Writer's Note: Thank you everyone for reading/faving this story! It's been a long while since I've updated but seeing as I'm taking a break from work I can now bring something new into Ikar's life... Not everyone will like this chapter, it's very M-rated. But I hope to write some more into this fic in the future.

Enjoy!

Chapter 13

Ikar was in his allocated cell, the large storage space meant for sensitive equipment. He rose to his seven foot height when he saw her opening the transparent, armored glass door. Kim froze in absolute silence though her eyes were squinting hard at him. His pure white face softened and he even frowned with emotion. She appeared changed, outwardly and internally. Her skin was infused with an ointment or gel, making it shine under the artificial light.

"Kim," he began, feeling apologetic. "I'm happy to see you."

She kept her mouth shut tight. After a difficult moment when she only stared at him, she finally said something.

"Why are you still wearing that suit?"

He looked down at his pressure suit and brought a hesitant hand to the crease in his chest.

"Would you rather I remove it?"

"Answer me, Ikar."

Her harsh tone brought up a cynical sneer on his face and he decided not to grant her the pleasure of feeling sorry.

"It was the only protection I could find against potential assaults and the weather conditions."

Kim folded her arms across her breast, the shapeless black uniform she wore was functional but accidentally accentuated the curbs of her body. He no longer felt the urge to undress her, to touch her. After many hours in the exoskeleton Ikar had regulated his hormones.

"You won't be needing protection," she said. "We tested you for health risks and there were none. And there shouldn't be anyone shooting at you if you aren't going to betray us."

"So you are insisting that I remain unprotected while in the presence of your people. But your soldiers may carry weapons and armored clothing. Does that sound fair to you?"

Her nostrils flared as she reacted to his question.

"It's their job to be equipped for combat. What's yours?"

"For as long as I am considered a captive, I will keep my pressure suit on. Give me proper housing and adequate clothing then I will comply to your conditions."

"We'll consider that, then."

"And, Kim..." He turned around, found the bench he used to meditate on and sat down. "I regret the outburst that came over me at your expense. You may blame the unpredictable effects of my suit for my misbehavior, and I understand your decisions."

He had expected her to be angry, and maybe holding a grudge. He felt that he could blame her new mate for causing her hostile attitude. And how much time and resources could he spare for a pointless rivalry? His best angle was to make allies of these belligerent fools.

"What will you do to help us against the Grays?" she asked him.

"My ships have the means to pose a threat to them on your home world. Knowing that my species is allied to you, the Grays may reconsider conquering yours."

For a compelling argument, he could think of no better. Observing Kim she hesitantly turned around to look over her shoulder at the surveillance device hanging from the ceiling. Surely she wanted to consult with her captain to know if she was doing alright. Or maybe she wanted nothing more than to leave. There ought to be more people she missed.

"What about your council?" she flatly suggested. "They must have given you instructions on how to control us, or something."

"I was told to do my best not to put my people in a difficult position regarding the war. As you have probably guessed, there won't be reinforcement coming unless I send a report to saying that I've secured our alliance. And I need to be able to talk to your colonists. It's a matter of research."

Especially those new humans who had arrived recently, on a crashing ship. He could watch the progress of thought happening inside Kim's mind, through the slight release on tension on her face. She gave another look over her shoulder before speaking to him again.

"I'll see what I can do. But, Ikar..."

"Yes?" He contained his smile, bringing his brow together with concern.

"Tread lightly. Most of us are still getting used to the idea of not being the only civilization in this galaxy."

.

. .

He was freed from his cell and allowed to walk in and out of the lobby and courtyard. The soldiers looked at him with fearful eyes, and Ikar practiced his docile smile. Wrapped in his cloak as sole piece of clothing, he had trouble keeping a confidence posture. The one called Makarand found him in the lobby, as he was smelling the burnt scent of a hot black beverage.

"Ikar, may I see you in my office?"

These small people loved constrictive lodging and compartments. The room he invited him in was so inadequate for Ikar's height that he needed to bend over just to get inside it. It was clear that the captain only sat there with his desk and minimal devices for security management. He instantly found his pressure suit, folded in a square-shaped pile on top of a shelf. In the left corner, Ikar saw the woman with curly red hair. Her green eyes grew wide as he looked down at her, and she parted her lips with a mixed expression. She didn't move otherwise.

