Page 44 of The Alien's Major Dilemma

She hated how small her voice sounded even if she knew what was going on and why she felt this way. Nothing in her training had prepared her for the bond with Cooper and being stretched this thin.

"I'll be checking on both of you during the ride back," he told her. "And searching for whatever information we can get on what's going on with both of you."

Marissa nodded. "Should you be telling me this? I could be a security risk."

"Are you a security risk?"

She started to shake her head then shrugged. "Not intentionally but I'm still figuring out how it all works, too."

"I don't think telling you about protocols you're already aware of will cause a problem," Doc said. "And I think it will help you relax and feel better to know that, at least on this ship, everybody wants to keep you safe and healthy."

"Got it. Thanks, Doc," she said.

He straightened and nodded to her. "Call if you need anything," he said as he left the room.

Marissa reached out for Cooper and found him right there in the back of her mind.

I've missed you,she told him.

I'm right here,he said. Doing my best not to eavesdrop but I couldn't keep myself away from you any long.

How injured are you?

I've had worse,he said lightly. I've certainly had better but this isn't the worst thing I've ever suffered through.

Will we be okay being separated for much longer?she asked. I'm already having trouble controlling my emotions.

I honestly don't know, he said.I wish I could promise you that everything will be okay but we're in unfamiliar territory right now.

How would your people handle this?

She could feel his hesitation and knew the answer before he told her.

My people probably would have executed us as part of the rescue. Or once they found out we were bonded. If there was a chance that I'd given you or our captors any information, they would have done their best to destroy us and them.

And you want to go home?

His hesitation was more pronounced this time.

It's not a question of want,he said finally.I have to.

Marissa nodded even though she knew he couldn't see her and withdrew. He wasn't lying to her, he really wasn't, but he also didn't want to go home. He wanted to stay with her where they would be safe but he felt compelled to go back to a planet where they might be killed.

She knew she wasn't thinking clearly but his insistence on returning home felt like a betrayal. Even if she couldn't say how, his words had hurt her.

Marissa, don't pull away from me,he begged. I need you to stay with me if we're going to make it through this.

What's the point?she asked.If you're just going to go home, what's the point of making it through this? We die now or we die later.

I'll do my best to make sure that doesn't happen,he said. Please. Give me a chance. Give us a chance to see what we're capable of.

It hurts that you want to leave me.

I don't want to leave you,he told her. And the last thing I'd ever want to do is hurt you.

She took a deep breath and tried to think through the pain pulsing in her heart. Her emotions were compromised and her ability to make a decision had gone with them. She knew that. Now was not the time to make a difficult decision.

What do you want to do to me?she asked him.

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