Grey concrete walls, a single light bulb dangling from a line on the ceiling, bottles of cleaning fluids pushed into the corners of the rooms. It certainly didn't look like your traditional doctors office. In fact, one might say it wasn't even a doctor's office at all, but just a decrepit storage room that had been converted into a temporary doctor's office. At least it had the advantage of being a five minute walk away from the massive indoor forest that was his new home.

"Well Steven, everything looks fine," the doctor muttered. It was weird, being called by his first name. He had gotten so used to being called Kirchoff that his given name sounded alien to him now.

"So let me make sure I've got everything down right." He pulled a clipboard and pen from a nearby shelf. "You don't have any unexplained muscular aches or pains anywhere?"

"None at all."

"No headaches of any description?"

"No, not really."

"Not really?" The doctor raised his eyebrow.

"The only time I get headaches is when I'm looking at really bright lights or when I hear loud noises," Kirchoff elaborated. The physician who was examining him was Dr. Nigel's own personal doctor. Kirchoff found it hard to believe that she even had her own personal doctor, but it must have been a perk of her job. She was the new head of the Research Division after all. Even so, her doctor was incredibly thorough. He had been in the makeshift examination room for over two hours while the doctor inspected him from top to bottom, inside and out.

"Well I have good news Steven," the doctor said cheerfully. "The good news is that you don't appear to have any kind of permanent muscular or organ damage."

"Okay…" Kirchoff was skeptical. "And what's the bad news?"

"I didn't say there was any."

"Yeah, but I know there is bad news. There's always bad news."

"Well, you're right. Unfortunately, I can't determine the exact nature of the damage to your nervous system. I need equipment that I don't have access to to analyze in further detail. However, I have faith that you'll avoid doing anything stupid that might hurt yourself."

"I don't know doc," Kirchoff chuckled. "That's a lot of trust you're putting on a guy who sleeps with a Xenomorph."

The doctor glared at him, clearly not amused. "In the meantime, I'm recommending that you're given a month's rest before you participate in Dr. Nigel's experiments. I don't want to see you injured further."

"I'll call the guards." Under Dr. Nigel's instruction, he wasn't allowed to leave the indoor forest unless he was accompanied by an entire squadron of marines. Probably to make sure he didn't run away. Not that I could leave, he thought, what with Valen waiting for me.

His bodyguards led him through the winding corridors of the facility back to a door with "Entrance" scrawled in messy handwriting on a sheet of paper in black marker. One of the guards handed him a large pack that looked exactly like a stereotypical hiker's backpack. Upon inspection, it appeared that it contained all of his personal belongings along with a reasonable supply of food, water and bedding. How thoughtful of them .

He stepped inside the small room and he didn't even have the chance to turn around before the door slammed shut. A loud series of clicks and whirs followed and a door on the other side of the room opened. He stepped out back into the forest and was almost immediately bowled off his feet by a tackle from Valen. After his heart stopped pounding, he hugged the giant alien around the waist. Valen purred and nuzzled his forehead in return.

"Miss me much? I was only gone for an hour." Kirchoff asked. His throat was still fairly sore and dry, but the doctor was kind enough to give him enough throat lozenges to last him for a few weeks, which made talking much less painful.

Yes, Valen said bluntly. What did the doctor say?

"I should be fine as long as you don't keep scaring me half to death. No permanent damage as far as he can tell, but I should be careful for the next little while... Do you mind getting off of me?"

I don't want to. I think I'll stay here for a while.

Get off me!

No.

"Get off me or I'll…"

Or you'll what? Bitch at me?

"No! I'll... Uh…"

Valen laughed his raspy laugh and removed himself from Kirchoff. He brushed the grass off his new sweatpants and noticed the prominent green stains on his ass that now adorned them. Huffing in exasperation, Kirchoff gathered his scattered belongings and walked back to the forest, Valen prancing around him.

Once they reached the treeline, Valen leaped up into the foliage and gracefully landed on a branch 15 feet over his head.

"How's the view from up there?" He called.

No idea, I'm still mostly blind if you'll recall, Valen snarked, but the smell of the trees and the air is indescribable.

They both inhaled deeply, taking in the pleasant scent of fresh air and the towering pine trees around them.

"It sure beats the smell in the containment cells."

That's an understatement if ever I've heard one.

Neither of them said anything, mentally or verbally for a long time. Both of them just stood where they were, taking in the whole scene. Just over a week ago, they were stuck together in a cramped, whitewashed containment cell with no hope of escape from a tragically short life of inhumane experimentation. Now they had their own private forest to do whatever they wanted in, and a whole month to do it before they would be bothered to do anything. A much better agreement, in other words.

Kirchoff was the one to finally break the silence. "So did you find anywhere to set up camp?" He asked Valen hopefully. Last night they ended up sleeping on top of the hill near the wall because Kirchoff had no intention of walking the half kilometer down to the pine forest and had just slept curled up on the ground. He kind of regretted it now though, his back was killing him.

There are several places I found that would be suitable, but I don't think you'd like them very much. Valen responded.

"And why is that?"

Because they're sixty feet in the air. I assume you don't intend to sleep on a branch for the rest of your life.

