Chapter 1
Aaron disembarked off his shuttle into the shuttleport and looked around. This was his first trip to the moon, even though the moon colonies had been around for decades. The colonists on the moon had to live under great domes, as there was no natural atmosphere. Still they had built half a dozen large cities where humans congregated. He was in the oldest established city, which had a population of over 500,000 human souls.
Aaron walked through a tunnel to reach the actual shuttleport and then allowed the drug sniffing dogs to examine him and his carry-on to make sure he wasn't bringing any contraband into the city.
Once he was allowed into the main shuttleport he waited for his luggage and walked out of the main entrance having his suitcase hover in front of him on a hover trolley, as he guided it towards his destination.
He hailed a cab and put his luggage in the trunk before telling the driver the name of his hotel. He was staying at the Crescent City Hilton, which was one of the most popular hotels in the city. The city itself was actually called Crescent City in reference to the fact that they were actually on the moon.
He was actually meeting an old friend of his David Rossi. They were both immortal and had met a very long time ago. They had become instant friends as they shared many very similar personality traits and they often traveled together.
They were constantly stepping in and out of each others lives and that was just fine as being immortal could be a lonely business. It wasn't like there weren't several thousand of them at least, but since they looked and acted like a regular human it was nearly impossible to tell unless you knew them personally.
Aaron knew that Dave often came up to the moon on some business or other or just to gamble as there were some fine casinos in all of the cities.
Aaron was supposed to meet his friend in the hotel bar and he knew they would probably nearly immediately go to dinner as it was near that time.
Aaron was quickly shown to his suite and the bellhop who had escorted him, left him after Aaron had given the man a large tip. Aaron didn't bother to unpack as he figured he could do that afterwards and so freshened up a little before heading downstairs to the bar that was on the first floor.
"Glad to see you, Aaron," Dave greeted his friend who joined him at a corner booth that was relatively private.
"It has been awhile hasn't it," Aaron smiled, even as he accepted the drink that he had ordered as soon as he had entered the bar.
"Over a decade," Dave said and Aaron nodded.
"Which is nothing too our kind," Aaron said quietly.
"No, it's not," Dave agreed soberly taking a sip of his scotch.
"Still, I've never been to the moon before, so I'm planning on enjoying myself," Aaron said.
"You will, as there are many things you can see and do that aren't possible on earth," Dave said. "This is because the gravity here is only about three fourths what it is on earth. You'll have to learn to take small steps and not try to rush anywhere, because you'll take bounces into the air if you do. They have this attraction called Heinlein's Cave where you can fly, which you can't do on earth except in an air car."
"I had noticed how I tended to bounce up into the air if I tried to walk too fast and as for Heinlein's Cave that sounds rather interesting," Aaron admitted. "I have an air car of course, back on earth, but without one..."
"What is fascinating is there are things that are around now that weren't in the time we were both born," Dave said quietly and Aaron nodded as that was exactly what he had been thinking.
"Humans have done a lot for themselves since we were born," Aaron admitted.
"They have," Dave agreed. "Here we are sitting in a bar that is not on earth, but on the moon and that in itself just tells you how far humans have come. Back when I was born at least all this would've been considered impossible or magic."
"Back when I was born too,"Aaron agreed. "I know I'm younger than you, but not that much younger really."
"Not for immortals anyway," Dave said quietly finishing his drink and waving the waiter over so he could get a refill. "It doesn't matter we were born in different times several hundred years apart, that doesn't stop us from being similar in a lot of ways."
"Which is why we're such good friends," Aaron said, accepting his second drink just as Dave did when the waiter came back with them. "So have you tried Heinlein's Cave?"
"Yes, I have and it's fun," Dave admitted smiling a little. "I haven't been this time, but I have been on previous visits. The weightlessness takes awhile to get used to but then it's very freeing. You should also go at least once while you're here as they're not like anyone else."
"Because of the lesser gravity," Aaron guessed and Dave nodded.
"Exactly," Dave agreed. "You'll be hooked I promise you. You'll want to come back to visit the moon, just to try it again."
