He believes so, but has no real reason to believe he can.

At this point in time, he has no idea that his wife is also a key character in this setting world. He thinks he knows a way back, but if he's wrong he'll die in the attempt. And despite his assertions otherwise, he really loves life.

In the BIG picture, he's been married to his wife for . . . ever. He only recalls his life on Earth and his subsequent relocation. On earth, his wife is his "third time's a charm" wife. They've been married for ten years. Having been a player through his 20s and 30s, he constantly fights the compulsion to wander; it is only the immensity of his love for wife #3 [and the immensity of his guilt for having been a s9it to his first wife and somewhat less a jerk to his 2nd] that keeps him honest. He holds an intellectual appreciation for monogamy, but really doesn't feel it. Truth and honesty are core values, and he feels it would be dishonest and disrespect his wife by being with another woman. If it did happen, he would not be able to lie to her about it - and yet he's learned better than to appease his own guilt by heaping grief and doubt on her and so would not voluntarily confess. Unless, perhaps, he were suddenly forced by circumstance to adopt a daughter obviously of his bloodline. Though he'd likely suggest that his brother's genes would create such a likeness before his own would (distraction, aka lying by diversion).

Once I have this thing drafted, I'd really appreciate opinions on it.

If you'd be willing to offer more or less of a critique, please PM me and I'll send the draft to an email you designate.

How'd I give the impression she's alien? She's definitely human. Right now, anyway. And he really doesn't have a moral aversion to any act of pleasure - unless it inflicts harm on another. He's been away from his wife for far more than forty years! And, you're right, his mindset defaults to 'forget about it'; however, the guy is definitely very human and definitely attracted to the girl for numerous reasons. Among those reasons: she is key to his longterm schemes; she has a hot body; she is the most skilled ranger he's ever met, which is saying quite a lot; she's one of the most skilled martial artists he's ever met, and again that is saying a great deal; and he's been alone for fifteen years living in a cave and studying flora, fauna, and geology!

But it was the drugs that got to him . . . Not a thing either of them could have done to stop it. Simple mistake.

I'd say that he's screwed either way. In his mindset, he's being disloyal to his wife - if she's still around and waiting on him - if he does permit himself to engage in any kind of romance or relationship. On the other hand, he's a man with needs like any other. How long should he wait before he gives up on getting back home? How much pleasure must he forfeit in the name of fidelity?

He would expect her to go on living without him. To continue as though she were enjoying life enough for both of them. He would want that for her. And . . . it's been a really long time . . . But, that kind of has its downside in that he's a bit self-conscious of it.

Also, he'd be cheating any mistress by giving her 'left-overs'. Because no matter how he feels about the woman, his heart is too full of his wife to be given to any other. She can never be more than 'the other woman' to him. Even if she bears him a child. Which she will because she must, or the future is going to go very badly for the Vale . . .

So. Does he cheat on his wife to save the world in which he presently lives? Or remain faithful at the cost of countless innocent lives?

If he has a wife and he's supposed to remain faithful, then yes, he's cheating if he sleeps with someone else.

But he really doesn't have a marriage, in the true sense. Why did he leave his wife to take a vow of chastity? What married man does that? Sounds like he's abandoned his wife.

I haven't read the whole thread yet, so I don't know if any of that has been answered.

~Beth

Well, if you're interested in seeing how I handled it, just let me know. PM me with your email address and I'll be happy to get feedback from discerning readers.

More story being written presently, but I'll send what I've got so far for feedback. It's a bit over ten-thousand words at the moment. Likely to end up around 25K.

Nicholas, it wouldn't be my head on a pike . . .

Seriously, though, I understand that. I used to use that excuse, but I learned that it was a copout and just got honest about it.

I don't want to spoil it, so I won't tell you how it happened. I think it makes both characters more human as well as more sympathetic the way I worked it. No date rape [if you have to prove intent, anyway], and no crutching on the wine and shrooms - not exactly, anyway.

I seriously would have had no qualms in regards to the date rape scenario except for audience feedback. In the context of their culture, I don't think it would have been out of the question. HOWEVER, it really did go against the ranger's character. She wanted him on her own merits, not by deception or worse. She wanted him as much as a conquest as a companion - which came with its own psycho-social baggage for her. She is, after all, a soldier. And, truth to tell, she got way more than she bargained for . . .