

# Resident Alien

### by

### Christine Taylor Rees

Smashwords edition copyright 2018 Christine E Rees

All Rights Reserved

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either originate from the author's imagination, or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to persons or aliens - living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is purely coincidental and unintentional.

### Cover Artwork by Daf Puw.

### Acknowledgements

This book is dedicated to my husband, Phil, in gratitude for his patience with my frequent disappearances into the imaginary world inside my head and for encouraging my sense of adventure; to James, Polly, Gareth, Iwan, Gruff and Eben for the eternal joy and inspiration they bring into my life; to my wonderful friend Fiona, the world's best beta reader and to my late parents for making everything possible.

###  Prologue

Unable to breathe as a wave of panic overwhelmed her, Alice worked her way around the trailer shoving random items into her backpack with shaking hands. She needed to get away and quickly. She had spent so much time thinking about her getaway in the last few weeks, why had she never made any practical preparations? Only the realisation that he would be back in a matter of hours had spurred her into action.

The few minutes it took for the taxi to pick her up seemed to drag on for an eternity. She spent the time repeatedly glancing towards the door, anxiously praying her abuser wouldn't get home just yet. The taxi driver attempted small talk, but all Alice could manage was monosyllabic answers to his barrage of questions. She thought the man looked familiar and hoped it wasn't because he was one of the cronies who hung around the trailer.

On reaching the bus station and discovering the next westbound bus didn't leave until the following day, she broke down in tears. Her courage leaked away with the salty droplets. She was trapped. A comforting arm around her shoulders made her jump. She was afraid to open her eyes in case he'd tracked her down already.

"Are you OK, dear?" asked an elderly, female voice. Alice continued to sob, silently berating herself for her weakness. The woman sat and waited patiently for her to compose herself before offering a ride. It would only take Alice about twenty miles out of town but any distance she could make would be a start.

When they reached her rescuer's home Alice was beginning to pull herself together. Determined to keep covering ground, she declined the kind gesture of a bed for the night. She preferred to keep moving on foot if necessary.

How had she been reduced to this? She was homeless, on the run from an abusive \- now ex - boyfriend, and everything she owned was in the bag she carried. Had he realised by now that she was gone? For a couple of days he'd been in Mexico, where he was becoming heavily involved in the drug trade. She had no desire to end up in jail, or more likely dead.

Getting her next ride proved tricky. She refused offers from a couple of lone men in the first half hour. After another hour and a half plodding alongside the highway, worrying the man she was fleeing could drive by at any time, desperation pushed her to climb into the cab of a passing truck. It wasn't long before the driver's hands began to wander menacingly and eventually he pulled off the road. Alice was terrified.

Unwilling to put herself in the position of victim once again and unable to reason with him, she resorted to pulling out her gun. She'd stolen the nine-millimetre from the trailer. The handy arsenal was the only advantage of hanging around with scum. She hoped that brandishing the weapon wouldn't make the situation worse. The trucker may pull a gun himself. Was she really prepared to shoot him?

Moments passed tensely as she aimed the gun at his head and watched for the slightest movement of him reaching for a weapon. She thought her heart would stop from fear.

The trucker broke the silence. "Get out you crazy bitch!"

Alice had never felt so relieved to be insulted. She scrambled from the cab.

Engulfed in a thick cloud of desert dust thrown up by its wheels, Alice watched the truck's lights disappear into the darkness. As the sound of the engine faded, she carefully put the safety back on and replaced the gun in her bag. Plunged into the blackness of night in the wilderness and feeling very alone, she dropped to her knees and began to cry.

She allowed herself only a few minutes of self pity before attempting to compose herself. If another ride came along at all, the chances of them stopping to pick up a hitchhiker at three am in the middle of nowhere were slim. The probability of them making that pick up if the hitchhiker turned out to be a hysterical woman was even less.

Judging by the time she spent in the truck, which felt like forever, although in reality it was only a couple of hours, she estimated the next excuse for a town must lie around eight or nine miles ahead. On the plus side, there was no chance of getting lost; this was the only road around. She was startled briefly as a coyote skulked across the road in front of her in search of dinner. Wiping tears from her eyes and picking up her bag, she began to walk.

### Chapter 1 - Arrival

Hesitantly he tried again to pull himself upright. If he moved with deliberate slowness this time it might help calm the spinning feeling in his head. Successful, he stood for a few moments allowing his eyes to focus on the bright surroundings. He reached for his dark eye-glasses; the glare was too much for his sensitive eyes. His next overwhelming sensations were hunger and thirst, which wasn't surprising considering all his body had endured since the last meal. It was too soon to break open the emergency food supplies he had. He had better steel himself for a visit to the unfamiliar world waiting outside.

Flinging open the door far too forcefully he stepped out into the dry heat, hoping no one had seen the door flying wide. The air carried the smell of what he assumed to be food. Although it was no scent with which he was familiar, it confirmed his suspicion that in the unassuming building nearby he should be able to help ease his hunger.

It was a low building of a curious pink shade. Dark windows did not allow him to see what was inside. Above the windows hung a sign in the language he'd been trying to assimilate. Right now he had no patience for deciphering what it meant. A bright, red light flashed more of those letters; O-P-E-N. That he understood. Taking care to take his steps exaggeratedly slowly, he made his way to the door and pulled it open with caution.

"Hi there, honey. I wondered when you'd be surfacing." He was greeted by a friendly-faced female with hair the colour of fire, worn long but pulled back tightly behind her head as he had often bound his own before it was cut away. He struggled to keep up with her rapid speech and was mesmerised by her hair. He'd never seen such long hair on a female.

"I saw your RV in the lot - nice rig. It's a good job you got up before the boss gets in, or he'd be wanting to charge you for overnight parking. Are you ready for breakfast?"

Now came the moment of truth. He knew she'd asked a question by the rise in tone of her voice. It was time to open his mouth and try out his language skills. Would his lack of talent in linguistics betray him straight away? He hoped Malla had been a good teacher. He knew he was a poor student.

"Hungry. Want to eat." His first, pathetic words of the strange language were met merely with a grin. Taken aback at the baring of teeth, he pulled away slightly.

"I don't suppose you're from around these parts. Sure, we'll fix you up with some breakfast. Take a seat wherever you like." His brain was slow to catch her meaning so she kindly clarified. "Sit," she said bluntly, pointing an extended finger to the nearest table. He obliged, shuffled to the booth the lady had indicated, and settled himself on the red vinyl seating. She returned with a large jug of brown coloured liquid and poured some into a handled container in front of him.

"I thought we had one of those picture menus around here somewhere for you foreign tourists, but I can't seem to track it down. I won't stress you out with the menu. Why don't you just tell me what you want to eat?"

A brief moment of panic followed before he came up with a feeble response. He had no clue what to order for this meal, although he remembered it was called breakfast. "I eat what you recommend. High protein, please."

"You sure look hungry. How about I bring you the full American breakfast experience?"

He was lost but a nod of the head sufficed. She walked away towards the source of the barrage of odours assaulting his senses and disappeared through a set of swinging doors. He guessed this was the kitchen and relaxed a little. He wouldn't pass for a local but the server's lack of alarm was reassuring. He reached for the cup of liquid she'd left and was surprised to find it too hot to ingest. A curious sniff revealed a strange aroma, not unpleasant but unfamiliar. He'd try it when it cooled if he dared.

He picked up a jug of clear liquid from the centre of the table, took an exploratory sniff, and poured some into a smaller, clear container. Cautiously he sniffed again. It certainly looked like water, so he took a nervous sip. There was a slight tang of some kind of chemical, probably for purification, but otherwise it was acceptable.

Looking around, he checked out the other items on the table. Trying to remain inconspicuous, he poured a little of the contents of each small bottle he found into his hand beneath the table and gingerly took a taste with a fingertip. The first was a white powder, crystalline and almost unbearably sweet. The next contained a darker coloured powder. After taking a taste his lips began to burn, he started to cough, and quickly reached for the water to wash away the evil spiced powder. The third container was just what he was looking for, the familiar, comforting taste he sought - salt. He looked around to make sure he was unobserved, tipped a liberal amount of precious salt into his water and gave it a quick stir with his finger. After a tentative taste, he downed the entire glass quickly to avoid tasting it again. They told him this would help him rehydrate.

Preoccupied with his experiments, he failed to notice a young female slip into the seat opposite. He raised his eyes in alarm, taking in her long, dark hair with its gentle wave. Her striking green eyes were like beacons standing out of a lightly tanned, attractive face. There was so much colour compared to his own pale complexion. His nostrils flared as he took in her scent. The scent called to him somehow and made him wonder how it would feel to run his fingers through that soft hair. She waved her fingers and bared her teeth.

"Hi there. Where are you from then?" she asked cheekily.

Not entirely feigning puzzlement he responded, "I travel from far away, other place."

Excitedly, like a child, she interrupted. "No, no, don't tell me. Don't tell me, let me guess."

He became nervous as she eyed him up and down taking in details of his appearance. He wondered what was going through her mind. He didn't need to wait long to find out.

"Your clothes are pretty weird, so I'd say some place in Europe. Those European men always dress so stylishly. Who else would dress entirely in black in the desert? The clothes would have made me think maybe Italy, but look at your beautiful pale skin and your fair hair. It's somewhere in Scandinavia, isn't it? I bet it is. Now all I need to do is remember the names of those Scandinavian countries."

To his intense relief the waitress chose that moment to return with a round platter piled high with food.

"Don't be bothering my customers, Missy. I don't mind you waiting in here in the cool, but no annoying my paying guests." Looking in his direction she went on, "The poor girl has been hoping for a ride since opening and you're our first visitor. I'm beginning to think I'll never be rid of her. Maybe I should put her to work if she's going to be hanging around. Has she asked you yet?" She laughed. It was a sound he was unaccustomed to hearing but he knew what it was. She turned back to the girl. "Give the poor man some peace to eat his food."

He wasn't sorry when the girl moved reluctantly to another table leaving him some privacy to investigate the contents of the plate before him. He poked and prodded at the food experimentally. A large pile of grain based carbohydrate, golden brown in colour, probably safe. The shiny, sweet, and sticky sauce on top seemed to be some kind of plant extract. These people certainly had a sweet tooth.

In the corner of his eye he could see the girl continuing to observe his actions, which made him uncomfortable. To avoid arousing further suspicion, he picked up the metal implements beside the plate to push some food into his mouth, as he'd been taught. He was just plucking up courage to tackle the yellow-and-white-coloured protein item in the selection, which was a strange combination of solid with a liquid centre, when the girl appeared opposite him again and looked shiftily in the direction of the server.

"Mister, you seem OK. I am really desperate to get out of here, so if you could give me a ride I'd be very appreciative. You're the first person who has stopped here this morning." He must have looked confused. "I don't care where you're headed," she pressed on. "You can drop me at the first civilised place we come to with transportation, but I do really, really need to get out of here."

He got the impression she was speaking more slowly and clearly than normal for his benefit. Gradually his mind worked on solving the puzzle of her language. As her request took shape in his mind it was joined by a feeling of anxiety. By way of distraction he picked up an item from his plate. It appeared to be animal flesh but he wasn't entirely convinced. "What this is called?" he enquired.

"Bacon," was the woman's bemused reply.

"What is bacon?"

"You know, like ham." He still looked perplexed. "Meat from a pig," she added. She made a strange snorting noise and laughed.

"Pig, animal?"

"Well yes, duh." She wondered if he followed one of those religions that didn't eat pork, but as he tucked in she changed her mind.

He hoped his enquiries would be considered a language lesson for a tourist rather than, as was actually the case, explanation to a stranger encountering these items for the first time. To delay answering her repeated request for transportation and allow himself more time to think about it, he pointed at the yellow and white item he had not yet identified.

"That one is called egg in English," she explained. "This, we call pancakes with maple syrup and that one is sausage. That is probably made of pig too but with sausage you never can be too sure!" She laughed again. He was beginning to enjoy the sound of it.

Looking down at the sausage he frowned and pushed the offending item to the side of his plate. He continued eating in silence while he pondered what to do.

"So, did you decide about the ride? I bet there's plenty of room for two in that motorhome of yours. I'd pay you if I could but... Anyway, my name is Alice. I'm pleased to meet you." She thrust her hand out towards him and bared her teeth, confusing him some more. "Here in America we shake hands when we meet." She lifted his hand from the table causing him to drop his fork and moved it up and down in hers. "Just where in the hell are you from, Mister?" she muttered quietly.

Ignoring her question, he contemplated an idea forming in his mind. "Where you want go?" he asked.

"Anywhere far from Del Rio where I started from." He looked bewildered. He assumed he would be the only traveller with no fixed destination. "What's your name? You know you should introduce yourself when I've told you my name!" she demanded.

"My name - John," he lied.

"Strange for a foreigner to be called John." She paused. "Well, John, to be honest, I really don't care what your name is, who you are, or where you're from. I'd just be glad if I could get a ride further away from the guy who did this." She turned and slightly raised the back of her upper clothing, showing a selection of brown and blue bruises and angry red burn marks on her back.

He felt sudden and unexpected compassion for his new friend and wondered who had treated her so badly. His people might be right to worry about the Humans. Something compelled him to help her. He feared he was about to break the 'minimum involvement with locals' command.

"We make trade?" he suggested attempting a smile.

"What exactly do you expect in return for a lift, John?" She seemed annoyed and he didn't understand why. "I may be desperate, but I do have principles." She rose from her seat. There was an angry look on her face and the space between her eyebrows creased, leaving him confused.

"Wait, please. I explain my idea. I travel here in America, get information for...travel book. Difficult for me, with different culture and when I speak your English very bad. If you have nowhere to go, maybe you travel with me too - if you want - in RV. You help me understand and see places. I buy all food." He paused nervously awaiting her reaction and wondered what he was getting himself involved in.

"That's all you want from me? You want a tour guide. No other conditions?" She smiled sceptically. He nodded. She took in his appearance again observing him more carefully this time. His pants looked like some kind of soft leather or expensive calfskin and the cut of the garment was unusual. It must be all the rage in Europe, she supposed. When she looked more closely at his silky shirt it wasn't entirely black as she'd first thought. When he moved and the light caught the fabric, a faint pattern appeared, almost like a watermark. It must be some pricey kind of material. Those striking ankle boots, with their unusual method of lacing up the side, didn't come from Walmart either. Perhaps John was loaded. Finding her mind wandering to contemplation of the body that might lie hidden beneath the clothes, she blushed and gave herself a mental slap, after all she had vowed to avoid involvement with men for a while.

"Hmm." She wondered for a moment just how trustworthy this odd guy was. "A camping trip sounds like fun." Fun wasn't the true thought in her mind, but at least it would offer a transportation option and help her cover some ground.

"You want finish food, Alice? I fill up." He pushed the mountain of food remaining on the plate towards her as a distraction. She took a look down. The bacon and eggs had disappeared, the hash browns had been sampled, but the sausage and heap of pancakes were untouched.

"I wouldn't say no," she replied and grabbed a fork. She was starving.

The waitress returned. "More coffee? Oh, you haven't even touched it. Here's a cup for your new buddy too and the check." His next moment of anxiety was upon him. He'd been assured that the strange looking card he'd been given would cover all commerce requirements during his visit but it seemed unlikely. He handed the card over and with relief watched the redhead place it on her tray without a second glance. Worry returned as she disappeared with his precious card.

"She bring it back?" he asked his new companion.

"I sure hope so, otherwise how are you going to buy all that food you promised me?" Alice noticed how quickly he pocketed the card on its return.

"Just sign on the dotted line," the server requested and handed him some kind of writing tool.

Alice leaned forward and whispered. "You know it's polite here to tip?"

"Tip?" he looked panicked and unsure what she meant.

"Here let me." She took the pen and added another generous figure at the bottom of the paper. "Now just sign." He took the writing implement from her and, trying to make the action of writing look customary as it obviously was for her, scrawled on the line. "Man! You could be a doctor with writing that bad." Alice chuckled and the sound immediately made him feel calmer. "I sure hope you'll be typing your travel book notes!"

He rose from the table and headed for the door with Alice close on his heels. As he swung the diner door open, he was momentarily dazzled by the glaring sunlight outside. Even with dark glasses, it was extremely bright here.

Briskly he strode outside and paused briefly to take in the dusky pink rock landscape which surrounded them.

"Which way are we headed first?" Alice asked in a voice perky with false enthusiasm. She hesitated and her tone became more serious. "Just one thing, John, you're not a spy, a terrorist, or something bad like that are you? I don't need any more trouble in my life right now."

Without responding to her questions, he headed across the parking lot towards his vehicle.

### Chapter 2 - On the Road

What the hell was she doing? Acting like a dumb bimbo and accepting a ride from an eccentric, even slightly weird, yet somehow fascinating man, right after getting out of the clutches of that last groping trucker. This was a sure sign of Alice's desperation to put as many miles as possible between herself and her ex.

She wasn't entirely convinced 'John' was just the innocent foreign tourist he made himself out to be but needs must. She had to get away before the psychopath tracked her down. Lust for adventure and for a handsome guy had already been her downfall too many times to count in her short and misdirected life. This time her instincts told her that the cute stranger may indeed be odd and definitely wasn't being honest with her, but somehow she sensed he wasn't a danger to her. Still, it was nice to know that the nine millimetre was loaded and snuggled securely but accessibly in her shoulder bag, just in case.

Out in the early morning sun the rugged rocks of the surrounding desert hills already reflected the heat. The temperature was rising by the minute. John's vehicle appeared at first glance to be a small but flashy motorhome, yet something about it was off. It was hard to pinpoint. It was uniformly grey with darkened windows, which prevented her from getting a glimpse inside. The hood had no markings to indicate what kind of motor it had. If the inside was as flashy as the exterior looked, she'd be travelling in style. Perhaps it was just that she was accustomed to seeing tourists pass through in basic, uniform, rental motor homes, with gaudy logos splashed along the sides. It was a fairly small vehicle, around twenty four feet, nowhere near the motor coach size of which she'd seen so many last winter; all those retired snow-bird baby-boomers. It looked like there was plenty of space for two, at least for the amount of time she planned on riding along.

"You wait here," he said gruffly. He walked ahead and disappeared inside the back of the vehicle. She suspected he was about to ditch her right there in the parking lot and shuffled awkwardly from foot to foot. A few minutes later he re-emerged and held open the front passenger door to allow her to climb aboard.

"Don't I get the tour of my new holiday home?" she joked to disguise her anxiety.

"No," he replied brusquely and gesticulated to urge her into the cab.

This gift horse doesn't come with charm, she mused, as she clambered into the passenger seat. It was a fancy bucket seat design more like you'd expect in a sports car, covered in a similar leather to the material of John's pants. As she sat down she noticed it was surprisingly cool to the touch, despite the harsh sunlight shining through the window directly onto the soft black fabric.

In the driving seat John fumbled for a few moments. He appeared to be trying to remember how to operate the vehicle. He fidgeted in his seat, adjusted it back and forth, and then studied the dials on the dashboard. They would look more at home in a Ferrari. She couldn't even make out which dial was which. They moved off hesitantly onto the highway. The engine was so quiet, she hadn't even realised he'd started it up.

"You may prefer to drive on the other side of the road, John," she quipped in an attempt to conceal her terror at the rapidly on-coming pickup truck. "That way we may live till lunchtime." He quickly corrected his mistake.

"Sorry. We head north, OK? I think it less hot there."

"North is fine with me. All you'll find in the other direction is Mexico."

"Mekico?" he looked puzzled.

"Yes, you know, the country. The border is just a few miles south of here." He nodded but she wasn't sure he actually understood what she was telling him. The fact that he'd arrived here without seeming to know he was so close to the border was curious.

Time passed in awkward silence. The closeness of the Earth woman with her enticing scent and strange mannerisms made John feel flustered. It was all he could do not to reach out and find out for himself how that delicate looking facial skin and those full red lips would feel.

"What do you want to see here in the good old U.S. of A?" she asked, as he struggled to regain his concentration.

He gave a quick frown. "U.S. of A?" He appeared bewildered again.

She was certainly going to need to use clear language, not local slang, for this guy. A translator riding along would be a good idea for him after all. "Here in America, John, what do you want to visit? Where do you want to go?"

"I study lifestyle and customs of local population, nature, weather conditions, and language," he rattled off like a mission statement learned by heart. Alice was alarmed to notice that his driving tended to become a little erratic as their conversation distracted him.

"Put like that, you make it sound like we Americans might just be your lab rats."

"Rats?" he looked perplexed.

"What I mean is you make it sound like you are a scientist and America is your experiment."

"No, not scientist, just tourist," he responded. Was that a trace of panic she detected in his voice? He shook his head for greater emphasis.

"Like I said, John, I don't much care. I'm hoping to head north towards Montana eventually but I'm not in a big hurry. Riding around seeing some of the country on an all-expenses-paid RV trip sounds like a fun way to go." It might even throw her ex off her scent if he did decide to come after her. Heading straight to Montana wasn't such a good idea when he knew of her connections there.

"You my guide. You choose place you want to go. You want go to a Montana, we go a Montana. You find way for me."

"There's no rush, John. We can see some of the famous places on the way." The idea of the trip was actually starting to excite Alice, who had always been a risk-taker. She knew this crisis point in her life wasn't really the best time for a holiday, but she never got the chance to do any sight-seeing in her own country and hadn't been on vacation in years. If John treated her right and was true to his word, maybe she could persuade him to drag the trip north out over a couple of weeks and take in some sights on his dime.

"Before we head out into the wilderness, John, and start our camping trip, we should stop at the next big town to pick up supplies and maps to plan our trip. I'll take you to one of America's most famous landmarks; the retail wonder-world of Walmart," she laughed.

"Valmar? What Valmar?" he asked.

"Walmart," she corrected although his version certainly sounded more exotic, "is a place where you can take that magic plastic credit card of yours and get everything you need for our camping trip. In fact you can get pretty much anything you need for anything, right there under one roof." She was making an effort to speak slowly and clearly and he seemed to be keeping up much better already. "I bet you've never seen anything like this back home, but," cautioned the voice of experience, "we absolutely must make a list of what we need, otherwise shopping there is just dangerous."

"Dangerous?" he queried with concern.

"Don't worry, John. It's only dangerous to your bank balance." He looked confused again. "Take a left at the light."

He didn't seem to be slowing the vehicle as they approached the intersection. "John, the light is red. You have to stop before we can turn." Abruptly he obliged and they jerked to a halt.

"Are you sure you even have a driver's licence?" It was another question that went unanswered.

She directed him into the parking lot. Pausing briefly in the entrance, he looked around and stopped the RV in a double space between two white lines next to another motor home, copying the way it was parked.

### Chapter 3 - Honesty

"Let's take a look in the back to see what supplies you've got and what we need to buy," Alice suggested. The cab of the vehicle was sealed off from the living area by some kind of divider. Before John could stop her, Alice opened her passenger door and leapt out of the cab. He raced around the front of the vehicle to intercept her but Alice had already turned and opened the rear access door. She climbed up the small steps into the back of the motorhome, where she came to an abrupt stop. Damn he'd forgotten to lock it!

"What the hell?" she murmured.

In John's haste to catch up with her, he smacked right into her back where she stood open-mouthed at the top of the entry steps. His nose was buried briefly in that luscious hair, until she took another step up away from him.

The RV looked flashy from the outside but the inside was surreal, like something from Star Trek was Alice's first impression. She'd never seen a camper like this one. Smooth panels of light grey lined the walls, interspersed with large banks of flashing lights. The seats at the table and the long bench seat were covered in a soft fabric of the exact same shade of grey as the interior. The windows were tinted in a very dark shade, giving a clear but muted view of the outside world. Another divider shut off the back end of the vehicle, concealing whatever lay behind.

Alice closed her eyes and shook her head sure it couldn't be real. Nobody had ever built a motorhome that looked remotely like this one. She raised her eyelids again, half hoping what she saw was just an hallucination. However, the image remained the same, and that other half of her, the wilder half which sought out and needed adventure, felt a sudden surge of excitement. Something was just so weird about all of this. Her brain screamed 'out of the frying pan into the fire.'

"Mister John, either you are the world's most dedicated sci-fi geek to fit your RV out this way, or..." She paused, looking around again. Her gaze came to rest on a panel of assorted coloured, flashing lights marked with unrecognisable squiggles. She turned to face him. "Where in the hell are you from exactly?"

His heart pounded at twice its normal slow pace. He'd been in this unfamiliar place only a few hours and, despite all the training, he was already in trouble. Should he dump the girl quickly and disappear into the dusty desert, or was this was to be the dreaded moment of truth? Could he trust this woman? Would he need to harm her to keep his secret safe? He took a long, slow look at her innocent, trusting face and her long-lashed, vivid, green eyes which were open wide in a mixture of what he read to be disbelief and excitement.

"Sit," he said, pointing at the seat and mimicking what he'd heard earlier. Silently she obeyed and waited anxiously for her explanation. He noticed her reach into her bag and check for something. Was she armed? He knew the general population in this place had access to weapons. What could he say to make her understand and not freak out? The last thing he needed was for her to wound him, or to flee in terror into this crowded building and raise the alarm. He felt in his pocket and was reassured to find his last line of defence close at hand but hoped he wouldn't have to use it on this new companion. Spotting this slight motion, Alice looked more afraid. If he could ensure things went well, she could be very valuable to him, a useful ally. He calmed himself, taking a deep breath, and made his decision. He began to lift his arm. Standing, he towered over her. Did he imagine it, or did Alice flinch in fear at the raised hand?

Still doubtful, he took hold of the dark glasses and removed them agonizingly slowly from his face, keeping his eyes tightly shut. His other hand firmly gripped the device in his pocket. As Alice waited, apparently not breathing, he lifted his eyelids and looked at her for the first time through just his own eyes. A gasp was followed by stunned silence. He waited patiently and calmly for her reaction.

"Oh - my - God!" were the first words she finally uttered with their eyes still locked. Although the same shape as hers, his eyes looked totally other-worldly to Alice. The whole eyeball was a fiery golden colour with a narrow black slit in the centre, almost feline in appearance. He looked panicked. "No, I not God. I just from other place, other island in sky." He pointed upwards to clarify. Alice stood open-mouthed, trying silently to process this information for several moments. Meanwhile, outside, life in Walmart's parking lot continued unperturbed.

"John, are you telling me that you come from another planet in space; that you are an alien?"

He offered no confirmation instead demanding of her, "Can I trust you keep my secret?" He kept a tight grip on the device in his pocket.

Alice thought for a moment of the implications of this knowledge. Fear and excitement were battling in her mind.

"John, that would depend on just what you are doing here on my planet. Can we trust you? How many of you are here? Is this an invasion? Should we be worried? Do you come in peace? Do you want me to take you to our leader?" By the final question there was a touch of humour in her voice, as she thought back to those cheesy alien invasion shows on TV. Frantically he shook his head.

"OK, wait. I explain. Most important, I just here to observe not hurt Human. I research for my people, only me and one other Guy called Khevn. He long way from here in other part of your country. My people ask same questions when we find Earth. We worry Earth people dangerous for us. You must decide right now, can you keep secret? You still help me?" Her mind was buzzing. She needed time to think but felt strangely calm and inquisitive. A long silence stretched between them.

"John, I think I need some time to recover from this shock. Let's buy what we need from the shop. We'll talk more about this later when I've had a chance to get my head around the idea. A million questions are spinning in my head, but for the moment just believe you can trust me. Your secret is safe." She added silently, at least for now.

She knew her curiosity was winning out. John was even more intriguing with her new knowledge. If the apocalypse was imminent, she may as well get a couple of square meals and an adventure out of this experience first, while putting some distance between herself and her ex. Anything she learned about this stranger might be useful if intergalactic trouble was brewing. What would this alien do if she refused his request for secrecy? Would he kill her? Maybe she would never be seen again, just disappear.

Alice needed time to understand what this guy was about and what he was doing here. She had no problem at all believing what he told her, one look around and she felt like she was in a space ship. She tried to convince herself she might be doing her planet a massive favour. For once in her life she could be important. She reassured herself again by checking for the trusty gun in her bag but instead brought out a notepad and pen. "Please put your glasses back on before I change my mind. Let's make a shopping list."

Alice took a longer look at her surroundings. "I need a tour. I have no idea how any of this stuff works, or even what it all is for that matter. Priority number one, where do you hide the bathroom? You do have a bathroom aboard, don't you?" She wondered just how dissimilar this alien before her might be. Did he even use a toilet? She sure as hell wasn't digging a hole in the ground. Even the crummy trailer she'd fled had a bathroom. John looked puzzled. How would she explain the concept of a toilet to her new friend?

"OK, just show me around or this will take all day. Show me what you have here." She waved her arm around the RV in explanation. He caught on and stepped right to touch the pale bluish-grey panel in front of him. Almost quicker than the eye could follow the panel slid back and the cabinet transformed itself into what at her best guess was a mini-kitchen, containing something almost like a microwave oven. Her hunch was confirmed when John pointed at the small cuboid device and raised his hands to his mouth miming the act of eating.

"This is where you prepare your food?" drew a quick nod in response. "What food do you have here?" He touched another panel, which opened to reveal a cabinet almost empty except for a container of what resembled dishwasher pellets in an unappetizing shade of brown.

"That doesn't look very tasty, John. Is that all you eat?" she asked in horror.

"Supply of protein concentrate for emergency," he explained shaking his head.

"We are definitely going to have to buy some real food. Do you have a fridge here?" Anticipating his language problems, she added, "How do we keep food cold to stop it going bad?" A quick touch opened another door, revealing what she assumed to be a chiller. She confirmed this with an exploratory hand, sensing the cold interior.

"Cooking implements?" she asked. John just looked confused. "Do you have any tools for cooking food or eating?" He seemed to understand and shook his head again. This was going to be a big shopping list.

"What about water, to drink and for washing?"

"Have only one small bottle to drink but big tank under here. I must fill with water."

"I guess we can do that when we find somewhere to camp."

"So, where's the bathroom?" She was relieved when he finally seemed to comprehend that word, perhaps because she'd mentioned washing. Quickly he opened the sliding door at the rear of the RV by placing an index finger on it. Hidden behind the shiny silver panel was what appeared to be fixtures vaguely similar to a normal bathroom; sink, shower, and most importantly to her, what looked like a toilet. It was all very cramped and she may feel like she were taking a pee in outer space, but it beat squatting behind a tree. She moved on to her final concern.

"Where do you sleep, John?" He pointed to a large cushioned area located above the driving position, covered in that same leather-type black material.

"Hmm, so, where will I sleep?" she frowned. Only the one large bed was obvious.

Again he pointed to the same bed. Turning back to look at her face, he spotted her sceptical expression.

"I don't think so, John."

He pointed to a bench seat by the table. "You sleep here if you prefer, or I sleep here and you have big bed, whatever you like." He was keen to keep her happy.

A couple of moments of silence followed while they sized one another up. Alice felt tingles running up her spine as he gazed at her so intently. Suddenly he lowered his eyes and she could breathe again.

She returned to the safe topic of their shopping trip. "Basically, we need to buy everything. Those protein thingies just won't do it for me. We need some real food."

"Indeed, they taste most horrible!" he smiled.

"And some bedding. I don't know how you sleep, but I'm not sleeping on that hard cold bench without any blankets."

### Chapter 4 - Curiosity

Taking her friends' small children around the superstore in the past had been a trial. Taking an alien, new to Earth, on his first shopping trip was more like an ordeal. He acted like an excited kid and the craziness began when they picked up a shopping cart. He examined it closely, pushing it back and forth, and spinning it around.

"That's where we'll put the things we want to buy," Alice explained.

It took forever to reach the housewares section with John picking up everything he saw, sniffing and poking each item before looking eagerly to her for an explanation. After explaining the first few random items which drew his attention, her patience was already wearing thin. How could you even explain some of those 'As Seen On TV' items? Would they ever get out of the store? She threw a random selection of bedding, towels, and kitchen items into the cart, for once not worrying about the cost or choosing the cheapest. John wasn't worried, he was busy trying out an office chair he found nearby, twirling around like a kid in the centre of the aisle.

Next they hit the pharmacy. She needed to pick up a few toiletries as she'd left home in a hurry. Carefully selecting shampoo from the shelf, she turned around and John was gone again. A commotion in the next aisle drew her attention. She heard a strange rattling noise. Sure enough, there he was, working his way along the vitamin and mineral supplements, peering at each label before shaking the bottle and moving on to the next.

"What this?" he asked, using the latest curio like a maraca.

"These are vitamin and mineral supplements." Her explanation drew a total blank from her companion.

"They are pills of different chemicals used in the body. People take the supplements to stay healthy."

"You need all this pills just for be healthy. We just have one pill. I not sure it keep us healthy at all," he continued enigmatically.

"We don't need the pills, John. With a healthy diet we don't need any." John just looked more confused.

"Why so many then?" he pondered. "This one here," he pointed at a bottle of vitamin E, "it say same as this one. Just bottle different colour. Why two or three different coloured bottle all have same inside. It make no sense to me."

"That'll be your free market economy, John. Several different businesses sell a similar product. The customer has to choose. Don't you have that..." She paused, stopping herself before she said something which would be damning if someone were to overhear. Instead she opted for, "...Where you come from?"

"You need medicine, doctor give you medicine. Same pill for everybody. One medicine for one sickness." He was about to venture into the next aisle over and she wasn't ready to explain diet meal substitutes just yet. Instead, she steered him towards the grocery section, hoping that pushing the shopping trolley would keep his hands busy.

Unfortunately their route wasn't a direct one. They had to pass through Sporting Goods first and here Alice lost him again. He wandered the aisle selecting a fishing rod at random from the display and flamboyantly waved it in the air, swishing it back and forth. "Alice, what this is?" he enquired.

"That's a fishing pole, used to hunt for fish in rivers or lakes," she began to explain before being interrupted.

"Nobody can hunt with this stick. It not very strong." As he spoke he grabbed the tip of the rod and flexed it up and down between his hands. "Look, already it nearly broken." Snatching the rod from John's grip, she hoped it wasn't actually broken or they would end up paying for it.

"It will be broken soon if you carry on bending it like that," she chided him like a child. She turned around in search of a reel and fishing line, wanting to explain the intricacies of fishing, but by the time she had picked up the items, John was nowhere to be seen again. A loud clang from the next row over alarmed her.

Hurriedly Alice discarded the items and raced around the corner to find the alien apparently juggling with a couple of extremely heavy looking dumb-bells. He ignored her, bringing the hefty items up alongside either ear, obviously wondering at their purpose.

"Those weights are used for training. People lift them to get stronger and fitter," Alice explained patiently.

"You get stronger by lift this? It so small." John smirked and abandoned the weights with another noticeable clang of metal as they dropped to the floor, rattling nearby shelving. He was already out of sight, attracted by some other random item, leaving Alice to return the weights to the shelf. Thinking of John's juggling antics, she assumed they must be lighter than they looked, but was shocked to find herself having to lift one weight at a time, using both hands, to avoid a back injury when moving them.

By the time she caught up with him, he was perusing the range of bicycles.

"Transportation?" he queried. When she nodded and taught him the name for the device in English, he asked why some were so small, pointing at a vivid pink child's tricycle.

"That one is for a child," she explained.

"Where do child this small go alone on bi-cy-cle?" He struggled with the pronunciation of the word he had just learned, drawing it out so long that it was almost unintelligible.

"Children that small don't go out and about riding their bikes alone," she explained. "They just use them for play."

"What is play?" John wondered, leaving Alice stumped for an explanation. No matter, he was out of earshot and bound for the toy section. Perhaps it would be easier to explain there.

As she arrived, his next question was fired at her. "Weapon?" he enquired, looking unconvinced, as he pondered the toy gun in his hand, the type that fired those foam bullets.

"Just a toy for a child, used for play," Alice tried to explain.

"You train small child to shoot gun. You use childs in warfare?" he asked looking horrified.

"No, John, of course not." Alice remembered for a moment those poor children in Africa she'd seen on TV being used as soldiers and wondered whether that was information to be shared with her alien friend. She decided against it, as it appalled her. "Children just play with these things. You know, make-believe?" He looked completely bewildered, so she tried a different word. "They just pretend to have battles and wars. It's not a real weapon. Surely you played games with your friends when you were a child?" It was Alice's turn to be curious. The perplexed look on his face was so cute, it made her want to ruffle his hair.

"Why someone want to pretend there is war? Already there is too much war." John was still muttering to himself as he replaced the toy gun and headed over towards the section of toys for girls. Here a toy mobile phone drew his attention.

"Communicator?"

"Only a toy one, John. It doesn't really work. Children can imagine they are talking to somebody on it, but you couldn't really hear anyone."

"Somebody make a communicator that don't work, so child can imagine to talk with someone, when nobody is there. That crazy! On Guyara they send somebody to doctor for think they talk with somebody who not really there. Here you want children to do this. I don't understand."

"We try to encourage children to use their imagination, John."

"I not know this word imagination. Maybe we don't have. What is it?"

This was starting to give Alice a headache. "OK, imagination is when you think, inside your head," she poked his temple for emphasis, making him lurch backwards in surprise. "You make up stories in your mind and picture things which you have never seen. When you set off on this trip to visit with us, you must have imagined how Earth would be?" Nervously Alice looked around to make sure nobody was within hearing range.

"I think about what we know, that is all. Guns, war, murder, scientists who want to hurt alien, people who suck blood, things like that. Make me afraid, so I stop to think about them. Is that what you mean is imagination? Seem frightening for a child."

Exasperated, Alice tried to herd John away, hoping they would get their grocery shopping done before she died of old age, but she was out of luck. He grasped a Barbie doll in one hand and was looking at Alice mystified. "This is for Human man to imagine mate?" Inquisitive he turned the doll upside down in his hand and peered up her skirt.

"John, girls like to play with the dolls, dress them up, and make up stories with them. They aren't toys for grown men." Laughing she snatched the dolls. "They need bigger dolls!"

It was hard to tell when these Humans were making what they called a joke. He was grateful that her chuckling helped him understand. The cheeky glint in the corner of her eye made him want to smile too.

"Why everything here is this horrible colour? What it called?" Alice looked around her and realised that they were in a sea of pink.

"Pink. I guess the people who make the toys think girls must really like this colour."

"How people can like or not like a colour? Colour is just colour. You don't have to like or not like."

"You called it horrible, so I guess you don't like it!" she responded, pleased to have caught him out. Now Alice made him think about it, John realised he was becoming rather fond of the green colour of her eyes. Taking him firmly by the arm and pushing their cart with the other, Alice dragged him away from the toys.

In the grocery section cans of food were tapped with his closed fist, as though knocking would magically open them. The pictures on the labels of everything they passed were closely examined. Loaves of bread were picked up and poked and trays of meat inspected, as though John couldn't quite believe they actually came from an animal originally. Alice continued shopping, using the time he was taking studying everything to slowly fill their cart with supplies.

"It so hard to get food here. You want bread, there are many different bread. How you know what to choose? Everything wrapped up so tight or in box. You can't smell if food inside is good or bad. What happen to all food people don't choose?" In the interests of ever leaving Walmart, Alice pretended she didn't hear his questions.

Alice was determined that if somebody else was paying, she was going to enjoy some healthy, fresh food for a change. Among the produce, things only got worse. Here John began picking up, sniffing, and trying to taste each new item he spotted. She'd seen him bite the end off a cucumber before discarding it back into the pile.

"John, unless you want to meet the Earth Police really early in your visit, you'd better stop that. You can't lick the merchandise until it's paid for!" Alice smiled.

Looking around anxiously to check no-one was watching, he quickly replaced the red pepper he'd experimentally licked and put his hands into his pockets out of harm's way. Alice recovered the tasted item and threw it into their cart.

Finally they reached the exit. The magic plastic credit card caused Alice some anxiety at the checkout. Now she knew who he really was, she didn't even want to think about how his credit card worked, but sure enough it did.

Back at the RV, John opened cabinets and left her to stow their purchases wherever she thought best. He slid away the panel which blocked off the front of the vehicle, and clambered through into the driver's seat.

"Do we need gas? It's always cheaper at these big stores," Alice asked as they headed back towards the highway.

He looked perplexed. "Fuel, John, do we need any fuel for the RV. It could be a long way between gas stations." Understanding, he silently shook his head.

Once they got back on the Interstate, he relaxed a little.

"Alice?" he began to speak as the traffic thinned out.

"Hmm."

"What all this lines?" He glanced in her direction and found her looking confused. "This lines here up high." He pointed towards a row of telegraph poles running alongside the interstate and then towards some power pylons in the distance.

"Just power lines, some are telephone lines I think," she explained. The blank look on his face meant that a more simplified explanation was obviously going to be required. "Some lines are wires which carry electricity, power, from wherever it is produced at the power station to people's houses and anywhere else it's needed, factories and shops."

"Lectricty? That is power you use here?" he asked. "How you make lectricty?"

"Well..." This was like a pop quiz at school, she smiled to herself. She should have paid more attention in class. "Some power stations burn fuel, like oil or coal, to make electricity, some use nuclear power from atoms, and then some electricity is made from the heat of the sun or the force of the wind or water. To be honest I don't really know too much about it. I know if you keep paying the electricity company, they keep sending electricity to your house." Her trailer had often been cut off when her ex had spent the electricity money on partying instead.

"You have to pay money to have lectricity?" he asked in amazement.

"Oh yeah. Nothing is free here," she laughed.

"Atomic I know; sun, wind, water power, I understand how it work. What is oil and coal fuel? How does it make lectricty?"

"Mostly they come from under the ground." She found she enjoyed the challenge of explaining things in a way he could understand. It was like talking to a small child. "We dig up coal in mines and drill for oil in wells. Then it is transported to the power station, where it is burned as fuel to power electricity generators."

"Then power travel in these lines to be used up? That's a lot of lines."

"Some of the lines are for telephone too. That's how we communicate with people who are somewhere else."

"How you know where they will be? How you know where to put a telephone line to talk to them?" The concept was obviously completely alien to him. Alice made herself laugh - of course it was alien to him!

"You don't actually have a line running from where you are directly to where the other person is." Glancing at his baffled face, Alice checked herself from laughing at him. It wasn't really fair. She couldn't imagine being dumped in a totally alien world herself. "The lines all join up at big exchanges, so you don't need one line to run directly to the person you want to speak too."

"Still you need lot of lines here."

"We do have wireless phones too, but the lines were the system they invented first," she explained.

"You don't have wireless lectricty too?"

"No, I guess we haven't invented that yet."

They hadn't travelled far along I-10 but John was beginning to look weary. Alice felt tired too, having missed out on sleep the night before.

"John, how long have you been here on Earth?" She began conversation, worried he may fall asleep at the wheel.

He glanced down at one of the instruments on the dashboard. "About eight hundred Earth minutes," came his eventual reply.

"Eight hundred minutes, how long even is that?" She struggled to do the arithmetic in her head. "I suppose just over 12 hours. You'll find we usually talk about longer periods of time in bigger units, otherwise the math is just too difficult. One hour is sixty minutes, twenty-four hours one day, and so on."

His eyelids looked heavy again. "Look, to be honest," she continued, "I'm pretty tired, and you must be exhausted. How about finding a camp site early today, so we can take a shower and get some rest. There's a state park in a few miles. I bet they even have electricity there for the air conditioning." John looked totally perplexed again. Suddenly she realized that despite being parked in the baking sun while they were in the diner earlier and again during their shopping trip, the RV never seemed to heat up inside. The inside temperature remained pleasant, even a little chilly, regardless of external conditions. "Although maybe you don't need the electricity anyway."

It fell to Alice to register at the Park office. The magic card worked faultlessly again to cover the camping fee. When she came to the 'tag number and state' section of the paperwork, she had to run back to the RV and wondered if the thing even had plates. Sure enough, bright and shiny tags adorned the front and rear of the vehicle. For some reason, they were from Alaska. As they drove around seeking out the most secluded camp site possible, she questioned John about this. He explained that Alaska had been chosen by his people, he mentioned the name Malla, in the hope it was far enough away that nobody would bother to check into it too closely, but not from another country, which might draw attention. He assured her the number would check out if anybody did decide to investigate. The explanation of how this worked would just have to wait, her head was already spinning after the day's experiences.

With the aid of an array of sophisticated instruments on the dashboard, John effortlessly reversed the vehicle onto the camp site. The site they'd selected for privacy wasn't the most level, and Alice expected a serious amount of effort to be involved in making her new home flat. John reached to the dash and pressed a blue switch, which instantly levelled the body of the vehicle.

"Wow, cool!" she mumbled.

Keen to wash off the memory of the dirty-minded trucker and to have a few moments to herself, Alice grabbed her backpack and headed straight for the shower block. She wasn't ready to cope with the alien bathroom fixtures until she'd had some rest. She hoped John and his motorhome would still be there when she got back.

Sure enough he was there when she returned, and Alice felt much cleaner despite the mildew infested public bathroom. She found John standing beside the campground's water faucet looking bewildered.

"That water?" he asked her. She nodded. "How I move water from there," he pointed at the outlet, "to here?" Now he pointed at what she gathered was the motorhome's water filler cap.

"Do you have a hose pipe?"

A frown crossed his face, he had no idea what she was talking about.

"Hang on!" Alice headed back towards to shower block, where she'd spotted some other campers. A few minutes later she returned with a borrowed hose.

"This is a hose pipe, John. If you don't have one, we need to buy one." He nodded eagerly as she showed him how to connect the hose and switch on the water. Once the tank was filled, he climbed back into the motorhome, leaving her to return the hose pipe to its owners.

She decided she'd fix some dinner before John passed out. She was starving and John showed no sign of moving from his seat at the table where he was busy with some small hand-held gadget. She asked what he'd like to eat and he stood and moved to the chiller. He held the door ajar, contemplating the unfamiliar contents, picking up random items and sniffing them. He pointed towards the thick and juicy piece of steak she'd bought. Spending somebody else's money was fun! She grabbed a couple of potatoes, a bag of mixed salad, and a couple of cold beers. Twisting the top off the two sweating bottles, she handed one to John, who eyed it suspiciously.

"If you want me to cook, John, you'd better show me how this kitchen works." She pressed the button he'd used earlier in the hope that cooking facilities would magically reappear, but nothing happened. In weary frustration, she kept on jabbing at the button.

"Wait, wait!" John said. "I have to program security system for you." He opened another panel and prodded at a screen covered with unfamiliar squiggles. "Come here, give me finger."

Alice smiled to herself. In her tired, grumpy frame of mind, she was very tempted to give him the finger, but kept those thoughts to herself and stepped over to where he stood looking impatient. Grabbing her index finger, he placed it on the screen.

"All done. With this finger you can work everything..." He paused, correcting himself, "...well, most things on vehicle. Doors will open for you."

He picked up the potatoes, sniffed and prodded at them experimentally, and took a bite out of one, immediately spitting it out of his mouth again. He had worked out they needed cooking. John opened the box-shaped cooker's door, placed them inside, and closed it again. Green lights moved up and down, back and forth across the potatoes and then the cooker clicked into action. "Food scanned. Machine decide best way to cook," he explained. Pulling back the wrapper on the steak, he took a sniff. "This protein old, must be cooked too." Alice hadn't been planning on eating hers raw but wondered if that was the way he preferred his.

In no time the food was ready and they sat together at the small dining table. John seemed to be enjoying the meal. He was a little clumsy with the knife and fork, which obviously wasn't the way he would normally eat. He seemed to be finding the steak a little hard to chew despite it being surprisingly tender. He muttered something to himself in an unfamiliar language.

"What was that you said? Do you like the food?" Alice asked.

He nodded. "Taste good but teeth stupid." This left Alice bewildered. Was it an error in translation? He didn't attempt the salad with the knife and fork, instead picking up one leaf at a time in his hand and placing it into his mouth.

"Have you tried the beer?" she asked, noticing his untouched bottle.

"Now I thirsty," he said. John picked up the bottle and downed the amber, fizzing liquid in one go before letting out a small, satisfied burp.

He'll fit right in here, Alice thought and smiled to herself.

Five minutes later John slumped down on the bench seat, dropped his head onto the table, and fell asleep. Even the noise of her tidying up after the meal didn't rouse him. She wouldn't have to worry about the sleeping arrangements for that night!

### Chapter 5 - Morning Person

Alice awoke to bright sunlight, reduced in intensity as it streamed through darkened windows. She'd slept heavily and for a moment was confused about where she was. Her adventures of the previous day came flooding back to haunt her in an anxious stream of memories as her brain slowly roused itself. Hearing noises, she felt renewed nervousness about her travelling companion. She rolled over quickly to see what he was doing.

He was busy in the kitchen and looked far more alert than she felt. Oh no, he's a morning person, she groaned to herself.

"We eat morning food then we travel," he stated perkily. "What we eat?"

"Well, Good Morning to you too, John," she replied grumpily. "There's cereal somewhere, but for God's sake let's make some coffee!" She dragged herself slowly out of the new sheets and quilt on the large, comfortable bed she'd enjoyed to herself. At least she hoped that was the case. She'd crashed out. Self-conscious about her state of semi-undress, she quickly pulled her shorts on and headed straight for the coffee fixings she'd bought.

"How do I make hot water - I mean really hot, for coffee?" John leaned over slightly, pressed a switch close to the sink, and water began to flow. Still half-asleep, Alice began to say she didn't think it would be hot enough, as she absent-mindedly stuck an experimental finger under the flow of water. "Ouch!" She quickly withdrew her hand. "I guess that will do it. Do you want coffee, John?" He sniffed warily at the bag of coffee she held out to him and shook his head.

She fixed them both a bowl of cereal, pushed John's towards him, and handed him a spoon. He sat silently, waiting for her to eat first. "Don't worry, John, I'm not trying to poison you!" she joked. Still he didn't move, so she picked up her spoon and tucked into her breakfast. Once she began to eat and he picked up his spoon, mimicking her action, she realised he'd been trying to work out just how he was supposed to eat the floating grains. He'd obviously never seen anything like that before. He swallowed his first mouthful.

"How do you like your breakfast?" she enquired.

"These brown lumps, taste like nothing," he commented and added, "and what is this white juice?"

Obviously not a cereal fan, she thought and laughed.

"That white liquid is, I suppose, cow juice, at least the milk that a cow makes for baby cows. That's a big animal you'll see in fields." He frowned, looking worried.

"If I eat milk, what does baby cow eat? How does cow milk get out from cow?" Oh, it was way too early for this!

"Well, baby cow either grew up, or became cow burger, so doesn't need the milk any more. Mr Farmer uses a machine that sucks the milk from the cow and puts it into these cartons."

"Milk for baybays." John pushed away the bowl. He stood, went over to the fridge, and looked inside, pulling out a pack of sliced ham. Sitting back down, he tore the lid off the pack and tucked in, polishing off the whole pack one torn up slice at a time.

"Meat from pig, right? Taste OK." They were going to need to buy more sandwich meat.

Alice had barely finished the last spoonful of her cereal when he snatched away the bowl and asked where they were going next. She sighed deeply trying to keep her patience, not an easy feat at this time of day. She reached for the road atlas she'd picked up on the shopping trip and turned to the Texas page.

"We're here." She pointed at the intersection, home of the park where they had camped. "I thought we would continue on I-10 and then head up this road here to the Guadalupe Mountains. It's a National Park. We could camp there, take a hike, check out the wildlife, whatever."

His response came quickly. "Plan good. We go. You drive."

Alice was nervous. The biggest vehicle she'd driven before was her brother's pickup when he came down south to visit a few years ago. Where would she start driving an intergalactic RV?

John sensed her anxiety. "It easy, I show you. Just like Earth car."

Moments later she was sitting in the driving seat. Things were moving too quickly for her this morning. Was she still dreaming? "How do I start it up? Where are the keys?" she asked.

John frowned. "Vehicle always switched on. Yesterday I say that you need only place this finger here." He grabbed her index finger and thrust it roughly against a panel on the dashboard. It seemed her morning grumpiness was catching.

She couldn't help herself. "That means it isn't quite like Earth car, is it?"

John ignored or was oblivious to her sarcasm. "Foot on pedal, hands on wheel, this pedal go, this pedal stop."

The vehicle was simple to operate and driving it was fun. Alice had never driven anything this powerful. Her biggest worry was keeping her speed down to that of the rest of the traffic on the road as the desert landscape flew by. An RV overtaking sporty cars would draw attention and she didn't need that attention to come from State Troopers. Frustrating as it was, she drove conservatively, still unsure of her speed. They left the interstate and passed a gas station and she pondered the matter of fuel again. Alice glanced down at the dashboard and found nothing familiar.

"How will I know when we're low on gas?" she asked, turning her head from the road to make sure John was still awake. He'd become silent once she'd got the hang of the vehicle. He was preoccupied with a small gadget in his hand which looked a bit like one of those expensive tablet phones.

"Hmm?" he faced her as his concentration was broken.

"How do I know when we're running out of gas, John; fuel for the vehicle?"

He pointed at the dash. "Here, big red light go flash, flash, flash; make you crazy."

"How soon is that likely to be? We haven't put in any fuel yet and we've gone a couple of hundred miles already."

He looked up again irritated by the interruption. "Maybe one, perhaps two Earth months from now, I put in more fuel. Fuel is here. Don't worry any more about fuel." He went back to the device in his hand.

"What are you doing, John?" she wondered a few minutes later.

"I write to boss, explain why my report didn't come yesterday because I sleeping. Hope I don't get trouble from my people."

"Did you mention me?" Alice asked.

"No," he stated bluntly. "I have enough trouble already. If I tell how I meet pretty Earth lady, give her access to secret vehicle security system, then she drug me with Earth intoxicant and I pass out, I don't think it help me much!" He caught sight of her horrified expression and smirked reassuringly.

"But it wasn't like that," she protested. "It was only a beer. I didn't know you were so tired you'd pass out drunk with one beer. I didn't do it on purpose."

"I know that," he reassured her, "but maybe boss see the situation different to me. I don't need trouble. Anyway, beer taste great. I like it." He laughed, apparently submitting his report and putting the gadget back into his pocket. It seemed he had a sense of humour.

She drove on for another ten minutes or so before John spoke again.

"What these pictures?" he asked.

"Pictures? What do you mean?"

"See here, near the road. This picture is yellow colour with black marks. Last one white with a number. Sometimes words written on them. What is it for?"

Realising what he meant, she sighed. "John, those are road signs. Haven't you seen them before? Don't you have them where you come from?" It could be dangerous if the driver had no regard for traffic warning signs. She wondered how they had survived the previous day's trip.

"We have no road. Why we need road sign?" he exclaimed and smiled.

"You have no roads? How do you travel about?" Alice asked.

"Most time we don't. We stay where we live, work where we live. We walk. When we need to move long distance, we travel in flying machines. Most people never travel in one in lifetime."

"Wow! Flying machines! That sounds exciting. Are they like our airplanes?"

"Yes and no," John explained. "They fly, so like an airplane, but look very different. We only have few."

When they pulled in at the visitor centre in the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, John was driving again. Alice spent the trip while he drove explaining each road sign they passed. Hopefully they would be safer on the road if he understood at least some of them. The pictorial signs didn't seem to be much of a problem once she'd explained them to him once. The warning signs with writing were more problematic. He struggled to read the letters before they passed the signs. Four times they had passed the warning sign 'Dip', and four times he'd asked what it meant. Reading English wasn't easy for him. The numbers had him baffled too. At each speed limit sign they passed, he would ask what the number was. When she told him what number was written on the sign, he'd ask how fast that was. The vehicle didn't seem to have a speedometer, which she feared could get them into trouble.

Pulling into the parking lot at the National Park, John stopped right by the door.

"You can't just stop here, John. You are blocking the whole road. See those white lines painted on the road over there? They show you how to park. Try to park the RV between two of those lines". Obviously the concept of a parking lot was unfamiliar to him. For a moment she thought how nice that must be.

Alice was chatting to the ranger manning the information desk about hiking trails and camping options, when she suddenly wondered what John was up to. It was ominously quiet. She turned to see him staring angrily at the exhibit displayed in the visitor centre. A selection of stuffed examples of local wildlife found in the park was on show, with data about their populations, habitats, and diets. She wandered over to where John was standing.

"Why do this?" he asked sounding upset. "Why kill these to put here? Park says they protect wildlife but kill these to put on show. That not right!" He began pacing agitatedly between the exhibits and glared in the direction of the ranger's desk.

"John, don't be upset. The park only uses animals here that already died. Maybe they were sick, or killed on the road. They didn't go out and kill them just to put them on display."

John strode over to a large mountain lion standing on a plinth. He climbed over the rope in front of the display. Sinking to his knees before it, he ran his index finger down its forehead and then down his own. He moved his hand to the lion's chest and repeated the strange action, running his finger first along its chest and then his own. He paced to a Bighorn Sheep raising his hand again, about to repeat the action.

"Sir, get out from there. Please don't touch the exhibits." The irate Park Ranger was moving towards them.

"John, let's go. We'll find some living animals on our hike." Alice pulled him by the arm to the exit and turned to the frowning ranger with a quick apology as they hurried away.

As they moved the RV into the camping area, she demanded an explanation of his anger and his actions. His only response was, "Death need respect". The matter was evidently not up for any further discussion.

### Chapter 6 - Stormy Times

They hiked in companionable silence with John absorbing every detail of his surroundings; the rugged canyon, its enormous rock formations, and scrubby vegetation. With his enquiries about every new plant or animal he spotted, Alice's scanty knowledge of the natural history of her planet was tested to its limits. She vowed to learn more about her home, embarrassed it had taken this strange visitor to highlight the gaps in her education. He had a worrying habit of pulling leaves off each new plant he spotted and tasting them, before making notes on his reporting device. She had no idea which ones might be poisonous and tried to dissuade him from eating them.

After a while, they stopped to enjoy the late afternoon picnic she'd packed. John, unfamiliar with the foodstuffs, examined each morsel in an almost clinical way. She struggled to explain the process involved in making bread, but the sandwich's contents were easier.

"Turkey," she explained, "is meat from a big bird. We raise them on farms."

"Bird?" He sniffed uncertainly and followed this action with a swift lick of the surface of the sliced meat. Watching this deft action with his long, thin tongue made Alice's blood run hot.

"This contain relaxing drug?" he queried. Puzzled for a moment she pondered this, after all she'd bought organic.

It dawned on her. "Traditionally turkey is known to make people sleepy, especially when they've eaten too much of it on holidays, but I wouldn't call it a drug," she laughed. Reassured he took a huge bite. "Here, have some potato chips with that." She continued explaining in anticipation of the upcoming interrogation. "Potato chips are slices from a root vegetable called potato - the one we ate last night - cooked in vegetable oil." Tucking in, John crunched happily on his snack. "This I like. Taste good for vegetable."

Having eaten enough, they both rested for a while in the shade of the gnarled trees in the canyon, enjoying a refreshing mountain breeze. Alice lay back with her eyes closed, savouring the peace of their isolated location. After a while she opened her eyes to look upwards and was concerned at the approaching black clouds overhead. Sitting up quickly, she noticed John staring in her direction, almost like a predator, watching her every move.

Flustered, she said, "John, I think we'd better head back. It looks like there's rain coming."

They were retracing their steps when, in the distance, the sky exploded with light and noise. Alice spun around hurriedly in time to witness John moving faster than she would have believed possible. His rapid movement continued uninterrupted in a vertical direction when he reached the sheer rock face. As she ran towards where he climbed, he came to a halt hanging beneath a small overhang, twenty feet above her head. She stood, open-mouthed, thinking of Spiderman.

"John, what are you doing?" This was the first of a stream of questions in her mind but was the one which actually got voiced.

"Quick, hurry up rock. Take cover from weapon." He held out an arm towards her, holding his weight with only one arm.

"First of all, John, please calm down. This isn't a weapon, just a thunderstorm."

"But I sense dangerous force, make my hair stand up," he argued.

"You're right. Lightning is dangerous if it hits you. It is a good idea to take cover when it's very close, but this is still miles away." She smiled and added, "You do realize that I couldn't follow you up there even if I wanted to. Just how in the hell did you move so fast and climb like that? It was amazing. Please come down before you fall." She doubted this would be likely, bearing in mind the agility with which he made his ascent. In one lithe spring he rejoined her at the base of the cliff.

They were lucky to make it back to camp before the deluge started and brought the storm close. Clearly fearful of the lightning and booming thunder, John quaked at each flash. With his mind still on his mission, he managed to demand an explanation of the formation of this kind of storm, a phenomenon with which she like most Americans was all too familiar. In return she had questions for him.

"How did you move so fast? Tell me how you climbed up the rock face without a rope like that?"

He paused, battling some internal dilemma, before speaking.

"You promise you not afraid of me?" he asked. The way he quaked again at another loud clap of thunder, it would be hard to be frightened by him right now.

"I've made it this far and you haven't hurt me yet," she joked, trying to ease the intensity of his gaze.

He lay his hands flat on the table between them. In an instant Alice was most definitely aware of the differences between herself and his species. From beneath his fingernails, an impressive and dangerous looking set of ivory coloured claws quickly extended to a length of about two inches. It was all Alice could do not to utter an expletive. Her mouth hung open.

"This I use to climb. Climbing much easier without shoes, using foot claws too." After a dumbstruck silence, which for John felt like an eternity, Alice spoke.

"I bet those mothers are useful for a whole lot more than just climbing, John."

"Important for hunting and defence too."

"I bet they are." She smiled, easing the tension. She had better not get on the wrong side of her travel companion. As quickly as they appeared, the claws retracted and became invisible beneath John's fingernails.

"Here I move faster and climbing easy, because..." he struggled for words. "Hard to explain. On my planet I feel more heavy than here."

Alice was puzzled. "What? You mean you got thin on the way here?"

"No, I mean that downward force on Earth much less. Force that hold everything on planet to stop things drifting off to stars. Here it less strong than my home."

"I think you mean that gravity is less here. That must make you feel like Superman, huh?"

Another sharp crash of thunder had him shaking again. He leapt to his feet and paced nervously; maybe not Superman after all. Instinctively, Alice stood and held out her arms as though to comfort a child, reaching out to him.

"Don't worry, John. It's going to be OK. The storm will be over soon." Before she realized what she was doing, she'd taken him in her arms and begun comforting him. John, in return looked stunned but didn't move, his body was held rigid. For some moments they stood like that. Alice was embarrassed at her reflex to hold him. What the hell was she doing, hugging a monster? She reprimanded herself, thinking of those shiny claws. She wondered how to end the awkward embrace when John showed no sign of moving. Eventually he spoke.

"This feel good. What is this? My people never do this."

"That, John, was just a hug. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." Quickly she released him. "Let's finish off the rest of that picnic food."

They finished their meal, darkness fell, and there was little to do but get some sleep.

"Time for bed, I think, John." Preparing to settle down for the night, John clambered into the overhead bed leaving Alice with the bench. He still physically jumped with each flash of lightning and clap of thunder. He paused nervously and smiled at her. "Maybe we do hug again. I still afraid."

Alice laughed. She felt she had little option but to oblige and climbed up to join him on the large bed. It would give her a chance to feel the contours of the muscles hiding beneath his shirt.

She was very aware how close he lay in the dark. Her arm was wrapped around his shoulder as they faced each other. The wild thunderstorm continued. Brief flashes of lightning illuminated his worried face and heavy rain drummed on the metal roof. He became a little calmer but nowhere near to sleeping.

"Tell me about your life back at home." Alice hoped the distraction might free his mind of his fear of the storm. "Do you have family there, a wife, kids?" She remembered how he watched a family playing Frisbee together earlier at the State Park and had a strange, sad expression on his face.

"We live different where I come from, not that way." His English was improving every time he spoke. It was quite amazing.

"Tell me a little about your way of life," she pressed.

"When we born, we have no family. All childs is raised together."

"How come you don't live with your parents?" she pondered.

"I explain. People don't select own breed mate. All breeding controlled by section of..." He paused searching for the right term, "...government. Government always try to improve species by planned breeding, to get best genetic material. Uncontrolled breeding has bad punishment."

"Surely, there must be accidents now and again; unplanned babies?"

"My people don't behave like Earth people," he continued. "No recreational breeding activities. It forbidden."

"You mean on your planet people don't have sex, not even just for fun?" She felt self-conscious. How had she managed to bring the subject around to sex with him lying so close beside her?

"No." He hesitated. "I heard it does happen but very bad punishment." A flash of shame crossed his face. "I am told I result from such illegal activity, that why I come to Earth."

"Right, back up. I'm confused," Alice interjected. "How do you make babies with no breeding activity? Do you lay eggs or something?"

Relieved to have moved away from the topic of his own existence, he gladly explained.

"When children raised in group, many genetic test select best breeding specimens. When my kind mature, is big honour to be selected for breeding. Doctors take necessary materials from donors and create new life in laboratory. When new life get bigger and confirmed free of defects, it returned to mother donor to grow until birth time. Mothers live away from other people until time of birth. After babies go to nursery and mothers return to normal life, very much honoured by our culture. For each healthy child they receive colour band here." He pointed at his neck.

Alice couldn't imagine how the way of life he described wouldn't feel empty, clinical and lonely. "Your government won't allow you to fall in love, have relationships and families, or even to know your own children?"

Cautiously he responded. He lowered his voice to a barely audible whisper. "I have theory. I say to you, if you promise never to tell anyone of my kind." She nodded her acceptance, after all, how would she be able to contact any other aliens? He moved his mouth close to her ear, his breath raising goosebumps on the back of her neck. "I think maybe they listen," he whispered.

It didn't sound like the type of place many Humans would want to live, with government control and paranoia, Alice thought. However, on reflection, there were plenty of places like that on Earth too.

She listened closely as he quietly explained his theory, still in a low whisper. John believed that desire in his people was being subdued, perhaps by something added to the compulsory daily medicinal supplements issued to his kind when they reached maturity.

"Are you sure you're not just a little paranoid, John? It seems a bit extreme to drug the whole population. Perhaps your kind just don't - you know \- feel desire."

A glint appeared in his eye. "Back home I never get this feeling, but here..." He stared directly at her then suddenly looked embarrassed. "Here on Earth, already I start to have new, strange feelings. He made a sound Alice had never heard from him before, almost a giggle. "Perhaps the influence of my wicked birth mother. I very bad boy. I don't take my pills. My first freedom ever. I see if what I believe is true."

"So, John, you're telling me that the first time in your life you might ever get to feel randy, you're a trillion miles from home and any of your kind. That's pretty ironic". He paused, looking like there was something he wanted to say but quickly took the discussion in another direction.

"I watch people, parents, families, children here on Earth." He stopped again, leaned back in close to her ear and lowered his voice, "and I think Earth way better." Alice thought this clinical race might just have a sent a rebel as their first ambassador and that couldn't be good.

"Tell me your story, John. How did you come to be born?" John explained the story of his origins, one he'd dragged out of his carers during childhood when he had been considered a freak. He was told his mother worked for a government official and despite all the restrictions, they became romantically involved resulting in his conception during a 'wicked and illegal act'. Apparently this was less uncommon amongst the higher government officials and the punishment less severe for them.

Typical, Alice thought, but kept it to herself.

John explained that his people believed life was sacred once implanted in the mother, so the pregnancy continued with his mother locked up until his birth. He had no idea what became of her later.

A side effect of his 'imperfect' genetic make-up was that his appearance lay outside the norms of his species' genetic 'acceptability'. This, by chance, also meant his looks were closer to Human than was normal for his species. It was easier to disguise him as a member of this other, newly discovered race. He was selected when just a child to make this trip to Earth.

Alice felt uneasy. Just how different would her bed mate look if not disguised? She hesitated, not sure she really wanted to know, but compelled to ask what changes were made to his appearance to help him blend in. He explained about the contact lenses which could make his eyes look Human. He was supposed to wear them all the time but hated to because they were irritating and made everything look blurred. Instead he mostly sported his sunglasses. His finger and toe nails were false, fabricated to hide his natural claws. His teeth had been altered too. "It hard for me to eat with these useless, flat teeth." He grinned in an exaggerated fashion, showing them off in the dim light.

There was some facial cosmetic surgery too. He tried his best to explain with much flapping of his hands by the sides of his face. From this Alice gathered that his original ears could move easily, giving him better directional hearing. He stated that the rest of the differences were easily hidden beneath clothes. Alice smiled as she wondered what those differences might be, but felt it wasn't the time to press him for more information. She'd find out for herself soon enough. He'd need to change his clothes sometime and the RV wasn't that big. Wriggling away from him, but reluctant to leave the comfort and warmth of the large bed, she turned over and said, "Let's try to get some sleep."

### Chapter 7 - In a Hole

Alice was slowly coming to her senses helped by the strong smell of coffee in the air. Somehow John had managed to wake and climb over her to get out of the bed without rousing her. He'd obviously mastered the art of making coffee. She could get used to this.

She rolled over slowly, psyching herself to face another morning. As she opened her eyes, she was confronted with the sight of John standing before her thrusting a large cup of coffee towards her face. "Thanks, John, and Good Morning," she mumbled, a little self-conscious about her state of partial clothing. Why worry? They had spent the night together in the same bed with her semi-undressed. John, however, was still fully dressed as he'd spent the night.

She struggled to sit up and looked at him. "Don't you have any other clothes, John? I have only seen you wearing that black outfit."

"I have this clothes and one more the same," he replied.

"They are pretty distinctive and make you stand out. We should get you some Earth clothes at the next town, to help you fit in better - maybe some pyjamas too. It can't be comfortable sleeping in your clothes. Is that how you sleep at home?"

"At home we sleep unclothed," he smiled cheekily.

She felt herself start to blush at the thought. "We'll buy some clothes for bed then too," she added quickly, pulling up her shorts as she spoke.

The destination she'd selected for the day was nearby - Carlsbad Caverns. She had always wanted to go and wasn't passing up the chance now. As they walked the long and meandering path which zigzagged down to the entrance to the cavern, John started making a noise she recognised as laughter. She was baffled. What was so funny?

"I travel half way across universe to experience Earth, and you take me to a big, dark hole." This obviously amused him. His quirky sense of humour was revealing itself again.

"The rock formations are supposed to be stunning. Besides, I've always wanted to visit." She felt defensive.

They wandered through the caverns in silence and John showed great interest at the cleverly lit stalactite and stalagmite formations they passed. The refreshing cool, damp atmosphere was a welcome break from the heat above ground.

"We have place like this at home," John said a while later. "Once we made our main settlement underground like this, for defence."

"Do you normally live underground? Is that why you need the dark glasses?"

"No, I live overground normally. My group located above. Big hole like this is now used for government city where rulers stay. They believe they safer underground," he added.

"Safe from what?" Alice asked.

"For many year Guyara at war, many, many year - probably longer than Humans on Earth." He paused. "First we war with other Guy for long, really long time. My planet is Guyara," he added by way of explanation. "I am Guy." That you are, she thought as she looked him up and down and felt the flush in her cheeks again. Luckily it was almost dark. She hoped he wouldn't notice.

"So, you had a civil war on your planet. What were you fighting about?"

"Usual things; water, food source, minerals, money, women. In old days males rule everything on my planet and select their own mates. One part of planet have more water and grow more food; other part of planet have pretty women and good supply of valuable things, like metals, but little food. One people mistreat other, take resources and women. They live in great comfort while others work hard and live in bad conditions, hungry. Finally they rebel and Guy fight war for many year until planet almost destroyed, many people dead, and Guyara become really weak."

"How did you Guys end the war? Did you make some kind of peace treaty?"

"War didn't end, but when Guyara very weak, aliens come and try to take planet from us. Situation very bad. My people lucky. One Guy man was very wise. We call him 'Bringer of Peace'. He draw all Guy together to fight bad aliens. Bad aliens not too clever. Guy much smarter if we work together. When aliens were gone, we are left with almost dead planet. 'Bringer of Peace' make new government to enforce peace on planet, rebuild, and make new rules to keep life calm. He make sure everyone treated equal. Guyara become strong again. Then we find sign of other new alien life on Earth planet. Government and people fear that another brutal race, your people, will come to take our planet. I sent here to check you out and assess threat. This my job. Guy very, very afraid of war now."

"How did you find out about us?" she asked. She was grateful that the caverns were almost deserted with no one close by to eavesdrop on their bizarre and intriguing conversation.

"Television. Your people put many satellite in space to send out big signals for television. From Guyara we send out," he paused trying to come up with the right words, "what we call Seeker Wave. Very important type of wave, like your radio wave but more clever, more powerful. We send this signal from Guyara and it search through Universe for any type of wave with origin from other planets. One day this wave find Earth satellite TV signal floating around and bring it back to Guyara. Our scientists create television receiver and watch human TV for a while. What they see is frightening; much war, guns, violence, so Guyara government afraid your race is another brutal, violent oppressor."

Probably right, thought Alice but kept the comment to herself.

"They decide we build ship to come visit and check. I train with another Guy, Khevn, many years. I watch much TV to study for trip. We not sure what is real and what is fantasy, so we come to find out."

"Unbelievable," Alice said.

"No all true. I not lie to you." John responded defensively, obviously irritated.

"Oh no. I believe you. It's just that even all the way across the Universe, you can't escape from our crappy TV shows!" She laughed to put him at ease.

Back on the road Alice pored over the map while John drove. The next destination jumped right off the page at her. They just had to visit.

"We'll camp here at this state park tonight." She pointed at the map but John didn't take his eyes off the road. "Tomorrow we'll visit Roswell."

They had been driving through desolate landscape for a couple of hours now. Alice had never been anywhere so empty. About thirty miles ago, the tedium was broken when she spotted a lone tree in the barren landscape, since then there had been nothing but scrubby grassland. She was driving. John didn't have a long attention span. Now she'd mastered handling the vehicle, she felt safer when she was behind the wheel. He was easily distracted.

"Alice, what is at Roswell?" John suddenly asked.

"A museum I think will interest you," she smirked. Finally they were approaching the campground.

"Let's make dinner over a fire tonight, John. Your cooker does the job of cooking food OK, but it all ends up tasting kind of bland. I think we'll grill some chicken, corn, and veggies over a campfire." She pulled up near the campground host to pick up some firewood.

"You allowed to make fire here?" John asked in surprise. "It forbidden on my planet without special permission."

He stood back and watched in fascination while she laid the fire and was mesmerized by the flames. Alice passed him a beer and got to work preparing the food. Given her lack of camping experience, she was pretty impressed with the finished meal as she handed a plate to John. He sniffed at the food and then quickly dug in.

"You right," he said between mouthfuls. "This taste much better. Thank you. How you learn to make food? On my planet this job is for only old people."

"Mostly I'm learning by guesswork but the results seem OK," she judged by his empty plate.

### Chapter 8 - Aliens

"What is this place?" John asked as they pulled up outside the Roswell UFO Museum; an unprepossessing building nestled in a mundane downtown street. Although she had wanted it to be a surprise, just to gauge his reaction for kicks, she now thought she should explain. He was staring hard at a T-shirt in the gift shop window and had a puzzled expression on his face where a distinct crease formed between his eyebrows.

"As I understand, in the 1950s the people of this town claimed that aliens from another planet crash landed nearby and that the Government hid the facts from the American population. The Government claimed the whole event never actually happened. This museum is all about those alleged events. I'm curious what you'll think of it when you see it."

John looked a little worried but simply responded, "OK." He was becoming better at speaking like an American. Grabbing his jacket and checking the pocket for something, he climbed out of the motorhome into the hot sun outside.

