to celebrate 2007 - and to keep my promise to a number of my readers - I am continuing until it's finished - this is chapter 5 - a new chapter will follow at least once a week until it's complete. 

THIS IS FOR LOIS - CYBER HUGS TO YOU

In This Life I Was Loved by You – 5

Justin lay back on the bed fashioned by the Gloinzens, slightly nervous despite the bravado he’d shown Brian. Being unable to see the man he loved, he did what he did best, let his inner self read what was happening.

Finger tips, hard and callused, yet gentle, traced the outline of his face, his eyes, his nose, pausing briefly at his lips as if memorizing the very shape of them. And then moving down over his chin, along his neck, to trace circles around his nipples. Justin groaned, unable to hold back his feelings. He reached up and found Brian’s neck, pulling him down closer, so that their breath mingled. And while Justin couldn’t see Brian’s smile, he could feel it, feel the warmth of it, the tenderness. And then he felt warm lips on his, slowly tasting, tongue touching, searching, until passion overtook reason and their tongues probed and twisted, seeking every part of their mouths.

Justin’s hearing, more acute than most, fixated on the sounds Brian was making, the catch of his breath, the sharp whistle as pleasure filled him, the rapid beating of the man’s heart. And he resolved to make the other man scream with pleasure before their lovemaking time was up.  

It was one of the last coherent thoughts he had as Brian’s mouth moved down his body, taking time to taste and kiss every spot he could. He could feel the flush washing over both his body and Brian’s. Waves of pleasure rippled from his toes up to the top of his head, over and over as Brian’s mouth engulfed his swollen penis, his tongue flicking precum from the slit, his lips grabbing and pulling on the mushroom head, teeth gently grazing it, causing Justin’s back to arch in pleasure. 

“Brian, I’ve never…” Justin began, he knew that Brian had plenty of experience, but did he have experience with a virgin.? And did he know just what it would mean once their relationship was consummated, as far as the Kyllo people were concerned. 

“Don’t talk, just feel.” Brian whispered. 

“But Brian….” Justin tried again. They would be, in effect, married if this continued. It was a commitment he wasn’t sure Brian understood. And then he felt Brian’s tongue on the underside of his balls and all reason left the young blond, replaced by need and want and desire. 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Justin couldn’t sleep, though he’d woven a glamour over himself so that Brian would think he was sleeping. It was so unusual to be wrapped in someone’s arms, unusual and very comforting. Their lovemaking had been all he ever could have wished for and then some.  And now he was married to his soul mate. Not that said soul mate had a clue they were married. He wondered how he was going to tell Brian, for that matter how he was going to tell his father because now that the marriage was consummated, there was no chance of any kind of a marriage with the Kitwangas. 

A gentle touch on his leg made him turn his head. He wasn’t surprised when he actually could see the small Gloinzen girl who stood by his side. “Hey” he whispered, not wanting to disturb Brian. “Thank you for letting me see my mate.” His eyes drank in the wonderful sight of Brian Kinney, naked and peacefully sleeping, one arm carelessly flung over his head. “He’s beautiful isn’t he?” 

The girl nodded and smiled. She handed Justin the traditional marriage necklace of the Kyllo clan. Its central amulet, a piece of polished jade rimmed with gold twisted in ancient knots that could be read by only a few. The very center held a knot fashioned of strands of both Justin’s and Brian’s hair, symbolically binding the two of them together. 

“It’s beautiful.” He whispered in awe. The girl motioned for him to bend low, placing the braided chain of gold and silver, the amulet dangling, around Justin’s neck. The stone felt warm against his chest, a sign that Brian was well. 

“You’re beautiful.” Brian opened his eyes, moving so he was sitting up and staring with obvious affection at the man beside him. He reached out and touched the amulet. “You brought jewelry?” 

