“Rommich?”

            I jumped out of my chair and winced as stiff muscles protested. “Ow. What time is it?”

            “Eight in the evening. Your housekeeper insisted I drag out to dinner. In a restaurant. Preferably one with no booze.”

            “Oh. Sorry. She can be rather forceful. Sometimes I think she regards me as a surrogate son. She certainly treats my children more like grandchildren than charges.”

            “Any recommendations for dinner?”

            “You like pizza?”

            “Who doesn’t?”

            “Beau Jo’s is good.”

            “Lead the way.”

            So I took him there. We spent the meal talking about children. Comparing war stories. My children were still young so I had no tales of rebellious teens or tearful goodbyes as they left home. I liked having someone to talk to who understood what I was going through. I stuck to water while Liam drank one of the sweet caffeinated drinks the natives seemed so fond of. Neither of us was willing to have a repeat of last night.

            “Thank you, Liam. I did need a break.”

            “So how is it going?”

            “Slow. I must locate and trace every connection between the alien womb and your body. If I miss one, you could bleed to death. On the plus side, it is providing the necessary hormones needed to support a pregnancy, so there won’t be a big shock to your system when I impregnate you.”

            “So when?”

            “Day after tomorrow. Or maybe the day after that.”

            He was silent as we walked back into my ship. I was surprised when he followed me to my door. “Did you change your mind about sex?”

            “No! That dragon you employ made me promise that you would eat and sleep. Absolutely no sex.”

            “Dragon? I thought such things were mythological.”

            He rolled his eyes, “Your housekeeper. So I am escorting you to your bedroom door. I am not tucking you in. Or reading a bedtime story. Or getting you a drink of water. Or checking under your bed for monsters.” He overrode whatever I had been about to say.

            I laughed as I recognized techniques my own offspring have used in the past to delay bedtime. “I suppose you won’t be bathing me then?” I asked innocently.

            He scowled. “No. I’m not supervising you either.”

            “Pity. Although I’ve noticed my sons usually require much closer supervision. Otherwise they manage to get water everywhere.”

            “I trust you’re old enough to keep the water where it’s supposed to be,” he commented dryly.

            “Yes, but only when bathing by myself.”

            He blinked, “Yes, well, good night, Rommich.”

            “Good night, Liam.”

“So what do I have to do?” Liam asked as we met in my lab.

“Just lie there. The machine will do the rest.” I gestured to the table.

“It won’t do anything to affect my ability to have more children?”

“No,” I reassured him. The scans took some time. Liam kept quiet. I wasn’t, strictly speaking, necessary, but it had been awkward between us this morning. I privately admitted to myself that I would have taken it as far as possible if he hadn’t gotten sick. I usually was so calm, so controlled even in the middle of sex, yet every time I was around Liam, I couldn’t keep my hands off of him. Even as I studied the screen in front of me, I was mentally undressing him. I knew how he felt in my mouth. I desperately wanted to know how he felt between my legs. Since he was the only male I had sucked, I couldn’t quite translate between the size in my mouth and how he’d fill my vagina. I thought he might be well-endowed. I certainly hoped he was. Although most of my male partners had been average-sized.

“Is it supposed to be doing that?” Liam’s voice broke into my thoughts. Apparently the machine had finished its scan some time ago.

“Oh. It’s finished.”

“So what was so engrossing on that screen? Girls Gone Wild?”

“What?”

“You know half-naked, drunk girls doing stupid stuff, maybe even some girl-on-girl action. Or guy-on-guy action.”

“No,” I blushed. “I am not watching videos of others engaging in sexual intercourse. To be perfectly honest, I’m not quite clear on the appeal of it. Or the proliferation of it in your culture.”

“It’s arousing.”

I just gave him a skeptical look. Maybe if they were actually in the same room with me, but not as a flat image. “Do you watch such things?”

“No.”

I relaxed. I suppose I would have agreed to view such videos if Liam had been interested. “Good.”

“I would have thought you’d be disappointed. Because two guys watching together is either gay or perverted.”

“I told you I don’t see the attraction. You are free to leave now. I need to analyze the data.”

He left without further comment.

          “Wha-?” Liam woke. He shoved me away. “What the hell? Why am I lying naked in your arms? What did you do to me, you alien pervert?”

          “I am not a pervert. Nothing happened.”

          “Nothing happened?! I’m naked! You’re naked!”

          “Half-naked,” I corrected. “You consumed toxic quantities of ethanol. I took off your shoes and shirt so you would rest more comfortably. You got nauseous and vomited. You fell asleep in my bathroom. If I was going to do anything, I would prefer to do it in a bed. Tile and metal do not make a comfortable bed.” I stretched.

          He glared at me for a moment before staggering to the sink to splash water on his face and to brush his teeth. I guess the lingering taste of bile in his mouth convinced him that I was telling the truth. “Hey! Wait a minute!” I paused in the doorway. “What the hell is this on my neck?”