Inside the museum, he pored over every display. He struggled to understand the written text and often asked Alice to explain. To Alice the displays seemed a little amateurish, with scientific-looking photographs of the supposed space craft and bodies of the alleged aliens strangely interrupted by inflatable alien dolls and pop culture items relating to aliens. The exhibits which claimed to have eye-witness accounts of events were very wordy and she found that a couple of lines in, she'd lose interest. She expected this to be a half-hour visit but they had already been here over an hour and a half. John took forever trying to decipher all the text and frequently called her back for more explanations.

Bored, Alice wandered off to the gift shop leaving John to his own devices. She spotted a T-shirt she couldn't resist buying for him.

Eventually he had enough and they left. She couldn't wait to find out what he thought about the whole controversy and asked him as soon as they were back in the relative security of the motorhome.

"Those people called Ziluran; nasty little people, not very clever, always steal things. I can't believe they got all way to Earth by themselves - maybe they steal a ship; maybe one of Guy ships." He said it in such a matter-of-fact way, she was stunned.

"You mean it could all actually have happened? They were real aliens who crashed their ship in New Mexico? It might not have been a hoax?"

John continued his factual explanation. "Look like small shuttle craft. Probably mothership abandon them when they crash." Alice was left open-mouthed and speechless. John paused to extend an index finger in her direction, placed it under her chin, and closed her mouth. Her teeth came together with a loud clacking noise which made her start to laugh.

He continued speaking, ignoring her amusement. "Probably they don't come back; nothing here for them." He looked around the dusty, run-down main street and beyond to the barren landscape surrounding the small town. "Lucky they land here, not somewhere else." There was a long pause before he asked, "Did your science people really dissect aliens?"

Alice didn't have a response to his question, after all, it was all supposed to be a fictitious hoax.

With concern he made a confession. "For years in training I have bad dream every night, that Earth people find me and cut into me. This my worst fear."

After a few moments of tense silence Alice held out her bag from the gift shop to lighten the mood. "I bought you a present." John looked baffled and frowned. "A gift for you," she explained. Cautiously he took hold of the plastic bag she proffered, opened it and peered inside. He looked up at her, confused. "I hope it fits," she added. He pulled out the T-shirt and held it before him. A vivid orange, it was decorated with stereotypical alien heads which formed a peace symbol bearing the logo, 'We come in peace'. Alice realised she should think of them not as stereotypical aliens now but as Zilurans.

John looked upset and Alice wondered if she made a mistake buying it for him.

"What's wrong, John? Don't you like it?"

"I like it very much, just, nobody ever give me anything before for gift."

Taken aback and unsure how to respond, Alice said, "You'd better try it on before we leave, to see if it fits. I wasn't sure which size to buy. You're so tall."

Without hesitation, he pulled his silky sweater off over his head, revealing a pale, hairless chest with powerful muscle definition. He pulled the T-shirt back over his head. "Fit good!" he said.

It really did fit well and hugged the contours of his muscled torso. Is it getting hot in here? Alice thought. "While we're here we should look for a store where we can buy some other new clothes for you, Earth clothes," she added hurriedly in an attempt to distract herself. "I bet there's a Walmart here in town."

After a tortuous couple of hours in the menswear section, John was equipped with a new wardrobe. They'd had trouble finding pants long enough, but finally emerged with a couple of pairs of jeans, a few T-shirts, shirts, a hooded sweater, a selection of underwear, some sleepwear and a mountain of socks. For some reason John insisted on buying a dozen pairs. He stepped out of the changing rooms looking good in his new outfits but insisted on putting back on his original black outfit before leaving the store.

"Shopping make me hungry," John commented as they left the store. "We eat here?" He pointed to a fifties style mom-and-pop diner across the street.

Alice nodded eagerly, glad to be spared from the chore of cooking.

### Chapter 9 - Sick

What the hell were you supposed to do if your alien travelling companion got sick? Alice felt fear taking a grip. After they left Roswell headed towards Albuquerque, John grew quiet and pale, before launching into a full blown attack of vomiting. She'd taken over driving when his emergency stops had become too frequent. She was beginning to realise they couldn't keep moving with his condition deteriorating quickly. In addition, the contents of the plastic bowl she'd placed on his lap were beginning to get to her in the confined space of the cab. He became paler by the second and was covered in a sheen of sweat. His mind was drifting.

"John, tell me what I should do." Her voice was shaky with fear. "Should I take you to a doctor?"

It was John's turn to panic. "No doctor. Just stop truck."

A cloud of dust engulfed the RV as she applied the brakes, probably more quickly than necessary in her panic, and pulled off the highway onto the shoulder. John opened the door and promptly threw up again.

It took a few minutes for him to regain his composure. "Bring me into back."

Alice ran quickly around to open the passenger door and helped him stand. His legs were wobbly as they struggled to climb up the steps into the rear of the camper.

"My bag." He pointed towards the cupboard where he had stashed his things. Alice grabbed his pack and dragged it back to the seat where he slumped. He bent to rummage among his few possessions, pausing briefly for another wave of nausea to pass. He found what he was looking for and pulled from his pack a device which looked like an oversized TV remote control. A six inch probe folded out from the back. After punching a few buttons on the machine, he placed the probe against the damp skin of his inner arm.

"John, what are you doing?" Alice asked, worried she might be required to take over.

"I consult my doctor," he responded cryptically. He feared he had succumbed to some earth bacteria or virus that his immune system wasn't equipped to deal with, but he kept his concern to himself. They waited in silence for some time until the display screen on the device changed. John struggled to read an information display while fighting the urge to pass out.

"Pull up shirt, look at skin here." He pointed to his chest. Alice was to get another look at what was hidden beneath his clothing.

"What exactly am I looking for?" she asked, as she pulled up the front of his silky sweater.

"Say me how it look."

A little bewildered having no prior point of reference, she peered closely at his rather well defined chest. "A nice six pack for a start," she mumbled quietly. She paused, perhaps this wasn't the time. A little embarrassed, she quickly added, "The skin is white like your face, but I see small spots, purple coloured."

He seemed relieved and she relaxed a little. "Find red box in bag." She handed it to him, and he opened a medical kit. He searched through the contents, having trouble focusing on the labels on small vials and repeatedly shaking his head as if to clear his vision. Alice wished she had some knowledge of his language and could help. He found what he was looking for, opened one of the small vials, and pressed the top of the bottle hard against his skin for a few seconds, stating simply, "Medicine take time to work." He paused to vomit into the bowl again and it was all Alice could do to keep her own lunch secure in her stomach. "Now I must rest." He was getting drowsy right away.

"John, I think you need somewhere more comfortable to rest. I'm going to head for the city and look for a motel. It shouldn't be far." One thought in her mind was that hospital doctors might have more ideas on how to deal with this strange patient if it came to that. Her ulterior motive was to avoid being confined with him, the bowl, and its contents in the small area of the camper for longer than absolutely necessary. John slumped forwards in his seat resting his head on the table, seeming not to care. She checked he wouldn't fall over as she drove and returned to the driving seat.

At the first motel they reached the desk clerk was bemused that someone with an RV would want a room. In her fluster, she forgot to take John's credit card. Rather than wasting time returning to the motorhome to get it, she resigned herself to handing over her own bank card. She explained her companion was unwell and requested they weren't disturbed. After rushing back to the RV with the key, she parked in front of their ground floor room and helped John stagger out of the vehicle. On opening the door she was pleasantly surprised. The motel was cheap and the exterior looked outdated and a little tatty. The interior of the room, while by no means fancy, was well decorated and spacious enough to share with a projectile vomiting companion. She half dragged John to the king-sized bed, where she managed to persuade him to change his soiled clothes for the new pyjamas they had bought. Once cleaned up, he promptly curled into a foetal position and passed out right on the edge of the bed with his arm hanging off the side.

Great, thought Alice, now what do I do? What if he doesn't get better? What if he dies? These thoughts began a new downward spiral of panic but also something else more unexpected, a sudden pang of pain at the thought of losing her new friend. She needed to distract herself quickly and have faith that his medicine would work.

She switched on the TV, looking around to check that John didn't stir at the sudden noise. Alice walked back to the bed and strategically positioned the emergency bowl close to his head. He lay completely motionless, seemingly comatose. He was so still that she leaned in close to check he was still breathing. She picked up the TV remote again and flicked through the programme guide, settling on a channel showing "Star Trek" re-runs. Maybe she could learn something about aliens.

Two nights had passed and John hadn't stirred. Alice began to wonder if he would ever wake up. It was lucky they had plenty of food in the RV. The room was fine, but she didn't want to take her chances eating alone at the adjacent bar. She endured the "Star Trek" fest, repeats of "Buffy" almost to the point of insanity, and even found herself watching "Springer" at one point. God, she hoped he would wake soon. It was time to clean herself up in the hope that, eventually, they'd get out of here.

The shower felt great and having nothing much else to do, Alice luxuriated in the powerful flow of water for a while. Campground showers were fine but couldn't compete with this decadent and enjoyable waste of hot water. She turned the water off and pulled back the glass screen to reach for her warmed towel - another luxury. She wiped water from her face, wrapped the towel around her wet hair, and reached out to grab a second towel. Alice screamed in shock. John sat in front of her, as bold as brass. He looked bright as a button and was enjoying the show.

"What the hell!" Alice spluttered.

"I am better," he smiled.

"Yes, I can see that." There was a touch of sarcasm in her voice. "You know, on Earth it is considered rude to watch people shower without their knowledge."

"Research," he explained smirking again.

"Well, research your ass out of here while I get dry." She felt herself grin. After two long days of worrying about John, she found it impossible to be angry with him. She was just so relieved he had surfaced again. "Out!" she said sternly and pointed to the door, trying not to laugh. John began to move slowly, never taking his golden eyes off her hurriedly covered body.

With her privacy restored, Alice hastily threw on the clothes she'd brought in from her pack. At least the motel had a washing machine. Doing laundry had helped pass some time, so she had something clean to wear. She savoured the luxury of the motel's hairdryer before emerging from the bathroom. John sat on the bed gazing absent-mindedly in the direction of the TV.

"What was wrong with you, John? I was so worried," Alice asked with concern.

"I eat something my body not like, give bad reaction."

"I've been fine and we ate the same, so I can't think what it might be," she pondered.

"No, no, not that I eat a bad thing, just something bad for me. My body immune system attack," John explained.

"Oh, like an allergy. I hope you can work out what made you sick because I don't want to go through that again," she laughed. "If you would refrain from tasting every new plant we find on our hikes, it might help. I'm sure some of them must be poisonous."

"I think coffee drink make me sick," he suggested. Alice looked unconvinced.

Why don't you take a shower, John. It'll perk you right up. Let me explain how it works." She grabbed his hand and dragged him towards the bathroom before he could object. Alice didn't want to climb back into the small RV cab with a guy who had been lying in bed sweating for two days. She had to admit, though, the scent he exuded wasn't particularly hard on the nose - it was kind of musky. "I washed your clothes for you." She handed him his black outfit and hoped he wouldn't notice that it hadn't endured the motel's washing machine very well. John took a look, sighed, and raised his eyebrows. He put the clothes she'd offered back down on the bed and picked up some of the new clothes they'd bought instead.

Lying on the bed while he showered, idly watching TV, Alice wondered if she had the nerve to carry out some research of her own.

"This feel good!" John called out loudly over the thundering of the running water.

It was now or never. Why should all the research be one-sided? She crept quietly into the bathroom, positioned herself in the exact spot where he'd taken her by surprise, and waited patiently. John was enjoying the powerful flow of water as much as she had. She had to wait a while for him to emerge, which gave her enough time to doubt herself. If she sneaked back out of the bathroom, he'd be none the wiser. She almost chickened out and decided on that course of action, when the water stopped. The glass screen was pushed forcefully back and Alice found herself face to face with an obviously male, naked alien.

"Somebody tell me on Earth is rude to spy on people in shower," John laughed.

"Research," Alice quipped back.

"Hmm. How research work out?" He looked uncertain and was wondering whether to grab the nearby towel to cover up. "How I compare with your Earth man? You tell me then we both will know." Stepping onto the damp bath mat he gave a twirl. Alice couldn't help but giggle, a little embarrassed.

John's chest was extremely pale and smooth, broad and well muscled. Her eyes moved down past his slender waist and she felt colour come to her cheeks.

"Well, there is a certain - erm - lack of hair in places where I would expect it on an Earth man," she began, wishing she'd managed to flee the bathroom in time to avoid this awkward moment.

"What places?" he smiled. Oh God, this was painful. In answer she pointed vaguely to the relevant areas on her own body.

"What is purpose of this hair?" he asked.

"No purpose at all really, as far as I know."

"My research show that you too have hair in interesting place, not like my species. What else you see?" he added quickly to hide his own embarrassment.

"Your eyes are very different and your neck is relatively long."

He turned his back towards her. "Normally for male Guy, hair grow from here," he pointed to the crown of his head, "to here." He moved his finger to the back of his waist. "For this visit I cut off much hair." His hair was thick and golden and reminded her of the mane on a male lion. "What other difference?" he pressed.

"You look pretty strong - lots of muscles." Alice raised an arm and pointed to her biceps imitating a body builder. She felt hers cheeks reddening again and hoped her stupid actions would distract him. "Your waist is a little thinner than a Human". Suddenly, she felt anxious. "Are you eating enough, John?" His nod settled that fear, yet now her anxiety was heightened by him observing her eyes straying below his waist.

"And?"

"Your legs, perhaps your arms too, seem a little longer in proportion to the rest of your body than for an Earth man. Your hands and feet are pretty big. Your feet..." Curiosity got the better of her and Alice crouched to take a closer look. "Your feet are really weird. I understand why you wanted a dozen pairs of socks now." The toes were fairly long and, as with his fingernails, the toenails hid retractable claws. To emphasise this he extended the fierce-looking ivory coloured claws, making her jump. He laughed, raising his foot for her to examine. Whereas the top of his feet were covered with the same pale, smooth skin as the rest of his body, the underside had much coarser, leathery surface, almost like the pads on an animal's paw. As she peered more closely at the feet, he explained. "Don't like to wear shoes. It not normal for us. OK, what more?"

There was going to be no escaping a comparison of the parts she'd been avoiding and finding this area now lined up right at eye level, where she'd stooped to study his feet, wasn't helping her embarrassment. She stood and stepped back a little. "Well, the other parts look pretty much the same," she hurriedly summarized. By way of a change of subject, she asked, "Can I touch your skin to see how it feels?" She took the slow blinking of his exotic eyes as an affirmation. Gingerly she stepped forward again and placed a hand on his damp chest. Despite the heat of the shower, the skin felt cool, incredibly smooth and almost waxy beneath her touch. Their eyes locked for just a second, long enough to make John's heart race. How did this Earth girl unsettle him so much?

"My turn now." He smiled.

This was getting worse and worse, Alice thought.

"Apart from hair," he pointed vaguely below her waist, "other than feet, things are pretty much same as my species but more..." He struggled for the right word and resorted to a wavy vertical hand action.

"You mean I have more curves than your lady folk?" she suggested.

"Yes, especially here." He pointed at his chest. Did she imagine it, or was he blushing now? He quickly changed the subject. "Never on my planet did I see female with long hair on head."

"OK, research is over. You get dressed and we'll get something to eat." Alice escaped the bathroom with relief.

### Chapter 10 - Out on the Town

John emerged from the bathroom running his fingers through his damp, golden hair. The jeans fit him really well, hugging his muscled thighs. He looked solemn and walked towards the spot where she sat on the bed.

"Thank you," he said, staring earnestly into her eyes.

Alice felt flustered. "What are you thanking me for, John?"

"Thank you for protect me when I weak and sick. I owe debt to you. You could just call Earth police to take me away." As his voice trailed off he looked vulnerable.

Alice looked indignant. "John, I would never do that."

"I take you to restaurant to eat something nice, to thank. I so hungry, I can eat a whole kuvok," he added and laughed, breaking the tension.

"Do I even want to know what a kuvok is?" she wondered aloud.

"It big, stupid animal. We farm on my planet. Taste similar to your steak," he explained.

"Here we say I'm so hungry I could eat a horse."

"Horse? Like cowboy horse to ride on?" John frowned. "Isn't horse more useful for ride than eat?"

"We don't actually eat them here but in some parts of the planet they do. It's just an expression we say."

Alice returned quickly to the bathroom to apply some make-up. She was happy to have a reason to smarten herself up a little. John stood fascinated in the doorway observing her movements.

"Do I need this too for restaurant?" he asked her and pointed at her makeup bag.

"No, you'll do just how you are." She chuckled at the thought.

"Looks good," he commented. "With paint you look even more pretty than normal."

They ended up in the bar adjacent to the motel, for ease. It wasn't fancy but had a pleasant atmosphere and secluded seating. They settled in their booth and John pored over the extensive menu. Alice was relieved to eat something other than the sandwiches she had lived on for three days and her stomach rumbled in anticipation. Their waitress approached, ready to take their order. She looked unhappy, as though her day wasn't going well. Alice ordered the Cajun chicken with salad and fries and then turned to John. "What do you want?"

"I eat steak, big steak," he waved his hands to indicate the size he anticipated.

Stepping back to avoid the flying arms, the waitress asked, "Would that be the twenty-four ounce New York Strip?" John, perplexed, looked to Alice to help him out. Twenty-four ounces of steak would take some eating, she pondered. Still, he didn't eat for three days. He must be really hungry and he is paying. Alice nodded in John's direction and he turned back to the waitress and nodded.

"How would you like that cooked, sir?" she asked.

"Yes, cooked please," was his baffled response.

"He'll take it medium rare," Alice helped him out, "with the baked potato, salad, and we'll each have a Corona. Thanks."

The waitress returned quickly with two plates, telling them to help themselves to the salad bar. The selection was impressive. John started to pick items up and sample them, taking exploratory nibbles.

"John, for goodness sake just put whatever you want to try on the plate. We're supposed to eat at the table," Alice giggled.

Obviously her meal selection met with his approval. John's plates were quickly emptied and the entire twenty-four ounces of beef devoured. Alice felt stuffed but was tempted to indulge in the rare treat of dessert. The waitress returned to take their dessert order. Alice ordered herself apple pie with ice cream and turned to John. "What do you want now, John?" she asked.

"I take more beer and..." He began to move his arm in a sideways wavy motion, "thing like this, live in water."

"Fish?" Alice asked in confusion. "You want fish for dessert?"

"I take fish," he confirmed.

She turned to the waitress. "I guess he's not ready for dessert yet. What fish do you have on the menu? What would you recommend?" They settled on a salmon fillet, this time without sides. Maybe John was slowly filling up after all.

"Will you be wanting your fish served at the same time as your pie?" the bemused waitress asked.

"Sure," said Alice. "That will be fine, separate plates though." This almost raised a smile from the dour-faced waitress, who was studying John in a peculiar, curious manner.

A while later, with his salmon already demolished, John eyed Alice's plate. "You want a taste?" she asked. She piled up her fork with a piece of the pie, topped it off with ice cream and pushed it towards his mouth. He obliging opened it like an obedient child.

"Sweet," he commented. "I like this white thing on top. What the name?"

"Ice cream. Guess what it's made from, John?"

"Plant maybe?" he suggested.

"This is made from milk - the stuff you refused to eat, saying it was just for baby cows," she laughed.

"Taste good. I give milk another chance."

Another beer later Alice was feeling pretty relaxed and they were headed back to the motel. As they strolled across the parking lot, without thinking she took hold of John's hand. When he turned to look at her in shock and yanked his hand abruptly out of her grasp, she mentally kicked herself. By the time they reached their room the atmosphere between them had relaxed again.

"Now I sleepy," John almost slurred as she closed the door behind them. He didn't head to the bed but simply stood still staring at Alice. Just inside the room they looked one another in the eyes for several moments, feeling awkward. When she finally felt too uncomfortable, Alice made a quick dash to the bathroom. She took her time in there, wondering what was going through John's mind. She pondered how the evening might end if this were a date with a normal Earth man who she liked as much as she did John. Nervously she emerged, but found she had no need to worry. John was flat out on the bed, still fully dressed. Apparently she'd drugged him again!

### Chapter 11 - Trouble

The next day they were bound for Grand Canyon National Park. Alice dozed in the passenger seat as the dusty desert landscape flew by. Suddenly, John broke the silence.

"What means a fast car behind, with big flashy blue and red lights?" he asked.

"Shit!" said Alice, stretching over to take a look in the rear view mirror. "Police! You must be going too fast. You have to pull over." As he slowed, she thought through the possible consequences. "John, as soon as we stop change seats with me." He did as she asked without question and they just managed to complete the necessary tussle in the front of the vehicle and get their seat belts back on, when a rotund State Trooper waddled up to the driver's window. Watching his approach in the mirror alarmed Alice. Why was she prepared to get in trouble to protect this alien?

"Do you know why I stopped you, Miss?" he asked.

"Oh no, was I driving too fast? I'm not used to this empty landscape. It's so easy to drive faster and faster if you're not careful. I knew I should have listened to John. He told me to use the cruise control." She was trying her best dumb bimbo act and hoping. She could do without a fine, but it would be better than John being subjected to closer scrutiny.

"Licence and registration, please," the officer requested, stony faced. Alice delved in her bag for her licence and turned to John.

"Do you have the registration papers for the RV, John?" she asked with a sinking feeling in her heart.

"Wait," he said and opened up a small drawer in the dash. "This what you need?" He handed her authentic looking papers. It was a miracle. Where had they come from?

The trooper pored over the documents hoping to find fault but apparently failed. He returned to his car to radio in the details, causing Alice's heart to skip a few beats. Several minutes later he returned, apparently frustrated that everything checked out.

"Miss, you know you were driving at over 85 miles per hour. I should really give you a ticket." A glimmer of hope twinkled in Alice's mind. "I know you are just here on vacation, trying to enjoy yourselves. I guess Arizona is a might different to Alaska." He turned over her Texas licence in his hand. She realised it was a trick question.

"Actually I'm from Texas, Del Rio. The RV belongs to my friend John here," Alice quickly clarified.

"And does John have his ID on him?" the trooper asked, sarcastically. He was peering long and hard at John, who, despite the twilight, was still wearing his dark glasses.

"John, have you got your driver's licence on you?" she asked light-heartedly. She waved her licence, just returned by the trooper, in front of his face to give him the idea.

"Yes, I go in back," he replied and nervously eyed the gun on the cop's belt. Alice's hands were shaking. What was he going to do? She calmed again when he squeezed back into the cab with what purported to be an Alaska driver's licence. John's other hand was firmly wedged in his pocket. Wondering if the pocket hid a weapon, she hoped he wasn't going to do anything stupid.

John's licence passed examination too.

The trooper suddenly became less serious. "I can see you both had your seat belts on, and I know how hard it can be to concentrate in this landscape. Please, Miss, drive more carefully and take John's advice with the cruise control." He leaned closer to the window trying to sneak a look into the back of the vehicle. "This is an unusual RV. Is it a new model? It looks great. I'm hoping to buy one myself if the wife will agree, ready for retirement. Mind if I take a look in the back, just out of curiosity? Maybe I could let you off with a warning this time."

Alice's heart was pounding so fast and hard that she felt it could burst out of her chest any minute. She turned to John. "Do you think it would be OK if the kind officer took a look in the back of your RV, John?" What in the hell was going to happen? She felt a wave of dread wash over her.

"Of course!" John smiled falsely. "No problem. This very nice RV. I hope you buy good one too."

He stepped out of the passenger door, led the trooper to the back and held the rear door open to allow him to enter in front of John. The officer looked around with wide-eyes, as Alice had on entering the vehicle for the first time.

"What model is this, exactly?" He turned to John and looked him straight in the eye. All of a sudden something flashed brightly behind Alice, who still clutched the steering wheel tightly in horror. She spun around quickly.

The State Trooper seemed dazed, glassy-eyed but calm. John guided him back out of the vehicle and towards his own patrol car.

"Thank you, Officer," John said, as he opened the driver's door of the patrol car.

The trooper looked baffled. "No problem, sir. Have a nice day".

John returned hurriedly to the RV and climbed in. "Drive, Alice, quick!" he instructed. She didn't hesitate.

Fifteen minutes later her heart finally slowed and the shaking in her hands stopped. "What happened, John? What did you do to him?" she asked. "Did you hurt the policeman? He was suddenly so confused. Will he be OK? They have those dashboard cameras. Oh God! Are we on the run? This vehicle is pretty easy to spot, you know." She was getting very agitated.

"Alice," just the sound of John's calm voice made her feel better. "You want to know, really?"

"Yes. I need to know, especially if I'm a fugitive. Tell me what you did to him."

"I use this." He waved a small, cylindrical, silver object in her direction. "I make him forget, maybe about twenty minutes of his day, hopefully from before time he see us driving too fast, to when he sit back in car, alone on road. At least, I hope he forget only twenty minute of his day. It first time I use device."

"Will he be OK? He was really out of it," she asked anxiously.

"Yes, I think in thirty minutes he feel quite fine. Well, perhaps just little headache for a while," he added honestly.

"OK then, that was a lucky escape. You know we need to buy a GPS at the next store so at least we have an idea how fast we are travelling. It's really hard to judge and this thing is so powerful. We'll have to stay inside the speed limit shown on the signs from now on. Do you understand, John? We don't want to get pulled over again."

"Yes, I was afraid." John admitted. "It very stupid."

It was dark by the time they pulled into Walmart in Flagstaff, where they duly went shopping for a GPS receiver.

"Let's park here overnight," Alice suggested when they returned. "I'm exhausted and stressed out." John walked to the fridge and handed her a cold beer. Alice smiled. "I'm sure this will help."

### Chapter 12 - Hurt

They arrived at Grand Canyon National Park early enough to secure a campsite for the night before taking a look around the area. They took a short hike in the park but saved the main spectacle of the canyon views for later in the day to catch the sunset.

John was in explorer mode again, looking closely at every plant, rock, and animal they passed on the way. Alice baked slowly in the hot sun and felt extremely irritable. She felt a familiar cramping sensation in her pelvis. Oh great! She was getting her period. She was equipped to deal with it and disappeared quickly behind a rocky outcrop while John was preoccupied with his botanical investigations.

As she was busy rearranging herself, he appeared at her side.

"You are hurt? What is wrong?" His concern was evident in the frown he wore.

"No, I'm fine, thanks. I just needed to pee."

He stepped closer, his nostrils flared and he looked her up and down. "No, you are hurt. You sick? What happened?"

"John, I'm really fine." She emphasised the point, wishing he'd drop the subject.

"You not fine. I smell your blood. Where are you hurt? Do I carry you back?"

Grimy and sweaty as she felt in the oppressive heat, Alice was tempted to insist he carry her back but simply smiled to herself. This was going to be embarrassing. She was going to have to explain to him why he could smell her blood. He was still staring intently at her. Shit, she thought, he could smell her blood. Could this get any worse? She'd obviously have to explain or he'd never leave her in peace with her bad mood and cramps.

She sat John down and gave him an in depth explanation of the Human female reproductive cycle. When she finished talking, he sat in stunned silence.

"Sound horrible for you," he commented.

"It ain't always a bundle of laughs," she quipped and felt a little less sorry for herself with his sympathy.

"I understand correct, every month Earth woman can get a child?" John asked. Alice nodded. "No wonder there are so many Human on your little planet!"

A couple of minutes passed in silence then John made a decision. "We go back to RV. You all hot and bad-tempered."

Without a moment of hesitation, Alice turned around and started the return trip.

When they were almost back at the campground, John was trailing behind. Alice decided it didn't matter as her fingerprint would now open the vehicle, so she could clamber into the blissfully cool interior - the sooner the better. She turned to shout to John that she was heading straight back and was horrified to see him creeping up on a large coiled rattlesnake which lay not far off the trail. Judging by the loud rattle it was emitting, the animal was not happy with this situation.

"For God's sake, John, step away from the snake!" she yelled. He hesitated, unsure of her meaning. He glanced in her direction then looked back down at the angry reptile.

"John, come here. Move away from the snake!" This time her meaning was clear to him and he backed away slowly and headed her way. "Rattlesnakes are poisonous, John. It could have bitten you and killed you. That rattling noise was a warning that you should leave it alone. It was very angry."

John looked abashed. "Thank you," he said quietly.

After a nap in the blissfully cool RV, Alice was in a much better humour as they drove along the southern rim of the canyon to enjoy the changing light of early evening. She'd never been before and was surprised at the scale of the awe-inspiring canyon. John looked briefly down at the scenery at each viewpoint they visited but seemed more fascinated by the crowds of tourists surrounding them than with the stunning rock formations and astounding depth of the canyon.

"So many people, all different shape, size, and skin colour. They speak many different languages," he muttered. "This very varied planet, Alice. So much difference in people, landscape, plants, and animals. It amazing."

He was still looking around him intrigued by the crowds when Alice heard thunder. A storm was approaching. Aware how nervous John was of thunder and lightning, she stepped over to him. He was oblivious of the approaching bad weather and captivated by his people-watching. She took his hand and spoke quietly. "John, we should go. A storm is coming."

She had barely uttered the words when a ranger approached the tourists leaning on the viewing rail to explain that everybody should step back from the edge of the canyon and away from the metal railing, to reduce the danger of a lightning strike. He was shooing the crowd back with his arms.

John turned to Alice. "I know storm dangerous. I told you!" He seemed pleased with himself.

"Yes, they are John." They clambered back into the RV and headed to the campground before the downpour started.

### Chapter 13 - Vegas Baby!

"How this place exist here? Nothing here but desert, no water," John pondered. After spending a couple of days at Grand Canyon, they were driving towards the sprawling, sparkling skyline of Las Vegas as the sun set.

"John, this is the gambling hotspot of Las Vegas. Nothing here is real. People come for a good time and to fritter away their hard-earned money. The casinos, those big buildings you see all lit up, do everything they can to help the customers spend their money. People fly in from all over the world to visit this place, and I've never been before," Alice explained with excitement.

"I see it on TV many time," John surprised her. "I not think it was real. I think it only fantasy."

"Let's go and find a place to stay." She pulled up the RV in the parking lot of a big chain motel, figuring it would save them money. She'd already checked them in before she kicked herself. With John's magic plastic card, she should have opted for a fancy stateroom in one of the big casinos. She led John to their room.

"So hot here - too hot!" he said. He was visibly uncomfortable in the oppressive, dry heat of early evening.

"We'll both take a shower, get changed, then head out for some dinner and to see the sights!"

Half an hour later they had cleaned up and were walking down the main drag dazzled by all the flashing neon. "I thought you were feeling hot, John. Why did you put on your black clothes again?" She noted with dismay that he'd broken out a new, identical set of clothes to the ones she'd ruined in the laundry. She really liked the sight of him in his Earth clothes and the way they showed off his muscles but he was still an eyeful in his favourite black outfit. Suddenly Alice felt hotter.

John smiled. "These clothes special. These clothes cool."

She laughed. "I didn't realise you were such a fashionista. I guess they are pretty neat, but aren't you feeling hot again, all covered up and dressed in black?"

Taking her by surprise, he quickly grabbed her hand and thrust it inside his shirt.

"What the hell!" She paused, shocked by what she felt there. "Damn, John, you lucky bastard! You have a personal air conditioning system." The skin beneath her hand and the material of the shirt covering it felt remarkably cool to the touch.

"I say you before, my clothes are cool. Also these clothes don't like Human washing machine," he added with a smirk. "Please don't wash this clothes. It my last cool clothes. I need safe." He looked more serious. "My planet not so hot like Earth and not so cold either. I not sure I stay healthy long in such hot temperature without this clothes. My body not design for it."

"Sure, John, got it. No washing your black, luxury, cool clothes." She smiled as they walked along the Las Vegas Strip. The gaudy lights reflected on the lenses of John's dark glasses. "What is the weather like on Guyara?" Alice tried hard to pronounce his planet's name just as he had, as though she had a frog in her throat.

"Not so light as here," he began to explain. "Your big star here, you call sun," Alice nodded. "It crazy close and shine very bright. Hurt my eyes, burn my skin. Our sun more far from Guyara and less bright. More red colour, less white. Even in midday light just like Earth evening, like this." He waved an arm around in the twilight. "Nowhere on planet very hot or cold. Nothing very exciting on planet at all," he paused.

"How do you mean, there's nothing very exciting on Guyara?"

"Everything on my planet - how to say - everything kind of medium." He looked at her puzzled face and decided he'd better try to explain what he meant. "Nothing very hot; nothing very cold. Nothing very high like mountains; nothing very low like Grand Canyon. Plants all medium too; no big trees. Everything just a bit boring. Even Guy people become boring since peace time." His words suddenly petered out. He had a look on his face like he thought he was saying too much.

"John, you're certainly not boring. How can you think a whole race of people are boring?" Alice asked.

"Since peace time nobody fight, nobody argue, nobody do anything crazy. Everybody designed in lab to look almost the same. Nobody has excitement for anything now. I already tell about tablets government say are vitamins; make people boring, stop man and woman being naughty together."

Alice had forgotten about the compulsory medication and the fact he'd not taken it since arriving on Earth.

"How is not taking those pills working out for you? Do you feel OK? You seem fine."

He simply turned to stare at her briefly about to say something but instead changed the subject. He pointed to the pirate ship at Treasure Island. "We look at that!" He ran off across the busy highway like an excited child, with the wails of the horns of passing vehicles in his wake.

They watched the spectacle of the pirate sailing ship engaged in a fake sea battle and sinking three times, but John was still totally absorbed.

"Let's go and see something else, John. I'm getting hungry." Alice was fed up.

"This thing is wonderful!" He looked over his shoulder as she led his reluctant body away from Treasure Island by the hand. "It stupid and pointless but fun. Nothing so crazy on my planet to waste resources."

Alice, still distracted by the growling of her stomach, spotted a Mexican restaurant across the street. "Come on. Time for you to try something spicy."

John poked and prodded suspiciously at the various components of the fajitas Alice had selected from the menu. She quickly dug in, stuffing and rolling the first warm tortilla. After watching her take a bite, John soon followed suit, layering his tortilla with a little of everything, exactly as Alice had done. As he took his first taste, Alice noticed a flush coming to his cheeks. He quickly reached for the icy cold beer and took a big gulp before he was able to speak. The slugging down of the beer was followed by an impressive burp, which made Alice giggle.

"What this taste? Feel like my mouth burning," he gasped when Alice was able to stop laughing.

"That, John, was probably a little hot pepper you tasted. How did you like it?"

"Taste good, just take me by surprise. No food taste like this on Guyara." As if to prove he was serious when he said he liked the taste, he took another huge bite. This time he was prepared with the beer in his other hand.

"What they call this taste," he asked, "the burning food?"

"Generally it's called hot or spicy food. The burning sensation is chilli or jalapeño pepper in the salsa. I'm glad you enjoyed it."

"Yes, but I order me some ice cream after," he laughed.

Alice was eager to see inside one of the big casinos and wondered if she was brave enough to actually place a bet or two. As they walked through the huge swing doors into the artificially chilled interior, the change in temperature was a shock to the system. John stopped just inside. He was mesmerized by the flurry of Human activity which greeted them. Row upon row of slot machines assaulted the senses with their combination of loud dinging noises and flashing lights. He was slowly edging back towards the wall, looking uncomfortable, his nose wrinkled.

"Are you OK, John?" Alice enquired.

"Just so much of everything in here; so many people, so many scents. It too bright and loud and hurt my ears."

"I'm sorry John. Let's move away from these slot machines and see what else is here." Alice started to move further into the Casino, but John stood transfixed by the activities of the mostly elderly ladies playing the slots.

"What they doing?" He stared curiously, as the nearest old dear fed coins into the machine and pulled hard on the arm with determination.

"It's a game, John," Alice began. Before she could continue, he had already asked what exactly a game was.

"It's something you do for fun. Usually you compete against somebody else, or as in this case," she waved an arm towards the slots, "against a machine. You try to win against your opponent, sometimes just for fun, sometimes for money. Don't you play games back home?" she asked, explaining further, "You know, card games, dice games, things like that." John looked blank.

"You see that woman over there?" Alice pointed to the same lady, who was already piling more coins into the machine. "Each time she puts money into the machine, she gets to pull the handle, which makes the three pictures in the centre spin. When the pictures stop spinning, if the three pictures are in the right combination, you can win money, like that." At that moment one of the other slots was paying out with a fanfare of noise and lights.

"Huh?" John was still perplexed.

"Let's have a go." Alice, approached one of the raucous machines and inserted a quarter. "Now pull the handle John." She grasped his hand and placed it on the lever. He stepped back as the dials began to rotate and leant forward expectantly as they stopped. The lack of an instant cacophony meant they were out of luck.

"What happen?" John said.

"We lost." Alice said glumly.

"Seem like boring way to spend lot of money playing with machine. Who keep money you lose?"

"The casino, of course. That's why it's so big and fancy. The casino always wins in the end. Let's look around at all the other ways they liberate you from your money," she smiled.

They strolled around the building and checked out Blackjack, Roulette and Craps. John concentrated hard on each game until he worked out what was going on. The poker, however, had him puzzled and Alice was beginning to feel tired. The atmosphere of the casino, which seemed so exciting to her when they first walked in, was becoming irritating and she felt a headache coming on.

"John, do you want to stay longer? You can if you like, but I'm heading back to the motel. This place is making my head hurt."

"I come too," John said, relief evident on his face. "In truth, I find this place horrible; too loud, too bright, too many people all smelling strong. We go."

As they strolled back to the motel enjoying the relative quietness of the busy road, Alice spotted the towering Stratosphere in the distance. "Tomorrow let's go to the top of that. Then we can go and see a show instead of going to another casino."

"What is show?" John enquired warily. He feared it was similar to a casino.

Too tired and her head pounding too hard to be bothered with an explanation, Alice responded simply. "You'll see tomorrow, but right now I need to take some pills for this headache."

"You sick?" John asked as Alice opened the motel room door.

"Just a headache. The pills and some sleep should fix it," she answered, not wanting him to worry. She headed for her bag and began rummaging around in search of painkillers, becoming frustrated when they kept eluding her in the voluminous bag.

"I check," John said, causing Alice to spin around and look at him. He stood with his doctor device in his hand and began pacing towards her.

"How do you know that thing won't harm me?" she protested in alarm as he continued to stalk her into a corner.

"It OK. I know it fine for Human. Stay still."

Alice obligingly stopped trying to evade him. He grasped her forearm and pulled it towards him. After pressing a couple of buttons on the side of the gadget, he placed the extended wand against her skin. A strange tingling sensation passed through her body but Alice couldn't be sure it wasn't just a sign of her apprehension. After a few moments he folded the wand away again.

"We wait," he said, looking intently at the screen. Alice resumed her hunt for the aspirin and tracked it down. John's gadget began to beep and some small squiggles passed across the screen.

"So, what's the verdict of Doctor Guyara?" Alice asked impatiently. She was eager just to lie down and get some sleep.

John smiled, sensing her sarcasm. "The Doctor say Miss Alice is little dehydrated. She suffer from effects of alcohol consumption when already dehydrated. Her blood low on metal I think called iron." It was all perfectly feasible and pretty impressive, Alice thought.

"Also, Doctor say Alice probably have allergy to casino and should avoid." He smiled at her before walking over to the sink, filling a large tumbler with water, and handing it to her. "Take pills, drink two more glasses like this and go to bed for sleep," he instructed her firmly.

"Thank you Doctor." She grabbed the water, downed the entire glass in one go and handed it back to him with a smile.

A worrying thought entered her mind. "How exactly does your Guyaran doctor gizmo know about Humans?"

John was looking her in the eye with a worried look on his face. "Not now. I tell you other day when you feel better. Now do as Doctor says.

By the time she'd woken up at 3 am desperate to pee after all those tumblers of water, Alice was feeling fully recovered. Before dropping back off to sleep, she decided she might just head to a pharmacy the next day and pick up some iron tablets. It couldn't hurt.

Over breakfast the next morning a nagging thought occurred to her again. "John, how did you know that your doctor machine was going to work on a Human? You said you'd tell me when I was feeling better."

John looked apprehensive about answering her. "It was tested."

"How do you mean? Did you use it on somebody else before you met me?"

John looked worried, unsure how she would react to what he would tell her.

"My people, our scientists, test it with Human before I come here." A pregnant pause followed while Alice contemplated the implications of his statement.

"How did you get hold of these Humans?" Alice asked suspiciously.

"You sure you want to know?" John asked. She nodded.

"I believe we send one small shuttle ship here before I come, to borrow Humans for research tests."

Alice felt really decidedly uneasy. "Borrow? What happened to those Humans? Were they killed?" The atmosphere was now really tense.

"No, of course not," John said, relieved that was her main concern. "They all come back home and know nothing about their adventure. Guy are peaceful people," he added for emphasis.

"So you Guys sent somebody down here to pick up random Humans, take them back to your ship, do God knows what to them, and then zap their memories?" She felt aggrieved at the treatment of her people.

"Basically yes, but not mothership, just on shuttle ship. Humans never leave Earth. We only take measurements for research then take them back. I know it bad thing to do." He was worried about her reaction.

"I guess that explains all those alien abduction stories in the tabloids." She smiled. "Those poor bastards. Everybody just laughed at them and called them crazy when they told those stories. When exactly did this happen?"

"Short time before I arrive. Pilot expedition go to Earth surface to find good landing spot. They also experiment on atmosphere, test if Guy able to survive here."

"Hmm."

Alice headed to the bathroom to take a shower. She felt uncomfortable about the treatment of her fellow Humans, but she was glad she had the chance to meet a real alien. She stopped midway to the bathroom door. "Did you do any tests on me?" she asked indignantly.

"No." A pause followed. "I should take measurements now you are well to calibrate Doctor Machine, in case you sick again. It mean I must use device again like last night."

"Fair enough. It's cheaper than seeing a real doctor. I'll shower first and let the coffee kick in."

By the time John was finished in the shower as well and dressed ready to head out, Alice was feeling pleased with herself. With a few phone calls she'd managed to snag some cancellation tickets for the Cirque du Soleil that evening, at a price reasonable enough she'd felt OK about zapping her bank card some more. It was a show she'd always wanted to see. She figured John would have paid if she'd asked, but she felt a bit awkward when he picked up the bill for almost everything. She'd saved up some money since she'd realised she would have to run away from her ex and didn't see why she shouldn't use it to treat herself. As long as her money lasted, she could worry about finding a job once she got to Montana, or wherever she may end up.

They chose to walk to the Stratosphere which, by the time they were half the way there in the baking heat, she realised was probably a mistake. It didn't look far from their motel but they hadn't realised the sheer size of the enormous needle like building. She wished she had "cool" clothes like John until she came up with the idea of ducking in and out of casinos along the way, to enjoy their air conditioning.

As they approached the front entrance she explained to John that inside was an elevator to take them to the top, where they could enjoy the view.

"What is elevator?" John asked.

She explained the concept of a people-carrying box which would transport them up the tall building without any effort. He still looked uncertain. "A box - like for dead people? I hate small space."

Alice laughed. It was amazing how such mundane concepts could be so - well - alien to somebody.

"Don't worry, John. It's a big tall box, which will hold lots of people." What she hadn't anticipated was the speed with which the elevator would whisk them to the viewing platform at the top of the Stratosphere. They emerged into the bright sunlight slightly giddy and were taken aback by the height at which they found themselves. People far below on the sidewalk were just small dots.

"For what purpose this tall building?" John asked, still cowering back against the wall beside the elevator looking a little queasy.

"I don't know why it's so tall. I think they just built a tall building because they could. Haven't you ever been in an elevator before, John?"

"Nothing at home tall enough to need elevator. We just climb."

A noise above them attracted their attention. They looked up to see some kind of fairground ride on which seated people hurtled at great speed to the end of the spire atop the huge building. Their loud screams accompanied their rapid ascent. Just looking at the ride made Alice's initial giddiness return.

"Must I do that?" John asked unhappily.

"Not unless you want to. I certainly don't plan on it," she laughed.

They edged cautiously around the viewing platform, taking in the view over the sprawling city from every direction before returning eagerly to the elevator for the trip back down to ground level.

At Alice's insistence, they headed back to the motel by taxi and took an afternoon nap before heading out for an early dinner and the show. The Cirque du Soleil proved as stunning and colourful as she anticipated. John was clearly impressed by the acrobatics performed during the show. He talked about it all the way back to the motel.

"How about tomorrow we take that helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon?" Alice suggested.

John responded that he was happy to do anything she recommended. It was pricey, but there may not be another time in her life when she would have the chance to take a ride in a helicopter. If John's people were happy to pay, however that worked, then she wasn't going to miss the opportunity.

Next morning as they approached the helicopter, John didn't seem quite so relaxed about the whole thing.

He took a long, hard look over the machine. "This thing can fly?" he asked in amazement. "You are sure?"

"Pretty sure, John," she smiled reassuringly. "They fly all the time and don't crash very often." She should have kept the last comment to herself, as he looked more concerned now.

"How does it work?" he asked.

"I'm no engineer, so I don't know exactly, but I do know those blades on the top spin round and lift it off the ground. The rest you'll have to work out for yourself on the trip."

As the pilot started up the noisy rotors, John sank down into his seat and looked up nervously through the glass dome at the spinning blades.

"First time in a helicopter?" asked the cheerful pilot. John merely nodded and looked scared. "You'll love it," the pilot said comfortingly. "It's the best way to enjoy the canyon."

The pilot turned back to his controls and as the machine began to lift off the ground, John clutched the front of his seat with both hands, turning his knuckles even whiter than usual. Alice was a little surprised at the noise but enjoyed the sensation of being airborne. As they approached the Grand Canyon, John began to relax and seemed to focus on the astounding view of the massive canyon from above.

Safely back at the heliport, they stepped out of the helicopter. John threw a glance back over his shoulder at the idling machine. "Still I can't believe it can fly."

They decided to spend the rest of the day in the Las Vegas area and managed to fit in a trip to the Hoover Dam, that afternoon. On their way to the city, they had driven over the dam but hadn't stopped for a closer look. John had expressed an interest in seeing it again and Alice was happy to oblige even if it meant another hour and a half wait, while he took his time at the visitor centre studying all the exhibits about the construction and workings of the dam in tedious detail.

She felt her earlier patience justified her dragging him reluctantly to several more casinos later. She never did pluck up courage to try her hand at gambling but the staggering interiors of the huge buildings made it worthwhile. John absorbed the atmosphere but wore a perplexed and bemused expression at what he was seeing. He was keen to head away from the big city and into less populated more natural settings, so they agreed to drive to Zion National Park the next morning.

### Chapter 14 - Entangled

Since the night of John's first thunderstorm, Alice and John had got into the habit of sleeping together in the one large, over-cab bed in the RV, or sharing a bed in the motels they visited. This had not led to any problems between them. There was always plenty of room. Alice even felt proud that, despite his finely muscled torso lying only inches from her every night, she managed to fight the urge to run her finger tips over his firm, smooth chest whilst he slept and boy was that urge powerful on several occasions!

This morning when she awoke to sun rise over Zion National Park, she had managed to drape an arm across John's chest and entwine a leg between his while they slept. Afraid to move too quickly and hoping he still slept, she tried to gently inch her arm back to her own side of the bed while holding her breath. Her hopes of an easy escape were dashed when a hand quickly grabbed hold of her retreating wrist. She turned her face upwards to meet his, fearing he'd be angered by her intrusion into his personal space.

In his eyes, pupils large and intensely dark in the gloom, she saw only signs of bewilderment and possibly a glimmer of amusement at their new situation.

He said, "Don't move. This feels..." His words trailed off and he glanced down uncomfortably, suddenly embarrassed by a distinctive bulge in the sleep pants she'd bought him. She couldn't resist the temptation to lower her eyes to his focal point, no matter how foolish it may turn out to be. A brief silence followed before she finished his broken sentence.

"I guess you're telling me this feels nice, hmm?" She smiled to reassure him. He seemed upset. Every part of his body tensed and his whole body began to quiver. "Hey, John, it's OK. What's wrong?" He released her trapped wrist and she used her freed hand to gently stroke his hair, trying to keep him calm.

"This bad." He looked down again at the growing bulge. "I don't understand. What happen to me? What does it mean?" This was awkward. Alice didn't quite know how to respond. She decided to go with humour to diffuse the tense situation.

"Well, it could possibly mean one of two things." He bobbed his head, eager for her to continue. "Honestly, John, this never happened to you before?" He shook his head and became more agitated. "This is a thing that often happens to Human men in the morning, so maybe you are slowly turning into an Earthling, or..." She smiled to make sure he knew her intended humour.

"Or what?" he snapped back at her.

"Or," now Alice was feeling a little uncertain. A strong impulse to run her fingertips over the inviting bulge threatened to overwhelm her.

"Or what?" he asked again brusquely, forcing her to make a snap decision.

"It could mean that you are enjoying our bodies being tangled together like this, and that bulge may be indicating your readiness for wild, unbridled sex." As her words trailed off, she paused, pondering his likely response. It was her turn to wait tensely. His silence seemed interminable. He was deep in thought with his eyes turned away from her. He turned them back in her direction, locking his eyes with hers.

"I don't feel like Earthling." His slight smile broke the tension. "I think maybe option two, the wild sex thing." He paused for a moment and she didn't quite know what to say. "I have two problem with this." She nodded understandingly while her heart began to race. "This type of activity is forbidden on my world. I don't really know the method for the wild sex thing."

Barely able to breathe, she forced a deep calming breath. "That's not really a big problem. I expect you could work it out. What was the second problem?" The pounding of her heart was almost deafening in her ears.

"How I know if you too are ready for the wild sex thing?" His face was now serious.

Oh God, oh God, oh God! She knew deep down that this would be wrong on so many levels. Willpower had never been one of her strong points and he was looking at her with those large kitten eyes. What a relief her period was over and done with, that would have been just too much to deal with.

"If I were to do something like this," her hand lowered to gently tease the concealed bulge, "that would probably be a good indication". Tenderly she kissed his full lips as he moaned. At least that way he couldn't ask any more difficult questions. He began to respond passionately once he got the idea. It seemed his training had begun.

Alice moved her body down the bed and her tongue flicked quickly over his nipples as she moved. Her hands struggled to free him from the strong elastic of the sleep pants. Once he finally grasped what she was trying to do, he helped eagerly. He lay naked on top of the bed covers, except for his socks. She admired the view but figured the socks would have to stay on. She wasn't ready to get up close and personal with those feet yet.

Her head moved down and her lips and tongue caressed parts of him which she'd been trying hard not to think about for so long. As she smiled to herself at her choice of the words hard and long, John began to make a peculiar growling noise. Was he purring? It certainly sounded like it. Alice hoped the purr and the interesting vibrations it produced through his body would continue.

His body was tense again but in a different way. Suddenly he pushed her away. Panicked she asked him what was wrong.

"My turn now." He grinned and rolled her onto her back, swiftly pulling her nightshirt over her head in the process.

"How did he do that?" she wondered until the unusual rough and dry sensation of his tongue mimicking her earlier actions meant she couldn't think any more. After a few minutes of this, she threw her head back and groaned.

His movement abruptly stopped and he sat up looking worried. "You, OK? " he asked. It took a few seconds for her reply.

"Oh yes, never better. My turn again now."

She pushed him over onto his back, straddled his slender hips, grasped him in her hand, found the right spot. Gently, ever so gently, she eased him inside her. He gasped in pleasure, but Alice had a sudden thought and leapt off him as though she had been scalded. John's eyes opened in horror as he wondered what he had done wrong. To reassure him, Alice kissed his cheek.

"Protection. We need protection," she explained. His head tilted to one side in a questioning manner, when she disappeared into the bathroom returning seconds later to find him looking a little hurt. As she slipped the condom into place, she reassured him. "Now we can't make each other sick or make a baby."

She straddled him again, making him draw in another deep breath as she slid him back inside. As she rocked her hips, he began to purr again, gradually taking up her rhythm. The crazy vibrations from his purring inside her body were driving her wild. They moved faster together. Finally he bucked beneath her and tensed every part of his body. The purring stopped and he moaned before collapsing back down onto the bed. Then it was her turn to moan again. Spent, she collapsed on the bed beside him, with one hand lazily stroking his thigh. She glanced at his face surprised to notice that his eyes had become completely black. The pupils were totally dilated.

For a few blissful minutes they lay together, not thinking just existing. John turned towards her and propped himself up on one elbow. His eyes had now returned to what passed for normal. He smiled and asked, "When is my turn again?" Alice laughed, telling him he'd have to wait until later.

When she awoke, the other side of the bed was empty. John was up and sat at the table, dressed and looking anxious. Quickly she covered herself and joined him.

"Are you all right, John? Did I hurt you? Was it OK? You seemed to be enjoying yourself."

He hesitated. "It was..." He seemed to be struggling for the right word. "Awesome. I think that the correct word."

"So, what's wrong?" she asked nervously.

He paused a moment before continuing with a rapid flurry of words. "So many thing go around in my head. I can't think."

"What kind of things, John?" she asked him patiently.

"I worry what this act mean on your planet. Are we mated for life, or are you just entertaining yourself with me? You know I can't stay here.

"I afraid what happen to me when my people find out that I stopped taking the tablets and this was the result. They will believe me contaminated. Then I forget all of that and wonder if you will ever allow this to happen again and when." His long stream of words stopped. He was getting to grips with her language quickly.

"Relax, John. Let's see if I can help you sort out your problems. She reached across the table and gently took his hand in hers. Firstly, it is no business of the people of your race what happens between us. It's private. They sent you out here to investigate us Earthlings, so how can they be angry if you try out our ways for yourself? Those people should be ashamed of themselves for drugging your entire population to keep you subdued and emotion free." Angry, she paused, wondering if she had overstepped any boundaries criticising his kind like that. "Just don't tell them. How will they ever know?" He thought for a moment and nodded. "I wouldn't go around telling people all about my personal life, so why would you tell your boss?"

She took a deep breath and continued. "With regard to what this act means on my planet, that covers a wide range. It can mean anything from I was randy and a bit bored and you were convenient so we had sex, to I just married you and will keep myself true only to you forever. I can't speak for you but in my case," this difficult conversation usually came much later in a relationship, "I think it meant that I find you very attractive. I like you a lot and finally succumbed to feelings I've been having for a while. I would be happy to make love with you again whenever we both feel like it." He took a moment to fully understand her words before his eyes lit up.

"John, I have just one request of you." Alice looked serious.

"Yes, of course, anything."

"Now we are lovers," she paused uncertainly, "will you at least tell me your real name? I don't believe for a moment that John is your proper name."

He paused before answering. "Zhaan. My name is Zhaan."

No wonder he'd chosen the pseudonym of John, it did sound similar. The alien version was softer, almost rolling off his tongue as he pronounced it with a strange buzzing sound. It suited him.

"Zhaan," she mimicked his pronunciation as best she could, "I'm going to get dressed and we're going for that hike we talked about." She'd need a little recovery time before he took her up on her offer - at least a couple of hours.

### Chapter 15 - Stargazing

It had been an action packed day in Zion National Park. After their surprise early morning horizontal workout, Alice and Zhaan took a trip on the free shuttle bus to the Temple of Sinawava; an amazing natural amphitheatre within the deep canyon walls. This was the starting point of the hike they had chosen. As it turned out in the midday heat, they had made an excellent selection. A large part of the hike to reach The Narrows involved wading through a refreshingly cool river bed in the shade of the steep canyon walls.

Underfoot the rocks were slippery, and Alice was regretting the lack of a hiking stick favoured by so many of the other tourists. Zhaan yanked off his shoes and barefoot he was very sure-footed. He noticed how Alice and some of the other visitors were struggling to keep their footing. Spotting a German tourist couple wading hand-in-hand, he took a firm grasp of Alice's hand. Alice enjoyed the sensation, welcoming the support of her nimble footed companion but also enjoying the intimate sensation of holding hands. It made her feel like a teenager on a first date.

At the end of the wet section of their hike, Alice found herself giggling uncontrollably as Zhaan became stranded in the river, unable to expose his bare feet as a constant stream of tourists walked by. Three times he emerged from the water, only to be forced back in by the approach of more hikers before he could get his shoes on. After about fifteen minutes, there was a gap long enough for him to dry his feet and safely cover them from view. By the time he succeeded, they were both laughing. It was great to see him so relaxed for just a few moments and ironic that it was the peril of discovery which amused them. "Well, my feet are still cool," Zhaan quipped.

When they reached the RV in the campground by late afternoon Alice was a weary but Zhaan was still bursting with energy.

"I make picnic. We walk up there to see sun go down." He pointed to the trail leading to a high peak adjacent to the campground. Alice looked unsure, very aware of her already aching feet. Zhaan grabbed her by the hand, pulled her towards the chiller, and opened the door. "It will be fun. What we take to eat?"

Half an hour later they were on their way to the flat summit. Alice complained that her feet hurt. She needed to buy some proper hiking boots at the next possible opportunity. Zhaan's response was to thrust the backpack containing the picnic at her. "Take this," he instructed gruffly. Alice wondered how carrying the backpack as well as her tired body would help her aching feet, when they were swept from beneath her and Zhaan slung her roughly on his back, piggyback style. It all happened so quickly she wasn't sure how he'd done it but wasn't complaining. The sensation of her body rubbing so closely against his back as he strode up the trail gave her a warm and tingly feeling.

Zhaan hardly noticed his burden as he continued at a gruelling pace to the top. Suddenly he stopped. Alice was about to ask what was wrong, when he made the apparently universal 'shh' sound indicating that she should be quiet. He stood silently and motionless for a couple of minutes until a doe and fawn emerged gingerly from behind scrubby undergrowth. For several precious moments they watched the pair nibbling their way along the path before disappearing back into the shrubbery, as silently as they had appeared.

"How did you know they were coming?" Alice asked Zhaan when they had gone.

Zhaan replied with a sniffing sound. "Hunter nose".

On the flat rock summit, they spread a blanket and ate the food they had brought, washed down with cold beers. Sunset was in full swing and painted the surrounding rock faces in warm tones of pink and orange.

"We had better head back before it gets too dark, Zhaan," Alice said. She was reluctant to leave the peaceful spot but concerned about the steep descent in poor light.

"No, we wait. I want to see stars. Tonight beautiful clear sky and in Las Vegas impossible to see them - too many lights." He was so determined that it almost sounded like a command.

"I'm worried about finding the way back in the dark," Alice confessed.

"Do not worry. It no problem with my eyes," Zhaan reassured her. He might end up carrying her all the way back down too. She wouldn't object. Resigned to a late night adventure, she reclined to join Zhaan, who lay on the blanket gazing expectantly at the sky.

Darkness fell as they watched together in silence, observing the sky begin to light up. It was so clear and the surroundings so dark and truly beautiful that Alice was glad Zhaan had insisted. "I've never had a better view of the stars," she murmured.

"I have." Zhaan laughed.

"I guess you have." She smiled, thinking of the incredible journey he must have made. "Can you see your home, Guyara, from here?"

"Hmm. Wait one minute." Zhaan raised an arm, pointing randomly at different constellations, as though trying to get his bearings. He wore a look of serious concentration on his face. Alice waited with excitement. It would be a thrill to see his home, to know it was up there and would be visible to her once he had left. The last thought made her solemn. She didn't want to think about that inevitable time.

Five minutes later she was still waiting impatiently as he continued to wave his arms at the sky. "Well? Can you see Guyara or not, Zhaan?"

Lowering his arms, Zhaan rolled on his side to face her before answering. "No idea. I am terrible in star navigation," he laughed. "That why they didn't let me fly spaceship."

Alice gave him a friendly punch and shoved his chest. "You were winding me up." Her hand stayed on his chest after the punch and she began idly drawing circles on him with her index finger. Her finger moved up Zhaan's neck to trace the features of his face. Slowly she pulled off the dark glasses he was still wearing despite the gloom. His pupils were dark and wide as he gazed up at her, with only a faint trace of gold visible around their edges in the dim twilight. She continued to move her tracing finger, following the line of his eyebrows, around his ears and finally across his red lips. His mouth opened a little, allowing her finger to brush against his teeth. With a quick motion, he grabbed her fingertip gently with his teeth, moved his hand up to grasp Alice's trapped hand and rolled her over onto her back. "My turn!" he growled.

He had her pinned and straddled her. He released her hands but they stayed where he had pinned them, above her head. Slowly he began to trace shapes on her abdomen with a finger, repeating the same pattern over and over. Alice was aching for his hand to move higher beneath the cotton of her shirt and was becoming impatient.

"Are you writing something on me?" she asked as he repeated the pattern again.

"I write my name in Guyaran language. Make sure everybody know you belong with me." He paused to see if Alice objected but she remained silent. He felt emboldened and gently pulled up her shirt, freeing it from her shorts, and continued his tracings on her bare skin. Alice closed her eyes in bliss, savouring the relaxing sensation of his touch.

Zhaan's touch crept higher, tracing the outline of her hard nipples beneath her bra. She began to shiver.

"You cold? This is Human reaction to cold?" Zhaan asked.

All she could do was shake her head. He was reassured again and his fingers began to slide under the lacy material, pulling both bra cups downwards and freeing her breasts. Alice gasped and Zhaan looked at her face, seeming to ask permission. She smiled and he continued, lowering his mouth to lick the hard nubs in turn with his strange, rough tongue. Gently he slipped his hands behind her back and pulled her up to a sitting position to allow him to pull her shirt off over her head. Alice hoped nobody was watching them from the campground far below the cliff, but at that point she really didn't care.

Grabbing Zhaan around the waist, she rolled him over, a feat only possible with his co-operation, and said, "It's my turn again." Before she had the chance to pin him down, Zhaan yanked his own T-shirt over his head and smiled.

"Now I get to mark my territory too," she laughed, as she traced her name across his firm chest, while bending to bring his nipples within range of her mouth. Zhaan began to purr. That was the only way she could describe the strange combination of noise and vibration from his throat. Above him, she was fully aware of the bulge straining to be liberated from his tight pants. In a slow rhythm she moved her body lightly up and down, teasing the bulge before releasing it from its constraint, causing Zhaan to sigh. She moved down to take him in her mouth, teasing the tip with her tongue. His back arched into her and she wanted him inside her. As if reading her mind, Zhaan reached for the backpack and pulled out a condom, making her realise that he hadn't planned on this being an innocent walk when he'd packed the bag.

"Protection!" he exclaimed, looking pleased with himself.

She fumbled with the fastenings on her own shorts and Zhaan shoved them and her underwear roughly down her legs. Alice was about to slide back up his body ready to take him inside, when he spun her around onto her back again. He traced a line downwards from her navel and gently twirled his finger in the hair he found there. Pushing her legs up away from where he knelt, he explored what he found between using his rough tongue and paused to lick a finger, before easing it inside her. The licking was unnecessary, she was moist enough. The combination of the finger and the rough tongue took her over the edge and the night sky exploded with stars as she writhed before him. She couldn't wait any longer. Lowering her legs either side of his muscular thighs, she grasped him and pulled him towards her, inside her. The purring resumed and she grabbed him firmly on the buttocks, to ease him into the rhythm she sought. He maintained this rhythm for a surprisingly long time. Alice lost count of the star bursts before he finally collapsed, sated, on top of her. They lay there for a few divine moments, aware of nothing but each other, until the sounds of the night ventured back into their consciousness.

Miraculously they made it safely back to the RV from the high plateau, despite the darkness and Alice's bad case of jelly legs. She was impressed how well Zhaan could see in the dark. She followed directly in his footsteps on the way down, but still managed to trip a couple of times. She wished her night vision was as good as her companion's. He didn't even seem to notice the lack of light. She eventually succumbed and ended the descent riding piggyback on Zhaan's back again.

Despite their intimacy earlier in the day, Zhaan modestly donned his sleep pants before they clambered into bed but his previous reserve was gone. He pulled her against his bare chest and gently stroked her skin until she fell asleep.

### Chapter 16 - Another Day, another Canyon

"Another day, another canyon!" joked Alice the next morning as they entered Bryce Canyon National Park. The drive along the top of the canyon rim, stopping at the viewpoints just wasn't enough, so they decided to camp close to the rim to make it easy to get there for sunrise the next morning. The ranger recommended a walk up to Sunrise Point to enjoy the full effect of the changing hues of daybreak on the multi-coloured pinnacles in the canyon below. In the meantime another night lay ahead, a cold one high on the canyon rim.

Zhaan wanted to make dinner and conscientiously followed each instruction Alice gave him, which often needed serious explanation. Things obvious to most people, such as breaking open an egg, proved difficult to explain and even more tricky for Zhaan to perform clumsily for the first time. It was like teaching a child how to cook. She was impressed when between them they produced, from scratch, a pair of delicious Chicken Kievs. It was all the more remarkable considering that Alice had never in her life cooked the dish, never mind in an alien kitchen. Previously she'd only bought them frozen in a box and popped them in the oven.

Dinner was over and washed down with a couple of beers, for which Zhaan was developing a taste. They had just finished clearing up when Zhaan made an announcement. "I must wash me." Alice was fairly eager to take a shower too after the various strenuous activities of the last couple of days, but reminded him that the campground didn't offer showers.

"No matter. We shower here," Zhaan stated simply.

They hadn't used the shower in the RV before, preferring to use the showers in the campgrounds or motels they visited. Zhaan headed to the back of the vehicle, shedding his clothes on the way and leaving a trail scattered behind him. Alice still couldn't get used to the windows on the RV lacking blinds or curtains. From the inside you had a perfect view of the exterior but Zhaan assured her that nobody could see in. After heading outside in the dark for a couple of experimental checks while the interior was brightly lit, she finally believed him but couldn't get used to the sensation of undressing apparently in full view of the neighbours.

The sounds coming from the shower cubicle sounded distinctly like cursing, even in an alien tongue. Smiling, she walked back to check out what was wrong. In the bathroom she found a frustrated Zhaan prodding and poking at the controls, which was all the more entertaining as he was now completely naked. For a couple of moments she merely stood in the doorway enjoying the view before offering to take a look. To Alice it seemed like a fairly conventional shower tap, the type you had to pull upwards to start the water flow. She pulled it without thinking of the consequences and squealed on getting drenched. Her clothes were soaked as the shower started with a forceful flow of icy water. It was Zhaan's turn to smile. "Now you too must get unclothed. Here I help," he offered with a cheeky expression on his face.

As she stood shivering, he gently unbuttoned her shirt and pulled it off, followed by her shorts. Alice was relieved to feel that the flow of water was now warm and Zhaan pushed her into the heat while struggling with the fastenings of her bra. Always the same with men, she smiled to herself and helped him out. Sliding off her underwear and feeling a little self-conscious as Zhaan stepped back to admire the view of her naked beneath the flowing water, she asked if he had soap.

Zhaan reached into an overhead cupboard and pulled out a tube of what apparently was soap. He squeezed some onto his hand and began lathering her long, dark hair. As he moved down and soaped her arms, her self-consciousness was quickly forgotten and she began to enjoy the sensation of his hands upon her skin. By the time he began on her belly and moved slowly up to her breasts, she felt totally relaxed. Her breasts must be particularly dirty and warranted special attention with the soap.

She realised Zhaan was standing out in the cold except for his wet arms. She pulled him gently into the shower cubicle with her, took some of the soap, and began washing him. They took turns to lather each other up, taking extra care with certain spots. Amazed at how long the water flow lasted, Alice found herself wondering how much water was carried in the vehicle but was soon distracted by Zhaan shutting off the water and setting to work with the towel.

"Look at the mess in here." She scanned the pooled water on the floor as Zhaan continued his ministrations with the towel on her back.

"No matter." This was becoming one of Zhaan's favourite responses. He moved the towel lower to dry between her legs, while reaching out with his other hand to press a switch on the wall. With a whooshing noise the scattered moisture disappeared and Alice was able to focus again on making sure she was getting thoroughly dried off.

She grabbed the towel and began drying Zhaan. She was only half finished when he yanked the towel from her hands and scooped her up in his arms. He carried her and lifted her up on to the high bed at the front of the vehicle.

"Now I feel naughty," Zhaan exclaimed before locking lips with Alice. This time they made love unhurriedly with no fear of discovery and no first time nerves. The acrobatics involved in some of the moves they tried proved tricky in the confined space above the cab of the vehicle. The third time Alice banged her head on the roof, she suggested, "We should stay in a motel tomorrow night," and smiled mischievously at Zhaan. It would be a miracle if they made their sunrise appointment with the canyon.

Alice needn't have worried as Zhaan, always the morning person, had her up when it was still half an hour before the sun rose. They dressed warmly and strode out to the rim of the canyon as a first glimmer of light began to appear on the horizon. Waiting for the appearance of the sun, Alice shivered and Zhaan took her into his arms to warm her. They stayed like that as the sun rose slowly over the horizon to colour the curiously shaped rock formations beneath them with a full palette of warm colours. Alice was thinking that this was one of those magical moments in life, watching something so magnificent in the arms of one you loved. Suddenly she started. Was it true? Was she falling in love with Zhaan?

"I wish we had a camera," she murmured quietly.

"What is it? Camera?" Zhaan responded.

"It's a device that allows you to record a picture of what you see and capture the moment," Alice explained.

Zhaan pondered her words for a few seconds before speaking. "Moment cannot be captured, but pictures would be nice to remember this. We buy us camera then I make many pictures of you."

"Don't you have cameras to take pictures where you live?" Alice wondered.

"What pictures we make?" Zhaan asked. "We don't travel to different places. We don't have friends or family." He sounded sad.

The light brightened to harsh white sunlight and more tourists began to emerge. Zhaan quickly put on his dark glasses and dragged Alice away from her intense thoughts, pulling her by the hand.

"We eat breakfast then we hike down in canyon to look at rocks," he instructed.

By the time they had eaten and dressed for hiking, with Alice now in her new hiking boots and socks bought on the way there, the sun was at full force and their hike became a hot one. Half way through, Alice noticed with concern that Zhaan was wearing the clothes they'd bought at Walmart rather than his cooling clothes.

"Will you be OK in this heat?" she asked with concern.

"I hope. Maybe I acclimatise already to your planet," Zhaan replied.

He was jaded by the end of the five mile hike and had drunk all the water they brought along. Back at the RV he downed another couple of glasses of water and lay down. He stretched out on the sofa to recover in the cool interior. After a short nap, he looked more himself. "We find motel," he said.

Worried that he'd become too hot in the baking sun, Alice picked the nearest motel and told Zhaan to wait inside the cool RV while she checked them in. Damn, she'd forgotten his magic credit card again. Anxiously she handed over her own bank card and hoped there were enough funds after the purchase of her boots the previous day. Relieved when the card wasn't declined, she decided that from now on Zhaan would definitely be keeping her. She wasn't sure why she was even worried. Initially he'd said he would pay for everything and it wasn't like he had to pay everything off after putting it on his card. She hoped his magic card would keep working, or they would really be in a hole.

Once they got to their room, Zhaan looked a little off-colour. Alice insisted he took a cool shower while she fixed them something to eat in the RV's kitchen. When she returned he was crashed out on the bed and she gently pulled the covers over him, trying not to wake him. This wasn't what she had in mind when she suggested a night in a motel. She hoped he'd be fine the next day and they could stay another night.

### Chapter 17 - Under Attack

The door flew open with a loud bang and an angry stranger burst into their room. Zhaan, who lazed on the bed watching TV while Alice showered, sat motionless with shock. His eyes were wide with fright.

"If you're going to steal someone else's woman," yelled the stranger, "you should get her to change the password on her internet bank account. It makes it really easy for you to get found if she's dumb enough to keep using her bank card. You left me a nice trail to follow. It led me right here." He leaned over Zhaan menacingly, snarling like a wild animal. The Human looked stocky and strong. Zhaan was worried.

It began to dawn on Zhaan who this violent looking man might be. He struggled to get to his feet to defend himself.

"Where are you hiding the bitch?" the stranger asked. Zhaan thought quickly. The noise of water from the shower had stopped. All was quiet in the bathroom. Alice was listening.

"Who you mean? Who you look for? What you want with me?" Acting dumb was his first line of defence, but it just made the other man more irate.

"I know full well she's staying here. That's her stuff." He pointed to Alice's backpack and walked over to give it a kick.

The ignorance strategy wasn't going to work.

"If you seek Alice, she went out." Zhaan spoke slowly and loudly and hoped Alice could hear from the bathroom. He prayed she'd stay silent. If he could convince this guy to go off and look for her somewhere, it might give them time to make a getaway. "I give her message when she get back, or you want to find her? She went to store."

"I have a message for her all right!" The angry man raised the handgun he'd been holding at his side. Zhaan started to move. The weapon was pointed at him. This couldn't be happening. The evil glint in his attacker's eyes left him in no doubt that he was prepared to use it. Keeping his back to the wall, Zhaan shuffled sideways quickly towards the open door. He could at least draw the man outside and give Alice a chance.

"Mister, she never tell me she had man already. I not know this. I come with you to find her?" Zhaan was desperate to get him out of the confined space of the motel room.

"I don't think so. I think we'll wait right here for her to get back." Zhaan's heart sank.

He feared that he and Alice were both going to die in this room and rapidly considered his options. Would he be able to take this Human in a fight? The stranger was shorter but far bulkier than he was. He doubted the Human was stronger; he looked pretty unfit. The weapon meant Zhaan probably wouldn't even get a chance to try to fight him. He continued to edge towards the door with his back to the window.

"No you don't, you weird looking ass-hole! You stay right there. What the hell is wrong with your eyes anyway?" the man sneered. The weapon made an ominous clicking sound. Perhaps this was it, the moment Zhaan was going to die. Suddenly he felt enraged. This was exactly the type of Human behaviour that his people had been concerned about; no wonder they had wanted to investigate this race further. If he was going to die a pointless death, he would do his best to save Alice. She didn't need to die too. She could hide all traces of his presence on Earth. That would be his last request if he got the chance. He was sure she wouldn't want to deal with the alternative \- difficult explanations to the authorities.

He stood motionless by the door and engaged his predatory instincts. His mind stopped racing and became still as he focused on his prey. One pounce and he would be right on top of the man. Sure, he'd be shot, but he'd do his best to inflict as much damage as possible while he still could. It was worth being injured or killed if Alice could be saved. Silently he awaited his moment while his adversary continued his verbal tirade. Zhaan was glad he couldn't understand the majority of what the man said and didn't distract himself by trying.

He made his move and sprang forward to land right on top of the man. It was a quick enough movement to take his opponent by surprise. They struggled. Zhaan tried to wrestle the weapon from the fatter man's hand. He was beginning to hope he might even succeed as he was undoubtedly the stronger of the two, when a movement at the other side of the room momentarily drew his attention away from the fight. The split second of distraction was enough and gave his enemy the opportunity to raise his gun slightly. An ear-splitting bang was followed by a strange pain, a burning sensation in Zhaan's stomach. Shaken, Zhaan continued to struggle. He spotted Alice across the room advancing on her ex, who was still unaware of her presence behind him. She bore a large lamp over her head. Whatever happened now, Zhaan's attacker must not get the chance to turn around and spot her. Zhaan extended his claws and slashed his hand across the other man's chest to ensure his eyes remained looking in his direction.

"Ow! What the hell?" The man was stunned as he looked down at his bleeding chest. His shirt was shredded and the lightly haired skin beneath was scored with four deep cuts. Blood was beginning to run from the end of each slash mark. As he glanced down at his wounds Alice had just enough time to smash the lamp over his head with all the force she could muster.