“It’s… it’s a Clan Kyllo marriage amulet. Only the son of a chief can wear them.” Out of the corner of his eye, he watched another blue haired young Gloinzen walk into the hut holding what had to be the duplicate of his necklace. Only Justin knew the words woven into the knots around the jade, were meant for Brian. He took the necklace from the young one with a smile and turned to Brian. 

“The traditions of the Clan Kyllo are old and some forgotten with time. But one that remains applies to only marriage between two who have been together before, because time is irrelevant when love is involved.” He took a deep breath. “Brian Kinney, I Justin Taylor have loved you before and will love you in the future. I love you now and with this amulet I proclaim our marriage sanctified by the ancients, for the amulet is not made in the realm of the living, but rather by those who watch over us and have lived before. I gift you with this amulet, a sign of my love and life, for you to wear. It will protect you in times of trouble, through it you will know I live. Through it you will know my love.” He reached up and placed the amulet around Brian’s neck.

Brian started when the stone touched his chest, surprised at the heat of the thing. He looked from his amulet to Justin’s, there were subtle differences but what surprised him was the glow that seemed to surround the piece of jade. “Justin, what does this mean?” he managed to gasp. 

“That we’re kind of married.” Justin said with a smile. “Oops?” 

The two Gloinzen were clapping their hands in glee. “How did you manage to find this.” He touched his amulet, “Let alone that.” He touched Justin’s.

“I didn’t. I mean they’re usually given by the ancients in a ceremony that takes place during the consummation of the marriage between a chief’s son or daughter and their soul mate. It doesn’t happen often. I mean, do you have any idea how hard it is to track down a soul mate these days?” 

“I do have a bit of an inkling Sunshine.”  Brian drawled. “Now fill me in on the marriage thing. ‘Cause I’m sure I missed something” 

“Well you know the Gloinzen have kind of a thing about soul mates?” 

“So you say.” Brian rubbed his hand over Justin’s naked shoulder.

“I guess they got the marriage amulets from the ancients. I mean the love making, you know what we did, well I was a virgin and I… well I kind of am married to you as far as the Kyllo are concerned. The good thing is, I’m not twenty-one, but the bad thing is, it’s not earth. I’m actually not sure how this is going to affect things.” 

Justin could feel his vision fading, it had only been a temporary spell, but it had been enough. He’d committed every inch of Brian to memory, including his look of confusion when the word ‘marriage’ was uttered. “I’m sorry, I think it’s time I return to earth.” Justin ducked his head, sad that Brian didn’t feel as he did.

“Hey, you can’t run away that fast Sunshine.” Brian tipped the blond’s face up. He knew immediately that Justin could no longer see him. “I guess little Zuni could only let you see so long.” He leaned in and kissed the end of Justin’s nose. 

“I know. I’m so used to not seeing, well not seeing with my own eyes that I find it almost surreal when I can do it. I have a friend who… well you think this is weird, but my friend can put me in a place where I can see. I can paint or draw or just stare at the wonderfulness of it all. He has offered many times to make me sighted, but I can’t accept. For if I did, then my destiny would change and my destiny is linked with my people’s destiny.”

“It seems Sunshine, that your destiny is twined with mine. Maybe you should rethink this friend’s offer of sight.” Brian pulled Justin into his arms, letting the younger man’s naked back rest against his chest. He pulled the soft quilt the Gloinzen had made up over their nakedness. “Now what was this foolishness about you heading back to Earth, you’ve barely recovered from your injury.”

“I know, but I can’t help but think there will be ramifications about my disappearance. You don’t know, the man who took me, he’s evil in a way that I can’t describe. I’m afraid he may hurt Michael or Ben or Keisha.”

“That’s true, I felt his evil. But right now you’re not at the top of your form. You need to recover at least another day. The Gloinzen will return you to the care of Michael and Ben and your precious kitty. It will appear as if no time at all has passed.”

