Page 64 of Alien Mercenary's Wife
Laughter rippled around the table. Even Reese smiled, her thumb stroking across his knuckles, making it hard to focus.
"The point is," Skinny rumbled. "You both look happy. Good to see."
"Thank you," Reese said quietly, and T'Raal caught the way her smile softened.
The conversation moved on to ship business and crew gossip, but T'Raal remained aware of her knee against his thigh. Her fingers entwined with his. The way she leaned into his space when she laughed at something Fin said.
It felt right. Scarily right.
When the meal ended and Red and Fin began clearing dishes, waving away their help, Reese rose.
"Walk me back?" she asked.
"Always."
The corridors felt more like home with her beside him. She matched his pace easily, their shoulders brushing with each step.
"I think they like me," she said as they neared his quarters.
"They love you." The admission came easier than expected. "You fit."
"Do I?" She paused outside his door, studying his face. "Even with all the complications I bring? It's a lot to ask people to take on."
"Especially because of the complications." He palmed the door control, gesturing for her to precede him into his…theirquarters. "We're not exactly a crew that shies away from difficult situations."
She settled onto his bunk, pulling her legs up to sit cross-legged.
"I need to go back to Earth," she said.
He turned to look at her.
"No."
"T'Raal—"
"Absolutely not." He remained standing, every protective instinct flaring to life. "They tried to kill you once. They'll try again."
"The court hearing is in six days." Her expression said she'd already decided. "If I don't appear, they win by default. Everything we've worked for disappears."
"Then we fight them from here." He began pacing the small space, too agitated to stand still. "Video testimony, encrypted transmissions, whatever it takes."
"That's not how the legal system works." She watched him pace. "I have to be there in person to present evidence. Tocross-examine witnesses. To make the case that'll save the other veterans."
Her logic made sense, but that didn't make it any easier to accept.
"The people trying to kill you have unlimited resources," he said, turning to face her directly. "Professional killers, government backing, the kind of influence that makes witnesses disappear."
"I know." She shrugged. "But what's the alternative? Let them win? Let Hughes and Ryans and the others die while we hide out here in the safety of your ship?"
Her words stung because they were true. They were safe, but at what cost to the others?
"There has to be another way."
"If there is, I haven't found it." She unfolded her legs, rising to move toward him. "I have to do this. It's who I am."
Her hands settled on his chest, warm through the fabric of his shirt. Instead of comfort, it just reminded him how much he could lose.
"I could forbid it," he said quietly.
