Vexx's finger traced the screen, his eyes glancing my way with a fleeting intensity. "My contact said that the Orion labs and therefore, the mines, are just beyond this sector here." A glimmer of deception lights his eyes. While I'm grateful that we are back on course, I wish we had "met up" with at least one other contact before divulging this precious information. We've been a bit… weird since the festival, actually. Our kiss still lingered, a hasty decision made in the throws of passion. Regret simmered within me, tempered by a stubborn refusal to forgive him prematurely. It was childish, but my heart just wasn't ready. At the same time, I want to bypass the awkward dance of reconciliation, the bullshit of him earning me back when he already has me. Can he grasp the depth of my feelings for him? I hope not. I want things to be how they used to be, but our carefree dynamic appears irretrievable, lost to the tumult of betrayal I just couldn't shake.

Ryona insists that the traitor wasn't truly Vexx. "He didn't do it willingly," she tells me. "Grief changes people. You have to be patient with him, and he, with you." Time is a luxury we may not have. Tragedy awaits us with each passing day. We could all die tomorrow, and I will have never truly been anything more than his friend. "He's been responding to the treatment pretty well," Ryona continues, gesturing to the graphs. "You see these spikes here? That's what we're after." The "spikes" in his brainwaves, essentially, are him trying to break through. The real Vexx, that is, fighting to gain control of himself. She triggers them by talking to him about his life, about what he was like before and after the lobo, about me. "You're a huge trigger for him, of course. Sometimes, the mere thought of you leaves him speechless."

Though Ryona's words are meant to comfort me, I'm a bit unsettled. I mean, that's sweet isn't it, a man so enraptured by his feelings for me that it literally stupefies him. My mind becomes a maelstrom. Things I have never been privy to suddenly fill my consciousness. The cruel fate that had befallen Vexx plays in my head, unwelcomed thoughts taking me prisoner. Perverse visions of The Doctor, performing the surgery on him, the unknown circumstances of his capture. Was he in pain, did he go willingly, did he fight? Did they have to knock him out? Each question slices through my heart like a dagger, leaving me breathless and battered. Bile rises in my throat. I have to distract myself.

As Orion loomed ahead, I knew I had to kick my training into high gear. I have a gun already, and I'm decent with it now thanks to Ryona, but I'm more interested in learning how to better protect myself if I were to be disarmed. I make my way to the docks. "Bash!" I call out earnestly. "Teach me how to blitz." Over the top? Maybe. I'm excited to finally be learning self-defense. I need to be able to take care of myself for the battle ahead. I've never needed to know how to defend myself, I've always had the royal guard to protect me. It was foolish of me to never even consider I'd be in a situation where I'd have only myself to rely on. Spoiled little royal who can't even lift her own spoon. My resolution surges. I'm ready for whatever Bash has planned for me.

I head down the stairs to find a large training mat set out in the center of a huge, open room. Bash grins, seeing the determination in my eye. From the beginning, Bash has been the one who can always cheer me up, no matter how bad a day I've had. His humor is playful and geniune, he's a natural comedian. I know he'll be a great teacher. Hopefully, that'll be enough to drill some skills into me. "Welcome, welcome! Step right up, Raina! I'm your host, and this is Fight Night!" He flexes a bionic arm, the black metal shiny in the harsh overhead lighting. "You made the right call coming to me. I'm clearly the best hand-to-hand guy on this whole ship! Just try not to hurt me, okay?" I shoot him a playful glare.

"No promises, lady-killer." His confidence is well-earned, charming, but never subtle. We start with some basic self-defense, how to block a punch, push back an attacker, disarm someone, that sort of thing. Calderon joins us for some demonstrations. He looks like he'd rather be doing anything else, but I appreciate that he showed up for me.

I've yet to see the captain in action, and at this point, I'm beyond ready to see what he can do. Bash tags out with me so I can get my hands dirty. Calderon is 6'4" of chisled muscle, makes me feel like a tiny little doll in comparison. His bicep alone looks like it could crush a man's skull, or maybe just my ego. He's a softie, I already know this, and I know he's going to take it easy on me as I learn the moves. About that. Without warning, he comes up behind me and locks his arm around my neck and waist much tighter than I anticipated. It doesn't really hurt, but it's extremely uncomfortable as I'm trying to wriggle out so I can breathe. I calm myself. Anxiety has no place here. I mimic Bash's moves from earlier. Calderon holds tight, I can't even make him budge. Oh no. Panic sets in. "Try it again, little girl," Calderon releases his grip just enough to let me catch my breath. Okay. I got this. I don't know what I did differently, but I slide out away from him with ease this time after only a minimal struggle. "Again." I get faster each time, until I feel confident I can do this in the field.

"Whooa, you're a natural! I knew you had it in you! Those K'Merii won't know what hit them!" Bash's enthusiasm over my mastering one single defensive move warms my heart. Pride swells in my chest all the same, as we spend the rest of the afternoon going over different manouvers. I breeze through them, surprising Bash and impressing Calderon. It feels so natural to move like this. I feel strong and capable, like I am ready for anything. Bash gives me the biggest hug, twirling me around as he lifts my feet off the ground completely. I wish I had a friend like him on Goldis. I smile to myself as I go grab my water bottle and gulp down its contents like nothing else matters in the world but this deep, physical connection I have to this water. I let out a quenched sigh and head to the bridge.