“They’ll fold time?” Justin asked. “I’m not sure I’m worth that kind of magic. It’s a complicated process and one that can be less than kind to those who can do it. I really can’t ask it of these kind people.”

“Brian, Brian, come out and face me, you son of a bitch.” 

Justin looked at Brian, eyebrows raised. “It’s one of my passengers, Lindsay Peterson, she’s a bit of a bitch.” Brian whispered. “Don’t worry, she can’t see us, we’re not quite in the same dimension as she is. It’s a thing the Gloinzen do. Linds isn’t one of their favorite humans.” 

“Brian, get out here, your sperm banks are empty. The manifests said they were full, there are documents from the donors. WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO WITH THE SPERM?” 

“Beats the shit out of me.” Brian said to Justin with a sigh. “I was sure I’d filled each of the little buggers. I remember it well, It took me three days and a good many fantasy movies.” 

“Geeze Brian, you were the donor?” Justin giggled. “That’s soooooo bad.” 

“Apparently it doesn’t matter, I suspect that some little orange skinned people are responsible for the empty tubes. I was muttering something about not wanting Linds and Mel to have my kids. The little guys have kind of adopted me or something. They take the care and feeding of Brian Kinney rather personal.” 

“With good reason Captain Kinney, ‘cause that’s a class two felony.”  Justin laughed out loud. “I’m not so sure I’d be very happy with a couple dozen little Brian’s running around out there if their mothers were like the witchy one who’s yelling.” 

“Maybe I should go out there and shut her up.” Brian said without conviction. He really didn’t want to move. But they could hear Lindsay storming around and kicking at things.

“I’m kind of tired” Justin admitted. 

“Damn, I should have thought of that. You need to sleep and recover from the attack.” Brian reluctantly stood up. “I’ll come and check on you later.” He nodded at the container of juice near the bed. “Drink as much of that as you can. It’s got amazing healing properties.”

^^^^^^^^

Back on Earth, Keisha paced the length of the terrace and back again, stiff legged and angry that Justin was missing. Every time she passed Michael, who sat in <i> father’s </i> chair, she uttered a throaty growl, occasionally baring her teeth for variety.

“That fucking cat is creeping me out.” Michael whined to Ben. “I think she wants to eat me.” 

“Keisha is missing Justin. She blames herself for his abduction and she blames us for not getting him back. I don’t think we can wait around much longer if we’re going to find Brian. Justin gave fairly decent directions as to where he figures Brian is. If he doesn’t show up soon, we should head out ourselves.” Ben stopped to scrub behind Keisha’s ears, making the big cat purr. 

<i> “Father can’t find Keisha.” </i> the big cat growled. 

“I don’t think the cat wants us to go yet.” Michael stared at the golden cat. He was about to continue the conversation when the door com announced Mysterious Marilyn and Emmett. 

As usual, the door com had barely uttered the words, when both men were inside, not waiting to be officially let into the apartment. “Hey Keisha kitty.” Emmett smiled, despite the shiver of a slight uneasiness when the big cat leapt the twenty feet to land in front of him and butting her head into Emmett’s midsection in a demand for attention.  “Daddy’s little girl missing her daddy?” he cooed. 

Michael rolled his eyes. “She’s not a damn housecat.” He muttered, though he was glad the cat had Emmett to bother instead of him.

“Boys, I’ve heard rumblings that your ship could be impounded.” Mysterious Marilyn began. “I have studied this situation and perhaps have made a suggestion or two in the right ears that will allow you to leave Earth if you do so within three hours.” 

“What about Justin?” Ben asked. “He’s the whole reason we’re even looking for Brian. Somehow it doesn’t seem right to leave him behind.  I know you say he’s safe, but damn, we saw what these people were willing to do to Keisha. I don’t even want to think what they’ve done to Justin.” 

“Justin has healed and will return before you leave.” Marilyn smiled at Ben. He loved that the gentle man thought of Justin rather than his ship. It was a rare thing these days. “Emmett, see that anything Justin will need for his journey is packed. I must return to Splendid Things, I fear that a few things are out of order and will need to be put away.”

