Strange Bedfellows

Author: Dari CasualOtaku  - NC-17 - English - Action/Adventure

 

 

"Strange Bedfellows--Part I"

Gene sighed and leaned back against his futon. Once again work was scarce and if he and Jim didn't come up with some money fast they were going to be in for it.

"Man....why does this always happen?" the redhead groused.

"We'd have some money if you'd quit getting into trouble and racking up fines, Gene," called a familiar voice from below.

Gene rolled over and stuck his tongue out at his partner. "Bite me Jim."

Before the pair could erupt into one of their usual fights, a cloaked figure entered the doors of the warehouse that housed their fledgling business. The pair quickly put on their best smiles, "Welcome to Starwind and Hawking Enterprises," they began in tandem. "How can we help you?"

The figure tossed an envelope onto the desk. "I'll get right to the point. Neither of us can afford to waste any time. I'm from Search Conv-Corp., and someone has something that's ours. I want it back. Details and a picture of it are in that envelope. We're willing to pay you 500,000 wong to do this."

Two sets of eyes grew very wide. Gene picked up the photo while Jim read over the details. "Hmm doesn't seem too hard." Gene replied staring at the odd oval shaped object. "What's so special about this thing?"

Jim let out a small squeak. "They want us to get it from Zanetfoi Inc.! Do you have any idea how heavily that place is guarded?"

Gene grinned, "Cool, we'll take it!"

Jim protested, "Now HOLD ON Gene! We can't just go rushing into this!"

The cloaked man replied, "Most of the details on that are classified, but I can tell you that it contains a discovery worth a lot to the scientific community. Search Conv-Corp. is willing to pay whatever necessary to get it back."

Gene rubbed his chin and smiled. "Well now...that sounds like my kind of commission!" Jim had a sense of foreboding, but he didn't mention it just yet. "Look mister, we'll need something up front. I mean, we will need some supplies.... How about this...," said the young blonde. "Give us 10,000 wong now...and the rest upon completion." He felt his haggler's blood hum. "With the option to add on for any excessive danger we may encounter."

The man's eyes narrowed, but he sensed that this youth wasn't going to give in. "All right," he rasped. "I'll pay you 10,000 now, but the lump sum had better not equal more than 700,000. I have my own reputation to look after, too." With that, he tossed two chips onto the desk, grumbling.

Jim fought the urge to grin. He'd just gotten the prize upped by 200,000 wong with only a minimum of effort, provided the man was telling the truth. He picked up one of the chips and put it into his laptop, after a few keystrokes his jaw dropped low enough to hit the desk.

Gene inquired, "What? What is it?"

Jim shook his head and came back to his senses. "We'll take the job, I'm sure it'll be a pleasure doing business with you...Mister...?" He held out one small hand.

"Just call me Professor," the man replied, taking Jim's hand in a vice-like grip.

Jim winced slightly. "All right...Professor. How do we get in touch with you once the job's done?"

Gene began to fidget. He sensed action in the air and all this talking was driving him nuts. Gods.... Can't we just go blow out the wall, grab the goods, and get our money? I still need to pay off that loan to Fred.

The Professor wrote a number down on a small slip of paper and handed it to the boy. "Tell 'em you wanna talk to Ol' Prof and you won't have a bit o' trouble." He smirked.

Jim tapped the number in one hand, and smiled. "Well then...I guess it's time for us to get to work. Ready Gene?"

Gene uncrossed his arms. Finally!! "You better believe it, let's stock up and get going. I can't wait to get some action!"

"Oh, you'll see plenty o' that, my boys," the Professor said cryptically, then left. The professor's voice drifted back to them. "Oh, and this oughta go without saying, but it better not be damaged!"

The pair waited until their new benefactor left the building and suddenly clutched hands. "This is it Gene!" Jim said with his eyes shining brightly.

Gene grinned. "We're hitting the big time."

Jim nodded, "We can pay off all our bills!"

Gene enthused, "We can throw a huge party!"

Jim's smile fell. "Is that all you ever think about Gene?"

Gene replied, "No.... But money's only good when you can spend it! I plan on having some fun with my share!"

Jim sighed. Great.... In other words, my half pays the bills and he runs amok. Why do I put up with you Gene Starwind?

"Because I'm charming," came the answer to the blonde's unvoiced question.

Jim sighed and pulled his hands free. "Well come on, 10,000 wong will get the car out of impounding and buy us some supplies. We'll need it, that place is a fortress."

Gene shrugged. "Don't worry about it. We get in, we get out, and we get rich. Easy."

A large bead of sweat formed on Jim's temple. We're going to get in trouble again.... Just think bills Jim...bills and a new paint job for the car.

*        *              *

A few hours later the pair pulled into the parking lot of Zanetfoi Inc. Jim pulled out his laptop and put a small bud style earphone to his head while Gene lowered the mouthpiece of his headset.

"Am I coming in Jim?"

"Loud and clear."

Gene nodded and began to inspect his cloak and body for all his weapons and ammo. "Okay.... Keep me informed and I'll be out in a blink. Just be sure you're ready to peel out. I doubt they'll be happy when they find this thing missing."

Jim rolled his eyes and began to pull up the blueprints of the building. "Just don't do anything rash Gene, it has to be undamaged. Okay?"

Gene grinned, "Hey trust me a bit will ya?"

Jim sighed and watched as Gene leapt nimbly out of the hovercar and ran towards the service elevator. The young hacker tapped some keys and cut off the alarms so his friend could enter. Good luck, Gene...

With Jim shutting down most of the security for him it didn't take Gene long at all to reach the lab where their bounty was stored in. Man.... This thing is HUGE!! Gene thought to himself. He looked around until he found an anti-grav pad and prayed it was powerful enough. Guess 0g does have its advantages...but uhuhuh...space.

Gene looked at the keypad keeping the force field around the object in place. "Jim?"

"Already on it.... Alpha, Sigma, Delta, Phi, Beta."

Gene punched in the code and the hum of the field ceased immediately. The object began to fall forward and the redhead hastily shifted the anti-grav pad to catch it. It landed with a heavy thud and he let out a shaky breath. That was close.... The large, bluish object radiated a strange light, but the light didn't seem to come from the object; rather it seemed that something inside the oval was glowing.

Gene blinked at the light, he was extremely curious, but even he knew it was a bad time to satisfy it. "Any alarms on this thing Jim?"

"Not anymore...." Jim replied as Gene heard a few clicks and a few flat disks he hadn't noticed before blinked then went dead. The redhead removed the tracers and began to push the pad out of the door. He was barely down the hall when all hell broke loose.

"Unauthorized removal of property from Genetics Lab One.... Repeat.... Unauthorized...."

"Shit!!!" Gene swore and began to push the pad even faster.

"What the heck is going on in there, Gene?" Jim cried out over the intercom. Even on the parking deck, lights were flashing. "Did you miss a tracer?"

Gene swore a blue streak. "NO!! I picked 'em all off. You must've forgotten one." He pulled out a pistol and fired several shots at the small army of guards that poured around the corner.

"I got 'em all!" Jim shouted. He had his own problems, he had to move the car before he was spotted. When he was safe again he continued. "You didn't take anything else out of there did you?"

Gene glanced down at the anti-grav pad. "Ummmm.... I'm kinda busy. Talk to you a bit later."

A guard in the troupe shouted, "Don't hit the pod! Your asses are grass if you do!" A chorus of "Yes, SIR!" greeted the order, then the guards began shooting at Gene. However, despite their leader's specific instructions, a stray bullet from the guards hit the pod and grazed it. A bit of bluish liquid oozed from the scrape, like blood from a wound. Immediately, the guards stopped shooting.

Gene took advantage of cease-fire by leaping onto the pod and loading his caster with a taser shot as inertia continued to carry him towards the guards. The mystical gun charged with a small whine and shot a ball of pure electricity at his opponents. Gene sailed past the sea of unconscious bodies with a slight smirk. "You guys need to improve your aim." He called over his shoulder with a grin. The grin fell when he turned back around just in time to see the wall he was about to smash into.

"Shit!!!"

The redhead leaned hard to the left and managed to make the turn with only a small scrape. "Jim.... Loading Door Phi10.... Open it..." He heard more angry voices behind him. "...And make it fast!"

The door opened just in time for Gene to sail through it and he found Jim waiting. The pair quickly wrestled the pod into their car and peeled out just as a fresh hail of bullets began to rain upon the fleeing vehicle.

Jim looked critically at the blue fluid seeping out onto his beloved carpet. "You damaged it, Gene! What if they take out of our pay for it?"

Gene kept his gun trained behind them, leery of pursuit. "Hey! We still got the 10,000, and that's enough to last a month. Don't be such a pessimist."

The pod shifted slightly, then began making a strange humming sound, and a shape could be seen within. The shape was...humanoid!

Jim turned back around at the strange sound and almost crashed the car as he goggled at the pod's contents.

Gene grunted as he was slammed against the back seat. "What the hell are you doing Jim! You almost made me loose my gu...." The redhead gaped as well as he caught sight of the pod. "What the hell did they have us get?!"

Jim forced his gaze back to the road amid a series of angry honks. "We need to pull over.... Isn't one of Fred's safehouses around here?"

Gene nodded numbly, "Yeah Fong's Pleasuredome..." He wished they had an alternative, but bodies in pods were bound to draw unwanted attention at any other location. My God...going to a place like that with an eleven-year-old and a body...I'm going to be labeled as a sicko for life!

Evidently, the pod wasn't waiting for a more secure place. It continued to hum, finally beginning to quiver slightly. The quiver increased to a steady tremble and a glowing split appeared at the top of the pod, slowly making its way down the outside.

"Goddamn it!!! Why can't it ever go smoothly!!" Gene screamed as he shoved the pod over a bit to open the seat partition that led into the trunk. Jim looked into the rearview mirror as the small alarm noting what Gene was up to went off. The young blonde whimpered as he saw the huge pools of fluid covering his back seat and the plush gray carpeting. Oooh.... My car...my baby.... He sniffed and pulled into the covered lot leading to Fong's Pleasuredome. I'll never get it clean...never.... The poor boy almost burst into tears. Gene sighed as he finally dug up his well-worn sleeping bag and turned to drape it over the pod.

Suddenly, a million tiny cracks spread outward from the center of the large split like a spider's web. The pod glowed a bit more, then cracked into shards, falling away from the contents. There, lying in the center of the remains of the pod was a young man with auburn hair and pointed ears. His skin was a dark bronze color; his face looked serene in sleep. Sprouting from just under his shoulders were...two pairs of iridescent, leaf-green wings, almost like a dragonfly's, but folded in a single line down his back. The larger pair of wings was set slightly above the smaller pair. Little more could be seen, as the boy was curled in the fetal position, but it was clear that he was unclothed...completely.

There was dead silence for several moments. Jim finally spoke up, diverting his gaze with a slight blush as he whispered, "Was HE what we were after?"

Gene couldn't seem to tear his gaze away. "Yeah," he said a bit breathlessly. "I'm sure he is.... Look at those wings.... I've never seen anything...or anyone quite like him." The pair continued to stare at the alien for a while, not certain what to think now that they knew their "cargo" was a living being.

The boy's jewel-like green wings shifted a bit, then his head raised up to look at Gene, fixing him with a confused, dual-colored gaze—one of the boy's eyes was purple, and the other orange. What...? Where...am I...?

Gene chuckled a little nervously, unconsciously answering the winged boy's unasked question. "Hey...uh.... We rescued you from the lab, and you're in our car."

Jim gave his partner an exasperated look. Smooth, Gene, real smooth... He turned to their new 'guest' focusing his gaze on the eyes. "This is Heifong.... How long have you been in there?"

"...Lab...? Car...? Heifong...?" the boy repeated, still confused. He blinked a few times, then pulled himself into a kneeling pose, unconsciously displaying his lithe frame. "I am afraid I have no idea what you have said...."

Gene looked over at Jim as their 'guest' made some odd musical sounds he assumed were some sort of question. "Did you understand that?"

Jim rolled his eyes. "What would make you think I'd know genius? You'll just have to improvise."

Gene glowered a moment then turned to the young alien. He pressed a hand to his own chest. "I'm Gene...." He pointed at the young blonde in the driver's seat. "That's Jim...." Then he pointed at the stranger himself. "And you?"

Jim sighed, "Brilliant Gene.... We don't understand him at all and you expect him to understand us?"

Gene growled, "Hey...you're the one who told me to improvise!"

Jim shouted back, "Fine.... I should've known better.... You idiot!"

Gene clenched his fist. "What did you say?"

A dulcet, alto voice interrupted, "Gentlemen, please." Both participants in the argument turned to look at the auburn-haired alien, the simple shock of hearing the winged boy speak a language they could understand silencing them both temporarily. "There is no need to argue," he finished.

They both blinked at him a bit blankly, then Gene recovered and slung an arm around Jim's throat pulling him in for a noogie. "Don't mind us, we always argue.... The kid here thrives on it."

Jim struggled. "Let me go Gene!!"

Gene sighed and did so, ignoring Jim's raspberry. "Well since it appears you do understand us after all...." He grinned at Jim, his expression clearly saying I won then turned back to the alien. "Why don't you tell us your name?"

The winged boy nodded. "My name is Reikiki Subsisto." He looked at each in turn as he spoke their names, "And if I understood correctly, you are Jim, and you are Gene?"

Jim sighed and nodded, blushing slightly as he realized he had a clear view of their bounty's front side. He quickly averted his gaze, not so much because he was naked.... Gene had a bad habit of walking about half-naked so that was no big... It was the fact he didn't know this person. Gene on the other hand had simply been through too much to let something like nudity phase him.

"Well Reikiki, it's nice to meet you... but I'm afraid we've got a bit of bad news for you," Gene said.

"Oh?" The winged boy tilted his head to the side and fixed Gene with a curious stare. "What would that be?"

"Well ya see, the lab we took you from wasn't exactly willing to let you go... so we need to hide out until the Professor can come and get you." The redhead tilted his head towards the large neon-bedecked building known as Fong's Pleasuredome. "We'll have to hide out in there...and in your present state..." He let his gaze run up then down Rei's body. "Well.... I hate to say 'attacked,' but that's precisely what you'd be."

Reikiki blinked. He'd understood less than a quarter of what Gene had said. "I...beg your pardon...?" he asked, hoping not to sound foolish.

Gene's smile took on a slightly evil hint Jim recognized. Oh no....not again.... "You are such a FLIRT, Gene Starwind!!"

Gene grinned and turned his gaze to Jim a moment. "What? I'm just being honest.... He's cute, he's naked, and you know that crowd would jump him in a heartbeat."

Jim rolled his eyes, "You mean you would jump him, you hentai."

Gene shrugged. "Hey...dirty old men have to come from somewhere. I'm just starting early." He turned back to Rei. "Anyway...as I was saying before we were interrupted.... I'm going to tell them you're my entertainment for tonight to keep anyone else from trying to grab you." The grin grew more lopsided. "Jim there already knows how to handle himself. So I can just keep my eye on you."

Rei's confused expression stayed a moment longer, and then his face took on a look of suppressed shock. From the little time they'd known the winged boy, he seemed to them to be restrained in showing his emotions. Oh, dear.... I may have gotten myself into one very large mess....

"Don't look so worried." Gene said. "All you have to do is stick by my side and decline any offers. It's not as if we'll have to do anything. We just lay low until the Prof shows up and everything is dandy!" The redhead gave him a wink, then turned to Jim. "Guess we'll have to cough up some wong, but it's better than being caught. You get in touch with the Prof and I'll take care of Rei here." The gunslinger dove back into the trunk a moment and came up with a collar.

Jim took it with a sigh. "I hate pretending I'm a boy toy."

Gene shrugged, "It's either that or you fight off all the shota-hentai. If I looked like slave material I'd wear one too."

Jim grumbled and slipped the collar over his throat...."Fred better be glad I like him..."

"What, then, should I do about my...present state of undress?" Rei asked, forcing down the dread that set off warning bells in his head. He might not be the brightest thing as far as the ways of the world, but he knew places he should avoid. This "Fred's Pleasuredome" seemed to be one of them. However, it didn't look like he could avoid it this time.

Gene pursed his lips a moment, then shrugged off his cloak. He kept the smaller of his guns, and his caster, before loading all the rest into a bright metal case located in the back seat and punching in a coded lock. He then shoved the case into the trunk and locked it back as well. Task done, he began to hand Rei the now empty cloak. "Here...borrow mine." He looked critically at the blue liquid still covered parts of the alien's lithe body. "We definitely have to get a room with a shower."

Rei accepted the garment, looking at it a moment to figure out how it was worn. Once he figured it out, he donned the garment, somewhat surprised that it was actually a bit too long. "All right," the winged boy asked, "is this presentable?"

Gene shook his head. "Nope! But it'll have to do... If they don't milk us for all our wong I'll try to get you something in there. They're bound to have pants at least. Even if they are leather..." The red-haired man trailed off softly as an image of the alien in black leather pants and a wide-holed matching top flitted through his thoughts. He'd be so cute.... Wonder if he's into men?

Rei nodded. "All right then...." He could sense the emotions dancing through Gene's mind and was somewhat confused at them. He knew Jim was upset, but Gene.... There were emotions in the redhead's mind that he didn't understand at all....

Gene realized he'd grown quiet and quickly put on a bright smile. "Well let's get too it! We can't sit in the lot all day!"

Jim rolled his eyes and grabbed his laptop, tucking it into his jacket before leading the way to the club. When the bouncer tried to hassle them at the door he gave the man a dry look and flashed his collar. He was immediately let in while Gene haggled over entrance. "5000 wong?!? Are you insane?! It was only 1000 wong just last week!" Gene cried.

The bouncer replied in an impassive tone. "Yes...when you brought half the space fleet after you."

Gene growled. "Hey that charge was dropped.... It wasn't my fault."

The bouncer shook his head. "Our clients get nervous around cops, Gene... The increased price stands."

Gene sighed. "Look we only have 2000 wong with us, can't you give us a discount??"

The bouncer shook his head, then paused. "Well.... There is one client who's been asking for something...different. And you're about as different as they come. You could work off your entry fee."

Gene groaned and dropped his head. "Look, I can't play uke. My friend here needs me to protect him."

