoped would be some sort of future.

She had spent a lot of time with Airaih over the last three months. He showed her places she would have never known existed, from exotic restaurants and an art festival, to a concert that had the strangest, most fascinating music that came from equally strange instruments performed by a diverse range of species.

If she never met Airaih, her world on the barge would have been so limited. The more time she spent with him, which she was realizing was turning into quite a bit, the more she found that when she thought about Thundercracker, the less painful it felt.

And she was getting better at handling Sunstreaker. She forced herself to pray for him, knowing if anyone spitefully used her, he would fit the bill. Alexis still needed patience and tolerance to be around him. He continually warned her to stay away from Airaih. Still made comments of harassment that she was never sure if he meant or was just trying to aggravate her. Either way, she didn't like them. Telling the Autobot that only made him laugh and mock her, his optics sharply on her as they drifted down her form.

She was going to be late. Grabbing a narrow metal token off her table, Alexis quickly pulled her hair back into a ponytail and grabbed the small jacket she had recently bought. She put it on and slipped out of the room.

The hallways were busier than usual due to the championship matches that were coming up. Following the directions that she had been given, she separated from the crowd and went along a hallway on the left, eventually coming to a large blue man who took her token and motioned for Alexis to follow a striking female who ushered her to her seat.

She never expected it to be a private box, or for someone to be waiting for her to take her jacket and offer her something to drink. Alexis didn't expect the matches to be so posh and formal. And by the time a group sat down in the neighboring box, she got enough of a glimpse of their luxurious attire through the privacy dividers to realize how underdressed she was.

But it was her first time at one of the fighting matches. But she should have expected more due to how exclusive it was supposed to be. The area certainly wasn't going to look like a broken-down theater with dirty floors and flickering overhead lights.

A large animated billboard hung at several key areas, alien text scrolling. If she didn't know better, she would have sworn it was some form of an advertisement. An announcer's voice drowned out the low murmur of voices, silencing them and the ads as he informed the crowd of the next fighters, their stats and other various info.

Alexis never meant to go to one of the fighting matches, but Airaih had finally managed to convince her. But she would have gone eventually anyway. Alexis was interested in what they were like, and more interested in how Airaih fought.

She was a little hesitant that it would be as bad as her imagination had conjured it to be, with body parts flying, blood gushing and dead bodies thrown in a corner somewhere. Airaih had looked at her rather curiously when she said that, and she swore she had seen a wrinkle of amusement on the corner of his mouth.

"The only way you'll know is if you attend a match yourself, Alexis."

"No assurances, no telling me it's not like that?"

"I think it is best that you see it for yourself."

The lights dimmed along all the seats. A large platform lifted up in the middle, lighting up and burning bright. Some sort of rules were read, but she wasn't really paying attention.

Airaih appeared, as did his opponent, a Thintha whose white translucent flesh showed subtle outlines of internal organs, thick muscles and skeletal structure. They advanced one another as soon as they both saw each other.

Airaih was quick, quicker than she would have believed possible. His movements were similar to martial arts, but not like the movies with wires and unrealistic motions and feats, but the authenticity of a skill set that he never bragged about, but certainly could have. Her eyes kept drifting over his lean sinewy form that was accentuated by his garb, a simple but effective outfit that wasn't formfitting but secure enough to make her cheeks flush with unexpected heat.

Blocking a thin sword that seemed to materialize out of the Thintha's hand, Airaih swung around with his now extended staff, knocking the alien off his feet. Rotating the weapon smoothly behind his right side, he used his other hand to pummel his opponent with a quick succession of rapid blows until the sword clanked back and away.

The match continued for a little longer. And it wasn't until Airaih was declared the victor that Alexis realized there was hardly any cheering or shouting during the matches, although everyone appeared busy with placing bets.

The next match was announced, but Alexis had no reason to stay. Exiting the box, she walked along the now empty corridor. She now knew that the fights had to have several styles. While the fight she just saw was somewhat bloody and most certainly fierce, it was not brutal or violent as she had heard of Sunstreaker's matches. And nobody died.

She wasn't surprised by how good Airaih had been, but she was surprised by how much she had enjoyed it. And watching him move and react and battle his opponent had been nothing less than graceful. Alexis even forgot to breathe sometimes, the stopping of her inhalation allowing her to recognize the steady pounding of her heart.

Making her way to his preparations quarters where he had invited her, Alexis was shocked to find a gaggle of females hovering outside a guarded door. All the women were talking excitingly, some stopping long enough to give her a dismissive glance, or a blunt forced stare that once again reminded her, as she looked at the beautifully clothed people, how out of place she must have appeared.

Shaking her head, and turning away from the group, she was just about to walk away when the females were shooed off by a nearby guard. He stopped in front of Alexis with a purpose.

"Aleaxhis?" he spoke her name strangely as he stretched out the small word.

