Just a Kiss [The Tiburon Duet] Page 7

  A small part of her sincerely believed she was either dead or dreaming. That belief was growing. She wasn't on an alien planet about to see if she could marry their king anyway. Was she? If this was truly happening, and if she turned up pregnant, and if she was forced to stay here with people who hated her ... well, then, she'd know for certain she was dead and had earned an eternal place in Hell.

  Tiburon seemed real, just like the spaceship had seemed real. As for Keller, he was the most real of all, but she had obligations on Earth. People depended on her, and photography clients wanted her. Didn't they?

  She sighed deeply as the harsh truth hit her square in the brain under the subheading of reality check. Damn lonely life anyway. She only had one obligation on Earth, truth be told. Her dog Skippy needed her. She refused to allow him to be discarded. Not again.

  Gabrielle missed the Jack Russell terrier she'd rescued from a garbage can one night on a my-clothes-are-all-too-tight, guilt-inspired jog around the block near her apartment. When she stopped to catch her breath a half a block into her slow run, she heard a whimpering. She looked inside the trash can she leaned on trying to get air in her lungs and saw him resting half inside a jumbo-sized peanut butter jar, thus inspiring his name. It was fate. They needed each other. She wasn't about to desert him now, if she were even alive and not in some dark alley dying a slow, dream-filled death.

  Keller slipped his arms around her, holding her close. Gabrielle leaned her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arms around him in return, snuggling closer still. If it weren't for Skippy, she was saddened to realize there wasn't a single soul waiting for her on Earth. She could easily slip away forever, and no one would care.

  She fought the urge to allow water to leak from her eyes again, certain Keller was sick to death of her sobbing over everything. As if he read her mind, she felt him squeeze her closer to his impossibly hard physique. What would it be like to wake up to Keller every morning? Did he snore? Did she? She allowed herself the luxury of contemplating a future life on Tiburon for a few moments while awaiting their fate.

  Once Keller was king, perhaps his people would be compelled to accept her. She wasn't perfect, but she was a good and compassionate person.

  She paid her taxes on time, well mostly. She let the little Girl Scout on the third floor of her building talk her into buying too many boxes of cookies each year regardless of their impact on her thighs.

  And she always bought extra groceries, insisting her next door neighbor help her eat the excess because she knew his medication ate up the majority of his meager fixed income.

  Tiburon, she decided, would be lucky to have her for a queen one day, if she decided to stay.

  Keller stroked her hair lovingly from the crown of her head to the middle of her back. Over and over, his hand slowly repeated the motion. The power of his touch sent prickly sensation through her. Head to toe, front to back, the tingling became ferocious. She was about to go into vibration mode. Her lips, she discovered to her surprise, were mere centimeters from his throat.

  Before giving it another thought, just wanting to be connected skin to skin, she kissed his neck below his jaw line. He jumped as her mouth made contact. His hug became crushingly intense, pushing the air out of her lungs, but she didn't stop.

  "I love you, Gabrielle,” he whispered with reverent sincerity. “I always will."

  She was surprised to find herself touched by his admission. There was not a doubt in her mind he meant what he said. His passion for her showed in every look he directed her way, even when he was puzzled by her.

  "I love you, too, Keller.” She found, incredibly enough, she truly meant it. Keller was unlike any other man she'd ever known. In their short time together, she'd carved out a space in her heart for him. Regardless of what happened, he'd forever be etched in her soul.

  Gabrielle deviously planned the best course of action to initiate another sultry memory with him. She knew if she accidentally kissed his mouth, they'd be writhing on the floor in seconds. Before she could put her sexy strategy in motion, someone came for them.

  "You are wanted at the Council of Elders, Keller,” Crag said once he entered the room. He approached them as they remained in each other's arms, hugging. She couldn't bring herself to let Keller go. The expression on Crag's face was more of undisguised bafflement than disgust. He clearly didn't understand Keller's unflinching attachment for a puny earthling like her.

  "Did they request Gabrielle, too?” Keller released her from the bear hug.

