THE HEALING HEART: Military and Pregnancy Romance

by Zelda Clemens

  “You are a skin-walker,” he said. “You hide in other guises, but in truth you’re hiding Eileen.”

  “I don’t—“

  “You play tough and cynical,” he went on. “But you didn’t put your life on the line for a story, you did it for a little girl. There’s a tender heart behind that bitch facade, and I want to draw it out.”

  “Oh Donovan” I said falling into his arms weeping. “Sometimes that bitch feels like a frightened little girl. Stay with me? Please?”

  He kissed me full and deep as ashes fluttered around us.

  THE END

  Another bonus story is on the next page.

  Bonus Story 2 of 44

  The Alien Encounter

  Description

  What happens when two different worlds collide? Two different societies, so vastly different from one another, alien in most regards.

  That’s the situation that Vak’Nosh of the Varrokian people must find out as he’s transported to Earth to begin a career in the corporate world on Earth. As an alien species visiting a different world, he has to grapple with the growing isolation that comes with being different, and separate from a people that are in every way his opposite.

  But as he gets to know one particular Human, Diana Richards, he starts to realize something the closer he gets to her. That maybe Varrokians and Humans aren’t really all that different after all. That they all want the same thing in life; to feel good and be happy.

  This is a story that shows that deep down, no matter where you're from, or who you are, that connections can be made with one another.

  *****

  The dark, rank smell of burning entered into the main nostrils of my inner nostrils. I never could get used to the sensation and heat that always followed when one made planet fall. The rocking, the tormenting buffet of motions and turbulence that shifted you from side to side as you felt the air grow steadily warmer before, finally, it dissipated. That sensation of your stomach reaching past the other organs into your throat was always the worst because it elicited certain thoughts and emotions.

  Fear, being the main one.

  After all, what if you never made it? Early space travel for the Varrok was ripe with disasters. Explorer warriors who traveled to the moons and never made it back. Early prototypes centuries ago that exploded before they could reach the heavens. Even now, Space travel and traversal across the ether wasn’t all complete fun and games. Sometimes, ships blew apart on re-entry, burned into the atmosphere, or never made it past their hyper jump destinations, lost into Pantheon know where.

  I was getting ahead of myself though, and I needed to calm down. The worst was over I realized, as I closed all six of my eyes, and let that lump in my throat settle down as I reached up with a clawed hand to brush past the dark grey fur of my face. I felt the tension slowly leave, sweat sticking to the ends of my fur, clamming up the outfit that I wore; Some three-piece outfit made of a soft material that appeared, by all accounts, alien.

  But yet, it was the preferred outfit of our newest venture to the Varrok Empire Enterprise. A smaller race of hairless creatures that looked primitive and docile, but by all accounts were surprisingly fierce, deadly, and just as Predatory in every regard as the Varrok.

  Though the name that they called themselves escaped me for the moment. My mind wandering to this diplomatic business exchange that I had agreed to, all for the sake of adventure and to leave the Hive World for something that was different than an endless sea of steel, glass, fur, and orange sky above.

  “Thank you for your patience; arrival Checkpoint incoming. Welcome to Earth,” came the sound of the voice over the speakers above my head, reverberating within my mind. I slid a clawed hand down along the vest I wore and relaxed even further now that I felt the turbulence beneath me slowdown from a roll, down to a sway.

  Earth... that’s right. I remember now when it was discovered some ten cycles ago. The other spacefaring people, strangely, reaching out to us with a hand in friendship. Their unclawed hands soft and pink, their faces strangely welcoming and trusting, but with weapons pointed at us from behind their smiling visage.

  We didn’t know what to think. Varrok’s only smiled as a show of dominance, to show our fangs and how we’d use them. To these simple creatures, it was a show of friendship. Their dominance the weapons heated red and in warning; their version of fangs to show. I was but a juvenile, and I admitted, I was in awe when I saw them. They looked nothing like the other predators of Space that we’ve met, fought, and dealt with.

