"Wow," Brett said out of the screen. "Now I'm suddenly glad, I'm not there with you. Sounds intense!"
"Told you, this wasn't gonna be a picnic," Jason responded, sitting on the coach, the tablet on the table in front of him.
"Are you nervous?" Brett asked. "You know, about tomorrow?"
Jason shook his head. "No, I know what I have to do. I'm gonna go with honesty like with De Souza, – for the main part, at least."
"What do you mean?"
"I have to make it sound like the plead is actually coming from me. As though, they would never ask for asylum for themselves," Jason explained. "If they'd get to know the mistake Shalamorn made, she will loose any credibility. The challenge is, therefore to tell the story without undermining her authority by putting her leadership abilities into question."
"The way you told the story, it seems, she did that already by herself," Brett shrugged. "Wow, I thought she is that big leader. And now it turns out, she is just like everybody else."
Jason shook his head. "It's more complicated," he argued. "But she underestimated the senators, and their reservations. And even worse: she not just managed to get into a fight with any senator but the one with the most integrity of the Global Union Senate."
"You are still mad at her, aren't you, Jase?"
"I don't know," Jason sighed. "Rather mostly disappointed, I guess. They claim to observe mankind for centuries, even millennia. They should know better. And now, I'm more involved in politics that I ever intended to be. I mean, I knew I had to be some sort of shield for Neri against the rest of the world, and I was fine with that. But if Shalamorn expects me to do so for the rest of her people as well, the least she owes me is the truth. By keeping important information from me, she takes away my credibility as well."
Brett nodded. "I never thought she would do something like this. But Mera didn't tell me either, that the situation on the Ocean Planet is still that bad. I thought, with Malakat gone, things would just …" He sighed. "Man, that sucks!"
For a moment, they remained silent, lost in thought.
"De Souza said the same thing as you," Jason finally ran on. "About Neri being too delicate to handle things as a leader."
"Oh man," Brett murmured afflicted. "Jase, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to … It's not that I don't believe in her," he assured his brother.
Jason nodded. "I know. It's okay. The truth is, you were right," he admitted. "Neri is … paralysed. The amount of pressure on her is too much for her to deal with. And her mother is casting this huge shadow of authority. She feels like she's not fit to hold a candle to Shalamorn."
"But shouldn't have the last days proven her wrong?" Brett frowned.
Jason shrugged. "Shalamorn is still a great leader. She's not perfect, but she's our best shot. She was adored at the Ocean Planet before Malakat spread his lies. Following in her footsteps is already a big task by its own, not to mention solving an interstellar conflict."
"But she's not alone, is she?" Brett objected. "And certainly, Shalamorn had to start at some point, as well."
"This is what I told Neri, too" Jason replied. "We all need some time to grow into it."
A soft knock on the door drew his attention away from Brett.
"Yeah?" he exclaimed.
Neri entered his room, already in her pyjamas. "Hello Brett," she said smiling at him when she came nearer.
He winked. "Hi, Neri. Nice to see you! Wanna say goodnight to Jason?"
Neri shook her head, looking slightly confused. "I sleep here. With Jason."
The strange grin on Brett's face was not to Jason's liking. When he shot a glance at Neri, she had already turned away and stepped onto the balcony.
Brett lifted one eyebrow. "Does Mum know about this?"
"Stop it, okay?" Jason said annoyed and rolled his eyes. "Yes, she knows. And second, this is not what it looks like."
Brett made a defensive gesture. "Jase, I'm the least one to judge. It took you both long enough to finally become official. If you're going for the naughty, that's fine for me. Just spare me the Details!"
"What is going for the naughty?" Neri asked, and Jason flinched when she appeared right next to him.
"Nothing," he said quickly. "Well, I see ya at home, Brett."
"Sure," Brett smirked. "Bye Neri!"
Jason turned the tablet off and rose from the coach. Neri gave him a questioning look.
"Forget it," he said and took her hands. "He was just making fun of me. You feel better?"
Neri nodded. "You were right. I have to be brave for my people."
"And you will," Jason replied. "But now enough of it. We had such a nice evening. I don't wanna ruin it by going right back into stuff."
"Yes, beautiful … date," she smiled. "Ice skating was fun."
Jason grinned. "Yeah, especially the part, where I fell on my back."
"And I fell on you," she chuckled. Then she suddenly looked concerned. "You are hurt?"
"Na," Jason grinned. "I mean, yeah. I guess I got myself some bruises, but … " He put his hands on her waist and pulled her closer. "It was much better when you kissed me."
Neri laughed. "Yes, I have gift of healing."
"Yes, you have. And you know what?"
She tilted her head to one side, waiting.
"I think, I feel a little pain right now," Jason claimed. "I could use some healing."
She broke into a bright smile and wrapped her arms around his neck. Smirking, she put a sweet kiss on his lips. "Better?" she asked.
"Hm," he murmured. "A little bit. Maybe you should try again," he added in a wolfish tone.
She was a fast learner.
There was nothing sweet, or soft about the way she ran her lips over his. Soon, she opened his mouth, brushing her tongue against his. He took charge, pushed her tongue back into her mouth, swirling around at the tip of her tongue. Her pace quickened, and instinctively, he pulled her closer. She ran her fingers through his hair, while they were fighting for dominance. Her quiet sigh sounded almost delicious to him. Their heavy breath mingled.
This was so hot.
He wanted to touch her, let his fingers slip under her pyjama to stroke the soft skin of her back. Let his fingers wander up to the rounding of her breasts. Would she make the same noise again if he touched them?
Suddenly, he realised that he was about to make the first step of his thoughts.
Too hot.
Gently, he retreated and took a deep breath.
"I feel much better now," he whispered and cleared his throat. "Why don't you go to bed and I join you in a minute?"
"Did I do it wrong?" Neri asked him with big eyes.
He shook his head. "No, no! I just forgot to take a shower." He gave her another little kiss. "You are perfect in this," he assured her.
"Ok," she replied, and he turned to go.
The hot water running down his skin felt smoothing but unfortunately not relaxing enough. He kept down his breathing, instantly hoping she wouldn't hear him, while he took care of himself. The memory of her warm body against his was still fresh. Shivers ran down his spine. In every cell, he could still feel the passionate touch of their tongues.
It didn't take him long. Quickly, he reached for a towel. He bit into it, when he came, suppressing his mourn.
He gave himself a few seconds to recover, resting his head against the glass door, before he stepped out of the shower.
Neri, already in bed, sat up looking eager when he left the bathroom. He smiled and crawled in next to her.
It didn't bother him at all when she cuddled up against his him, straddling him with one leg. He was too groggy and relaxed. Maybe, he should start with that every evening.
He wrapped his arms around her, burying his nose in her hair, and placed another loving kiss on her head. In tight embrace, he quickly fell asleep.