"This is my wife, Jessica Fernstein. She is in charge of all civilian affairs in this colony. She must know who you are in order to better prepare our people for your... introduction."

He'd modulate his voice to make it less frightening in the presence of Kim, when they were together and sharing private moments. He did it again then.

"I'm honored."

"She will have plenty of questions for you, but right now we need to set the record straight. What really happened on Earth, and will you help us preventing it from happening here?"

"The Grays have invaded your homeworld and your species is still alive, just not in control of their physical form. They may not be able to live as they wish, but they will not die either. Their bodies incorporate the life force of the Grays, which they need to fuel their consciousness."

Jessica brought a hand up to cover her mouth, then she sat down on a seat in front of Makarand's desk. The man did as well and Ikar was invited to take place beside his companion. The chair was moderately comfortable, and he hoped he wouldn't have to stay too long. Ikar brought the cloak tighter around his knees. His appearance was not a sight welcome by all species of smaller constitution.

"I will have a suit tailored for you," Jessica said, noticing his unease. "What you say is already a huge help. But I'm not sure there's anything we could begin to comprehend about that kind of warfare."

"The ordnance my ships carry can be targeted towards a single species or life form. When active, those warheads will destroy everything related to the targets, from the physical to the metaphysical aspects of them. Your species will be freed. But, there is only one condition: that all accept their mortality. The dissociation with their lost guests could be fatal to them, as they would lose the will to live."

"Like some kind of Stockholm syndrome?" suggested Jessica.

"Your reference is unknown to me but if you imagine a situation where the host becomes enamored with its captor, then yes. That's what you think it is."

Makarand, meshing his hands together to create a mask on his lower face, seemed deep in thought. His eyes were piercing and no positive emotion emanated from him.

"You say this can be targeted to whatever we choose? Do you have a sample of the Gray DNA?"

"Yes, Captain."

"So, your warheads are operational."

Ikar marked a pause for effect. His eyes fell on Jessica then back on Makarand.

"I'm authorized to use them only once I've established that your colony is fit to perpetuate a virtuous style of living. The vicious cycle of human destruction must be reversed."

"We've been working on it, believe us."

"Then you won't mind that I will see it for myself."

The woman stood and turned to Ikar.

"I must have a word with Pat."

They both walked out to leave him alone for a while. Studying the desk of alloyed metal, his eyes fell on his palms. Two perfectly symmetrical, alabaster hands and only one which retained the shadow of a scar. Kim's hands had looked so small when he'd held them. His memory of her was tainted with failure, and a sad disappointment when he thought he could have tasted happiness. She had recovered health and was among her allies. Seeing her again in such stature made him question his confidence. Would he be able to assert his superiority among these humans? Or would he allow them to subjugate him as an anomaly, mock and despise him for being a monster?

No, he was losing his confidence. Being cut off of his artificially augmented fluids there were many things Ikar had to reconsider. But which state of mind was the realistic one? Was he going to reassess all of his morals during the next few minutes?

Makarand and Jessica got back in and the man looked worried, almost angry.

"Jessica will give you a tour of the base. I'm assigning security detail with the both of you at all times from now on, and consider yourself a high priority target."

"For you?"

"For those who wouldn't take kindly to you."

Ikar looked at her and she smiled back, her gaze was curious and fascinated, however she expressed a benevolent intent.

Soon enough Ikar was released from the security center and lead away to visit the colony with Jessica. The woman stood tall for a female of her species, the curly tips of her hair reaching the middle of her back. The gray trouser suit she wore made her silhouette apparent with its lean yet curved profile.

"I must take you to the auditorium some time," she said as they stopped next to what seemed like a beverage dispenser. "There you could address the whole city and explain to everyone where you come from."

She extracted a small cup of something hot. It was a dark liquid he couldn't identify and it smelled of roasted beans.

"This is coffee," she said. "Would you like to try some?"

He smiled graciously and she handed him the small, flimsy cup. Cautious, Ikar brought it up to his lips and gave it a little sip. The warm beverage was slightly sweet and bitter, but he felt it had a soothing yet energizing effect.