"I wouldn't mind visiting the moon again, as I'm sure I won't have time to see all the sites during one visit not even here in Crescent City."
"They also have tours outside the city and one of the sites is where Neil Armstrong first landed and planted the American flag."
"I'll have to take that tour then," Aaron decided. "I know I'll have to wear one of those bulky space suits."
"I hope you're not claustrophobic," Dave said.
"Not as far as I know," Aaron said. "Why?"
"Because I know that being encased in one of those space suits that those who fear inclosed spaces can feel claustrophobic," Dave explained.
"That's not my problem fortunately. I might like my space but I'm not claustrophobic in the least."
"I'm the same," Dave agreed smiling. "I've been out on this tour a couple of times and I've never felt claustrophobic. I can't say the same about some of those tourists though. I once witnessed this woman go into a full-blown panic attack in the middle of the tour."
"I hope that woman was OK," Aaron said.
"She was fine as soon as she got out of her space suit and the medics gave her some medication," Dave assured Aaron. "She didn't realize she was so claustrophobic, at least not to such a degree, until then or she never would've taken that tour in the first place."
"Well, I'm sorry she had learn of her fear that way, as that must've been terrifying," Aaron said his sympathy apparent.
"It was," Dave agreed. "At least now she knows to avoid tight spaces, though she was only mildly claustrophobic before that incident, from what I understand."
"So what was this woman's name?" Aaron asked curiously.
"Lydia Snelling I think, if I'm remembering right," Dave said thinking about it, as it was years ago. "It did happen over a decade ago so I'm lucky I still remember so many details."
"It will come back to you if you think about it long enough," Aaron said.
"True," Dave agreed.
The two continued to talk quietly even as they went to dinner at the hotel restaurant and then drank their way through the evening. Luckily, alcohol didn't affect immortals the same way it did other people so they wouldn't even be hungover in the morning. A great boon.
~~~Aaron and Clare~~~
Aaron stared at the beautiful woman that was on the tour with him and Dave. They were taking the agricultural tour and the bus was pretty crowded as other tourist were doing the same thing. Still, there were plenty of empty spots including the one beside the woman that he knew was his mate.
He and Dave had been here in Crescent City for a week and had gone to one of the casinos to gamble one night and also took in one of the anti-grav shows. Aaron had been fascinated how the lesser gravity made things like water seem to drop more slowly into the sink and how the waitress at the hotel restaurant had only filled his and Dave's coffee cups about half full and yet because of the different gravity the coffee rose to near the rim. The cups themselves were oversized, more like soup bowls, except with a handle then a mug.
He'd gotten used to the differences now but found it fascinating. Also, there weren't as many vehicles in the city as there were on earth. There were cabs and official police vehicles and some people had cars for two to four, but the main transportation method appeared to be bicycles with overlarge tires or your own 2 feet. There were also the slide walks that would take you wherever you wanted to go and moved at just 5 miles an hour.
It was amazing to Aaron what kind of civilizations the humans had made on a planet with no natural atmosphere. It might be impossible for someone like him and Dave to live here for even one human lifetime, but that didn't mean they couldn't visit frequently. He would definitely be coming back probably several times a year, as there was much to explore. Also, it was way different from earth and difference was good considering that he would basically live forever barring a serious accident or deliberate murder done in a specific way.
"Are you OK Aaron," Dave finally asked his friend having noticed his distraction. "You've been staring at that woman for the last half hour."
"I'm fine," Aaron said shaking his head as if to clear it.
"So why were you staring at that woman?" Dave asked already having a suspicion.
Every immortal was supposed to have a mate to be with them throughout their long lives and he had never discovered his. Aaron, on the other hand, if his suspicion was correct, just had.
"She's your mate isn't she?" Dave asked quietly keeping his voice down so nobody could overhear them.
"Yes," Aaron said quietly his voice still a little stunned. "I never expected..."
"I know you didn't," Dave replied quietly. "You can't really expect that kind of thing. It usually just happens totally unexpectedly."
"You're right," Aaron agreed.