  “First time going to Earth?” a voice, old and grey, rang in my ear and it brought me from my thoughts, almost causing me to jump.

  I turned, looking to the angled face of an older Varrokian beside me. His fur scraggly from age, his body eaten away by time and disease, but all four of his eyes bright with knowledge and wisdom. I bowed my head in reverent to his attention as I sought to find the right words to reply. “Of course Elder, Business, and diplomacy.”

  He chuckled and nodded, his eyes wandering down to look to the outfit I wore. The three-piece soft clothing that garbed my warrior form different from the traditional Varrokian armor he wore; the plates guarding his vitals, his stomach, neck, and the ends of the caps of his claws hiding the danger of sharpness at the end of all four of his fingers. “I can tell.” He replied, no hint of sarcasm or irony in his voice. “You’re wearing one of their suits.”

  I looked down, glad at least his voice didn’t elicit any shame from me before I turned and looked back towards him. A suit was what they called it. That was right. I remember now. “Yes. I’m to work as a Varrokian liaison to one of their Corporation Empires. It seems they wish to increase trade.”

  “Yea. Part of why I like the humans.” He replied with a nod of his head.

  Humans… that was the word. That was what they were called. I remembered now.

  “I see…” I continued on in thought for the moment. Bringing a clawed hand to stroke at the point of my chin, I was almost lost to thought again before I decided I needed to capitalize on the moment and seek out the Elders Wisdom further. “I think you’ve been to the Humans Earth before, Elder one?”

  He turned to me and smiled, all eyes now looking towards me, giving his full attention. “Five times. I might just stay this time if I’m permitted. There’s just something about the humans that I really like. I can admire them.”

  I looked on in confusion, the suit I wore suddenly growing more uncomfortable on my frame as I waited for him to elaborate.

  But then he grinned at me, rows upon rows of glinting yellow teeth showing off to me, and the hackles of my neckline rose up before I realized; he wasn’t challenging me. This wasn’t him making a show of dominance, or a warning to an attack. This was something he learned from the humans who always seemed to be grinning.

  “Just wait and see young one. You’ll find that the Humans are not only of interest but also an experience to indulge in.”

  I started to doubt his wisdom before the shuttle gave another jerk before ultimately resting. Having reached our destination. “We’ll see Elder one. Thank you for your wisdom,” I said before I slowly moved to stand and leave. Doubt still ringing in my mind.

  *****

  I wasted no time in the fulfillment of my duty. My charge was to immediately go to the corporate building of the Human Corporation known as “Heavensent” and immediately let them know that I had arrived and that they would be filling me in what my duties as a Varrok liaison would be, as well as showing me where my quarters would be located at while I was there.

  It seemed simple enough. Once I exited the shuttle, showed off the required documentation to show that I was allowed on Earth, granted a right to remain on Earth for the duration of my employment, as well as submitting to a quick analyzation screen. I was away upon a shuttle that took me there.

  I looked up from the roof of the automated vehicle that I found myself uncomfortably sitting upon as I relaxed, perhaps for the first time since e
ntry to Earth. I stood about 3 units tall, which was equivalent to the Human “Meter” in all regards. Well above the average human of 1.5, to 1.8 meters tall by almost a factor of twice as much.

  Small creatures, I still didn’t understand why they were deemed as special as they were, or why they garnered so much attention still. But I admired them for their world and countenance. I gazed out from the windows of the traveling vehicle, looking to the hundreds of humans that littered the streets and the sidewalk avenues before all four of my eyes gazed upwards with their reddish complexion to the sky above.

  So blue, and so bright. Not a cloud in the sky. So unlike the Varrokian homeworld of a constant reddish hue that cast the world in a blood hue that spoke of war and fighting. Maybe that’s why the humans were as they were; they didn’t have a constant reminder of what they were above them and revered it as the blanket of coming wars. They just did what they did and moved on and improved.