"I like it," he said and looked at Jessica. "But I would like to take up on your offer of having new clothes tailored for me."

Humans emerged from every corner and a lot of them, younger ones - children, actually - were hiding until he had his back turned to look at him. Some were so small Ikar was concerned about them trying to look under his cloak.

"Yes, follow me," Jessica replied, exuding confidence.

She led him through a tight corridor and they entered a spacious module where he didn't need to bend his head forward and he entered a room with the most comfortable floor to step on. Ikar was barefoot and the sensation of the brown soft fibers under his footpads was that of the most pleasurable dreams. He stood still at the entrance and looked down, wiggling his toes.

"It's a carpet," Jessica told him. "And these are my children. Jill? Christie, Sally! Come over here!"

It took a while and Ikar felt his pulse racing as he heard a ruckus nearing closer and closer. A little boy and two girls came rushing over and they all screamed theatrically at the sight of him. The high-pitched voices made him startle.

"Shh!" Jessica interrupted, imposing silence. "Kids, that's not how you welcome a friendly visitor to our home. This is Ikar. He comes from another planet, very, very far away. He has a very fast space ship and he helped rescue Kim. Now, he's going to stay with us until he can go home."

All three innocent faces went from pure fear to shy puzzlement. Their heads were of different shades of their mother's red hair. They all spoke in unison.

"Hello, Mister Ikar."

"That's better."

Ikar smiled, feeling stupid as he nervously clutched at his cloak. "Hello, children."

Jessica looked up at him with an approving nod. She faced her offspring again. "Go back to your rooms now. I have to talk to Ikar about boring grown-up things."

They were still like statues for a second then all seemed to wake up at the same time to rush out of the room as fast as they came. Blowing air through his lips, Ikar felt like he'd been doing apnea the entire time.

"Sorry about that," Jessica said and motioned for him to sit in a wide, soft and cushioned seat. Everything was so bright and comfortable in her house. And it smelled of a sweet scent of fruit. "It had to be done, though. They're off from school today so I have them until tomorrow."

"I have nothing to object to that," he said.

"Would you like something to drink, maybe something more for your taste? Or something to eat?"

His stomach was actually empty and the idea of replenishing his strengths sounded delightful.

"I would very much enjoy a meal," Ikar replied, then restrained his excitement. "But I would never impose myself into your home and family. I see that you already have your hands full with the affairs in the colony, let alone your children."

Tilting her head to one side, she locked her green eyes with his and smiled. Something warm and loving radiated from that woman and he already felt completely enthralled in her.

"I insist. It would be the utmost honor for me to offer my home to you, for as long as you need it."

Then it would be unbecoming of him if he refused her hospitality. Even in the most humble of homes on Esharra it was considered of highest manners to invite people over. He accepted to go to her room where she had a three-dimensional modeling machine that could design any type of clothing or other objects with given fabrics or materials. Jessica's bedroom was large, as the rest of the apartment, with a two-person bed, curtains on her windows and functional furniture. The machine itself was of consequent size in her wardrobe closet.

"It needs to scan your measurements," she hesitated and told him. "You should remove your robe."

Ikar lowered his brow and complied. It wasn't the first time he'd displayed his naked form to a human. But the circumstances were much different than the first time. Jessica sized him up and operated her machine.

"Could you put your hands apart, please? Only for a few seconds."

Reluctantly, he did as she said. His heart rate was accelerating when he saw that her eyes never left his groin. When the scanning was done, she gave him a nod and the tailoring began without them having to do anything. Ikar hurriedly picked up his robe to cover himself and she was already taking steps closer.

"You have scars," she murmured, her voice soft and compassionate. "May I look at them?"

He did a double-take. Was she trying to seduce him? Or did all human females express their curiosity so easily? He knew how jealous their males could be, so maybe this was yet another consequence of it. Ikar complied and let his robes to stop at his waist. She did not need to have another chance to marvel at his genitals - or if she did want to, she would have to try harder. In the eventuality that he'd mate with Jessica, Ikar had to appear like it would be out of genuine affection and not lust of the flesh.

She touched the sensitive skin on his back, sending shudders through his entire body. Ikar contracted his chest and bicep muscles, and he heard her softly gasp.

"How did it happen?" she whispered.