No one dared to question what Marilyn was up to. They’d all found over the years that Marilyn was fair and good. He wouldn’t do anything for personal gain, but he would make sure that his friends could no longer be hurt. Sometimes it was better not to know just how he accomplished that. 
They watched as Mysterious Marilyn faded away, not bothering to use the door. “I wonder how he does that?” Michael asked, not really expecting an answer.

“I don’t know, but let me tell you, there are times I wish I could do it.” Emmett was still scratching Keisha behind her ears. The big cat stretched and then turned to pad back to the sunshine on the terrace, returning to her never ending pacing. “I guess she’s telling me to get Justin’s things packed.” He laughed. “Michael, maybe you and Ben should make sure Siddhartha is ready to go.” He reached into the bag he carried and pulled out a sheaf of documents. “I have some shipping manifests for you that should pass the scrutiny of the port authorities. Splendid Things does a lot of import export. Marilyn has arranged for Keisha to come aboard the ship without detection.”

“Just a damn minute. I’m not taking that miserable cat. She smells like a cat. Siddhartha will be the biggest damn litter box flying if she comes.” Michael glared at Emmett and Ben. In a flash Keisha stood in the middle of them all, hackles up, teeth bared. “Get away from me you big fur ball.” Michael tried to shoo Keisha who growled and stood her ground. 

“Michael, Keisha has to come. Justin relies on her and Justin is the only family the cat has. You can’t abandon her here when we don’t know how long we’ll be gone.” Ben put his hand on Michael’s arm.

“I’m going to let you boys fight this out.” Emmett cooed. “I need to pack a few things for Justin and Keisha.” He turned to the cat. “Come along kitty, let’s see if we can find daddy something hot to wear on the ship.” 

Ben and Michael watched Emmett retreat, a slight sway to his hips, followed by Keisha with an identical sway, only Keisha’s was accompanied by a flick of the very end of her heavy tail. 

Ben turned back to Michael. “This isn’t negotiable Michael. Justin needs Keisha and frankly I believe the cat needs Justin as well. The emotions the kid is going through are going to be tough ones. He’s on a time limit to find and marry Brian or he’ll be responsible for the Kyllo’s downfall. That’s a damn heavy weight to be carrying around.”

Ethan Gold and two of his thugs were prowling through the items at Splendid Things. Without his wand, Ethan had been reduced to breaking through the lock like any other criminal and he didn’t like it one damn bit. He was sure that there would be another bow that could act as a wand here in the shop. He only needed time to find it.

“Gentlemen, may I help you?” Mysterious Marilyn asked after carefully closing and repairing the door with a touch of his fingers.

All eyes turned to the old queen. “I need a new bow.” Ethan began. 

“Perhaps you didn’t notice, we’re closed for the day.” Marilyn walked past the two thugs, immobilizing both of them with a couple of muttered words. She didn’t need any distractions while dealing with this upstart of a wizard.

“I know your store is the only one where I could possibly find the kind of bow I need.” Ethan began again. He poked his hand into the curtain-covered alcove where he’d been just the other day. Not that he’d been invited. “FUCK” Ethan jumped back, blisters were raising on his hand.

“Didn’t your mother teach you not to poke your hands into things that don’t belong to you?” Marilyn asked tsk, tsking at the burns. “You should get to a med com.” 

“You son of a bitch.” Ethan glared. He stared at his hand muttering a few words and slowly the burns began to heal. He could have done it instantly if he’d had his wand. 

“No, actually my mother was a rather dignified lady, not dog like at all.” Marilyn sealed the curtains on all of his portals with a flick of his fingers. “I think my dear fiddler, that you should leave this place. You really aren’t wanted here.” He began to lead Ethan out of the store, one hand on the man’s elbow.

