” The young technician didn’t look up for a couple of moments until he had finished his immediate task. When he did so his eyes widened for a mome...t as he recognised the senior NCO on base. “Oh. Sorry Sergeant.” Barnes just nodded. The boy had been working, so his distraction was perfectly acceptable. “The replicator is in fully working order. We’ve got most of the internals of the second Bucc through now, just a few more boxes to go. Should be finished by the end of the day.”“And the. I should probably keep looking for my friends before it gets to dark. Well see you around Jesse.” Misty said starting to walk away.“Wait Misty... um, can I come with you.” Misty looked at Jesse questioningly and she added, “I don’t like to be alone when it’s dark, so can I please come with you?” Misty smiled and nodded.After about two more hours they still hadn’t found Ash and Brock, although they had seen a large machoke standing in front of a large tree yelling, “Machoke, machoke, machoke ”. "I chuckled, "Yeah, but I don't know what to do with myself. Once Stevie falls asleep, I'll put out his presents. Then..." I held out my hands in a gesture of supplication.Noelle nodded, "Mike, there's something I wanted to talk to you about."I braced myself. I couldn't give Noelle the answer she wanted. Even if I could see past the age difference, she just wasn't the woman I was looking for. She was sweet, serious, and empathetic--all the things the women I had failed to click with were. I had. 'It's so beautiful...' she whispered.'Touch it, if you want to. Go ahead.' She looked down at me, wide eyed and disbeleiving. 'You want me to...Can I? Is it OK?''It's more than OK, Shelly! I mean it...I feel so close to you...Our relationship just reached a new level, you know? We can do anything we want. We're totally free now. Whatever happens here today will be our little secret, just for the two of us; a private bond that only we two will share. Go, ahead, Shelly. Touch it. Make it hard.