"I was attacked by a violent creature," he replied, modulating his voice to an even volume. "It was on a derelict ship, in the depths of the galaxy. We had lost many soldiers there."

Her rose-colored lips parted and he felt her warm breath against his skin. Jessica faced him again and only the sound of the tailoring machine was audible for a while. Her hands reached out to his and he opened up his palms in a sign of docility. He displayed a worried look as she showed pain in her eyes. The pain a mother felt when she had lost someone.

"You must have endured so much," she commented bitterly. "And now you're all alone, here among strangers and people who hate you - why? For being different?"

"It's quite complicated. I may have done things that have caused harm to Kim. Things that I deeply regret."

He intended to tell her the entire truth, because sooner or later everyone would know about it. Jessica had that severity in her stance, an authority that could bring her everything she wanted. Ikar wanted to measure up to that strong character and combine his wisdom to her power. They could accomplish more than any combination of humans on this world.

"Regret is the first stage of redemption," she said, putting her hands on his wrists. "And forgiveness will free you. Once you forgive yourself you will be unstoppable."

Her smile was comforting and gave him the assurance he'd needed once, when he found himself alone in his dark ship. Ikar bowed his head in respect.

"Your wisdom humbles me, Jessica."

One of her hands went up to his face and, as expected, it lingered as she experimented with the different sensations, pressing and stroking his cheek and lips.

"Am I making you uncomfortable?" she quietly asked, lifting her thin red eyebrows.

"No," he assured, and swallowed with excitement. "I would rather be here than to be treated as a test subject in a lab."

"Your skin... It's so soft and pale. How do you not get sun damage?"

He smiled and she breathed heavily, letting her hand run down his pectorals. Her fingertips hit his left nipple. Sucking the air in, Ikar forced himself to think of practical things, non-sexual things... Jessica looked down, there, where was he kept his robe from revealing his intimacy, and her cheeks became more pink and freckled.

He smelled her own perspiration and sexual hormones as tension built up and he could no longer hide his arousal. What if she changed her mind? What if this was an elaborate ruse and she told everyone that he tried to rape her? She could convince the entire colony that he was a monster, and they would have him killed in an instant.

She stepped back with consideration and let him cover himself.

"I'm sorry if I was out of line, Ikar... But now I can see that you're able to control yourself in situations like these."

He felt shamed and humiliated. Jessica extracted the fresh new clothing from the machine as he was waiting. As if he didn't feel objectified enough, she helped him dress, and had plenty of opportunities to look at him again.

"So, did you try to do anything to Kim?" she asked, a cynical tone in her voice made him lose all trust in her. "With that huge thing of yours?"

"Yes," he regretfully answered.

"And did she suffer because of you?"

She had lied in a pool of her own blood when the others had taken away her ability to have children. She'd been restrained and tortured because of him. She'd fallen ill and almost died in the cold when he'd mistaken her trust for affection.

"Yes," he repeated, mindless of the tear that rolled down his face.

Jessica looked up from what she was doing - pulling a tight garment around his legs - and reached up to wipe the tear from his face. She looked at her wet finger and did something that he did not expect. She licked it, a ravenous look in her green eyes.

"Salty," she noted, and continued pulling up the garment until it enclosed his genitals against him. "This way you won't be having accidents in public or staining your brand new trousers."

The sensation was constricting and he'd have to give it some time before forgetting he now had underwear. Jessica pulled at the waist band and let go, making him twitch at the slapping on his pelvis.

"Was that necessary?" he protested.

She caressed his backside and smiled. "No, but I couldn't resist."

They proceeded to the top of his body and she was actually helpful when he had to put on the closed shirt.

"I know what you're trying to do," he said. "And I understand."

"You understand that you have to follow my orders and never attempt to betray us?"

He shot back a spiteful look at her. His new mistress. His matriarch. "I understand that you want me to see through your eyes, and see the measure of my actions."

"I'm glad we're on the same page, then."

He was fully dressed when she pulled his hand slowly to place him in front of a mirror. He wore black, comfortably large trousers with black boots. A form-fitting black shirt with a gray uniform jacket. There was a small gray tag on the left side but with his name written on it in English and the idea of belonging to their group finally sunk in.