But Ethan pulled away from Marilyn, grabbing a Zuni war club from a nearby table and brandishing it, determined to kill him. The club burst into flames, turning to a cinder almost instantly. Ethan screamed and leapt up onto a trunk, throwing what was left of the club, barely dust at Marilyn, and the dust flashed into wild flames.

Marilyn had to extinguish the flame and for a moment forgot about the two thugs she had paralyzed. They jumped in front of Marilyn blocking her from stopping Ethan’s retreat. The old wizard was pissed. With a flick of her hand the two thugs found themselves face down in the sand of a different world, surrounded by a group of astounded people. Leaving Ethan Gold to face a very angry Mysterious Marilyn.

“You’ll find that the door to the sidewalk only works one way, when it’s opened without my permission.” Marilyn sat down on a thickly padded throne from the reign of the second dynasty on Sal. It was larger than life and overly ornate, not everyone’s idea of a comfy chair. But it did have a built in shield that prevented harm coming to the one sitting in it. He crossed his legs, looking bored as he inspected the nails on his right hand. 

“Fine, I don’t mind defeating you right here.”  Ethan stood defiantly, hands on his hips, legs apart.

“I don’t have time for this nonsense. Do you prefer sunshine, or would you like a colder climate?” 

“You can’t banish me you old trout.” Ethan yelled as he threw a vanishing spell at Mysterious Marilyn only to have it bounce back at him, shrinking him to the size and shape of a small rat.
“Well if you insist on that kind of a world. I suppose I’ll grant you your wish.” Marilyn did try to put his enemies into worlds of their choosing if he could possibly do so. 

Ethan found himself standing on a cobblestone street in medieval England, looking directly into the eyes of a much larger and fiercer rat. “Welcome to our world moron, that’ll teach you to piss off an old queen.” The rat said with a grin. 

While Marilyn was dealing with Ethan Gold and his crew, Emmett, Michael, Ben and Keisha finished packing for Justin. “We can go as far as the docking pads in the floater. I’m not sure how we can get Keisha into the ship without Marilyn’s help.” Emmett fluttered around securing the apartment.

“My dears, of course I’ll make sure my precious kitty can board the ship.” Marilyn had appeared as they were about to take the elevator to the floater. She dusted her hands off. “Such a pain taking out the trash these days recycle, recycle. It’s so hard to decide what to do.”

“Now my baby cat, Auntie Marilyn is going to take you for a little tiny ride in her floater. We’re going to get daddy. I have a feeling he’s about to return to us and we don’t have a lot of time. He’ll need his kitty cat when he arrives.” She bent and kissed Keisha on her forehead.

<i>“Keisha sad, Keisha failed father” </i> the cat rumbled, hanging her head. 

“You couldn’t help it my dear. The evil man drugged you.” Marilyn stroked the cat in reassurance. 

<i> “Father says never eat dead meat, only catch fresh prey. Keisha ate dead meat, father will be angry.” </i> Keisha’s head remained low, her tail down, she’d let down the most important person in her life. 

On Tilak, Brian had gone in search of Lindsay and Melanie, leaving Justin under the care of Gloinzens to rest and recover. He’d have to go back to earth soon and Brian wasn’t looking forward to it. “Linds, Mel, what the fuck are the two of you bitching about?” Brian drawled from his place near their camp. 

The two women had been rifling through a container they’d taken from the ship. “Brian, where were you?” Lindsay said with a pout. “I’ve looked everywhere.” 

“Look asshole, you are supposed to carry viable samples of sperm.” Melanie hit Brian’s shoulder with her hand finding herself immediately on her ass in the sand. “What the fuck.” She looked around. “What are you up to Brian?” her voice scared and barely a whisper.

“I told you he could do that.” Lindsay looked satisfied. “He did it to me.” She leaned forward, staring hard at Brian. “You’d better tell me what you did with that DNA, or my daddy is going to have your ship’s license. You’ll never fly again.” 