"Why did you have to shoot him, you bastard?" she screamed. The attacker was already crumpling unconscious to the floor as she brought down what was left of the lamp with equal force a second time for good measure, before turning to Zhaan.

"Oh no! You're shot." Zhaan was still standing, stunned. An area of ominous purple fluid was seeping slowly in a neat, even circle from the centre of his abdomen into the fabric of his white T-shirt. "Quick, Zhaan, sit down before you fall. Is it bad? Let me see."

"First tie him. Don't want him to wake again," Zhaan instructed breathlessly, pointing at the poleaxed man. Alice hurried to her backpack, pulled out a couple of belts, and tightened one around the unconscious attacker's wrists to secure his arms behind his back, another around his ankles. She picked up the gun as she hurried back to help Zhaan.

"We need to get you to a hospital. Oh God, Zhaan, what can I do?"

"Do not worry," he tried to reassure her. "I OK for now. See bleeding is already stopping. First we must move him and then we leave quickly." He was already worried that someone may have heard the gunshot and called for help. He suspected and could only hope that the motel was empty enough at this time of day that nobody was nearby. The Police would probably take a while to get out here if somebody did call.

"You remember Policeman with speed ticket? You remember how I flash his brain and make him forget?"

Alice nodded.

"We have to make him forget too." Zhaan pointed at her ex and waited for her reaction.

Another nod showed her approval.

"We must decide how much he forget. It don't just have to be last thirty minutes. How much you want him to remember?"

"Hell, I'd be happy if he forgot I existed," Alice responded bitterly. "I wouldn't care if he didn't even know who he was." This may be a little brutal, but after what he'd done to Zhaan and the way he'd treated her for the last eight years, she really didn't care. She just hoped to never see him again.

"Bring my jacket," Zhaan wheezed.

He reached into the pocket and brought out his device.

"Go in bathroom. Shut door. Don't come out until I say. It safer for you when I use high power setting."

She rushed away following his instructions.

Even through the closed door she heard the whining, like a flash bulb charging, followed by a loud pop.

A slight pause followed before Zhaan called her back into the room.

"Now we leave." He was already inserting his contact lenses in case help had been summoned.

"We can't leave him here, Zhaan. I used my bank card to pay for the room. They'll be able to trace us."

"Put bags in truck then I help move him. Untie him. Now is OK." Zhaan added a silent 'I hope'. His stomach was really hurting; a burning combined with the sensation of a foreign object stuck inside his abdomen, tearing him each time he moved. He knew he only had a short time left in which he would be able help Alice.

She returned from the RV and together they struggled to walk the dazed man between them around the back of the vehicle, to stay hidden from view for as long as possible, before shoving him roughly inside.

"I must sit. I wait here." Zhaan gingerly lowered himself into a seat at the table. "Make everything OK with motel." His eyes wanted to close. He needed to explain before they succeeded. "Alice, I know you are afraid but all will be OK. Please, you believe me. Hurry".

She returned mumbling about how she made some excuse of wild bedroom antics leading to the broken lamp and paid for it on Zhaan's credit card. Apparently the receptionist was totally unaware of what had just transpired in one of his rooms. "Zhaan, what are we going to do with him?" Alice pointed a thumb towards the rear of the RV where her ex sat on the floor, propped against a cupboard door, looking spaced out.

"Depend how you feel. We drop him somewhere along road and leave him for somebody to find, or maybe dump him near help, at Police, or medical place?"

"We'll head for the nearest town. You need a doctor anyway."

Zhaan mustered the energy to be angry. "No hospital for me - too dangerous. Never, NEVER take me to that place. You must promise."

"Zhaan, you have a bullet in you. If we don't get help, you'll die." Alice's eyes began to tear up.

"Listen to me, Alice. I have time. I survive this. I not shot in head. First we get rid of him." Zhaan knew his reserves of strength were running low. He wouldn't be conscious much longer. In the rear of the vehicle, Alice's ex was coming around a little but still sat on the floor, looking dazed and groaning.

"You're sure he won't remember?" Alice's expression was concerned, her cheeks damp.

Struggling to take her face in both hands, Zhaan looked directly into her moist eyes. "With setting I used, he is lucky if he remember how to feed himself. For sure he not know who he is, or where he come from, probably not ever. We dump him quick while I still can help you." Alice raced for the driver's seat.

They were approaching a town and the streets were quiet. Alice spotted a deserted park and stopped their vehicle in the road alongside. She walked around to the rear door. She'd had an idea.

"OK, Jim, we're going for a walk. Get up." She pulled her ex up by one arm and he staggered to his feet looking confused. Zhaan made a move to help.

"Stay there. I've got this," Alice assured him. Give me a few minutes. Will you be OK?" Zhaan nodded.

Alice and her ex walked hand in hand down the street towards the park. They looked like a loving couple taking a stroll. The man was gazing around himself in bewilderment. Zhaan felt bile rising in his stomach. Was it from his wound, or an attack of what the Humans called jealousy? The two looked convincing as they wandered in the park. Alice pointed out flowers and trees just like a tourist. They sat together on a bench for a few minutes and looked at the ducks on the pond. Alice said something, reached into the man's pocket, then got up and wandered back slowly towards the RV, waving goodbye as she walked.

She climbed into the driving seat. "That brain flash thing is really good. He had no idea."

"How you make him stay there?" Zhaan asked, as they drove quickly away.

"I asked him for his wallet, so I could go and buy us some ice cream. I said I'd be right back. He seemed to believe me and sat there, as good as gold."

"His name Jim? I never hear you use his name before."

"No, Jim is not his name, but I thought a little more confusion wouldn't hurt. I've got his ID right here with his cash. That wad will come in handy." She pointed to the wallet on the dashboard between them.

"We need to get you help. You look like you're about to pass out. Please?" she begged him.

"Listen to me, Alice. I will sleep when my body stop making fear chemicals. My body close down to repair. Remember when I am sick and you complain I sleep so long? Be prepared again."

"Zhaan, you have a bullet inside you. You'll get an infection at least, if you don't die."

"My body have special defence. First fluid loss will stop. See, already no more blood." He pointed to his stomach. The scary stain on his T-shirt hadn't increased in size, it was true. "My body must rest while it make..." He was having difficulty putting the words together. "My body build wall around wound, separate bullet from rest of body. That keep me safe. When I wake, I can remove bullet. Please don't worry, I must sleep."

Alice pulled over to the side of the road at the first opportunity once they were clear of the town. "If you need sleep, you will be more comfortable in the back." She walked around to help him climb into the back of the RV and lay him down on the bed. Sure enough he took just the time to flick the contact lenses out of his eyes before he passed out.

She was back in the driving seat before the panic attack began. The urge to take him to a hospital was almost overwhelming, but she remembered his pleading voice and his reassurances that he'd be OK. Was he just lying to keep her happy? It was hard to believe that someone with a bullet in their stomach could be fine. She began to feel like she was losing it. There had been so much trauma in so few days. If only there were someone she could trust to help her out. She felt like she was drowning, battling for every breath, unable to think. She had to keep it together for Zhaan.

Alice closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She remembered the last time she'd felt this way, like she was sinking in a sea of chaos. How had she survived? The answer came to her and she knew exactly what she was going to do. She took a deep breath and her pulse slowed with the certainty of her decision. Pulling back onto the highway she headed north.

### Chapter 18 - Help

He was under attack! Zhaan needed to come to his senses and quickly if he were to have a chance to save himself. It was difficult. He was tired, his eyelids so heavy. The unmistakable sting of cold, sharp metal against his skin was enough to rouse him. In a snarling, hissing fit of fury he became conscious and flung his weary body upright in one swift, aggressive move.

Before him, cowering slightly, stood a scientist type, dressed in a white coat. What happened while he was out cold? Had Alice dumped him at one of the Humans' medical facilities or betrayed him to the authorities? He had believed he could trust her, yet found himself facing this attacker with his puny knife. How had he misjudged her so badly? A worse thought occurred to him. Maybe the Humans had Alice too and were subjecting her to something unspeakable. Cornered, he crouched and growled, encouraging his nervous looking attacker to put more distance between them.

"Alice! Alice!" the stranger yelled with a tone of terror and desperation in his voice. He knew Alice. It must be true. She had betrayed him. Zhaan took a step forward. His was stance threatening with claws extended. The stranger flinched in fear. The tables were turned. He had the scientist trapped. A little intimidation might give him a chance to flee before the dissection, or whatever other torture they had in mind.

"Alice, get your butt in here right now. It's awake and I think it's going to kill me! Alice, hurry!"

The door to the laboratory burst open and his betrayer stood before him. Zhaan glared and snarled.

"I think I can trust you, Alice," Zhaan shouted angrily.

"Wait, wait! Of course you can. Please calm down, Zhaan. Nobody is going to hurt you. Don't move around like that or you'll make your injury worse. Sit down, please," she pleaded.

"He cut me. Look!" Their eyes moved simultaneously to the scalpel still firmly gripped in the hand of the scientist. "He want to experiment on me."

"Zhaan, I didn't know what to do. I was so worried, so..."

"You pass me along for dissection?"

"Zhaan, please listen. I'm trying to explain. I was so worried. You wouldn't wake up. I know you said you'd be all right, but it didn't seem very likely from my point of view. I needed to get some medical help for you, so..." Zhaan interrupted her again.

"You took me to one of your hospitals when I beg you not to? I'm become one of the 'lab rats' you talk of. I prefer to be dead."

"...so," she butted in angrily, "I drove your unconscious ass for two days, all the way to Montana, to meet my brother." She pointed at the white-coated man. Alice had been so relieved when her desperate text about the life and death situation she was in finally elicited a response from her estranged brother. "Jesse is a doctor. I know I can trust him and he can help, unless you terrify him and keep him pinned in the corner like that. Please, calm down before he kicks us both out of here."

Zhaan took a deep breath and turned his head to take another look at his armed adversary.

"Hi, I'm Alice's brother, Jesse." He dropped the scalpel and gingerly took a step forward out of the corner to hold out his still shaking hand.

Zhaan looked baffled.

"Remember, Zhaan, the thing about shaking hands when we meet," Alice explained.

Reluctantly he retracted his claws, held out a hand, and met the eyes of the man. "Hello brother doctor Jesse."

"Pleased to meet you, Zhaan. Just call me Jesse." Suddenly fascinated, Alice's brother took another step forward to peer at Zhaan's face. "My God, you have the freakiest eyes I've ever seen!"

Unsure how to respond, all Zhaan could think of was a quiet thank you. Maybe it was a compliment?

"I'm so glad you're awake. I was really out of my depth. I've never treated a different species before. I even tried to persuade Alice to take you to my friend who's a vet. He's used to different kinds of animal physiology." Jesse felt another wave of anxiety. He hoped he hadn't offended his unusual patient by referring to him as an animal.

"Can you advise me on how best to treat your injury?" Jesse turned quickly to a lighted panel on the wall and pointed. "I took X-Rays, but I really didn't know where to start. I was about to open you up to see if I could pull the bullet out of you. I found your skin was very tough when I was trying to make my incision. I'm sorry that you woke up, but I had no idea how human drugs would affect you if I tried to put you under. My plan was just to hope you stayed asleep," he continued, feeling a little embarrassed. "I hope I didn't hurt you too much." He glanced down at the small incision on Zhaan's stomach, which oozed a thick, purplish substance. Was it blood?

"Thirsty." Zhaan was now struggling to speak.

"Alice, could you go and fetch some water, then we can all sit down calmly together and decide what is to be done." She disappeared back out through the door, which made Zhaan nervous again.

"Zhaan, don't worry. You're not in a hospital. This is the medical practice where I work. Today is Sunday, so the place is empty. Nobody will ever know you were here," he said. Jesse thought how he'd believed Alice was being paranoid when she told him to come inside to switch off the security cameras before they had struggled to carry Zhaan's inert body through the delivery bay at the rear of the facility. Had this alien been scaring her as much as he'd been scared? A knot developed in his throat at the thought. How does she always get mixed up in this crazy stuff? It did seem that Alice's feelings towards the alien were more affection than terror, so hopefully it hadn't resorted to intimidation of his little sister.

Right on cue she reappeared with three glasses of ice cold water. Her relief was obvious from the slight skip in her step and her broad smile.

"Zhaan," Jesse said, while the three of them sipped their drinks. "How should I be treating you for this gunshot wound? I assume that the bullet needs to come out before it makes you sick. Alice wasn't sure about this. She told me that you said it didn't matter, but that didn't make much sense to me. I'm surprised you're not sicker already."

He walked over to the wall and pointed at the X-Ray he'd taken while the alien still slept. "I see the bullet here and something resembling a bubble around it, which is quite fascinating. There is some peripheral injury to..." He paused, looking more closely with a puzzled look on his face. "There is some slight damage to these, er, organs?" His statement was more of a query, judging by the inflection of his voice. "It doesn't look like there is any major injury though. I'd say you are very lucky."

"Not very lucky. I very tough," was Zhaan's response. The doctor's bemused expression made him wonder if he'd explained himself properly. He hadn't meant to highlight his superior body strength. If Jesse was prepared to help him, it would certainly be easier than trying to perform surgery on himself. "What I mean is my skin stronger than your people, so your bullet doesn't go so deep. Still hurt like hell though!" Zhaan smiled at catching himself using one of Alice's expressions.

Relieved to see his strange patient smile, Jesse laughed. "Let's talk about what we have to do to get you better. We need to get you out of here before people turn up for work tomorrow."

Clutching his abdomen, Zhaan limped over to the X-Ray display and peered closely at the image. "This is bullet, I think." He moved his finger over a blurry area surrounding the foreign object. "This my body defence. My body made protective, er..." He struggled to find the word.

"Bubble?" Jesse suggested.

"Kind of like bubble but harder substance built up all around intruder object. This mean bullet can stay if no help available. It always better to remove object and all of this as soon as possible." He pointed again at the protective growth. "Every day longer it stay, mean more chance I get sick," he explained. "I need to cut here where bullet go in, make hole big enough to take everything out, then seal skin again. If you can help, it much easier," he admitted reluctantly. He looked hopefully in Jesse's direction wondering how he would manage to operate on his own stomach if the Human refused.

"Of course I'll help. I'm not sure my instruments are tough enough though." Zhaan looked puzzled. "I probably need a stronger knife." Jesse laughed and waved at his bent scalpel in explanation.

Zhaan asked Alice to fetch his medical kit from the camper parked outside.

Jesse fidgeted uncomfortably while his sister was gone and he was alone with the alien. Zhaan looked him over. He could see a family resemblance; the same dark wavy hair although Jesse's was short, the vivid green eyes, the same skin tone scattered with peculiar small, dark spots. It was curious to see two examples of this varied species looking so similar and to know they came from the same parental breeding stock. On his own planet, if judged solely by their appearance, everyone could be related.

When Alice got back with his medical kit, Zhaan opened the lid and pulled out a short bladed, substantial looking knife of an unfamiliar, dull-looking metal. It looked more like a filleting knife, Jesse thought.

"Also we need this." Zhaan handed Jesse a small tube and continued rummaging in the box. "I think this too." He handed him a second container. "We start. I don't want other people to find me."

Jesse led Zhaan back to the treatment couch. While he scrubbed up, Zhaan applied the contents of one tube to the area of his injury and lay back. "Cut here," he said after making several exploratory pokes to his abdomen.

"Wait a minute. Don't we need some anaesthetic; something to stop the pain?" Jesse asked.

Zhaan picked up the empty tube and waved it. "This clean and numb ready for cut."

"If you say so." Jesse picked up the large knife uncertainly and removed it from its sterile-looking packaging. "This is a mighty big and thick knife, Zhaan," he said, as he moved the blade cautiously towards the relevant area. He felt more like a butcher than a surgeon. He made a cut, relieved when Zhaan didn't seem to feel anything. If it wasn't already weird enough operating on an alien, Jesse didn't generally perform surgery on patients who were awake either. In fact, he didn't operate much at all lately, since joining this general practice. Jesse forced himself to focus before he could become more nervous. "I see the protective capsule thing around the bullet. How do I get it out?"

"Just pick up," Zhaan explained. He seemed restless, which was understandable considering that he was lying cut open on what to him was an alien operating table. Jesse looked towards his tray of sterile instruments for something big enough to do the job. By the time he turned back around, Zhaan's patience had run out. "Just pick up like this." Zhaan plunged his hand inside his own abdomen and grabbed the protective, tennis-ball-sized lump, dragged it out, and tossed it onto the instrument table. I guess those aren't sterile any more, Jesse laughed to himself.

"You don't seem to bleed much," he said.

"Thick blood," was Zhaan's blunt response. He added, "Check for damage to other organs." Jesse could see a little scar and burn tissue, but nothing that wouldn't heal itself, on a Human at least.

"We need to close you up." Jesse turned to reach for his suturing equipment, wondering if his needles would pass through the tough skin. Meanwhile Zhaan reached over to grab the second tube he'd taken from his medical kit. "Hey lie still. You'll do more damage," Jesse complained.

"Pull skin together and apply this," Zhaan instructed. "This will seal cut and clean."

Looking sceptical, Jesse grabbed a clamp to pull the skin together and did as he had been told.

"Now take off this." Zhaan tried to pull at the clamp. A sheen of sweat appeared on his brow. Perhaps he was going into shock, Jesse worried.

"Are you all right, Zhaan? You look kind of sick."

"I hate hospital." Abruptly the patient sat up. His wound had been miraculously sealed by whatever the ointment was he'd applied. It was incredible.

"Hey, take your time, Zhaan. Relax a little. You just had surgery for Pete's sake." Jesse was trying to apply a dressing over the wound site.

"Pete? Pete? Who is Pete? Is he coming now? I must go."

"Zhaan, nobody is coming until tomorrow," Jesse reassured him. "Alice, your friend seems keen to leave, although I'd rather he rested for a while first. Here are my house keys. Take him home if he insists, while I clean up here." His nurse would have a fit if she arrived in the morning to find this mess. Besides, he wanted the chance to take a sneaky look at the intriguing substance they had removed from Zhaan's abdomen. Jesse quickly scribbled down a rough map of the route to his house.

Alice helped Zhaan to his feet and to the door. "Hey, Jesse, thanks." She spoke with sincerity. "Don't forget to switch the cameras back on when we're gone". Jesse had never known his flighty sister pay so much attention to detail. This alien must really have made an impression on her.

### Chapter 19 - Jesse

As she drove the alien in the extra-terrestrial vehicle cautiously up the rough gravel driveway to the address Jesse had given her, Alice had to wonder what had been going on in her brother's life in the months since they'd last spoken. At that time he'd been living in what he referred to as the 'Plastic Palace,' on the golf course in Kalispell, and was talking about whether he and his wife were ready to start a family.

The house she was approaching was a stark contrast to what he'd described. This was a cedar clad, quirky-looking place, miles from the nearest town, deep in the dense Bitterroot National Forest and she really couldn't imagine Imogen living here. She never liked Jesse's stuck-up wife with her love of perfection, and knew the feeling was mutual. She couldn't understand what he saw in her. Still, if Imogen made her brother happy...

Alice had always assumed her brother would provide a safe haven regardless of his wife's feelings towards her. He'd always been the star of the family. He made it from their family's lowly beginnings to a scholarship and was now a fully qualified doctor in the ER. Despite their personality differences and her long string of questionable life choices, she'd always felt close to Jesse. He'd often given her good advice and, without fail, she had always ignored it.

Before her unexpected arrival, she feared that he too had disowned her, as her mother had years ago. She hadn't heard from her brother in over six months, despite leaving a string of messages and texts. She had brooded on it long and hard, but refused to believe he wouldn't talk to her. She wondered how she had finally offended her only family ally. Luckily there was still a tiny part of her which wouldn't believe he would ever abandon her, and that was enough to bring her back to him now when she needed him so badly.

Alice struggled to open the front door, bearing some of Zhaan's weight on her shoulder as he shuffled along. As the door swung open, she was confronted with a scene which made it very evident that Imogen was not living here at all. In fact, it was hard to believe that anyone was living in this mess. Packing boxes lay strewn around the room, as though the movers had just left, yet in the corner of the room, in front of a huge wall mounted TV, stood an armchair and small table piled high with fishing magazines and mail, some opened, other letters still sealed. Fast food cartons, empty bottles, and cans were scattered among all of this junk. Imogen would have a coronary.

Alice cleared what seemed to be the only chair, to allow Zhaan to sit. The walk from the truck had drained all his energy. He acted concerned as he looked around him.

"This place big. How many people live here? Where are other people?" he asked. He was obviously afraid of being discovered by other Humans in his weakened state.

"I'm not one hundred percent sure, but judging by the fact there is only the one chair, I'm pretty sure Jesse lives here alone. You just relax and try to rest."

She helped Zhaan over to the recliner and lowered his body into the seat. Almost immediately Zhaan calmed and quickly nodded off, leaving her to gaze around in amazement. She wasn't a neat-freak by any stretch of the imagination, but it was hard to imagine her usually fastidious brother living in this state. Something must be really wrong. She wandered around the property investigating.

The kitchen was old fashioned but pretty neat. It looked rarely used, which was weird considering how much Jesse enjoyed cooking. A passageway revealed two en-suite bedrooms. Only one was in use, as that was the only one containing a bed. Above that there was a loft room, also empty, presumably another bedroom with en suite bathroom. Everywhere unopened boxes lay scattered around. The only other items in her brother's bedroom were a couple of suitcases, open but still filled with clothes. Some suits hung on the back of the door covered in plastic film from the cleaners. This could just be a holiday home. Jesse knew Alice and Imogen didn't really get along. Perhaps he was keeping them apart.

She didn't have long to wait for an explanation, as Jesse's black pick-up roared up the dusty driveway. Alice hurried back to the lounge, keen not to be caught snooping on her big brother. He burst through the front door, the commotion not even causing Zhaan to stir. Jesse glanced at the sleeping alien and then looked at his sister's face.

"Don't give me a hard time about the state of the place. I know I'm living like a pig, but first of all would you please explain to me why you have me performing emergency surgery on a fucking alien?" The anger and disapproval in Jesse's voice, evident by the out-of-character cursing, combined with the strain of the last few days, gave Alice an attack of the weepies.

"Oh shit. Please don't cry." Jesse walked over to his sister, put a protective arm around her shoulders, and steered her to a stool at the counter in the kitchen. He walked over to the fridge, grabbed a couple of beers, took the tops off, and handed one to Alice. They both took a big swig from their bottles. Jesse leaned down on the counter with his chin in his hands and looked directly into her damp eyes. "Whatever trouble you've got yourself into, you know I'll help. Hell, who am I to judge anyone? Just look at the state of this place." His eyes lowered in shame. "Just tell me what happened."

Alice launched into a description of the events of the last few weeks; how she'd ended up on the run from her psychotic ex, met Zhaan, their adventures on the road. She even raised laughter from her big brother with some of their funnier moments. It was good to see Jesse smile. He looked so grey, drawn, and strained. He became serious again.

"What exactly is the nature of your attachment to this extra-terrestrial?" Alice was struck dumb at being forced for the first time to express her feelings towards Zhaan. She struggled for words.

"Well, he's kind, has always treated me well and with respect, which I'm so not used to as you know. We became friends and enjoyed each other's company. It was entertaining seeing how he reacted to things which to us are normal, everyday items and occurrences. I was having a really good time travelling with him. Then he got sick, and I realised I might be a bit more attached to him than I'd thought. It was just after that when we started having the mind-blowing sex." Jesse looked heaven-ward, sighing then smiling. Trust his little sister!

Alice continued. "I guess he got attached to me too, as he jumped in front of a bullet to save my ass."

"So you two are kind of an item? How long is he going to be around?"

Alice looked sad. "I don't know. Not long I suppose." Jesse hated to see her hurting at the thought.

She quickly changed the subject. "So explain this, Jesse." She waved an arm around her surroundings. "Last time we spoke, I heard you lived in a Plastic Palace and wanted to make some babies with Imogen."

It was Jesse's turn for tears. Suddenly he began to cry and struggled for breath as his sobbing became intense. Alice took him in her arms and waited for a long time, holding him until he cried himself out and his breathing began to become more regular. He raised his head looking embarrassed. "I'm sorry. I've been bottling things up."

"Are you able to tell me what happened?" Alice asked with concern.

He headed to the fridge for more beer, wiping his damp eyes on his sleeve. "I've had nobody to talk to. I haven't been dealing with things very well. I wanted to call you. I saw all your messages, but didn't want to have to talk to your asshole boyfriend and wasn't sure I had the strength to talk to you. I wished you were here to sort me out, but didn't want to ask in case he tagged along. Now my wish is granted and you're here. I don't even have to deal with that lowlife - instead you bring me a fucking alien to cope with!" As unexpectedly as he'd begun crying, he roared with laughter.

He took a deep breath. "OK, so here's the story of my last six months. You know I was living in Kalispell in that big fancy house with my lovely wife and we were both working at the ER there. We were really settled and ready to start a family, or so I thought. One Saturday I found someone to cover my shift and headed home to surprise Imogen. I wanted to take her out to dinner and hoped to raise the subject of having children.

When I got home she was certainly surprised, as I found her in bed with my supposed best friend, Rick, another doctor. The affair had been going on for months. They managed to work their schedules together, so I was always on the opposite shift. I felt such a fool, betrayed, destroyed." Jesse took a moment to compose himself again.

"I took off with a suitcase and headed to a motel where I stayed for a while. Work became intolerable. I felt everybody's pitying looks. I went to pieces and was given compassionate leave to sort myself out. I didn't even have my so-called best friend to talk to. I couldn't face to talk to anyone and didn't want to go back to the hospital.

"After a few weeks wallowing in self-pity and deep depression, I found myself driving aimlessly in my truck. I had no idea where I was headed; I just kept driving south. I think, subconsciously, I was trying to get closer to you. Night fell and I pulled off the road at the side of a river, drank myself into a stupor, and crashed out right there in the truck. When I woke at dawn, half frozen to death, I lifted my head and found the truck surrounded by grazing deer. The sunlight was just coming up through the frosty trees. The deer looked at me with those big doe eyes. It was such a calm and beautiful scene. Suddenly I decided I could find the strength to pull myself together. I had an epiphany just in the nick of time.

I headed to the nearest small town for a huge breakfast. I hadn't eaten properly in weeks. I checked myself into a motel there and began trying to live a normal life again. It was easy to get to know a few people in such a small place. One day, somebody mentioned the doctor in the town, who was looking for a partner in his new general practice. I turned up at his door. He took pity on me and gave me the job on a trial basis. Then I got myself a good divorce lawyer.

"This place," he waved his arm around indicating the house, "was the closest available property to that spot where I'd spent the night, where I was saved. I know it's nothing fancy, but I just fell in love with its rustic charm. It was such a contrast to the Plastic Palace I despised, so I bought it on a whim.

"Since then I've been trying to get my head together. I'm doing OK at work. Zach, my boss, has offered me the chance of a full partnership. By the time I'm done keeping it together for work, I can't face to do much around here, as you can see."

Alice looked around. "Maybe if you make this place feel more like a home, it'll improve your state of mind."

"Can you help me?" Jesse asked quietly. "I just can't face it alone. I don't know where to start."

She hugged him. "Don't worry bro, I'm here now. Of course I'll help you. There is one complication though." She glanced over towards Zhaan, who was still curled up in the chair, breathing deeply as he slept.

"If he's a friend of yours, treats you well, and saved your butt, he's a friend of mine too. He brought you back to me. God knows, I need the company around here. Do you think he'll want to stay though? I thought he had a mission to explore or something."

Alice shrugged. "I have a sneaky feeling that if I want to stay to help you out, he'll want to stay too. I guess we need to ask him when he wakes up."

### Chapter 20 - Miss Mouse

Alice was in her element. After almost two weeks with her brother, his place was finally beginning to look like a home. Day after day she'd driven to Missoula to pick out furniture for Jesse's place while he was at work. So far, he seemed to approve all her choices. Three shopping trips were enough for Zhaan. Heavily populated places and pushy sales people made him very anxious. He was baffled by the range of goods on offer. Once he asked why everyone didn't just have the same furniture in their houses, making Alice laugh.

Jesse had shown Zhaan how to apply paint and do some other work that was needed. He was back at the house making himself useful with some decorating, tackling the overgrown yard, and receiving deliveries of furniture. Now the house boasted a sofa, more chairs, a dining room set and each of the bedrooms was furnished, meaning they could all live full time in the house instead of having to sleep in the RV outside. Jesse was getting mentally stronger every day. She felt their company, the routine, and the regular healthy meals they prepared together were helping him.

This was to be the last shopping trip for a while. The practice receptionist where Jesse worked needed some time off to care for her ailing mother in Arizona, so Alice was starting work on Monday. She was nervous, having had only dead-end jobs at fast food joints, followed by a spell as a waitress in Texas, but she felt ready for the challenge. She definitely needed the money and was grateful to Jesse for taking a chance on her. Her brother even treated her to a couple of new outfits suitable for work.

Zhaan seemed fully recovered from the bullet wound and hadn't given any indication of wanting to do anything other than stay at Jesse's house with her. Between chores, he would take off every day exploring the surroundings and still sent his daily reports back to the mothership. Alice tried to put that thought and the fact that he wouldn't be around for ever, to the back of her mind.

She was wandering around a cook shop picking out a few items they needed for the kitchen, when suddenly her phone rang. It was a new phone she'd bought just in case Zhaan or Jesse needed to contact her; only they had the number. She dug the phone out of her purse and answered it quickly.

"Miss Mouse, she melt down on my shirt!" came Zhaan's breathless voice.

"Zhaan, calm down and try to explain that to me again." She knew he found speaking on the phone harder than face-to-face, where body language helped his comprehension.

"Miss Mouse, she melt down on my shirt. Please come home," he said again, a little more slowly and calmly.

"I'm not sure what you mean exactly, Zhaan, but I'm leaving now. It's going to take me over an hour to get home though. Are you in danger? Do I need to get Jesse to come home?"

"No, just Miss Mouse very upset and frightened. I try to hug her like you teach me, now she won't stop from crying. Her eyes are running and my shirt is very wet. I don't know what to do."

Oh this was bad. Miss Mouse was a nickname given to his neighbour by Jesse before he'd actually met her, when he'd only seen from a distance the way she behaved around her overbearing father. She'd had a bad time recently. Alice got the feeling she'd had a bad life in general. Her domineering father, of whom she had taken care since the death of her mother when she was only eleven, died shortly before Alice and Zhaan had arrived. Jesse helped out when the man was taken ill, but it turned out to be a major stroke and he didn't make it. Not only had the woman somehow run into Zhaan, he was actually calling her Miss Mouse to her face. It was no wonder she was upset.

"Zhaan, try to calm her down. I'll get back as soon as I can and please call her Clare. Her name is Clare, not Miss Mouse." Alice discarded the items in her cart and fled to the parking lot.

She rang Jesse as soon as she hung up on Zhaan and apprised him of the situation. By the time she arrived back at his cabin over an hour later, a car was parked outside. She hoped it was Jesse in the unfamiliar vehicle. Maybe he'd borrowed it from a colleague, as she'd dropped him off at work that morning and taken his truck. Anxiously, she jumped down from the truck and rushed to the house, wondering what she'd find.

Inside, she was relieved to see Jesse perched on the sofa, talking softly to Clare with an arm around her shoulders. Zhaan stood leaning awkwardly on the kitchen counter. He looked up with relief as Alice burst through the door.

"Are you OK?" she whispered quietly.

Zhaan nodded. "I don't know what to do. Nobody ever leak their eyes on me before." He looked embarrassed at his inadequacy in dealing with a hysterical Human female. Just then Jesse interrupted them. "Hey, Alice, come and meet my neighbour, Clare."

Alice walked over to the sofa and opted to give the distraught woman a friendly hug instead of formally shaking hands. "Pleased to meet you, Clare."

The blond raised her tear-streaked face to Alice's eyes. "I'm so sorry. I think I totally freaked out your boyfriend. Is he OK?"

"Oh, he's fine. Don't worry about him. He's just not used to people being demonstrative. Clare, what got you so upset? What can we do to help?" Alice asked with genuine concern.

"I was just talking to Jesse about it all. That's a great help already. My Dad died a few weeks ago and, to be honest, I just don't have a clue how to deal with everything. He was very over-protective and controlling. He didn't let me deal with anything around the house, except the cooking and cleaning. I don't know how to do anything. I can't even drive. I don't have any money, don't know how to get access to his money, and all these bills keep coming in the mail. Now the food is running out. I was just getting overwhelmed alone at the house. To be honest, being alone was the biggest problem. I've never been on my own before and I've been too scared at night to sleep. Things would go round and round in my head." Her voice began to tremble and trailed off. Clare seemed about ready for another fit of hysteria. Jesse looked towards Alice in panic.

"OK, here's what's going to happen, Clare. You're going to stay with us until you feel better, then we can all help you deal with whatever needs to be sorted out. But today is Friday, and you are taking a weekend off from worrying. You're going to stay with us and relax for a couple of days." Alice looked quickly to Jesse, hoping to see approval on his face. His relieved smile spoke volumes.

"We'll go over to your place, pick up your things, and set you up in the guest room. We need to try out that new furniture anyway." Alice smiled reassuringly.

"If you feel up to it," Jesse interjected, "Carol - who I work with - her son is playing in a band in town. I had thought of heading there to see them with Alice and Zhaan this evening and grabbing something to eat. It might take your mind off things. What do you think?" Clare nodded nervously. "I have to return Carol's car to town. She's needs it back this evening." Jesse continued. "How about we boys drive the car back into town, give you girls time to sort stuff out, and we'll meet you at the bar whenever you're ready?"

Jesse slung the keys to his truck in Alice's direction. She smirked to herself. Jesse was ready to escape too!

As if to prove the point, he called over to Zhaan. "Hey, Zhaan, get your glad rags on. We're going to paint the town red." Completely bewildered as Jesse headed to his bedroom, Zhaan frowned. Alice sidled over to him to explain the plan and handed him a bag containing a new shirt she'd bought him in Missoula. "Put this on and your jeans. You're heading to town with Jesse and we'll join you soon." He looked a little alarmed but complied.

Alice walked with Clare towards the neglected-looking adjacent property. It had potential to be a pretty house with a bit of love and attention. She wondered what Clare planned to do with the place but didn't want to raise the subject for fear of upsetting her again. Clare opened the back door and led Alice inside. "Sorry about the mess," she said casting her eyes down. Alice looked around the almost spotless kitchen. The mess which so worried Clare, consisted of a pile of mail on the counter top and a dirty bowl in the sink.

"Hell," Alice stated, "this would be my place on a good day, stop worrying!" As she spoke, a petite white and tabby cat jumped up on the counter and began purring in welcome. For a second the purring reminded Alice of someone else who purred on occasion and she blushed.

"I forgot about Sophie. What will I do with her? She'll be all alone if I stay with you."

"Let's pick her up when we get back from town later. She can come and stay with us. I'm sure Jesse will be delighted to have her visit. He's always been an animal lover."

Alice was keen to hurry Clare along, anxious about how Jesse and Zhaan might be getting along without her. "Just grab what you need for tonight. We'll come back over tomorrow for anything else." Alice followed Clare as she walked into the next room, which was obviously the domain of a hoarder. Documents, newspapers and books were piled high and mixed with other assorted junk. It was hard to spot the dreary, tired-looking furniture buried beneath. "Dad liked to keep everything," Clare said apologetically. "I don't know where to start sorting it all out. I never let him mess up the kitchen though."

"Maybe a bonfire?" Alice joked. "Don't think about that now. This is your weekend off, remember."

Upstairs, Clare picked up momentum and with determination rushed around what was obviously her neat bedroom, grabbing some night clothes and a wash bag.

While Clare settled into the guest room at Jesse's, Alice hurriedly changed her clothes, slapped on some lipstick, and brushed her hair. Clare was waiting for her downstairs. Her hair was still tied tightly in a ponytail and she still wore the frumpy shirt she'd had on earlier.

"I really don't have many clothes. I don't even know what to wear. I've never been on a night out." She looked like a lost little girl.

Alice was stunned. "You've never been out, to a bar, a restaurant?"

"Daddy didn't go out much. He didn't let me go out much either, just for groceries," she mumbled quietly.

"OK, walk this way." Alice led Clare upstairs to her room and a few minutes later had transformed her as best she could by freeing her gorgeous blond hair from it's tight band and digging out one of her own more fashionable tops for Clare to wear with her own jeans. She handed her the lipstick but Clare shook her head.

"Never worn make-up either?" Alice asked. Clare shook her head. Applying the lipstick for her new friend, Alice began to get the feeling that she was a kindergarten teacher, having to show everybody how to do every little thing. Perhaps that would be a good career for her? She smiled to herself and shook her head - all those unruly kids.

Perched at the bar, Jesse ordered Zhaan and himself a beer and pulled up another stool for Zhaan. It was true, he had been keen to flee the hysterics of his neighbour, but he had an ulterior motive for getting Zhaan alone for a few minutes.

"Zhaan, how long do you think you'll be able to stay with us?" He plunged straight into his fact finding mission.

"Not sure. Depend on my Commander. If I have my wish, I stay here forever with Alice, but I fear my time here is soon ending." Even with dark glasses concealing his eyes, Zhaan couldn't disguise his sadness.

"Alice seems very..." Jesse was struggling to put it into words, "devoted to you. She's going to be really upset when you have to leave. How do you feel about it, Zhaan?"

"Make me sad to even think of it. Alice will be very hurt when I go. I hate this idea. I wish I have a choice."

"What about you, Zhaan? How will you cope with going back to your own people? Alice said you've been getting yourself into trouble enjoying the Human lifestyle."

Zhaan held his silence for a moment before placing a hand on his heart. "When I think of life without Alice, I get pain right here. When Alice is away from me, I long for her return. Without her now, I feel part of me is missing. When I see her again, my heart beat faster."

Jesse was surprised by the honesty. "It sounds like you are in lurve, brother!" He tried to lighten the tone but on studying Zhaan's solemn face he added, "God help you, man. I can tell you having a broken heart is no fun."

"I expect my life after Alice will be very short. I don't care. My old life is not one I want now." Jesse, alarmed by the statement, was about to ask for an explanation of his pessimism but at that moment Alice and Clare walked through the door.

When they reached the bar, Zhaan and Jesse were perched on bar stools, looking quite at home and chatting like old buddies. Alice was relieved. She couldn't gauge if Jesse really liked Zhaan, or just tolerated his presence for her sake. Jesse noticed the girls sidling over to the bar. He glanced quickly at his sister but his eyes came to rest on Clare. "You girls look pretty. The band starts at eight, so I thought we'd grab a booth now and get something to eat. The home made burgers are pretty good here, I'm told."

Clare seemed uncertain as she perused the menu, focusing on the prices. "This is my treat. Order whatever you want," Jesse said quietly on noticing her discomfort. Clare looked into his eyes, the relief evident on her face. She thanked him, grateful that he'd realised her predicament.

You couldn't miss the band when they started their repertoire of rock and roll and blues classics. Alice was surprised how talented they were for a band from a small town. After his initial shock, Zhaan adjusted to the high volume of the music and Alice noticed that his foot had begun to tap in time to the rhythm.

Jesse grabbed Alice by the arm. "Let's dance," he said, whisking her off to the dance floor.

Dancing with Jesse came naturally to Alice. In their youth, despite their age difference, they'd often practised dancing together before school dances and dates. As they jived to the music, Alice realised what a good dancer her brother was compared to most of the goons she had dated. Suddenly she wondered if Zhaan had ever danced. Did they even have music on his planet? She looked over to the booth where he was sitting with Clare. Both of them were staring intently in her direction, as if trying to memorize some of the dance moves, while they chatted to one another. Perhaps Clare had never danced with anyone either she pondered. A sudden pang of jealously hit her, seeing Zhaan looking so relaxed chatting with another woman. She knew it was ridiculous but resolved to head back over to the booth at the end of the song.

"You should ask Clare to dance, Jesse. I bet she's never had the chance to dance with anyone before," Alice whispered as they headed back to the table. Her brother looked at her like it was a crazy notion before speaking.

"See if you can get Zhaan dancing too, " he suggested. "That should be entertaining!"

Not giving him a chance to object, Alice grabbed hold of Zhaan's hand and pulled him over to the dance floor as the next song started. Zhaan looked self-conscious as he made his first awkward attempts to move in time with the rhythm.

"Have you ever done this before?" Alice asked. Zhaan shook his head, looking nervously around the bar to see if anyone was watching him. Everybody seemed preoccupied with their own business and he relaxed a little. By the end of the song Alice realised that his sense of rhythm was good. He hadn't made a single misstep or stepped on her feet once. As the music stopped she looked into his eyes, expecting him to be eager to sit down again.

"We do this some more." He said, looking happy. "This is fun. What is it called?"

"Dancing, Zhaan."

"I like."

Alice was having so much fun. Zhaan proved to be a truly good mover. She shouldn't really have been surprised knowing how agile and light on his feet he could be. She'd completely forgotten about Jesse and Clare, she'd been so absorbed in dancing, and glanced around, searching for them. She needn't have worried. Jesse had obviously managed to coax the nervous girl onto the dance floor. They looked to be having a great time.

The night wore on and the music got slower. Alice moved closer to Zhaan, wrapped her arms around his neck, and taught him the art of slow dancing. The sensation of their bodies moving closely together was beginning to make her feel flushed and Zhaan's enjoyment was apparent from the hard bulge rubbing against her belly. Suddenly his lips were on hers and his hands began to wander, teasing their way beneath her top where his fingertips touched the sensitive skin of her back. She was reluctant to break off his touch but suddenly became aware of the other patrons of the bar, particularly a lone guy at the bar, one of the local Police officers, watching them intently.

"Zhaan, stop." She grabbed his arm and pulled him back to their table.

"What wrong?" he asked. "I know you like what I was doing. I smell you were enjoying it."

For a moment she wondered what he meant and then realised. "Damn that hunter nose!" she laughed and then looked more serious. "Some things, Zhaan, we only do when we're alone. Do you understand?" He nodded, quickly grabbing her around the waist and lifting her to sit on his knee, his erection pressing against her thigh, but he kept his hands from wandering by taking hold of her own hands.

Jesse and Clare were still on the dance floor and looked relaxed slow dancing. They would make a great couple, Alice thought, but it was way too soon for Jesse to get into any kind of new relationship. Noticing that Alice and Zhaan were back at the table, Jesse led Clare over when the song stopped. "Are you love birds ready to head home?" he asked. They both nodded eagerly, anticipating what would happen once they got behind the closed door of their room.

Clare sat up front with Jesse as he drove the truck down the dark, isolated road for the twenty-some mile trip home. The back seat of the pick-up was small. When Zhaan had leapt into the back with her, Alice was amazed that he managed to squeeze his six foot four body into the small jump seat. As they sped through the dark night, both Alice and Zhaan's hands began to wander and they spent much of the trip with their lips locked together.

"I forgot to warn you about these two," Jesse turned to glance at Clare. "Trying to sleep in a room near these guys can be like being near the monkey house at the zoo!"

Clare looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Jesse flushed. "Well, they can be quite noisy, you know, in bed," he continued, embarrassed that he'd brought the subject up.

Suddenly Zhaan shouted out from behind him. "Stop, Jesse, stop!" It was too late. As Jesse hit the brakes of the truck hard, he spotted the deer jump into the centre of the road. There was no option of swerving to miss it without ending up plummeting into the river.

"Shit!" was all he had time to say before the truck ploughed right into the unfortunate animal. The animal was thrown over the truck by the impact and they all saw the terror and pain in its eyes as it rolled over the wind shield. The truck skidded, tyres squealed and somebody screamed. The deer's body banged and clattered as it rolled right over the truck, landing half in and half out of the bed of the pick-up. A loud thud followed as they skidded into the unforgiving rock on the opposite side of the road to the river. Then everything was weirdly quiet, a stunned silence.

Zhaan looked quickly to Alice, who had been thrown into the back of the driver's seat at the impact. She seemed dazed but insisted she was OK. Zhaan felt lucky that cramming his tall body into the small space meant he was totally wedged in relative safety. He turned his attention to Jesse and Clare, both of whom appeared unhurt and were held in place by their seat belts. They both looked shocked. Sensing they weren't injured, he quickly opened his door and jumped out of the truck to check on the injured animal.

It was obvious that the poor animal was beyond help. Its head hung down limply and it stared at Zhaan with misery in its eyes. Two legs were bent in unnatural positions and the deer was clearly in pain. Without thinking, Zhaan grabbed its head. With one deft movement he twisted its neck, instantly putting the beast out of its misery. He performed the death ritual he'd used so often when hunting, drawing a finger down the animal's head between its eyes, then copying the motion on his own face, leaving a trail of the deer's blood from his forehead along his nose. All the while he mumbled quietly in his own language. Next his finger touched the area of the animal's heart, again duplicating the action near his own.

Busy taking care of the poor animal, he hadn't noticed Jesse standing behind him. When he turned around, Jesse's mouth hung open with amazement.

"I must kill it," Zhaan explained solemnly. "It hurt very bad."

Jesse nodded in silent agreement but in actuality it wasn't that Zhaan had killed the beast that bothered him, it was the ease with which he'd managed to snap the large animal's neck with his bare hands.

"We'd better just leave it here at the side of the road," Jesse said quietly, aware that the distressed girls were watching him from the inside of the truck.

"No!" Zhaan looked incensed. "We kill, we eat. Don't you have that rule here? Otherwise death is pointless waste."

"I've no experience of butchering a deer. We could take it some place tomorrow."

"No problem. I can do," Zhaan said and with one fluid motion lifted the deer so it was contained in the back of the truck.

"What was that thing you were doing with your finger, painting blood on your face?" Jesse wondered.

"It special thing we do where I come from, for death." Zhaan paused. Jesse looked like he wanted a more detailed explanation. "I touch animal's brain to my own, say I appreciate sacrifice it make for me. When I touch animal's heart to mine, it mean..." He paused, trying to find the right words to explain, "...it mean my spirit help animal spirit be peaceful. You understand?" Jesse nodded. "Do we walk, or is truck OK to drive?" Zhaan asked Jesse.

"Yes, I think so. It just looks like we lost the lights on one side and the hood and wing are dented. I'm afraid to even look at the roof, but I'm sure it will run fine."

"OK, then we go home," Zhaan instructed the still dazed Jesse as he climbed into the back seat of the pick-up again.

Jesse and the girls drank hot chocolate in the kitchen, trying to recover from the shock of their accident, meanwhile Zhaan stripped off his new shirt and left the kitchen with a large knife. He was in the process of efficiently butchering the animal in the darkness of the yard.

"How can he see what he's doing?" Clare asked. "Should we take him a light?"

"I guess he's fine, otherwise he'd have asked for one," Alice replied, aware of her lover's excellent night vision. She wasn't keen to head outside and watch the bloody process.

Half an hour had passed when Zhaan returned to the kitchen, his naked torso smeared with blood. "We need big bags for meat." Alice rushed to a cabinet and pulled out a selection of bags in assorted sizes. Zhaan silently picked them up and disappeared back into the yard. By the time he returned, he'd bagged the meat in large pieces and moved the rest of the carcass out further into the woods. "Meat must be chilled and rest some days, so not tough," he said handing Jesse the large pile. "Tomorrow, once animals pick over rest of body, I bury it."

"How did you know how to butcher a deer?" Jesse asked in amazement, while trying to cram the large amount of meat into the fridge.

"At home, I was hunter. It my job for some time."

"Oh, Zhaan, where's home?" Clare's curiosity got the better of her.

Zhaan, still wearing dark glasses despite the gloom, looked drained and hesitated before speaking.

"I tired. We go to bed. I tell you other day." He reached out his bloodied arm and took Alice's hand, leading her quietly upstairs to their attic room.

Eager to avoid being asked the same question, Jesse began to head down the passageway to his room, turning once to ask Clare if she had everything she needed and wish her goodnight.

### Chapter 21 - Cat

When he woke the next morning, Zhaan was alone. Strangely disturbed by the lack of Alice's warm body next to his and eager to find her, he leapt out of bed and hurried downstairs, dressed only in his sleep pants and socks. He'd forgotten about their visitor and rushed into the lounge to find everybody tucking into breakfast in front of the TV. He felt aware of Clare staring at his naked, muscular chest and raced back upstairs, mumbling, "I go dress me."

Back in the kitchen, he grabbed himself an assortment of cold cuts and cheese, and headed into the lounge to occupy the only empty seat. He began to eat but sensed an unnerving, unfamiliar presence. Looking up, he was confronted with a small, furry animal, which gave him a stern glare with eyes not dissimilar to his own. "What that?" He pointed in the cat's direction.

"Oh, don't mind Sophie. She's friendly," Clare explained. "We forgot to fetch her last night with all the excitement of the accident, so I brought her over this morning. Jesse said it was OK." She looked to Jesse for reassurance.

The animal, which rubbed its head on his leg, was making it clear to Zhaan that he'd sat down where she intended to sit, next to Clare, and that he should move. He was aware of the animal's anxiety in the unfamiliar place and, without thinking, gathered up his breakfast and stood. He turned to the animal to apologise and gestured that the cat should take the seat. The animal immediately took advantage of the opportunity. The three Humans stared at him in amazement.

"What are you doing? Don't worry about Sophie. Push her off there, sit back down, and eat your breakfast." Clare was concerned about inconveniencing her hosts.

Alice jumped in to try to cover for Zhaan's bizarre reaction. "Zhaan, this is Clare's pet cat called Sophie. She's very tame and friendly."

"Cat called Sophie want to sit here, so I move." Zhaan perched precariously on the arm of Alice's chair. Alice looked at him in bewilderment.

"Really, Zhaan, sit wherever you want. It's just a cat." Zhaan lowered himself to sit on the floor, adopting the squatting on his heels posture he often favoured, and began to eat his breakfast. He still looked nervously at the cat. The animal jumped back down and circled Zhaan several times with her eyes fixed on him before rubbing herself against him again. After a few moments, Zhaan held out a piece of ham to the animal. The cat grabbed it and pulled back nervously.

"Zhaan, you don't need to spoil her. I just fed her," explained Clare.

"Cat don't like food you give. She want this food," he said in a matter of fact way. Jesse, Clare, and Alice looked at one another baffled. Alice stood to clear the breakfast things. She hoped to distract Clare and Jesse from Zhaan's strange behaviour.

"Here, let me do that." Clare leapt to her feet and grabbed the dirty pots. Jesse helped her take them into the kitchen.

Alice crouched down where Zhaan was sitting. "How do you know all that stuff about the cat? Have you ever seen a cat before?"

Zhaan shook his head and shrugged. "I just know. Cat tell me."

"What do you mean, the cat told you?" Alice asked quietly, so the others wouldn't overhear their conversation.

"Don't you know what cat think?" Zhaan asked with surprise. Now it was Alice's turn to shake her head.

"Of course I don't know what the cat is thinking. It's just an animal. I didn't even realise cats think that much! It's not making any noise, so how do you know?"

"Don't know. Cat tell me somehow." Zhaan answered in a matter-of-fact manner, while pointing at his head.

"Can you tell what all other people or animals are thinking?" Alice asked. She wondered if he was able to read her mind and thought about how embarrassing that could be.

"No, never happen before, just this cat. Among my people I can touch other Guy and know what they think. We always avoid to touch if possible." He finished eating and picked up his plate to take it to the kitchen.

Alice followed Zhaan into the kitchen. She was still bemused by the whole cat incident and curious about the other stuff.

"I promised I'd take Clare to the mall in Missoula today, to help her pick out some new clothes. I think it would give her a confidence boost. Do you want to come, Zhaan?"

"Me, to Mall, to buy lady clothes? No, I think not. You have nice time." He thrust his magic credit card in Alice's direction. "Buy what you want. Use this."

Alice felt the tension easing from her shoulders. She was almost out of cash and didn't really want to broach the subject with Zhaan. It would be fine once she started work, but until then she'd have to rely on somebody to keep her. It was a situation in which she hated to find herself. She knew she'd already been hitting Jesse's finances pretty hard with the furniture shopping.

"I stay here, make my report, help Jesse, walk in woods, watch TV, whatever." Alice thought to herself that Zhaan was certainly beginning to blend in as a Human man with the use of colloquialisms he'd picked up and his dislike of shopping.

### Chapter 22 - Party Time

A day of hard spending brought Alice and Clare home with manicures, stylish haircuts, and a selection of new clothes. Jesse was in the kitchen when they got back, teaching Zhaan how to cook a pasta dish. The atmosphere seemed pretty jovial, probably aided by the row of empty beer bottles lined up on the counter. Alice had been stunned as Clare metamorphosed during the course of their day into the natural beauty that she hid behind her dowdy wardrobe and harshly raked back hair. Jesse's reaction summed it up; his mouth hung open as she walked into the room. He quickly covered for himself.

"Wow! You ladies look great. Give us a twirl." The girls obliged and Jesse's eyes were glued on Clare. Her beautiful figure was now revealed by more flattering clothes and her luscious blond hair fell in soft curls around her shoulders. "It looks like you are both set for tomorrow. Zach, my partner at the practice, has invited us to his place. It's Ann's birthday and they're having a group of friends over. He was really curious to get to know my little sister and her boyfriend. You're invited too, Clare."

Zhaan and Clare both looked wary. This was obviously fresh news to Zhaan too.

"It'll be great. They're really nice folks."

Alice headed upstairs to stash her new purchases, and Zhaan was right on her heels. As he followed her so closely, she began to feel nervous about the number of bags the girls had between them and the amount she'd spent.

"Zhaan, I hope we didn't spend too much on your card. Your people won't be angry with you, will they?"

"Don't know. Don't care," Zhaan said brusquely. "I afraid about party. It will be many people. They realise something is different about me. I scared to think about being close to so many Human strangers." His anxious voice trailed off.

"Don't worry, Zhaan. I'll protect you. Jesse and I will come up with some kind of cover story for you. We'll think about it this evening. Won't it be good for you to experience Humans socialising together? It could be an interesting thing to report about?"

"Yes, but," he paused again, "even in bar last night people look at me like I something strange. Man with big hat look at me like I make him angry."

"Zhaan, this is a really small town and any stranger probably gets that treatment. I think that policeman was actually looking at the way you were groping me on the dance floor. He was probably jealous that he didn't have a girl to grope himself. Don't worry. We'll all look out for you."

"Even Clare start to ask me questions. I don't know what to say. I think she know something different with me."

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," Alice said calmly. Noticing Zhaan's puzzled face, she clarified. "The time will come when we have to tell her something but until then let's try not to worry about it." Zhaan didn't look convinced. After Alice disappeared back downstairs, he walked over to his backpack, retrieved the memory zapping device, checked the charge, and slipped it into his pocket. He knew it wouldn't be long before Clare's curiosity got the better of her again and he had better be prepared.

The party was in full swing when they pulled up at Zach's house the next day. It turned out to be a cold, grey day, so the garden party had been abandoned and everyone except Zach was indoors. He was busy working over the barbecue outside. Jesse grabbed the opportunity and led the other three around the outside of the house to introduce them privately to their host.

"Hi, Zach. Thanks so much for inviting us. This is my sister, Alice. Clare, I think you've met before. She's my neighbour."

"Nice to meet you, Alice. Clare, it's good to see you again. You ladies both look lovely. Hey why don't you head inside and stay warm. You can track down the birthday girl and introduce yourselves, unless those flowers are for me! Drinks are lined up on the counter in the kitchen. Help yourselves to something."

Zhaan looked uncomfortable as Alice headed off into the house and glanced anxiously towards Jesse.

"This is Zhaan. He's Alice's boyfriend. Don't worry about the movie star image. He's got a bad case of iritis and needs to keep those dark glasses on," Jesse explained.

"Hi, Zhaan. I'm pleased to meet you. I'm sorry about your eyes. I know that can be really painful." Zhaan remembered to offer his hand to his new acquaintance and bare his teeth. "I heard from Jesse that Alice ran into you on your big road trip down in Texas. She was lucky to escape from that mess she was living in before. I know Jesse was worried sick about that situation. How's that travel book coming along?"

Zhaan was relieved that Zach was making an effort to speak slowly and clearly, as though he'd been told that English wasn't Zhaan's mother tongue. The original travel book story was obviously still being used as his cover.

"Book come very slow. I find Alice big distraction," he responded, remembering to show his teeth again when he smiled. Zach laughed. "I can imagine!".

After being reunited with Alice and mingling among the other party guests with her by his side, Zhaan finally began to relax. Nobody was particularly intrigued by him after all. Alice kept telling people about his serious eye condition so he could feel comfortable wearing the sunglasses indoors. A couple of beers later, he even asked if there would be dancing. Alice was happy when Zach responded by putting on some music and encouraging people up to dance. Dancing with Zhaan she wouldn't have to make small talk with the other guests, always on a knife edge, waiting for an awkward question about her companion. Between that and Zach and Ann's five year old son following them around with an intent stare, her nerves were pretty frayed. She knew she had drunk at least one glass of wine more than she planned with a new job starting the next day.

Zhaan was sexy when he danced, a graceful mover. As he moved closer and closer to her, their bodies kept touching. She was aware of a familiar wicked expression creeping across his face. The song was only halfway through when he grabbed her by the arm, dragged her out into the hallway, pressed her up against the wall, and placed his lips on hers. Her self-consciousness at behaving like a teenager at her brother's boss' party - her own new boss' party - was in serious conflict with the desire that was flaring up inside her as Zhaan pressed his excited body close against hers and pinned her firmly. She managed to free herself from his lip lock. "Stop!"

Zhaan looked hurt. As he pulled his face back from hers, Alice noticed the small boy, the hosts' son, still followed them and was observing them keenly.

"Zhaan, there are children here. We have to behave." Did she imagine it, or did Zhaan glare in the little boy's direction? It was difficult to tell with those sunglasses on.

Zhaan turned back to Alice. "Today you smell too good. Your scent make me crazy."

Weird, she wasn't wearing any perfume.

Suddenly they were on the move again. He gripped her hand firmly as he pulled her up the stairs, into the bathroom, and decisively locked the door behind them. Before she could object, his lips were locked on hers again. His hands wandered up and down her back as he pulled her close. As mad as she knew this behaviour was under the circumstances, she couldn't help herself as the sweet fire of desire began to burn. Zhaan's hands moved lower as he struggled to reach the hem of Alice's long skirt, as she edged him backwards. Her one hand held the back of his head firmly, ensuring his lips stayed bonded with hers, the other hand gently teased the straining bulge in his jeans and struggled to open the zipper.

Zhaan was working on pulling the flimsy material of her skirt up to her waist. He gently slid a finger inside the new sexy underwear she was glad she had bought the previous day. This was insane but somehow she couldn't help herself. She coaxed him to sit down on the closed toilet lid. As she did so, he kept a firm grip on her underwear, which ended up around her knees, effectively hobbling her. In a swift motion, she pushed them off her legs with one foot and lowered herself onto Zhaan, who had already shoved his jeans down around his knees in anticipation. As he fumbled with protection, which magically appeared from a back pocket as he discarded his jeans, she straddled him where he sat. Always prepared. He was quite the boy scout!

With one abrupt movement Alice slid him right inside her and made him gasp in surprise at the force of the action. She'd never felt such wild desire for anyone before and their intense excitement, combined with the circumstances and location, ensured their joint release came quickly.

The knock at the door came as Alice still sat astride Zhaan. Her arms rested on his shoulders and her body was completely relaxed against his. Zhaan's head was thrown back on the toilet cistern. His eyes were entirely black and his arms locked tightly around her.

"Hello. Is there anyone in there?" Ann's voice became louder and the knocking more insistent. Alice thought quickly.

"Yes, it's Alice. I'm just helping Zhaan. He's having trouble putting in his eye drops. We'll be out in a jiffy."

"No rush," said Ann. "I see the downstairs bathroom is now free. Take your time."

Alice looked at Zhaan. They both laughed and struggled to their feet to adjust their clothing. Alice ran her fingers through his hair, straightening it, before checking her own in the mirror. Just about to open the door to emerge, she noticed lipstick which had transferred from her lips to Zhaan's face. She pulled him over to the mirror to wipe him clean. "I hope nobody heard us," she whispered as they emerged coyly from the bathroom. They were relieved to find the upper storey of the house deserted. Their five-year old shadow still waited patiently at the bottom of the stairs, looking in their direction.

Feeling awkward as they reached the child at the bottom of the stairs, Alice squatted down to his height.

"Hey. What's your name?" The boy merely reached out an arm bringing it within inches of Zhaan's leg and moved it experimentally up and down as if scanning him.

At that moment Ann emerged from the downstairs bathroom and spotted Alice trying to coax the young boy to speak.

"Mikey doesn't really talk much. He has autism," Ann explained. She reached out a hand to her son. "Let's go and see if we can find you some of that birthday cake." She led him into the kitchen by the hand. Alice and Zhaan trailed behind. As they entered, Jesse gave her a frown. "Where were you?" he mouthed.

Alice felt her cheeks flaring red. "We were in the bathroom. Zhaan had trouble putting in his eye drops." She spoke loudly and hoped any other curious guests might be satisfied with this answer. Jesse smiled knowingly as he rolled his eyes. "Hmm, I see."

Alice joined the line for cake and when she turned around, Zhaan was nowhere to be seen. A rapid wave of anxiety swept over her. Where in the hell had he gone? Had somebody overheard them upstairs and decided to give him a hard time? She placed her plate of cake on the counter and hurried back into the hallway. She found Zhaan crouched down, perched on his heels with his back resting against the wall. Little Mikey mimicked his position and he talked quietly to the child. Edging back into the kitchen, Alice hovered just behind the door frame to eavesdrop on Zhaan's words.

"Too many people here, Mikey?" Zhaan asked calmly. The little boy understood and nodded.

"Don't worry. Soon they will all go home and leave you alone with your Mom and Dad. It will be quiet again." Swiftly Mikey grabbed Zhaan's hand and held it tightly to urge Zhaan to his feet.

"You want more cake, Mikey?" Zhaan asked as the boy led him into the kitchen and refused to let go of his hand. Zhaan picked up a plate of cake. "We share this one." He turned around from the counter to find Clare in front of him.

"Who is this little fellow?" she asked. She lowered herself to Mikey's height and smiled broadly. The boy remained tight-lipped.

"This my new friend, Mikey," Zhaan said to Clare. He turned to the boy to continue. "Mikey, this my friend, Clare. My name Zhaan."

Mikey remained firmly latched onto Zhaan, often holding tightly onto both of his hands. Zhaan didn't seem bothered in the least. A couple of times they disappeared from view, and Alice tracked them down to one peaceful spot or another. One time they crouched outside the back door, huddled behind the barbecue for warmth; another time they leant against the wall in the hallway, hand-in-hand. When it was time for them to leave, Mikey wasn't happy. He wasn't easily persuaded to unclamp his hand and a tantrum resulted from his parents' attempts to release Zhaan.

"This is so strange," his mother commented. "Normally he pretty much ignores everyone. He's quite taken with your friend, Alice."

"Wait," Zhaan said. "One minute, please." The bemused parents stepped back, giving the peculiar pair some space. Zhaan spoke calmly. "Mikey, I must go now. I come and visit again soon. I promise it."

Reluctantly the boy opened his hand and, in an unexpectedly brisk action, grabbed hold of Zhaan's sunglasses and slid them part way down Zhaan's nose. It was fortunate that Zhaan had his back towards the group of onlookers. For a couple of seconds Mikey peered over the top of the dark frames looking directly into Zhaan's eyes. He smiled broadly before he pushed the glasses back into position. Zhaan tensed until he realised that all the adults were safely positioned behind his back and hadn't caught sight of his uncovered eyes.

"Don't do that again, Mikey." Zhaan spoke at a low volume. "My eyes are sick. I need these glasses, OK?"

The boy nodded and Zhaan said his farewells before he turned to leave the room.

### Chapter 23 - Work

Monday morning arrived too soon for Alice after a restless night. The tight knot in her stomach was due partly to anxiety about the new job in an unfamiliar field of work, but also to the fact that Zhaan would be left at home alone. In truth he wouldn't be completely alone. Clare was there, and Alice wasn't sure if that made her feel better or worse.

She wanted to sit quietly with Zhaan before she left and make sure he was OK with the situation, but the chance never arose. As they began to eat breakfast, the gadget he used to make his reports started to beep, and he disappeared up to their room. It was already time to leave the house but when she went to find him, he was deep in conversation. It was the first time Alice had heard him speak fluently in his own language and for a moment she was mesmerised by the strange lilting sound of the language. The soft sounds and sing-song intonation was interspersed with occasional clicking noises. It was wonderful to hear him communicating fluently instead of in stilted English.

Jesse called her from downstairs. She had to leave. There was only time to rush over to Zhaan and plant a large kiss on his cheek as he continued talking.

The conversation Zhaan was having with his superior, Khevn, was somewhat strained. Apparently dissatisfied with his reports, the Mission Commander had asked Khevn to try to find out what was going on with Zhaan and to investigate why his exploration seemed to have stalled in one spot for several weeks. Zhaan was also in trouble for not answering Khevn's calls for the previous three days.

Zhaan had an urge to tell Khevn about his relationship with Alice but was reluctant to talk to him frankly using the communicator, which he knew was monitored closely by his people. He tried to change the subject several times, to divert the flow of conversation away from his own activities and ask Khevn about his explorations.

Khevn had been on the East Coast of the USA. He was tasked with exploring urban life and learning more about the history and knowledge base of the Humans by visiting their museums and centres of learning and technology. Unlike Zhaan, he hadn't been provided with transport and was relying on rental vehicles and public transport as he moved from place to place. He'd obviously read the content of Zhaan's reports and commented that he was finding it a lot harder to interact with Humans meaningfully. As the conversation drew to a close, he complimented Zhaan on collecting insightful information which would be very useful to the mission, but added that the Commander wanted to know more about what he was doing and why he stayed so long in a small area. Khevn's words made Zhaan angry. _"He wants to know? Then I'll tell him."_

Zhaan wasn't known by his people for being cool-headed and immediately set to work on a new report. He transmitted it before he had time to acknowledge that maybe it hadn't been such a good idea to send it without calming down first. It was too late now.

Downstairs he found Clare finishing breakfast in the kitchen and they both headed over to her property. Jesse had asked Zhaan if he could help her as she began to sort through her father's mountain of hoarded possessions. Zhaan protested that he didn't feel he could be of much help, but Jesse had pleaded with him to stay with Clare, even if only to keep her company.

Zhaan hadn't been looking forward to being alone with the girl for an extended period of time. He was fearful of further bouts of hysteria, but was pleased to find Clare in an upbeat mood and eager to get started. The day passed quickly and by late afternoon they had bagged up a huge amount of papers to take to the dump for recycling. They chatted amiably while they worked and Zhaan was relieved that the conversation had been mostly chit-chat. Clare didn't probe him for information about himself. The strange pangs he felt each time his mind wandered to the subject of Alice took him by surprise. When the battered black pick-up finally roared up the dusty driveway, both he and Clare were keen to head straight over to Jesse's house.

When Alice stepped down from the passenger side of the truck, Zhaan was already standing behind her, waiting to encircle her in his arms. She was surprised but delighted at the welcome and the happy expression on his face.

"Did you two have a good day?" she asked him in a worried tone.

"Good day, except I have pain here each time I think of you." Zhaan pointed to his heart.

"I missed you too!" Alice planted a big kiss on his lips.

"Work good?" he asked.

"Yes, it was great. Maria is staying on for a couple of days to show me how to do everything. I'm even getting used to the computer system already. Jesse managed to get the repairs to his truck sorted out too. We'll drop it off tomorrow and should have it back on Friday. The mechanic will lend us a truck to use until then."

By this point in their conversation they were half way upstairs to their room, and as they entered Alice closed the door behind them.

"How was it with Clare? Did she ask you any difficult questions? Does she know anything?" Alice had been preoccupied with thoughts of problems he might run into while working with Clare.

"No, everything OK," he responded.

Her other worry came back to her. "Who were you talking to this morning before I left?"

Zhaan suddenly looked more serious. Obviously he too had worries. "Khevn. He boss of me."

"Are you in trouble?" she asked.

"My people want to know why I stay only here. They not happy with my reports, so I write new, more detailed report this morning."

"Is everything OK now then?"

Zhaan shrugged his shoulders. "I hope." He kept silent about the fact he'd probably landed himself in a whole heap of trouble with the content of his report. He didn't even like to think about his own people any more or the inevitable moment when he would be separated from Alice forever. Hopefully the Commander would be interested to learn more about Humans from him. From the little he knew of them, Khevn seemed to think Zhaan's experiences were valuable research. Zhaan could only hope that the information that he was living closely among a group of Humans in a Human dwelling would be received well.

Mid week they had to take another trip to Zach's house. Mikey was desperate to see Zhaan again and had been getting upset. Jesse was sure Zhaan wouldn't mind a repeat visit, and they were all invited over for Wednesday night dinner.

The mechanic's loan truck only had two seats, so they drove to Zach's in convoy. Alice and Zhaan were in the RV. Zhaan didn't want Clare to see the inside of the vehicle to avoid any difficult questions. As they followed Jesse along the winding lanes to Zach's house with Alice at the wheel, she was surprised how much being in the RV made her long to spend time alone with Zhaan again. It was wonderful being with Jesse, Clare was great company, and Alice was thrilled to have a chance at more challenging work, but those weeks travelling with Zhaan were some of the best moments of her life. She felt her emotions slide down the slippery slope to despair as she thought that those days were gone and her remaining time with Zhaan was finite.

By the time they arrived, she'd managed to restore at least a façade of happiness. She promised herself she must stop thinking that way and savour every possible moment of Zhaan's company.

Even before Zhaan had stepped from the RV, Mikey was running from the house in eagerness to see his friend again. He grabbed Zhaan by both hands, stared hard in the direction of his covered eyes, and dragged him behind the house to give him a tour. Everyone else moved inside and Alice and Clare joined Ann in the kitchen to help her prepare food.

"It's amazing how Mikey has taken to Zhaan. He's usually so distant from strangers; from everybody really," Ann commented as they worked.

Alice was nervous about where this conversation was leading. "Why do you think he seems so fond of Zhaan?"

Ann looked uncomfortable. She hesitated. "I hope you won't be offended, but Zhaan seems to be quite an unusual fellow himself. Perhaps it's that difference that appeals to Mikey," she suggested.

"He's an oddball all right but such a lovely Guy!" Alice smiled at her private joke, using that word rather than 'man'. "He's quite taken with Mikey too. He already asked a couple of times when we were visiting again. He said he had promised he would come and see him soon."

"Zach and I wondered if Zhaan had a touch of some form of autism too. It's such a wide spectrum disorder. Oh God, I hope I'm not offending you." Alice shook her head reassuringly. "He seems so awkward around other people and obviously doesn't like a crowd like we had at the party."

"It's possible," Alice mused. "He doesn't like loud noises either, or bright lights. I hadn't really thought about that." This was a much better way to steer the conversation than towards any other type of in depth analysis of Zhaan's odd behaviour.

The conversation was interrupted by a disturbance from outside. The horses in the field behind the house were suddenly agitated and had begun running frantically around their enclosure.

"Zach, Honey, can you check on the horses? Something is wrong," Ann called with concern to her husband. He was already headed outside. The others watched from the kitchen window as the frenzied animals tore around and around the edge of the field along the fence.

Several minutes passed before Zach returned with Mikey and Zhaan close behind him.

"It's the darnedest thing," he explained. "The horses were afraid of Zhaan. I can't explain it. He only walked close to the gate with Mikey and the horses started acting crazy and took off in fright."

"Maybe we make noise or something to scare them?" Zhaan suggested.

"I don't know. I was watching from the window and they seemed to get alarmed for no reason as you approached. They are usually so docile, friendly, and tolerant of Mikey. They settled down as soon as we walked away. I don't think Zhaan will be getting work as a cowboy any time soon!" Zach joked. He was keen for the incident to be forgotten, Zhaan even more so. "It smells like dinner's ready. Let's go and eat. Come on, Mikey. We'll get your hands washed."

After dinner the little boy ran to the window and pointed excitedly at Zhaan's motorhome parked outside. It was obvious that he wanted to take a look inside. His mother, unnerved by the incident with the horses, wasn't happy for Zhaan to wander off alone with the boy again and made motions to join them for the tour. "Don't worry, Ann. I'll go with them and let you get cleared away," Alice suggested, to avoid Zhaan having to show his vehicle to Mikey's mother too.

"Thanks," Ann said with relief.

Mikey was having the time of his life exploring the RV. Zhaan had made the mistake of showing him how the cupboard panels would open if he pressed his finger tip against them. He was now being led to each cupboard in turn by an index finger firmly in Mikey's grip. Through the window Alice spotted Mikey's mother heading their way and warned Zhaan of her approach. Quickly, Zhaan grabbed Mikey around the waist and swung him up to hang over his shoulder.

"Little man, it time to go." Mikey was giggling uncontrollably as they emerged from the vehicle just in time to intercept Ann.

"Time for bed, Mikey. Say goodbye to Zhaan and Alice. We'll see them soon." This time there was no tantrum as Zhaan lowered the boy to the ground. He turned around, waved cheerfully, and ran into the house with his mother in hot pursuit.

Jesse, Clare, and Zach were on their way out.

"Thanks so much for coming over. Mikey was determined to see you again. We really appreciate the effort you make with him, Zhaan," Zach said.

"Mikey is fun. I like spend time with Mikey," Zhaan replied.

### Chapter 24 - Camping

Jesse persuaded everybody that a weekend camping trip would be a good idea, now the weather was getting warmer. Clare was reluctant at first, worried that she was imposing on their hospitality already, but Jesse wouldn't be swayed. She was coming with them.

He was working at his new hobby of fly fishing whenever he had the time and a friend from Idaho had convinced him to visit the Salmon River. Not too far from where they lived, it was an ideal destination for a weekend trip and was lined with numerous primitive campgrounds.

The last few sealed packing boxes in the garage had been opened with excitement and their contents strewn across the floor, as Jesse's little used camping gear was dragged out. He explained the brand new appearance of his tent and the sleeping bags with a simple comment. "Couldn't ever persuade Imogen to go camping with me." There wasn't a lot of packing to do, as they were using the motorhome as well. Zhaan had relented in his determination to keep Clare out of the vehicle and hoped his friends would help him answer any awkward questions. Jesse insisted on taking his tent as well, saying that it had to get broken in somehow. In reality he didn't think it would be a good idea for the four of them to sleep in the small vehicle while his sister and Zhaan were obviously still in honeymoon mood.

Friday night found them setting up camp in a beautiful spot on the bank right above the river. As soon as he'd pitched his tent, Jesse, as excited as a small child at Christmas, set to work building a roaring camp fire and setting up chairs around it. Alice produced a case of beer, a large pack of marshmallows, dark chocolate, and cookies from the motorhome and announced they would be making Smores.

The beer crate gradually became empty and the sticky melted Smores were devoured eagerly by everyone except Zhaan, who complained they stuck to his teeth. Darkness fell and they huddled closer around the blazing fire as the temperature began to plummet.