She had tamed him, he thought, as she looked at the both of them in the reflective wall.

"You look quite handsome," she commented, pleased. "You'll have to be careful out there. Plenty of girls haven't found their Romeo yet."

"Like you?" he provocatively replied.

"No. I found him."

Later that day she had made him eat at the family dinner table. Makarand was there, too, staring at him awkwardly using their small utensils to consume their strange meals. The combinations of flavors were different than what he was used to. Ikar found that he had a preferred taste for their sweets, and the fried tubercles they called potatoes.

"I called an assembly at the auditorium," Makarand said afterward. "Will you be ready to introduce yourself to everyone in about an hour?"

"I will say whatever needs to be heard, with your supervision."

"Good," he nodded, surprised. "Have you agreed on a speech with Jessica?"

He turned his head to look towards the kitchen where the woman was cleaning the dishes. She looked back at Ikar, affectionately. He tried not to let it affect him.

"I was told to measure the consequences of my actions."

"Right, well that's a good rule of thumb for everything. Isn't it?"

He thought he could emulate the speech Jessica had told her children when they first saw him and screamed their little lungs out. It was simple, non-threatening and answered most questions.

"I would very much like to retire for a moment," he said. "Is there somewhere I can stay until the conference?"

"Well, given your size we have to lend you our master bedroom while Jessica and I will share the guest room. I'm sure you need to rest after everything that happened today."

He had no idea. Ikar rose, towering over Makarand and politely bowed. He stepped silently towards the bedroom, remembering the configuration of the apartment for later, knowing which parts to avoid like the children's room and what parts he considered safe for him.

Laying down on the soft bed he had to place himself diagonally to fit entirely on the mattress. He moved a pillow under his face and smelled Jessica's scent on it. Makarand's was a stronger smell that he didn't dislike, but made him feel nothing specific. The man was no real leader without that woman.

...

He hadn't a clear idea of how small humans were until he was surrounded by them, almost a hundred of them in that packed semi-circular room for speeches. Standing at almost twice their size on the stage, he hadn't a need for voice amplification but it was active anyway.

"People of Earth, I come from the distant world of Esharra," he said without waiting for order. "My name is Ikar, and my superiors have tasked me to protect your colony against the Grays. We are few but our power exceeds that of many armies of them."

He paused and looked at all the stunned faces. Ikar recalled his early years as a Naval officer, teaching fellow scouts and warriors about the values of exploration and learning from different species.

"For years I have been studying your cultures, your ways and your sorrows. So it is an honor for me to come to you today. Not because it is too late, but now you hold all the hope for humans to start anew, with only the best tools in hand."

Some began to look skeptical and discussed among each other. Ikar took a breath and raised his chest.

"Why haven't I come sooner? you ask. Well, because your people are so rare, and so isolated that it took me centuries to convince my superiors that there was hope for your civilization. You should not have to pay the highest price for the mistakes of your ancestors."

The skeptical faces nodded in approval, some people even cheered.

"My species is over hundreds of millions of years old," he continued. "I am myself over fifty thousand years of age, and have been trained in martial combat and naval warfare. My career has taken me from the deepest reaches of the galaxy to its boiling center. My ship is located near your city, and there are many more lying dormant beneath the surface of this planet. This world itself is a relay for my missions. It was meant to be easily accessible for all space-faring, for ordnance and supply relief. I will teach you to use these ships at your convenience, and for your own protection."

Someone rose in the back row, a male in his later years with facial hair.

"That's all nice and fine, but what are your conditions, Space Man?"

Ikar took support on the desk before him and looked him in the eye even when he sat down. Then looked everyone in the eye.

"My only condition, for you all, is that you remain responsible. You must honor your life and that of other beings, humans and non-humans alike. I speak your language because I have watched your media content, absorbed all of the information that was transmitted through your networks. So, I know why you are here, and I will support your cause for as long as I breathe."

Someone clapped, then another, then many of them clapped even faster until there was a flood of approval and enthusiasm coming from the audience. Ikar felt warm in his chest and face, and his eyes welled with emotion. He bowed his head again and stepped back.

Makarand took his place and told the crowd that they had to hold their questions for later or address him directly through messaging.