The bodyguard smiled slightly. "Even better, he wants to watch."

Gene gaped slightly, a huge sweatdrop forming on his head. "Umm...Rei?"

"Yes, Gene?" he replied in a slightly worried tone. He was afraid he knew where this conversation was heading....

Gene bit his lip. "Well, whadyasay? Are you willing?"

Rei blinked. "Er.... It appears we have little choice...."

Gene nodded, letting out a whoosh of breath. "All right, you heard the man." He straightened up and waved his hand in a pleading gesture. "Can we get a mirror room? The one-way glass is a lot easier for me."

The bouncer smiled a little more. "I'll see what I can do..."

"Excuse me," Rei interrupted. "Do you suppose, perhaps, that I could possibly get something more...appropriate to wear...?" He indicated the borrowed cloak with a sheepish gesture.

The bouncer turned to Rei, and paused, momentarily taken aback by the dual colored-eyes. He'd seen aliens before, so the ears weren't that big of a shock, but those eyes... The large man mentally shook his head. "I'm afraid the only costumes that are going to fit someone your size are our bondage outfits. You can feel free to look them over while we prepare the room. Do you boys want any toys?"

I refuse to ask what type of "toys" he means.... The winged boy shook his head, fighting a blush.

Gene grinned, he'd love to use a toy or two, it had been so long...but Rei didn't seem to be a good choice for using them. "Just the basics. Rei's a bit new to this."

Meanwhile, Jim was ensconced in Fred's office. The only thing was...there was no Fred. Oh well...I didn't really need to be glomped anyway...guess I better get to work. The young blonde took a seat at the desk and pulled out his laptop. Okay Prof... Time to pay up...big time.

 

Strange Bedfellows--Part II"

Rei looked around the spacious changing area, barely able to keep from shaking. Here was a man he didn't even know other than a name, "Gene," and he was expected to.... The winged boy gulped nervously, and tried to think about something else.... Getting some clothes seemed like a good distraction. When he got a good look at the clothes the bouncer had been referring to, however, he thought again. "Good Gods!" he gasped, blushing madly.

Gene paused in the removal of his own clothes, and immediately drew his gun. "What...what is it? Did they find us?"

"Er...no.... I apologize for startling you...." Rei replied. "They expect me to wear THIS? There is little difference between wearing these and going naked!"

Gene put up his gun and walked over to where Rei stood. "That's the idea...to leave only the most important things covered. Just enough to make you... I mean a person fun to undress."

The alien glanced at Gene, who had his shirt and shoes off and pants unzipped. ...Even his battle scars are handsome.... Rei thought. He looked away quickly, blushing a little more.

Gene blinked at the blush, he'd shown more skin at the local bathhouses, so why the blush? He grinned suddenly. "Reikiki Subsisto...are you a virgin?" Rei didn't reply, but his silence spoke volumes. Gene snickered.... "My God...I haven't had a virgin in ages. Don't worry Rei...I'll be gentle." The redhead ran his hands along a row of clothes. "How about this: you choose something for me...and I'll choose something for you."

Rei fought back the blush with an effort and nodded slightly. "I have no idea what to choose...."

Gene smiled gently, "Whatever catches your eye... Here I'll start." He picked out a pair of pants; the black leather gleamed so brightly it looked almost wet. He handed them to Rei. "Put these on, then choose something for me." Rei nodded and accepted the garment from Gene, quickly donning it. He looked back at the redhead when he'd finished putting them on, not quite sure what to say.

Gene blinked; the pants didn't look like they'd be quite THAT tight. "You look great..." He grinned. "Now choose an item for me." Rei looked back at the rack of clothes, somehow immensely pleased that Gene was happy with his clothing. He looked at the articles of clothing a moment, then decided just to reach for one. Gene accepted the bright white peasant top with its loose flowing sleeves and lifted a brow. "You going for the classic pirate look?"

The winged boy looked away once again, muttering almost under his breath, "I...was unsure what to choose.... I simply picked one at random...."

Gene shrugged and slipped the shirt on, tying the slim ties in a loose bow. "That's fine...now let's see." He hummed slightly as he tried to dig up one of the shirts he'd envisioned. When he couldn't find one he settled for the next closest thing. "C'mere...you'll need help with this." Rei looked at the garment Gene held, and raised a slightly shocked eyebrow. The shirt (if it could be called one) looked like little more than a few straps and silver rings. But nonetheless, he walked to Gene, not quite sure how the thing was put on.

Gene turned the straps in his hand until he found the right angle. He slipped the large diamond shaped opening over Rei's head and smoothed the two largest straps so they fell in a straight line down the center of the alien's back and chest. The silver rings settled just between Rei's pectorals and shoulder blades, connected by two smaller straps of the same black leather. "Can you lift your wings a bit Rei? I need to get this over your waist." Rei shivered as the cold metal touched the sensitive skin of his back, but lifted his wings so that Gene could do whatever else he needed to with the garment.

Gene slipped the strap in the small space between the iridescent wings, and used the Velcro to make it snug. He paused once it was done and looked at the delicate pattern of veins that ran like lace through the shimmery translucent green. "You have beautiful wings Rei." Gene said softly, before moving down and fastening the strap around the alien's hips.

Rei blushed at the compliment. "I.... Thank you, Gene..." he returned just as softly.

Gene smiled warmly and ran a hand over his new companion's back, tracing the smooth skin with his gloves. "It's your turn to choose something for me...see anything you like?"

As Gene's gloved hand passed over his back, Rei shivered. His back was a very sensitive area. Then he turned his gaze back to the rack of clothing and actually looked this time before he picked something out. It turned out to be a pair of black leather pants with laces up the side. After visualizing exactly what Gene would look like in the garment, he handed them to Gene with a lopsided smile, his face still a bit red.

Gene fought the urge to tease when he saw Rei blush. Instead he simply began to remove his own pants and underwear so he could slip the tight black leather over his legs. They ended up hitting him just a bit too high over the ankle, but the finished effect was quite impressive nonetheless. "There..." the redhead said before turning around and heading to the shoes. "How do you feel about combat boots Rei?"

The winged boy raised an eyebrow. "I could tell you if I knew exactly what you meant..." he replied.

Gene picked up a pair of shiny black combat boots and held them up. "These... they're a bit heavy, but they'll go with the theme of your outfit. Hmm ugly laces though..."

"Ah, I see," the auburn-haired boy replied. He took the boots from Gene and put them on, unconsciously giving the redhead an enticing view of his leather-encased backside. Gene grinned and took off his gloves before giving the tight butt a light squeeze. Rei let out a startled yelp and straightened quickly, blushing madly when he realized exactly what had happened. He saw the grin on Gene's face and his blush deepened.

"Heh.... It was so cute," Gene said without an ounce of chagrin. "I couldn't resist." He draped his arm over Rei's shoulder. "Now...which ones should I wear?"

The winged boy raised an eyebrow at Gene, still not understanding his behavior, but not wanting to question it. He looked at the footwear and considered the redhead's current outfit. After a quick perusal, he selected a pair of knee-high boots. "What about these?"

Gene blinked at the choice; he'd never worn boots like that before. Oh well.... There's a first time for everything, he thought as he plopped down onto a bench to begin working the boots up his leg.

Rei watched as the redhead worked somewhat clumsily with the boots. "Do you require my aid?"

Gene let out a slightly strangled sound. "Ummm...okay." He stopped struggling with the boot and lifted his leg. "Give it a good shove." Kneeling in front of Gene, the winged boy took hold of the sole of the boot and did as Gene suggested. The boot slipped on with relative ease. Rei smiled; those kind of boots were easy to put on. He used to wear them all the time. Gene's cheeks turned a very subtle shade of pink as he looked at the young man kneeling in front of him. He felt a definite stirring in his groin from the suggestive position. He shook his head slightly and put on a grin. "Ready to go?"

Rei remembered exactly what was expected of them and became nervous again, his heart beginning to pound against his ribs. Gene had promised to be gentle, but.... The winged boy stood. "I...suppose so...." he replied, nodding slightly and looking at the floor.

Gene sighed and reached out to cup Rei's cheek. "Hey...don't sweat it. We'll start slow.... Our audience may just want some heavy petting. Believe it or not...they don't always want the full show."

Rei nodded. "Will they at least tell us what's expected of us, or are we supposed to guess?"

Gene stood up and did a few last minute adjustments to his outfit as he spoke. "It matters really... some of them are very vocal in what they want...others will make you guess." The redhead stomped his feet a few times to try and get used to footwear with heels and continued. "I'm afraid we won't know until we're in there. They'll speak to us over the intercom."

"I understand," the winged boy replied with a nod.

Gene smiled, and began to speak again, but the bouncer had returned. "Your room's prepared...you boys all set?"

The redhead nodded and pressed a gentle hand to Rei's back. "Come on.... Let's get this over with." I always feel a bit weird when I'm reduced to this.... I'm sorry I had to drag you in with me Rei, the outlaw thought to himself as he let his eye's roam over his companion's body. Though I must say I'm not sorry I'll get to touch you. Too bad it couldn't be under better circumstances. Rei simply nodded and followed the bouncer to the room that had been prepared for them.

The room was fairly Spartan, only a bed, a nightstand and a small sink. The walls were a dark industrial gray, the sheets were black cotton, and the lighting was almost harsh in it's brightness to keep any shadows from blocking the view.

Gene stared at the mirror, wondering what sort of person was on the other side. Someone hideous, who felt that this was their best option; perhaps a business tycoon who felt the need to control a sexual encounter? The redhead sighed, for now they were simply the one paying his ticket to safety, and that was all.

He turned back around to look at Rei. "Ready?" The winged boy had no idea what to do, but answered Gene's question with a nervous gulp and a nod of his head. Gene turned back to the mirror and cocked his hip. "We're ready when you are.... What would you like to see?"

The intercom popped on, and the voice that came over carried the distinct warble effect of voice scrambling. "A kiss...kisses are always a good way to start off..."

*        *              *

Right about the time Gene and Reikiki entered the room, Jim finally made it through to their mysterious benefactor. "Jim, right?" the Professor inquired. "Did you get it?"

Jim sighed. "Yeah we got it..." Then his expression grew a bit thoughtful. "But only the contents survived the trip out."

The Professor frowned at that. He realized that Jim and Gene knew what had been housed inside the container. "Were the contents damaged?" he asked.

Jim tapped his fingers against the desk. "No...Reikiki is fine...if a bit confused. You do realize kidnapping was never mentioned in our agreement."

Prof looked taken aback. "Kidnapping? I never asked you to kidnap anyone. I asked you to get back a scientific discovery, and you did, correct?"

Jim frowned, "He looked like a living breathing person to me. Even if the wings are a bit of a shock...so in my book that counts as kidnapping. Exactly what were you planning on doing with him when you got him?"

"I told you the details on it were classified," Prof returned. "You'll get your money anyway. What do you care?"

Jim paused a moment; they really did need the money, but was it worth knowing what Rei would most likely be subjected to? The young blonde tried to remain impassive, to tell himself Rei was just another specimen. He growled and shook his head. "WHAT were you going to do? The deal's off and we keep him unless you tell me why you want him so badly!"

The Professor leaned in a little closer to his own video screen. "Listen, brat. That's classified. I could tell you, but I'd have to have you shot after I did. You've got one hour to return it, then we come after all three of you. Got it? Now, what do you say? You turn it over to us, you get your money and we forget we met. You don't, and there'll be Hell to pay."

Jim sighed again. Looks like I'm the one who's going to bring the roof down on our heads for a change. He gave the Professor his sweetest smile and replied. "Go to hell...and have a nice day."

Prof was startled a moment, then his eyes narrowed. "Fine. You wanna play hardball, have it your way. But don't say you haven't been warned...." With that, the video screen went dead.

Jim let out a shaky breath and fell back against the seat. Looks like we won't be able to stay on Heifong anymore... I'd better find Gene so we can get the hell offa this mudball. I just hope I don't have to knock him out for the trip.

*        *              *

Meanwhile, Gene had just finished his first tentative kiss with Rei. "You know...you taste pretty good Rei."

The winged boy was slightly out of breath from the kiss, managing only a nod in reply. When he found his voice again, he replied, "As do you, Gene...." Gene smiled and let his lips trail over his companions cheek, and on down to the slim throat. He suckled the delicate skin above Rei's pulse gently as he let one of his hands slide over a lithe arm and the other over the tight butt he'd grabbed earlier. Once again he gave it a little squeeze. This caused Rei to jump, bringing their hips into contact. The winged boy's heart began to beat faster when he noted the redhead's aroused state.

Gene let his other hand drop so he could pull Rei's hips into closer contact with his own. He ground their arousals together as he nipped the alien's throat gently. "Getting excited Rei? That's good...real good." A soft moan passed Reikiki's slightly parted lips at the feel of the other man against him. Not quite sure what to do with his hands, the winged boy idly traced a gentle finger over one of the scars on Gene's arm.

Gene smiled at the gesture. "I'm afraid scars don't feel much." He took Rei's hand and guided it to his nipples, "These on the other hand." The outlaw shivered as he helped the alien brush his fingers over the dark reddish-brown nub. "These feel quite nice."

Soon Rei had caught the hang of it and experimented a little, lightly pinching the bud of flesh with careful fingers. Gene let out a small hiss. "Ahhh...that's even better. You're a fast learner." He let his own hand slid up to gently rub Rei's nipple with callused fingers. "Let's see if you like it too..." The winged boy shut his eyes tightly, inhaling a deep breath at the feel of Gene's fingers, releasing the breath in a thin moan.

The voice over the speaker was a very unwelcome intrusion, but the space pirate covered it well. "Why not move to the bed? I think it's time you both got more...comfortable."

The outlaw forced himself to smile. He'd almost forgotten they weren't alone. Oh well...the man's right.... These boots are killing me. He pressed his lips to Rei's ear and let his hands drop so he could lift the alien against him. "Put your legs over my hips Rei." Rei did as he was instructed, a bit confused at the request. Gene claimed his companion's mouth hungrily and walked them over to the bed. He almost put Rei on first before he remembered the wings and quickly turned around. The redhead let himself fall across the sheets, pulling Rei with him. Rei returned the kiss, hesitantly running his tongue over the redhead's bottom lip.

Gene shivered slightly then let his hands slide up to begin undoing the straps of the alien's simple 'shirt', the rasp of Velcro was harsh in the silent room, but somehow...erotic.

Once he had all the straps freed, Gene took hold of the leather and began to pull it off with infinite care. He couldn't wait to feel Rei's bare chest pressed against his own, but he didn't want to damage those lovely wings. While the redhead busied himself with this, Rei pulled at the ties that he could reach on the shirt Gene wore, untying them and slipping a hand inside to brush two fingers down the center of his companion's chest.

Gene tossed the bundle of rings and straps into the corner and shrugged out of his own shirt, all while keeping his lips locked to his companions. It was still hanging over his forearms when Rei's fingers began their exploration of his chest. "You sure you've never done this?" he asked with a slight groan.

"I...have never gotten much further than this...." Rei replied, blushing slightly.

Gene smiled. "That's okay...we all start off virgins. I tell you what... Why don't you stand up real quick so we can get the pants off, and I'll show you a bit more, ne?" The winged boy's blush deepened a bit, but he stood, as Gene suggested.

Gene's hands went to the tight black leather covering Rei's lower half. The outlaw could almost see himself in the shiny material. Then the slight hiss that announced the speaker being activated came on again. Gene finally lost his patience. "Look pal...you're really breaking the mood here...if you want your show just keep quiet and watch!!"

"'Fraid it's not your voyeur, Starwind," a familiar, non-scrambled voice said over the intercom. "And we have someone here that you might wanna listen to."

Jim growled and wished he was as good with a gun as Gene. "Get out of here Gene!! They were on to us the whole time!! I couldn't find Fred anywhere and we..." The rest was cut off and the distinct sound of a tranq gun's hiss came over the speakers.

Gene sat up abruptly, barely reaching out in time to keep Rei from tumbling off his hips. "You assholes!! Who do you think you're messing with? Nobody tranquilizes my partner and gets away with it!!"

Prof.'s voice came over the speaker again. "You give us the alien and we let you both go and pay your money to boot. You don't give it to us and I'll do more than tranq him."

Rei stood and faced the mirrored glass. "My name is not 'the alien.' I am Reikiki Subsisto, and I will thank you to refer to me as such," he said calmly.

"Well, then, Reikiki Subsisto," Prof replied. "Have a nice nap." No sooner were these words out than a man barged into the room, tranquilizer gun raised. Before Rei could turn, the man fired the dart, hitting the auburn-haired boy in the back, right at the root of his wings. Pain shot through him and he screamed. Rei collapsed to his knees, then fell on his face.

The man drew a gun and trained it on Gene. "Don't move," he growled.

Gene snarled, and kneeled beside his fallen comrade. Jim...Rei.... SHIT.... What the hell am I supposed to do? He glared at the gunman. "What have you done?! Where's Jim!?"

The aging Professor walked into the room half-carrying an unconscious Jim by a hand clamped around the boy's arm. "Now, Gene Starwind, we make a trade." He leveled his own gun at Jim's head. "That alien for your little pal. Otherwise he ain't gonna be happy when he wakes up. If he wakes up at all."

Gene felt his anger skyrocketing at the way his friend was being manhandled. He wished he'd brought a gun, he'd love to blast the Professor in the face. "You bastard...." I swear I'm going to make you pay. The outlaw growled and slowly put his hands behind his head to show he wouldn't fight. At least, not at the moment.

"Good choice, pirate," Prof. continued. A couple of his men pulled Rei roughly into a semi-standing position, not seeming to care about the winged boy's delicate bone structure. "If this--" he indicated the room-- "...Was all you wanted this alien for, I think we should have it. At least it won't be used as a whore if it's with us." The aged man fairly tossed Jim at Gene. "And if you follow us, we'll kill this alien very painfully, got it?"

Gene wasn't able to keep it back. "I brought him here to protect him from you, sick bastard.... I didn't force him to be here, and at least I treated him with something close to affection!"

"Whatever," Prof. replied, waving his free hand. He made another gesture, and one of his men tossed a handful of chips at Gene. "There's your money, hotshot," the aging man groused, then he and his men left the room with Rei.

