unwanted

chapter thirtyeight

unlost

If you had to be trapped on a spaceship then she'd picked the right one.

Right now, she was sitting on a rock looking out over the most beautiful lake she'd ever seen. She could feel the breeze in her hair. See the most spectacular sunset she'd ever seen.

It has been a long time since she's felt this peaceful. It's also been a long time since she's been able to sit back and not worry over the shit that was her life.

Yes, there was still tons to worry about, but she was allowing herself this time to just breathe.

Sure, the rock she was sitting on wasn't real. At least she didn't think it could be. It might seem as if she was sitting out on a lake, but the truth was, she was still stuck on a spaceship.

Somehow, Jai was able to make the walls disappear. Somehow, he was able to make it seem like she was outside.

If she tried to think about how it was possible, she'd give herself a headache, so she didn't bother trying.

This place made her little creek at home look like a mud pit.

The place was real enough. She thinks they were somewhere in Australia now. Yesterday it was Alaska.

Who could complain about getting to do all this traveling? Especially after everything she'd been through.

Jai was great. When he wasn't working, he went out of his way to make sure she was happy and comfortable.

He would even let her off this flying saucer. She could be enjoying this amazing lake for real if not for her watch dog.

Everywhere they went, he followed them. Showing up at least once a day trying to find her.

He could get close, he could feel her, but he couldn't find her.

And as long as she stayed on this ship, he wouldn't be able to.

"Hi honey, I'm home."

The scene around her disappeared and she was standing back in the middle of Jai's chrome home with its flashing lights everywhere.

She jumped up to greet them. "Find any goodies?"

Julian had two bags in his hands and Jai carried a wooden chest.

"Food wise, not so much. Some mystery cans, a few cans of soup."

"That's okay." Jai had plenty to nourish them with. It even tasted pretty good. Her one complaint is that you didn't actually eat it. It was kind of like the drink he gave her. Round balls that burst in your mouth and instantly filled you up.

She missed sinking her teeth into real food.

"We did find some clothes."

"Thank God. This jumpsuit is getting burnt."

"Along with this loincloth."

Julian's smile didn't reach his eyes.

Jess threw an arm around his waist and turned to Jai. "Thank you for taking some time away from your work to take him out."

"Anything for you, little one." His smile was soft and tender. "Did you enjoy the lake?"

"I did."

He sat his chest down so that he could kiss her cheek then he touched her face. "Enjoy it a little bit longer. I should be able to find what I'm looking for here very quickly and tomorrow we will be headed for some smaller islands."

"Sounds good to me."

"I won't be too late. Will you watch the stars with me tonight?"

"I can do that."

After another caress, he picked up the chest and went to deposit it out of the way. When he left, the lake was back.

"What are you going to do about him?"

"Hell, if I know." She grinned up at him. "Enjoy him?"

"Does he know that you're already taken?"

"Am I?"

When he cocked an eyebrow at her, she smiled. "I told him about all the men in my life. I don't think he's too concern about any of them. Not even you."

"I'm not the one I'm worried about. Has he been around today?"

"Around noon."

"Think him coming around is the reason you haven't gotten sick again?"

"If so then I could learn to live with that. He's close enough to help but I don't have to talk to his ass."

Julian dropped his bags and climbed up on her rock. "You haven't talked to me about what it was like to see him again."

She sat next to him and laid her head on his shoulder. "You haven't told me about that rat bitch yet."

"I can't talk about her. Not yet."

"You know I can only be patient for so long and then I'm going to kick your ass, right?"

This smile was real. "Yeah, I know."

"Good. Okay, if we aren't going to talk about him or the rat bitch, what should we talk about?"

"How about the love bird? One, two, or three? Or is there more by now? I can't keep up."

"It's not so bad. Adrian, who knows what that was. Or if I'll ever see him again. William was growing on me but if he's had his way, he's probably already bedded three or four girls by now. Jai is sweet but trust me, long before the thirty days are up, I'll be keeping him at a distance. No way I'm going to chance that shit. I let it happen once, no way in hell I'm stupid enough to let it happen a second time."

"Any way you could fall for him?"

"Been there and done that too. No, thank you." She looked out over the lake but feeling his eyes on her, she turned towards him. "What is it, babe?"

"I'm sorry I had the hots for an alien who tried to beat you to death."

"I'm sorry I fell for an alien who cursed me and left you to clean up the mess."