          I moved closer to take a look. “It looks like bruise.”

          “It’s a hickey! You’ve get ten seconds to tell me I made out with a cute chick last night…”

          “Or what?”

          “Huh?”

          “What happens if I tell you that you did not?”

          He glared at me, nostrils flaring. “Then the whole deal is off,” he snarled.

          I snorted. “I love you. I want you. Do you really think I’ll leave you alone just because you refuse to cooperate?” I asked in a quiet voice. I got a flash of pleasure at seeing him pale. I’d abided by his wishes because I didn’t want to hurt him, but I knew the longer this state of affairs persisted the more desperate I would become. I’d already kidnapped and forcibly impregnated two people. If he backed out and forced me to resort to extreme measures, I would feel no obligation to even attempt to remove the alien womb.

          “What. Happened?”

          “Just a little foreplay. All above the shoulders. You got sick before anything more could happen. I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t.”

          “Just keep your hands and your lips to yourself,” he retorted.

          I nodded. “I’d like to run the tests after breakfast.”

          “Do I have to take off my clothes?”

          I shook my head. “It would be helpful, but I can manage otherwise, if you prefer.”

          “I prefer. I’ve been as up close and personal with you as I’d like today.”

          “Fair enough. One hour.” I left him to compose himself. I need to clean myself and change my clothes as well.

Eventually we staggered out of the bar. I awkwardly supported Liam’s weight while we waited for the cab.

“You know, Rommy, if you were a girl, you might be kinda cute,” he slurred.

I smiled slightly, “You are kinda cute, Liam.”

I managed to get us home without too much trouble. Liam stumbled a bit over the ground as I maneuvered him into my ship and to his room. He slumped on his bed while I undid the laces on his shoes.

“’m not screwing you, Rommy,” he mumbled.

“No, but I’m not letting you put your muddy shoes on my nice clean bedding.”

“Oh. ‘kay.” He wiggled his toes as I tugged one shoe off. I resisted the urge to run my thumb over his instep. Even the man’s feet were gorgeous! How was I supposed to suppress my desire for Liam if he kept flaunting his body?

“Feels good,” he murmured.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. My body throbbed with desire. I pulled off the other shoe and began unbuttoning his shirt. I leaned forward so I could ease it off his shoulder. I could feel his hot breath on my cheek. I turned my head slightly to press my lips against the pulse in his neck. He made a sound. I bit him lightly. His hands dug into my shoulders, but he wasn’t pushing me away. Encouraged, I began nibbling along his collarbone. I wanted to kiss him, but feared that he would reject me yet again if I was so overt in my attentions. I explored his neck and jaw. Abruptly I fell backwards onto my rear as he shoved me away. “Liam…!”

“Gonna be sick,” he mumbled through the hands clapped over his mouth. I could see he definitely looked queasy. He nearly tripped over his feet as he rushed for the bathroom. I followed and smoothed the hair off his forehead as he vomited. Not exactly how I’d planned to spend my night, but at least he wasn’t refusing my ministrations.

Eventually he fell asleep in my arms. The wall was cool against my bare back, but I didn’t mind. It was at that point I realized I’d lost my shirt somehow. Liam must have been really intoxicated.

I took him to the same bar. I wondered idly how he’d respond if I acted like Autumn did all those years ago. However, I was wearing pants and not a skirt, so it would be obvious to everyone. Besides, Liam would probably push me to the ground. If he wasn’t willing to do things in the privacy of his own bedroom, he certainly wouldn’t do anything in a bar.

“What do you want to talk about?” he asked after we’d gotten our drinks.

“Well, why do you want to be immortal? And what does having one hundred children have to do with it?”

“It’s traditional for the gods to set mortals a difficult task to prove their commitment and worthiness before granting a boon.”

“O-o-okay, but why immortality?”

“Why are you doing the hundred baby thing?”

“I am not privy to my leaders’ reasons for their policies, Liam.”

“Fine, but why you?”

“Oh, um,” I blushed. “I may have said something uncomplimentary in public about a relative of someone high up in the Space Exploration Authority.”

“What’d you do? Hit on him?”

“Why immortality?” I countered.

“That is a long story,” he brushed my question aside.

I took a long sip of my drink. “Mmm, I answered your question.”

“But no details,” he responded.

“It wouldn’t make sense to you. It’s taken me years to grasp the subtleties of your language and humor and I still don’t always understand.”

“Loses something in translation, huh?”

“You still owe me an answer,” I reminded him.

“Fine. Different question, though.”

We sipped in silence for a long time while I thought about the possibilities. “Why were you so angry when we got on the plane?” I finally asked.

He sighed and swirled the remaining liquid in his glass. “It’s complicated. I wasn’t angry at you.”