  "No, they want to talk to you first."

  Keller sighed and squeezed her shoulders once before lowering his arms and stepping away from her.

  "Stay with Gabrielle and watch over her. I'll send word as soon as I'm able,” he said and exited the room.

  "Good luck, my friend,” Crag said as he departed.

  Gabrielle watched Keller leave and felt his loss. She was going to miss him desperately once she got back to Earth. Should she try harder to stay? Fight the good fight with Keller?

  "Do you need alimentus?” Crag asked, disrupting her train of thought.

  "I doubt it. What is it?"

  "I believe your word is sustenance ... food."

  "Oh, no. I couldn't eat."

  "Perhaps you should anyway, just in case,” he said with a courteous tone she wanted to embrace. Crag was trying to be nice to her. She should enjoy it while it lasted.

  "Maybe something small,” she murmured, trying to be polite in return.

  "Follow me.” He led her out of the room and down a well-lit and very white hallway to yet another austere room.

  The door parted in the middle and slid open like the ones on Star Trek. This room had several tables and odd-looking white-on-chrome chairs. They looked like the old ergonomic chairs she remembered from her mother's art studio for sketch class, where one was required to spend the duration of the visit testing the stamina of their knee strength as it related to the physics of body weight pressure.

  Crag didn't bother to ask what she wanted. He pointed her to a table and went to a counter lining one wall where yet another tall alien stood taking food orders. Proud of herself for mastering the mechanics of sitting in an alien chair quickly, she didn't have long to wait for his return. After a few minutes, Crag brought her what looked like a cup of tea and a bowl of broth.

  "Thank you,” she said sincerely if not fully meeting his eyes.

  "It's nothing.” He looked uncomfortable as he took the seat next to her.

  Gabrielle sipped the tea. It was orange and spicy sweet. A spoonful of the broth brought a smile to her lips as she realized it tasted like chicken.

  "Is it satisfactory?” he remarked at her smile.

  "Yes, it's good. It reminds me of soup from home."

  "I've never seen Keller look at any female as he does you. It puzzles me,” Crag said as she ate the soup.

  "How does he look at me?"

  "Like you are his perfect vita-parcere, and he'd rather die than lose you."

  "And that's bad?” Gabrielle looked into his piercing, slate-gray eyes. Angry warrior eyes. Not at all the sultry, liquid silver of Keller's. However, Crag was not looking at her with love as Keller did. He was obviously defending his friend from making what he believed to be a monumental mistake.

  "Yes, it is bad. You and I both know you don't belong here,” he stated matter-of-factly.

  "Well, now, don't sugarcoat the truth, Crag. Please do tell me how you really feel."

  "I don't understand your words, but your tone is mocking.” Crag shrugged and continued, “Keller cares for you. If you care for him in return, you should let him go. Do not pressure him into life partnering with you."

  "I'm not the one doing the pressuring,” Gabrielle said willfully.

  "Are you going allow him to throw away his future, one which was preordained from birth, so you may prove your self-worth in this world?"

  Wow, Gabrielle thought, this guy has depth. Who would have thought? He worried about h
is friend making a huge, life-changing mistake by marrying an inappropriate alien.

  This was the classic leave-my-friend-alone speech given by countless best friends all over the galaxy. She wondered if a bribe was forthcoming.

  "I know where I belong, Crag. I'm more than ready to go back to Earth now,” Gabrielle said bitterly, but the notion of returning to Earth was fast losing its appeal. She didn't want to stay on Tiburon, but taking Keller back with her was an interesting fantasy. Gabrielle pushed the soup bowl away. She had no more appetite. Her mind was rife with confused, conflicting thoughts.

  As they talked, Gabrielle noticed several more Tiburons entering the eating room. Perhaps they were all curious to see the earthling. Maybe she should do a trick for them, roll over and play dead. She was certain it would be very popular with some.

  "Oh, no,” Crag said and stood up from the table as he watched the door behind Gabrielle.

  Before she could respond, a scathing female voice sneered at her. “This is the being who ruined my life? Turn and face me, earthling!"

