Her Alien Commander

by Mira Maxwell

  There’s a first aid kit in the kitchen, and I head for it now. I catch a glimpse of something I've been trying all night to avoid. Cardyk stretched out on the small sofa, lounging like a lion on the gray microfiber. He looks so strong and regal it takes my breath away. Thighs the size of tree trunks take up the full width of the sofa. His barrel chest rises and falls in rhythm with his slow deep breaths. One arm is casually flung over his head, resting on the sofa. I can’t help but notice he looks so much less intimidating while he sleeps. The concern and alertness drain away from his face and he looks peaceful. The lines of worry smooth out.

  He rouses and I turn away quickly, not wanting to be caught staring at him. Too quickly, as it turns out. I feel off balance, like I have vertigo, and I struggle to keep my footing. Three more steps to the medicine cabinet. You can make it. But I can't. Spots form in my field of vision and I curse myself for being so damn stubborn. I should've made myself eat dinner. I should've stopped for lunch. And I should've gone to bed hours ago. I just pray that I fall softly so the sound doesn't wake Cardyk. I'll never hear the end of it if he realizes what's happening.

  No luck on that count either. I'm struggling in and out of consciousness and I fall to the floor with all the grace of a burlap sack of potatoes. And then everything goes dark.

  It takes me a moment to realize where I am. The soft fabric against my cheek throws me off; I'm expecting the scratchy carpet of the lab floor. So, I’m on the sofa, and my hunky alien bodyguard is looking down at me with an expression I can't quite decipher. My best guess would be equal parts concern, annoyance, and frustration.

  “What happened?” I ask, even though I know the answer. I’m hoping he doesn’t.

  “You fainted.” His words are clipped. “I'd be worried if I hadn't watched your foolish behavior all day today. But I don't even need to wonder what the cause was. You’re overtired, you aren’t taking enough breaks, and you aren't eating enough food. You’re pushing yourself beyond all limitations and it’s more than your body can take.”

  I struggle to sit up, ready to argue with him but he plants his giant alien hand against my chest, right above the swell of my breasts, and pushes me back down into a resting position.

  “You're going to stay right where you are for the rest of the night,” he says. “I'm going to sleep on the floor right next to you so I can keep an eye on you. Just in case you're foolish enough to try to go back to that lab in the middle of the night.”

  I’m not accustomed to being addressed like this. “Who do you think you –”

  “I think I'm the warrior tasked with your safety,” he says. “And I can see my initial instincts were right – my biggest concern now is protecting you from yourself. So, while you're under my charge we’re going to start doing things a little differently. From now on I give the orders and you listen to them.”

  I open my mouth to argue, trying to come up with the perfect retort, but he turns away and the moment is gone. He returns from the kitchen moments later with a small protein shake. They taste like chalk and they smell like raw eggs and I'm not eager to drink it. But I already know what he has in mind, and I’m not sure the protein shake is the hill I want to die on.

  “Let's do a trial run,” he says. He hands me the small can. “You haven't eaten anything all day so we’re going to start with this. Drink the shake and then you can go to sleep.” I start to argue but he puts up a hand to silence me. “The sooner you go to sleep the sooner it'll be time to wake up and get back to work tomorrow. I know that's your number one priority. So if you're smart you'll do what I'm asking.”

  I rip the pull tab from the can and chug it with a grimace on my face. He looks pleased and that makes me even more upset. At the same time, it is kind of nice to be taken care of and to know someone's looking out for me. I mean, really looking out for me – not what I can do for them, or the attention I can bring to them, or the glory I can win for them, which is what it often felt like my parents were doing.

  I shake the can so he can hear it's empty. He plucks it from my fingertips and takes it to the trash.

  I thought he was joking about sleeping on the floor next to me, but he returns with a sleeping bag and pillow and proceeds to set up camp two feet away from me. I try to play it cool, but I've never slept this close to a man before, which is not something I care to admit to him right now. It’s more than a little distracting.

