Doctor Who_ The Also People - Ben Aaronovitch [102]
'She stayed behind when we left the planet,' he said.
Roz nodded, apparently satisfied with that answer. A sly, almost mischievous look came into her eyes. 'I'm going to kiss you now,' she said. 'You know what a kiss is?'
FeLixi smiled. 'The thing with the lips.'
'Think of this as a game,' said Roz, 'and the rules are these: no contact except at the face, no touching anywhere else. First person to break off or touch something they shouldn't has to pay a forfeit.'
'What's the forfeit?'
Roz looked around the meadow. 'They have to jump in the river.'
'That river comes right off a glacier,' said feLixi. 'It's freezing.'
'Better not lose then,' said Roz. 'Ready?'
'Ready.'
Roz leaned down until their lips were nearly touching. He could smell the chocolate smell of her moisturizer, the oily tang of her hair conditioner.
'No prisoners,' she murmured softly.
'No prisoners.'
When dusk came they lay together, naked under the blanket, and watched the world come out.
From this point on the sphere Whynot was visible high up in the sky, a tiny perfect jewel hanging against the bright blue waters of the Endless Sea. Their clothes flapped from the branches of a tree, dry for a long time but forgotten.
'You were right about the water,' said Roz.
'You didn't have to jump in,' said feLixi.
She shifted on to her side and rested her face on his shoulder. 'Yes, I did,' she said. 'I made the rules so I had to stick by them, hoisted by my own petard. I guess I just thought I had more self-control.'
'I'm flattered.'
'You should be,' she said. 'I wasn't even drunk.'
Roz's fingers dug into his chest. 'What are you doing?' he asked.
'Counting your ribs,' she said.
'I've got thirteen,' he said. 'Eleven anterior and thirteen posterior.'
'I can't hear your heart,' she said.
He showed her the correct place, on the centreline of his chest, protected by his sternum plate.
'Slow,' she said. Her palm slipped down to his abdominals. 'Faster now.' Her fingers brushed through his pubic hair. 'Much faster. Now this is familiar.'
FeLixi swallowed.
'I've never been this close to an alien before,' said Roz. 'You're not so different.' She took his hand and placed it on her hip, an invitation he realized. Rolling on his side to face her, feLixi eased his leg between her thighs, feeling the heel of her foot press into the back of his calf. Her bracelets rattled, gently scraping the skin of his waist as her palm slipped around the small of his back. He felt her nose brush against his cheek, the hollow of his eye, her teeth catching at his lower lip.
'Not so different at all,' she murmured.
The Doctor and Bernice dined alone that evening, the figurines of Roz and Chris standing on the table between them. The Doctor found their resemblance to large chess pieces disturbing. He was careful not to communicate this to Bernice. A third figure was missing from the table, he thought.
Kadiatu.
'Where's Roz?' asked Bernice. They both had a pretty clear idea of where Chris was.
'Walking out with feLixi,' said the Doctor.
Bernice muttered something under her breath.
'Pardon?'
'It's all right for some,' said Bernice and then looked embarrassed. 'I suppose I just didn't expect her to get "distracted" in that way. Now, Chris I understand but Roz?'
'All work and no play makes Roz a compulsive monomaniac,' said the Doctor. 'Are you jealous?'
'Christ, Doctor, what a question,' snapped Bernice. 'I'm very happy that Roz is going to get her end away. If you must know I've had a few offers in that direction myself.'
'SaRa!qava?'
'And others,' said Bernice. 'I'm just not in the mood.'
'You have a lot on your mind,' said the Doctor.
Bernice's fork clanked down on her plate. 'Well, thank you so much,' she said. 'I was trying not to think about that.'
'You have to tell me your decision tomorrow.'
'I'm quite aware of the deadline,' said Bernice. 'Now if it's all the same to you, I think I'll retire for the night.' She stood up and walked away from the table.
'Not as easy as you thought it would be,' said the Doctor.
Bernice paused