Together Eshami and I left the engine room and headed down the hallway. My footsteps quietly echoed against the metal walls as the lights occasionally flickered. Our shadows appeared in quick glimpses across the wall.

“Hero, let’s stop,” Eshami said as she stopped suddenly.

“What is it? Are you okay?” I asked, with concern painted across my face.

“I’m fine…” She trailed off as she turned her back to me.

“Then what is it?”

“We’ve been through so much on this ship. The danger, the close calls…” She glanced back toward the engine room. “I had almost died back there had it not been for you.”

“What are you saying?” I asked confused.

“Missions like these have unintended consequences…”

“Eshami?”

“I seem to have fallen for you, Devon,” Eshami turned to welcome me in a tight embrace. Her body pressed tightly against mine as she slowly looked up into my eyes and placed a delicate kiss upon my lips.

“Eshami…” I whispered quietly. The taste of her sweet lips lingered upon mine.

“It’s okay Hero,” She smiled, “You don’t have to reciprocate the feelings. I just needed that. In case we don’t make it out alive.”

Then she turned to walk down the hall.

Another special "Thank you!" to Bradan Writes Stories for his original contribution to the series (on which this chapter is based)