The next chapter is posted! Enjoy :)
Travin drove the carriage carrying Galen and his friends as far as he could go. By the time it was late evening, the stopped the carriage and told them this is as far as he went.
Alan and Pete helped Kristin down from the carriage and Galen jumped off to join them. They all turned to the old orderly and thanked him.
Then they watched as he turned the carriage around and head back to the medical center. The area they were in was pretty dense with foliage.
"Are you sure you're well enough to walk?" Pete must've asked for the tenth time right as they were dropped off.
Kristin sighs, "Yes, Pete, for the last time I can walk. I was shot in the shoulder after all. Not the leg."
"Alright then. I suggest we move a little further out before we find an area to hunker down for the night." Alan informed them.
"Fair enough. Lead the way." She says.
"If you do get tired and need to stop to rest though, let us know." Alan added.
"Ehh, I've spent the better portion of the last day laying on my back. I need to get my lazy ass moving again." She joked.
The two men smirked in amusement. They knew if she was joking around, then she was going to be fine.
"Well, let's get our exercise going again then." Pete joked back.
Kristin smiled and gestured ahead. Then the two astronauts started walking.
As they walked on ahead, Galen approached her, and came to stand in front of her. He then held out her waist pouch where she kept her iPhone and a few of her other things.
"Saved it for you." He said, handing it to her.
"Thanks." She said, as she took it and pulled it around her waist, tightening the buckle on it.
The two stood there for a moment longer in silence. Unsure of what to really say.
Then Galen closed the distance and carefully wrapped his arms around the petite woman and hugged her close. Kristin wrapped her arms around him too. Though she was mindful not to raise her right arm much.
The movements of lifting it too high or rotating it back would make her shoulder wound hurt.
"Don't ever scare me like that again." He whispered as he pressed the side of his face to hers while they embraced.
"Sorry." She replies.
After a few more moments, they slowly pulled away but still stayed close. He still had his arms resting lightly around her biceps.
"Promise me, you won't do anything like that again." He said.
She is unsure she can make that promise though. If Galen or the others happen to find themselves in danger again, she can't just sit idly by and watch them get her or die.
"I...I don't know if I can. Not if it means you or one of the others could get hurt or worse." Kristin confessed.
"Please! I don't ask you for much! Just promise me this one thing!" Galen strongly insisted.
She could see the worry and fear in his dark eyes as he practically pleaded with her. It was something that really tugged at her.
Eventually, she nodded, "Ok."
Then Kristin reached up with her good arm and placed her hand on his arm that was still lightly grasping her arm and gave it a small squeeze.
His other hand slowly dragged up her arm to gently cup her cheek. Their gazes were locked on one another.
She too reached up and pressed her own hand to the side of his face and brushed her thumb over his cheek. He closed his eyes briefly at the soft feeling.
Then he opened his eyes and found himself leaning in closer to her face.
Kristin tilted her head back a little and leaned in. But before either of them could go any further, a voice cut through the air, breaking the trance.
"Hey, you guys coming?" Pete called back to them.
Luckily, he didn't see much. Galen's back was to him, and Alan and they were a good couple yards away.
The pair pulled back and composed themselves. Then Galen moved aside, putting Kristin in sight of the two men again.
"Yeah, sorry. Galen was just giving me my pouch and telling me something." She replied.
The two astronauts studied them for a moment. Before shrugging it off. Though they still can't help something else was going on too.
"Fair enough. If you two are ready, we should go." Pete told them.
The pair nodded and started walking towards them. Once they caught up, the two men turned around and the group of four started walking.
They chatted on and off as they continued trekking through the woods. A part of her still couldn't believe the huge risk they took going back to Zaius's home of all places, to get that medical book.
The three of them may as well headed head long onto a battlefield.
But it also shows her how very loyal they were and how they took it seriously when it came to watching their friends' backs and looking out for their wellbeing.
"While I think it was insane you guys went back there, I do appreciate your help." Kristin told them.
"Of course. If there was any way to help, we were taking it. No matter how risky it is. We've pretty much been doing it since the beginning when you think about it." Alan said.
When she thought about it, he did make a point.
"True. Though that was pretty damn close." She replied.
"Don't remind me." She heard Galen mutter beside her.
"The important thing is we're all here now. We're still alive and together. And at the moment, out of danger." Kristin said, trying to reassure him.