"I'm going to turn in. I plan on getting on the water early tomorrow morning," Jesse announced. Only then did it suddenly dawn on Clare she wasn't sure of the sleeping arrangements. She'd assumed she'd be bunking with Alice, but watching Alice and Zhaan snuggled together affectionately, close to the fire, she realised that wasn't an option. She'd already spent a week trying to get to sleep in the bedroom beneath theirs at Jesse's house each night. Jesse noticed the tension in Clare's worried face.

"It would be best if you bunked with me in the tent, if that's OK. Don't worry I'm a perfect gentleman," he added, trying to relax her. In truth, over the course of the last week, he had imagined getting his hands on Clare's beautiful figure and running his hands through her gorgeous hair with a worrying frequency. Feeling himself blushing and grateful for the dark, Jesse suggested she go in the tent, get undressed and into her sleeping bag, while he would change outside. A flash of relief crossed her face and Clare scurried quickly into the tent with her backpack.

Despite his fantasies, Jesse was nowhere near ready to trust a woman again and he realised Clare was in an equally vulnerable state of mind with all she'd been dealing with. Grabbing his own backpack to change, he sighed, then turned to Alice. "Try not to make too much noise you two. We don't want to scare the bears!" A warning which, a short while later, he would realise had fallen on deaf ears.

Jesse threw a pot of water over the fire and crawled into the tent, clambering quickly into his sleeping bag for warmth. Clare was already ensconced in her own, which was pulled tightly up under her chin.

"Jesse, thank you for inviting me. I've never been camping before."

"No worries. I'm glad of your company. Those two are so wrapped up in each other." They both laughed as the RV began to rock and moans of passion were clearly audible in the tranquillity of the silent campground.

"God, I don't know where they find the energy!" Jesse laughed, turning on his side to look at Clare's pretty face illuminated by the glow of his flashlight. He noticed her teeth were chattering.

"Are you cold?" he asked. She nodded silently. "It takes a while for these sleeping bags to get warm. Here take my sweater." He pushed the recently discarded garment, still warm with his body heat, in her direction. Clare sat up and quickly pulled it over her head.

"Thanks. That's better. It's lovely and warm," she murmured.

Jesse slithered his sleeping bag towards where Clare lay. His arms extended and he pulled her towards him for warmth. With her cradled in his arms, they fell asleep.

By the time the others emerged the following morning, Jesse was long gone. They waited for the sun to raise its head over the high rocks surrounding them and bring warmth to their campsite, but Jesse was on the river in his new waders at first light. He wasn't hard to track down, cursing as he was at yet another tangle in his line.

"Are you ready for breakfast?" his sister called over to him. He nodded. Fly fishing wasn't as easy as he'd assumed and he was ready for a break from the constant knot-tying and untangling.

Clare was busy inside the motorhome, helping Alice cook up a huge dish of eggs and bacon. So far she'd passed no comment on the vehicle's unusual appearance. Perhaps she'd never been inside a normal motorhome.

Zhaan attempted to light a new camp fire but his inexperience showed. Mostly he was producing a huge cloud of smoke. Emerging from the river, Jesse went to help him out, showing him how to lay a good fire to achieve a better result. It was a wonderful start to the day to sit around the warming glow of the fire and tuck into a hearty breakfast.

The forecast proved correct and it became a warm, sunny day. Clare was happy to accompany Jesse as he fished and she sat on the riverbank with a book, taking breaks to help with the tangles. Jesse's earlier cursing had transformed into laughter with Clare's company. Zhaan announced he wanted to hike to check out the wildlife, so Alice put snacks in her pack. She was delighted to have Zhaan to herself, if only for a few hours.

"Make sure you're back by 4.30," Jesse shouted as they left. "I've booked us in at 5.30 at a place my friend recommended for an excellent smoked prime rib dinner. Apparently if we don't get there early, it will all be gone."

Finally alone, Zhaan and Alice wandered through the trees. They hadn't managed to find an official trail but all of this land was National Forest, so they could wander pretty much at will. Alice tried to keep track of their direction. She knew it was madness to wander in the woods without a map, but what landmarks were there to see except trees and rocks? Her little backpack had a compass attached, and she was confident of Zhaan's sense of direction. Lately he wandered further and further into the forest around Jesse's house on research expeditions, sometimes disappearing for hours on end according to Clare, but he always found his way home. Perhaps it was those hunter instincts again, she pondered, triggering a memory.

"Zhaan, wasn't it strange how those horses got spooked at Zach's the other day. What happened?"

"Such animals don't like predators," he stated simply.

"What was around, a bear, a mountain lion?" she asked, alarmed that such a dangerous beast might be in the neighbourhood where Mikey liked to play. She'd have to warn Ann.

"Horses smell unfamiliar predator." Zhaan paused. "Me."

Alice was surprised. He said he'd hunted before, but she'd never thought of him as a predator. "You are a predator?" she asked.

"Guy hunt meat. I am predator."

Alice looked unconvinced. "There are lots of people around here who hunt, but I wouldn't call them predators." She laughed, thinking of some of the locals she'd seen hiding their beer guts under hunting attire. "If they didn't have their ATVs, guns with telescopic sights, a good supply of beer and jerky, I doubt they'd catch anything."

"Never underestimate a hunter," Zhaan said seriously. "My people originally were predators, living only on hunted meat. We have predator instincts, predator senses. Now we eat more varied diet. We farm, eat fruits, nuts and vegetables too. If we don't do this when population increases, we have no animals left to hunt. I am hunter, but I no longer like to hunt. In my community I change my work to growing food plant. I tired of killing animal."

"I don't understand. If you were a farmer, how did you end up flying across the universe to come and visit me?"

"Everybody on my planet either hunter or farmer as well as their talent work." Alice looked puzzled so Zhaan attempted to explain.

"If Jesse live on my planet, only half time he is doctor. Some days he must either grow food or hunt food. Old people must cook food for others and keep house clean."

"Everybody has to do that type of menial work too, regardless of whether they are a brain surgeon, an intergalactic explorer," she looked meaningfully at Zhaan, "or even the President?"

"Yes. It is fair. If you want to eat, you must produce food."

"That would be one way to sort out the obesity problem we have here! Tell me, how do they decide who does what?"

Zhaan perched on a rock and launched into his explanation. "After childhood, after school, Guy divided into different community houses. Each person live in house of about 20 people, same size like Jesse's house. Maybe with four old people and four young people just finished in school who train. Rest of people not old, not young. Old Guy take care of other people; cook, clean, wash clothes, things like this. Others hunt or grow food." Alice was clearly fascinated, so Zhaan continued.

"I give example of my life before this mission, before I leave Guyara. Each week is ten days on Guyara. Five days each week I train for Earth mission, this is my talent work. Other five days, I must work to get food. I begin by hunting. For long time I hunt five days each week. One day I don't want kill any more. I change to grow plants to eat, so I find somebody in my house who want to swap, and I can be farmer instead. Easy to find somebody because farming more hard work. Every community house provide food for their people. We trade between houses. If community is lucky, older people are good cooks." He grinned.

Zhaan stood and began walking again deeper into the forest. Half an hour later Alice was beginning to worry about whether they would ever find their way back to the campground, when Zhaan announced it was time for a snack. He dropped down to the ground and delved in the back pack, producing a couple of sandwiches and handing one to Alice.

"It better here. I choose what I eat. In my house on Guyara always the old people decide for me and only one of them cook good!" He laughed.

Zhaan devoured the sandwich and stretched out on the ground looking upwards intently. He watched a woodpecker busy in the top of a nearby pine tree and pointed it out to Alice. A curious pair of chipmunks hovered at a safe distance waiting to check their picnic site for any leftovers.

"Sorry buddies, all gone," Alice said in their direction.

"How you know what animals want? You read minds?" Zhaan turned to her with his eyebrows raised.

"No need," she laughed. "They are always looking for snacks."

Alice relaxed and enjoyed the peace of the forest and the closeness to Zhaan.

"I happy to be alone with you," Zhaan said, as if he were aware of what she was thinking.

"Me too. Our time together is very precious." Not wanting to continue with that train of thought, Alice rolled onto her side and hooked her arm over Zhaan's muscular chest. She gently pulled off his sunglasses and savoured the privacy that meant she could look directly into his eyes. "I love you Zhaan," she said quietly.

"I love you also, Alice," he responded, just before their lips moved together.

When they made it back to the camp, they were a little later than they'd promised. Zhaan spotted some kind of animal den on the way, a large hole in the hillside, and insisted on watching for a while to see if the residents would emerge. Alice expected a telling-off from her ever punctual big brother, but he was deep in conversation with Clare and didn't notice their tardiness.

They drove into town and Jesse pulled up at a commercial campground.

"I thought we were going to a restaurant," Alice said, puzzled.

"There's a café at this place. My buddy assured me that their smoked prime rib is the best for miles around."

The number of vehicles parked outside and the crowded tables inside the no-frills café were a good indication that Jesse's friend wasn't wrong in his recommendation.

Two hours later they climbed back into Jesse's truck feeling stuffed. Between them they had polished off two cowboy and two cowgirl portions of prime rib and four large pieces of home made fruit pie with ice cream.

"Do you want to go somewhere for a beer now, or head back to camp?" Jesse asked.

It was decided unanimously that nobody had any room left for beer and sitting around a blazing camp fire was a more appealing proposition.

Zhaan was insistent that he must make a proper fire. He was still embarrassed by the earlier smoke screen he'd created and Jesse began another lecture on how to build the perfect camp fire. The girls headed into the motorhome to fix some hot beverages. Alice took the opportunity to find out how Clare was feeling. By all appearances she was in a much better mental state.

"Clare, how are you doing? You seem happier."

"Oh, I am. I'm so grateful to you for all your help and support. It's kind of Jesse to let me keep on staying with you. I really enjoy the company. I know he must be feeling his place is over-crowded; he's used to being there alone."

"I wouldn't worry about that at all. When we got to his place, he wasn't doing well alone after the break-up with that bitch Imogen. It's better for him to have company."

Clare was startled at Alice's frankness and obvious animosity towards Jesse's ex-wife.

"Besides," Alice hesitated unsure whether to interfere, "you two seem to be getting on just fine. Be kind to him. He's still very fragile. Please don't hurt him."

"What do you mean? How could I hurt him?" Clare seemed completely unaware of Jesse's attraction to her, which was pretty damn obvious to his little sister.

"Well, I think he fancies you," Alice said with a knowing smile.

"Really? Me?" Clare seemed shocked.

"Take a look in the mirror, girl. I think a beauty has emerged from her shell." Alice complimented Clare, hoping to boost her self-esteem. "I think you two would make a lovely couple and, speaking as his little sister who knows him well, I'd say he's a pretty smitten kitten. If you are interested in him though, please take things slowly. He's still trying to fix a broken heart."

"I wouldn't know where to start. I'm sure you know I'm a bit - well OK totally \- inexperienced with men. I find your brother attractive, but to be honest I'm terrified. Every time he comes near me, I can't stop shaking. It's pathetic. How many people are still a virgin at twenty-four nowadays?" Clare blushed.

"I think he finds it refreshing, actually. It's not as rare as you think. Between you and me, Zhaan hadn't ever been with a woman when we met. Now he's a veritable expert in bed!" Alice laughed and blushed as Clare responded. "Yes, we noticed!" They started giggling like teenagers.

The hot chocolates were fixed and hot tea for Zhaan, who found the chocolate drink too sweet. Clare was lost in thought as the girls carried the cups outside. Her gaze rested on Jesse and a quizzical look appeared on her face as she watched him crouching by the fire with Zhaan. The conversation she'd just had with Alice made her feel even more awkward and nervous about sharing Jesse's tent.

### Chapter 25 – Rival

"Something about the guy just doesn't add up." Officer Andy Callaghan tried again to convince his boss to let him investigate the strange man who was staying at Doc. Jesse's place.

"Didn't you check him out on the system already?" sighed Chief Stevenson. "This couldn't have anything to do with you having a bad case of the hots for Jesse's little sister? Hell, you've just about exhausted the supply of available women in this town and been dumped by most!" he laughed.

Andy was hurt but hid it well. Nobody knew of the true reason for his failure to continue a relationship beyond a couple of dates, his doomed but profound love for a woman totally unavailable as a partner. Every few weeks he'd give himself a severe talking-to and decide to date again but inevitably it would end in disaster. Eager to push from his mind the thought of his own weakness, his inability to confess his love to the woman in question, he continued to nag the Chief about the mysterious stranger.

"Doesn't it seem weird to you that, until three months ago, there was no trace of this guy at all? All of a sudden a driver's licence and tag are registered to him in Anchorage, both on the same day? All the papers were issued to a John Guy, but I've heard him being called by a foreign name." Andy tried to emphasise his point. He was becoming frustrated with the Chief.

"Witness Protection?" suggested Sally, the small town's only other officer, as she poured herself another strong coffee.

"I'm sure we'd have been notified if that were the case," Andy responded.

"Well, the guy doesn't have a record, keeps himself to himself, and short of banging a girl you've got your eye on, hasn't caused any kind of trouble in town. You should probably just get over it," his boss told him bluntly.

"I'm worried for Jesse is all. If this guy turns out to be more than he seems, and Jesse suffers as a result, I won't be able to forgive myself. He takes such good care of Mom and after all he's been through lately he don't need no more trouble."

"Just drop it, Andy. Head on out now and check out the ATV theft at the campground at Rombo Creek. Pick up lunch on your way back. It's your turn. I'll have a BLT."

Andy quickly gathered himself together and headed for the door. As he walked to the patrol car, a thought came to him. Rombo Creek was close to Jesse's place. He could just swing by and see if Jesse was home this weekend.

The week since the camping trip had flown by, making Zhaan anxious about the little time he had left to spend with Alice. He was annoyed that the girls had headed to town for groceries, jealous of sharing his Alice time, but kept himself busy helping Jesse in the yard. They were taking it easy after a morning spent struggling to hack a dead branch off a big tree near the house. Zhaan pointed out that, in a storm, it could fall on the roof and Jesse realised he was right. To Jesse's amazement, Zhaan easily scaled the huge tree to reach the limb in question without the aid of ladders or ropes, and got into a good position to saw through it. The trick had been stopping the cut branch from crashing down onto the roof.

Zhaan promised to chop up the branch for firewood later but had found himself a comfy shaded spot, high up the tree canopy, and was resting. Jesse grabbed his fly rod and headed to the river. Up to his knees in refreshingly cool, clear water, he spotted a police car heading for his house. It was strange for them to be all the way out here, Jesse mused. He scrambled out of the water, worried they might be bringing bad news.

It was Andy Callaghan climbing from the vehicle, looking solemn. Jesse had been helping his mother through her cancer and hoped she hadn't taken a downward turn, or worse.

"Hi, Jesse," the deputy greeted him.

"Andy. How's your Mom?"

"She's been doing good the last couple of days, since you saw her. Hardly any pain at all she says."

"Great! The new cocktail of drugs I'm trying is helping. Can I grab you a juice?" Jesse asked, curious about the reason for the visit.

"Sure, thanks."

Jesse walked into the house and returned with two cans of fruit juice.

"Is anything wrong, Andy?" he asked. "I don't often see you out this far without a reason." The last time had been when Clare's father had taken sick.

"I'm checking out the theft of the camp host's ATV at Rombo. You didn't see anything strange yesterday, did you?"

Jesse thought for a moment before remembering. "Actually, I did pass a couple of kids on an ATV on my way home last night, around seven pm. I didn't recognise them, but they were probably early teens. I thought it was odd that they were out on their own. They seemed a bit young. They were headed towards the dam and passed the house after I got back."

"I'll drive down that way and check it out. How's your sister, Jesse? I heard she's working at the practice."

Jesse had seen the way Andy looked at Alice at the bar when she and Zhaan were all over each other on the dance floor.

"Still unavailable, I guess," smiled Jesse. "She's pretty taken with Zhaan." Andy made a mental note of the foreign sounding name Jesse used.

"What do you think of him, Jesse?" Andy asked.

"I like him well enough. He seems like a nice guy and helps out a lot around here." Jesse was conscious of the fact that Zhaan was perched in his vantage point only about 25 feet above them, well within hearing range.

"It's just that when I checked into him, something didn't seem right. He appeared out of nowhere three months ago, at least as far as the records go. I thought I should mention it to you. I don't want any problems coming your way, Jesse.

"How come you were checking into him? Is he in trouble?" Jesse enquired, concerned.

"Not that I know of, Jesse. It's a small town. We like to keep track of who's about, that's all."

"Well, I've a feeling it won't be long before he disappears back to wherever he sprang up from. Perhaps you'll have a shot with my little sister then." Jesse was trying to divert Andy's train of thought. "You know she was mixed up with some bad types down in Texas. I'd be much happier to see her with someone on the right side of the law." He smiled and Andy looked pleased.

"Keep an eye on John. That was his name, wasn't it?" Andy waited for Jesse to contradict him but he didn't speak. "Let me know if you spot anything dodgy. Thanks for the info on the ATV. I'll head down and look into it. Give my regards to Alice, and thanks for the drink, Jesse." With that, the officer took the last swig from his can, handed it back to Jesse, and headed for his car.

Jesse glanced up at the tree and spotted Zhaan's worried face peering down. As the patrol car pulled out of the driveway, Zhaan swung down from the tree and landed beside Jesse.

"You think he know something about me?" he asked in a concerned voice.

"Well, he suspects something. You'll just have to keep your head down and hope he forgets."

"I afraid," Zhaan said solemnly. "He don't like me, and he want my Alice. Dangerous combination."

### Chapter 26 - Busted

There it was, the knock at the door Zhaan had been half expecting and dreading. Alice jumped up from the sofa where they were spending a quiet Sunday afternoon watching a movie. She raced excitedly towards the front door. "I wonder who's calling? Jesse doesn't get many visitors out here," she mumbled to herself as she flew by. Zhaan held his breath as she flung the door wide open, as trusting as ever. A long pause followed. He made out a quiet exchange of words on the porch, then Alice yelled, "I think it's for you, Zhaan." His assumption was correct.

She led Khevn into the room behind her. It felt strange to speak again in his native tongue to one of his own kind.

" _They sent you for me, huh? Tell me, how long do I have?"_

" _Ten Earth days, no more, sorry,"_ was Khevn's sullen response. _"They are returning for us."_

Alice's irritation at being left out of their conversation became obvious as she asked, "Are you going to introduce us, Zhaan?"

He hesitated and wondered what to tell her. He didn't want to see her eager face downfallen. What designation should he use for his relationship with Khevn? Finally he decided, for Alice's peace of mind, to use both.

"This my boss, Khevn. He my friend also. Khevn, this is Alice." Alice held out a welcoming hand and smiled broadly, leaving Khevn looking perplexed. Zhaan turned to Khevn. _"You should shake hands with Alice, Khevn, and bare your teeth. That is the tradition here on meeting, remember?"_

Grabbing Khevn's outstretched hand, Alice asked, "Are you going to be visiting with us, Khevn? That would be fun." She managed to fake enthusiasm in her tone and was determined to pronounce his name correctly.

"Just a short time, perhaps," he replied. He turned back to Zhaan and continued in the Guyaran tongue. _"We need to talk."_

Ignoring the comment made in the strange tongue she couldn't understand, at least Alice remembered to mind her manners. "Let me fix you two something to drink. What will you have, Khevn?" She was pleased with herself for mastering the correct pronunciation of his name a second time.

Zhaan stepped over and put an arm around her. "Khevn and I we need - what that word your brother uses - meeting? I take him down by river so we can talk without disturb you."

This must be bad, Alice feared. It was clear she wasn't invited. "Are you in trouble?" she whispered, her anxiety apparent in her expression. Using another Human gesture he'd mastered, Zhaan replied with a shrug of the shoulders. "At least let me get you some bottled water to take down there with you. It's still hot outside." She disappeared to the kitchen and returned with sweating bottles. She felt helpless there wasn't more she could do to help him.

_"Nice spot,"_ Khevn said, as they settled in the riverfront seats Zhaan and Alice had built for her brother.

Zhaan looked down at the wood and stroked the bench as he thought back to that happy day. _"Yes, we love it here by the river."_ He felt his nerves jangling, despite the soothing sound of the water gurgling close by.

He looked up at Khevn, whose face was clearly fixed in boss mode. " _Zhaan, what's going on? Command told me at first your reports were on time, regular, and filled with really interesting data about the plant life and animals here. You reported where you had been, what you had done, your interactions with Humans and things you'd learned from them. Gradually, they said, the reports became just a string of factual biological and geological information. It seemed like you were hiding from them what you were doing down here. They asked me if I knew how you were spending your time._

" _I knew about the girl, of course, because you did finally tell me about your travelling companion. Then your reports stopped altogether for a while, presumably when you were injured, and the pressure on me to find out what was happening increased. I didn't tell them about Alice, you have to believe me. I managed to stall them for a while because I felt the knowledge you were gaining was far more useful than anything I'd learned, but once they received your report telling them you were living in a Human home, alongside Humans, they sent me to track you down. Damage limitation they called it. I have to bring you back."_ Khevn paused and frowned, _"Whatever it takes. What were you thinking, behaving that way and then sending in that report, my friend?"_

Zhaan was relieved to hear him end with those words 'my friend'. They were so little used back home. At least Khevn was letting him know he felt some sympathy for his plight.

"I grew tired of the pressure to report and of my deception by omission. You know me, I'm transparent. Hiding things isn't in my nature. In what I now realise was a moment of sheer stupidity, I decided to tell them some detail about how I was living here. I hoped they'd be pleased with me for interacting so closely with the Humans. How else do we learn about them? Now I realise I was a naive fool.

" _I'm not even sure any more what they hope to learn about this planet. I'd made Human friends. I was pleased. They were nothing but kind to me. I can only hope my Earth friends won't suffer as a result of my actions. In our world I count my friends on two fingers."_ He raised his eyes up to Khevn's to be sure he'd get the message. He paused, feeling his throat become tight, _"...there is Alice. I believe I_ love _Alice."_ He had to use the Human word for lack of one in his own language.

"Love?" Khevn frowned.

_"Yes,_ love. _My heart beats faster when she walks into the room. When we're apart, I long for her company. I know I can speak to her of anything and she will have compassion for me. I yearn for her touch. She makes me feel truly alive."_ He hesitated, a little out of breath after his long speech. _"The thing that will finally get me executed though - we are physically intimate."_

Shock registered on Khevn's face as he comprehended the meaning of another rarely used set of words in his language. For what seemed like forever he was silent, leaving Zhaan to fear his reaction. Perhaps he was steeling himself to carry out immediate punishment for disobedience. Alice would be devastated.

Khevn looked him in the eyes and spoke hesitantly. _"So, my friend, what was it like? I hope it was worth the cost."_

In a Human gesture, which had now become second nature, Zhaan smiled, taking care to keep his teeth covered in case Khevn misunderstood. _"You have no idea just how worth it! The irony is that what made me feel truly alive and gave me a reason for living, how I feel towards Alice, is what will get me killed. If you try only one non-permitted activity during your stay on Earth, being touched and loved by a Human is worth the risk of being classed as contaminated, especially if you stop taking those damned drugs we've been controlled with our whole lives."_ Zhaan could feel his rising anger, and Khevn looked shocked. Zhaan needed to calm down and salvage whatever time with Alice was possible. A few tense moments of silence passed. _"What happens now, Khevn?"_

"I need to think. Until they arrive, I am to supervise you, take any action I feel necessary to limit further risk of exposure and make sure you behave. Give me some quiet to consider how to make my report. I will suggest that the risk is reduced if we stay among people who are already aware of our presence."

Zhaan wandered some distance away from his boss down to the water's edge. He paddled in the shallow water, gazing at the stones glinting like jewels in the crystal clear river. As he paced, he spotted a heart-shaped pebble beneath the rippling water, picked it up, and absent-mindedly put it in his pocket. He knew Alice would like it.

Jesse was back from the fly fishing store in town. Alice heard his pick-up heading up the gravel driveway. She was so tense, she felt on the verge of exploding. She was sitting at the counter, rocking back and forth on the high bar stool when he came in.

"Tell me what's wrong," were his first words as he came into the room and took a look at her. Alice jumped down from her seat and ran to her brother, who took her in his arms. The tears she'd been holding back since Khevn had arrived started to flow.

"Zhaan's boss is here. I think Zhaan is in big trouble and it's all my fault. They are down by the river having a meeting and have been gone a long time. Maybe he's hurt Zhaan. I'm so afraid."

She was glad of the comfort of her big brother. She hadn't realised just how much his presence had been missing from her life during their last few years of physical separation.

"Firstly, whatever trouble Zhaan is in, it's not all your fault, so stop beating on yourself. Secondly, this is my house and I'm not having it taken over by damn aliens. Grab some beers from the fridge. Let's go down and find out exactly what's happening." He raised her chin and wiped away the tears from her cheek with his thumb. There was never a dull moment with his sister around.

As they approached the river bank, there didn't seem to be much talking going on at all. Khevn sat alone on the bench seat, doing something which Alice recognised as submitting a report. Meanwhile Zhaan was restlessly pacing the riverbank with his eyes glued on the water as he examined the pebbles beneath. Unable to stop herself, she ran down the steps and into his arms.

"Is it bad, Zhaan?" she whispered.

"I must leave soon. We have only ten days." He held her a little tighter and she fought back her tears. Zhaan was obviously upset. This was no time to cry.

"Can we stay together until then?" she had to ask.

"I hope. Depend on Khevn."

How had she let herself fall so deeply for this Guy? She had known it couldn't last forever and had just set herself up to get her heart broken.

Jesse sidled over with four cold beers in his hands. "Zhaan, are you going to introduce us?" He gestured towards the silent Khevn, who looked taken aback to hear yet another Human using Zhaan's true name.

"Khevn, this is Jesse. He is brother of Alice and very generous host. He use his doctor skill to save me when I hurt."

The two men eyed one another warily before shaking hands. Jesse sensed Khevn brought trouble for his friend.

"Khevn tell me we must leave in ten days." Zhaan's voice trembled slightly as he spoke.

"Will you stay with us until you leave?" Jesse asked. "I'm sure Alice would appreciate it," he continued with a pointed stare in Khevn's direction.

Khevn spoke, obviously struggling with the English words. It was amazing how well Zhaan had picked up their language compared to his superior.

"I send my report, request permission to stay here with you people for ten days." His comment was curt and his demeanour much more serious than Zhaan's friendly way of speaking. "I have answer later."

"In the meantime, won't you join us for dinner? My neighbour Clare is bringing over some chilli."

Khevn looked worried. He was obviously concerned that yet another Human was aware of their presence here. Zhaan couldn't help smiling at the thought of how Khevn would deal with the spicy food for which he'd gradually developed a taste.

They sat down to eat in awkward silence. Khevn sat stiffly and waited to follow the lead of everyone else at the table. Zhaan picked up his fork and took a large mouthful of the fiery food and was quickly copied by Khevn. The uncomfortable silence was broken as Khevn spoke in his own language. His eyes glistened even through their contact lenses. _"Holy shit! What the hell am I eating?"_ he asked Zhaan.

Zhaan answered in English. It seemed rude to talk in a language only the two of them could understand. "Spicy, huh? Try mixing in some of the white stuff. It will help." He pointed at the sour cream. "I like spicy food. You will too if you try it for a while."

A little embarrassed by the visitor's reaction to the food she'd prepared, Clare was determined to be polite. "Kevin, are you from the same place as Zhaan? That sounds like the same accent. What language was that you were speaking?" She smiled, unaware of the anxiety these questions were causing the visitors.

Zhaan answered on Khevn's behalf, which irritated her a little. "Khevn and I, we from same place. We friends for long time. We decide to make visit to America together, but we interested in different things, so visit different places. He like city but me, I like wild, empty places." He was trying to steer the conversation away from Clare's initial questions.

"Kevin, I'm sorry if the chilli was too spicy," she said apologetically.

"It's delicious, Clare, stop worrying." Alice tried to reassure Clare. She couldn't care less about Khevn's discomfort. "I just think Khevn's not used to spicy food. Is that right, Khevn?"

"Food very good, I like with this." He gestured at the bowl of sour cream while picking politely at his meal.

Conversation turned to problems Clare was dealing with regarding her late father's estate. The Humans didn't notice when Khevn was distracted by a beeping from his pocket and quickly left the room. A break developed in the conversation and Clare looked up. "Where did Kevin go?" she asked Zhaan.

"I think he get message, I mean e-mail, on his phone. Very rude to leave the table like that, but must be important." Zhaan looked pointedly at Alice. Khevn returned to the room and Alice couldn't wait. It felt as though her heart was pounding in her throat.

"Khevn was that the answer you were waiting for?" She added, "You know, about your return trip?"

Khevn turned to Zhaan. _"Is she always this curious? No wonder you ended up telling all."_ He turned back to Alice's worried face and switched back to English. "We can stay ten days more. We fly from here in ten days, but I must stay together with Zhaan for this time."

"Of course you must both stay here in the house!" Jesse suggested, relieved that his sister would at least get a little more time with Zhaan before she had to face the separation. "After dinner we'll go and bring in your stuff and get you settled in the guest room."

At that moment Alice made a promise to herself. She would enjoy the next ten days as much as possible and try to ignore the impending loss of her lover. She would have plenty of time to feel sad when he was gone.

"Great! We can all do some exploring together and have ten days of fun before you leave." She smiled her broadest possible smile. Khevn jerked back in his chair.

Zhaan spoke, this time in their own tongue. _"Relax, showing the teeth is good here. It means she's happy not angry, remember?"_

Khevn showed his own teeth pulling up the edges of his mouth, as Alice had done.

When the meal was done, Jesse offered to help Khevn fetch his things. Alice had been too preoccupied with her own misery to notice that he'd offered the guest room to Khevn when Clare was supposed to be staying in there. The last few nights Clare had taken to creeping into Jesse's room late at night and curling up next to him in his bed. Although their relationship hadn't become physical, Jesse found the closeness of Clare and the cuddling very comforting. The bed-sharing was about to become a permanent arrangement, at least for the next ten days, unless she retreated back to her own property.

### Chapter 27 - Save Yourself

Zhaan had been on tenterhooks all afternoon waiting for Jesse and Alice to get back from work. He was in luck. His plan of continuously feeding Khevn cups of hot tea had worked. With Khevn in the bathroom and Alice carrying the groceries she'd bought for dinner into the house, Zhaan was in with a chance of getting Jesse alone. Hurriedly smacking a kiss on Alice's cheek, he said, "Back in one minute," and rushed outside.

Jesse was headed into the garage when Zhaan caught up with him. He knew the time they would have alone would be brief before Khevn returned to shadow his every move as he had for the previous four days. The only time he'd managed to shake Khevn off his tail was when he went into the bathroom, or at the end of each day when he headed into the bedroom with Alice and closed the door firmly behind them. As Zhaan approached Jesse he didn't bother with a greeting, unable to spare the time, he got straight to the point.

"Jesse, can you get me away from Khevn for short time? I need talk with you alone."

Jesse looked at Zhaan's serious face with surprise. He'd assumed Zhaan was glad of company of his own kind.

"I'll see what I can do." The words were no sooner out of Jesse's mouth, than Khevn came outside in search of his comrade.

"I come outside to see if anything need carrying into house," Zhaan quickly explained his disappearance.

"Hi, Khevn. Have you two had a good day?" Jesse asked politely.

"Yes. We go to town, drive Clare to store for buy things she need. Then we take walk in woods. Zhaan show me animals."

Zhaan laughed a little falsely. "I try to show you animals but you no hunter. Your feet sound like thunder in forest." Khevn looked a perplexed as he struggled to understand Zhaan's much more fluent English.

"Hey, Zhaan," Jesse said in a totally relaxed manner. "Zach asked if you can pop over to his place to see Mikey before you leave. He thinks it will be better if you explain to him yourself that you are leaving. Perhaps he won't get so upset. What do you think?"

"Of course. No problem. I must explain to Mikey that I have to go." A pregnant pause followed.

"Khevn, would you mind if I take Zhaan over to my friends' house? I know you are supposed to keep an eye on him all the time, but the child is a little special. He's not very good with strangers. We won't be gone long."

Khevn turned to Zhaan and switched to his own language. _"What does he mean the child is special?"_

"His brain works differently from other Humans. He thinks differently. Sometimes he gets very upset and is a hard to calm down again. It's tough for his carers."

Khevn mulled the idea over for a minute. Jesse seemed pretty trustworthy, besides where would Zhaan be able to go? Wherever he might go, Khevn would have no problem tracking him down with Guy technology. "Yes, no problem, Jesse. When will you go?"

"Let me just go and call Zach. Hopefully we can grab a quick snack and head right over there."

Khevn looked baffled again. Zhaan explained curtly. "We go after food."

Zhaan climbed into the truck with Jesse. "First we visit Mikey," Zhaan said, "then we talk somewhere."

It turned out the visit to Mikey was a good idea. Zhaan had known he would have to visit the boy to explain before he left, no matter how upsetting it might be. As it turned out, when Zhaan disappeared into the yard with Mikey, sat him down on his beloved swing, and gently explained his leaving to the boy in private, the child took the news remarkably well. Zhaan wasn't entirely convinced that he understood. Just to be sure, he re-emphasised, "Mikey, you understand I won't visit any more?"

Taking Zhaan by surprise, the boy spoke. "You go home," he stated, as though he spoke every day. He pointed skywards with a thumb. Then he added, "Bye," which reassured Zhaan that he did actually comprehend the situation. He hugged the boy and received a warm embrace in return. As he released the boy, a sudden jerk of Mikey's hand lowered Zhaan's dark glasses down his nose. The boy peered over the top of the frames, as he had done once before, taking a last look into Zhaan's eyes, then pushed the glasses back into position.

"Our secret, Mikey?" Zhaan smiled. The boy nodded in agreement.

On the return trip Jesse stopped at a deserted fishing access alongside the road. He stepped out of the truck and walked over to sit on a nearby bench with Zhaan following.

"Zhaan, what do you need to talk to me about?"

Zhaan had a moment of doubt about endangering Jesse by sharing his information but decided it was better for him to know the truth.

"You know I trust you, Jesse," he paused, "with my life."

"You can always trust me, Zhaan. Your secret is safe with me and with Alice."

"This information, if Khevn find out I tell you, it cause me big trouble." Jesse nodded solemnly.

"We leave in five days, on Monday night when moon is dark. Today Khevn receive orders from our ship." He paused again to remove his dark glasses and look directly into Jesse's eyes. "When he go in bathroom, I take his communicator and read orders. I not supposed to know this information."

"OK." Jesse kept his eyes locked on Zhaan's.

"Before we leave, we are ordered to make Humans forget about us. Just before 21.00 hours local time we should gather all Humans who know about us and erase their memories before we go to pick up location."

Jesse looked incensed. "How in the hell do you plan on doing this memory wipe?"

"I don't plan this at all. This why I speak to you. I don't want you forget about me unless you prefer."

"I'd like to keep my memories - good and bad - intact, thanks. How do you even erase a person's memory?" he asked with a doctor's curiosity.

Zhaan pulled the small silver gadget from his pocket. "With this," he stated factually.

"Have you tried this device on anybody here? Have you messed with our memories already?" Jesse asked indignantly.

"Of course not," Zhaan said defensively. "I use it only two times; one time on bad man who shoot me and hurt Alice, other time was emergency also." He wasn't comfortable with divulging that he'd used it on a law enforcement officer. Luckily Jesse didn't pursue the topic.

"If you're supposed to mess with our brains but don't want to, what is your plan?"

"Khevn and I already agree that Clare know nothing about us. She think we just tourist and fly home soon. If Khevn still believe this by Monday, Clare is safe."

"What about Alice?" Jesse wondered.

"I tell Khevn I must deal with Alice myself because she special to me. I take her to our room, tell him I must say goodbye alone, pretend I erase her memory, and leave. I hope this plan work. I think Khevn realise how I love Alice."

"It sounds feasible. He seems a fairly reasonable guy. What about me?"

"Please, you stay late in work, say you have emergency and can't come home. If you don't answer phone and only call just before 21.00 hours, we have no time to find you and you will be safe. We must leave house at 21.00 hours, head to pick up location, and prepare area for shuttle ship to land," he explained.

"Where you going to land a space ship around here with all these trees?" Jesse said in a light tone, almost joking. In truth he'd be really excited to see a space ship.

"Get map. I show you."

Jesse returned from the truck with the local gazetteer, and Zhaan quickly pointed to a Forest Service work area that was clear of trees and concealed from the road. Jesse knew the exact spot.

"You must stay away from home on Monday. Please, Jesse. I don't want that Khevn find you. Just in case, you stay away from doctor surgery for Monday evening too. Please hide," he said earnestly.

"You've said you're in trouble with your people over your relationship with Alice and for telling us your secret. What will happen to you when you return to the ship? Will they punish you?" Jesse asked with concern. He didn't want to think about anything bad happening to this gentle being, whom he'd begun to think of as his brother.

Zhaan looked away, alarming Jesse.

"Zhaan, what will they do to you? Will you go to prison?"

"I don't want to tell you," Zhaan said quietly. Looking up at Jesse's determined face, he realised he wouldn't have that option. "If I say, you promise you never tell Alice. I hurt her enough already."

A solemn nod from Jesse confirmed his agreement.

"They kill me. I am contaminated. They don't want me back to mix with Guy people and tell about my experiences on Earth. I'm dead already for my sins. Probably they tell Guy people there was accident, or I get sick, something like this."

"Oh God, Zhaan! That seems a bit severe. You must be very afraid."

Zhaan surprised Jesse by shaking his head. "I lived more in my months with Alice on Earth than in all my life before. If I can't be with Alice, I prefer to die."

Jesse was shocked by this revelation. He knew Zhaan cared for his sister but it had been hard to gauge just how deeply. "Can't you run away? Couldn't you disappear and hide from your people? We could distract Khevn long enough for you to leave."

Zhaan shook his head with his eyes downcast again. "They know where I am, always."

Jesse looked puzzled. Zhaan explained by pointing towards his left shoulder.

"Here I have small thing - I think you call chip. From this my ship receive all information about my body."

"Like a bio-feedback data chip?"

"Yes. Exactly this. My people know every time I sleep, when I eat, what I eat, when I toilet, all levels of blood components, heart rate. I sure they even know when I make love with Alice." Now he sounded angry. "This chip also show my people where I am. If they chose, they use this chip to stop my heart, kill me any time. Right now they know I not with Khevn. Soon we must go home. I don't want trouble for him."

"Could I remove the chip?" Jesse asked eagerly. "I am a doctor."

"Too difficult, too dangerous," Zhaan stated simply. "I have no option. I must return to my people. If I do as they say, I can protect you and Alice. If I run, they kill me, then find you two. Please, we must use my plan."

The whole situation was so depressing. Jesse dreaded the hurt his sister would experience when Zhaan left, but at least she knew the reality of the relationship when she got into it. To think of her holding herself responsible for Zhaan's inevitable death was unbearable. She must never know.

"OK, I agree. Whatever you tell me to do. Whatever you want," he said quietly.

"I will miss you, brother," Zhaan said sadly. "If my eyes can leak, they pour water right now."

"I'll miss you too, brother." Jesse grabbed Zhaan by the shoulders and held him tight. When the embrace was over he spoke. "I don't know about you, but I could use a drink before I head home." Zhaan nodded.

They sat at the bar with cold beers in front of them.

"Zhaan, is there anything else you'd like to experience before you leave Ear..." Jesse swallowed the last word as the bartender bustled by with a cloth and then headed away from them again.

"I want to spend every minute possible in arms of my Alice," Zhaan answered with honesty. A couple of minutes of silence followed as Jesse wondered what to say.

"There is one thing I wish for Khevn though." A wicked expression crossed Zhaan's features. "When he arrive, I send Alice to his room to steal his pills - the ones our people say we must take every day."

"Alice told me about those pills they use to control you guys. What did Khevn say?"

"We take pills before he even unpack. He too afraid to say something. He think he lost them on journey here. Already I see difference in my friend without pills."

Jesse struggled with how somebody could still refer to a person taking them to a certain death as a friend. "In what way has he changed? We don't know what he was like before. We only just met him."

"Every day he ask more questions about my relationship with Alice, about our physical relationship. I see how he watch when we touch. Sometimes, like today in supermarket, I see him look at Human women. He is become curious. What I really want for him is to experience touch of an Earth woman, to have chance to make love to Earth woman if he choose it. I know it too difficult, but this my one wish for him to have as memory of our time on your planet." Zhaan paused to finish the beer in front of him. Jesse signalled the bartender to bring another two while wondering about the idea forming in his head.

The beers were delivered and they were alone again. Jesse asked, "If he had the chance, do you think he would want to? Wouldn't that mean he would be in trouble too, with the biofeedback chip data?"

"Khevn is such good boy. I think nobody would suspect he do such a thing. Without tablets, in one more day or two and after some beer, maybe he don't say no."

"Hmm." Jesse leaned back on his bar stool, deep in thought again. "If I were able to arrange a situation where he might have the chance, would you really want me to do it?" he enquired seriously.

Zhaan looked taken aback. "Who would you ask to do such a thing, not Clare?"

"God no! Even I haven't made love to Clare."

Zhaan looked even more surprised. "Why not?" he asked bluntly.

Jesse blushed. "I don't really know if she wants to. She's not had any experience and the truth is I'm afraid of being hurt again," he blurted out in a rush. "How did the topic change from Khevn to me?"

"A life is only a short time, Jesse. You should ask her. I think she nervous about your broken heart. Alice tell her to be very careful with you." He grinned.

Flustered, Jesse turned the subject back around to Khevn. "If I knew a woman who might consider spending a night with Khevn, would you really encourage it?"

"Hell, yes!" Zhaan laughed.

### Chapter 28 – Feelings

It had been a frantic day at work, and Jesse and Alice were delighted to find that Clare had dinner prepared for them when they got back. She'd had plenty of volunteers offering help but, in reality, while Zhaan chopping vegetables had speeded things up a little, his strange friend was clueless in the kitchen and had only slowed down preparation of the meal. She felt nervous left alone with two such imposing and strange men. Both towered above her, and she hadn't had the nerve to tell them that she could work faster on her own.

Khevn insisted on prodding and poking each ingredient she'd added to her casserole, as though he'd never seen food in its raw form before. She guessed he must have eaten out exclusively during his visit to the States and wondered how he managed back at home.

"Are you married, Khevn?" she enquired, mostly to be polite. Khevn looked baffled, obviously failing to comprehend. "Do you have a woman at home to take care of you and prepare your meals?" It was a poor description of what she hoped a marriage would be but she was just trying to make him understand.

"In my house I have three older ladies - grandmothers I think you call them - and one old man. They take care of my food." Obviously something had been lost in translation. Clare decided to drop the subject but not before wondering how somebody got to have three grandmothers.

Jesse and Alice had showered, changed and were back at the dinner table looking ravenous. Clare was happy to see their delighted faces when she laid out the meal. At least doing her share around the house made her feel less of an imposition; a parasite. She permanently worried that Jesse would tell her it was time to go home. Even though she shared his bed every night since Zhaan's friend had arrived and he hadn't objected, Jesse hadn't made any attempt to become intimate with her at all. Apprehensive as she was about the whole subject, she was beginning to think that his sister was wrong. Perhaps he just wasn't interested. Her face fell with her thoughts.

"Are you OK, Clare? You look worried," Jesse asked with concern as she sat down.

"Yes, yes, I'm fine," she lied, showing a fake smile to keep him happy.

"Man, this looks great! I'm starving." Alice tucked right in.

Zhaan and Khevn sat opposite one another at the table next to Alice and Clare, with Jesse at the head of the table. Clare wondered how Zhaan and Alice managed to eat anything at all with their hands almost permanently glued together. Zhaan spent most of the meal just gazing at Alice, while distractedly shovelling food into his mouth.

Khevn was looking at Zhaan in an unfriendly manner. The atmosphere at the table was tense enough to give a person indigestion, Clare thought, as she rose to clear the dishes.

"You should help Clare, Khevn. Don't let her do all of work," Zhaan said, his voice irritated.

" _Why should I? I am your superior."_ Khevn switched angrily to his own language.

"Speak English. Don't be rude." Zhaan continued to badger him. "I did it yesterday."

Khevn rose grumpily from his chair, gathered some random items from the table, and followed Clare into the kitchen. Jesse and Alice exchanged a worried look. It seemed their guests were not on the friendliest of terms tonight for some reason.

Clattering of pots and pans emanated from the kitchen as Khevn returned to join the others. Instead of crossing to his own seat, however, he stood behind Zhaan hovering uncertainly for just a split second before laying his hands on the bare skin at the base of each side of Zhaan's neck, in what appeared to Jesse and Alice to be a conciliatory gesture. Zhaan obviously didn't take it as such and erupted upwards from the table. Rage crossed his face and his chair flew backwards to the floor. He spun around, grabbed Khevn by the clothing on his chest, and shoved him angrily against the wall behind him. Instinctively Khevn's claws had emerged. It looked certain there was going to be a fight. Jesse and Alice sat in stunned silence and exchanged a what-the-hell-just-happened look, until Alice leapt to her feet and hopelessly tried to intercede in whatever the disagreement was about. It was impossible to tell with both Guy snarling at one another in their own language.

" _By what right do you touch me?"_ Zhaan screamed angrily. Clare heard the commotion but decided to hide in the kitchen. "Take your hands off me!" he added slowly and assertively. _"For Guyara's sake put up the claws. You're scaring the Humans."_ Zhaan's initial enraged outburst diffused some of his anger and the tension scaled down a notch.

" _I just wanted to try to understand how you feel. I see the way you look at her all the time; how you touch her. I wanted to know what was in your head. I'm sorry,"_ Khevn responded with genuine remorse.

Jesse and Alice had no idea what Khevn was saying, but it seemed apologetic in tone. They were relieved to see his claws disappear as quickly as they had appeared. Whatever he was saying, Zhaan seemed more upset than angry and released his grip on Khevn's clothing. His hands returned to his own clothing and, inexplicably, he tore his own shirt wide open sending buttons flying across the room. He grabbed Khevn's hand in his own, thrusting it viciously against his chest, effectively forcing Khevn to punch him. The hand came to rest right above Zhaan's heart. That had to have hurt, thought Alice, terrified about what would happen next.

Zhaan switched to English. "You want to know what is in my head, what is in my heart? Now you know. Happy?" After holding Khevn's fist against his chest for several seconds, he roughly tore it away, and stalked out of the room onto the porch, slamming the door behind him. Alice rushed outside.

"Careful, Alice!" Jesse warned.

Once the noise had stopped, Clare peered nervously around the door with a look of intrigue on her face. Jesse just shrugged his shoulders in disbelief.

"Sorry, Jesse," Khevn said, seeming embarrassed. "I go help Clare in kitchen." His face was ashen.

Out on the back porch the cool evening breeze was helping Zhaan calm himself. Alice sat silently by his side with a supportive hand on his knee. She was afraid to ask what the argument had been about and worried about Zhaan getting angry again. A few minutes of silence followed before he finally spoke.

"I sorry, Alice. Sorry I so angry. I hope I don't make you afraid. I should behave better."

"Don't worry, Zhaan. Everyone loses their temper from time to time. What made you so angry?"

"I have been - what word is right - like somebody do something to you when you don't want them to?" He pulled off his dark glasses and turned his wide eyes to face Alice. She'd grown accustomed to his strange feline eyes and found them stunningly beautiful; their golden colour and the way they sometimes turned almost entirely to black when they touched. She was beginning to be able to read his emotions from his eyes quite well. This last outburst, however, had taken her by surprise. Zhaan seemed calm, loving and was gazing longingly into her own eyes before the abrupt explosion. She turned her mind back to his question.

"Violated? That might be the right word. It would depend on what you are talking about."

"Yes, violated. That word good for what Khevn do to me."

"What happened? I don't understand." Alice was perplexed by the whole thing.

"You see how he rest his hands on me here?" Zhaan pointed to his neck.

"I thought he was just apologising for something, Zhaan."

"He do that to see how I feel and know what I am thinking. I tell you already, with touch this is possible between our people. Never should this be done without consent and without warning. Only prisoners are treated in such a way. If he ask me first, maybe I allow his skin touch, but not like this. This is wrong and make me angry. Thoughts and feelings of one Guy should be private unless they choose to share. I react badly. I sad about leaving you and embarrassed that Khevn access these private thoughts. I know he really is my friend. He only tries to help, to understand."

"Perhaps you should both apologise to one another." She stood and offered him a hand to help him up and lead him back inside.

### Chapter 29 - Conspiracy

Jesse called Alice into his office. It was unusual. He had a patient with him, and normally the door remained firmly closed unless the surgery nurse was called for during a consultation. She couldn't be in trouble, surely. If that were the case, he would have waited until the patient left. She knocked on the door.

"Come on in, Alice," Jesse said from his consultation chair. An attractive brunette sat on the opposite side of the desk looking nervous.

"Alice, this is Claudia." Alice reached out to shake the lady's hand. "Claudia will be coming to have dinner with us on Saturday." He turned in Claudia's direction. "See you Saturday at my place, about seven."

"Sure, I'm looking forward to it," Claudia replied, grasping Jesse's hand in hers for a fraction longer than seemed normal to Alice in a doctor/patient relationship.

Claudia left and closed the door behind her. "I thought you were interested in Clare. Am I wrong?" Jesse's bewildered sister asked him bluntly.

"No, you are not wrong. Sit down and let me explain." Alice obediently sat in the patient seat facing her brother. Her eyebrows were raised in anticipation of his explanation.

"This is in complete confidence, right?"

Alice nodded her agreement.

"Claudia..." he paused, "well...she entertains men for a living."

"She's a hooker?" Alice asked with surprise.

"Not in the traditional sense. She has a very select clientèle. She's a patient of mine. That's how I got to know her."

He was blushing. Endearing, thought Alice, before cheekily asking, "Are you a client of hers too?"

Jesse paused before answering honestly, looking bashful. "Once I visited with her. She took pity on me when I was in a bad state and took my mind off my broken heart for a night. It was only once. Otherwise I've only seen her as a patient. She comes in every couple of months for screening. She's very keen to keep a clean bill of health. Please, don't tell Clare. She doesn't need to know. It was months ago."

"Of course I won't," Alice reassured him. "If you don't mind me asking, why are we inviting a prostitute to dinner?"

"Please don't refer to her like that. She is very exclusive and a really kind, loving person. I consider her a friend. Zhaan happened to mention to me that it would make him happy if his friend got to experience \- I believe the term he used was 'the touch of an Earth woman' - before they return to their people on Monday. I mentioned the possibility to Claudia during her consultation, and she said she'd come over on Saturday and assess whether she's willing or not."

"God! How much do you have to pay a person to get them to sleep with an alien?" Alice asked. Suddenly she realised that her brother looked amused and had raised his eyebrows. "Hell, it's different with me and Zhaan, you can't compare!" She was indignant.

"I explained to her that our friend has some "deformities" and is a strange soul, but that he is basically a nice, gentle guy and very inexperienced. Anyway, she's coming for dinner and will decide then."

"That will make for an interesting dinner party! How are you going to explain it to Clare?"

"I don't know. I'll just play it by ear depending what happens. I suppose I'll say I invited Claudia, so Khevn wouldn't be a lone man at the dinner. There's something else I want to talk to you about," Jesse paused.

Alice looked worried. "Have I outstayed my welcome at your place? I can look for a place of my own when I get my pay check."

"Hell no!" Jesse laughed. "I'm glad to have you, aliens and all! No, what I wanted to say was that I spoke with Zach and Clare last night. If you would like time off work until Zhaan has to leave, Clare is willing to try to cover the reception for those few days. I know it will only increase your time together by a few hours every day, but I know for a fact that Zhaan wants to, quote, spend every minute possible in your arms."

Alice leapt to her feet and rushed around the desk to hug her brother. "Jesse, how can I ever thank you?"

"Not necessary," he replied. "Clare's not very confident about trying out the job. Maybe she could come in this afternoon, so you can show her the ropes? I'm sure it will be good for her confidence."

Alice looked elated. "I am conscious of the hours flying by when I'm not with Zhaan. I am so grateful, Jesse. I'll call Zhaan straight away and ask if he can drive Clare here after lunch."

On Friday morning Alice woke to the sun streaming through the skylight of their attic room, as she lay enveloped in Zhaan's arms. He was still sleeping, and she stared intently at him, wishing this moment could be frozen in time forever.

He stirred, somehow aware of her scrutiny.

"What?" he mumbled.

"Just savouring the moment," Alice replied and kissed him gently on the lips. "No work today. I get to spend the whole day alone with you. Well, almost alone..." She remembered the ominous presence of Khevn in their lives. "What shall we do today?" she asked Zhaan.

"First, this." He rolled her over and began to kiss her.

They emerged around lunchtime, despite Khevn's repeated knocking on the door during the morning. Zhaan had brusquely told him to leave them alone for a while. When they finally padded down the stairs, barefoot, dressed in robes, and hand-in-hand, Khevn turned to stare at them.

"What were you doing? I almost came into your room to make sure you weren't sick. Such strange sounds I heard."

_"Use your_ imagination _. What do you think we were doing? We only have today and three more days together,"_ Zhaan replied angrily before switching languages. "Speak in English when Alice is here. Let's get some food." He turned to Alice trying to lighten his mood. "If we eat breakfast food at lunch time, do we call it breakfast or lunch?"

"I guess it's brunch." She turned to the fridge pulling out eggs and bacon. "Are you hungry too, Khevn?" she asked politely. He nodded eagerly.

After brunch, they headed to the grocery store with Zhaan's shadow firmly in tow. Not satisfied with what she found in the local supermarket, Alice insisted they drive on to the next larger town. She wanted to make the dinner party feel like a special occasion and needed a fancier supermarket to get supplies to achieve the effect she desired. Outside the store Zhaan turned to Alice.

"I take Khevn to see something. Call me when you finished." Dropping her off, he sped away before she could ask where he was headed. It was lucky Jesse had given her some cash for groceries for the party. Zach and Ann had also been invited to what Alice decided was definitely going to be a celebratory dinner, no matter how heavily Monday loomed over her.

_"Where are we going?"_ Khevn asked him.

_"I need to get something for Alice,"_ he replied, pulling up outside the town's most prestigious jeweller.

_"Why? She won't remember you when we're gone,"_ Khevn said cruelly.

Zhaan needed to make sure Khevn had no idea about his plan to deceive his people on Monday night.

_"I know she won't remember me, but I want to give her something pretty to keep. Maybe when she looks at this_ jewellery," he had to insert the English word, there being no equivalent in his language, _"I hope it makes her happy even if she doesn't know why. Are you coming in with me or staying there?"_

Khevn, ever conscious of his orders, began to climb out of the RV.

Luckily the clerk in the jewellery store was exceedingly patient. Zhaan had her pull out almost every tray of jewellery from the display cabinet and still hadn't spotted anything that was just right.

"Can I help you? Perhaps if you tell me who it's for and the occasion, I can think of something," the well manicured lady asked helpfully.

"It for love of my life. I must go away, leave her for a while. I give her something to wear to remember me when I gone." Zhaan whispered, glancing cautiously in Khevn's direction to see if he'd picked up on the remembering part of his explanation, but the other Guy was engrossed in one of the display cabinets, probably trying to identify the minerals in the precious gemstones, if Zhaan knew his friend.

"Hang on a minute, we just had a delivery. I think one of the pieces would be perfect. It isn't out on display yet." Zhaan nodded as she carefully locked the cabinets, giving Khevn a suspicious glance as he pored over the contents of the trays beneath the glass.

She quickly returned and the piece she brought with her was indeed perfect, as she'd suggested. It was a gold rope chain suspending a beautifully smooth solid gold heart with one small ruby slightly offset from the centre of the heart.

"I like!" Zhaan said.

"I'm afraid it's not cheap. The heart is solid gold." The lady seemed to suddenly have thought that the item may be way beyond her customer's means. Perhaps I can find something less pricey."

Zhaan slapped his credit card on the counter. "I take this. Please wrap up pretty like present for me." He didn't even ask the price. Why should he care? It wasn't real money to him. The clerk ran his card and seemed amazed when the transaction was approved. She was just finishing the gift wrapping when Zhaan's phone rang. Alice bought him a cheap mobile when she'd started work and they were forced to spend time apart. Not even offering a greeting, he merely said, "We coming Alice." He picked up his card, slipped the gift box into his pocket, and headed out of the store.

As they drove homewards, Alice insisted on stopping at Jesse and Zach's surgery to make sure Clare was managing OK. She certainly hoped she was, as Alice didn't plan on giving up any of her valuable Zhaan time. She'd already been annoyed when he disappeared with Khevn while she shopped. Still, if Zhaan kept his boss happy, maybe he'd leave them alone more over the next couple of days.

Clare seemed content enough and had got to grips with the phone and appointment systems quickly. It was such a shame her father cut her education short, she was a smart woman.

On the trip home, Alice spotted that a band was going to be playing that evening at the bar and mentioned it to Zhaan.

"Tonight we go dancing," he stated with a smile on his face.

Friday evening found the five of them at the bar, dancing to another great band. At first Alice had been conscious of the fact that Khevn was spending most of the time sitting alone at their table. She wasn't prepared to give up any of her time dancing with Zhaan to keep him company, after all, he was taking Zhaan away from her soon. However, a while later, Zhaan insisted that she ask Khevn to dance.

"Might be funny." Zhaan's eyes twinkled, thinking of his friend's heavy-footedness on their forest expeditions.

Zhaan led her back to their table, where she reluctantly grasped Khevn by the hand, determined that this would be just one dance.

Although not as graceful on his feet as Zhaan, Khevn wasn't a bad dancer once he stopped looking around in embarrassment and concentrated on the rhythm. Back at the table, Zhaan knew it had been the right thing to do but couldn't miss the pang of jealously he felt at seeing Alice in another Guy's arms. When she returned to the table he was relieved.

It was getting late and Khevn had been abandoned alone at the table again while the two couples enjoyed dancing. Zhaan turned around to check on his friend and was startled to see that he was gone. Looking around with concern, he spotted Khevn in the grasp of an inebriated looking girl in a miniskirt, who had obviously dragged him onto the dance floor. The girl's hands were everywhere. With a smile Zhaan remembered his own telling off from Alice on their previous bar visit together. Khevn seemed happy enough. Zhaan pointed in Khevn's direction causing Alice to look over and grin.

With three of them crammed in the back of the truck on the way home, Zhaan commented to his friend that he seemed to be having a nice time dancing with the girl.

_"That girl asked me to come to home with her. I didn't know what she meant."_ He had switched to their own language, not wanting the others to hear the conversation.

_"You could have got lucky tonight!"_ Zhaan joked.

"What do you mean?"

"That girl she wanted to take you to her bed and make you her lover!"

Khevn's eyebrows rose in amazement. _"So quick? I don't even know her!"_

### Chapter 30 - Dinner Party

Claudia arrived a few minutes earlier than the other guests, and Jesse introduced her to Zhaan, Khevn and Clare. Naturally, Claudia paid special attention to Khevn and attempted to make small talk with him for a few minutes. It had not been an easy task but Khevn did seem to be warming to her a little.

Jesse took Claudia on a quick tour of his home proudly showing off the improvements he'd been making, then they disappeared into the study for a few minutes. Presumably talking business, Alice smiled to herself, enjoying the secret knowledge to which she was party. Clare looked a little uncomfortable and glanced anxiously in the direction of the closed study door. Alice felt concerned for her friend, who was obviously feeling very insecure. Clare looked at Alice and her face was one big question mark. The two aliens, who Alice made dress up for the occasion, were happily chatting and laughing in the lounge with beers in hand, so Alice moved close to Clare to reassure her.

"Don't worry, Clare. You have nothing to fear from Claudia. She's here to be Khevn's dinner partner."

A wave of relief washed across Clare's face. "It's just..."

Alice cut her off quickly as Zhaan walked into the kitchen. "Don't worry!"

Zhaan looked great in the fancier than normal clothes she'd bought him for the occasion. The dress pants clung tightly to his muscled thighs and the curve of his butt. Alice succumbed to a sudden urge to grab a handful of his ass as he wandered by, which made him laugh and her blush to almost the same shade of red as his silky shirt. Khevn arrived in the kitchen and Alice couldn't help noticing how the rich sapphire blue of the shirt he'd borrowed from Zhaan, really emphasised the blue of his eyes created by the contact lenses he wore religiously. He actually looked quite handsome too.

Jesse and Claudia arrived back to join them, and Alice noticed the way Khevn was glancing at the stranger, one minute looking her over intently, the next looking away bashfully. Zhaan told him, she thought. Before she had time to wonder about whether that was a good idea, after all she didn't know what answer Claudia had given Jesse, a knock at the door announced the arrival of the remaining guests. Alice moved the appetisers into the lounge while Jesse and Clare welcomed the newcomers. Alice particularly wanted Clare to feel like the hostess, the lady of the house and that she belonged here.

As Zach and Ann were introduced to Khevn, Alice was impressed to notice how he remembered to extend his hand and, as he called it, bare his teeth in a strange looking smile. After the tension of the previous evening, it was a relief that the two aliens seemed to have resolved their problems, or at least put them on hold for the night. Zach introduced his wife to Claudia after recovering from his initial shock on spotting her.

"I don't believe you two have ever met."

They may not have met, but Ann seemed well aware of who Claudia was and how she earned a living. She managed a polite smile in the girl's direction but this was quickly followed by a puzzled frown directed towards Jesse.

"Introductions are over. Let's head into the lounge and I'll fix us all some drinks," Alice said, keen to distract Ann, who still glared in Jesse's direction.

By the time she returned, everyone had taken their seats in the lounge. Zach and Ann sat side-by-side on the sofa with Zhaan next to them. Khevn had settled in one of the two large armchairs and looked nervous as Claudia perched on the arm of the chair, close to him. Alice was pleased to see that the other large armchair was occupied by Clare and Jesse, snuggled closely together with Jesse's arm around his girlfriend's shoulder. Clare finally looked more relaxed. Alice finished handing out the drinks. As she passed him by, Zhaan swiftly grabbed her wrist and sat her down abruptly in his lap. Not entirely conventional but hell, who cared!

"Where is Mikey?" Zhaan asked with concern.

"We have a sitter, at least until 11 pm. He was a bit upset when we left, but hopefully he'll have settled down by now. We left your number just in case, Jesse. I hope that was OK. I know the cellphone coverage can be sketchy out here," Ann replied.

"Pity he not here." Zhaan said quietly.

Conversation began to loosen up as the alcohol flowed. Only Ann wasn't drinking, apparently she was the designated driver. It was a shame, Alice thought, as she still looked quite tense and like she could really use a drink. Zach was impressed with the change in Jesse's place and complimented him on the turnaround.

"It's almost entirely due to Alice, Zhaan, and Clare." Jesse gave credit where it was due, which pleased Alice, especially as he'd included Clare. "I just pay the credit card bills," he joked. Zhaan noticed that Claudia's hand had settled on Khevn's shoulder and smirked as Khevn struggled not to look uncomfortable as he glanced repeatedly at the hand intruding into his personal space.

"Zhaan, where are you guys from? I think Jesse did mention the name of the country, but I've forgotten, sorry." Ann's attention was now focused on the two aliens.

Jesse looked panic-stricken, having no recollection of making mention of Zhaan's home and not wanting to contradict himself if he had.

Zhaan jumped in to the rescue. "We from Guyara," he stated simply. Khevn looked shocked.

"Oh, sorry, I've never heard of that," Ann said. "Where exactly is Guyara?"

"You won't find on the map, too far away and small."

"Jesse, didn't you say it was in one of the old communist Russian countries?" Zach pressed.

"Latvia, wasn't it Zhaan?" Jesse asked anxiously. At least he knew the capital of that country. Zhaan nodded in agreement.

"So your native language is called Latvian?" Ann enquired. "Can you speak some for us?"

Zhaan looked puzzled, so Alice explained. "Ann would like to hear you and Khevn speak in your own language."

Zhaan and Khevn glanced nervously at each other before Zhaan launched into Guyaran.

" _Hell Khevn, I hope we change the subject soon. We're getting in trouble here,"_ he said.

" _I just hope nobody actually knows the language of whatever place they say we are from,"_ Khevn agreed.

Ann seemed satisfied. "Fascinating! It doesn't sound at all how I expected. I imagined it would sound more like Russian. It doesn't sound harsh at all; it's quite a soft and lilting language really. My brother would be very interested. He's a linguist."

Jesse quickly changed the subject when the chance arose. "Clare, Alice, dinner smells great. It's making me hungry. When will it be ready?"

Alice looked to Clare, wanting to make sure she took all credit for the hard work. "Clare's the chef, but I am learning a lot about cooking from her. It's great."

Clare smiled bashfully. "It should be ready in just a few minutes. Can you come and help with the finishing touches in the kitchen, Alice?"

"Sure." She struggled out of Zhaan's vice-like grip and headed into the kitchen.

With Clare out of the room, the conversation turned to Jesse's new relationship. "Clare is delightful, Jesse. It seems like you two are getting along really well." Ann pressed for details, and it was Jesse's turn to look uncomfortable.

"Things are going well. We're just taking it slowly. We've both been through a lot this year already."

"Very wise, Jesse." Zach said. "That woman is doing you the world of good. Make sure you treat her right," he smiled.

"I think I'm the one terrified of being hurt again," Jesse admitted shyly.

"That's understandable, Jesse." His friend reassured him.

Clare returned and asked everyone to head to the dining table. Alice carried in one of the roasted chickens, admiring her own handiwork with the table setting, as she set it down. She'd focused on decorating for the dinner and relied heavily on Clare's culinary skills for the food.

Jesse skilfully carved the two chickens and dished out chicken to everybody. Khevn and Zhaan each received a leg and thigh portion. When everyone began to eat, Zhaan eagerly picked up his knife and fork and made his best attempt at getting the meat off the chicken bones in a far from elegant manner. Khevn meanwhile seemed reluctant to even try with the unfamiliar silverware but had eaten almost everything else on his plate. Noticing his discomfort, Jesse came to his aid.

"Does anybody mind if I just pick up the bones and chew?" he joked. Khevn happily followed Jesse's lead and was obviously far more comfortable and accustomed to eating by hand than with the implements. Zhaan caved in too and began to gnaw at the bones on his plate.

Ann was now staring bitterly in Claudia's direction. "So, Claudia, how are things? How's business lately?"

Her question earned her an unfriendly look from her husband but Claudia wasn't fazed.

"It's just great. The house is paid for now and I'm thinking of going to college, to study for a new profession." She smiled as she spoke and had a wicked glint in her eye. Ann and Zach seemed tense. Alice wondered if there was history between Zach and Claudia too.

"Claudia, what line of work are you in at the moment?" Clare asked in all innocence.

"At the moment I'm in the hospitality business, but I'm getting tired of the antisocial hours. I've been looking at courses at the Community College and trying to decide what line to go into. I was wondering about psychology or counselling. After all, I'm used to dealing with troubled people. A lot of people seem to open up to me about their problems. Perhaps that way I'd really be able to help."

Alice liked how cleverly Claudia made it sound like she worked behind a bar and had a lot of customers crying on her shoulder. Clare seemed content and didn't push for any more details, just commented, "You do strike me as very approachable. I bet you'd be great." Another dirty look passed from Ann to Zach but the tension in the room began to ease.

Clare's homemade peach cobbler went down very well but immediately after coffee Ann began to make excuses. She was worried about the babysitter with Mikey and thought they should head home. Zach seemed less eager to leave the party. His cheeks were rosy from the wine. To keep Ann happy he rose reluctantly from the table. Alice smiled to herself and wished she could be a fly on the wall for the conversation on the way home, if indeed Ann did know that Zach had been one of Claudia's clients at some point.

After seeing the first two guests out to their car, Clare turned to Claudia. "Why don't you and Khevn take your coffee..." She paused remembering that Khevn had turned down coffee but taken hot tea, "...your drinks into the lounge and relax while we clear the table. We can all enjoy a night cap together when we're done?" Claudia offered help but was quickly accepting when her offer was declined. Taking Khevn by one hand, she led him into the lounge.

The work of clearing up began rapidly with four workers, but soon Alice and Zhaan disappeared out onto the porch to 'get some fresh air'. Clare watched them through the kitchen window entwined in each other's arms in the starlight with their lips locked in a passionate kiss. Blushing, she turned her attention back to tidying away the dishes with Jesse's help. She felt awkward about leaving their dinner guests alone so long in the lounge, but each time she tried to leave the kitchen to check on them Jesse found another excuse to keep her there. It was strange when they had company, but in truth she wasn't sorry he seemed keen to stay in the kitchen alone with her.

She was even happier when his final stalling tactic was to beckon her over to where he stood leaning on the counter. There, he wrapped his arms around her waist, told her what a wonderful job she'd done of entertaining, and gently planted a kiss on her cheek. Clare felt flustered. Was she supposed to kiss him back? Would he kiss her again? Her cheeks flared red. She was disappointed when he quickly dropped his arms, turned around, and picked up a bottle of brandy in one hand and port in the other. He asked her to bring the glasses and cheese tray. It took Clare a second to steady herself before she dared pick up the tray and follow Jesse into the lounge.

The lounge was deserted. "Where are they, Claudia and Khevn?" Clare asked, bewildered, as Alice and Zhaan entered behind them. Jesse just gave her a cheeky smile and pointed his thumb towards the guest room. "I guess they've gone to Khevn's room." Clare blushed again. She and Jesse had spent so much time together and still hadn't made it to the intimate stage. She could only wonder how two people who had just met could behave that way. Perhaps Khevn was just showing Claudia to the bathroom or something?

Jesse indicated that she should come and sit by him on the sofa and began to pour the drinks. Clare had no idea which liquor to try. She had never tasted either, so followed Jesse's lead and opted for the brandy. It was a good choice. The warm glow in her stomach helped her feel calmer as they snuggled in front of the roaring wood fire.

"I'm tired," said Alice before giggling, possibly from the effects of the brandy. "Hell, who am I kidding? I'm now going upstairs with Zhaan, and I hope he's not tired!" She laughed, grabbed the alien - who did actually look a little sleepy - and pulled him off the sofa by the arm. "Good night. Great evening guys." With that, they disappeared up the stairs.

### Chapter 31 - Friends

"Alice, wake up. Get up quick."

Fuzzy-headed, Alice reluctantly opened her eyes.

"Ugh, I think I drank too much wine last night." She looked towards the eager Zhaan and could have kicked herself for over-indulging with only two days left together. "Where's the fire, Zhaan?"

He was already out of bed and searching through a pile of clothes on the floor. One day we'll be tidy, Alice thought and quickly corrected herself, at least I will. The thought dampened her mood.

"Fire, what fire?" Zhaan asked with alarm.

"I meant, what's the big rush, Zhaan?"

"Khevn still busy. Listen." He put a finger to his ear. "I want to take you somewhere, show you some things while he still busy."

"What do you mean he's busy? Oh, with Claudia? You can hear them from here?"

"Of course. You can't?" Zhaan asked with surprise.

Alice shook her head. "I don't have your bat-like hearing abilities," she smiled and added, "Thank God! That I really don't want to hear."

"Are we so loud?" Zhaan asked with concern, "When we..."

Alice cut him off laughing. "Let's just say neither of us is known for our stealth love-making." She left him confused. "Yes, we probably are."

Zhaan noticed her looking uncertainly at the heap of discarded party clothes on the floor. "Wear clothes for walk in woods, Alice," he said. He was already on his way out of the bedroom door and down the stairs.

"But it's raining." Alice found she was talking to herself. Damn, this had better be good. She'd rather laze in bed with her lover than tramp through the wet forest.

By the time she staggered into the kitchen, Zhaan was dressed in Jesse's waterproofs and held Clare's set out in Alice's direction ready for her to wear. She struggled into them with her head still swimming. Meanwhile Zhaan turned back to her, this time thrusting a travel mug of coffee and a cereal bar towards her.

"Breakfast," he said. "We go quick, before Khevn realise we awake."

The coffee was welcome, the idea of food not so much. Sticking the snack bar into her pocket, Alice reached into a kitchen cabinet to pull out a bottle of aspirin and swiftly swallowed a couple with a swig of coffee, before heading out of the door behind Zhaan.

It wasn't much fun trekking through the damp undergrowth. The best part was that Zhaan held her hand tightly in his own to guide her. He didn't say much, just the odd, "careful," or "hole here," to make sure she didn't fall. After a half hour of scrambling, which Alice felt Zhaan could probably have managed much more quickly without her in tow, her patience was finally exhausted.

"Where are we going?" she asked grumpily.

"Nearly there, just over this hill."

As he walked over the brow of a small incline they were climbing, he stopped.

"See anything?" he asked.

Alice looked hard at her surroundings. "Just trees," she answered.

"Look more."

She did as he asked, getting annoyed after a couple of minutes. "What exactly am I looking for?"

"You see nothing out of place?" Zhaan asked.

"No. All I see are trees and that wet squirrel over there."

"Good!" Zhaan smiled enigmatically, the type of smile without showing teeth which looked more natural on him.

He led her slowly through the brush, taking care not to disturb anything. Abruptly he stopped.

"Here it is." He pointed down towards the ground.

"I don't see anything," Alice protested.

"Look more closely," he insisted.

Alice crouched down and peered hard but it was only with Zhaan's help that she finally spotted what he was pointing at. A tiny tunnel led through the undergrowth.

"What made that, Zhaan? Some kind of animal?"

"No, me," he said, as though knowing that would make everything crystal clear. Alice looked perplexed.

"Follow me," he instructed. He dropped to the ground and wriggled through the passage he'd created through the plants. His feet disappeared from view behind his body.

"Huh?" Alice muttered. She lowered herself to the ground and then wished she'd moved a little bit more slowly as her head pounded in protest. She wriggled through the gap where Zhaan had disappeared and was stunned to emerge into a small, hand-dug cave cut into the side of the hill.

"You dug this?" Alice asked, looking around in the gloom from the flash light Zhaan had in his hand. It must have taken a lot of time. The walls were shored up with bits of timber and it was lined with thick plastic to keep it dry. The cave was just about high enough for the two of them to squat, with room perhaps for two people to lie down. A large water container stood in one corner beside a couple of large black bags.

"What's in the bags, Zhaan?" she asked.

"Blankets, emergency food, more lights, other stuff for survival."

"What's this place for? It must have taken ages to build."

"I spend one hour each day digging and building when Clare busy. This my hiding place if anybody come for me; bad Humans," he explained calmly.

"Wow," Alice said. "I wouldn't have found you. A tracker dog might, but I don't think any Humans would find you up here. It's very well hidden."

"I think about dogs. If I move high up from tree to tree, dogs lose my scent." He extended his claws to emphasise his climbing abilities. Alice jerked back instinctively. A thought came to her.

"Couldn't you hide here so your people can't find you?" she asked hopefully.

Zhaan shook his head. "They find me with chip." He pointed to the spot at the base of the back of his neck where his biofeedback chip had been inserted.

"But Jesse could cut it out." She pursued her idea with excitement, desperate to find a way for Zhaan to stay.

"No, Alice. You know what happen if someone try to cut it out before it deactivated?" He looked angry. She shook her head. "It release a signal, a pulse to stop my heart and kill me instantly!"

"Shit!" Alice began to feel tearful.

"If I run away, first my people come for me. Then they come for you, Jesse, Clare and everyone who know me. That I can't allow. There is no escape, Alice. I have to leave and both our hearts will be broken." He dropped his head to her shoulder, allowing her to stroke the back of his neck. She knew it comforted him.