Gene watched them go feeling extremely frustrated at his helplessness. He pulled Jim into his arms and checked his vitals, breathing a sigh of relief as he found the heartbeat strong and steady. He glared at the chips; they seemed to mock him, and if he could he'd have vaporized them on the spot. Instead he gathered them up; it would be a fitting irony for the Professor to pay for Jim's care and the weapons he'd need to get Rei back.

*        *              *

After a short trip, during which Rei had awoken (and fought like Hell to get away, which made the doctors administer a sleeping gas to make him keep him quiet), Prof. and his men arrived at Search Conv-Corp. They carried Rei into a white room with nothing inside but a single table with straps on it.

"Prepare to examine the alien," Prof. instructed his men. They strapped Rei to the table as Prof was putting on a surgical mask, gloves, and a surgeon's gown. After securing the winged boy to the table (and on his back, no less), the men who'd nabbed Rei left, and a host of others dressed similarly to the Prof entered the room. Prof. retrieved a pair of surgical scissors from a nearby table and began to cut away the leather pants Rei still wore.

The winged boy began to awaken, and when he saw his predicament, he began to struggle against the straps. But, as though it had been planned that way, every time he moved, the table under him scratched his wings. Finally, with a stifled sob, he gave up and lay quiescent as the doctors began their examination....

*        *              *

Gene sighed as he left Jim in the care of the hospital staff. Their questions had made him terribly uncomfortable; it was as if he couldn't care about Jim and not have some sick motive in mind. Okay so maybe the fact he'd rushed in half naked still in costume with Jim bruised and in a slave collar had a bit to do with it... It was only when he'd handed over one of the 100,000-wong chips the Professor had tossed him that the questions stopped. He let out a rueful chuckle. They can pretend to be noble all they want...it still boils down to money.

The outlaw sighed as he though back over his short time with the alien. The cute blushes, his soft lilting voice, his friendly nature.... He couldn't leave him in the hands of those scientists. Money made things easier, but some things simply weren't worth the cost. He knew guilt was one of them. I'll find you Rei...and I'll set you free. I promise.

Gene sighed again and went back out to the car. It wasn't his forte, but he'd have to dig up what information he could. It was obvious Fred was no longer in charge of Fong's. The man was strange, but very loyal. He'd never sell him out after he'd paid the price. If he could find Fred, the 'businessman' might have the answers he'd need.

A few minutes later he was literally beating his head against the desk in frustration. He couldn't find anything about where Rei might be, and he couldn't even find Fred. "AAAUGHH!!! How the heck does Jim do it?!?"

All of a sudden a news flash-type item popped up on the laptop. Something about an amazing discovery by a dark horse in the field of scientific research--Gene's eyes widened at the name--Search Conv-Corp. Reading through the article, it appeared that they'd found a single specimen of a species of humanoid creatures thought to have died out millions of years ago.

Oh yeah! That's it.... Fate must be on my side. He picked up his gun, and headed towards the door. He didn't expect to find Jim leaning against it.

"You weren't thinking of leaving without me, were you Gene?"

Gene shut his jaw and grinned. "It wouldn't be same without you. Did you bring any supplies?"

Jim grinned as well, "Of course! I know you well Gene Starwind, which is why I pickpocketed a few chips from you before you handed me over to the hospital. You should have seen the look on your face when they asked if you were my Dad."

Gene stopped patting himself down. He didn't bother asking how Jim had managed the trick, it was enough that it would save them some time. He grinned at his young partner and hopped into the car. "All right! Let's go!"

Jim slid behind the wheel and took off. "You know it.... Oh and Gene...never take up hacking. You left a trail a mile wide, it took me almost an hour to cover your tracks." The familiar sounds of their arguing filled the air with an odd sort of camaraderie as Jim sped towards the building where they would find the young Perdaetan.

*        *              *

Rei huddled nude in a corner of the cell-like room they'd placed him in, or rather, had thrown him in. His wings were scratched and aching--bleeding in some places--his entire body was sore from being poked and prodded, and his vision was blurry from something they'd injected him with.

It didn't get bad until they found out that he was empathic. He'd attempted to convey his displeasure with the situation via mental links. Actually, at first it was quite funny, watching all the doctors and scientists try to figure out where those emotions had come from and seeing their expressions when he launched a "bullet" of his feelings. But when they realized Rei was the source of the feelings, they drugged him with something that wouldn't let him concentrate enough to focus.

The winged boy'd had no defense whatsoever after he'd been drugged, and to tell the truth, he really didn't care by that point. He sorely wished himself dead, realizing that it would always be like that, for as long as he stayed there. He prayed to the god Oguusti that he would be struck down so that he wouldn't have to suffer anymore.

But he had more important things to worry about. Today had been the external examination, which, despite his condition, was relatively benign.

Tomorrow, however, was the internal examination.

Strange Bedfellows--Part III

Gene stared at the huge industrial building, taking in the cameras and other obvious safety measures. Then he began to pick out the more subtle ones: sensors...and likely spots for hidden surveillance. "Shit! And I thought the first place was tough..." Jim chuckled and handed Gene a keycard. "There's scrubs in the trunk...along with more caster shells. Just make certain to cover your cheeks. The scars are way to distinctive."

Gene pulled out the ugly green robes and peeled off his cloak, dimly noting it still smelled like Reikiki. "I know.... I know...you don't have to tell me. Just keep them out of my way, okay?"

Jim gave him the thumbs up. "You got it!"

*        *              *

Rei sighed. I hope Gene and Jim were able to get away safely, he thought, beginning to shiver from the cold in the small room. Gene.... I am sorry.... I caused you so much trouble.... And now I will never get to apologize to him.... He sighed. I suppose it is for the best.... Without me, Gene and Jim will be able to escape much easier....

His mind was wandering, unconsciously sensing his surroundings. He felt a familiar mind brush against his. It was a distance away...and his head still wasn't quite straight.... Gene?! No, what are you doing?! Worry about yourselves, forget me...! Gene wouldn't be able to hear his thoughts, he knew, but his mind was too far gone at that point to register that little fact.

*        *              *

Gene did his best to pretend he actually belonged amongst all the green and white coats in the halls. He'd donned a mask to cover his face, but it wouldn't be too much longer before someone noticed he wasn't heading into surgery or whatever they used the things for. Okay Gene, just remember Jim's schematic, find Rei, and get the hell out of Dodge.

A man caught sight of Gene as he was turning a corner. "Ah! Jarvis!" The man quickly fell into step beside Gene before he could get away. "How did that surgery go? Was it serious?"

Gene felt a huge sweatdrop form at his temple. He wiped it away and made a dramatic sigh and he slowly worked his caster forward. Thank the gods I had taser shot loaded. He smiled under the mask but shook his head as if the greatest of tragedies had just occurred. "It's serious all right..."

"How bad was it?" the doctor asked.

Gene leaned close to the other doctor. "As bad as it gets..." he replied. "I'm exhausted...I just need to get to the lounge and rest a moment. Walk with me?"

"Sure. If it's bad enough to get to 'The Unflappable Jarvis,' it's pretty bad...." The doctor set off for the lounge. Gene fell into step behind him, and waited until they were alone in the lounge. Before the hapless doctor could turn around again he fired his caster, watching as the blue lightning crackled briefly over the green-clad body. The unconscious man slumped forward and Gene took a moment to divest him of his clothes and a real keycard. He slapped one of the ridiculous hospital robes onto his victim, wondering for a second why doctors insisted on having their patient's entire backside exposed. Still, I have to be authentic... need to get a stretcher before anyone comes by. It went surprisingly smoothly. He reached the area Rei was housed in without so much as a blink. He tried the real keycard first, but apparently the good doctor didn't have access to the area. So it was Jim's forged version or blast the glass.

Rei looked up through the haze in his mind and saw Gene trying to get in. His mind screamed, Gene! I knew it was you. No one else would have the aplomb to break into such a place! But you should not bother.... Not with me....

Gene took a deep breath and slid the card through. Jim was good, but was he good enough? The light stayed red and he cursed softly. He was about to pull out his caster when it blinked a few times then turned green. "Thanks Jim...." he whispered, not certain he'd be heard over the connection, but wanting to acknowledge it all the same. He dragged the good doctor in with him and pulled down his mask. "Well hello stranger! Did you miss me?"

Rei lifted bleary eyes and acknowledged the question, but did not answer it. He was just too weak. Whatever he'd been given was still in his system too much for him to form a coherent thought. The winged boy did, however, attempt to communicate his state of incapacitation with a groan of defeat.

Gene frowned, Rei looked terrible, even his wings looked droopy. He picked the doctor up in his arms and deposited him beside the despondent alien. "Well.... I've heard of your cold receptions...but sheesh." He picked the auburn-haired youth up, alarmed at how weak he seemed. "Come on Rei, we're getting out of here. You'll need to lay on your back I'm afraid, will you be okay?"

Rei nodded. At that point he really could no longer feel anything, so it wouldn't bother him. The winged boy dimly hoped that this drug, whatever it was, wouldn't kill him, but almost certain that it would.

Gene gently laid Rei on the stretcher and began to cover him with the sheet. "Try to lie still.... We're heading for the morgue. Jim will be waiting at the exits near it." He paused just before pulling the linen over Rei's face and pressed a quick kiss to the cool dry forehead. "Don't give up Rei.... We'll make it out of this. Then me and Jim are going to find a place you can be free."

Rei smiled slightly as Gene's lips touched his forehead, but otherwise, he didn't react. Where I can be free...? Is there such a place...? he thought to himself.

Gene pushed the gurney into the hallway and began heading to the elevator. He was almost disappointed when he reached the morgue without incident. Don't look a gift ship in the thruster, Gene, just get gone! He whisked the sheet off and gently lifted the alien once more. He made certain the coast was clear, before sprinting as quickly as possible to the waiting car. Rei didn't seem to care about anything at that point, finally passing the final stages into full-blown unconsciousness.

Gene's heart sank when Reikki slumped against him. The young alien's body had gone completely limp; it was like cradling a rag doll. "Shit!! He passed out...."

Jim looked into the rearview mirror, but didn't see anyone tailing them. So he met Gene's gaze in the tiny reflection. "What're we gonna do Gene? We can't stay on Heifong..."

Gene suddenly felt like passing out right along with Rei. Please don't say it, please don't say it.

Jim sighed as he saw Gene go pale, he knew how much his friend hated space, but this was their lives at stake. "We have to leave the planet."

The redhead promptly fainted.

Jim sighed. "Oh well, it'll be easier getting him into the seat this way."

*        *              *

Gene slowly came to and blinked at the odd lighting. Where the hell am I?

"Finally awake I see..."

Gene rolled onto his side and frowned at Jim. "It's not like I meant to faint you know."

Jim shook his head and brought over a cup of tea. "Here...drink up. You'll need the fluid."

Gene sipped at the lukewarm beverage. "Why? Did I throw up or something?"

Jim shook his head. "No, but you will if you're dehydrated when they hit the hyperjets. The inertia dampeners on this tub aren't too hot."

As if on cue Gene felt a lurch as the ship began making the huge jump in speed. His head spun a bit, but it wasn't as bad as it could be. Nothing was as bad as when he'd crashed in that escape pod so many years ago.

Rei slowly awoke, his mind not wanting to fully shake the fog of unconsciousness off. His unfamiliar surroundings frightened him for a moment before he remembered that Gene had rescued him. Gene.... he thought, why did you bother? You could have just gotten away and you would not have been in so much trouble. If they ever find you...all three of us will die....

Jim noticed Rei had woken and picked up another cup of tea for the alien. "Here you are.... It's not very warm anymore, but it's actually pretty tasty considering the accommodations." Rei sat up slowly and took the cup from Jim with a quiet thanks, taking a small sip.

Jim gave him a beaming smile and watched as Gene got to his feet and wobbled over. The young boy leaned in to whisper, "Gene has a space phobia, he won't be himself until we're back on solid land." Rei nodded, then reached his mind out to Gene's as best as he could considering his still somewhat dazed state, attempting to at least help the redhead out a little. He felt he owed Gene for saving his life, and the least the winged boy could do was try to make Gene feel a little better.

Gene plopped down on the mattress beside Rei and moaned a bit. "At least there's no windows. I can psyche myself out."

Jim gave Gene a comforting smile. "I'm going to go get us a meal. A little food might help, rice balls should be good." Gene waved a hand to indicate that was fine and the young blonde turned to Rei. "How about you Reikiki, what would you like?"

Rei replied, "That will suffice. Thank you." He smiled weakly at Jim.

Jim nodded and left the room. The door shut behind him with a hiss and a click. Gene sighed and sat up. "I know Jim means well, but I swear he treats me like he's my wife or something sometimes." The space pirate stood up again and began to walk a bit, getting a little steadier with each step. "Good...starting to adjust." He turned around and smiled at Rei "You doing okay?"

Rei nodded. "Yes, the effects of whatever drug I was given seem to be fading. I am still a bit dazed, but I suppose that is to be expected."

Gene nodded. "That's great! I bet the Professor must be seething right about now... Heh, well just have hide out on...umm...where are we going anyway?"

"Er.... I have no idea...." the winged boy replied somewhat sheepishly. "I believe Jim intends to attempt to return me to my home planet. Yet...I have no idea how long I have been away.... It may no longer exist."

Gene grinned, "Hey, planets don't exactly up and disappear you know... They may be marooned from time to time, but they rarely disappear." He bit his tongue. "So...are the other denizens of this planet as cute as you?"

Rei blushed a bit and looked down. "I...suppose...."

Gene chuckled, but then the ship gave another lurch and his face went pale all over again. He sat back down heavily, flopping on the mattress beside Rei. "Aww fuck! I know we were in a rush but couldn't you have picked a newer ship Jim? This is playing hell with my system." The winged boy snickered a bit, careful to hide it from Gene. The redhead let one eye peek out from under the gloved hand spread over his face. "Are you laughing?"

"I suppose I am," Rei replied softly, still grinning.

Gene pouted. "Oh great I'm miserable and you're laughing." The pout grew even more dramatic and obviously fake. "I'm so under-appreciated..."

Rei poked the redhead lightly in the side. "Come now, it cannot be as bad as that...."

Gene barely covered a chuckle. "Oh yes it is... I might even pass out." Then he gave the alien his best puppy-dog face. "If I do will you give me mouth to mouth?"

Jim walked in at just that moment and pull one small fist to his hip. "Fishing for sympathy again Gene? Jeez..." He set down the tray he'd been balancing. "Anyway! The ship has stopped to refuel and pick up some supplies. We can go explore the station if you like."

"It would help if I were to acquire some clothing...." Rei commented sheepishly.

Jim blushed a bit and nodded. "Yeah...sorry I didn't bring any for you, but we didn't really have any time. So I guess we go shopping, you should be able to get away with the cloak if you borrow a pair of Gene's boxers." The blonde grinned, I hear this station is pretty impressive, got a great view of the sta.... Oops."

Gene tried not to panic. You can do this, Gene Starwind...Rei can't stay like this without arousing suspicion...among other things. The red-head let out a sigh. "Don't worry.... I can do this. We just avoid the observation area."

Jim nodded. "Cool!! We can get you some real clothes now Rei! Better eat first though.... We may have to walk a ways."

Rei simply nodded and began eating, somewhat aware of Gene's thoughts and understanding them a bit better. He mentally shook his head. Perhaps I am still dazed from the drug I was given, he thought to himself. He was only with me at...Fong's Pleasuredome...because he had to. He could not possibly feel...that...for me.... The winged boy found himself hoping Gene actually felt something for him.

Gene nibbled absently on a huge rice ball, like the tea, it was surprisingly good given the appearance of the ship. The filling was a bit lumpier than he liked, but it was tasty, and it soothed his nausea a bit. He looked at Rei from the corner of his eye while he used his tongue to scoop out the sweet bean paste. I know it's best...but God...I'll miss you Rei. Part of me doesn't want to let you go.

The winged boy glanced up in time to see Gene go to work on the rice ball. He had to look away before his body betrayed him. Stop thinking about that, he chastised himself. They will be gone soon, and you will miss him too much if you.... Oh, what am I saying? I will miss him anyway....

Gene sucked out the last of the bean paste and popped what remained of the rice ball into his mouth. He swallowed it down and drank some more tea. "Ahh...that is a bit better. Everyone ready to go?" Jim nodded and finished the last of his own rice ball in one huge bite. "How about you Rei?"

Rei finished his rice ball as well. "Yes. I am ready to go."

Gene nodded and shrugged off his cloak, handing it to Rei. He bent over his duffel bag and began tossing the contents carelessly over the bed in his quest for clean undies. He gave a small laugh of triumph as he surfaced with his prize, then frowned at the mess he'd made. Shrugging he stuffed everything back in haphazardly. He had to kneel on the bag and hop slightly to get it to zip again, but HEY it all fit and that's what counted. The winged boy accepted the cloak and boxers without complaint and donned them. "I hope I do not get us arrested for indecent exposure..." he commented somewhat wryly.

Gene shook his head. "Nah...just be sure you don't let the front fall open." The redhead grinned. "Now let's go!"

A few minutes later the trio found exactly what they were looking for... a shop that specialized in clothing for taller men.

Gene smiled at the alien and waved a hand at the racks. "Pick whatever you like Rei." Rei looked at the clothing racks, perusing the articles of clothing there. Then a few garments caught his eye—an olive-green poncho, a pair of simple brown pants, and a pair of black, flat-soled boots that would reach about to mid-calf. Finally.... Something I am accustomed to wearing, he thought with a smile as he picked the garments from the rack.

While Rei was picking out his clothes Gene brought up the subject of getting Rei back home. "I dunno Jim... I mean...we don't even know how he got to Heifong in the first place. Is this really the best way?"

Jim rolled his eyes. "Of course it is Gene. He needs to be with his own people. The only reason the scientists wanted him is because they thought his kind were extinct."

Gene leaned down. "That's exactly what I mean. What if they were right?"

Jim let out an exasperated breath. "It's obvious they weren't or Rei wouldn't be here!"

Gene growled. "You know what I meant!"

Jim replied, "Only because I'm used to your idiotic logic!"