People were still cheering when Ikar went off the stage and Jessica caught his hand, beaming with joy when leading him out of the auditorium. The security guards were around him but she ignored their presence.

"You were really good up there, Ikar. I've never been so turned on."

Without warning she pulled him into a closet. Ikar bumped his head into a door frame and it slid shut behind him. Their breaths echoed within the cold, glossy walls of the room which he imagined was meant for washing due to the many mirrors and automatic plumbing. Hurriedly, Jessica undid her jacket and shirt to reveal a pair of pale, freckled breasts nestled in her black underwear. She next had her bottoms off.

"Come on, make it quick," she whispered as she unbuttoned his trousers.

Ikar had lost track of how many times his heart almost skipped a beat with that woman. Without a second thought, he reached in his underpants to grab himself, making it more difficult for her to have access.

"What are you doing?" she protested, entirely naked in front of him. Her hands were cold under his shirt, feeling his muscles.

"This is not right," he said. "You have a husband... a family. I will not destroy that."

Her emerald eyes softened as she got up on her toes to speak to him.

"You won't. You know why? Because I don't need a husband. And my family can't be destroyed just because you appeared. I want you in it."

She fondled his cheek, pressing her breasts against him. He could feel the hard nipples through his shirt, and her warmth made the coldness in the room more bearable.

"But I would prefer not to do this here," he replied, urging the tightening sensation to go away. "And not now."

"That's not what your body tells me," she hissed. Her hand was stroking him, directing it between her thighs. "I want to do this because I believe in passion, and I want you to know that you are safe with me."

Ikar held her, lifting the slender body higher to take him inside it and they both sighed, gasped and grunted. He squeezed into her and it was warm and moist and it made him feel crazy. Jessica clawed at his arms and chest, trying to keep level in this awkward position. They ended up with him naked and curled over her while she lied on her bare back, against the cold metallic floor. She moaned loudly with each of his slow thrusts, every time pushing a little deeper and stopping to let her organs adjust around him. They kissed, many times, and Jessica's eyes were his entire world and he felt intoxicated by everything she was.

"You're amazing," she told him softly, smiling and letting tears shed freely to her temples.

Ikar took the hand she extended to his neck and kissed her fingers.

"I'm amazed," he replied, "and terrified. Mostly terrified."

She burst out in laughter, shaking her entire body, sending sweet shudders through him.

"No one will see us," she assured and licked the tip of his nose. "Don't take it too seriously, okay? I love this... And I want you to enjoy it."

Ikar dipped to kiss her, and rubbed his tongue against hers. Her breath was shaky when she blew warm air through her nose and against his face. And her high-pitched moans betrayed her emotional response to his body.

"It's alright," she said to him, a hand stroking his arm. "I'm yours... Do what you have to do."

Her words somehow triggered that last effort, the one spark that sent him over the edge and he finally had his relieving climax. Jessica herself responded to it, exponentially increasing his orgasm. The back and forth didn't seem to end, and simply faded as she was contracting at a slower rate, expelling his seedless secretions on the floor.

Ikar helped her up. Jessica looked weak with her trembling legs, as if she hadn't let go of her own built-up sensations. Tightly held in his arms, she seemed to struggle, but rubbed her legs against his knees and she locked eyes with him, biting her lips.

"You ruin my life, Ikar." Her voice was broken, almost a whimper, grasping at his arms. "Promise me you won't change for anyone."

He looked back at her, puzzled. He couldn't wonder for too long before she pulled his face down to kiss him again. How would he explain the way they both got together so fast? What would happen once she'd regret her decision? Ikar breathed in slow and deep, letting his body speak in his place.

Feeling soar and physically spent after what had seemed like an unending dream, Ikar put his clothes back on, not without Jessica's help, and they looked at each other once they were dressed. She fixed her hair and smiled first, then they ended up laughing. He was dumbfounded at how quickly the situation had changed for him, and for the human who hadn't one inkling about his existence hours sooner. They left the wash room at the same time under the bewildered eyes of the guards. Jessica nodded to them with calm and told them to carry on.

She walked a steady, controlled gait as they proceeded towards a shortcut, a passage less populated that lead them toward her home. Soon, he thought, he would no longer be able to hide his plans. And she would approve of them.

.