  Heck, even their Gods didn’t reflect that. The Varrokian Pantheon nothing more than different Gods who represented Cruelty, Honor, Sacrifice, Bloodshed, Competition, and Healing. The human gods? Different and varied, but all of them centered on the ideology of being NICE to each other and treating one another with respect and dignity.

  Though their history didn’t reflect that. It boggled my mind.

  I shook my head, no sense in thinking it over as I slowly came to the building itself and found myself outside of the massive complex deep within the heart of one of the Human Cities in one of the various fractured Nations that stood separate from the “Earth Alliance” organization that was the face onto the Galaxy itself.

  I paid my due in credits, the human standard of currency, and then made sure that my suit was on in a pleasing way. Nothing more than pleated shoulders on a vest with pants that reached down to the hocks of my knees, and even down to the caps of my clawed feet. A white shirt beneath and a thin fabric of cloth called a “Tie” that reached beneath the vest to my belly.

  Other than being 3 meters tall, furred, four eyes, four nostrils, four clawed fingers, and with digitigrade feet, and features that resembled an Earth-based “wolf”, I appeared as normal as I possibly could as I made my way through the front door.

  The inside was cold, and alive with activity that seemingly stopped the moment I entered the building itself. Humans of all shapes and sizes stopped for the moment, turning to look in my direction as their two eyes gazed, some perhaps for the first time, on a Varrokian warrior.

  I cleared my throat and made my way to the authority figure at the front as he sat behind a desk. His brawny frame seated, doughing his mid-section into softness, as he looked up to meet eye for eye; unsure of where to stare with his two eyes.

  I could respect that, meeting my gaze and all. I bowed my head to show deference to the authority figure as I spoke.

  “Vak’nosh, of the Varrok. I was told to report to this facility for work at this time. I hope I am not too late.”

  He didn’t reply for half a moment and I thought I butchered the Human language, despite having spent time learning it as rapidly as I could, before he nodded and looked to the computer terminal that was in front of him. “OHhh! Yes, the alien. Of course. Diana Richards had been expecting you. You’re actually early.”

  I stopped, not giving him a response. Though the term ‘alien’ didn’t sit well with me. Though, perhaps it was because I did feel out of place. “And where is this Diana Richards?” I asked, not wishing to waste the human’s time.

  “She’ll be along shortly. Perhaps you can wait?” he gesticulated behind him to the various soft covered furniture that stood in a circle around an immaculate table.

  I grumbled, almost rumbled somewhat. Annoyed. Being made to wait. But I had little choice.

  “Perhaps. Thank you human.” I spoke and turned. Making my way as I prowled along the flooring towards the cushioned chairs, and sat. Sinking down further into the seat as my knees rose up almost to my face. Humiliating for a warrior Varrokian, but I had to make do. It was a different culture after all.

  So I leaned back, and just went back to admiring the blue sky above. Instantly, my favorite thing so far about this world.

  *****

  Time passed slowly on Earth, or so it felt. Back on the home world, Varrokian’s moved quickly. If we had places to be we got there perfectly on time and didn’t wait. If we needed to reschedule things, we did. Time was of most import for us, and we often used it as a tool of castigation in our society. If you were late, you were admonished. If you were early, you had nothing important to do, and thus, were seen as unimportant. Military, Business and even Home life revolved all around the ability to be where you needed to be. The more in tune you were with your surroundings, and your schedule, the more you were seen as Alpha. Beta Varrokian’s were shoved to the side until they proved their worth once more.

  Humans. So very strange. I closed all four of my eyes as I brought my clawed hand up to cover across my snout in thought. Feeling the soft padding of my predatorial grip rest itself as a headache formed on my frontal lobe. The blueness above was calming, but the brightness never ceasing was too much of an ocular sensory overload for me to bear.

  “Mr. Vak’nosh?” came a sudden voice, as the tip of my elongated ear, perked up to the sound. Mister… I had never heard that term before, but it was my name that followed. I slowly opened my eyes back to the blue sky above and turned my head to look in the direction of who spoke.