“He’ll have to get in line.” Brian snickered. “Now if that’s all ladies, I think I’ll have a bath and head back to my camp.”

“Just where is your camp Brian?” Melanie asked, her voice sugary sweet. “We really were looking for you. I didn’t see any sign of a camp.”

“Congratulations to me, I’ve won the prize for camouflaging my campsite.” Brian snickered. “If any bad guys come, they’ll be knocking on your door before they ever find mine.” 
	
“Brian, I know you had the DNA samples on board. I checked the manifests.” Melanie began in a voice that was meant to be persuasive. “I’ve even asked that bitch of a com and she confirms that they samples were there. Now please tell us where you put them and for that matter how you managed to get them out of the med bag.”

“It’s like this Mel. There are these little orange people who live here. They’ve taken a dislike to you and the little wifey. So rather than have you procreate, they’ve either destroyed the samples or perhaps moved them into another dimension.” 

His tongue in cheek smirk at the end of these words enraged her. “LOOK YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE. I ASKED A SIMPLE QUESTION. YOU COULD AT LEAST HAVE THE COMMON COURTESY OF ANSWERING ME WITH THE TRUTH.” 

“Pardon me, I didn’t quite hear what you were saying.” Brian drawled. He dusted off the back of his jumpsuit. “Reggi, you don’t need to answer any questions the women ask. They are passengers and as such have no rights to interact with my ship’s com.” 

“Sure Boss, whatever you say.” Reggi answered directly to his inner ear link. “But they never shut up. I was tired of listening to them.” 

“Reggi, give me a break here. I’m stuck on this god forsaken planet with the bitches of Hell. The man I care for deeply is either a figment of my imagination or there are some great drugs in the air of this place. The chances of actually getting us all home are slim to none. Keep the bitches alive, but keep them the fuck away from me or anything important.” The whole time Brian was communicating to Reggi, he was walking toward the lake. He needed to wash, though he hated to remove the scent of Justin from his skin. If Justin was a vivid dream, he was a damn good one.

“Uh Boss.” Reggi began. “Justin is real. Or as real as he can be considering what the kid has been through. I ran some tests on him when you guys were doing what ever it is you were doing.”

“Having sex.”

“It doesn’t compute.” She snarked back though she knew exactly what they’d been doing. It had been a great opportunity to run some tests. They weren’t paying any attention to her and the Gloinzen who had aided her in her quest. The Gloinzen helped because close observation of human mating rituals was too good of an opportunity to pass up. And Reggi because while she felt she had proprietary rights as far as Mel and Lindsay were concerned, couldn’t say no to the human she adored when it was very obvious to her computer brain that there was a deep emotional connection between Brian and Justin.

“Reggi, I’m not going to talk about this now.” Brian stepped out of his jumpsuit leaving it in a puddle on the sand as he walked into the water. He couldn’t talk about it any more. He desperately wanted Justin to be real, but it made no sense. On the other hand, if the blond was real, then Brian was going to have face the reality of how he was feeling. He was going to have to face the inner terror that rose when he thought of Justin and realized just how much the blond meant to him.  

“But Brian…., Boss…. I checked him out, seriously, I mean he really and truly loves you. I can tell by his blood pressure.”

“Reggi, I’m not discussing this any more. I mean it, go play, or do whatever it is coms do when they’re stuck in a bag.” 

Reggi debated on whether she would return with something smart, instead she decided to let Brian off. Their relationship had been a rocky one over the years, but she had come to feel something akin to love, that is if a computer could feel love, for the man who was her boss. She knew his insecurities better than he knew them himself and she was pretty sure that Brian was afraid of what he was feeling for Justin. That is, if his vital signs were being read right and let’s face it, she was a Reggi com.

“Mr. Justin,” Reggi whispered out loud. She didn’t want to startle the boy. She could tell he wasn’t sleeping, but was in that half sleep, half awake part of a human’s day. “Mr. Justin.”

