Hope turned to Viper with a surprised smile.
"You like it?" Viper grinned seeing the awed expression on her face.
"I don't even have words." Hope looked from Viper's rugged face to the wonder before her.
Viper placed Hope on the blanket at unpacked the box of food.
"I'm glad it pleases you."
"I never fathomed such a thing." Hope's heart clenched.
Viper had done this for her. No one had ever thought to do such a thing to impress her. It was unexpected.
Hope looked at Viper as he brought a berry to her mouth. She opened without thinking and chewed it as she studied him. Her reservations were rapidly diminishing the more time they spent together.
Hope let Viper feed her as they sat silently appreciating the sight. She picked up one of the fruits she knew he liked and reached out. Viper's lips wrapped around it, grazing her fingers as they closed. Hope didn't shy away as she stared into his green eyes. They practically glowed in the dim light of the arboretum.
"Hope I have some news." He said seriously.
"Okay." Hope braced herself.
"One of the other ships reported that they located your sister and her family."
"You found them!"
"Yes they are fine. It will take a few weeks since the ship they are on isn't yet at capacity but they are safe and healthy."
Hope instantly broke into tears and threw her arms around Viper.
"Thank you!" She sobbed as she thought about her little niece and nephew.
Hope let all the tension she'd been bottling up out as she squeezed Viper and cried. Viper rubbed her back soothingly.
"All is well they well they are safe." He murmured into her ear as he tenderly stroked her.
"I've tried not to worry but so much has happened. We lost our parents, and she's the only one I have left."
Viper pulled back he reached out and brushed a tear from her cheek. His eyes dilated the greens looking even brighter.
"You have been very brave and strong. Do not cry little, you are breaking my hearts. I know what it's like to lose your family. All five of my siblings were lost to the Morbo along with many of my other family. I am glad you did not have to suffer your sister's loss as well. I feel lucky my parents were spared."
That explained why Viper was so serious about this mission and fighting the Morbo. The look of pain on his face and the husky tone of his voice made it seem as if their deaths had happened just yesterday. Hope imagined Viper relived the loss every time he confronted the awful virus, like tearing open a raw wound.
"I'm so sorry." Hope gripped his arms tighter.
Hope was relieved and touched, but there was something else that stirred within her. Viper's face was so close, his expression filled with concern, heart ache and shared relief. She wanted to kiss Viper. The need was so strong it made her ache.
Hope leaned in, she could feel his breath against her face as she closed her eyes.
Suddenly with part groan, part growl Viper was gone. Hope opened her eyes, but she saw nothing. It was like he vanished in thin air. Hope stood as she looked around the garden.
"Viper?"
Hope wandered down the main path then onto a smaller one.
"Viper?"
She turned and started to head back to the blanket confused about what had gone wrong.
Something reached out and tickled her side. Hope nearly screamed as she spun to see Viper grinning down at her.
"Got you!"
"You nearly frightened the crap out of me." Hope swatted Viper's arm and he chuckled with that deep rumbling voice.
"I bet you can't find me!" Viper smiled then shimmered out of view his skin shifting to blend with plant.
"You want to play hide and seek?" Hope laughed watching Viper's wavering camouflaged image dart off into the foliage.
This wasn't what she had planned a moment ago but Viper always surprised her. Things were getting pretty serious.
Hope remembered how Viper, though he blended into the environment, still left a hazy outline. Then there was his distinctive scent. Hope wandered the direction he went her toes digging into the sand. She smelled the sweet perfumed flowers blooming from the succulents as she attempted to pick out his scent.
"No cheating don't move." Hope hollered out as she tiptoed looking for his outline.
Hope circled round a large Joshua tree and stopped. There next to a tall cactus Hope saw an odd shadow. Hope silently approached the cactus though she was sure Viper had the advantage and could see her clearly.
Hope got to the towering pin cushion and scented Viper's piney musk. She was certain she'd found him as she snuck around it.
Disappointment struck her as she saw the shadow of the spikey yucca had blended with the cactus to fool her.
"Got you again." Viper tickled her from behind making Hope squeal. She was really ticklish, and he'd found her weak spot just along her ribs.