The night was cloudless, the sea calm and the wind only a whisper. The sand was still warm under his bare feet. The tranquillity was more than just a welcome change to the last couple of days.
Meetings with the highest authorities had been arranged, other meetings had been held on ORCA and some more of the exclusive ones in the pyramid. To organise the security and to maintain the highest level of secrecy had been the most challenging task, especially the last part. Every person who had been involved in the events, - the technical ORCA crew which had to remain on board to keep it running, leading officers, PRAXIS staff and the kids, - all had been briefed. Communication to the outside world was restricted and observed to ensure no information got out.
The ocean people barely came on board. The mutual distrust was almost tangible, so the contact had been been reduced to the necessary minimum. Neri`s island was officially neutral ground, but she was barely home. Too often her presence had been needed in ORCA or the pyramid. Never before her duties as a princess had demanded so much of her.
Jason watched this development with growing concern. Neri seemed tired and pale. She always had had the weight of the world on her shoulders, but right now it affected her more than usually. Never before she had to deal with so many people at once. Jason tried to shield her as much as he could, but some meetings in the pyramid were restricted even to him. Shalamorn had welcomed him and supported his wish to stay at Neri's side. She had told him once, he had owned the right to be attendant when he put her mission over his own life. But she also had to respect her people's wishes and her position had been weakened as well. Malakat had been successful in undermining her authority. Doubt and mistrust was strong now even in their midst.
Jason sometimes felt terribly helpless and angry. Sort of betrayed.
It should have been a happy ending. The day at the beach had been so peaceful. Shalamorn spoke of new beginnings and that Neri would stay on earth for a while.
The kiss they shared in that sweet moment - a promise that was already broken. After all they've been through, after setting everything into the right place again, they still couldn't just ride into the sunset. Somehow it was just the beginning of a new battle.
The warm hand which slipped into his, interrupted his thoughts. Jason shook off his self-pity and smiled back. This was the first moment they had for themselves since that day. Jason wasn't going to ruin it by being childish and selfish.
They bathed their feet for a while, took a few steps in and out of the water. Enjoyed the feeling of sinking into the sand and the gentle suction when the wave draw back into the sea.
Later, they sat on the ground, a few feet away from the water, and watched the stars above. Jason laid down on his back and rested his head on his hands. Neri sat cross-legged, just a few inches away. Silence had never been uncomfortable between them. So they just enjoyed each other's company, lost in their own thoughts.
Neri's would be of hope, of her people, of her mission. Jason caught himself thinking about how it would feel like, if he stretched out his arm and caressed her back. Would she like it, if he stroke her hair back? Would she mind, if he caressed the delicate skin of her neck?
He did none of that, just didn't dare to. They physical part in their relationship had always been shy and mostly restricted to a friendly hug. In the last couple of month, they started holding hands. There was no denying they touched more often these days, but still ... Jason just didn't dare to. Somehow he was afraid to scare her away.
"Where exactly is the Ocean Planet? Can you tell?"
Neri pointed North East into the sky. "Mera say, it is in this direction. You need to sleep for five earth days in small craft."
"Yeah, I guess, you can't store enough water to do such a trip awake."
Neri smiled at him. "Yes. Mera say, it is cold sleep."
"The Earth People experiment with cryosleep as well, but they haven't been successful yet. I always loved Science Fiction, but I'd never thought, it would become reality like this."
Neri looked confused. "Science Fic-tion?"
Jason sat up and leaned on his left hand, slightly turning towards her. "Science Fiction. It tells fictional stories, based on science. Most of them are set in the future."
"A happy future?"
Jason snorted. "Not exactly. Well, maybe a few of them," he said and laid down into the sand again, arms entangled behind his head. "But the greater part is set in dark scenarios. On a broken, destroyed planet or a society which has become a sick and absurd reflection of the past or present society." He grimaced. "No, no happy future. More like a huge mess."
"Like ours." She gave him another confused look. "But you like it?"
Jason shrugged. "Well, the setting is dark but there's always a hero or a heroine who makes the world a better place."
Neri smiled brightly now at him. "Like you."
Jason laughed. "No, not me. More like you. You are the heroine. The one with the pure heart, who will never give in until she saved the whole galaxy. I'm just the sidekick - a helper, an assistant."
It should have sounded a little ironic, but suddenly the irony didn't seem appropriate any more.
Neri did not answer, just looked at him with shiny eyes. Then, to his pleasant surprise, she laid down and cuddled up against his side, her head on his shoulder. Carefully, he loosened his left hand and put his arm around her.
"I could never do it without you," Neri admitted quietly.
"Well, I'm an awesome sidekick," he answered in a mischief tone. She silently shook with laughter, cuddled up to him even closer and put a hand on his chest.
"I am glad you're here, Jason."
Fortunately, she couldn't see his goofy grin. "Me too."