“Who’s there, I can’t see you know. But I can generally tell if someone is the room with me.” Justin sat up. He could tell that the girl who was calling to him, was not quite human.

“Oh dear, Brian didn’t mention that you were blind. I’m sure he would have said something.” She began slightly flustered. “I’m Reggi, the ship’s com. Of course the ship is rather indisposed at the moment.”

Justin laughed out loud. “How cool, Brian has a girl ship com.”

“Well, I gather I wasn’t his first choice, but you know, he rather grows on you. I’ve managed to become rather fond of him over the years.” 

“He is kind of great isn’t he?” Justin sat up, wrapping himself in the soft quilt. “We’re married you know.”

“Yes, I heard.” She paused. “I’m not so sure Brian thinks it’s real, but I’ll make sure he’s well aware that it is, don’t worry.” She giggled. “I can’t wait to tell those bitches he had as passengers.”

“I hope you’ll wait on that. I don’t think Brian wants it known.”

“Of course he wants it known, just not now. He is very smitten with you as are you with him. I read your vital signs constantly.”

“Reggi, you’ll look after him won’t you. I mean I have to go back soon. The Gloinzen will be taking me and I’m so afraid for Brian. Someone doesn’t want him to return. Not so much Brian, but they don’t want his passengers to return. I suppose once it’s known we’re married, he too will be hunted.” Justin wiped away a tear. “I just can’t have anything happen to him.” 

“I’ll do my best, but the man is too damn stubborn for his own good.” Reggi sighed, though of course, it was all just for effect. 

“You sound like a great ship com.” Justin smiled. “I have a rather nice one myself. Of course I also have my cougar Keisha. You’ll like her.”

“I accessed what information I had on the Kyllo and the Kitwanga in my data banks. You are old to be without a mate. I’m glad you found one in Brian, but I suspect it’s necessary to return. The Kitwangas really aren’t a pleasant kind of people.”

“No they aren’t.” Justin sighed. 

“Zuni of the Gloinzen has asked that I tell you two things.” Reggi began. “There is dust from the Monar Nebula woven into the chains of your necklace. This will allow you to contact the Gloinzen twice in time of great need. You only have to rub a few grains of the dust between your second finger on your left hand and your thumb and say, ‘please help’. Someone will come to you immediately. They will do their best to keep you safe as you are Brian’s mate. This is a great honor, for the Gloinzen do not interfere with others.”

“Why me?” Justin asked. 

“Brian is precious to the Gloinzen and you are his life mate. Of course they will protect you.” She paused. “As for the second part of what they wanted me to relay. This one is a one time only thing and must be used with care. If you take the ten grains of the dust and place it on your tongue. You will be able to see for twenty four hours. It might just come in handy, you never know.” 

“Those are great gifts.” 

“Yes, I thought that the Gloinzen used admirable choices.” Reggi said with a smirk in her voice. “Oh dear, I’m afraid Justin that Zuni is insisting you return immediately. Something about a wormhole. I really don’t understand what she’s saying, the girl speaks far too quickly.”

“But Brian, where’s Brian, I have to say goodbye.” Justin started to stand up, he needed to hold his lover one more time, to kiss him, to feel his touch.

“I’m sorry my friend, but it is time to return to your planet.” Zuni stood in front of Justin. He felt her small hand on his knee. “Please, your clothing, it has been washed and repaired.”

“I can’t go back to where I was being held.” Justin started to shake. He couldn’t bear to be confined that way again. He didn’t want to be anywhere near Ethan Gold and his black magic, at least not without having some way to defend himself. 

“You will be returned to your Keisha. It is her that calls out for you with all of her heart. She will direct our Shaman and he will give you back to her, for she has a mighty spirit that is filled with love for you.”

