by S. E. Smith
“You’re right about that,” Nika said. “Ever since Lily joined the Department of Homeworld Security, Ari pretty much always has a different cat in his arms when I see him. He’s obsessed with the things, same as Cyan.” Nika walked over to them and gestured to Meredith. “Is that where you came by this one?”
“I actually don’t know where Meredith is from,” Marq said. “Dane snuck her on board.”
Nika nodded. “Well, now that they’re here, I have a feeling others are going to want their own as companion animals. I could just see these little guys climbing the trees in Kindred colony.”
“That might not be such a good idea,” Caitlin said. “Cats are notorious for getting in places they aren’t supposed to.”
“Which means they’ll be more likely to need a doctor to tend them from time to time.” Nika smirked at her.
Marq set Meredith down and watched as she trotted back to the corner to check on her kittens. When she was settled, he turned to Caitlin and took her hands in his.
“I wouldn’t ask you to give up what you have on Earth,” he said. “But if there’s a way we can work together—can be together—I would like to find it.”
“I’d like that, too,” she said.
Nika cocked her head. “Okay, then. I’ll inform the Department of Homeworld Security that we’re bringing on a new member and leave you two to sort out…the logistics.” She waggled her eyebrows at Marq.
“You should tell them in person so you can swing by that sandwich shop you like so much,” Caitlin said.
Nika smiled. “Oh, we are totally keeping you.”
“That’s not—” Marq said.
“Too late.” Nika threw her hands in the air and hurried to the door. She exited into the corridor, yelling, “I’ll bring you back a cookie.”
As soon as the door had shut, Caitlin laughed and said, “I like her.”
Marq’s mind was filled with so many scenarios, infinite possibilities that alternately terrified and exhilarated him. He wasn’t sure what path Caitlin would want to take.
“You can speak freely now,” he said. “If this isn’t what you want—”
Caitlin grabbed his face in both hands and pulled him down for a kiss. He stepped closer, pressing her body against his, deepening their connection.
At last, they parted, though she stayed close.
“I want to be part of this,” she said. “I want to be part of you.”
The room seemed to spin around him, his body as light as if the gravity generators had failed.
Now more than ever he was sure they would find a way to make this work. The new Coalition, the alliance formed by the Department of Homeworld Security.
Peace in the galaxy. Real peace that all sentients worked to achieve and maintain of their own free will.
A future with Caitlin.
He pressed his forehead to hers and said, “Then so be it.”
Epilogue
Nika didn’t waste any time prepping a skimmer for her trip to Earth.
She would swing by the Florida base first and tell them about Caitlin and Marq’s cats. Ari would want to see the kittens immediately. He might even commandeer Nika’s skimmer, stranding her on Earth.
Darn.
And, of course, while she was there, she’d need to eat. She grinned as she input her route and initialized the launch sequence.
The landing gear retracted into the ship, leaving the skimmer hovering in the hangar bay. This was always her favorite moment—the ship suspended, as if holding its breath right before beginning a new adventure.
Then she was out of the bay, stars streaming past. She wished she had time to take a more scenic route, but she was still kind of worried the Commander would call her back. She missed Earth too much to pass up a chance to visit it again. It was the only place that had ever felt like home.
Plus, Buddy was there.
Her stomach did flips as she thought about him—and not because of his amazing sandwiches. It was his smile, the way he laughed, how he listened whenever she went on about an engine, even though he had no idea what she was talking about.
Which was a good thing.
Her smile dimmed.
She was an alien. Earth might feel like her home, but it wasn’t. After she finished building Outreach station, she’d probably be reassigned halfway across the galaxy.
Her skills were needed, she knew that. But her best work came when her heart was in it.
And her heart was on Earth.
The skimmer banked, heading toward the darkened hemisphere before her. Toward the planet that had given so many of her friends new lives unlike anything they could have imagined.
“Please,” she whispered. “Just one more miracle.”
About Cassandra Chandler
Cassandra Chandler spent her preschool years daydreaming that she was an android from the planet Mars sent here to observe humans. She's not entirely sure this isn't true. She uses her vivid imagination to make the world more interesting, spawning the ideas she turns into her whimsical Science Fiction romcoms and darkly evocative Paranormal and Urban Fantasy Romances. Fast-paced and funny, lighthearted or dark, her stories will introduce you to characters you want to be friends with and worlds where you'd like to build a vacation home.
If you want to talk to her, head over to Twitter (@CassChandler), Facebook (CassChandlerAuthor), send her email at AuthorAtCassandra-ChandlerDotCom, or, of course, leave a review. Remember to sign up for her newsletter to receive exclusive content!
Also by Cassandra Chandler
Coalition Reckoning
Gray Card
Resident Alien
Entry Visa
Duration of Stay
Thank you!
The authors of Pets in Space®, would like to thank our cover artist, Fiona Jayde, and our pets sketch artist, Adrian, for their artistic contributions to this anthology.
About Cats, Dogs & Other Worldly Creatures
Cats, Dogs & Other Worldly Creatures is the brain child of Veronica Scott and Pauline Baird Jones. You can find out more about them and the Pets in Space® anthologies on our website. We also have a Readers Facebook Group. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter to get the latest Pets in Space® news!