Getting on the Road and a Shower

"That was FUN!"

The fact his daughter and Blackfire agreed on something was..., a little disturbing.

Layla had been in a mix of near panic and absolute excitement from the moment Zac had transformed. And she wasn't slowing down as she bounced on the small couch the ship had. Rather than unwind in the kitchen compartment, he thought it would be better to do so elsewhere. Besides, Blackfire and Carm were taking stock of everything and moving some of the new supplies into the fridge; better to let them do it.

Or at least Blackfire had been.

She had left their maid to do it most of the work and joined them, sitting on the couch with Layla just watching the small human bounce on the soft if a little outdated couch. And had agreed the whole trip had been fun when Layla announced that fact. Encouraging her to stay around trouble wasn't something he wanted rubbed off on her.

"Yes, getting ourselves into a fight with most the station at this point was 'fun'." he sighed as he leaned into his chair.

The 'living' room was on the other side of ship, mirroring the bedrooms in the floor plan, or at least Layla's room. It wasn't big, heck the kitchen area was bigger but it was far more 'cozy' here. Sure, the floor was still the same metal/tiled set up but the seats were plush and made from a synthetic material that was soft to the touch without flaying the threads. Probably to make sure no extra particles were kicked up into the air.

It consisted of a screen to watch or play on, a big comfy couch, two armchairs (or at least what he could call armchairs), and a couple different shelves and containers. Probably to keep small games or books in but he didn't really have much to his name before so it was just stocked with random magazines from what he saw.

"If I had it my way, we would have far more fun than that. But I suppose you two can't handle that level." Blackfire said as she gave the little one a pat on the head, "Still I'm surprised you weren't completely panicking. I figured you'd be crying all the while."

"Crying wouldn't.... *puff* help much I knew that." Layla said, taking a puff from her inhaler. She'd asked for it once things had settled down as her chest felt tight for a while now. They were lucky she didn't have a full-on attack during that whole thing.

"I just knew you two wouldn't let anything happen to me. Besides it was fun to see you beat up the bad guys and dad beat the boss like that! Like something out of a super hero show, and I get to live it now! The way you just spun kick that one..."

Zac gave a weak chuckle as his daughter went on about Blackfire as he went over his own thoughts. He knew he protect her with everything he had, but he was a bit surprised in how much Blackfire had taken to protecting her. And was that a slight..., blush on her face? Unexpected but maybe Layla was starting to grow on her.

"Well..., I don't like it when others try to hurt my things." Blackfire said, her voice a little shaky at the start, "But we'll have to do better about not fighting around you. So, promise us, if we say need to run and hide; you'll do so. Understand."

"Okay Blackfire." Layla answered with a nod as she shuffled over and hugged her.

"I think you hugged me enough for the day...., but you deserve another hug for being a brave girl." Blackfire said as she lazily put an arm around Layla and pulled her in.

A glare was sent Zac's way before he could even say anything. An image of a large orange cat wanting to brush up against someone but not be hugged themselves flashed in his head. Ever since he processed the idea of her being 'cat like' a lot of her actions made sense and gave him some, funny mental images. Of course, if he laughed he was gonna get into trouble, and more so if he explained why. So, he had to keep as best a poker face as he could.

"COUGH, Well... I am proud of you Layla..., and you had a good idea." Zac said, shifting the topic a bit as he used a hand to roll something along the arm rest. "I should have remembered we had the other one."

The Pisces orb was in his hand, while the Leo and Taurus ones were on the small coffee table before him. They seemed to change from orb to emblem and back again based on his will or at least 'need to transform'. Maybe crest was a better term to use, as they had looked like some sort of knight order crest while attached to the belt.

"Hehehe" Layla gave a big wide smile at her father, "I just guessed it would work." she said, while Blackfire leaned over and picked one of the spheres up.

"I'm more interested in this one though." she said, holding up the Taurus stone, "Why did this end up here? HOW did it end up here?"

"I don't know." he shrugged as he took a sip from his can of soda, "But when I was fighting the lizard guy, something felt.... weird about his power. Or I guess more his axe's power. It felt like Leo and Pisces but also didn't...., like it was done through a filter or something.".

"Hmmmm, that weapon of his might have been a way to contain the power and those gloves were the way to control it. That still doesn't answer the worrying question."

"You said you picked these up from some stop and swap, or arts and crafts or WHATEVER you people do on the side of the road." she rolled her eyes, making Zac just not even care to correct her on which one it was, "But these two where from YOUR world. Which doesn't have powers, heroes, aliens; so, on and so on. So, why is there a stone here with the same power?"

"I just thought Cupid messed with the stones to give me a power set but... I got them a couple years ago. They couldn't have planned for me to have them when I was matched with you.... right?"

"That is a bit of a reach...." She said as she settled back onto the couch, "Perhaps they only moved us all the way out in the boonies due to sensing another stone nearby? AGH!!!" she runs a hand through her hair, "There's too little to go off of!"

"Does it matter?"

