She listened closely as he discussed the incident that brought her into this world. What sort of use would the so-called terrorists have?  "If their motivation was not due to pollution, then would it be just to disrupt your business?  I've only spent a short time in this world, but it seems like power is important.  If you have built yourself into a position of power, then surely there are those who would take that power from you..."  It made a lot of sense that he needed someone close to him that he could trust, if that was the case.  It also made sense that he didn't have a companion, since he clearly had his hands full with all his businesses.  Still, the statement about redemption struck her as slightly odd, though perhaps it was a point of order from his perspective.  Better to use a resource then to abandon it completely.<br/><br/>Alice smiled politely and continued to slowly eat her dinner as he spoke of his current romantic situation.  At least, her smile remained polite until he threw out his proposition about helping to manage his stress.  She finished the bite she had been chewing as her eyes went a bit wide and her cheeks took on a rosy color.  It was not easy to be totally sure of his meaning, but he had either offered her the chance to be the companion that filled many voids in his life...or he had asked her to fuck him to help him deal with his strenuous life.  A few days before, she might have shied away from the proposition, but as she allowed it all to turn over in her mind, perhaps it was not as bad as it might sound.  The sex had been enjoyable and she found him to be both interesting and attractive.  She was almost more shocked that he was actually interested in building a sort of companionship with her, whether it was purely business or slightly sexual.  Perhaps she could lend a balance to his life that he might need, and certainly he had the resources needed to keep her safe in this strange world.<br/><br/>"Sorry, I---I'm not totally sure what to say..."  A smile once again blossomed on her lips.  "It feels, at times, like I've walked right into one of those trashy action adventure novels I used to pick up at the airport before a flight..."  Alice suddenly realized her use of the word "trashy" might not give the impression she wanted.<br/><br/>"What I'm trying to say is....I'm interested in continuing our physical relationship.  Azure, she told me enough about you that I think I could benefit you with that.  Where I come from, they put a pretty heavy emphasis on work/life balance.  Maybe that is what I can do for you, Emlyn...Provide you with a bit of balance and a time to escape those stresses that weigh you down."  As soon as she agreed to it, her mind seemed to summon flashes of what the future could be like.  A need pulled at her from inside, a need to ensure and look after his well being...as well as a need for more than just that.<br/><br/>"Are you feeling stressed now?  Or rather relaxed?"  The question left her lips before she fully comprehended the implications of it.  It just further showed she was willing to see where things between them would lead.