  It's hard to land a boyfriend in college when you're jailbait. I figured any guy who wanted to hang out with me was probably a pervert. And as I suspect many single women would tell you, based on my discussions with other women on the ship, it's hard to meet a guy once you finish up school. Doubly hard when you're as socially awkward as I am.

  I lay in the dark and listen to his soft, slow breathing. I can smell his decidedly masculine scent, and my mind starts to drift to more pleasant thoughts. I can still feel the imprint of his warm hand on my chest from when he pushed me back on the sofa. And there's something about the way he bossed me around just minutes before. It made me crazy, but I also kind of liked it. He was so tough and strong and in-control when he was issuing orders and expecting them to be followed. There wasn't a doubt in my mind that he could make me do whatever he wanted. I try to tell myself the warm pleasant feeling washing over me is just the sugar or the carbs from the protein shake kicking in, but I don't believe my own lie. I think it's something about my close proximity to Cardyk that’s making me a little crazy. I gather the blanket close and roll onto my side so that I'm facing the back cushions on the sofa. My brain wants to linger on thoughts of Cardyk for a little while longer but my body gives out and without meaning to, I fall fast asleep.

  I wake the next morning to the smell of rehydrated sausage and oatmeal. I shift into a sitting position and stretch my arms above my head letting out a loud yawn as I do so.

  “Good morning,” he says. “You look refreshed.”

  “I feel refreshed.” I walk to the kitchen to see what he's doing and brush against his arm as I peek at what he's cooking.

  “Breakfast is served,” he announces as he carries two rehydrated meals to the small table. I follow closely behind him. “You choose whatever you prefer and I'll just eat whatever's left.”

  I slide into the chair and grab a few links of sausage and a bowl of oatmeal, which seems like the perfect meal on this frosty planet. He joins me and grabs the remaining food.

  “Thank you for making me breakfast,” I say.

  “I'm here to help,” he says. “I think we need to talk a little bit more about our game plan going forward. I don't want to be a hard ass about it, but from now on you're going to be taking meals at regular intervals. Same thing with breaks.” He motions to a pile of items stacked on the small table. “I rummaged through the cabinets this morning while you were asleep and found a few diversions.” He points to my chess set, MP3 player, my DVDs, and books. “I'll let you work for a few hours,” he says, “but I want you to keep taking breaks to recharge your batteries. We need to get on a set schedule. We will start every day at seven and stop every day at five.”

  “I want to sleep here,” I say. “Not inside the walls.” I tell myself it’s so I can keep an eye on the Eclaydian, but I can’t deny the idea of camping out here, just the two of us, is more than a little enticing.

  “I'm okay with that,” he says. “Although I think once in a while it would be nice to go back inside to interact with other people. Let them know we’re still alive and kicking.”

  “I will once I have a breakthrough and am making some progress.” I drain my cup of water and choose my words carefully. “I can't go in there and have fun now when I have nothing to show yet.”

  “I understand,” he says, and I know that he does. “There's one other thing I’d like to discuss.”

  “Okay,” I say. I’m feeling really cautious.

  He sets his silverware on the table and looks at me, and I know it’s going to be an important request. “I want you to let me help you.�
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  “Help me with what?”

  “With your research.”

  “You’re already helping me,” I say.

  “Not with your work.” He puts his hands out, ready to ward off my protest. “I don't mean help with the microscopic-atom-splitting-complex-scientific-processes work, although I am curious as to what you’re working on. I know I'm a blunt instrument, but you can still use me. I can wash any equipment you need, lift heavy stuff, get boxes down from high shelves. Anything you need. All you have to do is ask.”

  His desire to help me is endearing and I decide right then and there to let him. “Of course you can help,” I say. “Actually I was thinking this afternoon it might help if we could reconfigure the lab, and that’s something I can't do on my own. Let me do some prep work this morning and get a few things in order and then after lunch we can work together. How does that sound?”

  “Like a solid plan,” he says with a smile.

