It didn't take long before that hobbit would have come in handy. After the intial experiments, Wallace suggested they reconvene at his house. It wasn't terribly far away and, as Wallace was the researcher and they assistants, it made sense to Jon and Karyn. As the three of them walked, Wallace couldn't help but enjoy watching Karyn in the dress. He loved girls in dresses. His use of Karyn's apparel for the experiment had not been coincidental. Karyn was striking in how she filled her new outfit.
Truth was, Wallace never could make things work with a girl. He hid his discomfort in his studies. Still, what he'd give for a girlfriend like Karyn. Someone to want him for who he was, to stand by him always. Not that it would happen. He chuckled to himself as he looked at Karyn, shook his head, and said with a sigh under his breath, "My devoted lifemate. I should be so lucky." He had was cautious as he said it to say in his mind he didn't want that statement to stick.
What happened next shocked him to the core. Karyn moved over to him, took his hand, and smiled at him before snuggling to his side as they walked. He could see Jon smile with a 'knowing' look and a wink at Wallace. He then walked ahead as if to provide a little privacy for the 'lovebirds'.
Wallace's mind raced. He was in heaven at that moment, yet he was also confounded- and he detested not understanding something. He had always wanted something like this so badly...for a girl to come to him and accept him without him risking himself. And, he realized, that was it. He had wanted such a thing to the core of his being. His concious decison was nothing more than lying to himself.
He knew he should countermand the statement. Here was the first stone on the way to Hell. Yet he couldn't bring himself to do it. Karyn was happy. Jon was accepting. Wallace was fulfilled. What could the harm be to let it continue this way?
