Galen couldn't remember ever talking so much in his life, yet Allie drank in every word while her honey-coloured eyes seemed to beg for more. Several times he had to tell himself he was imagining it. No woman had ever listened to him like this – not even his mother, and she'd loved him.

Still the words spilled out. He told her about how he was orphaned at fourteen, but because he was already an apprentice engineer he'd been allowed to continue his studies at the engineering college, finishing his degree at eighteen. How the other graduates all went to war and didn't come back, while he was given a job in the terraforming lab, working on prototypes and new techniques that he inevitably found ways to improve. Then, when the war ended, he'd signed up for the Colony, after discovering that a lot of his inventions were being put to use in the domes. So while he hadn't designed the place, he knew all the technology intimately.

Take their water supply, for instance. Unlike Styx, the water planet that relied mostly on desalination for its drinking water supply, where he'd first been apprenticed, New Hope had a ready-made water supply from the reservoirs beneath the surface, which is why they'd built the Colony on this very spot. Powerful freshwater springs bubbled up from the ground here, providing the entire population with more water than they'd ever need. Of course, they still recycled all their water within the Colony, to keep their pollutants from damaging the environment outside, but the treated wastewater was only used for irrigation, unlike on the colony ships, where they'd had to use it for everything.

At that point, Galen's mind caught up with his mouth. "I'm sorry. I'm boring you. What possessed me to talk about plumbing to possibly the most beautiful woman I've ever met..." He turned red.

Allie laughed softly and shook her head. "We've both spent half the day working on plumbing. Believe me, it's not boring at all, especially if it'll make my job easier. Now I know why they said you're a genius. You practically designed all the systems we use in the Colony. If I have trouble with anything, you know you're the first person I'll call."

"Any time," he replied eagerly. "And not just for work, either. Anything you need. Just call and I'll be there." He'd barely known the woman a day and here he was, offering to do anything for her. But it felt right, somehow.

"What about if I want someone to join me for dinner, so I don't have to eat alone?"

Warm, honey eyes drew him inexorably in. Galen swallowed. Oh, he wanted in, all right. "Especially then."

She dropped her gaze to the floor, as if what she saw in his eyes was too intense. "I'll remember. But on that note, I should probably go. I have no doubt half the Colony will have pressing maintenance issues tomorrow and we'll both need all the rest we can get. Thank you for a lovely evening, Galen. It's the best time I've had since...well, a while, anyway."

She rose swiftly and was out the door before Galen could move. So much for a good night kiss.

"Good night," he called as the door slid shut behind her.

He disposed of the remains of dinner, then leaned against the counter. Allie was right – it had been a lovely evening, one of the best he'd had in a while. He'd never hit it off so well with a woman before. What a time to find someone so wonderful, though. Couldn't fate have waited until he'd found and dealt with Halcyon before it rewarded him with an introduction to Allie?

His blood ran cold. What if Halcyon managed to attack the Colony before he found her...and Allie got hurt? He'd lost enough already. While she wasn't his yet, he still didn't want to lose the chance that one day she might be. He wouldn't give Halcyon the opportunity to hurt her. No, he'd strike first, however he could, Galen resolved.

Starting tomorrow, he'd hunt down the homicidal siren and end her. Then he'd be free to pursue happiness with Allie, knowing they'd be safe.

The siren's days were numbered.