Finally his head lifted. "Today and tomorrow we enjoy. No more sad. We just love each other," he paused. "I show you this place in case Humans I love ever must hide. It now for you, Jesse, and Clare. I mark spot on map at Jesse's house. You can find again from that."

"Why do you think we might need to hide, Zhaan?" Silent alarms were going off in her head.

"Perhaps more crazy aliens will come." He tried to smile and make a joke, but Alice wasn't convinced.

"Should we be worried? Will your people come for us anyway?"

"No, I know that won't happen because of orders they give to Khevn and me." He looked down and seemed embarrassed.

"Do you have to kill us?" Alice asked in panic.

"That would never happen, Alice. They couldn't order that of me. They have to kill me first before I harm any one of you," he said, stunned that she might even think it possible for him to harm her. "But we have to talk about other thing."

Alice looked into his gorgeous eyes. The flecked golden-yellow outside was barely visible for the black pupils enlarged in the dimness. She would miss the intensity of those eyes.

"Our orders are to make you all forget; you, Jesse, and Clare."

"No!" Alice cried. "If they take you from me, at least they can let me keep my memories of you." Tears began to run down her cheeks.

Zhaan put an arm around her shaking shoulders.

"I speak already with Jesse. We have plan."

Alice locked her eyes with Zhaan's in the dull light.

"Clare I don't think I can save from memory wipe. Khevn say he will do it himself. He decide now it necessary for her." Alice looked angry.

"You can't damage her like that. It isn't fair."

"Alice, he believe Clare don't really know much about us. He see this from time we spend with her. He will use only low power setting, and I make secret adjustment to his machine. She will be OK. Jesse, I tell to hide somewhere tomorrow night. He call house early evening and say he come late from doctoring but definitely home by nine clock to say goodbye to us. Like this Khevn don't realise he not come home before it too late look for him. This way Jesse can evade Khevn, I hope."

"And me? What about me? Do I need to hide too? If that's the only way to keep my memory of you, I'd forgo those last precious hours together."

"Alice, Khevn know how I feel for you. Remember how he touch me at dinner couple days ago and make me angry? He know everything I feel. I tell him I can be the only one to take away your memory of me and he finally agreed."

Alice interrupted angrily. "I won't have it wiped. I can't," she protested.

"Alice, this my plan for when time come. We spend our last few minutes alone in bedroom. I activate memory device, like I really "zap" you." He used Alice's word to describe the effect of the device. "You hide in bathroom or closet to protect yourself. Then you must lie on bed and act like I "zap" your memory. Remember how your bad ex man look after?" Alice nodded. "Can you act like that for me?"

Again she nodded. "Anything to keep my memories of you intact."

"Tomorrow night you must look the same, dizzy, confuse, and hold head like it hurt. We have to convince Khevn. Can you do it?"

Alice nodded silently. She hoped she could be convincing enough for Khevn.

"If he see you like this and check my device activated on high setting, he will believe. Guy not so sneaky as Humans. He not expect we try to fool him. He assume I follow his orders. When I leave, you must act like you don't know who we are. You understand? Only that way we have a chance that you can remember me."

"Got it, Zhaan."

"OK, enough serious. We enjoy time we have." He fidgeted in the tiny space and rummaged awkwardly in a pocket. "Here, for you." He pulled out a beautifully wrapped box.

"You bought me a present?" Alice asked.

"First present I ever buy anyone. I hope you like." He looked worried.

Keen to put him out of his misery, Alice quickly pulled off the red velvet ribbon and tore open the expensive looking box. Inside lay the most beautiful piece of gold she'd ever seen; a solid gold heart with an offset ruby. Her mouth fell open in shock. It must have cost a small fortune.

She raised her eyes to Zhaan and saw he was looking uncertain.

"You like?' he asked anxiously.

"Zhaan, apart from you, it is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." She kissed him on the lips.

"When you wear this, you know my heart always with you," he almost whispered. Alice looked into his eyes, seeing the deep emotion lurking there and her tears almost began to flow again.

"Help me put it on. Help me with the clasp. I want you to put it on me, then it will never come off again."

She shuffled around awkwardly in the confines of the cave.

Zhaan raised the ends of the chain to the back of Alice's neck. His fingers gently brushed the sensitive skin there, causing Alice to shiver.

"You cold?" Zhaan asked.

The heat in the look Alice gave him as she shuffled back around quickly refuted that idea. Their lips locked and passion overwhelmed them.

It took a while to struggle back into the clothes they'd discarded in the tiny cave, but finally they were almost presentable and emerged from the tunnel of foliage a little muddy.

"I take you somewhere else. I hope you meet my friend," Zhaan said, puzzling Alice. This day was so strange already and she'd learned her questions wouldn't be answered before Zhaan was ready. He'd taken a few minutes to hide any traces of their presence at the hidey-hole. He scrubbed out their footprints in the mud and rearranged the undergrowth a little. He took her hand in his again and headed further up the hill into the wilderness. It was extremely tough going under foot. Alice stumbled and tripped with only the strength of Zhaan's firm grip to stop her from falling. He was so light-footed. She felt like a clumsy fool.

Ten minutes later he stopped by a fallen tree trunk. "We sit here, wait." Alice obeyed and they sat in silence for a couple of minutes. She opened her mouth to ask him something but he put his fingers to her lips to keep her quiet. More time passed and Zhaan rose to his feet and made a low grunting noise deep in his throat. He repeated this two or three times and sat down again.

Alice was desperate to ask what he was doing, but the look he gave her stopped her from voicing the question. The performance was repeated, three more low grunts and then he whispered, "I tell my friend it is me. He can come if he wants. I hope he nearby."

Another twenty minutes passed sitting on the damp tree trunk with Zhaan repeating the grunts on a frequent basis. Alice was just beginning to wonder if he'd give up, when suddenly Zhaan murmured, "here he is." He followed up with another three grunts.

"I don't see anything," Alice whispered.

"You hear that?" Zhaan asked.

Listening carefully Alice did notice a faint rustling in the undergrowth which she'd put down to the breeze.

"Wait." He turned his head away from her to the right and pointed in the same direction. Alice still saw nothing but trees. Zhaan grunted again and apprehensively a large, male, black bear slowly emerged.

"This my friend. Stay still. He nervous of you. You not his friend yet."

Alice's thoughts were more along the lines of bear spray and flight, but Zhaan calmly sat on the tree trunk, allowing the bear to approach in his own time. As the large animal drew within twenty feet of them, Zhaan raised himself to his feet and then lowered his head in a kind of bow to the bear. She was stunned when the bear lowered its own head slightly in Zhaan's direction and then sat down.

"This creature my friend. When I first come every day to work on hidey-hole, I see him one or two times each week and then he start to come every day. He very curious about me, about what I do in his woods. Always he just sit and watch. When I alone he come really close."

"Aren't you afraid of him?" Alice asked. "Bears can be dangerous."

"When I work, he see my claws, he see how I move. I think he realise I dangerous too. He respect me and I respect him. He know I not Human. I think he afraid of Humans. He afraid of you. If we wait he will come closer to see us. Do not be afraid."

"What was all the grunting about?"

"Every day I make this sound when I come here, then he know it me. When he hear other Human, he hide. Today he take so long to come out because he hear two people. We must wait until he become more curious about my noise than afraid."

Alice hadn't noticed, but the bear had crept a little closer and reduced the distance between them to about a dozen feet. It was an amazing experience to be so close to such an animal in the wild. Her heart was pounding with adrenalin, but Zhaan seemed so calm she managed to keep her fear under control.

"This my friend Alice," Zhaan spoke to the bear. "She don't hurt you," he said as though the bear might be able to understand him.

"Keep your hands still, Alice," he told her.

Cautiously the bear came right up to them, raised himself up slightly, and extended his front paws onto the tree trunk where they sat. He scratched the wood, leaving the marks of his claws.

"He tell you he can hurt you if he want, but he choose not to," Zhaan said assuredly.

Alice sat statue-still worried the bear might approach even closer. She was glad Zhaan sat between her and the animal.

Deliberately Zhaan raised his hands and held them extended with his claws out and fingers slightly bent. Alice watched in disbelief as the bear moved beneath his hands until his claws lay level with the back of the bear's neck. The shaggy beast began to move its head from side to side repeatedly. He was using Zhaan's clawed hands to scratch the back of his neck.

"He like that. He can't reach an itch!" Zhaan smiled again.

Suddenly the bear drew away from them, turned, and headed back into the forest. It was as though it had never been there.

"Bye, bear," Zhaan said. He sat silently on the log for a few moments with a sad expression on his face. "We head back to house before Khevn start search for us. I worried he get lost in forest." Alice had become completely disorientated in the dense woods, but Zhaan confidently set off in the direction of the house.

When they reached the house, the rain had almost stopped. They walked into the warm kitchen and encountered Jesse, who was hard at work preparing brunch for everyone. Claudia and Khevn were dressed and perched on bar stools at the counter, while Clare made toast. Their entrance made quite an impact on the four.

"Good God! What happened to you two? You're filthy. It looks like you've been rolling around in the mud." Jesse laughed, reaching over to pull a twig from Alice's hair. "Knowing you two, anything is possible. Are you hungry? Claudia's staying for brunch. I think Khevn was beginning to worry he'd never see either of you again."

Alice and Zhaan turned to Khevn, who definitely looked less worried than when they'd first arrived.

" _Did you have fun last night?"_ Zhaan switched to their own language to avoid embarrassing Khevn. It didn't seem to work, as Khevn looked decidedly uncomfortable under Zhaan's scrutiny. _"I hope you did, friend."_

Switching back to English he said, "I'm starving," and wandered over to see what Jesse was working on at the stove. "Like my first meal in America," he said, spotting bacon, eggs, and a stack of pancakes wrapped in foil. I meet Alice eating this food."

"Where have you been, Alice?" Clare wondered. "It's not really hiking weather, but I see the rain seems to have stopped."

"Zhaan took me to a couple of spots he likes in the woods. We met a bear and he and the bear are actually friends!" Excitedly Alice went into details about their encounter, explaining how Zhaan seemed to have an affinity with the wild animal.

### Chapter 32 – Like An Alien on a Bicycle

Claudia disappeared soon after brunch. A friendly kiss was her parting gesture to Khevn, who looked seriously worried by it.

As she drove away Jesse began to smile. "Now to the next entertainment for our visitors. It's time to learn how to ride a bike. Zhaan mentioned that neither of you had ever been on a bicycle before, Khevn, so I had Zach bring his mountain bike over last night. I'd better use that to demonstrate how it's done. I'd rather my bike got trashed than his. Come on." He went outside with the confused aliens trailing in his wake.

Reluctant as she was to be apart from Zhaan, Alice decided she needed to head into town. She wanted to get prints of all the photos they had taken together, and the local pharmacy had a one hour service. Also, conscious of the weight of the gold around her neck, she had a strong urge to get Zhaan a token of her love, something he could wear to remind him of her.

"Clare, do you want to come to town with me while these guys mess around on bikes?" She hoped Clare could help her choose something. Clare sensed that Alice needed company and went to grab her purse.

"Hey, Jesse, make sure you get some photos of these boys on the bikes. Everyone should have a photo of the first time they rode a bike by themselves," Alice insisted.

While they were waiting for the photos to be printed, the girls searched the town's stores for something which would be right for Zhaan. Alice was beginning to panic, having found nothing she liked in the very limited price range she could afford. They were at the only store in town they hadn't visited that might have some kind of suitable gift. Alice was beginning to despair, when Clare gestured for her to come over to the counter where she stood.

"Wouldn't this be just perfect?" Clare pointed at a thick wristband in black leather on which was mounted silver, cast in the shape of a bear paw. There was a sliver of turquoise set where the animal's palm would be. Alice was so relieved when Clare showed it to her, she planted a big kiss on the girl's cheek.

"You're right. That is just the thing. I was about to give up hope." It was only a fraction of the cost of Zhaan's gift, but she actually had to pay for things she bought on her own bank card. Somehow, she knew he'd love it. Alice rushed to pay for it and they headed back to the pharmacy to pick up several hundred photos. She had been surprised there were so many and was keen to see what was on them. She got duplicates so she could have a set of her own and resolved to keep them hidden out of Khevn's reach in case she wasn't permitted to keep them.

Back at the house the bike riding class was going slowly. Jesse wondered at first if differences in the aliens' anatomy made it difficult for them to balance on two thin wheels. It would be strange, they were usually so much more agile than Humans. It was an interesting research exercise, and after a determined hour of trying, both Zhaan and Khevn just about got the hang of it. Khevn took a particularly nasty spill in the gravel and whereas on other occasions the aliens always managed to jump clear before the bike crashed to the ground, this time Khevn and the bike crashed, still tangled together, onto the gravel. Jesse ran over expecting at the very least a serious case of gravel rash but was amazed when Khevn barely had a scratch to show for the accident. The bike was another matter and would bear the scars of that day for the rest of its life. Jesse remembered how hard it had been to cut into Zhaan's skin with a scalpel and, on looking Khevn over, realised just what an advantage that tough skin could be.

Alice and Clare pulled back into the driveway in Jesse's truck and Alice rushed straight into the house and upstairs, determined to hide the extra set of photos from both aliens. She knew Zhaan would do everything possible for her to keep her memories of him but, just in case, she wanted backup. Clare obligingly watched the two guys showing off their new skills and was giving them words of encouragement by the time Alice returned. Alice glanced at her watch. Damn, the day was passing so quickly and evening was drawing on.

Dinner was simple, leftovers from the night before, and Alice was relieved that it didn't take up too much of their time. She was keen to take Zhaan up to their room and spend the rest of the evening alone with him. Jesse and Clare kept Khevn distracted with a movie, which allowed Alice and Zhaan to slink away upstairs.

With the door of the bedroom firmly closed behind them, Alice turned to Zhaan who looked nervous. She couldn't believe this was to be their last night together and had to struggle not to spoil it with tears. Instead she turned her attention to Zhaan.

"What's wrong, Zhaan? You look worried."

"You think I stupid if I say."

"Zhaan, you know me better than that."

"I try to understand those things on television. Is it true? Do you really have creature who look like you and live only at night by blood sucking? I worry how to protect you from this when I gone."

"Relax, Zhaan. Vampires are made up, fictional and not real at all." Or at least we can hope so, she kept to herself.

"What about those other things, the ones which sometimes are people and sometimes big dogs?"

"The werewolves were made up too, I'm sure." Jesse's choice of movie hadn't been such a good one.

Zhaan took a deep breath and released a huge sigh.

"Good," he said, "too many frightening things on this planet already. Why do Humans make up more?"

"Probably for that very reason, to distract us from the real bad things that are going on."

Alice managed to change the subject by telling Zhaan she had his photographs. Like an excited child he exclaimed, "Where? Show me, show me!"

Together they leafed through the photos. Some were souvenirs of their adventures together but the majority were candid shots of Alice. There were even pictures of her sleeping and one in the shower. Alice hoped the guy in the pharmacy hadn't scanned through the pictures before handing them over. "Why so many photos of me, Zhaan?"

"Every time I look at you, I think you never look more beautiful than now, so I take a picture. Then I look again later and you are even more beautiful, so I take another. Somehow I make hundreds!" he laughed.

Quickly he flicked through the photos again and picked out any that showed landscapes, plants, animals or buildings. He put those into one pile. He looked again through his precious photos of Alice, taking his time before selecting only one. Alice remembered the day at the motel before Zhaan had been shot. They'd just bought the camera and Zhaan played with it for hours. She was lying on her side on the bed, laughing at something on TV, and he snapped her without her knowledge. He added the picture to the pile of photos he'd picked out. "These I take with me," he said, "the rest for you. You should hide pictures of me from Khevn, otherwise he take them away," he stated bluntly. "I hope he don't realise we make photos."

"You only want one picture of me?" Alice asked, a little hurt.

"I lucky if I manage to keep this one picture. I hide this somewhere in clothing when they come for us. If they find it, they take it from me," he said with certainty.

Upset at the thought, she diverted her attention. "Zhaan, I have a present for you."

"No present was necessary, Alice. Time with you was enough." Quickly, before tears began to flow at his words, she thrust the bundle of tissue paper in his direction.

"It's not much, but it made me think of you," her voice trailed off.

Zhaan ripped the wrapping from the gift and laid it on the palm of his hand examining it closely.

"See this silver inlaid into the leather, it's the shape of a bear's paw. It reminded me of you and your friend this morning," she garbled the explanation for her choice of gift as though she didn't think it worthy of him.

"Alice, I love it. It perfect. It for here?" he asked, pointing to his wrist. She nodded. "You tie for me." He remembered her words when he'd placed his necklace on her. As she worked he added, "then I never take it off."

Zhaan looked at the luminous red glow of the clock beside the bed. Already three am and he hadn't managed a wink of sleep, despite Alice's best efforts to wear him out. The longer he lay awake, the more his brain raced, and the more upset he felt. It was time to do something. What was it Alice said helped if you couldn't sleep? He clambered out of bed and headed to the kitchen. There he stood with the fridge door ajar trying to remember Alice's remedy, when Jesse headed into the kitchen behind him.

"Can't you sleep, Zhaan?" he asked. Zhaan shook his head in response.

"I try to remember what Alice recommend for sleeplessness. I know it something in here." He turned back to the fridge.

"Probably milk and cookies, Zhaan." Jesse reached into a cabinet to pull out the cookie barrel, grabbed the milk from the fridge, and picked up two glasses from the shelf. He poured them both a glass, handed one to Zhaan, and offered him the cookie barrel. "These I like. Soon I miss these," Zhaan added quietly. "Normally I don't like sweet, but these and dark chocolate I will miss!" He smiled at Jesse, pausing before adding sadly, "You I miss soon too - all of you."

"I couldn't sleep either, Zhaan. I kept thinking about you leaving. I heard someone out here and guessed it might be you. The fact that we wouldn't get the chance to say goodbye later was keeping me awake, so I'm glad I ran into you now. If I were to say goodbye in the morning or last night, Khevn might have suspected something."

"I too am glad to see you. I need to say that you are my brother. You always my brother here." He rested his hand on his heart.

"I'll miss you, Zhaan. I'm so sorry about what might happen to you when you get back to your people." Jesse felt tears forming in his eyes and leaned into Zhaan about to hug him, when he remembered.

"Zhaan, may I hug you?" He remembered how Zhaan had reacted to Khevn "violating" him with touch.

"Always, brother." They stood hugging in silence for a couple of minutes.

"Promise me, Jesse, you take care of Alice. She must have a good life. I know she will be broken when I leave, but in time she can find another man to love. Until then, please make sure she OK, Jesse."

Solemnly Jesse nodded, "Of course."

### Chapter 33 – Last Day

Alice woke with a sense of dread and quickly reached for Zhaan's warm body beside her. This was the day when she would lose him for ever. Such an awful feeling hung over her. She curled against his sleepy body to savour every moment touching him. Zhaan opened his tired eyes and gazed at her in silence.

"Good morning, Zhaan," she said trying to hide her unhappiness.

"You look sad, Alice. Don't be sad." Gently he kissed her, holding her close in his arms.

"How can I not be sad, Zhaan?" She struggled from his arms, rushed into the bathroom and took a couple of minutes to freshen up and compose herself.

When she returned, he still lay in bed invitingly holding the covers up for her to climb back in. She snuggled back into the warmth and kissed him on the lips.

"Do you remember the first time we did this?" she asked.

"I remember every time we do this," he laughed. "Now is my turn. Remember first time we do this?" He eased his body further down the bed and pulled up the T-shirt she was wearing to expose her left breast. He lowered his head to her pert nipple and kissed it with relish. "Your turn again."

The game continued until they'd covered every possible thing they had enjoyed about each other's bodies. An hour later they lay entwined in a sweaty heap beneath the covers catching their breath.

Minutes passed before Zhaan spoke. "Today is bad and good," he said quietly.

"What do you mean, Zhaan?" Alice enquired. She wondered what thoughts were running through his mind.

"Today is bad because I have to leave everything I love and go back to a life I hate and people I don't want to be with." His voice petered out as he struggled to contain his emotion.

"But, today is good mostly because I spend with you. Also good is that I win against my people."

"How are you winning, Zhaan? They are separating us and making you unhappy."

"Imagine, Alice, I come from place where I never allowed to choose. I never choose anything in my life. My people choose everything and we have no control. They decide whether we are born, where we live, what we study, who we share house with, and what work we do. We don't choose friends. It not considered normal to have friends, and we don't have family. We never know if we blood-related to people we meet. Anyone can be our parents, brothers, or sisters. We don't choose who governs or what are the rules under which we live." He sighed before explaining.

"They decide they make me unhappy by take me away from here today, away from you, but they can't stop me from love you. I choose to love you. Perhaps you make me love you by being you, Alice, but I choose to keep this feeling in my heart for you, and I choose to keep it forever. They can't change that." Alice was speechless and just held Zhaan enveloped in her arms for a few moments.

"What will happen to you, Zhaan? What will you do when you go back to your people?"

"I'm famous! I can write book or make movie about my adventures for the rest of the Guy. Maybe they make a statue of me and Khevn and put our things from Earth in a museum. I can write English/Guy dictionary," he joked. Alice knew he was putting a brave face on things and could only hope that the Guy would treat him well on his return.

A knock at the door interrupted them. Khevn's voice intruded on their thoughts.

" _Zhaan, get up. The Commander has reported that your vehicle has powered down. You need to get up and find out what is happening. You have two minutes, or I'm coming in."_

"Shit!" Zhaan exclaimed.

"What's wrong?" Alice asked him.

"I forgot to put fuel in vehicle and now it not working. Many times you ask me about fuel and still I forget to put in new fuel. I so stupid! I must fix, get vehicle working again. If it won't work, I have big problem. We need it tonight." He was still pulling on clothes as he ran from the room.

By the time Alice caught up with Khevn and Zhaan, they stood beside the RV looking perplexed. A serious sounding discussion in the Guy language was in mid flow.

" _Explain to me again why can't you get inside?"_ Khevn asked impatiently.

" _Emergency shut down protocol. If the power supply is interrupted, the machine will automatically seal the openings shut and then cease to operate until it is re-powered, just like the mother ship."_

" _Why can't you re-power it without getting inside."_

" _There lies the fatal flaw in the plan,"_ Zhaan explained. _"The fuel I need to power it up is stored inside."_

" _Crap!"_

" _Don't blame me, I didn't design the thing! I should have got an automatic notification on the communicator that fuel was low."_

" _When did you last check your communicator, Zhaan?"_

" _Well, you were here and I understood that Command were only communicating with you, with me being your prisoner, so I didn't bother. I assumed they would communicate directly with you."_

" _Blame aside, we need to find a way to get inside and quickly,"_ Khevn stated. He turned to look at Alice as she approached.

"Hey guys. What's wrong? Can't find a gas station?" she asked jokingly. Taking another look at their two worried faces, she decided maybe it wasn't a time for jokes. "Seriously, what's the problem?" She didn't want Zhaan to be in any more trouble due to her distracting him from his mission.

Zhaan turned to her and explained succinctly. "Fuel is finish, new fuel is inside. Without power doors won't open, so we can't get new fuel."

"Hell, I hate electronic locking! So, what's the plan? Do we call AAA?" She tried to hide her smirk but both aliens ignored her comment. "As I understand it, without power you can't get inside, and without getting inside you can't power it up. Correct?"

Zhaan nodded glumly.

"Who had the dumb idea to keep the fuel inside?" she asked.

"Engineer."

"You could ask him if there's a way to get inside without power, otherwise we'll have to resort to breaking in."

" _Can you contact Tell and ask him?"_ Zhaan turned to his superior. _"Hopefully he'll be as embarrassed as us and think of something."_ He turned to Alice. "Good idea, we try."

" _Are you sure you want to do that? You know they'll blame you for forgetting to insert a new fuel pod."_

" _I'm probably already sentenced to death, how much worse can it get?"_ Zhaan replied impudently. He was grateful Alice couldn't understand his words.

Khevn started tapping at his communicator.

"What happens if you can't get in? Will you guys be stuck here?" Alice asked, with a glimmer of hope in her voice.

Zhaan shook his head. "Just more trouble for us."

"If the engineer guy can't help, we'll just have to find a way to break in. We don't want you guys in any more trouble. Hey, Khevn, ask the Engineer Guy to explain how the door locking mechanism works. Maybe we can find a way to force it open. Here we normally use a coat hanger."

"What is coat hanger, Alice?" Zhaan asked. She smiled, remembering how he always flung his discarded clothes on the floor. "I expect you've never seen one," she teased.

She wished Jesse were here. He was so much more practical than her. The sooner this problem got fixed, the quicker she'd have Zhaan back to herself. The clock was ticking.

They headed inside to make breakfast once the message had been sent to wherever the rest of the aliens were hiding. If they were close enough to pick up Zhaan and Khevn tonight, Alice wondered how Earth's finest scientists weren't detecting their ship. Desperately she even hoped for a moment that the rest of the Guy would be detected, or scared off, and leave Zhaan stranded here, even if that meant Khevn too.

Alice was preparing hot tea, a beverage which Clare had eventually persuaded the aliens to try. They found they enjoyed it once they got over their wariness of hot drinks after their allergic reaction to coffee. She'd just poured boiling water on the tea bags when a beep came from Khevn's direction. He reached eagerly for the communicator.

"Tell say he examine design, to see what he can find. He contact us soon." Khevn translated for Alice's benefit. He was impressed how the female had become involved in trying to help them with their problem.

Alice switched on the TV news while they ate. "More doom and gloom, more people killing each other in the name of religion, murder, mayhem and madness," she said despondently. She was about to switch it off but Zhaan looked interested in the report that was showing, something from the Middle East - a suicide bomber blowing up innocent worshippers at a mosque. He asked her to explain the carnage he saw on the screen. He struggled with the rapid voice of the reporter.

"Well, some guy strapped explosives to himself, went into a holy building where lots of religious people were saying prayers, and then blew himself up, taking most of them with him."

"Blew himself up?" Zhaan asked for clarification.

"He made himself into an exploding weapon to kill as many other people as possible."

Zhaan looked horrified. "How many people?" he questioned her.

"Hang on. Let me listen." She paid closer attention to the broadcast. "About fifty, maybe fifty-five. It sounds like they haven't found all the bodies yet." Her answer came in a depressed tone.

"Fifty? How many fifty?" Alice noticed that Zhaan still seemed to battle with the English numbers. He complained they all sounded alike and people said numbers too quickly. In explanation she held up her two hands with all fingers raised, then opened and closed them four more times.

Zhaan's mouth fell open.

"Why? Why did this person walk in like a bomb to hurt the others?"

"In the name of religion and his belief in his God, I expect. That's usually what it is."

"This man believe in different God to the other people, so he think they must die?" He needed clarification.

"Actually, I'm pretty sure they all believe in the same God, but think they should do it in different ways or something." She was beginning to wonder about the subject for the first time. She never really paid much attention to international news and wished she knew more, so she could explain it to Zhaan.

"They all believe in same God, so he think they all must die? Make no sense to me."

"It makes no sense to most people, Zhaan."

He turned his attention to the news again and took another bite of toast. The next story was about a desperate father who had killed his wife and two children before turning the gun on himself. Zhaan looked to Alice again for guidance.

"What happen?" he asked.

"A husband killed his wife and children, and then himself."

"Why? They were sick? Did he stop them from suffer? They have a disease?" he asked hopefully.

"No, nobody really knows why. He just cracked and went crazy," she explained.

"Nobody stop him?" Zhaan said in wonder.

"He had a gun, Zhaan. It's hard to stop somebody with a gun."

Zhaan flashed back to the incident when he'd been shot. "Like I say last night, Human don't need to make up new monsters. You have enough monsters on Earth."

A tense silence followed, and Alice clicked off the TV. She didn't want to be any more depressed today.

A loud beep interrupted their contemplations. Khevn looked at his communicator and began to speak.

"Tell send drawing of door lock for us and hope we can open. He also send picture of idea he have to open door. If doesn't work, he try to override security program from..." He pointed skyward with a thumb.

Khevn and Zhaan pored over the sketches that Tell had obviously hurriedly put together and quietly discussed in their own language what to do. Zhaan turned to Alice and waved her over to take a look.

"You have anything look like this?" He pointed at the sketch of a tool Tell had quickly designed which might open the door mechanism.

Alice peered at the tiny drawing. "Can you make it any bigger?" As the picture became clearer, she made out a narrow, hook-shaped implement. "I guess it's the coat hanger then!" She laughed and headed towards Jesse's room in search of one of the wire variety. Jesse had his suits dry-cleaned and was bound to have one somewhere.

Moments later she bounced back along the hallway with a metal coat hanger in her hand.

"Coat hanger, Zhaan. This is where your clothes are supposed to hang when they are not on the floor."

Zhaan looked confused but ignored the comment. He snatched the object from her hand and conferred with Khevn over the other sketches. They headed outside with Alice trailing behind. By the side of the vehicle they turned back to the sketches and tried to make sense of them. Khevn pointed at one spot on the vehicle's door, trying to see if it matched the sketch. Zhaan shook his head and glared at the sketches again.

"Try here," Alice suggested, pointing at the bottom of the side window. "If it is like a car, this is where you push the coat hanger to try to catch hold of the locking bar." The two aliens debated and then Zhaan shrugged his shoulders, a mannerism he'd picked up from his Earth friends. Gingerly, he attempted to push the coat hanger into the door frame below the window, but he wasn't putting enough force behind it. He fiddled around with it for a few moments before Alice snatched the coat hanger back, straightened it, and had a go herself. Could it just be a simple lock like on old cars? She continued to jiggle the wire, trying to feel for a locking bar.

"Bingo!" she said and yanked up on the coat hanger as it latched onto something. "Quickly, pull on the door handle, Zhaan." Miraculously she heard a promising click, and the door opened in Zhaan's hand. He held the door open and his shoulders sagged in relief as the tension was released from them. "So much for high security!" he commented to Khevn.

After clambering through the passenger door they'd opened, he climbed over the seat and disappeared into the back. He returned with an object about the size of one of those containers they use in the vacuum tube at the drive through bank. Apparently he'd undone the slot which would receive the fuel from inside the vehicle, causing a flap to open in the side of the vehicle. He pulled out the old tube, inserted the new one into the slot, pressed a button, and closed the flap again. A quiet humming signalled that the machine was starting back up. Zhaan grabbed hold of Alice and hugged her tight. "Thank you," he said. Alice didn't even want to think about what kind of a fuel could power this thing for a couple of months from a tube that small. She wondered if it might be nuclear powered.

As though he read her mind, Zhaan spoke. "Tube contain two chemical. When they mix, they make energy to power machine. One drop of mixture give a lot of power."

"Are the chemicals dangerous?" she asked.

"Only if you mix wrong. This machine mix very precise amounts. Waste product is only water."

"We could do with some of that technology here on Earth." Alice stated.

"Only one chemical of two discovered on your planet," Zhaan laughed. "You must wait some time."

Zhaan and Khevn disappeared inside the vehicle for well over an hour apparently resetting and checking all the systems, and making some kind of preparations for their departure Alice was left kicking her heels and felt melancholy.

When they returned to the house Zhaan smiled.

"Now Khevn order that I rest this afternoon to prepare myself. He rest too." He latched onto Alice's arm and almost dragged her back up the stairs.

### Chapter 34 - Retrieval

Jesse was uncomfortable. He had cramp in one foot and was starting to feel really cold. There was no way he was giving up the spot he'd chosen to spy on the extra-terrestrial visitors. He suspected Zhaan had known he would do this when he told him where the ship would land. Two hours earlier Jesse parked his truck hidden in the trees on a service road way beyond this spot and hiked back to seek out a good vantage point. Since then he'd crouched silently in the chilly evening air. He could probably have arrived later, but having spent time with Khevn and realising how conscientious a Guy he was, he didn't want to take the chance that Khevn would turn up early to check out the location.

He spotted lights through the trees. Zhaan's RV was approaching. He hoped he wouldn't be spotted. He'd even taken into account Alice's tales of how acute the aliens' sense of smell was and picked a spot well downwind. The RV halted at the locked gate of the utility area, and the aliens stepped out. Khevn had a heavy-duty tool in his hand and was speaking with Zhaan.

Apparently Zhaan was ordered to check the area was safe and clear. He nimbly climbed the high security fence and stealthily walked around the perimeter of the interior area checking with his senses that it was deserted. Jesse held his breath as Zhaan headed in his direction and sniffed. Did he imagine it, or did Zhaan pause near his location. A brief smile crossed Zhaan's lips and his eyes flashed briefly directly to the spot where Jesse was concealed.

By the time Zhaan finished his sweep and returned to Khevn, the other alien had the gate open and had moved the RV inside the compound. He parked it off to one side, close to the fence. Fortunately, it wasn't blocking Jesse's view. Zhaan disappeared inside the vehicle and returned with a small bag. They appeared to be ensuring the landing site was clear of obstructions and pacing out the required dimensions, before installing small devices in several spots around the large area they had measured; markers or beacons for the ship, Jesse thought. Khevn seemed to have accepted Zhaan's opinion that the area was clear, and Jesse noticed Zhaan was careful to position the beacon closest to Jesse himself.

Jesse glanced at his watch. It was already quarter to ten. He looked up at the sky expectantly but couldn't spot anything unusual. There wasn't a clear view of the sky from amongst the densely packed trees where he hid. Everything was ready. The two aliens sat on a nearby log and Khevn talked into his communicator briefly. With all the preparations made, they were deep in conversation. Jesse could only imagine what they were discussing.

"Zhaan, I am so sorry. I wish there was something I could do to save you. If there is a way, you know I will try."

Zhaan tried to reassure his friend. _"It's not your fault. Don't worry about me. You know if I can't be with Alice, I'd rather be dead anyway."_

Khevn looked startled. After a few moments of silence he spoke again. _"Did you have something to do with arranging what happened on Saturday night?"_

" _Maybe,"_ his friend replied with a cheeky twinkle in his eye. _"Are you angry with me?"_

" _No, friend. I'm happy I had the chance. I guess you were responsible for the disappearance of my pills too."_

Zhaan shrugged before answering, _"I think you'll find they are in your pack._ " He smiled and then quickly looked more serious. _"They must never know."_ He pointed a thumb skyward. _"I have no idea why you decided to take a run through the forest at night. Perhaps you were checking out nocturnal wildlife?"_ He cheekily tapped Khevn on the location of the biofeedback chip and was surprised when his friend wasn't angry.

_"Yes, you know of my fascination with nocturnal wildlife,"_ Khevn said laughing.

"I hope it was worth the risk."

" _Definitely, it was the most..."_ Khevn's words faded and Zhaan grasped him by the shoulders, dragged him to his feet, and wrapped him in a tight hug. A flood of emotion washed between the two of them.

"Thank you for being my friend, Khevn. Please don't blame yourself for whatever happens. The only Guy responsible for my fate is me. At least I had the chance to experience the freedom to get into trouble."

The two aliens stood embracing for some time as their feelings passed back and forth before a noise from above caused them to break apart.

_"Oh well, here goes!"_ Zhaan said quietly.

It wasn't the roaring of engines that Jesse had expected, as a strange glow gradually descended from high above them. Only a faint light was visible, accompanied by a surprisingly quiet, whirring, humming noise. As the ship touched down in front of him, the ground beneath his feet began to vibrate, stopping abruptly when the engines were cut. For several minutes all was quiet and the two aliens stood patiently before the large ship and waited.

Slowly a hatch dropped down from the ship and, with the dim light which emerged from inside, Jesse was able to make out the shape of the vessel. He was astonished to observe that it was the traditional flying-saucer of Human fantasy. A ramp dropped down to the ground and three black-clad, helmeted figures descended. One headed directly towards the RV, climbed inside, and drove it up the ramp into the ship's interior, returning to collect the marker beacons they'd used.

The other two figures, who Jesse could see were armed with some kind of weapon, strode purposefully in Zhaan's direction exchanging a few words with Khevn. One of the figures used the stock of his weapon to brutally knock Zhaan to his knees. He reached to his belt and grabbed what some kind of handcuffs. The other alien had his gun trained on Zhaan's head, while his comrade grasped Zhaan's arms. He spotted the armband Alice had given him and yanked it furiously from Zhaan's wrist, throwing it to the ground, before pulling his prisoner's arms behind his body and locking them together. In typical style, Zhaan obviously made some wisecrack and was shoved face down on the ground for his sins.

With the RV safely stowed, the aliens were clearly eager to leave quickly. Zhaan, unable to get up from his prone, hand-cuffed position, was violently dragged to his feet by his two captors and harshly marched up the ramp. It was only seconds before the ramp was closed, the humming noise started again, and the ship lifted from the ground taking Jesse's friend - his brother - with it. He wasn't normally a religious man but found himself saying a silent prayer for Zhaan's safety as the faint glimmer disappeared from the sky.

An impulse overcame Jesse to retrieve Zhaan's armband, a matter made easier by the fact that the aliens had broken open the gate on the security compound. By the time he hiked back to his truck and drove home, he was enraged at the way his friend had been treated by his own kind after the dangerous mission he had undertaken for them. Walking into his house to find his little sister sobbing inconsolably in Clare's arms, only added to his anger and frustration. After swiftly downing a shot of whiskey, he took over from the confused Clare, who was trying to calm Alice. Khevn must have got to Clare with the memory wipe. The abuse riled Jesse, who hoped there wouldn't be any permanent damage. He would just tell her about everything that happened later, so what was the point?

He recognised there was no real way to comfort Alice in her situation; he'd only recently emerged from the black hole of heartbreak himself. After an hour in his arms, there was no end to Alice's tears. At least while his arms were wrapped around his sister, he'd been able to fill in for Clare blurred details about their visitors and reassure her that she had just bumped her head. All he omitted was the origins of those visitors, feeling it might be better for her safety.

Jesse persuaded Alice to go to bed and stopped on the way upstairs to grab some Valium from his own survival stash. Eventually she was persuaded to take the tablet and finally slept. Shaking with bottled-up rage, Jesse headed back to the kitchen for another quick shot of alcohol. He hoped to ease his anger enough to be able to sleep before heading to bed.

### Chapter 35 - Aftermath

Alice awoke in a semi-drugged haze to a loud knocking on her bedroom door.

"Alice get up. I need to get into work early today. Let's get moving." Jesse's voice caused a renewed pounding in her head where a serious tension headache was the result of her hours of sobbing. She staggered to her feet, headed to the bathroom to splash cold water on her face, brushed her hair, and tried to patch up her swollen and blotchy face with make-up, before quickly dressing and heading downstairs.

Jesse nervously jiggled the keys to his truck in his hand. It was obvious there was no time for breakfast. She didn't care. The thought of eating made her stomach heave.

"There's a staff meeting this morning. We're late already," her brother said curtly.

They drove in silence to work. Alice was relieved that her brother didn't want to talk this morning. It was all she could do to concentrate on not bursting into tears again.

Only as he strode angrily into the conference room, Alice noticed he was scruffily dressed in jeans and a plaid shirt. It was weird; he was always smart for work and his wardrobe was full of suits. It was a good job he would wear a white coat for most of the day. She grabbed a notebook off the reception desk and hurried behind him into the meeting. Zach looked up, on the verge of making some wisecrack about their belated arrival, but catching sight of the state of the two of them, he changed his comment to a simple, "OK, let's get started."

It was a long day for both of them. Alice managed to keep her tears in check, but only just. Jesse certainly didn't seem his usual charming self, and by the end of the day Zach was concerned.

"Alice, I know you're both upset about Zhaan leaving," he said. Alice blinked hard to stop herself from cracking. "Did Jesse have a fight with Clare or something? I only asked if they wanted to come over for dinner later this week and he almost bit my head off."

She shrugged. "Not that I'm aware." It would be hard to know. Alice had been dead to the world after taking that damn Valium.

"Can you do me a favour? Find out what's bugging him, whether it's just about Zhaan or something else. The last thing he needs is to start sliding back into the dark place he's just managed to escape. He won't talk to me."

Although she was drowning in her own sea of misery, Alice tried to get Jesse to open up as she drove them home. His lips were clamped as tightly as her own. Frustrated, she pulled over at the same fishing access where Jesse and Zhaan had their secret heart-to-heart a few days earlier.

"Jesse, what's wrong?" She turned to face him, resting her arm along the back of the seat behind his shoulders.

Jesse's lips remained firmly closed for a few moments, but eventually her intense gaze broke him.

"Oh God! I've fucked everything up." His voice trailed away as he began to weep.

Several minutes passed as Alice held him close. She placed a finger under his chin and lifted his face so their eyes met.

"What do you mean? Tell me what's wrong, Jesse."

"I'm so ashamed of myself. It was going so well. Now it's all wrecked." He gasped for breath as another sob wracked his body. Hyperventilating, he could hardly catch his breath. Alice grabbed him by the shoulders, looked into his eyes, and coaxed him to inhale deeply. She was close to tears herself and it was agony to watch him so upset. In the course of time he was able to speak again.

"Tell me what happened," Alice said sternly.

"Last night," he paused, not wanting to continue, but he'd have to talk to somebody before he lost it completely. "I got home so angry after seeing Zhaan leave."

"You saw him leave?" Alice asked, amazed. Realising his mistake, Jesse pressed on.

"Then you were really upset; inconsolable. I was wound so tightly by the time I'd got you to sleep, I had a few drinks. Oh God! I feel like a rapist!" He began to sob again.

Alice looked horrified. "What do you mean? What have you done?"

"Clare was waiting in bed and tried to comfort me. I couldn't stop shaking." He collected himself again before continuing. "One thing led to another. I was so angry. I was releasing my frustration. I was rough with her." Alice listened in stunned silence. This was out of character for her brother.

"I've never felt like that before. I was out of control. This morning when I woke, she was gone." He stopped speaking for a moment before he was able to carry on. "I'd waited so long. I wanted her first time to be perfect and now I've fucked up big time." He began to cry again.

"Have you called her today? Have you talked to her about it?" Alice asked.

"No, I'm too afraid. She'll never want anything to do with me again. We had such a good thing going. I love her, Alice. How could I be so dumb?"

As she searched the truck for some tissues for her brother's tear-stained face, Alice fumbled in the glove box. Horrified, her hand found the familiar touch of leather and silver; Zhaan's armband. She turned angrily towards her brother for an explanation. "He promised me he'd never take it off."

"He didn't, Alice. His people took it off him and threw it to the ground before they took him. I thought you'd want to keep it."

"You saw them? You saw him leave?" Her tears were now flowing freely. "Did they treat him well?"

Jesse's silence confirmed her darkest fears.

Alice started the engine and drove them the rest of the way home as her tears seemed to flow without end. She walked Jesse into the house and took a couple of minutes to try to pull herself together. There was nothing she could do for Zhaan now, so she would focus on Jesse's troubles. At least that might take her mind off her own pain. There was no sign of Clare in the house.

"Let me go and track her down. You stay there." She commanded her brother.

Expecting the worst as she approached Clare's property, Alice was surprised to hear music playing. It was playing so loudly her knocks on the door went unheard. She let herself in, calling Clare's name.

She found Clare pottering in the sitting room, which had been cleared of her father's mountains of paper. She was singing along happily to the song on the radio.

"Hi, Alice. Heavens! Is it that late already?" She glanced down at her watch. "I meant to fix dinner for you guys before you got home. I just got so engrossed in tidying up with the real estate agents coming on Friday." She took a look at Alice's worried face. "How are you holding up? Today must have been tough," she asked with concern. She was still a little confused about the events of the previous night.

"I'm in a much better state than my brother, who is over at his house crucifying himself for being a rapist or something," Alice said quickly. "He seems to think he's treated you so badly, you'll never want anything to do with him ever again." Clare was taken aback.

"Well, we did..." she paused and turned crimson. Her natural reserve made her embarrassed to talk about the subject. "We had sex for the first time last night, but it certainly was with my consent. I know he was angry and upset. I wanted to take his mind off other things. I was quite surprised by the - ferocity - of his love making. It wasn't how I expected it to be. I didn't know what to expect but really, I'm fine." She laughed. "Perhaps a little sore but otherwise doing great - at least I hope so because we didn't take any precautions. Tell me, is it always like that?" The inexperienced girl turned to her friend for advice.

"Evidently not," Alice smiled grimly. "When he woke up this morning and you were gone, he just freaked out."

"I had to run over and pick up some new underwear. The others got shredded! I wanted to get over here before the neighbours were about. I was only dressed in Jesse's robe. When I got back you were both gone."

"Let's go over and sort this out with Jesse, shall we? Or maybe not." Alice spotted Jesse flying by on his mountain bike, obviously letting off more steam. "Idiot," she said quietly. "He'll be back soon, I'm sure. It would be good if you were waiting at our place for him when he returns."

Jesse finally came back, sweating hard after taking out his frustration on his own body this time. Clare was waiting with an open bottle of wine, two glasses and the ingredients for a quick stir fry were prepared on the counter. He strode angrily through the door and stopped dead on spotting her there.

"I'm so sorry," he said, breaking down. "I don't know what possessed me."

Clare walked over and took him in her arms, hugging him warmly. "It's all fine. Don't worry Jesse," she said and kissed him gently on the forehead.

"Did I hurt you?" he asked with fear in his eyes.

"I'm completely fine. A little sore, but in a day or two I'm looking forward to making love with you again." She blushed.

"It won't be like that, I promise," he said meekly. "I wanted your first time to be perfect." He embraced her again for several minutes.

"Where's Alice?" he asked.

"She went up to her room. She said she was going to wait for the big black hole to swallow her up. She didn't want anything to eat. I'm worried about her but you're my first priority. I'll take her up some food later and check she's OK. This is going to take her some time."

### Chapter 36 - Trial

Once they'd rejoined the mother ship and Zhaan had been given a clean bill of health in the medical quarantine unit, he had been taken below in chains. Khevn was shocked by the brutal treatment his comrade was receiving. Before his incarceration, Zhaan had been stripped of his Earth clothes, dressed in little more than underwear and placed in an empty cell with no bunk and nowhere to sit except on the floor. He was provided with a bucket in which to relieve himself. Khevn was told he wouldn't be allowed to see his friend again until they had both been debriefed and Zhaan's trial was held.

His own questioning had been a gruelling experience lasting two long days. His statements were brutally cross-examined by the Commanders and he wasn't even the one in trouble. He asked for permission to speak with the Chief Commander in person before Zhaan was sentenced, and was told he'd have to wait until Zhaan's interrogation was complete.

Five long days he'd waited, not allowed to resume normal duties aboard the ship. He didn't really have any normal duties. He'd spent all of the journey here with Zhaan, preparing for the mission. Unused to empty days filled only with worry, he'd taken to spending his time sitting with Malla as she worked. Somehow Malla had slipped through the genetics laboratory net and was born with deformed legs. Her disabilities exempted her from routine daily work, and she'd spent much of her life in research, learning Human languages, and helping them prepare for this mission.

Malla was the technological whiz-kid solely responsible for enabling his kind to access the Human internet and to hack into various computers on Earth. Her activities had provided the two of them with their magic credit cards, Human ID's, and all the documentation they required. She was very thorough and during their research, the three of them had become closer friends than was normal for his kind. It was unfair that her disabilities had stopped her coming on the mission with them, as she was by far the best qualified.

Malla was briefly allowed to see Zhaan alone outside the interrogation room after two days, by saying she needed some information from him for her research. She'd returned upset. His body was bruised and his spirit broken. Zhaan told her he was ready to die if he couldn't be with his Alice. Malla was shocked.

After five days Khevn was called to the bridge. He was told Zhaan's interrogation was complete, handed a transcript and told to report to the commander for his requested meeting after Zhaan had been read the list of charges against him the next morning. Returning to the cabin he'd shared with Zhaan for so long, Khevn mentally prepared himself for what he was about to read. He gazed out of the window and stared at the dark side of Earth's moon, the view they'd seen since the day they left the planet. He wondered why they weren't already headed home and would be sure to ask the Commander tomorrow.

The transcript took the standard format, taking events in chronological order from the time Zhaan had been deposited in the desert on Earth, in a place called Texas. Khevn was amazed to read that Zhaan had met Alice so soon after arriving. She was only the second Human he'd met. It was surprising he'd trusted her so soon. From this point on, the content of the report just proved more and more damning to his friend. Zhaan had obviously answered the questions he was asked with his normal transparency and often a touch of flippancy, for which he'd received his beatings.

Khevn paged through the report. Most of the factual information was familiar to him from the reports Zhaan had submitted. He paused only when something grabbed his attention.

_"You got sick. How did you allow this to happen?"_ Zhaan had been asked.

"I wasn't sick. I had what I believe is called an allergic reaction to some Earth food. I later realised it was probably a substance they drink called coffee. Khevn told me that one sip of the stuff made him unwell too."

"Why weren't you following the safety protocol; sampling all items before ingesting them and waiting for the results of the tests?"

_"If I sat in a Human restaurant,"_ (at this point, a description of the meaning of the word was entered, as such a thing did not exist on Guyara), " _performing scientific tests on the items presented to me, don't you think I would have drawn attention to myself?"_ His response had been regarded as cheeky and a slap to his face was the punishment from his interrogator. _"By this time I had been consuming Earth food for several days and had never had any problems. When presented with the coffee, it consisted mostly of water. I assumed it couldn't be harmful. I was wrong. My punishment lasted three days and was self-inflicted."_

"You endangered your people by leaving yourself so vulnerable. What do you say?"

"I was fortunate. Alice took care of me. At the point when I was unconscious, she could have betrayed me, or fled, but she didn't. I was lucky."

Khevn flicked over a few pages and stopped where the interrogation about Zhaan's relationship with Alice began.

"How did your carnal relationship begin with the Earth woman?"

_"I don't know. I didn't expect it. I liked Alice, Alice liked me. Suddenly we were fucking like wild animals."_ (A shockingly graphic translation was inserted here in the text). _"I guess those mind control pills wore off."_ It was reported that Zhaan had glared challengingly at his panel of interrogators. He had received another blow which knocked him senseless and been returned to his cell.

The next day's interrogation had picked up where they'd left off.

"Why did you persist in attempting to cross-breed with the Earth Woman?"

_"The idea of cross-breeding didn't occur to me. Is that even possible? I was taught that procreation for our species is only possible in a laboratory."_ It was recorded that the serious tone of Zhaan's response indicated that his words were sincere. _"You just don't get it. Humans don't see sex as just a breeding function. They get pleasure from it."_ (Another technical definition of the Earth word was inserted.)

"What if your irresponsibility had resulted in cross fertilization? What would you have done?"

"I'm sure it wasn't even a possibility, that such a hybrid wouldn't be viable. In any case, we took precautions normal for Humans in such situations."

"Answer the question. What would you have done?"

"I would have been very surprised and happy. I would have taken care of Alice in whatever way was necessary."

A few pages further on.

"You told this Earth woman your true identity. How did you know she wouldn't betray you?"

"I just knew."

"How did you know?"

"I don't know. I just did."

_"How did you know? Answer the question."_ Another blow to Zhaan's head was reported.

"She was my friend. We trusted one another. When I first revealed my identity, I was prepared to erase her memory if necessary, but found I was able to trust her."

Next Zhaan had been cross-examined about what he'd learned about the Ziluran visit to Earth during his trip to Roswell.

"I believe a small shuttle craft crashed on Earth. How they got there is a mystery. I would surmise they stole or bartered for a mother ship from somewhere, some other race, possibly ours. Most people on Earth think it was all a prank, a joke, and didn't really happen. From the photographs I saw, I believe Zilurans visited the planet and died in the process. The authorities on Earth secretly dissected their remains for research purposes."

"Do you think that Earthlings are aware of life on other planets?"

_"Some believe, some don't. They have no actual proof as far as I know, but they keep searching. The Ziluran incident has been discounted. Alien abductions have been reported - cases where Humans claimed to have been taken for research on an alien ship."_ At this point Zhaan was reported to have stared intently at his captors. _"Humans reporting such incidents seem to be treated as crazy. We are lucky in that respect,"_ he added pointedly.

Khevn turned a few more pages until he reached one of the incidents which interested him most.

"Why did you endanger yourself when you and the Earth woman came under attack?"

"I had no choice."

"Clarify."

"The Earth man, apparently a former, physically abusive lover of my Alice, tracked us down. He took me by surprise. He was armed and aggressive. I tried to get him outside, away from Alice. She was hiding in the bathroom."

"Why didn't you just let the Humans deal with the situation on their own, without interfering?"

_"He was going to kill me, Alice, or both of us. He was_ jealous. _I had no choice. If I was doomed, I hoped to spare Alice, so she could remove all traces of my existence. Also, I think I already_ loved _her by this point and was prepared to die to save her."_ Zhaan had evidently spoken frankly.

_"Define the word_ 'jealous'. _We don't understand this reference."_

_"The man was_ jealous, _he was angry to find me with a woman he considered his own. This made him act irrationally. This is an emotion closely linked with the emotion of_ love, _I believe. I have personal experience."_

_"You say you thought you_ "loved" _her by this point. What does this mean?"_

_"She was my companion. I cared deeply for her. I craved her touch. I felt pain in her absence and when she returned, the pain would end. She was my lover. We couldn't ever spend enough time together. I was prepared to die for her."_ At this point intense discussion had broken out among the interrogation team about whether love could be considered as a form of mental illness. The interrogation had been adjourned until the next day to allow for further research into this phenomenon.

"You erased the complete memory of your attacker. Why such drastic action?"

"He would have been an on-going risk to the mission. He'd seen my eyes, my claws, and would have come after us again in pursuit of Alice. He had been abusive to Alice in the past and that made me angry. Besides, he shot me in the stomach with his gun, which was unnecessary violence in my view. I felt he deserved to have his life destroyed. I'm glad I did it. Now Alice is safe from him. Perhaps I should have killed him."

"Your trusted Human revealed your identity to a second Earthling named Jesse. She betrayed you. How do you explain this?"

_"She did it to save me. She completely trusted Jesse. He was her_ brother." 'On Earth a child produced from the same genetic parentage, usually spending childhood years together in a family unit' - had been added here. _"The man to whom she told my secret, treated my injury and saved my life. He was an Earth doctor. He became my friend and could be trusted."_

"You recovered from your injury, yet remained in the house of this Jesse. Why did you disobey orders and abandon your exploration of Earth?"

"Jesse helped me and he needed help. I felt indebted to him. Alice wanted to stay with her brother and I wanted to be with Alice. I believe what I learned living closely amongst the Humans and socialising with them was very valuable research. I gained an insight into their relationships with each other and how they think."

Finally, thought Khevn, his friend had begun to use his brain. This set him thinking about Zhaan's plight. Securing the transcript safely away from prying eyes in a locker, he left in search of Malla. It was forbidden to consort with other Guy during night-time hours, so Khevn didn't have much time and he needed Malla's advice.

Khevn was back in his cabin after running through what he planned to say to the Commander to help his friend's case with Zhaan's only other ally aboard, Malla. She was a great support, listening carefully to what he said and making a few suggestions of her own. Malla reassured him that whatever he said, Zhaan's situation couldn't become any worse. It was worth a try. Khevn wanted to be sure he'd read all the evidence in the transcript and began studying it again.

_"To what extent was Khevn aware of your relationship with the Earth woman?"_ Khevn could only pray his friend was looking out for him.

"He became aware that I had a travelling companion, a Human. I told him this much. That is all. The extent of the relationship was only apparent to him after he came to retrieve me, as you ordered him."

_"Did Khevn order you to desist from having a physical relationship with this Earthling at any time?"_ Khevn realised this was asked to trick his friend, to see if he would lie to protect him. He'd never claimed to have given this order, although with hindsight it was something he should have done.

_"No, never."_ Khevn read Zhaan's honest response with relief.

"Did he observe these activities for research purposes?"

_"No."_ Khevn guessed his friend was angered by this question.

"Tell us about what is involved in the Human physical sexual relationship."

_"Mind your own business!"_ Khevn could almost feel Zhaan's anger oozing from the paper.

After another beating, Zhaan had been forced to discuss his sexual relationship with his Earth woman in graphic detail to the panel of interrogators. He could only imagine the rage Zhaan felt as he described his most intimate moments with Alice. Khevn was angered as he read through the explicit details. This was unnecessary and almost perverted. The sole purpose of such questioning was to humiliate his friend.

Khevn quickly thumbed through several pages, stopping towards the end of the transcript.

"Did Khevn at any time have physical contact with Earth females?"

_"Define what you mean, please,"_ Zhaan had asked, cautiously.

"Did Khevn have any relations of a physical nature, a sexual nature, with any Humans?"

_"I have no proof of such a thing happening."_ Khevn sighed at his friend's clever words. It was not actually a lie.

_"Khevn did_ dance _with my Alice once and another unfamiliar Human woman at the bar."_ Here more explanations had been inserted by Malla; dance - moving in time to the rhythm of music, often a courtship ritual on Earth, bar - social gathering place where Humans indulge in intoxicants. These words had obviously needed to be explained to the interrogators at the time.

"Was Khevn intoxicated at the time?"

" _Maybe. We drank a few beers. You should try it sometime. It's good."_ Zhaan's face took the punishment for his cheeky attitude.

_"Did this_ dance _activity lead to a sexual relationship between Khevn and your Earth woman, Alice?"_

_"No! I wouldn't have allowed it."_ Khevn smiled to picture the expression that would have been on Zhaan's face at the time.

"What about the other Earth woman from the bar?"

"She asked him to come home with her. He refused. He didn't really understand what she meant."

"What did she mean?"

"I believe she wanted to have sex with Khevn, but he had no idea until I explained to him later what she meant."

_"Your regular sexual activity was easy to spot from the biofeedback data. The signs were very clear. We saw a similar pattern on Khevn's biofeedback on one particular occasion. How do you explain this?"_ Khevn felt a tightening in his throat. Was he doomed too?

"I couldn't explain it. I'm not a bio-scientist. How can I know what he was doing? You didn't even tell me when."

There were moments when Zhaan was smart after all. He could easily have given away his complicity by knowing when this was alleged to have happened.

_"This occurrence was two nights before you were retrieved from Earth. Do you know what Khevn was doing during these hours? The patterns repeated several times."_ Khevn felt himself blush and was glad that for some reason he'd never been asked about this. He'd have given himself away for sure.

"No, I was preoccupied."

"Clarify."

_"I was in bed with Alice. We were busy. Check my biofeedback data,"_ he said glibly. At this point the defendant appeared to give the matter some thought.

"That day he had been asking me about the bear den I found in the forest. Perhaps he went in search of the animals. He seemed very interested in the animals of the night."

"Where was the location of this animal den?"

"It was quite a long walk from the house, there were maybe three or four steep hill climbs."

At this point the panel conferred for some time.

"So you are certain that Khevn never had a physical relationship with an Earth woman, particularly on this night of which we speak."

"How can I be certain? Khevn and I were only together for the final 10 days of our mission. That particular night, the two Human females living in the house were otherwise occupied, so I don't believe it likely."

_"Could Khevn have visited with this woman from the bar, the one he_ danced _with?"_

"It was a long way to the bar. It was already late when we went to bed at the house. He didn't know where or how to find this woman. He didn't even know her name. I don't believe he would have had the confidence or the urge to undertake such a mission alone at night."

Khevn was relieved to see that the interrogators seemed to accept Zhaan's statement and had dropped the subject.

The last sentence on the transcript just stated that Zhaan's de-briefing was complete and the next day he would be read the charges against him.

### Chapter 37 - Punishment

Faint noises in the corridor outside roused Zhaan from a deep sleep. Dreaming of Alice, of her touch, he was reluctant to open his eyes and face reality. He kept his eyes tightly closed and thought back to the wonderful dream he'd had. He found his hand idly stroking himself between his legs, just as Alice had in his imagination. The pills the Captain had been forcing him to take again since his incarceration hadn't quite taken effect yet.

A loud crash startled him. Zhaan sat up urgently to find himself confronted by one of the guards who had been responsible for keeping him secured. The Guy's face was angry, flushed red with rage.

_"Pervert!"_ The guard spat the word from his mouth. " _You lie there fondling yourself knowing I have to sit and watch the security cameras. We all know what you've been up to during your time on that planet. They tried to keep it secret, your interrogation, but we all know what you said and what you did. How could you do something so unnatural and with an alien! You're sick, bringing shame on our mission and embarrassing the Commander like that. They never should have picked you. You never should have been allowed to be born, you genetic freak."_

With that the guard seemed to snap. His heavy boot connected with the middle of Zhaan's back and sent him skidding across the floor, winded. Trying to recover himself, Zhaan turned to face his attacker just in time to see that same boot headed directly at his head. As the searing pain spread across his head, he had time for one thought before the next blow. _"Finally, somebody is going to end it and put me out of my misery."_ Then the world became black.

Malla leaned back in her chair and rubbed her eyes. The Commander's report she was working on made depressing reading. She feared the outcome for her friend Zhaan and could only hope that Khevn's idea might work. Thinking of Zhaan, she glanced upwards at the feed from the on-board security cameras. Her display was permanently set to observe the sparse, tiny room in which Zhaan was being held. Throughout her work day, she'd check on it every few minutes. She worried that Zhaan might be a danger to himself with his mood so dark.

She watched the screen. Zhaan lay motionless on the floor as normal. Unusually he was curled on his left side with his back exposed towards the camera. A heavily booted foot appeared in the corner of the screen, before landing squarely in the centre of Zhaan's back. She was already running, as fast as she could with her feeble legs in their awkward braces, when she hit the button on her communicator. _"Security and Medic to the cell - urgent."_

As she closed on the cell herself, Malla could only hope that somebody had heard her desperate plea for assistance. What could one crippled girl do against a crazed, burly enforcer? What if he was following orders from the Commander? It was hard to imagine so, the Commander was a stickler for following the correct procedures and regulations.

The door was ajar and she burst into the cramped room. Zhaan lay senseless on the floor, surrounded by a halo of blood splatter. The guard had stopped his crazed attack and, luckily for her, seemed bewildered where he stood motionless with his back against the wall.

_"What have you done?"_ Malla screamed at him. She rushed to crouch beside Zhaan, hoping to feel a pulse.

Seconds later Khevn entered the room, followed closely by a handful of others; several armed, others bearing medical equipment. The guard was extracted from the room by two of his heavily muscled colleagues and the medics joined her beside Zhaan. She cradled his head in her hands, horrified by the purple blood flow coming from every orifice. The medics worked frantically, conversing quietly among themselves. One checked for a pulse, another tried to clear an airway. In a blur, a stretcher arrived and Zhaan was on the move to the Medical Bay with Malla and Khevn trailing behind. Malla felt the unfamiliar sensation of Khevn's supportive arm around her shoulders. Despite the flood of emotion rushing between them, she was surprised to have no sense of violation. How strange it was to be touched by another in such a way and welcome it, she thought.

Two days had passed and Zhaan still showed no signs of consciousness. The small crew didn't stretch to full time nursing care. The ship's one doctor eventually needed to get some rest and the other medics were merely first aiders with other shipboard duties. Malla had volunteered to help take care of Zhaan with the doctor - to hell with her other work! The Captain didn't object, particularly as Khevn was taking up some of the slack.

With the limited medical equipment on the ship, the doctor didn't seem sure of the exact extent of Zhaan's head injuries. His face was swollen and bruised, almost unrecognisable. He'd suffered most of the evil man's blows to his head and back, ribs were broken and had punctured one of his lungs, and his kidneys had been damaged. The catheter the doctor fitted was running with fluid of an alarmingly bloody shade during the operation to repair the ribs. The area between Zhaan's legs was also heavily padded and must have taken a beating too. Malla could only hope that Zhaan's lack of responsiveness meant his body was shut down and fighting to repair the damage.

Despite the Medic's assertion that Zhaan would probably never wake up, after two days of her asking he had finally given Malla permission to wash Zhaan's skin to remove caked on blood and grime. Not comfortable being alone with her unconscious friend for such an intimate task and unaccustomed to touching another's skin, she'd asked Khevn to help. She remembered the warmth of his arm around her shoulders after the attack.

Together they gently raised Zhaan's inert body to remove what was left of his tattered and torn prison garb, which had been little more than rags to start with. They removed the blood soaked padding wrapped around his injuries. Malla felt her cheeks colouring at her first view of a naked male. Self-conscious about her disabilities, she always showered in private, unlike the others. Khevn looked up and noticed the blush.

_"I never saw man bits before! I hope Zhaan won't mind,"_ she giggled. It was a melodic sound, music to Khevn's ears. Picking up the wash cloth gingerly and squeezing out excess water, Malla began dabbing at Zhaan's multicoloured, bloody face with a touch so gentle that Khevn felt a little envious. What was it about that female?

As Malla worked down Zhaan's brutalised body, Khevn gently moved his friend's lifeless form exactly as she instructed, carefully raising his head and rolling his body from side to side. He was terrified of pulling out the medical tubes in the neck and abdomen. Malla tackled Zhaan's legs next. One knee was twice its normal size, the result of a barrage of fierce kicks. She couldn't avoid it any longer. It was time to attend to the unfamiliar "man bits" lying between his legs. These too had obviously taken a severe beating. It was unsurprising really, considering that the guard's justification for the attack was what Zhaan had been doing with those bits.

She plucked up courage and rinsed out the wash cloth again, turning it back from purple to white. She set to work solemnly, trying not to seem embarrassed. Khevn's intense stare as she worked wasn't helping. Concentrating and totally focused on what had to be done, Malla failed to notice the flickering in Zhaan's eyelids and one eye opening. The other failed, overwhelmed by the swollen skin around it. His croaky voice made her jump.

_"Watch out! The last person who touched me there almost got beaten to death!"_ Malla squealed with delight. The high pitched sound made Zhaan flinch.

_"We thought we'd lost you brother. How do you feel?"_ Khevn asked with concern.

_"I've felt better."_ Zhaan's voice became weak and shaky. _"Why save me? It makes no difference, lose me now or when the Commander decides it is time."_ His good eye closed again wearily.

_"Have hope, Zhaan. Don't give up yet. There's still a chance for you. Just try to get well as quickly as you can."_ Zhaan drifted off again with those words spinning in his head.

### Chapter 38 – Judgement Day

Malla and Khevn supported Zhaan as he hobbled along the corridor. The Captain had granted his request that his judgement be postponed until he was well enough to stand to receive it. He'd waited a couple of days but this morning sent Zhaan a message that today would be the day, whether he was standing or not.

Zhaan's determination and pride kicked into top gear. With his two friends' help, after being disconnected from the array of medical monitors, he'd managed to ease his battered body into an engineer's overall, which was all he could bear against his damaged skin. It had taken a considerable time for them to coax him gently and patiently along the grey corridor towards the command deck. Zhaan knew the Commanders were waiting for him, but they could keep waiting. He was in no rush to hear the pronouncement of his death sentence.

Heads turned as the trio entered the bridge. Only the Chief Commander had visited Zhaan since the incident. His Second and Third had not witnessed the extent of his injuries and struggled to disguise their shock. These three would seal his fate, Zhaan thought. Despite the fact that even they had no control over the decision, that would only come from Guyara, they were the ones who would have to inform him. He almost felt pity for them.

As they shuffled towards the three officers, the Chief Commander began to speak.

" _Despite the serious nature of your bodily condition, you shall submit to the authority of this judgement panel of the Guyaran High Council. Once you have displayed your submission to the officers before you, you will, however, be permitted to assume any position in which you find most comfort."_

A very generous gesture by the Commander, Zhaan admitted, as he struggled to lower himself to his knees. It was a tricky business when only one knee would bend. Next he had to bow his head to the floor in acknowledgement of their authority over him. His friends took a firm hold of his arms and helped him, before carefully pulling him back up to a standing position. Normally he would have been expected to stay kneeling for his judgement, and he was grateful to the Commander for his mercy.

" _Do you wish to sit or stand, Zhaan?"_ Malla whispered. Zhaan gave it a moment of consideration.

" _Stand, I think."_ His friends released their grip on his arms, leaving him standing alone. He began to sway where he stood, and looked about ready to crumple. Quickly they grasped him again. _"Maybe I'd better perch."_ Zhaan made his best attempt at a toothless smile which caused him to wince in pain again. Khevn left Malla to hold him up and dragged over a table which would be a good height to bear some of his weight.

" _Remain beside him,"_ the Commander ordered Zhaan's friends. _"In this first matter he is not the one being judged."_

His point became clearer when Zhaan's attacker, the rogue enforcer, was roughly man-handled onto the bridge by two others of his rank. As they walked him towards the Captain, they could barely bring themselves to cast their eyes on their former colleague. Zhaan was glad of the support of Malla and Khevn, no matter what the outcome for him.

The enforcer made his show of submission to the officers before him and remained kneeling in front of them.

" _Zhaan, this Guy, formerly an enforcer, has admitted guilt for the assault upon you while you were in his custody. The extent of your injuries has been fully documented for the records."_ He turned to the assailant. _"For what reason did you attack this Guy before you?"_

For a moment the Enforcer held his tongue and refused to speak.

" _Speak. I command you to answer."_ The Commander was obviously not a fan of the Guy's decision to pound out his frustrations on Zhaan.

" _I believe he shamed the Guy people, I believe he shamed our command team, and I believe he shamed himself."_ The big Guy paused briefly and glared in Zhaan's direction before adding, _"He's a freak and a pervert. He should never have undertaken such a mission on our behalf."_

" _Did you plan your attack on him beforehand, once you knew he would be in your custody?"_

The Guy looked a little shaken. _"No, Sir."_ He stopped again before admitting. _"I had no plan to injure this Guy, but after I watched him on the monitor and saw what he was doing, the next thing I remember is Malla entering the cell and shouting at me. I'm not sure what happened."_

" _Zhaan."_ The Captain turned to Zhaan, who fidgeted in discomfort on the edge of the table, and read from a communication. _"The Council has taken this matter under consideration and decreed the following, subject to your approval."_ It seemed weird for them to be asking his permission, Zhaan thought.

" _The defendant Enforcer, Pag 35980903, is found guilty of the crime against you and has admitted such. Under our planet's laws of 'blood spills for blood' he would normally be judged for punishment by a beating as severe as the one he inflicted upon you, his victim. However, in view of the abuse of his position as Enforcer, the power he has over others of the crew, his total lack of recall of the incident, and the severity of the injuries he inflicted without weapons in a fit of rage, it is feared that he is turned rogue. There is concern this is a possible sign of space madness. To safeguard the rest of the crew for successful completion of the mission, our recommendation would be death for the defendant."_ Pag drew in a sharp breath in shock.

" _However, Guyaran law is in force here. The victim has the option to suggest a suitable alternative punishment, subject to approval by the Captain of the vessel."_

The Captain finished reading and informed Zhaan he would be given whatever time he needed, to consider whether he wished to request an alternative punishment.

In silence Zhaan perched on the edge of the table with all eyes on him, including his attacker's. This was totally unexpected. He'd assumed he would be totally powerless today and for the rest of his remaining life. Sighing, he took a few minutes to think, an act which made his head begin to pound again. He looked hard at his attacker while he did so.

" _May I speak now? May I speak frankly?"_ he asked after a while.

" _Speak if you are ready. There is no rush. This is an important decision, Zhaan."_

" _I am ready."_ Water was brought to him as he began to cough. He composed himself again.

" _It is my opinion that this attack on my person by Enforcer Pag had no forward planning. I had been in his custody for several days without incident. However, I know the Enforcer in question harboured a strong dislike towards me from the very origins of this mission."_ He stopped, breathless, and gave his lungs time to catch up with his words.

" _I believe Pag experienced an emotion known on Earth as_ jealousy. _This is an emotion where you are angry because another has something you badly want. In this case, I believe he was angry that I was selected for the mission to visit the Earth while he was only the reserve. Taking into account my uncertain genetic heritage and occasionally questionable manner,"_ he glanced at the Commander who was smiling, _"he felt I should not have been on this mission. In fact he believed I should not have been born at all. He even told me so on several occasions. I am of the opinion that the level of his anger about my selection for the mission, when he had failed, became unbearably high. At this point I was attacked when I was under his power, during an unplanned fit of rage."_

Zhaan paused to sip from the water glass again. Everyone on the bridge kept a respectful silence.

" _I do not consider that this Enforcer, Pag, had planned to harm me. With due respect to the Council, I do not believe that Pag is suffering from any symptoms of space madness. It is hard for them to determine these matters from such a distance. Pag had no idea that his anger and his envy of me would build to such a point, that it would cost him his career, his reputation, or his life._

_For a punishment for this crime against my body, I would request..."_ His pause brought a collective drawing of breath from those present, _"...that he be stripped of the rank of Enforcer for the protection of others. I would recommend he be transferred to another position in the ship, where he would not pose a danger to others but could remain a useful crew member, and that subsequently he be fully pardoned."_

The other Guy collected there turned in Zhaan's direction in amazement, and the Commander looked as though he were about to speak.

" _Please let me continue,"_ Zhaan interrupted. "Forgiveness, _that is a word which exists on Earth. This is a feeling that, although somebody has wronged you, you have the possibility to leave them unpunished, not to seek vengeance, and not to think on the matter again. I wish to_ forgive _Pag for his wrongs against me. I believe that awareness that he became so out of control and ruined his own life would be adequate punishment for the crime, combined with the knowledge that I held power over his life and chose to let him live. I do not think ending the life of this Enforcer will bring any benefit and will deplete the crew of much needed personnel. I would request this of the Council."_

" _Zhaan, your request will be forwarded to the Council with my approval. I will update you when I have a response. Get this Guy out of here."_ He pointed angrily in Pag's direction and the two Enforcers by his side dragged him roughly to his feet and shoved him to start him walking.

" _Zhaan, are you well enough to continue and to receive your own judgement? Must we take a break?"_ the Commander asked.

Zhaan shook his head and then regretted the rapid movement. _"Please continue. Let's get this over with."_

The Commander picked up his communicator and began to read the words of the High Council again.

" _The defendant, Zhaan, is found guilty of the following crimes during his mission to the surface of the planet Earth."_ Zhaan was expecting a long list and wasn't disappointed.

" _The defendant showed insubordination to the Guy authorities and their orders in many matters which have been recorded and confirmed by the defendant during interrogation._

" _The defendant recklessly endangered the mission by becoming emotionally and physically involved with the Humans he was meant only to observe._

" _On numerous occasions he absented himself from communications with his superior and the Mission Commanders, causing unnecessary concern and ultimately the early termination of the mission._

" _In addition, due to his activities with regard to physical contact with the beings on Earth, he is considered to be irrevocably contaminated and unsuitable to return to Guyara or to mix freely with his own species._

" _On this basis, our initial recommendation would be punishment by death."_

Malla's shoulders slumped beside Zhaan, who merely sighed. He was already resigned to his fate.

" _However, another suggestion has been made. Based on mission information from the defendant's superior, Khevn, we put to Zhaan a second option for his consideration."_

Almost as though he wasn't hearing right, Zhaan raised his gaze to meet the Commander's eyes, a puzzled frown on his brow. The Commander held up a hand to silence him and continued reading.

