aha , he said , holding a pen up triumphantly . but next time , lets do it proper n private . when her eyes were clear of soap and water , she opened them and met his intense gaze . `` i was just about to take a shower . '' `` and what happened to your thumb ? '' his eyes adjusted in seconds , and he watched as a fox pranced into and out of the clearing . `` what are your plans for the aliens ? '' 