She shook her head, hating the dumb expression that must have painted her face. Months and still she would become a little flabbergasted when meeting new species. He looked like a pig-dog, fully equipped with a large lanky tail and a fluffy pair of ears, the most interesting nose. He led her through the door and motioned toward an empty line of plush seats.

"Wait here," he told her, his tone gruff, his ears lifting high. Alexis couldn't stop the smile that lifted her mouth as she watched his tail slowly wag until he exited the room.

Alexis didn't have to wait long. Airaih appeared five minutes later, changed and cleaned up, his jet-black hair still damp and curling around his ears and forehead.

"That was... wow!" Alexis told him, unable to articulate what she really thought.

He clipped his head forward in a show of gratitude for her words. The motion caused her to look at the slash of a cut on his left cheek, evidence of what he had just been involved in. Airaih noticed.

"It will be gone by morning," he assured her. "You came alone." His eyes lit up, and his right brow lifted. It wasn't a question but something that made his fingers scrape along his thick pants before stilling them along his thighs.

"Yes. Everyone else was busy."

She tucked some loose hair behind her ears, noticing that he was looking at her again, probably wondering why her clothes were so...

"Your attire is very comely, Alexis. You have no reason to feel out of place here, or anywhere else," he added with sincerity.

Alexis blushed. She knew he wasn't telepathic. But the way he knew what she was thinking sometimes was astounding. He was brilliant though. And she supposed he couldn't help his observation skills. She stared down at her dark slacks, layered tank top and loose-fitting jacket. She didn't have much of a wardrobe and certainly didn't have anything fancy in it, only practical.

"Are you hungry?" he inquired, his eyes never wavering from her own.

"Yes."

"Excellent. I had my servants prepare us a light dinner." He brought his hand out and swept his palm out, indicating for them to walk.

"With more of that purple fruit?" she asked hopefully as she walked beside him. Even the way he walked was sleek and refined, his stride elegant. He had an energy about him that was unmistakable, now multiplied several times over, forcing her to walk quicker than usual.

"Tolirgs."

"Yes, that. They taste like chocolate."

"As you have told me before. Although I still do not know what this chocolate is."

She smiled wide with enthusiasm. "It's an addiction I used to have. I used to stuff myself full until I was sick of it, and the next day I'd want more. Don't you have sweets on your planet?"

"We do not usually eat items that have no nutritional value. And addiction is not something my people are prone to." He sounded like he wanted to say more than that. He stopped himself, his gaze flickering over her now frowning mouth.

"Chocolate though, can be good for you sometimes." Alexis told him. "Or maybe that was just dark chocolate, or the cocoa bean itself, I... can't recall anymore. And since I don't have the Internet here..."

They were interrupted. One of Airaih's attendants came forward and offered the Vildan a medium-sized box. He looked inside and gave the servant permission to leave.

He directed his words to her, even as his attention was still on the container of food. "Shall we go to the atrium and eat there again? Or would you prefer a more private arrangement?" Airaih asked of her. There was something in his tone that made it seem like her answer was something of importance.

She gulped, bit her lip and answered before she put too much thought in it, "Let's eat in the workshop. I'm not used to so many people wandering around as there has been lately."

Making their way from the fighting arena, they merged with the still surging crowd.

She saw Airaih again three days later.

"I'm leaving, Alexandra."

That night shift had been a particularly grueling one. Nothing seemed to have gone right. And she was forced to do several jobs over when she realized she had used the wrong cleaning solution. When Airaih approached her at the end of the shift, taking her to the back of the room and sitting down with her, Alexis had been just about to tell him she was too tired and way too aggravated to do much of anything but sleep, but his words stopped her cold.

Airaih spoke when she remained silent, "The Autobot's debt has been paid off. You are free to do as you wish. I would prefer if you accompanied me to my home planet."

Her perplexed expression had him pressing on.

He spoke with firm conviction until a calm and practical tone was adopted, as if he was only telling her about the weather on his planet. "We are quite compatible, I assure you. I know that with the way your scent affects me. I have studied your Earth culture, and you and I know that monogamy is important. And while that is not strictly observed by my kind, I would not want to have you any other way. You can invite your brother and your companions to live with us. They will be comfortable and protected and free to live their lives, as will you be."

Again, the silence shifted. She almost couldn't believe what she had heard. The male of his species wasn't supposed to proposition females. The privilege of choosing a partner among the Vildans belonged to the female. So not only were his suggestions, his very words unconventional, they were staggering. Alexis felt heat rush to her face and felt his heavy gaze on her.

She thought of seeing her brother again, of what Airaih had offered. The Vildans kept their families together, all the generations living with one another. From brothers and cousins to aunts and uncles, although she knew the females and males were separated, some leniency allowed among family members. However, each was brought up under the guidance and tutelage of the female or male branch. While she knew he had two brothers, one had gone off and started his own clan, a disagreement from decades ago causing that.

It was strange how she could think of such things when she realized after several shocked moments the significance of what Airaih had just suggested.