" _It would be of great potential benefit to our people to establish a permanent information source on the planet Earth, to keep the Guy abreast of any major developments which could adversely affect our species. Currently the Human species appear unaware of the existence of life on other planets. It is in our interest that this should continue and that we should be made aware of any change in this knowledge. For this reason, we consider that a permanent Guy presence on the planet, an informant, would bring enormous strategic benefits._

" _In view of the defendant's success at interacting with this alien species, and his unsuitability to re-integrate with his own kind, he has been recommended for this position by his superior. If the defendant were to choose to accept this alternative punishment, exile from his people to planet Earth, he would have an obligation in a reporting function to the Guy species until the end of his natural life. In summary, our judgement regarding punishment relating to the crimes committed by Zhaan is as follows:_

" _Alternative A: Zhaan is sentenced to an immediate pain-free death for his crimes, or_

" _Alternative B: Zhaan is permanently banished from his planet and his people. He will take up_ _a reporting function on Planet Earth on behalf of the Guy race. Additionally he will bear the marks of shame, visible to all."_

The Commander stopped speaking and looked up at Zhaan

" _I take B,"_ Zhaan said excitedly. _"Place your marks on me and take me back."_ He thrust out his hands.

" _Even before the details are all finalised?"_

" _Details are irrelevant. What choice would you make?"_ The Commander was surprised by his cheek but smiled that tooth-free smile of the Guy.

" _Zhaan, you realise there will be sacrifices resulting from your banishment, if you take up this reporting function?"_ Zhaan nodded.

" _You will have no physical contact with your people. You will never see your home planet again."_ This time when he nodded, Zhaan made an effort to look more solemn but was failing miserably.

" _It will also mean sacrifices for others. A permanent relay post will be necessary on the Delta Mining Colony. Who do you think has offered to spend their lives in such isolation, that you might be saved from death?"_ He looked up at Khevn, whose eyes moved to Malla for confirmation.

" _We will not be able to provide you with Earth monetary units from which to survive. I believe they are necessary there. You will need to find your own source. Apparently though, we can provide you with identity papers which mean you will not draw the Humans' attention."_ The Captain looked at Malla with respect, causing her to blush.

" _You will be on your own. If you are captured, you must hide our existence. If you get sick, there will be no way for us to help. Do you understand?"_ Zhaan nodded.

" _Let me hear that you understand the sacrifices required of yourself and your colleagues,"_ the Commander insisted.

" _I understand what is required, and I shall be forever grateful to my colleagues for their sacrifices on my behalf."_ He quickly switched to English and added, just for them, "my friends."

The remaining news from the Commander was that they had only two Earth days left before Zhaan would be abandoned on Earth on the next moonless night. Malla was to get together everything Zhaan would need. Khevn was responsible for preparing the shuttle flight and would be in command of the shuttle for its trip back to Earth.

Zhaan should spend his time getting psychologically prepared and resting to try to get his injuries to a level where he could survive the flight. He would be made aware of the physical risks of which the doctor had informed the Commander. The biofeedback chip would be removed from his body the following day by the doctor, when the marks of shame were applied.

### Chapter 39 Heart to Heart

The door to Khevn's cabin burst open unexpectedly. Khevn's heart began to race. Malla was still there with him. Their discussions about the happenings of the day and what needed to be done had taken them past curfew time. Khevn suggested Malla stay in the cabin until morning, figuring there was less chance of her getting into trouble there, than if she were found wandering the corridors of the ship. Mostly he hadn't wanted her to leave. Now they were doomed, Khevn feared, as he tried to block her from view as best he could where she lay curled behind him on his bunk. She insisted it just hadn't felt right taking Zhaan's bunk as though he were already gone. Malla looked into his eyes, her own wide with fear. How could they possibly explain this?

Their conversation had ventured into uncomfortable territory. Malla was curious about relationships between male and female Humans and had been asking questions which had made him feel awkward and guilty.

She even insisted he kiss her on the lips, so she could experience the sensation Zhaan had talked about. The truth was that Khevn had been longing to kiss her ever since they'd returned to the ship. What had happened to him on Earth? Was he contaminated too, like Zhaan? He was afraid that he too should be exiled. Surely those damned pills would kick in soon and put a stop to this turmoil. With hindsight he should have just escorted Malla to her own cabin.

With his eyes fixed on the door, Khevn sighed with relief as Zhaan's head popped around it, taking in the scene in the cabin. His relief was short-lived as he heard muffled voices. Zhaan turned around to talk to somebody.

" _Thank you for helping me down here, Doctor. I'm fine now. Khevn is here. He'll help me into bed, I'm sure."_ Before the doctor could object, Zhaan confirmed that he'd report to the infirmary the next morning as agreed and quickly closed the door in the doctor's face.

Smiling, he turned back to Khevn. _"Interesting."_ He looked in Malla's direction. _"You found yourself a new cabin mate already?"_ He laughed.

Khevn began spluttering and tried to think of some convincing explanation for Malla's presence.

" _Don't bother making excuses to me, Khevn. I don't care what you guys are up to. I'm just sorry to have interrupted. If I'd known, I'd have stayed on that plank they call a bed in the Med. Bay, but I was hoping I'd get more rest here."_ Laughing again he added, _"I hope you won't be making too much noise!"_ Khevn blushed.

As Khevn helped him undress, Zhaan felt cheeky. The painkillers he'd been given to help him sleep were giving him quite a buzz. _"Hey, Khevn, I think you have a little_ lipstick _on your face."_ It was a ridiculous thing to say, as Guy females didn't use makeup, and he'd been forced to use the Human word. It had the effect Zhaan desired, making Khevn rush to the mirror in horror before it dawned on him that his friend was teasing him. He turned to glare at Zhaan, who ignored him, instead questioning Malla. _"So, is he a good kisser?"_ Again the Human word had to be used. Now Malla was blushing.

" _It was just an experiment. I was curious. It didn't mean anything,"_ Malla hurried to explain.

" _Shame,"_ Zhaan replied. _"I'm sure it feels much better if it does mean something."_ Both of his friends were looking coy and Zhaan became serious. _"Be careful, my friends."_

Zhaan seemed to be getting unsteady on his feet. _"Khevn, I think you'd better help me into bed before I fall over. Whatever the Doc gave me is quite a trip! I hope it lasts until I've been marked tomorrow. I expect that must hurt."_

Once Zhaan was safely horizontal on his bunk, Khevn returned to his own bed. This time he clambered over Malla to lie behind her and casually draped a protective arm around her, as though it was a familiar action. After a few moments Malla began to look comfortable with the situation. Zhaan could only imagine the intense emotions they may be sensing from one another through their touch.

Zhaan turned to Malla. _"Would you be the one to mark me, Malla? I told the Doc I was going to ask you. He seemed terrified at the prospect of having to do it. I guess doctors aren't used to having to hurt people."_

Malla looked at him with surprise in her eyes. _"But Zhaan, I've never done such a thing. Why do you want me to try?"_

" _I'm worried Doc's hands may be shaking so much and he'll make a mess of it!"_ He laughed, pausing before he continued. _"Honestly I'm sure you'll make a better job of it. If I have to walk around for the rest of my life with the marks, it would be nice if they looked good. Also, if I have to be marked as a constant reminder of something, I'd prefer that it remind me of you. You have done so much for us."_ Zhaan moved his arm, gesturing to indicate himself and Khevn. The painkillers made him forget his injuries, but it was only a moment before he added a sharp, _"Ouch!"_

" _I'll talk to the Doctor. I'll try, Zhaan, if it is what you want,"_ Malla responded quietly.

Zhaan smiled, forgetting for a moment to conceal his teeth. He'd become so accustomed to the Human way. Malla looked briefly alarmed. Less flamboyantly he gestured with one finger that she should move towards him. There was so little room between the bunks in the cabin, just room to stand. Malla could lean over towards him where he lay, without moving from Khevn's bunk. Gingerly, wincing at the discomfort, Zhaan propped himself up on one elbow, taking her face in his other hand. Gently he planted a kiss on her cheek. _"That is the type of kiss that doesn't mean anything. Was that how Khevn kissed you?"_ He laughed as she blushed again, shaking her head.

Khevn and Malla thought Zhaan must be asleep as several minutes passed without him speaking. The sensation of lying closely together with another Guy was so unfamiliar to them, that they were both wide awake. The flood of emotions passing between them as they touched wasn't helping either. Suddenly Zhaan spoke again.

" _I can't believe you guys have agreed to be abandoned on that scruffy rock of a mining colony indefinitely, just for me. If I could cry like a Human, I would right now. I wish you didn't have to do that just to save me."_

Khevn spoke after a pregnant pause. _"Don't be sad for us, my friend. It won't be so bad. Malla is keen to continue her Earth research and signals from Earth, from you, will reach us much more quickly and strongly there. I will assist her. Besides, the colonies aren't so strict as Guyara. There are special privileges for being stuck out there."_ He looked down at Malla where she lay. She was unaware of his gaze but Zhaan got the meaning clearly - they'd be allowed to be together there.

Another prolonged silence followed before Zhaan spoke again.

" _Hey, Malla, are you coming down to Earth with us on the shuttle? You should ask your boyfriend, after all he is to pilot the trip. You deserve to get a closer glimpse of the place you've spent so long researching. You won't see much at night, but at least you could say you've been, and the lights look pretty."_

Malla turned eagerly to Khevn. _"Would it be possible, Khevn?"_

He thought it through, silent for a moment. _"If you want to, I'll make it happen. There have to be some perks to your boyfriend being Shuttle Captain."_

He laughed, wondering why he hadn't thought to ask her himself. _"We'll only be there a few minutes with strict orders, but if you want to. The view is quite beautiful on the way down."_

Malla nodded eagerly.

Zhaan spoke again. _"Khevn, did you give Malla the Earth presents we brought for her?"_ Khevn just looked bewildered. _"They were in your pack. I figured I wasn't going to get to keep anything I brought back."_

Frowning, Khevn took his arm from Malla and reached up to the shelf above his bunk where the pack lay, unopened since his return. Rummaging, he quickly located three items of which he'd had no knowledge. Each was wrapped in colourful paper.

" _Alice chose the gifts for you, Malla. She insisted we wrap them. It's the Human way with gifts."_

Uncertainly Malla toyed with the three items Khevn handed her.

" _Just tear the paper off,"_ Zhaan explained. _"I know it seems a bit strange to wrap something in paper for somebody else to tear off,"_ he laughed.

Malla was keen to preserve the precious Earth paper and carefully peeled off the sticky tape when she located it. The first package revealed a copy of National Geographic magazine, which caused Malla's eyes to light up in delight. The second colourful package contained a large bar of dark chocolate.

" _My personal favourite,"_ Zhaan joked.

The final gift was a silver chain with a round pendant of some kind of bluish semi-precious gemstone. Khevn, with his scientific curiosity immediately began peering at the stone, trying to work out what it was. _"Alice chose that. She said it reminded her of the colour of Earth when you see it from space. She hoped you'd like it."_ It was easy to tell from Malla's emotion filled face that she did.

### Chapter 40 - Doctoring

Finally Alice was sleeping. Jesse was relieved. It had taken a lot of persuasion to convince her to take the tablets he'd given her. The sleepless, restless nights were taking their toll on her body in its weakened state. He was torn. She did seem to be physically sick and certainly wasn't improving, but he still couldn't decide whether it was symptoms of her broken heart, or she was actually ill. Maybe she had contracted some strange alien disease.

Alice hardly ate since Zhaan had left. Even when she tried, just to keep Jesse happy, she complained of nausea and would only pick at the food with which they tried to tempt her. Yesterday, she fainted at work and finally allowed him to draw some blood for tests, after much protest. She insisted it was just the upset of losing Zhaan, but Jesse wasn't convinced. In a way, he hoped she was sick. It might be easier to treat an illness than to heal the effects of heartbreak.

As he raced back downstairs to Clare, he decided if there was no improvement in Alice's condition the next morning, he would overrule her insistence on avoiding hospital. He wouldn't have the results of the blood tests back until Monday morning and couldn't bear to watch her fading before his eyes. He was concerned she might not make it that long without assistance.

Clare got up from the couch and held him in her arms. She was such a comfort to him.

"It'll be all right, I'm sure," she tried to reassure him.

"I've decided if she won't eat tomorrow and she's no better, she's going to need help, more than I can give her."

"Whatever we need to do, we'll sort it out tomorrow, Jesse. We'll check in on her again on our way to bed. Hopefully a good night of sleep will help. Try to relax for a while. Let's finish watching this movie." Clare passed him a freshly topped up glass of Merlot.

It took a while, but he did become engrossed in the romantic comedy movie they had selected and was feeling calmer. His arm lay around Clare's shoulders. A sudden noise at the front of the house brought him back to reality.

"What was that?" Clare asked nervously.

"Probably a bear or raccoon, but I'll go and check," answered Jesse. He was just getting to his feet when there was a knock on the front door, which caused him to wonder. Who would call at this time of night? It was already after eleven. A frown crossed his face as he silently indicated for Clare to stay put. He reached into the closet for his shotgun. As he walked towards the door, he decided he was probably over-reacting. People with evil intentions rarely knocked to announce their arrival. Still, just to be sure, he held the gun out of sight behind the door as he cautiously opened it.

"Oh my God! Clare, come quickly!" Jesse yelled. As she ran towards the door, she was greeted by the sight of a bruised, battered, and emaciated looking Zhaan crumpled just outside. He looked up at Jesse anxiously.

"Is Alice still here? Will she still want me?" Zhaan looked terrified waiting for a response. They needed to get him inside. It was a chilly night. Taking one look at his alien friend's face, Jesse couldn't make him wait a second longer than necessary for an answer to his question.

"Zhaan, I'm pretty sure Alice will still want you. You'll have to ask her yourself, but I'm sure the answer is going to be yes. Let's get you inside. You look like shit."

"Is she here?" Zhaan staggered into the hallway with the help of his friends. "I need to see her."

"She's upstairs sleeping."

Zhaan turned and pulled away towards the stairs, but Jesse kept a firm grip on his arm.

"Zhaan, wait a second. I need to tell you something," Jesse began.

"She has another man already?" Zhaan looked distraught.

"No, Zhaan, but she's not been well since you left. She hasn't been sleeping, she's hardly eaten, and I'm worried about her. If she's no better tomorrow, I'm going to take her to the hospital. I'm not sure if she is sick or it's because of her broken heart. Anyway we'll find out now you're back. I gave her some medicine to help her sleep, so she probably won't wake until morning." Zhaan tore his arm out of Jesse's grip and hobbled upstairs before Jesse could say any more.

"Should we go up with him?" Clare wondered.

"Let's give him a few minutes."

"What happened to him? He looks really beaten up. I thought he was supposed to be headed home."

"Those bastards!" Jesse muttered angrily to himself, striding back into the lounge to take a long slug from his wine glass. Suddenly he remembered what had happened last time he'd used alcohol to try to assuage his anger at Zhaan's maltreatment. Quickly he put the glass back down on the table. "At least he's back home. Let's hope he can stay."

Bursting into the bedroom, Zhaan staggered to the bed where Alice lay motionless. She wasn't disturbed at all by the commotion he created. She looked so pale with dark circles below her eyes. Her unkempt hair was strewn across the pillow around her head. Zhaan was horrified. Surely he couldn't lose her now? Not like this. He felt so tired and guessed he didn't look much better himself. Too exhausted to undress beyond removing his soiled T-shirt and shoving off his shoes, he climbed into the bed beside Alice and wrapped an arm around her.

Aware that it was daylight even though she kept her eyelids tightly closed, Alice didn't want to wake up. She'd been having the most wonderful dream. Thank goodness for her brother and his magic pills. No wonder people got hooked on that type of medicine. Zhaan had been in her dream, holding her in his arms. Even now she was becoming conscious, she was left with a vague warm and happy feeling. She knew it would only last until she opened her eyes to face reality. Jesse would no doubt be in to see her soon, to hassle her again about going to the hospital to get checked out. Until then, she'd lie here savouring the residual feelings from her dream. It was such a relief to have images of Zhaan again, even if they were only in her dreams. She was afraid that she would forget how he looked and the feel of his touch.

A few minutes passed as she continued to doze but gradually she was aware of another presence in the room. Damn, Jesse was here already to interrupt her thoughts. Resigned to the fact, she tried to turn and sit up in the bed to face him, but it felt like a heavy weight was holding her down. Maybe she really was sick. She couldn't believe she was so weak. She was embarrassed about falling apart so badly after Zhaan was gone, but she was beginning to wonder if Jesse may be right. People could die of a broken heart, couldn't they?

More determinedly, but with her eyes still firmly closed, she tried again to sit and struggled against the weight that pinned her down.

"Alice."

That magical voice she missed so much. She was hallucinating now. She collapsed back on the pillow.

"Alice!" The voice became more insistent. With a sudden realisation that the voice was real, her eyes flew open to see Zhaan lying beside her. The heavy weight she felt was his arm holding her tightly. Speechless, she grasped the back of his discoloured, bruised head and locked their lips together. Pausing for breath, Alice asked quietly, "Is it true? Are you really here? Am I dreaming?"

"Will you still have me?" Zhaan looked desperate. Alice answered with another extended kiss before adding, "Yes, of course. I'm so happy to see you. I love you!"

As if eager to check that he was real, Alice flung back the bed covers. Her eyes roamed over his prone body, taking in the vivid marks of heavy bruising, the scars on his chest, and his bandaged hands.

"What happened to you?" she asked.

"Lots. I tell you everything later. What happen to you? You are sick?" Zhaan asked with concern.

"I don't know. Maybe. Everything is going to be OK now." Alice wrapped her arms around Zhaan, squeezed tightly and planted another big kiss on his bloodied lips.

"Ow!" he said as they came up for air.

"Oops, sorry!" Alice laughed for the first time in almost two weeks. It felt good. She ran her fingertips gently over his prone body. "You look half starved. Let's get you some breakfast. Can you even stand up? Who did this to you?"

"Alice, you sick. Don't worry about me. I good."

"Maybe I'm not sick. Perhaps I'll be able to eat now that you're back to heal my broken heart." She smiled, trying to reassure him, then a dark thought crossed her mind.

"How long can you stay this time?" she asked. The thought of having him back and then having to go through all of this heartache again when he left was unbearable.

"I stay as long as you want me. I have nowhere else to go." His voice trailed off. He climbed out of bed and winced in pain as he bent to pick up his discarded T-shirt from the floor. He gave it an exploratory sniff before throwing it back down. He walked over to the closet, flung the door open, and gave a big toothy grin as he looked inside.

"You still have my clothes."

"I couldn't stand to get rid of them. I couldn't even bear to wash them. I hung them back up dirty so I could walk over there and smell your scent when the pain of missing you was too much. What a saddo!" She laughed again. It felt like the first time in forever.

He struggled to put on his favourite T-shirt, the orange one from Roswell with the alien motif, and limped back to the bed.

"OK, get up. We eat something, then we wash." Zhaan watched with concern as Alice struggled to sit up, dropped from the bed onto her feet, swayed a little, and hurriedly sat back down. Zhaan helped her into her robe and carefully lifted her up in his arms. He carried her to the top of the stairs, hoping she didn't notice the pain his actions caused him. There, he hesitated. He felt wobbly himself and wasn't sure about carrying her safely down the stairs. Gently he placed her back on her feet between himself and the handrail. While he supported her with one arm, they limped gingerly downstairs together. At the bottom he picked her up again and bore her into the kitchen, setting her down on a stool at the counter as quickly as he could before his legs gave beneath him.

Seconds later, Jesse appeared in the doorway. His hair was unkempt and he rubbed sleep from his eyes. "I heard you coming down and thought I'd better check how you are both doing." He smiled, pleased to see his sister up and with a little colour back in her cheeks. Maybe it was just heartache making her sick, after all. "We checked on you last night, but you were both dead to the world."

"We were dead?" exclaimed Zhaan looking confused.

"Evidently not." Jesse grinned. "Hey, Zhaan, sit down before you fall. Let me fix you something to eat. You look like the "after" picture from a crash diet advert!"

Zhaan looked perplexed but obediently sat. He was surprised how he was struggling to understand English after such a short time back with his own kind.

Jesse turned to the fridge, pulled out some eggs and bacon, and placed them on the counter. Suddenly he was overwhelmed by all the stress, worry, and anger of the last couple of weeks. Tears filled his eyes and he strode over to where Zhaan was awkwardly perched. The stool brought him down to Jesse's height. He firmly grasped Zhaan in a tight hug and said, "I've missed you, my friend," then squeezed him again.

"Ow!" Zhaan exclaimed as his chest was crushed in Jesse's embrace. It made Jesse laugh. "I miss you too, brother Jesse."

Zhaan was tucking into a third plate of bacon, eggs, and toast, while Alice was still pushing her eggs around the plate hoping Jesse wouldn't notice that her appetite hadn't returned. It would take a while after all the upset she tried to convince herself. She picked up a piece of toast and took a small bite as a tousled Clare came into the kitchen. Zhaan's nostrils flared taking in Clare's scent, as she walked over to ask how Alice was feeling. Zhaan grinned. "I glad you two work out how to do sex!" His eyes moved between Jesse and Clare, who both blushed.

Alice had taken another feeble bite from her toast and spluttered in amusement at Zhaan's words. She was chewing hard, trying to swallow the food before she choked from laughing, when a familiar wave of nausea overcame her. Scrambling to her feet, she made for the bathroom, swaying as her head spun, and making it just in time. Clare was right behind her, with the boys in hot pursuit.

Hanging over the sink, retching hopelessly despite the lack of stomach contents, Alice began to cry.

"What's wrong with me, Jesse?" she asked as Clare tenderly held back her hair. Zhaan's eyes filled with concern and he turned to Jesse hoping for an answer. Jesse leaned back on the door frame looking utterly defeated. "I don't know. I wish I did," he said in a frustrated tone.

Zhaan strode purposefully from the room leaving the three Humans weighed down with worry.

"Come and lie down on the couch, Alice," Clare suggested, "if you think the nausea has passed." Alice nodded and her friend helped her back into the living room, where Zhaan crouched on the floor frantically pulling out the contents of the small backpack he'd brought with him the previous night. He'd already removed a dossier of papers containing what looked like a US passport, lots of other official looking documents, and several unfamiliar-looking gadgets, Clare observed. He seemed to find what he was looking for. Clare's gaze passed back towards the passport. She was puzzled as Jesse had told her Zhaan was from overseas.

As Zhaan approached Alice, she smiled weakly. "Ah, your doctor machine. I hope it can help."

Alice reclined on the sofa and Zhaan pushed up the sleeve of her robe, exposing her forearm. Curious, Jesse approached. "What's that?" he enquired. "What are you doing?" With the press of a button, a probe extended from the gadget Zhaan held in his hand. After making a few adjustments, he placed it against the bare skin of Alice's arm.

"This my doctor," Zhaan said, seeming to think this explanation enough. It was Jesse's turn to appear bewildered.

"Jesse, Zhaan has used this thing on me before. It's fine. It is some kind of medical scanner. Somehow it knows what's wrong with you just by touching your skin," Alice explained. Her brother looked unconvinced.

"Thank you, Malla," Zhaan said quietly, planting a kiss on the back of the device. Alice raised an eyebrow quizzically.

"My friend, Malla pack things in bag for me. She pack this machine. This same one I already use on you before." Alice was eager to learn what had happened to Zhaan in the days they'd been apart, but it would have to wait for now. Hopefully she'd live long enough to find out.

The room went quiet while the machine did its stuff and beeped to signal completion of its investigations.

Zhaan pored over the squiggles on the screen looking worried.

"What's wrong with me? Did I catch something alien?" Alice asked almost frantically. Apparently the act of dealing with a malfunctioning gadget by tapping it hard against your hand, was universal, Jesse smiled to himself, as Zhaan shook his head and started the whole process again.

"Is it not working, Zhaan?" Alice asked, disappointed. The stress levels in the room mounted as the four of them waited expectantly for the machine to finish the process again.

"I'll go and get you a glass of water, Alice," Clare said. Unable to stand the tension any more, she headed for the kitchen. The beep sounded again. Zhaan took the machine, went to sit in the armchair by Alice's head, and puzzled over the results on the screen. Eventually he looked up at Jesse with an anxious face.

"What does the doctor machine tell you?" Jesse asked. He tried to seem jovial yet was worried by the concern in Zhaan's expression.

"First Alice very dehydrated. Urgent re-hydration necessary." Jesse nodded, concurring.

"Second, Alice have very little energy food in blood, insufficient food intake. These two things cause weakness and..." He waved a vertical arm in the air. Jesse assumed he was signalling how Alice was unsteady on her feet.

"Alice blood doesn't have enough of some chemical." He looked frustrated. "Can't remember names in English. You have chemicals chart?" Jesse hurried over to the bookcase returning with the periodic table.

Using their atomic numbers as a reference, Zhaan pointed out several including calcium, magnesium and iron. "This one really low," he indicated potassium. "She also having bad immune reaction, like allergy."

Jesse was making a mental note, already planning treatments for the deficiencies Zhaan pointed out. He'd need to get hold of an I.V. drip if Alice still wouldn't go to the hospital.

"One more thing." Zhaan looked really worried.

"What?" Jesse asked, equally concerned.

Alice looked desperately from one silent, anxious man to the other. "I'm right here you know. What is it?" Exasperated, she glanced at the equally baffled Clare.

Zhaan crouched down beside Alice and took her flustered face in his hands. "Tell me, Alice, please be honest. It OK, I leave you alone. I still love you. I always love you."

"Zhaan, what are you talking about?" Alice asked, irritated by his vagueness.

"Was there other man after me, or even when I still was here?"

"No, of course not!" Alice responded indignantly. "How could you even think such a thing?"

"Zhaan, tell us. What else is wrong?" Jesse said impatiently.

"Alice has two heart beat." Jesse looked over at his friend's face, puzzled. With the gradual, horrible realisation of Zhaan's meaning, the colour drained from his face and he sat down abruptly.

"What do you mean? What's wrong with my heart?" Alice pleaded for an explanation. The boys looked so worried. Maybe her broken heart was killing her after all. "Tell me!"

"What my machine tell me is that you..." Zhaan stumbled mid sentence, struggling to remember if he even knew the English words. In frustration, Alice reached for the gadget and peered at the unintelligible squiggles on the display.

Jesse began to speak. "I fear what Zhaan's machine is telling him is..."

"What? What? You're both really freaking me out now!" Rising from the sofa in frustration, Alice was desperate for an answer.

"You might be pregnant," Jesse explained succinctly. Alice's sat abruptly again.

"That's not possible, surely? We were always careful. Anyhow, Zhaan's not Human. How could that even be possible?" Alice screamed hysterically. A stunned silence engulfed the room before Jesse switched back into doctor mode.

"Have there been any other indications that this might be the case?" he asked.

Alice considered, "Well..."

"Hang on just one minute. What do you mean Zhaan's not Human?" Clare took a turn wearing the baffled expression. She looked from Jesse to Alice and back again in search of an explanation, before turning her gaze to Zhaan, who perched on the edge of the sofa, with his head in his wounded hands. "Is anybody going to explain to me what exactly is going on?" she asked, bemused.

"We'll head to the office. I'll explain on the way," Jesse's responded cryptically.

As Jesse headed to the hallway to pick up his coat and medical bag, Clare turned to Zhaan giving him a severe once over. She looked unconvinced about his non-Human status and was surprised he hadn't protested. As if reading her mind, Zhaan slowly lowered the dark glasses from his eyes and nervously awaited her reaction. Catching sight of Zhaan's golden eyes, Clare's own eyes opened wide in surprise.

"How have I never noticed that before? What the hell are you, if not Human?" she asked. Her shock was evident from her cursing.

"I am Guy," Zhaan began to explain, as Jesse strode back into the room to try to hurry them along. Fearing the explanation might take all day at the speed Zhaan was progressing with it, he impatiently butted in.

"Our friend, Zhaan, is from a planet called Guyara. He calls himself Guy, like we call ourselves Human. He was sent here to check out Humans and somehow ended up with Alice and myself as his main specimens for investigation." He noticed a hurt look cross Clare's face.

"How long have you known this, Jesse?" She couldn't work out if she was more upset to learn that one of her few friends in this world was an alien, or that Jesse had been keeping such a big secret from her. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Realising how much trouble he was in, Jesse summoned up some patience and put his concern for Alice on the back burner for a few moments.

He attempted to take Clare in his arms but she stood stiff and unreceptive. Refusing to drop his own arms, he placed a hand on each of her rigid arms.

"Clare, please forgive me. It wasn't my secret to tell. I promised Zhaan, and I couldn't risk his safety or yours by telling you. You have to believe me. I would have told you in a heartbeat if I could."

Looking into Jesse's eyes, Clare noticed tears forming there. It was hard to doubt his sincerity although she was still extremely pissed at him.

"Putting aside the fact that I am majorly annoyed with you for not sharing something so literally Earth-shattering, how in God's name did he get from wherever it was to Earth? What is he doing here and why does nobody apart from you two seem to know about this? And while I'm listing my questions, what the hell did his weird friend do to my brain when he left? I assume he was alien too."

Feeling Clare's arms relax slightly, Jesse took the opportunity to grab her and hold her close. "I know we have a lot to explain to you, honey. I'm so sorry." He glanced momentarily at his pale-faced sibling. "Can we continue this conversation on the way to the medical office?"

### Chapter 41 – Proof of Life

At the closed medical practice the four of them were so engrossed in the screen they were studying they didn't notice the door opening.

"My, my! This is an interesting tableau. There must be a story here somewhere. Let's see. My partner is at our practice during the weekend, busy performing what looks like a prenatal sonogram on his beloved sister. Meanwhile, the mysterious boyfriend, who left for good only two weeks ago, is very much here and looks like somebody used him as a punching bag. Intriguing." Zach paused, raising one eyebrow quizzically before strolling over towards the blurry image on the screen.

Jesse felt inexplicably irritated by the intrusion of his friend while he already felt so stressed. "What are you doing here on a Sunday, Zach?" He moved his shoulders in front of the screen, hoping to partially obscure Zach's view.

Zach paused before quietly admitting, "I was planning to do the exact same thing as you. Ann's pregnant and she's got herself into a real state during the night, thinking something is wrong with the baby. I expect it's all those rampaging hormones, and with Mikey being the way he is... The only way I could calm her down was to offer to bring her here so she could see the baby for herself. I sent her for coffee so I could get the machine set up." He turned back to the screen and, grabbing the opportunity, peered intensely at the image it showed. "How are you feeling, Alice? Any better? You look like shit by the way."

"Thanks, Zach. Famed for your bedside manner, are you?" Alice responded gruffly.

"My sister is no better, still not able to eat anything, and throwing up all the time. To be honest I'm worried sick," Jesse said. "Perhaps you could give us your opinion on what we should do."

Zach glanced at the screen again before turning back towards Jesse looking concerned. "The evidence seems to indicate that Alice is pregnant, so it's probably a severe case of morning sickness. We should get her admitted to hospital, to get her stabilised," Zach suggested. "Have you worked out how far along she is?" he continued absent-mindedly. He seemed distracted as he bent closer and peered at the sonogram image with a frown.

Jesse's eyes moved from his sister to his partner. "Could I have a word with you in private, Zach?" he asked, looking troubled. The two doctors headed out into the corridor leaving Zhaan and Alice concerned.

"First of all I have to ask, it wasn't you who beat the crap out of Zhaan was it?" Zach looked anxious and was obviously concerned about the character of his business partner after his recent strange episode.

"Hell no! Zhaan's like a brother to me," Jesse reassured him.

"I have two brothers, and we used to beat each other up all the time. If he knocked up your sister..."

"You have my word. It wasn't me who beat him." Jesse paused. "I'm sure he could snap my neck with one hand tied behind his back. What I wanted to ask you, if Alice had a very good reason why she didn't want to go to a hospital, would you be able to help me get hold of the IV equipment and other stuff she needs? I know you have contacts at the hospital. I really don't want to have to contact my ex in Kalispell for help and supplies."

"If she's worried about the cost, you know she's covered for healthcare as an employee."

"No, that's not it."

"I'd be pretty damn curious about the reason, if it was important enough to put her health and the baby's at risk."

"If I wasn't able to tell you, doctor-patient confidentiality and all that, could I trust you? Would you help?"

"She's not a wanted felon or something is she?" Zach looked amazed.

"No, it's nothing like that. Nothing about Alice at all really." Jesse cut himself off abruptly before he spilled Zhaan's secret. A long pause followed when Zach hoped for more of an explanation but none was forthcoming.

"Of course I'll help you. Let me go and make some calls." Zach began walking towards his office. He hesitated and turned back to his friend. "Could it be something to do with the fact that what I saw on that screen looked kind of odd?"

Luckily for Jesse, Ann picked that moment to burst into the corridor with two cups of coffee in her hands. Her eyes were red and bloodshot. Catching sight of Jesse, she looked mortified.

"I suppose Zach told you how silly I'm being." Tears began to flow from her glistening eyes.

Zach took his wife into his arms, skilfully inserting himself between her outstretched arms with the scalding cups of liquid.

"Ann, try not to get upset. You know it's not good for the baby. You'll see for yourself in a few minutes that everything is fine. We've just got to get Alice off the sonogram table first." He knew this would distract his wife.

"Oh, is Alice pregnant too?" she asked excitedly, brushing the beginnings of tears from her cheeks. "You must be thrilled, Uncle Jesse! Has Zhaan come back?"

"Actually, we only just found out. I think we're all still in shock, especially Alice and Zhaan. He got back last night."

"I'll go and make those calls, while you finish up in there with Alice, Jesse." Zach headed towards his office. He hoped his wife could get more of the story out of Alice.

Heading back into the sonogram room, Jesse hesitated as he opened the door and silently observed what he'd come to think of as his little family. Alice and Zhaan were transfixed by the image on the screen. Zhaan grasped Alice's hand tightly in his.

Clare was excited and pointed at the screen. "Are those tiny fingers?" she squealed.

"Jesse, is it possible..." Alice hesitated.

"What is it, Alice? Are you feeling sick again?"

"No. I just wondered if I could get a copy of the picture to take home with me. I'd like to have a picture, just in case something goes wrong." Her voice dropped to a whisper by the end of the sentence. "Besides, it might help me adjust to this. I think I'm in shock!"

"Sure, no problem. Give me a minute." Jesse moved over to the printer with his gaze fixed on Zhaan. "If you're in shock, I think he may be catatonic!" He laughed and gestured towards Zhaan. "I didn't think it was possible for anyone so pale to get any whiter!" Still smiling, Jesse took another more concerned look at Zhaan. "Is he OK?" he asked his sister. Alice glanced in Zhaan's direction and he nodded curtly.

"Clare, can you help Alice get up and dressed. Zach needs to use the sonogram too."

As if on cue, Ann burst into the room and raced over to Alice. "Do you have a picture? Can I see?" she asked excitedly. Alice handed over the photo Jesse had just given her. "How precious! They always look like tiny aliens at this stage, don't they?" Ann commented and promptly burst into tears.

Clare and Alice looked knowingly at one another, smiling, tiny alien indeed! It was amazing how well Clare had taken the news of Zhaan's true identity when Jesse had explained in more detail on their way to the surgery. Clare admitted that she worked out there was something different about Zhaan but hadn't been able to quite pinpoint what it was exactly. Another feeling she confessed was relief that the big secret she had suspected Jesse was keeping from her wasn't that he wished she'd never moved into his house, as she had feared.

Now Clare turned her attention to trying to calm Ann.

Eager to avoid the excess of female hormones in the room, Jesse turned to Zhaan.

"While we're here Zhaan, could I take a look at your injuries? I'd like to see how you're doing. You're obviously in a lot of pain." Zhaan looked confused not understanding Jesse's meaning.

"Zhaan, come with me. I need to doctor to you too," Jesse stated simply. Zhaan looked surprised, but stood obediently, and slowly limped behind Jesse to his office.

Behind the closed door of his surgery, Jesse turned his full attention to his alien friend. "Are you OK, Zhaan? You look like you've taken a severe beating or been in a serious accident since you left. Now this whole pregnancy thing - the baby," he added for clarity, "must be a terrible shock." Zhaan hobbled to the chair and gingerly lowered himself into it. He threw his head down into his hands and grimaced a little as his palms found the bruising on his face. Slowly, he turned to Jesse.

"What have I done? What have I done to Alice? Will she die? I don't want her to die. No life is more precious to me than hers." Zhaan felt a pressure building inside him. He was beginning to understand what a sweet release those Human tears must be at a time like this. Jesse stepped towards Zhaan, crouched down, and gently lay his hands on his distraught friend's knees. He looked him squarely in the eye, or at least in the dark glasses.

"If Alice's health continues to deteriorate, we'll need to discuss the options with her." Zhaan tilted his head to one side looking perplexed. "What I'm saying, Zhaan, is if the baby..." He was reluctant to use the non scientific term, it wouldn't help him keep a doctor's detachment to the situation. "If the foetus continues to make Alice more and more sick, we may need to talk about the possibility that it may need to be removed from her body. It seems her immune system isn't coping too well with the child at the moment. Try not to worry too much. I'll do whatever is necessary to protect her. If we can get some fluids into her and food..." Jesse wasn't feeling as optimistic as he was trying to portray.

Quickly he changed the subject. "Zhaan, is it OK if I examine your injuries? I'm worried about you, and I'm the only doctor you have here, even if I don't know much about your physiology."

"Too many worry for one man. Don't worry about me. Alice must live." Looking above his sunglasses, Zhaan gave an intense stare directly back into Jesse's eyes.

"Agreed. Now remove your clothes, so I can see where you are hurt."

Zhaan struggled to get to his feet again, taking most of his weight on his left arm. Jesse offered help but he refused. He slowly removed the T-shirt, pulling it over his head. He was obviously in severe pain. Jesse gasped seeing the bruising on Zhaan's torso and what looked like a fairly recent surgical scar.

"You look like you've been in a car wreck. What happened to you, Zhaan? Did your people do this to you?"

"Just one crazy Guy. He didn't like me much. He come in my room and hit me with his feet until I died. I stop breathing and my heart stop," Zhaan explained matter-of-factly.

"I can believe it looking at those injuries. How are you still alive?" Jesse wondered out loud.

"My friend, Malla, she save me. She bring help from doctor quick before I die completely. Thank Guyara for Malla," he added.

"So what did your doctor tell you about your injuries, Zhaan. It'll be easier for me if I know what a doctor of your people had to say."

Zhaan raised his left hand and pointed to the right side of his chest. "Here some bones broken. One bone make hole inside where I breathe. Doctor cut here to repair damage and make me breathe properly again."

"Broken ribs, punctured lung," Jesse translated silently for himself. "Can I listen?" He turned to pick up his stethoscope from his desk. Placing the instrument against Zhaan's chest made him flinch. "Sorry, did I hurt you?" said Jesse alarmed.

"No, this thing cold," Zhaan smiled. Considering the extent of the chest injury, Zhaan's chest sounded remarkably clear. His breathing was shallow, probably because of the pain, but sounded healthy or at least what Jesse could only assume was healthy.

"I'd like to take an X-ray, a picture, later, just to check." Zhaan nodded his agreement. Jesse suddenly had the thought that if there were even a slight chance he was to be physician and uncle to a half-alien child, he'd better start his research into this alien's physiology. With more information he could try to work out if the foetus would be viable and have any chance of surviving.

"Where else are you hurt, Zhaan?" Zhaan pointed in the general direction of his head.

"Doctor worried that I won't ever wake, that my brain damaged, but Malla and Khevn stay with me until I wake again. Bone is broken here too. Doctor make hole to release blood and pressure." He pointed to the right side of the top of his head.

"I'll take a picture of that too if I may. If you were Human, I'd send you for a brain scan but under the circumstances I wouldn't really know what to look for." Jesse felt annoyed at himself for his ignorance but realised the raised eyebrows a brain scan of a non-Human would cause at the hospital. It just wasn't possible. He bent to look into Zhaan's eyes.

"I guess your doctor thought you were well enough to travel back here. Can you see OK? Is everything clear?" Zhaan nodded. "Your thought processes seem normal?" Jesse asked. "Can you think OK?"

"I believe so," replied Zhaan, adding, "sometimes I feel like the room is turning around and too bright. If I think hard, like when speaking your language, it make my head hurt worse."

"It sounds like your skull was fractured from what your doctor said. Hopefully you only have a brain concussion which will get better soon. Let me know if your head doesn't start to feel better in a few days.

"What's wrong with your hands, Zhaan?" Jesse peered down at the bandages around Zhaan's wrists and hands, which looked decidedly grubby. "We should put new dressings on those."

"No need," Zhaan said bluntly. "You can take them off now."

Carefully Jesse began to attempt to remove the dressings. They were of a type he'd never seen before and had no obvious fastening. They had moulded themselves to the shape of Zhaan's hands and then melted there, so the unfamiliar material just adhered to itself.

"You have to cut, Jesse," Zhaan explained. Cautiously Jesse took up a scalpel from a box on the counter and set to work. Slowly he peeled away the dressings, which had offered very effective protection for the wounds. The back of Zhaan's hands were revealed, exposing what looked like newly applied tattoos in a dark shade of brown.

"What is this, Zhaan?" Jesse wondered aloud.

"Marks of shame from my punishment," Zhaan explained. "My people want to make sure that any Guy I meet know of my crimes."

"Are they tattoos?" Jesse asked but Zhaan obviously didn't know that word. "Has your skin been marked with ink, with colour?"

"This one," he nodded and pointed at his right hand, "with just one word, say that I no longer allowed with my people, that they throw me out. It in my own language, I don't know the word in English. The other say that I kind of naughty and don't do what my people order me to do. This type of mark always is part of punishment in my world."

"Your skin doesn't look infected." Jesse took a closer look. "I think the tattoos will look pretty cool when you heal up." He smiled at his friend. "Nobody here will know what they mean anyway."

"My friend Malla, she make marks for me. No one on my ship know how to do this, so she read about it. She very afraid to hurt me, but she try hard to make sure they look nice!" he laughed.

"I think your hands should be OK without dressings now. Just keep them clean. All right then, what's wrong with your right leg? You are limping pretty badly. Can you show me?"

Zhaan was struggling to drop his pants, to follow the doctor's instructions. He began swaying alarmingly and Jesse eased him back towards the exam table, perching him on the edge while he pulled the clothes out of the way himself. Zhaan's right knee was very swollen and bruised. It looked almost twice the size of the untouched left one. It was a miracle he could even stand. It certainly wouldn't bend much with all that swelling.

"Any bone broken here, Zhaan?" Jesse asked. Zhaan shook his head and winced again. Jesse performed a quick and efficient examination of the damaged knee.

"Before we get you get dressed, any other injuries I should know about?"

Zhaan looked embarrassed. "What is it Zhaan? What else?" Jesse asked patiently.

Zhaan pointed vaguely in the direction of his underwear. "Maybe I'm broken here," he said quietly.

"Let me take a look then." Zhaan looked bashful and unconvinced. "Zhaan, I'm a doctor. I've seen it all before. I guess in your particular case I haven't, but you don't need to be embarrassed." Zhaan began to wriggle out of his underwear, revealing a set of gaudily bruised and swollen but, with the exception of the lack of hair, human-looking genitalia.

"Were you kicked here too?" Jesse asked as he gently examined his friend. Zhaan nodded silently.

"There's some major bruising but nothing seems twisted. It should all heal fine. Let's get those X-rays and then you can get dressed. Let me help you up."

"You think my parts will work again for my Alice? I worried I was broken." Zhaan seemed relieved.

"I'm sure everything will get better with rest." Jesse smirked knowingly at his friend. You are peeing all right, Zhaan?"

"For few days I pee blood, now I better from that. Doctor say that organ here bruised." Zhaan pointed to his mid back.

"It's a good job Alice isn't in a romantic mood at the moment," Jesse joked, attempting to lighten the mood.

"Yes, I lucky too that Commander made me take those damned pills again!"

Back in the sonogram room, Alice was up, dressed and bent dry-retching miserably over the sink with a concerned friend on each arm.

"You're certainly having a rough time of things, Alice," Ann was saying.

Zhaan hobbled over to Alice and wrapped his arms around her. He rested his head on her shoulder as he supported her. A few moments passed while Zach fiddled impatiently with the settings on the scanner and glanced frequently towards his wife, who seemed totally absorbed watching Zhaan and Alice. Jesse came through the door. "You should head back to the house, guys. Alice needs to rest and we should give Zach and Ann some peace. I'll hang out here and then head up to the hospital with Zach when they're done. We'll pick up the things we need for Alice."

The trio turned slowly towards the door. Jesse handed his sister a disposable bed pan. "Don't throw up in my truck if you can help it!" He held out the keys and Clare, Zhaan and Alice looked at one another, uncertain who would be driving.

### Chapter 42 - Contact

"How is she doing today, Zhaan?" Jesse asked, as he and Clare walked through the door, returning from work.

"Good, I think, mostly." Zhaan was heating a can of soup in the kitchen. "Alice ask me for food two times today already."

"Did she manage to keep anything down?"

"By the time I return with food she already sick again. Last time, little time later she eat food, even cold. She worse when I leave her side."

Jesse frowned. "Do you think it could be psychological, Zhaan?"

Zhaan's face reminded Jesse that he needed to use simple words if his friend were to understand. "Do you think, just in her mind, she believes she feels worse when you leave?"

Zhaan looked down and seemed uncertain whether to speak.

"What is it, Zhaan? Is Alice pressuring you to stay by her side?"

"By her side is always where I belong." He shook his head for emphasis and paused again. "I have an idea, but maybe you think I crazy. I not doctor expert like you."

"It can't hurt to tell me what you think, Zhaan. Perhaps it will help Alice," Jesse reassured him.

The last comment made up Zhaan's mind.

Clare subtly disappeared upstairs to check on Alice and allow the men some privacy. Tentatively, Zhaan began to speak.

"When I close to Alice, she feel OK. When I leave, quickly she get sick again. Mostly she doesn't want me just close, she want to sit on my legs or curl around my body. The closer we touch together, the better she feel."

Jesse nodded so Zhaan knew he understood but at the back of his mind was still the thought that, after all Alice had been through in the last couple of weeks, it could just be a case of separation anxiety.

"My people, we say that every living thing have its own natural..." Zhaan searched for the words he needed, "...wave frequency, I guess. All Guy people have same frequency, that how we share feelings if we touch skin together. For that reason Guy try never to touch. It very rude on Guyara to touch another Guy without asking permission. Remember when I angry that Khevn put his hands on my skin?"

Jesse was fascinated and had a million questions he wanted to ask but, not wanting to interrupt his friend while his words were flowing, merely nodded.

"Maybe same is true for Earth people. Have you heard this? You are doctor, Jesse."

"If it is true, nobody discovered it yet. Certainly we can't exchange feelings mentally just by touch." Jesse wondered whether it could be possible. Humans did crave the touch of others on the whole. His mind was digressing.

"My idea is this," Zhaan continued, eager to put his thoughts to his friend now he'd started. "I know Guy have natural frequency. Human may have different natural frequency. Human/Guy child can have Human frequency waves, Guy frequency, or maybe total different, unique natural wave frequency, something between. If child of Alice and me have natural frequency different to Alice, this can make child sick, which make Alice sick too."

Jesse was silently pondering this thought.

"When my body close to child, things are better. I believe my natural frequency same as child, or combination of my frequency and Alice make child feel better." Zhaan got the words out in such a rush, he had to pause to draw breath. He looked down, worried about how his friend might react to what could be a crazy theory.

"Is there any way to measure these 'frequencies' you talk of?" Jesse asked, ever the scientist.

"I don't know how. I not doctor. I know sometimes when Guy sick, frequency can be affected. Doctors measure to check."

"It can't hurt to do a little experiment without Alice's knowledge, can it? Did you tell her your theory?"

Zhaan shook his head. "I worry it make her more afraid."

Clare reappeared. "Alice won't be needing that food after all. She was just sick again."

"Do you think she can make it downstairs if you help her, Clare? I may need to set up that IV again, and she'll go stir crazy if she's stuck upstairs."

"I'll go and see," Clare replied, re-climbing the stairs.

"Zhaan, we know she's feeling sick right now. When she gets here, why don't you sit her on your lap for a while and we'll see what happens? If she starts to feel better and gets hungry, you head out to the kitchen and pretend to fix her food. I'll watch what happens for myself."

With Clare's help, Alice made it downstairs but looked ready to topple over at any minute. Zhaan walked over to her and, with a slight wince, scooped her up in his arms. He carried her to the sofa and settled her in his lap with his arms wrapped tightly around her waist. It was extraordinary to observe how quickly colour returned to his sister's cheeks as Jesse watched out of the corner of his eye.

Clare offered to fetch the IV stand for Jesse.

"Let's just wait a while, Clare," he said quietly.

"I'll go and start dinner, Jesse." She gave him a quick peck on the cheek. For once he let her head into the kitchen to start work alone. Normally they worked together. He wanted to make sure she didn't feel he expected her to cook for him after all those long years slaving for her father.

Soon the smell of onions frying wafted into the lounge.

"Zhaan, now I'm feeling hungry again. Sorry. Could I try a cookie or something?" Alice suggested.

Gently Zhaan moved Alice from his lap and headed for the kitchen, where he waited a while.

Alice was soon complaining to her brother. "Now I'm queasy again. Will this ever stop?" Despair coloured her voice.

"Zhaan, get back in here," Jesse called, as Alice blanched again.

Racing over to his beloved Alice, upset to see her pale again, Zhaan lifted her up and held her close. A couple of minutes later, she recovered and muttered, "This is crazy. Now I'm starving."

"From what I've just witnessed," Jesse said, "you may have a valid theory, Zhaan. I wish there was some way to measure whatever frequency you are talking about, but until I can work it out and maybe replicate it, you two better stick together like glue."

"What are you talking about, Jesse?" Alice asked.

Jesse responded, "First I'll go and get you that cookie."

As Alice devoured one cookie and then another, Jesse explained Zhaan's theory to Alice and Clare.

"That's exactly what I've been experiencing, Zhaan. It would make perfect sense. I was worried I was just being needy."

"Zhaan, why don't you keep hold of Alice. Maybe she can try to eat something more substantial," Clare suggested. "I've fixed some chicken for dinner. It's fairly plain. What do you think Alice?"

"I think I'm starving!" she replied.

Sitting in Zhaan's lap with his arms around her, Alice tucked into a bowl of chicken and rice, and then asked for seconds.

As Jesse had suggested, Zhaan and Alice spent the next few days as if glued together. Zhaan would carry her from place to place. When it came to climbing the stairs, where he still couldn't manage to carry her due to his own injuries, they would walk hand in hand with Zhaan's other hand resting on Alice's belly. They went to sleep entwined and woke the same way.

Slowly Alice began to regain the weight and strength she had lost and the bump in her belly began to grow. As the weeks went by, gradually she could make do with less intense contact with Zhaan, although the last thing she had in mind was to tell him that.

### Chapter 43 - Bonding

Zhaan stood naked. His silhouette was silver in the light from the full moon which streamed through the pines. Jesse, Alice, and Clare stood open-mouthed on the porch. They were puzzled when he'd asked them to give him five minutes and then come outside. Greeted by this beautiful image of his body in the moonlight, they were more perplexed.

Clare felt herself blush.

"Zhaan, what are you doing? It's cold out here," Alice asked in an amused tone.

Slowly he turned to face them.

"Something I need to do. I hope if you all watch it help."

Now they were more baffled and waited silently for him to explain. He stood unabashedly naked before them, giving them a clear view of the extent of the bruising and scars from his recent beating.

"Jesus!" Clare whispered as she took in the view.

Zhaan began to speak.

"I don't belong here on your Earth," he began.

Alice opened her mouth about to reassure him, but he stopped her by raising the palm of his hand.

"It polite for me to ask your Earth to accept me, to allow me to stay, to protect me. This ritual on Guyara, my home world, normally for a new child. I am a new child on this strange planet." He paused, his face was solemn. "If my Earth friends witness, your planet will look more kindly on my request to protect me and to protect my child." He focused on Alice's belly.

"What do you want us to do, Zhaan?" Jesse asked, recognising the serious the tone of his friend's voice.

"Just watch. Lay hands on me while I speak my request. Keep feet on floor to make more contact between me and Earth. I hope your Earth don't mind when I speak in my own language. I don't know words in English," he finished with concern.

"I'm sure it will be fine, Zhaan," Alice reassured him.

He prostrated himself on the ground with his arms and legs outstretched, his head turned towards Alice, and his eyes fixed on her belly. There was no way he could have touched any more of their planet with his naked flesh.

"Now touch," he commanded.

Jesse and Clare opted for contact with his exposed shoulders, leaving Alice to lay her hands close to the centre of his bare back. Quietly he began to murmur in his own tongue. After a few minutes Jesse worked out that the sound of his words kept repeating. Zhaan was saying the same phrases over and over again in the strange tongue.

Several more minutes passed this way before Zhaan stopped and raised himself slowly and obviously painfully to his feet. His friends' hands dropped from his skin. He rubbed his hands in the dirt and then, in a move similar to one they had seen before with the deer he'd killed, he raised his index finger and drew a line of dirt from his forehead down his nose. Again he laid his hands in the earth and moved them until they were almost buried before dragging dirt across his heart. A third time he squatted and ground his hands into the dirt. He took a step towards Alice and gently pulled on the jogging pants she was wearing to ease them down just a little, exposing her growing belly. Gazing into her eyes, he squatted before her and she laid her hands on his shoulders. Gently he kissed her belly then laid his dirty hands on her pale, exposed flesh and smeared some of the dirt onto her skin while quietly murmuring again in his own lilting language.

Alice felt a sudden, inexplicable urge to close her eyes, throw her head back and spread her arms wide. Through closed eyelids she could still make out the bright silvery light of the moon. She stood that way for a few moments before looking down to Zhaan, who was struggling back to his feet. His knee was clearly still very sore. She gave him a hand and helped him up.

"All done. I bonded myself and my child to your Earth if she will accept us and have us." He glanced at Alice's belly.

He led Alice back into the house. Jesse and Clare looked at one another with raised eyebrows before trailing in behind them.

"That was weird!" Jesse stated dryly.

### Chapter 44– Claudia

"Zhaan, wake up!" Jesse whispered and shook Zhaan's shoulder gently, trying not to wake his sister too. Zhaan's eyes opened wide in alarm and he looked up at Jesse. No matter how often Jesse had seen them, those dark eyes still took him by surprise.

"Zhaan, I need your help. Can you get up?" Zhaan didn't hesitate and quickly untangled himself from Alice and climbed out of bed, grabbing his discarded clothes from the floor as he did so. Alice stirred and murmured, "What's going on?" Her hands rubbed her sleepy eyes as she looked at her brother and Zhaan, who was hurriedly dressing.

"I need Zhaan. We have to go and help Claudia. I think someone has attacked her."

Alice's eyes were now wide and alert despite the two am hour. "Did the police call you? Is she OK? Shall I come? Where is she, at the hospital?" Alice's eyes were now roaming the floor in search of her own clothes.

"No, Alice. You stay here with Clare. Claudia was barely coherent on the phone but insisted I go over. She wouldn't call an ambulance or the police. We need to get moving. Are you ready, Zhaan?" Zhaan nodded.

"I understand right? Claudia is hurt?" he asked with fear in his voice.

"Yes, come on. Let's go and help her. Can you bring that IV stand from the corner? We may need it." Jesse pointed at the equipment they used for Alice until her condition improved. "I'm going to grab some other things we may need. I'll meet you at the truck, Zhaan."

"You're crazy! You should call the Police. What if the attacker is still there?" Alice asked frantically.

"I promised her, sis," Jesse said sincerely. "I'm sure if there was any danger she wouldn't want me, she'd have contacted the Police herself."

"Please let me know as soon as you get there, otherwise I'll be calling the Police myself. I haven't made promises to anybody."

As Zhaan walked over to fetch the IV stand, Alice grabbed his arm. "Be careful, Zhaan!" She kissed him fleetingly on the lips. God, please don't let anything happen to him or her brother, Alice prayed silently.

At the truck Zhaan was surprised to see Jesse loading his shotgun and placing it carefully in the back. He glanced at Jesse with concern.

"Just in case, Zhaan. Claudia's attacker could still be around."

"We don't call Police Enforcer?" Zhaan asked.

Jesse shook his head.

They headed for town faster than Zhaan had ever seen Jesse drive before. He hoped they wouldn't encounter any animals in the road, at that speed they had no chance of stopping. It still seemed like an eternity to Jesse before they pulled up outside Claudia's house.

"First we need to make sure it's safe in there." Jesse grabbed the gun, climbed from the truck, and jogged to the front door with Zhaan on his heels. Instinctively they stood one each side of the door frame in a defensive position.

"Jesse," Zhaan said quietly.

"Yup?" Jesse replied, his throat tight with stress.

"You know this crazy? We need help. We must call Police." Jesse just nodded grimly.

"So long as you know it." Zhaan smiled reassuringly at his friend before extending his claws.

Cautiously Jesse tried the door and found it unlocked. He signalled Zhaan to wait by the door. They only had one weapon, at least of the firearm variety. Gingerly Jesse entered the house and threw on the light switch in the hallway. He had never done anything this scary in his life. Adrenalin was making him sweat as he moved silently from room to room checking they were clear. He'd secured most of the house and called his friend inside.

"She must be in the bedroom. Come on."

Pausing outside the door, they both listened.

"Claudia alone in there, I can tell. I hear only one person breathe." Zhaan pointed to his ears. He couldn't bring himself to mention the strong smell of Human blood to his anxious friend.

"Claudia, it's me Jesse. Zhaan is here too. We're coming in, OK?"

He motioned to Zhaan to open the door, to allow him a clear shot with the gun if required. As the door opened wide, they were both struck by the amount of blood they saw, its smell and the gory splash of colour across the bed.

"Jesus!" Jesse exclaimed his eyes frantically searching the room for Claudia.

"Over here!" Zhaan followed the scent of her blood towards the bathroom, where they found Claudia curled in a ball, wrapped inside a quilt on the floor, shaking violently.

"Claudia, can you hear me? It's me, Jesse," he asked in alarm.

The bloody bundle moved slightly and Claudia's battered and bloody face emerged from the quilt.

"We need an ambulance. You should be in the ER, Claudia. Please, let me call." Jesse's plea was met with a stubborn refusal.

No!" she said firmly. "I don't want everybody to know - so stupid." Claudia's voice began to croak.

"It will be more stupid to be dead," Zhaan said bluntly, but she still shook her head adamantly.

"Whoever did this, are they gone?" Jesse kept his voice low, just in case.

"Long gone. I think I was out for an hour at least."

Jesse took a deep breath. "I need to take a look at you. Can you move? Do you think any bones are broken?" Claudia shook her head looking dazed. "Cuts, lots of cuts," she whimpered.

"Can we lift you, do you think?" She nodded and before Jesse could even contemplate the logistics of getting his injured friend up off the floor without causing her unnecessary pain, Zhaan bent down, gently scooped her up in his arms, and pulled her against his chest, lifting her as if it took no effort at all. The pain made her inhale sharply.

"Better to do it quick," Zhaan explained. "Where I take her?"

Zhaan headed back into the bedroom carrying Claudia and close behind him Jesse looked around. So much blood! Surely she must need a transfusion. It was a miracle she hadn't bled out as she lay unconscious.

"Let's take her out of here and into the lounge so I can take a look at her." Jesse wanted to get Claudia away from the scene of the attack. He hoped it would calm her, but in the back of his mind was that fact that they were contaminating a crime scene. As Zhaan moved Claudia, Jesse was already calling his colleague, Zach, for support. Perhaps Zach could persuade her to call an ambulance.

As soon as he hung up, he set to work on Claudia. It was lucky he still had the IV equipment and could put her on a drip straight away. He opened his medical kit in search of some pain medication.

"I'm just going to give you something for the pain, Claudia, then I can take a better look at you."

"No, no drugs. Don't drug me. That's what he did." She was becoming hysterical and couldn't afford to waste the energy.

"OK, no drugs. But if it becomes too much, tell me."

Jesse gently started to peel away the sheet which had become stuck to her skin with all the caked blood. Claudia winced a little but made no complaint and sat passively while he removed it. She didn't protest about being naked in front of Zhaan, but Jesse wanted to traumatise her as little as possible.

"Zhaan, can you wait outside near the front door? Zach should be arriving. I'll call you if I need help."

Zhaan obliged and shuffled outside. "I just here, OK?"

Jesse turned back to Claudia and was horrified by the crisscross cuts across her back and chest. Somebody had taken a lot of time carving into her skin with some kind of sharp blade, a knife or scalpel. With all the blood seeping down her skin, it was hard to tell just how many cuts there were, dozens probably. If an artery had been cut, Jesse thought in horror, Claudia would already be dead. It looked like the animal who had done this was aiming for maximum cosmetic damage but hadn't planned on killing Claudia.

"You're going to need some stitches, lots of stitches I'm afraid. Are you hurt anywhere else?"

Claudia drew the sheet back around her legs not giving an answer but giving Jesse a good indication.

"Claudia, can I look?" In response she just hugged herself more tightly. Jesse gave it a couple of minutes and began applying dressings loosely to cuts on her upper body. "I think it's best if we get you to the surgery to get some of these cuts stitched and dressed. Is that OK?" She silently nodded her head. He didn't want to push the examination of her lower body with her still so traumatised.

"When you feel ready to let me look at the rest, you let me know." He said in as matter-of-fact a manner as possible.

Jesse jumped as he heard a commotion outside but then realised it was just Zach arriving. Zach knocked quietly and entered the room while Zhaan hovered just outside.

"Zhaan, can you go upstairs and see if you can find some blankets, quilts, or something else to keep Claudia warm?" Obediently he vanished.

Zach rushed over to Claudia and crouched down where she sat. He was tempted, as he suspected Jesse had been earlier, to take her in his arms and offer comfort, but realised how impossible this would be and how much pain it would cause her.

Jesse was desperate to confer with his colleague, but didn't want to speak about Claudia as though she wasn't right there in front of them. He tried to get his thoughts over as best he could.

"I was just saying to Claudia that some of these cuts on the top half of her body are going to need stitches and she agreed that we take her to the surgery. It'll be easier there." Zach nodded, glancing down at the sheet pulled tightly around her waist. All Jesse could do was shrug subtly and hope Claudia wouldn't notice the silent communications between them.

At that moment Zhaan returned with a mountain of blankets and thrust them around the door.

"Jesse give me phone. We must call Alice."

Jesse hurled his cellphone across the room. "Tell her we're OK and headed to the surgery. I'll call her from there." Zhaan disappeared outside to puzzle over the phone.

The two doctors crouched back down to their patient and Zach began helping Jesse apply some temporary dressings to Claudia's torso. They worked efficiently and silently, sensing that she didn't want to talk.

Suddenly, her voice croaked again. "You can look now." She began struggling to unwind the blood-soaked cotton sheet from her lower body but it was a losing battle and obviously causing her extreme discomfort. After the two doctors had also made a tentative attempt to uncover her, Claudia said, "Just help me stand. It'll be easier."

The two men gently raised her to a standing position, one holding each of her elbows. They supported her there for a second, not sure that she wouldn't crumple. She loosened her grip on the sheet. As gravity took effect, the sheet began to slide downwards painfully, as quickly as the sticky blood would allow. Gradually the rest of her injuries became apparent. Jesse was shocked by the bruising and blood between her legs and a further rash of cuts down her inner thighs.

"Are you doing OK?" he asked, continuing to support her and trying to keep himself calm, while Zach took a closer look at her injuries.

"Bastard! Fucking bastard!" He wanted to yell it at the top of his voice but kept his voice low, so as not to alarm Claudia. Silently he handed her some dressings to place between her legs herself.

"Can't we call an ambulance, Claudia? It really would be better." Unwaveringly she shook her head.

"Then let's get you to the surgery as soon as possible." Jesse carefully wrapped Claudia in blankets and called Zhaan to help carry her to the vehicle. Meanwhile Zach slipped outside, leaving Jesse to wonder where he went.

As Jesse followed Zhaan, who held Claudia gently in his arms, he spotted Zach finishing a call on his phone. Zach quickly strode over and spoke in a low voice. "I called the cops. Sorry. I know you promised, but I didn't! They're meeting us at the surgery." He turned on his heels and headed for the driver's door.

Zhaan eased Claudia into the back seat of Zach's car, as gently as he could. By the time he had her inside, he too ended up in the back of the vehicle. He attempted to loosen his arms to lay her down.

"Zhaan, would you travel with me? Hold me?" Claudia asked pitifully. Zhaan nodded and instead of placing her on the seat, he sat and settled her back on his lap with his arms firmly wrapped around her.

After all she'd endured, Claudia wondered at herself. How could being held by another man, a relative stranger, make her feel so much better. The dizziness and nausea left her and she began to feel safe. Zach drove slowly and carefully for the few blocks from Claudia's house to the surgery. He didn't want to jostle her with her painful injuries. Finally, he had to confess to her.

"Claudia, I called the Police. I know Jesse promised not to, but it can't be right for the monster who did this to get away with it. Who will he hurt next? We couldn't stop him hurting you. It's too late for that, but maybe we can stop it happening again. I'm sorry if you feel betrayed, but I felt I had no alternative. Andy, the Deputy, will meet us at the surgery. You already know him I think." It was widely known that, between girlfriends, Andy was a regular of Claudia's. Zach was surprised how calmly Claudia took the news. Her only response was a simple, "OK."

In fact, Claudia seemed a whole lot calmer since she'd settled in Zhaan's lap. He had seen Zhaan have the same effect on Jesse's sister. Did he have mystical healing powers or something? Zach smiled to himself. Fancy a man of science, a medical doctor, thinking such a thing! Still, it was quite a remarkable transformation in Claudia's mental state.

Zhaan carried Claudia into the surgery and laid her on an examination table in a room which wasn't in frequent use. As he turned to leave her in the care of Jesse and Zach, she asked him to stay.

"Would you mind, Zhaan?" Zach asked. Feeling a little uncomfortable, Zhaan settled in a chair by Claudia's head. She kept a tight grip on his left hand. Zhaan was impressed at the speed and efficiency with which the two doctors worked together, stitching where required.

Finished with her chest, they dressed those injuries and carefully laid Claudia onto her front, to start cleaning the caked blood from her back. As they worked, the fine network of cuts became clearer.

"Is that a word?" Zhaan asked, pointing at one of the deeper cuts. Both doctors turned their heads to look at the wounds from the same perspective as Zhaan.

"Shit!" Zach exclaimed.

"What is it?" Claudia asked. "I vaguely remember him taking his time back there with the blade." Her voice trailed off.

The two doctors remained silent, shocked at the letters carved into their patient's back. The cuts were deeper, needed stitches, and without doubt were going to scar.

"Just tell me," Claudia whimpered.

Jesse was the first to speak. "It looks like the letters H and O. They have been cut together in three different places on your back. Claudia's shoulders slumped.

"What this mean, Ho-Ho-Ho?" Zhaan asked bewildered. "Will it help us find the man?"

Surprisingly it was Claudia who explained. "He wanted the whole world to know what I am, how I earn my living. It's a badge I can't take off. I suppose it might be good for Christmas parties." A spark of her normal self broke through, followed by hysterical laughter which quickly dissolved into floods of tears. Zhaan did his best to keep her calm, wondering silently to himself why Earth women always picked him to leak their eyes on. He realised for the first time that he was thinking in English.

"Look," he said, holding out his hands to distract her. "I have badges too, so everybody know what I am." He pointed at the tattoos his people had marked him with below his wrists on the back of his hands. "This one say my people don't want me. This one say I naughty. My people call them marks of shame." Claudia just looked confused by his words.

A knock at the door heralded the arrival of the Deputy. His expression was grim and he clutched a rape trauma kit tightly in one hand. Unfortunately in his work at the ER, Jesse had seen these things too often and knew exactly what was required. Jesse convinced Andy that he had to come back later to speak to Claudia, she was still too traumatized. The Police Officer headed over to Claudia's house in search of evidence, saying he'd return later.

As the doctors began to uncover Claudia's lower body, Zhaan began to freak out.

"I should go now," he mumbled awkwardly.

"Please stay, Zhaan," Claudia begged again. She was baffled why the urge to keep him there by her side while she underwent further indignities was so strong. As the doctors worked beneath the blanket stretched across her thighs, Claudia gripped Zhaan's hand so tightly he was convinced, if he had been Human, bones would have broken.

Finally they were finished. Wounds were stitched and dressed, the IV was pumping fluids and antibiotics into Claudia, and the doctors were discussing what to do next. Zach suggested Claudia be taken to the hospital for some scans to see if there was any internal damage they weren't aware of but Claudia steadfastly refused. Zhaan, following the gist of the discussion, quickly grabbed Jesse's phone from his top pocket. He dialled Alice at the house. Although it was still only five-thirty, he expected she'd be up and worried. She answered on the first ring.

As was his custom, there were no greetings exchanged to start the conversation.

"Alice, bring my doctor machine to surgery." Realising what Zhaan had in mind, Jesse butted into the conversation.

"You think that would work on Claudia? Would we know if she had any injuries inside that we can't see?"

"Of course," Zhaan replied confidently.

"Let me speak to Alice." Jesse grabbed his phone, explaining to her what had been happening and asking if she and Clare could both come in to work today.

By the time Clare and Alice arrived almost an hour later, it was decided they would keep Claudia under observation at the surgery through the day. Hopefully she would agree to be sedated and get some rest. At the end of the day they would re-evaluate. At least that way, both doctors would be close at hand. Eventually Claudia agreed, more because she didn't want to go to the hospital or home alone, than because she was happy to stay.

Clare and Alice busied themselves moving a sofa from the waiting room, which would make a more comfortable temporary bed than the examination table. Claudia was gently lifted in Zhaan's arms onto the makeshift bed.

The Deputy had secured Claudia's house and returned to the surgery, but both doctors insisted that the interview would still have to wait. Andy agreed to return late afternoon.

Alice suddenly remembered and reached into her bag to pull out the "doctor machine" and handed it to Zhaan. He turned to Jesse, as though waiting for permission.

"Could it hurt her at all?" Jesse asked with concern. Zhaan simply shook his head.

"Claudia," Jesse squatted by the injured woman's head and talked quietly. "We want to perform a type of body scan, using this mini scanner that Zhaan is holding. It will check if you have any internal injuries we can't see. Is that OK?" Claudia nodded wearily. "After that we'll let you get some rest," Jesse added.

"Don't leave me here alone!" Claudia looked panic-stricken.

"Of course not, Zhaan and Alice will stay and check on you while you rest. You'll be safe." Jesse had given Alice rudimentary training in monitoring vital signs because you never knew what could happen in the waiting room. He was very glad he had.

"OK, Zhaan, please perform the scan." Zhaan was uncertain of Jesse's meaning and frowned. Alice helped him out.

"Zhaan, use your doctor machine on Claudia now. It's OK." The strange comment made Claudia give Zhaan a curious look but she settled down again as he took her arm in his hand. He pushed buttons and the sensor arm extended.

"It don't hurt," he said to reassure her, as he struggled to find an uninjured area where he could place the sensor on her bare skin. As the small machine whirred and clicked, Zach gave Jesse a concerned look. Jesse noticed as the moments went by that Claudia was starting to get sleepy. Hopefully it was the result of the sedative which she had finally swallowed. After a couple of minutes, the machine beeped and Zhaan peered down at it.

"One more time to compare," he said and started the machine's cycle again. He seemed happy with the data he'd collected and gently lowered Claudia's arm back onto the bed as she dozed. He turned to Jesse who, taking a look at the woman sleeping, suggested they move outside to discuss Zhaan's findings. Alice took Claudia's hand in hers as she slept and settled into a chair to watch over her.

Jesse, Zhaan, and Zach sat in Jesse's office next door.

"Jesse, I have some questions," Zach began. "Why do we have non-medical personnel using what looks like a home-made device on our patient?" Zach looked angry and stood with his arms folded in front of his chest. His anger was not so much about what had happened, but about being left out of a major loop of information.

"Zach, there are some things we need to tell you." Jesse looked pointedly at Zhaan. "It can wait. First can we ask Zhaan about the results from his machine? It was very effective when Alice was sick." He stopped talking and turned to Zhaan, who hunched down over the small screen. Zach tried to peer over his shoulder and got an eyeful of weird squiggles on the display.

"I run machine two times and these are results. Many skin breaks, some have been repaired with foreign material. This we know already. Many - what it called when your skin turn blue after it hit, like I had?" He turned to Jesse.

"Contusions, bruises?" he volunteered.

"Yes, this. Many bruise, especially in..." again he stumbled over vocabulary, "...girl bits?" He pushed on. "No internal bleeding, no broken bone, high level of stress chemicals in blood, also trace of several different drug, severe dehydration, and loss of blood from body but both recoverable." Then he frowned and shook his head, staring intently at the machine.

"What is it?" Jesse asked with concern.

"Machine say Claudia have two heart beats like Alice." He turned to the doctors to see their reactions.

"What do you mean, Zhaan?" Zach asked. It was Jesse who answered.

"According to Zhaan's scanner, Claudia is pregnant."

"Fuck!" Zach exclaimed. "How can that little machine know already that the rapist got her pregnant?"

"No," Zhaan tried to explain. "If machine see heartbeat, baybay at least twenty days old probably much more."

Then a more worrying thought occurred simultaneously to Jesse and Zhaan and they glanced anxiously at one another. Zach was still dumbfounded.

"But she's obsessively careful. How could she be pregnant?"

"Is it possible?" Zhaan turned to Jesse in terror assuming his friend would know exactly what he feared.

"We'll have to find out when she wakes up. You should go back and sit with her today, Zhaan, stay close just in case.

"As we lurch from one weird crisis to another, is anybody going to come clean? What exactly is it that you two are keeping from me?" Zach asked insistently and gave Jesse an intimidating glare. Jesse looked to Zhaan to gauge his reaction but he hadn't grasped what information Zach was after.

"Zhaan, can I tell Zach - about you?" Jesse asked nervously.

Zhaan's head turned from Jesse to Zach and back again.

"You mean about what I am, where I from?" Zhaan wondered with concern in his voice. "You trust him? Could cost my life."

Zach was frowning. "Come on guys, you know you can trust me. What's going on?"

Jesse turned to Zhaan, who nodded, giving permission for Jesse to explain.

"Zach, do I have your solemn word that you'll keep Zhaan's secret. When he says his life depends on it, he's not joking." Zach began to look worried. "You have my word. Although now you're freaking me out. Do I really want to hear the answer to my question?"

"That is for you to decide, Zach." Jesse hesitated, giving him time to change his mind.

"OK. Tell me."

Jesse sat facing Zach and quietly explained that Zhaan was from another planet and alien to Earth.

"Come on! This is a wind-up, right?" Zach laughed. His smile quickly disappeared when the expression on his colleague's face remained unchanged. Then his mouth fell open.

"He doesn't look like an alien," he said, before taking a little time to peer more closely at Zhaan's smooth, pale skin and wonder.

For confirmation, Zhaan slowly pulled off his dark glasses, revealing his eyes. The black pupil was closed into a narrow slit in the bright fluorescent lights of the doctor's office and the yellow background glinted as he looked around, showing them off to maximum effect. Zach bent closer to Zhaan and gazed at his strange eyes then swallowed hard. Next Zhaan extended his claws from behind his artificial finger nails and dragged his hands down Jesse's desk, leaving score marks.

"Shit! Is he dangerous, Jesse?"