"Yeah, though I wouldn't say that too loudly. You might jinx it." Pete lightly teased.
The young woman rolled her eyes.
"Still probably not as many times you have. Should start keeping a tally with you. Pretty sure you're still in the lead, Pete." Kristin joked.
Galen chuckled, "She got you there."
How many times has Pete said how well everything was going, only for something dangerous to happen next?
He almost thought the guy was a walking jinx. He's sure Alan would most likely agree to if they brought it up with him.
"Yeah, let's hope we can get to a safe spot first before Pete second guesses something again." Alan teased.
"Oh, c'mon guys, I'm not that bad." Pete countered.
This only got a small round of chuckles from the other three.
They spent the next hour or two bantering as they walked. Until it started to get very dark. Then they finally found a spot they can settle in for the night.
Alan and Pete made up the fire, as they settled around not far from it. There was enough cover of trees and other foliage around them to provide them with protection.
As they settled down, Kristin fished out her phone and put on some music for everyone. They listened to the tunes as they ate some if the provisions, they were provided with from those that helped them at the medical center.
The two men smiled when they heard a familiar tune floating through the air as they ate.
People are strange
When you're a stranger
Faces look ugly
When you're alone
Women seem wicked
When you're unwanted
Streets are uneven
When you're down
"I remember hearing this song, when I went to see them in concert as teen." Pete said.
"Guy made some good songs. That's for sure. Ashamed he died so young. But then at the time, just about everyone did drugs." Kristin replied.
"Yeah, you're not wrong there." Alan added.
When you're strange
Faces come out of the rain
When you're strange
No one remembers your name
When you're strange
When you're strange
When you're strange
People are strange
When you're a stranger
Faces look ugly
When you're alone
"The words to this song are strange. As if they didn't crow about being strange enough in the song." Galen stated.
"That's the idea." Kristin joked.
He rolled his eyes, "Still it's way better than that one horrible song you subjected me to. I'm sure any song is better than that atrocity."
"What song would that be?" Pete asked.
"Yeah, Galen. Which song would that be? I showed you quite a few on YouTube." Kristin teased.
"You really going to make me say it?" He sighs.
"Like I said, I'm not sure which one you're talking about since I showed you many." She told him.
"That annoying one where they sung about something called barbies." He muttered.
A large grin split her face, "Ooh, you mean Barbie Girl. Don't you?" She inquired.
Galen winced, "Yes, don't know how anyone could actually enjoy it. Unless they were tone deaf."
Kristin laughed a little at his reply.
"Yeah, most would agree with you too. It is nauseating to say the least." She said.
"How does it go?" Pete asked.
"Trust me when I say, you don't want to know. And we're certainly not playing it again. That's for sure." Galen quipped.
"Now you got me very curious." Pete told him.
"I'm sure, playing a few lines to it won't hurt. If just to show them." She teased.
The chimp turned to her, giving her a look.
"Don't you dare." He said.
Kristin just smirked at him and lifted her phone to start tapping some buttons on the screen.
Seeing what she was doing, Galen quickly plucked the phone out of her hand.
"Hey!" She said.
"Nope, you're not getting this back until you give me your word you will not play that garbage you call a song on." He said, with finality.
Kristin let out a small huff.
"Fine, but I do have another song in mind you can find and play that I know you'll like. It's very good. I was about to add it to my playlist before I arrived here in this time. You mind putting it on for us?" She requested.
Galen arched an eye ridge; he still didn't trust her at the moment to give her the phone back. So, he decided to keep it. Whatever this song was, he could type it in for her,
"What's it called? I'll type it in and play it." He told her.
"Thanks, it's called the 'Dirty Song' the band is called Cars Can Be Blue. It's right there on YouTube." Kristin replied.
"The Dirty Song? It doesn't sound all that appealing." Galen said.
She snorted, "You said that about a lot of songs when you first heard the names of them. Then you ended up liking them."
He knew she had a point there. Alan nor Pete was not familiar with the song or band.
Galen typed the song in and a few videos popped up for the song. Kristin pointed to one of them and he tapped it. Not long after, a couple female singers started singing a tune to some fast-paced guitars.
