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"Hunting?" I raise an eyebrow. "What exactly do you hunt, Professor?"

For a split second, something flickers across his face - surprise? worry? - but then his easy smile returns. "Knowledge, of course. Speaking of which, your defensive posture suggests-"

I take advantage of his lecture mode to fire point-blank at his chest sensor. The satisfying beep of a hit makes me smirk. "Suggests what?"

"That I should stop underestimating you." His green eyes gleam in the dark, and suddenly I'm very aware of how close we're standing.

The moment stretches, electric and uncertain, until a group of teenagers rounds the corner, breaking the spell with their shouts and laser fire.

The walk home stretches longer than usual, each step weighted with possibility. Jack matches my pace, his shoulder occasionally brushing mine. The contact sends sparks through my sweater.

"Hey..." My heart thunders hard while I try to find the right words for what I want to tell him. "That was… a really good date."

He leans forward slightly, and I catch the scent of his cologne - something woodsy and unfamiliar. My eyes flutter closed...

"Thank you for participating in tonight's experiment, Vanessa."

My eyes snap open. He's already turning away, hands in his pockets. "That's it?"

"For now." He glances over his shoulder, and the look in his eyes makes my knees weak. "I prefer to gather more data before drawing conclusions."

I watch him disappear around the corner, pressing my fingers to my lips where his kiss should have been.

But for once, anticipation feels better than satisfaction.

CHAPTER6

JACK

Isit in my office, surrounded by research notes and anthropological texts, but my mind keeps drifting to Vanessa. Her quick wit during laser tag still echoes in my thoughts.

"Getting attached to a subject is dangerous," I mutter, pulling up my observation logs on my tablet. "But her responses are... unique."

The cursor blinks as I type: 'Subject displays remarkable deviation from standard human courtship patterns. Demonstrates high intelligence and emotional awareness, yet maintains strong defensive barriers. Further study warranted.'

Delete. That's not objective enough.

"Computer, new entry." I pace the room. "Human dating rituals typically follow predictable escalation patterns. Physical contact increases gradually, leading to..." I stop, remembering how my hand brushed hers at the museum. The unexpected jolt that ran through me. "End entry."

I pull out my reference guide on human courtship behaviors. Chapter seven: Physical Escalation. The kiss that didn't happen last night wasn't just about research. I wanted to kiss her. Still do.

"This is compromising the study," I tell myself, but even as I say it, I'm already planning our next encounter.

My PerComm chirps. A message from Command: 'Monthly report due. Focus on local mating customs.'

Perfect timing. Or terrible. I can't decide which.

"Computer, analyze success rates of human courtship when male initiates physical contact versus female initiation."

The data streams across my screen, but I'm not really seeing it. Instead, I'm remembering Vanessa's laugh when she scored a hit on me in laser tag. The way her eyes lit up when I asked about her art.

"Computer, end analysis." I rub my temples. "This isn't just research anymore, is it?"

The silence in my office provides no answers, but my racing pulse tells me everything I need to know. I'm in trouble. Deep, fascinating trouble.

I settle into a corner table at The Love Roast, pretending to grade papers while observing Vanessa's interactions. My PerComm hums against my wrist, probably another message from Command, but I ignore it.

"Here's your cappuccino, Mrs. Chen," Vanessa says to an elderly regular. "I added an extra shot of caramel, just how you like it."