The Defiants, part twelve

Leading her to the garage after grabbing dinner to-go, Galen couldn't help but feel anxious, something he was unfamiliar feeling.

He wasn't sure why either. They'd been alone enough times to feel comfortable, although he'd never shown anyone his secret spot before.

He knew Skye would love it, though.

So why did she make him experience all these distressing emotions and sensations?

Galen felt a tug on the right sleeve of his sweatshirt, looking over, "Yes?"

Skye lifted a brow, "Were you even listening?"

"No, my apologies." He rubbed the back of his neck. "What did you say?"

"I said how surprising it was that Sherri gave us a to-go meal?" She lifted the bags. "She doesn't even put mayo on my burgers. I have to use the condiment stand."

Galen shrugged, "I get travel meals from her all the time."

"She must like you, then."

He grinned, approaching the garage door, "Most women do."

"Yeah, you smooth-talker."

Yes, Galen liked flirting and making them feel good, but it never carried an ulterior motive. And he never expected anything besides conversation and possibly friendship.

Human females were just more receptive to him.

Although, he had been intimate with a few of the women not long after the base had been created and then a few more after. But he had made his intentions clear and never forced anything.

"I will not apologize for that." Galen unlocked the door, pushing it open. "Come on."

Skye rushed after, only to stop, "Oh, wow."

He smiled, gazing upon the beauty that was the Defiant. "What do you think?"

She gave a breathy laugh, a strange sensation rushing over him. "I think that the Deviant is clunky in comparison."

That made him laugh loudly, "Well, thank you. Now, follow me."

Opening the Defiant's side door, Galen let her walk in first, right behind her, turning on the ship's systems.

Man, did he love that new ship smell. Galen only hoped he could keep it, sitting in the pilot's seat. His seat.

"There's a hell of a lot more room in here." Skye sat in one of the passenger seats. "It will be a lot easier to treat you the next time someone shoots you."

Smirking, he swiveled his seat to face her. "I've only been shot twice since landing on Earth, and the first time was by you."

Blushing, she looked away.

Galen chucked, returning to the controls.

During the construction and establishment of the base, Dae'lon had sent out half of the soldiers to save as many females from being taken to the mothership as possible.

While on a long mission, he and Nash had discovered a cabin deep in the woods of what the humans called the Cascade Mountains and decided to investigate.

And although they had worn their armor, Skye ambushed them from the trees and, with a rifle, shot Galen in a weak spot of his gear, which had been his left shoulder.

Luckily for them, Nash quickly disarmed her, shooting her gun out of her grip.

Galen remembered how angry and terrified she had been when they found her and knew, despite his injury, he had to stay and gain her trust.

So, he had Nash leave to rescue others as he lingered, waiting for her to come down and speak.

It was a few hours before Skye crawled down from her perch and approached, grabbing her gun and aiming it at him.

But Galen eventually convinced her he wanted to help. And after a few days and her tending to his wound, he had called the Deviant back and took her to the base.

"Are you strapped in?"

"Hold on, soldier boy." He heard shuffling and clicking. "Okay, we're good to go."

Galen grinned, "Alright, hang on tight, my sweet."

Then he pushed the lever forward.

***

Skye would never get used to the g-force from flying.

She braced herself as the Defiant accelerated fast into the air, the incline putting pressure on her chest and head.

She wanted to see the surprise, though, so she dealt with it.

They quickly leveled out, although the Defiant sped through the air.

Exhaling, Skye unbuckled herself, checking on the food. Still warm and intact. Good. She was getting ravenous.

"You can eat if you want." Galen swiveled his pilot's chair to face her. "I don't mind."

"No, I can wait." As pretty as his ship was, she'd rather eat viewing the nature scenery. "Is it far?"

"No, only five minutes by ship, twenty to thirty by foot."

Skye bobbed her head. Any other time, she would've been willing to make the trek. She loved hiking and most other outdoor activities. But her body and the food said not today.

"You might get chilly, though."

"I know autumn approaches, but I'll be fine."

Galen made a face but didn't respond, returning to his controls. "We're almost there."

Skye buckled back in, bracing for the descent.

