Elder Scar turns at the sound of Teresa's soft footsteps. Her sandals are held in one hand, dangling from three of her slender fingers. She holds one side of her gray strapless dress up off of the ground with her other hand. Scar watches her approach with gleeful eyes. In the beams of the enormous moon, Teresa looks positively beautiful. Reaching where Scar stands on the shore, Teresa gazes up at him.

  "I think...We need to talk first."

  Scar emits a low sigh, his eyes losing some of their sparkle. Is she still upset with him? Unlike Lex, this ooman female holds onto negative emotions much longer. One can't really blame her, considering everything the ooman doctor has experienced. However, it makes pleasuring her slightly more complicated. Even a touch at the wrong time, or in the wrong way, has set her off in the past. Afterwards, it took a lot of coaxing and improvising to return her to a state of mutual amicability.

  "You may speak. I will listen."

  "No. I want you to tell me something for once. What do you want out of this, Scar? And what did you overhear?"

  "I overheard nothing. And I expect nothing. You offered me no promises. You said so from the beginning. One cannot be disappointed...If they expect nothing at all."

  "That just isn't true, Scar. And you know it. I saw it in your eyes the other night. You were thinking of her. Eldress Lex. I can never be her, Scar. I wouldn't even try. I told you I wanted you to love me for who I am. I thought you understood why. My very first lover was human. I loved him more than anything...Or anyone. When I made the love pact with N-Vorl, aboard my science vessel, I thought I could forget Richard. If I buried him under memories of a new love, and a new adventure. I fell in love with N-Vorl, but it didn't erase the memories. Then, I was tortured by my own kind. They used N-Vorl against me. Love turned into something closer to fear. And still, there's Mau-Nis...Erilnis' father. He told me he loved me. And, I believed him. Turns out, he only wanted me to agree to travel here. Or so, he says. I believed Mau-Nis because I needed to believe him. Because he carries a part of my human lover with him everywhere he goes. A part that I gave him. The prototype weapon arm Mau-Nis wears...It belonged to Richard. I fell in love with a fantasy, Scar. And it begot me Erilnis—who only tolerates me. So much of my life has been mistakes and delusions. I don't want to be someone else's fantasy. If you cannot love me. Then, don't. I can't afford to be hurt anymore. The price is too damn high."

  Teresa's addition of an ooman curse word clues Elder Scar in as to how upset she has become. He blinks his round amber eyes twice and starts in her direction. He does not say a word. Teresa stiffens but does not back away. She allows him to get within a foot of her, breathing quickly accelerating.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  "Do you fear me also?" Scar questions, studying Teresa's face.

  "No."

  Scar cradles both sides of Teresa's face with his large hands.

  "In the beginning of our relationship...You said that oomans also believe that mating is not only for the vil'par. That there is such a thing called a...Friend with benefits. Have we transitioned to something more?"

  "I don't know. I think so. I was hoping you could tell me. It feels different. Not like it felt when N-Vorl and I were sneaking around aboard the California. That was quite an adrenaline rush. Always trying to stay one step ahead of the hunting party. Hoping the remaining contingent guards wouldn't wander in during the middle of our forbidden coitus. Once, I even thought Mau-Nis was onto us. Now, I wonder about that. This feels different. I feel calm and reassured when I’m with you, Scar. My mind doesn't race. I don't have constant images of torture and abuse flickering in and out of my brain. I can be myself around you. Perhaps, that is what is meant by benefits."

  "I would not know," Scar chuckles. "You oomans have strange ideas surrounding n'fiis. We yautja are much simpler creatures. N'fiis is a need all yautja share. There are seasons of mating, there are times of great need, and there is mating of convenience. The partaker is the only one who can decide which occasion their mating falls under."

  "I think it is something more. But I'm afraid to say that it is. I foolishly thought I could remain unattached. A huge part of me desperately wants N-Vorl to return. He's the father of two of my childlings. And he promised. I don't want to be yet another abandoned vil'par here on V’Daha. That would hurt too much. I welcomed your love because I didn't want the fear of abandonment to cripple me...To hurt my son. But now, I simply welcome it. And I think...I’m falling in love with you too."

  Elder Scar's amber eyes soften and he leans forward so that their foreheads are touching. He inhales deeply, taking in Teresa's scent. What she says is true, but what her scent reveals is even stronger. A barrier has been broken in her emotional struggle. Whatever had once held her back from obtaining true n'fiis is gone. A wide smile alters Scar's solemn expression.

  "I am pleased to hear you say this, Teresa. I have felt this way since nearly the very beginning. I do not love you because I wish you to be a newer version of my Lex. I love you for the strong will and energy which you possess. That is not quite the same thing. My Lex is gone. I know this. No matter how much I wish her back, she cannot return to me. In you, I saw a rekindling of my own spirit."

  "I don't know what to say," Teresa replies, the skin of her cheeks growing warm.

  "Then, we will say nothing more."

  Scar separates for a brief moment, stares into Teresa's eyes, and then kisses her passionately.