Gene growled, "Idiotic!" He grabbed Jim around the throat and began to wrestle. "I'll show you idiotic...! Wait...that didn't come out right."

Rei looked over at the Gene and Jim's display and sighed. He walked over to the pair and batted them both affectionately on the backs of their heads. "If you two are quite done, I have found something suitable to wear...."

Gene winced and rubbed the back of his head. "Hey!! What'd you do that for?"

Jim took the rare opportunity to elbow Gene in the gut and grinned at Rei as the redhead doubled over. "Looking good Reikiki!"

The olive-colored poncho hung loosely over Rei's thin frame, complimenting his complexion in the subtlest of ways. As an afterthought, he'd picked up a white shirt that was basically nothing but long sleeves and a front, with straps that fastened around his neck and waist. The sleeves of the shirt were frilly, but not effeminately so. The simple brown pants hugged the alien's legs snugly, and the black, knee-high boots finished the look.

Gene grinned from his bent over position. "I agree. You look great! Do you need anything else?"

"No thank you," Rei replied. "This will do nicely, and you both have been generous enough with necessities for me." He blushed slightly, a bit embarrassed that he hadn't been able to help himself. On his planet, it was a man's duty to provide for himself and his family.

A voice in the back of his head asked matter-of-factly, What if they consider you their family?

Gene grinned and gave Jim a little 'love tap' on the top of the shaggy blonde head. "Don't sweat it Rei! Now...let's get some supplies and figure out where to go from here."

After a few more shops the trio took a seat in a nice little mom and pop style restaurant. The prices weren't nearly as bad as the more ritzy establishments and the food smelled heavenly. Gene plopped down in a booth and crossed his legs, leaving Jim no choice but to squeeze in beside Rei on the opposite side.

Jim ordered the special of the day, as did Gene. "How about you Rei? What would you like?" the redhead asked peeking around the side of his menu.

Rei looked at the menu he'd been given, a bit confused. He realized something else...he didn't understand the written language. "Er...what do you suggest...?" he asked a trifle sheepishly, trying to cover up his ignorance of the language.

Jim began pointing at the words. "...Well the special has miso soup, braised fish, steamed rice and red bean jelly... but the Peking tofu might be nice if you like spicy/sweet...oh and garlic chicken...wait...I think I'll change my order I didn't notice that had orange beef."

Gene blinked as the pair tried to make their decision. "I just want some sizzling rice soup...I'm willing to compromise on the rest." Rei blinked, confused for a moment, but finally decided on a simple bowl of fried rice.

The waitress bowed and went to fill their orders, leaving a pot of tea in her wake. "So...what do you do for fun Rei?" Gene asked causing Jim to choke on his cup of tea.

The winged boy raised an eyebrow at Jim's reaction. "Normally, were I on my home planet, I would be gathering food for the day. As to recreational activities, I suppose swimming and flight races," Rei replied.

Jim snickered as Gene's attempt at flirting fell completely flat, leaving his friend looking slightly dazed. "Where is your home Rei?" Jim asked as he replaced his lost tea with more from the pot.

The winged boy answered, "My home is a planet by the name of Perdaeta. I doubt that either of you has ever heard of it." He looked from Gene to Jim. He got a pair of very blank stares, before the pair shook their heads in tandem. "I thought not," Rei said wryly. Then he continued, "I have no idea where we are now, so I have no idea where exactly the planet is in relation to here. I do know that its orbit is nearly right next to a wormhole. Anyone coming from the other side could not miss it unless they did not look."

"Well..." Jim said a bit breathlessly, "at least that gives us a starting point."

"Yeah." Gene agreed. "The galaxy isn't exactly littered with wormholes."

"We'll need a ship though..." Jim cut off as the waitress returned with their meals.

Gene gave her a smile that made her blush and asked for some melon soda. She nodded and dashed off to get the drink.

"Well...let's eat! We can talk business later."

Rei nodded and began to eat his rice. The conversation had gotten him thinking about Perdaeta--his home, his family, his friends. What if there was nothing left? Those invaders....

The winged boy broke off the thought when his distracted air became so obvious that Gene gave him a look. Gene set down his bowl of miso and frowned. "What's up Rei...? You look awfully down for a guy who just got rescued."

Jim groaned and put a hand over his face. I swear Gene Starwind...you haven't got an ounce of tact in your entire body.

Rei looked up at Gene. "I...began thinking about my home...all the people I have left behind...friends, family.... Understandably, it would slightly unnerve one," he replied softly, staring down at his partially emptied bowl.

Gene sighed. "I'm sorry Rei...we'll get you home. I promise. Just think positive!"

Jim rolled his eyes. "FIRST...we need a SHIP."

Gene shook his head. "Nope!" When the other two stared at him he chuckled. "We finish eating first...then we go ship hunting." Jim kicked him from under the table, making the redhead yelp and blush furiously at the waitress bringing him his soda. When she left again Gene growled at Jim. "Why you little..."

Rei laughed outright at this little display. Innocent blushes and cute smiles aside, neither Jim nor Gene had ever heard the alien laugh. Obviously, the auburn-haired boy had lapsed back into his native language for a moment, as the laughter had a musical sound to it.

The pair immediately dropped their aggressive act. "Wow Rei," Jim said, a little awed. "Your laugh sounds like music."

Gene nodded, "Yeah, it's beautiful." He absently ran a finger around the edge of his glass, making a soft sound similar to the note in Rei's laughter.

Rei blushed slightly. "...Thank you both," he replied. Watching Gene run his finger around the edge of his glass made the alien remember what had transpired in Fong's. He wondered something--if his pursuers hadn't interfered, and the person behind the glass had wanted it, would the space pirate have truly....

Gene, too, found himself thinking again of his all too short time with Rei. True it would take them time to get where they were going, but the idea the young alien would soon be out of his life made him feel gloomy for some reason. At least I got a few kisses.... But he knew deep down he'd wanted more. He shook his head. "Well...dinner's all done so we'd best move on!" he said a little too brightly. "Unless you guys want dessert."

Rei could sense the dark mood behind Gene's false lightness. The alien wondered if he was the cause of it. "No, thank you," Rei replied. "I have had enough to eat."

Jim shook his head as well. "I just want to get going... those guys are bound to be following us and we're more likely to loose them if we just keep moving."

Gene nodded, "Okay then! It's off to find a ship!"

"Strange Bedfellows--Part IV

Rei looked at the large, sleek ship Gene had procured. There was enough room for the three of them and their supplies, plus a little extra room just in case, Jim had said. The very appearance of the ship commanded respect, the alien thought.

Jim began going over the supply list with a very bored looking Gene. "Okay...we have enough fuel to last a while, rations, water, and limited weaponry. Looks like it's all here...oh wait did you remember toilet paper and toothbrushes?"

Gene yawned and pointed at the huge stacks of each.

Jim goggled a bit at all the toiletries. "Good God Gene, we're not opening a beauty parlor!"

Gene shrugged, "I got a great deal...and what's wrong with having spares?"

Jim growled and turned around. "Space, you ninny!"

Gene winced at the word and leaned forward. "Look...if you want to know the truth I just wanted stuff to block the windows, it may as well be with supplies."

Jim sighed... "Thank God I know how to pilot this thing. You can be so useless outside of battle." Gene stuck out his tongue in reply.

Rei listened to the familiar banter with half an ear, not only due to the fact that he'd grown accustomed to it, but that his mind was elsewhere. His mind wouldn't stop pulling up the memories of his time at Fong's. He'd been frightened out of his wits. But now...he sorely wished that they hadn't been interrupted....

Jim put away his checklist as the last of the supplies were loaded, double-checked to make certain he still had his treasured laptop and nodded. "All right...all aboard!"

Gene felt his stomach give a violent lurch and fought back the bile rising in his throat. Eventually the urge to vomit faded, but he felt incredibly weak suddenly. Come on Gene...you have to do this! You aren't safe here, Reikiki isn't safe here. The redhead forced himself to stand up and walk up the gangplank. He hummed a silly old tune to try and distract himself for their imminent departure.

The winged boy followed Gene, intensely aware of the redhead's discomforted state. Rei reached out and slowly ran his fingers over the side of Gene's face, not touching, but letting the mental touch attempt to soothe him. The alien smiled a bit, then the smile froze and he blanched when he realized what he'd done. Rei ran ahead, finding a suitable hiding place inside the ship and staying perfectly still within it. He knows now, Reikiki! He knows! You imbecile! You should have simply let him deal with it himself. ...But...it is...so difficult to see him uncomfortable....

Gene still stood on the gangplank trying to make sense of what he'd just felt. He'd almost felt those slim fingers on his skin despite the fact they'd hovered a few inches away. That was nothing however, compared to what he'd felt in his mind. It wasn't words so much as a rush of emotion, but it clearly was meant to comfort. "Rei?"

Jim didn't notice any of this, only that Gene was still lagging behind. He lifted his head from a last minute systems check. "Come on Gene!! You're going to attract attention just standing there with your mouth open. If it's that bad go lay down in one of the rooms. This ship has a great computer, so it can serve as co-pilot." One of the little ship droids zipped up to him. "Follow me please.... I will lead you to the captain's quarters."

Gene sighed and fell into step behind the little robot, with its odd mechanical female voice. Yeah...maybe I should lie down. I need to think about whatever it was that I just felt.

*        *              *

Rei sat high above the floor, in the rafters of a large room. He wasn't sure where exactly in the ship he was, but he did know that Gene wouldn't expect him to be in the rafters. He lay down on his stomach on the rafter, thinking about Gene. Why...? Why did I reveal my gift to him? That was the very thing those others wanted me for, was it not...? He was about to continue, when he heard the door to the room open. He cursed in his native language and sat up, pulling his legs up so that his feet rested on the rafter and he was crouched, motionless, looking down.

Gene sighed as he followed the droid into his room. It was rather nice...and the bed was inviting. He began to remove his cloak and clothes so he could be more comfortable. Rei saw the little metal...person?...escort Gene into the room and blinked in shock. His shock was soon forgotten as the redhead began to remove his clothing. The winged boy watched Gene undress, his body reacting fiercely to the sight. In his present position, however, it was extremely uncomfortable.

Gene plopped onto the bed once he got his black tank top off and bent to remove his shoes. Once that was done it left only his pants and the underwear beneath. Debating a moment, he decided to leave them on. With a sigh the redhead closed his eyes and flopped backwards into the soft mattress. Just think of something else...something pleasant. The first thing that came to mind was his all too brief moment with Rei in Fong's. It was too bad Fred had sold the place. It would have been worth a glomp or two to have gotten a chance to finish that.

Rei watched Gene as he lay down rather ungracefully, smiling. He sighed inwardly and remained silent, not wanting to give away his place. If he didn't give his location away, he would be able to watch Gene as long as he liked. Or rather, as long as Gene didn't look up. The winged boy found himself wishing that he could do more than watch....

Gene kept his eyes closed as he called out to the droid. "Hey...hit the lights, would you? It's too bright in here." The little droid obediently headed up into the rafter to hit the fluorescent lighting fixtures. Rei let out a surprised yelp and flew to a non-lit rafter as the little droid came up to hit the light fixture.

Gene's eyes flew open and he just caught sight of Rei settling onto one of the rafters. Then the droid literally hit the light sending the entire room into darkness. Goddamn hunk'a' junk! Gene thought to himself, even as the image of those glittering wings fluttering like leaves in the breeze played in front of his eyes like an afterimage. "Rei?" he called hesitantly.

"...Yes...?" the alien returned with the same hesitant note in his voice.

Gene let out a sigh of relief, he'd been afraid the alien might bolt under the cover of darkness. "I think we need to talk Rei."

The winged boy sighed. "I suppose we do. What is it?" he asked.

Gene squinted in the darkness, wishing he could see Rei's face. "Outside...on the gangplank. I felt something Rei...something I've never felt before.... Are you a magic-user of some sort?"

"That was not magic," Rei explained. "You see, my race, the Coleptians, have the ability to 'see' into another's mind and can tell what others are feeling. Have you noticed that I rarely show emotion outwardly?"

Gene took a moment to answer, still stuck on the fact Rei had said he could tell what he was feeling. "Er...yeah. I just thought you were shy."

"Well, there is that, as well...." Rei admitted. "However, that is simply myself. All of my people are restrained where showing their emotions is concerned, for the reason that it is never necessary. You see?"

Gene thought it over a moment, it did make sense, but sometimes showing your emotions could be fun. It didn't sound like a very good trade to him. "Yeah.... I guess I do," he replied with a sigh. "So I guess that means you know I was thinking about you just now?"

Rei blinked. He must not have explained it enough. "Er...actually, no, I was not aware of that.... I cannot tell what one is thinking, only how one feels about what one thinks about—only the emotions involved."

Gene blushed, and thanked the darkness for once. "Oh..." Smooth Gene...real smooth...you just gave yourself away. Now he knows you keep thinking about him and how much you wanted that scene at Fong's to continue. The redhead sighed. Oh well...I guess not having to say embarrassing things is a definite advantage.

Nice work, Rei.... Why did you not simply tell him that you knew? The alien could feel Gene's chagrin and felt horrible about it. He flew down from the rafter, knowing that Gene couldn't see him, but would probably be able to hear him.

Gene heard a soft buzzing fill the air a few moments before something settled on the floor near the bed. He tilted his head toward the sound. Oh no! He's leaving! "I haven't offended you have I?"

"No, you have not offended me," Rei replied. His voice now came from directly beside Gene. He reached out with his hand and touched the bed, feeling around for Gene's face. The first thing his hand touched was the redhead's arm, and then he slid his fingers up to Gene's face, repeating what he'd done on the gangplank.

Gene sighed and covered Rei's hand with his own. "Thanks Rei...."

"Of course, " Rei replied softly, a smile on his face.

Gene let his other hand reach up to cup Rei's cheek in the same manner as the alien was holding his own. "Why did you run Rei? If you can sense how I feel you should know I wouldn't hurt you."

Rei smiled. "Fear is a strange thing, I suppose, " he replied. "It makes people think, say, and do odd things.... "

Gene grinned even if Rei couldn't see it, the expression was clear in his voice. "That's not an answer...but I get the idea. I'll leave it be."

He rubbed his thumb over Rei's chin, marveling at the baby soft skin. He let his hand slide forward until he cupped the back of the alien's head, his fingers tangled in the silky auburn hair. The outlaw slowly pulled his captive down towards his lips, using his soft breath as a guide. He paused when his was a whisper away. "I never got to ask how you feel Rei...did you want what I wanted back then?"

"Back...when...? " Rei asked in a whisper. He had an idea, but he wanted to know....

Gene smiled, and pinched Rei's hip. "Don't be coy... back at Fong's. Were you as disappointed as me when we were interrupted?"

Rei yelped as Gene pinched him. The alien's hand automatically went to the injured place and rubbed it. "Actually, yes.... I was disappointed...."

Gene chuckled. "Good," he said simply before dragging Rei down for a very hot, very hungry kiss. Rei responded almost automatically, melting against the redhead. Gene let his hands wander, sliding them over smooth supple skin. His fingers gently explored the sleek planes and valleys of Rei's body through the new clothes, trying to figure out fastenings. The redhead let out a small curse. "Damn it...I can't see good enough to get these damned things off of you!"

Rei chuckled. "Will you require assistance for this task?"

Gene frowned, but conceded. He was scared to contemplate what would happen if he told the overly literal droid to cut on the lights. It would probably zip off after a knife. "Yeah.... I guess I will. Wouldn't want to ruin your new things by ripping them off..." A soft chuckle shook the redhead's frame. "No matter how appealing the thought is." He reached down and gave Rei's right buttock a firm squeeze before tucking both hands under his head where they couldn't cause any trouble.

As before, Gene's action caused Rei to jump, bringing their hips in contact with each other, and the alien shivered at the contact. He nodded and began undoing the garments. All Gene could hear was the rustling of the cloth.

Gene bit his lip as the sound of cloth and the creak of leather filled the darkness. He'd hated the ugly fluorescent lights in Fong's at the time, but now he longed for them. He wanted to see Rei's body in all its glory. Don't be picky, Gene Starwind, be glad for what you can get. His fingers began to twitch with the effort of his self-restraint. "Umm, could you speed it up a bit Reikiki?"

Rei grinned, glorying in his ability to test the redhead's restraint. "Oh, am I annoying you?" he asked in a mock-innocent tone of voice.

Gene frowned and bucked his hips up, causing his very obvious arousal to brush against Rei's own. "You really do want me to rip those things off of you don't you Rei?"

Rei shuddered at the move and pressed his hips against Gene tightly, letting a soft moan pass his slightly parted lips. "What would make you say that...?" he asked, beginning to undulate his hips against Gene's.

Gene growled, and whipped his hands from behind his head, grabbing hold of the alien's hips. He almost rolled Rei onto his back before he remembered the wings. Damn...they're pretty but they sure can get in the way of a good ravishing! He settled for landing Rei on his side with a small bounce and began to fumble with the pants. "I'm a man with many talents Rei...but patience is not one of them!"

Rei blushed a bit at Gene's sudden move and blinked in shock. "Er.... So I see.... "

Gene tugged at the soft cotton, managing by some miracle to pull it off without any rips or tears. His hands immediately began to slide over Rei's body, exploring the silken skin. The callused hands rasped against the smooth complexion, and he hoped he wasn't leaving bruises in their wake. He finally found what he'd been searching for and blinked a bit as he let his fingers explore the hard length. He wasn't exactly an expert on such manners, but he thought the alien to be rather well endowed.

Rei arched his back as he felt Gene's hands on him. When he felt the redhead's touch against his most sensitive flesh, the winged boy's ragged breaths gave way to another moan, a bit louder than the first had been. Rei reached out and stroked his fingers over Gene's nipples, remembering what he'd been told in Fong's.

Gene let out a soft sound of pleasure, then whispered. "That's good.... Just a little harder." He let his lips trail over Rei's throat as he grabbed hold of the alien's hip to increase the friction of their erection's meeting through the thin cloth of his own pants. He heard a seam give way as he hastily yanked at the material, but he didn't really care. Unlike Rei, he had some spare clothes.

Rei obliged the redhead, brushing his thumbs over the hardened nubs. "Gene..." he commented as he leaned forward, "I believe I heard something tear...." The winged boy leaned down and hesitantly let his cat-like tongue pass over the skin his fingers had been teasing.