She looked down at Layla. Did it really? Zac had picked up another power and thus was only going to get stronger if he found more of them. The problem was just how the gangster got it..., well. Syndicate probably, but how did THEY get it beyond just saying 'bought/stole it' was beyond her. Still, she wasn't a fan of 'hanging questions' more so if she couldn't do anything about trying to answer them besides just 'waiting'. It wasn't like she could analyze them here...., well, hmmm.

"I suppose it doesn't but..., I would like to make sure this isn't going to be a problem. We do have a mineral scanner on the ship so with your permission, I'd like to run some tests." she rubbed her chin in thought, "Maybe we could figure something out."

"We do?"

"YES, we do Zac, agh." she rolled her eyes again, "This ship was made for long hauls and mining operations; mainly the former though. So, I don't expect an in-depth detailed report from the scan but it's good enough to tell you what you'd mine out of an asteroid. We should get something out of it, even if it's an 'error' rating."

"Oh, Can I cough, watch cough cough..." Layla hacked a bit before taking another puff from her inhaler.

"I think that's enough excitement for you." he came over and picked her up, making sure she took a full dose from her medication, "Besides there's nothing really to do till we get to...., where ARE we going?" Zac asked as he turned to Blackfire.

"You have those road stops on your planet, right?" She asked, getting up herself and stretching, "We're going to one. It's basically another station like what we just left however that one was a major connecting station; this one is a lot smaller. And shouldn't have as much excitement. We'll warp in, request to stay for a bit while the warp drive warms up a bit and then warp out."

"AND Before you ask; no. We'll not be visiting the actual station this time." Blackfire put a finger to Layla's head before she said a thing, "As I said it's going to be much smaller anyway. Think the galactic version of a gas station instead of one of those big fancy rest stops."

"So, they won't even have the funny t shirts huh?" Layla pouted before yawning.

"Come on, let's get you down for a nap. Not much to do while we're mid warp anyway...., err."

"Couple hours." Blackfire answered the hanging question, "I'd say we'd get there a little bit before dinner, perhaps after. Agh...., " sighed as she started to walk away, "You two are going to have to get used to a weird schedule due to space travel. I won't try and mess it up TOO much though. I'll be in the bridge if you need me."

She gave the pair a wave as door closed behind her. This left the two alone to make their way to Layla's room. She waved at Carm who was still in the middle of doing inventory as they passed through the kitchen area. Out of sight and hearing though his daughter said something to him.

"You like Blackfire don't you...?"

"I mean... tsk...., I don't HATE her." Zac answered.

"Daaaaaaaaaaaaaad...." Layla pouted as she was carried to her room.

"It's just complicated sweetie. Besides, I don't think you'd like for your father to go around being a space pirate and hurting people, would you?" he asked back. Excitement was one thing but she wouldn't want him to be evil for her to get it.

"But you're a Space Knight! You can't be a bad person! Besides there's stories of the Knight turning the evil princess good!" she threw up her hands as she started getting excited again.

"What stories have YOU been reading...., or more likely which of your maids have been talking about stories they've been reading?"

The look on his daughter's face gave him the answer. Some of those girls were big on reading romance novels and a lot of odd manga/webtoons that were basically repackaged romance books. Then again, considering he was living in one right now could he really knock on them about that? Agh it was just so..., frustrating and awkward was a good way to describe it.

He didn't hate her but they were so... different. Sure, her boldness was attractive but maybe she was a bit too much at times, and her appearance was..., well she was a knock out. Besides that, they didn't have much in common.

Actually...., there might be something....,

Besides fighting that is, as his daughter started talking about how cool it was that her parents were both butt kicking crime fighters. Ignoring the fact that Blackfire was more than likely one to doing the crime in the first place. Still, he had an idea to see to, though he wasn't sure if she'd like it or just throttle him.

________________________________________

"Finally, things are looking up."

It had been a rough... two days or so, since she was **** into this awkward marriage but it wasn't that bad. At least he was humanoid for one. But with all the setbacks and awkward events she was wondering if they'd ever get going. Hopefully nothing else would slow them down but with a Syndicate involved..., that could get ugly. She had to cross check a few things on the flight plan to see if she needed to make any changes.

At best she could maybe flee into another Syndicate's territory, or a nation that had strong laws against them. Anything for some breathing room.

Had she known there was one involved, maybe she could have made a deal before shots broke out at the bar. But...., that was a long-gone idea now. Besides she was certain Zac and Layla wouldn't appreciate that even if it meant they got home faster.

"Agh I'm jumping through so many hoops for them...," She muttered as she walked down the hallway towards her room. Well, their room.

That was still a strange thought to her, their room. It had a weird... tone to it when she thought about it. She'd shared beds with others before, men and women. And even lived together with a few of them for any number of reasons but those were never really.... theirs. It was a one-night stand, or a hotel, or **** to share a room because they were too broke to afford separate. She hadn't shared a room with someone since her sister.

This was just a little... weird to her. A sort of odd feeling in her gut that felt... like weaker acid reflex. Just a simmering feeling.

"Wonder if I can get some meds for this." she muttered as she opened the bedroom door.

Zac was nowhere to be found... till she moved her head a bit. He was sitting at the computer desk with a few odds, ends and containers out. Looked like he was fixing something..., maybe a toy of Layla's. She didn't care but given that the desk was the only one in the room and she had plans for it even before opening the door..., well she just made her way over to him.