  Gabrielle turned and rose from her chair, her mouth wide open. An achingly beautiful, ethereal female dressed entirely in delicate, flowing white stood at the entrance to the eating room. Her flashing, lavender eyes shot daggers at Gabrielle.

  "Lena, this is not the time. You should speak with Maura,” Crag said in a placating tone.

  "No, I wish to speak with the human,” she spat out ‘human’ like it was a curse word. It probably was on this planet.

  "I am not going to allow you to damage her,” Crag spoke clearly. “Keller was clear. No harm shall befall her."

  On some level, Gabrielle registered Crag's defense of her, and she marveled at it, but she couldn't take her eyes off Lena. Now, she would make a perfect queen, Gabrielle thought with disheartening approval.

  Lena looked like a picture-perfect fairy princess, tall and slender, fair of skin, with light blonde hair. Gabrielle felt like a dumpy wallflower in comparison. Lena and Keller would make a beautiful and perfect regal couple for this planet of tall aliens.

  As the discouraging thought clarified in her mind, Gabrielle almost reacted physically as the stabbing pain engulfed her from head to toe at the mere thought of Keller with someone else. How could she let him go? He was perfect. He cared for her. She might already be pregnant. She'd never find a man like him on Earth. Never.

  Gabrielle, who'd been ready to leave Tiburon happily only a minute ago, unexpectedly had the urge to fight for a man and a life she wasn't sure she should want, one she certainly didn't deserve. How ridiculous. It must be that old, competitive nature in her making a statement.

  Gabrielle hadn't completely convinced herself she wanted to live here, but she was certain she wanted to win the battle before her. She was the underdog here, the David to Lena's Goliath, and Keller was the ultimate prize. The gorgeous, tall, expert-kisser of an alien who cared for her and repeatedly begged her to stay with him. Why was she fighting so hard to leave?

  "I don't intend to injure her, Crag,” Lena said in a devious tone of voice then added mockingly. “I just wanted to see my competition up close. I can see for myself I have absolutely nothing to worry about. She is sub-standard, even as aliens go."

  That does it! The war was on. A princess she might be, but Lena carried the soul of a viper in her nicely endowed chest. Gabrielle refused to remain silent in this matter.

  "But are you possibly gestating his child?” Gabrielle said quietly in a deliberately sickening, sweet tone.

  "How dare you!” Crag roared. He stepped in front of Gabrielle, facing her. His visage was a livid mask of hatred when he whispered through clenched teeth, “Do not say another word, human. You will not embarrass Keller by spouting every lurid detail of your circumstances aloud again. Do not test me on this! You will lose."

  "What did she just say?” Lena asked from behind Crag in a puzzled tone.

  Gabrielle opened her mouth to repeat the inflammatory statement, but she changed her mind when Crag put a hand on his sword. Gabrielle knew better than anyone he'd use it on her, even with Keller's warning. She frowned at Crag and sighed with frustration. “Nothing. I said ... nothing of importance.” If she had to fight everyday, she should learn to choose her battles. Today was a perfect place to start.

  Crag relaxed his stance, took his hand off his sword, and turned to Lena. “Leave now. Go speak with Maura,” he stated in no uncertain terms.

  Lena gave Gabrielle one last contemptuous glance before turning toward the sliding door. Gabrielle resisted the urge to stick her tongue out at her back, wondering if it was the same as extending one's middle finger on Earth. She decided not to test her theory.

  Lena took only one graceful step before the doors opened for someone else entering the eating room.

  "Keller!” Lena shouted and then took two more steps towards the door. She fell into his arms whimpering. No tearful sobs came forth as expected. A princess even as she filled with sorrow. Gabrielle was instantly jealous of their embrace.

  She rolled her eyes at the dramatics and resisted the urge to run up and scratch Lena's eyes out in a jealous fit for daring to touch Keller.

  Keller looked around and seemed to register the scene before him at once. Gabrielle thought he handled it very well. Unsuitable and possibly pregnant girlfriend meets scorned and emotional fiancée as best friend tries to keep them from starting a cat fight in the lunchroom.