"Why don't you go introduce yourself," Dave suggested quietly. "Ask her for a date. You might not run into her again after the tour is over."
"I think I will," Aaron said. "We can meet back at the hotel and I'll tell you how it went."
"We can meet at the bar at the hotel," Dave agreed. "Or even at the restaurant. We can figure that out later though, as you have my link number."
"But I came to the moon to spend some time with you," Aaron protested mildly.
"There will be plenty of other chances," Dave told him, "but this is probably a once in a lifetime opportunity."
Aaron totally agreed with Dave on that one and so got up and went to sit down by the woman he knew was his mate.
"Hello," the woman said with cautiousness in her tone her an eyebrow raised in curiosity.
"Sorry if I startled you," Aaron immediately apologized sincerely. "I am Aaron Hotchner. I'm a visitor here to Crescent City."
"I already knew that is nobody takes a tour of the city unless they're visitor," said the woman in amusement. "I am Clare Scotti. I am also a visitor here to the city, which is one reason I'm taking this tour just like you are."
"Well then, perhaps we can explore the city together," Aaron suggested.
"What about your friend, as I'm assuming you came here to Crescent City with him," Clare said looking briefly back at Dave who winked at her causing her to blush.
"Dave is the one that suggested I come talk to you once he saw how interested I was," Aaron replied truthfully. "We didn't come together we simply met up after we both got here. I'm under no obligation to spend every minute with him, though we are friends. I don't know why I can't split my time between Dave and you as I'm going to be here for awhile."
"Vacation?" Clare inquired.
"Kind of," Aaron said with a shrug. "I have been wanting to see at least some of the moon colonies anyway, so Dave invited me to visit since he was coming here for business."
"So what do you think of the city so far," Clare asked. "I'm assuming you've been here for a few days."
"You would be right. I've have been here for a week and Dave for a few days longer," Aaron said. "As for what I think of the city I think it's amazing what humans have managed to accomplish over the centuries. They've certainly made good lives for themselves, even if the moon is not technically on earth."
"Humans can be tenacious and stubborn. I also think they've done well for themselves ever since the moon colonies were first created decades ago. It just goes to show what can be accomplished if everyone works together," Clare said.
"That's true and the colonies are certainly successful. I commend whoever was involved in the project," Aaron agreed.
"It's quickly becoming a business capital of earth, even if it's not precisely on earth," Clare said. "At least that's what I've heard."
"So what about a date?" Aaron inquired. "That is if you're not married or have a serious boyfriend."
"No I'm not married," Clare promised. "I'm also boyfriend free at least at the moment."
"I'm not married either and never have been," Aaron told Clare. "I also don't have a girlfriend and haven't in years."
"You don't date?" Clare asked.
"Oh, I date," Aaron said. "I just haven't dated in several years as I haven't met anyone that interested me enough to even ask. So many woman just want to date or marry me, because I'm very well off not because they care about me as an individual."
"So the women flock to you once they find out you're more than financially solvent," Clare said and Aaron nodded.
"I'm afraid so," Aaron said. "It isn't that hard to find out if you know what you're doing, even if I try to keep a low profile. Many people are clever and know how to find out such information so you really have to watch out for those that just want a nice chunk of your portfolio and a lot of times think by marrying you they'll get they'll way."
"They never imagine that they'll be a prenup agreement or at least that's the likely possibility," Clare said.
"Yeah, most men of wealth take out a prenup agreement if they marry someone like a stripper, as they're too smart not to," Aaron agreed. "So about that date."
"Sure why not," Clare decided really liking Aaron Hotchner just from the few minutes they had been talking.
"You suggest the place. I don't know Crescent City that well yet. I've only been here a week," Aaron suggested. "Or maybe Dave can, as he's been here before."
"We can always ask the corsage at the hotel," Clare suggested.
"So what hotel are you staying at,"Aaron asked.
"The Crescent City Hilton of course," Clare said with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.
"Well, what do you know we're staying with the same hotel," Aaron said. "I'm only sorry that we didn't run into each other before this since we're staying at the same hotel.