  Six

  MINA

  We settle into a comfortable routine over the next several days. I focus on my work and try to keep moving ahead instead of focusing on the progress I’m not making. Cardyk spends his days soaking up Earth culture by tearing through my books, magazines, movies, and TV shows. But today, it seems, he has something different in mind.

  I’m running a series of experiments and hovering over a row of test tubes when the first few notes from my mixtape of 1960s ballads start echoing across the room.

  “Oh my God, where did you find this?” I’ve suddenly forgotten about everything else. “I thought I lost it in the crash.”

  “It was wedged in one of the shelving units.”

  “It’s my favorite. This song played at my great grandparent’s wedding.”

  “It’s very good,” he says. “There are many things I don’t understand about you Earthlings, but your music beats ours, hands down.” He stands there, hesitating, and I know he’s holding something back.

  “Spit it out, warrior,” I say.

  “I was thinking maybe you could teach me how to dance. I figure it would be a good way to force you to take a break.”

  “How do you know about dancing?” I ask. “Do Attalans have their own version?”

  “We have ceremonial dances, but they’re performed solo. Nothing like your version with a man and woman dancing together. The warriors in the camp told me of it as soon as I arrived. It was by far their favorite part of Mallyk and Diana’s wedding. They told me it was like sex standing up.”

  I giggle as I remember that night. The warriors did seem pretty entranced when Diana pulled Mallyk to the middle of the outpost yard, which happened to be doubling as a wedding-reception hall, turned on her music, and pulled him close in front of everyone. Quite scandalous, it seems. Savannah and I spent the rest of the evening fending off requests to dance from warriors.

  “I appreciate your enthusiasm for the arts, but ten minutes isn't enough time to teach you how to dance.”

  “Remember our deal,” he says. “You have to take a ten minute break, dancing or no dancing. And I have a feeling everything is better with dancing.” He extends his hand.

  “You have a point,” I say. He's entirely right but I'm still hesitant. It's just the two of us cooped up together all day and to get close to him feels like I'm playing with fire. I fear my attraction to him could consume me if I’m not careful. Then again, maybe it's about time I took a chance in my life.

  “Well….” I tentatively move closer to him. “You put your hand on my waist,” I say. “I put my hand on your shoulder. And we clasp our other hands together.” The touch between us is electric. His shoulder feels like a bowling ball under my light touch. His hand burns like a scorching iron against my waist. I imagine his light grip drifting lower and I blush.

  “When do we start dancing?” He asks. I'm so lost in my thoughts and feelings I forget that we’re supposed to be moving.

  “Well,” I say. “That's the tricky part. Now we take steps in time with the beat of the music. You lead and I'll follow.” He hesitates. Then, all at once, he gathers his courage and starts moving. I follow his wooden steps and he soon loosens up. A wide grin creeps over his face, mirroring the goofy one on mine.

  “I can see the appeal of this,” he says, “but I feel like maybe I should be holding you closer. This doesn't seem like sex standing up to me.” He gives his best bedroom eyes and I feel myself blush. I start to move back and he pulls me closer, trapping me with his massive hand at my waist. Not that I really want to flee. I've always been a fan of book learning and logic but right now he's giving me a first-class real-world lesson in the pleasures of the flesh. I feel contentment in his arms, and the warmth of him holding me close as my favorite music plays throughout the trailer.

  He leans closer, to steal a kiss I presume, and I tilt my face towards his to claim what's mine. Oh my God. His lips brush against mine and my first thought is that they’re softer than I expected. And more eager. A warm flush spreads through my body and a delicious ache forms between my thighs. I want his gigantic hands on me, cupping my breasts, fondling my buttocks, and slipping between my thighs. I open my lips against his and he claims the opportunity, sliding his warm tongue between my lips and savoring the taste of my mouth.

  I know I should push him away. I need to get back to work. But I've been waiting for this for so damn long. I'm suddenly glad that he’s my first kiss, and the first man that I'll go even farther with. I’d let him do anything he wants to, if he’d only ask.

