Chapter Four: That Fateful Encounter

Unfortunately, telling Ben the truth meant he still wouldn’t leave her alone. While a part of her was glad for a familiar face in alien surroundings, the other part was still annoyed that he wouldn’t go away.

He, at first, insisted that he didn’t believe in time travel, but then she told him a few choice tidbits she’d learned about him. It was enough to convince him to be at least open to the idea.

“Stubborn as ever,” she quipped under her breath.

He either didn’t hear her or chose to ignore her. She didn’t know, nor did she really care. He wound up showing her around Anchorhead until the comm. chip beeped, signaling that she should return to the station.

Upon entering, she noticed Fixer speaking to a dark-haired woman and a blonde guy with his back to her. She noted to herself that that wasn’t such a bad view until Fixer came over to her, effectively blocking her line of vision.

Damn, she thought. Eying Fixer, she asked, “Well, are they a hopeless case, or what?”

“Well, the damages were pretty extensive. I’m still not done, actually. I only called you back to tell you that it may take a little longer. I hope you have somewhere to stay.”

“I’ll find a place. How long, do you think?”

“Hard to say,” answered Fixer. “Keep that comm. chip on you. Whoever had that ship before you did some weird jerry-rigging and cross-connecting.”

Lisa frowned. “Probably the guys I had fix it in the first place. How about Shorty? Um…my droid.”

“Not too bad. I have some spare manipulator arms handy to replace the ones that don’t work. Give me a little while. I’ll get ’em working.”

“Okay, then.”

Fixer went back to work and she noticed Ben had walked off and was speaking to that blonde guy, who still had his back to her. Ben noticed her admiring the view, as it were, and walked over. The blonde chose that moment to turn around and Lisa almost had to scrape her jaw off the floor.

He was incredibly handsome, his eyes a delicate, ice blue. He was a few inches taller than she was, though shorter than the six-foot-six Ben. He was wearing a loose, baggy tunic and work boots, all covered in a fine layer of sand. It didn’t matter to her.

“Who is that hunk of tall, blonde and gorgeous?” she asked Ben.

He looked mildly affronted. “He’s just a friend of the head mechanic. No one, really.”

“Bull. You were talking to him.”

“I met him before, that’s all.”

“Great. So you can introduce us.”

“What? No.”

“I’m gonna meet him with or without your help.” She started over to the attractive blonde to do just that and Ben grabbed her shoulder to stop her.

Ignoring the icy glare she shot him, he said reluctantly, “All right…” He led her over to him, where he was examining a set of tools on a workbench.

“Luke? This is Lisa.”

The blonde – Luke – turned around. He saw Lisa and smiled. Wow, his thoughts said. The feeling was entirely mutual.

“Hi,” said Lisa, extending her hand. “Tell me…just how reliable is this Fixer guy? That ship and droid are all I have on this overgrown sand dune.”

Luke shook her hand. “He’s the best mechanic this side of Beggar’s Canyon.”

“That’s a compliment!” Fixer shouted, overhearing, from underneath the Shuttle, waving a wrench in their general direction.

“Then my ship is in good hands. Good. I’d hate to be stuck here. Unless I had a reason to stay.” She could practically hear Ben roll his eyes.

Luke seemed to take the bait. “Do you…want to go for a walk? I could show you around.”

Before Ben could say anything, Lisa said, “Absolutely.”

End chapter four.

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