"It's not that surprising really as the Hilton is one of the most popular hotels here in Crescent City," Clare said.
"True enough," Aaron agreed. "So want to go to dinner at the hotel or out somewhere else. Either is fine with me. I know the food at the hotel is very good as that's where Dave and I usually have dinner, though we have had lunch and breakfast at other places that are close by."
"I'd like to go out of the hotel, because that's the only place I've eaten in the few days I've been here. You're right the food at the hotel is very good but I, for one, need something different.
"Let's ask Dave to recommend some place then," Aaron said.
"There's always the corsage if your friend can't recommend any good places for dinner," Clare said.
"I'll ask him to," Aaron decided, "just to give us some options."
"That sounds great," Clare agreed, as they finally arrived at their destinations the starting point of their agricultural tour.
~~~Aaron and Clare~~~
"That's really funny Aaron," Clare laughed as the two of them entered their hotel together.
The two of them had been going everywhere together sometimes even with Dave tagging along. As for Dave he often felt like a third wheel as Aaron and Clare got closer and closer. The two had only known each other for a few weeks, but they were inseparable.
Dave didn't blame Aaron or Clare for that matter just that he was kind of sad that he never met his own mate. Being the third wheel between a couple was not a very comfortable place to be, but Dave also knew that they didn't mean to make him feel that way.
Dave was well aware that it was unlikely he find his own mate here on the moon like Aaron had. If she had ever been born she was probably still on earth instead of a resident here or a tourist. He only wished that there was an easier way to find your other half because as much as he hated to admitted he was lonely and had been for sometime now. He wanted to be as lucky as his friend when he had met Clare.
Dave sent a silent prayer up to the goddess that had created the immortals in the first place that he would soon meet his own mate.
"So ready for some lunch," Aaron suggested.
"It is around that time," Clare said checking her watch.
The three of them had been out exploring some of Crescent City and had had breakfast at a little café.
"We can eat here if you like since we did just get back to the hotel," Clare told the two men.
"Well, there is this little coffee shop that separate from the restaurant and I haven't tried it yet," Aaron suggested.
"That sounds fine, as I don't think either one of us needs a big meal not after the huge breakfast we all ate," Clare agreed.
"We need to save our appetites for dinner," Aaron said.
"So what are your plans for tomorrow?" Clare asked Aaron
"I thought maybe we could try Heinlein Cave unless you don't want to," Aaron suggested.
"I've heard of that and it's supposed to be fun," Clare said. "I've never had a chance to try it though."
"I've only been once and that's only because Dave suggested I should try it. That was a few days before you got here. He's apparently been several times when he was here for business."
"Let's do that," Clare said enthusiastically.
"I'll leave you to it," Dave said speaking for the first time. "I'm sure you two want to be alone."
"You're welcome to come along though," Clare offered.
"No that's OK we can get together for breakfast tomorrow or even dinner tonight if you want," Dave said. "I've already been once this trip and I'll soon be back, as I have plenty of business here in Crescent City."
Aaron said nothing, but was really appreciative to have the time alone with Clare, but then, Dave would be aware that he would just be in the way if he came along and probably felt uncomfortable doing so. Aaron wouldn't be able to blame Dave if he felt like a third wheel in such a situation.
"At least join us for lunch," Clare told Dave. "I mean you are Aaron's friend and he came here to Crescent City just to spend time with you. I feel guilty, since he's been spending all his time with me."
"It's OK with me," Aaron told Dave. "Also, there's no reason to feel guilty Clare, as Dave doesn't mind and we'll see each other again. While Dave invited me here I was eager to come, because I had never been to the moon and I'd always wanted to visit. Meeting you was just one of the many highlights of my first trip here to Crescent City. I plan on taking other trips here, though maybe to different cities and I hope you'll come with me but that's for later."
"No, I definitely don't mind, as Aaron and I will see each other again and you two deserve some time alone without me tagging along, getting in the way," Dave added.
"OK then," Clare said some of her guilt fading.
The three of them headed for the coffee shop that was on the same level as the restaurant.
~~~Aaron and Clare~~~