"Could you move?" She asked, putting a hand on her hip, "I'd like to do my hair just a bit."

"Do you do that often... after a fight?" he asked as he slowly cleaned the desk of items.

"My powers makes my hair a bit frizzy yes, and being shot at with lasers damages it too. Not as much as it would for you or Layla, but enough to be a bit of a pain." she answered as she sat down and flipped a button which brought up a rather reflective screen and a hair brush was extended from one of the drawers, "So I have to do a little self-care after each fight."

"What about your clothes?" he asked as he started putting thing things away. She didn't get a good look at what he was holding though.

"My clothes are designed to withstand it so you don't have to worry about my them ripping to shreds from my energy ..., Unless...," She turned a bit to look at him, sly grin on her face while an eyebrow waggled, "That's a kink of yours."

"...., I'll be honest. No. But seeing you in what would be a burnt-up battle bikini would be rather hot..."

She stiffed up and turned away, hiding the blush on her face. She hadn't expected that response from him. Destroying her outfit just to turn him on...., what a waste of money and material. Please! Maybe if she picked up a couple outfits from his world...., she'd burn those tacky things for him.... wait a minute!

"Why am I thinking about stuff like that... he's a good pet but... no. I'm keeping him as a bed warmer and maybe a pet...."

But he had offered himself as a 'knight' during that fight....,

She saw her face blushing even harder in the mirror before snapping her eyes close. Why was she blushing like some dainty princess! She was a queen damn it; she wouldn't let such act cause her to change her mind so easily. It was meaningless drivel from a man that couldn't keep up with her life what so ever... physically yes but she wasn't going to just back down from her schemes because some guy fucked her into a pleasure fueled coma and...

A soft cool touch graced her neck.

"Zac. I'm going to open my eyes now. And there's a pretty good chance I'm going to remove a finger or two from you." she growled.

"I mean. Lemme see your reaction first and then maybe might be worth it."

She snapped her eyes open, looking for any kind of weapon in his hands. It felt small so it wasn't a knife or anything, and felt both loose but able to be tightened quickly so some sort of wire perhaps? What did he think **** her was going to do after everything they'd just done and....

A glimmer of purple caught her eye. A hand reached up to grasp what was there.

It was... a pendent. The cool feeling was due to a small metal chain that was around her neck. The center piece of it was a brilliant purple gem, with the embellishment around it was a few lengths of bendable wire, shaped to look like a four-pointed star. The gem itself was cheap, heck it might just be quartz than anything and the cut it had was rough. The star points were mismeasured thus didn't match. It was a cheap trinket that anyone could tell the moment they saw it.

"I... got it for you. Senai sold these little trinkets. You kinda caught me in the middle of making it fit you better. Layla got one of those... do it yourself jewelry kits from some maid and well, figured I could make you something a little better than how it came as. I'm not good with that kinda stuff but when I saw what she had... well, "He gave a small smile, "I had to get you something to match your eyes."

She sat there in silence. Not moving, not even really seeing, barely breathing. At first, he thought she somehow had a heart attack... or her people's version of a heart attack. Instead, she just rose, and hovered over to the bath room, mumbling about wanting a shower now.

"Wonder if I fucked up." he thought as he heard the water start up.

It was a cheap gift yeah but he was expecting some sort of reaction from her. Stunned detachment wasn't expected and... honestly just felt wrong from her. Snide remark or frustration yeah but seeing her just be so... dead felt off. Like a fire in her died and all from getting something like that? Was she so used to grand presents, treasures, and gems? That would explain all the crime he supposed and...

"Okay what is that?" he craned his head to listen.

A weird sound had started up. It repeated every so often with a good amount of time between them but it was such an odd noise he picked it up over the running water. Sounded like a wet 'slap' merged with a 'Tink'. Was Blackfire doing something weird in frustration? She HAD left the bathroom door open..., she wouldn't kill him if he checked right?

He didn't get a good look from just the opening, so he pulled up his courage and went in. Blackfire was in the standing stall shower, the glass planes filled with steam. Her clothes were scattered in a hurry on the fool, tossed around without a care what so ever. Heck one of the gloves ended up in the sink. Was she that much of a hurry for...

The slap and Tink noise came again.

Blackfire had slammed her upper body against the glass, pressing her breasts hard against it. Flattened against the glass, Zac could see every inch of detail of those perfect breasts. He had to lick his lips a bit on reflex but while his body was enticed by the view it was something else that captured the rest of him. As when she had pressed up hard against the glass, something else hit it to.

The necklace she wore as the only garment covering her sharply body.

Her long tongue stretched out, made a show of wrapping around one of her breasts and trailing just over her new pendent before retracting. She brought up a finger and wrote something in the fog. A desire, a command, a request? He wasn't sure, but the shaky letters that spelled 'CUM', gave him all he needed.

Without a word he simply walked over to the door and opened it, getting hit with a wave of heat and steam as it escaped. He closed it quickly as he joined her.

And the next wet smack that was heard was instead Blackfire's backside slamming against the glass.