The clearing of a throat at the cave's mouth caused them both to startle. 

Vosi stood in the moonlight and turned just as Chiss walked forward with a basket. 

"Don't let us interrupt," she said in a cool tone. 

The commander let out a low puff of a laugh at the audacity of the fates.  He was finally getting somewhere with Macon only to have it ruined by friends. 
"We were just-" Macon tried to explain, but found herself at a loss. 
"In need of a moment alone." Xane said cooly.

The tension that hung in the air at present was palpable. 

"But time shared with friends is always a good time. Join us and perhaps we will find our moment later if our host can grant me a room for the night." Xane's attempt to lighten the mood fell short.

"Of course friend, but won't that be a conflict of interest as I'm sure you are expected to be back with the Regent upon first light."   Chiss' reminder was something he was well aware of, and he'd never known him to take that responsibility lightly. But what was his friend getting at, and who was he to keep him from Macon?

"Yes, and there are plenty of moments to be shared between now and then. You can rest assured that my duty comes first. I will be where I am expected when I'm needed and not a moment sooner." Xane held a challenge in his tone that cause the other male to tense.

"As you wish, Commander." Chiss said.

Xane's mouth set in a firm line at his friend's use of his station.  Chiss was stepping on dangerous ground this night.

***************************************

Xane stared at the ceiling unable to fall asleep. That moment he'd wanted had in fact never come. He considered going to her now, but he thought about how well that had gone the last time he'd done just that.

He remembered the night he'd gone into her room.  It had been the night of the claiming. It had only been his first time he'd talk with her, and he'd not wanted it to be over. He'd been drunk on Aturian wine. It had dulled all his sense, less one. That primal need for a female. His female. And he did so long to taste her, to know her. After the many months he'd watched her from a distance, he couldn't fight it anymore. He'd snuck into Chiss' apartment and straight into her room.

The way her skin felt against his mouth was all he could think of.  He closed his eyes at the thought of her creamy delicate skin that smelled of almonds and honey. 

He groaned and rubbed at the bridge of his nose.

That was it. He'd go to her. It wasn't use resisting. What did he have to gain by it?

She sat, drapes blowing in the coolness of twighlight as the moons glistened upon a small stream of water unaware of the predictor that stalked behind her. How was it that these stars felt so much like home, yet so alien at the same time?  She scanned the night sky searching for those familiar star systems, but they were no where to be found. Goosebumps sprang up along her body with the realization as the cool night air brushed her nearly bare skin.  The sheer chamise did little to cover her. 

Xane's body bristled upon seeing the streams of light that danced over her dewy bare skin.

It was almost too much. He wouldn't be able to hold himself back. Not if she allowed him access to her. 

A low growl rumbled from his chest, and she turned jumping in fright at the sound.  She wasn't alone. 

He winced at how he'd scared her, but what had he expected?

"It's me." He said before she could scream. 

Her heart beat wildly at his presence in her room. 

"My gosh! You scared me. Could you have knocked? Or do you just have a thing for sneaking into my room at night."

Xane's face burned with something that felt almost like embarrassment. 

"I couldn't sleep." Was his only response. 

It was true, but that still didn't explain why he'd chosen to come to her room when he'd have to report back to the Regent in four hours.

"I see." She said, standing and walking towards him. 

His body stilled as she approached him.  Was it too much to hope that she wanted him too?

Her hand brushed up his bare arm and traced one of the bands of ink that circled is bicep.