Tally kisses back, warmth flooding her head and chest. The kiss lacks the magical feeling of kissing another pretty, or the illicit passion of kissing David, but it's heart-pounding nonetheless because it's Gideon, her weird and bold protector from outer space. A nagging part of Tally tells her some part of Gideon belongs to her mysterious Harrow as much as David had belonged to Shay, but Harrow isn't here right now. And Tally doesn't owe her anything.

Tally's bubbliness is almost wrapping back around to lightheadedness, so she puts her hand on the back of Gideon's head to steady herself. She leaves it there when she pulls back to get some air, gently carding her fingers through Gideon's short hair.

"Wow," she says softly. "I could totally win a fight with a Special right now, probably."