If Gene had been able to think straight he would have made a comment about stating the obvious. Instead he moaned harshly and literally tore the offending garment off. His hands immediately split directions after the pants were tossed aside. One buried itself in the alien's silken hair to encourage more of the delicious sensations. The other began to trace small intricate patterns across the skin on Rei's back.

A similar moan from Rei answered the redhead's moan. Gene.... Oh, my Gods.... I never thought.... The winged boy continued to trace his tongue over Gene's nipple for a moment, then placed his lips around it and sucked delicately.

Gene's breath grew slightly ragged as the sweet sensations began to play hell with his system. He reluctantly dragged Rei away from his chest so he could get at the alien's tight bottom. He let one finger slide between the cleft and gently pressed against Rei's entrance. Then he realized he was missing something. "Shit.... I think I just threw away my condoms."

Condoms...? Rei blinked. He'd never heard that word before, but it was obviously something Gene required. "Where are they?"

"They were in the back pocket of my pants." Gene replied with exasperation.

"Shall I get them for you?" Rei offered. He could see better in the dark than Gene could, seeing as his eyes were catlike.

Gene nodded, "Okay, I'll just stay put. We don't need to go stumbling over each other in the dark."

The winged boy fought a chuckle, then Gene heard the buzz of wings as Rei lifted himself off the bed, over Gene, and landed on the floor, closing his eyes a moment to adjust to the darkness of the room. When he opened them again, he could see almost as well as if it had been broad daylight in the room. He picked up the discarded scrap of cloth that had been the redhead's pants before Gene had ripped them off, and turned back to the bed. He was a bit afraid that Gene would be frightened, as his eyes produced their own light to see by, and the color of the light corresponded with the colors of his eyes--one light was orange, the other was purple.

Gene blinked at the lights he suddenly saw floating in the inky darkness and wondered if some sort of panel had popped on. Then he saw them flicker a split second and begin moving toward him. "Are those your eyes glowing Rei?"

"My eyes produce their own light in the darkness when needed," Rei explained. "I apologize if I startled you." He fumbled around with the pants a moment. "You say they were in your back pocket?"

Gene let out a small breath he hadn't even been aware he'd been holding. "Yeah two little square foil packets. That should be enough for now."

The winged boy retrieved the requested items and walked back to the bed. He found Gene's hand and placed the two packets in the redhead's hand. "Is that what you were looking for?"

Gene nodded, "Yeah... that's them. Now let's see if I can get the damned thing on without lights.... Remind me to tell Jim to take a look at that droid."

Gene heard the droid pipe up. "Remind Jim...take a look at droid. Yes sir!" The door opened and closed with a hiss before Gene could tell it that hadn't been an order. Oh well....

The alien snickered. "That...droid was what startled me earlier."

Gene sat up, draping his legs over the side of the bed, and chuckled as well. "I guess they would be a bit shocking if you've never seen one before." He reached out until he found Rei's hip and pulled him forward. "So tell me, how far have you gotten, Rei? I don't want to scare you."

The winged boy blushed, thankful for the darkness that hid it, as he replied, "I...er.... Not all that much farther than we managed in Fong's, I am afraid...."

Gene sighed. "Okay...I'm going to try something. If I do anything you don't like, tell me right away. Not everyone enjoys this sort of thing."

Rei replied, "I will."

The redhead smiled and let his hand slide around to grip Rei's length once more. Leaning forward Gene let his tongue trail over the hard flesh, exploring it with the pink tip, until he reached the velvety head. With a soft moan Gene wrapped his lips around it and suckled the salty-sweet fluid that had gathered in the slit. The auburn-haired boy let his head fall back and a moan passed his lips as the sensation shot through him dizzyingly. "Gene...." The name came out on a pleasured sigh.

Encouraged, the outlaw smiled and began to slide forward, stopping about halfway down to flutter his tongue against the vein on the underside of Rei's erection. After a few long moments he pulled back just as slowly to lap up the new drops of fluid. "You like that Rei?"

"Yes..." the alien whispered. The word was more a breathless pant than actual speech, but it was understandable.

Gene's smile was positively devilish as he replied. "Good." He immediately plunged down again, but continued past the point he had before, not stopping until the full length was buried in his mouth and throat. Rei drew in a deep breath, which left his throat as a moan and his legs began to tremble. The alien shyly reached down and placed his hands on Gene's shoulders, letting his hands drift down the redhead's back, caressing the very center of Gene's back. It was exactly where Rei's own wings were on his back, Gene noticed.

Gene shivered slightly, and moaned. He pulled back again to take a deep breath then looked up into those glowing eyes. "I think you'd better sit, your legs are shaking."

The alien replied, "I believe I should sit down...before I fall down." He did just this, then turned back to Gene. "What of yourself?" Rei reached out and repeated his earlier gesture, this time delicately scraping his nails down the center of the redhead's back. "What of that?"

Gene gritted his teeth. "Tease..." His own eyes had gotten adjusted enough to make out vague outlines. So he leaned down and tossed one of Rei's legs over his shoulder moving in close to the flesh he'd been suckling earlier. He gave it a slow deliberate lick from base to tip. "I should torment you for that." Rei moaned again at the feel of the redhead's tongue against his arousal, his eyes fluttering closed. His nails scraped back up the center of Gene's back.

Gene growled and plunged down again, moaning loudly to vibrate the sweet hardness, before moving up again with the barest scrape of teeth. He blew gently against the moist length before giving it a supremely light nip at the tip. The alien tossed his head back. "Ahh!" One hand quickly reached out to grip Gene's shoulder and his hips bucked up a bit. Rei leaned back a bit, supporting his slight weight on one elbow.

Gene chuckled. "Want more do you?" He let his own nails drag over the skin of Rei's thigh. "I suppose I could forgive you if you promise to behave."

"Behave?" Rei asked coyly. "What did I do?"

Gene let one hand slide over a slim hip and up the alien's back. "Shall I demonstrate?" He asked using the other hand to push his upper body off the mattress to allow him to caress the same spot Rei had teased on his own body. A loud moan greeted the gesture. Gene's fingers were mere inches away from the auburn-haired boy's wings. One was still a bit sore from the dart he'd taken in it, but the redhead was being careful. Rei's back arched and his eyes squeezed shut tightly.

Gene shifted his position so he could kneel, reached down, and began to stroke Rei's length as he continued to gently rub the skin at the base of the delicate wings. Rei's head went back, and he moaned again, moving his hips in time with Gene's hand. "Gene.... Mmm...." Gene dropped his head so he could suckle the skin of Rei's throat. He placed a light nip to the juncture of neck and shoulder as he increased the pace of his hand sliding over the spire of flesh jutting from the alien's hips. Rei drew in a deep breath, keeping his hips in rhythm with the motions of the redhead's hand. "Gods...that...feels wonderful...."

Gene rolled his eyes. Tough one eh? Let's see how you handle this! He let his nails scrape the skin of Rei's back before ghosting his fingertips along the uninjured wing. The winged boy's back arched again, unable to handle the assault of sensation. Within a few minutes of Gene's treatment, Rei tossed his head back, moaning as his release shook him.

Gene smiled and slowly let up on his torment. He cupped his hand to catch the hot fluid pouring from Rei's body. They weren't done yet. Carefully retaining his reward, Gene leaned down to lap up the stray drops. He savored the unique flavor before giving the alien a grin. "Still okay Rei?" Rei nodded. At that point, he wasn't sure he was capable of speech.

Gene felt the nod more than he saw it, but it was clear enough. "Good...I still have things to show you." He used his free hand to spread Rei's thighs. "Now…this part might sting a bit at first, but think of it like cleaning a wound. It's much better for you in the long run." The outlaw let his other hand drop down and dribble the captured seed against the alien's tight entrance. Gene smeared it around a little and gently pushed a finger through. He simply left it there at first, waiting for Rei's reaction. The alien drew in a deep breath, but didn't make a sound at the intrusion. He trusted Gene; he was sure the redhead knew what he was doing.

The outlaw tried to take the silence as sign he hadn't hurt Rei and began to slowly move the finger in and out, pausing when it was as deep as it could go to circle the digit within the tight tunnel. When it began to relax around him he slid in a second finger and continued the gentle stretching. Rei let a low moan at the feel of Gene's ministrations and began to move his hips against the invading fingers.

Gene smiled. "That's good, let yourself enjoy it." He slipped in the third and final finger and began to go even deeper. Wonder if Perdaetans have a prostate? Gene's fingers brushed against a bump. He would have missed it entirely if Rei hadn't arched up with a rather loud cry. Gene blinked and pressed the tiny protrusion again; when it got a similar reaction he grinned wickedly and began to tease it fiercely. He alternated between fleeting caresses and firm pressure, all while he continued stroking his fingers in and out of the slowly loosening tunnel.

Rei moaned again, arching his hips upward. "Please...." The one word spoke volumes. Gene withdrew his fingers and fumbled for a condom. He was almost on the verge of panic when his fingers finally closed around one. He tore the packet open with his teeth and got the latex sheath on in record time. Positioning himself at the entrance proved a bit more difficult than he'd anticipated and a steady stream of curses were muttered under his breath as he let his hands drop down again to try and find it by touch.

Rei snickered a bit at Gene's sudden impatience. "Do you require my aid?" he asked a trifle jokingly.

Gene managed to snag the alien's wrist. "Yeah cat-eyes...get me in position. You can see better than me." He led Rei's hand to his manhood. The winged boy smiled and gently guided Gene to his waiting entrance.

"Thanks," Gene said as he took a couple seconds to calm himself before pushing forward ever so slowly. He hissed as the alien's entrance reluctantly gave way to his intrusion, enveloping him in incredible heat and tightness. "Oh God Rei...you feel so good." Rei hissed in a breath between his teeth at the penetration. It hurt, but he knew that was to be expected. He panted a bit, letting his body adjust to being filled. Gene fought the urge to thrust, letting his hands stroke Rei's body in an attempt to soothe. "I'll make it feel good soon...I promise."

"I trust you, Gene...." Rei replied in a whisper. He concentrated on letting his body relax. When it did, he pushed his hips towards the redhead, encouraging him to continue.

Gene shivered at the delicious friction, his hands scraping at the alien's skin. "Fast learner..." He grunted as he closed his eyes and pulled out slightly. Driving home again caused the redhead to inhale sharply. So good.... Gene set up a slow steady rhythm, watching Rei's face for the right moment to increase the pace. In a moment, the winged boy's head fell back and a moan escaped as he began lifting his hips to meet Gene's thrusts. Groaning, the outlaw began speeding up, using his hands to help pull the young alien up against his own pistoning hips. The dark red hair grew damp with sweat that dripped from the soaked strands on to the body below. Low sounds of pleasure fell in a steady stream from his lips as the ecstasy of the act began to chip away at his control. Rei pushed his body completely against Gene's, his head thrown back, whispering encouragements in his native language.

The redhead had no clue what Rei what saying, but some things didn't need translation. He let himself fall into the realm of pure instinct, almost slamming himself into the blissful heat of Rei's body. Unable to get a hand between their bodies he settled for pushing against the small of the alien's back to ensure maximum friction against the organ trapped between their bellies.

The winged boy arched his back and tightened his grip around Gene's shoulders, biting his lip to prevent his cries from escaping. He could feel his body tightening, and welcomed the sensation. All of a sudden, his body arched again and he cried out, unable to stifle it, as he tightened deliciously around Gene.

"Oh God REI!!" Gene yanked the alien against his hips, shouting his release to anyone who cared to hear. He flopped forward, barely catching himself with his arms so he wouldn't crush the slight body beneath him. Rolling slowly to his side, praying he wasn't landing on a wing, Gene let out a low groan and tossed aside the used condom before pulling Rei against him. "Mmm....that was good." Rei's breath came in short gasps. Unable to speak for the moment, he simply nodded his agreement. "So...do you think you'd like to go again? I've still got one condom left."

"I hardly think I would be able to do that again for a short while," Rei replied sheepishly.

Gene chuckled and pressed a kiss to closest piece of available skin. "Heh, I guess I can wait."

The door open suddenly and the air was filled with the hum of a droid returning. Gene could tell by the sound it was heading towards the ceiling. A second later the lights popped on again and he cursed fluently as the sudden illumination burned his eyes. The droid ignored it for the most part. "I'm sorry, but the co-pilot has an urgent message. Please follow me back to the cockpit."

Gene slowly peeked out from under the pillow he'd tossed over his eyes. "Can I get dressed first?"

The droid tapped her little arms. "He said as soon as possible...please hurry."

Rei inquired, "Is there a place on board where we may bathe quickly?

The droid blinked and spun its eyes around to gaze at the alien. "Yes...follow me."

Gene snatched up what he could before the robot could take off, tossing Rei his garments and what remained of his own. "We have to hussle...Jim wouldn't drag me up there unless it was important." Rei nodded and followed the droid.

Gene stepped into the tiny stall and pulled Rei in after him, glad the showerhead was centered overhead. He handed the alien a washcloth and squirted some gel onto it. "Let's hurry, or I may end up making him wait while I find out what it's like to take you in." Rei blinked, but began the task of cleaning himself.

A few moments later the clean, if damp, pair appeared on the bridge. Jim glanced over his shoulder, and pretty much guessed what they had been up to. God Gene... you don't waste any time. He turned his eyes back to the screen and the planet spread out across it. "This place isn't on any of the navigational charts, and believe me I checked. Is it Perdaeta, Rei?"

Rei looked at the screen, seeing the familiar star system. Three suns...two moons...odd orbit.... It must be.... His voice was a mere whisper, "I...believe it is...."

Gene, who'd been looking a little ill thanks to all the stars, felt even sicker suddenly. It's too soon.... I'm not ready.... He sighed heavily. Rei belonged here, among his own kind. He'd drop him off and say his good-byes, best to get it over with quickly. "Okay...we found it. I assume we can breathe the air since Rei hasn't keeled over yet. Let's go pay them a visit!"

The ship landed on an alien planet, even alien to Rei, who left the ship first. When he saw his planet, he gasped. The sky was a sickly green, as though the very air had stagnated. The larger sun was a dark, crimson red; the middle was blue; the smallest was almost black. There were no signs of vegetation. Rei fell heavily to his knees on the now-bare ground.

Gene frowned at Rei's reaction. "I take it it's not supposed to look like this."

Jim gave his partner a none-too-gentle kick to the shin. "You're an insensitive brute, Gene Starwind!"

For once Gene didn't retaliate. He simply rubbed his abused ankle then the leaned down behind Rei letting his hands rest on the dejected shoulders. "Rei?"

Rei shook his head, then buried his head in his hands. "Great Oguusti.... What in Olua's name has happened here...?"

Gene's eyes grew a little wide at the unfamiliar names, but he got the idea. He began to gently massage Rei's shoulders as he looked back at Jim. "Do a scan.... See if you can find any sign of life." Jim nodded solemnly and jogged back up the gangplank. "Don't give up yet Rei.... It might not be like this everywhere." The outlaw fell silent as the satellite disks under the ship's hull clanked to life and began spinning with a soft hum. Several moments ticked by before Jim called Gene over their comlink. "Gene?"

The redhead reached for his headset, before remembering they'd upgraded to the new Codec (tm) style comlink. He simply spoke aloud. "Yeah Jim? Speak to me...tell me something good."

More silence...then, "I'm sorry Gene...poor Rei. I'm not picking up any lifeforms like Rei's. A few small mammals and some dying vegetation is all I could find."

Gene sighed and squeezed his companion's shoulders. "I'm sorry Rei...."

"There...is nothing here...is there?" Rei asked, looking up at Gene, fighting his tears.

Gene shook his head. "No.... Only a few animals...I don't know if we could even save them."

The winged boy's head bowed again and he got to his feet. "There is somewhere I must go before we leave from here...." Without waiting for Gene's answer, Rei took to the air, the buzzing of his wings gradually fading in the distance.

Gene was so shocked by actually seeing Reikiki in flight the alien was out of sight before he could respond. Well, hell!! He sighed and called out, "Hey Jim?"

"I'm already on it Gene...those wings sure carry him fast don't they?" The gunslinger could clearly picture his partner shaking his blonde head. "We can catch up to him easy if he gets in trouble. So just stay put so he can find us when he's ready." Gene sighed and took Jim's advice. He sat down on the gangplank and looked towards the horizon where Rei had disappeared to await his return.

*        *              *

Rei flew to a strange obelisk. "Once brilliant and shining...now covered with moss..." he whispered in Perdaetan. "Nevertheless...." He knelt in front of it, folding his hands oddly, in prayer. "Oguusti...tell me what has happened here...." He fell silent, searching around him with his mind.

He could see it clearly now. A meteor fell from the heavens, and what it didn't destroy, it covered in a cloud of dust that smothered the life. Only recently had it dissipated. Rei realized that he'd been trapped within that pod for nearly 500 standard years.

"Everyone...is gone.... Everyone and everything I ever loved...all gone..." he whispered. He buried his head in his hands again, this time letting the tears fall.

 

"Strange Bedfellows--Part V"

Gene jumped up with a growl. "That's it! I'm not waiting any more. You retain position here, Jim, and keep an eye out for Rei. I'll call if anything happens." He took off running, ignoring Jim's shouting in his ear that he was insane.

Gene ran until he reached what looked like the ruins of a small village. Something rustled in a dried out bush and he spun towards it, caster at the ready. "Reikiki, is that you?" It wasn't the auburn-haired alien. In fact he wasn't sure what it was.

A ball of white fuzz rolled out, then flattened itself out into a hairy, white strip about eight and a half inches long. The top half raised. It was obvious that the creature had its back to Gene. The tail swung back and forth as the creature sang a melody, then it stopped and turned around slowly, revealing emerald eyes fringed with long, black eyelashes.

Gene felt a bit silly pointing his gun at the little animal. Still, it looked a bit like a fuzzy snake, and he hated snakes. Not enough to kill out of spite, but definitely enough to want to back away, which he proceeded to do. The little creature saw Gene and its eyes lit up with happiness. He crawled quickly over to the redhead, curling about his leg and purring.