  Another human, obviously. Tall, slim, and wearing coverings over her feet that added several inches to her height. Her slimness only exacerbated the swelling of her stomach as her mane from the top of her head fell down in a cascade of brown along her back. She wore an outfit dissimilar to mine, but blue. The same color of the sky. A wrapping of clothing that I recognized as a “skirt” went from her slim hips downward towards her knees.

  It took me half a moment, the back lobe of my brain processing the information before suddenly I stood up, instantly towering over her smaller frame. She was tall for a human, but I was average height for a Varrokian.

  “Yes, that is me human. Are you the one that they call “Diana Richards”?” I asked, not wanting to waste more time than I intended.

  She smiled but didn’t grin as she stepped forward to bring up her bare hand towards me. I took a peek upon her hand; no claws, or padding or fur or anything to denote it as a paw like appendage. Her hand looked so fragile and so soft. “I am. Sorry to keep you waiting.”

  I felt the tip of my ears pin back along my skull in confusion as I looked down towards her hand as she kept it raised to me. I didn’t speak, but she more than likely took a guess to my emotion.

  “It’s called a handshake Mr. Vak’nosh. Humans do it as a way to greet one another.”

  My ears remained pinned back, but I obliged the request as I reached out with my own hand to take hers within mine. I was right in feeling that her grip was fragile. I could feel the soft flesh of her hand beneath my own. “And is this a greeting for everything?”

  “Only to the meetings that mattered.” She smiled before she pulled her hand back, indicating the end of the handshake as I obliged once more.

  “Seems I've got a lot to learn about Earth customs and human mannerisms…” I said, and she laughed. A tune that came from her as she found humor in my words. It only made me keep my ears pinned back in confusion, unsure if this was mockery or mirth

  “I guess. Allow me to get you up to speed Mr. Vak’nosh. Please, would you follow me so I can show you your workstation, and then to your employee housing?” she asked, stepping aside as she looked back up towards me.

  I didn’t reply. Just merely stepped as I followed along beside her, leaving the entryway of the corporate building to those that milled about as the entry man authority figure buzzed us in, allowing remotely from his desk access behind the doors as we entered into the building proper.

  If the outside of the building could be considered a face of the company to those that c
ome in, it could be considered “calm”. Not once outside had I felt a sort of frenetic energy milling all around. Not so much so with the interior of the building. People moved, and the urgency inside was almost the dominant expression that one could feel within. Papers were being shuffled, people were talking, phones were ringing, and people pushed and shoved one another to be where they needed to be. A sort of different battlefield, I realized as I towered over the walls of the small cubicles that separated each worker like cattle.

  It was a mess, one that was far different from the order of the Varrokian world.

  “A mess, isn’t it Diana Richards?” I asked in question as I stood behind her. My own arms resting in a military rest upon my lower back as I prowled upon my clawed feet on the floor. Dodging people as they made their way towards me, weaving through crowds of people who couldn’t give us a wide berth. I felt their eyes, felt their tension in the air as work stifled upon my approach. Most people staring with their unblinking two eyes as I shuddered in thought to what they could possibly be thinking themselves.

  “Yes, but deadlines have to be met somehow Mr. Vak’nosh. We can’t all be as calm and collected as the Varrokian’s are.”

  I frowned, my ears once more pinning to the back of my head as I simply huffed in response. She was right.

  “This way please.” She then spoke, pleasantly still as we entered into a metal box within the wall, and I stepped in. Feeling the acceleration upwards.

  *****

  Eventually, there was a slight ding above my head, and the acceleration stopped. My clawed feet dug into the carpeting, the caps of the booties I wore digging in as I felt my stomach settling back down into its normal position with my abdomen. We had these sorts of contraptions at home as well, but I disliked their use.

  The door opened, and the lights above, white-hot from the glass the bulbs were behind, illuminated the quietness of the building itself. Specialists of all kinds milled about. Walking solemnly down hallways where various different doors were located.