"The plan is simple. Breach Orion, go to the labs. Purge the evil. Easy peasy," Calderon explains to the crew, his voice steady and confident. So easy, a caveman could do it. The goal is to cripple Zovack's army, and more importantly, sever his supply of Orionite. I don't know much about it, but I know that Orionite is powerful, dangerous in the wrong hands.

Entry into Orion would be impossible for us without Vexx. "I can get us all to the entrance of the labs — "

Calderon stops him. "Explain this to me, Ariel." I laugh unexpectedly. Calderon is usually such a serious, stoic man. His quips always catch me by surprise. "Why would you want to help us? Why should we trust you?" The crew is divided into three camps. Those of us who trust Vexx now that Ryona is treating him, those of us who think he still has ulterior motives, and, me. What would that one be called? Those of us who are in love with Vexx? I sit at this table alone, I hope.

"You don't have to trust me, Spaceship Barbie, you just have to stay out of my way," I smirk, but if I'm honest, I thought Calderon's dig was funnier. "I have personal business there, something I need to attend to, preferrably without Zovack finding out." He smiles deviously, that same smile I once loved that now sends me into a panic. It's not the same this time, though. His eyes have a glint of mischief to them, a stark difference from his darker self. Those hardened, emotionless eyes. If I never had to see that look again, it'd be too soon.

"Going behind your master's back? Hardly a trustworthy dog." Calderon's insult cuts deep. We all watch cautiously as Vexx's face contorts. His eyes twitch, and I see Damon place a hand on what I assume is a concealed pistol or dagger.

Vexx's jaw tightens as he seemingly regains control of himself. "I'm not who you think I am. I have no master," his voice trails as he walks off leaving us all concerned.

"Damon," Calderon orders, "he does not leave your sight." "Yessir," Damon agrees, with an easy salute.

After getting clean and grabbing something to eat, I relax in my room for a while, pulling out my holo-pad to find a mindless game to play. The gentle hum of the holo-pad and soft glow of its screen lull me into a state of tranquility. A light knock at the door breaks the silence.

"Come in," I say as the door slides open.

"You're fully dressed," Vexx teases.

"Disappointed? I ask, raising an eyebrow.

"A little," he admits, eyeing me playfully. He plops down on the bed, making himself at home. "I missed you," he says, his puppy dog eyes melting my heart.

"Missed me? You just saw me an hour ago!"

Vexx's shoulders rose in a lazy shrug. "Time apart feels longer now. Every minute without you is an eternity." He gaze lingers on me as he hugs one of my pillows. He looks so innocent, like a lost little boy. I just want to squeeze him. In his presence, my doubts and fears from the last several weeks dissipate like mist in the sunlight. My heart swells, and I am putty in his hands once again.

"Want to play? I wave my controller at him. Vexx's eyes light up. It's no Galactice Conqueste, but its fun none the less. Trash talk and laughter fill the room. He doesn't let me win once, he's ruthless. I'd gotten too full of myself playing against Bash and Damon. I need backup. I'm tempted to call in Calderon. Vexx is damn near unstoppable in this game, but Calderon is godlike. It's beautiful to see. I'm desperate to win, but not enough that I'm going to let Spaceship Barbie come in and ruin the mood. I've gotta resort to some unconventional tactics. Right as he's about to set off the redeemer, I run my fingers up his rib cage, making him squirm.

"Hey! No fair!" he yelps. He laughs uncontrollably and drops the controller. Mere seconds are left in this match now, and I've been too distracted by his adorable squirms to notice. I lose anyway. He's never gonna let me live this one down.

"That was a low blow, Princess." He whines as we start the next match, "you know, you're adorable when you're losing."

Oh that's it. I pounce, tackling him on the bed. This time, I'm more strategic. I switch to an all-out offense, tickling him on both sides, my fingers dancing lower and lower down teasing his hip bones. He jolts forward from my touch, capturing my hands and holding them in place as he pulls me closer. His gaze drops to my lips. My heart races, anticipation building. He leans in suddenly, his breath faint against my skin. His lips are soft against mine, the kiss itself raw and passionate, a thousand wishes granted at once. His hands roam, tracing my curves as I run my hands through his hair. The game beeps, signaling the end of the match. Our lips part for a brief moment as I look over.

"Oh! I WON! Ha!" I scream out. I got a kill! One glorious kill! A one-hit victory! I dance around the room like I have just won the Olympics. This is a blesed day.

Vexx laughs, shaking his head. "You won by default. I was distracted."

Hmph. "Sounds like something a loser would say. Best win ever!" He pulls me back into his arms as we collpase onto the bed.

"You're ridiculous," he says, kissing me on the head.

"You know you love it," I smirk.

We wind down as the evening descends into twilight. Vexx yawns, his eyes drooping with exhaustion.

"Tired?" I ask. He nods. "Stay with me tonight," I whisper. We snuggle under the blankets, our bodies entwining. I want to talk to him more, but I'm tired and sore from my training earlier, mentally drained from my huge victory over Vexx. It's not so lonely on top, after all. Sleep claims us quickly, our hearts beating as one in the darkness.