"Zach, I'm sure he can be dangerous, of that I have no doubt. Just remember, he's the same guy he was before you knew he wasn't from Earth. He's still the guy who loves my sister and almost died protecting her. He's the same Zhaan who loves your Mikey and is so patient and gentle with him that Mikey adores him. He's still the same Zhaan who is my friend and yours. He's stuck here on Earth. He gave up everything he knew to stay with us and take care of my sister. I hope he can rely on you to keep his secret?"

Zach sat silently in shock for a few moments before ending the silence with an intense, "Wow!"

"I'm convinced, Zhaan is an alien. Now my head is exploding with questions. I don't know where to begin. Jesus!" he exclaimed. "Does this mean that Alice's child is half whatever he is?"

"Guy," Zhaan answered. "I am Guy, from Guyara. The child is half Human, half Guy."

"Has that ever been done before?" The doctor in Zach was coming out now. Silently Zhaan shook his head.

"Am I still asleep? Is this a dream?" Zach wondered quietly. That question was answered when the phone rang. It was Clare. Zach's first patient of the day had arrived.

"Zach, I don't have anyone in first thing. Shall I take the patient for you?" Jesse offered. "I can check on Claudia on the way. You look too shocked to deal with anything right now. Zhaan could answer some more of your questions."

Panic crossed Zach's face. "Will I be OK alone with him?"

"He doesn't bite that I know of." Jesse tried to lighten the tone.

Zhaan followed up with, "Not since I got these stupid blunt teeth like Human," and laughed.

As Jesse left his office to attend to their patient, Zach looked decidedly uncomfortable to be alone with Zhaan.

"I don't know about you, but I think I need a strong coffee. It's been quite a morning. Can I bring you one too, Zhaan?"

Frantically Zhaan shook his head. "No, no coffee. Coffee make me bad sick. I drink hot tea, please."

Zach couldn't leave the room quickly enough. Zhaan wandered into the room next door to check on Alice and Claudia. He found Alice flicking absent-mindedly through a magazine. Claudia's hand was still in hers while she slept. He walked over to her, placed a finger beneath her chin to raise her face up, and gave her a kiss. "How you feel?" he asked.

"Better now!" she replied. "What did your machine say about Claudia? Will she be all right?" Alice asked.

"Yes, all will be fine." He hesitated, about to tell Alice about the suspected pregnancy, but thought better of it. It was only fair that the next person to find out, if indeed it were true, should be Claudia.

Zach put his head around the door. He bore a cup in each hand. "Sorry Alice, I didn't have enough hands to bring you one too, but I asked Clare to pop you in a coffee when she gets the chance. Is Claudia still sleeping?"

Alice smiled and nodded looking down at her patient. "Poor thing."

"Zhaan, do you have a minute to answer some of those questions?" Nodding, Zhaan followed Zach back into the room next door and took a seat directly opposite the doctor who, he noticed, made sure the desk stood between them.

"Where did you say you are from again?" Zach began, still incredulous.

"Guyara, it a planet bigger than this but less people. Long way from Earth. We have different sun."

"How did you get here?"

"Travel in big ship for very long time, then land on Earth in small shuttle ship."

"How many of you 'Guy' are here?"

"Just me. My people leave me here. I now cast out from my people and from my planet. The Guy believe I am dirty, contaminated. I think that the word."

"Contaminated how? Is it dangerous to Humans?"

"I only contaminated here." He pointed at his head and then at his heart, "and here, because I love Alice. They think it too dangerous to send me home. I am a bad influence for Guy people."

"How many people know about you?"

"Alice, Jesse, Clare, Mikey, now you."

"Mikey?"

"He pull my glasses off, he see my eyes, he know."

"Wow, really? You think he worked it out? You think he understood?"

"Mikey is clever boy, just don't speak much," Zhaan stated simply. "Everything is inside here." He pointed at his head.

At that moment Jesse knocked and entered the room.

"Zach, we both have patients waiting," Jesse explained.

"OK, but we're not finished with this yet. We'll take this up again later." He swept out of Jesse's office.

### Chapter 45 - Implications

Claudia stirred around lunchtime. Alice wondered if it was the smell of the soup Clare had brought in for her and Zhaan. His stood untouched, as he napped on the examination table, curled into a ball. As Claudia's eyes opened and she blinked, taking in her surroundings, Alice could tell the moment when her horrible reality sunk in.

"Claudia, how are you feeling? You must be starving. Do you want some soup?" Alice asked.

Claudia shook her head. "Maybe some water," she suggested.

Alice poured her a glass and helped her sit up to be able to drink from it. After taking a big gulp, she appeared to be having a problem swallowing it. Alice just had time to reach for a cardboard bedpan before Claudia threw it back up. She retched pitifully, although her stomach was empty. This was a feeling Alice could relate to, although going through it with all those stitches didn't bear thinking about.

Finally Claudia was done, and Alice wiped her lips with a damp cloth. I think my brother should check you out. I'll go and get him.

"Where's Zhaan? Do you think he'd sit with me? If don't want to be alone. I'd feel better if he were near. I don't know why, but I just feel better when he's near and I hardly know him. You don't mind do you, Alice?" Silent alarm bells began ringing in Alice's head.

"I'll wake him. He's behind you sleeping on the exam table."

When Alice returned with Jesse, Claudia was sleeping again with a firm grip on Zhaan's hand as he sat beside her. Jesse decided to let Claudia rest some more and gave instructions that Alice should fetch him if she woke again.

The next time Jesse put his head around the door at the end of afternoon surgery, they were all sleeping. Claudia was still on the sofa with a tight grip on Zhaan, Alice was curled up in a blanket on the examination table, and Zhaan was nodding in the chair beside Claudia with his head at an uncomfortable looking angle. They all looked so peaceful. Jesse was reluctant to wake them but decided it had to be done. He started pottering around the room and making some noise by washing his hands and looking at the figures Alice had written on the chart he'd given her for Claudia. They all began to stir.

It couldn't be avoided any longer. Deputy Andy was in the waiting room and insisted on interviewing Claudia. Jesse had never seen the man so agitated. The thought that she'd have to re-live what she had gone through last night made Jesse look at her with profound pity. If it meant the attacker would get what he deserved, it was worth it.

During the interview, Claudia insisted that Zhaan stay by her side. When she explained that she felt better when he was close, Jesse heard those silent alarm bells. Surely Claudia couldn't be in the same position as his sister? What were the chances of that?

Andy emerged from the room with Claudia's statement in his hand, and Jesse and Alice were allowed back inside. Claudia lay looking exhausted on the sofa. Zhaan was by her side with a fixed expression of horror on his face reflecting what he'd heard.

"Alice, can you check how those two are doing?" Jesse asked. "I'll be right back." He followed Andy along the corridor. In the empty waiting room of the now closed surgery, Zach was waiting for them too.

Half way along the corridor Jesse was shocked when the Policeman, unaware of his presence, stopped and viciously punched the wall with such force it must have been painful. He waited before speaking to him.

"Do we know who it was? Was it somebody she knew?" he asked Andy, pretending he hadn't witnessed the punch.

"We're getting there. She told me who put the bastard in touch with her. She didn't know the attacker previously, but the other guy was a good client of hers. I'm heading out to interview him right now. He's working on the big highway reconstruction project over at the pass. Claudia figured the other guy was another contractor up there. Can you believe he told her that he knew she wouldn't dare to call the Police? He said he knew she had too many prominent clients in the area to have the whole thing dragged through court. Worse still, she has persuaded herself not to press charges. He threatened to come back and kill her if she did call the cops. I tried to talk her into going to the hospital, if only for her own protection, but she was adamant. What's going to happen to her? She can't just go home alone with that monster still on the prowl."

"If we can't get her to go to hospital, she'll have to come home with me," Jesse offered. "As you say, there is no way we are leaving her alone, not with the extent of her injuries and the threat that this animal might return hanging over her."

"Thanks Jesse." Andy's voice was thick with gratitude. "I'll see what I can find out and give you a call. Try to persuade her to press charges, otherwise I'll be powerless." With that he swept out of the front door and headed to his patrol car. As he left, Jesse noticed the shine of unshed tears in his eyes.

"Would you really take her to your house, Jesse?" Zach asked in amazement. "I'd offer, but you know the way Ann feels about her. I think that was obvious at your dinner party."

"Sure, no problem. At least there will be enough people around that she won't have to be left alone. She shouldn't be alone." He turned and started back down the corridor.

"Jesse, do you think she's up to being told about the suspected pregnancy?"

"I think she should know as soon as possible under the circumstances. We should find out for sure straight away."

Jesse strode purposefully back into the room where Claudia lay. "Alice, can you take Zhaan outside for some fresh air? I need to talk to Claudia." Alice walked over to Zhaan, gently pried his hand from Claudia's grip, and led him out of the room. Jesse took his place on the chair by Claudia's head and wondered how to start the conversation.

"Claudia," he spoke quietly and calmly. She shuffled her body up the temporary bed a little and propped herself on the pillows. "You have had one shitty day. I know you must be exhausted. Don't worry, you're coming to my house and you'll stay with us for a while, unless we can persuade you to head to the hospital." He paused giving her a chance to change her mind.

"Thank you, Jesse. You've done so much for me already." Relief relaxed the features of her face. Hesitantly Jesse began to speak again.

"You've probably endured about as much shock as you can bear today already, but there is one thing I need to discuss with you."

"Jesse, wait. I have to tell you something." Jesse remained silent and waited for her to continue.

"I think I might be pregnant, or at least I might have been before last night. Who knows now?" Her words trailed off. "Can we find out? I expect the chances are pretty slim now."

"Sure." He turned and walked to the wall cabinets, opening and closing doors in search of the test he needed. Claudia was surprised Jesse didn't react with more shock. It was like he already knew.

Failing to find what he was looking for in the unfamiliar room, Jesse picked up the phone and asked Zach to bring him a testing kit, without letting anyone else know.

The two doctors paced anxiously after helping Claudia struggle into the bathroom to pee on the stick. She refused to come out before the test was finished.

"The result is positive," she stated calmly when she emerged. "Might it still say that even if I lost the baby last night?"

"It's possible," Zach replied. He was stunned at the news and that Zhaan's little device had been able to tell. "We should take you to the sonogram room to double check."

Jesse left Claudia in Zach's capable hands and went to find Alice and Clare to tell them they should head home, get dinner, and some rest. Jesse asked Zhaan to wait outside. At the back of his mind was the worry of what would happen if his worst fear was confirmed.

A raised voice from the sonogram room attracted Jesse's attention. Zach was calling him over.

"Jesse, can you take a look at this?" He pointed at the blurry image on the screen, which looked worryingly like a miniature version of one he'd seen before.

"Claudia, do you know when you might have got pregnant? Do you know who the father is?" Jesse asked. "I know it is none of our business, but I do have important reasons for asking."

"I've been feeling under the weather for a couple of weeks now. I had an appointment booked with you this week. If I had to guess, I'd say the greatest chance is that it could be Zhaan's friend Khevn. It would be hard to say for sure though. I'm always careful. I can't even imagine how this could have happened."

"Jesse, can I have a word outside?" Zach asked, heading for the door before Jesse could even reply.

Jesse followed behind. "Don't worry Claudia. We'll be right outside. You won't be alone." As he closed the door behind him to talk to his colleague, he noticed that the colour had drained from Zach's face.

"You know that guy, Khevn," he began.

"Yes, he's from the same place as Zhaan. Jesus, what a mess!"

"That sonogram did look remarkably like Alice's."

"We need to talk to her and find out what she wants to do. If she isn't planning on keeping it anyway, she wouldn't need to know," Jesse added hopefully, although in the back of his mind was the way she'd already referred to it as a baby.

"I'm going to have to head home soon, Jesse. Ann hasn't had anyone to help with Mikey today. What are we going to do?"

"You get home. I'll talk to her. If she is planning on having the child, she needs to know so she can make an informed decision. Thanks for your help today, Zach. I'm sorry I dragged you into this."

"No worries. Call me later. I'll see you tomorrow, Jesse, and good luck."

As Jesse opened the door to head back in to talk to Claudia, she called out. "Quickly, I feel sick."

He made it over to her just in time with a cardboard bowl. "This has been going on for days," she said in despair. "I've hardly eaten anything. How can I keep being sick? Is this normal?"

Rather than answer her questions, he asked some of his own.

"It seems you had a few days to think this pregnancy over before this awful thing happened to you. Did you have any thoughts about what you wanted to do? Are you planning on going through with it?"

She sighed deeply. "At first I thought no way, given the circumstances. By the time I'd been throwing up for a couple of days, I was undecided. I've been thinking for a while it is time for a change of lifestyle. Now, especially after what happened, I'm thinking that, although I may be have been a whore and everyone will know that now it's carved into my back, I won't be a murderer too." With that, she burst into tears, wincing as her sobs pulled on her stitches. Jesse laid an arm gently around her shoulders and let her cry.

After a few minutes she composed herself again. "Sorry."

"Don't worry, Claudia," Jesse reassured her. He didn't know how to begin with what he had to tell her.

"If you are considering keeping the baby, there are some things you need to know before you make your final decision." She looked at Jesse and frowned. "There's no easy way to say this."

"You're going to tell me I'm crazy to think I could raise a child alone," she said angrily.

"Nothing of the sort, Claudia. I'm sure you would, you will, be an excellent mother."

"What is it then?" she asked wearily.

"You're going to find this hard to believe. I have to tell you that Khevn, well, he's..."

"He's what?" she asked impatiently.

"Well, he's not Human. He came from a different planet, not from Earth."

Claudia stared at him in silence, trying to gauge if what he was saying was true or she was dreaming. A few tense moments passed.

"What about Zhaan?" she finally asked.

"Also alien. Please, Claudia, whatever you decide, you can't tell anyone about this. Zhaan's life will be in danger."

"Where is Khevn now?" she wondered.

"On his way back home, I believe, wherever that is," Jesse said simply. She asked for a glass of cold water and Jesse got up to fetch her one.

When he returned she sipped from the glass slowly.

"So, Alice's baby..." she began.

"We know Alice's baby is only half Human, as we suspect yours to be. You should be aware, her pregnancy hasn't been easy. We are still waiting to see if the hybrid child will even survive. This situation has never arisen before. If Khevn is the father of your child, you will find yourself in the same situation as Alice but without having the support of the father by your side."

"How did I get to be so lucky?" she smiled, impressing Jesse with her inner strength. "I think I need some time to digest all of this."

"If your pregnancy runs the same course as Alice's, you are going to feel worse before you start to feel better."

"Thanks for that insight, Jesse!"

"Alice found that the nausea and dizziness would improve if she kept close to Zhaan. Apparently it's something about the natural frequencies of the two different species or something. Obviously Khevn isn't here to help you, so we may have to talk to Zhaan about what he's prepared to do to help you stay well, until you make your decision."

"That may explain why I've been craving his company today."

"All I can suggest is that you think it over. Nobody is going to find fault with you if you decide you can't keep the baby, not under these circumstances. I think the sooner you make your decision, the better. Let's head home. I need to talk this over with Zhaan." Claudia nodded as Jesse gently helped her off the examination table and called out to Zhaan to come and assist her out to the truck.

### Chapter 46 – Vengeance

Dinner was being cleared in a team effort, and Claudia had gone back to the guest room to rest, when the patrol car screamed up Jesse's driveway. After a day spent lying next to Zhaan while sleeping on the guest bed, Claudia had managed to eat most of the meal. Zhaan insisted he must do whatever was necessary to protect Claudia and the unborn child. Jesse worried how Zhaan would react if Claudia decided not to go through with the pregnancy.

Alice was doing her best to remain calm watching her man spend so much time touching the other woman. Now they would see what happened when Claudia tried to sleep alone. Alice was definitely uncomfortable with the idea of sharing their bed or Zhaan being in Claudia's.

A loud pounding at the front door announced Deputy Andy's arrival and was an indication of his mood. Apprehensively, Jesse went towards the door. He didn't want Claudia to deal with any more stress at a time when she was feeling so fragile.

Without waiting to be invited, Andy burst into the house before Jesse could even open the door.

"Andy, what's wrong?" Jesse asked nervously.

"I've managed to track him down, the bastard that hurt Claudia. I was about to come out here to ask her to press the charges so I can get him picked up. Then I get this talk from the Chief about how lots of important people around here wouldn't want to see Claudia going through a court case, making public what she does. They're worried about her clientèle list becoming public knowledge. It's not like everybody doesn't know already; this is a small town." Andy had to pause his rant to draw breath. "Just because Claudia earned her living being nice to all these men who think they're important, they want the monster who did this to get away with it. It's shocking that people could be so selfish to try to deny Claudia justice for what she's suffered, after all she's done for them!"

"Not to mention that he might do it again to somebody else," Jesse added, barely able to contain his anger. "So, what's going to happen?"

At that moment Zhaan entered the hallway concerned at the raised voices. Jesse briefly explained to him what had happened.

"So Earth Police won't punish this man?" Zhaan asked in bewilderment.

"Not unless Claudia can be persuaded to press charges against him and she made it quite clear how she felt about that. Even if she did, she'd probably find half the justice system making it difficult for her. I can understand her not wanting to risk exposing her clients and not wanting to live through the whole thing again in a court room, but for this guy to just walk away is unthinkable."

"Then we must punish him," Zhaan stated simply.

"What do you mean, John? Vigilante justice?" Andy asked. Zhaan had no idea what his words meant and looked at Jesse for help.

"You mean if the police won't punish him, we should?" Jesse clarified. "You know that's not allowed here?" he asked, very conscious of the law man standing beside them.

"Where I come from our law is Blood Spills For Blood, Punishment Equals Crime," Zhaan told them.

"What like an eye for an eye?" Andy asked and Zhaan nodded.

"Under the circumstances I think it would be justified. The thought even crossed my mind on the way here to hunt him down myself. He deserves whatever he gets dealt, but I've got my career to think about. If I were to do something like that and get caught..." Andy's voice was filled with regret.

"I do it, if you want," Zhaan offered, surprising the two other men.

"Zhaan...John...you know you would be in trouble with the Police, doing something like that. It's against the law in America." Jesse turned his eyes towards the Deputy standing beside him, trying to get Zhaan to understand and hoping Andy hadn't picked up his use of the alien name. He knew Zhaan's papers were in the name of John.

"Well," Andy hesitated before he continued, "I expect the right people might just turn a blind eye to something like that. I know I would. But really, would you be prepared to extract justice for Claudia from this man? I know you're a big guy, I wouldn't want to pick a fight with you, but what if you get hurt?"

Jesse just stared at Zhaan with his mouth open in surprise.

"Claudia deserve what you call justice. If your Police enforcers won't get this justice for her, I will." The two men continued to stare at Zhaan in stunned silence. "Where is he? When shall I go?" Zhaan asked, eager to take justice into his own hands as soon as possible now he'd made his feelings known.

"Hang on a minute, Zh...John," Jesse said. "The Police already know how you feel. Andy is right here. What if you get arrested? Go to jail?" Jesse was horrified at the idea of Zhaan taking such a chance when it might endanger him but impressed that he'd take the risk for a friend's sake.

Jesse was surprised at Andy's response. "I'd say I knew nothing about it, for a start. I for one wouldn't look into it too carefully if something were to happen to the bastard. I'm sure plenty of my contacts would feel the same way, but would you be prepared to put yourself in danger in that way, John?" Andy was impressed at the risks Zhaan was prepared to expose himself to, even if he didn't understand the true extent of the risk Zhaan would be taking.

"You know where he is now?" Zhaan asked. Andy nodded his head.

"He's just over the border in Idaho, where he's renting a trailer. His work mates told me his contract is finished and he'll be headed off to another in the next day or two. I can't believe the balls of the guy staying around here after what he's done. I'm surprised he's not smart enough to have disappeared already. I had my counterparts over the border swing by and see if he was still there without alerting him."

"You take me there now?" Zhaan demanded. Andy looked at him in amazement. "You say he leave there soon, right? Then we don't know how to find him again," Zhaan explained.

"I'd have to go and change vehicles and get out of uniform, but I guess I could," Andy admitted.

"OK, you go. Do what you need. I get myself ready. You come back in one hour and bring picture of bad man," Zhaan said.

"Right." Andy agreed with his eyes wide.

Zhaan turned to Jesse. "You don't tell Alice? She not need to know."

"Of course not. Are you sure about this?" Jesse asked.

"Yes, I sure. I must listen to Claudia explain what he did to her. You distract Alice while I go." With that he turned and disappeared upstairs.

The drive through the dark night into the neighbouring state was tense and silent. Zhaan spent almost the entire trip staring intently at the photo of the suspect Andy brought with him, determined not to punish the wrong man. Andy was surprised Zhaan wasn't armed when he picked him up, but the less he knew, the better.

They pulled up near the address Andy had, but not close enough for it to look like they were headed to that particular trailer. Andy showed Zhaan which was the relevant trailer before he moved away to park more discreetly.

About to open the passenger door, Zhaan turned.

"One thing before I go, " he said to Andy. "I know you like my Alice, I see it, I hear it, I smell it, I know it true. I have only one worry."

"What's that, John?" Andy asked anxiously.

"If I take justice for Claudia this way, you can arrest me then take my Alice from me," his voice petered out. "I not prepared to lose my Alice for this."

"No way, John. She is a very attractive woman and you are a lucky man. There's no way I would want to break you up or try to steal her away, especially since she's obviously carrying your child." Satisfied at the other man's sincerity, Zhaan opened the door and stepped out into the dark. He began to walk away from the vehicle but turned and headed back to the driver's door. Andy wound down the window.

"What is word in your language for crime this man do to Claudia?" Zhaan asked.

"He's a rapist, he raped Claudia, besides all the other ways he hurt her," Andy explained. Zhaan insisted he write the word onto a scrap of paper for him. Taking the paper and sliding it into his pocket, he said, "for mark of shame." He turned and headed in the direction of the trailer.

From his vantage point, Andy could make out the dim light from the windows of the scruffy trailer. The truck parked outside had Utah plates, so the guy was definitely still there. He saw John kick in the door. It was frustrating to be so far away and unable to hear what was happening inside. Andy had to fight his instinct to go and check if John needed help. He realised deep down, the less he knew about what was happening, the better. He decided he'd give it at least a half hour before checking.

The stench from the squalor inside the trailer turned Zhaan's stomach as he kicked in the door and stepped inside. His target was engrossed in some cheap TV show and was taken completely by surprise. Standing abruptly, he turned to face Zhaan.

"What the fuck!" he cried. Zhaan noticed that his eyes darted quickly towards a cabinet, where Zhaan suspected he had a hidden weapon. Removing his dark glasses, Zhaan carefully folded them and placed them in an inside pocket. He gave the man a menacing look and slowly shook his head. His prey was intimidated, not only by Zhaan's strange eyes, but also by his deliberate calmness and impressive stature, and he remained fixed to the spot.

"Who are you? What do you want?" he asked Zhaan frantically.

In response, Zhaan merely looked from the photo he held up in his hand to the man's face several times for verification. "Blood spills blood," he said in a quiet but threatening tone. He pulled a knife from his pocket and flicked the blade open in a single deft movement.

"There's money here. You can take it, just leave me alone." The man's brow was glistening with sweat and Zhaan noticed his arm was trembling as he gestured, presumably to where he had money stashed.

"I don't want money," the alien stated bluntly.

"What the hell do you want? Who are you?" the man wailed pathetically.

"Blood," Zhaan answered, taking a step closer and making him panic even more.

"Blood?" he asked in a shaky voice. Then, trying to appear tougher, as though he'd just realised how much trouble he was in, he added, "Are you some kind of vampire wannabe, freak?" He braced himself for Zhaan's reaction to his insult but the Guy remained calm and silent, which was far more terrifying.

Zhaan had assumed he'd need to incapacitate Claudia's attacker before extracting revenge on her behalf, after all it would be fair, he had drugged the poor woman before committing his savage acts. Seeing the man quaking in his presence, Zhaan was now contemplating whether the memory wipe could wait for a little while.

As Zhaan stepped closer to where he stood, the man cowered slightly. The Guy towered over him. The smaller Human made a feeble attempt to retreat but was stopped in his tracks as Zhaan placed one large hand firmly around his neck, pinned him against the wall of the trailer, and raised him up so his feet left the floor and he began to choke.

"I hear you like to hurt smaller and weaker people. That not very brave." Zhaan briefly relaxed his one-handed, vice-like grip around the man's neck long enough for him to draw a breath, before clenching his fingers again. "Where I am from, we believe punishment shall equal crime." Zhaan stopped just long enough to raise a knee sharply to the man's groin.

"I believe you injured my friend here." His knee was brought up again with even greater force, as he eased his grip again for the man to breathe and groan. Zhaan was not cruel by nature and had feared that he would find it difficult to mete out this punishment, but the man's groans were strangely satisfying, especially when he recalled Claudia's tales of the horrors she had endured.

Suddenly releasing the man, Zhaan let him drop to the floor. He lay there for a moment cupping his hands over his injured groin.

"Now you take off clothes," Zhaan ordered him, flashing the knife blade in clear view.

Scrabbling pathetically on the floor, the man struggled to comply.

"You remember hurting my friend like this? Perhaps you hurt so many people like this, you not remember each face you see in pain?" There was an acerbic tone to Zhaan's voice. "Lie down."

It was a pitiful sight as the man obeyed Zhaan's command with tears pouring from his eyes as he begged, "Please don't kill me!"

"I not kill you. Death too good for you," Zhaan responded. He lowered his body to sit astride the man's chest where he lay on his back. The alien positioned himself to pin the man's arms down to the floor with his knees, before reaching into his pocket to pull out the scrap of paper. While Zhaan was distracted, the man made a feeble attempt to struggle but had no chance against the much larger and stronger alien.

"Such a pretty face," Zhaan said. He bent towards the man's forehead, the paper in one hand, the knife in the other, and set to work on transferring the word from paper to skin. It took a lot of concentration to get the letters to look right and to cut the relatively thin human skin just deeply enough to ensure a scar. Zhaan wanted to be sure the mark of shame he applied was spelt correctly. The man began to squeal in pain as he worked and the noise was annoying Zhaan, who was thinking hard. To silence him, Zhaan placed the hand holding the paper over the man's mouth before slowly and menacingly shaking his head. "No screaming. My friend could not scream when you give her drug." The blood streaming down the man's forehead was not making his artistic endeavours any easier.

Happy with his artwork, Zhaan moved his attention lower on the man's body, carving the word again, this time into his chest. By the time he finished, he man was shaking in pain. "Now flip," Zhaan ordered him, allowing him to make a third carving of the word "rapist" on his back. "Three times you mark my friend, three times I mark you, punishment equal crime," he explained, as though the hopeless man cared as he rolled him onto his back again.

"Next I think you cut my friend here." Zhaan spun around one hundred and eighty degrees, so he was now facing the lower half of the man's body, yet still pinning his arms. In anger he tore off the man's underwear, the only clothes he still had on and took his knife to what he found beneath. "This spoil your evil fun with ladies I think." Feeling slightly sickened, Zhaan decided to it was time to get this punishment finished. Reaching into his pocket, he withdrew the mind zapper, set it to high and activated it, leaving the man looking completely dazed, motionless on the floor.

"Now I finish my art," Zhaan said putting away the knife. "Knife take too much time." With that, he extended his claws to create a crisscrossed network of jagged wounds across the man's entire body.

Only twenty minutes had passed when Andy spotted John emerge from the trailer and saunter casually back towards his vehicle with his hands in his pockets. Reaching the car, he opened the passenger door, climbed inside, and simply said, "OK, we go."

Eager to get away from the scene before they were spotted, Andy kept quiet for the first five minutes of the return trip. Then his curiosity got the better of him.

"John, is he dead?" he asked.

"No, he not dead," Zhaan stated, adding, "maybe later he wish he dead!" A few more minutes passed in silence before Zhaan spoke again. "Andy, John not my real name. My name is Zhaan."

This came as no surprise to Andy, as he'd heard Jesse slip up and use the name by mistake a couple of times.

"Why do you use the name John?" he wondered.

"Just easier for people to say," Zhaan explained and Andy seemed to accept this explanation, but it got him wondering again about the Alaskan documentation issued in the name of 'John'.

"Zhaan, what happened in there? I realise I shouldn't really ask. It's better if I don't know, but I'm worried. Will he still be a risk? Is he still dangerous to women?"

"This man suffered same like he did to Claudia. I punish him as he punish Claudia." Zhaan hesitated and smiled, "Except raping part, he not my type! I don't tell you details of how I punish him except I explain two things. First I mark him with his crime where everyone will see. He mark Claudia with badge of shame, I mark him." He handed the crumpled scrap of paper that Andy had written back to the law man. "Maybe you must get rid of this? One day you see man in street with this word on his face. Take a long time - my English writing not so good."

Well, at least that would be a warning for any future victims, Andy decided.

"Also, I make sure he never can rape again. That all I say." Andy thought he saw Zhaan shudder in disgust.

"OK. Thanks Zhaan."

The rest of the trip was made in silence.

As Zhaan stepped through the front door, Jesse came running, "Are you OK, Zhaan?" he asked.

Zhaan nodded his head, holding up his hands to indicate that Jesse shouldn't ask any more questions. He disappeared upstairs to shower

.

### Chapter 47 – Three's a crowd

It had been a long night when Alice rose in time to head to work. She now shared the job with Clare since she'd become well enough. She looked down at the Guy she loved. His face was blissfully relaxed as he continued to sleep. He'd been up several times in the night, woken by Claudia screaming as she relived her attack in her nightmares.

Alice's eyes moved to the woman also still sleeping in their bed, spooned around her man's back. That view brought tension to her throat. It was the third day in a row she'd had to go to work, leaving Zhaan in the arms of that other woman. Alice had made a serious effort to avoid becoming insecure about the situation. If Zhaan felt an obligation to help Claudia survive the early stages of carrying Khevn's child, when he'd sacrificed so much - almost his life - for Alice already, it was the least she could do. She didn't like it but she would have to tolerate it, besides she had complete trust in Zhaan. It didn't help that the swelling of her belly made her feel like a whale next to the still slender figure of Claudia.

Gently, so as not to wake him, she planted a kiss on Zhaan's lips. He stirred slightly. A lock of his golden hair, which grew longer every day, fell across his closed eyelids. Alice carefully brushed it away and whispered, "I love you, Zhaan," before walking downstairs to head into work with Jesse.

Before he opened his eyes, Zhaan could tell it was very bright. Sunlight was pouring in through the attic window of their room. Immediately he reached for Alice. Damn, she was working again and she'd left already. He hated when she was away and wished she'd wake him before she left, but she'd told him he was already losing a lot of sleep with the Claudia situation and insisted she wouldn't wake him.

Zhaan felt the weight of Claudia's arm wrapped around his waist. He sighed, resenting that the presence in his bed was not the woman he loved. It was strange sharing the bed with a third person every night but it was the only way they'd come up with, so far, of stopping Claudia becoming sick all night. It would have to last until she got over that first phase of the pregnancy. Hopefully she would soon, as Alice had. If only his friend Khevn knew what Zhaan was going through to save his child. Actually he'd probably find it pretty funny, Zhaan smiled.

It was also a relief that Alice had passed the next stage of her pregnancy too, before Claudia's arrival. For a couple of weeks she had become almost insatiable in bed. Raging hormones was Jesse's explanation. He grinned again, remembering how she'd coaxed him into bringing the equipment between his legs, which he'd feared ruined, back into action. At least now, once a day seemed to satisfy his lover again.

At first they had slipped away during the evening to spend some time alone. On occasion they'd sneaked to the bathroom during the night or Claudia had absented herself, sensing their mood. Finally they had even resorted to making love regardless of her presence while she slept or at least pretended to, although it wouldn't be easy to sleep through that hushed commotion.

Quietly he turned onto his back to check if Claudia was still sleeping. As he did so, her arm slipped from his waist to a point lower down, a place which was missing Alice and which was firm and ready just for her. Now he didn't know what to do. If he moved Claudia's hand, she'd wake, and she needed to sleep, but he felt awkward and trapped. His heart began to pound.

Claudia began to stir, her hand gently sliding up and down where it lay, as she came to her senses. Zhaan lay rigid, terrified. She opened her eyes inches from his own face.

"Mmm," she murmured. Zhaan felt himself begin to shake. Was it fear or excitement? As her hand moved, he began to rock his pelvis instinctively as he would with Alice touching him.

"Did you ever sleep with any one else other than Alice?" Claudia asked in a deep husky voice.

What the hell was happening here? She rolled closer to him and pinned his leg with hers. Panic hit him like a tidal wave. With both arms he shoved her away as hard as he could. Claudia screamed as she found herself flying off the bed and landing with a crash on the floor. Before she could even get re-orientated and lift herself from the floor, Zhaan was out of the door like a rocket, wearing only his boxers with the bulge still conspicuous at the front.

In the kitchen, Clare was working on a batch of brownies. Both pregnant women had developed a sweet tooth and a taste for chocolate. Startled by the loud bang upstairs, she began to wipe the baking mix from her hands so she could go and investigate. Zhaan didn't give her chance. Like a streak of lightning he shot through the kitchen clad only in underwear. Clare blushed noticing the obvious bulge. He fled through the back door, slamming it firmly behind him. His face looked distraught. She expected to see tears but then remembered that he couldn't cry.

Looking outside, she spotted him hunched down, squatted on his heels as he often favoured, staring angrily at the river. Should she head upstairs first to make sure Claudia was OK and find out what the hell was going on?

Climbing the stairs, she began to catch the sound of muffled crying. Rushing into the bedroom she found Claudia balled up inside the bedcovers, hardly able to draw breath as her body was racked with violent sobs. Clare lowered herself onto the bed.

"Claudia, it's OK. What happened? Was it the nightmares again?" she asked with concern.

"Oh God, oh God! What have I done?" was the only phrase she could get out of Claudia. It was repeated over and over, as she began rocking herself where she sat. The covers were still tightly clutched to her chest.

"Claudia, take a deep breath. Try to breathe." Clare stroked the other woman's head trying to calm her. "Come on Claudia, try and tell me? Why is Zhaan upset too? Is it the baby? Is something wrong?"

The only sense she could get from Claudia was a shake of the head before she changed her cry to a repeated, "Stupid! Stupid!" and began beating her legs with her fists.

Clare was overwhelmed by the situation. Claudia's hysterics just wouldn't stop and Zhaan was probably freezing to death by the river in his underwear on a cold September morning. Torn and getting nowhere with Claudia, she decided her first loyalty lay with the people she'd come to think of as family.

"Claudia, I'll be right back OK." With that she picked up a spare blanket from the end of the bed and headed outside.

There, Clare had a sense of déjà vu, but this time Zhaan was clutching his knees to his chest so tightly that he was struggling to breathe. His violent shivering only made matters worse. Clare touched him gently on the back, just to make him aware she was there, before she remembered how his people hated to be touched by others. His body jolted in surprise. His face was ashen. Wrapping the blanket around his shoulders, she kept her arm around him. He flinched, so she quickly let her arm drop by her side.

"Come inside, Zhaan. You'll catch a chill out here. I don't know what's wrong, but come in and let me fix you some hot tea."

Zombie-like he rose to his feet and followed her into the kitchen. He peered anxiously into the room first, apparently checking for Claudia's presence. Clare sat him in a chair by the dining table and went back into the kitchen to heat some water. She grabbed the phone as she passed it on the counter and dialled the medical practice. Alice picked up.

"Alice, thank God! There's some kind of drama here at the house. Claudia and Zhaan are both having hysterics.

"Is he hurt, Clare?" Alice asked anxiously.

"I don't think so, just really upset. I don't know why and I don't know what to do."

"OK, I'm on my way." The practice would have to manage without her for a while. "Do you remember the day when Zhaan found you upset by the river - the day we met?" Alice asked, trying to calm her friend.

"Yes," came Clare's voice, cracking slightly.

"Can you just comfort Zhaan now, like he did for you then. Be careful about touching though. I'll be there as soon as I can."

"What about Claudia?" Clare asked.

"Do you think there's something wrong with the baby? Does Jesse need to come?"

"She said not," Clare replied.

"Then take care of Zhaan till I get there. Claudia will have to wait."

Hanging up she redialled immediately, interrupting Jesse during a patient consultation, which he always frowned upon. 'Patients come first,' he'd once told her. She didn't care. Zhaan came first and always would.

She was relieved when he told her to get home straight away and ask one of the nurses to cover reception. He would leave in about half an hour, when he broke for lunch and borrow Zach's car. If it was a medical problem she was to call him and he'd bring Zach along too.

Alice arrived at the house to find Zhaan wrapped in a blanket, dressed only in his underwear, and seated at the dining table clutching a cup of hot steaming tea. Judging by the way he rocked back and forth in the chair, he was still very agitated. She walked over to where he sat. It was starting to feel more of a waddle than a walk with her swollen belly. Sitting on the chair beside him, she laid an arm around his shoulders and pulled him close. It seemed he was too upset to talk yet, so she just held him close for a couple of minutes.

"Alice, I sorry," he said eventually.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

Shaking his head with a look of self-loathing on his face, he dropped his head down onto the table and began gently rocking himself again, back and forth, back and forth.

Alice took his head in her two hands and raised it back up. "Just tell me, Zhaan. What is it?" She was beginning to feel alarmed, especially since she just had a flashback to the last image she'd seen of him before she left for work, wrapped in the arms of another woman. Panic hit her and she blurted out, "Did you sleep with her Zhaan? Did you have sex with Claudia?"

His face reassured her. He looked shocked that she might even suspect such a thing. "No, Alice I say you the truth," he said sincerely.

She drew in a much needed breath. "So, what happened then? What's wrong?"

He gulped and swallowed before trying to speak and his face turned red. Alice had never seen him blush before and hadn't even realised he could.

He began hesitantly, struggling for words. "I wake this morning, like normal little Zhaan is looking for his Alice." He glanced down towards his underwear. Alice was struggling not to smile; he was just so cute sometimes. "Then Claudia touch little Zhaan and big Zhaan freak out, throw her across the room, and run away. Nobody except Alice should touch me like that. I didn't know what to do. I think I hurt Claudia."

Jesse picked that moment to make an entrance, looking worried. "Shall I go and check on Claudia?" he asked.

"Yes, can you bring her down here. I think we all need to have a talk." Alice was amazed how calm she felt about the whole thing. She glanced down at the bump in her belly thinking that some things were just too important.

Jesse returned a couple of minutes later. "She was busy packing. What's going on? I left Clare with her and asked her to come downstairs to talk to you." As he finished speaking, Claudia and Clare were already headed into the dining room. Claudia's face was grey. Alice took charge, pleased at how in control and calm she felt.

"Everybody sit down. There are some things that need to be said here." The others joined her and Zhaan at the table. Alice swivelled in her seat, focusing her attention on Claudia.

"Claudia, first of all, I know what happened this morning. I have to say I'm a little disappointed in you." Claudia opened her mouth as if to apologise, Alice silenced her by raising a hand.

"I know an awful thing just happened to you, and I can't even begin to think how you must be feeling about that. I also know just how much fun this weird pregnancy experience is that we are both going through. It's not exactly a bundle of laughs. I'm glad Zhaan was here to help you through things when you felt like shit. I'm sure without his help, the baby wouldn't have survived. Hell, I know I couldn't have made it through that part without him being close. I also realise that nobody except me can understand how you are feeling and how much his closeness helps. I'm glad you decided to try to make it to full term, and I know he's pleased to be able to help, no matter how inconvenient it may be for us all." She paused to gather her thoughts again and nobody spoke.

"I suspect that you may now have just reached the pregnancy stage where you don't feel quite so unwell all the time. What a relief that was, I can tell you. I wonder if, like with me, it's also a stage where you'll feel like an incorrigible nymphomaniac for a couple of weeks. It's much more fun, but only if you have a partner to help you enjoy it." Alice stopped talking and gave Claudia a chance to explain herself.

"Look, I'm sorry. When I woke this morning, I don't know what happened but that would just about hit the nail on the head. Even now I'm looking at Zhaan and Jesse and my heart is pounding and crazy thoughts are running through my head, the strangest sensations." Clare frowned at this revelation and glanced at Jesse.

"In that case, there will be new ground rules, Claudia. Nobody wants you to go home and be alone. We love you and want to support you through this nightmare. So you'd better unpack again. Hopefully this new development heralds the end of the nausea and dizziness and you'll be able to sleep alone in the guest room. Zhaan and Jesse are off limits no matter how you feel. It that understood?"

Claudia nodded.

"Right then, let's all have some lunch."

### Chapter 48 - Confessions

Sitting on the love seat on the porch, Zhaan cradled Claudia in his arms as he held her in his lap. She'd had a bad day. It started with more nightmares, followed by a relapse of the nausea, which had lasted nearly all day. She'd tried hard not to call on Zhaan for his help. She still felt self-conscious about the incident the other day and knew he'd been keeping his distance. However, when he returned from the woods, Clare had mentioned to him that Claudia had been sick and he'd come to seek her out. The fresh air and his proximity were really helping to calm her stomach.

Jesse was working on dinner with Clare in the kitchen while Alice rested after a hard day at work, when he spotted Andy's patrol car heading over the bridge and turning into his driveway. Since Jesse had taken Claudia in after the attack, Andy had religiously called by check on her at the end of each work day. Jesse suspected that he'd told Claudia her attacker had been taken care of, if not all the details of how and by whom. She seemed less nervy now. In fact, her face lit up when Andy arrived.

On Andy's first visit to Claudia, the day after the excursion to Idaho with Zhaan, Jesse had invited him to stay for dinner with them. Now he had become a permanent fixture at the dinner table. Jesse was beginning to feel like he was running a rescue home for strays, but whenever the number of people hanging around his house began to overwhelm him, he only had to think back to the bad days when he'd been totally alone. Remembering that Andy lived alone, he welcomed him to their dinner table. The 'family' dinner was becoming a daily ritual which Jesse actually enjoyed.

Andy strode into the kitchen. Today for some reason he looked unhappy. Sensing the tension, Jesse pulled open the fridge door and handed him a beer. Clare too was aware of an atmosphere and politely pottered away to lay the table for dinner, giving them some privacy.

"What's up, Andy? Bad day?" Jesse asked perceptively.

Andy seemed reluctant to spill the beans but finally began to speak. "Does Alice know about those two?" He gestured towards the porch.

"What do you mean, Andy?" Jesse asked perplexed.

"Claudia and Zhaan," he explained. "She's all over him out there. I'm sure Alice wouldn't be too happy about that! What is it about that guy? Here I am - eligible bachelor of the county - and that guy, who already has one beautiful woman hanging on his arm and a baby on the way, now he's got Claudia all over him too. Where am I going wrong, Jesse?" Andy asked despondently. "Don't you feel pissed too? Alice is your sister."

Jesse was wondering how to respond. He wasn't sure whether Claudia had told Andy that she was pregnant and how he would explain why she was nestled so close to Zhaan much of the time, without blowing the alien's cover. He decided to bite the bullet.

"Do you know about the baby?" he asked Andy. "Claudia's baby?"

The colour drained from the lawman's face. Obviously he didn't know.

"Shit, that bastard got her pregnant?" He looked distraught.

"Andy, calm down. Claudia was pregnant before the attack. Heaven only knows how it happened. We all know that she's fanatically cautious. It's a miracle she stayed pregnant to be honest, with her injuries."

"Whose is it then? Zhaan's?"

"Hell no! That Alice wouldn't tolerate for sure. As far as I can gather, she believes the father is actually a friend of Zhaan's, Khevn, who visited us for a few days. He's gone for good now though, and Zhaan seems to be taking on some responsibility for her welfare. The weird thing is, and this was true with Alice too, he seems to have some kind of healing vibe about him. I know, I'm a doctor and shouldn't believe in such mumbo-jumbo, but whenever Alice and now Claudia have been suffering from morning sickness, just touching Zhaan or being close to him seems to help. Hence them being wrapped up together on the porch.

"I don't think you need to worry on account of Zhaan, his affections lie squarely with my sister. Claudia on the other hand, if you could see how her face starts to light up around the time you arrive each day." Jesse hoped his strange explanation would suffice to satisfy Andy. "I'm not sure whether your visits are purely professional or whether you have feelings for Claudia, but be careful, and bear in mind it's not just Claudia to consider now."

Andy took a long swig from his beer, deep in thought.

"Why don't you go free Zhaan up? I bet he'd like to spend a few minutes with Alice before dinner." Jesse believed Claudia and Andy might need to talk.

Sure enough, a few moments later Zhaan raced through the kitchen and up the stairs.

Claudia and Andy sat awkwardly together on the love seat in silence. Finally Andy could take it no longer.

"Why didn't you tell me about the baby, Claudia?" In response she put her face into her hands.

"Why, Claudia? You know I'd do anything to help you out." More tense moments passed, then Claudia burst into tears.

"Oh shit! Claudia don't cry. It'll be OK. Come on." Andy gently lay a supportive arm around her shoulders.

"I'm afraid. Have I made a mistake deciding to keep this baby? How am I going to manage? I know everyone is being so kind and generous to me now, but the thought of being home alone with a child is terrifying. Everybody is rallying around me all the time, but I'm having serious doubts, Andy. Maybe I should just get rid of it, move away, start afresh somewhere where I'm a stranger." She could only tell Andy a small part of her predicament.

A look of horror briefly crossed Andy's face and he raised his other arm to take her into an embrace.

Looking into Claudia's tearful eyes, he wondered what to say. He felt as though he were perched on a high ridge about to plummet off one way or the other, depending on which direction the wind blew.

"I'm not sure, with all you have been through, that getting rid of the child with a snap decision would be the right thing to do. You didn't seem to have doubts when your life was at its lowest ebb, so why are you doubting yourself now? If you do something rash, you might regret it for the rest of your life. You don't strike me as the type of girl who would be happy living with something like that on her conscience. Am I wrong?"

Claudia merely answered by looking up into his eyes and then lowering her gaze again.

There was a knot in Andy's throat the size of a golf ball. "Besides," he began.

Claudia's eyes were on his again, this time it felt like they were boring right into his soul. She crinkled her eyebrows silently, urging him to finish speaking. He remained silent for a moment, inwardly debating his dilemma. Did he have the nerve to express his thoughts, knowing that the whole course of his life could be changed for better or for worse with just a few words?

"What?" Claudia pressed him. It was now or never.

"Besides, you don't have to be on your own." There it was. The fuse was lit.

Claudia frowned, puzzled by his words. "What do you mean, Andy? What are you saying?"

"You have me." She just stared at him in stunned silence. Andy could hardly breathe.

"You're a great friend, Andy. You've done so much to help me already." Claudia looked briefly into his eyes again before dropping her gaze back down onto the seat. "I don't want you to feel obliged to stick around in my life and help me out. I got myself into this mess. I'll have to work it out for myself."

Andy felt crestfallen at being called a great friend but managed to hide it well.

"You are a strong lady, Claudia. I have no doubt that you can struggle through on your own." He sat beside her wracked with doubt, the word "friend" spinning around and around in his head. Was it worth the risk of ruining their friendship to tell her how he really felt? How he'd felt for so long? Taking a deep breath, Andy realised this may be the only chance he'd ever get. He plunged into the unknown head first.

"Claudia, I know you can and will manage alone, but I don't want you to. You should know that I love you and have done for a very long time." As her mouth fell open in shock, Andy felt like a great chasm was opening beneath his feet to swallow him whole. He waited breathlessly for her reaction and finally it came.

"Are you serious?" She was looking at him intently, trying to gauge whether this was for real or just a pity party.

"Deadly," he replied, dying inside and wondering how she would react. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply.

When he opened them again, Claudia looked nervous. "I need to know that you are not just saying this out of pity," she insisted.

"If only you could sense the green-eyed monster lurking when I arrived here earlier to find you wrapped in another man's arms and know how crazy it made me to see other guys' cars parked outside your house, it would be a whole lot easier to prove. You have to believe how I feel. What worries me though is your feelings. I couldn't stand to be someone you used because it was easy when you needed support and later abandoned.

"If you felt the lightness in my heavy heart each evening when your car pulls into Jesse's driveway, it would be simpler for me to show you too." She kissed him again in a way which couldn't be misconstrued as a friendly peck.

"Everything you've been through lately has only made me admire you more, Claudia. It was all I could do not to kill your attacker myself. Thank God for Zhaan!" Suddenly he stopped, realising his slip.

"What do you mean? What about Zhaan?" No such luck, even with the shock of his revelation of his feelings for her, Claudia hadn't missed the reference to Zhaan.

"It was Zhaan took care of him, your attacker. Please don't say anything. I'm not sure who knows and who doesn't. All I know is that he wasn't prepared to let the bastard get away with it."

Andy arrived late at the office the next morning. He'd overslept and underestimated the time for the drive from Jesse's. The road was covered in black ice. Claudia talked him into staying the night. He planned only on holding her in his arms, making her feel safe, but Claudia had other exhausting ideas! It was so different from other times with her when it had been all about what he wanted, she'd made it quite clear what she needed from him. He'd hoped to slip away in the morning, without being spotted, but had to endure the knowing glances of Jesse and his family over breakfast.

He tried to make his way inconspicuously into the office.

"Good Afternoon," Sally greeted him with sarcasm.

"Morning, Sally."

Without a greeting Chief Stevenson strode over to Andy, thrusting a piece of paper into his hand.

"What do you make of this, Andy?"

"Hang on, I need coffee first." Andy filled his mug and returned to his desk, looking at the paper.

There, in front of his face, was a picture of Claudia's attacker with something blurred out on his forehead. Swallowing hard, he began to read.

"Idaho State Police are seeking assistance with identification of this man, who appears to have been victim of some kind of wild animal attack, possibly bear. He was found wandering aimlessly in the Salmon area apparently suffering from amnesia. Approximately 5'10", blue eyes, brown hair, his body was covered with extensive claw markings. Injuries appear recent. The word "rapist" was scored in several places on his body with knife cuts, indicating that he may have been attacked by person or persons unknown prior to the bear attack. Victim has been secured in the psychiatric ward of a local hospital. Please contact Salmon ID Sheriff's Department with any information."

"Isn't that the guy you were looking for in relation to the attack on Claudia, Andy?" Stevenson asked with a knowing look in his eye.

"Hmm, could be." Andy peered hard at the picture again, trying to look convincing. "It"s hard to tell with all the claw marks."

"Anything you know which could help our friends down in Idaho?"

"No, Sir," Andy replied stubbornly.

"OK then." With that the Chief screwed the piece of paper into a ball and threw it in the trash can.

### Chapter 49 – Vacation

"I love family dinner time!" Jesse smiled, knowing in his heart it really did make him happy to be surrounded by loving friends.

"You're in a good mood, bro," Alice said. "You were run off your feet all day at work with Zach out."

"I have exciting news," he stated mysteriously, causing the other five seated at the table to look at one another curiously. Surely Clare isn't pregnant too, Alice thought to herself.

"I know that Andy and Claudia are going to his Mom's for Thanksgiving. The rest of us are going to San Diego for a week."

Alice squealed, Zhaan looked confused.

"What a San Diego?" he asked concerned.

"San Diego is sun, sea, sand, and fun!" Alice explained excitedly, leaving Zhaan none the wiser.

"Zhaan, San Diego is a city in California on the Pacific Ocean," Jesse explained.

Andy looked bemused at Zhaan requiring such an explanation.

"I got a call from an old friend, Pete, from med. school, who lives there now. He heard about my bad start to the year from someone, Imogen I guess. She and his wife are good buddies. Anyway, they are headed to Hawaii for two weeks over Thanksgiving and they offered me use of their condo on Pacific Beach. I talked it over with Zach and he said we can all have a week off. He'll manage somehow for a week. No one wants to see the Doctor on Thanksgiving or Black Friday.

"I was just going to take Clare, but I was worried about leaving you, Alice. Clare persuaded me to buy tickets for the four of us. My only condition is that Clare and I get plenty of alone time."

"No problem!" Alice grinned. "I'm going to look like a whale on the beach!" She laughed and then looked more serious. "It is OK for me to fly, right?" she asked her brother.

"I don't see why not. You'll have your own medic with you."

"We fly?" Zhaan looked worried. "In hel-copter?" Alice wasn't sure if he said the word that way on purpose but found it funny every time.

"No, Zhaan. We'll be flying on a commercial plane, actually two planes, to get there," Jesse explained. Zhaan looked no less nervous. "Don't worry, it will be fine."

November flew by and in no time at all they found themselves at the airport in Missoula. Alice had planned on getting some vacation clothes for her and Zhaan, but found Montana sadly lacking in beachwear in November. They'd just have to shop when they got there.

They stood in line for security checks. Zhaan was anxious all the way to the airport despite Alice's best efforts to reassure him and now he looked even more agitated.

"Are you OK, Zhaan?" Jesse asked.

"What that machine?" Zhaan pointed to the body scanner.

"Don't worry, it's just a security check. It shows if you have anything metal on you."

"Jesse," Zhaan hesitated. "I can't."

"What do you mean, Zhaan?"

"I can't do that machine. My nails, my teeth, all metal. People will know."

"Shit!" Jesse exclaimed. "I hadn't thought of that."

"What are we going to do?" Alice asked, horrified at the thought of losing a week in the sun.

"Let me talk to them when we get there. Stick with me Zhaan."

The line crawled slowly forward as people struggled to remove shoes, belts, jackets and empty the contents of their pockets into small plastic trays. As they got to the front, Jesse gestured to one of the security people.

"Dr. Jesse Williams." He held out his hand. The security guard looked unimpressed. "This man, John Guy, is a patient of mine. He has undergone extensive re-constructive surgery on his hands, feet and teeth, due to a genetic calcium abnormality. He has numerous metal surgical implants, which I'm sure will show up on your scanner. To be honest he's very anxious about it." The security guard checked Jesse's ID and Zhaan's before walking over to a supervisor.

A couple of minutes later he was back. "OK, we'll give him a pat down. He can bypass the scanner."

"Thank you so much for your help," Jesse said. As the guard tried to grab Zhaan by the arm and lead him around the machine, Jesse hurriedly explained. "John, these people are going to pat you down, so you don't have to go in the machine. They will have to touch you, to make sure you have nothing dangerous hidden on you. Is that OK?" Clear in Jesse's mind was Zhaan's previous reaction to unsolicited touch.

"Is OK, Jesse." He said quietly, enduring the pat down with gritted teeth.

By the time they reached San Diego, it was close to dinner time. Alice was like an excited child, insisting on going with Jesse to find a grocery store and buy supplies. She didn't want to miss a minute of the new city. They all agreed they were too tired to eat out. Jesse and Alice left Zhaan and Clare to find their own way around the impressive beachfront apartment. The second floor location gave a fabulous bird's eye view of the bustle of life on the beach.

Sitting on the balcony, Zhaan was feeling a little overwhelmed at all he could see. He'd never seen an ocean before and the multitude of people thronging the boardwalk beneath their seats probably amounted to more Humans than he'd seen in his whole time on Earth added together. He wondered how he was going to feel walking through a crowd like that.

"I get us drink, whatever I find," Zhaan said to Clare, keen for a break from the noise of the horde below. A couple of minutes later he returned with two beers in one hand and a cake tin in the other. The top was already off.

"I really hungry. I find cake. You want?" He held the tin out to her. "Jesse's friend really nice. He leave us beer and brownies."

The cake was delicious, rich and chocolatey. Zhaan didn't often partake of sweet treats but he was so hungry, this one hit the spot. As the beer went down he began to feel hungry again.

"Want more cake, Clare?" He thrust the tin in her direction again and she too indulged again. What was wrong with him? He'd already eaten two brownies and only felt hungrier. His head was beginning to spin. "I still hungry, Clare." He reached over for the cake tin again, inelegantly sliding from his chair onto the floor. There he started giggling, making Clare laugh too.

"Hell, I'm starving too." She stood up to help Zhaan to his feet. He was still floundering on the floor, laughing hysterically.

"Clare, my head feel funny." As Clare tried to pull him back up to the chair, her vision began to blur, the room was spinning.

"Oh God." Clare ended up on the floor too, with tears of laughter running down her cheeks.

"You eyes leaking," Zhaan pointed and giggled again. "What wrong with us? Is beer more strong in San Diego? I drunk."

Clare couldn't answer for the giggles.

"Cake is dangerous. I go look for something else to eat." Crawling on all fours, Zhaan made his way back towards the kitchen and returned with a large bag of potato chips clutched in his teeth.

"Come on, open them," Clare urged, "I need something else to eat."

Alice and Jesse returned from the grocery store to find Zhaan and Clare lying out on the floor in the lounge, each clutching a bottle of beer, with a demolished large bag of chips between them on the floor.

"What the hell are you doing, guys?" Jesse asked.

"We don't want to fall over into the sea." Clare giggled, causing Jesse and Alice to glance in bewilderment at one another.

"Why would you fall into the sea?" Alice asked.

"First we drink the beer and eat cake, then we both fall on the floor," Zhaan answered, bursting into another fit of laughter.

"We brought the chips in with us from outside because we were still hungry even after the cake. Now we can't get up, mostly because we can't stop laughing," Clare explained.

"My God, you guys are stoned!" Alice said with amazement, looking at her brother.

Jesse had a flashback to his friend's baking skills at college.

"Where did you find the cakes, guys?" he wondered.

"They in kitchen with sign saying enjoy. Now they outside in big box. Taste very good, you should try too." Zhaan giggled again.

Striding out onto the balcony, Jesse retrieved the cake tin and peered at the lid. It did have the word 'enjoy' written on it, just after the words, 'Space Cakes'.

At that moment Jesse's phone rang. Alice listened in to Jesse's end of the call.

"Hey, Pete. Yes, we just got here. It's a lovely apartment. Thanks again for the use of it. Just what we needed. Cakes? Yes, my sister's boyfriend and Clare tried them already while we went to the grocery store. They appear to be somewhat incapacitated." He laughed. "I think we need to cut them off and maybe put them to bed."

"Bed sounds good," exclaimed Clare, struggling to all fours and stalking towards Jesse with an evil glint in her eye.

"Bed sound far away," Zhaan added, rolling over onto his stomach on the floor. "I safer here, I think."

### Chapter 50 – San Diego

Alice and Zhaan spent their first day in San Diego at the Zoo. Zhaan excitedly took photos of every animal they saw, and Alice read him the information about each exhibit. He still struggled to read English, stubbornly unable to distinguish one letter from another. If she hadn't helped him out, they may have been there all week. He insisted on knowing everything possible about every animal. By the time they made it home exhausted, Alice felt they could both qualify for a degree in zoology.

Jesse and Clare had gone out for dinner but Alice was amazed how tired it made her carrying the ever growing bump around with her all day. Increasing worry threatened to subdue her mood. She was getting anxious about the birth, which must be creeping up on her, although no one could know just when the child would be born. It might not survive, or could be a monster. Zhaan and Jesse reassured her often but those thoughts kept nagging at the back of her mind. The stress added to her weariness, despite the happy public persona she was sure to keep presenting to her friends.

Zhaan and Alice sat together on the balcony. Zhaan savoured the rich reds of the sunset over the ocean and was apparently unaware of her anxiety. Their fingers were firmly entwined.

Alice unthinkingly commented to Zhaan, "What have you done to me? I used to be the party animal of the family." For a moment he looked upset, worried she was angry with him, before she reassured him with an embrace.

They were sleeping long before the others got home.

The next morning Alice suggested a more restful day on the beach. Strangely, each time she mentioned a walk on the beach, Zhaan looked reluctant. Again she got that look from him.

"Don't you want to go on the beach and enjoy the ocean?" she asked him in a frustrated tone.

He looked into her eyes and then looked down. "What is it Zhaan? Is it that there are too many people there? Tell me why you don't want to go."

He kept tight-lipped for a moment, but Alice's hard stare persuaded him that she wouldn't drop the subject.

"Alice, I afraid."

"What are you afraid of, Zhaan? I don't understand."

"I afraid the water come and take me."

Alice frowned. "The water won't take you, Zhaan."

"I watch the water. Sometimes it come up the beach, sometime it further away. I see on TV how the water can come up the beach into town and take people away, wash away cars, buildings and bring ships from the sea. How can I know it won't come up here and take me?" He asked with a serious expression on his face.

"Zhaan, you're talking about a Tsunami, a huge tidal wave. That must be what you saw on TV. That only happens if there's a big earthquake somewhere. I'm pretty sure a Tsunami isn't going to wash you away if you take a walk on the beach with me. We have a good warning system here in America. I can't promise you, but I don't think you need to worry about it. It's very unlikely." She wanted to reassure him without lying to him.

"But I watch the water, sometimes it higher on sand than now," he protested.

"That's just the tide, Zhaan. It happens every few hours, something to do with the moon's gravity, I think. When the water is high up the beach, that's called high tide; when it's a long way down, that's low tide. Our scientists know just how far up the beach it will come each day. There are no surprises there, so don't worry about it. You can swim can't you?" she wondered aloud.

"I never try," he admitted. "I never see so much water, enough to swim. Some people on Guyara know how to do this, people who hunt fish from boat, but I never try it."

"You should learn. I'll teach you. I bet we can use the swimming pool at the hotel up the road if we ask nicely and stay for lunch. A swim might even help my backache."

Jesse and Clare emerged from their room hand in hand, looking ruffled. It was wonderful to see her brother so relaxed. Alice explained her plan to them and how Zhaan was afraid of the water.

"Should we come along too, to encourage him?" Jesse offered. In truth he was worried that Alice's gung-ho teaching attitude might put Zhaan off the water for life.

"I don't have a swimsuit," Clare said worried. "Dad never let me wear one in public."

"Don't worry, Clare, we all have to go shopping for swimwear first. I need to find something that doesn't make me look like Mr Potato head!" Alice joked.

At the store Clare was reluctant to try anything she considered skimpy, but Alice was just so pushy.

"You have a hot body. Make the most of it. Turn some heads on the beach," she tried to convince her. "One day you might look like this," she pointed at her bump, "then you'll regret not making the most of your hotness when you had the chance." She laughed. Selecting a handful of bikinis from the rack, she ordered her friend into the changing room. "Try these. Zhaan and I will pick which one you should buy!"

Anxiously Clare poked her head around the curtain a couple of minutes later.

"Alice I'm really not sure about this. There's not much of it," she stammered. Alice gestured to Zhaan to come over and yanked the curtain out of her friend's hand.

Zhaan's jaw dropped. "That what you wear to swim in ocean? Look more like you want to chase Jesse in bedroom!"

"Zhaan, it's a bikini. Doesn't she look great?" The cut of the swimsuit really flattered her curves, the tropical colours were just perfect with her pale skin tone.

"Look very good," Zhaan confirmed. "You should buy."

Alice too opted for a bikini. She doubted the bump would fit into a one piece without something tearing. Next it was Zhaan's turn. Alice picked out some trunks and sent him into the changing room. Once changed, he refused to come out.

"Alice, you come in." He stubbornly clutched the curtain to stop her from opening it, so she squeezed inside.

He'd chosen the simple, almost plain black swimsuit. It fitted perfectly, making Alice feel a little hot under the collar!

"You look like James Bond, Zhaan. We'll buy that one."

"Alice, I can't wear only this."

"Why not? You look great!" she insisted.

"If I wear only this under your sun, I burn my skin and what about my feet how they look? Also I have no hair like Earth man." He whispered, looking very concerned and pointing under his arms, at his chest and his legs.

Alice turned back into the store, grabbing a white long-sleeved rash guard T-shirt and a pair of water shoes. "Sorted! You can wear these in the pool. Come on, let's go. Stop making excuses," she laughed.

The swimming lesson was in progress. It had taken all three of them to coax Zhaan down the steps into the shallow end of the swimming pool. Now Alice was trying to convince him that he could float if he lay back in the water while she supported his head. She remembered that was how Jesse had first helped her learn to swim.

"Zhaan, I'll take your head. Jesse and Clare will each support a leg, until you believe that you can actually float in the water. Even I float with this huge bump, look." She demonstrated. "Just lie back." He plucked up courage to give it a try, insisting on holding onto the hand rail with one hand as well.

"Right, lift your feet off the bottom. Jesse and Clare will help."

"I don't think it work," Zhaan was adamant.

"Look, watch me. I can do it without anyone's help." Alice lay back again in the water with her bump sticking up like an island.

"I try," Zhaan caved. He nervously put his head back into the water and then raised his feet up towards the surface. Promptly he sank like a stone to the bottom of the pool and began thrashing, until he emerged standing again, spluttering and coughing.

"Hmm," Jesse tried not to laugh, "perhaps he doesn't float quite like us, Alice. His bone density might be higher or something."

"He told me some of his people know how to swim, so it must be possible." Alice looked at Zhaan's now grumpy, wet face and planted a kiss on his lips.

"Worth to get wet for that!" he admitted with a smile.

"If his body isn't naturally buoyant, he's going to have to keep swimming to stay afloat. Watch me, Zhaan." Jesse launched into a lap of the pool swimming breast stroke. He figured that would be the easiest one to learn.

Zhaan watched intently and insisted Jesse show him again. Next Jesse had him practice the leg strokes while holding on to the hand rail. Jesse had always been such a patient teacher. Where would Alice be without him in her life?

Alice and Clare retreated to warm themselves on sun loungers, leaving Jesse in charge of swim class. A short while later Zhaan could manage three strokes before sinking and only an hour later, he covered a whole length of the pool. Alice was impressed.

"Very hard work for me, swimming," Zhaan confessed. "My body just want to sink. It take much energy. Make me very hungry."

"At least now you can swim if you have to, Zhaan. It's always a good idea to know how," Jesse commented, before adding, "Shall we order some lunch from the bar?"

After lunch, Zhaan was persuaded to visit the beach. As he walked at the water's edge with Alice, his muscular body brought admiring glances from sunbathers they passed. The T-shirt protecting his skin from the sun was tight enough to show off his well honed abdomen.

Zhaan was nervous of the ocean and edged a little higher up the beach every time a wave came near his feet. His nervousness quickly transformed into excitement as he became accustomed to the rhythm of the waves, and he began to enjoy himself, running from the approaching waves and laughing like a child. Eventually he allowed his feet to be engulfed in water. "Is cold and tickles," he laughed.

He looked worried when Alice submerged herself up to her neck and watched her for several minutes before walking further into the water to join her. His fear of losing her to the water was greater than his terror of the water. She wrapped her arms around him. "You're so brave, Zhaan."

"You make fun of me," he complained.

"No I'm serious. It's only brave to do something if you were afraid to do it at the start."

Despite Jesse's initial insistence that he and Clare get plenty of alone time, the four of them spent much of the week together. Obviously Jesse was content with the alone time he was getting with Clare behind the closed bedroom door. Alice failed to persuade Zhaan to take a bike ride up the boardwalk. He was too worried he'd fall off and hurt someone. In truth, she wasn't sure it would be comfortable taking the bump on a bike. Instead they walked up and down until Zhaan became more relaxed with the crowds. Eventually he even became confident enough among the mass of Humans to enjoy some intensive people watching as they strolled.

### Chapter 51 – A Million Questions

A hard day of sight-seeing left all four of them happy to spend the evening at their beachfront holiday home. They'd visited the Embarcadero, where Zhaan had been fascinated with the variety of boats and ships tied to the dock. After touring the old town and Balboa Park, everyone was happy to rest their tired feet. Even cooking was too much effort and take-away food was just the ticket.

Emboldened by a couple of glasses of wine and another suspect brownie, Clare was in an unusually chatty mood.

"Nobody ever seems to ask Zhaan anything. All the things he's experienced and the places he's visited, I have at least a million questions I'd like to ask. I haven't spent as much alone time talking to him as you two." She waved vaguely in the direction of Jesse and Alice. "When you told me who he was, there was always so much stress and trauma all the time, with Alice and the baby, then Claudia. I never really had a chance to find out much about him." Slurring a little, she pressed on. "I, for one, am curious to find out about our little alien buddy here." She gestured wildly in Zhaan's direction. "Isn't anybody else? I never really had any friends before and now I do, one of them is from another freaking planet!"

"You have questions, you ask questions," Zhaan responded with a smile.

"Hey, guys, perhaps we should move inside, off the balcony?" Alice, with her clear, brownie-and-wine-free head, felt very protective of her Guy and didn't want any passers-by to overhear their conversation.

They settled in the lounge. Jesse was bemused at Clare's sudden talkativeness.

"OK then, question number one," Clare launched straight in. "What is the biggest difference between your people and Humans?" As she finished talking, all three Humans turned to look in his direction, which made him feel uncomfortable, even threatened.

"What you mean? How they look?" Zhaan was fidgeting and trying to work out why the situation was making him anxious.

"How they look first, sure. I know you and Khevn look a bit different to how Guy normally look, right?" Clare gave him an intense stare and suddenly it dawned on him. What was making him stressed was that this supposedly light-hearted question and answer session felt not dissimilar to his interrogation by his people on the ship. Three people were staring at him, asking questions, and waiting for his explanations. Even though he knew that whatever he said here to his friends wouldn't condemn him in any way, and they certainly wouldn't beat him for his responses, it was too close to what he experienced so recently.

"Wait!" Zhaan said suddenly struggling for breath. "I freak out here."

Alice turned to him with concern. "What's wrong Zhaan? Are you OK?"

"When you all look hard at me and ask questions, it remind me too much of how Guy question me. I know nobody here want to hurt me, but still it make my heart beat fast, make me sweat and shake, look Alice." He thrust out a quavering arm in her direction.

"Zhaan, we had no idea." She wrapped her arms around him. "It was only a bit of fun. You don't have to answer our questions. It's OK."

"I want to answer questions. I want my friends to know everything about me. I don't know why I so nervous." He looked embarrassed.

"Zhaan, don't worry about it. It looks to me like you might be suffering from a touch of PTSD. I'm not surprised after what you went through." Zhaan looked blank. "PTSD; post traumatic stress disorder. It's a kind of delayed psychological reaction to some kind of bad experience you've survived," Jesse explained. "Let's forget about this twenty questions thing, or was that a million questions, Clare?" he laughed.

"No wait, I want to play this game," Zhaan said with determination, taking a deep breath. "I know. We take turns to ask questions. If I don't want to answer, I don't answer, and please don't look so hard at me. That way it don't feel like I being interrogated. What you think?"

"Great!" Clare said, seeming a little less excitable now.

"So, how the Guy and Humans are different?" Zhaan thought for a second, gazing out of the window at the passing crowds of tourists for inspiration. "First Guy are bigger," he gesticulated indicating height, "but smaller." Now he indicated width. "No Guy this shape from too much food." He waved his arms around in a semicircle from his chest to groin, indicating fatness. Nobody allowed too much food. When I go back to my ship, they say I fat! Now I get fat again for Guy since I live back on Earth."

He paused, thinking again before continuing. "Unclothed Guy don't have hair in strange places like Human." He pointed towards his groin, chest and underarms. "In Guyara, male Guy have much head hair, long like this." He drew an imaginary line across the middle of his back. "Here Alice cut my hair very often. In female Guy, hair only grow little like this." He pointed to the top of his neck. "Every Guy is very white, white skin with white hair like me. We don't have different colour people." He stopped talking for a moment, giving Alice a chance to prompt him.

"Zhaan, you've told me about the changes your people made to your body to make you look more Human, but I don't think Jesse or Clare know. Maybe you could tell them?" Zhaan nodded.

"They give me this Human finger nail and toe nail from metal, to hide this." He extended his claws on his left hand, making Clare jump.

"Geez!" she exclaimed.

"Of course you know my eyes look different. I believe they work better for low light but not so good in Earth sun. Even with dark glasses my eyes hurt sometimes. Guy eyes can't leak. I don't know how to cry.

"My ears they cut here to change shape." He pointed to the tops of his ears. "Before they more point shape. They also cut here behind, so I can't move them to hear from different directions. Very annoying." He was waving his hands either side of his head to indicate directional hearing. "Then teeth. Guy teeth very sharp and pointed like predator teeth. Human teeth very dull and big. At first it hard for me to eat and speak with these teeth. These teeth are metal like finger nails." He tapped a fingernail against a front tooth.

"Can I take a look?" Jesse asked. Zhaan nodded his agreement. "I wonder what metal they used, whether it's something we have here." He peered into Zhaan's mouth, tapping on the front of his teeth and then taking a hand and inspecting the fake fingernails closely. "Looks like titanium, that's what we often use here for medical implants."

"Yes," Zhaan looked excited. "All time here I try to remember name of this metal tanium. My planet very rich in this metal; nearly everything made from tanium, even space ship. OK, next question." He was beginning to enjoy the question and answer session after all. He turned to Jesse and waited.

"You've told us the biggest differences in appearance between our people, what about behaviour? What's different about the way the Guy act towards one another?"

"Where to start?" Zhaan pondered. "Biggest difference is touch. Guy don't touch each other like Human. Just look." He pointed to Jesse's arm draped around Clare's shoulder and to Alice's hand resting on his own thigh. In Guy culture it very rude, even threatening, to touch another Guy without permission."

"Why is it such a big deal, Zhaan?" Clare asked.

"If you are Guy and I touch like this," he laid a hand on Alice's bare arm, "I know how you feeling, what you think, if you happy, sad, or angry. You read someone's thoughts. It rude to do this without permission. For me is relaxing to be with Humans, to touch without worrying about this.

I think Humans much more close with one another. Guy don't really have friends same way like Humans. We live together - maybe twenty Guy in one building - but nobody really is a friend. There are two Guy I call friend, Khevn and Malla, but that unusual for us. It because we spend so much time together preparing our visit to Earth. They both have saved my life. Normally my people spend much time alone."

"My turn, my turn!" exclaimed Alice. "I want you to tell me more about Malla." She'd always been curious at the mention of the name.

"Malla is very clever. She in charge of all research about Earth."

"Oh! Malla is a woman!" Clare said surprised. "I didn't know there were women on your ship. Was Malla your girlfriend? I've heard you mention her name a lot." As she asked, she slipped a worried look in Alice's direction.

"No, Malla not my mate. Guy do not have mate." Clare frowned in confusion but Zhaan continued before she could ask for an explanation. "I tell you about Malla. Malla is most intelligent Guy I ever meet. She first to work out how to build television to watch Earth TV signal from satellite. She find how to get into internet. Malla arrange everything for our visit; credit card, driver licence, papers for RV. She help design RV from Earth pictures for engineer to build on way to Earth. She make passport and she never seen a real Earth passport. I think she did good job.

Malla spend her time to investigate Earth and help us prepare. She learn English first. I have no idea how she learn it, she really smart. She teach me and Khevn how to speak. With old laws, where any Guy born imperfect was killed, she wouldn't be allowed to live, but thank Guyara that law abolished. It very cruel."

"Why? What's wrong with Malla?" Jesse asked.

"Her legs are wrong and don't work properly. She need frame from tanium on legs and sticks to help walk. I think Malla is girlfriend of Khevn now. We corrupt him!" He laughed then suddenly became serious again. "I hope they don't get in trouble. I hope they happy. I owe them everything."

"Can we back up a bit?" Clare asked eagerly. "You say Guy don't have mates, but you say Khevn has Malla for a girlfriend. I'm confused. I know the Guy must reproduce the same way as Humans. We even have proof of that." She looked pointedly at Alice's belly. "What am I missing? Is sex the same with a Guy partner as with a Human?" Clare blushed at her own words which would never have been uttered without her current level of inebriation.

"I don't know. I never bed a Guy female. It strictly forbidden on my planet." Clare looked even more confused, forcing Zhaan to continue. "All baybay Guy are made in laboratory. My people only want perfect children. Only perfect little baybays are implanted in female to grow and be born." Clare's mouth now hung open.