"Gah!" Gene just barely restrained the urge to shoot the thing off his leg. The purring sound made him wonder if maybe it wasn't dangerous. Then again...lions purr. Steeling himself, Gene reached down to gingerly pluck it off. The creature saw Gene's hand and playfully licked at his fingers as the appendage neared. The open mouth held four rows of tiny, pointed teeth, two on the top and two on the bottom.

Gene immediately snatched his hand back; those teeth looked dangerous. Okay new plan.... He began to shake his leg, hoping to dislodge it. The creature simply chittered happily, curling a bit tighter around Gene's leg as the redhead shook it. Gene growled and began to shake harder, hopping slightly whenever his vigorous kicks threatened to topple him. "Get off of me you clueless piece of fur!"

After a few more hops, Gene's back collided with something warm and knocked it down. The redhead feared that it was another creature of some kind. Gene immediately threw his hands over his face anticipating an attack.

"Gene?" a familiar voice asked. "What is it?"

Gene dropped his hands with a sigh of relief and lifted his leg. "Oh God Rei...am I glad to see you! This fuzzy snake attacked me and it won't let me go. Do you know how to get it off?" Rei got to his feet and looked at the fuzzy creature. A wide smile broke out on his tearstained face. He called out something in his native language and immediately the creature let go of Gene with a squeal of delight and flung itself at Rei, who knelt and cuddled it, crooning Perdaetan to it.

Gene gaped at the affectionate greeting. "Rei? You know that thing?"

Rei nodded. "This is...." He stopped, trying to think of how--or even if--the name could be translated. "...A pet," he settled on.

"A pet? That thing's a pet? It could have bitten me!" Gene pouted; seeing it curled up against Rei purring like a kitten was making him feel incredibly stupid.

"It would not have bitten you. It would have run away from you if it was afraid of you," Rei replied. He looked down at the fuzzy creature, fresh tears falling. "I thought...everything was gone...."

Gene sighed. "Trust me, he...she...it--well the snake is alive and well. It can squeeze too hard to be anything but...." He smiled slightly, now that he thought about it, he supposed the creature was a bit 'cute' and it never really showed any true aggression. "Did you find what you were looking for Rei?"

The winged boy's face fell. "No.... I found nothing...." The little creature seemed to sense his mood and curled up closer to Rei, purring louder. Rei cuddled the creature again.

Gene sighed again and scooted closer to Rei, eyeing the thing in the alien's lap warily as he curled an arm around the drooping shoulders. "I'm sorry Rei... I was hoping for a better homecoming for you." He looked around the desolation then back down at the fuzzy snake-like critter. "Life marches on and finds a way, Rei. Your little pal there is proof of it. I'll help you, and so will Jim. We haven't come this far to abandon you when you still need us."

Rei nodded, petting the creature in his lap. "Thank you...." He sat for a moment, then offered, "Would you like to touch it?"

Gene grinned, "That matters on what you're offering to let me touch!" he replied as he waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

Rei blushed and looked back down at the creature. "Its name is...Lati...in your language...."

"Like the musical notes? Well I guess that works...but I was hoping for something a little harder," Gene said with an evil grin.

"You are such a flirt Gene Starwind!" Jim's voice nagged in his ear.

"You've been listening all this time, why didn't you say anything when I thought I was being attacked?" Gene shouted. He could almost picture Jim rolling his eyes with the response.

"You didn't ask, Gene." The gunslinger swore a few times under his breath and vowed to make certain the comlink was muted for any personal conversations from then on.

"To whom are you speaking?" Rei inquired, looking at Gene with a raised eyebrow.

Gene blinked and turned back to Reikiki. "Oh...sorry. It's just Jim..." he tapped an ear. "We've both got the latest in micro transmitters put in so we could keep in touch at all times. They don't show up to the naked eye and can get past practically any scan. Cool, huh?"

"Interesting," Rei replied, continuing to idly stroke the creature in his lap. "Shall we go?"

Gene nodded and stood up. Taking a moment to make certain he was only on receive, he leaned down to whisper in Rei's ear, "You still haven't told me if I'll get to touch you...you know that right?" Then he leaned up again and said aloud, "Come in Jim...do you read? We're heading back!"

Jim grinned behind his console back at the ship. "Want me to come there? From the looks of it we don't exactly have to worry about airspace traffic."

Gene laughed and helped Rei to his feet. "Sounds good, oh...." he glanced at Lati and grimaced. "We have a...um...guest.... Rei's pet managed to survive so we're bringing him back too."

Jim blinked, then shook his head as he piloted the ship to his friends location. Only you Gene....

"What did he say?" Rei asked.

"He's on his way to get us...so we can just sit tight and wait for him." Gene replied...before leaning and stealing a kiss to Rei's cheek. The winged boy smiled and turned his head, taking the kiss full on the lips and returning it. Gene held the kiss, gently teasing with his tongue until he heard the whir of approaching engines. He knew Jim had seen him in far more compromising positions, but that didn't mean he had to give him a show. He reached down to touch Rei's hand and encountered something fuzzy instead. He let out a tiny gasp and yanked his hand back. Cute or not Lati still looked too much like a snake for his tastes. Chuckling, Rei looked down at Lati, then walked over to the ship, turning to take one last look at the remains of his planet.

Gene looked back with him, but kept silent. He wondered briefly if Perdaeta would ever recover, and grow green again sometime in the distant future when his great grandchildren's grandchildren were old and gray. He shook it out of his head. Even if it did, that would be far too late for Reikiki Subsisto. The auburn beauty needed him now. "Come on Rei, let's go.... We'll find a new home together."

Rei nodded and entered the ship, Lati clutched in his arms like a life preserver. In essence it was. Rei had been distraught when he realized his planet had died. Lati, little though he was, had helped him. And Gene...had it not been for the redhead, Rei didn't know what he would have done.

Gene took a final look back as the hatch slowly closed. He had no idea where to go from here. The mission had gone terribly wrong...nobody but Lati had been left to greet Rei. So now what?

Jim was waiting for them both when they exited the hanger. "You guys okay? I heard what you said, Rei and I'm.... What is that!?"

"Now who's insensitive?" Gene replied with a grin.

Jim curled his lip and ignored his partner. "Is that the Lati you guys were talking about?"

"Yes," Rei replied. "That is actually his name, not his species. Your language has no name for his species. I had to use an approximate translation for the name as it was. The name is given because your music notes 'la' and 'ti' are the only two sounds the creature is capable of producing."

"Wow!" Jim leaned in closer, he may have been mature beyond his years, but he was still a child at heart. "It's cute.... I can't believe you were afraid of him Gene." Gene growled, "Hey! I thought it was a snake okay? You know I hate snakes..."

Jim rolled his eyes, "Gene...snakes don't have fur."

The outlaw crossed his arms. "Hey, it's an alien world...anything could have been possible."

"Whatever, Gene." Jim replied then looked at Rei. "Can I pet him?"

"Of course," Rei replied.

Jim reached out to pet Lati's fuzzy little head and giggled. "He's so soft.... I bet he's hungry. There couldn't have been much food out there for him. What does he eat?"

"It is a scavenger. It eats anything," Rei replied. "Also, they are genderless." He grinned; that was the first time that the two had seen anything other than a tiny smile on the alien's face.

"Cool, can I feed him then?" Jim asked. "I promise to be careful."

Rei nodded. "I would worry more about yourself, Jim. It has four rows of rather sharp teeth."

"Heh, that's only two more than a cat. As long as he doesn't want to eat me we'll get along." He held out a hand for Lati to sniff to see if he'd accept him. The little creature sniffed the proffered hand, turning its emerald eyes to Jim's. It was then that the blonde realized how Lati communicated. The little fuzzball's eyes filled with images of a strange-looking fruit that resembled a kiwi, but had spines and a hard shell. Jim blinked and leaned forward a bit. "Hey Gene...does that look like a horn melon to you?"

Gene stepped around and followed Jim's gaze. "Now that...is weird. You're right though...only...horn melons aren't brown." He looked up at his companion. "Do you know what it is Rei?"

Rei said something in his native language. "That is what the fruit is called," he clarified. "Yet again, it has no translation in your language. The look is similar to a kiwi fruit, I believe, but it tastes sweeter and has no tang to the flavor."

Jim pursed his lips. "Well, if I choose a nice ripe one and put a little sugar on it that might do. What do you think Rei?"

"I believe that would work," Rei replied.

Jim grinned and held out his hands. "Well what do you say Lati? You want to try a kiwi?" The little creature made it known that he did want to try the fruit, jumping around in Rei's arms happily. "Well come on then, let's head to the galley. We should be able to take time to eat a quick meal before take-off."

Gene looked a bit ill at the words take-off. "Err could we just get up there first? I'd like to keep my lunch."

Jim looked a bit embarrassed. "Oh...yeah, of course. You'll have to wait a bit Lati. We can eat once we reach a cruising speed. Where are we going anyway Gene?"

"Just head toward the east...I still need time to think." Gene replied. "I'll be in my room."

Jim nodded and headed toward the cockpit. "And I'll be steering the ship."

A little droid zipped up to Rei. "Would you like me to show you to your quarters?"

 

Strange Bedfellows--Part VI

Gene sat up at the door chime. "Come in."

The little droid opened the door for Rei and asked. "Do you need anything else?"

"No thank you," Rei replied, knowing if he asked the droid for something he'd better phrase it right, otherwise there would be a repeat of what had happened to the lights in Gene's room. The droid immediately zipped off to perform its upkeep duties leaving Rei and his pet to enter the room together.

Rei stepped into the room, allowing the door to close behind him, somewhat at a loss for words. Lati chittered and purred in his arms as the winged boy petted it.

Gene groaned. "You brought the snake? Hasn't it squeezed me enough today?"

Rei blushed. "I apologize.... I did not know what else to do...." Truth be told, he didn't want to let go of him just yet, seeing as Lati had been the only thing that had survived from his planet.

Gene sighed. "It's okay...but you'd best keep him clear. My stomach is already rolling." The redhead curled up even tighter on the mattress as he felt the ship start to hover in preparation for take-off. The entire room began to tilt slightly as the entire unit moved into a semi-upright position and Gene made a pained sound somewhere between a heave and a groan. Immediately Rei deposited Lati on the floor and walked over to Gene, sitting beside him and running his fingers over the redhead's cheek, trying to calm him.

Gene heard Rei's voice in his mind. Do not worry, Gene Starwind.... I am here....

Gene nodded, "Thanks Rei...I appreciate it." He cut off as the sound of the rockets bursting to life reverberated in the chamber. "Oohh...just tell me when it's over." Rei moved closer to Gene, enfolding him in a warm embrace, using the contact to calm the redhead more completely.

Gene shivered slightly at first, then began to grow more comfortable. "You must find me awfully weak, getting floored by a simple take-off."

"Not at all," Rei whispered, shaking his head. "We all have fears."

Gene let out a long low breath and simply lay still for a moment. Thanks Rei.... I'm so sorry I couldn't even help you. The winged boy held Gene a bit tighter, beginning to sing a soft melody in the redhead's ear, one his mother used to sing to him through storms to calm him.

Gene smiled. "That's a lovely song..." He uncurled a bit and let the melody soothe him. He almost felt like falling asleep.

Before Gene knew it, the ship was at cruising speed. Rei pulled back and looked at his companion. "Are you all right now?" he asked softly. The answer was a light snore. Rei smiled and moved away, letting Gene sleep. The winged boy bent, scooped up Lati, and left the room, wandering onto the bridge.

Jim turned around as he heard the door open. "Hey Gene! I...oh Rei? Is Gene okay?"

"Yes. He is asleep," the alien replied.

Jim nodded and engaged the autopilot. "That's probably best. Would you like to some with me to the galley? I can make us some soup and we even have some pocky."

Rei was unfamiliar with the items, but he was hungry, as was Lati, who chittered enthusiastically. "That sounds good," he replied. Jim nodded and led the way telling the droids to come get him if anything out of the ordinary happened. Once in the galley Jim handed Reikiki a bright red box with a picture of a kangaroo and the word "Pocky" in bold white script on the front, before turning back to the cabinets to hang up soup ingredients. Jim salted the water and added some chicken and spices before heading over to the table with a kiwi, a knife, a plate and some sugar.

Rei took the knife and began slicing the kiwi, pulling off the skin. After the kiwi was sliced, he looked at the sugar and sprinkled some of it on the slices. That done, he set Lati on the floor and set the plate of kiwi slices in front of the creature.

Jim grinned as Lati approached them cautiously and took a curious sniff. "So Rei, would you like something to drink?"

Rei nodded. "Yes. Thank you." He looked down at Lati, who had begun wolfing down the kiwi slices like he hadn't eaten in weeks. He probably has not, the alien realized, remembering the state his planet had been in.

Jim nodded and checked on the broth, giving it a good stir and a little more salt before heading to the fridge. "Anything in particular? We have soda, milk, and tea." Rei thought a moment. "What do you like?" he asked Jim.

"Me? Well I like chocolate milk or cola," the blonde replied. "Have you had either of those...? All I've seen you drink so far is herbal tea."

"No, I have not," Rei replied. After a moment of thought, he concluded. "May I try the cola?"

Jim nodded and got two bottles of cola out. He opened one and handed it to Rei, before popping the top of his own and taking a deep swallow. "Hey...this is good! I've been drinking the cheap stuff so long I forgot how brand-name tastes." Rei looked at the liquid in the bottle and took his own small swallow, his eyes widening at the effervescence. He quickly swallowed the liquid and coughed.

Jim chuckled. "Take it easy, if you drink too fast it'll make you burp." He stood up and headed back to the stove to dump in the vegetables. "Hmm, I wonder what I should make to go with it...rice for certain, but what else?"

He should have said it would kill you if you drink it too fast, Rei thought. He eventually got used to the drink, and was able to drink a couple of swallows at a time. In a few moments, though, his mind became a little fuzzy. He looked up at Jim, perplexed, his eyes a little unfocussed.

"Do you have a favorite dish—Rei...?" The last word was said with a bit of confusion. "Are you okay Rei? You look a little funny." The alien was about to answer when his eyes refused to stay open any longer, and he collapsed face-first on the table. Jim stared a moment then ran over. "Oh no! Maybe cola is poisonous to his kind!" He was rubbing the alien on his back when Gene walked in, yawning loudly.

"What's going on?" Gene asked a little blearily.

"I don't know!" Jim replied, a bit panicked. "He was drinking some cola with me and just keeled over!"

Gene was immediately wide-awake. He ran over and tilted Rei's head back, feeling for a pulse. When he found it still strong and steady he lifted an eyelid. "Rei? Can you talk? What happened?" The alien seemed to be out cold. Lati chittered loudly, trying to attract Gene's attention. In its eyes, it played images of a Perdaetan that looked a lot like Rei, but was older. The man was wobbling as he walked and was laughing loudly. Lati chittered again. Gene blinked at the display. "Are you saying he's drunk?" Lati jumped at least a foot off the ground, chittering excitedly. Gene felt a huge sweatdrop form at his temple. "Oh wonderful...you sure that cola wasn't spiked, Jim?"

Jim took a sip off Rei's half-empty bottle and shook his head. "Nope...just cola. I guess cola makes Perdaetans drunk."

Gene sighed and picked Rei up into his arms. "Well, I'd best put him to bed. Send our share of the food to his room, okay?"

Jim nodded sheepishly. "Yeah, sure.... Tell him I'm sorry when he wakes up. Please?"

Gene nodded and headed out the door with his precious burden. Where is his room anyway? "Hey droid!" One of the robots zipped up obediently. "Show me to Rei's room." The redhead followed the little droid to the crew quarters and tried to decide how to put Rei on the bed.

*        *              *

Rei woke up a little while later with a stifled groan. Gods, I feel like my head has been trampled on.... He opened his eyes to bright light, realizing that he was lying on his side, curled up, much the same as Gene was during take-off.

"Good, you're awake," Gene called. "Do you feel like eating?" He stood up and stretched before walking over and sitting on the bed near Rei's hip. "I can ask Jim to send us some of that soup."

Rei sat up, wincing at the bright light and the movement. "I am not sure I could keep anything down at this point...." He doubled over a bit and groaned as his stomach gave a queasy roll.

Gene ran he hand over the silky auburn hair. "I know how it is...but you need something on your stomach. I think I know just the thing. Would you like me to go make some for you?"

"If you think I would be able to keep it down, I would much appreciate it," the alien replied, smiling a little at himself.

Gene nodded and headed to the door. "Okay!" He returned a moment later with a large glass filled with a dark green drink slushy with crushed ice, two pieces of dry toast, and Lati wrapped around his ankle. "Would you call off your pet, Rei? He's refusing to let go again." Rei smiled and called out to the creature in Perdaetan. Immediately, Lati let go of the redhead's leg and skittered across the floor to Rei's bed and climbed up the bedspread, using his teeth to make sure he didn't fall. Gene sighed. "Thanks." He handed Rei the glass and the toast. "Try that, if it stays down we'll get something more substantial."

Rei nodded and took the offered items. He took a small bite of the toast and followed it with a swallow from the glass. It seemed to calm his stomach, so he continued eating. "You do know Lati only latches onto your leg because he likes you?" Rei inquired between bites.

Gene shrugged. "Well, as long as he doesn't bite I guess I can tolerate it." He sat down beside Rei again, making certain not to sit on Lati. "So tell me...does cola always affect you that way?"

The alien took another swallow from the glass, then replied sheepishly, "It was the caffeine...."

"Caffeine...you mean caffeine makes you drunk?" Gene asked in disbelief. He absently stroked Lati's head, then pulled back when he realized what he'd done.

"I am afraid so, Gene," Rei replied. The auburn-haired boy chuckled as Lati climbed up in Gene's lap, curled up, and started purring.

Gene stared down at the ball of fur in his lap and sighed. "Oh great...now he'll never go away!" The redhead sighed dramatically and turned his attention back to Rei. "Okay, so we avoid caffeine, unless I want to catch you off guard," he said with a wry grin.

Rei blinked. "...Off-guard...?"

Gene grinned even more but didn't elaborate. "Well, it looks like it's staying down. You ready to have that soup?"

"Yes, I believe my stomach can take it," the alien replied.