I've begun to question the ways you count your love
We've been holding hands now for quite long enough
Just so happens that the way to this heart of mine
Might seem a bit unusual so I'll lay it on the line
You can sodomize me
Get behind and ride me
Stuff your cock inside me
Proceed to fuck me blindly
You might think I'm dirty if I let you have your way
That's the way that boys and girls have been raised to play
If you can't control yourself in saying something more
I can think of things to do with that mouth of yours
You can eat me out
With that dirty mouth
Throw me on the couch
Do it then get out...
We don't have to do anything if you don't want
We can just look into each other's eyes
And masturbate
Two three four!
The look on Galen's face was pure gold.
Kristin couldn't hold it in anymore and busted out laughing. Not just her either, Pete was doing his best to stifle his laughs but failing miserably.
While Alan just rubbed his forehead and shook his head.
The chimp quickly turned it off once they started to sing the verse again. Before shifting his shocked gaze to the woman laughing up a storm beside him.
"You are unbelievable, do you know that?" He deadpanned.
"Oh c'mon, I figured you at least find it somewhat amusing." She said, laughter still present in her voice.
"Hardly, I've never heard anything so vulgar in my life!" He blurted out.
"I personally thought it was hilarious." Pete said, with an amused grin.
Alan snorted, "You would."
"It seems like after your failed attempt at nearly giving me a heart attack back the medical center. You're trying to try and give me another just now." Galen told her.
She just leans back against the tree she was sitting under with a grin.
"Nah, just like to keep surprising you and keeping you on your toes." Kristin joked.
"Well, congratulations, it worked." He muttered under his breath.
Her grin just widened, and after a few moments, he couldn't keep the grin off of his face and started chuckling.
"Anyways, now that the fun has finally died down, I think we should get some rest." Alan suggested.
"Fair enough. Should we leave the fire going or put it out?" Pete asked.
"Leave it going. I'm going to stay up a bit longer. Not really tired just yet." Kristin informed them.
"Alright, see you in the morning then. Just wake us if anything seems out of the ordinary. Like if you hear more gorillas coming our way." Alan requested.
"Sure. Goodnight, guys." She said.
"Goodnight." The two men replied.
Then they both moved a little further away, spread out a little more and laid down on the soft dirt and grass. They pulled their blankets out of their packs while at it and covered themselves with them.
It didn't take long before both men were out.
Kristin saw that Galen had yet to move from his spot to lay down. He stayed sitting not a foot away from her.
"Aren't you going to sleep?" She asks.
His gaze went from the flames and shifted to her.
"No, not yet. Figured I'd stay up a little longer." Galen replied.
A small smile touched his lips.
"If not to just annoy you." He added.
"Careful, doctor says, I can't afford to have any kind of stress or heightened excitement to bring up the blood pressure. They told me to take it easy as much as possible. " She joked.
"Oh, don't worry. I promise I'll go easy on you" He joked back.
Kristin snorted, "I don't think you and easy belong in the same sentence, Galen."
"Could say the same about you." The chimp smartly replied.
She smiled and let out a small silent chuckle. Though it turned into a slight gasp of pain and her hand going to her shoulder.
Galen saw this and moved closer to her until he was right beside her.
"Are you alright?" He asked, concerned.
Kristin took a moment and a couple breaths, before nodding.
"Yeah, just twinged every now and then. I think that's also why I may have a little trouble sleeping tonight." She admitted, as she turned to face him.
"I see." He said.
She studied his face, and he seemed conflicted.
"Do you...still blame yourself?" Kristin asks.
He shifted his gaze to meet hers. Galen was silent for a moment, before answering.
"In a way, yes. Came very close to losing you. It... really scared me." He said.
"Me too." She said, barely above a whisper.
Kristin also had other thoughts haunting her mind. Mainly what Kira said to her when they were alone that time in the hospital room.
'He's in love with you.' The female chimp said, before heading out.
But could he really be? More importantly, did she feel that way about him? She'd be lying to herself if she didn't admit that he did and say things that made her feel alive.
He made her feel things, that no other man in her time did. Galen was just...unique and special. It was also getting harder by the day not to feel the growing attraction to him and a strong burst of feelings.
"There's something else on your mind, isn't there?" He inquired.
There were times he felt like he could read her like a book. While other times, she seemed more closed off. But this wasn't one of those times.
She clearly seemed conflicted about something.
"A lot." Kristin said, without thinking.
Afterwards, she wishes she didn't say anything.
"Like what?" Galen asks.