  Keller deftly handed Lena off to the woman who stood behind him and turned to head towards Gabrielle. Lena, unwilling to be passed off so easily, put her hand up to Keller's face for one last stroke before being led out of the room by the other female.

  To his credit, Keller never looked back at Lena, not even when her fingertips caressed his jaw. Once he turned away from the woman who wanted to be his queen, Keller put his silver gaze on her, the puny alien creature. Gabrielle did want this alien warrior, but did she deserve to be his queen?

  "Gabrielle, come with me. The Council has come to a decision,” he said striding over to her and Crag.

  "What did they say?"

  "I merely stated my case. We'll go find out the decision together.” He grabbed her hands and turned to Crag. “Thank you, my friend. I know you do not approve of all this."

  "My approval is not important, Keller. Regardless of what the Council decides, you should still consider all of your options before making a decision,” Crag said evenly. He then looked at Gabrielle with meaning. She knew what he meant: Whatever the Council said, and however Keller felt about her, she didn't belong here.

  While on some level she knew it was true, her competitive nature reared its head, wanting a chance to be heard. She wasn't going down without a fight.

  Besides, Queen Gabrielle had a nice ring to it.

  Chapter Eight

  Keller led Gabrielle down the white hallway quite a ways before turning down another hall on his way to the council chambers.

  He'd pleaded his case to the members while they all waited for the results of Gabrielle's gestational assessment. There were eight council members with voting power. The ninth vote rested with the Queen to break tie votes.

  Sybille had been called to bear witness to the events on the ship prior to Keller becoming conscious. That surprised him. Witnesses were rarely, if ever, called in matters before the Council. Sybille also recounted her attempt to use information in the ancient scrolls to liberate him from the inevitable life partnering while still back on the spacecraft.

  Until the ... ah-hem ... second publicly declared event by the alien herself rendered the facts useless.

  Privately, Keller had questioned Sybille further about the ancient scrolls. She reluctantly gave him some very interesting information. He tucked that precious knowledge away in the unlikely event he might need it.

  "Wait!” Gabrielle grabbed his arm before he could lead them through the doors into the chamber. “Aren't you going to prepare me or anything?"

  "I'm sorry. Yes, here is what wil
l happen. The Council will state the concern before them, something about my no longer being pure of mouth. They will state whether or not they should allow me to life partner with you, the alien who ... ah ... tainted me...” He smiled as if embarrassed. “Then the healer will come in to declare your gestational status, but the Council already knows this. They may ask you some questions, but I'm not certain. Finally, they will render their decision and state the vote."

  "State the vote?"

  "How many are for and how many are against the decision,” he explained quickly as they stopped in front of the chamber. “Will you be all right?"

  "I guess.” Gabrielle sounded uncertain, but Keller held enough confidence for them both.

  Gabrielle would be carrying his child, the Council of Elders would allow them to life partner, and his life would turn out better than he had ever expected it to.

  Keller entered the elder's chamber, pulling the reluctant Gabrielle along behind him to their fate.

  * * * *

  "In the matter of Keller, future king of Tiburon, and his unfortunate experience during the authorized mission aboard the exploration vessel Titan:

  "While returning to our planet from Earth this day, while lying in mourning after his eldest wife died, Keller was accosted by an alien accidentally brought aboard during departure.

  "The alien in question, not understanding our laws, performed an oral touching with Keller, thus leading to his mouth becoming tainted for vita parcere with any other Tiburon citizen,” said a snobby, regal-looking alien. He sat dead center at a large, half circle-shaped table with eight other snobby, regal-looking aliens as he read from a yellowed parchment scroll.

  Gabrielle stood before them on a foot-tall circular step. She rested her sweaty hands on the short, half wall as she faced the Elders and the Queen, who also happened to be Keller's mother. No pressure there.

  Keller stood stoically across the room on his own half circle separated from her by twenty feet or so. She felt like she was on trial for war crimes against humanity—or, in this case, against aliens.