Page 50 of Obsessed

"The cargo hold has its own containment field." His fingers trace the edge of a crate, checking for weak spots. "It's designed to handle volatile materials."

"Volatile materials." I can't help but laugh, though there's no humor in it. "That's one way to put it."

He pauses, sealant gun hovering over the final edge. "I'll make this right, Alice. I swear it."

"I believe you." The words surprise me, but they're true. "Just... promise me we'll find a way to handle it properly. No shortcuts."

"No shortcuts," he agrees, finishing the seal with a final pass. "We do this right."

Back at the station, I survey the chaos left by the pirates. Broken equipment litters the floor, and my research notes are scattered everywhere. The sight of my violated workspace makes my chest tight, but having Davrik beside me helps steady my nerves.

"They really did a number on your filing system." Davrik picks up a handful of papers, arranging them carefully on my desk.

"At least they didn't destroy anything irreplaceable." I gather up sample containers that had rolled under tables. "The backup drives are intact, and my specimens are safe."

"Your priorities continue to mystify me." He rights an overturned chair. "You were kidnapped, and you're worried about plant samples?"

"These plants could help people." I start organizing slides, checking each one for damage. "Real people, not theoretical ones."

Davrik moves closer, helping me collect scattered equipment. "Is that why you do this? To help people?"

"Partly." I straighten a stack of reports. "Also because I love it. Every day I get to learn something new, solve another puzzle." I glance at him. "What about you? What would you do, if not... you know."

"I don't know." He pauses, considering. "Never really thought about it before."

Together we restore order to my lab, and with each item returned to its proper place, I feel more like myself again. The station slowly transforms back into my sanctuary, made somehow better by sharing it with someone who understands both its importance and mine.

CHAPTER 26

DAVRIK

Iwatch Alice carefully wrap each delicate instrument in protective foam. Her movements are precise, methodical, like everything else she does in her work. The setting sun streams through the station windows, catching the copper highlights in her hair.

"Are you sure you packed enough padding around the spectrometer?" I ask, holding up another box of foam.

"For the third time, yes." She doesn't look up from her task, but I catch the slight curve of her smile. "I've done this before, you know. Though usually with less..." She pauses, considering her words. "Distracting company."

"I aim to be as distracting as possible." I move behind her, sliding my arms around her waist. She leans back against my chest with a contented sigh.

"These samples need to be preserved properly," she protests, but makes no move to pull away. "The anti-inflammatory properties could help millions."

"The universe can wait five minutes." I press my lips to the curve of her neck. Her skin is warm, inviting.

She turns in my arms, brandishing a roll of bubble wrap like a weapon. "Five minutes? That's all I'm worth to you?"

"I was being conservative." I capture her hand, unwinding the bubble wrap from her fingers. "We have all night."

"And these samples need to be packed by morning." But she's already rising on her toes to meet my kiss.

"Let me help then. The sooner we finish..." I trail off, letting the implications hang in the air between us.

She laughs, bright and clear. "Fine. But if anything breaks because you rushed the packing job, you're explaining it to my supervisors."

"Deal." I pick up one of her specimen containers, examining the strange plant inside. "Still can't believe you found this in a hole you fell into."

"Sometimes the best discoveries come from accidents." She touches my arm gently. "Like crash-landing ships."

The warmth in her eyes makes my chest tight. I set down the container carefully and pull her close again. The packing can wait, just a little longer.

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