"I thought you might say that." Gene said with a huge smile as he pulled a large thermos and a small container from under his cloak. "That's why I brought some with me." He handed the container to Rei and opened thermos, pouring out some of the soup into the cup that served as a lid.

Rei smiled lightly. "Anything else up your sleeve that I should know about, Gene Starwind?" he quipped. The winged boy opened the small container to find crackers, rice, boiled shrimp, and a small cup of some kind of pinkish sauce.

"Only my gun," he replied with an evil grin as he set aside the little white furrball and pulled up a chair to watch Rei eat. The alien did little more than nibble at the crackers, preferring to sip the soup and eat the shrimp and rice.

"This is very good," Rei commented, then licked a bit of the pink sauce off his finger.

Gene blinked and shook aside naughty thoughts for the moment. "Really...? Let me try some. I had no clue what Jim was making." He picked up a shrimp and dipped it in the sauce. He popped the tidbit into his mouth and let out a small sound of appreciation. "Mmm, it is good," he replied trailing his tongue over his lips to clean away any stray bits of sauce.

The winged boy looked up at Gene with an odd expression on his face. Suddenly, Rei wasn't hungry anymore.... Well, not for food, anyway.... The alien's cat-like pupils dilated a bit as he remembered their first time together....

Gene leaned forward and brushed his knuckles against Rei's cheek. "Full?" Rei nodded; his voice seemed to have stuck in his throat for the moment. Gene picked up all the various meal items and set them on the bedside tables. "Good...but now I'm hungry." He leaned in until his lips were barely brushing Rei's. "Hungry for you." With that he leaned forward the rest of the way, claiming Rei's mouth in a deep kiss. The winged boy made a small sound of surrender and returned the kiss with equal ardor. Rubbing his thumb over Rei's chin, Gene continued the kiss as his other hand began to remove the alien's clothes. Rei shut his eyes tightly and dropped his hands to help Gene remove the clothing.

All of a sudden, the redhead heard a growl, then, before he could ask what was going on, he felt a sharp sting on his inner thigh. "YeeeeOUCH!" Gene howled and glared at the ball of fluff in his lap. "You ungrateful little ball of fluff! I could have shot you, you know!" Lati's response was to growl again, then it slithered/inched between Gene and Rei. Facing Gene, it continued to growl. The alien snickered, covering his mouth in a failed attempt to hide the fact that he was laughing.

Gene moved his glare from Lati to Reikiki. "Oh I'm so glad you find it funny. You wouldn't be giggling if it had been your crotch he sank his teeth into!" This comment won a peal of laughter from the auburn-haired boy, who fell back on the bed, his eyes watering from laughing so much. The indignant furrball jumped off of Rei's lap and then jumped off the bed, looking at Rei like the winged boy had lost his mind. Gene stuck his tongue out at Rei. "Yeah you better laugh.... I'm going to get you now." He grinned and proceeded to tickle the alien without mercy.

Rei had never been tickled before, so the sensation was...new, to say the least. He stopped laughing immediately and looked up at Gene, perplexed. "Well, that didn't work." Gene said with a sigh when Rei stopped laughing. He rested his chin on his wrist. "I can't torment you if I can't figure out what affects you and what doesn't."

"I apologize," Rei replied. "I have never been...tickled...before...."

Gene used two fingers to press Rei back onto his elbows. "Okay...so we try something else." He eyed Lati warily as he leaned forward and bit one of Rei's nipples. The winged boy's back arched up and he took in a hiss of breath through his teeth at the exquisite feeling. Lati growled again, prepared to jump onto the bed once more. Rei called the creature down in Perdaetan, and Lati crouched down, like a wounded dog, whimpering.

Gene grinned, then felt a little guilty. "Have you told him you're enjoying this? I don't want to have to dodge him every time I want to kiss you."

"It understands," the alien replied. "Lati was frightened when disaster struck...." Rei stopped, realizing that he hadn't yet told Gene how his planet came to be like it was presently.

"I see," Gene replied, trying to think of it from Lati's point of view. "Any idea how long he was out there?"

Rei hedged, "Well, you see, its species is extremely long-lived...." He really didn't want to tell Gene how long he'd been in that pod....

"So...what...a year or two?" Gene asked. "I didn't see any bodies so it must have been long enough to have the bodies either rot or get eaten by scavengers."

"Actually," Rei replied, his voice falling to a whisper, "it was about five hundred standard years...."

Gene made a strangled sort of sound. "Fi...five...FIVE HUNDRED YEARS?" The outlaw felt faint suddenly. My God...then.... "Umm, if he's five hundred, how old does that make you?" he asked in a small voice.

Rei looked away from Gene's eyes, embarrassed, his voice quieting even more until Gene almost couldn't hear the alien's reply. "...About...seven hundred...."

Gene let that sink in a moment. "Oh." He sat back a bit. "Well, that certainly puts a new spin on things."

"What...do you mean...?" Rei asked.

"I was thinking you were barely legal." Gene replied. "Now I feel young." He leaned forward with a grin. "So how did someone as cute as you last that long without somebody snapping you up?"

The alien blushed a tiny bit. "I cannot say I have had no...offers...in my life.... I refused them all. I was waiting for someone...." Someone like you, he added mentally. He finished aloud, "...someone special...."

Gene blinked and stretched out beside Rei. "I guess I ruined that...I'm sorry."

Rei smiled. "You did not ruin anything, Gene Starwind.... I accomplished my intended aim," he replied, his blush deepening a bit.

The redhead's expression went totally blank for a moment. Then he understood. "You mean...?" He received a nod in response. Gene fell off the bed.

Rei blinked and rolled over onto his stomach to look down at the redhead on the floor. "Are you all right?" he asked, raising an eyebrow in confusion and concern.

Gene blushed a bit. "Er, yeah. I'm okay. I just...." He sat up on his elbows. "Did you just say I was special? And do you mean what I think you mean?"

Rei nodded again. "Yes to both." Gene pulled himself back up.

Resting his chin across his arms he gazed into Rei's bi-colored eyes. "I care about you too Reikiki Subsisto, it amazes me how much." The alien didn't know what to say or where to look. Then he realized that through all of that, he had only been wearing his partially unfastened trousers. His face turned an odd shade of red. "Err...I didn't misinterpret what you meant did I?" Gene asked as he watched the blush spread.

Rei shook his head. "No, I was...slightly embarrassed by my current state of undress...." Somehow it didn't help that he knew Gene had seen him naked when they first met, before they had....

Gene burst out laughing. "Rei...I've seen you in bondage gear and buck naked. There's no need to blush. Would you feel better if I took off my clothes?"

The auburn-haired boy met Gene's gaze. His slightly embarrassed smile turned coy. "I believe that would improve things, yes...."

Gene nodded and stood up to remove his clothes, going for speed more than finesse, he sent each article flying in a different direction. "There...." he said when he got down to his briefs. "Better?"

"Hmm...." Rei pursed his lips cutely, as if in thought. Then he rose from the bed and stood in front of Gene. Hooking a finger into the waistline of the redhead's briefs, he pulled hard enough for them to fall around Gene's ankles. "There," the alien purred, "that is much better...."

Gene immediately blushed. "Hey! No fair, you're not naked!" Rei soon remedied that problem, letting the plain brown pants fall around his own ankles before stepping out of them and kicking them away. Gene smiled and took a moment to look his fill; it was really the first time he'd had a chance to. "Wow...you really are beautiful Rei." He looked down at his own body, and the network of scars crisscrossing his skin. He felt a bit self-conscious for the first time in a long time. "I guess I'm kinda hideous...huh?"

The alien leaned forward to press a kiss against a scar on Gene's arm. "No," Rei replied. "You are not hideous...not at all. I think you are quite beautiful.... Your scars tell me of a history of survival. That alone proves your strength."

Gene smiled, wishing the scars could feel, but he could see, and the gesture touched him. "Thank you Rei...." He cupped the alien's cheek and brought him up to his lips. "But don't forget...." He leaned in close. "You're a survivor too." With that he smiled and pressed a tender kiss to his lover's forehead.

Rei sighed, his smile falling as he thought of Perdaeta. He closed the scant few inches distance between himself and Gene and wrapped his arms around the redhead, leaning his auburn head against Gene's chest. He didn't say anything, but the slight tremble of his arms spoke for him--regret and sorrow.

Gene simply held him for a moment. "Shh, don't do that Rei. You couldn't have done anything. That place looked like a nuclear blast hit it. You survived for a reason, Reikiki Subsisto. We just have to find out what fate has in mind for you."

Rei didn't speak, not really sure what to say. Even if he had've, he wasn't sure he could trust his voice to speak without letting his sorrows get the best of him. He held Gene tighter for a moment, thanking him. True, he had survived...but everything he loved had been destroyed....

No, not everything...Gene was right there....

Gene continued to cradle his delicate friend, holding him close and making soothing noises. The alien sighed inwardly, thinking to himself, But I can't tell him.... It would ruin everything....

Sensing Rei had wound down a bit Gene pulled away enough to give him a smile. "We can lay down and cuddle if you like. I hear it's quite soothing."

The alien smiled a bit sadly. "Thank you. I would like that...."

Gene stretched out on the bed, and held open his arms so Rei could move into them. "Then come on..." he said with a grin. "I'm not exactly cuddly, but I think I can wing it."

Rei's smile widened a bit, and he climbed into the bed—and into Gene's waiting arms. "Oh, I disagree," he whispered, wrapping his arms around the redhead. As if that was its cue, Lati jumped back onto the bed and climbed on top of Gene's head, curling into a fuzzy ball, making it look like Gene was wearing a white, fuzzy hat.

Gene rolled his eyes up to stare at his new 'accessory'. "Oh...so now we're buddies again, huh? Fickle thing."

The winged boy chuckled. "He knows know how you make me feel." Lati looked down at Gene and an image of the redhead and Rei hugging was reflected in them. But the gesture didn't strike Gene as a simple hug, not even one that would express caring. It looked like a true, loving embrace. The redhead could almost swear he could see little fluffy hearts floating around the image. Rei gasped.

Gene blinked, then looked at Rei with a smile. "I love you too Rei."

Rei looked back to Gene, his eyes wide with shock. Then the shock abated and he smiled, shaking his head self-derisively. "Lati knew before I did.... Now I feel foolish...." A chitter brought the winged boy's attention back to Lati, and he saw an image of himself holding out his hands as if to ward off something. "I did deny it to myself, that is quite true." Rei chuckled and turned his gaze back to Gene.

Gene's smile grew into his trademark grin. "Hey! I'm guilty too, I'm not used to caring about anyone other than Jim, and well...that's nothing like this. Anyway, I denied it too. I was scared of letting myself fall for you when I thought I'd only be loosing you."

"Well, it looks like I will not be going anywhere..." Rei commented. "Not unless you are with me," he concluded with a grin.

Gene smiled and lifted Rei's chin. He was just about to kiss him again, when he remembered what happened the last time that he'd tried to get a kiss. He rolled his eyes back up to Lati. "Hey...beat it, fuzzball." The comment earned him an indignant chitter from Lati and a chuckle from Rei. Gene rolled his eyes and gently plucked the little ball of fluff from his head. He turned its face towards his own and gave the creature a dry look. "You really know how to ruin a tender moment Lati." Lati twined itself around Gene's arm, purring loudly. Rei covered his mouth, trying not to laugh aloud. Gene let out a frustrated sigh and let his fur encased arm dangle in the empty space beside the bed. "You know Rei, it'll be hard to make love to you with a caterpillar-thing that insists on biting me when we kiss stuck to my arm."

There was no mistaking Lati's expression--it looked at Gene and grinned. "I apologize, Gene. Lati was always very protective of me...." Rei decided not to elaborate on the incident that had made Lati become that way. He called the creature down in musical tones, and Lati immediately obeyed. But Gene's posture made it necessary for Lati to crawl up his arm to get back on the bed, then crawl off the bed.

Gene let out a small giggle as the soft fur brushed over a ticklish spot, but quickly covered it. "No offense fuzzball, but he's mine too." He turned back to Rei. "Now...where were we?"

The winged boy had been paying attention to Lati's descent, making sure that the little animal didn't fall. He saw where the spot was and grinned to himself. "If I remember correctly...here...." He ran his fingers over Gene's ticklish spot. Gene crossed his eyes and did his best not to laugh, he really did, but it came bubbling up anyway. "Ah. Found a weak spot, have I?" Rei teased as he began to tickle the spot in earnest.

Gene erupted into great peals of laughter, trying his best to make coherent speech. "N...n...n...no fair!" His hands fisted in the sheets and his entire body shook from the force of his laughs.

After running his fingers over the spot a few more times, Rei stopped the tickling and kissed the spot gently. "I apologize. I knew I would probably never see that expression on your face again, and I simply could not allow that opportunity to pass me by," the alien replied with a grin.

Gene took a few panting breaths then gave Rei a confused sort of smile. "What expression? Me turning blue from laughter?"

"No, you with a grin on your face that did not have to do with you thinking something you have no business thinking about," Rei teased.

Gene feigned an innocent look. "Who...me? Why, Reikiki Subsisto...I have no idea what you're talking about." The effect was ruined by a small smirk.

"You see?" Rei replied. "You cannot keep your mind out of the gutter for an instant." The winged boy chuckled. "You are corrupting me, Gene Starwind." He pressed himself against the redhead and whispered, "Corrupt me a bit more...."

 

 

"Strange Bedfellows--Part VII"

Gene smiled and let his fingers walk up Rei's back and between the delicate wings. "Gladly..." the outlaw whispered before leaning up and finally getting his kiss. The winged boy returned it, running his hands gently over Gene's bare chest, brushing his nipples lightly. Gene let out a soft moan, before trailing his lips over Rei's chin and along the slim throat. He kept his fingers moving in slow patterns over the alien's back as he placed the lightest of nips against the delicate skin of the slender neck.

Rei's eyes fluttered shut at the gentle caresses, and he answered with his own quiet moan. The winged boy leaned back a moment, pressed a kiss to the redhead's jaw, then moved down slowly, paying attention to every inch of skin as he descended. His mouth settled on one dark tan nipple, and his tongue slipped out hesitantly to lightly lick the flesh. Gene let out a soft sigh of pleasure. "Mmm.... Rei." His head lolled back as he arched into the moist caress of the alien's cat-like tongue. His actions gentle, Rei took the hardened nub between his lips and suckled delicately for a moment before letting his rough tongue pass over the flesh he was attending to. Then he placed a light nip to the flesh. Gene shivered slightly and let one hand tangle in the soft auburn hair, letting his fingers massage the back of Rei's head. "You're certainly a fast learner Rei."

"Why, thank you, Gene," the alien replied with a grin. A quick movement of his body and Gene was lying on his back on the bed, Rei straddling him, still running his tongue over the redhead's nipple. Rei kissed a trail across Gene's chest to the other nipple and gave it a similar treatment, while beginning to rock his hips against his companion's. Gene let out a small moan and lifted his hips against Rei's with a sharp thrust. "Definitely a fast learner," he hissed. The winged boy continued his assault on Gene's chest for a moment, before moving down, laying a path of kisses as he did. His tongue found the redhead's navel and teased it gently. Gene froze then a quivering started in his abdomen. He stared down at Rei's head. He'd had no idea it could feel that good to have his belly button licked.

Rei continued his journey down his lover's prone body until he reached his destination. Now then, the winged boy thought to himself, I believe it is payback time. His tongue reached out to delicately circle the head of Gene's erection before running up from base to tip, only to circle the tip again. Gene gritted his teeth as the pleasure slammed into his system. That rough tongue added an entire new dimension to oral sex. His breath was rattling in jagged pants as he fought back the urge to thrust. Pulling back for a moment to assess the redhead's condition, Rei inquired shyly, "Am...I...doing this...right?" Gene nodded his head vehemently, but didn't say anything. He wasn't certain what might fly out.

With this assurance, Rei leaned down again, this time taking the tip into his mouth and flicking his tongue lightly against the flesh. He took in as much as he could comfortably, using one hand to stroke what he couldn't with his mouth. A soft moan vibrated the redhead's arousal.

A similar moan fell from Gene's lips, and his hips arched up a fraction of an inch before he regained control. "Damn Rei...that's nice." The winged boy moved his lips and fingers a bit faster, and then leaned up to follow the vein on the underside of Gene's shaft with his tongue before plunging down once again. He let his free hand drop to caress the redhead's testicles softly with his thumb.

Gene's breath caught in his throat a few moments before he managed to bite out, "It's too nice...keep it up and I'll blow." Rei smiled a bit, and continued further, sucking at the aroused flesh of his companion and purring against the throbbing erection. Gene pulled at the sheets even harder, biting his lip in an effort to hold back. It was a loosing battle, and he finally whispered a sort of warning. "Fine...you asked for.... AAHHH!"

Rei pulled back a bit, knowing what was coming, but still, the sheer force of the climax made it impossible to catch it all. He swallowed, but a few stray drops escaped the corner of his mouth. He licked them away and made an ascent, kissing his way back up Gene's body. "I take it that means you enjoyed yourself?" Rei teased.

Gene took a few calming breaths then gave Rei a dry look. "You have ask?" The look was replaced with a huge grin. "Enjoyed it is an understatement, Rei. I loved it."

The alien smiled cutely. "Are you 'up' to going any farther," he inquired, "or have I worn you out?"

Gene goosed one tight buttock. "There's only room for one smart-ass in this ship you know." He replied with a grin as he swiveled his hips to brush his fast returning erection against Rei's. "What do you think, hmmm? Do I seem worn out to you?"

Rei yelped as his posterior was squeezed yet again by the redhead. "I believe you could possibly last another round," the winged boy commented with a wink. "Do you mind if I see for myself just what exactly you were experiencing whilst on the dealing end?"

Gene blinked, then shook his head. "No...I don't.... It's been a while though. You'll have to prepare me." The redhead stared at his discarded pants and the fluffy ball of white fur curled on top of them. "Damn...did it again." He looked back at Rei. "You'll find condoms and a little bottle of lube in the pockets."

Rei smiled, got up from the bed, and moved Lati, who squeaked indignantly. He found the items and brought them back to the bed. "It is a wonder you manage to keep safe, what with leaving your...protective items in your trousers and discarding your trousers without retrieving them." The winged boy grinned.