Jesse obviously wanted to take the questioning in a different direction. "Zhaan, how many people came to Earth on your ship?"

"On ship in space we have..." Zhaan reckoned up the number in his head and converted it to English, which was always a struggle for him, "...we have thirty-five Guy; thirty-four male and Malla. Shuttle ship bring only five Guy to Earth; three crew, Khevn, and me. Only we two stay any time. When they bring me back, Khevn fly shuttle, with one other pilot and we bring Malla. She deserve a trip to Earth, even if only a few minutes."

"The ship I saw was just the shuttle ship?" Jesse asked, causing both Clare and Alice to turn and stare at him.

"Ship that bring us from Guyara to Earth orbit can only exist in space. We build it in space. It fly only in space and can't land. You see only shuttle," he confirmed.

"Why did you come to Earth?" Clare asked. "It must be a really long trip."

"We find TV signal, so we know Earth exist and have population. My people want to be sure that Human is no threat to Guy, so plan research visit."

"Are any other planets populated?" Alice wondered.

"Guy know of only six," Zhaan answered succinctly.

"Tell us about them, Zhaan. We don't know of any of them." Jesse said.

"Earth is latest we find. Guyara, of course, make two. Guyara have mining colony planet, Delta, peopled with Guy, that make three. Planet Zilur make four; these beings you know, they crash in Roswell." Zhaan's matter-of-fact statement raised Jesse and Clare's eyebrows. "There is old enemy of Guy who try to take our planet in war. That planet we call Dura, those nasty people are Duran. Last planet have life but only animal, nobody who can build spacecraft yet. That planet we call Codal. Nearest to Earth is our mining planet. Guyara and Codal about same distance from Earth but not close together. Zilur is more far, then Dura very far. All planets long way from each other. When I leave Guyara, we know of no others but these."

"How long have you been away from Guyara? How much time did it take to get here?" Jesse enquired.

Zhaan scratched his head. It was going to be difficult to convert from Guy time scales to Earth ones. "You have paper, pen?" he asked. Jesse handed over a notepad and Zhaan began to scribble, characters unfamiliar to the Humans. He grasped the pen almost like a dagger, as a child would. The silence stretched on as the paper became filled with squiggles. "This calculation is difficult. Guy time is different, hour is different, day is different, year is different," he paused. "I think the trip take about fifteen Earth years."

"Wow! You must have been young when you left," Clare exclaimed.

"I talk about this with Alice before, so I don't have to do more calculation," Zhaan smiled. "I out of school some time when I leave Guyara. We think twenty Earth years in age, now we believe I around thirty-five Earth years of age. This sum much easier to calculate. Why don't I think of this?" he chuckled at his own stupidity.

"About the same age as me," Jesse laughed. "We have sent space probes from Earth which have been travelling about that long and still not left our solar system. You must have some wicked technology for space travel."

"We travel very fast. You can't ask me to explain how. My people don't allow me or Khevn to understand our technology in case Humans torture us to find how to build space ship. I not allowed to understand space navigation either, so I can't lead Humans to Guyara."

"Did you stop anywhere on the way to Earth?" Alice asked.

"We stop at mining colony, about three fourths of way to Earth. We have to make stop near red planet, next planet to Earth."

"Mars?" Jesse suggested, Zhaan nodded.

"Something was broken on ship and we hide there to make repair. Then we park ship behind your Moon and come here with shuttle."

"How did you know Earth wouldn't make you sick?" Jesse asked. "All the bacteria, viruses and so on must be unfamiliar to you but you've stayed pretty healthy."

"Khevn and me, we introduced to Earth diseases before we come down. Medic introduce our bodies to samples of illnesses, for us to build immunity."

"How did you get hold of Earth pathogens?" Jesse's professional interest was being piqued.

Zhaan looked uncomfortable, then remembering the rules of the question session, he replied, "I don't want to answer that question. Ask something different." Jesse looked a little taken aback but dropped the subject.

"What does your planet look like?" Clare asked, keen to get Zhaan talking again.

"From space it look kind of blue like Earth, with much water, but land areas smaller than Earth continents. More islands, but all smaller. Light on Guyara is more red, less white. It like Earth dawn time or sunset, not so bright."

"How is it different on Guyara to Earth?" Alice asked. She realised they hadn't talked about it much before.

"Water we have is not salt like the ocean here. We have lot of water like Earth. No big mountains, just small. We have plants but not so many different types like here and nothing so tall as Earth trees. Weather not so hot or cold. We have many animal too, but not so many types like on Earth either. We have less variety in everything."

Zhaan was starting to look tired, Clare realised. "We are wearing you out. Let's finish with a couple of easy questions." Zhaan looked relieved.

"What is your favourite thing about Earth?" she asked.

Without hesitation Zhaan answered, "Alice."

"What else do you like about our planet?" Alice pressed him.

"I like my friends, I like beer," he laughed.

"Just like a real Earth man," Clare giggled.

"I like stories Humans make up, the ones Alice read to me. We have nothing like this - made up stories just for entertainment. The stories on TV, I like those too. I like animals and plants, they very fascinating to me. I like apple to eat, it very difficult to eat with Guy teeth but Earth teeth perfect for apple. Apple my favourite fruit. I like fire. Fire building not allowed on Guyara. I like to watch it and feel how it make you warm. I like Human touch, how it make me feel loved. Love, I like love."

### Chapter 52 - Here

Winter in Montana came as a shock to the system after their week in the sunshine. Plagued by a nagging backache and an ever increasing terror about the arrival of her child, Alice lay awake half the night listening to the wind howl in the trees around the house. The forecast first storm of winter was upon them. She stirred briefly when Zhaan got up to pull the blinds in their attic shut, when daylight threatened to disturb what sleep she was finally getting. He quickly joined her back in bed. His feet were freezing after his brief excursion.

Reluctant to open her eyes, she knew it must be late morning already, if not later. No matter what position she tried, the annoying pains in her back just wouldn't give her a break. Despite her fears, she was so ready to be delivered of the hitch-hiker lurking inside her. At least then some of her worries would find answers. Alice resolved to have patience. There must be at least another month of this to endure, she estimated.

"You wake?" Zhaan whispered quietly. She nodded. "You back still hurt?" Snuggling closer in his arms, she nodded again. Gently he rubbed her ache with his huge hands.

'Hmm, feels good," she murmured, enjoying his attention for a few minutes.

"I bring you coffee, food? You stay in bed?" Zhaan suggested.

"Give me a few minutes. I think I'd rather get up. Maybe moving around a little will help with the pain. I'm so glad Clare's working today, not me!"

Eagerly Zhaan leapt from the bed. "Wait I bring robe." He padded in his bare feet to the hook behind the door and dropped her robe next to her on the bed, before heading to the window. Roughly he yanked at the cord on the blind. Alice had tried to persuade him to be more gentle with it many times. She worried it would quickly break. She was about to remind him again, but the stunned expression on his face as he looked outside stifled the words in her throat.

"Alice, all is white! Look! Quick! White everywhere! What this mean?" It appeared that the forecast snow had already arrived. As she waddled to the window, Alice realised that Zhaan must never have seen snow before. She peered out through the steamy window, wiped it with her hand, and gasped in surprise on seeing how much snow had already settled.

"Snow, Zhaan. That's snow. It falls instead of rain when it gets really cold."

"Dangerous?" he asked, frowning.

"It makes roads and sidewalks really slippery. It's a kind of ice." Zhaan nodded. "I guess we're not going anywhere today."

Alice wasn't sorry to miss the baby shopping trip they had planned. Having actual stuff in their room for the baby would make it feel too real and she wasn't ready to deal with it yet, she still struggled to believe it was happening. She glanced at Clare's father's old truck, which they'd been using as a second vehicle to Jesse's pickup. "I wonder if Jesse and Clare will make it home tonight? I doubt the snow plough will come our way any time soon if the snow keeps falling like this. Come on, let's dress warm and go and see if the fire is still lit downstairs."

Alice made herself a coffee and hot tea for Zhaan and planted herself on the sofa, that was the word which best described how elegant she felt in her swollen state. Zhaan had headed outside, wearing Jesse's ski jacket, to bring in more firewood. Luckily what was left of the fire since Jesse and Clare left for work, was still smouldering and it wouldn't be difficult to get it blazing again.

She gazed through the window and a smile crossed Alice's lips as she watched Zhaan cautiously checking out the snow. First he put one foot outside the door and rubbed it around in the accumulated snow before venturing outside. Following his usual investigative methods, he sniffed a handful of snow, then tasted some. Now he was crushing a pile together in his hand, as though getting ready for a snowball fight. The snowball got flung at a nearby tree before he headed over to a snow-laden shrub near the house and gave it a powerful shake. The bush scattered its load of snow in all directions as he shook it and covered him in a thin layer of powder. In a very feline movement, Zhaan shook his body to deposit the offending powder onto the ground and laughed, before he went to the pile of wood stacked near the house, filled a large bucket, and headed back to the house.

"How did you like the snow, Zhaan?" Alice asked, smiling as he moved towards the fire.

"Look pretty but very cold and road is gone underneath," he replied factually. "How can Jesse come home?"

"We'll have to wait and see. I'm surprised they didn't close the surgery when the snow started falling. They may have to stay in town somewhere tonight."

Zhaan was busy stacking the fire high with wood. Thank goodness he'd mastered the art of building a fire, Alice really didn't feel like moving much. As if reading her mind, he headed into the kitchen. "I bring us toast bread."

They spent a cosy couple of hours curled up on the sofa. Alice finished the book they'd been reading. Recently she'd begun reading aloud to him, once his frequent requests to know what was happening in the stories she read had become too annoying. She'd grown to love sharing the stories with him and they had made quite a dent in Jesse's library already. Even after all these months Zhaan still struggled with reading and writing in English for some reason which she had been unable to work out. She tried to help him with his reading, but he would quickly become frustrated, saying all the letters looked the same to him, and pointing out that it was much quicker if she just read things for him. She should get him a tutor in the spring, a professional may have more luck. He had no choice now but to try to integrate, and reading and writing were going to be pretty important.

Zhaan had the TV remote and was channel hopping in search of a movie they could watch. Of course none of the titles were familiar to him, and it took him forever to read the names.

"I'll just go and pee, Zhaan, then I'll find something for us to watch," said Alice. She got to her feet and paused briefly when her head began to spin.

"You OK?" Zhaan asked as she swayed there. He was almost on his feet to come to her aid, but she waved him back. A look of horror suddenly crossed her face at an unfamiliar warm sensation between her legs.

"Alice, why you pee on floor?" Zhaan's asked, bewildered, as he leapt to his feet.

"No, no, no," Alice gasped as tears rushed to her eyes. "Not today. No - please, no!' Her hands flew up to cover her face.

"Alice, what wrong?" Zhaan looked terrified and was about to sweep her up into his arms.

"I think the baby is coming, Zhaan, my water broke." He looked puzzled, squatted down on the floor, and sniffed at the liquid lying there. "Zhaan," she pointed at the puddle on the floor, "that was the fluid protecting the baby. We need to call Jesse." Zhaan headed for the phone in the kitchen at a run. Tears of fear were streaming down Alice's face before he got back. She clutched at her swollen abdomen and began to pant in pain. Between gasps, she asked him to make the call.

By the time Clare picked up, the contraction had passed. Alice brusquely grabbed the phone from Zhaan, just in time to hear Clare explaining how there was no way they could make it home tonight and asking about the weather with them.

"Clare, put me through to Jesse. It's urgent!" Alice panted.

Jesse picked up quickly, to be greeted with Alice's stressed voice. "Jesse the baby is coming. My water broke. I'm so scared. What are we going to do? There's no way you can get here in this weather." Then the tears of fear resumed.

"Alice," Jesse raised his voice a little, hoping she'd register him above her hysterics. Finally he attracted her attention. "Alice, you need to try to calm down. Being this upset isn't good for you or the baby. Perhaps I can borrow a snow mobile or something. Let me think for a minute. Damn, if only I hadn't insisted that Zach head home to his family once the snow started. I should have come home then. I could arrange a helicopter from the hospital but in this weather? Besides..." He paused pondering the prospect of Alice ending up in a hospital.

Alarm at the implications of going to hospital in her situation and the guilty tone in her brother's voice, helped Alice to think straight and calm herself a little. "Look, Jesse, I don't want you killing yourself out in this wild weather. Don't even think of trying to get here and you know I can't go to a hospital. I just can't. We'll have to manage somehow. Billions of women have had babies without a doctor through history." Alice was now trying hard to convince herself. She glanced to Zhaan for reassurance. He moved close to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

Jesse was about to comment that none of those babies had been half alien but, just in time, thought better of it. He didn't want Alice any more panicked than she already was. He heard her gasp as another contraction gripped her.

"These are coming fast, Jesse. Do you think everything is OK? Surely it's too soon. I'm nowhere near full term yet."

"Alice, how can we even know? Your baby is special. What does Zhaan think? How long is gestation in Guy women? I can't believe we haven't thought to have this conversation earlier than this." With relief Jesse noticed that Alice wasn't listening, as he heard her panting through another contraction. Zhaan came on the phone.

"What I need to do, Jesse?" he asked calmly. While Alice was still distracted, Jesse asked Zhaan if he thought it was too early for the baby to come.

"If baybay is coming, then it time. If baybay coming, baybay is ready," he stated coolly and factually, bringing Jesse to the realisation that worrying wouldn't change anything.

"Zhaan, did you and Alice read any of those baby books I brought home for you?"

"I look at pictures and Alice read some. Make us both scared!" Zhaan laughed.

"Well, it's time to look at some of those pictures again, Zhaan. See if you can find the books. Get some pillows from the bedrooms and some clean towels. Can you put Alice back on the phone?" Jesse asked in a worried tone.

"Yes, she finish cursing now," Zhaan said bluntly, handing over the phone. This Jesse took as an indication that the contraction had passed.

"Jesse, I'm so scared. How are we going to do this on our own?" Alice's earlier panic was threatening to return after enduring the pain of another contraction.

"I have an idea," her brother answered. "Switch on the computer and get the video-calling program running. With the webcam I'll be able to see you and help out as best I can from here. You'll have to adjust the camera so it's pointing the right way and I can see what's going on. Is Zhaan back yet?" He could hear Alice moving, presumably towards the desk to do as he asked, and he was nervous about her being alone.

"He's coming back down the stairs. I hear him."

Zhaan burst into the room. He was barely visible behind a mountain of bedding and towels.

"Put them over here, Zhaan, near the computer."

"Alice, when you hear the phone ringing on the computer, click on the green button, then you should see me, OK?"

At that moment the ringing began and Jesse's worried face was clearly visible on the screen, just as Alice gasped in discomfort again.

"Jesus, Jesse, how often are these contractions supposed to happen?" she panted.

"The frequency with which they are happening makes me think this baby isn't going to hang around long before making an appearance." He smiled, trying not to worry his sister any more. With the speed of those contractions he was concerned that the labour might be more painful or even dangerous for Alice as her body struggled to keep up with the pace of developments.

He switched from worried brother to professional doctor mode, hoping the switch would help him keep himself calm. He felt so helpless watching from afar.

"Alice, see if you can get comfortable somewhere. It would be better if you were to lie down, or at least recline, maybe it'll help slow things down a little. Zhaan, above the desk is a medical bag. You need to find the blood pressure monitor. Alice knows what it is and how to use it. I want you to take her blood pressure every thirty minutes and more often if she starts to seem unwell or dizzy. Have her show you how to use it, please." From his distant vantage point Jesse could see Alice standing, bent over the arm of the sofa, still clutching her belly and Zhaan rushing over with the medical kit. After a couple of minutes she straightened up and started hunting through the bag, digging out the monitor and explaining it to Zhaan. With them so far from the microphone on the computer, Jesse couldn't hear what they were saying, but having Zhaan close with his arm around her shoulder and something else to focus on seemed to be easing Alice's panic. He should have kept the phone line open to better hear their conversation. Watching his sister, he was impressed how calmly she was demonstrating the device to Zhaan.

As they moved back towards the camera, Zhaan carried the mountain of linens and Alice spoke to Jesse. "I think he's got it. The problem is he gets numbers mixed up all the time, so don't panic straight away if the readings he gives you seem all screwed up."

Zhaan was busy arranging a quilt on the floor and wondering what to do next.

"Jesse, can you see Zhaan? Is that spot OK for us to use? I don't really want to get much further from the fire, it's freezing. Oh God, here it is again!" Alice bent over, her hands on her legs supporting her upper body.

Jesse called to Zhaan. "Get her down on the floor and comfortable somehow. I don't like the way she's swaying standing there." Immediately Zhaan was by her side to help her down to the quilt on the floor. Once the contraction passed, they got busy trying to get her comfortable. Jesse saw Zhaan following Alice's instructions; he moved an armchair behind where she sat, built up a pile of pillows behind her and lay towels beneath her. As he moved away to fetch the blood pressure monitor, she suddenly burst in to tears, which brought him running back. Zhaan crouched beside Alice with his arms around her. Quiet words passed between them. Jesse was frustrated not to be able to hear what they were saying. He'd have to get Zhaan to move the camera closer, once Alice was calm again. Jesse was surprised to hear his sister laugh out loud at something Zhaan had said before he got to his feet again.

"Zhaan, can you move the camera closer to Alice. I can't hear what's happening. Is she OK?"

Zhaan walked towards the computer and waved. "Hi Clare!" he said. Jesse hadn't even heard Clare walk into the office behind him and pull up a chair. "Glad you here too. Don't want you to miss the fun!"

"Is Alice doing OK? I couldn't hear what was happening, but it looked like she was upset again." Jesse's voice was tinged with frustration.

"Alice fine. Pain is bad I think and she tired, but now she laugh again."

From her spot on the floor, Alice called out. "Sorry, I had a momentary anxiety attack that I just can't do this, but as Zhaan delicately pointed out, I don't really have a choice and his, quote, 'evil, alien spawn' hasn't killed me yet, so it'll be all right." Zhaan relocated the camera, went to fetch some water for Alice, and returned, joining her on the floor. Jesse watched as he settled behind her, leaning back onto the armchair. His long arms and legs were wrapped around Alice, cradling her as she reclined onto his chest. "Now we do this together," he said.

It wasn't long before the next contraction gripped Alice. Suddenly Zhaan exclaimed something in his own language. The fact that it was a curse of some kind was quite clear to Jesse. "What's wrong, Zhaan?" Clare asked from behind him.

"I think Alice try to break my - what the word for this?" Alice obviously filled in the missing vocabulary and he continued. "When she get pain, she nearly break my wrists, she squeeze so hard. I think I suffer too bringing this baybay out."

"Alice, you may not want to break Zhaan's wrists," Jesse laughed, "or you'll be delivering the baby by yourself."

A couple of hours had passed and the contractions were coming closer and closer together, seeming almost continuous now. The weather outside was getting worse and darkness had fallen. Jesse prayed that the internet connection wouldn't be lost.

"Zhaan, I think it's time to take another look and see what's happening." Neither Zhaan nor Alice had spoken in a while, still entwined on the floor. At his words Zhaan began to unwrap his limbs from Alice's body and crawl free.

"Zhaan, I need to you to tell me what you see," Jesse instructed.

Reluctantly Zhaan crawled down to Alice's legs, taking a look back at Jesse's image before he gingerly raised her robe and looked beneath. He was silent for a few moments. It made Jesse nervous as he watched him on all fours, his head twisting one way and then the other, apparently trying to make sense of what he could see.

"Zhaan, tell me what you can see." Jesse's heart was pounding now.

"Hair, I see hair," Zhaan answered.

"Pardon me for not getting a Brazilian wax before having your baby," Alice joked indignantly before gritting her teeth again.

"No, not you hair, I see baybay hair." Jesse breathed a sigh of relief. If Zhaan was seeing hair, at least the baby was coming out the right way round.

"OK, Alice," Jesse mastered his professional doctor voice again, "it sounds like it might be time to start pushing. This baby sure is keen! When the next contraction comes I want you to try and help the baby out by pushing." Zhaan had retreated and looked like he was crawling back to Alice's head to resume his earlier position. "Zhaan, we're going to need you at the other end now." Jesse told him. Before following Jesse's orders, Zhaan wrapped his arms around Alice and planted a tender kiss on her forehead.

"Now you have to do this. I know you can do it. I have to catch baybay when it shoot out."

Alice laughed at the thought of the image he painted but her expression quickly changed to a grimace as another wave of pain gripped her. Quickly Zhaan crawled back to her feet.

"See if you can give a little push, Alice." Jesse advised. "Remember to breathe how it explained in the book I got you that you never read." Alice gave him that sister being teased by brother look, reassuring Jesse that she was doing OK.

Things were moving so fast, Alice barely had time to get her breath back between contractions. Zhaan was describing what progress he was seeing, as best he could in his bad English, which seemed to be getting worse by the minute as a result of the excitement.

"I don't think it's going to be long now, Alice. You're doing great. Just keep going a little longer," Jesse comforted his sister.

Twenty minutes later, Zhaan cried out excitedly. "Baybay is coming. Head is nearly out, Alice, push some more." With an almighty groan Alice did as he asked, and their child slithered into the semi-alien environment.

Leaving the still baby where it lay, Zhaan hurried to check on Alice as she got her breath back and kissed her tenderly.

"Zhaan, is it OK?" Jesse screamed, worried for the newborn. "I don't hear anything."

Zhaan scurried back to where the child lay, ready to pay it attention now he knew his Alice was fine.

"Zhaan, is it breathing?" Jesse cried, frustrated again at not being there to help.

The last thing he saw before the phone lines were taken out by the storm was Zhaan delving between Alice's legs to retrieve the motionless child.

"Damn it, damn it!" Jesse raged around his office and Clare tried to calm him down.

"Jesse, come on, stop it. You'll make yourself ill. Look, you were there through everything, at least you know Alice is all right. Whatever is happening, they'll sort it out. I'm sure everything is fine."

"We don't even know if it's alive," Jesse wailed in despair.

"We can't do anything about it, either way," Clare stated patiently.

"Did you try the landline? The cellphone?" he asked anxiously.

"The lines are out and you know there's no cellphone coverage at the house."

"What about the neighbours? Did you try calling them?"

"All the phone lines are down. I tried Zach too. Whatever is happening, we have no way of finding out or helping until this weather breaks. I called the Police Chief's office earlier. The snow is due to ease off overnight and they'll be ploughing our road in the morning, just as soon as they can get to it. Andy wasn't there but I explained to Chief Stevenson that we needed to get home as soon as possible. He said he'd check into it and let us know when the plough heads out there. In the meantime we need to get some rest, Jesse."

"I'm staying here, in case they call if the phones get fixed. We can bunk down here for the night."

### Chapter 53 - Gone

Jesse finally received word from the Police Chief's office that the snow plough had cleared West Fork Road. The way the sky looked, it wouldn't be long before the next load of snow would be dumped on them. They were anxious to get home and check on his sister and the baby, but Jesse and Clare made a quick stop at the grocery store to pick up some supplies for a newborn, in the hope the child had lived. They headed carefully down the road towards their home, weaving between the icy patches left on the road after the plough had passed.

The going was slow, but they had made it about three quarters of the way home when Clare pointed out a darkly-dressed figure walking up the centre of the road, with shoulders hunched down against the bitter cold.

"We should see if he needs any help," Clare observed. "It can't be much fun walking in this weather."

Jesse peered at the heavily clad person, trying to work out if it was one of his neighbours. He soon did a double take. "Is that Zhaan?" he asked, perplexed.

"God, it is." Clare confirmed. "What the hell is he doing out here?"

Jesse eased the truck to a stop, taking care not to skid on the slippery road surface.

"Zhaan, what in the hell are you doing out here? You'll freeze to death." Jesse's voice was angry at the thought of his sister being left alone.

"My Alice, she gone," Zhaan replied. His voice was shaky with the mixture of cold and emotion.

Jesse blanched. "What do you mean she's gone?" Please, please, please God, let her be alive, he prayed silently. The worry that the baby might not be alive was instantly replaced by another.

"She take Clare father truck from garage and go when road clear."

Jesse sighed with relief. "Do you know where she might have gone, Zhaan? Do you think she might have gone to get some things for the baby? Was she even well enough to drive?"

Zhaan's gaze dropped to his feet. Dejected he shrugged his shoulders.

"I know only she cry this morning. Now she gone. She say nothing, just go while I shower."

"Shit!" Jesse exclaimed. "Is the baby OK? Did she take the baby?"

Zhaan shook his head and began to unzip the ski jacket he wore exposing his chest, which was naked beneath. A small bundle was bound tightly to his bare flesh with one of Alice's scarves.

"Get in the car before you both freeze, Zhaan. I'm surprised the baby could breathe under there. Is it OK? You must have walked five miles already." Jesse couldn't hide his delight that the child apparently lived, even with the worry about his sister.

"Baybay fine, she beautiful like she mother," Zhaan reassured him. "Hungry but fine, try to suck on me."

"Let's get you both warmed up. We'll head back to town and see if anyone has spotted Alice. I can't imagine she will have gone far in this weather, whatever state she's in." The warmth inside the vehicle and the comfort of no longer being alone with his worry quickly revived Zhaan.

"We find my Alice," he said.

It was a frustratingly slow drive back along the iced up road surface. Eager as he was to find his sister, Jesse didn't want to take any chances in this weather. As they drove, Jesse explained to Zhaan about how hormonal and emotional changes which occurred when a woman gave birth could seriously affect her mood. "Hopefully it's just a case of the post baby blues. She's probably exhausted and frightened." He tried to comfort his distressed friend. "Town was pretty deserted this morning, most people stayed home. I'm sure if she's been there, somebody will have spotted her. I'm surprised we didn't see the truck."

They continued driving in tense silence, which was interrupted by a beep from Jesse's phone. They'd got back into the coverage area. Jesse brought the truck to a stop at the side of the road and rummaged in his pocket for the device.

"Voice mail," he explained. He hoped it was his sister calling. He dialled the messaging service and heard a recording of Zach's garbled voice. From what he could make out of the badly broken up message, Zach, who was at the practice alone to keep it open that morning, received a call from Ruby at the diner about Alice. Unless he heard from Jesse, he'd head over there to find out what was wrong when he'd dealt with the couple of patients in the waiting room. Jesse quickly called him back and left a message on the answering machine that they were headed back to town and would go straight there.

It took an eternity to reach the outskirts of town and while they drove they formulated a plan.

"Zhaan, if she's there, you should go in. It's you she'll need," Jesse suggested. "We'll wait outside in case you need help. She's probably totally freaked out with all that she's been through in the last twenty-four hours."

"I leave baybay with you." The cute way he mispronounced the word brought a smile to Clare's lips, despite the trauma of the situation. "I think Alice don't like my baybay. She think baybay is monster." Zhaan's voice was sounding shaky again.

"I'm sure that's not true, Zhaan," Clare smiled reassuringly. "She's probably just exhausted and emotional. You leave the baby with us, don't worry."

Zhaan eased the precious bundle out of the scarf and laid the child naked on the back seat of the truck, giving Clare a startling first glimpse of Jesse's strange niece. The wriggling child had a covering of blond downy hair over her entire body and her eyes were firmly closed. There were ten small perfect fingers and ten tiny toes, which were also perfect except for the total lack of toe nails. The baby squirmed in discomfort at being placed on the cold leather of the seat but didn't make a sound.

"Here we are! Look there's the truck in the parking lot. She must still be here." Jesse sighed with relief. "Wrap the baby in the scarf and hand her to Clare. We'll get her into a diaper while you go and talk to Alice. Maybe Ruby can mix some baby formula for us to try to give her a feed, if Alice isn't up to trying." He peered down at his new niece taking in the details of her strange appearance. Zhaan needed no further encouragement and bundling his daughter roughly in the scarf, he thrust her towards Clare. Clare in turn received the precious bundle with a mixture of apprehension and terror. She'd never even held a baby before and this one was just so slight and fragile. She looked like she should be in an incubator rather than in a truck on a freezing day like this one. Zhaan was gone from the truck before she glanced back up.

In the café Zhaan saw Alice huddled in a corner. Her face was stained with tears and a half-drunk mug of hot chocolate stood in front of her. Ruby approached him.

"She came in here and just cried and cried. I don't know what's wrong. I tried comforting her and couldn't get a word out of her. I just made her a hot chocolate and called the surgery. I recognised her as Jesse's sister."

Without a word to Ruby, Zhaan rushed over to Alice. He pulled her up from the chair and engulfed her in his arms while she continued to weep. Several minutes passed like that and Zhaan wondered how Humans could leak so much water from such small eyes. Alice's body vibrated with emotion as he held her tightly in his arms. She was too upset for words of comfort. Somehow he knew to just keep on holding her as she sobbed. Ruby sat by the cash register. She looked alarmed and couldn't hide her relief when Jesse came through the door with a tiny bundle in his arms.

"Alice and Zhaan's new baby. She was born last night during the storm. They were all alone, stranded at the house," he explained. He proudly showed off his niece, who was now bundled up in one of his fleece sweaters.

"Oh, how precious! She's tiny," Ruby exclaimed. "Was she premature? Should she be at the hospital?" she asked with concern.

"She's doing just fine," Jesse said quietly. "Alice not so much..." Ruby nodded, relieved to have an explanation for the hysterics she'd witnessed. The child seemed so hungry they decided to risk the unsterilised bottle. Clare took Ruby aside, handed her the packet, and asked her to prepare some formula, while Jesse took a few steps towards his sister.

"Alice come and see your daughter. She's beautiful just like her mother, and she's missing you," Jesse called out. Alice lifted her head briefly from Zhaan's tear soaked shoulder and shook her head.

"Come, Alice," Zhaan said. "We all go home before more snow come."

Outside Alice shivered and Zhaan gently wrapped her in the blanket that was in the back of the truck, before bundling her carefully inside. Jesse paused to thank Ruby for her help, taking the formula she'd mixed. His offer to pay for Alice's drink was stubbornly refused. "I hope Alice feels better soon. Drive carefully. I'm headed home too before the weather comes again." Ruby closed the door behind him. Her relief was obvious as she turned the sign in the door from open to closed.

The second truck was abandoned where it stood. Jesse didn't want Clare driving alone in this weather so soon after getting her licence a couple of weeks earlier, besides she was clutching the baby, who was now eagerly sucking at the bottle of formula. He worried briefly again about the unsterilised bottle. The thought of having to prise his sister out of Zhaan's arms just to get the truck home was unthinkable. They could pick it up later.

"I want to take you to the surgery, Alice, to check you both over before we head home," Jesse explained, pulling out cautiously onto the highway.

As they drove, Jesse glanced occasionally at his sister in the rear-view mirror. She looked totally drained. His concern couldn't mask his excitement at the arrival of his niece, who was held tightly in Clare's arms in the front seat. "There's so much we need to do to get organised for a baby. We're going to need a crib, clothes, a car seat, more diapers, a steriliser, bottles. God, I hope this weather doesn't last long." Jesse was talking to himself but aloud.

"Will it even live?" Alice asked quietly, starting to weep again. "Maybe it's just a monster. Perhaps it's not meant to be here," she trailed off.

"She here. She alive. Earth will it!" Zhaan said brusquely. He was unable to completely disguise the hurt in his voice that Alice thought of his daughter as a monster.

Jesse spoke more kindly. "Alice, have you even taken a proper look at her? She's gorgeous. Despite the fact that, for a Human child she would be almost two months early, she's doing just fine and seems very hungry, which must be a good sign." He glanced down at the child sucking hard on the bottle in Clare's hand. "We need to check you over and get us all safely home, then we can take care of you, Alice, and let you get some rest. You look exhausted."

The only vehicle in the parking lot at the practice was Zach's jeep. As they pulled up, he rushed eagerly to the door to greet them, desperately curious when he spotted the tiny bundle in Clare's arms.

"Is everything OK, Jesse?" he asked with concern.

"I just need to get these two checked over. Can you give me a hand, Zach?"

Satisfied that Alice was in good shape physically, if not psychologically, the two doctors turned their attention to the child. Lying her gently on an examination table and carefully unbundling her from Jesse's sweater, they got their first real look at the cross-breed.

"Wow!" Zach said. "She's tiny." He reached quickly for a stethoscope to check her breathing. "Her lungs sound fine. The heartbeat is a little slow, but who knows how it should be?" he continued with a bemused expression on his face. Jesse called Zhaan over from where he sat with his arm around Alice. Alice still stubbornly refused to approach the child.

"Zhaan, is this the normal size for babies on your world?" Zach asked.

Zhaan merely shrugged his shoulders. "I never see baybay on Guyara. Baybay kept separate from others."

Jesse examined the remnants of the umbilical cord and was impressed that either Alice or Zhaan seemed to have made quite a good job of tying it off. "I look in book," Zhaan explained. "They have picture for that."

"What about her eyes?" Jesse asked. "I haven't seen her open her eyes yet. Is that normal, Zhaan?"

Satisfied that he could actually answer one of the doctors' questions, Zhaan explained that Guy offspring didn't open their eyes for around fifteen days after birth. "They born earlier than Human baybay I think, so eyes not ready yet," he tried to explain. "We must wait until eyes ready." Jesse was desperate to know whether the child would reveal Human eyes or ones like her father's, which would make it much harder to integrate her into the Human world. Her eyes may be unique, something between the two.

"I haven't heard her cry yet, Zhaan," Jesse stated. "Did she cry when she was born? Has she been crying when she gets hungry?"

"Guy can't cry, Jesse. You ever see me cry?" Zhaan asked his friend.

Zach interrupted. "If your kind can't cry, how are we supposed to know when something is wrong; when she's hungry, thirsty or hurt?"

"Crying stupid," Zhaan answered. "What crying tell you? Only that something wrong, but you have no idea what. This not necessary with Guy." He stopped speaking, leaving Zach and Jesse looking perplexed. By way of explanation he reached down to the child and gently lay a hand on her exposed chest.

"Baybay is a little cold, hungry and sleepy."

"You know all of this just from touching her?" Zach was amazed.

"Lucky it work with half-Human baybay too, otherwise we in trouble." Zhaan smiled.

"But how will we know if you're not around, Zhaan? If something is wrong, how will we work out what it is?" Jesse asked.

"Just guess, like with Human baybay."

Satisfied that both Alice and the child seemed healthy, they set out for home. Snow was just beginning to fall again.

After a tortuous trip, they struggled in the skidding truck up the snow-covered driveway to the house. The tall pine trees surrounding the small property made it a scene fit for a Christmas card, with their heavy layer of white. As they headed into the lounge Jesse noticed that the fire was almost out and rushed outside to bring in more firewood. Clare sat in an armchair still looking uncomfortable holding the baby, and Zhaan settled Alice onto the sofa, his arm wrapped around her shoulders. The bloodied blankets remained on the floor by the fire, where the baby had been born. Jesse came back and started stoking the fire. As it took hold and the room began to warm up, he decided the best option would be to launch right in.

"Alice, do you want to try breast-feeding the baby, or would you prefer us to mix some more formula?"

"Alice already feed baybay herself two times last night," Zhaan said proudly.

"Are you ready to try it again?" Jesse asked, bringing out his doctor's bedside manner.

"It felt so weird and she's so small. The whole thing freaked me out." Jesse was pleased to notice that Alice had said 'she' for the first time, instead of referring to the child as 'it'. There was hope. She must have been so scared delivering the baby here at the house, without medical assistance. Suddenly he felt so proud of his little sister he couldn't resist walking over and awkwardly hugging her around the waist where she sat. He laid his head on her shoulder and told her how proud he was of her. "Even with my medical training, delivering a baby under those conditions last night would have been terrifying. You really are one brave woman, Alice Williams."

"OK, enough smooth talking. You'd better bring me the baby before I chicken out." She said, finally with a hint of her usual humour in her voice.

"Am I supposed to do this with everyone watching? It just seems so odd. I mean, you see a nipple on TV and it's a national disaster." She yanked up the T-shirt she had been wearing in bed last night. She'd left the house in such a panic she hadn't got dressed or even taken her purse. Suddenly she felt embarrassed, at her emotional weakness.

Jesse noticed the change in her expression and didn't give her time to think. Grabbing the baby from Clare, he whisked her over to his sister. "OK, get your tits out then, sis," he joked.

"Hey, don't be so rough with the baby. She's so little." His sister chided Jesse, causing him to exchange a quick smile with Zhaan.

Alice cautiously lay the baby in her lap and unwrapped the bundle. Once home, Clare managed to dress the child in a onesie they'd found at the grocery store. The tiny being was totally swamped in the newborn-sized clothing.

"She looks quite normal with clothes on, just like a tiny doll," Alice exclaimed. "I know I said that I'd like her to have blond hair like Zhaan, but I didn't mean all over her body." She sounded serious again and her lip was quivering.

"Don't worry about hair on baybay body," Zhaan said with irritation. "In one day, maybe two, it all fall off. Hair just protect baby skin for birthing. Skin get tougher after baybay in air a while, then hair is gone."

"It's normal for Guy babies to be born hairy?" Alice asked with relief. "I wish I'd known that earlier." Awkwardly she picked up the baby and eased her to her breast. She looked afraid. "She might not want me any more. She'll know I abandoned her." Her eyes beginning to tear up again. This time it was the baby who reassured her by latching on eagerly to a nipple, and starting to drink greedily. "Slow down! You'll make yourself sick." Alice spoke for the first time directly to her daughter, which Jesse considered a break-through.

Clare asked, "Do you have any names in mind? It seems so impersonal referring to her as 'the baby' all the time." She looked at Jesse's sister, who gazed down mesmerized by her feeding child. "Maybe Zhaan would like to choose a name from his own language?"

"How do babies get their names on Guyara?" Alice asked with curiosity. "Here the parents name their own children, but I remember you saying that when Guy are born, not even the mother gets to stay with them."

"There is a list. Names come from a list." Zhaan paused assuming his explanation was adequate, but the three Humans looked at him in confusion. "Each birthing house have list of traditional names for boy and for girl child. Whatever name next on list when you born, that is your name. It very simple. You have name like Zhaan, for example, and number for second name. Like me, I am Zhaan 4, 7... It a big number, too hard to count in Human. With one name and one number each Guy has unique identity. Government know all about my genetic origins, history, everything, just from one name and one number. Like my serial number."

As he explained, the baby stopped feeding. She could only take a little at a time, but needed to be fed quite often. "Her stomach must be tiny too," Alice conjectured, rearranging the baby to cradle her as she became still, seemingly sleeping. Being unable to see her eyes open and close was disconcerting for Alice.

"Is she asleep, Zhaan?" she asked quietly.

Gently he placed his hand on the tiny forehead. "Yes, our little seren is sleeping, happy, and belly full," he reassured Alice.

"What did you call her, Zhaan?"

He looked a little embarrassed. "When I alone with her and she don't have a name, I just think of her as our little seren. Ser in my language mean star, and seren mean a small one. To me she beautiful and bright like stars," he explained bashfully.

"Say the word again," Alice insisted.

"Seren," Zhaan repeated.

"Seren," Alice imitated his speech. "I like it. Do you think that would be a good name for her?" Alice wondered. She liked the way Zhaan had automatically started to think of the child as Seren.

"Well, Seren not a proper name on Guyara, but I like. Seem right for our child," he replied.

Alice looked down again, taking in the peaceful, sleeping face of the hybrid child they had created together and suddenly felt what it meant to be a mother.

### Chapter 54 – Seren's Visitor

Two days passed and the snow finally let up. The roads were cleared, although snow still lay deep on the ground, bringing an eerie hush to the world. The loud ringing of the telephone disturbed the peace. Jesse and Clare were at the surgery and Alice's arms were full with Seren. It was left to Zhaan to pick up, a task he really didn't enjoy. He still struggled to understand spoken English on the phone and was totally perplexed when they received marketing cold calls.

He answered and turned to Alice. "It Claudia. She talk all fast. I don't understand." He wandered over with the handset and Alice rearranged herself to be able to hold it to her ear.

"Hi Claudia," she said happily. At Claudia's response, Alice looked as confused as Zhaan had done. "Slow down, Claudia, I can't understand what you are saying." Claudia's second attempt at communication was apparently clearer, as Alice replied, "Of course you can. No problem. See you soon."

She turned to Zhaan who, instead of speaking, just had one eyebrow raised in a gesture of curiosity that Alice loved. "Claudia sounds really anxious to come and meet our Seren. It's understandable I guess, given the circumstances. She found out from Jesse what happened." She turned back to the child and lifted her high in both arms for inspection. "We had better make sure you look presentable for Auntie Claudia, Seren. You know how important first impressions are! Can't you grow into that onesie already?"

Zhaan was happy to see Alice looking so relaxed with their precious child. He'd fallen in love the moment he pulled Seren's motionless and bloody little body from between Alice's legs. Now Alice was becoming more comfortable with motherhood and growing fond of Seren. She was eager to show her off to their friend.

Claudia can't have been far away, although for the past few weeks she'd been staying at Andy's place in Hamilton. Her blue sedan raced into the driveway, with the possibility of ice being completely overlooked. Seconds later Claudia raced to the door as fast as she could with her expanded belly and knocked loudly. Zhaan opened it and she burst into the house.

"Where is she? Where is Alice?" she asked anxiously.

"I'm over here," Alice replied cheerfully from the sofa. Claudia rushed over and sat down next to Alice. Her gaze was fixed on Seren.

"Show me the child. I need to see her," Claudia said breathlessly. Alice gently held Seren out towards her worried friend.

"Here, you hold her," she offered. Hesitantly Claudia held out her arms to take the child.

"I don't even know how to do this," she mumbled through threatening tears.

She looked awkward with the tiny child, but after a couple of minutes and some gentle rearranging, she began to look more at ease. "I went to the surgery for an ultrasound, and Jesse told me that you had the child all alone in that terrible storm. I can't even imagine."

"I wasn't alone," Alice interjected. "Zhaan was with me. He was great. I did kind of freak out afterwards though. Jesse probably told you." Alice looked embarrassed.

"No," Claudia answered. Alice was impressed by her brother's discretion. She was still embarrassed about the way she'd behaved. "I'd have been totally freaked out, if that had happened to me. I'm already a nervous wreck as it is. Can I see the child? Can you take off her little outfit? I've already half-convinced myself that my child might be some kind of monster."

Zhaan was standing in the kitchen fixing hot chocolate for the women and giving them some privacy, but he overheard Claudia's monster comment and looked knowingly at Alice with a sly smile.

"Don't even go there, Claudia. I was a total nut-job after the birth worrying that I'd created a monster. Come on, let's get you undressed, Seren. Auntie Claudia wants to see how gorgeous you are, just like your father." Alice directed her own a sly smile towards Zhaan.

By the time Zhaan brought in the drinks, Seren lay naked on the rug and Claudia was giving her a close inspection as she crouched over her. "She's tiny," she was saying, "but she looks so normal. She's pale and kind of exotic looking I guess, but just like a normal child unless you look really hard at her feet. Is she sleeping? She hasn't opened her eyes."

"Claudia, I'm going to explain a couple of things which, if someone had warned me beforehand," she glanced pointedly at Zhaan who pretended to mind his own business back in the kitchen, "would have made me a whole lot less freaked out." She had Claudia's rapt attention. "When Seren was born, she was hairy. I don't just mean on top of her head but everywhere. It was like she was covered in velvet. After I spent a few hours worrying that she was going to be a hairy monster all her life, I found out that it is quite normal for the Guy. After a couple of days all the hair was shed. Apparently it temporarily protects the skin for the birth. It was pretty weird for me because Zhaan doesn't have any body hair. I was so confused.

I also learned, eventually, that her eyes won't open for a couple of weeks, just like a small kitten. It's a little nerve-racking not knowing if her eyes will be normal." She noticed Zhaan giving her a stern look from the kitchen and clarified, "whether they will look Human, like mine, or be like Zhaan's." She whispered, "I keep hoping they will be Human. It would make her life so much easier."

Claudia looked down at Seren again and tickled her gently on the stomach. The child wriggled and seemed to smile. "Claudia, that's the first time I've seen her smile. She likes you." Alice turned. "Zhaan, is she hungry? Can you tell me? It's been a couple of hours since she last fed." Zhaan wandered over and laid his hand on Seren's stomach.

"What's he doing?" Claudia asked. "Is he feeling how full her stomach is, or something? Doesn't she cry if she's hungry?"

"She doesn't cry at all so far. It's a bit spooky," Alice explained. Claudia looked blank. "You know about how the Guy can tell other Guys' feelings just by touch, don't you?" Somehow this little detail had obviously not been passed on to Claudia. "That's why it's so bad if they are touched by somebody who hasn't asked their permission. Zhaan really gets upset over that. He almost decked Khevn one time." Without thinking she continued, "That's probably why he was so angry when you..." She stopped mid sentence as she realised her mistake in reminding Claudia of the embarrassing incident which had happened between them. Claudia and Zhaan gave one another an awkward brief glance. "Anyway," she pressed on, quickly changing the topic, "Zhaan can tell how Seren feels just by touch." Zhaan smiled broadly as his child squirmed at his touch.

"She hungry. She always hungry, and she happy to meet Claudia." He rose back to his feet where he towered over Alice and Claudia who still sat on the floor. He subtly disappeared back into the kitchen.

"How will I manage, Alice? If my baby doesn't cry, I won't know if anything is wrong and I might not give it what it needs." Hearing Claudia's stressed rise in voice tone, Zhaan wandered back into the lounge.

"When Human baybay cry, all Human parent can do is guess what is wrong. Cry doesn't tell any information. You will know your baybay face. You will tell when something wrong. I am sure of this. Besides Zhaan is close if you have big problem," he added on seeing Claudia's unconvinced expression. "I dress Seren again before she get cold?" Zhaan offered.

"Please, Honey, that would be great. Don't forget the diaper this time." Alice added.

"Seren don't like," Zhaan stated in his defence. "It big and uncomfortable."

"I know, but just remember the mess we had to clean up the last time you left it off?" Zhaan shrugged his shoulders, walked over to the basket of fresh diapers, returned with one, and set to work to get Seren dressed again.

The girls sipped their drinks while Zhaan finished dressing Seren and handed her to her mother for a feed.

"She keeps me so busy, and tired," Alice admitted. "She seems to need a feed every two hours. Thank goodness she'll take some formula too. Zhaan can do some of the night feeds," she laughed.

A knock heralded the arrival of a package and Zhaan headed for the door. Alice continued chatting happily to Claudia. "It was terrible when she was born. We didn't have anything for her; no diapers, no clothes, nowhere to sleep. I've been busy ordering stuff online for rush delivery as I don't want to head out shopping with Seren yet, especially in this weather, and I can't bring myself to leave her. She spent most of her first couple of days swaddled in wash cloths and hand towels. Jesse only bought one onesie after the storm. He didn't even know if she had lived through the birth when the phones went down. I'm going to need to get back to work soon, just to pay him back for everything we needed to buy. How does such a small person need so much stuff? I can't even think about how we'll manage." Suddenly Alice's tone seemed concerned.

"You will, Alice. Don't worry, Jesse will help, I'm sure."

"It's not fair to let him subsidise us. I know buying into the partnership with Zach is costing him plenty and now he's keeping four other people too!"

"But Clare is working too, isn't she?"

"Sure, but if she's working, then I'm not working as we share the job."

"I saw Jesse's face when he talked about his niece. I know how unhappy he was alone, and I've seen how happy he is surrounded by his family. Don't worry, it will all work out. I'm going to face the same problems soon, now I'm out of business. I'm living off my savings." Claudia smiled reassuringly before her expression became more serious. "Talking of the future, can I ask your advice about something?"

"Sure," said Alice. She was relieved to have something other than her own worries to think about for a moment. "Just let me get Seren feeding and settled." Once the two of them had become comfortable, she said, "OK, fire away Claudia!"

Alice's friend was hesitant, not seeming sure how to begin, so she prompted her. "Is it something about Andy?" she suggested. Claudia launched in.

"I've always been very fond of Andy even when he was a client. It was pretty difficult with him working for the Police and with how I earned my living. I knew nothing could ever come of it. Then, after...what happened...we suddenly seemed to get closer. He told me he'd always loved me and didn't care what anybody said, or whether it was wrong. When we got together I was concerned about whether his career would be affected, so I've tried to keep things pretty light, even when he started getting heavy. He kept talking about the future and about how he'd like it to be.

"When you guys went away, we spent Thanksgiving with his family. You know his mother has terminal cancer, right?" Alice nodded. "Right out of the blue he asked me to marry him and told me that he's happy to adopt my child and raise it as his own. He said he knows it's too soon to ask, but if I accept, he'd like to be married while his mom was still around. It would make her happy to see her only son hitched."

"No pressure there then!" joked Alice.

"I told him I'd need time to think. I was so shocked. Then, when I couldn't face going back to my house alone and you guys were still away in San Diego, suddenly we ended up living together at his place.

"Clare and Jesse did a wonderful job, by the way, cleaning up my place. I don't know how I can repay them. I feel so ungrateful. I've only managed to get inside the house once. I had a major panic attack, and Andy had to drag me out again. I've put it up for sale and now, amazingly, a young couple are trying to get the loan they need to buy it. So, there's another pressure, soon I'm going to be homeless and a single mother but I don't want Andy to think that's why I would be marrying him."

"If you're not sure, you know you can always come back here to stay until you find a new place. I'm sure Jesse wouldn't mind," Alice offered.

"I think Jesse has enough on his plate already, Alice. Besides, somehow Andy's offer feels right. I do love him more than I've ever loved anyone. I can't imagine being without him now, and I'd really like to make him happy by accepting his proposal even if we have to move."

"Why would you have to move? He's so settled in his job here. I know the Chief rates him highly."

Claudia looked sad. "He was out working one day, and some local kids came by and painted 'brothel' on the siding of his house with spray paint. I guess they had heard their parents talking about me. I saw them do it and knew who it was. He wouldn't do anything. He didn't even seem fazed by it at all and just said we'd move if that's what it took to make me happy."

"What's the problem? You seem to have more or less decided what to do," Alice wondered.

"If we are to be married, I think it's only fair that he knows exactly what he is taking on. I don't really care where we live and I'm sure we can be happy, but I couldn't accept his proposal without him knowing everything about the child. If I were to tell him, he might change his mind about me, or it could affect Zhaan in a really bad way, if Andy's not accepting. I don't know what to do. I'm not sure how he'll react, especially with his job being what it is. I don't want to get Zhaan into difficulties when he's been so good to me."

Alice lifted the now sleeping Seren from her breast and cradled her in her arms. She hoped the baby crib would be in the box that Zhaan was busy opening.

"If you're worried about Andy's reaction to finding out about Zhaan, Seren, and your own child, we can ask Zhaan what he thinks." Before Claudia had time to object, Alice called out to him in the hallway.

Zhaan entered the room with a bewildered look upon his face and a breast pump clutched in his hand.

"What this, Alice?" he wondered, swinging it around in his hand which caused Alice to burst out laughing.

"I'll explain later. Can you put it down and sit yourself down." Zhaan gave the device another baffled look before placing it on the coffee table and taking a seat opposite the two women.

"Claudia has a problem, Zhaan. Andy wants them to get married."

"That no problem. That good for sure. I want us married, too." He looked a little hurt.

"I've explained to you that it will only cause problems for you when officials start looking into your identity."

"Why do they have to know if we marry?"

"I told you before, to be properly married we have to get a licence from the state. Zhaan, can we talk about Claudia for a minute, please?" Alice looked at him beseechingly and he nodded.

"Claudia thinks if Andy wants to be her husband and raise her child as his own, that he has a right to know the truth about the baby."

Zhaan was quick to understand the implications. "He must know about me and Seren too, and he is Police enforcer."

"Yes. It might cause problems for you if he doesn't take the news very well. Claudia wanted to know how you would feel about that. She won't tell him and won't marry him, if that is what you think is necessary for your safety and Seren's." Turning to Claudia she said, "Sorry, I'm talking for you, and you're sitting right there." Claudia raised her two hands, shaking her head, indicating that it wasn't a problem.

"We must tell him, so they can be together," Zhaan announced.

Claudia started to protest. "What if he doesn't take it how we hope? What if you end up with a big problem, Zhaan? You've been so good to me. I don't want that to happen."

"Don't worry," Zhaan reassured her. "If he don't like what he hear, then he can just forget it again. You bring him here to tell, OK?"

Claudia looked puzzled and started to speak, but Alice cut her off. She realised that Zhaan must still be in possession of the brain zapping device he'd used previously. "That's settled then, you'll bring him over for dinner and you can break the news to him when we are all here to support you." The interruption caused Claudia to lose her train of thought about what exactly Zhaan meant. She agreed to a dinner date for Christmas Eve when Andy would be back home from the training course he was currently on. Kissing the sleeping Seren on the forehead, she headed for the door.

### Chapter 55 – Alone Time

After dinner Zhaan took Jesse aside and asked if he and Clare could watch Seren, who was happily sleeping in her new crib in the lounge. Jesse assured him it was no problem. They would fix some formula or use some of Alice's expressed milk if the baby got hungry. Jesse kept to himself that he loved watching Clare interact with the child and dreamt how his own future might turn out.

Zhaan grabbed Alice by the hand and hauled her upstairs despite her protests. He walked her into the bedroom and closed the door.

"Now," he said, "no one else, just us. I want my Alice to myself this evening, OK?" Zhaan looked nervous waiting for Alice's reaction.

She pondered for a moment and stared into his eyes before breaking into a smile. "As long as Jesse and Clare are happy with it, it would be nice not to feel like a baby feeding machine for a couple of hours." She moved to the bed and sat down, patting the area next to her to indicate that Zhaan should join her. Moments later they lay back on the bed, entwined in one another's arms.

"How my Alice? Is she happy?" Zhaan asked, looking directly into her eyes.

"I think I'm finally adjusting to motherhood." She smiled back at him and tried to hide her worries but obviously failed miserably.

"What make you look unhappy in your eyes?" Zhaan asked, unconvinced. "You worry?" Moments passed in silence with Alice reluctant to spill. Zhaan turned his body so he lay directly facing her and gave Alice a hard stare. He spoke bluntly, "Tell me." Alice's face began to crumple into tears, which upset Zhaan.

"How I always make the Human women leak their eyes?" he asked himself frustratedly. It made Alice smile through her tears.

"It's not you Zhaan. It's just..."

Zhaan cut her off mid sentence in panic. "Don't tell me now you don't want me! When you leave after Seren come, I feel dead inside until I find you again. Only Seren make me keep going." The only reason Zhaan wasn't reduced to tears himself was simply because he couldn't cry.

Alice gazed into his eyes sincerely. "I love you Zhaan, now more than ever. I have never loved anybody the way I love you, so stop thinking like that." Relief swept over his features as Alice continued to speak. "I don't want to get you worried as well. You have enough to deal with adapting to life here where everything is so new to you and different."

"I not stupid. I can help. I want us to have happy life together," he replied indignantly. "I tell you things I already worry about, then you know I not so stupid." Alice shrugged her shoulders, silently giving him permission to continue speaking.

"How do we survive when you don't work? Jesse tell me I not able to work in legal way. We will have no money. We live from Jesse all the time. He give too much. I must take care of own family like Human man.

"I fear Jesse become annoyed with us. We live in his house, eat his food, drive his truck. We always are here. He get no time alone with his Clare." Alice didn't have time to interject before he launched into his next concern.

"I worry for Seren, how she will survive here when she so different? I'm afraid that Zhaan and Seren will be discovered and taken away by Earth Police, even more now that we have to tell Andy soon.

"Maybe I get sick with some Earth disease and die, then you alone with half Guy child.

"I worry that Guy people change their decision, that I do something wrong or they find out about Seren, and they come back to take me from you." Alice could have sworn his eyes were almost glistening with tears - almost - as all his fears came flooding out.

"I feel bad sometimes. I miss having Alice to myself. I love Seren but she take your attention from me and it make me feel...what that word....jealous.

"I worry my Alice regret taking a Guy for a mate and that her life is totally changed with our child. You very intelligent, you can study more, have more interesting life." She was about to try reassure him again but he stopped her by holding up a hand. Instead she reached over and began to stroke his back soothingly.

"I believe I am able to deal with all of these things with help of your love," he said quietly.

In answer she planted her lips on his in a passionate kiss. When they stopped to come up for air, she opened up to Zhaan. "I didn't even realise you were worried too, about all the things that are stressing me out. Sometimes, because everything is so new to you here and your reactions to things are so cute," she paused, looking embarrassed, "sometimes I forget that you are not a child, that you are a man older than me."

Zhaan laughed, rolling over on top of her. "You want me to show you I not a child?" he joked, locking lips with her again. His left hand was sneaking up underneath her sweater. Alice moaned in pleasure as they kissed and embraced. How she had missed this physical closeness with Zhaan during the last few difficult weeks. She feared, after him having to deliver her baby himself, that he would never be able to think of her in quite the same way again. The way her body felt after the birth and the burden of taking care of Seren had made her feel unattractive. Her relief at Zhaan's obvious lust for her left her hands wandering too and soon clothes were being shed in all directions.

Zhaan put the brakes on the frantic pace of their lust, pushing her down on her back on the bed. His hands and lips caressed her body working downwards from the top of her head. Slowly he moved down her neck, across her shoulders and down each arm in turn with a stream of gentle kisses and touches. Then her legs got his full attention before he moved back upwards laying his body over hers, carefully taking his weight on his arms. Gently nuzzling her bra upwards out of the way with his nose, he took a nipple between his lips, giving it a gentle suck. Despite her soreness from all the breast feeding, Alice knew he enjoyed this sensation and allowed him to continue until he pushed up away from her in surprise, opening his mouth to reveal a white coating of her milk. He laughed, "I didn't think of this!"

"How did it taste?" Alice joked with him. "Will I be feeding you too?"

"Like ice cream. Seren very lucky little girl." Before Alice could object he planted his lips on hers again and some of the milk had found its way into her mouth too. She couldn't stop laughing as he added, "I think I stick to beer!"

"My turn now, roll over." Alice gave Zhaan's body the same tender treatment that she had received, gently massaging and kissing him from head to toe before straddling him where he lay. She pinned him to the bed and gazed into his eyes with all her love, knowing what her body wanted from him.

"It not too soon? Will it hurt?" he asked.

"I don't know till we try," Alice replied. She gently raised herself to the right angle to slide him inside. Abruptly she stopped remembering something.

"What is wrong, Alice? You in pain?" Zhaan said with concern.

Alice climbed off him and stood beside the bed, leaving him looking confused, before explaining. "Unless we want to make another baby right away, we'd better be careful." With that she pulled on her robe and went on a raid to her brother's bedroom. As she made her way back to their bedroom, she was mulling over the fact that, although she had always taken precautions with Zhaan, somehow Seren was still with them and the same had happened to Claudia. Turning around she headed back down to Jesse's room. She returned a few moments later, now armed with a second condom, to carry on where they had left off. She silently worried whether double protection would be enough and vowed to consult with Jesse on the subject as soon as she got the chance.

### Chapter 56 – Moment of Truth

Christmas Eve was upon them too soon. It was the day that Andy was coming over and Claudia would tell him the truth. Alice thought about how she and Zhaan had spent too much of their short time together always dreading some looming event in their lives; his departure, their child's arrival, and now this. Jesse wanted to invite Zach and Ann for the meal too, until Alice had explained to him the real reason for the get-together. Now he wore an expression as grim as his sister's.

It was only fifteen minutes before Andy and Claudia were due to show up and Alice had definite butterflies. Zhaan was still upstairs getting ready and would be checking out his mind-wipe device if Alice guessed right. She could only pray that it wouldn't be necessary and regretted that she didn't know Andy well enough to anticipate how he was going to react.

Clare bustled into the kitchen, looking gorgeous in a dress Jesse had bought her. He'd told her it was her Christmas gift but Alice knew he had several other items wrapped for her and hidden away in his closet.

"Why is everybody looking so down this evening? Come on guys, it's Christmas," Clare exclaimed. Jesse walked over to her forcing a smile, wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her towards him to plant a kiss on her lips.

Alice couldn't contain herself any longer and words burst out. "Claudia's going to tell Andy tonight that her baby is half alien, and it will probably come out that Zhaan isn't Human either, so we're all pretty terrified."

The yuletide cheer was abruptly wiped from Clare's face too as she joined them in their worry.

Andy's car pulled up the driveway unfashionably early, leaving them no time to dwell on their shared anxiety. Hearing the car approach, Zhaan sauntered down the stairs. He looked as if he didn't have a care in the world and had a large smile on his face. Alice noticed, however, that he was wearing a jacket, which was not normal for him indoors, and his hand kept venturing to one pocket checking for his mind-zapper.

"At least somebody is in the Christmas Spirit," Clare commented with a reassuring smile in Zhaan's direction.

Claudia and Andy had spent so much time in his home, Jesse didn't expect them to knock and wait outside in the cold. Sure enough, the door burst open and a small cloud of light snow followed them inside. Andy was laden down with several gift-wrapped packages. Clare felt compelled to tick off the new arrivals. "We agreed no gifts, didn't we?"

Claudia brushed her telling-off aside. "It's nothing much, just a little something for you guys to have under the tree in the morning."

Slipping out of her heavy coat, Claudia looked radiant in a stunning red dress which highlighted her pregnancy bump. She'd taken a lot of care over her outfit and makeup tonight. She wanted Andy to feel proud of his woman and hoped it might help bias his decision when the time came.

As she warmly embraced Jesse, she was glad that Andy wasn't aware of the night she had spent with the party host many months before. Since his proposal, Andy had become extremely possessive of her. Despite teasing him for it, Claudia realised it was his way of dealing with her past. Secretly, after all those years of having everyone and belonging to no one, she enjoyed the extra attention. She whispered in Jesse's ear. "I'll tell him later, let's enjoy dinner first."

Alice strode out of the kitchen, bearing an open beer and handing it to Andy.

"I guess Claudia is the designated driver tonight." She turned her attention to Claudia and handed her some juice. "How do you manage to look so glamorous with that bump? I looked like a whale with mine."

Alice couldn't help but show off her precious child. She headed to the lounge to lift Seren from the crib. "She wants to meet her uncle Andy. She's been excited all day." That was in fact true. Zhaan had said Seren was picking up on the anxiety level in the house as evening approached. She thrust Seren, swamped in a tiny elf outfit, in Andy's direction. "Go on, hold her. She doesn't bite!"

Nervously Andy fidgeted around with the child until they got comfortable together and stared at her in awe.

"She's so tiny and beautiful," he murmured.

"You get to hold her while I help Clare in the kitchen," Alice joked. "Good luck! Diapers are in the basket over there."

The main course of dinner was over too quickly for Alice, even though her nervousness made it hard to swallow the food. Claudia too had struggled and left a pile of food on the side of her plate - perhaps the lump in her throat was just too big. Before Jesse had time to clear the plates, Claudia stood at the table and turned to him. "Is it OK if I use your study. I can't wait any longer." Jesse nodded and smiled supportively at his edgy friend.

Taking Andy by the hand, Claudia led him into the study and closed the door, leaving four very nervous people around the table.

When Claudia turned to Andy, indicating that he should sit down on the opposite side of Jesse's desk to her, he started to look uncomfortable.

"What is it Claudia? Have you made a decision?" he asked with a crestfallen tone already apparent in his voice. He obviously suspected she was about to reject him. "We could have talked about this at home, not with all these people here," he added bitterly.

"Andy, wait. Listen." She paused and steeled herself to be completely honest with him. "Before I can agree to marry you, there is something you need to know. It concerns the baby. My answer would have been an immediate 'yes' when you first asked, if it weren't for what I am about to tell you. I hope you can forgive me for stalling, but I think you'll understand once you know."

"Is it the father? Is he back on the scene and making things difficult for you?"

"No, nothing like that," Claudia reassured him.

"Is something wrong with the baby? I thought the sonograms were fine. You know I will consider your child to be mine, no matter what." He seemed desperate and Claudia hated seeing him this worked up.

"Just let me explain. What I'm going to tell you may sound crazy, and that's partly why I wanted to tell you tonight, here, with our friends. You may need reassuring that I haven't lost my mind," she trailed off, leaving him looking perplexed. No time like the present, she thought to herself.

"The child I am carrying..." She paused and took a deep breath. Andy was now jigging in his chair in nervous anticipation. "The child I am carrying is only one half Human." There, it was out. She'd dropped the bomb and now could only stand back and wait for the explosion. Andy wore a frown.

"Don't be daft, Claudia. I know when you look at those blurry sonogram pictures they always look a bit weird." He obviously believed she was just having a case of pre-baby nerves.

"I'm not being daft, I'm not crazy, and I'm not lying to you, Andy. The father of my child apparently wasn't from Earth, although I didn't know that at the time we were together."

"So you think he was an alien, a werewolf, vampire, or some shit like that?" He struggled to keep a serious expression on his face.

"He was an alien," Claudia stated factually. "He was a visitor from the planet Guyara. It's true. I wish it wasn't, but it is. You need to know this if we are to be married, if you are going to accept the child as your own."

Andy was still battling to keep a smirk off his face.

"I can tell that you think I've lost my marbles because of what I've been through, so I'm going to have to call in reinforcements," Claudia said with anguish. She'd hoped he'd be accepting of what she told him without having to drag Zhaan and Seren into this, but it wasn't to be. She called out and suddenly noticed the silence in the house beyond the study. "Jesse? Zhaan? Can you come in here for a minute?" As though they had been eavesdropping right outside, the two of them immediately burst into the room. Claudia turned to speak to them.

"I've told Andy about the child, but he doesn't seem convinced that I'm sane. I'm going to have to drag you guys into this. I'm sorry."

Jesse was about to launch into an explanation, but Zhaan held up a hand to his face to stop him from speaking.

Zhaan spoke in a serious tone. "I explain to you, Andy."

Still stifling a smirk, Andy slouched back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest with a look in his eye which said, 'this is going to be good'.

"I understand that it hard to believe Claudia, but what she say to you is truth. I too am alien, from Guyara."

Andy's eyebrows were now raised sceptically.

"Just look." With that Zhaan removed his dark glasses, turned to Jesse and asked him to turn on the bright room light. As soon as the room was brightly lit, he swung his head back around towards Andy. Zhaan's eyes were almost entirely filled with the speckled gold that surrounded the razor thin black slit of his pupil. Simultaneously he extended the claws on both of his hands. Suddenly, the disbelief was wiped from Andy's face.

"I know you already suspect something about me; how my name not really John, how I suddenly appear with papers from Alaska. Jesse tell me you believe something is wrong about me." Andy's arms were on the edge of the desk and he pushed himself upright into the back of the chair.

With a hurt expression on his face, he turned to Claudia. "You told me the father wasn't around anymore. How can he be the father?" He pointed angrily at Zhaan and then started to raise himself from the chair, looking dangerously in Zhaan's direction.

"Andy, calm down," Claudia began. This only poured fuel on the fire.

"You lied to me. You all lied to me." Andy looked gutted.

Jesse leapt in. "Andy, Zhaan is not the father of the child. The father of the child was called Khevn and, as Claudia told you, he is no longer around. He's no longer even on the planet and possibly not in our galaxy any more." Zhaan looked ready to dispute that fact, fully aware of the time it had taken to cross this small solar system, but Jesse directed a look at him which made him reconsider.

"So, you are telling me there are aliens here?" Andy was struggling to wrap his head around the facts.

"No," Zhaan clarified. Just me now."

"And nobody except these guys knows this?" he asked in amazement as he waved his hand towards Jesse and Claudia.

"That's right," Jesse answered quickly, before Zhaan in his naïve honesty could add the names of other people who knew.

Andy sat back down and his head fell into his hands with his elbows on the desk to support him. He sighed deeply and another thought crossed his mind.

"Is Alice's child like this one?" He pointed at Claudia's bump. Jesse nodded. "But she seemed so normal, in a small kind of way." Andy sat silently shaking his head.

Jesse felt his burden of responsibility for the situation. "Andy, Claudia wasn't aware of all of this when she conceived. None of us intended for any of this to happen. The fault lies completely with me. I was the one who arranged it and I didn't tell her. Nobody else can be blamed. If you can't accept Claudia with this child, please don't let it spoil what you have with her. It's too precious. I'll raise the child for you if that's what it takes to keep you guys together. You could move on, forget about all of this, and be happy."

Claudia looked hurt. "I'll raise my own child, thank you Jesse. I know you mean well, but we come as a package; me and my child."

Jesse looked abashed. "I didn't mean anything by it, Claudia. It was just an offer," he hurriedly explained in his defence.

Andy was mulling things over. "These 'aliens' are they coming back? Being in law enforcement I'm feeling conflicted here."

Zhaan jumped in to answer. "My people are gone. They have no plan to return. I am left here alone as punishment. They reject me because of my relationship with Alice. They don't know about the children," he explained in a nutshell.

Exasperated, Andy raised himself from the chair and swept out of the room, saying, "I need some air."

Five terrified people sat around the dinner table in silence, watching Andy where he sat on the porch, dimly illuminated by the light through the window. He'd been there for over half an hour now and had begun nervously flipping his cellphone round and round in his hands.

At one point Zhaan stood and said, "You all know he can't make a call, yes?" The others merely nodded and Zhaan shuffled towards the door Andy had left by.

Claudia was worried about Andy. He was sitting out there in just shirt sleeves and it was literally freezing. Still, it seemed like Andy catching a chill was going to be the least of her worries.

Anxiously Zhaan hovered by the door for another few minutes with one hand in his pocket. He too began nervously rotating the device within his pocket.

Jesse tried to reassure him. "Zhaan, there is no cellphone coverage here, so it won't be that quick. We'll have time."

All of a sudden Andy rose and walked towards the door, causing Zhaan to hurry back to the table to try to look like he'd been sitting there all the time.

Gesturing to Claudia and then to Zhaan, Andy walked into the study. They quickly followed behind him. This time it was Andy who indicated that they should sit, while he perched on the edge of the desk, obviously feeling he needed the height advantage. Turning to Claudia he began to speak. Choked emotion made him sound hoarse.

"Claudia, you know I love you more than anything. You are the best thing that ever happened in my entire dull life."

Claudia swallowed and expected this to be followed with a big 'BUT'.

Andy continued. "I've been sitting outside, freezing half to death. I knew what I had to do. Somebody should know these..." He paused, hesitant to say the word, "...aliens have been among us, are among us."

Zhaan fidgeted in his pocket.

"Then I remembered there is no cell coverage in this end of the world spot and considered driving back to town."

Claudia's head fell into her hands. They were doomed.

"That was lucky really because I sat there a while longer, froze my butt completely off, and thought about how important you are in my life." He turned to Claudia. "More important than anything, or anybody. I thought about our 'alien' friend here." He turned his gaze in Zhaan's direction as he gestured quotation marks in the air. "I always knew something was up with him. Nothing made sense. I tried to tell people - tried to convince the Chief - but he told me I was either paranoid or envious that Zhaan was, in his words, banging a hot girl. The way you were around Claudia after the attack, Zhaan - every time I looked she was in your arms or on your lap - well, then I really was jealous. I even thought you were cheating on Alice and couldn't believe nobody else was mad about it."

Zhaan simply commented, "It was necessary for welfare of baybay."

"I realise now there was more to it than met the eye. Anyway, you redeemed yourself in my eyes with all you did for Claudia after the attack." Not mentioning the specifics of what Zhaan had done, he glanced at Claudia. He was concerned he may be upsetting her, but she sat resolute and upright in the chair.

Andy pressed on. Zhaan now bobbed in his chair, eager to hear the final decision. He hoped he wouldn't be forced to damage his friend's mind.

"Just before hypothermia set it, I somehow came to terms with the fact that my wife-to-be is carrying a half-alien child, which I have promised to adopt, and that one of my best friends is a frigging alien. Both of those people, in fact all three of those people," he gestured towards the bump, "are more important to me than anything else in the world. So, Claudia, can I tell my mom tomorrow that we're getting married? Can we set the date, and can it be soon?" he asked impatiently. Nodding and with tears of joy streaming down her face, Claudia stood and threw herself into Andy's arms.

He turned to Zhaan. "I'm going to need to take a proper look at that kid of yours though, Alien Freak." Zhaan laughed, knowing this was a nickname that was going to stick. He rushed out of the room, giving Claudia and Andy a few moments of privacy. As he entered the dining room, where his three friends sat, worried out of their minds, the smile on Zhaan's face told them everything they needed to know.

By the time Claudia and Andy emerged from the study, Seren lay on the table in her cute elf get-up. She fidgeted merrily, grabbing onto any finger that poked her little hand. Alice had given her a quick feed while they had all been waiting. It had helped take her mind off things and calm her down.

Andy and Claudia walked over to the table to rejoin their friends and turning to Zhaan, Andy said, "I hope we can count on you as a babysitter." Zhaan replied with an eager nod.

Andy peered down, closely inspecting the child who lay before him. He bent to inspect her nail-less toes, the strange undersides of her feet, and then took an inventory of the rest of her body parts to see if anything was amiss. Like the others, he couldn't resist giving her a slight poke on the hand, making her to grasp hard onto his finger. As she did so, Andy gazed at her tiny face. "Alice her eyes are just like yours. Thank goodness!"

Shocked by his announcement, Alice raced around the table to take a look for herself. As her eyes met those of her child for the first time, deep in her heart she knew that whatever happened, however the child turned out, Seren was precious, she was theirs, and that she, Zhaan, and Seren together would cope with whatever life threw at them.

### ***

Thank you for reading my book. If you enjoyed it, won't you please take a moment to leave a review at your favourite retailer? Thanks so much. Christine Taylor Rees

### Now available in E-book in paperback

### SECOND CONTACT

### by

### Christine Taylor Rees

Book Two of the Resident Alien Series

After two years adapting to his secret life on Earth, Zhaan faces a serious dilemma.

Manhattan is threatened by the sudden landing of a craft designed by a brutal race; his people's bitter enemies. The Human population is in turmoil.

Must Zhaan reveal his presence as a Resident Alien on Earth and risk his safety and that of his half-human child, to protect the people of New York City?

Even more frightening is the prospect of Alice's reaction to his decision.

### ***

### About the author

Born and raised in Cheshire, England, after studying Languages and Business, Christine Taylor Rees soon moved to her spiritual home of South Wales. Never quite able to settle permanently, she and her husband decided to abandon everything and move aboard 'Anju', a twelve metre steel sailing ketch, to explore the world. Despite neither of them having set foot aboard a sailing boat at the point this decision was made and the budget being small, the plan proved successful. They spent fourteen years sailing in Western Europe, the Caribbean, Venezuela, the USA, and Canada.

Her love of books and reading, stifled in school by studying extremely dreary foreign literature, was rekindled during a long, slow sail across the Atlantic Ocean, where the consumption of a book a day helped the distance fly by, even if only at five miles per hour.

On reaching the East coast of the United States, it became clear that only a tiny fraction of the huge and diverse land could be explored by sea. Harvey-the-RV, a twenty-two foot Toyota Mini-motorhome, became the means of exploration during the summer months. These extended road trips, covering all fifty States and much of Canada, became the inspiration for the 'Resident Alien' series of books, and her husband's love of fly-fishing allowed ample dreaming and writing time.

Between travel adventures, Christine Taylor Rees is based in the Brecon Beacons and kept out of mischief by six step-grandchildren, her love of gardening, and frequent hikes in the Welsh hills.