A shudder ran down his spine. "Yeah, no. I'll sleep on the ground if it's all the same to you, it's much safer."

I thought as much, Valen chuckled. He descended to the ground, leaping from branch to branch until he landed at Kirchoff's feet. There is one spot I think you'll like. It's not that far away.

Valen turned on his heels, although quite how he did so was a mystery of physics and biology, and silently strode off into the forest. Kirchoff shouldered his pack and followed.

I love this forest , Valen thought to himself. It was truly amazing here in the massive indoor enclosure. For a start there was so much more room. Far more than he had ever had in his life. If he wanted to run in a straight line, he could! If he wanted to chase his own tail, he could! If he wanted to leap from branch to branch until he was flying through the foliage, he could! Not only that, but he absolutely loved the smell that the large conifers gave off. It was so fresh and clean that it made him want to roll around on a pile of pine needles until it would be impossible to distinguish him from a 8 foot tall, pine scented air freshener.

But he wasn't leaping through the tree tops or transforming himself into a pine scented Xenomorph right now, he was escorting Kirchoff to their new home that he had chosen. It hadn't taken long to find it, only several minutes of searching. He would have tried to find more potential places to 'set up camp' as Kirchoff put it, but he got lazy. If Kirchoff didn't like it, they could always find another spot.

He glanced over his shoulder and was greatly amused to find Kirchoff panting and grunting under the massive pack slung over his shoulders. His face was red and he was almost bent double from the weight of it.

Having fun back there? He asked, trying his best to keep his amusement out of his thoughts.

"What... does it look like?" Kirchoff shot back. Even his mental voice sounded out of breath.

Oh, I just thought you might want some help. He strained, desperately trying not to laugh.

The look on Kirchoff's face was a lovely mix of irritation and exhaustion, his eyes bulging and cheeks flushed. Valen broke down and started laughing. When he tried to calm down, he looked back over at Kirchoff's face and fell into a new fit of giggles. Kirchoff threw down his pack and sat down on it, panting and gasping, which made Valen break into a new fit of raspy laughter.

When at long last Valen pulled together long enough to compose himself, he addressed Kirchoff. Want me to carry that for you?

"By all means," he gestured at the pack he was sitting on with a flourish. Valen picked it up with a delicate claw and placed it on his back. He didn't bother with the straps, he just balanced the backpack between his dorsal tubes. Now freed from his burden, Kirchoff matched Valen's pace, walking agreeably close to him. Several times during their walk, Valen had deliberately stepped slightly off center, making contact with Kirchoff. This of course shoved him off balance and nearly sent him face first into the pine needles of the forest floor, but it was worth it for the extra bit of contact. In less than 5 minutes the forest abruptly cut off on both sides of them, giving way to a small clearing. The grass here was shorter and tougher than the grass outside the forest. Valen had chosen the spot because there was enough space for both he and Kirchoff to sleep, relax or whatever they were going to do while he recuperated, and it wasn't very far away from the door Kirchoff had left and arrived from.

Well, he asked. Do you like it?

"Valen, you couldn't have chosen better," Kirchoff said, his gratitude and amazement rolling off him in waves. This made him purr with content, and he purred even harder when Kirchoff scratched the spot on the back of his neck under his crest that he loved to have scratched. Kirchoff broke off and walked around the perimeter of the clearing. Valen clambered up a nearby tree and watched from above as Kirchoff paced the uneven circle of grass. He looked so small from up in the foliage. I wonder if I could pounce on him from here, it's a big jump but if I could build up some momentum...

"I heard that!" Kirchoff yelled from the other side of the clearing.

You can still hear me? Valen asked. He was equal parts impressed and confused. It was at least two hundred feet from his side of the clearing to the other.

"Yes! I just said that!"

You weren't able to hear me this far away when you were in your home back in the lab. . According to Kirchoff's memories, his personal rooms were fairly close to his cell back in their old lab, no more than 30 feet from the closest wall at most

"I dunno, maybe the concrete in the walls was limiting your range or something?"

Maybe... Valen pondered. Could there be something wrong with your head after what happened. That possibility worried him quite a bit. The number of possible side effects could from his torture was was a near constant source of stress for him now.

"Equally plausible," Kirchoff was stroking his chin, deep in thought. "Tell me, did you ever try communicating with anybody besides me when we were in the lab?"

No, why do you ask?

"The basement where the lab was was mostly deserted, just a few other specialists and guards worked down there. Maybe the range of your mental ability is much greater than we thought and we just never found out."

Hmmmm, perhaps , he thought musingly. That was a much more preferable theory.

"Anyways, we can puzzle over that later. I'm tired and I wanna take a nap."

Splendid idea, Valen leapt forwards, landed gracefully in the middle of the clearing and sauntered over to Kirchoff, who had just unraveled a long sheet of cloth, presumably to sleep on. Probably. Valen couldn't understand why humans used half of the things they did. Maybe you could store snacks in it when it wasn't in use. He watched as Kirchoff unpacked the rest of his things. He pulled out a pillow, a change of clothes, a stick of plastic with bristles on one end, a tube of sharp scented paste, a water bottle and some foul smelling packages that Kirchoff swore were food.