  It's as if he reads my mind. He pulls me closer, holding me to him with one arm while his other hand moves to my chest. He fondles my firm breasts, starting gently before moving on to more enthusiastic squeezing. He takes his time, massaging each globe, before focusing his attention on my pert nipples. They crinkle even tighter at his touch. It nearly drives me mad when he plucks at them through the thin fabric of my shirt.

  I take the opportunity to do some exploring of my own. I start by running my hands over the contours of his muscular chest and torso before reaching around his trim waist. I slide my hands lower and cup the perfect firm muscles of his ass. He groans when I squeeze and it's my first taste of womanly power. I’m suddenly aware of the effect I have on him, and it’s intoxicating beyond belief. How could little old me drive a magnificent warrior like him so crazy?

  I start to lose myself in lust. I'm trapped in a haze of sensation, with reason thrown to the wind, when I feel his thick muscular hand force itself between my thighs. He rubs at the tender flesh there. I push against his hand, working myself against his fingers, enjoying sensations I've never felt before. I never want to stop, and at the same time I know it has gone too far. I put my hand on his wrist and push him away.

  “We have to slow down,” I say. “I can't do this right now.” Everything feels amazing, but I'm just totally overwhelmed. And there are other things I need to be worrying about. Like saving the planet I’ll hopefully be returning to in the next couple of months. It seems dangerous to fall for someone when the odds of me ever seeing him again are slim to none. Besides, I need to find someone more appropriate for me. A nice nerdy man back on earth who’ll want to attend lectures with me, and spend our afternoons discussing cold fusion. Someone I have something in common with.

  “Did I do something wrong?” His voice interrupts my thoughts. “Did I hurt you?”

  “I've never felt anything so amazing in my entire life,” I say. “And that's why I need to stop.” He looks at me knowingly and I wonder if he’s going through the same struggle: If I give in now, I lose myself forever.

  “Then I better let you get back to work,” he says.

  “Don't look so disappointed,” I say giving him a shy smile. “I have another break in a few hours, right?”

  I return to my experiments with an entirely different attitude, and, in the end, I think that's what makes the difference. My body is still singing, I feel full of joy, and I’m amazed at the possibilities in the universe. New ideas pop and
fizz in my brain so fast I can barely keep up as I struggle to write them down. And I'm ready to accept his help. To trust that he really wants to help me, and see me be successful. I’m not just learning to like him. I’m also starting to trust him.

  “Could you help me move a few things around in the lab?” I ask. “I mean if I'm not interrupting your leisure time.” My alien bodyguard has become quite the bookworm. He spends my research time lost in the fictional worlds I brought from home, and he appears to love every second of it. It makes me happy knowing that he's happy and that he's discovered the joy that can be found in books.

  “Robinson Crusoe's not going anywhere, as far as I can tell,” he says as he closes the book and sets it on the sofa next to him. “What can I do for you?”

  “I have a few pieces of equipment in the cupboards right behind me. Heavy machines on the lowest shelf.” I motion to the cupboard, pull the door open, and point to the four bulky metal appliances. “If you could lift these onto the countertop, I'd be forever indebted,” I say.

  They aren't that heavy and I can lift them myself in a pinch, but he's here so I might as well make use of him. He seems to enjoy helping me, I mean beyond keeping my life safe at all moments. Besides, what I really want is to feel the thrill that courses through me whenever he’s close. He brushes against me as he lifts the first one onto the counter, and I wonder if this compares with the high drug users experience. Because I feel a little out of control.

  I set up four new rounds of experiments by inserting samples of the Eclaydian into the test tubes. I plan on testing the impact of the rays generated by the four bulky apparatuses now on the countertop: microwaves, infrared waves, ultraviolet rays, and X-rays. Something has to eventually unlock the power of the Eclaydian. I just need to keep going. Never give up. Never say die. You never know when the next big discovery is right around the corner.