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Sloane returned to running her fingers through his hair.

“If you think this waystation will be crowded, you should try a visit to Earth. Every spare piece of land has been built on. All the green spaces are gone. It’s lucky we finally got our butts into space so we could spread out more. It’s so hectic down there. You’d hate it.”

Dallin slowly stopped muttering and seemed more comfortable, his eyes no longer fluttering.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got no plans to go back. I’m having too much fun in space. Although any time you want to invite me to your home planet to meet your family, I’d be down for that.”

Dallin didn’t talk much about the family he’d left behind. Sloane got the impression he was embarrassed by what happened to him and didn’t stay in touch with them. Apexians were so proud, but she was certain they wouldn’t turn away from Dallin just because things hadn’t gone how he planned during the enhancement experiments.

“And I promise I won’t flirt with your dad, even if he is as good-looking as you.” She grinned at the thought of a more mature and dignified version of Dallin.

Sloane had had so many teenage girl style fantasies about growing old with Dallin. She knew she was unhealthily obsessed with him, but was certain they were right for each other. He encouraged her brainiac side, and she always tried to show him there was a life outside the lab.

“ELVIS, we need some rest. Dim the lights. Alert me if we run into any problems.”

“Of course. Pleasant dreams.”

Sloane relaxed back, keeping her hands resting on Dallin, and let sleep take her.

It didn’t feel like five minutes had passed, and she was opening her eyes again.

Dallin was shifting around on her lap. His eyes flickered open, and he groaned. “What happened?”

“Hey, you’re back with me.” She yawned and stretched her arms over her head. A quick check of the time showed she’d been out for three hours.

He tensed and his gaze flicked to her. “What are you doing here? Why are you on this shuttle?”

“Steady. Don’t sit up too fast, or you might faint again.”

Dallin rose slowly, his gaze tight and fixed to Sloane. “I didn’t faint. I had a brain malfunction. I received too much information. You didn’t answer my questions.”

“Fainting, brain malfunction, it’s all the same thing to me.”

He shifted away from her, suspicion in his purple eyes. “I don’t understand.”

“That would be a first.”

Dallin gestured at her. “You’re here.”

“I am. Surprise!”

“How is that possible?”

“Because you have people who care about you, and they don’t want you slumped in your seat and unable to move.”

“ELVIS,” Dallin growled.

“I made him tell me. And I’m glad he did.” Sloane tried to help Dallin into his seat, but he brushed away her hands as he hunkered down and glared at her.

She took the seat opposite him and turned to face him. “So what do you think you were doing, sneaking off the Apocalypse without me?”

“I’m solving a problem.” Dallin’s hands flashed across the controls. He let out a sigh. “We’re still on course for the waystation.”

“We are. What did you expect me to do, turn the ship around and give you a spanking for not following orders?”

Heat flared in his eyes before he shook his head. “You don’t approve of this plan, so I figured you’d change it.”

“I should have done. I’m certain Cleo hasn’t authorized this.”