Gene pulled a gun from what appeared to be nowhere. "I still have this!" he replied before spinning it and putting it back in the tiny space between mattress and wall he'd hidden it. "I'm more used to needing it than condoms.... Sue me."

Does that mean...? Rei wondered. He decided not to ask any questions. He climbed back onto the bed, a blush tingeing his cheekbones.

Gene chuckled, "Why so shy Rei? Did you think I'd say no?"

"Well, no..." the alien replied. "I am...somewhat at a loss..."

Gene looked a bit blank for a moment, then he burst out laughing. When he calmed down a bit, he leaned his chin on his hand and gave Rei a smile. "You just do what I did to you, prepare me, enter me, and instinct should handle the rest."

The winged boy nodded. "All right...." He placed the small bottle out of the way, but within easy reach and stroked his hands down Gene's chest, letting his fingers brush softly over his nipples. Gene smile didn't fade as he let his own hands explore the silken skin of Rei's thighs, arms, and finally the alien's nipples where he began to mimic what was being done to his own. Rei's head fell back, and his eyes fluttered closed. With a quiet moan, he leaned down to capture the redhead's lips with his.

Gene kept his hands between them so he could continue to stroke Rei's nipples as he returned the kiss, running his tongue along the sweet lips. The winged boy began to move his hips against Gene's, grinding their erections together. He nipped gently at the redhead's bottom lip a moment before taking it between his teeth and nibbling it lightly. The redhead shuddered and began to gently pinch and roll the hardened nipples at his fingertips. This caused a slightly louder moan from Rei, who leaned up, let his hands drop, and gently caressed the aroused male flesh of his companion. Gene let out a low moan of pleasure and raked his nails over Rei's chest as he arched into the new caress. The winged boy opened his eyes and reached for the small bottle just within his reach. He scooted down a bit more and poured some of the contents onto his fingers. Rei brought one oiled finger down to Gene's entrance and added just enough pressure for the digit to slip inside, then stopped. "Is this...right...?" he asked.

Gene took a deep breath and nodded. "Yeah...but now you should move it a bit."

Rei began to move the digit imbedded within his companion slowly, feeling the tension relax a bit. When he thought he could do so without hurting Gene, he slipped in another finger, keeping the rhythm slow, so as not to cause too much pain. Gene closed his eyes and let his head drop onto the pillow. It had been a very long time since he'd been on the receiving end. He concentrated on making himself relax, knowing that tension would only create pain. Rei was gentle however, and patient. Gene was loosened fairly quickly and he began to rock against the fingers. Rei took note of the redhead's movements and added a third finger, watching Gene's face for signs that he was hurting his companion.

Gene panted a few times and groaned. "Go deeper, it'll feel better if you go deeper."

The winged boy took Gene's advice and allowed his fingers to penetrate farther. He came across a small protrusion. What is that...? he wondered as he pressed it gently.

"Yesss!!" Gene hissed as he dropped both hands to fist the sheets. "Just like that!" The reaction startled Rei somewhat, but he continued to tease the little area, watching the expressions he wrung from the redhead. Gene's mouth fell open as he simply gave himself over to the pleasure for a while. He continued to grind against the penetrating fingers while he bit one fist. When he sensed he was dancing to close to the edge, he forced himself to pant, "Now Rei...do me now."

The winged boy nodded, and took the little foil packet between slightly shaking fingers and opened it. He remembered what Gene had used the contents for and copied his movements to the best of his abilities. He had a bit of trouble, though. "Gene.... How...do you manage these...?"

Gene chuckled and reached out to help him. He steadied the throbbing erection, pinched the tip of the condom between thumb and forefinger and slowly rolled the latex sheath over Rei's manhood. "There ya go.... Easy as pie."

"Thank you," Rei replied, blushing like mad. He positioned himself at the redhead's waiting entrance and slowly pressed forward, watching Gene's face carefully.

Gene winced slightly, but hid it well. Reikiki may have appeared willowy but he was by no means small. Maybe I should have done this more often? The outlaw made himself slide forward to meet him however, knowing he'd have time to adjust once he had the alien completely within his body. Rei continued to press forward until he was fully imbedded within his companion and stopped, waiting for Gene to adjust to the penetration. The winged boy's body shook with the effort of controlling himself.

Gene gave Rei a lopsided grin. "It's been a while...." Taking a few deep breaths he made himself relax a bit more, then nodded. "I'm ready now." The winged boy pulled back a bit, then pressed forward once again, slowly, biting his lip to keep from crying out at the feel of the redhead's body around him. Gene didn't bother covering his own cry. "AHH!!" His hands grabbed Rei's upper arms as he sought to drive himself down on the alien buried within him.

Rei managed to gasp out, "Are you...all right...?" He didn't think he could bear it if he'd hurt Gene.

"I will be when you speed up!" Gene growled a little more hoarsely than he intended. Understanding that he was not hurting his lover, the alien quickened his pace, shutting his eyes tightly and arching his back with his thrusts.

Gene kept his grip on Rei's arms, using them to gain the leverage to meet the alien's pistoning hips, forcing him to impale him even further. Low words of encouragement fell from his lips in a mindless litany as he felt the pleasure slowly heating his blood to boiling. Rei let his head fall back, his own pleasure almost too intense to bear. His conscious mind pulled away, into his subconscious, and both reached out to touch Gene's mind, giving him a taste of what the winged boy was feeling.

Gene's eyes flew open. He knew what it was to give, and what it was to receive, but to experience a bit of both at once was new and almost overwhelming. "Oh GOD!!" The outlaw's hands tightened on Rei's arms as he fought to last a little longer. This was far too wonderful to give in just yet. The alien could feel Gene's pleasure as well, and it made him cry out, nearly at his climax. Rei's wings began fluttering softly, making intermittent humming sounds and creating rhythmical vibrations.

Gene's hands tightened even more, right along with the rest of his body as this new stimulus sent him over the edge. He was dimly aware he might be hurting the slender alien, but his hands and body weren't his to control at the moment. Ecstasy was his entire existence in those painfully sweet moments during his climax.

Rei was aware of the pressure, but didn't mind it at all. Feeling both Gene's body contracting around him and the redhead's mind blank out, the winged boy followed Gene into the realm of pure sensation. "Oh, GODS, Gene!" he cried as his back arched one last time, driving him deep within his lover for a moment, before his body relaxed.

Gene slowly released his death grip on Rei's shoulders and frowned at the bruises. "Damn.... I've hurt you. I'm sorry Rei."

The alien simply folded his arms around Gene and replied, "I did not mind. I hardly felt that. I was concentrating on...other feelings...."

The redhead's frown softened marginally. "It still doesn't make it right. I usually have more control than that," he whispered, thinking of icepacks and medicinal creams.

"Watch," Rei replied. He shut his eyes and whispered something in his native Perdaetan. His arms began to slightly quiver, then a gentle energy hum was heard.

Gene looked at Rei's face, not at all certain what to expect. The hum threw him off even more, and it was only chance he shifted his gaze back to the bruises that were rapidly disappearing. ...RAPIDLY DISAPPEARING? Gene gaped as the bruises went from dark red, to soft pink, to slightly yellow, and then finally the smooth peach tone of the surrounding skin. Gene continued to stare dumbfounded, before pooling all his remaining wit to whisper, "Wow."

"I take it this is not a commonplace ability?" Rei questioned.

Gene reached out and hesitantly brushed the perfect skin, not quite believing his eyes. It took a moment for Rei's question to sink in. "No...it's not. I guess I know why they stole you now."

"I see," the winged boy replied. "It is quite true. Between my healing ability and my longer life span, perhaps they were trying to extend the life spans of the human race?"

Gene sighed, "I doubt it, trying to build a better bio-weapon is more likely. Even if they were trying to make people live longer, it wouldn't be used on normal people."

"Perhaps not," Rei replied. He smiled, and then continued, "But this is depressing." He pulled himself free of his lover and lay beside the redhead, wrapping his arms around Gene tightly and breathing in his scent.

Gene blinked. "Yeah...you're right.... It is. Should I let Lati bite me again? You sure laughed enough the first time." As if cued, the little white furrball climbed back up onto the bed, bit Gene's posterior, then jumped off the bed and crawled underneath something. Gene yelped and rubbed his abused bottom. "Yeouch!! I was being facetious, you crawling ball of fluff!!"

In between giggles, the winged boy managed, "Perhaps you should...be...more careful...of what you say...."

"Hmph. It's not fair, he doesn't bite you or Jim. Why am I the one always getting new scars?" Gene pouted.

"Your scars are handsome," Rei replied. "Besides that, neither Jim nor I call Lati a 'crawling ball of fluff' or whatnot." He leveled a glance at Gene that spoke volumes.

"Okay an inching tube of fur...." Gene said with an evil grin.

The winged boy raised an eyebrow. "Do I detect an innuendo?" he asked teasingly.

Gene looked genuinely confused for a moment. Then he realized the possible implications of his earlier statement and burst out laughing. "Actually I meant that as an insult, a loving insult, but just an insult." His evil grin returned full force. "Now who has the dirty mind?"

"As I said earlier, I believe you have corrupted me, Gene Starwind," Rei replied, running his fingers over the ticklish spot that Lati had found while crawling down the redhead's arm. Gene's laughter returned and he retaliated by giving Rei a firm goose. Rei yelped and continued to tickle the spot, aided this time by Lati, who brushed his tail over said spot. Gene began to kick slightly as he laughed his head off. His breath was coming in short gasps, but he was enjoying every minute of it.

The door hissed open and Gene froze as he heard his longtime partner entering the room. "Hey guys, are you going to come to dinner or...." Jim froze as he saw the pair tangled together on the bed. Rei stopped tickling Gene immediately and looked up at Jim with wide, startled eyes. Lati flung himself at Jim and curled about his ankle, squeezing gently as if hugging the blonde.

Jim continued to stare a moment before reaching down to gently pluck Lati off his ankle. He stroked the little creature like a kitten, keeping his eyes locked onto the soft white fur. "I just wanted to ask if you wanted me to hold dinner since you were taking so long."

"Er..." Rei blushed an interesting shade of red and replied, "N-No. Allow us a few more moments and we will be...more decently attired...." He looked at Gene and waited for his response.

Gene shrugged, Jim had walked in on him before so he wasn't as bothered. "Just stick it in the oven and we'll be in when we're ready. In the meantime you might want to check out that droid that led me to my room. I think it was faulty."

Jim nodded. "Okay...I can do that." He began to sit Lati back down.

"Take the fuzzball with you." Gene said rubbing his latest set of bite marks.

Jim blinked and forced himself to look at Reikiki for confirmation.

Rei nodded. "That is fine.... Just keep him away from uncooked red meat," the winged boy replied. "Lati's species love it, but it makes them want more until they will hunt for it. It may even drive Lati to attack one of us."

Jim closed his eyes and a huge sweatdrop formed. "Err...okay. Is cooked meat okay? Or should I stick to salad?"

Gene goggled a moment then grumbled, "He's already attacking one of us."

"Lati only bit you to protect me. It thought you were hurting me," the alien replied. Turning back to Jim, he answered the blonde, "Cooked meat is fine. Believe it or not, Lati is healthiest when given a balanced diet, as is any humanoid species."

Jim nodded and dropped his gaze again, his entire body an even shade of red. "Okay...I'll go ahead and eat with him then get started on the droids...later." The young blonde exited the room quickly, cradling a happy looking Lati in his arms.

Gene frowned. "It isn't fair I tell you.... He didn't try to bite Jim for interrupting us."

"The members of Lati's species play in that manner, too," Rei replied. "But only with those individuals that one feels are equally as strong. In other words, it would not bite one whom it thought could not handle it." The winged boy chuckled. "It believes Jim and I to be weak."

"Oh great.... I get bit for being Alpha...that sucks!"

Rei snickered. "That is not quite accurate. It considers you on an equal standing with itself."

Gene scowled. "Oh he does...does he? And what are you giggling about?"

"Only that you are acting like a five-year-old," the winged boy replied, grinning. He poked Gene in the belly lightly. "Shall we clean up? This will be the second time that we have made Jim wait for us to...finish our business."

Gene almost pouted, but decided not to give Rei any more ammunition. "Sure...let's go."

Rei kissed Gene softly on the lips. "I apologize. Those must have seemed like 'cheap shots' to you...."

Gene opened his mouth then shook his head. "It's okay...I don't mind. Jim and I argue all the time, but I can't help but care about the kid. It's a lot like that for you. I'm sure Lati will grow on me too...provided he doesn't keep trying to make a meal out of me."

"Until it bites and refuses to let go, you have no need to worry," the winged boy replied. Smiling, he stood up from the bed and walked into the shower room. He peeked around the doorjamb. "Well? Do you plan to accompany me?"

Gene pulled his gun back out of hiding and nodded. "Coming."

The alien raised a nervous eyebrow. "Why are you bringing that...weapon...?"

Gene stroked the pistol lovingly. "I'm never without a weapon Rei. I learned that lesson from all these scars."

"Ah..." Rei replied. "Please take care to point it in the other direction, then.... Seven hundred years is relatively young for my race--'barely legal,' as you put it. That is far too young to be dying." He smiled nervously.

Gene dropped his hand, but not the gun. "What does that have to do with a gun? Jim knows how to shoot, not as well as me, but good enough. This is a tough world Rei...you need to have a weapon."

"I was rather referring to the fact that, with one misfire, I might die very young...." the alien replied. His nervous smile turned slightly smug. "Oh, and I have a weapon. Granted, it is not quite as sophisticated as yours, but I have one."

Gene looked at gun and grinned. "That's why you keep the safety on!" he replied clicking the switch into the off position, then back again. "It's impossible to fire with the safety on...and I never point a gun at anything I don't intend to shoot." He walked into the bathroom and set the weapon on the counter closest to the shower stall. "Now what's your weapon...and where have you been hiding it?"

"My weapon is here," Rei said, tapping his forehead. "And I do not simply mean my wits. You know I can send feelings to others as well as receive them from others, correct?"

Gene nodded. "I would hope so considering I just had some of the best sex in my life thanks to it."

The winged boy chuckled. "Thank you. And, thanks to the glimpse inside your mind, I believe I have figured out exactly where the pain and pleasure receptors in the human brain are. That is my weapon. I fiercely agitate the pain receptors in the brain with bursts of mental energy."

The redhead blinked as the implications sunk in. "Ouch."

"Yes, 'ouch,' indeed," Rei agreed, his smile turning evil. "Shall I give you a demonstration?"

A huge sweatdrop formed on Gene's head as he scratched his chin. "Err...." Gene laughed a little nervously. "Let's just wash for now. I worked up an appetite."

Rei smiled. "All right, Gene. That sounds like a good idea. I must complain of being famished, as well."

*        *              *

Gene stretched languidly as he walked into the kitchen and stared at the parts scattered across the table. Lati was happily munching on a large chef salad turning his fur orange with the French dressing, while Jim slowly pieced the defective droid back together.

Rei blinked. "What is all this?" he inquired, indicating the pieces of the droid.

The redhead shrugged and went to the oven to pull out the food. "Ahhh...I'm starving!!" he said as he set the platter on the counter and began searching for bowls.

"I'm repairing the droid Rei." Jim said smiling at the alien, before sliding a glance at Gene. "Do I need to do the same to the locks on the doors?"

The winged boy fought a blush. "I apologize.... We were a bit too...preoccupied to remember to secure the door...."

Gene handed Rei a small bowl of miso soup, and began to drain his own. "Nothing like miso to get the digestion going, huh Rei?"

"I...suppose so...." The alien looked at Gene with an eyebrow raised in confusion, but started on his bowl of soup.

"Miso soup is famed for helping you digest your food more efficiently if you eat some before meals." Jim supplied as he slipped a jeweler's loop over one eye and began to weld a few circuits. The tip of his tongue hung out slightly as he tried to concentrate on the delicate circuitry.

Meanwhile, Gene was piling two large bowls with rice, fried and boiled shrimp, pink sauce, and stir-fired vegetables. He handed one of the surprisingly well arranged bowls and some chopsticks to Rei before picking up his own and digging in with an almost wolfish hunger.

Well, one cannot say Gene does not have a healthy appetite.... Rei thought to himself. He began eating his own meal in a more refined manner, but was certain that he would not be able to finish what Gene had piled into the bowl. Lati licked the remnants of the French dressing from its own bowl, then purred as it crawled into an out-of-the-way corner and curled up to sleep.

Gene finished off his food with a loud sigh and glanced at Lati. "He's going to need a bath."

The winged boy looked down at the now white and orange furrball curled up, snoozing peacefully in the corner of the kitchen and chuckled. "Yes, it looks that way...." He put his bowl down on the counter, not wanting to get in Jim's way, and walked over to Lati. Rei bent down and scooped up his little pet, causing Lati to chitter at being disturbed from his nap. "I will take care of that," he replied, walking towards the door with Lati in tow.

Gene choked a bit on the huge ball of strawberry mochi he'd picked up for dessert. "I didn't mean now! Aren't you going to finish eating?"

"I was finished," Rei replied. "I do not require such vast amounts of food to sustain myself as you do, Gene Starwind," he teased lightly.

Gene stuck out a distinctly red tongue and took another bit of the mochi. "I'm a big boy.... I need food."

"You're a boy all right." Jim commented as he clicked the cover back in place over the droid and set it back on the power rail. "How's that Gillian, all systems green?"

The droid swiveled around a few times checking its arms and eyes. "Perfect, thank you Jim."

Jim nodded and turned to a shocked looking Gene. "Gillian is the name of the computer, she's the prototype to some type of new ship, the XG-P wasn't it?"

The droid nodded and Jim gave Gene a thumbs-up. "All systems green! Where shall I steer us?"

Gene shrugged and paused in running after Reikiki. "Got me, just toss a dart at the map going away from where we were and we'll worry about the rest as we go!"

Jim rolled his eyes as the outlaw exited the kitchen and turned to the droid. "Well.... I guess that's it. We're off on a road to nowhere."

The droid nodded. "Yes 'sir. A course to the Nowhere Bar and Grill on the Theta-zed moon set in."

Jim blinked and began running after Gene before the hyperdrives could kick in. "Gene!!!"