After waiting for about half an hour, Coleman completed the paperwork and gave him a new communicator, this one was missing the biometric component, as it was government issued and anyone could see where he was within the organization. She also told him to wait a week to steal the ship, she'll have a ship flew in that was scheduled for repurposing, but they needed to reintegrate the the wrap device to get it over here, as it was a couple of systems over.
He stepped out of the offices, his arms leisurely swung at his side, he was relaxed, he'd covered all his bases, the Front had no way of knowing he was back; his identity, although strangely, was hidden for the moment. He thought about telling Gary about his identity, but decided against it. Thinking about it though it was rather strange that Alara hadn't heard his name before, but it was a secluded planet, mostly self-sufficient with no interest in becoming a major trading hub. The planet was part of the Klantar solar system, on the very edges of the of the Front's borders. He couldn't tell you what Klantar meant, as it was originally a word from derived from the Valahi language, which was now dead. He felt a pang of regret at the thought, he should've taken one of the brutes hostage and had it transcribe their known history and language.
He crossed the empty street and began walking back towards the Market, even if he didn't plan to continue helping Alara with her any longer, he still needed a ride back to the workshop where she had allowed him to sleep. He took a right and continued back through the alleyway he had passed through before, upon exiting he saw Alara, sitting on a box behind her modest stall. He waved at her with a smile and walked up to her, the woman stood up to greet him, matching his grin with her own. She took him by the arm and they started walking the market, chatting lightly, Arthur was sure he loved this woman.
...
Some days later, Arthur sat on Alara's porch, tucked into a large wooden couch that swung lightly with every motion he made, tomorrow was going to be a busy day and he was feeling rather sluggish at the fact. Coleman had reach out to him on the communicator she had given him and informed him things were ahead of schedule, the ship would land at the southernmost dockyard in the morning. He thanked her for the patience and understanding she had shown in regards to his case, and went outside to watch the sky. For some reason, the call he had always felt to the stars had disappeared, he had known Alara for the better part of a week and was completely enchanted by the woman. He had never been so sure in anything he'd ever done before. Never again would he meet another woman like her.
Remnants of the dusk were slowly fading, golden flickers of light giving way to the to a deep orange, before that too eventually faded into a deep, unperturbed indigo.
Alara stepped out of her house holding two polished steel mugs, this time the liquid within was hot chocolate, something she'd ordered a while ago for nights like tonight. She handed one to him and sat next to him, closer than she ever had before. Her nightgown betrayed her supple, generous figure, as he could see her outline through thin, white dress. She rested her head on his shoulder but didn't speak even a word, both worried that even a modicum of a conversation would kill the atmosphere they had created there that night.
After some time, she whispered, barely audible above the hum of the streetlamps that painted the quaint neighborhood in light ocher colors.
"Are you still here?"
He placed his hand on hers, squeezing it as lightly as he could.
"I wouldn't be anywhere else. In all my time, I've never been so thankful for the things that transpired, the things that brought me right here,-"
He looked at her with a kind smile and rested his head on hers.
"right now."
He lifted his head and gently kissed her cheek, a single tear rolled down her cheek when she spoke, her voice a higher tone than before, holding back the beginnings of sorrow.
"Even after what happened to me?"
He whispered in return.
"Now and always."
She leaned closer into him and kissed his neck. It was now his turn to ask the woman before him a question.
"Do you see me for what I am, how long I've lived and will continue to live?"
She pulled herself onto his lap and stared into his eyes, she pulled in closer, embracing him.
"To the future and back, I'll always feel the way I do. I will always love you."
With that she pulled out of the embrace and placed each hand upon his cheek, and pulled him into a warm, gentle yet firm, kiss.
They sat like that for a moment, eyes closed, enchanted by the other's warmth. After that moment had come and gone, they pulled their mouths away. and just looked at each other. Arthur was sure he'd never met someone so wonderful, so precious, so loving. A light smile peeled across her face, he was powerless before her. Everything he'd ever done before this moment held no importance to him, yet it brought him here, to this fabled moment.
He whispered as one hand interlocked with the other, one calloused and the other gentle.
"I love you."
She whispered, as he dried that lone tear that had escaped her eyes, as she placed her hand on his chest, feeling his heartbeat.
"I love you."
...
The next day Arthur pushed himself out of Alara's bed, brushing the hair from her sleeping, sanguine face. He stepped into the bathroom and washed his face, feeling the cold water wash over his features. He brushed his teeth, and looked back in the mirror at the door at Alara, who had just stepped in behind him, she was completely naked and had walked over to the polished tub in the corner, turning on the hot water. On her stomach, just above her crotch laid a brand, that same brand that had been so harshly burned into Gary's skull. That damned hoe and sickle. At that moment, any remaining guilt drained from his bodies and he was sure, if he could do it again he would, far slower and crueler than he had before. He turned to look at her and she spoke.
"Where are you going?"
He smiled and said in return:
"There is something I have to take care of if I intend to stay here, and I do."
She turned from him, feigning a pouty look.
"Do you have to leave me so soon, after what we-"
He interrupted her and laughed.
"Okay, that isn't fair and we both know it."
The look of sadness peeled away to return a mischievous grin.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'll see you later tonight."
With that she turned back to the tub and ran her fingers under the water, testing its temperature. He stepped from the room and pulled on his clothes that had been hastily discarded from the night before. He poked his head into the bathroom and smiled at her one last time.
"I love you."
She turned back towards him, her hands instinctively moving to cover her brand.
"I love you."