​     Niki caught Trevor beating off in the shower.

​     She hadn't meant to walk in on him like that. She just thought it'd be a good time to pee as she passed the shower on her way to the simulation spa, and it wasn't like there were any doors in that facility. Plus, she'd been thinking about Fathom again, about them walking together and holding hands and spending hours and hours, days, the rest of their lives, talking about everything under the sun...

​     so she didn't hear the running water of the shower as she strolled in...

​     and there Trevor was, hand running along the staff of that big old dick of his, using soap to keep it slippery.

​     "Uh...Trevor?"

​     "Shit!" Trevor startle-spasmed at the sound of Niki's voice. His penis softened. He slapped at the walls of the shower. Once he got started, he didn't stop. Slap! Slap! Slap! "Shit! Shit! Shit!"

     "Sorry."

​     "Courtesy knock?" Trevor turned the shower off.​

​     "I was thinking about..."

​     "You didn't hear the shower?"

​     She pulled a towel off the rack to throw at him. "I was thinking about Fathom. I'm sorry."

​     "Oh please. No problem. I mean, that's the way it is around here, right? At least for the last year that's the way it's been around here. We train together..."

     "We're a team."

​     "It just used to be me in the simulation tank."

​     "You're going a little stir crazy. I get that."

     "I...I...Yeah, okay. let's leave it at that. I'm going a little stir crazy."

​     Oh, Niki thought. That subject again. Okay...

​     "Look," she said. "It's not that I don't think you're a great guy. You're even kind of sexy in your own goofy, nerdy kind of way..."

​     Trevor dressed while they talked. "This whole inter-dimensional war business, what it's taken from me..."

     "I know what it's..."

​     "I've never even had a first kiss, Niki!"

     "That wasn't what the news was saying the day you..."

​     "That doesn't count, and you know it. I never had a first crush. I..."

​     "You're mad because you're still a virgin, that's what you're trying to say." Not this again, she thought. "Sorry sweetheart. I love you, you know that, I'd throw myself in front of a bus for you without giving it a second thought, but, in our heart of hearts we both know...I mean, come on...I'm just not the man for the job."     

​     "I'm not saying you are. I would never ask you to..."
​     "With your eyes you do. It's all you've been thinking about for the last couple of months, losing your virginity."

​     "It's a big topic." Trevor had only to put on his combat high top sneakers and he was finished dressing.

​     "Which is exactly why I'm leaving it alone," Niki said. "You want to know what I know about virginity, Trevor? It sticks with you, that's what I know. Most of the things that happen to you in your life you forget, but you never forget that. If you..."

     They heard a knock.

​     It came from where the door would be if the Azure believed in doors.

​     There was just supposed to be the two of them in their living/training facility floating only the Azure knew where in empty nothingness...

     and the Azure never informed them of any visitors.

     Trevor and Niki went into defensive stances.

     "What do you want?" Niki asked.

     The responding voice sounded male, calm, and well-modulated. Whoever it was stood just to the other side of the exit leading into the hall. "I'm going to come into view now. I want you to know I am no one you need be afraid of. I am, like you, training with the Azure."

​     "Why didn't they let us know you were coming?"

​     "Why do they do anything?"

​     Ooo, good answer, Niki thought.

​     And in he came. Niki saw someone that struck her as young, in his early twenties if he was human. He had the muscular physique of an Olympic Athlete. He wore the uniform of the Twenty-First Century male, jeans and a T-shirt, but his jeans had a crease, and the T-shirt he wore had a blazing blue emblem on it Niki had never seen before but looked cool. She wanted one for herself just like it. Sneakers, standard  issue combat high tops like Niki and Trevor's, only his sneakers almost glistened they looked so brand new.

​     And he was green.

​     Thick and tough looking, his skin reminded Niki of an alligator's. 

     His eyes were yellow. He smiled, and every one of his three rows of teeth were pointed and sharp.

​     And brushed to a gleaming brightness.

​     He had no hair, only a couple of fins on his skull that extended down his back and under his cool T-shirt.

​     Gills extended from either side of his neck.

     He spoke perfect English.

​     "Hi everybody," he said. "My name is Pomimi. I am your new partner. I hate to come at the two of you like this, but I think we're all supposed to..." 

​                                                       CONTINUE