Are you sure you're supposed to eat that?

"Yes Valen. It's called a granola bar."

Keep it away from me, I might get contaminated.

He also had a small supply of personal belongings, among which were several slim paperback books. Those caught Valen's attention. The only books he had ever heard Kirchoff read were the manuals on operating computers back in the lab, and those had been so boring and tedious that it made slamming his head into the wall seem like a better use of his time.

What are those books about? He asked.

"Hmmm? Oh, just some silly novels I brought with me from home when I came here," Kirchoff answered.

Interesting, but that didn't answer my question. What are they about? Valen pressed.

"Well, err… Well one is a sci-fi novel and the others are… they're just some stupid romance novels. It's nothing really." Kirchoff was so flustered his face practically radiated heat.

It sure doesn't feel like nothing, he teased, laughing at Kirchoff's supreme embarrassment.

"Look, let's forget about that okay! I've gotta get unpacked" he said, trying to change the subject.

You can do that later, Valen chuckled. I want to hear what these novels of yours are all about.

This made Kirchoff even more embarrassed. His cheeks were so flushed that Valen thought he would spontaneously combust if he got even more flustered. Satisfied with his handiwork, Valen plopped down on the grass next to Kirchoff and wrapped his tail around his legs.

I'm teasing you, you imbecile, He said, not unkindly.

"Oh, okay," Kirchoff let out a sigh, relieved. He was silent a moment before saying. "I could still read you a story you know."

Really? This made him perk up. He had never read a story. Tot that he could have, what with the claws and the poor eyesight and the inability to actually read English.

"Sure, but I'm not reading you any sappy romance novels," His tone, both verbal and mental, was bemused. "You're already a cuddle monster as it is, I don't need you getting any ideas."

What, me? He gasped in false shock. Never!

Kirchoff laughed a little as he settled against Valen's chest, using a blanket and pillow to cushion his back against his abdomen. He had his water bottle beside him, his weird pills in his pocket that made his throat feel better, and the science fiction book in his hands. "Okay, I'm just gonna read the first few chapters, then I'm going to bed, okay?"

Alright.

At first, the book was rather dry and boring. It was explaining some science that Valen didn't quite understand or care about, but as Kirchoff kept reading, he felt his mind begin to stir. At first only a few dim flashes of color crossed his mind, barely feeling enough to be recognizable, but as he kept going the story slowly unfolded in his mind. Images and sensation danced before in his mind, painting a vivid picture as he read. The forms of characters, vehicles, plants and animals, planets, the vast empty void of space, decorating with millions upon billions of stars casting their eerie, beautiful glow across the sky danced across his mind. They painted a coherent and yet surreal portrait of the story Kirchoff was reading, playing out in his head. Valen watched in awe as a tragic young man, who appeared to be the focus of the story, travelled from planet to planet, solar system to solar system, galaxy to galaxy as he hunted for something that he had lost. Valen knew that this young man was not real, but he could not help but get invested in as he watched him suffer, struggle and succeed, over and over and over again as he continued his quest for who knows what. A lover perhaps? He nearly cried out in delight at one point where the man, after fighting a bitter battle against a ferocious, dark skinned, sharp toothed, horned monster, finally slew the beast. A young woman, scarcely clothed and feeble, was imprisoned in a cell nearby. With a leap the man was at the cage and destroyed it with one swing of his weapon and she flew into his arms. They embraced, and Valen could feel their elation as they reunited after so long. The final image of the two lovers, standing on a cliff overlooking a vast expanse of forest lingered for a moment, then it slowly faded to black, and with that, Valen slowly came back to his senses.

"And that's the end of the book," Kirchoff said, closing the paperback. "Man, I forgot how much I love this book. I mean it's not the best book ever, kind of cliche, but I think it's a good read. So what did you thiiii…!"

Before he could finish, Valen pulled Kirchoff into a bear hug and squeezed him tight, cutting off his words with a high pitched squeak. Kirchoff! I loved it! That was the most amazing thing I've ever experienced! It was like I was really there, in the story, watching it all play out before my eyes! I had no idea that something like this was possible!

"That's great to hear," Kirchoff wheezed. But do you mind loosening up a bit? I like breathing y'know.

Sorry! He relaxed his grip and Kirchoff took a deep breath of relief. It's just that, I've experienced anything like that! Can you read more of your books to me? Please?

Kirchoff smiled. "Of course, but not right now. I've been reading for hours, my voice is sore, I'm dog tired and I really need to take a leak."

But… He was about to protest, but Kirchoff cut him off.

"I'll read another book tomorrow, I promise," His amusement showing as smile widened. "But for now, I need to empty my bladder and go to bed."

Alright, he grumbled, trying to make his disappointment as obvious as possible. I'm going to hold you up to it.

"I'm sure you will," Kirchhoff grinned.

Once Kirchoff was all drained and ready for bed, he curled up next to Valen, who purred so much that he sounded like an electric go-kart. He hadn't seen Valen so happy in… ever. This made him smile, which made Valen purr even harder and pull him against his chest even tighter. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, he drifted peacefully off to sleep.