He caught her eyes. One of his hands drifted close to hers before he pulled back, his fingers curling under and dropping along his thighs.

"I must warn you though," his words turned low, forcing her to look at him, "I have yet to enter my first thezde cycle as I have not taken a consort. But once we form an alliance, they will become regular and," he paused, studying her intently before continuing, the tips of his ears turning a dark purple, "nothing will be able to stop the need for claiming you through rigorous relations. Outside that, we will not physically join."

Having children was very important to the Vildans, and the only reason they still procreated. Or she was sure, they would have done away with sex altogether.

"I thought we were friends," Alexis finally managed to find her voice, nearly losing it again with the fierce manner of his stare. He was older than her, much older. But they didn't age the same way as humans and could live for centuries. He was considered in his prime and still young.

His eyes darkened. "I don't want to separate from you. And I know enough about you to understand how well we complement each other," he let her know, his voice losing some of the calm and Alexis swore she heard a hint of a plea.

"I don't know enough about your people, your customs... your ways." She thought of the months she had spent with him, how little she really knew. How much she had yet to tell him. "We hardly know each other."

"You will learn," he said adamantly. His hand came back, this time his fingers touched her wrist, small lines drawn on the surface of the fabric there before they folded over the cloth, clasping her gently and letting go. That was the most he had ever touched her. A part of her almost noticed that, the other part didn't identify the implication. She was far too occupied with her muddled brain.

What about love? Alexis wanted to ask him. But she stopped herself. She knew that she respected him and looked forward to the time they spent together. He wasn't the most talkative person she ever met, but she didn't mind. And he certainly didn't mind when she had her bouts of loquacious. She liked him a lot, more than she had expected to. He didn't pry, didn't ask her questions, and while they didn't understand each other in totality, they still got along. But what he was asking was...

"You were not expecting this proposition." He narrowed his eyes and slowly wet his lips, his back straightened even further, his posture entirely rigid.

Alexis took a moment to think and gather herself. He was always honest with her. She could do that for him as well. So she spoke, her voice low and contemplative, "I don't think I could conform to your people's way of life. I know how we are together here, just talking with one another, even looking at one another is considered... off bounds. But I enjoy our conversations." She paused momentarily, having a hard time looking at him, but she could feel the weight of his stare. "I... like you," she admitted. Breathing deep, Alexis plunged forward to what she really wanted to say. "But I wouldn't want to be shuffled off and buried until you feel the need to procreate."

She felt the blood rush out of her head, and a clouding sensation enter behind her eyes. Alexis hadn't even thought of him that way, okay, hadn't thought of him that way very often. Yet he wanted her as some sort of baby maker, a thought in itself that made her temple wrinkle as a headache formed.

He shifted closer. "I wouldn't want you to change for me. I wouldn't expect nor want you to. My family will accustom themselves to you and your way of life as our interspecies relationship adjusts and grows," he promised.

But his words weren't enough. She shook her head and stared at the far-right wall where weapons hanged cleaned and polished, some that she had done herself. She would love to leave the barge, love to get away from Sunstreaker. But this wasn't how she saw herself going about it.

She should have felt flustered and uncertain as she spoke, but her tone was firm, her words carefully chosen, "I don't want children, not now. Since that is what is so important to you, I think, I think it best that you find someone else."

"I don't want someone else. I want you. I've chosen you," he said with strength of a tone she had never heard before, his fingers digging into the softness of the covered bench beneath them.

"I'm tired, Airaih. I need some time to think... I..."

At those words, he immediately got up and bowed forward.

"We will speak later, after you have rested and had time to consider things."

Airaih left.

Alexis stayed where she was, her fingers rubbing her forehead, his words playing back. Again, she thought of how he never mentioned love, never mentioned feelings of any kind. But romantic love didn't last, which was why there were so many divorces and separations, because people expected it to. And when it didn't they moved to the next person and the next, trying desperately to hold on to that consuming feeling that without sacrifices and work, romantic gestures and a heck of a lot of understanding and compromises and more work just wouldn't stand a chance. Love was difficult, a filler, a distraction, a disease and sometimes a lie, also something that she didn't know much about. But enough to know how painful love could be even when it never had much of a chance or a start. Her thoughts on the subject were complicated and dark, tainted by the feelings she had begun to form for Timothy.

Friendship could last though. Friendship could be built upon. And love could come in different forms, some better than others. But she didn't need to be loved. She didn't need to love. She was just ingrained with and born with the hope of having both.

But hope could be a lie as well. Whispers of what should be but would never transpire. Knowing she was going to be thinking for some time, she went to her quarters and threw herself on the bed. But she couldn't fall asleep. The exhaustion evaporated, her thoughts wild. She got up and opened her door.

Airaih was outside, just about to slide his hand over her door chime. They looked at one another. She shifted to the side, and he entered her room. Questions were answered, curiosities sated, reassurances made. And when he left several hours later, Alexis knew with surprising confidence what her answer was probably going to be.