“Keisha is my friend. We’ve been friends for a long time.” Justin said, but his head was turned toward the entrance of the hut as he prayed for Brian to return. He sent a call out in his mind for the other man, but was met with only silence, for his powers didn’t work on Tilak. “I’ll go, promise me you’ll take care of Brian until I return for him.”

“He will be waiting for you.” Zuni agreed. 

As she said the words, the hut was filled with many Gloizen, surrounding Justin, waiting as he dressed. As his shirt slipped over his head, the air began to shimmer with blue light until it felt almost palatable. Had anyone been watching, they would have seen the Gloizen fade, one by one until only the Traveler was left. He took Justin by the hand and in a flash they both disappeared while the Gloizen hummed and moaned the travel song, or at least that’s what it would have sounded like. 

Brian knew without a doubt that Justin had left the planet. He’d surfaced from his swim out to the ship and felt the absence of the blond. “I’ll miss you Sunshine.” Brian whispered to the waves. “I’ll wait for you forever if that’s what it takes.” 

His heart was heavy as he swam to shore. He saw the girls walking to meet him, but he was in no mood for either of them. “Leave me out of whatever it is you’re bickering about.” He said, slipping on his jumpsuit, for once happy that it was still dirty so that he could smell Justin on the material next to his skin. 

“But Brian, we’ve decided that you can come and share our living space.” Lindsay began. 

“You think I’m going to fuck you, well think again. You aren’t getting any of me.” He continued to walk away from them, determined to talk to Reggi as soon as he could concentrate. Something he found hard to do with female whining buzzing in his head like so many mosquitoes. 

“Brian you know we don’t expect you to do that, though if we are going to be stuck here for the rest of our lives….” The words trailed off. 

“Linds, forget it. Besides, it’s only a matter of time before we get off of here. I can say that with confidence.” He grinned, knowing his grin would piss the two of them off.

“You can’t say that.” Melanie began.

“Yes, I can say that.” Brian stopped walking. He didn’t need them following him any closer to where he lived. “Now the two of you bugger off. I plan on doing some heavy duty napping.” He wasn’t going to sleep, but it was something they’d understand. 

“Brian, since you won’t move in with us, could we please have the ship com?”  Lindsay was trying not to whine.

“Oh you finally missed it did you?” he snickered. The Gloinzen had stashed it in his hut. He’d wondered when the girls were going to want to access Reggi’s data banks again. 
“Sorry, but Reggi wants a time out from the two of you and frankly I don’t blame her.”

“Brian, you stole it from us. We’re the ones trying to survive here. We’re the ones who’ve built a shelter and are working with the ship.”

“What ship?” Brian asked.

“Your ship.” Lindsay spat. “Oh, oh, it’s moved. It’s on the shore.” Her mouth dropped open. 

“You might as well see what you can do to clean her up.” Because she isn’t flying like that.” The ship had been raised and pulled in closer to shore by the Gloinzen, but Brian hadn’t expected them to beach it completely. 

“We need the ship’s com to run diagnostics.” Melanie began.

“Good try, clean it up, dry it out and then I’ll install Reggi, until I’m sure she’s safe in there, I’m not putting her back. Now go get your woman, she’ll fuck something up for sure.” He pointed to Lindsay who was already climbing through one of the hatches. He laughed out loud as Melanie began to run to the ship, shouting for Lindsay to wait. 

He entered the hut and wasn’t surprised to find Justin no longer there. He could still smell the ozone in the air from the transport beams. Brian flung himself on the thin mattress of sweet grasses, pulling the quilt up to his face and breathing deeply of the scent of the two of them. It had been a wonderful lovemaking, one he’d never forget.

“Mr. Brian.” Zuni said as she climbed up on his knee to sit on his lap. “Mr. Justin is sad, but he had to go home. Traveler will bring him to Keisha. Keisha needs him.”

“I need him Zuni.” Brian mumbled, pulling the small girl close to him almost like a favored doll. “I need him.” 


tbc