She crouched behind the counter, trying to look everywhere at once. It seemed like he was gone for a very long time, even though it was only a few min...tes. She heard him returning, carrying a bunch of gear. He set his load down next to her and began sorting. He had two backpacks, one large, one smaller. He jammed water bottles and packages of freeze dried foods into the larger one, along with binoculars and a few boxes she couldn’t identify. Into the smaller one he shoved a stack of first aid. "Are you?" Yes, I am." I said firmly."OK, then." OK, then what?" Then I guess we're boyfriend and girlfriend."I had one moment of pure bliss when it felt like my heart was singing, then reality struck home brutally. Sooner or later he would see me naked or feel my body and he'd realise I had no tits and how skinny and sexless I was. I felt trapped in a mess of my own making."Shouldn't you be happy?" He said, looking at me strangely. "I am." No, it wouldn’t work." But you said…" Yeah but you're. .. in an auction for a lot of money. They didn't tell me this would happen. I never consented, but I did go there with Guy so I can't say it wasn't my fault."She stopped again, taking more deep breaths. "I don't know what is going to happen. I'm very scared. I want you to rescue me, but I don't know how and I don't know if you'll want to when you see this. If they want too much money, if you can't get me back then please try to forget me. I've been so foolish but I love you with all my heart.. It feels strange to have someone on the ship that I care about, but I can’t read their mind.”Faye looked touched by Alyssa’s heartfelt declaration of affection, and she replied in a quiet voice, “I care about all of you, too.” There was a sudden flicker of sadness over her pretty little face, but she masked it well, and continued, “I really love being on the ship with you. Thank you so much for welcoming me into the crew.”John smiled at her, and said, “You’re very welcome. Thanks for being so.