“Good. I’ve been behaving myself since, well, you know…”

His face darkened, with anger or embarrassment, I couldn’t tell. “I noticed. You’ve been different since Snowflake Day.”

“Yes. It gave me perspective being away from you. I love you, but I do not think I am ‘in love’ with you. If that makes sense. Based on the changes in my blood chemistry, I believe I am experiencing a state similar to being ‘in heat’ which explains my obsession with mating with you,” I frowned into my own drink. “I tried to find a way to counteract the drug I was given, but my efforts so far have proven to be unsuccessful. For the effect to last so long there must be a continuous source, but I haven’t found it yet.”

“Huh. I never thought of that.”

“You are not a scientist. What do you do for money?”

“I’ve written a few books. You?”

“Investments, mostly. And I hold a few patents.”

“Medical?”

“Yes. I perfected a method to permit two females to create a biological child together.”

“That was you?”

“Yes. Like many immigrants, I changed my name to blend in.”

He snorted, “Rommich, you have green skin and hair and pointed ears not to mention your eyes. Changing your name won’t help you ‘blend in’.”

“Yes, well,” I finished my drink. “I didn’t know that at the time. So why were you angry?”

“Persistent, aren’t you?”

“You should know that by now,” I rested my hand near his, not quite touching.

“Leah and Fancy are pregnant,” he muttered waving the waitress over for another round.

“How did that happen?”

“Didn’t you learn that in med school?”

I rolled my eyes. “I know that. I thought they were too young for you.”

He chugged his drink. I passed him my still untouched second glass. “They tricked me, of course.”

“I see.” I thought about that. Liam seemed to be really gullible. The older Montigo females had drugged Liam in order to have sex with him. Now the youngest tricked him into impregnating them. I yearned to touch him, to put my arms around him. I changed the subject to something less emotionally charged.

I decided to go to the graveyard. Liam found me there several hours later.

“Your housekeeper said I might be able to find you here.”

“So eager for my company?”

“No, your kid was following me around. It was kind of creepy.”

I moaned and hid my head in my hands, “I told him to leave you alone.”

Liam laughed, “My kids get crushes on their teachers all the time at their age.”

“Kiir doesn’t get out much. I’m glad you’re not offended or upset.”

“So why come here? It seems a little morbid.” He glanced around the cemetery.

I hesitated before answering, “It’s peaceful here. A good place to think.”

“About what?”

“Things. You. Me. Us.”

“There is no ‘us’,” he denied with a hint of anger.

“Liam, we’re planning on having children together. Regardless of our romantic situation, we will be connected for a very long time. I’m young for my species and you’re trying to become immortal. Not all of my children’s other parents are interested in remaining in contact. Those that have been ‘rejected’ hurt. I do not want that pain for our children.”

“I don’t love you.”

“I know,” I replied softly, “but that doesn’t mean we have to be enemies. I did not choose to love you. I was drugged against my will. Do you really think I could ever love you otherwise?” I was almost shouting at this point.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” he snarled.

“It means what it means,” I snapped back.

“Very Zen of you, but are you implying?”

I glared at him. He glared back. He actually looked cute. I felt my anger fade. “I’m sorry. I’m just frustrated with the situation. I did not mean to yell.”

“For a moment there I thought you might hit me.”

“My people do not settle disagreements by shouting or physical violence.”

“Well, hell,” he ran a hand through his hair. “Now what?”

I held out my hand. “Hello, my name is Rommich. I would like to have a child with you. Perhaps we could discuss it over dinner?”

He gave me an odd look. “Are you asking me out on a date?”

“Sort of. I would like to spend time with you. Just the two of us. Get to know you. It doesn’t have to be romantic.”

He stared at me for a long time. “What the hell, why not? Any good bars in this town?”

I blushed remembering my first visit to a bar. “Yes.”

“Stop blushing! This isn’t a date.”

“No. just remembering something.”

He eyed me skeptically but let it go.

         “Are you doing your schoolwork?”

          Amakiir jumped. “Of course.” He hastily exited out of whatever program he was running.

          “Amakiir, you cannot go barging into my guest’s quarters without permission. And don’t go asking permission.” I forestalled his questions.

          “Are you having sex with him?”

          I felt my face heat. “That is not really any of your concern.”

          “Are you going to marry him?”

          “No.”

          “But you’re planning on making a baby with him.”

          “Yes,” I admitted. I tried not to lie to my children.

          “Isn’t that wrong?”

          “What do you mean?”

          “Making a baby with someone you don’t care about.”

          I sighed, “It’s complicated.”

          “Did you care about my donor?”

          “No. But I care about you and your siblings and I wouldn’t change a thing.”

          “He’s cute.”  He gave me a speculative glance.

          “Yes, he is.”

          “I’ll finish my schoolwork.” Amakiir turned back to the computer. I waited, but clearly the conversation was over as far as he was concerned.