She opened and closed her mouth a couple times, before shaking her head.
"Just...nothing." Was her response.
"Didn't know nothing gets you feeling so hesitant and conflicted." Galen told her.
"Some things are just not always easy to talk about, Galen." Kristin informed him.
"I know. But if there is one thing I have learned, is some things are better being shown than talked about." He stated.
"I suppose you're right." She said, with a small smile.
"Maybe you can show me." She teased.
Galen gave her a soft smile, "I have no problem with that."
Kristin didn't realize just how close he was to her now. She didn't notice him moving in closer while he spoke those last words to her. She also didn't realize she leaned in closer to him too.
There were no disruptions this time.
Then she felt it. His lips pressing to hers. Her heart stuttered a little when he pressed them more firmly to hers. Her hand slowly reached up and caressed his cheek as she pressed hers against his.
Galen thought he felt something akin to electricity course through him as he was kissing her.
Kristin let out a small sigh into the kiss. He slowly wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in more closely to him. While her one hand stayed resting on the side of his cheek and the other lightly grasped his side.
Their mouths slowly parted, and she slipped her tongue into his mouth, caressing his tongue.
Their hearts felt like they were going to burst through their ribcages as they made out for the very first time. It was quite an amazing feeling.
One of his hands came back around to cradle the side of her face.
It felt like several minutes before they had to pull back for some air. Both were huffing and puffing a little but felt like they were floating. And they only had each other to keep the other anchored down to the Earth.
He rested his forehead against hers.
"Damn, anyone tell you you're quite good at that?" She said, between breaths.
Galen huffed out a small chuckle.
"Not recently. But thank you. And you're quite good yourself." He replied.
A beautiful smile lit up her features.
She may be human, but to him she was beautiful. Galen knew something like this was seen as unnatural and taboo to kind. But he no longer cared.
He doubts he could ever meet another that could make him feel this way. Even his time spent with Kira in the past, didn't feel this strong.
Kristin placed a small kiss on his lips. One he gladly returned.
They pulled away after a few seconds. But still stayed in an embrace enjoying the closeness. It was during this time; she heard a few words escape him that she wasn't fully expecting to hear.
"I love you." He said, softly.
Her heart leapt at his words.
"I love you too." She replied back.
Galen leaned in to kiss her once more. Kristin parted her lips and felt his tongue slip into her mouth.
The kiss became pretty heated as their tongues battled for dominance. A barely audible moan left her as their passion flared and poured into the kiss.
It was like all of the emotions they kept fighting down came back with a vengeance and hit them full force.
Afterwards, they pulled back for air again. During this time, she barely stifled a yawn. Galen noticed this too. As much as she wouldn't like to admit it, she was still quite weak from the injury and surgery and not up to full strength just yet.
"I know you mentioned before that you may not be able to sleep. But I think you should at least try. You're still not up to full strength just yet and still recovering." He told her, as he smoothed some of her long hair back.
"I agree. Though when a guy is kissing you like no tomorrow and stealing your breath away, I'm sure it could make anyone exhausted." She lightly teased.
Galen chuckled, "Well then, I think it's time to lay down and get some sleep."
She gave him a small smile, "Fair enough, just don't hog the blanket again."
He rolled his eyes, but his smile still had yet to leave his face.
"Hardly, Miss. Sassy. Now, let's get you to bed." Galen teased.
He pulled away to grab his pack. Then he opened it and reached in to pull out a blanket. Kristin did the same and pulled hers out of her pack.
She shuffled over to him, and they laid down together with the blankets over them.
Galen laid on his side and wrapped his arms around her as she pressed herself close to his front. He tilted his head down and kissed the top of her head.
"Goodnight, Kristin." He told her.
"Night, Galen." She replied.
Her shoulder was still quite tender and sore.
But somehow, she managed to nod off in his arms. He too fell asleep shortly after her. It was like a huge weight was lifted off of them as they slept peacefully for the rest of the night.
I don't own the lyrics to either song in this chapter. I couldn't resist adding the 'Dirty Song' in here. If not for a way for Kristin to mess with him. It is a hilarious song. I give credit to anyone who could sit through it and keep a straight face without laughing. I know I never could. XD
It also looks like Galen and Kristin finally admitted to how they really feel about each other. Should be interesting to see how they break the news to their friends, Alan and Pete.
Until Next Time ;)