TWENTY FOUR

When Caitlin and Caleb woke, it was night. They lay on the beach together, on the sand, on the warm night, and under the light of an enormous full moon.

They still had the beach to themselves, and the sound of the crashing waves was all around them. They both lay there, awake, undressed, in each other’s arms, using their coats as a makeshift blanket. Rose lay beside them.

They were both changed people.

They stared into each other’s eyes. They rolled over and kissed each other again, slowly.

Their relationship had changed forever. She had changed forever. And nothing made her happier.

They were no longer two random people, friends, kept together by the same mission. They were now lovers. A couple. Together.

Caitlin only hoped that it would last forever.

There were so many questions she was burning to ask. Like, what now? He had crossed a line, forbidden for his race. What if they found him? Would they kill him? Had he risked it all for her? Was she really worth it?

And now that