When the Defiant landed, she released another breath. Why did Ava enjoy this so much? Skye didn't understand it.

As if reading her thoughts, Galen grabbed the bag, "Flying a ship floods one with endorphins and adrenaline, which are intoxicating and addictive."

"So you're a junkie?"

He laughed, opening the side door, "No, but she is?"

"Are you a telepath or something?"

"No, but I know when you're thinking about different things, and you're thinking about Ava."

"Yeah, trying to understand why she enjoys it so much."

"Which I just explained." He held out his right arm. "Join me?"

Smirking at his chivalry, Skye grabbed his arm, stepping out of the ship. He was so human at times she often forgot he was from another planet.

To be fair, Wanderers didn't look that much different from humans; their height, pale bluish-white shimmering skin, and elf ears were the main ones.

Did female Wanderers look the same?

Skye lifted her head, and her jaw dropped.

They were on a cliff of a mountain. And the sun was setting, the sky lovely shades of pink and purple.

She looked at him, brow raised. Twenty to thirty minutes, her ass.

"So what do you think?"

"I think it would be an hour's walk."

Galen smirked, "Other than that?"

"It's beautiful." She sat on a rock, the cold wind biting the skin on her face. "Now food."

They ate in silence, which didn't bother Skye as she savored her alfredo and garlic bread. Yes, pasta was her food weakness. It reminded her of when Mama would make them dinner on cold winter nights.

Skye glanced over, noticing her pilot was eating...she had no idea what that was, but it didn't appear Earth-born. And she didn't want to try it either, sipping her hot chocolate.

Galen looked at her. "What?"

"Your food, it's Wanderer, isn't it."

"Yes."

"Food synthesizer?"

"Yes."

That explained it.

Skye continued eating until she had no food left. What a bummer. She was still hungry, although she needed to consume more calories since she got her nanites.

She glanced up, stars lighting the otherwise dark sky. This was much better than her rooftop, although it was much colder, too.

Skye slipped her hands into her sweatshirt pocket. "Did you take me here because of the rooftop?"

Despite the lack of light, she clearly saw Galen's smile. "Yes."

Skye smiled back.

"And no, it is not a ploy to get into your pants."

That made her laugh, even though she believed him. "You like using human expressions."

"I do; they're like none other, although they can be confusing."

"But you talk like you're human, not a Wanderer." She faced him. "Why?"

He sighed, "I suppose it's part of my training."

"As a soldier?"

Galen shook his head, "As a scientist."

Skye blinked, "Wait, what?"

"Although there's no one human word for it, I'm a linguist, anthropologist, and archeologist." He moved closer, "Mainly studying other world cultures and languages."

Her jaw dropped.

"What? You thought I was just another trigger-happy military man?" he teased, nudging her with his elbow.

"I'm...just shocked." Although, as Skye thought about it, him being a man of science explained a lot. "Why didn't you tell me before?"

"It wasn't relevant."

"I call bullshit on that."

He smirked, "I didn't want the humans to think I was studying them for some nefarious purpose."

"But you are studying us?"

"Yes, your species is fascinating, but it's for my own curiosity." Galen sat up. "Many of us weren't soldiers to begin with."

"So why are you one?"

A dark shadow crossed over his face. "I needed a change in direction, and being a soldier seemed the best solution at the time."

Skye decided not to pry, not wanting to ruin the good vibes. "Okay, I understand that." She gazed forward. "But it's a relief to know you have some intelligence."

Galen mocked being wounded, "Damn, I thought my intellect was obvious." He yanked her closer, "I guess I'll have to try harder."

She sighed when he kissed her. No one had made her feel the way her Wanderer soldier boy, well, man, but she wouldn't change her nickname for him now.

Galen pulled back, setting her on her feet, "We should probably get back; I can feel how cold the air is."

Skye involuntarily shivered, although it wasn't completely from the air. "Alright."

They quickly returned to the Defiant, the sudden change in temperature causing goosebumps on her skin. Skye strapped herself in as the ship took off, suddenly feeling sleepy again.

Skye certainly hoped they would return to that place soon.