They listened the sound of the waves crushing for a while. Well, at least Neri did, Jason assumed. He was too distracted by her touch. Consciously or not, he couldn't tell, but her fingers had started to draw little circles on his chest. His heart beat frantically and he caught himself holding his breath. He laid still and closed his eyes. Neri moved slightly. Disappointment rushed through him when she took her hand away, but the next second, he felt her fingertip on his lips.
He opened his eyes and met hers. Her gaze was questioning, almost if asking for permission. Jason waited and didn't dare to move.
Then, finally, she bent over to kiss him. Her lips stroke gently, - shy, - over his. Jason inhaled her scent of salt water, seaweed and something that was just her. He loosened his right arm from under his head to cup her face with his hand, and deepened the kiss. Instinctively, he stroke with the tip of his tongue over her lips. Neri opened her mouth and responded to the intimate touch. Jason caressed her tongue carefully with his own. All kinds of feelings rushed through him.
Relief. Excitement. Need. Love. Joy. Desire. Nervousness.
His interior was in turmoil and he took a deep breath to stay in control. This felt so right. Like something he had wanted, needed, for too long.
He had imagined how it would feel like. To feel her so close to him. It never took much to make him feel … too comfortable. Sharing a room with his brother didn't exactly make it easier to bring relief to this need.
But this was worse. Much worse and so much better at the same time.
The cold, unexpected shower saved him. A big wave had hit a rock near them and the water splashed over him. Jason sat up in shock and inhaled quickly.
Neri broke into laughter. A second later, he fell in.
"Yeah, very funny," he groaned grinningly.
Neri giggled even louder. "Oh Jason, you're all wet."
"I'm not gonna be the only one for long!"
He leaned forward to the incoming wave of the rising tide and splashed on her. Neri shrieked and got on her feet.
He knew by now of course, that it didn't bother her. She didn't feel the low temperature of the water like he did. But she loved this game nevertheless. And she loved it because he enjoyed it as well.
He chased her until both their feet were in the water, almost up to the knees. They kept splashing each other, chasing each other. She giggled when he lifted her from her feet and span her around. Out of breath, they finally calmed down, still laughing. Jason's hands rested on both sides of her waist, hers on his upper arms. Jason noticed suddenly, he had gained one or two inches in height. He was now a little taller than Neri, making them fit to each other physically even better.
"You're cold," Neri noticed. "You shake."
Jason nodded. "A little maybe."
Not a lie. Her touch warmed him more than he would ever admit.
"We should start fire."
Jason held her tight. "No, I have to go soon anyway. It's dawning already."
Neri followed his glance to the eastern horizon where the sky was lightening. Suddenly, she was all serious again. She smiled, but with a certain sadness.
"I'll come back as soon as possible," Jason promised.
Neri had finally looked better. Happier. The exhaustion had vanished for a moment, but now he could see the dark shadows under her eyes again.
He loosened his grip on her waist and cupped her face instead with his hands, softly stroking her cheeks. "You need a break, Neri. Not just for one night. But I also know, you can't get away from this situation right now. So will you at least promise me something?"
Neri nodded, waiting.
"When I tell you to pause, will you do that? No questions asked?"
A radiant smile brightened up her face. She stroked over her forehead with the back of first and middle finger – the old gesture of her people. "Promise," she said.
"Good. Thank you."
Jason leaned forward to place a soft kiss on her lips. When he drew back, she held him by his shoulders and pulled him closer to her again. Surprised, he found his lips opened by her this time. With unexpected boldness, she entered his mouth and started playing with his tongue. Jason suppressed a mourn and put carefully some distance between their waists, so she wouldn't notice, how … embarrassing this was getting for him.
Boy, he definitely had to work on his self-control! He almost wished for another wave.
In the last six years, he had been far too busy to remember, he was a teenager with raging hormones. With his Dad gone, he had always felt protective about his mum and responsible for Brett. He had to take care of thing as he had been the oldest man in the family then.
Well, sort of.
Neri and her missions also had always been more important than him or his feelings towards her. So he hid them, a long time even from himself. All of the sudden, they seemed determined to burst out of him, to take control. Demanded to be heard ... and seen.
Bad timing.
Jason retreated, took a deep breath and added another sweet, final kiss before breaking the embrace.
"Gotta go," he said and grimaced. Neri nodded.
Hand in hand, they walked to his boat in silence. He loosened the rope and threw it into the boat. The dawn lightened up the sky with gold and blue.
Jason turned around to Neri and found her lost in thought, her forefinger stroking over her bottom lip, touching the tip of her tongue with a wondering expression.
He watched her with fascination, but also with a certain unease. She was even newer to this than he was. Not, that he had kissed a lot. After meeting her, there had been no room for anyone else.
When she had kissed him self-paced, he had presumed that she like it. But now it seemed, she was still figuring it out.
She looked up and he felt caught. She gave him a smile, forefinger still resting on her lips.
"I like this kissing," she told him. Relief washed through him and he mirrored her smile.
"Then, one more time? For saying good-bye?" Jason asked and his heart jumped with joy, when she broke into an even brighter smile.